Glad your all still enjoying this story and the Emma/Regina interactions. There's plenty more of that in this chapter :)
Day 4, of Emma's two week stay at the Mills castle.
"Finally your back" Emma moaned, as she stood staring out the window of the bedroom chamber, it was early evening and Regina had been gone for hours.
Regina walked straight over to her.
"I'm sorry, you must know that these meetings are necessary, as your parents must attend many of their own"
Emma sighed and crossed her arms.
"Yeah they do, its just you should still be taking it easy"
Regina reached for the blondes hand and took her hand in her own. Her pulse quickened at the contact as it always did. Just the mere contact of their hands made her feel so alive and warm inside.
"And there was me thinking you had missed me" she smirked.
Emma glanced down at their joined hands and bit her lip, before looking back up and looking into the deep of the Queens darkening eyes.
"Always" she replied in a whisper.
Regina swallowed and looked surprised by the princesses confession but then smiled, as they continued to hold each others gaze in a heavy silence, that filled the room.
"So, have you eaten?" Regina finally asked and pulled herself away, as her emotions were overwhelming her once more.
"Yeah" Emma replied lowly and looked back outside the window, she was sure Regina was going to close the space between them, but she stepped back and the Princess then thought, When she is ready, don't push her, I don't want to lose her.
"Good, because there's something i want to show you" Regina then said, regaining her composure.
"Oh what is it?" Emma asked curiously.
"Come and see" she pulled Emma by the hand, taking her to the stables.
"it's kind of late to go riding Regina" Emma joked nervously.
"Were not"
"Okay"
"Don't worry, it is a good surprise" Regina reassured her and a few minutes later, they reached the stable and Regina pulled Emma inside, taking her to a stall and told her to look inside.
"That's…" Emma muttered, as her eyes widened.
"Yes" Regina smiled.
"She's trying to stand up" Emma said in awe.
"You think it's a she huh?" Regina smirked.
"Oh, is it not?" Emma asked and glanced! to her.
"Yes you were right, it is indeed a she" she took a breath.
Emma nudged her arm playfully "She's kinda cute, with that white patch on her head"
"Well that is good to know, as I want you to name her"
Emma gaped, you want me to name your horse?"
"Regina rubbed her hands together "she can be your horse…if that is okay with you"
"Really?"
"Yes, a gift. She can stay here of course and when you visit, you can see her grow and maybe you could ride her once she's grown. Me and you could go riding or horse walking together"she was rambling now and her eyes were fixed on the small brown horse.
Emma's heart swelled.
"Look at you, thinking of the future" Emma replied happily and added our future in her head.
Regina tilted her head and nodded.
There was a pause.
"You know, I will need time to think of a name" Emma said happily, as she stared back at the horse.
"Of Course, there's no rush"
Emma then smiled and turned to embrace Regina.
Thank you Regina. this is one of the nicest things, someone has ever done for me"
"your welcome dear" she squeezed the blondes waist, before they parted and Emma then glanced round.
"Which one is Ro?"
Regina smiled widely and took Emma further along the stable. "This is Ro" she gestured her hand towards the stall and Emma looked inside.
"Jeez Regina, his huge" she gaped at the large brown horse and Regina laughed.
"His as big as the others dear and has a strong heart"
"Like his owner" Emma noted and Regina scoffed and patted Ro's neck.
"Shall we go back inside?" Regina then asked.
"Yeah if you want too, I'm happy doing whatever as long as your there"
Regina all but melted into a puddle of mush.
"Maybe we can spend a little more tine here then"
"Okay"
Day 5
Emma opened her eyes, to find Regina move against her back and when she realized what Regina was doing and she mumbled "You like to cuddle, your a cuddlier"
Regina's eyes opened in surprise and she went to pull back, but Emma grabbed her arm and pulled her back to her "I'm a cuddlier too" she added and brought Regina's hand into her own.
Regina held her breath and settled back down behind the Princess. Why was she allowing this is wondered, but she knew deep down that, this is what she desperately craved.
Moments later, both were fully aware of the heat, that was radiating through their bodies and they let their eyes close and they smiled.
A long moment later.
"We better get up" Regina said, but didn't move.
"What are we going to do today?" Emma asked.
"Breakfast, lunch and dinner" Regina smirked.
"Sounds great"
"I knew you would say that"
Emma chuckled.
Day 6
"There you are, I have been looking for you" Regina said, as she entered the yard of the Castle.
"Yeah, I have been training with your guard,.It is good to face someone new, test my abilities" she smiled smugly.
"Oh really. I'll have you know my guards are highly trained dear"
"Yeah I know, however I am currently winning 5-2 in our little game"
Regina quirked an eyebrow and crossed her arms, looking to her guard.
"What game is this?"
"First person to land a hit my Queen"
"Show me" she demanded and stepped back, this made Emma swallow thickly. She wanted to impress Regina greatly.
The guard quickly took his stance and Emma gripped her wooden fighting staff.
Relax Emma...Watch him, not her...my god she's so beautiful...no concentrate, impress her first...then I can look at her...oh god I'm pathetic.
The guard then stepped forward and swiped his staff at her and she swayed out the way, before quickly hitting his legs with her weapon.
"6-2" She said proudly and the guard got up from the ground with a frown upon his face.
Regina smirked at Emma's smugness.
The guard then took his position once more, thinking of his next move.
Emma however just smiled wickedly and took her position.
This time, she was going to step forward first, but before she could think the guard twisted himself and managed to hit Emma on the back.
"Crap" she muttered to herself and the guard smirked.
"6-3 Princess" he said proudly.
She took her position again eagerly. While Regina raked her eyes over her. She unconsciously licked her lips.
The blonde then attacked the guard, with a move she had learned from her father.
Upper hit, upper hit, lower hit, upper hit, sway, twirl and take the mans legs out and moments later there was a thud.
Thank god that worked, she thought with relief.
"Where did you learn that move Princess?" The guard asked curiously as he stood up.
"My dad" Emma said proudly.
"Has he shown you other moves?"
"Your have to wait and see" she smirked at him and Regina smiled widely.
Ten minutes later, Emma happily declared herself the winner.
"10-6" she said smugly and looked to Regina, who was looking at her proudly.
"I shall have to hire you as my own personal Knight" she teased.
"Oh?" Emma asked and the Queen chuckled lightly.
Come dear. Lets go for a walk" she said.
"Okay" Emma smiles and gave her staff to the guard.
"Were have to do this again soon, it was fun"
"Yes Princess, next time will be much closer"
"Were see" she laughed and turned to Regina, who was patiently waiting for her and she thought, I have far better things to be doing right now and she quickly walked over to join her best friend.
That evening.
Emma is in the Hall, while Regina is getting changed. She turns on the music box which starts to play a soft gentle tune. One she knows and she sways to it.
Unknown to her, Regina appears at the door and watches her sway for a few moments, her eyes watching every movement and she's entranced by what she see's.
It's not until Emma turns, that see shes the Queen watching her. She stops and ducks her head in slight embarrassment.
"Um..How long you been there?" she asked shyly, brushing her hair behind her ear with her hand.
Regina takes a breath and goes to her.
"Long enough" she replies.
The tune then changes into another soft tune and the two find themselves listening to the beat, while gazing at one another, standing inches apart.
Neither knew what to say, so Emma took the opportunity to ask the Queen to dance with her.
"Will you dance with me Regina?" she asked tentatively.
"I..." She wanted to refuse her, but her body disobeyed. She reached out her hand for Emma to take.
The princess was relived that she wasn't rejected, but then terrified at the thought of Regina so close.
The Queen placed her hand on Emma's waist and held Emma's hand outwards.
"I shall lead" she declared.
"That's fine with me" Emma replied.
However they didn't move, instead they locked eyes, the air was thickening and Emma swore she saw Regina's eyes darken, but Regina cleared her throat and motioned for them to dance.
They glided around the room effortlessly and Emma chuckled at the brunettes concentrated expression.
"What's so funny?" Regina asked.
"You are really concentrating on the moves"
"If I don't, we shall most likely fall over"
Emma immediately stopped and pulled back.
"Dancing is meant to be fun, not counted out Regina"
"If I don't think about it, I wont be able to dance properly" she snapped.
Emma sighed.
"Do you trust me Regina" Emma asked.
"Yes"
"Then let me lead"
Regina looked unsure.
"Trust me" Emma said seriously, taking the Queens hand and waist.
"Ready?" Emma asked.
"Yes I guess so" Regina replied shakily and the princess gave her hand a squeeze for reassurance, before starting to move.
A minute later, Regina actually felt more at ease and could pay attention to other things, such as Emma's wonderful smile and the way her cheeks were reddening and then, that look she gave her, as she pulled her closer so that their chests were touching. This made Regina weak at the knees and she fell to the floor.
"Regina...Regina" Emma shouted in concern, bending down.
"I'm okay...I'm okay" Regina replied breathlessly. How could this happen, what the hell, she thought.
"I shouldn't have pushed you to dance. Your still recovering from the fever" Emma said sadly.
It's not that...Regina thought to herself and she couldn't even look at Emma, in fear her emotions would be revealed.
"Do not worry. I will be fine"
"Do you want to go rest?" Emma asked.
"Yes. I think that will be best"
"Okay, well let me help you up to your room"
"I will be fine by myself Emma"
"Oh...okay" she frowned and watched Regina get up and brush herself down.
"You stay and enjoy the music" Regina then said.
"Okay" she rubbed her arm. "Are you sure?"
Regina nodded and left feeling rather bad and also very confused.
Upon entering her chamber, she changed into her nightwear and got into bed. She stared up at the ceiling. She knew she couldn't fight this or foll herself any longer, as her body seemed to have already given in.
Emma meanwhile, had stopped the music. She was worried about Regina and cursed herself for making her dance, when she was still not fully recovered. She then headed out the hall and to Regina's chamber.
She needed to be with her to make sure she was okay.
She entered the chamber minutes later, to find Regina on her back under the covers.
"Regina..." she whispered.
The Queen pulled the covers back slightly and leaned up.
"What are you doing here?"
"I couldn't relax, unless I knew you were okay and that your weren't mad at me" she bit her lip worriedly.
"I told you I'm okay and no, I am not mad at you, I could never be mad at you"
Emma sighed in relief and she proceeded to get changed. Regina laid back down, willing herself not to look at Emma getting changed.
Moments later Emma slipped into the bed.
"Do you not want to go back and listen to the music Emma?" The Queen asked sadly.
"No. It's not as fun as when your there and anyway I want to be here, make sure you are okay"
Regina rolled her eyes even though her heart swelled at Emma's sweet words.
"You really are a thoughtful"
"I know. One of my many qualities"
Regina turned on her side with a smile, facing away from Emma.
"Goodnight Emma" she said softly.
Emma smirked, turning herself on her side, facing Regina and she moved closer.
"Night" she replied shakily, then hesitantly put her arm over the Queens side.
Regina froze and she held her breath.
"I'm a cuddlier" Emma whispered in explanation and Regina let a breath out. "Is this okay?" the princess then asked.
"Yes Emma. It is okay.." she closed her eyes and willed her body to relax and once it did, she found herself enjoying the sensation and warmth of Emma against her and she thought, I could certainly get used to this...
Things are getting cosy and what do you guys think Emma should call her horse?
Thanks for reading.