Greetings, my lovelies. How is everyone? I've been gone a while, and we are blaming both life and writer's block. I'm back though, and I have a brand new short multichapter story for you. It is inspired by a prompt and conversations with my dear friend, who also writes fanfiction, MissaSissa. You should check out her stories! As always, read, review, and enjoy!

Betting on Love, a SwanQueen story

Started…April 21, 2019

Chapter One:

Emma briefly contemplated hitting the snooze button on her phone and burrowing back under the comforter. However, she forced herself to get up on time. She had another full day of paperwork at the station, but Regina would be there today. The mayor claimed that was the only way that the sheriff completed the files on time. Emma wondered what would happen if the brunette found out that was only because she was trying to impress her? Opening the wooden doors to the cabinet, Emma glanced through her wardrobe. The blonde knew that some outfit wasn't going to impress her friend, but it wouldn't hurt. Right? After all, wasn't Regina always telling her that outfits and first impressions matter? Well, this wasn't a first impression, because that ship sailed a long time ago. Today was going to be better than a first impression, because Emma wanted this day to stand out to them both in the years to come.

She had picked out a simple outfit, but it was still essentially her style. Tugging her boots on, she grabbed the phone off the nightstand. Nearly stumbling down the stairs in her excitement, she was grateful for her father's impeccable timing. "Easy there, sweetheart. The station isn't going anywhere." Emma blushed as her father winked at her as he steadied her. He had always seemed to be more in tune with her, and he figured out her feelings…before she did.

"Hey, Ma. Grandma made pancakes…and a lot of other stuff." Henry wrinkled his nose as he glanced at the counter in front of him. She had to admit that Mary Margaret was slowly going more overboard with each meal. "Hey, kid." Walking over towards her son, she leaned down to kiss the top of his head. "Regina's already been by, huh?" Henry nodded at her question as a plate was shoved in her face.

"You should eat, Emma." She really didn't want to eat the pancakes, or anything else from the buffet of things on the counter. However, she couldn't bring herself to tell her mother, no. The blonde had to admit that the woman was trying to be more accepting of…things, but Emma had a feeling that it wouldn't be stretching to her feelings for the mayor. Breakfast seemed to stretch on forever, but she finally finished two pancakes. She was only going so far with this compromise thing. It was still weird that she was pretty much the same age as her parents. Besides, she really couldn't stand some of the things Mary Margaret said. Her mother was stuck in the past and continued to hold onto this idea that they would return to the forest and things would continue the way they had before the curse. Emma didn't agree with this, and she had a feeling most of the town agreed with her.

Placing her plates in the sink, she turned back to Henry. "Your mom likes her coffee black, right?" Henry nodded. "Yeah. She says it keeps her sharp, but I think it's nasty." Emma had to agree about that. "Yeah, it's not the best. Are you ready, kid? I can walk you to the bus stop." Henry just looked at Mary Margaret. "That's okay, Ma. I'll just go with grandma today." Looking at her mother to confirm, she slid her jacket on, and tried to not look overexcited. "Okay. Thanks, m…Mary Margaret. I will see everyone later."

Slipping out the door to ignore any possible questions, Emma hurried down to her car. Making her way to Granny's, she smiled to herself. Today was going to be the day that she made Regina know just how she felt.

************************************ Betting on Love ********************************************

The silver bell announced her arrival at the diner, and looking around, she could see the same people in their same places. Didn't they ever deviate from whatever routine was set by the curse? She had to hand it to Regina, not that she would admit it out loud. Making them relive essentially the same day over and over like some kind of Groundhog Day, before it was a film, was its own personal hell. Sitting at the counter, she didn't even have time to say anything before Ruby was sliding a full cup of hot chocolate in front of her.

"Thanks, Ruby." Taking a sip, she glanced at the waitress. Ruby was her mother's best friend, but the two women had become friends in their own right. Solving a supposed murder tends to have that affect. She should really be going to the station and working, but she didn't want to appear too desperate.

"So, are you going to finally admit your feelings to Regina?" Emma just looked at her friend. Should she play stupid?

"I don't know what you're…is it that obvious?" She was going to feign ignorance, but Ruby always had a way of just knowing things. Wait…if she knew, did that mean her mother knew?

"The whole town can see it sister. In fact, I have bet running on it. Go for it already, would you?" Turning her head, Emma just glanced at Grumpy. He was eating his bacon with coffee, as usual.

"You have a bet running on whether I tell Regina that I…like her as more than a friend? Seriously? Is mining that boring now?" Grumpy just ignored her and turned his attention back to the plate of bacon.

"See?" Ruby piped up, as she topped off the dwarf's coffee. "I told you she wouldn't like the idea. If that's how she reacts, then you know the mayor is only going to have a worse reaction." Rolling her eyes, Emma stood up.

"You know what? I have to get to the station. Can I get a…" Emma stopped short as Ruby placed two piping hot to-go cups in front of her. "How did you…never mind. Thanks." Setting a folded five on the counter, she grabbed the cups and left the two gossiping citizens behind. She had things to do, and with any luck, things would end at the diner today.