Dear Emma,
It's been two days, and I already miss you. I didn't think I would miss you this much, but now you're not here with me, or with Henry, I realise how much I need you. Truth is, I'm lost without you. I have no one to talk to. I mean, who's going to want to have a civilized conversation with the Evil Queen? That's right, no one…except you.
Emma, Henry misses you like crazy. He's scared. Every night I hear him sobbing quietly into his pillow. He just wants you to stay safe, that's all. Before you came to Storybrooke Henry never really mentioned his birth mother, he never mentioned you. But you've changed his life. You've changed both of ours. Our son needs us both, he loves you so much. I've never cried so much over someone, and I never thought I'd cry over you. I love you, Emma. I've never told you this in person, I was way too scared…and stupid. I hope I can very soon, but I do. I really do love you. You probably don't feel the same way about me, but that's okay. There are plenty of other people out there, and they deserve you more than I.
Your mother misses you too. We've been spending time together. I know that sounds crazy, but we're doing it for Henry. He needs everyone around him to get along. I almost forgot to ask, how silly of me…but how are you? I hope they're easy on you. If not, you could always teach them a lesson.
I don't have much to say…not much has happened in two days. Do you know when you'll be able to come home yet? I really do hope that it's not long.
Stay safe, Emma.
Love from,
Regina.
As Emma read through the letter for the sixth time, tears slowly fell down her cheeks, onto the piece of paper with Regina's elegant handwriting scribbled all over it. I love you. Those three words. Those three very powerful words. Regina had said them. She had said those words to Emma. "Oh, Regina." Emma brought the folded paper to her mouth, kissing the piece of paper. She didn't know if she was going to see Regina again. What if something bad happens?
The tears fell uncontrollably as she sat back on her small bed. If only Regina knew. If only she knew Emma felt exactly the same about her. Emma loved Regina. "Swan, are you alright?" Standing in the doorway was Emma's roommate, Leah.
"Fine, just a letter from home. That's all." Emma wiped her eyes as Leah walked over to her bed in the other corner.
"Must have been one hell of a letter. I haven't seen someone cry that much at a letter in months." Emma nodded, chuckling to herself. "Can I read it? I don't know much about you, and wow it would be fun to know!" Emma nodded again, handing the letter to the girl.
"Here. It's quite a short one." Leah opened the letter reading it carefully. After she had read it, she looked at the paper, probably in shock.
"What are you going to say to her? To Regina?" Leah finally spoke, looking at Emma. "Do you love her back?" Emma didn't know what to say; she was lost for words.
"Yeah, I love her. Very much. I just can't believe it." Leah nodded, handing the paper back to Emma.
"It's a lot to take in, I guess. Regina sounds like a nice person, and she likes her metaphors too…Evil Queen, what is that supposed to mean?" Emma's eyes widened as she forgot Regina had mentioned her Enchanted Forest counterpart. "Wait, never mind, she's probably a fan of Disney movies." Emma nodded, twiddling her fingers around each other.
"I guess I should write back. Her letter took over a week to get here." Leah nodded, taking that as a sign to leave, not wanting Emma to feel uncomfortable if she were to get emotional.
"I'll see you around" Leah left the room, Emma getting up and moving over to the desk. She pulled out a sheet of paper from the draw, grabbing a pen from the small cup on the desk.
Dear Regina,
Sorry it has taken so long for your letter to arrive, I have no clue why. I'm doing great, everyone around here is so friendly and helpful. I've got a really nice roommate, her name is Leah. She's kind and really helpful…and good at giving out advice.
That brings me to this point. Regina, I wish you had told me sooner. It all started when I first came to Storybrooke. You, obviously, hated me to pieces. But, I saw the good in you. I knew that you could change. Because when you see the good in someone, you never give up on them. I saw the good in you, Regina. And I still do. You have proved so many times that you aren't as evil as everyone says you used to be. You changed for your son…Our son. I do love you Regina, so much. There may be many people out there, but I choose you. I would do anything for you, I need you.
As for Henry, is he doing any better? Please tell him that I miss him and give him a hug from me. I'm sorry you have to witness so much emotion from our son…it must be so painful. As for seeing my mother, since when did you two get on good terms with each other?
I hope you are well, Regina, and sorry this letter is short, but I'll definitely find out when we get to come for a little while and let you know.
Stay strong, Regina. I know you can do this. I know you can get through this.
Love from,
Emma.
A few tears had escaped her eyes, staining the paper. Emma carefully folded the sheet, sliding it into a fresh, new envelope, squiggling Regina's address on the front of the envelope. Emma was madly in love with Regina. She closed the envelope, leaving her dorm and heading to the social room. The officers had a box in there which was taken to the closest post box every other day. "Swan!" Emma looked for the source of the voice. Leah. She walked over to Emma, stopping at the table next to where Emma was standing.
"Please, Call me Emma." Emma chuckled. The only person who really called her Swan was Regina. Leah nodded.
"Emma, come join us. We managed to find some scotch and you look like you could really use some right now. I'm guessing you wrote back to Regina?" Emma nodded.
"Yeah, and I guess I could use some. Thanks." Emma followed the girl into the next room, four other girls and three men were sitting out the table.
"This is Emma, my roommate." They all looked up from the card game they were playing, now looking at the two new people in the room.
"Hi," Emma stood there awkwardly, waving her hand.
"This is Lance, Peter and James." Leah gestured to the three males, "And that's Olivia, Jessica, Rebecca and Alison." Each girl waved at Emma as their name was spoken.
"Come sit. You look like you need one." Peter pulled out the empty chair next to him, Emma gladly going to sit down.
"So Emma, tell us about yourself." Olivia spoke up, looking at the blonde.
"Well there's not much to know. I was brought up in the foster care system, made friends, committed crimes, fell in love, went to jail, had a son, and found my birth parents whom I live with today. It's quite boring really." Emma laughed, looking at the group. To her surprise, they were all grinning.
"Not much to know? You have to tell us more." Rebecca laughed, pouring Emma a drink and handing her the glass. Emma took a sip of the cool liquid that burned her throat.
"What do you want to know?" Emma finished off the content of the glass.
"You have a son?" Lance questioned. Emma nodded in reply. "You don't look that old." Lance added, everyone in the room laughing.
"I'm 30 years old. I think that's old enough." Emma giggled. Everyone looked at her as if she was crazy.
"30? Are you sure?" Alison asked, taking a sip of her drink.
"Yeah." Emma nodded, grabbing the bottle of scotch and pouring herself a glass and then taking a sip.
"So, are you single?" James asked, staring at the blonde. Emma almost spat out her drink as she was asked the question.
"Yes, but even if you was interested in me, I don't swing that way." Emma said, taking a small sip of her drink.
"What? I don't get it." James said confused. Everyone chuckled.
"It means she doesn't like boys, dumbass." Leah whacked his arm, everyone laughing.
"You're gay?" Emma was starting to think that James wasn't that smart…Which she was probably right at his choice of questions.
"Uh, Yeah." Emma answered sarcastically, as if there was no other option.
"So, you like someone then?" Jessica asked, playing with one of the cards in the middle of the table. "If you do, tell us about them."
"Yeah, I do." Leah and Emma smiled. Leah knew how much Regina meant to Emma. Just from reading one letter. "Her name is Regina, she can be an absolute bitch sometimes, but I owe her so much. She's the Adoptive mother of my son, which makes everything so weird, but I love her." Emma smiled, blushing ever so slightly.
The night continued with much more alcohol consumed, but Emma was going to deny it anymore. She loved Regina and nothing, not one tiny thing, could stop that.