A.N.: I said this was going to happen, and here we are now! Let me hear your thoughts! Is anyone there still reading this? x
I could feel at the time
There was no way of knowing
Fallen leaves in the night
Who can say where they're blowing
(Roxy Music)
"PODs Moving and Storage, how can I help you?" The chirped voice made brown eyes roll. "Good morning, I need a storage quota." Regina proceeded to inform. "Of course, ma'am. We have from 1sqm rooms compartments to full storage warehouses. How much space are you looking for today?" The thought made Regina's mind squirm. Not only she had no idea of how much space she would need to store all of her furniture and personal belongings, but also she would need to figure out what to keep, what to donate and what to do with the rest. She truly didn't feel like sorting the logistics of this right now. "Can you send me your rooms prices and sizes so I can analyze it over the weekend? I am a little busy at the moment." It was a lie. Mr. Gold had made very clear that Regina couldn't continue to teach as long as she didn't figure out how to straighten her visa status. She was overly bored, not that she would tell that to the lady on the phone. "Yes, that would be great, thank you, look forward to your email." One thing less to worry.
But was it, really? The whole thing about moving would make her sick to her stomach, and leaving everything behind, including Emma and Henry, was already too much to think about. Obviously, she didn't want this, however, she knew that staying meant also taking the risk to get in trouble. Worse: to get Emma in trouble.
Remembering those adorable green eyes when Emma proposed to her, albeit as a joke, still makes her heart skip a bit. Emma was so sure that this was the best solution, yet she couldn't bring herself to accept her selfless act. Regina knew better than to fake a marriage to try to fool the U.S. government. Emma was careless, passionate and frankly a bit cuckoo, and although she would do anything for Regina - and she knew it - the brunette still had to be the voice of reason.
The fact that she had to marry to stay in this country, too, was another reason to be more mad than upset. She was a scholar woman, with a rising academic future, two published books of researches on her field, and a promise to the vanguard of psychoanalysis. As a matter of fact, she was more than offended by her current situation. As if my value is measured by whom I chose to marry. She scoffed.
Well, to cave wasn't an easy solution either, especially because of pride. She knew her plans for the future would be jeopardized by a year abroad; she would have to leave her apartment, her things, her position at the university, and who knows what would wait for her when finally she could come back. Better saying, if she could come back.
Again, the thought of not seeing Emma and Henry on a weekly basis squeezed her heart. So many memories between walks in the park, picnics at the beach where Emma works in the summer, long late nights with popcorn and movies. They were her family, in a way, and she realized she would miss them more than she would miss the whole continent.
Thinking about her lack of love life only made Regina sadder. She didn't have a significant one for so long now, and usually this wasn't an issue, however now she misses the possibility of sharing this burden, of having someone to lean on, to talk. How she hated the fact that the first proposal she ever had in her adult life was to get her a green card, and not out of love. As a child, she always imagined the perfect wedding, with the perfect man, where she would wear a long white dress, elegantly fitted and adorned with delicate lace. Nothing of this would come true, she thinks. The romantic dream was quickly forgotten upon growing up and dedicating her life to her studies. Now, she wishes she had gone out more, dated more, even, because maybe, just maybe, she would already be happily married, and the day that letter arrived to change her life would never have happened.
Wishful thinking. Truth be told, she knew that a husband would prevent her from having the life she has now, and she is sure she doesn't want that to change. Sure, life is messy sometimes, but she wouldn't change the pair of goofy grins while eating all the melted chocolate supposed to be the filling of the cake she was baking. No, she wouldn't change that for anything in the world.
"Would you marry me?"
"Excuse me?" A very baffled Regina answered immediately.
"Jeez, Gina, you know how to take romantic gestures with class." Emma snorted, but it was obvious she was having fun with the face of the absolute horror of the brunette.
"Emma, I…"
"Relax, I was just kidding. Not about the proposal, I mean… I guess this could work. You could stay. We are always together anyway, so…" The blonde tried to reason, however, her sweat palms being clean on her tight blue denim was a signal of being slightly nervous. "I mean, if anyone can pull this off, it is us. You know everything there is to know about me, my family loves you, we have enough holiday photos to fill an entire album, so no one would suspect anything. What do you think?"
Regina thought that rambling Emma looked extremely cute. "Emma, I am very glad you would make such an effort for me, but…" This time, she looked down, worry that bright blue eyes would make her change her mind. "This is insane. I cannot do this, it is not only illegal but would put you and Henry into trouble if they ever find out… I can't, I mean, this is too much to ask. From anyone."
"Hey, calm down. No one is finding out. It is not like you're paying someone to marry you, and in the first opportunity, this thing would blow into our faces because you don't really know the person. I know you. Hell, I can tell things about you that I guess not even your family would know. And you're my best friend, Gina. I don't want you to go. If risking this is the only way you could stay, hell I would go for it." Pursed lips look preoccupied while kind eyes where reassuring. "I think we should do this. I truly do. But you don't have to agree immediately. Take some time to think, sort things out in your head."
Regina could feel her heart swelling upon the caring treatment she would always receive from the blonde. Emma was right about the fact that no one in this world would know her better than Emma, and then the thought of leaving was even more heartbreaking. "Thank you, Emma, I truly mean it. You are incredible." Any more words would be too revealing.
"No worries, Gina, you know I've got your back, always." Perfect teeth were shown upon a bright and wide smile.
They hugged tightly, and when Regina was about to leave the door, she turned again and spoke, tentatively. "Emma? What if…"
"Yea?"
"You know, if they find out… I am not gay. What if they know this is all a farce because of that? What if they dig my past and discover I never dated women?" Brown eyes looked both expectantly and worry at the same time.
Emma chuckled. "Don't worry about it, Gina. You wouldn't be the first to 'get out' of the closet a bit later in life. In fact, it is very common. They wouldn't think twice of this."
Regina smiled for the first time in this whole conversation. She knew Emma would take care of her, no matter what. And this would make her insides go all warm and fuzzy. Taking a step further, she kissed the blonde's right cheek, and without any further words, just a wink, she disappeared behind the apartment door, closing it with a click.
A very surprised Emma stood behind, mouth half open, fingers contouring the region she was just kissed, her mind trying to process whatever just happened.
Regina went to bed thinking about Emma. She thought of how easy it would be just to accept the proposal, marry Emma, move on with her life, and share it with her best friend. Henry loved her, they got along more than well, so that wouldn't be an issue. Her mom frankly wouldn't care that she married a woman, as long as Regina was happy - and not dying alone, like sometimes she would ramble.
Yes, it would be truly easy. To have Emma embrace her and not having to push away, to let herself melt into her arms, to love and be loved without having to worry about what it means. They would be married, after all.
Maybe this was it. Maybe she wasn't supposed to find someone, fall in love and have what everyone dreams of a relationship. Maybe her significant other was already there, in the form of her best friend, someone that she is more than willing to share her secrets, her dreams and her whole life with. Maybe this wasn't so bad at all.
Next morning, she decided to call Abby again. Last time they spoke, the older blonde said that she would contact her lawyer friends, to find out who could help her. She paced around her flat like, she used to do when she was anxious, while speaking to her friend. "So, he doesn't think this would be of much help either?" Her voice sounded still hopeful.
"Unfortunately, no, darling. He took a look on your case so far, and he thinks you're too far gone to try an appeal. And the fact that you went away in the middle of the process didn't help." Her voice could be heard through the speakers. She sounded upset.
"Great. Just my luck." Regina sighed.
"And, there is more. Apparently, they are not willing to renew your working visa anymore, since you had it for so long. So you either apply for a green card directly, or you don't have a shot on staying." Her voice was paused, like waiting for the brunette to flip.
"A green card? How in the blue hell can I get one of those now, in such short notice?" Her strained voice started to give out her level of frustration.
"I know, honey, and I am doing the best I can to find a loophole or something-"
"Abby, there is something."
"Yes?" The blonde was hopeful.
"Emma, she… she asked me to marry her."
"Emma what? Mm-" Surprise wouldn't begin to cover her reply.
"I know this is crazy, but-" Feeling the need to explain herself, Regina tried her best to find the reason behind her words.
"Regina, let me stop you right there. Emma is a grown-up woman, and so are you. If you both agree this is the way…" Abby sounded firm, albeit caring. "Then I am happy for you guys."
"What!? Abby? You know I am not-"
"Shhh, Regina, it is okay. You don't need to explain yourself to me. Especially because I am a lawyer and I am obligated to report anything that is against the law under my watch. You and Emma are great, and like her big sister, I give you two my blessing." These last words were said in a playful tone. "I am glad to see this is solved, then."
A minute later, they were saying goodbye, and the phone went mute once more. Regina was still trying to make sense of Abby's last words. However her insightful mind quickly did the math: Abby knew, but she couldn't know, at least, not legally.
Getting her blessing wasn't even on Regina's mind when she initiated this call. However, she felt a bit lighter to think that Emma's family would approve, somehow. To the brunette, it was an unusual feeling, this rush of thinking that she might marry Emma. It was new, but familiar, and yet exciting, even though it was supposed to be just for bureaucracy.
Having this in mind, she decided to invite Emma over. If they were doing this, they needed some ground rules and agreeing in a few things beforehand. Oh boy, what I am doing?
