A/N: Hello my dears! I am trying my best to wrap this up. I am finding that, while I am omitting some, it really isn't that much. This was a pretty concise story as it was outlined originally without a lot of fluff or fat so I decided it would be just as easy to tell you the rest of the story as to give you the Reader's Digest condensed version. So I hope you like it.
Many of you have indicated that you are sad to here I will no longer be writing. The fact is, I will no longer be writing fanfiction, however I have every intention to keep writing. Since I have been able to string words together into sentences I have told stories. Even before I could write words, I made up tall tales to share with my brother. So there is little chance that I will stop writing all together.
I have been outlining a novel for several months. I have been researching and changing and developing the story for quite a while. In part, the story was inspired by Swen and fandom in general and the use of social media to make the world even smaller. I hope to begin work on the first draft of the manuscript soon. But I do intend to give resolution to my stories here first.
As always, thank you for reading and commenting. Thank you for your love and support and encouragement. You have been such a special part of my life the last couple of years. You will never know what it has meant to be able to write for you. I hope you will enjoy the remaining chapters of this story and accept it as my gift to you all for your kindness.
"Oh shit! Regina! What are we gonna do?" Emma scrambled to get off Regina's lap, her green eyes flashing wildly.
"Emma… just keep your mouth shut and let me handle this. Please." Regina seemed unnaturally calm as she stood and dusted off the seat of her pants.
Across from them, Graham dismounted Corduroy and led the animal slowly toward the women. His face was blank and gave nothing away about his thoughts or emotions at catching his boss' wife making out with a high school girl.
"Hello Graham. Is something wrong?" Regina spoke without even a hint of fear.
"I came to tell Miss Swan that her presence is requested at the main house. It appears Mary Margaret has grown impatient waiting for you to return and go into town." Graham patted Corduroy on the nose and tied him with the other horses.
Emma stood frozen to the spot. This was the moment when he busted them. Or demanded some money or sexual favors in a blackmail attempt. Right?
"I'm sure the princess will be pacing the floor until you arrive, darling. Perhaps you should head on and I'll see you at dinner tonight." Regina smiled at the blonde.
"What the hell? Regina—"
"Emma." Regina's voice was firm and just as calm as ever. "Take Stella and head back. I want to speak to Graham alone for a moment."
"Like hell I will. I'm not leaving you to—"
"It's alright, Emma." Graham smiled and snatched up a thin stalk of high grass. "You have no reason to fear me."
"Regina?" Emma's voice was confused and frightened and melted Regina were she stood.
The darker woman sighed and sat again on the ground beneath the tree. She patted the spot next to her and Emma sat again. Graham squatted next to them and tried for a moment to make a whistle between his thumbs with the grass before discarding it and pulling another blade free.
It was as if they were three friends enjoying a break from a strenuous horseback ride in the country. Nothing about the scene would give away the fact that this man had just caught them in a passionate embrace. Emma looked from one to the other in bewilderment.
"Emma, we have no reason to fear Graham… just as he said. Graham doesn't work for Leo. He works for me. And he won't tell—"
"I don't understand. How can you be so calm? This is—"
"This is nothing. Graham will not tell anyone." Regina looked at the man, willing him to confirm what she had said.
"Listen Emma, I know you don't understand but… I have no interest in hurting Regina. I would never reveal her secrets." The man finally sat on the ground and stretched his long legs out in front of him. "But I will say the two of you are foolish to be kissing so close to the house. If you are going to sneak around you are going to have to be more careful. I knew on Thanksgiving Day there was something more going on than Regina befriending Mare's school chum. Seriously, Regina. You're smarter than this."
Regina shrugged. "You're right. I will be more careful."
Emma looked at them like they were sprouting another head between them. "Are you fucking kidding me? What am I missing here?"
The two others exchanged a look and Regina smiled at her love, taking her hand in her own and squeezing lightly. "Darling, I'd like you to formally meet Graham Humboldt. He is one of my oldest friends. At this point he may be my only friend besides you."
"Well, I don't think that is true. I've seen you gossiping with Bunny Middleton. Surely she's your friend." Graham laughed and nudged Regina with the toe of his boot.
"Shut up." Regina grinned good naturedly and nudged him back with her own foot before turning her attention back to Emma. "You see, Emma, Graham and I were friends in school. Remember I told you I went to public school for the first time in my life in high school? Well, Graham was new that year too so we sort of helped each other survive. He introduced me to Daniel." Her voice softened at the name.
"Daniel?" Emma was trying to take it all in. "He was friends with Daniel?"
"Yes," Graham interjected. "He was my best friend. And after… after everything happened, I think Regina and I sort of stuck together out of love for him. So when she moved here and needed a hand in the stables, she called me and offered me a job."
"I needed help with the horses, but mostly I wanted a friendly face on the grounds. Leo certainly didn't care who I hired so I thought of Graham." Regina smiled at Emma again. "You see, there is nothing to worry about. He will not tell anyone."
Emma nodded. Maybe she was beginning to understand but jealousy rose up in her. "Was there... anything… you know… else between you besides friendship?"
Graham and Regina both laughed at that. Emma frowned. She didn't like being on the outside of an in joke. "What's so funny?"
"Oh my darling, sweet Emma. There is nothing between us and there never has been. You see—"
"My boyfriend might object to me sleeping with her." Graham smiled.
Like two saucers, Emma's green eyes opened wide. "Your… your boyfriend?"
"Yes, Emma. You may have heard, but men can fall in love with other men." He chuckled and crossed his ankles, leaning back on his elbows. "August and I have been together for a very long time. I am no threat to you. Not of revealing your relationship… nor to that relationship."
Emma was quiet a moment, letting all this new information settle over her. "Ok. Cool."
Regina shook her head and sighed. "Well, now that we have all that resolved, perhaps you shouldn't keep Mary Margaret waiting." Regina leaned over and gave Emma a peck on the lips. "I'll see you at dinner tonight."
~ (SQ) ~
"I swear, Mare. That was possibly the stupidest movie I have ever seen. And I'm embarrassed by how much fun I had watching it." Emma belly laughed thinking of the absurdity of it all.
"Well, the good ones were sold out because of the holiday rush but you are right. It was awful. Let's not tell anyone how much we liked it." The girl giggled along with her friend. Being away from the house seemed to bring out the version of Mary Margaret that Emma had come to consider her friend at Foxhaven. She was nothing like the spoiled brat who was deliberately cruel to her stepmother.
"So, what else have you got planned for today?" Emma dropped her empty cup and popcorn tub into the bin as they headed out into the golden sun of the late afternoon.
So far today they had an early lunch at a cute bistro, enjoyed manicures and pedicures in a small salon and seen a movie. There had been a few tense moments when, in the bistro over lunch, Mare had made a smart remark about Regina.
Unwilling to endure another moment of it, Emma had defended the woman, much to the brunette's chagrin. She wanted to know just exactly why Emma liked her so much. What was it they found to talk about on these long rides to the orchard? Emma fumbled her way through an explanation about feeling sorry for the woman since nobody seemed to like her. After a few minutes of arguing they had agreed to drop it and not discuss the woman anymore.
Emma was more than happy to leave that topic alone. She didn't want to mess up. Besides, they'd be going home in the morning and Emma knew this girl-time was important to Mare. She glanced around and noted an electronics shop across the way. Suddenly she had an idea.
"Hmmm, I thought we could browse in a few of the shops along Main Street. There isn't anything fancy but I do think you'd like the vintage clothing shop over there." Mare pointed to a storefront two doors up from the electronics store.
"Velvet Underground? Sounds awesome. Let's do it."
Emma had to admit she did like this little store. There was a lot more here than old clothes. Emma looked with a smile at the vintage posters of some old school bands she loved. She ran her fingers gingerly over porcelain figures and heirloom jewelry. Everything was something she felt a connection to in a way.
Of particular interest to her was a blood red silk scarf. It instantly made her think of the red of Regina's apples… of her lipstick and a particularly sexy lingerie set she'd worn in Boston. The ends were darker than the center and nearly faded into black. It looked and felt expensive. It was perfect for her love. She wanted to buy it for her. Maybe she'd come back sometime.
"Em? I think I over did it getting that huge soda at the movie. I'm gonna see if I can find a bathroom." Mary Margaret was doing the universal dance that said she had to go… now.
"Hey, nobody told you to order something called 'the gullywasher.'" Emma laughed as the sales girls shook her head no to Mare's questioning.
"They don't have a public bathroom. Dammit. I'll be right back."
And with that, she disappeared out the door. Emma took her chance then and dashed down the street to the little electronics shop. In more time than she would have liked, she had two prepaid cell phones purchased and activated. She trashed the packaging and slipped both phones into her inside coat pocket and hoped that she would beat Mare back to the vintage shop.
"There you are!" Mary Margaret appeared out of seemingly thin air. "I've been looking all over. You get bored?"
"Uh… yeah. I just wandered down here waiting for you." Emma tried to keep a steady voice and thanked god that Mare hadn't found her sooner.
"Well, let's head home. I'm tired and we want to get an early start tomorrow. I bet we are having something wonderful for dinner."
~ (SQ) ~
Dinner had been as wonderful as Mare had suggested but not for the reasons the pixie-haired girl thought. As a special treat before they returned to school, Regina herself had prepared their meal. She admitted she hadn't cooked in years but she just had the urge today.
Emma knew that it was all for her. She knew that the older woman had done everything she could to make their last night under the same roof special. And the food had been wonderful. Not only had she prepared a variety of empanadillas for a first course, the most amazing rice dish Emma had ever tasted (something called arroz con gandules) and a spicy beef stew, but she had also made a sinfully rich caramel flan for dessert.
"These are all recipes from my grandmother, Emma. I hope you liked everything." Regina smiled as the dessert was served.
"Whatever did we do to deserve this?" Mary Margaret said with a voice dripping with venom. The words alone seemed kind but the tone made it clear she was trying to be as cruel as possible. Perhaps she was jealous of the attention Regina was giving Emma?
"I merely thought it would be nice to have something different after so much traditional food for the holiday." Regina forced as much kindness into her voice as she could.
"I think it's great. So your grandma was… Spanish?" Emma tried to keep the conversation light but was fascinated by this new detail about the other woman.
"Puerto Rican, actually. Daddy's mother. But his father was good old red-blooded American. I do appreciate my heritage, though my grandmother passed away when I was quite young. Mother didn't acknowledge that part of daddy's family. I guess it didn't fit in with her country club vision." Regina spoke so freely to Emma then that the blonde wondered if she was even aware of the other eyes on them.
"Well, the next time you feel like appreciating your heritage, Regina, please let me know so I can make other plans." Leo, finally breaking into the conversation, stood and beckoned Mare to follow.
"Coming Emma?" The girl said with a furrowed brow. Remembering the argument from earlier, Emma decided it was best to go along though she much preferred to stay with Regina.
"Sure. Let's see what's on TV. I think there is a 'Twilight' marathon. That way we can bookend the day with horrible movies we are ashamed to admit we liked." Emma turned and winked at Regina as she followed Mare out. Quietly she whispered so no one would hear her before closing the door. "Dinner was wonderful. Thank you for sharing this with me."
The evening had been boring and the longer it went on the antsier Emma felt. This was the last time she would see Regina for an as yet undetermined amount of time and the very last thing she wanted to see was one more vampire movie. Soon enough, it was time for bed and, as she had every night, Emma waited for Regina to come in and see her.
Well past midnight, Emma had given up and started to fall asleep. She still needed to give Regina the cell phone she had picked up. They still needed to decide some things. But it clearly wasn't going to happen tonight.
Unless…
Emma smacked herself in the forehead. What the hell was she doing, lying in bed, waiting on Regina to sneak in? Maybe she needed to sneak into the woman's bedroom for a change.
The blonde padded quietly down the hall. She wasn't one hundred percent sure which room was Regina's but she figured if she chose the wrong door she could just feign ignorance, a guest in a strange place who got confused headed to the bathroom. Yes. That would be her story if she chose wrong.
She chose right. Opening the door she hoped was the right one, Emma came face to face with Regina. The woman gasped in surprise and pulled the girl into the room with her.
"What are you doing? I was coming to your room." Regina whispered in the dark.
"I was coming to your room. I got tired of waiting for you." Emma grinned and pulled Regina into her arms. "I don't know when I'll see you again so I wanted to at least give you a proper goodbye."
And without another word, Emma kissed her deeply. If the kiss Graham had witnessed had been passionate and searing with desire, this one was desperate and hungry. Neither woman wanted to think about being apart. So they kissed each other like this was the last time.
Finally breaking for air, Regina smirked at the blonde. "Well, if that is how you say goodbye, I may have to come and go more often."
Emma covered her mouth with her hand to stifle a laugh. Waggling her eyebrows, she replied. "I am certainly in favor of you coming more often."
"You cad." Regina swatted Emma lightly on the arm. "I have been thinking all night how we can still talk once you get back. I think I need to buy us some of those… burner phones? I think they call them that. You know the ones—"
Regina was silenced when Emma pulled the phones she had purchased earlier that day from her pocket. "Way ahead of you. Now no one but us knows who we are talking to. I already programmed the numbers in each phone."
The smile that spread across Regina's face as she took her phone seemed to light up the room. "My, what a clever girl I have."
"Yep." Emma rocked on her heels and puffed out her chest in pride.
For most of the night the two women laid in each other's arms, whispering quietly and often not talking at all. They just held each other and enjoyed the comfort of arms and legs and tender kisses. Before long, morning arrived and Emma knew she had to slip back to her room before Mary Margaret awoke.
Regina had already decided that she wouldn't be seeing them off. That would only arouse suspicion since she never said goodbye to Mare on the end of her visits. So the two said their goodbye's in the dim light of morning in Regina's room.
"Text me as soon as you get home so I know you are safe." Regina smoothed her hands up and down Emma's bare arms.
"I will." And with that Emma was gone.
Monday
Now, sitting in the library at school, thinking about it all, Emma couldn't help the aching smile that spread across her face. She'd gone to Mare's home broken hearted and on the verge of collapse. Suddenly, she had a new lease on life. Everything would be ok.
Emma was stirred from her memories by a buzzing in her satchel.
Xena: Hello darling. How is the studying coming along?
Gabby: Ok. I can't think about an anatomy exam though when everything reminds me of you.
Xena: Everything? I think you are exaggerating.
Gabby: Nope. Not even a little. Anatomy. Study of the body. You have a body. I like your body. You. I'm in the library. You have to whisper in libraries. You sound hot when you whisper. You. The sun is shining. You are my sunshine. You. Do you see what I'm getting at?
Xena: I think so. You miss me. Is that it?
Gabby: Yaaasss! Exactly. I miss you so much and it's only been a day.
Xena: Well, maybe we can see each other soon. I miss you too.
Another message came right away.
Xena: Explain to me again why you saved us as Xena and Gabby?
Gabby: So if anyone found these phones they wouldn't know who was talking. And also because they were like the most epic not together lesbians maybe ever. And it's funny.
Xena: I see. Well, at least I get to be the one in charge. ;)
Gabby: Oh… you like being in charge do you. Tell me more.
Xena: No. You get to work and ace that test. We'll talk again soon. I promise.
Emma closed her phone with a smile.
What a difference a few days could make… indeed.
~ (SQ) ~
For the entire month of December, Emma and Regina spent every minute they could talking by text. Sometimes they were even lucky enough to have sufficient privacy to talk. Emma didn't mind this limited form of communication. All she cared about was that, as time went on, she was falling more and more in love with Regina.
Neither of them had actually said the "L" word yet. Once, Regina had almost let it slip but she had recovered by tacking on some additional words.
"I wish we were together right now." Emma whispered into the phone. She was outside in the cold night air so no one would hear her but still she felt the need to whisper.
"I know, darling. I wish we were too." Regina whispered in return. "I love y—your beautiful smile so much. I'd um… I'd give anything to see it."
Emma felt warmth spread across her face. Regina had almost said it.
Suddenly feeling the need to make her own money, Emma took a part time job working as an assistant to the librarian. She mostly dusted and put returned books back on the shelves, but she enjoyed the quiet time and the freedom to chat with Regina without feeling Mare was watching over her shoulder every second.
Truthfully, the job was good because it got her away from Mare, period. No matter how rude and entitled Mare had acted on the Thanksgiving trip, the fact was she had been Emma's only real friend at school… her only real friend anywhere in a long time. She shouldn't—she knew she shouldn't—but a part of the blonde felt guilty sneaking around with Regina behind Mare's back. So the less time she had to be with the younger brunette in the small dorm room, the better.
With a two week break coming up for Christmas, Regina and Emma had already been making plans. Emma had dropped hints to Mare and had secured an invitation back to the Blanchard's home for the holiday. Even if they'd have to pretend to be virtual strangers and keep their conversation polite and distant, just being together under one roof had made both of them giddy with excitement.
Until three days before break was to begin.
Xena: Can you talk now?
Gabby: Give me five minutes. Want me to call or you?
Xena: I'll call you.
Five minutes later, hunkered down in a covered breezeway between the library and the administrative building, Emma's phone had buzzed in her hand.
"Hello beautiful. I wasn't expecting to talk to you today." Emma's smile could be heard through the phone.
"I know. But…" Regina hesitated. "There's something I need to tell you. Everything is screwed up."
Emma furrowed her brow. She could hear the frustration in Regina's voice. "Hey. It's ok. Whatever it is. What's going on?"
The brunette sighed and was quiet a moment. "What's going on is, my mother."
"What did she do now?" Emma had heard enough about the woman to know she didn't like her.
"It seems the Spencer's invited her to join them on their annual cruise of the Mediterranean. She didn't think it would be appropriate to go alone so she included me as her guest. Leo thinks it is wonderful. I've tried for the last three days to get out of it but… darling, I'm afraid I can't fight them both. I have no reason not to go. At least, none that I can tell them. I'm so upset. I want to see you… to be with you for the holidays." Regina's voice was shaking and Emma knew she was on the verge of tears.
"Hey now. Calm down. Maybe we can still see each other for a few minutes. When are you leaving?" Emma's mind was racing. She had to fix this.
"We fly to Monte Carlo in the morning. I'm so mad… and frustrated… and I could kill Leo. Kill him. He jumped on the bandwagon so quickly I imagine your Christmas dinner will be spent with his trollop at the dinner table. Mother I could handle, but the both of them together…" Her voice faded off. "I'm sorry, Emma. I've ruined everything."
"No. You haven't. This is just a bump in the road, babe. And it won't be like this forever. I'll be out of school before you know it. The important thing is, we can still talk and text. And then there's that weekend in January…" Now Emma was the one who let her voice fade off.
"Yes, there is that. And I can hardly wait." Regina was smiling now. They'd already made plans for the last week in January to meet in Boston. Leo was going to be in Chicago for a conference or something, Regina didn't know or care, and she had already made reservations at the Marquis.
They talked for a while longer and finally Regina was calm enough to say their goodbyes. But before she hung up, Regina had one more thing to tell Emma.
"Darling?"
"Yeah?"
"When you arrive, be sure to check the back of your closet. There may be something there that interests you." The brunette's voice was flirtatious and made Emma's heart race.
"Oh yeah? Well, I will be sure to have a look. See you soon."
"Soon. I promise." Regina ended the call.
Emma stood for a few more minutes, the cold air burning in her lungs, making her feel alive. She was not happy one bit about spending two weeks at the Blanchard's without the object of her affection to distract her. What was she going to do for two weeks with people she barely liked?
~ (SQ) ~
"Oh, Em. That stinks. I'm sorry. But I understand." Mary Margaret frowned across the room at her friend. "But you can still go up for Christmas right?"
"Yes. I talked to Ruby and she said I could use her car. So, I'll drive up on Christmas Eve and spend the night and Christmas Day with you. I can stay until Monday and then I am expected back. Miss French said she's sorry but while everyone is away we can finish the crossover to the new barcode system." In truth, Emma had merely told the librarian that she had been invited to Mare's for the holiday but just didn't feel up to it. The young woman had been happy to help her find a way out.
"Well, I guess we will have to make the most of the long weekend then." Mare smiled at her friend. "So… will you be seeing anyone else over break?"
Green eyes looked up in confusion. "Anyone else? I guess if anyone is on campus—"
"Not on campus, silly. You know who I mean." Mare gave a knowing look as she zipped up her suitcase. She was planning to go see David and his mother for a few hours before driving home tonight. Emma would drive up the next day.
"No, actually… I don't. What are you talking about?" Emma came and sat on Mare's suitcase so it would zip.
"Oh, Emma. Come on! I've seen you texting and sneaking out to talk to someone. Is it her? The girl you met in Boston?" The brunette's green eyes twinkled with curiosity.
"What!?" Emma had thought she was being careful.
Mare put her hands on her hips and arched a brow. "Emma. Seriously?" When Emma still said nothing, she threw up her hands in surrender. "Ok. Ok. If you want to pretend like you haven't been a whole new person these last few weeks and sneaking around talking to someone, that's fine. I'm only your best friend. But whatever."
Best friend.
The words rattled around in Emma's brain. Mary Margaret considered them best friends. Her stomach fell to her feet. This imperfect girl thought they were best friends and yet she was making plans to avoid her… to be with her step-mother.
Emma sighed. "Ok. Yeah. I have been talking to someone. You got me. And it is the woman I met in Boston. But… that's all I'm saying so don't push me, ok? And no, I won't be seeing her over break."
The pixie-haired girl squealed and grabbed Emma by both hands, sitting on the bed beside her. "Spill it. How'd you find her? What happened? I need details."
Emma laughed at the other girl's glee. "Did I not literally just say not to ask me questions? All that matters is, we worked everything out and we are… staying in touch, ok? Just let it go, Mare. If there is ever anything to tell, I promise I will tell you."
"Well, you are no fun, Emma Swan." Mare gave a very childish pout and stood, pulling her suitcase off the bed. "I better go or I'm going to be late. See you tomorrow."
~ (SQ) ~
Finally.
It had been a long day. Once Emma had driven the long drive to Mary Margaret's home, she had by-passed the turn to the home itself and gone into town. She wanted to pick up a couple gifts before headed to the estate.
She had only one stop in mind. The Velvet Underground.
She'd picked up a simple letter opener for Mr. Blanchard. She didn't care to give him a gift, but it would be rude not to. Then she chose for Mare an ornate porcelain dove. The girl seemed to have an obsession with all things winged and Emma knew she would love it even if it was just a tchotchke and nothing extravagant.
Finally, Emma ran her finger along the silk scarf she had seen all those weeks ago and wanted for Regina. It seemed a small gift for someone like the brunette, but admittedly, it was the most expensive thing she'd ever bought with her own money before. And she knew Regina would adore any gift from her.
Once everything was wrapped, Emma had driven back to the Blanchard's home. She was just in time for dinner. When the meal was over, they had slipped into the media room and watched "It's a Wonderful Life" with egg nog and pie. Just as Regina had predicted, Audrey had been the unexpected guest.
They would open gifts tomorrow morning after breakfast. Emma had placed them all under the tree, even Regina's. She knew it would be odd if she brought a gift for Mare and her father and nothing for Regina. And since the scarf wasn't an intimate gift, she felt safe leaving it for her. She'd get it when she returned.
Finally, alone in her room, Emma had said good night to Mare and crawled into bed. She was itching to get into the closet and see what Regina had left for her, but she wanted to be sure there was no chance she'd be interrupted. So she waited.
When the clock sounded midnight and Mare hadn't come into her room since they'd said goodnight at the top of the stairs, Emma felt it was safe to move. She slipped from the warm covers and made her way to the closet.
At first, nothing seemed to be what she was looking for. Then, there on the shelf and pushed to the back behind some extra blankets, she saw it. A small box, wrapped in shiny red paper with a large gold bow. A small tag hung from the ribbon, her name in Regina's elegant script.
To Emma…
Sitting down in the closet with the door closed, Emma quietly opened the package. She was careful not to tear the paper or crush the bow. It probably spoke to some deeper issue that Emma should talk to a therapist about, but she wanted to save everything about this gift. It was the first thing Regina had ever given her—well, the first tangible thing—and she intended to keep the paper, the tape, the ribbon, the box… all of it.
The box slipped free of the paper and Emma took time to fold it neatly along the creased Regina had made with wrapping. She was in no rush. She wanted to savor this. The hinged lid of the small black velvet box squeaked as she opened it. Emma could only smile.
Inside was a gold necklace with a charm in the shape of an old fashioned skeleton key. At the center on the ornate head of the key was a small opal, full of fire. Emma ran her finger over the charm and felt tears pricking her eyes. The opal was her birthstone and this was the first she'd ever owned.
She immediately pulled the necklace free of the box and put it on. She liked the weight of it against her chest. It was beautiful and classic and exactly the sort of thing Regina would buy. It was perfect.
Something white sticking out from under the soft edge of the box caught Emma's attention. It was a note hidden under the lining of the box.
My darling, I am sorry I couldn't be with you for our first Christmas together. If there had been any other way, you know I would be there. I hope you like your gift. I thought of you the moment I saw it. For indeed you have the key to my heart and have unlocked in me feelings I thought long dead. Feelings of wonder… of hope… and of love. I cannot wait to see you again. Soon. I promise. Regina.
Emma's tears no longer pricked at her eyes. Now they cascaded down her face. She'd never felt more wanted, more loved.
Just a few more weeks and I'm going to tell her… in person… how much I love her.
