Sorry for the delay but I suppose it is my way of uploading. I write at stretches when I'm off work at 2 am so it may be a little off kilter as the flow of the story goes. It is time to uncover the relationship of Zelena and Regina and ultimately Regina and Emma. More drama (?) and more angst (probably not). Enjoy.
Chapter 10
The boat rocked against the waves making the three rigid bodies aboard sway in time with the ocean's pulse. It was awkward as hell. David sat in the driver's seat, keeping the engine warm, and fiddling with the switches and toggles uselessly. Regina sat on the side bench across from the red headed stranger. The person meant to be her half sister. The one she did not know she had up until ten minutes ago. Regina cast a glance back towards the mainland where Emma was having a heated discussion with her mother. She could take a wild guess about what the topic was since she was feeling like yelling at someone now too. What the hell is going on? Are you serious? How is this happening right now? Regina could not focus on anything other than those circulating questions.
Regina looked over at the woman again. She kept trying to find any resemblance to her mother or father. "Same mother." Regina was startled out of her thoughts when the British woman spoke. "I know what you're thinking. We have the same mother. My father was British and we moved back to England after I was born in America."
"Oh. I see." Regina replied. Her brain was turning so much it became painful. How could her mother have a child she did not know about? Did her father know? How could he not? Why did they not tell her? Regina eyed the woman and could see her mother's chin and cheekbones. Her nose and eyes must be her father's because they were not like Regina's. "How- How did you get here?"
"I believe that is what your fiance is arguing with her mother about." Zelena says, glancing towards the bickering couple. "Her mother got in contact with me through...a mutual acquaintance, I suppose you can say."
Regina's brows furrowed. "What mutual acquaintance could you possibly have with Mary Swan?"
"A man named, Mr. Gold."
Regina's body froze at the new revelation. Her mind whirred with more questions. What could that man be planning? Was this a scheme of his to throw them off kilter or test them? How did he know Zelena? Was she working with Gold? Regina gathered herself to ask one of those questions or the many others in her mind but heavy stomping caught her attention.
Emma arrived, loudly, towards the boat and got in rather quickly. She settled beside Regina and eyed Zelena for a second before softening her gaze towards her. "You ok?"
Regina was unsure how to answer that question right at the moment but managed a weak nod. "Fine." She knew Emma would not be pleased with that answer but left it as it was. Mary followed after her daughter and sat in the passenger's seat next to her husband. The pair shared their own quiet words and the boat soon took off towards Swan island.
The two estranged sisters kept catching each other glancing at the other all along the way. Emma watched the exchange from beside Regina, unsure of what to say. Her mind was also running with questions and could not imagine what was going through Regina's mind at that point. The silence stretched a little too long for Emma's liking since she was bursting with curiosity.
"Are you really Regina's sister?" Regina watched Zelena closely as the redhead looked at the blonde.
"Half sister, yes."
"How can we be sure you're telling the truth?" Emma was unsure what could be gained from lying but she would rather get the question out of the way first.
Zelena rolled her eyes at the blonde. "Pardon me for not thinking to pack my birth certificate."
Eye roll and super sarcastic tone flawlessly executed. She's related to Regina alright. Emma mentally reasoned to herself while stealing a quick glance at her boss who was possibly thinking the same thing.
"How old are you?" Regina finally asks.
"My, my, what a rather rude question." The woman lightly admonishes. She primly straightens her fancy looking slacks. "A lady never tells such things."
Emma smirks at her lighthearted attitude while Regina huffs at the snub. "You must be older than me. I could start guessing. I'd say maybe, 40?" Regina is not being very subtle about the way she is goading the redhead. Emma catches the way both narrow their eyes and gauge the other. So related. "43?"
"Now, you're just being cruel." Emma watches some kind of stare contest go on for a few moments before Zelena breaks the silence. "Fine. If you absolutely must know I am 36."
Emma nods at the new information as she and Regina both do the math in their head. "So, you are four years older than Regina. How does she not know about you?" Emma shoots off quickly. Regina gapes at the blonde.
"You know my age?"
Emma smirks at the way her boss constantly underestimates her. "I know your birthday too." Emma winks just to mess with her which seems to work. Regina shakes her head at the blonde and directs her attention back to the amused redhead.
"Answer the question." Regina demands.
Zelena straightens up a little and looks around the small boat. "That is a long story. Honestly, I did not imagine telling it while boarded on a bouncing death machine."
Emma chuckles a little at that. "You don't like boats too? Tell me you hate airplanes." She is so ready to start teasing and pointing out the similarities already.
"I rather enjoy air travel. It's just transportation that floats that has me concerned."
Emma laughs lightheartedly while putting an arm around Regina, resting it on her opposite shoulder. "Gina, doesn't feel the same way. She hates almost all forms of- oomph." Emma grunts when Regina makes contact with an open fist. Emma grabs the hand to keep it from doing any other damages.
"Do not spread lies." Regina admonishes but Emma is looking at her almost lovingly that Regina can not seem to get upset.
"I am not." Emma chuckles but definitely notices the way Regina's face softens as it looks over her own smiling face. Before she gets hung up on the fact that Regina glances at her lips she returns her attention to the new stranger in their company. "What do you do, Zelena Green?"
Zelena crosses her legs. "I am a witch."
Emma and Regina look at her, both silent, wondering if they heard her right. Regina shakes out of it first. "I'm sorry, you said you are a witch? As in an old hag with a broom and wand?" Emma squeezes her shoulders in silent warning to be nicer.
Zelena laughs. "I am making a wonderful impression on you, I see. I mean, I play a witch on stage. Not any longer since I moved to New York, though, so I am putting my college degree to some actual use these days." She shrugs easily.
"Wait, you were an actress?" Emma asks.
"You live in New York?" Regina asks.
Zelena looks between the pair. "Yes, to both."
Emma looks a little impressed but Regina is still stuck on the fact that her half sister has been living in the same city as her. "How long have you lived in New York? Where? Why do you know about me and I didn't have a clue you existed?" Regina questions passionately. She was never one for surprises.
Before Zelena can utter a syllable, the roar of the boat engine shifts and Mary pipes up over the noise. "We're here! Zelena let me take your bag." Mary steps over easily as the boat slows to the dock. Emma keeps her eyes on her mother and Zelena but is physically distracted by the tense brunette in her arm.
She wraps her arm around Regina a little tighter to show she feels her discomfort and tries to offer some support. Not because it is what a fake fiance would do but because Emma wants to. Regina huffs at the loss of answers and allows her annoyance to rise.
Once the group is off the boat, Mary, trying to be a gracious host, ushers Zelena inside for a drink. Emma turns to Regina but halts when she finds an empty space. Her hair whips about underneath her beanie when she searches for the brunette. David approaches her as soon as she spots Regina walking down a side trail away from the house. Emma halts her father before he speaks with a raised hand. "Dad, not now." He doesn't have a chance to argue when she chases after her fiance. "Regina!"
It takes Emma a good minute to catch up to the fast brunette. Her breath is panting slightly with the effort. "Hold on! Damn, Gina, were you in track in school?" She asks between deep calming breathes. She doesn't get a reply so she sobers slightly and continues on with the clipped pace for a moment. She halts Regina with a hand on her forearm. "Gina, wait."
Her arm is whipped away, Regina faces Emma with a fiery expression. "Don't call me that!" A silent moment passes where Emma gets the distinct feeling that Regina has some tension she needs taken off her shoulders. The blonde quiets and listens when her fiance begins to shout. "You don't get to call me that! You don't know me, Ms. Swan!"
Regina paces away a few steps, Emma is tempted to reign her back in but the brunette is back in front of her quickly. "None of you know me! That- that woman! She doesn't get to come into my life right now and- just- she..." Regina paces away again when her frustration mounts higher when she can not articulate what she is feeling. Emma remains still knowing her boss just needs to get her thoughts out.
She has to wait a while until quiet words make their way gently towards her. "I have been on my own for sixteen years. Since my parents died. Sixteen years." Emma dares to step closer to Regina, who is holding herself away from the blonde. "I got myself through college, jobs, relationships, my career, all of it, on my own." Emma slowly rounds the front of Regina now. Her stance is steady but slow like she is approaching a wounded, wild animal. Regina's eyes flash up but don't meet her eyes however her presence is acknowledged. "What do I do now?"
The question is quiet and timid and Emma is surprised it comes from her tough as nails boss. She doesn't have a good answer so she answers with the first thing that comes to her head. "Just be yourself, Regina." Brown eyes rise to look into her green eyes and Emma gets a sudden urge to not mess anything up. She knows Regina is relying on her right now to be there and it doesn't matter that she kind of likes the feeling. "Take it one day at a time and be your normal amazing self." Her hands come up to tense shoulders on their own. They squeeze to comfort or relax. "I think if you let yourself, you could be a great half-sister." She smiles dopey, trying to ease the tension in her boss and she can see a flicker of ease in the brunette's eyes.
"What would you know about being a half-sister?" Regina questions smartly, partially biting but only to mess with the blonde.
Emma feigns hurt. "Well, now I'm not going to share my secrets with you."
"Secrets?" Regina plays along slightly with Emma's act to change the mood.
"Yeah, you know, sisterhood secrets. Things they do like...pillow fights, hair braiding, talk about boys..." Emma ticks off mentally.
"Seriously?" Regina asks incredulously.
"Of course, and tickle fights...and...and hugs. There's lots of hugging." Emma grins, knowing she listed everything the brunette surely would not do.
"I don't hug people." Regina states adamantly. Emma barely lets her finish the sentence before she surges forward to wrap the brunette up tight in her arms. As Emma expects Regina tenses up instantly and wiggles to get loose. "Ms. Swan!"
The reprimand of her name rolls off Emma's back as a secret smile spreads across her face. She can't help but love the feeling of the brunette pressed up against her, even in their layers of clothing. Emma holds on when Regina struggles. "Stop wiggling, you're terrible at this." Emma comments offhandedly.
Regina huffs her annoyance but finds her body stilling almost immediately. "You think you can make me better by surprise hugging me?" The doubt and annoyance is clear in her voice but Emma smiles regardless. She hums her agreement which makes Regina scoff. "This is the worst half-sister hug I've ever had." Regina needles Emma with a smirk of her own lips. Emma pouts over Regina's shoulder.
"That's mean! I'm amazing at hugs. Everyone tells me so."
Regina clicks her tongue and makes a unimpressed hum. "I'm just not feeling it, Ms. Swan." The small amount of tension in the blonde's frame at her words makes Regina smile deviously. She does love messing with the woman. Regina will do anything at this point to ignore the fact that this is the longest hug she has ever had. And the oddest one since her arms are still dead weight at her sides.
Emma makes her mind up and pulls away from the brunette. "Well, that's cause I'm not your half-sister. I am your fake fiance, Regina. It's only fitting I give you a fiance hug." Emma teases back knowing that they started their own kind of one upping.
Regina's eyebrows raise. "And that's better?" Regina asks and neither one acknowledges that the brunette has not taken her sudden freedom from arms to make an escape.
Emma grins devilishly as her hands snake down Regina's arms to her hands. She slowly brings the brunette's arms above her shoulders. "Of course but the position is different. Your hands go up here." Emma drapes arms around her neck then slowly making her way to a petite waist. Through that journey, Emma's hands do not leave contact of the brunette's body. "And my hands...go here."
Regina can feel everything even through the thick coat she is wearing. Her throat has gone dry at the close proximity their bodies are sharing and the intense gaze they are holding. She can feel Emma's firm touch around her waist and the way they tighten there gets her heart beating faster. "Oh." She lets past her lips in a breath she didn't really think was going to escape.
Emma is lost in Regina's lovely eyes and the feel of the woman wrapped around her. She does want more of it but something stops her. A feeling that the moment is not right. Her boss was pretty emotional only a minute ago and making a move, that she can honestly say she wants to make, is not a good idea. She slowly brings her face closer and rests her chin on a thickly covered shoulder. Emma tries to get the way those dark eyes get a little darker and dart to her lips when she leaned in out of her mind. She closes her eyes and moves minutely with her hug partner and just enjoys the moment.
Regina is in a stupor of confusion and...want? She wanted the blonde to lean in closer and not turn away. She only feels disappointment for a moment before her eyes close at the comforting feeling of hugging Emma. She didn't think it could feel so warm and safe and connecting in a way. She is oddly content.
"Thirteen." Emma's whisper breaks her out of her content bubble. Regina only hums her confusion. "You've been on your own for thirteen years."
Regina is still confused so she almost reluctantly pulls out of the hug to see Emma. Her confusion is evident on her face. Regina knows how many years, she's been through it. "What do you mean, thirteen years?"
Emma shoots her a dazzling smile. Regina can see the shine in her bright eyes and the crease around them showing just how much Emma smiles widely. "I started working with you three years ago."
It takes a moment for the comment to click in Regina's mind and it really leaves her dumbfounded. She understands what her assistant is implying. She has been there for Regina for the last three years. Not in a personal sense but when Regina needed or wanted something Emma had been there. It was not in the way that the older woman would have thought of having someone close but she did not quite mind that it was Emma. As frustrating as the blonde could be, Regina was actually glad it was Emma. Regina shares
her own smile, it is quick but bright and grateful, before she nods quickly. "Yes, you have."
Those are the only words Emma gets but it keeps her smile in its place. She knows what the brunette is really saying. It is in the way her smile gently breaks through, her eyes alight, and her stance becomes a little too shying for someone in Regina's line of work. She's no longer holding her shoulders tense or her chin high. Regina ducks her head low and brushes her hair back behind an ear when it falls over her face. The move is way too adorable to see her boss do, Emma's heart trips in her chest. She finds her hand moves to a newly revealed cheek without conscious thought.
Both women freeze at the gesture, unsure of what to do past that point. Their eyes lock and silent questions are being asked of each other. Emma can barely think past Regina. Really seeing her up close and vulnerable, she feels like she needs another three years to fully grasp all that this woman could be. Surprisingly the thought makes her smile.
"My family is pretty weird sometimes but if you're unsure about the whole family dynamic, I'd be happy to let you be scarred by them." She smiles wide when Regina fights her own twitch of lips. "Regina."
The way Emma says her name still surprises the brunette. Like it can mean anything. Like it can be anything or everything. "Emma, I have a sister." Their breaths hitch when Regina lets slip her name. Regina takes a deep breath to move past it. One step at a time. "I don't know what- or how.." The brunette shakes her head, unsure of what she should say. She can't tell Emma that she doesn't know if she'll be able to handle it if she ends up hating Zelena. Or worse, if Zelena ends up hating her. If they finally meet and realize that it was better to not, Regina is not sure she could handle that kind of...rejection from her only family.
Emma is unsure of how to comfort the woman beyond what she has said but she can see the way the brunette's mind is working. Like she is picking it apart like another business transaction and for once Emma lets her work on their vacation. If that is how Regina wants to work through all this she will give her time. Finally, Regina takes a deep breath and lets it out slowly. "I have to interview her. I mean, talk with her. I need to know all the facts first. Then, we can start some kind of...relationship from there."
Emma smiles at the woman's words. "Sure, boss. That sounds like a good plan." Her hands move back to clasp on the older woman's for a comforting squeeze. "You can do this, Regina Mills."
Emma's hands are squeezed back gently. "Thank you." They look into each other's eyes for another long moment before Regina takes a deep breath and gazes back towards the house. She sets her shoulders back, holds her head high, and walks back towards the house. Emma smiles at the woman's strength and follows after her.
Once on the patio, Emma opens the door for the brunette to head inside. "I'm going to stay out here for a while. If you need me for anything, I'm here." Emma reassures but decides to hang back. Regina nods her head once in understanding because her throat is suspiciously feeling too tight for words. Her body forces her inside to seek out her half-sister. Emma watches her go then turns towards the patio railing and leans against it. "What a day." Emma mutters against the wind. She hears her mother's voice calling her from around the house. And it's not over yet.
"Emma." Footsteps sound on the thick, wooden planks from her side and she sighs deeply. "Sweetie, I know what you're thinking but it isn't like that." Her mother stands a foot away from her by the railing. Even from the corner of her eyes, Emma can tell the woman is battling with what she is thinking and what she should say. "A man called me the other day and said he was worried you were involved in something troubling. I had to listen to him."
Emma whipped her head to look at her mother with wide eyes. "What?! Who?"
"A man named, Mr. Gold. He said you were involved in illegal activity and-"
"Mom!" Emma groaned.
"And I was worried. So we talked. He asked all these questions about your relationship with your boss and I was so confused." Emma paled at the new information and she began to panic.
"You knew?"
"Before that call, I only knew you disliked your boss. After, I didn't know what to think, I thought, maybe, it was a prank call or something. Then you called me back and said that you were bringing a girlfriend and it was Regina. I just-"
Emma gripped the railing tighter. What did she tell Mr. Gold? Are we already found out? What happens when I get back to New York? Emma swallowed all the nerves rising in her throat. "What did you tell him?
"Emma, I didn't-"
"What did you tell him, mom?" Emma demanded, her eyes steeled and jaw tense.
They looked at each for a tense moment then Mary took a deep breath to ready herself. "I told him that I didn't believe you two were together. Everything he said was just unbelievable. He made it all sound so serious and it is, Emma! I can't believe you got yourself into this kind of thing!"
Emma stalked away a few steps to gather herself a little. "Mom, I can't talk about this right now."
Her mother's hand on her arm stopped her movements. "Emma, you need to tell me what's going on." A few tense moments passed before she took a deep breath. She had to follow through. For Regina.
"I'm in a relationship with Regina Mills, mom. We're getting married. Try to accept that." Emma deadpanned. "Mr. Gold doesn't know what he's talking about. Do you know what would happen if he got his way? Regina would get deported."
"And you would go to jail!" Mary chimed in heatedly.
"I won't!" Emma dared to yell back. "I can't believe you talked to him about us. He is sure to come after Regina now." Emma's mind raced with thoughts of Mr. Gold forcing Regina to move back to Canada. She would lose her job and her life here. She just found her half-sister. She got a small glimpse of what Regina might of been thinking the day she was "proposed" to. "I have to tell her."
Emma darted for the front door but her mother stopped her again. "No, Emma. Wait. Thanksgiving is tomorrow. Regina just found out she has a sister. Maybe...just wait. Don't tell her now." Her tone was soft and consoling in a way Emma had heard a dozen times in her life when she was overly emotional. Her instinct was to drop her shoulders and take a deep breath to calm herself, something her mother and Granny had always told her to do when like this.
Her instinct was to tell Regina about this. Mr. Gold was on to them. He had talked with her mother and found Zelena without them knowing. It kind of frightened Emma how much he knew and they didn't. Then she thought about the woman that was in her arms a few minutes ago. Emma did not want to be the bearer of bad news, especially on a day like today. She sighed deeply and looked at her mother with defeat in her eyes.
"Ok. You can't say anything either." Mary nodded soberly. "And you have to be nice to her." Emma added with a pointed look. Mary was surprised but shrugged at the rational request before nodding. Emma nodded her acceptance of that but snapped her head back to her mother when a thought crossed her mind. "Does dad know?!"
"Of course, he was here when I got the call. We've talked about it for hours still and, well, he was ready to give you girls the benefit of the doubt. He's always been a hopeless romantic. It seems he picked up on something." She shrugged as if she did not and left it at that.
Emma wasn't sure if she should take that as a good thing per se but decided to let it be. Her father and Granny were the ones that just let them be so she wasn't about to start something with them. She sighed heavily, things were turning sideways and she really wanted to keep this vessel afloat.
Meanwhile, inside the warm kitchen, Regina was dealing with her own dilemma. Once she had gone inside and warmed up she moved to the kitchen where she could hear David talking with Zelena amicably. All she had to do was stand in the entryway for the heaviness to set in. David warmly greeted her as he does and excused himself saying he needed to get some work finished up. Something both women knew to be false but still rather glad for the reprieve of his presence.
"Would you like some tea, Regina?"
She raised an eyebrow at the woman. "You make yourself rather comfortable."
The redhead let the snippy remark roll off her shoulders. "Actually, I am acutely aware of how terribly uncomfortable this situation is. I'm not one to sit in it, however, and tea always helps." She gestures with her own hands, which hold a cup, towards the kettle on the stove. "Mr. Swan is very accommodating, quite the gentleman."
Regina hums noncommittally but stands rooted to her spot for a moment. When the woman's blue eyes stare at her over the brim of the cup she moves to the other side of the kitchen island. "What are you doing here?"
She can tell there's a smirk on the other side of the cup. "Would you believe that I wanted to see my baby sister?" Regina's eyes narrow at the woman threateningly. Zelena huffs and drops the cup to the counter top. "Fine. You know that a Mr. Gold rang me the other day and we had a little chin wag, mostly about you. How you were a criminal in the making and deluding yourself and a poor American secretary into a dodgy marriage. Well, that piqued my interest so I asked for your whereabouts. He gave me Mrs. Swan's number and here I am."
Regina wondered how the woman could shrug off the end of her story. "Just like that? Here you are? How did you know about me when I didn't know you existed? Did my father know about you?" Regina fired off with a little more of her residual frustration.
"Alright, I haven't the foggiest clue about your daddy dearest. I only know what my father told me." Regina remained quiet when the woman seemed to be taking a guilty sip of tea. "Until they passed."
"What?!"
Zelena steeled herself. "When they passed, ages ago, I received a letter in the post from our mother's attorney. It seemed she wrote it but it could have been both, I'm not sure. I suppose she felt guilty for dumping me and my dad especially when she was getting on in the years. In the letter, she talked about you."
Regina meets Zelena's pale blue eyes and can see all the emotions that have piled up inside. For a moment, Regina thought about how Zelena must have felt all those years ago. She must not be the only one wanting to get the past off her chest because Zelena continued with her stilted speech.
"There wasn't too much to go off of. She said you got top marks in your studies but were, unfortunately, a lonely child. She... she actually wrote that... she wished you had a sibling. Someone you could talk to since you didn't open up to her very much."
Regina could feel her throat tighten a little when she noticed the tears being held back by the woman in front of her. She just met this woman but her past, their past, was being opened anew. She couldn't find any words to say.
"Back then, when I read that, I was ready to lose the plot. Imagine, little ol' me, being told that I shouldn't have been sent away but was already in another country. I had been living my life fine and that letter... Well, along with that post was a letter telling me what happened to your folks and what I was to inherit."
Regina's voice cracked through enough to mutter. "Inherit?"
A sip of tea. "A fairly decent sum of money for my father and I. Something I refused to accept but my father did and, with reluctance, I realized it helped with Uni. There was information about where to get in contact with you, should I wish to, and the funeral arrangements."
Regina steeled herself for what she was about to ask. She was on the precipice of falling back into an emotional mess dredged up about that awful week. That awful year. "Were you there?" She gritted out.
Zelena looked her in the eyes, they shared a watery look, before Zelena focused on her tea cup again. Regina watched her fingers dance around the edge and handle briefly. "Yes." Regina gasped at the revelation and immediately lost her breath after. "I met you too."
Regina struggled for air and held onto the countertop to steady herself. "What?"
Zelena gave her an apologetic smile. "I got the courage to introduce myself to you that day but I didn't explain who I really was. Obviously. You looked so distraught and barely present; it just didn't feel like the right time. I offered my condolences, which I think you barely heard, paid my respects and left the country again."
Regina squeezed the counter top tightly. "You just left?!" Zelena was surprised by Regina's outburst but understood when she saw the hurt there. "You left me alone to all that? Do you know what I went through?! All alone!" Regina spit out.
"I am truly sorry, Regina. I am but you must understand my side too. I had nothing to do with that woman for my whole life. What was I to do with a new half sister? What would you have wanted me to say? Hi, I'm the daughter your mother had during an affair with a travelling musician and didn't want because she planned on running for Mayor later on."
Zelena scoffed, brought the cup to her lips, realized it was empty, and immediately dropped it back down. "I was a mistake, dear Regina, and then she had you. The daughter she planned to keep. Believe me, I felt for you, but not enough to disrupt my life."
Regina was unsure how to feel. She was angry, upset, at the woman for not coming forth when she was a child but she saw the remnants of heartbreak in Zelena's eyes and she deflated. She didn't know what her mother did but being cast away like that...well, Regina would feel bitter too.
"I like to think I have matured since I was twenty." She tries to smile but the water in her eyes fails to make it shine through. It's all too blurry for Regina to tell if the redhead has been blinking away the tears because she realizes she has been the whole time. "When I heard from Mr. Gold about you I knew I had to give it a go and try to make it up to you." Zelena slowly moves around the island to stand by Regina. She can feel her presence and their shared insecurity about breaking that final physical barrier. "I have two brothers and something like twenty brother-in-laws, Regina. I would love to have a sister." Her hopeful smile is bright and watery and fragile and Regina is unsure if her face mirrors it as well.
So much is racing through Regina's mind but nothing is focused on one thing. It is all a jumble of, This woman is my sister. I have a sister. How could mother do that? Poor daddy. It's been sixteen years. She has a large family. She's married. I have a sister. What do I do? Where's Emma? I need something to drink.
"I could use that tea now." Regina offers distractedly. Zelena smiles amused while pretending not to see the brunette wipe the tears from her face. Zelena takes a deep breath and clears her face as best as she can without ruining her makeup.
The older woman turns away to prepare the tea bags, clearing her throat of emotions. "Mr. Swan's collection is aces but this is not true tea, dear Regina. I have some saved for a rainy day that you absolutely must try. Do you fancy tea?"
Regina gathers herself past the intense moment she just went through. "I enjoy it from time to time. I mostly-"
"Drink coffee."
Regina and Zelena look up to the kitchen entrance and see Emma standing there with a hesitant smile on her face. Regina can tell she is waiting to see how things went.
"Coffee is for the weak, Regina. You'll see, by the time Christmas is over I'll have you a real tea drinker and none of that American tosh."
Emma is surprised by the woman's words and moves to stand by Regina. "Christmas, huh?" Regina knows what Emma is thinking. They both are wondering just how much Zelena is planning to spend in her life now. Zelena confirms to the blonde's question but Emma gets a good look at Regina's tear tracked face. "Hey, are you okay?" Emma asks quietly but Zelena notices the concern quickly.
Regina straightens herself up and curses how blotchy her face may seem. "I'm fine." Her words don't ease the frown on the blonde's face so Regina regards Emma seriously. "It seems I may need some help getting to sleep tonight, Ms. Swan. Are you up to the challenge?" She teases her so obviously it kind of shocks Emma but her smile lights up her face immediately.
Emma is happy knowing Regina is blatantly telling her she would like to talk with her tonight about all this. She is actually reaching out to her of her own free will. It makes Emma giddy. "Of course, Ms. Mills."
Zelena eyes the way the two woman are easily smiling at each other with a secretive understanding going on. "Are you two on about shagging tonight?"
"What?" Emma and Regina ask in unison, their matching confused faces turn to look at the smirking redhead.
Her plans of more tea are forgotten as Zelena leans over the counter towards the other two. "I should probably let a room on the mainland. Better yet, I should head out now before you two snog each other to death."
Emma catches on to the woman's teasing tone and weird expressions first. "Oh! That's not what we meant."
"No 'how's your father?' then?"
"My father, what?"
"Well my dearest sis must be barmy because you are a fit one. If I played that pitch, that is, I'm sure you dance in the sheets brilliantly." Zelena winks at Emma just to push her point across and it seems to hit home for Regina.
"Are you flirting with my fiance?" Regina asks in disbelief at what is happening in front of her. Zelena merely grins. When Emma understands, she laughs which annoys Regina a little more.
"Thanks Zelena, I guess. I don't think I've ever been complimented like that before." Emma is greatly amused and Regina is only slightly jealous that her newly discovered half-sister got Emma to laugh that way. Emma sees the subtle pout of Regina's lip and immediately moves to embrace her from behind, all the while keeping a lighthearted smile pointing at Zelena. "Maybe you could teach Regina some of those lines. Just in case, you know." Emma teases, Zelena cracks a smile easily at the way Regina rolls her eyes.
Regina's hand move to hold Emma's crossed arms without her noticing. "I need no such help, Ms. Swan. You fell into my charming clutches fairly quickly."
"Yeah, with the help of a gun." She shoots back quickly.
Regina lifts a hand to a warm cheek to her side and not so subtly gives it a little smack. "All part of the charm."
Emma chuckles at that, not letting up on her hold of the woman, and subconsciously sways slightly in her spot. "We all know that gun ain't loaded, Regina. You're just a cuddly teddy bear." She emphasizes her point by squeezing a little.
"That's not what your coworkers think, dear. The level of inadequacy at that place sometimes astounds me."
"I heard you're in the business of printing books, Regina. I imagine some people can really muck up there. Or maybe they're just scared of you." Zelena teases which causes Emma to giggle.
"You have no idea. One time I found a guy in a supply closet, hiding out, because Regina was asking about him." Emma cracks up more from the memory, while Regina tries to remember the instance. "She didn't even ask for him by name but position. He still didn't come out and I had to deal with it."
"That sounds awful actually." Regina and Emma wonder for a moment if the woman is talking about the way Regina acts towards her employees. "My subordinates would get an earful if they avoided me like that." Emma smiles at the woman's biting tone because it reminds her of her boss'. Regina feels a bit of relief at having Zelena take her side, kind of.
"Your subordinates?" Questions Regina.
"Yes, my husband Robin." Zlena cracks a winning smile and Emma laughs at the joke.
"What does your husband do?" The blonde asks curiously.
Zelena takes a breath as if to take time to think about it. "Loads, really. He was in the military for his younger years. Got injured so he did what he could but now he is mostly a wildlife photographer. It lets him travel a lot or spend time with our kids when he isn't."
"You have kids?" Regina asks.
"I do, a little sweetheart, Bo, and a brilliant chatterbox, Rose. They're ten and eight and the lights of my prefer spending their holiday time with their father outside in nature and not a stuffy office so Robin is handling them. He is a dear. As soon as I told him I heard about you, Regina, he practically shoved me on a plane." She smiled affectionately.
Regina smiled a little timidly at that. "It sounds like you have a wonderful family, Zelena."
Zelena hums in agreement and misses the way there is just a faint touch of bitterness to her words. Emma can hear it, though. She can practically feel it since she is still so close to Regina. "Is it just you Emma?" The blonde is pulled from her thoughts quickly. "Any siblings?"
Emma clears her throat. "No, not really. I mean, yes, but not by blood." Zelena gives her a quizzical look. "I have a Ruby." Regina tenses slightly. "We grew up together like sisters and became so close. A bit closer than what we thought but it didn't last very long."
"So, you dated your childhood friend and now what? Are you still friends or family?"
Emma twitches a shoulder. "We haven't exactly figured that out but I want her to be in our family. I still love her as family at the end of the day."
Regina pries herself out of the blonde's hold. "I should find Mrs. Swan. I'd like to help with dinner preparations."
Emma watches her with a disbelieving brow. "You want to help cook...with my mom. Now?"
Regina pauses for a moment. "I should find Mr. Swan. I'd like a drink." She heads straight for her father's den and Emma grins at the woman's retreating form. She is not even going to tell the woman that it is barely four o'clock.
"Are you really going to marry her, Swan?" Emma looks at Zelena surprised. "I know I barely know the woman a few hours but she is my sister. Half or not, I have to be looking out for her."
"Really? You are going to try and give me the talk?"
"I'm not trying."
"Listen, lady, like you said, you've known Regina two hours. I've known her three years. If anyone should be talking 'the talk' it's me. I'm looking out for her best interests too and I'm not completely sure you're it."
"Right back at you."
They both eye each other up for a second and when no one budges, Zelena smirks at the blonde's grit. "Alright. I like you."
Emma tilts her head curiously. "That was fast."
Zelena shrugs. "I go with my instincts and they're no slouch. I like you but that doesn't mean I like you with Regina. I have my eyes on you, Swan."
"I have my eyes on Regina. That's what matters." Emma says distractedly when she sees her mother coming into the kitchen. The blonde misses the way Zelena studies her response to see if it is genuine.
"I have to start dinner so I hope the talking is done. If not there are plenty of rooms in the house." Mary says, looking at both women.
Emma shakes her head. "We're good." Mary nods her head and moves to the fridge to remove groceries.
Emma wants to excuse herself to find Regina but thinks better of it. She can not crowd the woman too much because there is still a chance the brunette will push her away. Emma thinks that chance is getting smaller each day but does not want to dwell on it. So, she helps her mother prepare the food as best as she can while Zelena jumps in to help every now and then. The woman is shooed away plenty of times by Mary stating she is the guest and should just make herself comfortable but the redhead stays where she is.
Dinner is made fairly quickly since the women are more focused on the preparations for the big Thanksgiving feast tomorrow. The group of family members gather around the dining table and conversation is mostly fielded by David and Zelena. They are the two most easy going at the table and they easily get the lightheartedness brimming so the other ladies can follow. After dinner the small of dishes used are easily cleaned and Mary shows Zelena to the spare room on the first floor.
David brings Regina a drink while she rests on the couch by the fireplace. Emma has her own drink clutched in her hands but is sitting in an armchair the furthest from the brunette. David notices the distance being held and thinks it odd since Emma is throwing longing looks at Regina while the brunette stares off into the fire. Knowing his daughter is not much for public talking about her feelings he grabs Mary, when she exits the guestroom, and ushers them upstairs with a faint good night.
P.s. I googled English (British) terms and slang and I couldn't help but throw in some for Zelena's speech. She will be the silly person here but I will tone it down so it's not over the top, ridiculous, British person. thanks.