A/N: Ta-Da! This chapter got me two days to finish it. Sorry!
Chapter 4
At Granny's Diner in the morning, Emma hung out at the counter and talking to Ruby, the brunette waitress while she was taking her breakfast. Her son, Henry was at the school waiting for the bell to ring thoroughly for his class to start. But, Mary Margaret was late and decided to take her coffee out from the diner and went inside then found Emma sitting at the counter. She walked toward her and cleared her throat.
"Hello, Emma."
"Oh Hi MM, aren't you late for school?" Emma retorted. Ruby scoffed and went to get a coffee for the brunette teacher.
"Yeah, I am late for it and I have a question before I go."
"Sure, what is it?"
"Do you like Regina?"
"Umm… The Regina Mills the mayor?" The blonde knitted her eyebrows and asked.
"Yes, stop stalling it." Mary Margaret slapped on the blonde's arm and nodded.
"Yes, I like her and why?"
"I wonder if you make a move on her to get a date with her?" The pixie cut teacher wiggled her eyebrows and said.
"Oh shut your mouth up or Ruby will gossip it." The blonde woman mused.
"Go get Regina! Or you'll regret it!" Mary Margaret whined. Emma rolled her eyes and continued.
"Wait a minute, how did you know if Regina is gay?"
"She told me few days ago in her office and she is playing on your team. So therefore, you better get her on your date, and you look so adorable to be a couple." The pixie-cut brunette woman paid for her coffee and continued.
"All right! I will ask her when she come to my house for having dinner with me and Henry tonight. If it satisfies you well?" The blonde woman was frustrated with her and replied in a cold tone.
"Perfectly! Have to go! Call me!" Mary Margaret took a coffee and ran out into the building to get to school. Ruby shook her head, and Emma looked away at her best friend then gave an 'If you gossip that one and I'll kill you for sure' look. The brunette waitress mocked in her surrender and got it. The blonde woman rolled her eyes and paid her breakfast then left the diner.
The day went slower for the people to do their work. Granny's Diner ran smoothly as the patrons went to get lunch. Emma worked through her errands before teaching her class in her studio and pleased with the parents' compliments on her work with their kids. She was glad to hear it. Until, she got a text from her son who was in Granny's Diner for a lunch break. The blonde woman replied back as she grabbed her tote bag then left her studio to meet her son there. Finally, she arrived to see Henry at the counter and kissed his forehead. They chatted thoroughly about the school and work. They ordered their leisurely meal – vegetarian meal with iced tea.
Meanwhile in Town Hall, Regina sighed and worked the paperwork thoroughly. She heard the knock on her office door and commanded it. Until, she looked up from her paperwork and found Sheriff Nolan standing in front of her desk. She smiled. He waved his hand and spoke lightly.
"Hello, Madame Mayor."
"Hello, Sheriff Nolan. How are you?"
"I'm doing good. So, what do you need me for?"
"Two things for you. One is that you are required to be there for the Miner's Festival for observing the citizens thoroughly for the safety. Will you pull up on the list of your needs for the supplies to provide for your department?"
"I can do that. Before you arrived, Mayor never got me that to do like this one."
"Oh, everything would be changing after I'm a mayor after all."
"I guess that would be. What's another thing?"
"Yes dear, someone told me that you're married to Mary Margaret Blanchard. Aren't you?"
"Oh umm… Yeah, I am. Why?"
"Oh didn't you forget to mention me that you haven't had a thing to say about your poorly wife." Regina teased. Sheriff Nolan blushed slightly.
"Yeah, you see my other side of two people."
"Very funny. So you are dismissed. Thank you for coming."
"No problem. See you around."
"Have a good day, Sheriff."
"You too." He left the office, Regina laughed and gathered her completed paperwork and purse then left the office to give her secretary the paperwork. Until, she found Lily and her husband chatting at the front desk.
"Oh. No fornicating around." Lily was startled by hearing the mayor's words and stuttered her mouth. Her husband laughed and looked away at the Mayor then continued.
"Oh my-my. Is that infamous Regina Mills that I met through the gala?"
"Oh dear. Is that the drunken Jones that we've been teasing all night? Come on, give me a hug!" Regina opened her arms, and Killian leaned to embrace her tightly then released it.
"How are you doing, Mr. Jones?"
"I'm doing good. Just back from Army." The tallest black haired man said.
"How long are you staying here?"
"I've been here for two weeks, but I have to go back after next week." Jones mused.
"Oh." Regina bobbed her head and said.
"Yeah, for the training. So, I guess that we've been introduced twice. And, just let me know if you would like to have a glass of beer with me while I am here." Lily smiled at him and rubbed his back while Killian spoke in a soft tone.
"Yes, I would like to have a wine but no beer for me." The brunette woman rolled her eyes and acknowledged.
"Come on, I remember very well. You can't deny me that you have to drink beer with me when we get together again. You made a promise." Killian pledged.
"Ok. ONE BEER. That's all." Regina sneered. The tallest black-haired man fisted in the air.
"Deal!" Killian exclaimed. They laughed, and Regina shook her head then continued.
"I have to go get my lunch in Granny's Diner. So see you around and it's nice to see you alive, Mr. Jones. See you when I catch you for our hangout."
"Sure no problem. Have a good day, Madame Mayor."
"Bye, Lily."
Regina left the town hall to get in her car then drove away to the diner. After arriving in the diner, she strode toward the counter to meet Emma and Henry there. The brunette boy smiled wide and waved his hand. The brunette woman smiled and sat down next to him and spoke lightly.
"Hello, Ms. Swan and Henry."
"Hello, Regina." Henry retorted. Emma nodded and drank her ice tea. Ruby went to find Regina and got an order from her then strode out to the kitchen. The brunette woman drank apple cider while she was looking at the patrons who chatted until she heard Henry speaking at her.
"Regina, will you like to spend your dinner with me and my mom tonight at our house?"
Regina looked away to him and arched her eyebrow until Emma smiled and nodded. She smiled a little then spoke lightly.
"I would love to have dinner with you both. So what time will I be there?"
"6:30 pm. Bring something vegetarian." Emma retorted. The brunette woman nodded and made a mental note about no meat.
"See you then! We have to go back to the studio. By the way, if you want to come with us then suit yourself." Henry exclaimed. Emma paid their lunch. Regina smiled wide then acknowledged her soft tone.
"I would love to but maybe other time. So, have a good day and see you both at 6:30 pm."
The brunette boy lit up and embraced her then ran out to the studio. The blonde woman waved her hand and walked out of the building. Regina looked away at her for a while and smiled wide until Ruby rested her hands on her chin then continued.
"Ohhh. You have a big date tonight." Regina jumped tingly and looked around to find her in the front of her on the counter. The brunette mayor narrowed her eyes and spoke in a hissing tone.
"No, it's not a date."
"Well… why not?" The brunette waitress sighed and shrugged then replied in a flat tone.
"Henry will be there." Regina flicked her wrist and spoke lightly.
"So?" Ruby raised her eyebrows and said.
"So? This is not a date, Miss Lucas." Regina emphasized her tone into a serious look. The brunette waitress mimicked her, and the brunette mayor threw a crumpled napkin at her.
"Not yet… What are you playing for?" Ruby crossed her arms over her chest and asked.
"What are you talking about?" The brunette mayor went confused and spoke in a soft tone. The brunette waitress leaned to whisper in her face. Regina rolled her eyes.
"Are you straight or what?"
"Oh. I'm a lesbian. By the way, have a good day." Regina slammed her ten dollars on the counter, grabbed her purse and left the diner. Ruby went dumbfounded when she found out that the mayor was gay.
In few hours later, Regina worked on her errands in her townhouse, prepared her meatless lasagna. She whistled through her favorite song from Taylor Swift's CD Album – 1989. Until, the brunette woman heard her phone ringing on the kitchen counter and answered it. While, she was walking to her bedroom for getting changed into a dark purple V-neck chiffon casual dress with the black heels and black jacket. She heard the muffled voice on other line and sighed loudly.
"Hello?" Regina spoke again. The voices were in the background and the brunette woman ended the call then walked into the bathroom to get changed. The phone rang again twice, and Regina went out to get a phone then answered it.
"Hello."
"Sorry about another call! That was my friend who drunkenly called you." It was Kathryn calling on other line and the brunette woman rolled her eyes while she was packing in a small purse then walked out to the kitchen and put her purse on the kitchen counter. She looked away to the timer, and it said 3 minutes left for the lasagna to finish baking. Regina spoke in a timid voice while she was leaning against the kitchen counter.
"Oh, Kathryn, Kathryn, Kathryn. What am I going to do with you at this time?"
"I apologize. So, tell me about Emma?" The blonde woman mused while her excitement was coming over in her feeling when she got curious.
"Well, I have to get my food to be ready then I'm going out to The Swans Residence in few minutes." The timer was dinging, Regina held her phone between her shoulder and cheek then went to get the mittens for getting the lasagna out from the oven. The glass container was on the stove right away, and the brunette woman put her mittens away in the drawers then turned on the fan. She put the fan near the lasagna for few minutes then leaned against the kitchen counter for a while.
"Date?" Kathryn giggled and asked.
"No, it is not a date. I will be with Henry and Emma." Regina knitted her eyebrows and spoke in a furious tone.
"Ohhh aww. Family Dinner. When it's going to be a wedding?" The blonde woman sing-songed and the brunette woman found her aluminum foil then covered on the lasagna. She spoke in a timid voice.
"Oh shut the fuck up. Have to go. Bye!" Regina hung up on the call, shook her head then grabbed her purse and lasagna. She left the place to lock it up then walked to her car. She got in the car then sighed. Finally, Regina drove away to the Swans Residence in fifteen minutes.
After arriving on time at 6:30 pm, the brunette woman was relieved that she arrived on a perfect time. She grabbed her purse and lasagna then locked her car up and strode toward the white door. Regina looked down on her appearance and knocked on the door while she was holding the lasagna on her forearm with her left hand. She waited until Henry opened the door and spoke lightly.
"Hello Regina! Please come in." Regina nodded, stepped inside and waited. The brunette boy closed the door and gestured her to follow him toward the kitchen. He smiled wide and continued.
"Make yourself feel at home. Let me get that for you. I already settled the table, and we'll be starting it soon." Henry reached the lasagna then strode out the kitchen. Regina looked around in the kitchen until she found Emma in a blue lace dress with no sleeves and a zipper on the back of the dress. The blonde woman wore the black heels, and her hair was in updo with the braids. The brunette woman was impressed with Emma's figure in the ballet body. She liked how Emma wore in her casual wear but never saw her in a beautiful dress. Until, Regina heard the blonde woman clearing her throat and looked up to connect with the emerald eyes.
"Hello Regina, welcome to our home. So, we'll have a Thai Shrimp and Spinach Curry. I don't know if you are allergic to Shrimp or Curry."
"No dear, I'm not allergic to both. You're lucky."
"For few minutes, I am relieved. Now, may we go to the dining hall to start our dinner?" Emma carried the bowl of the Thai Shrimp and Spinach Curry and turned around to speak in a light tone.
"Lead the way." Regina smiled and nodded then gestured her to lead the way out from the kitchen to the dining room. Emma walked away to meet Henry, who was sitting down in the chair and waiting for them to arrive in the dining hall. Emma put the bowl on the table and reached the seat to gesture Regina to sit down. He smiled wide at his mother who was making an intimate gesture. The brunette woman went dumbfounded and walked to her chair that Emma was putting the chair for her. She finally sat down and felt Emma pushing the chair toward the table then relieved that she was very closer to punch her stomach with the edge of the table. Emma walked around and sat down on the opposite side from Regina's spot. Henry was in the between of the ladies.
They scooped everything from the table and ate in silence until Regina decided to open her mouth to ask The Swans the questions.
"Henry, what made you decide on your profession in the ballet?"
"Well, I've yet decided to have that profession since I was with my mom in my whole life. But, this profession if you would call it, it has been a thrilling ride for me when I was a little boy. I came to try out for the ballet for the first time when I was five. Then I loved it so far and decided to have that profession when I was seven. That's it." Henry mused while he was eating his vegetarian lasagna.
"What about you, Emma? To put the website away." Regina asked. Emma arched her eyebrow when she heard the word, 'website' then spoke lightly.
"You knew my biography on the website. But it didn't give you the detail, don't they?"
"Well put. Yes, dear."
"When I was with The Swan Family in the living room, channeled on the television and found the show about the ballet. I watched it every night until my foster mom asked me if I wanted to join the ballet. So, the next morning, I went with her for signing me up on the ballet and tried it out. After few years, I practiced the choreography, and I heard the audition in my area. I begged my parents to take me to the ballet audition then I made it on the second callback. I went back to practice every afternoon included the weekend for extra practice with my ballet instructor. Then I found out that I won the lead in The Nutcracker. The rest is the history." Emma crossed her arms on the table and acknowledged her story. Henry smiled widely. Regina was surprised that Emma made a success in her life.
"Wow. That's nice of your mother who encouraged you to join the ballet. I never had that kind of a mother as you had."
"Oh. Yeah, my foster mom was the best who encouraged their foster kids included me to chase our dreams and support as they can."
"That's why you kept your last name from them?" Regina put the pieces together and acknowledged. Emma nodded and replied.
"Yes. In few months after my audition, I changed my name legally with my foster parents' permission. I used to be Emma Mitchell."
"Oh." The brunette woman raised her eyebrows and made an 'o' sound.
"Yeah, I was a foster kid in my whole life. I hadn't yet find them since I was in the ballet school at the age of ten." The blonde woman said.
"I didn't know that you are an orphan. If it gets offended. I apologize." The brunette woman pushed her question into asking her.
"I will clean up on the table then I will do my homework right away. So good night, Regina and thank you for lasagna. It's delicious." Henry mused while he was getting up to gather the dishes to the kitchen. Emma got up and gestured the brunette woman to the living room for more chat. Regina followed her on the way to the lounge. The blonde woman sat down on the couch, and the brunette woman did same.
"Yeah, I don't mind if you call me an orphan. It's just a word." Emma remembered Regina's phrase, 'orphan' and retorted in a soft tone. The brunette woman was relieved and spoke lightly.
"Oh good. So what happened to you when you became an orphan? If you mind my asking."
"Please feel free to ask me questions as long as we are happy." Emma insisted. Regina nodded. The blonde woman sighed and continued.
"I was a baby when I was left on the street near the small diner in Portland, Maine."
"You lived here in your whole life?" Regina hopefully asked.
"Yes and No. Somebody from the diner in Portland, Maine brought me to Boston for the foster system. I practically lived in Boston until The Swans Family adopted me when I was seven and lived with them for my whole life on my divided time in New York City for Ballet Training. Until I was 17, I was pregnant with Henry in Boston and took care of him. And I returned in a full time as a professional dancer in New York City and made a decision to stay in New York City with my son for one year. After the year in New York City, we moved here with our new fresh start."
"Wow. You must be the intriguing woman but yet amazing. So, is there a father in the picture?"
"No. There is no father. Well, the topic is sensitive to me. I don't want to talk about it if you mind."
"No dear, I don't mind. When you're ready to tell me, and I understand."
"Thank you."
"So, tell me about yourself. I think it's enough to talk about me."
"Well, you insisted. I've been in Washington DC and Virginia in my whole life. I've been in Europe for my private school boarding. For my parents, they are wonderful parents, and I love them to the death. But for my mother, she has been pushing me toward the dating life with men. I've been not interesting in men since I found out that I'm lesbian when I was in my undergraduate years at Harvard."
"Harvard University?"
"Yes, dear."
"Wow. I think that my gaydar is broken already." They laughed, and Regina asked.
"Why is that?"
"Because I think you are straight but no judging."
"I got that all the times. No worries."
"Really?" Emma knitted her eyebrows and Regina nodded.
"Yes, dear. When I was back in Washington, DC and went to Harvard University in four years. I was majoring in political science and a minor in law. One time, I went to the party that it was full of LGBT in the house. I didn't acknowledge my time when I was there with my best friend, Kathryn. Until, I watched two ladies making out in front of me when I was drinking wine. I never fantasized the scene of the women who were making out. So, I decided to experiment myself with both genders until I found my appeals in the women more than I've been interesting in men. That's how I became lesbian."
"Making out in front of you. That's so hilarious."
"I know. I was shocked at first then moved on. What about you?"
"Oh, do you want to know?" Emma spoke in a flirty tone. Regina caught it and smiled. The blonde woman continued to talk in a soft tone.
"I've been gay in my whole life. When I was in my ballet training, and I saw one beautiful Latina like you. Her name was Maria Rodriguez. She had brunette hair with blue eyes. She's tallest. We dated for 2 and half years. Until, we split up right after I moved to New York City with my son."
"By the way, I'm half Italian and Puerto Rican."
"Oh, it's nice to know you. I'm half French and Sweden by the way." They laughed at Emma's sarcasm.
"Back to the point, my life was pretty in the politics because of my father. So that's all my life. So what about you? What made you decide to take over the business from your dance studio?" Regina mused.
"Well, the business was not on my priority list. I wanted to keep going as the professional dancer on the tour, but I had my minor from New York University. I decided to push myself into the business for a while until, my son came into the world. I changed my priority. I didn't want him to feel abandoned while I was training for the best ballet instructors. So, that's how I got in the business."
"That's a wise choice by your perspective when you got Henry. He's an incredible young man."
"Thank you, Regina."
"You're welcome. I have a question for you." Regina looked at the emerald eyes that she fought the urge to lean toward her for a kiss. But, she cleared her throat and waited. Emma nodded.
"So, are you interested in anyone?"
"Well, for your information, I have. So, I didn't know if she can take it very seriously unless she makes her move to ask me for a date." Emma spoke in a flirty tone and smirked. Regina caught the word, 'she' and smiled sheepishly. In their mind, they were already interested in each other and wondered how this goes between them before they called the night.
"So, I can tell by your voice. Before we call a night to end, will you go out with me on a date?" Regina half-smiled sheepishly. The blonde woman giggled and spoke lightly.
"Thought you'd never ask. I am going to say…." The brunette woman widened her eyes and got curious about her answer. The blonde woman got her very well and already took a liking on her then continued.
"Yes. You may go out with me on a date."
"Thank goodness, you got me scared by rejecting me."
"Well, did you get a memo few minutes? I'm joking."
" Har. Looks like we had our evening to run out. So, I will text you on the detail. Oh wait a minute, I haven't had your number yet." Emma laughed at the brunette woman's reaction and extended her hand. Regina took her purse and found her phone then gave it to her. The blonde woman typed it away on her contact then handed it to her back and acknowledged.
"I already sent a text to myself. So I have your number. Let's call a night. May we?"
"Yes, dear. Thank you for inviting me over to here. Thai Shrimp and Spinach Curry was delicious." The brunette woman said.
"Thank you very much." They stood up and walked together to the front door. Emma opened the door and looked away at her then smiled and retorted back.
"Good night, Regina. Have a good evening."
"You too. Good night, Emma." Regina kissed on the blonde woman's cheek and smiled then left the house to get in a car and drove away back to her townhouse. Emma smiled wide while she closed the door then checked the locks and continued to trek on her trail to her son's bedroom to check up on him. The brunette boy was tucking him in the bed and reading the comic books. Emma smiled and knocked on the door.
"Henry, can I have a talk with you for few minutes?" Henry looked up at her and nodded. The blonde woman walked to sit on the edge of the bed and continued.
"Do you like Regina?"
"She's cool. I like her. I hope she sticks around in this town."
"I hope so too."
"So, do you like her?"
"Well, yeah. She asked me out on the date."
"Awesome. Can't wait to hear your detail on your first date with the mayor."
They laughed and decided to chat about school's prom Henry had in his school. They decided to hold it off until he asked somebody to be his prom date. Emma indicated him to sleep and kissed his forehead then retorted.
"Good night, my sweetheart."
"Good night, mom. I love you."
"I love you back to the moon and back to me."
Emma smiled, walked away from his bedroom to close the door and strode toward her bedroom. She went into the bathroom to get changed for her nightwear. Finally, she thought about Regina's bold move few minutes ago and laughed softly. Emma went to tuck her in the bed and picked her phone up then made a contact for Regina on her contact list. She decided to message her on the first text.
"Good night, Regina. I hope you could come to see me in my ballet studio if you have time." The blonde woman put her phone away on the nightstand and smiled while she went to sleep.
Across the town, Regina arrived at her place and went into her bedroom. She dialed the call to Kathryn's home line. Until, she got changed in her nightwear and walked out from the bedroom to check on the locks then heard the blonde woman's muttering.
"Hello?"
"Hello, Kathryn. I just asked Emma out for a date."
"What!? You're a bitch!" Kathryn shot up and yelled.
"Why?" The brunette woman rolled her eyes and giggled then acknowledged.
"She's mine!" The blonde woman growled.
"Oh no. I made a move on her. Checkmate." Regina laughed.
"Whatever. What have you got for a date?"
"I don't know, I swear. But tomorrow, I take a look around in this town and make the decision on our date."
"Sounds good. By the way, I am planning to come over to your house in few weeks. You know, to hang out."
"Sure no problem. So I have to get sleep because tomorrow, I got a two meeting at 10 am. Ugh. Good night."
"Tell me about the details on your date with Emma. Good night." Kathryn hung up and went to sleep. Regina giggled, went back to her bedroom and found her cell phone lying on the bed then opened the message from Emma. Her heart clenched in a butterfly tone. She smiled widely.
"Good night, Emma. I will." The brunette woman typed it away and sent it. She went crawling to the headboard and tucked her in a blanket. She put her phone away on the nightstand and went to sleep with a smile on her face.
A/N: Next: Chapter 5.