Title: Last Thing You'll Do
Author: Calliope-plantain
Rating: M
Pairing:Regina/Emma
Disclaimer: I do not own Once. All characters in this story sadly do not belong to me; they're simply being borrowed for a little while, and then will be returned. This story was not written for profit and no copyright infringements are intended.
Storyline: Regina could say her life was perfect… and then it got turned upside down.
Author's Note:Hope everyone's Christmas-y time was good Hope you're all surviving the winter hiatus! Sorry it's been so long since I updated – Ill health and new job have kept me busy.
Beta: Scarlet-Marauder awesomely encouraged me to write this, and then was my beta. So any mistakes she's missed and any feelings of distress are her fault ;)
"The next heart you crush will be mine" – 45-Spacer.
It seemed to take an age for any response. Any sign of life at all. But then she heard movement of water and a dull thud. Regina's heart was beating faster than it should within her chest, her hand still pressed against the cold door. "Yeah… it's open" was Emma's reply. She sounded so much herself it was almost confusing; as if it was completely normal for someone to be having what Regina assumed was a bath this early in the morning.
There was a faint glow of light in the bathroom from the dimmed lights, though it took Regina a moment to adjust to the new brightness as the door slowly opened beneath her fingertips. There Emma lay in the bath, her pale skin seemed to glow in the reduced light. Despite her ready reply, the blonde was laid with her eyes closed, looking completely peaceful. Without a care in the world. No burdens or expectations, just Emma.
Regina didn't move for fear of breaking the tranquil spell upon the other woman, but it seemed her hesitance demolished it anyway. Emma's eyes peered over the rim of the tub at her, before the woman moved to sit up. The noise of the water moving seemed to echo around the silent room. The other woman ran her hand across her face as if to rid it of any water she might find there, though the low light Regina couldn't see any.
"Did I wake you by running more water?" Emma asked attentively, her eyes finding Regina's again. More water. How long had she been in here? Regina shook her head as she finally entered the room, allowing the door to close behind her. "No I just woke up and you weren't there…is everything okay?" Regina asked slowly and carefully, rather nonplussed by the other woman's attitude.
"Yeah" Emma replied equally slowly her face and tone showing complete confusion. Regina could almost hear the clogs inside Emma's head working and saw the flicker of realisation appear on her face. The small chuckle was like music to her ears as Regina situated herself next to her bath. The tiled floor cold against her bare legs as she sat down, her chin coming to rest upon her forearm. Emma gave her a small smile which made her heart sing.
Regina could now smell her own apple bubble bath, and despite being able to see the bags beneath her lover's eyes, Regina couldn't help biting back a returning smile. "Sorry I couldn't sleep" Emma explained turning slightly before laying back down. They were now almost face to face. Couldn't sleep? Regina felt as if she could hibernate.
"My hormones are all messed up mixed with my meds, my sleeping pattern is screwed" Emma continued though now not looking at Regina. The stark reality of Emma's life it seemed was fast approaching. Neither could run from it, though from Emma's tone this almost seemed normal for her now. It was normal to be up in the early hours with a blasé attitude that her body was breaking down, and the meds given to help her were only making it worse. It hurt that this was now normal.
"My "core" temperature is shot too. Another nice side effect of the…cancer" Emma finished quietly, voice dropping to deafening hush on the last word. She might as well have screamed it, instead of the hesitant whisper that broke Regina's heart. Hesitance, it seemed Emma was worried about sharing more after her last confession. Emma turned to give her a sad smile, one of understanding. It felt as if the blonde was trying to give her courage. Courage to understand and battle this too. The former Queen wasn't even sure how Emma had to courage to fight it herself, never mind some to spare.
"I'm pretty much always cold" the other woman said softly now looking her directly in the eyes. Eyes Regina had always felt an impossible pull towards. Eyes she could never refuse. She supposed it made sense the atrocious hat and thick heavy coat, both that was unsuitable for a heat wave in late June with July only days away. The cancer had even affected her wardrobe, not satisfied with just taking her life. Emma had always had cold feet; it was something Regina was loathed to love about her.
"It's kinder a routine I've gotten into" the blonde said, sounding almost pitying for her audience to hear the explanation. "Sorry I'll get out" Emma rushed, making to move, seemingly to take Regina's lack of response as disapproval.
"What? No it's okay" Regina said equally as quickly, managing to catch Emma's wrist with the hand previously holding her up, causing her head to fall. Thankfully Regina missed the rim of the tub with her chin. "I was just worried" the brunette explained, allowing her fingertips to gently sooth the skin beneath them. She watched Emma's look of worry dissolve into a ghost of a smile before she nodded. The blonde leant back once more, though allowed her arm to remain in Regina's grasp. It was hardly surprising then that Emma had fallen asleep so easily.
"You could have woken me, I'd have warmed you up" Regina supplied, still soothing the flesh under her fingertips, delighting in the slow pulse she found there. Happy because she could feel it, feel Emma's life literally beating beneath her fingers. But also pleased it was so calm.
"You looked too peaceful, I didn't want to wake you" the other woman said tenderly. Looking up from her administrations to the soft skin, Regina caught Emma giving her a gentle smile. Her features softened in the dim light, though her eyes shone with devotion, and understanding. It was the most peaceful night sleep she'd had since Emma left. Almost as if it was the first night she'd slept, in a way it was.
"I'll crash later, so you can warm me up then if you want" the younger woman offered with a brighter smile. Regina couldn't help but mirror it.
"Okay" she replied simply. Mother like son. Whenever Henry was ill he always got a burst of energy only to crash out hours later. Regina was sure several illnesses over the years had been prolonged by the boy's inability to stay still.
"Wanna get in?" Emma asked with a grin and tilt of her head. Regina couldn't help the small chuckle that graced her lips. It was far too late to be indulging in an early morning dip, but she supposed she wasn't one to refuse. Not when Emma looked so happy at the prospect. All she did was give a simple nod and watched as Emma beamed at her.
Regina stood slowly pulling at the tie keeping her robe closed, before she let the smooth material fall and pool at her feet. She noticed Emma's gaze travel once up her bare skin before coming to rest upon her face with a slight smile, but admiration in her eyes. "Front or back" Regina asked gently. Emma sat up before sliding backwards and offering her, her hand. Front it was then.
The water was a little cooler than Regina would have liked it, but then again she preferred the temperature to give her what Emma called "a low-cut scald" look. The temperature seemed to drop several points as she sat down, but Emma quickly melded herself to Regina's form from behind made up for the dramatic change. As did the strong arm that engulfed her middle. Despite everything the hold upon her still made her feel as safe and secure as ever. Nothing could harm them when she was in Emma's arms.
She let out what was meant to be a small sigh though it seemed to go on a little too long, and felt a little too good. She felt relaxed, and swatted the knee next to hers when she heard the woman behind her chuckle at noise. Regina felt the small kiss being pressed to hair in response. Worry flashed across her brain as she realised she was leant against Emma. Who knows what damage she could do the younger woman, but before she could move the strong hand against her stomach tightened. "Stop it" Emma whispered in her ear. Her voice sounded gentle, even understanding; because after all Emma had already predicted this hadn't she. Regina would see her differently, act and react differently towards her now, and she was doing just that.
Regina let her head fall so the back of it rested on Emma's shoulders, as she felt Emma's lean back ever so slightly. It certainly wasn't the first shared bath they'd had together, and they had the luxury that their bathtub allowed for them. This however despite the cool water felt like the best one they'd shared. Perhaps it was just the security that Emma was here, one hand resting on top of her own on the edge of the bath, the other now tracing mindless patterns on Regina's hip. It was almost perfect.
Regina's eyes fell upon a book with some paper sticking out of the top upon the floor. From its position Regina guessed it was the cause of the large thud she heard before entering their bathroom. Emma had clearly been…reading it or something only to throw it out of reach once Regina had come knocking. "What's that?" Regina asked softly.
She felt Emma's shift, and look in the direction she was and heard the slight noise Emma made though she couldn't distinguish what it meant. "That's my diary" Emma said rather bluntly.
"You don't write diaries dear" Regina countered back with a tone of clear amusement. Emma Swan wasn't a diary writer. She was barely a writer. Most of the last months of Regina's term as Mayor had been filled with her trying to get Emma to do her paperwork. It often was done late if at all and always carried the bare minimum. Emma Swan did not write if she didn't need to, and even then it was a struggle.
The other woman sighed deeply, much more deeply than Regina had done upon entering the bath. Though Regina could not tell why. "Whale suggested it. He thought it might help me…with my memory" Emma explained slowly.
The former Queen felt her brow crease at the words. What? Regina turned her head to ask only to remember how close they were together. She saw Emma lick her bottom lip. Her nervous habit. Emma swallowed next, and then was unable to look her in the eye; an impressive feat considering their close proximity.
"Emma..." Regina asked quietly when it was apparent her lover was not going to elaborate. This time the small huff came without Emma even opening her mouth. "What's wrong with your memory?" she probed further. It seemed to take an age for the raised eyes to lower back to hers, and she saw uncertainty glistening back at her.
The pink tongue darted across Emma's lips again before she spoke. "It's a symptom. I forget things…sometimes" Emma explained nervously, Regina noting that the thumb that was previously tracing her hip bone was completely stationary.
"What kind of things?" Regina breathed and she saw Emma's features relax slightly. Regina was ready to hear it all or as ready as she ever would be. They were awake and together, and she was in Emma's embrace. She could face the worst of it. They could face it together and decide from there what to do next. Even if the prospect of what was to come terrified her more than she thought possible.
The thumb moved again against Regina's flesh, though she was unsure which of the two women it was meant to be comforting. "Little things…big things. It doesn't really seem to follow a pattern that I've noticed. Names of things can be difficult. Remembering appointments or that I'm meant to be somewhere is hard. I mean it always was…" Emma explained with a small chuckle which didn't sound completely convincing.
Emma was right however. The woman's time keeping skills left a lot to be desired and she was always late. Before they'd gotten together Regina had thought Emma being late was her way of being defiant towards her. It turned out however Emma just had really appalling time management skills. It was rare and something to cherish if the woman ever was on time or god forbid early for something. But it had been Whale who had suggested her keep a record. That meant her lapses in memory had been happening before she left.
"You never said anything" Regina replied, though to her own surprise there was no tone of malice. Shock perhaps but no negative quality.
"I didn't want to worry you" Emma said even sounding a little bored her of the repeated answer. Regina did not have the strength to fight back yet again. She was too snug against the soft body of her love to start an argument. Regina had worried. Emma knew Regina had worried. Part of being in a relationship was that you worried about the other person's wellbeing. The arguments they had now however…they seemed to weigh Regina down with guilt. No wonder Emma had been so stressed and erratic, she had had all this to deal with.
Regina felt the rush of panic and understanding flood her system, as her feeling of guilt multiplied ten-fold. "Henry's Spelling Bee" was all she could say. Emma had said she'd forgotten about their son's Spelling Bee and all Regina could do was scream at the woman. She had berated Emma for being too late and ensured she felt guilty about letting Henry down. She had questioned Emma's loyalty to her family.
All it took was a small nod of confirmation from Emma to nearly break her. Regina opened her mouth to speak but no words came out. That had been the night the former Mayor had concluded their relationship had changed. Nothing had been quite right after that night. They had fought and screamed at one another. For the first time in weeks Emma had not fought back and Regina took it as an opportunity and attacked. She had watched Emma clutching her head in what Regina had believed was an attempt to drone her out as she criticised Emma's attitude towards her mother. Except it had nothing to do with Snow, just as Emma had told her that night and Regina hadn't believed her. Emma wasn't trying to drone her out, she was clutching at her head because she was in pain. In pain because a tumour was growing inside her head.
"Stop it!" Emma said sternly. "Stop it right now" she repeated. Emma always knew how her mind worked. Regina closed her mouth before opening it once more, and yet again words failed her. Just as she had failed Emma.
"Stop blaming yourself. You didn't know. I didn't know…" Emma continued, her hand leaving Regina's on the rim of the bath to move the fallen piece of hair from Regina's face.
"I'm still sorry" Regina whispered gently. Emma just nodded with a slight smile. It seemed she would take the apology anyway. All the horrible things she'd said to Emma over the last month they'd been together. All the thoughts and empty wishes she'd made since, weighed heavy on her. It hadn't been Emma's fault. She could have handle things better… a lot better but she had cancer. What was Regina's excuse?
"My weirdest ones though have been since my operation" Emma said after a few minutes of silence. Regina moved to be on her side, almost wedging herself between Emma and far side of the bath. She tucked herself under Emma's arm and moved to rest her head beneath her chin, noting the blonde's slim smile. The younger woman seemed to wait a moment before continuing.
"Not that forgetting what you like to eat for breakfast, never mind whether you've eaten it yet isn't fun" Emma said, though this time her tone did seem to carry amusement. The day Emma left she didn't have breakfast…was this why? She'd forgotten.
"About two weeks after I was released I decided to do a trial run. First time I'd been to the store, my next door neighbour had been getting me things before that. I made it a small one, just bread, milk that kind of thing" Emma explained her tone almost one of a parent reading a bedtime story. Regina nodded into the blonde's collarbone noticing how prominent it was. "It went fine, walking back to my apartment was fine. Went down without a hitch. Got to my front door and the key wouldn't go into the lock" the other woman continued though her tone was becoming more serious as the story progressed.
"It didn't make sense, and then it hit me. It wasn't my apartment" Emma said quietly causing Regina to lift her head so she now level with Emma. "I hadn't lived there in almost three years" Emma finished sadly. Regina knew her face showed the surprise she felt. She gone back to her old apartment, the one before Storybrooke. "I know" Emma added looking rather sheepish. "Thankfully no one was home so they didn't come out or anything. It wasn't even that I'd forgotten anything else; I knew the last three years had happened. It was just the apartment that fell out of my head" Emma explained looking almost as confused as Regina had felt.
"At times I can understand what people with Dementia feel like. Thankfully recently it's been going back to forgetting names of things rather than forgetting parts of my life or feeling like I just woke up and don't know how I got there. Though I guess not as good as I thought. I don't know what's medical or magical anymore" Emma finished and Regina saw her bottom lip tremble. How someone could live like this, was beyond Regina and it frightened her. Regina leant forward and easily caught the slightly quivering lips with her own. The kiss was gentle and reassuring. It was all Regina had to offer, and Emma gave it back in kind.
Breaking away she allowed her forehead to rest upon Emma's and delighted in the way her breath danced across her face. "What else did I miss?" she asked softly before opening her eyes. She saw the flicker of confusion before recognition followed.
"Regina you didn't… Do you really want to know?" Emma asked her expression one of pain. Pain at the knowledge she held. Emma was adamant she did not want to hurt Regina further but she had to be told. She had to know what to look for, what she'd missed.
"I think I have to" Regina replied carefully. She couldn't not know. She had analysed every interaction she could remember in her mission to find out the moment things had gone wrong and what she could have done to stop it. She needed to know what had been Emma, and what had been her cancer. She needed to know to help her process. She would probably regret it, in fact she could almost guarantee it but she needed to know. Worse yet, she wanted to know. Emma nodded and Regina settled herself back cheek and chin resting against Emma's upper chest and allowed the smile to grace her lips at the feeling of Emma's breath playing with her hair.
Silence filled the small room and all Regina could hear was each woman's breathing. Slow and steady. Emma's soothing gestures had ceased upon her hip, though the hold she now had her in did the trick all the same. She heard the younger woman swallow before she spoke. "Mood swings. Being really angry one minute and happy the next, only to be miserable moments later" Emma said evenly.
Regina knew this was true, she'd noticed that. She'd battled with the erratic switching of moods for a month before Emma had left. She had never been able to predict which version of the woman she loved would grace their doorstep after work or which she'd wake next to. There were no patterns she could decipher. She had often thought it must have been Regina; her actions or lack of in some cases that triggered the changes. It seemed it hadn't been. Neither had it been Emma's fault. Regina had come to blame her in recent months, believing rather than just leaving her as she had eventually done Emma had sort to make her miserable first. Regina had gotten so many things wrong.
"With that saying unacceptable things. Both things that I didn't mean and some which were…inappropriate. Oddly I am thankful the latter's only victim that I can remember is Ruby" Emma explained with a small chuckle. "She just took it in her stride. I suppose she's said and done worse" Emma continued her chortle made Regina's hair ruffle slightly.
She was pretty sure she knew the answer and didn't want details but the question fell out of her mouth before she could stop it, "Like sex stuff?"
"Yeh" was Emma's only amused response. Emma had said things to Ruby about sex. Inappropriate things about sex. Regina did not what to know, and she would not ask. Furthermore she didn't really want to know what information Ruby now had about their sex life, if any. "Being rude and saying things I shouldn't, could have gotten me into a lot of trouble. Thankfully the nurses have thick skin and knew I didn't mean it and I couldn't help it…doesn't make it any less humiliating" Emma finished sounded every bit ashamed as her tale called for.
Emma and Regina had fought. They'd both said things they shouldn't have but inappropriate? She couldn't remember Emma saying anything she would have considered inappropriate. She'd said things that Regina would never have said, but different backgrounds, upbringings usually accounted for that. Regina had shouted, screamed and on more than one occasion thrown things at the other woman in bad temper. God she'd even done all three this evening. Or last night based on the small rays of light coming through the window. But Emma…
With a realisation that made her feel instantly nauseous she remembered with crystal clarity their argument the night before Emma left Storybrooke. In the middle of their screaming match Emma had accused her of only caring for her wellbeing because Snow was now Mayor and in Emma's exact words Regina was "screwing" her. She remembered the pain of the words as they had stung her. She had almost been surprised they hadn't pierced her skin with the force and venom they had been delivered, though she felt the tears inside her chest. Her heart. She also remembered the look of absolute shock, terror and guilt upon Emma's face moments after she had said the words. Everything made sense she wished it didn't.
"Regina?" Emma asked softly, her hand now gliding down the brunette's side. Her silent contemplation had been noticed.
"Sorry dear just processing" Regina answered her voice with emotions she couldn't decipher. Emma had been right, maybe this was information she didn't need to know. Except she did. She couldn't not know. She needed to lift whatever burden she could from Emma's shoulder, if nothing else so they could carry it together, just as they all should have done.
Another kiss was placed to her crown, though this one was more solid. More forceful and tangible. Once again silence fell over them, though it felt thicker than before despite Emma's reassuring touch. "I couldn't make decisions…about anything. My concentration went out the window and before you make some remark I am very aware I didn't have much to start with" Emma explained her tone of slight humour, but Regina did not see the joke. Regina had noticed that. She had even commented on it, used it against Emma when she could. She had scolded the woman for lacking a concentration span, and Emma had simply bite back about her being an unsupportive girlfriend.
Emma had not helped. She had said and done things that had been hurtful and at times almost cruel. Except she hadn't. Everything that Regina had thought was Emma, had been her cancer. The cancer that was festering away in her brain, making her do and say things Emma would never do, and Regina had just accepted them. Had taken it all without question. Emma had only seen Whale after she had had her seizure, a mere two weeks before she had left. Regina had noticed all these things, had fought Emma because them. What if she'd done or said something earlier?
"Obviously my seizure though thankfully that seemed to be the only one" Emma said softly, her chin resting now upon Regina's crown. Regina had not known about that one, and she would gratefully not accept blame even from herself for that one. But Ruby had known. Ruby had not said anything, neither had Emma but if Ruby had been worried enough to make Emma go to the hospital why had she not been worried enough to asked about the blonde's welfare.
"Then there was the sickness" Emma continued with her tone laced with disgust. Regina remembered the sickness very well. She remembered waking sometimes to the noise of her lover vomiting in this very bathroom. She had done all she could to ease the other woman's suffering and had been supportive. She had done all she could with that.
"That thankfully seemed to go after my operation until they put me on more meds but it's not as frequent" Emma spoke gently her fingertips dancing upon the skin she could reach. "And bleeding. Though that only happened after the operation so they aren't sure if that's a symptom or they'd cause it. I bruise quite easily but mainly random nosebleeds which are a pain in the ass" Emma finished with what sounded like fake annoyance. Regina wondered if she was trying to play it down for her benefit.
"You didn't miss anything Regina. It's not your fault. If anything it's mine. You weren't wrong when you said I was being a bitch" the other woman continued.
"I shouldn't have said it, it wasn't your fault" Regina replied her voice once again cracking with emotion. Emma was right she hadn't missed it. She had noticed it all. She at times had resented every symptom her lover had just reeled off. She had blamed Emma for every action, reaction and conversation they had had as a result of these symptoms. Each a sign that Emma was not herself, and yet Regina had not taken heed and done something about it. She had allowed Emma to hide away and in the end Emma had flee. She blamed Emma for that. It was the only thing she could blame her for, the only thing the former Sheriff truly had power over. Emma had been right in that too. Right in her assumption that running was the only thing she had any control over. She had not told Regina and not allowed her to comfort her, for her to take comfort in Emma. She'd taken that, it was all she had left to blame her for.
"I'm still sorry. For all of it. Knowing it's not your fault doesn't make it easier. Knowing you unintentionally hurt the people you love doesn't make it better. I still hurt you. I said and did things… I'm sorry Regina" the younger woman spoke softly her voice laced with sorrow. It had hurt; she couldn't even lie to make Emma feel better.
"I know" was all Regina could reply, before she felt as if her emotions would strangle her. Knowing did not make it easier either. It still hurt knowing the person you love said and did those things to you. It still hurt realising that Regina had not known it was not Emma saying these things but a tumour merely using her mouth to file out vile words and conflicting actions. It did help to know however that Emma was sorry and hadn't meant it. "I'm sorry too" Regina said her voice sounding stronger as she placed a kiss to Emma's upper chest.
Emma's hand rose to cup Regina's head, her fingers running through her hair. The familiar tingling made her head buzz slightly. The blonde's other wandering hand had returned to Regina's hip, though now holding it in a tight grip, fearing she would try and escape. Another kiss was placed upon Regina head, though the older woman heard Emma's shuddering inhale. Regina tightened her hold around Emma's middle, pulling the other woman impossibly close.
They lay in silence. No sound could be heard; it seemed as if they were both holding their breath. Regina could feel her own heart beating in her chest, hear the drumming in her ears and feel Emma's breathe against her skin. She did not want this life for them. She wanted more for Emma. They had plans and dreams. They were supposed to have forever but instead they were clinging to each other in cooling water, trying to sooth away a pain that would never been soothed.
"I love you" Regina said breaking the silence first.
There was a moment's pause before Emma spoke. "Even with the new do?" she said, her tone was one of jest not concern. It was clear Emma was trying to make the situation lighter, more manageable. Regina would indulge the younger woman.
"Even with your new hair cut I still love you" Regina reassured, lifting her head to look Emma in the eye. Regina's chin was now resting solely upon Emma's chest. She caught the slight upturn of Emma's mouth, before the small smile formed. Emma's hair didn't not suit her. Maybe it would take time for Regina to get used to it, before she could decide. Emma however still looked just as beautiful as she always had.
"Me too" Emma replied. Regina fought the playful urge to ask if Emma meant she still loved Regina despite having shorter hair, and so settled for a smile in return. They both seemed to contemplate each other for a moment before Regina felt the hand cupping the back of her head pushing her forward. Emma placed a kiss on her forehead before capturing her lips softly. The water around them was getting too cold for her now. It still held slight warmth meaning she could not call it cold but it would be soon. The warmth of Emma's lips against hers however was comforting.
She meant to repress the shiver though it seemed her body betrayed her anyway. "If you're cold you should have said. Go on out you get" Emma said taking her lips away, and giving Regina a stern look.
"I don't think so dear" Regina said glaring. Emma simply gave her ironic eye roll. It sometimes annoyed Regina that Emma often wasn't intimidated by Regina. She had been the Evil Queen and could reduce a grown man into a quivering mess with just a stare. Emma on the other hand hadn't known the Evil Queen and did not care if Regina threw her a dirty look. The glare just resulted in Emma poking Regina painfully in the ribs.
"Get out" Emma commanded with a wave of her hand in the direction of which she wanted Regina to comply to her demand.
"Excuse me?" Regina asked dumbfounded.
"I am not going to have you getting a cold at my expense and I'll be getting out anyway so … please get out" Emma continued only looking slightly annoyed and was clearly pleading her with her eyes. A trick Henry had undoubtedly picked up in gestation. Regina placed a gentle kiss to Emma cheek which gained her a bright grin.
"Fine. I'm going to make us some coffee might warm us up better anyway" Regina suggested as she stood. The water seemed to roar in the small room as it cascaded down her body. The rush of now almost cold water caused the other woman to shriek and glare at Regina as then wrapped their largest towel around herself. Emma could wear her bathrobe to dry herself it was warmer.
Emma was still glaring at her as she exited the bathroom. It didn't stop the younger woman from calling after her though. "What?" Regina asked walking the five stepped she'd managed before being called back.
"Can mine be a hot chocolate?" Emma asked attentively.
"Sure" Regina replied. Hot chocolate would help Emma sleep in the long run, while Regina right now felt the need to be awake. Her love had already shared so much information with her, almost too much to process and consider for one person. So Regina needed caffeine. Emma opened her mouth though before she had a chance to say the words Regina cut her off with a small chuckle "With cinnamon". Mother like son.
Emma just smiled back at her, looking if anything rather shy. Almost angelic. Very much like their little boy. "Thank you" the other woman said gently. Emma's expression told her, the gratitude wasn't just about the drink.
All Regina did was nod in return, before replying "This isn't over you know". Likewise she didn't just mean their conversation. She meant Emma, their life together. There was still so much to go through. The last three months, the time ahead. But they could do it. They would manage it, hand in hand, side by side.
"I know" was Emma's simple reply.
