with no ado...enjoy!

Chapter 8

Regina was the fist to wake regardless of the hectic travel and time zone switching they did yesterday. She prepared for the day like any other morning but was unsure what to do after that. Emma remained snoring away on the floor and Regina did not have the heart to wake her; or to admit that she needed Emma to direct her into what she can do in the house. She figured that finding a cup of coffee would not be too much of a hassle so she made her way downstairs.

The house was calm and warm when she ventured towards the kitchen. She will never admit that a lone figure sitting at the island startled made her jump a little.

"Good morning."

Regina subtly moved the hand from her heart where it had gone instinctively. "Good morning…Granny." She smiled politely even when Granny gave an amused chuckle.

"Still going to take some time to get use to it, huh?" She hoisted herself up and moved to the sink with her mug. "Don't worry, you'll get with the program soon enough." She talked easily as she rinsed out her dish under the faucet.

"Yes." Regina replied hesitantly, unsure of what to say or add to the old woman's words. Her answer caused Granny to turn and eye her from across the kitchen. It unsettled Regina for a bit when the she said nothing else.

"So, what's your story Regina Mills?"

Regina tried to process the question quickly but then got hung up on how to answer it. Hadn't Emma already regaled her family with stories of the Evil Queen and torturous, long hours spent under Regina's thumb? One of things Regina learned from her mother was when you don't know how to answer a question, answer the one you wanted to hear.

"Well, as you may already know, I am Editor in Chief at-"

"No. I don't mean the Google answer. I mean, who are you?" Granny interrupted with a stern look that actually came across as curious. Regina sputtered with how to answer. Has anyone ever asked me such a frivolous question? It's too early for this.

"That is a formidable question to ask before my first cup of coffee." Regina said almost as sternly but with just enough lightness to pass as a joke. It was too early to really try and be subtle. Granny sure was not.

"That may be true, however, I'd just like to know who is gonna be entering the family. Who is it that finally captured our Emma's heart to make her want to settle?"

Regina was truly stumped, especially when worded like that, to say who Granny wanted her to be. What is Emma's type? Was she set against marriage in general? Who was Emma exactly? All questions she could not answer so, another lesson learned from her mother, she asked her own question.

"Who says she is settling?" Her tone was a little defensive and she stood a little taller out of habit. The act did not seem to garner the usual intimidated response from the gray haired woman. She seemed contemplative then dismissive.

"It's okay, you think about your answer." Rhythmic thumping could be heard faintly from upstairs. "I got all week." Granny muttered as the sounds grew closer until a groggy Emma with bed-head entered the room. Regina was surprised by the sight of her assistant's appearance.

Emma shuffled towards Granny and, as if on autopilot, gently bumped her face against gray hair in what Regina assumed was a show of affection and greeting. Granny smiled warmly at the blonde when a mumbled, 'mornin' pushed passed a yawning mouth. "Good morning, Ducky, sleep well?" Her answer was a silent nod before Emma moved about the cupboards. "The lovebirds should be back in any minute for breakfast." Another silent nod. Emma shuffled to an island stool, wrapped her hands around the cup, and dropped her face so low to the cup Regina thought she was going to dunk her face in the hot liquid.

Granny moved to stand near Emma and gently scratched her head in a relaxing gesture. Low hums of pleasure emanated from behind fallen locks of blonde hair. Regina found the scene quite personal and was unsure what to do at that point. "I'm off for my walk. The Moon is in Taurus so look at the simple things in life and the Sun in Scorpio makes us look at the complex and mysterious." Granny spoke gently, gave a final gentle pat to the back of Emma's head, then exited with, "Enjoy."

Regina was trying to wrap her mind around whatever Granny just said as Emma took her first tentative sips of coffee. Regina slowly moved to sit on the other side of the island across from Emma. She watched as waves of blonde hair framed and obstructed the woman's pale, sleepy face. This is the woman I trusted with my morning schedule? She mused thoughtfully until green eyes opened to lock on hers.

"Hey." That was certainly the most coherent word spoken by Emma so far.

"Good morning, Ms. Swan." Regina replied politely while trying to ignore the delicious smell of coffee that was just outside her reach.

Emma blew on her coffee. "You know you can call me Emma." A more confident sip.

"I know I can, Ms. Swan." Regina responded, she tried to go for stern but it failed since Regina's focus was on her jealous gazing of the dark brew. Emma seemed to catch on when Regina's biting tone felt more like a nuzzle.

"Oh, sorry. Let me get you coffee. How long were you up before me?" Emma turned with a little more energy towards the coffee pot.

"Not long." Regina answered mindlessly, completely grateful to be getting a caffeine boost finally. "Your grandmother kept me company. It was…interesting."

Emma chuckled while pouring. "That's Granny." She turned slowly towards Regina, careful with the cup's contents. "It's not an apple cinnamon spice latte but it'll give you the kick in the pants you need." Emma remarked as she deposited the drink before Regina's quick hands.

"As long as it makes it to me without any mishaps." Regina eyed the blonde with a small smirk before turning her attention to her coffee. Emma watches on somewhat entranced by Regina's teasing behavior.

The blonde slowly moves to her previous seat never breaking her gaze upon her boss. Did last night change her? Do we tease each other now? I made her laugh, like, a bunch. Damn, that laugh. Emma's brow creased in thought. She was much too drowsy when she woke to think on last's night conversation but now she was uncertain where that put them. Regina's content sigh roused her from her thoughts.

"Well, that certainly does hit the spot." A small smile stretched her lips as she looked at the blonde. "Something the matter?" Regina asked when Emma continued to look at her somewhat confused. Emma shook her head lightly.

"No, sorry, I'm just thinking about-" Emma focused back on her cup, wrapping it comfortingly between her palms. "About last night."

Regina straightened her posture when their previous conversation returned to the forefront of her mind. It was…pleasant. It was good to talk with someone so carefree. More than Regina realized it, she missed simple conversations and un-contained laughter. Her previous dates felt like somewhat personal interviews that revolved more around tales of work and accomplishments. Talking with Emma made her remember so much more than how her life drastically changed when she was sixteen. It was all too much to admit to the morning after though.

"Yes, well, I believe it is safe to say that conversations we may have in our shared bedroom shall remain there." Regina said with as much finality she could muster.

Emma looked at her surprised. "Conversations? You mean future ones too?" Regina internally cringed. She did imply that in a roundabout way. Damn, Emma for catching onto that so quickly.

"It does help when one is feeling restless and I am not going to be a very gracious guest if I am sleep deprived. So, yes, Ms. Swan I may require some stimulus to help with sleep." She drank her coffee as regally as possible while asking for a simple conversation to get her to fall asleep at night. In the general scheme of things, it was the most ridiculous request Regina may have ever made.

Emma smirked at her, seeing through the act. "Yes, Your Majesty."

Regina directed a very real glare towards the blonde at that. The moniker only reminded her of how their coworkers saw her and how Emma's family probably saw her. It was a constant reminder yesterday as it seemed Emma talked of Regina's tyrannical rule over in The Big Apple to her entire family. How she was allowed to step foot inside the house she would never know. It raised her ire just thinking about the stories Emma probably told her family over the phone after Regina denied another request for time off.

"Ms. Swan, if you ever call me that again I will toss you over the side of that ancient flotation device on steroids that got us to this hunk of land."

The suddenly cold tone worked like another jolt of caffeine through Emma's system as she sat bolt upright. "Regina-"

"Did you think I wouldn't bring up the fact that you have bad mouthed me to your entire family? How do you think I should amend that while posing as your fiancé?"

"I didn't-"

"How much of my wicked actions have you divulged for sympathy?"

"Hey, I-"

"You think this makes it any easier to play your fiancé when you act so thoughtlessly?"

"Regina!" Emma stood suddenly to stop Regina constantly interrupting her. "Would you listen to me for a second?!"

"Why should I? At least tell me the evil image you painted so I can model to match!" Regina spitted, half sarcastic, half defensive, all bite. Emma rounded the island quickly. It would not be a good idea for her parents to hear Regina yelling such things.

"Stop!" Emma held Regina's shoulders strongly as if it would physically stop her mouth to continue. "I didn't bad mouth you! Yes, I complained but that's it! I didn't- I just-" Emma sighed heavily. She was guilty of calling her boss names when taking a break with her coworkers but it was usually after a very frustrating day with said boss. In a rational head space Emma knew what she told her mother held more truth than anything said around a water cooler.

Before she could tell Regina that a door opening distracted them. They turned to see the back entrance door standing open as Emma's parents piled in. The clear glass kitchen door that separated them with the mud room muffled their stomping. She could see them help each other remove the multiple layers they were covered in. They did not have time to get pass this before they were interrupted.

"Regina, I'm sorry." Emma held the passive look of her boss. The look she hated to see there because she knew that meant Regina wasn't really listening. "Whatever you think I said in a cramped break room among a bunch of stuffy, agitated coworkers isn't what I would honestly tell my loved ones about you."

Regina scoffed lightly while focusing her eyes on a space just to the right of Emma's face. "So I should only worry about your slander with my colleagues and coworkers."

"Well, slander means it would have to be false." Emma tried to say lightly but the look she received told her it was completely the wrong time to try humor. "Sorry." Emma muttered, then turned when a tapping got her attention. Emma looked to see her mother waving at them from the other side of the glass. She was down to a cream sweater and a gray beanie while her father kicked off his snow boots. Emma returned her focus to Regina and smiled weakly. "Now, melt the icy look, boss, you are suppose to be infatuated with me."

Regina held her cold look but smiled, which turned out more devious than loving. "With charm like that how could I not be?" To say she spoke with sarcasm would be completely useless since she laid it on thick. Emma rolled her eyes and returned her hands to her boss' rigid shoulders.

"Ooh, some one woke up on the wrong side of the bed." She squeezed her shoulders lightly. "And if your face didn't say it, your shoulders would. Loosen up, Regina."

"Ms. Swan." Regina warned simply.

Emma shushed her as the glass kitchen door opened finally to reveal Mary and David dressed in plain comfortable clothes. One layer.

"Good morning, girls." Mary greets easily as she gives Emma a quick hug from the side. She gives Regina a flash of a smile that Emma can tell may have caused some internal pain. David gives her a quick kiss to the top of her head and gives Regina a much warmer smile.

"How did you sleep, Regina?"

"Well, thank you, Mr. Swan." David gives her a look as he steps around the island towards Mary who is digging through the fridge. "David." Regina corrects.

He smiles at her with a content nod. "Have you gotten into the food yet, Em?"

Emma whimpers a little at the thought of food. "Not yet, dad. Me and Regina were just talking over coffee." She gives Regina's still tense shoulder a squeeze. The brunette turns away from Emma in her seat, trying to create a little distance between them. Emma knows what she is doing but doesn't let Regina get away. Emma steps behind Regina, brings her hands to her shoulders and rubs gently. "I think the day of travel is catching up with you, Gina, you're a little tense." Emma says gently.

Regina tenses at the nickname but is unable to shy away from the blonde's touch because David decided to watch them with a somewhat proud smile on his face. "Maybe a relaxing day is just what you need before the craziness of the dinner tomorrow." He suggests before placing a loving hand on the small of Mary's back. She is at the stove getting bacon and eggs going.

Regina focuses on the pair move about easily in the kitchen. She can see how they could do the exact same thing everyday for years now. They smile at each other every lovingly and move around each other like a domesticated dance. "That does sound lovely but I do have some things to wrap up for work. It won't take long." She remembers Emma's presence when her hands begin to massage her shoulders.

"Come on, you don't have to do work. It's the holiday." Nimble fingers work a little more aggressively on the knots around Regina's shoulders and the brunette can't help the strange tingle she feels at the pressure.

"I must. I don't trust…trust…what's his name with the clients." Regina muttered and moved her head to the side ever so slightly. The pressure on her shoulders that began to move to her neck was delightful. She hadn't been to a masseuse in ages and was definitely feeling the effects now. Her focus and train of thought began to turn hazy and all she felt was the firm pressure and the tingles racing up and down her spine.

"Regina, you need to recharge. That's what Mary is always telling me." David says and turns to his wife with a beaming smile. "Put your feet up, David. Take a break, David. Don't eat those donuts so late, David." He mimics his wife's words, very poorly.

Emma grins at her parents banter while Mary gives David a playfully admonishing look. "You shouldn't eat donuts so late, honey. It always makes you feel terrible in the morning." David leans over to kiss Mary's crown before getting started on making toast.

Emma continues her work, Regina has deep knots in her neck area, then she decides to push her boss just a little. It is what they do. Emma brings her chin close to Regina's shoulder to whisper into her ear. "Trust me on this, Regina. It won't feel terrible. Relax."

A big wave of a shiver crawls through Regina at the blonde's words caressing against her hair. She tries to hold it in but the sensations are all too much to her physically starved system. She takes in a deep breath and that is all Emma needs to know that she is having a wonderful effect on her boss. Regina groans out a low and pathetic "Don't tell me what to do." Emma grins happily at the reaction and is giddy on the inside so she continues her work.

Emma doesn't mind it at all. She gets to feel smooth, soft skin and hear the very low moans of pleasure Regina doesn't think she's letting out. Emma hears them and it is taking her mind to places it shouldn't. As the minutes pass by, the two woman are sucked into their own world as Emma's parents get breakfast ready. The scene is heavily domestic but Emma can't help but smile as she watches her parents. She has missed her childhood home and welcomes the nostalgia she gets from a happier time in her life. She thought having Regina there would keep her from soaking up all the good feelings but that doesn't seem to be the case. Not right now at least. She knows that they will have to deal with her mother's behavior and attitude with Regina but she would rather let it happen naturally.

"Alright, food is ready." Mary chirps while turning the stove heat off. Emma moves away from Regina reluctantly to help get dishes. Regina snaps out of her trance quickly but also a little hesitantly. Emma twitches her hand subtly from the odd feeling of touching her boss so intimately.

Regina rolls her shoulders, feeling immensely better, but also confused about her reaction to Emma's ministrations. She should have pulled away, reprimanded the blonde, or done anything else except enjoy that massage. However, as she sat stock still, Regina tried to think about why she did enjoy it and how she could get her assistant to do it again.

They ate in relatively cheery conversation despite the talk Emma had with Mary last night. Emma kept an eye on her mother to see if she would behave negatively or was about to say something to Regina she wouldn't like. Mary was pleasant but reserved when talking to Regina and that was the best Emma had ever seen her behave. Mary was not the type to keep quiet about how she really felt so Emma concluded that her parents had talked last night. Emma could count on her dad to talk a little sense or restraint into her mother.

They all clean up the kitchen of their meal after they all finish eating. David nudges Regina affectionately with his shoulder as she loads that last plate in the dishwasher that Emma hands her. "You can use my office if you like Regina."

Emma immediately tosses the dishtowel onto the counter. "Dad, she's on vacation! We just talked about this."

He chuckles at her lightly. "I know, I know and believe me I agree but sometimes work has to be done." He looks over at Regina who sparks a little of that fired energy she gets when she is ready to get stuff done. "Mind you I don't mean you should be stuck there all day. My wife knows what she's talking about and it is the holiday. I will give you an hour or two then if Emma doesn't, I will personally pull you out of there."

He says it cheekily which Regina reacts with a happy little smirk. "That will not be necessary. I am quite efficient and can do wonders with just an hour." Regina kind of does mean to brag.

David smiles warmly and her tone. "I believe that. Let me show you where all the magic happens." He walks her out of the kitchen and towards the front door. Regina's earlier thoughts about the door in front of the stairs being a study are correct.

David opens the thick brown door wider for Regina to pass through. "This is my office slash study. The actual office is on the mainland but I don't like to be there so much."

Regina takes a look around. The front wall is all glass with a wonderful view of the front yard and the ocean. The surrounding walls are covered in full bookshelves, a filing cabinet, and a few pictures and certificates. The large desk is a matching brown as the décor and is partially cluttered with documents and files. There is a stuffed armchair in the corner next to a lamp but no other furniture. It is packed with personality but simple in design and Regina thinks of her almost bare office in New York.

David motions to his chair. "Go ahead and make yourself comfortable." He glances at his desk and lightly blushes. "Oh, sorry, I forgot about all this. Let me…just get this out of your way." He pushes papers together and slides files into the desk drawers clumsily. The actions remind Regina of Emma and could of sworn she had seen her assistant do the same thing one busy late night. She can't remember though because she never had paid much attention. She kind of regrets that now.

She smiles at David's slightly flustered appearance. "It is not a problem. I have had a cluttered desk a time or two. It is a sight that is not unfamiliar with me." She tries to set him at ease which seems to work as his shoulders drop a little.

"Still." He shrugs almost childishly. That she has seen her assistant do and it almost makes her smile at the family resemblance. Though why she would confuses her. David clears his throat. "Anywho, have at it. The phone and internet work great in here. The best place in the house. Maybe on the whole island, though, I'm sure Emma has found a spot somewhere."

Regina thanks him as he steps out, leaving the door slightly open to give her some privacy, and she turns to eye the room again. It feels a little weird to work in her assistant's father's home office. It feels way too personal but she does need to check in with New York on a few things. Dealing with Emma's family is a new kind of stress but work is not. She would rather be doing a full 48 hours of it than handle the minefield of this marital sham so she happily sits and gets to work.


After Emma dodges Mary's "we should have a talk" look and goes to take a long shower, she instantly moves to her dad's study in search of Regina. She posts herself against the doorjamb quietly and waits for Regina to notice her presence. She already knows she won't because Regina is in work mode even when in someone else's office. The brunette has retrieved her reading glasses from upstairs and they are hanging dangerously close to the tip of her nose. Emma wants to say something clever but the sight of her boss looking so cute has her speechless. So instead Emma clears her throat, snapping Regina out of her quiet bubble.

She looks up quickly and upon seeing Emma returns the stack of papers she holds into her travel briefcase. Emma meanders inside towards the opposing armchair. "Get enough work done, boss?"

"Quite. I'm just waiting on a reply email." Regina nods towards David's desktop, humming away diligently. Emma nods her head approvingly as she lounges in the chair.

"Good, 'cause this is the only time you're spending working on our vacation." Emma says so casually, Regina almost ignores the comment. However, when the blonde's words register she just looks at her disbelievingly.

"Excuse me?"

"You heard me. This is a vacation, Regina."

"Your vacation. I planned-"

"I know what you planned but this is what's happening. We're away from New York. The office. Can you just pretend that you can survive without them?" Regina is becoming upset with the cavalier way in which Emma is speaking with her and cutting her off too.

"What is that suppose to mean?" Emma wants to roll her eyes but she would rather keep them locked on brown ones to convey her seriousness.

"It means, what do you do on your days off? What do you do when I'm not around? When you're not on the clock or worrying about work from a different State."

"I do plenty, Ms. Swan." Regina says with a dangerous edge.

"Like?" Regina remains quiet trying to think of the right way to disarm the blonde with her sharp words. Emma takes the pause as a non answer. "Come on, Regina. We got to get through this…thing…and know a lot about each other." Emma eyes the door quickly but still whispers the end of her sentence.

Regina is quiet a little longer but Emma gives her the time. If their conversation last night is anything to go by she'd say Regina was a little rusty on having a real conversation with someone. Regina grits her teeth minutely. The whole time her brain is thrumming trying to come up with a good answer that will put the blonde in her place. She reads, even in her spare time, but that sounds like what she does at work too. She doesn't really watch much TV or play an instrument. She likes to do puzzles but at this point that isn't a very satisfactory answer. She huffs and focuses on the computer screen.

"This is absurd. We don't need to be going over this now. Your parents could overhear."

Emma half expects an answer like that so she doesn't bat an eye at her boss. She knows the real reason Regina is trying to end the conversation. "Ok, how bout this, I give you two choices and you pick the more favorable one for yourself. Easy." Emma stands up to look over books on a shelf mindlessly.

"Ms. Swan." Regina sighs, she already sounds tired of the game. Emma pretends she doesn't hear her.

She keeps her tone light and aloof like she doesn't care if Regina answers or not. "Would you rather stay in or go out?" Simple start.

Regina rolls her eyes. "I'm not participating in this but if I was those are not very specific choices. How does staying in or going out specify my activities on a particular evening?"

Emma groans as she slides books in and out of their places. "Geez, Regina, don't over think it. I'll take that as you stay in mostly, though. Next choice. Watching a movie or watching theater?"

Regina holds off on answer a little while just to annoy her. "Theater, obviously."

Emma rolls her eyes at the books. "Obviously." She whispers sarcastically at them then directs her next words to Regina. "Camping or picnic?"

"Neither." Regina responds rather quickly to that one and Emma turns to eye her boss.

"That's not an option."

"It is to me. Camping is pointless and picnics are a hassle. Why prepare a meal and then wait to eat it outside, on the ground, surrounded by strangers and bugs?" Regina says it almost passionately and Emma fights off the urge to laugh.

"Okay, fine, no camping or picnics. Would you rather go out to eat or cook?" Emma goes back to looking over books and mentally noting any new ones her father may have bought since her last visit.

"I cook."

"Chocolates or flowers?"

"Flowers."

"What kind?" Emma asks curiously.

"I don't think that's part of the game." Regina sasses back quickly.

Emma shrugs as she moves closer to the desk, still observing the bookshelves. "It is now."

Regina mumbles something too low for Emma to hear before she speaks up. "Lilies or orchids."

To Regina's complete surprise, Emma starts laughing loudly. She watches on as Emma holds onto a bookshelf as she bends over, her body shaking. Regina is stunned for a good while and when Emma seems to calm a little she asks. "What is so funny about that?" She says it a little harshly because God forbid someone laugh at Regina.

Emma calms herself more when she hears Regina's no nonsense tone. "Sorry, I'm not laughing at you. It's just…the orchid got its name from the Greek word orchis." Regina is still lost so she waits for Emma to actually explain. "Oh, uh it means testicle in Greek." Even then Emma holds back her grin while Regina exhales and rolls her eyes.

"Act more childishly. Please." Regina says dryly.

"I'm sorry. I learned that in high school and it is a guaranteed joke to teenagers. I just never forgot it." Emma shrugs as she continues on down the bookshelves behind the desk. Regina swivels in her seat just so she can have a clear shot to glare at the blonde if she so chooses. "I think the lily suits you, though. The message of a lily is to take a regal stance and embrace your own power." Emma looks over to smile at Regina's interested gaze. "Sounds like Regina to me."

Regina is caught off guard by how earnestly Emma says that to her she goes quietly still. She was just laughing at the testicle orchid a minute ago. Regina thinks sharply. Then she says something like that. She decides she won't try to figure out the way her twisted little brain works. Emma just grins at her before moving on looking at the books. She's glad she decided to do it because it gives her a reason to not impose herself on the brunette and instead give her space. Regina clears her throat and her hazy mind.

"You know a lot about flowers." It's a half statement that Regina curiously wants answered as a question.

"When I was young and a rebel I wanted a tattoo. I wasn't sure what to get but I ended up researching flower meanings and it all just stuck." She shrugs again. "Painting or writing?" She says going back to the game.

"What am I writing?"

"That's your decision."

"Then I suppose writing. I've never painted anything before so I imagine I'm terrible at it." Regina hears a ding on the computer and immediately returns her attention to it.

"You don't know that." Emma placates as she pulls out one of her favorite books just to hold it. Memories of the times and places she has read it come back to her as she hears the clicking of the keyboard behind her.

"Emma, Regina, come here!" Mary's muted but loud voice calls for them. Emma sighs. She's reminded of when she was younger and the feeling of not knowing if she is trouble or not comes back to her. She pushes that aside, though, she's a grown woman.

Emma yells back to give them a minute and she waits for Regina to finish one last email and shut down the computer. Regina takes the briefcase with her as they venture into the house. They realize Mary and David are waiting in the living room and make their way there. Emma doesn't bother sitting, it makes her feel to chastised if she has to look up to her parents.

"What's going on?" She asks casually. Regina is almost rigid but politely looking on by her side.

"We have a surprise for you two. We must go to town." Mary says it rather happily and it causes a little wariness in the blonde woman. Emma looks to her father who is much more subdued but happily looking on. She takes that as a good sign and resigns herself to the outing. Might as well get those fish chips I miss. Emma thinks hopefully.

Regina just smiles to Mary tightly. Why do I have a terrible feeling about this?


There! I have revived this story! So sorry for such a wait. I was unmotivated and uninspired for a long while. I'm trying to kick myself in the pants for this and your reviews help with that. Thank you! Please, keep them coming. Also, I do not own OUAT or The Proposal, in case anyone forgot that. I wish I had more for Thanksgiving but work is crazy now. Hope you had a pleasant day and weekend.