A.N.: So happy with all the reviews, new followers and favorites! You guys made my day! Enjoy x
Nothing could be sadder than a glass of wine alone
Loneliness loneliness, it just a waste of your time, oh yeah
But you don't ever you don't ever have to walk alone
You see, Come take my hand, and baby, won't you walk with me?
(Solomon Burke)
"My baby is getting married!" Pale hands cupped Emma's face until she was uncomfortable with all the attention.
"Mom!" She groaned. "It's enough." She kept saying, trying to take her hands away from her, in vain.
"Oh honey, let me enjoy the moment. Your sister didn't want to marry Frederick, which makes you the first bride in our family. I am your mother, I am dreaming of this moment since you girls were little!" The older woman shrieked out of excitement.
"I know, I know, but, really, ma?" The blonde pointed out toward the room full of flowers, chocolates, gifts, shoes, and accessories. "We have to agree you went a little overboard, uh?"
"Maybe. It doesn't matter. It is your special day and I am so happy!" Blue eyes were full of tears, threatening to ruin the already ready makeup. Beatrice announced her entrance at the bridal suite and made her way towards Emma.
"Here, take it. It is from your bride-to-be." The teenager put her tongue out as a way of teasing while sucking a lollipop loudly. "Can I read it for you?"
"No!" Emma flipped. "Give it to me". Beatrice moved quickly out of reach, knowing that Emma wouldn't be able to follow since she was being held by her dress. "Mom!"
"Bea, stop teasing your sister. It's her big day!" Getting the envelope from her daughter's hand, she proceeded to dress Emma. "Here, baby girl. But please don't cry just yet, you look gorgeous!"
A knock. "Is everyone decent?" A strong albeit calm male voice spoke through the closed door.
"Come in, dad". Both Emma and Beatrice spoke at the same time.
"How is my princess doing?" He pretended to walk in with closed eyes. "Emma, you are absolutely stunning!" His eyes were filled with joy and pride.
"Not you too, dad!" Emma was flattered but also bothered with all the attention she was getting. It felt dishonest to fake a wedding and made her whole family cheer for it while Regina was only marrying her for the visa. God, she wished the reasons behind this decision were different. Her eyes blinked twice, coming back from her daydreaming.
"Come here, let me take a good look at you". She felt strong hands holding her own. "Stunning." Her father let out, quietly and still at awe.
"If Grandpa can see you, I want it too!" Brown hair ran into Emma's puffy white dress, which made her roll her eyes at the choice of attire in the first place. "Mom, you look hot!"
"Hey!" Both Emma and her father said in unison. "Manners, kiddo. I am about to be a married woman!" The blonde feigned seriousness. Of course, everyone laughed.
Looking at the mirror, Regina Milano knew she looked gorgeous. Her looks always did her favor, and without any effort, she looked like a runway model. During her teenage years, she even did some modeling gigs. Charismatic, good to photograph and self-confident were just a few of her signature traits as a model. It was fun while it lasted.
The brunette soon realized that she liked the backstage much more. Talking to people, understanding their motivations, getting to know them better, was always more interesting. Quickly, she became addicted to reading others and predicting their actions based on their personality. She was gifted, to say the least, and her efforts were quickly paid when she nailed her scholarship undergrad to nothing less than Harvard School of Psychology.
Her career was bright and uphill, and being a straight-A student wasn't even difficult for such brilliant mastermind. However, this need to over-analyze and over-think always made her difficult to connect in a more intimate level. Abby was the first one to break this barrier, as a roommate, in the first year of university. Dating and boyfriends were always on the second plan for the brunette, which led to a 'snob' reputation.
Regina Milano also was easy to hate. Well, she was an heir to her mom's shoe empire in Italy, and this would be enough for some people. In addition, the beautiful brunette was also strong-willed, strong-minded and mildly arrogant, within reason. Only those who got to know her a bit better would know that under this tough skin there was a loving, loyal and romantic woman. Emma was the one to make her loosen up a bit, always cracking jokes and being so careless. Henry, of course, was of much help. Helping to raise the little one up until today made her much more caring, and affectioned.
The psychologist had a lot to thank the Swans. Not only they took her in when she was lost and lonely in this country, but now they were accepting her formally into their family. It was overwhelming to think that, even though they couldn't know the truth, they were so understanding - hell, so excited - about the prospect of marrying their beloved daughter with Regina. And Emma - oh boy, where to start - what a beautiful selfless soul, who would risk getting in trouble, just to help her? The thought once more made her eyes water.
"Am I doing the right thing?" She silently sighed. "Is this fair towards Emma?" These thoughts weren't new. "She would do anything for me. Should I let her?" And, there was something more brewing up her soul in the past few days. Since they announced the wedding to the family, she was involved in so much love and care she couldn't believe. Everyone was being so nice and so genuinely happy, she started to feel happy herself, regarding the horrible circumstances. And Emma was a whole other deal. Of course, she had to pretend to be very much in love and into her, however, these lingering looks, some attentive touches and a handful of holding her during these days were confusing to no end. The blonde would make her feel so wanted and so at peace at the same time, she didn't understand if it was because of the gesture, because of the love she had for Emma, or if there was more to it. Goosebumps were not that uncommon nowadays. What does that truly mean?
Her 'coming-out' experience at the University was a bit of a surprise. Mr. Gold seemed genuinely curious about the fact Regina never mentioned having a significant other, especially in the first talk they had. The psychologist dismissed his questions saying that she was very much private and this would only come out when - and if - she desired so. Truthfully, it didn't take much for the whole campus to know that Dr. Milano was getting married. The professor hated the attention on the corridors, albeit continued to walk with confidence, and didn't let any student mind her businesses. Some of her students, though, apparently felt entitled to fantasize about the professor. She encountered a handful of intense staring at her during classes, and the boys especially seemed to find attractive the fact that their tutor was sleeping with another woman. Not only men, though.
The few weeks between the decision and the ceremony were short. Lots of preparation, especially in such short notice. They decided to keep it simple and minimalist, with just a few guests too. Emma had a huge family, and inviting everyone would mean having a full two-hundred people ceremony, and only the thought of it made Regina cringe. Thirty people, in total, would be participating in the wedding. Probably for the best.
Regina's parents wouldn't be attending, though. Her mom had already schedule business meetings, and her health condition wouldn't allow her to currently fly overseas. The brunette didn't mind, firstly because this was not 'a real wedding', and also because her mom couldn't know it, so it would only make her more guilty to make her come just for it.
"Darling, are you ready?" Abby's head popped into the room. Regina nodded, still at awe. "Oh my, you look smoking hot!" The blonde chuckled. "Don't tell my little sister I said that, she would kill me!" This time, they both laughed.
"So, are we really doing this?" Emma was still unsure about how serious was Regina.
"Yes, Em-ma. Unless you're experiencing a case of cold feet?" The brunette teased while leaning her head on the blonde's right shoulder. "If that is the case, I'd rather know now, not at the wedding."
"Gosh, the wedding." Surely Emma would marry Regina any day now, but the idea to put on a dress and stand in front of a bunch of people for an hour was the least of her ideal of 'fun'. "I don't know how I am going to survive my family."
"Oh, don't worry. I will handle them. They are easy peasy compared to mine. I guess I can be glad they probably won't be able to attend the ceremony." The weight of Regina's head on her, the warmth and the smell of fresh shampoo was driving the blonde a bit dizzy.
"Lucky you. And you're also lucky my family loves you." Chuckling, Emma casually caressed Regina's dark locks. "I bet they love you more than they love myself, actually." Regina sighed, and let herself be held.
"Don't be silly. Your parents are crazy for you." Little curls were made with the index fingers on Emma's denim pants. "You were just a bit of a rebel while growing up. I guess this makes an imprint."
"A bit of a rebel? Oh man, now I am reduced to that. I was hardcore, you know? Punk rock fan, black outfits, Ramones poster and all nine yards. I guess the lyrics being shouted from my old bedroom didn't help my case either." Regina's lip curved upwards upon listening to the memory.
"I guess it is too early to say you got lucky with Henry." Now, full laid on Emma's side, the brunette's voice was just as whisper towards the blonde's neck. "The teenage years are still ahead of us."
Emma couldn't help but notice the 'us' at the end of the sentence, and the thought made her wonder if Regina really meant that. It was so hard to imagine her life without the brunette, however, she couldn't let herself believe that this marriage was supposed to mean anything else than a bureaucracy. The thought of the psychologist leaving, when she finally met her true love or something, made her heart ache. "Mm, I don't think we have anything to worry. The boy has good genes, thanks to me. He can ride some bangs and ripped Tees if absolutely necessary. Besides, for now, he's more of a nerdy. Do you think that might change?"
"I don't know. As a behavioral therapist, I would say something could trigger the change. Or not. It depends. Perhaps a girl?" Regina concluded.
"Yeah, that would make perfect sense. He was always a bit of a romantic. I guess he takes after my mom, because both me and his excuse of a father are so far from that." Thoughtful eyes aimed to the ceiling, head leaning backwards on the sofa back pillows.
When she first found out about Henry, she was sure she didn't want to have a child just yet. Thankfully, she changed her mind before it was too late. Regina had a big impact on this decision, being so supportive all the way, and even offering her home for Emma to stay until she figured things out. It lasted years. Henry was born and Regina was there, holding her hand. When he ventured his first steps, Regina was at the other side of their shared apartment, cheering for him. He was walking towards her. Emma will never forget his chubby face, concentrating in putting one foot in front of the other, trying so hard to balance himself. Come to think of it, all the best moments of her life included Regina. Her graduation day, Henry's first word. Her family was far away, but the brunette was always there. She even took the week off once Henry was sick, and she had just started her new job and couldn't afford to take a leave. I think she is more of a mom than myself. So grown-up, responsible, sure of what is right or wrong for a baby. What would I have done if she wasn't around?
When the time came for them to move to a new place and start a new life, Henry was about 5. He had a hard time adjusting not having Regina around all the time, and explaining why was the most difficult part. For a five-year-old, it is very simple: Regina's family. And family stick together. Although she strongly agreed, she needed to start being an adult and doing what was best for Henry. Edgewater was a smart move, especially back then, when it wasn't so expensive. Now Henry could walk to school, she would work nearby, and their life was somehow adjusted. And, of course, Regina would come by whenever possible. A glass or two of wine would make her stay the night, in case she didn't feel fit to drive. Emma loved it, it was just like the old times, where they whispered truths and secrets sharing a duvet on the living room couch. Henry would be fast asleep and they sometimes would talk through the night, only stopping when one would doze off or the sunlight would make then realize how late it was. Or early.
"Henry is a good boy." The psychologist finally said, after a long quiet moment. "Do you think he'll mind?" She made her best effort to suppress her fear of the answer.
"Henry? Of course not. He loves you, Gina. You know that." Emma scoffed.
"I know, but this time it is different. I don't know, sometimes I wonder… what if he takes it the wrong way? You know we cannot tell him either, he's too young and it would be too much of a burden. What about school? What if the other kids make fun of him?" You could hear on her voice she was truly concerned.
"Hey, calm down. Henry is a great kid, and him and I, we already had this talk. He knows I am gay, so even if it wasn't for you, he would still have to deal with this eventually. He's prepared." Long pale fingers cupped the brunette's chin, making her look into her eyes while saying those words. "Everything will be just fine."
Regina hugged her harder, and buried her face on Emma's long mane. She knew the blonde was right, and it made perfect sense. However, somehow, between sniffing her hair and closing her eyes, she knew she would have other things to address before she could relax. Oh Emma, what have you done to me?