Emma tossed and turned the rest of the night. Her sleep was restless, her mind conjuring up only images of Regina, the feel of Regina, the ghost of Regina's lips. It was as if her body couldn't forget that one simple kiss. A single kiss. She gave up on sleep at 3 a.m. She couldn't sleep anymore. It just wasn't happening tonight.
Tossing her sheets off of her, Emma kicked her legs over the edge of her bed. She placed her feet into a pair of house slippers and stood. She grabbed the simple cotton housecoat hanging off the edge of the end of her bed and donned it. Maybe a glass of water and a walk outside or something would help to clear her head.
She winced as the floor creaked beneath her feet. Sorely hoping no one heard that, Emma continued through the house, her eyes adjusting to the darkness.
As she reached the bottom steps she noticed light coming from the kitchen. Who could be up at this hour? Quietly, Emma tiptoed over to the kitchen entrance. Regina pattered around within, putting dishes from the drying racks. She swayed as she hummed a tune. She poured herself a cup of water from a jug. Emma watched for a few more moments before finally speaking up.
"So do you normally get up at this time or is there another reason you're up at such a ridiculous hour." Emma spoke softly.
Regina visibly startled. She placed a hand over her racing heart, her back turned to Emma Swan. Emma watched her movements. Regina clearly still wore her nightgown. A housecoat over it.
"Is it your habit to sneak up on women in the middle of the night, Miss Swan?" The brunette spoke, still turned away from the blonde. She swallowed. She wasn't ready to face her so soon. Not after earlier.
Emma smirked. "It's hardly night Regina. I do believe I told you to call me Emma."
At this, Regina chuckled. She turned to face the blonde. A mistake she realized on her part. As their gazes met, that undeniable connection came smoldering to the surface. She felt it burning within her. Her desire to cross the room and connect their lips again tugging at her, urging her towards Emma. How had this woman, whom she had only just met gotten such a hold on her?
"Would you care to take a walk with me, Regina?" Emma asked softly.
Regina shivered at the request. How could she deny her?
"I-I'm not sure I should…. I have to start breakfast at some point." Regina answered.
Emma shook her blond curls. "We have time. I still haven't seen around the house, outside."
Regina bit her lip. Emma suppressed a moan. She wanted so badly to be the one doing that.
"Regina?" Emma pressed.
Regina looked up. When had she looked down? Emma was gazing at her with those puppy eyes again. They were so green.
"I- yes. Fine. Let's take a walk." Regina acquiesced.
The large, very happy grin Emma gave her then made her agreement worth it.
"Well then, I'lol follow your lead." Emma bowed.
Shaking her head, Regina replied, "How chivalrous."
She led the way out of the kitchen, looping her arm through Emma's. Regina pulled her through the back and out into the morning twilight. Stars barely visible in the sky as the sun began to peak along the horizon.
Emma kept sneaking little smiles over at Regina, as Regina did the same. Regina felt her heart thumping in her chest. As they stepped out onto the porch, Regina decided to begin a little tour.
"Well, hear we have our little chicken coop." Regina gestured to the back of the garden. The chickens in the back were quiet. Snoozing sleepily.
Emma laughed. "No. I thought that was for golden geese. Or maybe I hoped."
"Oh I dream. We do have beanstalks, maybe one will get big enough and Henry can go find us some giants!" Regina bantered back, causing Emma to chuckle more.
"Ooh, I knew I saw Jack and the Beanstalk on those shelves!" Emma laughed.
The two women continued to chuckle. Their eyes caught in the morning light as they reached the edge of the back fence. Regina's breath caught. Emma's hair seemed to shine with a halo from the dawn light.
Regina's home was surrounded by forest in the back. She needn't worry about nosy neighbors. It was what she and Daniel had liked about the land when they had bought it.
Emma bit her lip. Regina reached out, tucking a blonde curl behind Emma's ear. She hadn't felt this way in so long. She stepped closer. Her hand cupping the paler woman's jaw. Emma sighed, her eyes falling closed. They met in the middle, their mouths pressing softly. Their lips moving gently against one another's. Regina reveled in the taste of Emma. She wanted more of her.
She felt herself moan. Emma gasped and Regina couldn't help herself. She slipped her tongue into Emma's mouth. The sound that left her then was guttural. Emma's taste was unlike anything she had ever sampled. She grabbed the back of Emma's head, weaving her fingers through her hair. She kissed her deeper. Emma moaned into her mouth. Her hands gripping at the front of Regina's housecoat. Her knees buckled.
Gasping, Emma drew back first.
"Regina." Emma panted. "My f- you can kiss!"
Regina gave her a sly grin. "Did you ever doubt it?"
Emma shook her head, a wry grin on her face. She still gripped the front of Regina's housecoat. She let go, smoothing wrinkles out with her fingers.
"You are going to be…. Something to me. I don't want to say doom, in case if that becomes some kind of bad foreshadowing or something. Like a terrible novel." Emma laughed.
"No, I want something nice." Slipping her hands down Emma's shoulders, and and along her arms, Regina gripped Emma's wrists.
They stood for several moments, their foreheads together. Breathing the same airspace. Regina hadn't been this close to someone in a while. She reveled in it, though deep down, she couldn't help but feel a slight foreboding, a weight in the pit of her stomach. She pushed it away. She wanted to ignore that for as long as she could.
"Emma. Is this happening too fast?" Regina whispered.
Emma bit her lip. She knew the truth to that answer. The reality. They'd only just met yesterday. Yet, she couldn't help what she felt.
"I'm not sure, Regina. I only know what I feel, and that's is that I want you." Emma replied almost as softly.
"So this is okay?" Regina wondered.
"I think we should, maybe take it one day at a time. Maybe slow it down?" Was Emma's whispered reply.
"I think that would be… A fine idea, Emma." Regina answered. She leaned back, catching Emma's eyes. They searched one another's faces. Confirming what they felt. Regina resisted the urge to kiss Emma further. She needed to get breakfast started.
"Umm, I should get, breakfast started." Regina reminded Emma.
Emma nodded, she let go of the breath she didn't realize she'd been holding. It seemed the brunette had that effect on her.
"Do you, mind if I help?"
"It probably would be best if you didn't. I wouldn't be able to concentrate." Regina chuckled at the end.
Emma gave her best puppy impression yet again.
"I promise to behave." She whined.
"No." Regina told the other woman firmly.
"Fiiiine. At least let me set the table?" Emma requested.
Regina pretended to think it over.
"Hmmm… Sure."
Emma squealed like a child that had been allowed her favorite treat. She wrapped her arms around Regina and kissed her, hard before looping her arm through hers. They made their way into the house to begin the day's routine.
Breakfast that morning was slightly different than usual with the addition of a new member to their family. Emma kept making faces at Henry who would give her tiny smiles in return.
Ruby was as talkative as usual though she bombarded Emma with question after question.
"Where did you live before moving here?"
"What did you do for work?"
"Did you like that kind of work?"
"Do you move around a lot?"
"I noticed mostly trousers in your wardrobe, do you not own any dresses?"
"Do you wanna borrow some of my dresses?"
Emma answered each of the questions in succession. "Boston. Bartender. It paid. Only when I need to. They're practical and easy to move around in. Maybe sometime if I ever go out."
Regina listened to the exchange with interest. She didn't know if she was okay with the idea that Emma might be a drifter. What if Emma decided to move on someday? Would she stop her? She couldn't ask her to do that… Regina stopped herself from thinking. She was getting too far ahead of herself. They had only just started. One day at a time, she reminded herself.
She looked up to see green eyes watching her and felt heat rise to her cheeks. Warmth spread through her chest. How could Emma make her feel like this with a look? She felt like a youth all over again.
"Reginaaaaa." A voice came to her sing-song style.
Regina started. "Oh. Umm."
She glanced at Kathryn. The blonde was standing, her dishes were already cleared as was most of the tables'.
"Everyone is about ready. Henry is running upstairs to get his stuff and we will be ready to go. You coming?" Kathryn asked.
Regina fixed a smile onto her face and shook herself out of her daze. "Of course! I have to see my boy and my girls off!"
Emma had already left the table during the distraction, as Regina entered the kitchen, Emma placed her dishes into the sink. She turned away from the sink as Regina approached, though she didn't move. Regina reached around the slightly taller woman, dropping her dishes behind her.
She let her hand brush Emma's hip.
"You have a good day at work." Regina leaned forward, breathing into Emma's ear.
Emma shivered at the contact. This woman was addicting.
Regina stepped back and turned away as the sound of footsteps thundered down the stairs.
"We should go meet them at the door. I'll walk you to the bus stop."
"Will you see me onto the bus?" Emma pouted.
Regina shook her head. "That's a long walk to take alone!"
Emma cackled. "Fine I won't make you take it."
"Come." Regina beckoned as she made her way out. They met the other women and Henry at the front door.
Stepping out into the morning, Regina and Emma kept pace, Henry between them. Emma played a game of kicking a rock back and forth between herself and Henry. They were subtly playing with one another, little things, Regina was noticing that Henry hadn't done in some time. It was nice to see him opening up a little.
They watched him get onto the bus, everyone waving and hollering as he got on. This time, he not only looked for Regina, but Emma as well, waving and smiling at the blonde.
"It seems my son has taken quite the liking to you, Emma." Regina remarked, coyly.
Emma smirked. "Well, he's not the only one it seems then."
Regina bumped her shoulder at the comment. She continued to walk with the group of women as they made their way to their bust stop further down the road.
She decided to cut off halfway.
"What was that about this being a long walk, Regina?" Emma joked.
Regina shrugged. "I don't get out too often unless I catch this bus into town once twice a week. I might just do that tomorrow."
Emma smiled. "I'll withhold further comment. For now."
Regina nodded. "If you know what is good for you, you'll do just that."
At the halfway mark, Regina stopped.
"Well, and here is where we part ways ladies. I will see all of you this evening at home. Be safe and work hard." Regina told the group.
"Alrighty, Regina! It was nice to hang out, even if all you did was talk to the new girl the whole time, but it's okay. She's new and much more interesting than the rest of us! It's fine!" Kathryn informed Regina.
Emma's face turned red under all the attention she was receiving.
Ruby laughed and patted Emma's shoulder. The women turned away and continued down the road. Emma looked back flashing a smile back at Regina. She gave a small wave over her shoulder.
Regina watched the women walk away wistfully. Her eyes tracing the outline of Emma's form. From golden curls, shoulders, around curved waist, long legs to the bottom of her shoes. She sighed. She was done for. All because of blonde hair and green eyes.
