At one the next afternoon, Peter Gold patiently observes as Regina slides a drink before him, knowing the directive woman would open her own case once she's fully adjusted. The two are seated out on the patio of their favorite café, where they've administered multiple accounts over the years.
Gold watches Regina over his glass, calm but curious about her current project. All that had been disclosed to him was the fact that it was "unusual but worth his attention." Trusting the brunette completely, that was enough information for him. Unlike the owners of the company she works for, Regina Mills has never let him down. Always prompt and fulfilling in her work. It had come to Gold's attention long ago that George Mightus and Leo Graupel were buffoonish assholes who could learn a hell of a lot more from the brunette rather than teaching. But he's not one to metal in others business.
Regina would be lying to say she wasn't nervous. This was a huge risk on her part; all because she'd decided to blindly follow the instincts of an amateur. God, what the hell had she been thinking!? But she couldn't let Gold in on that; her entire reputation is at stake. She needed to remain calm, keep a level head and stop her damn knee from shaking the table.
Quickly wiping any access liquid from her lips, Regina gently sets her drink aside and meets Gold's inquisitive eye. "You know I wouldn't have called you during such assiduous times if it wasn't urgent." She coolly begins, swallowing down the slight tremble laced within her tone. "But as also you know, I've been thinking of leaving Ad's On for quite some time now…"
Gold nods, stirring his drink. "If this meeting is only an update on your work status a simple phone call would have sufficed." He smiles lightly.
Regina forces the gesture. "No, well not necessarily a complete update…" She could feel her calm resolve slipping. "But before I continue, there is someone I'd like you to meet." Her eyes dart to the open doors leading back inside the dimly lit lounge, searching for the speck of blonde she'd seen peeking through the glass doors moments earlier.
Gold notices her sudden change in demure and abandons his nonchalant attitude. "Regina, are you alright? You're awfully jumpy…" He slowly lifts a hand towards the woman.
"I'm fine." Regina quickly replies, heart pounding in her chest as she scans the room through her peripheral. A breath of pure relief flows through her once she spots Emma near the bar a few paces down. She casually lifts a finger to gesture the woman over, shooting Gold a bright smile. "Our guest has arrived. Mr. Gold, I'd like for you to meet my colleague, Emma Swan."
Emma had never been more overwhelmed in her life as Peter Gold stands to take her hand into his while Regina forces a smile opposite him. "Pleasure to meet you, Sir." She beams, hoping a blouse and dress pants were sensible enough for this introduction.
Gold flashes a smile, wondering just what Regina has up her sleeve. "Pleasure is all mine, Miss…Swan, is it?" He motions to the empty chair between the two before seating himself once more. "I'm assuming you and Ms. Mills work together at the agency?"
Emma opens her mouth to reply but Regina cuts in, having regained her calm composer. "Yes, Miss Swan and I have been working together for quite some time." She flicks her eyes to the woman, heeding a silent warning. "Presently, we both have decided that leaving Ad's On would be most beneficial, though we seemed to be having a bit of trouble relieving ourselves from the agency."
Gold lifts an eyebrow at the statement; this was obviously not what he'd been expecting. "And where do I fit into this situation?"
The women exchange a brief worried glance. "Ah. Miss Swan has a certain…proposition in mind…" Regina bites her lower lip, feeling panic rise within her once more. "I'm sure she can explain it much better than I. Emma?"
The sound of her forename catches the blonde off guard; she had come prepared for guarded, professional Regina Mills, not the Regina who calls people by their first names during a business meeting. Something was off about her performance. Silently vowing to talk with the woman after, Emma straightens in her seat and smiles at Gold. He stares back expectantly, a polite practiced smile plastered across his face. Taking in a deep breath, Emma begins to explain her premise, praying her voice won't crack.
For several moments only the sounds of cutlery clinking and the low buzz of speech are heard around the small party. Regina keeps her gaze on an equally anxious looking Emma while Gold's stare trails down thoughtfully to his half-empty glass. The women sit at the edge of their seats as they await his reply. After several nail-biting moments, Peter lifts his eyes back to Emma.
"Well, this certainly wasn't what I'd expected to hear today." He chuckles, forcing the women to smile tightly. "But I must say, you make an excellent case, Miss Swan. Risky but smart. Though I do have one question."
Emma immediately sits forward, trying not to look too excited. "Yes, Sir? Ask away."
"Why with Ms. Mills? No offence dear," He swiftly glances to the brunette. "But wouldn't you rather work alone, keep all the success for yourself?" He laces his fingers atop the table, honestly intrigued.
"I-" Emma stammers, glancing to Regina, who lifts an eyebrow with a smirk. "I figured I'd work better with someone by my side. Besides, why wouldn't I want to team up with Regina? She's the most intelligent person in the company and I still can't believe she agreed to work with me." Regina stiffens, not expecting this in the least. "Also, I must admit, I'd hoped with her by my side, it would push your resolve to move your accounts with us." She dips her head bashfully, picking at her salad fork.
Gold chuckles, leaning back in his seat. "At this rate I believe I would've said yes to you without Ms. Mills in the picture." Emma's heart nearly bursts from her chest with pride. "Now I assume you already have an office building ready for use?"
"Not quite." Regina interjects. "We wanted to confirm your partnership before making any permanent decisions."
Gold nods. "I see. I suggest you start office hunting then." He smiles.
Emma could barely contain her excitement and shock. She'd just landed one of the most expensive accounts of the advertising world into her agency. Oh God, she was about to own an agency…She had no idea what to do, what to say. She wanted to hug the man but was certain that wasn't a very professional move.
"Thank you, sir. This really means a lot; we look forward to working with you." She stands and offers a hand to her newest client.
He grips it firmly as he stands to his feet. "My pleasure. This idea of yours is saving me a lot of trouble and paperwork." He chuckles throatily before suddenly glancing at his watch, eyebrows furrowing together. "My sincerest apologies, ladies, it seems I've lost track of time. Might we continue and sign any necessary papers another time?"
Emma looks ready to protest while Regina swiftly stands and extends a hand. "Of course. I'll be in touch with an appropriate date. I honestly thank you for taking your time to speak with us, Gold, especially with so little information beforehand."
He nods, pushing in his chair. "I trust you, Regina, much more than the idiots you're forced to call superior. Though this wasn't your idea, I believe Miss Swan here was brought to you for a reason." He winks at the pair before walking from the patio back into the crowded café.
The women watch his retreating figure while they wait for their heartbeats to slow. Emma recovers swiftly and turns to the brunette, eyes shinning with excitement.
"I think I've proved my point." She grins.
Shifting her gaze to the woman, Regina rolls her eyes. "I suppose you got lucky." She scoops up her purse and starts to walk away, seeing no reason for idle talk when she had paperwork to ready. She's stopped in her tracks by a smooth yank on her forearm.
Emma frowns at the brunette, unable to understand her cold attitude. "Why are you acting like this? We did it, we got the account. I would think you'd at least be happy."
"I'm pleased yes, but unlike you, I also am aware of all the work that corresponds. So if you don't mind, I have quite a bit of work to do." She snatches her arm back with a huff and begins her route out the café.
Shaking her head in annoyance, Emma follows after her. "You realize you don't have to do this alone, right? This is our account now and I think by now I've proved myself worthy of a promotion, seeing that this was my idea." She seethes.
Keeping her head forward as she twists professionally through the crowd, Regina purses her lips together. "You had a good idea but it was still an extremely risky move to make. This meeting could've made a turn for the worst."
"Then why did you agree to work with me?"
The women pause, facing another with heated eyes. Regina glares at the blonde, whose stare only intensifies instead of cowering. She was sure she'd never grow accustom to the woman's boldness. "I told you, I believe in the cause of your proposal and like you stated to Gold, beginning a franchise is much easier when you have someone to carry the workload with you."
"Which you're not letting me do."
Sighing with exasperation, Regina shifts slightly to the right, allowing a small group pass toward the exit. "I don't doubt your skill set, Miss Swan, but I work better on my own, especially since you're so contemporary on this matter. I wouldn't want to burden you with anything."
"Sweet, but unnecessary. I knew what I was getting into when I pitched my idea last week. We're partners on this, Regina; it's not fair that you get stuck with all this work when this is what I wanted in the first place. Let me help, I promise I won't slow you down." Green eyes turn wide, pleading. It unnerved Regina, when her stomach dropped at the sight.
She blinks away her gaze, willing her walls to lock into place. Whispering out a slow breath she looks back to the blonde. "Are you always this persistent?"
"Yes. Is that bad?"
"No."
As the room continues to shift around the pair, their eyes remained locked on another, wondering exactly who they were dealing with. Without a word, Regina swiftly turns on her heel and heads for the exit. Blinking her head clear, Emma trails closely behind.
Once out on the bustling street they're greeted by the orange glow of evening light. Regina doesn't break her strut, moving towards the valet. Emma watches her with narrowed eyes, feeling her patience growing thin. She crosses her arms as she waits for the young valet to finish fawning over her partners attractive features and barely refrains from rolling her eyes.
As the young man barely makes it to the parking lot without tripping over his dangling tongue, Emma steps beside the brunette. "Am I going to get answer or do I have to follow you home?"
Swallowing down a groan, Regina shifts her eyes from the valet to glare at the blonde. "If it will get you to stop pestering me, yes, you may help me. But you'll have to be quiet; Henry should be asleep by now."
Despite her best efforts, Emma's heart melts at the sound of his name. "It's only six o'clock."
"He has school in the morning."
"Wow that has got to suck." She moves her gaze over the line of cars before them, stuffing her hands into her pockets. "If I had to go to bed at six every night as a kid I probably would've run away."
Regina glances to her, lifting an eyebrow. "I sense you were a troublesome child."
"Yeah, you wouldn't have liked me very much." She grins.
"I believe that."
The valet pulls before the pair, a wide smile stretched across his face. He quickly slides out and holds the door open for Regina. She smiles at him and holds out a twenty. Face flushing an embarrassing shade of red, he nods his thanks and scurries off.
Emma looks after him, shaking her head. Half her body in the car, Regina looks to her curiously. "I think he was looking for a bit more than a tip."
Chuckling, the brunette slides into the vehicle and starts the engine. Immediately noting the blonde hadn't jumped into the passengers' seat, she rolls down the window. "Are you coming?"
Emma nods, pacing a few steps back. "I drove here so I'll follow you back." A smirk slides over her features at the brunettes' discernible surprise. "I'm not as poor as you think, Regina." She chuckles, starting out the parking lot.
Watching her through her rearview mirror, Regina finds herself feeling slightly guilty, though she'd never thought Emma as poor; it hurt her to think the blonde found her so shallow. With a final wave at the still pink tinged valet, she pulls out the lot and starts home.
Regina was beginning to wonder whether she'd been stood up in her own home A full half hour had passed and Emma was no where to be found. Regina wished she'd had the sense to get the woman's number before speeding off into the busy New York streets, anything could've happened this time of night.
Chewing on her bottom lip as she paces her office floor, Regina wonders if she should just look up the woman and find her number but quickly shakes off the thought. She didn't need herself worrying with so much work to do.
But couldn't she have the decency to call? Her number is pretty simple to obtain and it was basic manners to call someone if you're late or canceling. Regina lets out a huff and leans against her desk, running a hand through her hair. She was going to choke the blonde if she made it over in one piece.
The sound of the doorbell powers Regina's heart into overdrive and her most recent thought is pushed to the back of her mind. She quickly maneuvers down the hall, readying a frown. Both relief and fury wash over her as she's greeted by a bashful Emma.
"Where the hell have you been?" She silently hopes her worry won't shine through her tone.
Emma pulls her hands from behind her back, revealing a bouquet of pink roses, violets, and orchids. "Sorry. You have no idea how many flower shops close after sunset." Cheeks a rosy red, she holds out the arrangement.
Stunned, Regina silently takes them. "They're beautiful…thank you. But I don't think a night of paperwork calls for a romantic gesture."
"Ah. Not romantic. Think of them as a business transaction." Her teeth begin to naw on her lower lip as she shuffles her feet. "I wanted to thank you for…what you're doing."
"Last time I checked, business partners don't usually give another bouquets." Regina found herself smiling at the blush deepening across the blondes' cheeks.
"Well, we do. I never said being partners with me was normal protocol." She smirks as she slides past the brunette into the house.
Good-naturedly rolling her eyes, Regina follows suit, closing the door behind her. "Luckily for you, Miss Swan, I'm not very fond of normal." She waltzes past her into the kitchen, still smiling at the sweet-smelling gift.
Emma follows after her, leaning against the doorway as Regina places the flowers into a elongated vase. "To be honest, I wasn't sure if you'd like them."
"Why wouldn't I like flowers?"
She shrugs. "I don't know, I kinda figured you'd want something a bit more extravagant than something that came from the ground."
Regina pauses, looking to the blonde. "I would've liked anything that came from the heart. Especially since you weren't obligated to do anything." She fingers the soft petals of a rose, keeping her gaze locked on the woman. "I never deemed you as chivalrous."
Emma breathes out a chuckle, closing the short distance to stand opposite the brunette. "There's a lot you don't know about me, partner."
"I have a distinct feeling you're going to change that." Regina smiles, finding her anger fading quicker than she'd anticipated.
Emma's grin widens as she rests her arms against the marble countertop. "What about you?"
Her eyes glance between the blonde's face and comfortable position. "What about me?"
"Am I ever going to figure out the great mystery of Regina Mills?" She smirks.
Regina blinks away her surprise. She hadn't been expecting anything more than the usual professional relationship with Emma, never seeing use of anything more. Though she should've known not to expect the usual with this woman.
She opens her mouth, not having a clue what to reply but pauses at the sound of padded feet descending the staircase. Both women turn to see a sleepy Henry rounding the corner into the kitchen doorway.
Rubbing his eyes, Henry looks to his mother in mild concern. "Mom? I heard something at the door…" His voice came across much lower than usual in his grogginess.
Regina quickly rounds the counter to stand before her son. "Everything's fine, honey. It was just Miss Swan."
At the sound of her name Emma's heart rate picks up, she was sure the boy probably didn't even remember her. But Henry's face brightens and he leans around his mother to grin at the blonde.
"Emma!" To both women's surprise he races straight into her arms, hugging her tightly. "I was hoping you'd come back."
Not knowing what else to do, Emma hugs back while looking to Regina with rounded eyes. The brunette meets her shocked stare in equal surprise. She covers her shock with a light smile, moving past the embraced pair back into the kitchen.
Henry smiles up at Emma, eyes shinning through his sleepiness. "Are you gonna come back again? But soon?"
Emma opens her mouth, utterly lost for words. "Ah…I'd love to as long as your Mom won't kick me out." They both look back to Regina, who pauses.
"Mom, please let her come back! Pleasssee?" Emma chuckles, heart warming at his pleads.
Regina looks to Emma, hardly believing what she was hearing. Looking back to the wide-eyed boy she sighs, knowing she couldn't break his spirit. "If you get back into bed, I'll see what I can do."
A small pout lines his face but Henry hugs Emma once more before rounding to his mother. "Fine. But can you come read me a story?" He asks, jutting out his bottom lip.
Regina sighs once more, wanting more than anything to follow her son upstairs. "I have a lot to catch up on…" She begins, hating how routine she sounded. "Miss Swan and I need to get a very important presentation ready."
Henry looks ready to cry but nods and steps away from the women. Emma looks awkwardly between the two, feeling as though the boys' watery stare was partly her fault. She turns to Regina, offering a small smile. "That presentation and I will still be here." Both Mills snap their eyes to her. "Just make sure you pick out a good book, don't want to bore the kid to sleep." Emma winks at Henry, whose grin brightens her heart.
Regina's own heart warms with gratitude. "Then I think you need to go pick one out for us."
Henry swiftly hugs his mother before turning to Emma. "Next time can you read to me?"
Both women pause, casting glances at another. "I don't think I'd be as entertaining as your Mom." She ruffles his hair before he rushes up the stairs.
Regina watches her son happily bound the steps two at a time, an obvious glow surrounding his smile. "I've never seen him warm up to someone so quickly. Especially since he's only met you once before." She looks back to Emma with newfound gratitude. "Thank you."
She dips her head bashfully, sliding her hands into her pockets. "Don't worry about it. You two need to spend some time together."
Regina smiles genuinely as she moves around the blonde towards the stairs. "I'll try to keep it short so we can-"
Emma cuts her off, placing a hand against her forearm. "Don't. Take as long as you need, we can always finish tomorrow." Her eyes flick past the brunette to the stairs. "He's more important than this, Regina."
Regina pauses, breath catching in her throat. "Thank you." She whispers again before moving up the stairs. Though reluctant to procrastinate on such an important campaign, the sight of Henry excitedly shuffling through an overflowing bookshelf made Regina want thank Emma Swan a hundred times over.
