Chapter 10

Hello all, sorry that this chapter is a tad bit shorter than my recent ones, I wrote this at 2 am haha. So hopefully there isn't a ton of mistakes or anything! I apologize if there is. Anyways, enjoy and if you want, voice your opinions! :)

I rub my hands together anxiously. Right now, it's five in the evening on Monday and I am sitting in Regina's driveway. First of all, she does not live in a house. She lives in a goddamn mansion. I feel so...out of place. Second of all, it's going to be so private. As my relationship with Regina begins to grow, it's been harder to contain myself. I know I will never actually try anything with her but it just sucks having such big temptations and not being able to act upon them. I'm Emma Swan, I take what I want when I want it. But this isn't the case. I mean we just established that we're officially friends just two days ago. And honestly, being her friend makes me happy enough.

I wipe my clammy hands on my jeans and walk up to her door. I ring the doorbell and a few moments later, the beautiful professor opens the door.

"Hello Emma." She greets with a bright smile on her face.

"Hi Regina." I reply, with a timid grin. "Your home is so amazing! It's like a dream!"

Regina chuckles at my reaction. "It's quite something I must admit. But not a dream dear." She sighs and when I look over at her, there's a bit a sadness in her eyes. I tilt my head but decide not to question it.

She clears her throat, "How would you like a glass of the best apple cider you ever tasted?"

I look at her with wide eyes and raised eyebrows, "Is that...is that okay?"

"Well of course, you are of age. And don't worry, a glass won't hurt."

I shrug, "Okay, sure why not."

She pours two glasses and I then follow her to her living room. In it, she moved the furniture and set out a big sheet of plastic on the floor so we don't make a mess.

I take my first sip of the cider. "Shit, that's good. I was going to call you cocky but you're right, this is the best cider ever."

Regina smirks, "I know. I've been making apple cider my whole life. I started making it with my father when I was young." She paused and chuckled, "I always got so mad when he wouldn't let me drink some after I put so much work into making it. When I was 24, he-he died. I didn't want to continue his tradition because I thought it would be too hard. But I knew he wouldn't want me to stop something that I enjoy so much so I did it anyways. And I ended up discovering that everytime I make the cider, I feel so close to him. Like he's with me again"

I set my glass down and put a supporting arm around her shoulders. "Your father will always be with you, and will always watch over you."

She looks into my eyes, "I'm sorry Emma, I don't know why I told you that." She shakes her head.

"Hey no, don't be sorry. It's lovely what you said. And you told me because I'm your friend. And I would love to know more about your life. The good and the bad." I give her a reassuring smile when she nods at me and I finally remove my arm.

"So, how the hell do we start this thing?" Even though I'm dying to know more about her personal life, I decide to change the subject so Regina doesn't feel uncomfortable or upset.

"Well we first, we...oh dammit." Regina frowns.

I mock her expression, "What is it?"

"Well I wanted to take photos of you doing the pose of the girl so I could go off of it when sculpting the clay and frame but we actually need a third person for the hands gripping the clothes and stuff. I forgot about that."

"Oh, I guess that would make things easier. Hmm. Hey what if my dad did it? He wouldn't mind and I think having guy hands would make them more intimidating."

"I think that sounds like a perfect idea." We grab our coats and shoes and head out the door. Regina locks it but then hesitates.

"You sure he won't mind?"

"Of course not! Now come on." I grab her hand and lead her to my car. I can't help but notice how perfect my hands fits into hers. It feels...right.

I look back at her and she has a blush to her cheeks which makes it hard to hold back the smile on my face.

I unlock my door and to my surprise, Regina slides right into the passenger seat.

I look at her suspiciously, "No snarky comments about my car?"

"Believe me, it was tempting but I...I trust you." She says it slow and shy but she says it. And I couldn't be any happier. Regina freaking Mills really does trust me. I really, really want to kiss her right now. I swallow hard. Calm down. It's not like she confessed her love! She only said she trusted you. Stop overreacting. I sigh and mumble a 'good' before turning on the radio and driving to my house.

I open the door to David and Mary Margaret sitting at the kitchen table playing checkers. I beam at their cuteness.

"Oh hello Emma! And oh! Regina, hello! What a nice surprise! I didn't expect to see you here!" Mary Margaret says with a huge smile.

I look over at Regina and stifle a laugh as I see her grimace at my mother's bright personality. "Hello Mrs. Nolan, sorry this was so unexpected. We forgot we needed another person to help us with our first step on the project. Emma thought her father would suffice."

"And that I will do, hello Regina was it? I'm David." He gives her a grin and shakes Regina's hand.

Regina gives a small smile in return, "Pleasure to meet you. And thank you for your help, it's much appreciated."

"No problem at all, anything for my amazing daughter." I walk over to him and squeeze him tight. He gives me a kiss on the head and releases me. "So, what exactly am I doing?"

"Well, I don't want to spoil our idea by giving it away so I'm not telling you why you are doing it, just what you're doing."

He gives me a pout which makes me giggle. "Don't try that with me dad, you aren't going to know until it's finished." I cross my arms and hold my head high.

"Fine, fine you win. But just know, me and your mother won't stop trying to get it out of you."

"Trust me, I know. I just need ya to pose in some photos with me. So let's go by the window where there's good lighting." We all walk to the window. Mary Margaret sits in a chair and watches eagerly. Regina pulls out her phone, which is the latest iphone that I believe has an amazing setting called portrait mode to take the best photos a phone could take. We instruct my father on exactly where to grip my clothes, neck, hair, arms, and legs and Regina snaps numerous photos at tons of angles.

After about fifteen minutes, we are finished. "Thanks again dad!"

"Of course, honey. I can't wait to see what you have planned!"

We say our goodbyes and before we leave, Mary Margaret hands us two to-go cups filled with hot chocolate.

"You're the best, mom!" I hug her and she kisses my cheek.

"Oh sweetie, you know comments like that will make me emotional. Now go before I end up holding you so you can't leave."

I chuckle and follow Regina out the door.

XX

"Okay, so first we need to start my making a frame or outline you could say of the sculpture and the platform it will be standing on. We will be doing this with the aluminum wire. And the platform will be made of wood. This is a bit of process though, as is every step so we won't finish the frame for a few days."

I nod as I pull out the wire and a thin, smooth, and square-shaped piece of wood.

She shows me how to twist and turn the wire so I can form it into whatever shape I need. She pulls up a photo of my legs and we officially begin our statue.

It was harder than I thought it would be, and definitely much more time-consuming. It was now eight o'clock and we just finish with the framing of one and a half legs. This includes one of the hands gripping the finished leg. We also painted the piece of wood a gold-bronze color. We thought it would be better to paint the whole thing that color to give it more of a classic sculpture look.

We stand back and observe our work.

"Well, I think we are doing pretty well so far." Regina says.

"I agree. I just didn't think it would take so long."

"What, are you wanting to get away from me already, Miss Swan?" Regina asks teasingly with an arched eyebrow.

"What? No, no. Definitely not." I say way too eagerly. Embarrassed by my sudden reaction, I bite my lip and turn away.

I feel her presence appear close behind me. With my peripheral vision, I see her head leaning towards my left ear. "Because I for one, am enjoying your company." She says in low tone.

I shiver even though I feel the heat coursing through my entire body. Was she...flirting? And how the hell does a tone make me feel this way? I don't turn around because I'm afraid I will jump her if I do. And she couldn't possibly want that, right? I release a breath of air I was holding and decide to try and act as normal I possible. I let out a shaky laugh - so much for normal - and slowly turn around.

"I like hanging with you too." I wince at my choice of words, so far from what I actually want to do.

She looks down towards the floor as she says, "Well it's getting a bit late, you should probably go. I will see you in class tomorrow and then same time today, okay?"

"Uh yep, sounds good. Goodnight Regina." I give her a small and awkward smile, grab the empty to-go cups, and return to my car. And to think this couldn't get more confusing.

XX

Friday night ends with me and Regina finally finishing the frame of the sculpture. And to be honest? It. Looks. So. Good. And this is only the frame! I can't wait to see it all done!

No more incidents happened after the one on Monday (thank god). I don't know how much more I could handle without saying 'fuck it' and then 'fuck me' to Regina. Only to be called weird and inappropriate for even thinking such thoughts about my professor and being let off of the project that I've grown to care so much about.

I'm alone admiring the frame because Regina told me not to leave and to sit on the couch. So here I am waiting for her. I wonder what she's up to now?

I few moments later, she returns from upstairs with a small box perfectly wrapped in white wrapping paper and gold ribbon. She sits close and hands it to me with a gorgeous smile on her face.

I give her an incredulous look. "What's this for?"

"Well, I overheard that your birthday is coming up and well, being your friend and all, I thought I'd get you something." I widen my eyes at her and open my mouth to speak but she beats me to it. "It's nothing really, and I wanted to, so don't worry about it."

"Well thank you Regina." I go to put it in my bag but she grabs my wrist and stops me.

"Aren't you going to open it?"

"Uh well I suppose I could, yeah sure." I untie the ribbon and set it on the table. "Only you could wrap something so perfect you know."

She chuckles at me, "I told you, I'm quite refined."

I roll my eyes and rip open the white paper to reveal a simple brown box. When I open the lid, I feel like my smile goes from ear to ear. In the box is the small swan figurine from the pottery shop. She remembered.

"Oh my - Regina. I - thank you so much. I love it! I can't believe you remembered!"

She grins back at me, "Well actually I got it the day after we were there, I saw how much you loved it and I couldn't help myself."

I throw arms around her in a warm hug, "Well thank you." She leaves her arms at her sides at first, then she slowly returns my hug. I want to stay like this forever because I feel so safe in her embrace. But obviously, that can't happen. I let go first as that damn blush creeps onto my pale cheeks. Go away dammit.

"You're welcome, Emma."

She too has a blush on her cheeks and it's too damn adorable. It makes me feel better about mine. I gather my things and tell her goodbye. We don't hug again but she gives my upper arm a comfortable squeeze.

It takes all my strength not to skip to my car like a stupid idiot.

XX

That night, I display my swan on the front of my nightstand. I take time to observe like I did in the shop, flicking a piece of lint off of it's golden crown. Regina actually bought me this. I smile and feel so warm inside as I drift off to sleep.