Emma watched curiously as Ruby walked back and forth behind the counter. Her wide smile had not faded once and, if Emma was hearing correctly, she was humming. Emma drew her brow together before raising an eyebrow. "What's with you?" she inquired, finally.
Ruby halted her movements and flashed her a peculiar look. "What do mean?"
"You're humming."
Ruby smirked. "I can't be in a good mood?"
Emma's eyes narrowed as she stared at her friend. Suddenlit, her eyes went wide and her jaw dropped. "You slept with Lacey! You gave in!"
"No, I didn't!" Her brow furrowed in thought. "Well, I did sleep with her, but not the way you think." She shrugged one shoulder. "She asked me to stay so I did." She began to absent mindedly wipe the counter. "We just held each other all night." A small smile crept onto her lips at the memory. "Then this morning, we just laid in bed and talked…" She stopped when she noticed the way Emma was staring at her. "What?"
"Ruby…" A questioning look covered the blondes features. "Are you.." She leaned in closer so only Ruby could hear her. "Are you in love with Lacey?"
Ruby was surprised by the question. "What? No… I…" she stammered before going completely silent. She fidgeted nervous with her towel as the question ran through her mind. "No… no.. I can't be…"
Emma leaned back. "It sounds like you are."
"I love Belle. The whole purpose of this was to bring her back." She shook her head. "No, I can't be in love with Lacey."
"But what if you are? And what if she loves you too?" Emma checked her watch then pulled out her wallet. "Once you share true loves kiss, Lacey will be gone."
"Regina could be wrong. Belle could be gone forever and Lacey will still be here." The statement tumbled from Ruby's mouth faster than she could stop it. Her eyes widened as her hand covered her mouth.
Emma stared at her for a moment before shaking her head. "It sounds like you have a lot to think about." she noted, placing money on the counter. She stood from her stool. "I'll call you later."
Ruby nodded slowly. She was still stunned by her own words. She was no longer sure of where her heart laid. She loved and longed for Belle, but part of her was falling deeply for Lacey. She didn't want to choose one over the other.
She couldn't.
Lacey laid on her bed staring up at the ceiling. She wasn't feeling well. Every since Ruby left her side earlier that morning, she felt awful. She didn't want to move. She didn't want to eat. She just wanted to curl up in a ball and not move.
When Ruby was with her, she felt fine. Her stomach would flutter ever now and then when the waitress would laugh or smile, but it was no big deal. She felt a little jittery when Ruby looked into her eyes, but she was sure it was just the after effects of drinking all night. It was nothing. She was fine.
Then, Ruby left to prepare for work and she felt like she was dying. An emptiness overcame her. She felt completely alone. Like she would never be whole again. So, she stayed in bed, staring up at the ceiling, wondering when this feeling would end.
A knock on the door caused her to lift her head from the pillow. She propped herself up wondering who would be coming to see her at this hour.
"Hey, Lacey. It's me."
Without a thought, she jumped to her feet at the sound of Ruby's voice. She rushed toward the door, stopping right before she touched the knob. The fluttering returned. She no longer felt alone. She felt happy and alive. She felt whole again.
Her eyes widened as the realization hit her. This was what love felt like. She was falling in love with Ruby. She stepped backwards as the thought settled in. Her knees had gone weak by the time she reached the mattress. She reached out, steading herself as she sat back down.
Another knock followed by her name being called brought her from her daze. "Come in…" she finally managed as the door slowly opened.
When Ruby peaked her head around the corner, she felt her heart start to race. She couldn't stop the smile from spreading across her lips. She couldn't control the tingle that coursed through her body. She had lost every ounce of herself the moment Ruby looked at her.
Ruby stepped inside, holding up a bag. "I brought you dinner. You didn't come by the Diner so I thought you might be hungry." she said as she walked further in. She was confused by the blank stare on the other woman's face. "Are you okay, Lacey?"
Lacey didn't speak. She stood and walked the few steps to stand directly in front of Ruby. She never broke eye contact as she took the bag from her hand and placed it on the floor. When she straightened, her fingers started unbuttoning the waitresses shirt. Their eyes remained locked as blue began to meld into confused hazel.
Ruby stared back at her, swallowing back the nervous lump in her throat. She placed her hand over Lacey's, halting her movement. "Lacey, what are you doing?" she questioned, her voice barely a whisper.
Lacey bit her lip shyly, breaking their gaze for a moment. She felt vulnerable. She had never asked anything close to what she was about to request of Ruby. She pushed herself up on her tip toes, looking into her eyes momentarily once again. She placed a small kiss on the nape of Ruby's neck then pressed her lips close to her ear.
"Make love to me, Ruby." she whispered, sending a shiver through both their bodies. She moved back so she was looking at her again. "Please."
Ruby wanted to resist, but she couldn't. She allowed Lacey to remove her shirt. She allowed Lacey to slowly tug her forward until they landed on the mattress and she was lying on top of her. She caressed Lacey's face, staring into her eyes. She hesitated for only a moment before pressing their lips together and kissing her. It was different from any kiss they had shared before. Ruby's eyes closed tightly. She was lost in the feel of Lacey's lips against her own. All of her thoughts were gone. Her reasoning dissolved.
Lacey kissed her back. Her hand tangled in Ruby's hair as a soft moan escaped her throat. A strange feeling over took her. It felt like electricity coursing through her body. Her eyes shot open as Ruby moved from lips to her neck. She couldn't stop the small chuckle of joy that escaped as a tear ran down her cheek. She gripped Ruby tightly as the darker haired woman kissed her way up to her ear.
"Ruby, I—"
"I love you, Lacey…" Ruby muttered in her ear, completely unaware that the other woman had even spoke.
Her face saddened suddenly as Ruby continued to kiss her neck while her hand made it's way under her shirt. Blue eyes closed quickly, tears falling slowly from them as she chose to remain quiet.
Belle had returned….
And Ruby had fallen in love with Lacey….
