Α Few Days Later...
Emma having woken up late as usual, skipped her morning coffee at home saying that she would pick one up on her way to the office. The morning jam however deterred her from doing so. Cursing herself for her lateness once more she made a promise to start waking up earlier; a promise that she was always making after incidents like this and never actually stuck to.
Parking in the empty space she got out of the car and started running towards the elevator. Five minutes later she was at the 20th floor, totally out of breath. Once out of the elevator she stopped at the small lounge for a few seconds supporting her arms on her knees in an attempt to catch her breath.
''I didn't know you were training for a marathon in heels'' a voice said startling Emma and making her jump a little. Lifting her gaze she was met with blue eyes smirking at her.
''Oh ha ha!'' Emma sassed and stood up, bringing her on the same level as Jane. ''I was running late'' Emma admitted hiding her face which was going red from embarrassment.
Jane laughed seeing the other's woman discomfort and tried to ease the tension. ''I made coffee, come on.'' she said as she guided the blonde towards the small kitchen.
As they entered the kitchen Jane approached the coffee machine while Emma sat at one of the chairs near the fridge. Jane after pouring some coffee to a cup and two spoons of sugar she offered it to Emma who accepted with gratitude. She took a tentative sip and was very impressed.
''How did you know how I drink my coffee?'' she smirked as she continued to sip from her cup.
''I'm very observant.'' Jane smirked back and continued ''besides it's not that difficult. Your taste in coffee is pretty simple Mrs. Swan, and not out of the ordinary" Jane teased while mimicking Emma and drinking from her cup too.
''Hey that's mean'' she pouted ''but I suppose you're right'' she said with a shrug ''I'm not that into coffee anyway. I see it as a necessary evil to keep me going during the day. But enough with the coffee. How was your weekend?'' Emma asked genuinely interested in other's woman whereabouts.
''Oh I visited my brother who's living in New York.'' Jane said, her face lighting up at the mention of her fun weekend
''I didn't know you had a brother.'' Emma commented.
''Three of them in fact! Although I don't get along with all of them. Ed, the one that lives in New York, we are really close. So I went to see him and of course did some shopping and I was able to just take some time and relax!'' Jane said groaning dramatically which made Emma laugh.
''What about you?'' Jane asked
''Oh my weekend was far from fun.'' She laughed dryly. ''We were supposed to go away for the weekend but my middle son had the flu and then the other two caught the flu from him. Our weekend was full with vaporubs, tissues, blankets and soups. Thankfully Regina and I are generally quite resistant so we've avoided it, for now!''
''Oh poor guys. Are they okay now?'' Jane genuinely interested in the boys' health.
''Yeah they are all fine. Although they tried playing sick again this morning in order to miss school. But Regina had none of it.'' Emma chuckled.
''She's the bad cop?'' Jane said laughing.
''Pretty much'' Emma laughed along. ''Our boys can be really persuasive when they want something and it's really hard to say no. I can't say no unless it's something really extravagant. And let me tell you they can also be very creative when it comes to their birthday presents.''
''Tell me the most bizarre thing the boys have asked!'' Jane implored.
''Uhm let me think'' Emma paused a little to think of her boys odd demands ''Oh yes. My middle son asked for a real-life Baymax last year. You know the big balloon-robot thing from the Disney movie? And he used Bubbah to persuade me. I swear I was ready to go buy them one even though I had no idea if it even existed let alone where to find it!'' Emma exclaimed and Jane laughed harder.
''But I love them no matter what'' Emma sighed with a goofy smile on her face. At the very same moment her phoned beeped indicating a new message.
''Weekend come already!'' Emma chuckled and put her phone on her pocket.
''Who was it?'' Jane asked confused.
''My wife. We have re-arranged our trip for weekend and she can't wait. Something tells me the littlest Swan is giving her really hard time." She gulped down the final mouthful of her coffee. "Anyway I should really get some work done now, but, uhm, do you want to grab some lunch later?''
''Yeah, I'd love to.'' Jane smiled and Emma stood up. She rinsed her mug and placed it in the washing machine. She waved lightly towards Jane and left for her office.
It was a little before lunch and Emma was flat-out busy. She was already working on four cases, one of which was a fairly high-profile client and was scheduled for court in two days. Her brother had dropped in earlier attempting to gossip a little but an engrossed Emma had sent him back to where he came from. She could hear her secretary's phone ringing more-or-less off the hook but Ariel had done her best to accommodate callers where she could and put off others excusing that Emma was in meetings. Some of them, however, the very determined few, had been adamant that Emmas attention was urgently required, thus Ariel was forced to interrupt her from her work.
She was in her office with Ariel typing frantically on her laptop transcribing what Emma was saying, when they heard a knock on the door.
''Come in'' Emma said and the door opened revealing her boss; Mr. Gold.
''Mr. Gold! I wasn't expecting you. Did something happen?'' Emma asked confused, quickly flicking through her diary to make sure she hadn't missed a meeting or something.
''No, I just wanted to talk to you about your new case.'' Gold replied, standing firm with his head lifted in an attempt to be as tall as his 5ft 9inches would allow him.
''Okay. Ariel, we can pick this up later, thank you.'' Emma dismissed her secretary who simply nodded and left as quickly as she could.
Emma turned her gaze from her retreating secretary to her boss. She gestured to him to sit down at which Gold held up his hand silently in refusal. Emma, however, opted to sit down. She didn't like Gold's impromptu visit and she imagined it'd be better if she sat down for whatever it was to come.
''Alright, what did you wanted to discuss?'' Emma asked.
''This weekend; I'll be needing you in the office.'' Gold bluntly said.
''What?!'' Emma shrieked.
"I don't believe that pitch is quite necessary and I'm sure you heard me Emma. We need to work on the Sinskey case. And our client is available only this weekend.''
''I can't'' Emma confessed. At Gold's furrowed brow she elaborated ''I've made weekend plans with Regina and the kids, we've already had to re-schedule due to the boys being ill.''
''Then you're well versed in re-scheduling." He quipped without a smile. "Emma, the workload is such that we can't stop for the weekend. As you know, the client lives in New York and he's impossibly busy during the week. He has business this weekend in Boston and is able to spare some time to discuss details with us.''
''Come on Bobby. Can't somebody else cover it? Nate has just closed a case, and believe me he could use a little more motivation. He can take the meeting and fill me in when I come back?'' Emma implored.
''Emma, you know that Nate isn't familiar with this kind of case. I wanted to request your father, but he has an unavoidable business trip. I'm sorry Emma but my hands are tied.'' Gold stated.
''Okay. Fine. I'll do it.'' Emma relented at last, sighing heavily at the prospect of having to tell Regina.
''Good. I'll see you later.'' Gold said and left Emma seething at her office.
When Gold closed the door Emma groaned. So much for a relaxed weekend with her wife and the boys. She picked her phone up and scrolled through her contacts for Regina's number. After finding it she pressed the call button while putting the cell phone on her ear. A few rings later Regina answered with a sigh.
''Hey love.'' Regina said nonchalantly
''Hey babe. What are you doing?'' Emma asked, trying to delay the breaking of the bad news.
''I'm trying to feed Ezra. I made him his favorite but he won't eat it.'' Regina sighed again and then continued ''What about you?''
''Uhm I'm at the office, Gold dropped in a few minutes ago.'' Emma admitted.
''What did he want?'' Regina questioned.
Here comes the best part Emma thought while gulping a little.
''He told me that I had to work this weekend.'' Emma confessed wincing a little as she waited for Regina's reaction.
''Why?'' Was all that Regina said.
''Our new client is visiting and is the only chance we have to get a meeting with him. He has a pretty heavy schedule.'' Emma explained.
''Emma you promised'' Regina responded trying to hide her disappointment and anger.
''I know and I'm sorry Regina. You know how much I wanted us to go the cabin.'' Emma said.
''Do I Emma? What I see right now Emma is you missing again time with the boys.'' Regina hissed.
''You make it sound like I did it on purpose!'' Emma hissed back.
''Don't put words in my mouth Emma. All I'm saying is that someone else could take that meeting for you. You have a family for christ-sake!'' Regina shouted unable to hold back her anger anymore.
''I'm not the only one Regina! And no one else can do it! Please don't make me feel guilty for something that's not in my control.'' Emma pled not wanting to fight with Regina.
''I have to go, Ezra threw his food on the floor.''
''Regina-'' Emma tried but Regina had already hang up. Emma sighed in frustration and threw her phone at her desk, hitting a glass of water which spilled over all her papers.
''Shit! Shit!'' Emma cursed and tried to save as much of them as she could. At the same time the door knocked and Jane walked inside seeing a very stressed Emma.
''Bad time?'' She asked.
''You have no idea'' Emma groaned. ''That assh-'' she watched Jane raising an eyebrow and changed her mind about what she was about to say.
''Gold is making me work this weekend.'' Emma stated.
''Ιs working the weekend that bad a thing?''
''Yes!'' Emma yelled and Jane winced a little. "We're supposed to go away this weekend."
''I can help you with the case if you want.'' Jane offered in an attempt to calm the other blonde.
''I don't want your help.'' Emma growled.
"You know it wouldn't kill you to stop being a self-centered dick for a while.'' Jane remarked while turning on her heels and leaving Emma's office with a slam of the door.
''Ugh, asshole, asshole, asshole!'' Emma cursed herself while hitting her head with her hand.
Emma after having cooled off a little, was now outside of Jane's office. She took a deep breath before knocking the door. No-one answered and she knocked one more time. Again no response, so Emma opened the door. As she entered the office, she found the other blonde staring out her big window, her headphones plugged in her ears. She walked further into the room, closing the door behind her. She cleared her throat in an attempt to make her presence known without startling the other woman but it was futile. Not having any other choice she approached Jane and tapped her lightly on her shoulder .At that the other woman jumped and quickly pulled off her headphones while turning around to confront the intruder.
''God Emma you scared me!'' She exclaimed as she clutched her heart, trying to regain her composure.
''Sorry. I didn't mean to'' Emma mumbled.
''What do you want?'' Jane asked a little more harshly now she had calmed herself and remembered their earlier confrontation and Emma flinched.
''I wanted to apologise for my behavior earlier.'' Emma admitted.
''Oh is that so?'' Jane said as she sat casually in her chair. Emma fiddled with her hand a little before averting her eyes from them to Jane's face.
''Yeah. I'm really sorry. I can be a total ass when I'm angry. I shouldn't have snapped at you.'' Emma apologized.
''I figured so.'' Jane said while smiling at the other's woman attempt of apologising ''It's okay though'' She shrugged.
''Really?'' Emma asked in disbelief.
''Yeah really. I'd be pretty mad too if they made me work the weekend. Whether I had made plans or not.'' Jane shrugged and Emma smiled.
''So you forgive me?'' Emma asked hopefully.
''I'm not sure yet. Perhaps a late lunch at the diner would help?'' Jane suggested and Emma chuckled.
''Well in that case. Mi'lady'' Emma said while giving her hand to Jane in order to help her stand up. She guided towards the door which she opened for her and Jane laughed.
''Always the charmer'' she teased.
''It's in the Swan genes'' Emma grinned and both woman left the building for a much needed lunch.
After a long day at work the blonde finally returned at home. Despite her large lunch she was already drooling at the thought of a home-cooked meal and a nice relaxing bath. However when she entered the house these thoughts immediately vanished. The first thing that she noticed was the complete chaos that filled the house. The whole hall and living room was full of toys laying haphazardly on the floor. She walked further into the room only to find her wife clutching her temples and Ezra crying uncontrollably. Emma quickly abandoned her briefcase and coat to the nearest chair and sat next to her wife.
''What happened?'' She asked lightly while making soothing circles across her wife's back.
''A tantrum'' was all that Regina said.
''Why?''
''I honestly have no idea'' Regina said, a headache starting to make its way to the surface.
''He wanted lasagna, I made him lasagna and then he refused to eat lasagna and then he started crying. I tried to play some piano to sooth him but he kept hitting the wrong notes. Then the other two returned from school and Colin was nagging him and I put them both on time-out.''
''Why was he nagging him?''
''He was just doing it to work him up!'' Regina hissed ''And for two hours he's been crying like that.''
''Okay what about go having a nice bath and take a nap?'' Emma suggested.
''What about you?'' Regina questioned.
''I'll take the boys and we'll go to the arcade. And don't cook anything. I'll swing back to pick you up around 8? And we'll go for a dinner, all together as a family okay?''
''I don't know'' Regina whimpered exhausted.
Emma sighed. ''Hey, you need to relax. And don't worry I won't feed them anything sugary.'' Emma squeezed Regina's hand to reassure her that everything's going to be fine.
''Okay'' Regina relented and stood up to go to their room.
Emma approached the boy, who had stopped crying and sat beside him.
''Hey Bubbah, do you want to go to the arcade?'' Emma asked while smiling. At the mention of the arcade Ezra's face lit up and nodded enthusiastically. Emma chuckled and scooped Ezra up to help him get dressed.
An hour later Emma along with the boys were at the big mall, near their house. They opted for this place as it offered many things for both adults and kids. Their first stop was the arcade, as Emma had promised. The youngest Swans were playing their favorite games while Emma and Henry chose to compete at a game of air hockey and chatting at the same time about Henry's impeding trip to New York with the school's basketball team.
Their next station was the indoor playground for Emma and the youngest Swans. Henry had stopped earlier at a comic book store saying that he'd keep himself busy there since the playground wasn't a place for a teen. He also teased Emma saying that this wasn't a place for an adult either but she just shrugged it off as she ran off, fully intending to jump in with her sons!
To tell the truth Emma was like a big child. She'd always join the youngest sons with their games. From dressing up like a knight, serving to King Ezra's kingdom, to buying candies, Regina was always teasing her saying that she was raising four children. But when the boys got out of line Emma was quick to go from child to adult mode in a matter of seconds.
After another hour Emma decided that the boys had had enough .Changing a sweaty Ezra and Colin to clean clothes she scooped the younger boy up and cradled him against her chest while holding the other's boy hand. They stopped at the comic book store to collect Henry and now all the Swans were walking towards their favorite family restaurant. On their way to it however Emma bumped into a familiar blonde.
''Jane!'' Emma said surprised, leaving Colin's hand to greet the other blonde.
''Emma! What are you doing here?'' Jane asked in confusion. Before replying Emma checked the other woman's attire. She was wearing black skinny jeans, a cream sweater and white converse. Her hair was pulled up in a messy bun and she was carrying a couple of bags. She was always wondering how the other woman looked outside the office and her curiosity now was satisfied. Remembering that the other woman made a question she replied,
''I brought the kids for a little family time. What about you?''
Jane lifted her arms to answer Emma's question. Henry coughed to make his presence known and Emma face palmed herself.
''Right I didn't introduce you. This is Henry, my oldest son.'' Emma said while pointing to her older son on her right.
''Umhh h-hi'' the boy stuttered and Emma could tell that her son was captivated by the other woman. She was totally gonna tease him later.
''This is Colin'' she now pointed the younger boy on her left.
''Hi I'm Colin Swan-Mills nice to meet you.'' the boy took the other's woman hand and kissed it gently earning a laugh from both blondes.
''And lastly this one is my little Bubbah.'' Emma said and kissed the boy's cheek. "Ezra." The boy buried his head in his mother neck.
''He's a bit shy'' Emma admitted.
''It's okay.'' Jane smiled and approached the little boy.
''Hey Ezra I'm Jane. Your mother has told me a lot about you!'' Jane said sweetly. Emma could tell that despite having zero experience with other kids Jane was doing very well. The young boy turned to face the other woman and smiled shyly. Jane could sense that something was wrong. Emma noticed that Jane was about to ask about Ezra and she quickly spoke not wanting to talk about her son's problem
''Anyway we should get going. The boys are starving and I have to pick up my wife. It was nice seeing you outside work'' Emma said with a small smile.
''Me too Emma. And it was nice meeting you guys.'' She now shifted her attention to the Swan boys
''The pleasure was all mine'' Colin commented like a true gentleman he was and Emma mentally thanked Regina for teaching them some manners. Jane smiled at the boys and looked up at Emma one last time and said;
''I'll see you tomorrow. Goodbye Mrs. Swan.''
''Goodbye Mrs. Smith.'' and with that Jane left.
After her encounter with Jane, Emma and the boys headed to the restaurant. She left Henry to watch over the kids and she sprinted towards the car to go pick up Regina. When she arrived at the house. Regina was already waiting for her. At their way back to the restaurant there was a slightly uncomfortable silence until Emma decided to break it.
''How are you?'' she asked lightly.
''Much better.'' Regina admitted and then elaborated ''After you guys left, I took a nap, which I didn't know I needed so much. When I woke up I had a shower and I did some paperwork for the clinic. Thank you for taking the boys. I honestly would have gone crazy If you hadn't shown up."
''Hey it's okay. I'm glad you had a relaxed rest of the evening.'' Emma said and took Regina's hand in her hand. She lifted to her lips and kissed her wife's knuckles lightly, eyes remaining focused on the road.
''What about you? How was your evening with the boys?''
''It was really nice. They needed some time to play, get rid of all that energy. I think it did them good.'' Emma replied. They had arrived at the restaurant and Emma unbuckled her belt as Regina did the same. When they exited the car Emma was slightly ahead of Regina who quickly grabbed her arm to stop her. Emma looked at her quizzically and Regina explained.
''Sorry for snapping at you today but Ezra was giving me a really hard time.''
''Everything's fine don't worry.'' Emma reassured her.
''Sure?'' Regina asked warily.
''Yeah babe. I knew you had a difficult day. We'll go another time, to the cabin though.'' And pecked Regina's lips.
''Maybe alone?'' Regina asked suggestively and kissed Emma back, harder this time.
''Yeah, that would be good'' Emma replied during the kiss. They stood like that for a while kissing each other. When the need for oxygen became necessary the two women broke their kiss, lips swollen, but both with matching smiling faces.
Emma pecked Regina one last time and asked, ''Shall we go inside?'' The brunette nodded and both women walked towards the restaurant and her three sons.
