A/N: Alright my loves! I'm so sorry for the late update today! It's been a little hectic with Stephie out of town at the moment. As promised, here is Chapter 8. We hope you enjoy!

Emma pulled away from the kiss slowly, savoring the feel of the petite brunette pressed against her. She groaned and captured the already kiss swollen lips again, unable to help herself from taking one final taste before she stepped away.

"We should go inside before your sister comes looking for us. She may have, sort of, agreed to let us be together but I'm pretty sure she'd kill me if she found us making out."

The blonde smiled and brought an olive toned hand to her lips, brushing soft kisses over each knuckle. "Come on, birthday girl. Let's go get you ready for a party."

Regina smiled at the affectionate gesture before nodding. She laced her fingers with her girlfriend's and allowed herself to be led back up the pathway to the manor door. She noticed the older woman hesitate for a moment once she grasped the door handle, green eyes peering back at her.

"Should I knock? Is that weird?"

The brunette laughed softly and pressed a kiss to her lover's shoulder. "You don't have to knock. It's my house and I'm with you. Just walk in." She encouraged softly, smiling up at the other woman.

Emma hesitated for a moment longer before pushing the door open and stepping inside, closing it behind Regina once she too had crossed the threshold. Kathryn appeared in the foyer and raised an eyebrow at the pair.

"If you're going to suck face at least do it behind the bushes and clean off Regina's lipstick before you come inside." She plucked a tissue from the side table and stepped into the older blonde's personal space, removing any trace of red lipstick from her mouth.

The sound of approaching footsteps had the trio turning towards the noise just as Ruby came into view, a can of soda in her hand. Her eyes flicked between the three women before she nodded for Emma to come talk to her.

The blonde pressed a kiss to the teen's cheek before making her way to the other end of the living room. Regina turned to talk to Kathryn who promptly took her hand and drug her up the stairs to her bedroom. The cheer captain felt lucky she was able to keep her balance throughout the ordeal.

"Kat,what is going on? Why are you bringing me up here?"

The blonde closed the bedroom door behind her before facing her friend. "What the hell happened out there? Her ex? You don't find that the least bit suspicious that she comes to town and her ex just happens to be here? I've never seen Lily in this town in my life!" She rushed out, her cheeks tinted pink from exertion.

"She doesn't live in Storybrooke. Emma called her."

"Emma called her?! Why the fuck do you not find it suspicious that she called the woman she claims ruined her life?"

"Emma called her because Lily used to be in a band with her and Ruby when they were our age. She didn't know Lily was going to do all of that stuff. She's not like that, Kat."

"Look, I don't know, Gina. I get a bad feeling about all of this. I mean, I like Ruby, she seems cool and she's kind of hot, but I'm starting to think dating an older woman isn't a great idea."

"Kat. It's my birthday. You really want to do this now?" Regina stared at her friend in disbelief, of all days to suddenly have a change of heart about something, now was most definitely not it.

"No, you're right. I'm sorry. I'm just freaked out, I guess. That got really intense." The blonde admitted, fixing her hair and sitting down on the edge of the bed.

"Yea, it was really intense, huh?" The brunette took a seat next to her friend and sighed. "I knew things with Emma wouldn't be easy like they would if I dated someone my own age. That's what I signed up for, I want her, no matter what. Can you please just be happy for me?"

Kat looked over at her long time friend, noting the happiness that seemed to be radiating off of the other girl like a palpable force. "Yea, of course I can. I want you to be happy more than anything, Gina."

The two girls leaned forward, hugging each other tightly before the blonde suddenly got up.

"We have an outfit to pick and a party to get to." She pulled her friend to her feet and the two made a beeline for her closet to locate the perfect ensemble for the night's events. Twenty minutes of searching and debating found Regina admiring the simple, yet classy, purple cocktail dress she had bought a few weeks ago. She slipped on stunning black heels and sat down to do her makeup. She took her time to emphasize the smokey look around her eyes and apply just the right amount of lipstick.

"What do you think, Kat? Think Emma will like it?"

"Like it? Hell, if that girl doesn't trip over her own tongue, I'll be impressed." The blonde giggled, fixing her friend's dark locks into an simple updo, leaving several strands hanging to frame her face. "There, all finished. You look like hell on heels or sex on heels, as the case may be."

The brunette laughed, shaking her head a little as she got up and helped Kat put on the earrings she had chosen before slipping the new bracelet Emma got her onto her wrist, noting that it complimented her dress perfectly. She looked over at her best friend and smiled.

"I'm seventeen, Kat. Do you think daddy would be proud of me?"

The words were said with a smile but there was so much weight behind them. Kat knew the guilt that the other woman carried regarding her parents' death. She crossed the room and drew the petite woman into her arms.

"He would be blown away by the woman you've become, Gina. I know he would. He loved you so much. What happened couldn't have been prevented. You know that, sweetie." She ran her fingers gently along the brunette's back to calm her.

"They were coming to see me. I was the reason they were in that intersection….."

A/N: Please don't hate me! Stephie and I agreed that we would put a little cliffhanger about Regina's parents in here for you. It will be explored in future chapters. Next week: Regina's party!