Hello everyone! Another chapter is up!
Before we start, I want to thank one of you!
As I mentioned i my last chapter, I have gotten a ko-fi. (If you don't know what that is, just read the Authors Note in my previous chapter)
But I got my ko-fi up and running and one of you already donated to me! So thank you so much for that. My heart literally jumped when I got the message! Thank you so much!
If you would like to donate yourself to support me, you can find me on ko-fi with the same username.
I'm still trying to get my twitter up and running so if you wish to get news and updates on things like chapters and stuff, go follow me. My username is Denpine4
Now onto the story!
Regina stood in her vault, the sounds of glasses being lifted and put back down as the only sounds in the room.
"Almost done", she whispered to herself as she looked down at the potion in the kettle. She took one last flask and poured a drop before smiling down at it.
"This should work", she said and took a glass, pouring some of the potion into it.
"Here goes nothing"
She brought the flask to her lips when a voice stopped her and she quickly turned around to see Gold stand behind her.
"Gold"
"You really think that's a good idea?", he asked and Regina looked at the flask.
"It's wrong", she said and Gold knew what she was talking about.
"She's not that little girl anymore Regina"
"Don't you think I know that? Why do you think I'm standing here in the first place?"
Gold sighed looking down and Regina looked back at the flask, closing her eyes.
"I don't know what's happening to me"
"If I would guess, I would probably say it's the wish", Gold said as he walked up to stand next to her by the kettle.
"What do you mean?"
"Our majesty wished for Emma not to see you as a mother any longer. Which resulted in her growing up into a woman"
Regina hardened her eyes as she looked at him and Gold knew she was beginning to understand.
"The wish didn't only affect Emma. It affected you as well. Your motherly love for Emma is not as strong as your romantic love might be"
"How? True love is the most powerful thing in the world"
Gold gave her a look and Regina realised. "My true love is Emma"
"What has he done now? I'll get him Ruby, don't worry about it", Emma said into the phone before hanging up and Graham who sat by the other desk eyed her with knowing eyes.
"Leroy?"
"Yep"
"Good luck', he called out as Emma walked down the hallway and out of the station. She walked over to the bug and drove towards Granny's. Once there she walked inside and saw Leroy sit by the counter, snoring loud enough for everyone in the diner to hear.
"Alright champ, let's go", she said putting her hand on his shoulder, but before she could react, a fist met her jaw and she fell backwards, making everyone gasp.
"Emma!"
"What the fuck Leroy?!", Emma yelled and the man fell down from the stool, his arms ready to trow another punch.
"Leave me alone bitch!", he growled out and Emma jumped on top of him, making him fall to the ground. Getting on top of him, she got her handcuffs and put them on him.
"You okay Swan?", Ruby asked and Emma nodded standing from the ground.
"Yeah I'm good, thanks. Let's go asshole", she said and pulled Leroy out of the diner, everybody watching.
Once back at the station Emma put him in a cell and groaned as she felt the pain in her jaw. "God that hurt"
She sat back down at her seat and when she looked over at the cell, she found Leroy sleeping already. Rolling her eyes she shook her head and turned back to her paperwork. She heard heels and turned to see the mayor walk inside.
"Hello deputy. What happened?!", Regina said, immediately discovering the mark on Emma's jaw and the blonde stood from her seat, her hands in the air.
"I'm fine, just got into some trouble this morning", she said nodding towards the cells and Regina turned to see Leroy sleeping on the bed.
"Of course it's him. How hard did he hit you?", she asked putting a hand on the jaw and Emma hissed a little but let a smile show.
"I've tried worse", she said and kissed the mayors cheek before sitting back down, surprising the woman a little.
"Where is Graham?", she asked and Emma chuckled.
"Something about a dog keeping digging holes in a woman's yard"
Regina nodded and walked closer to the blonde.
"Well I just wanted to talk to you about August", she said and Emma immediately pulled all her attention to the woman.
"Okay"
Regina sighed and walked over to a seat, sitting down. "Now that he needs a wheelchair to get around, I figured Granny's bed and breakfast isn't exactly the best place for him to stay", she started out and Emma nodded looking down at her fingers.
"I'll look for apartments as soon as I can", she said and Regina nodded looking down as well.
"I wanted to tell you that a few places are available on Mifflinstreet"
Emma nodded eyeing the woman for a moment before looking away.
"Thanks"
Regina gave her a smile and Emma gave one of her own back. They sat in comfortable silence as their eyes shared an intense battle of want.
"You're eyes are beautiful"
"Would you like to go on a date with me?"
Both women froze on the spot, eyeing the other before letting out small laughs.
"Thank you", Regina said at the compliment while Emma chuckled.
"I would love to"
Regina smiled and looked down at her watch.
"Shit I'm late", she hissed and stood from her seat making Emma's heart lower a bit.
"Oh okay"
Regina turned to her and walked over to the chair, standing in front of her.
"Tomorrow night. I'll pick you up by the hospital at six pm"
Emma nodded and looked up at the woman with a smile.
"Can't wait"
Regina smiled and leaned down, letting her lips meet Emma's in a small soft kiss. Suddenly they heard the door open and they both turned to see Graham walk inside with grass and dirt all over his clothes and face.
"What happened?", Emma asked, trying to hold a grin back while Regina stood and eyed the man with a smirk.
"Don't", was all he said before walking into the bathroom making the two women chuckle.
"Your majesty", Rumple said the moment the door to his shop opened and he turned to see David walk inside.
"Gold please tell me you've found something", he said closing the door behind him and Rumple chuckled.
"I always find something"
He immediately saw the hope jump in the kings eyes and smiled. "Follow me"
David immediately followed the man to the back of the shop and David froze when he saw a woman sitting on a bed. "Oh, hello"
"Hello. Belle French", the woman presented herself and David turned to Gold and eyed him.
"She remembers?", he asked and the man nodded.
"I just got her back. I had to make sure I couldn't loose her again"
David sighed and looked away.
"Gold just tell me what you've found"
The man turned around and opened a closet, pulling out a large bottle with floating pictures.
"What's that?", David asked stepping closer and Gold smiled.
"This, dearie. Is our saviours memories"
"A date?", August asked, crunching his nose and Emma smiled nodding.
"Yeah. It's two people going out to eat dinner and have a good time", explained and August nodded looking back down in his book.
"When will you come back?"
"It's only a couple of hours kid. No more than three hours, okay?"
Emma could see the sadness in the boy's eyes as he nodded and she smiled sadly at him. "You'll be okay. I'm not leaving you here. I'm just going out"
August nodded, but didn't say anything more and Emma knew she had hit a soft spot. It was obvious he was used to being left.
"Hey, how about tomorrow, if we are allowed, I'll take you to Granny's", she suggested and that made the cut. August immediately smiled wide, his eyes lightning up as he heard the suggestion and Emma couldn't help but chuckle at the reaction.
"Yes! I haven't been outside for so long!", he exclaimed and Emma smiled wide.
"But if we're lucky, they'll let me take you out"
August smiled wide before turning back to the storybook. Emma sighed and looked down at her fingers for a few moments before clearing her throat.
"August can you put that away please?", she asked gently and August immediately did as he was told and turned his full attention towards her. Emma smiled at the action. It was obvious he was well behaved despite being an orphan.
"I want to talk to you about something"
August nodded waiting for her continue and Emma felt herself getting nervous. What if he didn't want this?
"After everything that's happened, I believe we need to stay here for a while. With your recovery and everything"
August widened his eyes and Emma could see the happiness in them. "Really?", the boy asked with a big smile and Emma couldn't stop her own smile.
"Yeah kid. I've been looking over some apartments and I think I've found something"
"Thank you Emma"
Emma smiled and looked down at her watch, seeing the time. "Regina should be here soon. You okay by yourself kid?"
August nodded turning back to the book and Emma smiled sadly at him before sighing deep.
"I hope Granny's okay", Regina said the moment the said down in a booth and Emma smiled nodding.
"Of course. It's not like there are many places to eat out here"
Regina nodded in agreement and they looked at the menu in silence. Oddly for Regina, the silence was comfortable, with her being more nervous than ever before. She couldn't remember the last time she had met someone so amazing as Emma.
"Can I ask you something?", Emma asked once they had ordered and Regina looked at her for a moment before nodding. Emma gave a soft smile before taking a deep breath.
"What happened to your daughter?"
At that Regina completely froze. She had completely forgotten everything about that.
"Uhm…"
Emma could see the struggle and she knew she had hit a soft spot, but her curiosity got the best of her. And now she could see how far she had went. "If you don't want to ans-"
"I lost her. A long time ago. That's all I'm saying", Regina interrupted her and Emma looked at her with sadness as she nodded looking away.
"Regina I'm sorry-"
"It's fine. You've always been a curious girl", she said without thinking and Emma frowned at the woman.
"Excuse me?"
Regina looked at her with furrowed eyebrows before realising what she had said and widened her eyes.
"How do you know I've been a curious girl? You don't know me Regina"
"No Emma, let me explain-"
"No Regina. Let me explain. Everybody thinks they know me, but they don't. And especially not you. You've known me for a week"
Regina stared back at the woman, not believing her eyes and ears. Here she thought everything was going in the right direction and suddenly it's not.
"Emma-"
"Just stop", was all Emma said before standing from her seat and walking out of the diner. Regina sat in her seat, her eyes wide, mouth open with surprise. But a second late she stood from her seat and ran after the blonde.
"No Emma wait!"
Running out of the diner, she turned to see Emma walking down the street, in no doubt on her way back to the hospital.
"Leave me alone Regina. It's obvious this town is crazy", the blonde said as the brunette came to walk next to her and Regina sighed looking down.
"I'm sorry Emma"
"Why are you sorry?! What's going on?!", she yelled turning to the brunette and Regina sighed looking down once more. Emma eyed the woman with disbelief when no answer came and she shook her head.
"August was right. Something is wrong with this town. And I intent to find out"
That made Regina look up in time to see the blonde walk away and Regina knew she was screwed. She had to tell her the truth. Even if it ruined everything.