THANKS FOR ALL OF YOUR LOVELY REVIEWS ! I'd hug each and every one of you if I could!
It really is so great for me to find out what you think :)
Even when you think that what you have to say about it isn't all that spectacular. You couldn't be me wrong!
Here's chapter 7. Nothing earth-shattering (I still tried my best though! So here's to hoping I did okay...).
If it feels a little filler-ish... That's kind of true... But I do think it's important to portray some of these interactions properly.
And if that takes up a chapter, we've got time right? :)
There's still a long way ahead of us. Which I hope you don't mind ^^
The next chapter will bring a new installment.
Happy monday darlings!
Here's what I wrote you today... :)
BRUNCH
The moment Regina had walked into her parent's mansion, Cora had been itching to interrogate her daughter about the night before.
Regina seemed well rested and happy.
Well rested wasn't necessarily a good sign but her radiant smile should give some indication as to how the date went.
The professor was delicately slicing up a honey crisp apple when her mother couldn't hold her tongue any longer.
'Well are you ever going to tell us what happened with Emma?!' She suddenly snaps.
'Cora honey.' Henry Mills puts a gentle hand on her arm
'What? Oh please she knew this was coming…' the older woman shrugs it off, making Henry chuckle.
Regina rolls her eyes.
'What about Emma, mother?'
'What about Emma?' Cora rhetorically snorts and then warns her daughter 'Regina Mills don't mock me….'
The professor sighs.
'We had a lovely time. If was her first time at Alfredo's so I made her have his famous ice cream and she loved it.'
Comes the simple conclusion to her incredibly short story.
Cora waits and waits… Patience is not her strongest suit and it's already been... nine... eight... ten seconds since Regina's stopped talking.
'Of course she did.' Cora remarks.
Her attempt to pick up the conversation again and dig deeper into the subject fails miserably when all Regina says is
'Of course she did.', nods and continues to eat her apple.
'And?' Cora looks at her daughter wide-eyed and full of expectation.
'What?'
'Did you take her home, after?'
'Seriously mother, that's none of your business.' Regina curls up her nose in distaste.
'I'm your mother, Regina! How is it none of my business?'
'You're my mother, Cora. That's why it's none of your business.'
Regina tells the older Mills loud and clear, punctuating every syllable, so Cora would hopefully finally… get the message.
'I'm your boss and her dean, Regina. I've been really nice about this.'
'Cora!' Henry scolds his wife rightfully.
'That's a low blow mother. Yes, very classy.' Regina says flatly.
Cora sighs. 'Okay that was mean… I'm sorry honey…'
The woman's voice has taken on a much softer tone, she really does sound sorry.
But why does Regina always have to be so closed off about her feelings?
Isn't it normal for her, as a mother… to be ecstatic about her daughter finally finding someone she feels so strongly about?
'but I just want to make sure you're happy.'
'I am happy mother.' Regina sighs and looks Cora in the eyes.
The older brunette nods and then cautiously attempts another question.
'When are you seeing her again?'
'Tomorrow.' Regina casually answers.
Cora's eyes lit up at the prospect, even though it's not actually hers.
She readies herself to ask her next question. Where? How? What time? What? Where? How?
Choices enough… But her daughter speaks before she get's to it.
'She has English Literature at 9.' Regina grins while she watches the excitement on her mother's face turn into annoyance.
'Out of school…' Cora glares at the younger brunette.
Regina stares at her mother, contemplating if she should actually share any more information about this thing with Emma with Cora Mills.
She pouts in thought.
'Friday.'
'You're taking her out again?'
'She's making me dinner. At my place.'
'She can cook?' Cora's eyebrows shoot up.
'We shall see.' Regina smiles.
Until
'When are you bringing her here?'
'Never.'
'Regina...'
'Daddy, you talk to her….' She turns towards her father with pleading eyes.
'Cora.' Henry warns
but the attempt is futile…
'No I don't want to hear it…
Regina don't wait too long to invite her here, or I'll do it for you.'
'What? No! You'll scare her away!' She places her palms onto the table, ready to start a heated discussion if she has to.
'Nonsense… She'll be thrilled.' Cora sing-songs.
'She thinks you hate her.' Regina deadpans
'What?! No she doesn't.'
'Yes mother… Apparently you shoot daggers at her with your eyes.'
'But that's just the way I look.' The dean pouts.
'I know I told her that.'
'Why would I hate her?' It's actually pretty endearing… the way she really asks it. As if it's the most impossible, unthinkable questions in the world.
Regina actually feels bad for her mother. Cora really does have a heart of gold. She knows that... Of course she does.
The woman would want nothing more than for Emma to tag along to family dinners and become a part of them. She's so warm and welcoming.
Can she come across as rather scary and intimidating when one doesn't know her? Yes. But... that's kind of a family trait isn't it?
Regina sighs. She hadn't want to hurt her mother. And this, telling her how Emma thinks she thinks of her... in such an insensitve way...is clearly hurting her.
She can be so incredibly insufferable though!... It becomes so easy to just blurt things out.
'I have no idea.' Regina says softly, actually managing to sound genuinely apologetic.
'I think she's lovely.' Cora shares sincerely.
'I know.'
It's silent for a couple of seconds. Henry can't help but smile at his girls.
That is… of course… until Cora seems to be pulled from deep thought and suddenly realizes an unmistakable truth
that must must must be shared right this instant.
'She'll give me beautiful grandchildren.'
Much to Regina's horror.
Henry should have seen it coming. Every time. He sighs.
'Cora!'
'Mother!'
'What?!'
'Will you please let me have my second date with her, before you begin to plan the wedding?' Her daughter groans.
'A wedding!' Cora gleefully exclaims. 'What a wonderful idea! She'd look great in one of those princess gowns. Or do you think she'd prefer a tuxedo?'
'Aaaaaaaaaaaand I'm leaving.' The younger brunette has had enough and gets up to leave the lovely get together with her parents.
'Oh please Regina you're way too easy to tease. You know I'm just joking.'
'You know… sometimes I'm not sure if you are…'
'Well I wouldn't be opposed to the idea of …'
'Okay bye daddy I love you!' Regina interrupts the insufferable woman.
'Goodbye sweetheart' Henry chuckles and then looks at his co-parent and partner in law and love.
Things will never be boring with you, will they? He thinks and shakes his head in amusement.
'Oh darling… don't be such a drama queen!' Cora rolls her eyes.
'Mother.'
AT RUBY'S & EMMA'S
'Soooo I'm guessing you didn't get any last night.' Ruby comes to lay next to a snoozing Emma.
The brunette leans onto her open palm as she rests an elbow next to the blonde's head.
'What?' Emma squints her eyes. Why am I even awake?
'You slept here… and she's not with you… soooooooo you guys didn't'
'Shut up Ruby. I wanna sleep some more.' Emma closes her eyes and focuses on blocking out any following interruptions.
'Did the date not go too well?'
Emma opens half an eye.
'The date was lovely. Now let me sleep.'
'But… you didn't sleep together.' Ruby reasons logically.
'Of course we didn't sleep together, it was our first date.' The blonde groans annoyed. It's in moments like these she kind of wishes she was deaf.
'Yes, but that doesn't count. You already hit that.' Comes her friend's casual reply.
Emma gives up and starts to sit up slightly.
'Yes. But now we're doing things right. I need more time. I want to get to know her better.'
'Uhu I see…'
'What?'
'Nothing.' The brunette hums.
'What Ruby?' Emma snaps.
'I just… If the date went so well.. why are you so grumpy this morning?'
'Because… It's Sunday and I want to sleep.'
'You can't.' Ruby smiles.
'Yes. I . Can. Now let me.'
She goes to lay down again, on her stomach, burying her face into her pillow to at least block out any light that could come between her and her sleep again.
'No. You can't. We need to be at Granny's in half an hour.' The tall legged brunette chuckles while standing up from her friend's bed.
'Shit! We're doing lunch shift too?' Comes a muffled whine.
'Yup Granny called. Get dressed.'
'Ugh.'
Emma groans into her pillow while Ruby forcefully pulls the covers off of her friend.
'Rise and shine princess.' She laughs.
THREE HOURS LATER
The lunch-rush was over now and they were cleaning up the counter, slowly.
They'd kind of been going over the same spots for over ten minutes.
But the last couple of hours had been busy and neither one of the girls really felt like helping Granny in the kitchen right now.
This -rubbing circles with wet cloths- was actually just facade to at least look like they were making themselves useful.
Ruby had attempted to make conversation with her friend but Emma's mind had seemed elsewhere.
The brunette had tried to ignore the blonde's crappy mood, but enough was enough.
'Okay you're still grumpy.' Ruby accusingly points at her friend
'No I'm not.'
'Tell me what's wrong.' Ruby really tries to asks it sweetly.
'Nothing Rubes, nothing is wrong.'
'Shit Swan… just spit it out.' She can't help but finally groan in frustration.
'Aaah… just… I… pff.'
'Words honey, give me words.' She feels there's an opening and encourages the girl to share.
'I called her last night.' Emma breathes.
'After the date?'
'Yes after the date.'
'Why?'
'I… I couldn't sleep… I kept trying to remember.'
'Remember?' Ruby narrows her eyes
'Last week.'
'Oh. When you…?' She raises an eyebrow in obvious interest.
'Yeah. So I called her… to ask if she could tell me about it.'
'Ow about IT now?' Comes Ruby's teasing smirk.
'Yeah Ruby.. about IT.'
'And did she? Tell you… about IT?' The girl pushes.
'She did.'
'Okay.'
Ruby decides to let Emma continue in her own time… as hard as it is to not just blurt out one hundred thousands of questions.
'Everything.'
'And that made you grumpy because…'
'It was really hot Rubes…' Emma grimaces… hoping for her friend to get the hint already…
'Sexy hot… not warm hot, right?' Ruby does of course… have a very accurate idea of what Emma is talking about
but there's little to nothing more amusing than a squirming Emma Swan.
'Yes.. sexy hot.' The blonde rolls her eyes at her friend. 'Very sexy hot.'
'I still don't see how that could leave you grumpy.' The brunette girl smiles.
'Well… it just… we just… ' Emma bites her lip, unable to continue to confess.
'OH MY GOD!' Ruby shouts out loud, causing several costumers to look into their direction.
'Ruby Lucas. Do you want to get your ass fired? Don't think I won't just because you're my granddaughter.
If your incompetence shines through one more time…' Granny holds up a very very threatening finger towards the tall brunette.
'Oooops sorry.' Ruby merely smiles. Chuckles even. Like she doesn't believe a word of what her grandmother just said.
Granny rolls her eyes and disappears back inside the kitchen.
'I'm pretty sure she means it Rubes.' Emma grimaces.
'Who cares.' The girl shrugs.
Emma snorts, she's momentarily forgotten what they'd been talking about before until…
'You're so naughty Emma.' Ruby leans closer to whisper into her ear.
The blonde gulps and blushes beat red
'What?' she takes a step away from her friend.
'You masturbated together.' The tall girl grins almost proudly.
'What? No!'
'Emma Swan you dirty dirty girl! You had phone sex! And now you feel awkward about seeing her again! It's totally natural…'
'Is it?'
'I knew I was right!' Ruby Lucas gasps loudly
'Shut up.' Emma hisses irritated.
Ruby rolls her eyes at her blonde friend's embarrassment.
'Look yes… it's probably going to be a little awkward the next time you see her… but there's nothing wrong with that. Sexual tension is good… So very good.'
She says while pulling her hair back into a ponytail.
'Pfff.' Emma sighs.
'Ow shit. My earring!' the tall brunette crouches down behind the counter looking for the fake red diamond. A red piece of plastic to be exact.
Emma rolls her eyes and continues to "clean" the counter.
The bell above the door rings, signaling the arrival of a new guest. Emma doesn't look up at first, waiting for the costumer to either approach or take a seat. When she senses the proximity of another person she looks up with her friendliest smile.
'Welcome to Granny's. What can I help you with?'
'Hello Emma.' Regina smiles cutely, flushing pink.
Emma's eyes go wide as she panics over Ruby finding out about them.
'Oh hi. Miss Mills.' She emphasizes. 'What can I get you?'
Emma -tries to sound casual, but who is she kidding,- sounds rather anxious.
'I'd like another sample of your ki…' just as she's about to bravely tell Emma she'd like for her to kiss her again,
and expose them to none other than Miss Ruby Lucas, Emma interrupts her quickly.
'Ruby do you know if we still have apple pie left?' The blonde asks nervously.
Ruby jumps up from behind the counter. She looks at the woman in front of her.
'Oh hi Miss Mills! How nice to meet you here.'
'Miss Lucas.'
Regina's cheeks deepen in shade. Shit!
'I didn't see you there.' She says, smiling nervously.
'Oh I'm sorry, I'd lost something.'
Regina nods. Still in shock from Ruby's sudden appearance.
Okay, so that's why Emma was acting so strange, rather than pleased to see her.
At least that's a relief.
'Emma's right to suggest you have the apple pie, but I'm afraid we've run out of it for today.'
'Ah that sucks.' Emma chuckles nonchalantly, sensing Ruby is clueless. 'I'm sorry.'
She offers Regina, daring to make eye contact with the beautiful professor.
When Emma catches her gaze, the older woman smiles before clearing her throat.
'That's fine, I'll have to come back to try it some other time. Do you still have coffee?'
'One cinnamon latte coming right up!' Emma nods immediately, while smiling a very subtle very cheeky smile.
'Ow have you been here before?' Ruby turns to Regina, how else would Emma know her order?
The older woman looks confused for a moment but then Emma jumps in.
'Yes, that day when you had the fever and skipped your lunch-shift. Isn't that right Miss Mills?'
The woman had literally never set food in the establishment.
She looks at Emma, suppressing a smile and nods.
'Indeed. Miss Swan suggested I had the cinnamon latte, and I rather enjoyed it.'
'Yes well Emma is a cinnamon freak.' Ruby pulls Emma against her by the shoulder.
Regina can't help but feel a pang of jealousy. Not because she thinks there's something more than friendship between the girls
but because a part of her wishes she could touch the blonde like that in public. A rather large big part of her, if she's honest.
It was out of the question though… so she dismissed the thought as quickly as it came.
Emma smiles and rolls her eyes at her friend.
'Don't mind her. So, sit wherever you want Miss Mills. I'll bring your latte right up.'
Emma smiles and then starts to busy herself by making the best cinnamon latte she's ever made in her entire life.
All the while gathering her thoughts, Damn she looks so beautiful. AS ALWAYS, and exhaling slowly, trying to keep her heart-rate under control.
'Just shout whenever you need something, Miss Mills!' Ruby smiles.
'I shall keep it in mind, Miss Lucas.' Regina nods friendly.
She let's her eyes wander off towards Emma. The blonde's wearing black skinny jeans that makes her ass look absolutely perfect
and a shirt that says 'Granny's Dinner' on the back. Her hair is up in a high ponytail.
She's so cute when she's concentrating.
Emma's biting her tongue when she's working the huge coffee machine.
Pushing buttons, flipping levers… with those hands of her. Those hands. Damn.
Ruby tilts her head a little, her eyes are squinting as she's trying to figure out Miss Mills's odd behavior.
Why is she just standing there?
'Miss Mills?'
'Yes?'
'You're allowed to sit… I mean… she's gonna bring it to your table.' Miss Lucas says.
'Oh yes of course.' Regina smiles and blushes at feeling caught. Shit Mills, try to at least be subtle.
She walks over to a vacant booth and takes a seat.
Four minutes later Emma's standing next to her.
'One cinnamon latte, for the pretty lady' She whispers low, so only Regina can hear it.
The older woman looks up and smiles wide.
'Hi. Thank you. You're cute when you're working.' She whispers back.
Both blush.
As daring and dirty as they'd been on the phone last night… Neither woman can suppress their blush from spreading right now. It's okay though…
Ruby had been right… So it's a little awkward? But not too awkward. Tension? Yes… Sexual?… Obviously, but it's not just that.
It's so much more too and they both know it. It's so obvious and ever present in their browns and greens.
The thought eases Emma's nerves tremendously.
Let's flirt
'Only when I'm working?' She raises an eyebrow and places her hand in her side.
'You very well know my opinion on the matter, Miss Swan.' The brunette smiles and narrows her eyes playfully.
'Yes I do.' Emma winks before turning around and taking orders from a different table. Regina shakes her head and chuckles to herself.
Why is next Friday still so far away?
'So what do you think is up with Mills?' Ruby snorts when Emma enters the kitchen a couple of minutes later.
'What?'
'Mills... she's acting weird.'
'Euhm. I don't know. Was she?'
'Euhm yes. Very . Jesus Em. Are you blind?'
'No… but you're paranoia…' Emma laughs.
'What?'
'Well.. What's it to you how Mills behaves… Crushing on a teacher, Rubes?' Emma jokes and winks at her friend.
'What the hell?! No of course not! I'm not into chicks Em. You know that! She just was acting weird. I …'
'Relax Ruby… I was just messing with you. Jeez woman breathe.'
'You suck.'
'You love me.'
'You still suck.'
NEXT UP: I Don't Care (that's the name of the chapter guys. I so care... about reviews for instance ;))
