Emma woke up naturally the next morning, she didn't have a restful sleep, she was too excited for her date. She had messaged Lucy when she got up to get some advice on where she should take Erin that day.
Emma: I know what Regina likes to do, but what does Erin like?
Lucy: She is quite fond of the beach.
Emma: the beach it is ty!
Lucy: no sweat.
Emma pulled up google maps and started looking for a good place to go for a picnic. It had been some time since she lived here and she had a spot in mind she just couldn't quite remember how to get down there.
She hadn't slept well, the thought of her not getting "Erin" to tap into Regina's feelings was at the forefront. The second front was she knew how she felt about the woman, she herself had time to, adjust. She wasn't however, confident Regina felt the same way for her, no matter what the wolf thought she picked up on. Even Emma only admitted her feelings to herself, and consequently her family, after breaking the woman's confidence and invading her privacy, but by doing so she got to know Regina. The woman behind the front. Emma discovered that she had much more in common with the queen than she ever knew possible. However, the queen herself didn't have that insight into Emma. The only way she was able to get the couple hours of sleep that she did was to promise herself she would bare her all to Erin in hopes that Regina got to know her, in as a profound way as Emma had the brunette. Emma was nervous about baring herself this way, the chance for rejection was high. She didn't have the faith in the power of true love the way her parents do. The way her son did. That was why she decided the night before she would call her mother and get the team-Regina Charming-cheer-squad up and doing something.
"Emma is everything alright?" Snow answered the call on the first ring.
"Not terrible. She doesn't have her memories back, but I saw her last night. I talked to her as 'Erin'." Emma smiled sadly.
"Oh honey, are you okay?" Snow cringed as the automatic question popped out of her mouth. "I mean, I know this is hard but…"
Emma cut her off before her mother went on an infamous Charming ramble. "It is okay mom. I mean, it isn't but… but I am seeing her later this morning. I'm taking her on a picnic." Emma offered. "She doesn't know who I am other than the girl at the bar from last night but she agreed to see me today so… yeah."
"Oh sweetheart well, be careful. And if this Erin has anything of Regina in her, she will love a romantic picnic. I mean I think she would…" Snow trailed off trying desperately to think of a time her father ever did anything to make Regina feel special and she was coming up blank. "I guess she has really never really been…"
"Wooed. I know mom." Emma replied softly knowing Snow was reflecting on her fathers second marriage. "Even Daniel, they were teenagers. I mean I didn't know him, but Neil was complete shit when it came to romance, and he was just acting like a teenager."
Snow cleared her throat nervously and changed the subject away from things she wasn't ready to deal with. "You need to pack that spiced meat Regina likes."
"Which meat?" Emma asked and quickly grabbed the complementary motel pen and paper from the desk preparing to jot down any assistance her mother could give her
"I think they call is prosciutto here. Yeah that with some mozzarella cheese. She loved that stuff."
"You really are trying, huh?" Emma said in awe.
"I love you Emma." was all the response she got.
"I know. It means so much to me that you are on board."
Emma cleared her throat preparing herself for the reason for the call, "Could you, um, try and work with Mother Superior and see if the fairies can come up with a potion to restore Regina's memories?" Emma asked carefully.
"Well yes, actually we've already had the conversation." Snow replied hesitantly. "I didn't want you to think I didn't support your feelings for Regina, or believe that they aren't strong enough to break this with true loves kiss. I just wanted a plan B. Blue said she should have something that will work as early as this evening."
"Thanks Mom, I don't think you doubt my feelings. I wanted a plan B too." Emma said relieved. "I'm a little worried that I won't be able to get Erin to feel the way Regina did… does… whatever." Emma added sadly. "I just want her back, you know?"
"I know sweetheart. One way or another we will get Henry's mothers back." Snow said confidently. "Both of them."
Emma said her goodbyes and disconnected the line, feeling a little more confident than she had before her call to her mother, she then got dressed and ready to go.
Erin sat at the table eating her breakfast when Lucy strolled in at quarter after 9. She sported a wide grin as she entered the kitchen. "Good morning!" she said a little too brightly.
"Well, someone had a good night." Erin said with a knowing smirk.
"You didn't?" the taller brunette asked worriedly as she took a seat next to her roommate.
"Oh I definitely did." Erin said with a bit of a dreamy smile. "Emma is coming by to pick me up at 11."
"Today? Really?" Lucy exclaimed. She was unable to mask the worry she felt. She knew the blonde wanted to see her fiancée, and she had suggested the beach, but she didn't know it would be that very day.
"Yeah, why?" Erin asked noting the concern in her friend's face.
"No, it's good. I mean you like her?" Lucy tried to recover from the slip.
"I do, she feels… safe… not safe, um… I don't know how to describe it. It is more than safe it's… Well last night I didn't have nightmares." Erin blushed a light pink in the apples of her cheeks.
Lucy looked surprised, "You didn't dream?"
"I did, they were just good dreams. It was about Emma I am sure of it. I can't stop thinking about her."
"Well what are you doing with her today?" Lucy asked.
"I have no idea. Frankly I don't care I just… "
"Want to be around her?"
Erin crinkled her nose at the romantic sentiment and nodded with a smile. She finished up her toast and cleared her place setting calling back over her shoulder, "So the doc is a biter huh?" She peered over her shoulder with a wicked grin catching the lawyer pulling her hair down to cover her neck. Lucy cleared her throat, "Amongst other things." she said cryptically.
After she dished on several more details then she had previously intended regarding her evening with the fair doctor, she wished her young roommate good luck and went into her room and closed the door in order to phone Emma.
"Hey!" The blonde answered the phone happily. "I'm going to be there soon. Are you home yet?"
"Emma," Lucy whispered, "are you sure this is a good idea?"
Emma's face dropped at the harsh tone the brunette was using on her. She knew in any other set of circumstances the woman would be right and this would be a dangerous, terrible idea. Regina lost her memories due to magic. Not some unknown trauma. The same rules couldn't be applied, Emma was certain of it and she had half a mind to pack up the mayor and bring her home but the other half of her mind was scared shitless that she was completely wrong and that kind of shock to Erin, would put the brunette in physical danger. So she continued on with plan A. For the time being.
"I'm not telling her anything, Lu. I'm just… spending time with my girlfriend."
"You're being selfish." Lucy said without malice.
"I know." Emma said quietly. "Is she okay? I mean you're home right? Does she seem okay?"
Lucy hummed and rolled her eyes knowing exactly where the blonde was going with this line of questioning. "Yeah. She is looking forward to seeing you. She said she didn't have nightmares last night. That is the first night since I've known her."
"See?" Lucy could hear Emma's smug smile through her words. "It is going to be fine. I'm not Emma Swan, Sheriff. I'm Emma the cute candy striper that picked her up at a gay bar."
"Just…" Lucy didn't know what to warn her about, but she felt the need to protect the young brunette nonetheless.
"I won't hurt her Lu. I am stupid, rash and impulsive, but I'm in love with that girl. I'd die to protect her." Emma said sincerely and Lucy let go of her reservations a little and conceded.
"Fine." Lucy let out a feigned sigh of annoyance. "When will you be here?"
"I'm outside your building. Is she ready?"
"I'm pretty sure she was ready the moment she woke up, but come on up." Lucy said shaking her head.
Erin heard the door buzzer that announced a visitor from the front desk and bounded out into the living room to answer it. Several minutes later the knock on the door caused her to break out into a huge smile which only got bigger when she answered the door. The blonde was standing in the doorway with a bouquet of wild flowers. Daisies and Black Eyed Susans and a few Sun Flowers peppered around the messy bundle of Lavender, pink Gerberas and Baby's Breath. Erin's eyes grew wide as she looked up at the shy smile of her date standing nervously in a blue leather jacket, grey tank top and dark blue jeans.
"Emma, you didn't have to do that." Erin's cheeks pinkened at the gesture, she felt it odd to be courted so.
"Of course not. I am however a sucker for clichés, and this is our first actual date so you get flowers." Emma said with a little pirate smile.
Erin chuckled and called over her shoulder with the distinct sass of one Mayor Mills, "A date usually means food dear." as she went to put her flowers in some water. Had she not turned and walked away she would have seen the tear that escaped her caller's green eyes as Emma stood in shock for a moment at the words and tone that were so very Regina Mills hit the blonde hard causing her to lose her breath for the briefest of moments. She recovered, not as quickly as would have been natural, but brushed the tear away and then countered with a smile, "Who says there won't be food?"
It was Erin's turn to be stunned for a moment as she hesitated in her steps toward the kitchen. "What are we doing today, exactly?" Erin prodded as she returned to her guest standing a few feet away from the door. Emma shrugged her shoulders, "It is a secret." she said cryptically. She saw that Erin's face was looking hesitant and decided to just tell the woman.
Mental note: Queens do not like surprises.
"Okay fine… I asked your roommate what you liked to do and decided a picnic on the beach would be hella romantic."
Erin chuckled wary, "Well let me go tell my loose lipped roommate you intend on kidnapping me for the day." she turned from the blonde and started to walk away, but before she got far, the girl snatched her wrist and pulled her back in a strong smooth move that ended with her hands wrapped around the older woman's waist. Her green eyes intently gazing into the surprised look of Erin's chocolate orbs. "You look amazing today." Her pale hand ran down the brunette's side, fingering the dark material of Erin's light sweater. The woman in her arms breath hitched as she leaned in and pressed her nose into the dark curls of Erin's hair, "You may want to bring a jacket." she whispered before pulling away with a sly teasing smile.
Emma led Erin down a grassy covered sandy path, a basket in one hand, Erin's hand in the other with a blanket tossed over her shoulder.
Erin allowed herself to be led by the tall strong blonde; The way the woman took charge made the butterflies in Erin's stomach come alive. She felt safe with the blonde. Safer than she has felt as far back as she could remember. She stroked her fingers up the blue leather of her companion's jacket, pressing into the firm muscle just under the surface. Emma smiled and looked back at the brunette admiring her assets. "Like what you see?" the blonde cooed.
"I like what I feel." Erin said confidently. Emma leaned over and whispered into Erins messy hair, "Perhaps I can arrange a sneak peek for you."
Erin lost her breath at the remembrance of the blonde's muscular shoulders in a white tank top holding a chainsaw. Blonde hair cascading around her shoulders.
'Was that part of my dream?' Erin puzzled to herself for a moment, then remembering a completely different part of her dream about the blonde, she blushed a bright pink before pushing on. "So you asked my roommate where to take me today, huh? How cleverly covert you are, dear."
Emma stopped a few yards from where the sandy dunes were starting to turn more sand than the tall lanky grass and turned to her date with a coy smile. "You have no idea what I'm capable of." Emma bit her tongue as the words "Madam Mayor" almost passed through her lips.
The blonde handed Erin the basket she had as Emma shook out the blanket and laid it out flat on the ground, making sure to bury each corner with a hand full of sand to keep it from blowing away. Erin set down her burden once Emma stood back up and turned to her date. The brunette reached down and grabbed Emma's hands in her own before looking up into piercing green eyes studying her. "I appreciate the effort, no matter what you are capable of, Emma."
"You're worth the effort." Emma flashed a light smile back at the brunette and then proceeded to set up the picnic lunch for them both.
After lunch they sat and talked, Erin asked, "Since I don't exactly have a history, why don't you tell me something about yours?"
"Alright." the blonde agreed. "Why don't you ask me something you want to know?"
"Just start at the beginning." Erin instructed.
"Nope!" Emma teased, gently nudging her date. "Ask away!"
"How would that be effective? Me just asking you random questions about your life? What if you don't want to talk about what I ask you? What then?"
Emma's green eyes met the inquisitive glare of her date. "I'll answer anything you ask." her tone was serious. "I am your open book." she shyly smiled and the apples of Emma's cheeks flushed red as she admitted, "I want you to ask questions because then I can hear your sexy voice."
Erin's cheeks flushed red herself at the admission and she nodded her head gently and conceded. "Do you have any siblings?" she asked tentatively trying to take the focus off of the complement.
"Nope. I did however have foster siblings, just never for very long." Emma shrugged her shoulders trying to make the admission of her time in the system lighter than it was.
"Your parents had foster kids?" Erin asked as she took the glass of wine Emma handed her.
"Nope. I am an orphan." Emma clarified as she busied herself preparing their lunch.
"Oh. I'm not sure what to say about that. See? The question asking thing is dumb." Erin said blushing lightly.
"It isn't, you're just not giving it a fair shot." Emma countered with a smirk. "Besides there is nothing to say about me being an orphan. It happened, it wasn't great, but it is a part of me."
"How many homes were you in?" Erin asked and picked at the cheese and deli meat left on the platter. She took a bite humming her approval in Emma's culinary choices.
"I'm not sure. A lot. I was orphaned as an infant and the couple who took me in kept me until I was 3. Long story short, the woman got pregnant and they decided not to go through with the adoption they started. After you have adoption paperwork withdrawn, for any reason, you get labelled a 'problem kid' and it makes it harder to find a place."
"That hardly seems fair, you were still a baby! Surely potential parents couldn't blame you for the selfish idiots who returned a beautiful little girl as if she were the wrong size shoe at a department store, simply because they are egotistical morons!"
Emma chuckled at the Regina-esque assessment. "Perhaps, however the reasoning behind their egotistical motives were kept confidential."
"Well that's ridiculous." Erin huffed crossing her arms over her chest defiantly.
"You think I'm beautiful?" Emma grinned wide digging a deep dimple into her cheek.
"The simple fact is, you are beautiful Emma, no matter what I think." Erin replied curtly still angered by the selfishness of some potential adoptive parents.
Emma could see the enflamed passion in her companion's eyes and rested her hand over one of Erin's own to calm her. "Would you like to go for a walk by the water?" Emma suggested. Erin nodded shyly as her anger melted away.
"What is your favorite color?" Regina continued the twenty questions style of dialogue as they walked hand in hand down the beach.
Emma's thumb gently caressed the back of the brunette's captive hand as they sauntered. "I look good in green."
"Yes but is green what you prefer?" Erin asked more specifically.
"I guess not really." Emma said looking down. "I guess I don't really have a favourite, favourite color." she said and cringed at herself for her non-committal, yet honest, answer.
Erin was picking up sea shells along the beach as they walked and Emma watched the woman with curious intensity. "Do you do anything with them?" Emma asked and pointed out a larger cone shaped shell to the left of the brunette. Erin bent down quickly and snatched it up.
"No. Not really. I just…" Erin trailed off feeling conscious about her ridiculous reasoning.
"Tell me." Emma said quietly and stepped closer, her green eyes mesmerizing the brunette for a brief moment before she answered honestly. "They are what's left of someone's home. Just a discarded empty shell. It is sad really. I just can't leave them here to be nothing to no one ever again."
"I know what we can do with them." Emma said with a huge dimpled smile. The queen raised an eyebrow to encourage the blonde to continue. "Geocaching!" Emma exclaimed.
"I'm afraid I have no idea what that is dear." Erin said shaking her head but smiled as she was infected by Emma's excitement at the prospect of having a use for Erin's shell collection. It certainly had become extensive in the few months she has lived in the Boston area.
Emma took out her phone and made sure she swiped the lock screen and clicked on the caching app before showing the face to Erin. "So it uses GPS to see where you are, then it tells you what caches are near you. You go find them and when you do, you log it. You can leave something inside the cache if you want." Emma picked up one of the tiny shells Erin had in her shirt basket. "These shells are perfect."
"That sounds like second date material." Erin said with a smirk.
"I would love a second date." Emma said seriously. She cupped the cheek of the petite brunette standing before her and leaned in and gently touched their lips. Just as she was about to pull away, satisfied with their chaste kiss, Erin let go of her shirt basket and the shells she had collected up to that point clattered to the sand at their feet. Her hands wrapped themselves around the blondes neck and Erin pulled Emma into a searing kiss that ripped the breath out of the blonde. Erin fought for control of herself as she slowed the fervor of their kiss and she leaned their foreheads together. "I've been thinking about kissing you all day." she whispered breathlessly.
"You are delicious." Emma said in response and licked her lips.
They start to walk back towards where their picnic blanket was set up and Erin looks at Emma and asks the question she had been curious about since the previous evening. "Why did you ask me out Emma?"
"Other than you're hot?" Emma replied with a wide smile and looked over Erin's body.
"Yes dear, other than my pleasing assets."
"I don't know. Why did you say yes?" Emma countered trying not to lie to the woman as much as possible.
"I don't know." Erin sassed back her response not entirely pleased with the blonde's answer. "Everything in my life, as far as I can remember anyway, has been uncertain. Up in the air. That is how I feel." Erin blushed at the admission but continued. "I know I should feel like this strong independent woman or that is who I think I ought to be, but" Erin stopped and faced Emma. She settled herself between the savior's arms which naturally enclosed around her waist. "But, it felt really good the way you sometimes wrap your arm around me, the way you hold me close." Emma smiled wickedly and pulled her queen closer. "It feels like you are claiming me, or something, no…" Erin corrected herself, "Like I belong."
Emma pulled the brunette into her chest as her eyes brimmed with salty tears. The emotions she had for this woman were overwhelming to her. She kissed the brown crown of the woman in her arms and held her tight as her reply. The brunette nestled into the embrace and sighed her contentment. It was so right, Emma thought. This is so right.
As they were walking back to the car, Emma had her arm wrapped around Erin's shoulders, they were walking in unison. A tiny rumble of the blonde's phone vibrating a new message tickled her thigh. Then another. Then a third. She rolled her eyes and handed the brunette the basket as they continued their trek back to Emma's bug.
Emma pulled the phone out and read over the messages from her mother. The news therein causing her to stop dead in her tracks.
"What's wrong?" Erin asked. Her voice painted with the concern she felt seeing the conflicting emotions running across the blondes face.
"Come home with me. Right now." Emma looked at the brunette with hopeful anticipation.
"Emma…" Erin started and looked away. "I think we have a connection, but I think my situation, as it is, is complicated. I have fun with you dear, but intimacy so soon after meeting, is probably a bad idea." Erin finally looked back up at Emma and didn't see the disappointment she was expecting, but utter confusion. "Not that I haven't been thinking of it, god help me I have!" she exclaimed with a nervous chuckle. "I just think we could have something real and I don't want to hurt you."
"No. I mean come home with me. Come meet my family." It was Erin's turn to be confused and she shook her head slightly.
"What?" Erin said needing clarification.
"It is a bit of a drive, but we can make it there in a few hours. Come meet my family." Emma said with a huge smile. "Please?" Erin took a deep breath, she felt like she was standing at the edge of a cliff and Emma was asking her to take a step forward. She closed her eyes and took the step. She nodded silently and the blonde hugged her excitedly, picking her up and twirling them both. "You won't regret it!" Emma exclaimed and kissed Erin on the cheek. "I promise!"