Note: I do not own OUAT or its characters (just a reminder, not that you didn't know already)
Note 2: Sorry it has taken a long time to update
Regina was out of her mind with nerves. All the angst of working up to getting a date with Emma Swan and then actually going out on a date with Emma Swan were incomparable. She had rejected several outfits already and even after settling on a red dress that she thought showed off her hips very well, she was still unsure that it was "first date" worthy.
She didn't have time to change at the point though as she put on the final touches. She was checking her lipstick in the hall mirror when the doorbell rang. She tried not to rush over to it, not wanting to seem too eager.
She opened the door and felt her nerves disappear for a moment at least as she gazed upon Emma, who was dressed in a pair of black pants with a purple button up shirt and matching black jacket. Her hair seemed extra thick and curly and Regina had the sudden urge to touch it.
"Hi," she finally said.
"You look wow," Emma said who was also stricken momentarily useless while she looked at Regina.
"Thank you," Regina smiled. "You look very beautiful this evening."
"Thanks," Emma said looking down at her outfit. "I changed like a million times as I wasn't sure what to wear."
"You chose well. Shall we go?"
"Yes," Emma said, offering Regina an arm. They got into Regina's car – Regina refusing to have a first date that involved Emma's car. Regina was about to put it in drive when Emma stopped her.
"What?" Regina said seeing Emma looking at her with intensity.
Emma leaned over and kissed her slowly. "Sorry," she said afterward. "I couldn't wait until after the date to do that."
Regina smiled, "I don't think anyone would accuse either of us of being traditional so it's perfectly ok."
They actually drove out of Storybrooke to the next town over for their dinner. They could have stayed in town, and neither cared if others thought it odd they were out together but in the end they also decided they wanted their privacy. Henry was at his grandparents for the evening, and for the first time in what seemed like they a long time both women were just Regina and Emma.
They ate at a family-owned seaside restaurant that provided an intimate setting for their date.
"You never told me how it was that you fell in love with me," Emma said partway through the meal.
"It was kind of the same as you, where there wasn't any one moment, but the moment I really started to consider that you could be more than a nuisance in my life was with the failsafe device. I asked you to let Henry know that I died as just Regina and instead of just leaving me there to take care of that thing the best I could you stayed. No one had ever done that for me – you know stayed for me – not really at least and it meant a lot to me."
"And then like an idiot I leave you behind and go to New York."
"We agreed not to talk about that."
"I know. It's just frustrating because this could be like our 20th date by now instead of our first."
"That eager to get to a date that involves sex?"
"What? Um … no … I mean I would um … you know when …" Emma stuttered, totally caught off guard by the remark.
Regina laughed at the look on Emma's face and Emma in turn relaxed realizing Regina was having a bit of fun at her expense.
"My point was this could have happened sooner."
"It could have, especially if I had spoken up sooner. I had thought about doing it so many times but each time I chickened out. I guess the idea that you might like me in return was still a far-fetched idea in my head that it prevented me from saying what I wanted to say."
"I guess the important thing is that we got here, not when it happened, but that it happened at all."
"Yes. I must say I am surprised your mother didn't have a mob of villagers with pitchforks outside my house after you asked me out in front of her."
"Nah, she's just hoping you make an honest woman out of me quick and get her some more grandchildren."
This time it was Emma's turn to laugh at Regina's look.
They finished their meal, even sharing a piece of cheesecake for dessert and then they went for a walk along the boardwalk, Emma taking Regina's hand in hers. They ended up leaning against the railing out on a pier watching the waves come in.
"I remember when I first brought everyone to Storybrooke. I thought what a strange little town, how different from where we were from, except for the water. The ocean, even the small river, it seemed like it was plucked right from home. It was comforting in a way to have something familiar so close by."
"What was it like? Not the casting of the curse, but being here at first."
"Strange. I never had a set of memories like everyone else. I knew who I was and the spell did give me knowledge of this world like it did everyone else, but having knowledge and putting it to practice were two different things. I scared to death the first time I tried to drive a car."
"I would have paid to see that," Emma said.
"It would have been worth the price I assure you."
"Do you miss it at all, home?"
Regina looked out at the water again and considered the question. "I don't want to sound like a bad person for saying this, but no I don't."
"Why would you sound like a bad person for saying it?"
"I think some people in town have a romanticized version of the Enchanted Forest in their minds. They see it differently than I do. To me, it's full of mistakes and bad memories. I know when your parents had the plan of returning their and leaving me behind, I was upset, but the truth was I upset with them plotting behind my back to leave me. I would not have been upset at staying here unless Henry was taken from me. This has been more like a home to me than that place was."
"Well if it makes you feel any better you would probably have to drag Ruby back kicking and screaming before she would allow anyone to take her back. She loves it here."
"At least I would have her to keep me company then."
"Not just her," Emma smiled.
They returned to Storybrooke and Emma walked Regina up to her door. "Do you want to come in?"
"There you go breaking with traditional first date protocols," Emma said.
"I'm willing to take the risk that the sheriff won't have me arrested for breaking any first date laws," Regina said. "Although the prospect of handcuffs is intriguing."
When Emma gulped, it was easy for both of them to hear as Regina took her hand and led her inside.
Regina made them both coffee and they sat on the couch talking more, until Regina moved in closer and kissed Emma. They continued to kiss, exploring each other's mouths while Emma had a hand on Regina's thigh. She wanted to do more than kiss, but she reminded herself that not only was this just the first date, but she didn't want to put any undo pressure on the other woman.
This was new to both of them, and just kissing was perfectly ok.
"I had a really wonderful time," Regina said afterward.
"I did too," Emma said. "I should probably get going since it's getting late."
"Of course," Regina said. They walked to the door where there was more kissing.
"I am looking forward to date number two already," Emma said between kisses.
"I am looking forward to date number 20. We did agree that was a sex date right?"
"Woman you are going to be the death of me," Emma said, deepening the kiss. "But what a way to go."
They finally stopped long enough for Emma to actually leave. Once the door was closed Regina leaned up against it. She never felt like this before – a giddiness that threatened to consume her. She was so happy and wanted nothing more than to have Emma there with her, but she knew they needed to take it slow. Still it didn't mean she wouldn't be thinking about her tonight while in bed.