A/N New chapter my lovely humans. So this one is a bit long and I needed to try and find a decent place to stop the chapter so there will be a second half of this chapter because of the fact it was so long. There's some Spanish in it and I'm not 100% sure it makes sense but I used google translate because my Spanish sucks haha. If you speak Spanish and know if it's wrong or right I would love you to tell me in a review and correct me if it's wrong :) I hope you enjoy the chapter guys.
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Chapter 11
Regina grabbed hold of Emma's hand and laced their fingers together. Neither woman mentioned the fact that both their hands were clammy. Emma knew they were both as nervous as each other.
"We don't need to do this if you don't want to" Regina sighed.
Emma squeezed Regina's hand, pulled the brunette in front of her and brushed a strand of hair out of her face.
"Hey, if I didn't want to do this I wouldn't have agreed to come. We're technically only friends so this is a no pressure environment and besides I'm only really here for birthday cake" Emma joked.
Regina swatted Emma's arm and squeezed her hand.
"You sure you're ready because once we walk through that gate there's no going back?" Regina asked.
"It's now or never."
Regina pushed the gate to the back garden open, her and Emma made their entrance. Emma couldn't believe how many people were at the party, there was a long table full of every type of party food imaginable, next to that table was a round table full of presents, there was a bouncy castle, pin the tail on the donkey, a candy cart, a clown and even a small petting zoo. Emma never had a birthday party of her own and wasn't really invited to many as a kid. She couldn't believe how much effort Regina's sister had gone through. Regina and Emma walked further into the garden and every single member of Regina's family all turned to look at the pair. Regina pulled her hand away from Emma's and stood very rigid. Regina didn't mean to and she knew Emma would think she was ashamed of her. Emma turned and walked away.
"Emma where are you going?"
"To put the presents on the present table and then I'm going to head off."
"Please Emma don't do that, I'm sorry I didn't mean to let go of your hand."
Emma was just about to tell Regina it really hurt her feelings when a little boy with brunette hair and dark brown eyes ran up to her.
"Hi, I'm Bailey who is you?" He asked.
Emma knelt in front of the boy and smiled.
"Are you Bailey the birthday boy? I'm Emma Swan, it's nice to meet you."
Bailey held his hand out and Emma took hold of it.
"Yes that's me, Nice to meet you Emma. Mum I've intobuced myself, can I go play?" He shouted.
A tall red head walked from the present table straight over to Emma. She ruffled Baileys hair and kissed his forehead.
"Say hello to your Aunty Gina then you can go."
"Hi Aunty Gina, bye Aunty Gina."
Bailey ran off leaving the adults to talk. Regina leaned over and kissed Zelena's cheek.
"Zelena this is Emma and Emma this is my sister Zelena."
Emma held her hand out but Zelena pulled her into her arms.
"In this family, we hug. It's very nice to meet you Emma."
Zelena let go of Emma and could sense Regina was feeling uncomfortable.
"It's nice to meet you Zelena and thank you for the invitation, I really appreciate it."
"Regina why don't you go and get yourself and Emma a drink while I get to know her."
"What would you like to drink Emma?" Zelena asked.
"Could I just get a Coke please?"
Emma would normally have a beer or something stronger but with this being a kids party she thought it was a good idea to stick to the soft drinks.
"Emma, will you be okay if I leave you with Zelena?"
"Of course she will be, now off you go" Zelena ordered.
Regina leaned into Zelena and whispered in her ear "be nice."
Regina walked off leaving Emma and Zelena alone.
"Is this the part where you say if I break your sisters heart you will break my face?" Emma asked.
"No of course not. She seems to really like you, Regina doesn't normally introduce anyone to the family so she must think you're something special. It's not my place to tell you this and I won't go into details but Regina's last relationship was very traumatic, so if she takes time to open up to you that's why."
Emma was about to ask Zelena what she meant when Regina returned with their drinks.
"Here you go dear."
Regina handed Emma her drink and decided she needed to stop hiding who she was. She pressed a kiss to Emma's right cheek and smiled.
"You've got a lot of people to meet dear, I hope you're ready?" Regina asked.
"Of course."
A few seconds went by and an older woman came marching over to the women. She looked almost identically to Regina just a few years older, Emma assumed she must be Regina's mother.
"Regina Mills how dare you."
Emma didn't know why she was shouting at Regina but she felt like she needed to protect her so she stood next to the brunette and grabbed hold of her hand.
"Mother what's the matter?"
"You introduced your girlfriend to your nephew and sister before you introduced her to me."
Zelena ducked her head and took the presents from Emma's hand.
"I will leave you to it and put these on the table with the rest."
Zelena walked away towards the present table. Regina went a dark shade of red as did Emma.
"Mother, Emma isn't my girlfriend."
"It's nice to meet you Mrs Mills and Regina's right I'm not her girlfriend, this is our first date" Emma explained.
The older woman kissed Emma on the cheek then pulled her into her arms.
"Please call me Cora. It's very nice to meet you Emma, I've heard a lot about you."
"All good I hope?" Emma chuckled.
"Mother, I've not told you anything about Emma."
"I know you haven't dear, your sister filled me in on some things and the rest I found out myself."
Emma wasn't sure what that exactly meant and she was slightly worried, she had a lot of skeletons in her closet and a lot of them she wanted to keep hidden.
"What do you mean you found out the rest yourself?" Regina questioned.
"The internet is a wonderful thing dear, these days all you need is a name and everything you need to know appears right in front of you."
Emma was starting to feel very uncomfortable.
"Well not everything you read on the internet is true mother."
Regina didn't want her mother to bring up Emma's past because she knew how painful it was for her.
Cora turned to Emma, she pursed her lips and crossed her arms.
"So you didn't save three children for a burning car when the fire department told everyone to get away?" Cora asked.
"Well yes, that would be true."
"And you didn't work every hour possible to raise money for the local group home so the children could have a good Christmas?"
"Well yes."
"There you go then Regina the internet is often right."
Regina realised she had a lot to learn about the blonde.
"Emma, you didn't tell me any of that."
"To be honest most people don't believe me and I don't really like to brag."
"It was very nice to meet you Emma and I'm looking forward to getting to know you. I will leave Regina to introduce you to the rest of the family and I will see you both later."
Cora kissed the ladies on the cheek and left them both to it.
"Before I show you off to the rest of my family I just want to say I am truly sorry for letting go of your hand, it's just I'm not used to everyone looking at me and I just panicked" she explained.
Even though Emma should be a little mad, looking into Regina's brown eyes she knew she had no chance at staying mad. She knew it was a lot coming out to a family, well actually she didn't really know because Granny and Ruby knew before she did and they're the only family she has.
Emma brushed a stray hair out of Regina's face, kissed her forehead and smiled.
"I understand, it's just I thought you were ashamed of me" Emma muttered.
Regina grabbed hold of Emma's hand and led her inside the house. She knew everyone would be too busy enjoying the party to disturb them. Regina led them into Zelena's study, closed the door and they both sat down on the desk.
"How could you possibly think I was ashamed of you?"
"It's just we come from two different worlds, you have this huge family, you're so successful and just everything I'm not" Emma sighed.
Emma hated feeling like this but she didn't want any secrets between them. Regina placed her hand underneath Emma's chin and pulled it up until their eyes locked.
"Darling being from two different worlds means nothing, look at Ariel and Prince Eric one lived in the sea and the other lived on land and they made it work."
Emma realised Regina would often use Disney references to get her point across and it was one thing Emma could get used to.
"I suppose you're right."
"That's one thing you need to learn, 99.9% of the time I'm right" Regina joked.
Emma smiled and Regina's heart started to pound in her chest, she had never seen someone with a smile like that.
"It's a super magic smile" she mumbled.
"What did you say?"
"Just that you've got a super magic smile and it lights up the whole room."
Emma started to blush and ducked her head. She rarely got compliments and when she did she didn't know how to react.
"Come on Miss Mills you've got a lot of people to show me off to."
Emma jumped off the desk, held out her hand and helped Regina stand up. They walked out of the study and headed back to the party. They got as far as the back steps before they were stopped by an older couple.
"Grams, Pops I didn't know you were in town."
"We wouldn't miss Baileys birthday party. How is my favourite granddaughter?"
The older woman slapped her husband's arm.
"Henry, we don't have favourites. We love all our grandchildren the same."
"Yes, yes of course we do."
The older man winked at Regina and that resulted in him having a slap around his head.
"I'm being terribly rude, Emma these are my grandparents Olivia and Henry Mills."
"So you're the woman that my daughter in law has been telling me all about."
" It's nice to meet you Mr and Mrs Mills."
"Dear please call us Olivia and Henry, we don't do any of that formal nonsense in this family. So how did the two of you met then?"
"Grams do we really need to discuss this now?" Regina asked.
"She's right Liv, it's Baileys party leave the kids to enjoy themselves and let's head to the bar."
"I suppose you're right, were in town for a couple of weeks so you must let us take you both for a meal so we can get to know you better."
"That's very kind of you but I wouldn't want to put you out."
Regina placed her arm on the lower part of Emma's back.
"Dear there's no point in arguing because what Olivia Mills wants she usually gets."
"Okay then I guess dinner it is."
Olivia smiled at Emma, leaned in and kissed Regina on the cheek and whispered something in her ear.
"Regina ella es muy hermosa, sólo si yo era cincuenta años más joven."
Emma wasn't quite sure what was said but Regina went a very dark shade of red.
"Come on dear stop embarrassing our granddaughter."
Henry grabbed hold of his wife's hand and led her away.
"What did she say to you I couldn't really make it out. Was it in Spanish?" Emma questioned.
"I'm not sure if I want to repeat. Yes, we only speak in Spanish if we don't want anyone to know what we're saying. Which if I'm honest I always find rather rude" Regina muttered.
"Come on it can't have been that bad."
"She told me that you were very beautiful and only if she was 50 years younger."
"Your grandmother fancies me?"
"She went to an all-girls college and as you can imagine a lot of experimenting went on there."
It was Emma's turn to red this time.
"So how good is your Spanish?" Emma asked.
"I'm very fluent, why do you ask?"
Emma ducked her head and shuffled her feet back and forth.
"I sort of, maybe, find the Spanish accent rather sexy" Emma admitted.
Regina leaned in and whispered into Emma's ear "Ahora eso es muy interesante."
"You are the devil Miss Mills, are you going to tell me what you just said?"
"I said now that is very interesting."
Emma had only known this woman a few weeks but she knew getting to know Regina was going to be very interesting.
Regina wasn't sure what came over her, she sucked at flirting and always felt very uncomfortable when trying but with Emma it came so naturally to her.
"You know my hidden talent so it's only fair you tell me yours?"
"It's not really a hidden talent but I enjoy playing the guitar."
"Maybe you could play for me one day?"
"I haven't ever played in front of anyone expect for Ruby but I'm sure I could make the acceptation for you, well if you ask me in Spanish."
Regina swatted the top of Emma's arm.
"Behave Miss Swan, but I promise to ask you in Spanish not here though, you've got lots of people left to meet."
"Okay, so who's next?" Emma asked.
Regina looked around the garden and over by the petting zoo where her brothers were. Regina grabbed Emma's arm and dragged her over to the petting zoo.
"Nice of you to join us Gina."
"I'm sorry. Emma these are my brother Henry and Finn."
"It's nice to meet you both."
"Well done sis, she's hot."
"Thanks Finn but Grams already beat you to it."
"What does that mean?"
"She told Regina that I was beautiful and if she was only 50 years younger" Emma joked.
"Dam Grams got game."
"Emma, you sure you wouldn't like to date the younger more handsome Mills child?" Henry asked.
"Sorry to disappoint you but I would be too much for you to handle little boy."
"Ooo, would you like some ice for that burn little bro?" Finn joked.
Regina couldn't help but smile, Emma was fitting into her family perfectly and everyone seemed to love her.
"Nice to meet you Emma, I'm going to get some food."
"Walk away with your tail between your legs" Finn shouted.
A couple of seconds later Cora came waking over, she swatted Regina, Finns and even Emma's head.
"You three leave him alone" she ordered.
"We can't help it if he's a sensitive mummy's boy, you coddled him to much as a child."
"Like I said leave him alone."
Cora walked off leaving all three of them in stitches.
"Emma, you just got the Mills seal of approval, mum just hit you so you're a part of the family now. I'm starving so I'm going to get some food before Bailey wants to open presents."
Finn walked off leaving Regina and Emma alone. Regina could sense there was something wrong with Emma, she had gone very quiet and Regina wasn't sure whether to ask why.
"Emma look at me, what's wrong? If this is too overwhelming you don't need to stay, we can go if you want?"
"It's not too overwhelming, I'm really enjoying myself. It's just your brother said I was a part of the family and the only family I've got is Ruby and Granny. They've only just met me and their treating me like they've known me for years, I'm not used to it that's all."
"That's just how my family are, to be honest I think because my parents fostered a few kids when we were younger the family was used to just treating them like family."
"I didn't know your parents fostered."
Regina was really excited for Emma to get to know her as well as her getting to know Emma.
"They fostered kids up until I was about 10 I think and then they took a break for a bit and adopted Henry."
"That's awesome."
Emma felt something tugging on the back of her shirt, she turned around and a goat had taken a huge chunk right out the back of it.
"Are you kidding me, this is my favourite shirt" she huffed.
"It looked brand new to me."
Emma stared to blush.
"Okay you got me, I bought a new shirt especially for today."
"That's really sweet."
"Well I wanted to make a good impression."
Emma felt another tug on her shirt, she was just about to shout at the goat when two little arms wrapped around her neck.
"Emma, the goat bit a hole in your top."
"It sure did kid, you having a good birthday?" She asked.
"It's been the bestest birthday ever but I really want to open my presents now"
"I'm glad you're enjoying yourself darling, let's go find your Mum and see if you can open your presents yet."
"Can Emma be a horse and carry me around?" Bailey asked.
"Dear I don't think Emma would want to do that right now."
"Don't be silly, come on cowboy Bailey let's go. Neigh, Neigh."
Emma galloped off with Bailey on her back. Regina could hear Emma neighing and Bailey laughing all around the garden. After a few minutes, Emma was swarmed with kids all wanting Emma to be their horse. After ten minutes Emma had galloped around the garden with every kid on her back. Regina could see the blonde was enjoying herself so she went to find Zelena. She walked into the kitchen to find Harry and Zelena putting the finishing touches to Baileys cake. Regina stood in the door way and watched Emma for a couple more minutes.
"She's one of a kind, isn't she?"
Regina started to blush and she headed inside.
"Yes, she really is" Regina replied.
"I can't believe how well she's fitting in. It's like she's been a part of our family for years."
"Don't get used to it, you know I have a habit of messing things up."
"Do you really like her?" Harry asked.
Regina blushed again, looked down and walked over to the fridge.
"Don't be ashamed of your feelings Gina, your allowed to be happy and Emma's amazing. She is my ideal sister in law and everyone seems to love her."
"I'm not ashamed of my feelings Zelena. It's just..."
"I'm going to leave you to it and I will take Emma a beer."
Harry grabbed a beer out of the fridge and left Regina and Zelena to it.
"I know you're guarded sis but if you keep your walls up Emma might get tired of trying to break them down. If you want a relationship with her then you need to be honest about everything and I mean Everything. Don't give up on a chance of happiness because of your past."
"I suppose, I'm just scared because it's a lot to take in and I don't want her to think I'm damaged goods" Regina sighed.
"Don't you dare call yourself damaged goods, you are the strongest, smartest, weirdest woman I know and if she can't accept your past then maybe she's not for you but you won't ever know until you tell her."
"I guess you're right."
"I'm always right, go and save your woman from Harry chatting her ear off about football and then tell Bailey it's time for cake and presents."
Regina kissed Zelena on the cheek and headed back out to the garden. She found Emma and Harry stood with Finn and Henry drinking beer and talking about football. She walked up behind Emma, wrapped her arms around her waist and placed her head-on Emma's shoulders.
"Having fun in the boy's club dear?"
Regina wasn't sure where this affection had come from but for some reason she really liked this side of her.
"Just talking about the game next weekend, we're all going to watch it here on Harry's new TV."
Emma leaned back into Regina's embrace and Regina kissed her on the cheek.
"That sounds like it will be fun. Harry, can you find Bailey and tell him it's present time."
Harry smiled and walked away as did Finn and Henry.
"You don't need to do that."
"I didn't mean to make you feel uncomfortable" Regina sighed.
Regina let go of Emma's waist and started to walk away. Emma grabbed her hand and spun her back around.
"Regina, don't walk away from me, let me explain what I meant."
Emma led Regina over to a quiet corner of the garden and kissed her hand.
"It didn't make me feel uncomfortable, I just meant I don't want you to feel you've got to do it because of earlier."
"Emma one thing my family will tell you is that I don't do anything unless I want to. I'm not sure what it is but with you I feel like I want to be affectionate. I'm not one for PDA and I know we're only friends but I just can't help myself."
"Regina I think we both know that we're more than friends."
Regina leaned in and pressed a kiss to Emma's cheek.
"So you don't mind if I come over and watch the game do you?" Emma asked.
"Of course not, why would I?"
"It's just I don't want you thinking I'm spending too much time with your family. So if you feel like I am you need to tell me."
"Emma I love that you like my family and they like you. It's just a shame your spending time with my brothers and not with me" Regina sighed.
"So I didn't do bad on this date and you actually want to go on another one? I know the perfect compromise..."
Regina cut her off "don't even think about saying I should come and watch the game because that will never happen."
"Do I look silly, I was thinking you could drop me off here then pick me up, take me back to yours and cook for me."
"If you're the one asking me on the second date, shouldn't you be cooking for me?"
"Well I currently have two roommates and I wouldn't want them to get in our way."
"That's a very good point."
A couple of seconds went by and Emma noticed a man had started walking over to the pair. She wasn't sure who he was but she could tell Regina was happy to see him.
"I thought you had plans and couldn't make it?" she asked.
"Bailey wouldn't have let me live it down if his favourite uncle didn't turn up to his party."
"Emma this is my best friend, David this is Emma."
"So this is the hot paramedic. Nice to meet you Emma."
"Nice to meet you David."
"Uncle David, Aunty Gina and Emma it's time for presents so come on."
Bailey grabbed hold of Emma's hand and dragged her away from Regina and David.
"She's beautiful Gina, how was mum with her?"
"Mum loved her and Grams hit on her" Regina joked.
"Grams hit on her, I knew she was a dirty dog. Come on let's go and open present before Bailey has a tantrum."
Regina and David headed over to the present table, all the guests were sitting on the floor and Bailey was sat between Emma's legs. It melted Regina's heart at how taken Bailey was with Emma. Bailey was a very important part of Regina's life so whoever she dated needed to like children.
"Mum I want to open Emma's presents first" Bailey demanded.
Zelena handed Bailey two presents, Bailey started to tear the wrapping paper off the first present.
"Mum, mum, mum look it's a real astronaut outfit" he screeched.
"That's awesome son" Harry replied.
Bailey placed the outfit on the floor and started to tear the wrapping paper off the second present.
"Wow, it's an ant. Emma what does that word say?" he asked.
"It's an Ant Colony kid. I heard that you wanted to be an astronaut entomologist so I thought this was a great start."
"Thank you, Emma, these are the best presents I ever got. I'm going to be the best astronaut Emtomologest in the world."
"Yes you will be kid."
Regina sat next to Emma and Bailey.
"You did well dear."
Zelena passed Henry another present, he was just about to open it when the gate to the back garden swung open. Bailey jumped off Emma's lap and ran over to the man. Emma wasn't sure who he was but Bailey seemed to know him.
"Uncle Leo, where you been, it's been so long?"
Emma looked at Regina and she looked like she had seen a ghost. Zelena stood up and walked over to the man and Bailey.
"Bailey get over here NOW" she ordered.
"I see what Uncle Leo got me first."
Zelena stormed over to Bailey, grabbed his arm and dragged him away. A couple of seconds later Henry, Finn, David and Harry all marched over to the man. They stood in front of him making sure to block his view of Regina. Emma didn't know who he was but she was getting the impression he wasn't welcome.
A/N 2 So that's that chapter guys :). I hope you enjoyed it and the next chapter we will find out all about Leo and who he is :)