(I've been reading about this particular period of time but after many tries I finally decided to go with my main idea so there are a few things that aren't historically accurate and for that I say sorry)
"The troops are coming back"
That was what Regina heard, children, elderly men and women talking excitedly about the news, the words whispered, muttered, even screamed and no matter how much she tried to hide it the feeling of happiness always managed to put a smile on her face, her eyes unfocused, a sigh trapped between her lips.
"You are in love" Some had said to her, asking questions and exchanging looks when she refused to actually explain herself "You are in love"
And albeit she didn't say a thing, albeit she actually didn't tell them there she was, waiting nervously next to the many women who were looking, waiting, for their husbands.
Regina pursed her lips, careful to not stain her teeth with the lipstick as she waited with the rest of the women, murmurs and whispers, cries and nervous glances everywhere. They were there for the same reason than her and yet… she felt like an intruder, somehow she wasn't exactly the same, because how many women that were waiting at her side were in fact like her? How many would smile and pretend? Sighing, she glanced at her right, where Kathryn Midas stood, her eyes focused on something that Regina couldn't imagine what it was. She had lost the man who had asked her to be his wife a few weeks before the troops had been asked to return. Her presence was just another reminder and for a second she sighed inwardly, thinking again on what she was going to see once the train arrived.
Cheers and exclamations was what made her look at her right, a small smile widening her lips as the shilouette of a train started to be visible. The sound of children and women surrounded her in a cacophony that made her cringe as her eyes narrowed, trying to see a familiar set of green eyes peering over the windows of the train, the sound and smoke that normally made her feel dirty now making her think of an embrace that she had spent too much waiting for.
Once the train stopped and from the doors the first men started to appear, Regina felt the bodies of women and children rushing around her, pushing her aside sometimes, trying to get a hold for their dear ones. And even if she knew, that she knew she only needed to wait,she looked at were Kathryn had been standing, sharing a quick glance with the blonde woman who eyed wearily at the couple that were now embracing each other in front of her, the two of them the closest friends the man that had been weeks away from returning from the war had ever had.
"I think I told you that you didn't need to come" The words pretended to be soft, light, but when Regina turned, a startled look on her face, she could see the way the person that was standing in front of her seemed to be looking only at her, as if she was some kind of illusion and so she huffed.
Stepping forward, careful of her surroundings but unable to not smile, tears threatening to spill as she finally took a good look at the blonde, tall woman that was looking at her with her baggage over her shoulder and a glint of mischief glowing on her green eyes, she licked her lips, a sigh escaping from them.
"And leaving you alone without knowing how to even return back home?" She retorted, trying to look unaffected as she finally stopped in front of the taller woman. The uniform had always look good on her and for a second she smiled affectionally, wanting to caress that pale skin, now slightly tanned albeit not too much.
"Home?" The blonde asked, her voice now raspy, her lips trembling for a second.
"Home" The brunette answered, touching briefly the woman's blonde locks and humming in reprobation "You need to cut your curls dear"
Emma laughed, the booming sound making a few children look back at her as more officials exited from the train, the greeting sounds filling the train station.
"I've missed you" She murmured, hugging Regina as strong as she was able to, the strong scent of leather and cinnamon surrounding the brunette's space, filling her nose.
Letting her guard down for a second the brunette returned the hug, letting herself get lost on the sensation of finally having Emma with her once again.
"Me too dear" She murmured, thinking on all the months she has spent waiting, the discussion they had had the moment the blonde had told her her decision, the way the brunette herself had begged, the nightmares, the day she had received the first letter, the way Emma had asked for forgiveness, for a second chance. "Me too"