Chapter Ten
Emma came home from her classes Friday evening to a surprise at her front door. She bent down to pick up the flowers and looked for a card to tell her who they were from. There wasn't any card, it was just a bouquet of purple Lilacs. The young woman had never received flowers from anyone before so at first she wasn't quite sure how to feel about it. Ultimately, she decided it was a sweet gesture.
They're probably from Annie because of tonight. That's actually really sweet.
She looked around the kitchen for a makeshift vase, finding a pitcher that was usually used to hold alcohol at parties she had hosted. Smiling, she left the flowers on the coffee table in her living room. There were still a few hours left until her date so she decided to take a nap until it was time to get ready.
Old photographs made their way out of dusty boxes and onto Regina's dining room table. The last time they had been looked at was many years ago. She never had the desire or courage to relive her past. Ever since she ended things with Emma and came to terms with her feelings, she had an urge to work past her issues. The brunette knew exactly why could never commit to anyone: she was terrified that she would be abandoned yet again. Neither her father nor Lea purposefully left her, but she no longer had them. She wasn't so sure she could handle it if someone else she cared so deeply about got hurt or left.
Seeing the wide and honest smiles in her old pictures reminded her of how happy she used to be. A small smile was forming on her face at all the good memories that came flooding back to her. She thought to herself that if she just opened up and had a little faith in herself and other people, she may get back some of her sincere joy. Taking a deep breath, she understood that it would take a lot of patience and hard work from both parties but she was willing to put in the work if Emma would agree to it.
Regina cleaned up her photographs, she had enough of going down memory lane for the night. The woman desperately wanted to talk to Emma but she had a department event to get to. She also of course remembered that Emma had a date that night. Her heart wrenched at the thought of the gorgeous blonde with someone else but she had never been one to meddle in other people's business. The worry didn't get to her too much because she knew she shared a special and strong connection with Emma, way more than she had with this new girl.
The professor made her way upstairs to freshen up before her obligation. She forced herself to think about anything other than the possibility of somebody else getting the chance to kiss the perfect lips that belong to Emma Swan. Putting a finger to her own lips, she could still feel hers on them.
Emma arrived at the coffee shop right on time. She looked around the store until she found the face from a picture Jefferson had showed her. A smile graced her face and she approached the woman.
"Hi, I'm Emma," she put out a hand to shake a greeting.
"Hi, Emma. It's nice to officially meet you, I'm Annie."
The woman was close to Emma's height with tan skin and long, brown hair. She was definitely pretty but Emma was already comparing her attributes to Regina's. Annie had an athletic build, fit like Regina but she lacked the curves that drove Emma wild.
They went to the counter to order their drinks. Emma got a peppermint mocha to prepare for the oncoming chill of October in New York. Annie ordered a blended green tea drink and Emma couldn't help but cringe.
Regina would never order anything like that.
Their "date" started and they just tried to get to know each other. It felt like they had been there for two hours but when Emma pulled out her phone and checked the time she noticed only thirty minutes had passed.
"Oh, I forgot to thank you for the flowers you sent to my place."
Annie appeared puzzled, "Flowers? I didn't send any flowers,".
"No? Oh, well I wonder who sent them. Sorry."
"It's no problem. So where exactly did you grow up?"
Emma groaned inwardly at the question. She didn't want to explain her complicated and sad childhood to this girl she barely knew. There was absolutely nothing wrong with Annie but she didn't connect with her. So she faked a stomach ache and ended their get together early. They awkwardly hugged before the blonde walked back to her apartment.
She was super nice and pretty but she didn't take my breath away like Regina does. I need to just get over her because she's not gonna come back to sweep me off my feet. I guess I'm just not ready to see anyone else in that way right now. Ugh I just miss watching the way she talks so passionately about everything. And when she says some words when she gets excited you can hear a hint of a Spanish accent. It's so sexy, she's so sexy. Fuck, I need to stop.
When the young woman got inside she couldn't help but stare at the flowers. They were so beautiful and unlike anything she had ever received. She came to the conclusion that they must have been delivered to the wrong address. Too bad they didn't have any note with them so she could give them to their rightful owner.
She spent the rest of her evening lying in bed trying to work on homework.
Saturday morning arrived and Regina Mills found herself to be a little clumsy. The dignified woman was never clumsy unless she was nervous and today her nerves were shot through the roof. She was trying everything to calm herself down but nothing seemed to work. It was only 11 am and she had already tried grading papers and lesson planning, now she was cleaning her entire house. Everything was being scrubbed down to spotless perfection. Regina scrubbed the spots out of everything, hoping it would simultaneously scrub the spots out of her life. Of course, she wasn't that daft to believe it could happen. But maybe she'd be able to think about her situation better with a spotless house. A loud groan escaped from her mouth for the third time in a row.
Her cellphone was in her kitchen and she walked over to retrieve it. Leaning against the counter, she thumbed through her contacts until she settled on Emma's name. She stared at the letters and admired the way they came together to form the most beautiful name she had ever spoken.
Just text or call her already. But she's probably deleted my number or will just ignore me. I would do the same if I was her.
The woman couldn't sit still anymore so she decided it was finally time to take a risk. She put on a cardigan and left her house to hail a cab.
About forty minutes later, Regina stood outside of Emma's door with two coffees in her hands. She had to keep reminding herself to breathe she was so scared.
What if she tells me to leave? What if she's not even home? Maybe this was a ridiculous idea.
She turned around and was about to leave when another voice popped in her head to give her a pep talk.
Oh, come on! You're Regina Mills. You are incredible and Emma is the kindest person you have ever met. Don't set her out to be like every other person who has wronged you.
Taking a deep breath, she turned around and knocked on the door before she could run away. There was some shuffling around inside and Regina heard a yelp after what sounded like Emma stubbing her toe on a table.
The door opened to reveal a disheveled Emma with wide eyes once she noticed who had knocked on her door.
'R-Regina. What are you doing here?"
The older woman held out one of the coffees to the blonde.
"I brought you some coffee."
Emma eyed then cup and then proceeded to take it.
"Thanks. Do you want to come in?"
There was a hesitation from the brunette, "Yes, please. Thank you,".
She entered the apartment and they awkwardly stood in silence, sipping their coffees.
Finally, they both spoke up at the same time. They gave each other an awkward smile before Emma tried to again.
"You go first."
"Okay, thank you. I want to tell you how sorry I am." She eyed the room, her nerves making it hard to focus. Her sight landed on the vase of purple Lilacs on the coffee table.
'Oh! I see you liked the flowers I sent."
Emma's mouth opened when she finally connected the dots.
"You sent me these?"
"Yes, dear. Purple Lilacs. It may be silly but they represent how I feel about you right now. They symbolize the first emotions of love. That is actually why I'm here."
Emma felt the familiar butterflies flutter around in her stomach and her whole body grew warm.
"Uhh, okay. Umm do you want to sit down?"
She led them over to the couch and noticed how carefully and gracefully Regina sat down.
"So, as I was saying. I am really sorry for the things I said to you and the way I treated you."
"You are," Emma looked up at her with surprise and hope in her eyes.
"Yes, truly. The truth is, I didn't mean any of it. Emma, I am not the easiest person to talk to."
The blonde gave a small chuckle, "Yeah, I got that part,".
Regina shot her a look and an eye roll.
"Anyways, I don't put my trust in a lot of people or open up very easily. As soon as I walked out of that coffee shop I regretted everything I said. It's just that you are the kindest, funniest, and most beautiful person I have ever met. I wasn't so sure how I would be able to handle it if you broke my heart. Then I realized that I was the one doing the damage to my heart."
Both women's eyes were filling up with tears and Regina took Emma's hand.
"Emma, you were right. We do owe this to ourselves to try this out. We will definitely need some ground rules though since you are still in my class."
"You've already thought about what it would be like if we date?"
"Of course. You see I haven't felt this way for anyone in a very long time. I love spending time with you and I would love it if we could see where this goes. That is if you'll still have me."
Emma smiled at the professor with gleaming eyes.
"Regina, I have waited for you to say this to me since you walked away from me. I don't love or open up easily either. If we're going to do this then you need to work with me. I'm sure it will be difficult and frustrating at times but we can do it if we work together."
"You're willing to give me another chance?"
"Of course."
Emma quickly leaned in and took Regina's face with her hands. Their lips crashed together and the familiar taste of each other came rushing back. Butterflies were at work full force in both stomachs and their kisses became more frenzied. Their hands were all over each other before Emma pulled back.
"What were those ground rules you had in mind?"
"Oh, yes. Well we can continue this if you'd like and then discuss them afterwards. How does that sound?"
Emma shot her a mischievous grin before picking up the brunette and taking her to the bed.
"Let's definitely finish this first."
Regina let out a yelp and giggled. Finally happy that she took a risk.