Rock On

10

Within a month from the time that Regina and Emma arrived back to California, Emma's parents had shipped her belongings to Regina's house.

"Um, should I be offended?" Emma chuckled on the day that they boxes were delivered.

Regina smirked and said, "Nah…"

Regina and Emma eagerly unpacked her belongings and together they found room for the additional items throughout Regina's house.

After the last box was emptied, Regina pulled Emma into her and hugged her. "Welcome home."

Emma leaned her head down and captured Regina's lips within her own. They kissed for a good few minutes. "Thank you," Emma whispered.

"For what?"

"For letting me stay," Emma said honestly.

"Em, we're a couple. Long distance wasn't an option going forward. We were both miserable when we tried it." Regina hugged Emma again.

"I love you," Emma revealed with conviction in her voice.

"And I love you," Regina said as Emma picked her up and threw her over her shoulder.

Emma ran into their room where they made passionate love to each other.

One early morning, Regina begrudgingly was awaken by the sound of the doorbell buzzing.

"I swear I'm gonna kill him," Regina groggily said.

Emma pushed her out of bed and then turned over to go back to sleep.

Regina yanked the door open as she hung her head down and muttered, "Archie…"

When she looked up, she didn't see the tall man with glasses. Instead she saw a stranger.

"Oh, hello, may I help you?"

"Oh yes, is Emma Swan here," the mystery young woman asked.

"Yes, who can I say is here? Oh come in…" Regina held the door open and the woman timidly walked into the house.

"May I see her?"

With a quick hand gesture that meant follow her the two women walked into Regina and Emma's room to find that Emma was still asleep.

The young woman gingerly walked up to the bed and vehemently kicked the mattress.

"Whoa, what the fu-!" Emma's head bolted up. She blinked her eyes a few times to acclimate herself.

"Um, when you make a gigantic, life altering decision, you're supposed to inform your best friend…not have your Mother do it," the woman said as she crossed her arms against her chest.

Emma bolted up. "Belle?"

"No, it's the Queen…what the hell, Swan?"

Emma got out of bed quickly and encased her best friend in the tightest hug possible.

"Oh my God, you're here," Emma said excitedly.

"Emma," Regina said to get herself into their conversation.

"Oh, Regina, I'm sorry…Come here!" Emma released Belle to grab Regina. She pulled her up and she said, "Belle, this is my girlfriend, Regina Mills. Regina, this is Belle, my best friend."

Regina extended a hand out to Belle who shook it politely. "Hi, nice to meet you."

"You too, Belle. Why don't we leave so Emma can gather herself…and possibly put some pants on…"

Suddenly Emma felt awkward. "Yeah, sorry. Be out there in a minute!"

Regina escorted Belle into the living room and offered, "Would you like something to drink?"

"Um, water, thank you," answered Belle.

"So you're her best friend," Regina asked as she poured the water.

"Um, yeah, I guess I am," Belle answered a little sadly.

"You guess?" Regina walked over and handed the glass to her.

"Yeah, well, I haven't seen her in a while and didn't know anything about this…about you." Belle took a sip.

It was at that moment that Emma noisily made her entrance.

"I'm here…Come here," she said as she ran to her best friend. Belle put the glass down and was engulfed in a bone crushing bear hug.

"I've missed you," Emma said happily.

"Really? I wouldn't have known it." Belle released Emma from the hug and folded her arms again.

"B, come on, I'm sorry. It's been a whirlwind," Emma said.

"Em, you didn't even tell me about your best friend," Regina interjected a little hurt.

"Oh, um, I'm sorry to both of you. But B, you know what happened between us…"

"You said it wouldn't effect our friendship."

"What happened?" Regina looked to either girl.

"We dated for like two seconds…"

"Try a month," Belle said with a hint of anger at her best friend.

"Okay a month. She was my first…"

"Oh, why didn't it work out," Regina asked.

"We both decided we were better as friends, right B?"

"Yea, and I thought we were…"

Emma looked hurt at that moment. Regina instinctively draped her arm over her girlfriend's shoulder. She pulled her closer and kissed her forehead. Emma's arm gravitated around Regina's waist.

"Oh, Regina, this happened way before we even met, I swear."

Regina just kissed Emma's forehead again. "No worries!"

Emma smiled a little. "We need to talk," she said to Belle.

"Yes, we do."

"What are your plans? Are you going into the studio," Emma asked Regina.

"Yes, I need to lay down a new song," Regina said happily, "Why don't you and Belle go out for a while. Catch up. Then afterwards, come back and we'll go out to dinner. How long are you here for, Belle?"

"Couple of days, I guess," Belle said.

"Oh, great, we have a guest room," Regina said with a smile.

"No, no, I can't impose," said Belle, genuinely.

"You're not," Emma interjected for Regina, who smiled.

"Great, thank you," Belle said as Regina ushered her into the room.

"I'm going to shower," Emma called out as the two women walked away.

When Belle and Regina walked into the room, Belle threw her suitcase down. She then mustered up the courage to whisper, "Do you love her?"

Regina almost didn't hear the question. There was a pause so Belle repeated her question, a little louder.

"Do you love her?"

"Yes, Belle, with all my heart."

"That's good cuz we both know that Emma doesn't half ass anything in her life," Belle said and saw Regina nod her head in agreement.

"I want to apologize for her. I'm sorry she didn't tell you. Did you, uh, know about her 'love' for me before we actually met?"

"Yes and no," Belle said honestly.

Regina nodded her head.

"I knew she was into your music. I know about the magazine photos and other stuff. And I know about that cutout thing. Haha…"

Regina shivered as she remembered that being in the background as they video chatted in the beginning. "I'm so glad that her parents didn't ship that here."

Belle smirked. "She doesn't need it cuz she has the real thing. May I be honest with you?"

Regina warmly smiled.

"Emma is a very private, emotion bottled up type of person. I can count on one hand the number of people who truly get her. So for her to take this leap of faith means something to her. Hell, it means something to me."

"I totally understand that, Belle, and I appreciate you telling me that."

Belle looked up and stared directly into Regina's eyes. "If you hurt her…"

Regina raised her hand up into the air. "I have no intention of hurting her. I made her and her parents a promise so I totally expect to fulfill it."

"Good, are you-" Belle was interrupted by Emma's sudden presence in the room. "Okay, that's better. You're going to be late, Regina."

With that Regina excused herself and got ready. After she left and the two women decided to go sightseeing for the day.

After Regina recorded the new song that was written for her, she asked, "Archie, can I speak to you?"

Archie noticed the nervousness in her expression. "Of course, what's going on?"

"Well, Emma's best friend showed up today…"

"Oh, is that good or bad?"

"It's great because maybe she could help me with something I've have been thinking about."

"What's that?"

"I want to marry her, Archie!"

Archie's expression was priceless. It held happiness, caution, and pure joy. Archie had known Regina for most of her musical career.

They had met randomly at a local café. Regina sat at a window table daydreaming when all of a sudden a tall young man approached her. At first Regina was hesitant, but Archie took it upon himself to pull out the unoccupied chair that was there.

""Uh, excuse me," Regina said with a sneer.

"I'm sorry miss, but you looked like you could use a listening ear," Archie said as he pushed his glasses up on his nose, put his cup of coffee down onto the table, and crossed his arms.

Regina's guard dropped immediately as she began to cry.

"Miss?"

"Regina," Regina sniffled.

"Regina, I'm Archie…what's wrong?"

"I kinda ran away. I left my over bearing mother a note. I told her I'd be safe and that I was following my passion and not what she wanted for my life. I got onto a bus and within a few days I arrived here. Needing to escape from the lit alley, I saw this café from down the street and walked in and then you sat down."

"And then I sat down," Archie repeated the last part of her sentence. "Well, if you're not busy…"

"I'm not that desperate yet. I have some money," Regina answered stiffly.

"Oh, good grief…that's not what I meant. I was…offering you the couch in my apartment, so you don't have to be cold. We could talk and figure out what to do next."

Regina looked at him oddly. "What's the catch?"

"No catch. Just wanna help."

Regina nodded as they finished their beverages. Afterwards they walked to Archie's apartment and as promised, Archie pointed to the couch.

By that time the next day they formed a partnership. Archie didn't really know a lot of being a manager, but somehow Regina thought they'd be all right. They'd navigate through together.

"Ok, that's wonderful, Reggie…Beyond wonderful…"

"Hey, you called me 'Reggie', you haven't done that in years."

Archie ducked his head bashfully and said, "I'm just so happy for you. How can I help?"

"I need you to book me a flight, round trip for the same day…"

"Storybrooke?"

"Yes, Storybrooke. I need to ask Emma's parents' permission to marry their daughter, don't I?"

"I believe so," Archie said with the widest grin Regina had ever seen on the man's face.

"When would you like the flight for? Do you have a ring?"

"I am hoping that if I speak to Belle, Emma's friend, tonight, in private, I'll be able to slip away for the day, scoot to Storybrooke and ask. Then I'd hightail it back here without Emma really noticing it. She'll be preoccupied. As for the ring," Regina said as she rummaged through her bag, She pulled out a small black box.

"We were in London, just browsing through some stores, before sound check. I happened to go into a jewelry store, while Em was in another store. Not knowing what I was looking for, and not really looking hard for anything in particular, I happened to find this." Regina lifted the lid to the box and Archie nearly passed out.

French-set halo diamond band engagement ringin Platinum (0.45 CTW) for a Cushion Center Stone with a 1.25 Carat Diamond

"Regina, that's amazing…how much? No, wait, don't tell me. It's not important. You're a grown woman who knows what she's doing…"

Regina flipped the lid closed and had tears in her eyes. Archie noticed, stood up and pulled Regina into his arms.

"You're like a father to me, Archie, so I totally appreciate your support," Regina said through her tears.

"You're the daughter I've always dreamed of, Regina. I'm so proud of you." He immediately sniffled, but then morphed into the Archie that Regina knew. "So you plan to go there tomorrow?"

"That's my hope. Can you start the arrangements and as soon as I get the okay, I'll text you. Shit, what time is it?" Regina looked at her watch and said, "I gotta text Emma and tell her to come here."

Regina whipped her phone out and did just that. In a second, she received a text back. It said, "You got it! I love you! Me and B are cool again!"

Then Archie and Regina went back to work for an hour or so until Emma and Belle arrived.

A little while after Belle had retired for the evening there was a timid knock on the guest room door.

"Come in," Belle said.

"Hey, Belle, do you have a second. I need your help with something."

"How may I help you?"

Regina held up her finger to her lips so Belle would know it was a secret. "I'm hoping you can help me with a plan that I have already put into motion…" She sat in a chair across from the bed.

"Okay, I'm intrigued…"

"I'mgoingtoaskEmmatomarryme," Regina blurted out.

Belle's face showed the full range of emotions. Just to make sure she understood she asked, "What? Go slower!"

Regina did as she enunciated every word.

"Holy fuck!" Belle gasped and covered her mouth.

Regina laughed as she pulled the ring from her hoodie pocket. She flipped the lid of the box and the ring sat there and glimmered. "I, uh, got it while we were in London."

"That's the beginning of the trip. You held onto it for that long?"

"Yes, Belle, I love your best friend so very much. I want to make her my wife. So I would like for you to distract her tomorrow. I'm taking the red eye to Storybrooke, asking her parents, and then flying home that night."

"Wow. What're you going to tell her?"

"That I have a business meeting with a potential new label in New York City. They just wanted me to go on the initial meeting without Archie, but they know that he's my manager…"

Belle held up her thumb. "I'll do my best…Congrats…"

Regina got up from the chair and walked to the door. Her hand grasped the doorknob when Belle said, "Regina…"

"Yeah," she said as she turned around timidly.

"Thank you for loving my best friend like you do. EVERYONE can see it!"

Regina smiled brightly and then left the room. Then she sent Archie a text that read, "All systems are a go!"

As Emma and Regina settled down into bed that night, Regina pulled her into her body and said, "I gotta take a day trip tomorrow. I'll be leaving in the early morning and won't be back until tomorrow night. You and Belle do something. Take my car."

"You don't want company? Is Archie going with you?"

"I'll be fine and no Archie isn't. He's getting the album ready to be released…"

"You sure?"

Regina squeezed Emma tightly and said, "Yes, I'm sure. I love you."

"I love you too. Wake me before you leave?"

"Sure," Regina said and pulled Emma onto her back. Regina then straddled Emma and kissed her sweetly. Emma's hands gravitated to Regina's thighs and massaged them.

"Regina, we can't…we're both loud and Belle's down the hall…"

Regina dipped her head down and recaptured Emma's lips. Their tongues massaged each other's for a long time.

Nervously, Regina rang the doorbell to the Swan's residence. In a minute, David pulled opened the door.

"Regina! Where's Emma? Is she alright?"

"Yes, sir, she's fine, may I come in? I need to speak with you and your wife," Regina said as she walked into the house.

"Honey, Regina's here," David said as he motioned to Regina to follow him into the kitchen.

"Hello, Regina, is everything alright? Is Emma okay?" Mary Margaret said as she rose from her seat.

Regina's hand stopped her as she said, "Oh, no, she's fine. Belle's actually with her over there. They're hanging out. I think she leaves tomorrow."

"Oh, I'm sorry that I told her. I thought my daughter did."

"No worries," Regina said with a smile. Finding the courage, she said, "I need to speak with both of you and I don't have a lot of time. My return flight is in a few hours."

David sat down next to his wife and motioned for Regina to sit in the empty chair.

"So, what's on your mind," David asked with a warm smile.

"Um, I need to ask you a question. In the time that I've known your daughter…amazing daughter, I've fallen head over heels for her. It's been the simplest thing in the world to do. My love for her is immeasurable and comes freely from my heart. I want to spend the rest of my life with her. So…" Regina pulled out the box and once again opened the lid. "Will you please give me your permission and blessing to marry your daughter?"

Emma's parents were solely looking at Regina so when she lifted the box a little in the air, they looked down. Mary Margaret loudly gasped.

David was dumbstruck. They looked at each other with wide smiles on their faces.

"Where did you get that?"

"London," Regina said honestly.

"And you've held onto it this whole time? I'm surprised my daughter didn't see it," David said with a light chuckle.

"Yes, sir," Regina said with a knowing smile.

"David…I know that that you love her, Regina, that's plain for everyone to see. Speaking for myself, I'd love it if you became my daughter…"

"Daughter-in-law," Regina corrected him.

"Nope, my daughter!" David said with a radiant smile.

"Thank you," Regina said happily. Then her eyes fell onto Mary Margaret.

"Oh, my turn," she said as they all laughed.

"I love your daughter," Regina restated to make it clear.

"Oh, I know that, honey. And I know that she's over the moon for you as well. Like my husband said everyone can see that," Mary Margaret said and smiled. "I hope that you know she is our world. We live to make her happy."

"I want to make her happy too. And this is the perfect way to ensure that."

"Yes, yes, it is," Emma's Mom said as she rose from the table. She walked over to Regina and pulled her up. They hugged each other as Mary Margaret said, "I love you, Regina, for loving my daughter. Please go propose to her. She deserves you and you deserve her."

Regina was flabbergasted with the sincere acceptance that she received from Emma's parents.

Afterwards, they discussed little things.

"When do you think you'll ask her?"

"I don't know for sure. I guess when the time is right. Soon, very soon."

As Regina got into her car to head back to the airport she pulled out her cell phone and texted Archie.

"They said yes!"