Chapter Summary: Regina gets unwanted dating advise from an all too usual source. Emma and Regina go out on their first date (or "non-date") where Emma becomes very jealous.
Chapter 2: Somewhere, Over the Rainbow
Regina was visibly nervous. She had woken up at half past five in jittery excitement and cursed her inability to return to sleep. She had thrown her covers off, gone downstairs and started cooking breakfast for her son instead. She had needed something to do other than lay in bed and think about Emma's pleasing smile, lilting laughter and hypnotic eyes. Spellbinding, dream-inducing eyes. The actress had eyes that were a such a luminescent shade of green that they reminded Regina of a budding Springtime that brought with it fresh new hope to a once cold, wintery world.
Ambushed by such romantic thoughts, she halted in her steps and with an irritated grimace at herself, she whacked a clean pan down into its rightful spot in the bottom cupboard, much like she wanted to whack some sense into her head. Regina swore inwardly at how distracted she was by just a friendly breakfast excursion with an appealing television celebrity… whom she met less than 24 hours ago. The woman was kind enough to return her wallet that she had dropped at the mall. Her invitation to coffee was just to make up for their clumsy encounter. Nothing more, she scolded herself.
Regina stood at her stove, a hand covering her face. Thinking of Emma's beauty in a poetic way was not typical behavior for her. She was not the whimsical type; to believe in love at first sight, soulmates and losing one's head over someone. She was a pragmatic sort of person. She was logically minded. 1 + 1 is 2, 2 + 2 is 4. She had never met anyone who invaded her thoughts so quickly or entranced her so completely, except for her son.
As her thoughts strayed to him, she was startled to see him enter the kitchen. He was rubbing his eyes and yawning. Her noisy activity in the kitchen must have woken him up earlier than normal.
"Mom?" The 14-year old padded up closer and addressed the woman working in a tizzy. She wore a pair of grey yoga pants and a black Nike hoodie, borrowed from him, with words in white emblazoned across the front "Just Do It!". "Mom, what are you doing?"
"I'm making you a ham and cheese quiche, sweetheart. For breakfast."
Blinking the teen swiveled his messy-haired head toward the round clock above the kitchen doorway. "It's 7:30 in the morning… on a Sunday." We normally sleep in until nine and make something together."
Cooking together was something they had just started doing seriously six months ago. Henry was always a great help in the kitchen when it came to baking or cleaning up, so Regina started teaching him some cooking tips and recipes, so that he could improve his culinary skills.
A short affirmative hum was her answer for him as she turned and quickly washed a couple dishes in the sink.
He eyed her as his lips curved and his eyes slanted with awareness. "This is about Emma Swan, huh? Are you nervous about your date?"
The faucet made a sound as she forced the handle down to close it and spun around. "It's not a date!"
"Sure. Okay," he appeased and then took a seat on a stool at the center island. "You know she likes you too, right?"
Exasperated, the towel she held landed roughly on the counter because it had been thrown down with considerable emotion. When she lifted her eyes to Henry all she said was, "This is ridiculous. I just met the woman yesterday."
"Mom, you're not getting married. You're sharing a meal. The most important meal of the day."
"Great, pressure…" Regina was trying to open a brand new jar of Kalamata olives, struggling with it actually.
The jar was relieved from her grasp when Henry came close and stole it from her, but gently. Then, he knocked the side of it against the counter a few times, releasing the pressure and easily twisted it open. In amazement, she witnessed this, aimed a scowl at him and said, "Seriously, would you stop growing up please."
"Are you kidding? No way. I can't wait to get older and start dating girls. You make it seem so easy-going and relaxed." He shot her a facetious grin and she sent him a look that really wasn't as black as she made it seem at his sarcasm.
She grunted as if pained. Regina knew that she kept her heart well-guarded. She had reason to. She had been in disastrous relationships one after the other. All the while, she had a child to think about. Truthfully, she had never allowed him and the women she dated to get too close, for fear that it would end badly and affect him negatively. Henry had known for a long while now that she had preferred women over men, and surprisingly had always taken well to it. There were no tantrums. No difficulty with it. Of course she wasn't very public about her sexual preference, which maybe helped, but he never gave her problems about it like she thought a young child might. She normally always kept those associations short and privately away from him. Zelena had used the word commitment-phobe once when neither had known Henry was in ear-shot. He had questioned her about it later and she told him the truth. He was the only love in her life.
Emma Swan had thrown a monkey wrench into everything with her bubbly personality and engaging smile. Regina was so shaken at the intensity of her reaction to the woman.
"Mom. You need to relax and let someone in. You'll never get the prize unless you take the risk." Henry adopted a contemplative and familiar lip twist. Regina could not help but smile affectionately, not just because he was her son but she was reminded of the other important man in her life.
"You sound like your grandfather."
"He's, like, my hero!"
Henry had always had a case of hero worship for Henry Mills, his namesake. Regina remembered how in love her father had been when he had seen Henry as a baby for the very first time and it made her eyes water just thinking about it. Memories of them playing in the living room together, and of the older Henry Mills giving a 3-year old Henry horsey-rides on his back came to mind. Regina's eyes twinkled nostalgically at the pair of them making a teamed effort to try and steal freshly baked cookies out from under her when they always thought she wasn't looking.
"I spoke to him and Grandma last night while you were in the shower."
Regina's attention sought his in surprise and then urgency. Her smile disappeared. Oh no. "When? What time? Henry…" He aimed a guilty look and a sheepish grin at her. "You didn't…"
Just then Regina's phone began ringing, signaling that she was receiving a FaceTime call. She glanced at the clock and noticed the time was 7:53. Her mother, Cora Mills, must have been bursting at the seams to interrogate her, not being able to wait for the eight o'clock hour.
Sighing unexcitedly, she grabbed her phone and sure enough a picture of her parents sitting cheek to cheek at the local Mexican restaurant they had all dined at the last her parents were in town was displayed.
"I told them about Emma?" The end of the sentence lilted high, testing what his mom's reaction would be in a near admission of guilt.
"No, really?" There was no jaggedness to the comment and Regina gave him an exaggerated eye roll before mentally preparing herself. Sliding her finger over her phone to activate the call, her mother's face filled the screen. Henry's shoulders shook with a chuckle before he slid off to inspect the quiche in the oven. "Hi Mom. How are things in Florida?"
The woman on the other end tilted her chin up at Regina, the coil of red hair atop her head perfectly still. Regina was certain that if her mother had any grey hair at all, not even her father had seen it. Only Cora Mills' reflection would have. Her mother was vain to a fault. The only time she had ever seen her mother wear even a pair of sneakers was when she played golf with Henry. Otherwise, it was always heels, sandals or flats. Being appropriately dressed for every occasion is something Cora had always taught her daughters when they were young.
"Hang Florida, Regina. I'm more interested in the woman you will be having breakfast with that my grandson told me all about."
"Your grandson needs a lesson in discretion."
Henry withered under Regina's gaze before bolting to the refrigerator, grabbing the milk carton from the door and opening the lip bringing it to his lips.
Regina snapped her fingers in censure and he grabbed a glass from the cabinet, with a soft rebellious groan.
The older he got, the more contrary he became, Regina noticed. Her son was a good boy and her father had warned her that it was only natural that he would test boundaries and see how far he could push her.
Cora cleared her throat, pulling Regina out of her musings about Henry and she instead thought of how young and healthy her mother looked. Scarlet red hair contrasted her mother's creamy skin, with just the hint of a few age lines around the eyes. One would never guess the woman was in her mid-sixties and if Regina hadn't known any better, she would have thought Cora Mills was a witch who used magic to keep her youthful appearance. "I've seen her on TV, Regina. I'm a fan."
Good God! Even Cora knew who Emma Swan was! How had Regina never known. Her frown must have given her away because Cora tittered and said over her shoulder, "Henry! We've got a live one. She seems to have completely perplexed Regina and it's just delicious!"
A moment later the balding, grey haired head of her father leaned over Cora's shoulder and peered at the screen. He lowered his reading glasses and the light in his eyes when he saw his youngest daughter made Regina's heart flutter. "Hi Pumpkin!"
"Dad."
"We hear you snagged yourself an Emmy winner. How did you manage that?"
"With my irresistible charm."
"You get it from your mother."
"And she says I get it from you. Really, can you two never agree on anything?"
"It's what keeps our marriage alive." Henry angled and muttered in a low, hushed tone knowing well that his wife could hear, "We disagree, we fight, we make up. The making up is the best part." He winked at Regina and she couldn't help but laugh at him, even though the subject was less than appealing. She especially laughed harder though when her mother, who was often a force to be reckoned with, shouldered him away good-naturedly.
"Oh hush, you fool. Go read your newspaper." When Cora turned back to the screen there was a rosy glow to her cheeks, though she raised her nose as if scandalized.
In response, Henry stole a quick cheek-kiss from his wife, startling a loud gasp from her and turned back to Regina. "Okay, daughter. I'll let your mother grill you to her heart's content."
"Gee, thanks Dad."
"Give your sister and my grandson hugs. Bye."
Cora stole her husband's rolled up newspaper and swatted his behind with it and threw it back at him. Her stern glare switched briefly to one of affection before it righted back into an authoritarian glare. Regina heard her father's faint, yet defiant, voice, "See? Sassy! I like that in a woman."
The older woman's befuddled expression had Regina giggling, the feigned disdain at her father's antics was always comically entertaining.
"I haven't had a moment's peace since the day I married that man."
"You know you love it."
The same hum of affirmation that Regina had given Henry earlier, was given to her by her mother.
"So tell me all about the talented and rather fetching Emma Swan. My daughter, dating an actress."
"I didn't even know who she was."
"You're like your father. All work and business. No time for pop culture and gossip. He didn't know who she was either until he found out about your date. He googled her first thing this morning."
Regina ran her fingers through her hair in exasperation and swallowed her groan. "It's not a date."
"Hmmm… a gorgeous lesbian asks you out for a non-working breakfast… does she know it's not a date?"
"Mother."
"You're gay too, you know."
A loud guffaw dropped from her lips as she gaped at Cora, and her son sputtered his milk in the background and laughed.
"Yes, mother. I am aware of that fact."
"So? What are you waiting for? Jump on her!"
"All right, Grams!" With a hearty fist pump and praise, Henry drank from his glass again, leaving behind a creamy milk mustache. Regina held a napkin into the air for him with a smirk.
"Is that my handsome grandson?"
Henry slid into view and lovingly propped his chin on Regina's shoulder. "Hey Grams."
"Oh, look at you two together. My beautiful family. Hang on…" Cora frowned at her iPad's frame. "I need to take a freeze-shot."
"Screen-shot, Grams."
"Henry dear? How do I do that again?"
She looked off to the side, dipping her chin so she could see her husband better over her reading glasses.
Henry, the grandson, answered anyway with a quick direction just as Regina's father appeared on-screen.
"Oh, is it family photo time?" Older Henry took his glasses off and posed next to his wife. Younger Henry gave an amplified smile.
Regina's lip curled upward and she rolled her eyes at everyone. "Oh, God."
The image was snapped on her mother's end; a larger one of Henry and Regina with a smaller image of her parents in the corner of the screen, that Regina sensed she'd find in her inbox once the call was disengaged.
"Regina! What kind of expression is that?" She knew her mother's scolding was only half serious. Cora was a bit of a camera freak and had boxes of photographs and loads of electronic images of her family already.
"It was a please, someone save me from this madness expression."
"Please, Regina dear, whatever you do… don't be glib on your date."
"It's not a…"
Regina was distracted abruptly by Mother's Intuition and turned to find her son behind her gesturing to his grandmother as if saying, Oh yeah, it is SO a date! He immediately bolted upright and in bashful contrition lifted his glass and took a big swig of milk. He smiled at Regina with his mouth full.
Returning to her phone's screen but still distrustful, Regina flashed Henry a suspicious glance one more time to make sure he wasn't secretly communicating over her shoulder. Then, she was interrupted with further questions from Cora.
"What are you going to wear, dear? Something sexy, I hope."
"It's breakfast, Mom."
"Wear that gorgeous deep red sweater that we got you for Christmas last year."
Regina sighed. Why exactly did she answer the call? She remembered her parent's gift. The gorgeous off the shoulder red sweater with the broad cuff collar that narrowed to fit snuggly over her hips and the single cable knit design down the front. The one that would show off her slim waist perfectly.
"Is that the one, Aunt Z called the Love Trap Sweater? And that no lesbian could possibly resist you in it?" This came from her son, the Jokester. Sometimes he reminded her so much of everyone else in her family except her. He was comical like his aunt, charming like his grandfather, and obstinate like his grandmother.
"I will wear something appropriate and respectful. I am not prowling for women over ham and eggs."
Cora scoffed at that, "Like you would ever prowl for a woman. Regina, you have my impressive bone structure and your father's Latin coloring. If I had looked like you when I was your age, I would have…"
"Prowled for women?"
A loud snigger came from Cora's side of the conversation, off screen. "Your mother doesn't prowl. She swoops in and takes what she wants."
"Henry dear, be quiet."
"I'm just saying I didn't marry you for your cooking."
Regina groaned inwardly and adolescent Henry asked with an unsure twist of his mouth. "Should I be in the room for this?"
"Neither one of us should be," was Regina's offhanded answer.
Regina watched as her mother quietly giggled at something her father was doing while he hummed silly music. They were flirting and Regina was slightly charmed that her parents still acted this way and at the same time wanted to stick pencils in her eyes because it was all so ridiculously and outrageously saccharine-sweet.
"Why couldn't you two have called Zelena and done this? She would be laughing her ass off right now."
"Oh," Cora started as if suddenly awoken from sleep. "Tell you sister to call me! I tried for the last few days but she's not answering."
"Wonder why," Regina murmured under her breath and snickered. She casually turned toward the clock and swore. "I have to get going! I have to hop in the shower…"
"Shave your legs!"
"Mom! It's just breakfast!"
"But you never know what will happen after breakfast, Regina. Things happen. And you don't want to be caught with unshaven legs!"
"Yep," young Henry uttered putting a hand over his stomach, "I'm leaving the kitchen now."
"Henry!" Cora yelled and Henry looked back in the direction of Regina sitting at the counter with her phone in hand.
"Make sure your mother wears something sexy!"
"Uhhhh-eeew!" Henry's face contorted in discomfort at the same time that Regina's posture folded and she knocked her forehead in exasperation against the cool, clean countertop's surface. "Grandma, mom and sexy don't belong in the same sentence."
"Thanks," Regina deadpanned at him lifting her head.
"I meant, make sure your mother wears something appealing for a casual breakfast date. Not something that makes her look like a late 30s-something doctor!"
"But I am a late 30s-something doctor!"
"Not at breakfast you're not…unless someone's choking, Regina. Promise me!"
A blinking pause between the two women signified a sort of familiar standoff; like they were either trying to read or sway each other's minds. Regina broke the stare first.
"I'm hanging up now."
"Fine. Go get ready for your…" When Regina fixed her mother with a pointed stare as a reminder that this was not a date, Cora relented and rolled her eyes. "Your social engagement. I'll talk to you soon."
Blessed silence overtook the kitchen once the online call was disengaged. Swiveling in her modern looking plastic stool with the short back, Regina took in her son's thoughtful gait.
"Grandma's intense."
"Hah! Try being raised by that woman."
Again, a pensive chewing of his lip, he asked, "Do you think she'll grill me like that about a girl I'm dating?"
"Oh, most definitely," Regina promised with a chortle, "…but by that time, you'll probably have your grandmother, your aunt and me curious about the lucky lady!"
Nodding slowly, Henry vowed, "I'm moving off the grid." The he disappeared behind the swinging door.
[X]
"I would really like the chance to make it up to you. I mean, you drink coffee, right? It would be you… and me… drinking coffee… together." If there was a hole that could open and swallow her up, Emma would have appreciated it right now. She was an actress for goodness sakes! She couldn't even act cool! Asking Regina out for coffee made her palms sweaty. And at the same time, she was mentally begging, Please say yes, please!
She watched careful contemplation steal across the brunette's face and she took Regina's pause to observe her outfit. She had changed out of the business casual clothes she had been wearing earlier and was donned in a pair of grey exercise pants and a white, crew neck, pullover sweatshirt with a red stain on it—spaghetti sauce? —that had a medical sketch of some kind of bone on it. The larger text next to it read "I found this Humerus!" Emma would have never pegged the primly dressed Regina Mills for a novelty-gag shirt wearing person, but now that she knew she was, there was a lighter side to the woman that Emma desperately wanted to get to know. She was just about to throw herself at the Regina's mercy, get down on her knees and beg her to have coffee with her when Regina replied with a tentative grin, "Ok."
"Really?" Emma wanted to jump for joy. She almost did except that she experienced a punch in the gut which was Regina's light but adorable blush at Emma's apparent joy, and the way Regina grinned at her now, Emma felt weak at the knees, so jumping was definitely out of the question.
"Yes."
"Alright. I'll pick you up. 10:30? We could maybe add breakfast too?" She was pushing it, but once she got coffee, Emma wanted more. Please say yes, please say yes.
"Alright. It's a…" Regina halted. Emma waited. If Regina called this a date, Emma was unsure what she would do; maybe leap for joy. She hadn't wanted anything THIS badly in a long while. She hadn't even felt this excited or nervous sitting in the audience at Award Shows, waiting to see if she had won the category she was nominated for. Suddenly, Emma found it insane that she would trade an Emmy for a date with Regina Mills.
The longer she waited, the more Emma felt like screaming. In the last seconds that ticked by, excitement, hesitation and uncertainty all crossed Regina's demeanor. Emma thought that she couldn't blame her. After all, they had just MET! They knew next to nothing about each other.
Geez, slow down, Swan!
"… A… breakfast outing?" No! Emma hoped that didn't seem too friendly. She shook herself internally because while she wanted the gesture to be friendly she also wanted the woman to know she was interested in her in a more-than-friends-way. She wasn't sure that the message came across that way and she wanted to bang her head against the wall.
"Yes."
Emma drove her yellow Volkswagen Beetle along the highway and took the exit she needed to get to Regina's house. She was early but very thankful for the extra time to enjoy the drive, feel less stress, and just think.
Too excited to sleep fully, she had risen out of bed early. She wasn't tired, used to 5am set calls anyway, and had gone for a morning run to clear her head. At close to 8:45 after her shower, her phone dinged with a txt message and she smiled broadly at who's name came up across her screen. Regina.
REGINA: This might be a dumb question but what are you wearing?
Of course, a naughty thought had entered Emma's mind but just as she finished typing out, "Isn't a little SOON to be asking this question?" with a winking emoji, another ding came in.
REGINA: That came out wrong. I didn't mean what you are wearing NOW. I meant what are you wearing later. I figured it would be casual, but what degree of casual are we talking? I was going to wear jeans and a sweater but you aren't going to show up like one of those celebrities in disguise, are you? With frumpy, baggy sweats, glasses and a trucker hat?
Emma burst out in laughter, completely charmed and while backspacing her previous message, feeling her mood lifting even more, an SMS alert sounded again.
REGINA: Not that I care what you look like. I mean, I care, but I don't want to tell you what to wear or anything. Wear whatever you like. Okay, see you at 10:30.
Emma had chuckled delightfully, with mirthful tears at the corner of her eyes as she had opened her closet door and chosen the ensemble she was sitting in now. She called it her sexy armor: her deep-red, leather, zip jacket with the wide collars and flap pockets. She loved this jacket. She had worn it to every casting call and had gotten every part. Under it she wore an off-white scoop neck, thin sweater, tight dark blue jeans and brown leather calf-high buckle boots over the denim.
Downshifting to a stop at a street light, she waited and took a look around the tiny coastal town Regina lived in. Emma only lived a little more than an hour away inland. The drive this morning, even with Southern California Sunday traffic, was not bad. She had her old reliable bug, that she had owned since she was sixteen, probably one of the few things she still had from before she was famous, and she had The Beatles to keep her company. Who can't relax and chill to Paul McCartney's Blackbird?
Pulling up in front of Regina's house, Emma still had twenty minutes to spare so she reclined her seat back, turned up Sgt. Pepper's Lonely Hearts Club Band, and relaxed as the neighborhood seemed to slowly wake. One of Regina's neighbors, a lady who looked to be in her 70s, peeked out of the crack in her front door to see if anyone was watching and once she felt safe enough, she came out in flowery kimono with curlers in her hair. She quickly bent over her front lawn and grabbed the paper and scooting back in.
The man across the street, a nice looking fellow dressed in brown corduroy slacks and a shirt that Emma bet was neatly pressed under his sweater vest and tie jogged down his walk and his movements were a little bouncy. When he cleared the hedge, Emma could see why. A beautiful and playful Dalmatian yipped and jumped beside him. They were a neat looking pair, fitting well together.
As if triggered by her thoughts, the Dalmatian, glanced in her direction and bounded over with his tongue hanging out, not seeming threatening at all. Emma lowered the volume and opened her door. The dog, upon reaching her immediately, stuck is head into her lap and she couldn't help the enthusiastic chortles.
"Hey fella! Aren't you handsome?" She had to struggle a little bit to keep the animal from jumping into her car. And with her forearms she tried to control him and keep him outside while she scratched behind his ears but he seemed to only want to get closer and Emma was truly enchanted with him. "Okay, boy. Okay. I'll give you more love! Let me get out."
At that, the dog immediately sat on his hind legs and waited patiently for her to get out and it was almost as if he was smiling at her. Emma turned her key, taking it from the ignition and she slid out of her car. As soon as she closed and locked her door and bent down, the Dalmatian sprang up and placed his paws on her bent arms and leaned against her as if hugging her.
"Pongo!" Pongo's owner trotted over to them, good humoredly with his mail and newspaper in hand. "Hi," he greeted, "I hope he's not bothering you. He doesn't usually jump at people like this. Only with…" The man pointed to Regina's house. "The lady that lives here." He looked from Regina's house to Emma and seemed to put it together. "Are you here to see Regina?" Before Emma could answer, he seemed to mentally slap himself and corrected, "That was presumptuous, wasn't it? Let me at least introduce myself. I'm Archie and this is Pongo."
Emma was still smiling widely and she took Archie's hand and she grabbed Pongo's offered paw in a pawshake.
"Emma. And yeah. I'm here to see Regina." Pongo got down and went to sniff around Emma's tires. "You're not going to pee on my car, are you buddy? Be kind. She's a classic." Despite her words, Emma spoke nicely to Pongo and he looked up at her and then his tongue flapped outside his mouth before we walked around the Bug to inspect the sidewalk. Emma turned to Archie.
"He's a clever dog. I get the sense that he understands every word I'm saying."
"Pongo is a rather bright companion, both in intellect and mood. He's a good dog." Tilting his head, Archie closely examined Emma's face and she recognized the look. She got it often enough. "Have we met before? You look very familiar."
Often prompted by the question, Emma's casual, relaxed feeling slipped slightly and was replaced by a mask of professionalism, as if work mode was about to take over.
She opened her mouth to reveal her identity when Archie piped in, after fingering his chin, "Are you a psychologist? A psychiatrist, Emma?"
No. But I've played one on TV.
She smiled and nearly answered when he spoke up again. "No! I got it! You work at the university, don't you?"
I didn't even finish college.
Emma closed her eyes and shook her head.
"Have we met in the library?"
Oh geez. Emma hadn't been inside a library in she didn't know how long. At least a real one and not a quickly built one on set.
"I'm Emma Swan."
He blinked blankly at her.
"That's so Paige!, Dream Catcher…" when Archie's brow furrowed in puzzlement, Emma tried a few more titles, "Resident Savior? Not Another Fairytale? The Queen's Lover?"
"I'm sorry. What are these?"
Honestly a little deflated, her posture slumped but her smile was still in place. Oh well. Not everyone knew who she was. "They're TV and movie titles."
His expression changed from one of confusion to apology. "Oh! You're an actress?" With the inside of his palm he made a show of hitting his temple in shame. "I am so sorry. I'm afraid I don't get to watch too much television. I've always got my nose stuck in a book. I'm a doctor of psychology and I teach over at the University on Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays. Regina and Henry look after Pongo those nights."
Emma peered at Pongo, who plopped down by her feet, and flashed a dimple at him. She thought of him sitting next to Regina and laying his head on her lap while Regina stroked her fingers through his fur. "You lucky dog, you." His tail thumped happily against the concrete. He knew how fortunate he was.
"Hey Archie!" Quirking her head toward the house, Emma glimpsed Henry bolting down the sidewalk from the house. He was dressed in a pair of relaxed fit jeans, not baggy which Emma liked immediately, a hoodie that was a cool grey with Aztec looking designs across the chest only and he was wearing black old skool Vans with the white bottoms. The kid managed to look stylish, not thuggish, and neat. One could tell Henry Mills took pride in the way he looked and she figured his mom had something to do with that. Though Emma knew looks could be deceiving. The kid could be lighting up behind the gym building or something.
Like you had a few times in high school? Emma waved that off. It was a long time ago. And she didn't want to be judgmental but she also wasn't sure she wanted Paige to hang out with a total burner.
"Hey, Pongo! Hey, boy! Come here!" Emma observed the dog run and jump on Henry very much like he had with her and to see the teen treat the dog with such loving care and respect, she felt a little bad about her previous thoughts. The truth was she was too busy ogling his mother the night before that she hadn't paid that much attention to him. Paige said that Henry was honorable and she was beginning to see what her friend meant.
"Hi Henry."
"Hi Emma." He stilled and a crease formed between his hazel eyes. "Can I call you Emma too? Or should I call you Ms. Swan like I do with my teachers?"
Approval blossomed over her features and Emma replied, "You can call me Emma."
"Cool." His grin was bright and handsome. His focus turned toward Pongo and he was rubbing the dog all over affectionately. "You're such a good boy. I got you a new juicy bone at the butcher's. I'll give it to you tomorrow night, Buddy."
"Henry," admonished Archie lightly, "You didn't have to do that."
"Nah, it's okay, Archie. I saved up some from the odd jobs I've been working."
"A working man, huh?"
Henry nodded at Emma, "Yup. I help out my Aunt at her new business after school for a few hours, when I don't have baseball practice. She pays me under the table, at least until next year when I can actually use it for the Work Experience Program at school. I also help with lawn mowing and gardening jobs around the neighborhood sometimes."
"Henry's a busy young man."
"Yeah, I also have chess club on Wednesday evenings and the Drama club on Thursdays. Luckily, nothing has clashed this semester with my scheduling."
"Drama club? I practically lived in Drama club when I was your age."
"Really?" This was exciting news to him and he gave Pongo one last pat on the head and said, "Awesome. I like it. I had started to really help with props and stuff for productions but I got a part in a play at the beginning of this year and I really liked acting."
"Which part?"
"I played Joe Crowell in Our Town."
"Oh cool! I was Emily."
"It figures you were the main character," Henry punned and stuck his hands in his back pockets. "Hey Emma, can we talk for a minute?"
"Yeah, sure."
Emma looked at Archie and he gave them both a departing smile as he tugged on Pongo's collar. "Well it was nice meeting you, Emma. See you around, Henry!"
"Yep! Later Archie." Henry bid his farewell as Emma waved good bye to them. Once they were alone, Henry eyed Emma's car. "Is this your Beetle?"
"Yep, she's my baby."
"I thought you had a Porsche. At least that's what the magazines say."
"I have that too. But this… this little car is very special to me. She and I have been together for a long time. She knew me when no one else did."
The teenager nodded in understanding. "You seem really cool. Not stuck up like lots of other celebrities. I've been a fan of yours for a long time."
Emma slowly nodded with one eye squinting. She knew this speech. This was beginning to sound like a warning speech, though she had to admit she had never gotten it from a teenager. That she was getting it from him now, made Emma respect the kid even more.
"My mom means the world to me. I know this is a date. You know that it's a date. She knows that it's a date even though she's trying not to call it a date because somehow she thinks it's safer that way."
Emma wasn't quite sure what to do with that last part so she chewed on the inside of her bottom lip and said, "What are you trying to tell me, Henry?"
"Please don't hurt my mom."
The words would have formed a question if they weren't served with such directness. The young teen's protectiveness of his mother warmed Emma's heart. Many teens probably wouldn't even care to be so upfront with those interested in their parents.
"I have no intention of hurting Regina, Henry." Placing her hand on his shoulder she reassuringly shook him. "I promise, you don't have to worry."
Henry gave her a measuring look and then his lips spread out in a thin but appeased line. "Okay." He backed away and turned toward the house, "You want to come in or should I tell Mom you're out here waiting?"
"Oh… kid… " Emma threw an arm around his shoulder and they both walked slowly up the walk together. "Rule One to dating… Always meet the girl on the doorstep."
They both grinned and had an understanding with one another. Emma felt that not only was she eager to get to know Regina, she also felt that she and Henry could have a great friendship as well.
[X]
Regina sat in the cramped front section of Emma's yellow Volkswagen. She was uncertain when she last rode in a car without power windows. The seats were comfortable enough. For a car this old, the upholstery was flawless, though nearly every part looked original, except for the stereo system, otherwise the dash had all the authentic dials and everything.
"Please don't tell me you hate my car, even if you're thinking it."
Emma's comment woke Regina up from her scrutiny and she became aware that her silence was rude. She inwardly smacked herself and grimaced at her lack of manners.
"I don't hate your car."
"Sure…" Emma quipped delivering a smile over the gear shift as she moved the stick into a higher gear. "You're sitting over there hugging your purse like you're riding in a metal death trap."
"Your words, not mine." Regina felt compelled to point that out. "Really, I don't hate your car. I'm more… surprised by it, to be honest. I hadn't expected it."
Hoping to neutralize any damage she may have caused with her thoughtlessness, Regina smiled warmly at Emma. The blonde had never really stopped smiling but Regina wanted to make sure Emma understood, so she reassuringly covering her hand on the stick shift, Emma's face brightened immediately. "You are totally forgiven."
Emma glanced down meaningfully at their hands and Regina felt the buzz as she took in the contrast of their skin on skin contact. Regina noticed how smooth and warm Emma was under her touch. The woman's knuckles vibrated a little with the car's engine and the sensation caused Regina to almost tighten her grip before she chastised herself.
You only met the woman 24 hours ago and you're already holding hands! Show some decorum, would you?
As if suddenly scorched, Regina snatched her hand back and heard her mother's and sister's voices mentally rebuking her in her head.
"Oh dear… All work and no play, makes you a very dull Regina. She wants you. Grab her! I hope you shaved your legs," her mother's voice said in her head.
Zelena's was more loud and outright. "You take that HOTTIE'S hand back right this instant, Regina-Bina! And you better've shaved MORE than just your legs!" She inwardly cringed not only at the mention of body hair removal but at her older sister's silly childhood nickname for her.
The drive was short and besides the normal pleasantries of chatting about the weather and Emma's drive to Regina's, nothing of real significance was spoken about. It felt like two acquaintances having coffee, and even though that was essentially what was happening—or what Regina thought she might have wanted, to take the pressure off thinking it was a date—she couldn't help but feel dismayed.
The air in the car was many things all at once. The ride was somewhat comfortable, once Regina had accepted that there were no airbags in the dash to protect her life should there be an accident, but there was also fidgetiness, unusual timidity and carefulness because Regina wanted to make the right impression.
Snap out of it, Regina. You've been on dates before!
Though this wasn't a date, she told herself. Why did that matter really? Her eyes moved from the windshield in front of her to inspect the woman driving. Her fair hair was in a relaxed ponytail and there was only a little makeup apparent on her skin, some blush and maybe some lip-gloss. The deep red leather jacket was sexy on her. It seemed to showcase not only a style but an attitude., one that Regina found very appealing.
"I like your jacket. Red looks great on you."
"Thanks. It's my favorite jacket. Though for the record, I think everyone looks good in red." Emma downshifted and steered around a street corner, but Regina was too busy paying attention to the blonde instead of where they were heading. She wondered what Emma was thinking. She, was glad that Emma seemed relaxed though, and shaking her head at herself, Regina realized she was projecting way too much and told herself to just calm down; to try and enjoy the morning. It was then that she took notice of where they were and felt instant apprehension.
"Where are we going?"
"To this old fashioned restaurant a friend of mine just opened… back when coffee shops were actually diner style places and not cafes that serve only coffee and croissants. When Starbucks opened, they changed it all. Not that I'm complaining though." Emma pointed to herself, and her next comment brought a brief smile to Regina's lips. "Mocha Frappuccino."
"The drink that started it all."
Emma looked sincerely at her and replied, "I'm eager to see how this continues. You know… what other beverages we'll share together." The last part seemed to be added to soothe Regina, only proving that Emma didn't want to rush her and for that Regina was grateful.
When she experienced the flutter-like feeling of butterfly wings in her chest, not at all a bad feeling, Regina returned through hooded eyes, "Let's hope I don't need to wear any of those drinks either."
They laughed. Emma was charming. Regina was relieved. And then she remembered where they were just as Emma was parallel parking down the street from where Regina had hoped they weren't going. "Um… so you said a friend of yours owns this place?"
"Yep. Just opened it. I have been a terrible friend. I couldn't make the Grand Opening because I was filming elsewhere and since I have been back, I've been really bad at getting over here to try the place. I hear they have the best Chocolate Chip Pancakes on the planet."
At Regina's hum of affirmation, which sounded a little hesitant, Emma asked, "Have you ever eaten here?"
"Oh yes." Regina's head glanced around at all the familiar sites as they neared the restaurant, Over The Rainbow Eatery. "And what they say about the pancakes is true. Henry loves them."
"Fantastic."
"Yeah, fantastic," the brunette repeated though she seemed less than thrilled. Regina gave an insecure glance down at herself, taking in her snug-fitting black jeans, her scoop neck beige cable-knit sweater with her thin, colorful-patterned scarf, loosely tied in a knot between her breasts.
"Are you okay?" Emma touched her elbow and held her still in front of the large windows. "I mean, we can go somewhere else if you really want to."
Regina attempted to peer inside the restaurant but the sun made the glare stronger and that much more difficult to see anything. With a resolute sigh, she offered Emma a smile, "No. If chocolate chip pancakes are what you want, this is the best place to be."
Somehow Emma's hand had slipped from her elbow to her lower back, much to Regina's delighted surprise, but looking at the blonde she saw the sweet concern in her eyes. "You're sure?"
"Yeah. Your friend is waiting, right?"
Emma's eyes were so kind. The woman was kind, sweet, funny, smart and attractive. This should be a date. The moment they stood there, sharing grins, stretched into a longer one and with the California sun's warmth seeping into her, Regina began to feel a little more at peace.
That is until, out of the corner of her eye, she spotted a familiar blur hurtling toward them at break-neck speed. The glass, front door of the restaurant burst open and Regina was stolen from Emma and wrapped into the tight embrace of another woman.
[X]
Emma was stunned by the force with which she was pushed aside and the loss of Regina being in close proximity. Instead, Regina was being mauled by an attractive woman with red hair and bright eyes.
"Regina, darling, why didn't you tell me you were coming? I'd have saved your table."
Regina, darling? Emma curiously examined them while the redhead emphatically kissed Regina on the cheek. Jealousy bubbled thickly and quickly in Emma's middle as she noted the woman's British accent and her familiarity with Regina. She didn't like it. She didn't like it one bit and begged of herself not to lose her temper.
Emma normally had a calm disposition anyway. Rarely had she ever felt jealous with anyone she dated, and she was an actress, who had dated other actresses who performed love scenes with other people. But never once had she felt as jealous of a lover kissing another person than she had right now at this woman just holding Regina like she had a prior claim.
"I didn't know I was. We ended up here."
"I'm glad you did. I tried calling you last night. I went straight to voicemail."
"Which is what happens when you call me at two o'clock in the morning, Z."
"Bollucks. You and I have had all-nighters before."
Emma inwardly balked at that and studied the tall woman more closely. She was wearing a pair of khaki capri pants, a light soft green thin cotton pilgrim style blouse. Her red curls were tamed by a large clip at the back of her head sending spiraled ribbons of it down her back.
Z took a step back and inspected Regina's outfit. "You and your damn scarves, Regina. Your closet is full of 'em. We need to get rid of at least half. You look like a bloody bank manager." Examining the jeans she spun Regina and blatantly checked out Regina's bottom and Emma took a deep breath in order to hold it together. Regina only rolled her eyes as if she was used to the scrutiny, which also signified a close relationship with this woman. "Hey, those are your tightest jeans. I've always liked those jeans on you. They make your ass look great."
What the hell?!
Color rose in Regina's cheeks and she glanced at Emma before she swore in embarrassment, "Jesus, Z."
"So why are you wearing the come-hither-ass-jeans? Oh wait. That's right!"
The woman suddenly turned on Emma and recognition sparkled in her eyes and then Emma was engulfed in a surprisingly tight hug. "Oh my God! You're here. You're actually here!"
"Um…hello…" That was sort of murmured into the woman's shoulder as she was a little taller than Emma.
"Hello! Hi! Welcome. I can't believe Regina is out on a date with Emma Swan."
Emma remembered Regina's hesitancy with what this was called and almost said that it wasn't a date, but she stopped. You know what? Let her think it's a date. Regina's with me.
She and Regina shared a look and the look of sincere apology on Regina's face was quite adorable before she sighed and shook her head. "Emma…" What she was going to say, Emma never got to hear and in that millisecond the bottom of Emma's stomach dropped.
Was Regina going to introduce this woman? Why exactly did the brunette sound so apologetic and look so embarrassed? Was Z a lover?
Z took over and thrust her hand out to Emma looking for a handshake. "I'm Zelena Bartlett. And you are Emma Swan. I'm a big fan. Huge!"
Emma's lips only quirked in a bland smile. She felt like the rug was being pulled out from under her feet everything was happening so fast. She politely inserted her hand in Zelena's and got it enthusiastically pumped.
"Thanks for being a fan," was her go-to reply. Still the jealousy had her tightly squeeze Zelena's hand in competition and the redhead noticed, frowned and tilted her head in confusion and once she seemed to read Emma's message she smiled brightly.
"Absolutely wonderful." Zelena murmured, almost in an approving manner, before taking her hand back and giving it a subtle shake to relieve the aching.
"Z, Emma's here for the chocolate chip pancakes."
"Not just the pancakes." Emma replied, stepping between the two women, opening the door for Regina and guiding her inside with a possessive hand on her lower back.
Regina stepped inside the restaurant with a bewildered look on her face as Zelena chuckled and followed them in.
"Regina, dear. I think you need to explain to Ms. Swan how we know each other."
"What?" The expression on Regina's face was one of incomprehension and her eyes darted between both women.
"And quickly," Zelena added.
Regina's eyes returned to Zelena and when understanding dawned, her eyes lit up and widened in shock at Emma and her jaw dropped. "Oh! Oh, Emma." She moved an index finger between herself and Zelena meaningfully. "We…"
"EMMA!"
No sooner had the familiar shout sounded through the crowded restaurant than Emma felt herself being bear-hugged again, but this one was welcome. The arms that circled around her and rocked her felt good. "Emma! What are you doing here?"
"Hey Mags."
Mags was short for Mary Margaret. The name Emma had given to the wife of her best friend from high school. She felt guilty now that she hadn't seen them in so long. David Nolan had been the brother she never had but always wanted. He had known she was gay even back then and had never let anyone be mean to her. He had started dating Mary Margaret in college and when they had gotten married, Emma had been the "best man" at his wedding and it was Mary Margaret who had suggested that she wear the tailored yet stylish tuxedo at the ceremony. Where David was like a brother to her, Mary Margaret was like a sister.
Suddenly, at least two years of guilt surfaced. "I am so sorry I didn't come to see you guys earlier."
Mary Margaret blinked at her incredulously and admonished, "What? Will you shut up. You have a life, Emma. A busy one. Filming here, there, everywhere."
"Yeah but you guys are family."
"Which makes it even more okay. You're busy, Emma. David and I know that."
"You two know each other," Zelena more stated than asked, finally amused by the exchange. Regina was equally interested in the answer.
The young woman in the chef's coat with short cropped hair explained. "Yeah. Emma and David have known each other for a long time. Since high school.
Zelena's head nodded slowly in understanding and the look she aimed at Regina had the brunette warily gazing back at her as if they were silently communicating. "Interesting. So this meeting between you two might have been destined."
Mary Margaret was baffled and squinted at both Emma and Regina. "Wait… you two know each other?" She seemed to remember herself and touched Regina's shoulder in friendly greeting. "Hi Regina."
"Mary Margaret. How is little Neal?"
Emma nearly melted at the smile Regina gave to her friend. She couldn't believe that they knew each other and well apparently.
"Growing. Big and tall like his Daddy. He's only three but I think big for three."
"I'll bake him some brownies."
"Oh Regina, he loves your brownies! David too. I wonder if I will ever be able to get that recipe from you."
"Only if I get your peach cobbler one."
This was all getting to be too much for Emma. "Hang on!" Emma blurted stopping everyone's chatter, except for those patrons sitting in the dining room. "Everyone knows everyone? How was I missing this?"
"Because you were off in Canada, or New York or Paris."
"So you know Regina and Zelena."
"Zelena is my business partner."
"She is?"
"Yes. How do you know these two?" Mary Margaret asked gesturing the Zelena and Regina."
"She doesn't know me," Zelena supplied. She smiled at Mary Margaret and prattled on, "She and Regina are here on a date, though Regina's not calling it a date. At least that's what my mother says."
Emma glanced at Zelena suspiciously. "Your mother knows about our date?"
"My mother thinks she knows everything, Ms. Swan," Zelena chortled and shared a secret glance with Regina, which still slightly irked Emma.
"And whatever you do…" Regina chuckled. "Never tell her that she doesn't."
Emma blankly gaped at them and after looking at each woman in front of her, her gaze landed on Regina. "How do you know her mother?"
Delighted to reveal the secret, Zelena piped up, "Ms. Swan, my mother is her mother."
"Come again."
"Emma," Regina placed her hand on Emma's shoulder and gave it a sweet little shake to reassure her. "Zelena is my sister."
Emma's eyes narrowed at both women, who looked nothing like each other, and she offered a dubious spread of the lips with a sidelong glance and comically quipped. "Yeeeeah… I've heard that one before."
Zelena erupted in a loud guffaw, Mary Margaret snorted, and Regina just smiled sincerely and squeezed Emma again. At least Regina didn't seem angry or disappointed. She looked rather amused by the whole thing, and something else just underneath the surface; something Emma couldn't name but that made her feel really encouraged and comforted.
"Really, Emma." Regina paused and then her shoulders relaxed. She dropped her hand and leaned closer, expressing with deep longing in her eyes. "Just to be clear, I'm not seeing anyone."
"So there is no reason to be jealous, Ms. Swan," Zelena responded and then joked to her business partner, who was watching the other two women with newfound interest, "Not that my sister has any kind of dating prowess whatsoever."
While still looking at Emma, Regina reared her leg back and stomped on Zelena's foot, not too hard but very much in a sibling-silencing way. Zelena made a fuss anyway. "Ow! You're wearing half inch heels, bitch."
"Oh, David's going to wish he saw this," Mary Margaret teased and color rose into Emma's cheeks at the good-natured ribbing she was sure to get later.
"Well, Ms. Swan…" Zelena began as she limped forward, shooting her sister a very pointed look, which Regina shrugged off with a you-know-you-deserved-it look, "I believe you had a desire for chocolate chip pancakes?"
Emma's eyes met Regina's and she playfully repeated her words from outside, "Among other things."
The happy up-tilt at the corner of Zelena's lips belied her pained hobbling. She was truly happy for her sister and she definitely liked what she had seen from the beautiful actress. "Well then. Let's get this show on the road, shall we?"
A half hour later they were seated and a heaping plate of fluffy pancakes loaded with sweet chocolate chips were sitting in front of Emma. Her mouth watered and the aroma was enticing her stomach to groan in hunger. "So this is The Henry Special."
She had learned that the dish was named on the menu with Henry Mills in mind. Chocolate Chip pancakes were his favorite. What a small world. They were hers too.
"Yes. Henry's always loved them. He likes pancakes in general, but these are a special treat for him. If I didn't put my foot down, he'd probably have chocolate every day for breakfast. As it is he already drinks hot cocoa every evening before bed.
"The more I hear about your kid, the more I like him."
"Thanks. I'm quite found of him myself."
Regina cut into her Belgian waffle and added a little maple syrup before putting it in her mouth. After swallowing she added, "But Henry's got a quirk with his hot chocolate."
"Me too."
"He drinks it with sprinkled…"
"Cinnamon!"
With a slackened jaw, Regina goggled at Emma. She leaned forward and inquisitively probed, "How did you know that?"
It was remarkable. As Regina was talking something inside Emma seemed to burst forth like magic and it felt amazing. Like she knew what Regina was going to say before she said it. What was even more delightfully strange, however, was that Emma liked her hot chocolate the same way!
"I drink it with cinnamon too. Right over the swirled whip cream."
Leaning back and piercing Emma with disbelieving eyes, Regina wiggled her fork in one hand and her knife in the other pensively. "That can't be common. Can it?"
"Besides Henry and I, there's no one I know that drinks it that way."
"Me neither. Henry actually discovered it…"
"By accident? Yeah, me too."
"How weird is that?"
Emma thought about the many coincidences that this morning had been filled with and took it as a good sign. She wiped her lips with her napkin, put her fork and knife down and leaned forward a little. "It seems that our small world is getting even smaller. Frankly, I'm enjoying it." It bodes well for the future.
The woman across the table had just dipped the tip of a juicy red strawberry into the whip cream topping of her waffle and brought it in her mouth. She froze at Emma's words and Emma found Regina endearing and rather sexy. Thoughts of seductively feeding Regina whipped cream and strawberries entered her mind. Their venue was suddenly too crowded for Emma's liking.
She was sure it was not purposely done but Regina licked the fruit's tip, her tongue curling around the berry, carrying cream with it and then she sucked the rest off. Emma's head tilted forward and her lips puckered of their own volition. Her body heat spiked and the thumping in her chest clamored out of control. She was certain that the woman didn't know how hot she was being right now. Emma nearly slipped off her seat thinking of the state she would be in if Regina Mills ever tried to willfully seduce her. Holy crap!
"Me too. I'm having a really good time as well. Regina dropped the strawberry stem off to her plate's edge and cleaned her mouth. She nudged her plate forward to make room for her arms and she crossed them on the table, leaning her weight on them. She didn't deny it, she simply pinned Emma with a considering look.
"What is it that you want, Emma?"
Emma hadn't expected the question upfront. This question was a little complicated. This was a first date after all. Weren't they just supposed to drink coffee, flirt and have a little fun? But this was something that she was learning that she liked about Regina Mills. She had given some though about what happened when they first got here and she had learned how wrong she was to think Regina was dallying with different women on the side. The woman across from her was a straight-shooter. What you saw was what you got. Emma thought of all that she had learned over breakfast.
Regina Mills. Pediatrician. Single Mother.
They hadn't really spoken for long about Regina's profession but Emma knew she had gone to Stanford and graduated at the top of her class. She had interned at UCSF and was a career woman, interested in making a good reputation for herself. She had opened her own private practice four years ago and her business was thriving. So far, Emma had to admit, that she admired the hell out of the woman.
So what did she want? More. That was the only answer on the tip of her tongue. She wanted more.
Emma placed her own knife and fork down and respectfully gave Regina her attention and tentatively answered the question as best as she could. She wanted to get this right, and she felt honesty was the best policy.
"I want to see you again, Regina. I like having your number in my phone. I'd like to txt you and call you whenever the moment moves me, which has already been pretty often, though I've tried not to scare you." Thinking over what she said and how it might have sounded, she tacked on quickly, "I only want to see you. There's no one else for me either. I want to see you again after breakfast. Soon." Emma tipped her eyes upward as if thinking of more things to say. "I don't want to screw this up because I like you." Regina wore an unreadable expression and Emma squinted uncertainly. "How am I doing?"
"It's not a job interview, Emma."
"Well, that's good. I'm not wearing my lucky leather jacket, right now."
Baffled, Regina asked, "What?"
Emma chuckled in response and lifted her leather jacket that was in the booth with her. "My red jacket. "It's my coat of armor. It brings me luck. I take it on casting calls."
"Oh," Regina's expression softened and there was mild flirtation in her eyes. "Believe me. You don't need it. You're doing just fine." Regina picked up her knife, paused and then placed it against her plate again. "Emma, I appreciate your honesty. I must tell you that I find that very appealing in a person. And now I want to return that in kind. While I find you…" Regina smiled and delivered coyly, "…wildly attractive…" Emma could not contain her elation and it radiated in her twinkling eyes and her broad toothy grin between dimpling cheeks. "It's important to me that we take this slow."
It was an admission that Emma nodded slowly at in understanding. Regina had admitted that she was attracted to her and liked her, and she was also interested in going forward, albeit slowly. As Emma let the words sink in, she was gratified to know they would take things slow. She didn't want to rush into anything either. Truthfully, she was still an actress in the closet and she had no upcoming plans to come out just yet. It was good for them to test the waters and see if they really got on and liked each other before they committed to making any life-altering changes.
"So…" Emma picked her coffee cup up and brought it half way to her mouth because her hand needed something to do or it might have reached across the table. "We can do this again?"
"I'd say that there's a really good chance of that happening."
"And might we call it a…" Emma pretended a scandalous gasp and targeted Regina with a hooded glance. "… a date?"
A teasing glint appeared in Regina's eyes and she tantalized Emma with a provocative spread of red lips, "Let's see how this one ends first, shall we?"
The challenge was thrown. Regina was no easy mark. Anyone that wanted the privilege of her company had to do a little work and show a little self-restraint to get it. Emma Swan was a patient woman—if one wanted to make it in Tinseltown, they had to be—and the glimmer of promise from the brunette heartened her and allured her like no one ever had before.
A/N: I know that many are not used to seeing Cora be "not evil" but the truth is I love Barbara Hershey (and Tony Perez) so much that I wanted to explore their dynamic as a good couple done right! LOL!
I hope you enjoyed Chapter 2! There is more to come!
Comments and reviews are welcome! Thanks for reading!