A/N: First thing, I dedicate this to Dami & Shelby for coming up with the idea and for being excited about this, y'all are cute. Second thing: This is complete and utter fluff and not to be taken that seriously, and lastly, I hope you all enjoy this. xo
Mellie Grant was sitting alone in a diner in a town she had come across on her current travels; Storybrook. Mellie was dressed impeccably, her hair was its usual high height - so many secrets tucked in there - she was wearing a royal blue dress, teamed with a blue blazer of a similar shade, with blue shoes and a huge pearl necklace to match, her extremely toned calves on show. Since her husband had out run his presidency, she was no longer required to stay his wife for the sake of their appearance to the world, they hadn't gotten divorced yet, but it was going to happen very soon. Mellie decided it was time she done her own thing, things that benefited her and had her interests at heart, she had spent the last 19 years of her life on Fitzgerald Grant and now she was taking HER life back, it was time for HER to be happy. Mellie Grant was on the search for happiness.
Mellie was shocked at how quiet this place was, there were no paparazzi or anyone trying to take her picture, there was just a few small men huddled in the corner at the bar talking among themselves, normally she couldn't sit in peace for more than two minutes without someone coming over and speaking to her, after all she had been the most famous lady in the world for the last eight years. She was really relieved to be completely honest, she needed time to think, although some would consider that seriously dangerous, she had no bad thoughts at that exact moment in time, she was content with herself for the first time in almost 20 years, and she felt free. She was mostly thinking about where she was going to drive to next, but she quite liked it here. Granny brought over Mellie's hot chocolate. "There you go, haven't seen you in here before?" Granny asked with a pleasant smile.
"Thank you," Mellie said shocked because this woman didn't seem to know who she was speaking to, for the first time since Mellie could remember she was being spoken to like a normal human being and not a scary political figure. "Nope, never been before, it's nice. I like it." Mellie said politely returning the smile. Granny smiled and walked away, leaving Mellie with her hot chocolate and happy thoughts. Mellie began sipping daintily on the hot chocolate she had ordered, she couldn't remember the last time she had had one and she was determined to remember every last taste. She hummed in delight as she savored the taste; until she was startled by the bell of the door opening.
Regina Mills the mayor of the town and "former" Evil Queen, some would argue the "former" part is nonsense but some had become surprisingly proud of her over the last few years, she didn't know what it was like for someone to be proud of her until now and she sure as hell enjoyed it. For the first time ever Regina was happy and didn't think anything was missing from her life. She had her son who was the closest person she had to a best friend but she wouldn't change it for the world, she had become pretty close with Emma Swan very surprisingly, after everything they had been through together they had finally moved past it and became friends, she felt like she had a family with the Charming-Mills, it was all Regina needed – well, thought she needed.
Needing a break from all the boring paperwork she had been bundled with she decided to head to Granny's diner for some lunch. She didn't normally go during daytime but something subconsciously was itching away at her and telling her to go, so instinctively she did. She was dressed in a knee-length red dress that hugged her perfect figure... well perfectly; she had teamed it up with a pair of black heels. Her make-up expertly applied; bright red lips and her hair not a hair out of place, she was perfect and this hadn't gotten past Mellie Grant. Regina effortlessly and very gracefully walked over to the counter where she ordered her lunch, "I'm good thanks, and can I have my usual?" Regina asked Granny, Granny knew what Regina exactly what Regina liked. Regina turned and looked around for a place to sit.
Mellie sat in her chair, her eyes widely watching the woman who had just walked through the door, she didn't realize she was staring until she accidentally spilled the remaining of her hot chocolate on herself, she immediately stood up and silently screamed after all she had probably ruined a five thousand dollar Stella McCartney dress after all. She attempted to rub it but she was only making it worse, and she had burnt her thighs. She was cursing so heavily under her breath, some of her words were visible to anyone listening close enough but the former First Lady didn't care if the world heard her. She looked up when she heard the sound of high heels walking towards her followed by light laughter ever so slightly aired with a hint of evil.
"You're only going to make that worse and well I don't think you want to ruin THAT dress!" Regina said, not realizing what she had said or even knowing what context she meant it in. She found this woman before her unbelievably adorable. Regina squinted her eyes, staring deeply at the woman standing before her. "Wait, I know you from somewhere…" Suddenly it dawned on her, "Oh my, you're the First Lady?" Regina asked slightly in shock by who was ACTUALLY standing in front of her with hot chocolate soaking through her dress.
"Former First Lady," Mellie said correcting her, "but yes, I am Mellie Grant," Mellie said slightly moving her head to the side before looking down at her wet patch on her dress and looking back up to Regina offering Regina a slightly apologetic smile whilst trying to compose herself she was secretly delighted there was no press to catch this moment on camera, what would the headlines be? Mellie daren't think about it.
"Oh I'm so sorry, I'm Mayor Regina Mills, I run this town," Regina said proudly whilst holding her hand out to shake Mellie's. Mellie returned the gesture and shook Regina's hand, she didn't know what to say, I mean what do you say to the former First Lady? "Do you need a change of clothes? Wait of course not you're-" and before Regina ever realized what she was saying Mellie cut in quickly.
"No, I would, if you don't mind but I really don't want people seeing me like this, it's a bit embarrassing." Mellie replied. Regina started leaning closer, why was something telling her to trust this woman? She had just only met her. Regina had done her research on this woman and knew she was a force to be reckoned with but she seemed really nice in real life, you should never believe what you read, Regina reminded herself, shaking off the thought. Regina didn't understand anything she seemed to be doing, it was completely out of character, her mind and gut had completely shut down. Mellie instantly went to tighten up her body because Regina had moved in closer and there was absolutely no secret service to protect her anymore but despite meeting this woman two seconds ago she felt fairly comfortable in her presence.
"Can you keep a secret?" Regina whispered, it wasn't much of a secret in Storybrook, none at all to be honest, everyone knew Regina had magic, half the town had magic but no one on the outside ever knew or got close enough to find out.
"Have you seen how big my hair is? Of course I can keep a secret!" Mellie said, almost whispering back this was not like at her at all, she felt playful, a feeling she had never felt before. Regina laughed whilst looking up at Mellie's impressive hair, she was right, it was high. Regina waved her hands and a puff of purple smoke appeared around them and suddenly they were no longer in the diner.
"What THE HELL just happened?" Mellie asked, more like a demand than a question. She stepped back from Regina. She was almost scared but more intrigued than anything, although she was still in complete shock.
"Oh, relax, you didn't want anyone to see you, no one saw you, problem solved." Regina replied nonchalantly despite how proud of herself she currently was, as she tried to hide her laugh, she realized she had not seen anyone look this scared but intrigued about her magic since Emma Swan had first seen her magic herself out of a situation, it was cute, not that Regina would EVER admit it.
"You just got us here? Like that? What do you have magic or something?" Were the next words to leave Mellie's mouth, soaking with sarcasm and a light scoff. She began taking in the view, Regina's mansion was nice, comfortable and it felt like a home, not a house like the White House but an actual home where a family lived, it was also very black and white, Mellie loved it, it was very magical, a bit like the woman standing in front of her, literally.
"Yes, I do have magic." Regina said, very seriously, she didn't take her eyes of Mellie's face once as she examined every movement and every single expression she made. The best part about having magic was if Mellie was to freak out, Regina could make her forget in an instance what she had just witnessed. Regina was ready and her hand was twitching to rise and magic Mellie's memories away, but something inside stopped her.
"You have a nice house here." Mellie replied, taking Regina completely off guard. Mellie continued to look around, inspecting every inch of the grand foyer. "I like it, it's comfortable, very… homely." Straight to the point Mellie as always.
"Uh… Thank you?" Regina said more like a question rather than a statement, she was so confused but happy that the former First Lady out of all people had complimented her house after all it was her pride and joy. "I love it here." Regina said, evidently dumbfounded by the change of subject.
"You're welcome Ms. Mills, so you have magic, you say?" Mellie replied, with a massive grin appearing on her face, she was thinking too hard and this time it could possibly be dangerously.
"I sure do, oh and call me Regina. You want to come upstairs and see about getting you out of that dress?" Regina said, not realizing how it sounded until it was out of her mouth. Damn Regina, FILTER, she thought to herself almost wanting to scold herself. "I am so sorry; Mrs. Grant, I didn't mean it how-" Regina continued trying to gain back some dignity, she shouldn't be this nervous after all she used to be Queen. Mellie cut in again quickly when she realized how flustered Regina was getting. Mellie enjoyed it when people were intimated by her but she wanted to make Regina feel completely at ease for some strange reason.
"It's okay, I get what you mean," Mellie replied, laughing at how red in the face Regina had gotten, "Oh, okay Regina, call me Mellie," Mellie said with a genuine smile and in that moment Mellie realized that smile wasn't at all forced.
She followed Regina upstairs taking in every little detail of her house, it was so beautiful from the skirting-boards to details on the wall and all the way to the roof everything was perfect. Clearly this woman she had just met was a perfectionist and loved everything to be in order, she was mayor after all. They reached Regina's bed room, which was just as beautiful. "You alright?" Regina asked, concerned at how quiet Mellie had grown.
"Yes, thank you." Mellie said with a smile.
"What do you want to wear? A dress? Pant suit? Or can you fit another secret in there?" Regina asked, laughing as she pointed to Mellie's hair.
"Of course, I can, you almost seem to have as many secrets as I do." Mellie replied joining in with Regina's laughter that filled the room. They had clicked straight away and could potentially be good friends if Mellie decided she was sticking around.
"I have sweat pants you could wear if you wanted?" Regina said with a wink still laughing as she held the sweat pants up.
"Wouldn't have had you down as a sweats and ice cream kind of girl!" Mellie said, "But yes, I'll take them, as long as you can keep a secret," Mellie replied, still giggling, she couldn't remember the last time she genuinely laughed with someone else. "Do you know where I could get this dress cleaned?" Mellie asked realizing she had brought no other clothes with her just the ones she left in, she had enough money to buy more so she wasn't really that concerned.
"What kind of girl did you have me down as?" Regina looked confused yet curious, she completely forgot this was THEE Mellie Grant she was speaking too, Regina FINALLY felt completely ease. "I could wash it for you if you want to wait around? Do you have anywhere to stay?" Regina asked when she realized Mellie didn't have a change of clothes.
"No, but isn't that a hotel, that little café?" Mellie said which caused Regina to laugh really loud at. "What are you laughing at now?" Mellie said with the most adorable yet hilarious confused face you could imagine.
"'Hotel' you'd call that a 'hotel?'" Regina said still laughing and emphasizing the word "hotel". "You can stay here if you want, there's plenty of room and it's so much better than what you'd get if you went to Granny's." Regina asked seriously, deep down she didn't really want Mellie to go but she didn't understand why.
"Can you show me more of that magic?"
"Is that your way of saying yes?"