A/N - Thank you so much to everyone for the support, it means a lot to me. Anyway, so with this story there will be time hops between chapters with the overall story following the couple over ten or so years. Also I need to explain (because it's causing a little confusion) The 2 Chapter Scene story - 'Elevator Scene Admissions of the Heart' is kind of like a teaser or preview for the third story ' Admissions of the Heart' which I am currently planning / outlining and hopefully will have written by the end of the year.

With that being said, I hope you enjoy the next chapter. ~RamblingtowardsEcstasy


MOMENTS OF THE HEART

CHAPTER TWO.

"Ruby, I am not having a stripper at my hen do..." Emma huffed indigently as she accepted the drink off her work colleague and friend. "It's so tacky..."

"Oh come on, Swan. It's tradition. Regina tell your wife to be, please." The brunette glanced at her friend's fiancée as she sat down opposite the couple.

Holding her hands up in defence, Regina spoke. "Oh no, don't you involve me, Ruby. You are the best woman. I shouldn't even be here." She chuckled.

Emma smiled gratefully to her fiancée as she reached for her hand, giving it a quick squeeze. "See Rubes, she said no." Emma laughed.

"I didn't hear her say no, I just heard a cop out, Swan. " Ruby cocked her eyebrow as she crossed her arms over her chest and stared at the couple.

Emma smirked. "You're right, Rubes. It was a cop out." She glanced to Regina and winked.

Shaking her head comically, Regina rose from the table and glanced over to the waitress, signalling for the bill. "Anyway darling, I should be going. I have a meeting with the gallery about some pieces being included in an exhibition."

A moment later, the waitress handed Regina the bill. Glancing at it, Regina pulled out her purse from her handbag and placed some money on the table.

"Oh is that today, babe."

Regina nodded and smiled.

"Knock em' dead, sweetheart. Good luck!" Emma smiled.

"Thank you, darling. Have a nice day off. I'll see you at home tonight." The brunette kissed Emma on the cheek and then pointedly glared at Ruby. "And there will no strippers at Emma's hen do, Ruby!"

Gulping dramatically and shaking her head hard, Ruby meekly replied. "No strippers, got it..."

With a smile and a wink directed to her fiancée, Regina turned and walked out of the coffee shop without saying another word.

As Emma turned back to her friend, she smiled smugly and crossed her arms over her chest in triumph.

"Oh shut up, Swan!" Ruby snarled.

~{}~

Emma looked at herself in the mirror for the third time that night. Ruffling her hair over her shoulders, she turned slightly to the left and then to the right as she checked out her backside in the mirror. The new pair of skinny jeans she'd purchased shaped her behind perfectly. It certainly looked peachier, Emma thought. Turning back to the bed, she slipped on her faithful old red leather jacket and then glanced one last time in the mirror. She was ready. Smiling to herself, she walked out of the bedroom area and up the internal stairs to Regina's studio. The brunette was busily working at her long metal bench.

"Okay, I'm going now babe." Emma announced, stepping into Regina's working space.

The brunette looked up from the prints she was working on and swivelled on the stool. "Enjoy your last night of freedom, darling." She teased as Emma approached her. Draping her arms over the blonde, she gave Emma a quick peck on the lips. "Is Ruby here?"

Emma shook her head. "No, I'm meeting her and the guy's downtown at O'Reilly's. Then we're off to some club that Ruby keeps going on about."

With a nod of her head, Regina pulled the blonde closer to her and captured her lips one more time. This time the kiss was hard, passionate and perhaps a little desperate. It was just enough to entice the blonde.

"Or I could stay here, we can make out and you know have our only little party." Emma blushed as she leant back from the embrace.

Chuckling hard, Regina spoke. "As much as that sounds promising, I don't think Ruby will forgive you or me for that matter. She's taking her role of 'best woman' very seriously."

Emma shrugged. "Indeed she is..."

Stepping away from the brunette, Emma studied Regina's work. "Looks great, babe! It's coming along nicely."

Glancing back to her work, Regina smiled. "Yeah, I'm hoping it will be well received at the exhibition."

"Sweetheart, it's amazing. They'll love it. Stop worrying, okay?"

Regina nodded as she reached for her fiancée one last time. "You better go, Ruby will start to worry."

Emma nodded before giving the brunette a lingering kiss. "What time is Katherine, coming over?"

"She said she'll be here at nine. She's bringing a takeaway."

"See that sounds much more enjoyable." Emma chuckled.

Regina rolled her eyes. "Thinking of food again. "

Emma shrugged. "When am I not..."

"Good point. Go and when you come back, I'll have a surprise for you." Regina smirked.

"Oh yeah. What's that, left overs?" Emma chuckled.

Regina stood and directed the blonde to sit down on the stool. Emma was a little confused. Standing back from her fiancée, Regina started swaying her hips to imaginary music before dancing her way back to the blonde. Momentarily, she draped her arms over Emma's shoulders and shimmed her hips before turning around and allowed her backside to graze over Emma's lap. As she leant into the blonde, she lifted Emma's hands and covered them over the swell of her breasts.

"I'll do a private lap dance for you." She murmured into the blonde's ear. "You'll get your stripper after all."

With Emma's mouth gapping open as a faint tinge of pink surfaced over her cheeks, she moaned softly. Regina smirked to herself before moving Emma's right hand from her breast and down inside her jeans. The blonde could feel the heat and wetness radiating from inside the brunette's panties. Lolling her head back, Emma moaned loudly. "That's it, I'm ringing in sick."

Laughing loudly, Regina removed Emma's hand and turned to the blonde. "You'll do no such thing, Em. The sooner you go, the sooner you will get your treat." She pulled Emma off the stool and pushed her towards the stairs. "Have fun, sweetheart."

Feeling a little disheartened, Emma pouted before coming around quickly with a wide smile. "I love you."

"Love you too." Regina called out as Emma descended the stairs.

~{}~

Making her way through the crowd of people, Emma sided up to the bar next to one of her colleagues who was fruitlessly trying to flirt with a pretty blonde beside him. Rolling her eyes dramatically, she turned away and waved to the bartender to get his attention. The bartender eventually saw Emma and held up his index finger indicating to give him a minute before finishing the order we was working on. Emma glanced back to her colleague and shook her head in despair.

Emma's eyes locked onto the bartender who was now making his way back to Emma. With a smile, he draped his hand over the beer tap and asked for Emma's order.

As she ordered her rum and coke, she glanced back to her colleague who it seemed to be having no joy with the pretty blonde. After a moment, her colleague turned to Emma and raised his eyebrows in mock horror.

"It would seem she bats for your side, Swan." He muttered.

Emma glanced to the retreating blonde and then to her colleague. "Plenty of fish, Killian."

"Aye." He smiled, clicking his glass against Emma's "Didn't take you as a rum drinker, love."

"Normally I'm not. I usually stick with beer but it's a special occasion."

Killian nodded and smiled as he wrapped his arm around Emma's shoulders, pulling her closer. "Still can't believe you're getting married, Swan. You've come along way."

"Me either, Killian. I still can't believe she said yes."

Killian laughed. Emma Swan was so humble and didn't realise how beautiful she was and that any woman or man would be lucky to have her in their life. "Regina is the lucky one, Swan."

The blonde blushed slightly and then frowned. She knew where this conversation was heading. It was no secret that Killian Jones had always had a "thing" for her and it was obvious that he still did. "Killian." She warned.

Raising his hands in surrender, he took a half step back. "As you said, Swan. Plenty of fish in the sea." And with that he backed away and disappeared into the crowd of people.

Emma turned back to the bar and took a sip of her drink before shaking her head slightly.

An hour later, Emma realised that most of her colleagues including Ruby had deserted her for better offers. She didn't mind though. She had enjoyed the evening with her friends but had quickly come to the conclusion that this wasn't her scene anymore. She longed to be at home with her fiancée, doing their thing. Whatever their thing was?

Ruby on occasions would tease her about how boring she and Regina had become. According to Ruby they talked too much about their upcoming wedding, Regina's career and the alterations they were considering for their house. Emma couldn't see the problem. She felt like she had finally grown up and was ready to start the next phase of her life with the brunette who still after two years together made her swoon at a drop of a hat. Downing her drink, she made her way to the exit of the club.

That was the moment, Emma realised that she was done with this part of her life. She had enjoyed it but now it was time to get serious about her life.

~{}~

Regina sat in the pine director's chair and glanced in to the mirror. The make-up artist that her mother had secretly booked for her had just left. Studying her reflection in the mirror, she was impressed with the wonderful job the make-up artist had done. Far better than her own attempt, she thought.

With her hairdresser due any moment, Regina slumped back into the chair as she made the most of this time alone. Finding time for herself this morning had be near on impossible; what with dress fitters, florists, caterers and so on constantly needing her final approval for everything. She found herself already emotionally drained.

But here she sat with five minutes spare, alone, with no one bothering her. She understood now why people said weddings were stressful and just to enjoy the moment because it comes and goes so quick. If she'd known this eight months ago when Emma proposed, she would have suggested a quick Vegas wedding in some little chapel with an organ player and a witness. Was it too late? She glanced to the clock. It was cutting it fine, but she was sure if she phoned Emma and suggested eloping, the blonde wouldn't say no.

Instead, she sighed deeply to herself. No, it was too late. Everything had been finalized and people had been paid. Emma no doubt would have started to get ready or the very least Ruby would be making sure Emma wasn't procrastinating. Regina had warned Ruby that under no circumstances, should she be standing at the alter waiting for the blonde.

The night before, Regina had checked into the hotel and this was her base for the duration. Her parents had arrived the day earlier and would also be staying at the hotel for the duration. Emma's parents were due to check in this morning and they would travel the short distance to the church together.

Regina had met Emma's parents for the first time about four months ago when they insisted that a family dinner would be the appropriate event to meet the woman who had stolen their daughter's heart.

Mary Margaret and David Nolan seemed nice, well Regina's thoughts were that they were unbelievable nice bordering on sickly sweet. Mary Margaret was one of those school teachers you see in the movie's where everything that sprouts from her mouth is positive and encouraging no end. You know the type where bluebirds magically appear on her shoulder whistling zip-a-dee-doo-dah, zip-a dee-ay. And as for David, he had a rather charming disposition which Regina found endearing and tolerable. To an extent.

The door to her suite opened and in walked the said couple, hand in hand, beaming smiles that put Regina a little on edge. How can two people be happy all the time?

"Regina, there you are." Mary Margaret said excitedly.

The brunette grinned slightly into the mirror before slowly turning in her chair. "Mary Margaret, David. It's so lovely to see you both."

Emma's mother let go of her husband's hand and drifted towards the brunette. Her arms poised and outstretched, welcoming a hug from her future daughter in law. Regina stood up and embraced the hug. Emma's mother was slightly smaller than herself, so the hug was a little awkward but bearable. She leant back and was immediately encased by Emma's father.

"You look radiate, Regina. Just beautiful." David Nolan cooed as he let go of his daughter in law and stood back.

A pinkish tinge spread over the brunette's face, she lowered her eyes and look to the floor. She hoped Emma would think so.

"You've embarrassed the poor girl, David." Mary Margaret said, swiping at her husband's hand playfully as she circled around Regina and inspected the wedding gown. "Oh Regina, this dress is absolutely gorgeous." She reached out and felt the material before letting go and standing back next to her husband. Their hands found each other and instantly their fingers entwined.

If this is what true love looks like, I hope Emma and I achieve it. Regina thought to herself as the couple looked lovingly into each other's eyes before turning back to the brunette.

"How was the drive?" Regina asked, changing the subject.

"Good, until we hit Boston. I forgot what the traffic was like here on a Friday." David said.

David and Mary Margaret had traded the city life for a far more relaxed lifestyle in rural Massachusetts about a year and a half ago. The small town they lived in now had a total of six shops, one Bed n' Breakfast and a school where Mary Margaret worked. David had semi-retired from the Police force and was occupying his time by tending to the land that they had bought.

Regina nodded.

The door to the suite opened again and in waltzed Regina's hairdresser.

"Regina darling, you look gorgeous." He announced excitably as he placed his large black hairdressing box on the floor beside him. Walking over to the brunette, he gave her two "air kisses" on her cheeks before turning to Emma's parents with a broad smile plastered over his face.

"This is Phillip, my hairdresser." Regina introduced him to Emma's parents.

Nodding their heads in bewilderment at the man before them, David thrusted out his hand for Phillip to shake. "David Nolan, pleased to meet you."

Taking David's hand and shaking it, Phillip winced a little at the shear strength of the hand shake. "Ohh the pleasure is all mine." He winked to David before turning to Mary Margaret and gently taking her hand, kissing her knuckles, he purred. "Enchanté."

Mary Margaret blushed as she turned to mush.

Regina rolled her eyes and gave a subtle cough which broke the spell that Phillip had forced upon the couple.

"Oh! We should go, David." Mary Margaret announced clapping her hands together and looking to her husband. "We'll meet you down stairs, Regina.

With an affirmative nod, David clasped his hand around his wife's and squeezed perhaps a little too possessively before leading them silently out of the suite.

Turning to Philip, Regina cocked an eyebrow. "Ready, Dear?"

"I was born ready." He said, guiding the brunette back to the director's chair. Standing behind her, Philip rested his hands on her shoulders and smiled to her in the mirror.

~{}~

As Emma leant against the sink, she gulped down the glass of water as she glanced to the clock. After months of planning and organising their wedding, the day had finally arrived and she had two hours left before she would be a married woman.

Placing the glass on the side, she padded over to the three drawer cabinet and opened the top drawer. Picking up the small box, she opened the lid. Inside were her and Regina's wedding rings. Smiling to herself, she closed the lid with a snap and glanced over her shoulder as Ruby stumbled out of the bedroom area, giving Emma a dismissive wave and helping herself to some water from the tap. Noticing the small bottle of painkillers sitting next to the sink, she poured herself another glass of water as she popped a couple of pills in her mouth. Gulping the water, she threw her head back and swallowed the tablets.

"Remind me never to go drinking with you again, Swan." Ruby said, rubbing her forehead as she stumbled to the couch and flopped down. "Where did you get to anyway, I lost you at the club."

The blonde approached her friend and scooted her feet off the couch. They landed on the floor with a plop. "I went home, Rubes. I TRIED to find you but I figured you'd got a better offer." Emma said as she sat down next to the brunette.

"Inside voice, Swan." Ruby moaned into her arms that were crossed over her face.

Emma rolled her eyes as she brought her legs up and cradled them against her chest.

"I did have a better offer until she left with Killian." Ruby winked.

Emma chuckled. It seemed Killian had caught his fish after all.

Leaning her head against the back of the sofa, she closed her eyes and thought about the day ahead. By nightfall she would be known as Mrs Swan-Mills.

Over the last couple of months, Regina and Emma had discussed what their surname would be, both throwing around ideas until one day, when they were out grocery shopping, Emma had stopped in the aisle and blurted out "Swan-Mills" to Regina's confusion. After a couple of minutes and Emma explaining that she wasn't going crazy, she said her suggestion again. "Swan—Mills, Emma Swan-Mills" Regina had nodded, smiled and copied the blonde "Swan-Mills, Regina Swan-Mills" Both noted it had a nice ring to it and right there and then in the middle of the frozen goods aisle it was decided they would be Mrs & Mrs Swan-Mills.

"Emma we need to get our arses in gear and get ready. I promised Regina I would get you to the church on time." Ruby muttered, realising that they literally had less than two hours to get ready and drive to the church. "Your woman can be quiet intimidating when she wants to."

Emma glanced to her friend. "A threat or a promise?"

Ruby nodded and gulped. "I think a threat; she mentioned something about ripping my heart out, if I didn't deliver you intact and on time."

Emma gulped, she knew Regina would make good on any promise. She sprung to her feet and pulled her friend up. "No, no that was a promise, Rubes. Trust me!"

~{}~

Regina turned her head from side to side as she looked into the mirror. Phillip had worked wonders and she was beyond happy about how her hair had turned out. She smiled widely as her eyes found Phillips standing behind her, hands poised on his hips.

"Phillip, you are truly a treasure. Thank you, I love it."

Phillip nodded and whipped out his styling comb, he'd spotted a loose stand just beyond her ear. He skilfully combed it in place and reached for the hairspray. Spraying all over Regina's hair once more, he stood back and exclaimed. "It is now perfect!"

One more head tilt and Regina nodded.

Phillip quickly gathered his belongings as Regina stood and moved to the full length mirror in the corner of the room. Twirling on the spot, she was lost in the moment and didn't notice her parents entering the suite. Phillip and her parents stood in silence as they watched the brunette for a moment before Henry Mills gave a throat clearing couch and smiled. Regina glanced in the mirror to where she could see the three standing together. Turning around, she blushed innocently.

"Sweetheart, you have never looked as stunning as you do now."

"Thank you, Daddy."

Cora subtly wiped the tears forming in her eyes as she approached her daughter. "Regina, darling you..I am lost for words...my baby daughter has grown into a beautiful woman." She held out her hand for Regina to take and led her to the small leather couch and they sat down together. Cora reached into her small clutch bag and pulled out a small box. She turned it toward Regina and opened the lid, revealing a fine gold necklace.

"This was your Grandmothers necklace; it was given to me on my wedding day." She looked to her husband and then back to her daughter. "I'm giving it to now."

Regina reached for the necklace and held it delicately in her hands, looking at how fine the chain was. "Thank you, Mother."

Cora nodded. "You're very welcome, my darling." She kissed her daughter on the cheek.

At that moment the suite door opened and in walked Katherine, who was Regina's only bridesmaid. "The cars are downstairs, it's time to go."

Henry took his daughter's hand and crooked his elbow with Regina's. "Sweetheart, just a moment." He nodded to his wife and Katherine to go ahead before turning back to his daughter. He took her hands and gently squeezed them.

"Regina, I must say this. I have never been as proud of you as I am now. You have grown from a young lady into a beautiful strong woman. You have overcome your demons, fought hard and true to yourself and met someone who completes you in every way possible. I have no doubt, Emma loves you and your love for her is equally measured. This has always been what I have wanted for you. To find your happiness and reap in the rewards it will offer. And you will, you have your mother's determination in your heart to succeed. Enjoy today and the future you will have with Emma. You deserve all the happiness this world has to offer, as long as you stay true to yourself." Henry was tearing up, wiping his eyes, he smiled lovingly to his daughter.

"Thank you, Daddy." Regina murmured softly as tears threatened to form in her eyes.

Henry let out a deep breath and took his daughter's elbow again. "Are you ready, my sweet child?"

Regina nodded and smiled, she was ready.

With that, they walked out of the suite hand in hand to the awaiting cars and Emma who would be waiting for her at the church.

~{}~

The ceremony it's self was a blur for both Regina and Emma. Before they knew it, they had said their vows, exchanged rings and kissed. Now they were standing together under a tree in the nearby park, waiting for the photographer to finish the friend and family shots.

"Gina, I haven't had a chance to say how beautiful you look. You took my breath away when I first saw you in the church." Emma lent in and kissed her wife on the lips. "But you do that every minute I'm with you." She whispered into the brunette's ear.

The brunette blushed as she ran her fingers down either side of Emma's cheeks and then draped her arms over the blonde's shoulders. "You do the same to me, Em. From the very first moment I saw you all those years ago to now. I fall more in love with you every passing day."

It was Emma's turn to blush. "I love you now and forever, Gina."

As the couple kissed so deeply, they were unaware that the photographer had been capturing the moment and was busily snapping away. It was only when they stepped apart and turned to the photographer who had shouted out he was all done, that they returned to the outside world.

With the photos completed, it was time to move on to the reception. It was being held back at the hotel. Emma and Regina had driven off in the yellow bug much to Regina's disgust but Emma had insisted that it would be the perfect getaway car. So the brunette relented and they drove back the short distance to the hotel. Complete with tin cans dangling from the back bumper and a crudely written "Just Married" sign taped to the back window.

Emma and Regina headed up to their suite for a little time for themselves before their guests would arrive. Emma the ever romantic had picked up her wife and carried her over the threshold and safely deposited her on the king size bed. The brunette stretched out as the blonde disappeared out the room and returned shortly after holding to champagne glasses. Regina sat up and took one of the glasses and waited for the blonde to join her. Emma clinked her glass against Regina's and spoke.

"Here's to you Mrs Swan-Mills." She leant toward the brunette and kissed her on the lips. The kiss deep, lingering and perfect.

They both took a sip before Regina took Emma's glass off her and placed it on the floor at the foot of the bed. Turning back to her wife with a mischievous glint in her eye and a smirk that they both knew would mean one thing.

~()~

It was the pounding on the suite door and Ruby's constant calling out for them both that startled the pair from their slumber. Emma threw back the covers and quickly threw on her underpants and tank top she'd found amongst their luggage. She trotted out the bedroom, past the couch in the living area and swung the door open wide with a face like thunder.

"What! Ruby you better have a good reason for this."

Ruby's eyes widened and quickly looked away before turning back to the blonde with her eyes shielded "Um...everyone has arrived and waiting for you two.. And well your Mother is going insane with worry. She thinks you two have been murdered or kidnapped." She brought her fingers away from her eyes and looked past the blonde to Regina who was tightening the belt of her grey satin dressing gown. "Oh Hi Regina." She casually said with a wave.

Emma glanced at her wife and then looked down at herself more specifically what she was or not wearing before hiding behind the door, only her head poke around the frame.

"Okay give us twenty minutes, we'll be down soon." Emma replied.

Ruby nodded and walked away as Emma closed the door and looked back to her wife.

Indeed twenty or so minutes and many false starts later the pair arrived down stairs in the function room. The hotel supplied host insisted that they needed to be introduced to their guests, which was responded with eye rolls from the pair of them. After a moment, they entwined their hands and walked into the room to a round of applause and cheering. They made their way to their seats at the top table.

Ruby whispered to the couple it was about time and such extra-curriculum activities are meant to be performed that evening. This earned a hard glare from Emma and Regina. The toasts and speeches went accordingly and true to Ruby's word she told the embarrassing story of how she met Emma at the police academy and further embarrassing stories of the blonde since. The meal was perfect and now Emma and Regina stood face to face on the dance floor swaying to their first dance.

"Have you been taking lessons, darling?" Regina whispered into the blonde's ear.

Emma blushed and took a step backwards, twirling Regina in the process and manoeuvred into the brunette. Showing off what she'd learnt.

"You know all those 'With the guys' Nights?"

Regina nodded.

"Well actually I have been taking lessons at the Dance School on Charles Street."

"You've been going out every Wednesday for eight months." Regina answered.

Emma nodded, she twirled Regina again. "I wanted to surprise you and not embarrass myself in the process."

Regina blushed as she pulled the blonde towards her, kissing her softly on the lips. This earned a cheer from the guests who were watching. The pair moved apart and blushed together as they glanced around at everyone. Before long, the dance floor was full of couples dancing.

The rest of the night went according to plan, no surprises, nothing that would ruin the evening. Long after the guests left, Regina and Emma sat in the downstairs bar toasting themselves before heading back up to their suite.

~()~

Morning arrived and Emma and Regina still hadn't surfaced. They lay naked and curled up together when Emma's mother found them. She had been given the task or more importantly made it her business to make sure the newlyweds were up and ready to join the families downstairs for breakfast. She certainly didn't count on finding her daughter and daughter in law naked in bed for the whole world to see, when she burst into the bedroom. She stood with her mouth hanging open and an utter look of horror on her face. All the while muttering quite loudly "Oh no, uh uh, this is not right." Over and over until Emma and Regina woke and scrambled the bed covers over their naked bodies, while Regina screamed to Emma to get her Mother out of their bedroom.

This will always be remembered as the moment when Regina realised her dislike for Mary Margaret. That woman had no self-control.