Please Don't Let It End

Emma's Birthday

Emma's POV

I can't believe that my mom decided to throw me a surprise party. She should know by now that I hate surprises. But she insisted that since she missed out on so many when I was a kid, that she's going to make it up to me. So here I am, at Granny's, waiting on Ruby to bring my only hope of making it through this party, Tequila. It seems everyone in Storybrooke is here. Ever since I brought Lily back, Mal has decided to follow in Regina's path and become a hero. Both of them are here now too.

The only person missing is Regina. I thought maybe she might, but I figured that since parties weren't her thing, she wasn't coming. At least if she were here, I'd have someone else to join me in my misery. And if she were here, I wouldn't be drinking, well drinking as much as I am.

After going on the road trip, I realized the true extent of my feelings for her. The entire time she was with Robin, my blood would almost boil and at first I thought it was because I didn't think he would be worthy of being a good male figure in Henry's life. But then I realized that it was because I was jealous that he was the one who had Regina. I broke up with Hook the day Regina and I left for the road trip. I just couldn't lie anymore and I realized that my feelings for him didn't go much past being friends.

Henry knows how I feel about Regina, aside from Ruby, he's the only one. And I'm surprised that my mom doesn't know, since Ruby can't keep her mouth shut sometimes. Henry has tried to get me to ask Regina out, but I can't bring myself to do it or to tell her how I fell. I can't stand lose her as a friend and it would extremely awkward if we broke up when we would drop off/pick up Henry. He keeps saying that she feels the same way too, but then I wonder why she spent so much time fighting for Robin if she truly didn't love him?

After Ruby hands me my fifth shot, I hear the door to Granny's open. There's only one person it could be, Regina. She's the only one not here. My parents are mingling and letting Neal be passed around. And Henry is talking to Belle about some book series. Everyone else is enjoying the food and the party. I decide not to look up to see if it is Regina. I just lower my head a little and hope that, if it is, she doesn't come over here.

My hope was wasted as soon as I smelt the familiar scent of apples. She places her purse on the counter and takes a seat next to me.

"I hear that it's your birthday today Miss. Swan."

God, if she only knew what that does to me.

"You heard correct. That's why I'm here celebrating," I respond as I pick up my next shot and make a cheers gesture and drink it.

"And you're here drinking because?"

"I hate surprises and my mother thought this a good plan."

I almost said, "because I'm trying to drown my feelings for you."

Out of the corner of my vision, I see her roll her eyes and flag Ruby over. I see Regina whisper something in her ear and Ruby smiling back as she walks away. This makes my blood start to boil, I know some of it is the alcohol talking, and the part is jealousy. I also know that Ruby won't do anything because she knows how I truly feel. I see Regina order a glass of red wine and I raise my hand, signaling that I want another shot.

Ruby places the wine in front of Regina and pours my shot, places it on a napkin that reads,

'If you don't tell her soon, you'll regret not doing it.'

I nod my head to Ruby, so she understands that I got the message, before going into the back. There's no one around us, so I might actually take Ruby's advice and say something. I know that's the Tequila talking. It's a good thing that I've had about 6 shots of liquid courage because I'm going to need all I can get. I take a moment to breathe and then turn to Regina,

"R-R-Regina," I stumble out.

Wow I'm drunker than I thought, but I continue on.

"Yes Emma?"

"Can I tell you- never mind. I'm going just going to come out and say it. I love you. I have since Neverland. I didn't say anything because you had Robin and I thought that I could make my parents happy by being with Hook. I didn't realize how much you truly meant to me until the road trip we took to go find Lily. And I didn't say anything then because you were heartbroken and I couldn't handle losing you as a friend. So I kept my mouth shut and sucked it up. But I can't anymore, I find myself thinking about taking you on dates, waking up by your side every morning, raising Henry together."

I finished talking and waited for her response. Nothing came. I waited some more until she threw money on the bar and took off running.

"Well Ruby, I hope you're happy. I told her the truth and she ran off," I snapped.

"Ok Em, I love you, but 1: I'm cutting you off. It's your birthday, go home and sleep this off. 2: I'm sure that Regina just needed to process that information. Give her a little bit to come around."

"I hope you're right, goodnight Rubes," I told her as I made my way out of Granny's and back to my apartment.

Time Jump

2 days later

It's been 2 days since I spilled my feelings to Regina and I haven't heard from her. I've texted her and called her. I can handle her not feeling the same way, I just can't handle losing her as a friend. Today was Friday, which meant that we had weekly meetings to go over all the departments in town. Which means that it potentially could be awkward between Regina and I. My day at the Sheriff's station has drug on forever and it's still only 4:30. I decide to leave work early and have my dad cover the extra 30 minutes left in my shift, while I go to Granny's and get some food before the meeting.

I placed my order with Ruby and waited. After about 5 minutes, I hear the bell on the door ding. Not thinking, I look up to see Regina. She's scanning the room and I hope that her eyes don't find mine. Too late. She catches my eyes and immediately looks away, as do I. I pull out my phone and start playing games to try and distract my mind from thoughts of her. It was working until I hear the familiar click of heels. They stop walking when they reach my table. I glance up to Regina standing there and looking at me. I nod for her to take a seat.

"Miss Swa- Emma, could you come by the mansion after the meeting? I have something I would like to talk to you about."

"Sure Regina. I'll be there as soon as I can " I respond, not meeting her gaze.

"Thank you Emma." And with that she was gone and Ruby was bringing me my order.

"Thanks Ruby."

"So I saw our lovely Madam Mayor over here. Was it anything interesting?"

"Just that she wants to talk after the weekly meeting, which is something I'm going to be late for if I don't leave now. Thanks for the food Rubes."

"Text me later and tell me what happens!" I hear Ruby shout as I leave the diner.

Nothing exciting happens during the meeting, just everyone complaining about something or asking for something. I kept getting distracted by thoughts of what Regina wants to talk about later. After Regina closes the meeting, I make my way to the Bug to go home and change. I come to a quiet house and a note from my parents.

'Decided that since you had a meeting, we wanted to take Neal and Henry out to eat at Granny's. Be home later. Love you.'

I place the note back on the counter and go upstairs to change. After I changing, I grab my keys, wallet and phone and head to Regina's. It doesn't take long to get there. Which doesn't give my much time to resume my earlier thoughts. I exit my car and walk to the mansion door. I knock and wait for it to be opened. I don't have to wait long until I'm greeted by Regina, who is dressed in jeans, a plain t-shirt, with her hair up and barefoot. I almost don't believe it, but go inside anyway. I take my shoes off right next to her heels and follow her into the kitchen, where she gets out 2 glasses and asks what I would like to drink. I decide to choose something that won't make me a rambling drunk again. She pours 2 glasses of some expensive, but good red wine and slides me a glass. I take a sip and wait for her to begin.

It takes her close to about 5 minutes of dead silence before she speaks.

"I'm going to be completely honest with you Emma. And I want you wait until I'm done before you say something? Deal?"

Not trusting my voice, I just nod my head.

"Ok, I know I ignored your calls and texts and don't bother talking to you until today. I am sorry for doing that. But I wanted to ask if you wanted to go out with me sometime? I know I ran away after what you told me, but I just needed to process things and mentally think about this. I don't want this to be some temporary thing. We both have Henry to think about and no matter what happens, we won't let it affect him. And I'm sure that doesn't excuse what I did, but I wanted you to know. I owed you that much. So what do you say to a date Emma?"