Chapter 11

Entering the hospital room concerned over the lack of contact from her daughter, Cora stops awkwardly as she looks across to find her daughter laying on the hospital bed with the young blonde curled into her side and clinging to her blouse while they both slept. Turning to leave quietly, the older brunette pauses at hearing some movement then looks across again to see Emma looking at her wide eyed, clearly embarrassed.

"Mrs..Mills..I.." Biting her lip, the blonde looks conflicted but hitches her breath as Cora holds her hand up.

"Go back to sleep dear, you need your rest. I was merely checking and it would appear, you are both in safe hands." The older brunette confesses in a whisper then gives a smile of reassurance.

Letting out a small yet awkward smile in return, the young woman watches as Cora leaves the room before glancing up from her position at Regina who was still asleep. Mulling over the previous night and what was said, the blonde rests her head back down against the professors shoulder gently with a bigger smile upon her face.

Instinctively tightening her hold on Emma, the brunette stirs at the movement then blinks her eyes open before peering down at the younger woman in her arms. Unsure on whether she is awake, Regina plants a small kiss to the blondes head then waits for any type of response.

Wilfully not looking up in case of any form of rejection, Emma mutters one word quietly. "Morning..."

Smiling sleepily as it was the best night sleep she has had in ages considering the circumstances, the professor replies while stroking her hand through the blondes hair lightly. "Good morning dear.."

Bracing herself with a silent breath, the blonde looks up to meet the older woman's eyes. "Your mother was just here..."

"Oh..I forgot the call her. She knew I was here anyway..it was her that brought me here last night"

Nodding, Emma purses her lips at a loss on what to say then sighs as she lays back down but this time onto the pillow.

"I meant what I said..."

Looking over, the blonde appears curious as she tries her best to not get hopeful. "What do you-"

"I do love you"

Giving a coy smile, Emma briefly looks away before returning her gaze at the woman as the brunette takes hold of her hand. "I thought maybe..you were just saying it in the moment because of..me being in here.."

Shaking her head with a smile, the professor explains. "No. I meant it and..I know what you're probably thinking because there's Robin but honestly? Nothing ever actually happened. He just jumped to conclusions..more so after I refused his proposal..he just kept coming around and inviting himself everywhere I went.."

Watching Regina screw her nose up at what she is saying, the blonde laughs lightly. "Well I can hardly blame him. Besides didn't you go to a parents dinner?"

Eyes widening at remembering, the brunette gulps. "Yes. Emma..about that..when I met Robin's parents, his father..was Hank. As soon as I realised I was furious and mother chucked them out. Although Hank was here.." Seeing the fear shoot across the blondes face, Regina pulls her back to her original position with the younger woman's head on her shoulder for comfort. "It's okay. He won't be back ever again. My father saw to it"

"Oh..I guess now I really am moving into the apartment.."

"You could.." Trailing off a little embarrassed, the brunette bites her lip. "..stay with me..."

Glancing up again, Emma shakes her head. "No.." Quickly turning the older woman's face towards her, the blonde smiles. "Not because I don't want to but because this, between us, is more real than I first imagined. Especially with what you said and-"

"It's because in this moment in time you don't feel the same way..it means something to you but not as far as love which I understand because-"

"I love you" the younger woman confesses while grinning. "Which is why I don't want to mess this up again if we have a chance. I'm going to medical school so there is nothing standing in our way but I think it would make more sense to do this properly"

Frowning a little confused, Regina questions. "Meaning what exactly?"

Smirking slightly, the blonde links their hands together. "Meaning I would like to date you"

Leaning down, the professor quickly pecks Emma on the lips. "I would very much like that"

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Pushing the front door open, Emma peers around her new apartment as Regina follows behind with a couple of her belongings. "..home sweet home..."

Also taking in their surroundings, the brunette closes the door then places the bags down onto the kitchen counter. "I guess it is..are you going to be okay here?"

Nodding, the blonde smiles over at the older woman. "I've lived in worse.."

Beginning to unpack a bag of groceries they had purchased on the way home from the hospital, the professor pauses upon Emma placing a hand on top of hers.

"You don't have to do that..and if you need to go..it's fine. I'm okay now, I promise"

Raising an eyebrow, Regina sniggers. "I'm not going anywhere dear..if you think that I'm going to leave my girlfriend the first evening she is out of hospital without at least a cooked meal, think again"

Gradually smiling, the blonde moves to stand a little closer. "Did you just call me your girlfriend?"

"I think it's safe to say that it is the right term for who you are to me.." Smiling back, the brunette pulls the younger woman to her by her waist. "Plus as discussed in the hospital there is that small matter of I love you"

Leaning forward to nuzzle the older woman's nose, Emma replies. "I love you too.." Resting her hands upon the brunette's arms, the blonde then chuckles. "Are we about to become one of those irritatingly mushy couples?"

Weighting up the options, Regina tilts her head in thought then bites her lip. "It's possible..."

Planting another quick, soft kiss to the brunette's lips, the blonde grins then moves out of their embrace to help unpack the shopping. After a moments silence between the pair as they store the food away, Emma takes a deep breath. "..can I ask you something?"

Stopping on the opposite side of the counter, Regina looks concerned then leans forward clasping her hands together. "What is it?"

"That..woman in the car park..I want to find her. Would you help me?" Hesitantly asking, the blonde swallows hard as she runs a hand through her locks nervously.

Reaching across for Emma's free hand witnessing her nerves, the professor nods. "Of course I will. Are you sure you're ready to?"

"Yeah..I mean I guess it's been on my mind since confronting Hank about it..and if what was said is true..it's not her fault right? If she's been searching because I was taken?"

"Then we will find her. Together"

Giving a small smile of thanks, the younger woman nods to confirm as she feels the brunette squeeze her hand. "Together.."