Emma is beginning to wonder if moving in with Regina is as good an idea as she originally thought. Because here she is, cuddled up on the sofa with the woman wrapped in her arms, Henry flipping through TV channels in the chair beside them. There's hot cocoa and a fire in the hearth, and it's warm, and Regina smells and feels amazing pressed up against her. And she really, really needs to get up so she can go take care of this stupid night patrol, but damn it if she doesn't think she can. It's just all so perfect and everything she's ever wanted. How is she ever going to get anything done when she could just stay home and do this?

The clock chimes above them, and she glances up at it. Ten o'clock. She really has to go now or else she'll be late.

"Babe," she says, and Regina hums her acknowledgement. "You have to let me up. I have to go patrol for Graham."

"No." Regina burrows further into her, pulling Emma's arms tighter around her, and the blonde can't help but smile. "Tell him something came up, and you can't make it after all. You're too comfortable of a pillow."

"So, that's why you like me so much," Emma teases, and Regina grins. "And here I thought it was my irresistible charm and rugged good looks."

"Don't oversell yourself, dear," Regina throws back.

"Rude." Emma kisses her cheek anyway. "As much as I would love to stay right here, and I really would, I can't. I promised Graham I'd help out. It won't take me long-an hour tops. You won't even miss me." She shimmies out from under Regina, sitting up and slipping on her boots.

Regina leans in beside her, brushing her lips against her ear. "Hm, I will certainly miss you, darling. I always do."

"I'll miss you, too," Emma says, turning towards her and kissing her lips. "It won't be for long, though. Then, I'm right back here, and I'm all yours." She stands and ruffles Henry's hair, leaning down to place a kiss on his forehead as she passes by. "See you in a few, kid. Don't watch too many cartoons."

"You'd better get back in time for Conan," he says. "I'm not waiting to watch it."

"We've got it set to DVR. Just wait for me, and we'll watch it when I get back."

He looks at her somberly. "There are two problems with that. One, you know it's physically impossible for me to stay up past twelve. My internal clock knocks me out at midnight. Two, you know I prefer to watch it live. Makes me feel like a more present, attentive audience."

Emma rolls her eyes. "Jesus, Gina. You're teaching the kid too much." Regina beams proudly at him, and he smiles back slyly. Emma grabs her jacket. "Alright, I'll be back ASAP."

"Be careful, Emma," Regina tells her as she walks her to the door. Emma opens the door, and they both shiver at the chilly night air. "If you do see anything strange, you make sure you call Graham for help. I don't like the idea of you out there by yourself this late."

"I'll be fine, Gina," Emma smiles at her. "I'm always super careful, and nothing ever happens on these patrols. Worst case scenario, I have to escort a drunk Leroy home from the bar. That's about all the excitement we get around here."

"Still," Regina frowns. "It makes me uneasy."

"I know it does, and I love how considerate and concerned you are. I promise I will be super careful, and I won't take any unnecessary risks."

"You won't take any risks at all," Regina corrects sharply and pulls Emma's beanie from the rack by the door when a particularly icy gust of wind blows through the blonde's bomber jacket. She tugs it over blonde curls securely. "I have spent a very long time hoping and wishing for you, Emma Swan. I refuse to lose you now."

Emma smiles, readjusting the hat so she can actually see properly. "I'll be careful, Gina. I'm not going anywhere, I swear." Leaning forward, she kisses the brunette again, deeper and more openly this time now that Henry isn't there to see. "I love you. I'll be back soon."

"I love you, too." Regina watches her bound down the walkway to her car, hurrying because of the cold. She doesn't close the door and re-enter the house until the Bug is started and driving away.

Emma curses herself for ever agreeing to patrol tonight. It's cold as hell, and she'd much rather be back home with Regina and Henry. She smiles to herself. It is weird to her how quickly Regina's house really has become home to her. She's never felt so comfortable and loved anywhere else in her life. Although she knows that has nothing to do with the house itself and everything to do with the company. No matter where they may go, she knows that as long as she has Regina and Henry, that warm feeling of belonging will remain. They're her home now. She wonders if maybe they always have been, even before she met Regina, even before she had Henry. In so many ways, it feels like she has been searching for her all her life, searching for the person who would love her the way she desires, the way she deserves. She had begun to lose faith she ever would find that. But then Regina Mills, infuriating, adorable, wonderful Regina Mills turned her entire world upside down in one look.

She knew from the start that nothing would ever be the same after that.

When Emma pulls up to the station, it is quiet. Graham is locked away in his office, pouring over files and reports, and Steven sits at the desk across from Emma's doing the same thing, though on his computer. When he had found out that the station still ran on actual paper and filing cabinets, he had nearly had a heart attack. Immediately, the kid had set up a database for the station, pulling Graham, kicking and screaming, into the 21st century. The Sheriff himself had opted to keep to the old pen and paper routine, but Emma prefers the digital format, even if the computers they have are ancient and tragically slow. Being able e-mail the files rather than hand-deliver them or wait for the post office to send them is a huge plus, though Graham refuses to admit it. Emma has never seen someone so young be such a severe technophobe.

"Hey, Stevie," Emma says upon entering, and the boy glances up at her behind the glow of the computer screen. "Long night?"

"Extremely," he sighs. "Graham won't come out of his office. We got into an argument when I tried to explain the benefits of the Cloud to him. He thinks I'm some kind of government spy now." Emma chuckles while unlocking her desk drawer and procuring the key to her designated cruiser. Which just happens to be the fastest one. She'd called dibs on it, much to her boss's chagrin. "You heading out for patrol?"

"Yep," Emma nods. "Told Graham I'd do it tonight since you two are so swamped in here. Shouldn't be long. I'll be back to drop the cruiser off."

"Alright. Be careful."

She chuckles. "Why does everyone seem to think I'm going to get myself hurt?"

"Because we know you," Steven grins back at her. "You've got a reputation of being kind of reckless, Emma."

"Do not. I'm super reck-full."

He laughs. "Just get out of here. And make sure your cell phone is on and charged, will you? Last time you let it die on patrol, your girlfriend called the office all worked up because she thought you were dead." He cringes. "She was terrifying. I never thought someone could be so threatening over a phone call, but she was."

Emma smirks. "That's my sweetie pie. Don't worry, I've got my phone on me. I'll be back in a few."

She walks back out into the cold and ducks into her cruiser. Turning the engine on, she cranks up the heater as hard as it will go and pulls out onto Main Street.

Patrolling Storybrooke is tedious enough on a good day, but tonight when she should be at home with her family, it is practically torture for Emma. She tries to do it quickly while also being effective. As much as she just wants to hurry up and get home, she'd never forgive herself if she accidentally overlooked a potential emergency.

She turns off of a residential street onto Harbor Street, aptly named as it runs parallel to the Storybrooke Harbor itself. Tapping her fingers restlessly along the steering wheel to the beat of the B-52s song that plays faintly over the radio, Emma scans the area, checking in between the buildings for any sign of suspicious activity. Though she's never actually found anything there before, she is always careful to be extra attentive around there. The place just gives her the creeps at night.

Just as she is satisfied that all is well, she catches sight of movement near the docks. Under the dim glow of the street lamp, she can make out two figures facing each other, one clearly masculine and the other feminine. The man has a slight sway to his feet, obviously drunk, and he has the woman backed up to the edge of the dock. The girl cannot go forward and does not have the space to sidestep him, trapped between him and the harbor. Emma brings the cruiser to a halt in the road, watching carefully to see if her assistance is required. When the woman pushes the man, he grabs her arms forcefully, nearly knocking them both into the water. At this, Emma cuts the engine to the cruiser, radios a possible altercation back to the station, and jumps out, running to the pair.

"Hey!" she shouts as she nears them. "What's going on here?"

The man stiffens before turning around, his hands still gripping the younger woman. He has pushed her even further back, and the heels of her sneakers are dangling off the edge of the dock. She looks at Emma with fearful brown eyes begging for help, and Emma notes how she can't be much more than eighteen or so. Poor thing is obviously scared out of her mind, and Emma shudders at how very well she recognizes that look. How she herself had worn it at that very same age.

When she catches sight of the man intimidating the girl, it only makes Emma's blood boil hotter.

"Well, well," Killian Jones sneers at her. "If it isn't Emma Swan. Long time, no see, love."

"Killian," she growls. "Appears that you've sunk even lower than the last time I saw you." She nods to the girl still in his grasp. "Let her go."

"This is a private conversation between she and I," Killian slurs. "It's none of your business."

"Well, it's fairly apparent she isn't comfortable with the way things have gone," Emma says and looks to the girl. "Am I right?"

"Yes!" she exclaims. "I was just walking home, and he came out of nowhere and grabbed me!"

"Shut up, you!" Killian snaps at her, cutting his eyes at her. He looks back to Emma and smiles nastily. "There's nothing to be alarmed over."

"You're drunk, Killian," Emma says. "Let go of the girl and go home. Sleep it off. You don't want to do something you'll regret."

His eyes gleam at her. "Something I'll regret? Y'know, it almost sounds like you care about me, Swan." She rolls her eyes. He couldn't be more wrong. He releases the girl and advances on Emma. She narrows her eyes at him, refusing to back up or show weakness. He'd made her feel powerless before. He wouldn't do it again. "I always knew you had a soft spot for me deep down." He reaches out a hand and brushes her cheek with it, and she jerks back from his touch. "You cost me a lot, Swan, do you know that?"

Suddenly, he grabs hold of her hair and jerks it. She shrieks out in pain, stumbling to the side and clawing at his hand in her hair.

"I told you it wasn't over between us, didn't I?" he shouts at her furiously. "I said you'd see me again!" Jerking her forward by her hair, he slams her against a nearby brick building and grabs both of her shoulders firmly, gritting his teeth as he looks her over with watery, contempt-filled eyes. "I said I'd get you back, and I intend to do just that. Before, this would've been as enjoyable for you as it will be for me. But now-well, now you've pissed me off, and I'm not feeling quite so charitable."

She curls her lip hatefully at him. "Get your goddamn hands off of me." He smirks and giggles at her. However, all his amusement disappears when she rears her head back and lunges it forward, smacking into his own. While she does succeed in getting him to release her, she also disorients herself with the move. She has just shaken the stars away from her eyes when she sees Killian coming forward with his fist back as if to hit her. She dodges his sluggish, intoxicated movements keenly, ducking under his arm. When he turns back around to face her, she is ready for him. She smashes her fist dead into his face. His nose lets out a nasty crack, and he crumples to the ground with blood gushing down his face and painting his lips and chin crimson. He looks up as if to struggle back to his feet, but he stops when he sees the gun the blonde has pointed down at him. With her jacket pushed back slightly, he catches sight of the Deputy's badge pinned to her belt.

Seeing him looking at the shining badge, Emma smirks at his horrified expression. "Yeah, you're under arrest, dickhead."

Flipping him on his back, she cuffs him and reads him his rights, being none too gentle about it. Standing back up, she faces the girl.

"Are you alright?" she asks."

The girl swallows and nods. "Yes, I'm fine. That was amazing, thank you." Emma smiles, putting her gun away. The girl glances down at her hand and frowns. "Oh, God-your hand!"

"What do you mean?" Emma looks down at her right hand and finds her knuckles busted open and painted red. Her knuckles are misshapen and already swelling, and she can tell something is broken. "Damn. Really nailed him, didn't I?"

Seconds later, a second police cruiser pulls up, siren blaring and lights flashing, and skids to a stop in front of them. Graham leaps out, eyes wide and gun out.

"Emma!" he calls, running up to her. "Are you alright? I tried to radio you to see if the possible altercation progressed, but you didn't answer. I feared the worst."

"I'm alright," she says and nods to where Killian still lay, groaning and bleeding. "He's the perp. I arrested him for harassing this young woman and assault on a police officer."

"Assault?" Graham repeats, stepping closer to her. "Emma, are you alright? What happened?" He catches sight of her hand. "Oh my God, your hand!"

"Yeah, I think I may have broken it punching him," she says and winces when she looks back down at the cracked skin and bones of her knuckles. Now that the adrenaline is leaving her body from the fight, the pain is making itself more and more prevalent, and her hand is throbbing with it. "Hurts like a bitch, actually. If you can get this guy to the station, I'm going to drive myself to the emergency room."

"You're not driving yourself anywhere," Graham says sternly. "You're in no shape to drive right now, Emma. I brought Steven along with me just in case." She looks over and finds the boy standing timidly by the cruiser. "While I take this guy and the young woman back to the station to take their statements, he is going to take you to the hospital." She opens her mouth to argue, but he doesn't let her. "No arguments, Emma."

She frowns, but she hasn't got the strength to press the issue. Not when her hand hurts so bad. "Fine. Whatever." She looks back down at Killian. "Just make sure you give him the worst holding cell we got."

Graham smirks at her. "Will do." She turns to walk back to the cruiser where Steven is waiting. Oh, and Emma?" She looks back at Graham, and he smiles at her. "Excellent job. I knew I was right in picking you as my deputy."

She smiles back at him and salutes with her good hand. "Just doing my job, Sheriff." She hobbles, exhausted, to the cruiser and tosses Steven the keys. "Hurry and get me to the hospital, kid. I need pain meds, and I fucking need them now."

Steven gets her to the hospital in record time, gagging constantly over the sight of blood, and she is admitted to the emergency room. Steven waits by the door, looking anywhere but at her injury, while Dr. Whale examines her.

"Well, Deputy Swan," the doctor says, "I don't know who you were punching, but I'd certainly hate to be them. It's a metacarpal fracture, what we call the Boxer's fracture. I was hoping maybe it was hairline fracture, but it's a clean break. Thankfully, you got here in time that I don't see any nerve damage, and the break doesn't seem to be restricting blood flow. You certainly put a lot of force behind this."

"He had a hard head," she dismisses, wincing as the doctor carefully flexes her hand. "Can I just get something for the pain now, Whale? Seriously, I'm at a ten. I'm above ten. I'm miles above a ten right now."

"I imagine so." Whale turns towards the IV bag on the stand next to where she sits on the edge of the hospital bed. "I've got a drip ready for you-should knock out the pain. We're also going to get some fluids and anti-inflammatory drugs to reduce the swelling. Then, we'll wrap that hand up in a cast, give you a prescription, and you should be able to go home." He holds up the needle connected to the drip, and she cringes. She hates needles. "But I'm going to need you to lie back, alright? These meds are pretty strong, and they're probably going to make you a little, um, disoriented."

"You mean they're going to make me loopy?" Emma sighs. "Great. This is going to be fun to explain to Regina when I get home." She lays back in the bed.

"About that..." Steven says guiltily from where he is pressed against the wall.

Emma snaps her eyes at him. "About what? Steven, what did you do?" He chews on his lip. "Please, tell me you didn't."

"I had to, Emma. I told you, she scares me."

"Shit, Steven! She's going to be totally freaked out!"

"You don't know that," he says, toeing at the floor. "She could be totally calm about it."

"Emma Swan!" Emma looks up as Dr. Whale readies the drip and finds Regina hauling ass inside the room, Henry glued to her side. Her eyes are wide and wet and red, and Emma can't decide if she looks more worried or pissed.

"Regina," Emma says. "There's no need to get worked up."

Regina sees her hand, cleaned of most of the blood but still grotesquely bent and broken, and gasps. "Oh my God! Your hand!"

"I wish everyone would stop saying that," Emma groans. She sees Whale flick the tip of the needle. "I'm going to need a three-count for that, Doc. I hate needles."

"Trust me, Deputy," he says. "With all the pain you're in right now, this needle won't feel like anything."

"What happened?" Regina demands.

Emma looks away from Whale to her. "It's sort of a long story." She catches sight of Henry at the foot of the bed, staring wide-eyed at her hand and frowns. "Hey, kid. Everything's okay, yeah? I'm fine. Just a broken hand."

"I know," he says and grins at her. "It's totally awesome, Ma! Steven said you broke your hand punching some bad guy! That's so cool!"

She sighs and chuckles despite the pain in her hand as Whale searches for a suitable vein in her arm. She should've known she wouldn't need to worry about traumatizing him. The kid is like a duck-stuff just rolls off his back like water. "Doesn't feel so cool right now."

"I told you to be careful," Regina says sharply. "I told you to call for back-up if you saw anything."

"I radioed in to let Graham know," Emma argues irritably. "I just didn't have time to wait for him-I couldn't just let a crime happen right in front of me!" While she is distracted, Whale plunges the needle into Emma's arm, and she nearly jumps out of the bed in shock. "Ah! Shit, I thought you said it wouldn't hurt!"

"I lied," he says back with a smile, and she glares at him. "Don't worry, though. In another minute or so, you won't be feeling anything but good." Immediately, Emma feels the cold medication running into her veins, and the abnormal sensation makes her shiver. Her mind begins to relax as the medication eases her pain.

"Oh, man," Emma blinks. "This-This is the good stuff, huh? Like, seriously." She looks over at Regina, her eyelids suddenly heavy. "We need to get some of this for home."

"Glad it's working," Whale smirks. "I'm going to let that run through you. A nurse will bring in the anti-inflammatory shortly."

"Thanks, Doc," Emma says as he leaves the room. "You're a miracle worker."

"Emma," Regina says, and she clearly tries to remain firm. However, with Emma's head lolling from side to side and her words running together, it's hard. "Emma, you promised me I wouldn't have to worry. You promised I wouldn't lose you." Her voice breaks as tears fill her eyes.

"Gina, you don't have to worry," Emma says softly, smiling at her. "I broke my hand. No big deal. I'm not going anywhere." She holds her good hand out, and Regina immediately takes it as she moves closer to her bedside. Emma takes her hand and places it on her chest. "Feel that? I'm still here."

Regina smirks. "Dear, your heart is on the other side."

Emma furrows her brow down at where she has placed Regina's hand on the right side of her chest. "Oh. Whatever. You know what I mean."

"I do." Regina leans down and rests her forehead against Emma's. "When Steven called me and said you'd been hurt... God, I was so scared, Emma. So terrified of what might've happened."

"It was nothing big, babe."

"But it could've been, Emma. It could've been so much worse."

"Nature of the job," the blonde tells her. "But I promise I'll be more careful. I'll start calling in for back-up. I'll make Graham hire more deputies so we can have two-officer patrols. And I'll be damned if I ever take on anymore late-night patrols on my day off. This is some bullshit." Regina laughs hoarsely, tears seeping down her cheeks. Emma kisses them away softly. "It'll be okay, Gina. I'm okay. You're okay. Everything's okay."

"I know," she says and cups Emma's cheek. "I love you."

"And I love you, you sexy lady," Emma grins back at her, and Regina laughs again. "God, these meds are something else!" She beams at Henry. "Seriously, kid, you ought to try this stuff! I feel like that little leprechaun on the Lucky Charms box. Floating around on rainbows with his pot of gold and little shamrock hat. Oh, man, that'd hit the spot, wouldn't it? Some Lucky Charms. We gotta get some when we get home." Henry laughs at her.

"The only thing you're getting," Regina interjects, "is in the bed." She smooths Emma's hair back affectionately. "You've had a very long, hard night."

"Oh, I get what you mean," Emma smiles slyly and tries to wink at her, though it's more of just eyelids rolling lazily open and closed repeatedly. "You want to get me in bed so we can have an even longer and harder night. Alright, alright. Just let me get this cast on, and I'm all yours, beautiful." She throws her uninjured arm around Regina's waist and pulls her even closer, nearly into the bed with her.

"Emma!" Regina gasps, but she is struggling not laugh. "That is not what I meant! You're going home and going to bed. As in, to sleep. You need to rest after all this."

"Lame," the blonde grumbles.

"Think of it this way, Ma," Henry tells her. "Tomorrow's Sunday, so we'll all be home all day. Since you're hurt, we can watch movies the whole time. We don't even have to leave the sofa all day." Emma brightens. "We could have popcorn for dinner."

"And Twizzlers!" the blonde grins excitedly. "Movie day!"

"You can have popcorn and Twizzlers as snacks," Regina says. "You'll have a proper dinner. Though, I suppose, I can allow you to eat it on the sofa, all things considered."

"Boo," Henry gripes.

"Hey, no, kid," Emma says. "Gina's right. We gotta be nutritious. Besides, she's, like, the best cook ever. Her food's way better than popcorn and Twizzlers." Emma's head falls against the pillow, and she looks up at a smiling Regina. "Can we do lasagna? It's my favorite."

"I don't see why not," Regina smiles at her.

"And I could make my famous ice cream sandwiches!" Henry says gleefully, and both the blonde and the brunette grimace. "Ma loves those, too, don't you?"

Regina worries a moment that Emma, in her drugged state, will tell Henry exactly what she thinks of his ice cream sandwiches and hurt his feelings. However, Emma, even heavily medicated, is as thoughtful a mother as ever.

She forces a smile that Regina is surprised to find actually rather convincing. Not convincing to her, but Henry could probably buy that. "Absolutely, kid. You know I live for those."

"Awesome," he smiles. "I saw a vending machine down the hall. I'm going to grab a bag of chips. Anyone want anything?"

"I'll pass," Regina says.

Henry looks to Emma. "Candy bar?"

"Actually, I'm good. I've got all the sweets I need right here." She beams up at Regina.

"Ugh, gross," Steven groans. "Henry, I'm going to the vending machine with you before my lunch makes a reappearance." The two boys exit the room, leaving Emma and Regina alone.

"This medication certainly makes you affectionate," Regina muses as Emma squeezes her hand and kisses the back of her palm.

"Nah, that's not the meds," Emma says. "I'm just super crazy about you." Regina's cheeks warm, and Emma scoots over in the bed. "Come on. Lay down with me."

"What? No, Emma. This is a hospital."

"Yeah, and we've got no clue how long we're going to be stuck in here." Emma sticks her bottom lip out. "Please, Gina. I really want you to lay down with me. I know you want to, too."

Regina looks down at her, and she tries to hold out. Really, she does. She tries to be strong. But Emma is looking at her with those round, sad eyes, and she can't withstand them. And she can't deny that the blonde is right. Regina does want to lie down with her. After receiving such a scary phone call, she just wants to be as close as possible.

So, sighing heavily, Regina places her purse on the floor and removes her shoes. Emma smiles brightly, sliding over more and turning down the blankets. Regina carefully lowers herself into the bed beside Emma, angling herself on her side. Emma turns towards he as well, and Regina wraps her arms around her just as she has wanted to do all night.

Emma sighs, resting her head against Regina's chest. She hears the steady rhythm of the brunette's heart beating, and it is the most comforting sound she can imagine. She can feel herself starting to fall asleep, her eyes closing and her breathing evening out. Regina rubs soothing patterns into her back in the way she knows Emma loves.

"Gina?" she asks without looking up.

"Hm?"

"Did you ever think this would happen? You and me, I mean? When we first met, did you think we'd end up together?"

Regina chuckles. "Not at all, no. I never imagined this could happen." She presses a kiss to the blonde's temple. "But I'm very happy it did. I'm very glad that we managed to see past our differences to find that, beneath it all, we're made for each other. Because I have never been so happy as I am now with you and Henry."

"Me, either," Emma whispers and pauses. "Do you believe in true love, Regina?"

The brunette smiles. "I'm not sure. Maybe. Do you?"

"I didn't used to. I used to think it was just stupid fairy tale crap that somebody made up to make the rest of us feel crummy. But now, with you, I think I do believe in it. And I think you're mine."

Regina smiles into soft blonde hair. "Well, if it does exist, then you are mine as well. Now, you should rest, darling."

"Okay." Emma yawn before burrowing closer to Regina, inhaling the perfume that she swears is the most wonderful scent in the world. "Gina?"

"Yes, Emma?"

"Remember when I told you about Neal and what he did to me?"

Regina frowns uncertainly before looking down at Emma. She is met with calm, serious green eyes. She doesn't look or sound upset or even distressed. "What brought that up?"

"Tonight," Emma says. "The guy I punched, Killian-he had this girl cornered. She was young, and she looked so scared. We both knew what he was going to do. And I just looked at her... and it was like looking in a mirror." Emma's lips pull down tightly. "And it made me think. There's no difference what Killian was planning to do the girl and what Neal did to me. It doesn't really matter if we were drinking or if he meant to hurt me. He still did it." She blinks, focusing again on Regina. "It was rape, wasn't it? What he did to me. He raped me, didn't he?"

Regina combs her fingers softly through Emma's hair before replying quietly, "Yes, Emma."

Again, Emma remains calm. She doesn't cry or react much at all. She just sighs. "I've always known it. I just never wanted to think of it like that. I didn't want to use that word. I didn't want to admit that it happened to me. That I was a victim."

"You aren't a victim, Emma," Regina assures her. "You're a survivor, and that is something to be proud of, not ashamed of."

Emma smiles sleepily at her. "Hey, you want to know something? You're pretty fantastic."

Regina smiles back. "You're pretty fantastic yourself. Now, you really need to rest a little, darling. You can barely keep your eyes open as it is."

"Okay." She settles back into the pillow, her entire body curling around Regina. "Gina?"

The brunette sighs. "Emma, you need to sleep."

"I know. Just one more thing, I promise."

"Alright."

"I love you."

Regina smiles again, looking down at Emma. "I love you, too." She kisses her lips gently. "Now, sleep."

"Ma'am, yes ma'am," Emma replies with a goofy grin before collapsing into Regina completely. It isn't another minute before she is snoring lightly into the brunette's chest.

Smiling to herself, Regina holds Emma tight and rests her lips against the top of her head. Not for the first time since meeting the blonde, she thanks whatever force led this clumsy, goofy, beautiful, magnificent, foolish, perfect idiot into her life.

And she can't help but smile because she knows that as wonderful as her life has been since she and Emma first came together, it is only the beginning to their spectacular story.

A/N: As of the moment, this is my fluffy ending for this story. Let me know if you'd like an epilogue. I've considered it-maybe to tie up some loose ends-but I'll let you all decide if you'd like a little extension or if you'd rather the story just end here. Thanks to everyone who followed along with this story and remained patient in the waiting. This has been so much fun to write, and I've loved every second of it! Big shout out to SweetSQ for sending me this prompt to begin with. This story expanded into so much more than I thought it would be initially, and I couldn't be happier with the end result! Thanks for all the follows, favorites, and especially the reviews. I love reading what you guys think about each update and story. This is my longest fic yet and has probably been the most fun for me to write out all the ones I've published on here so far. So, thank you for exploring this story along with me! :) (P.S., drugged Emma is the most fun Emma to write)