The Only Exception (Swan Queen)

Chapter 1

"Where's my husband?" Mary Margaret shrieked, her voice full of worry and fear.

Regina tugged herself away from the blonde and straightened out her clothes. "He's at Gold's shop."

The small brunette nodded and quickly took off in a run which Emma and Henry were soon to follow.

#

Regina arrived at Gold's shop a short while after everyone else. She was tired and in no rush to get there. She walked into the back room to see David and Mary Margaret kissing. She groaned and rolled her eyes. It seemed like half the town was currently piled into the back room witnessing the reunion.

When the couple finally pulled apart, Mary Margaret turned to everyone with a smile on her face. "Anyone up for dinner at Granny's?" she asked cheerily.

Everyone nodded and cheered as Henry ran over to her. "I'll see you later, mom," he mumbled, giving her a quick hug before running out the door with everyone else leaving Regina standing in the room with Gold.

Everything inside her crumbled at that very moment as she heard Gold chuckle. He was about to speak when the door opened cutting him off.

"Aren't you coming with us, Madame Mayor?" Emma asked, standing in the doorway. She shot Regina a kind smile.

Regina stood there in shock not knowing how to respond. "Yes. Thank you, Emma," she mumbled, finally finding her voice. She smiled before following Emma out of the shop.

As they walked to Granny's the blonde spoke up. "Thank you," she repeated.

Regina let out a soft chuckle. "I think you've thanked me enough today to last a lifetime, Miss Swan," she joked light-heartedly.

Emma smiled as they stopped outside the diner. "I mean it though. Without you I'd probably be dead. I'm alive because of you and I can never thank you enough for that," she mumbled nervously.

Regina stared at her in awe, once again she had her at a loss for words. Emma smiled shyly, and they made their way inside, everyone fell silent.

"What is she doing here?" Leroy growled, clearly not amused with the fact Regina was joining their celebration.

Regina stiffened and was about to walk out when she felt a hand on the small of her back that led her gently through the door. "Back off Leroy. Mary Margaret and I wouldn't be standing here without her," Emma snapped.

She shot her a thankful smile as they walked over to Mary Margaret and David.

#

Regina was sitting in a booth towards the end of the night watching what was going on around her. Henry spent most of the evening talking to various people, as did Snow and Charming, but not once did the sickeningly sweet couple leave each other's sides.

She was about to pack up and leave when Emma slid into the booth next to her. "Are you okay, Madame Mayor?" she asked gently.

Regina quickly nodded. "Yes. I suppose I'm just not used to all this," she mumbled. She looked up to make eye-contact briefly with the other woman. "I promise that I am trying to change." She stared down at her hands, twiddling her thumbs.

She felt Emma tuck her finger under her chin guiding her eyes back up to look at her again. "I know. What I witnessed today is enough proof for me. Regardless of what everyone else thinks, I believe you."

Her words sent a spark through Regina's body that lit her heart and soul on fire that she had no way of responding. She felt herself leaning in to try and kiss the blonde when she suddenly regained consciousness and sat back. She cleared her throat awkwardly, hoping that she didn't notice. "Thank you, Emma," she replied, quickly covering up whatever had just happened.