Hi everyone. I apologise for the long wait before this new chapter. I really had meant to update long before now but the last 7 days have been completely crazy for me. This is the only real time I've had to myself that I've been able to use to write.
I hope that you are all still sticking with me and that you enjoy this chapter.
Disclaimer; See chapter one, I still own nothing.
Regina sat on the edge of her bed, a long jewellery box in her hands. Her fingers were tapping aimlessly on its velvet top, while she considered what she was doing. The doubts were creeping in over whether this was really a good idea. It wasn't that the brunette thought Emma wouldn't like the gift. There was no doubt in her mind that she would love it completely when she knew who it had previously belonged to. However, who it belonged to was exactly what caused Regina to hesitate. She hadn't thought anything of it before but now, realising the sentiment that this gift held… Regina felt the apprehension spread throughout her body and she tried to release it through a very heavy sigh.
'Stop being ridiculous and just give her the damn thing' Regina thought angrily to herself, 'You can't very well go back down empty handed… and it does belong to her after all'. With that thought, Regina pulled herself up off the bed and held her head high as she made her way back throughout the house, returning to the study.
Emma had become restless in the brunette's absence and so had decided to have a look around the room. Her eyes fell upon some photographs on the shelf at the far side; each of which were of Regina and Henry. Emma smiled fondly as she looked upon them. Happiness poured out from the glass. Emma could tell that Henry was much younger in the photographs and concluded that the genuine happiness was due to the fact that he knew nothing of the curse at this point. All this little boy knew was the love of his mother.
Regina had entered the room to find Emma staring at the photographs of her and Henry. She had remained silent, captivated by the affection spread out over Emma's features. The young blonde really did look radiant tonight. This was only enhanced by her wide smile.
Emma hadn't heard Regina enter the room but all of a sudden she could feel the older woman's presence. She could tell that her eyes were completely fixed on her, as though she was trying to work out a piece of a puzzle that had not yet become clear.
Emma turned around slowly, maintaining her gentle smile.
"These really are lovely pictures, Regina".
"Yes, they are" Regina agreed, "That was a happy time" she added with a wistful smile, laced with a little sadness.
Emma was wracking her brains trying to think of a way to comfort the other woman but with everything that crossed her mind, she felt the brunette would find insincere or pitying. Neither of which would be kindly rewarded. In that moment, Emma wanted nothing more than for Regina to understand that she had someone in her corner. Someone who was sorry that she had to endure all of the pain that life had dealt her and was rooting for her to find her happiness once more. Emma could, after all, relate.
Regina snorted at the apparent conflict raging within the blonde's mind.
"Don't strain yourself, Miss Swan. You may have a seizure" Regina taunted, not unkindly, her eyes twinkling.
Emma looked genuinely affronted for a brief second before laughter escaped her lips, now relieved that the atmosphere was once again lightened.
"Unbelievable" Emma muttered, still chuckling.
Emma's eyes then caught the object in the brunette's hands and the rest of her laughter died in her throat. That looked very much like a jewellery box but there was no way that could be Emma's present. Could it?
Regina noted the confused expression on Emma's face.
"Your gift" she confirmed, extending the box towards Emma.
Emma noted that Regina was nervous too. Sure, she was doing an almost perfect job of concealing it; however, Emma could see what lurked underneath. She had known the woman long enough to recognise the emotions that hid behind the former mayor's mask and this only set to pique Emma's interest in the box even further.
Taking the item from the other woman's hands, Emma held it in her own. She paused and looked into Regina's eyes, as though quietly seeking permission from her to open it. Regina inclined her head ever so slightly, gesturing for the blonde to go ahead.
Emma's eyes widened as her gaze fell upon what was inside. Her eyes jolted up to meet Regina's briefly before falling back down toward the gift.
Inside the velvet box was the most beautiful necklace Emma had ever seen. A medium sized emerald in the shape of a teardrop was encrusted with tiny diamonds, all held together by a gold chain. It was clearly expensive and Emma expected one of a kind.
"It belonged to your grandmother, Queen Eva" Regina explained.
"Why do you have this?" Emma asked, not with any accusation but genuine surprise and curiosity.
"It fell into my possession whilst I was married to Snow's father. It apparently has been passed down through all the women on your grandmother's side. It was due to go to Snow, however, I… withheld it, claiming it to be lost. It has been amongst my possessions ever since" Regina answered rather flatly.
"Regina!" Emma exclaimed, "Snow would have been devastated"
"Yes, dear, that rather was the point." Regina responded quickly, her tone sharp.
Emma frowned at her for a few moments. She was frustrated with the woman for once again showing little compassion towards Snow as a child. However, she understood it wasn't as simple as that and her mind filled with the complicated history between Regina and her mother. She also knew that Regina hadn't had to reveal that she ever had this necklace and in doing so, it was almost like an apology. Maybe not an apology to the right person but considering this was Regina Mills, this was a big deal and not to be taken lightly.
"Look, I know it was cruel" Regina interjected Emma's thoughts, "but that was the point, Emma. I didn't want Snow to be happy. I wanted her to hurt, like I hurt and this was an easy way to do that. However, I'm now trying to make that right, at least a little. Can't you see that?"
"I do see that." Emma conceded "I apologise. Let's just forget the conversation we just had and start again" Emma said whilst closing the box with a snap.
Her eyes glistened as she opened the box once more and she pretended to be seeing the necklace for the first time.
"Oh Regina, it's beautiful!" the blonde squeaked teasingly, "Thank you so much. This is so very generous of you. Now, I really will be the fairest in all the land…" Emma's words trailed off into laughter.
"Oh shut up, Miss Swan" Regina said, rolling her eyes and swatting Emma's arm playfully.
Emma merely grinned back at her before asking, "Will you help me put it on?"
"If you like" Regina replied.
Taking the necklace out of the box, Emma felt the weight of it sink into her hand. It really was quite heavy. Suddenly, self-consciousness flooded through her. There was no way someone like her should be wearing something this beautiful. It was a ridiculous. This necklace belonged to royalty and no matter who people thought Emma to be now, there was no way she could ever feel like royalty. Unease swept over her. No, she would give it to Snow instead. Snow was the rightful owner and it would be more appropriate for her.
Regina saw the doubts wavering deep within the green orbs in front of her and understood exactly what the blonde was thinking. This was why, when younger woman was about to place the jewellery back into the box, Regina reached out her hand to stop her.
Emma's eyes flickered up to meet Regina's once more. Heat was spreading from where the other woman's hand rested upon her own. Emma didn't know whether she was feeling more overwhelmed by the gift of by having the other woman in such close proximity again.
Regina gave Emma's hand a small squeeze of assurance before taking the necklace from her. Her eyes told Emma that this necklace was meant for her and she deserved to wear it.
"Turn around and lift your hair" Regina instructed coaxingly.
Emma obliged immediately. She didn't know why Regina cared whether or not Emma felt worthy but it no longer shocked her. She realised that the two women had reached a place where, despite their differences and bickering, there was now a mutual respect and affection.
Emma scooped the hair into her hands and pulled it to one side, exposing her neck and upper back. Regina brought her hands, along with the necklace, across Emma's front, brushing against the younger woman's skin. Both women stilled at the contact before Regina continued and fastened the clasp.
Regina never had time to take a step back before the blonde had already turned to face her.
"How does it look?" Emma asked nervously, her teeth nibbling on her bottom lip.
Regina took in the appearance in front of her. The green emerald didn't go at all with the deep red dress the blonde was wearing. However, when her gaze returned upwards and met with Emma's eyes, it was as though the emerald was causing the green in them to sparkle even brighter. Regina was mesmerised and the only word she managed to muster was,
"Perfect".
Both women continued to stare at one other, both either afraid or unwilling to break the connection between them. Simultaneously, they began to move their heads towards one another. Their eyes closed softly and they could feel the other's hot breath against their lips. The smell of apples mixed with cinnamon and honey blended around their senses causing shivers to run over both women's bodies. Before either had time to comprehend what they were doing, their mouths became a mere fraction apart –
The loud shrill squealed out from the mobile from within Emma's handbag. Both women sprang apart, their faces flushed and eyes wide with panic.
The ringing continued, bringing Emma to her senses momentarily. She moved towards her bag quickly and pulled out her phone.
'MM' displayed across the screen.
Emma groaned and glanced toward Regina, her heart still fluttering in her chest.
"I better take this" the blonde's words poured out quickly as she made her way out of the door of the study. She would definitely need privacy for this call but it also didn't hurt to attempt to have a moment to collect herself away from Regina.
'What the hell were you thinking, Emma!' the young woman screamed inside herself before answering the call,
"Uh, hey Mary Margare- Mom…"
On the other side of the door, still rooted to the spot, was Regina Mills.
Regina didn't think she had yet taken a breath since pulling away from the blonde. 'Pulling away from Emma' purred the voice inside her mind. Emma Swan! She had been millimetres from kissing Emma Swan. Regina's heart beat wildly against her chest, harder than it ever had in her life. With every ounce of strength in her body, Regina willed herself to move from the spot.
'Get yourself together, Regina' she scolded herself inside, 'it was nothing; a moment of weakness.'
Regina made her way over to the decanter once more and poured herself a large drink.
'Nothing?" scoffed the other voice in her mind; the voice that Regina repeatedly tried to silence, 'If it was nothing, your majesty, then why are your hands still trembling'.
Emerald green eyes and pink lips danced across Regina's mind and immediately, her heart fluttered involuntarily, betraying her.
Regina groaned loudly and snapped her eyes closed, willing the image to disappear.
What on Earth had she gotten herself into?
Oh Regina, what indeed have you gotten yourself into? ;)
I'll try to update again before the weekend everyone. Let me know what you thought of this chapter. I truly appreciate all the support, feedback, favourites as they let me know if I'm actually doing any good! Thank you.