"Hold on! So you actually kissed her?!" Kathryn screamed into the phone.
"Yes, Kat. I did," Regina chuckled in response to her friend.
"Like on the lips? Not just on the cheek like you told me about before?"
"Yeah. I mean, she had won the bet so..." Regina smiled as she thought back to how soft Emma's lips were, even for just that brief kiss. She wondered if she should've given her a longer kiss, but Henry was right there.
"I just can't believe you went for it like that. You've never been the aggressive one in any of the relationships I've seen you in," Kathryn uttered still in shock.
"I know. She just brings it out in me, I guess. I kind of feel like it was long overdue but I guess it was only the third time we'd been alone together including our first meeting in the park." Regina exhaled dramatically. "Kat I feel like I'm losing my mind. How can I be falling so hard for someone I've spent less than 72 hours with? Am I crazy?" Regina asked in earnest.
"No, Gina. I don't think so. It sounds to me like you know how you feel. And you're obviously not denying it, right? You said you two were holding hands a lot lately too? If you feel that comfortable with someone you claim to barely know I don't think it's wrong," Kathryn responded. "But hey aren't you're forgetting about your kids?"
"What do you mean?" Regina asked.
"I'm saying you two have never really been alone alone, right? Henry and Lucy have always been there with you. What I'm trying to say is are you gonna keep up with this aggressive thing and actually ask her out on a date sometime soon? Or would that be too soon?"
Regina settled back into the couch crossing her legs under her as she pondered her best friend's last questions. "I...guess I could ask her out. It seems like the next logical step right? Or should I wait to see if she asks me out...? I don't know, Kat! See? Don't I sound crazy?!"
Kathryn chuckled at her friend's indecisiveness. "Gina, no, stop calling yourself that. You're fine. I almost hate to say this out loud but I'm just going to assume that you're thinking it. It pretty much sounds to me like...you're in love...?" Kathryn hesitated to finish her sentence.
Regina was silent a full 30 seconds, her head resting on the back of the couch as she looked up at her ceiling. She exhaled loudly before she said, "You've read my mind."
Kathryn had to physically stop herself from squealing like a schoolgirl at her friend's confession. "So...what are you thinking now?"
"I'm thinking I'm going to ask Emma Swan out on a date this Friday when she comes over again," Regina replied with a giant smile on her face.
After Emma had gotten Henry to bed and had changed into her own pajamas, she called and asked if Ruby would come over so she could talk to her. She knew her friend would be up because she had been a night person ever since she had known her. Even when she had the early shift at Granny's the next morning. Emma was initially going to try to wind down with a little TV in bed but the fresh memory of Regina's lips on hers had her smiling to herself and her heart racing. She needed to talk to someone about what happened in order to calm herself down. Thank goodness Ruby lived just one floor below her in the same building.
Emma heard a knock on her door as she looked through the fridge debating on having another piece of the apple turnover that Regina has sent her home with. She was even more grateful for the leftovers that Regina had given her looking at her mostly empty refrigerator. She ultimately decided against the calories and went to answer the door. She opened it and walked towards the living room after a quick hey to Ruby. Ruby followed her best friend and took her customary seat on the love sofa.
Emma plopped down in her La-Z-Boy with an audible huff and sighed as she leaned her head on her hand and looked longingly out of the window behind her friend. Ruby chuckled at Emma's dramatics before asking, "So, what's up, Em? I was in the middle of my favorite episode of Friends."
Emma laughed and looked at her. "Oh please, you've seen them all like 50 times."
"Yeah but I hadn't seen this one in awhile actually," Ruby began and then cut herself off. "Anyway, how can I help? Did something happen with Regina or..."
"Oh my god, yes!" Emma said, sitting up straighter in her chair. "How'd you guess?"
"Well I assume Henry is okay and asleep since you're already in your pajamas and if something was wrong with him, you'd call your mom first. Just deductive reasoning. Anyway, what happened? Something good I hope," she said, sitting forward and rubbing her hands together in anticipation.
"Rubes, it was amazing," Emma sighed, looking past Ruby again, lost in the memory. "She kissed me."
"WHAT?! Are you serious?! Emma, that's awesome!"
Emma grinned as she looked back at her friend. "It was beyond awesome. Rubes, I swear, like time stopped. It was like something out of a movie or tv show. Even though I think it only lasted for like two seconds. I could have died right there. But like it happened so fast that I hardly had time to react."
"You mean, enjoy it?" Ruby chuckled.
"Oh no, I enjoyed the shit out of it. I just wish I could have like extended it. Henry was falling asleep on my leg and I was holding his hand because we were about to leave so I couldn't really do anything more about it," Emma lamented.
"Well there's your problem right there. Actually, no, sorry, that came out totally wrong. Your kids aren't problems. But aren't they always there when you two are alone?" Ruby said, using her fingers to put air quotes around her last word.
"Huh? What do mean?" Emma asked confusedly.
"Dude, seriously? I mean, it's awesome that you guys were brought together by your kids and all that but your alone time will always be limited if you're just hangin' out at playdates."
Emma scrunched her brow still gazing at Ruby in confusion.
"I'm saying you need to ask her out on a date! Jeez, didn't you go to college? You were and English major, read between the lines. Actually it's pretty obvious if she kissed you. She wants more. Regina doesn't strike me as a tease. Am I right?"
"That you are. She's actually pretty aggressive. I mean, if constant hand holding and grabbing me by my jacket to pull me in for a quick kiss can be seen as that."
"Uh, yeah. I'd say so. Awww... You guys are already holding hands, though? How cute is that?" Ruby said as she brought her prayer hands up to her mouth. "I could die just picturing that."
"Shut up, Rubes," Emma said with a huge grin. "So you don't think it'd be too soon to ask her out when I see her again on Friday then?"
"No, Em. I say you take the same advice that you gave me, and just go for it," Ruby said as she stood up.
"Wait, where are you going? Are we done?" Emma asked, looking up at her friend.
"Yes," Ruby replied. "I think you're good. And if I leave now I can still catch the end of my episode, so I'm out."
"I don't know why you're making such a big deal out of that. You can always just watch it on Netflix!" Emma called out to Ruby as she closed the door behind her on her way out.
Friday came around before both women knew it and Emma found herself standing on Regina's porch nervous again before she let Henry knock to announce their arrival. Regina stood behind Lucy as she opened their door to greet her friends. "Hi Henry, hi Miss Emma!"
"Hey Luce!" Emma smiled, looking down and then smiled even wider as she looked up at Regina. Regina's expression matched hers.
"Hi Luce!" Henry replied as he ran in the house past Regina. "Oh, hi Miss Gina!" he called as the toddlers made their way up the stairs together.
Emma laughed. "I guess that's really becoming their thing, huh?"
Regina chuckled, "Yes, I guess so."
Emma quickly shrugged out of her jacket and handed it to Regina as soon as she stepped into the house. Regina took it without question and put it away as Emma turned to close the front door. She met Regina in the living room. Both women stood facing each other awkwardly with small smiles. Emma had her hands in her back pockets and Regina stood with her arms crossed.
"So..." they began simultaneously. They both laughed as they finally made direct eye contact.
Regina uncrossed her arms as she asked, "Would you perhaps like a glass of wine, Emma?"
"I'm actually more of a beer girl. But a glass of wine sounds nice right now. Hey, why not, right? It's Friday night."
Regina chuckled. "Yes, it is. The start of the weekend and all that. Is red okay?"
"Sure. Wait...you're not trying to get me drunk and take advantage of me are you? Because I think we should at least go on one date before you attempt something like that." Emma had walked into this subject way earlier than she had initially intended to. But she decided to see where this would lead.
At the mention of a date, Regina blushed, looking down for a second before looking back up with confidence and responding, "And how soon would be too soon to go out on a date then?"
Emma audibly gulped at Regina's question before pushing the subject forward. "Well I don't know...what do you think?"
Regina smirked at Emma and said, "I think I can definitely get someone to watch Luce tomorrow night."
Emma's mouth dropped open and she couldn't find the words to respond. Regina stepped into Emma's personal space and wrapped her arms around Emma's waist. Emma still had her hands in her back pockets. She grinned dopily as she looked into Regina's eyes. "I'm pretty sure that I can get my mom or someone to take Henry on short notice."
"Good," Regina replied before she kissed Emma on the cheek, letting her go and turning to walk into the kitchen for the wine.
Emma stood watching Regina in shock. "Okay," she huffed. "So that just happened," she said to herself as she slowly walked towards the kitchen.
She was still in a daze as she entered the room to find Regina pulling the cork from a fresh bottle and pouring them each a generous glass. Regina handed Emma her glass and took her hand to lead her back into the living room.
"What are you making for dinner by the way? It smelled delicious!" Emma said as allowed herself to be lead presumably to the couch.
"Paella," Regina responded. "One of my mom's best recipes. I'm sure you'll love it."
"I pretty much love everything about you," Emma mumbled, taking a sip of her wine to hopefully cover up what she had just blurted. She couldn't see Regina's amused grin as they arrived back in the living room.
"So that has to cook for a couple more hours. But the good news is that I finished Big Little Lies last night and I'm dying to see how they adapt it. Wanna start it?"
"Hell yeah!" Emma said as they carefully sat down together. "So do you think our children are okay playing so much together by themselves? I feel like a little bit of a bad mom not being more attentive or something."
"Oh, I trust my daughter," Regina replied, settling down into the crook of Emma's arm. Emma had rested her right arm on the back of the couch and Regina had taken the hint to sit intimately close with her. "Why? Do you not trust your son?"
"Don't worry," Emma chuckled. "Henry's pretty well housetrained," she said as she pointed the remote at the television.
"Wow," Emma said. "That was an awesome first episode, right?" she asked as she turned to look at Regina. She was a little taken aback as she met Regina's face which was currently less than an inch away from hers.
"Hey," Regina said with a shy smile.
"Hey there, beautiful," Emma replied with her own shy smile.
They then both drifted towards each other and met with a soft kiss. They had both put their glasses of wine down on the coffee table so their hands were free. Emma put her fingers in Regina's hair as she deepened their kiss. Regina opened her lips to better taste Emma's. After this much longer kiss than either woman anticipated came to a natural conclusion, both woman sat staring into each other's eyes wearing small, matching smiles.
"Isn't this something that usually happens after the first date?" Emma chuckled, finally breaking eye contact with the brunette.
"Yeah, I guess it is," Regina replied. "But I don't think we're really following the rules here," she chuckled.
"And what rules might those be, Gina?"
"The ones that say it's not possible to fall for a woman I barely know."
Emma sighed. "Yeah. I know exactly how you feel."
Both women sighed audibly. "So one more episode before dinner, then?" Regina asked, grabbing the remote to start the next one.
"Sure!" Emma responded. "I think we need the distraction so our kids don't walk in on Miss Gina and Miss Emma making out on the couch."
Regina chuckled. "Yes, that would be just a little bit awkward and hard to explain at this point."
"I don't know. Maybe they'd be okay with it. No, I think they'd understand. You've been with other women before, right?"
"Well, yes. But none that I've felt comfortable enough to actually introduce Luce to."
"Really? That's interesting. It's been the same for me with Henry."
"Well is he confused by the whole 'mommy like girls and boys' thing."
"Not really, actually. I mean, it's never something that's come up, you know. I always figured I'd just explain it to him at some point when he's older."
"Yes, sex is something that doesn't exactly enter into the everyday lives of toddlers. Well, most of them anyway. Although Luce almost got introduced to the concept last weekend."
"Wait...what do you mean? How'd that possibly happen?" Emma asked, turning more towards Regina to hear this tale.
"So Jeff was telling the story of how he and August met and he was explaining how they're so into each other after such a short amount of time but they haven't had sex yet. And when he said that he spelled it assuming that Luce would not catch on to that part of the conversation."
"Let me guess, she immediately asked what sex was?"
Regina laughed at the memory. "Yup! I'll give my brother credit though. He did explain it to her pretty well. I mean, she didn't really care anyway. She just went right back to her coloring."
Emma laughed too. "So before we start this next episode, can I ask you something?"
"Anything, Emma."
"What do you think this is that's happening between us? Because we both obviously feel it. But are we like moving to fast or something...?"
"No, I don't think we're doing anything that neither one of us wants to do together. I think...we're actually really lucky to have found each other and to answer your first question, I think we may be falling for each other...?" Regina finished her thought completely unsure of herself.
"Hmmm. Yeah sounds about right," Emma answered nonchalantly as she leaned forward to get both of their wine glasses for them. She then playfully snatched the remote from Regina and started the paused episode. After handing Regina her glass, she sat back into the couch putting her arm confidently around the brunette, who naturally snuggled into her side. "Also, the Miss Gina and Emma thing is kind of weird at this point. I think it's cool if we let them start calling us by just our first names, right?"
"I agree, dear. Let's do that."
Both women were apparently exhausted from their respective weeks because they ended up falling asleep during the second episode leaning against each other and snoring softly. Luckily they had placed their unfinished glasses of wine on the coffee table so they hadn't spilled any during their impromptu nap. They were woken up by their children a little while later. Lucy who apparently knew it was time to take the paella out of the crock pot grabbed her mother's hands and tried to pull her off of the couch.
Regina slowly opened her eyes and said, "What is it, mija?"
"Mommy, dinner is ready."
Regina looked at her watch and realized that her daughter was correct. Good thing she was such a good little cook. "You're right. Good job, honey." She sat up away from Emma and stretched before standing up. She looked down at her and smiled before gently shaking her on the shoulder. "Hey, Emma. It's time to wake up."
"Huh...what happened?" Emma responded groggily.
Regina chuckled. "Nothing. Well apparently we fell asleep on the show. But it's time for dinner now. C'mon, let's go." She grabbed both of Emma's hands and pulled her up off of the couch.
Emma was surprised by Regina's display of strength as she was yanked up and almost immediately fell down being off-balance from standing up so suddenly. She caught herself by hugging onto Regina. As she stood there, smiling dopily in Regina's arms she was even more surprised when Regina gave her a quick kiss before letting her go, taking her hand and following Lucy into the kitchen. Henry then came up behind her to take her free hand and walk with them.
Emma looked down at her son. "Hey buddy, where were you just now?"
"I was just in the bathroom, mommy," he responded happily.
Once everyone was in the kitchen, Regina let go of Emma's hand as she made her way over to crock pot to turn it off completely. Emma and Henry decided to help Luce, who had already started setting the table herself. Regina looked back at the three, marveling at the domesticity of it all. She smiled as she unplugged the crock pot deciding to just bring the whole thing over to the table for them to eat. After sitting it down on a pot holder on the island, she walked back towards the cabinets for cups and then to the refrigerator for drinks. Emma followed her to help. Upon returning to the table, Regina proceeded to plate some paella for everyone, giving Emma twice the amount on her own plate and the children half the amount.
Following another amazing meal, the four found themselves cuddled up on the couch together again watching PJ Masks. Emma secretly loved this show and was as into it as the children. She pretty much gave herself away though as she sang the theme song out loud with them. Regina couldn't help but to laugh out loud at this display.
This time when bedtime came around both children who were still awake but both really sleepy handled leaving each other much better. They gave each other a hug when they were prompted to say goodbye by their respective mothers and went their separate ways. Regina walked Lucy upstairs as Henry began to fall asleep against Emma who started another episode of PJ Masks while she waited for Regina to come back down.
When she heard her footsteps on the stairs she picked up her now sleeping son after turning off the television to meet Regina in the foyer. Regina walked past Emma handing her Henry's discarded jacket from Luce's playroom as she made her way to the closet to retrieve Emma's. By the time Regina, returned Emma had successfully gotten Henry into his jacket as he stood sleepily next to her, ready to leave. Regina handed Emma her leather jacket with a smile and waited for her to put it on.
"So what time are you going to pick me up tomorrow night?"
Emma chuckled. "Wow. Someone's a little presumptuous."
"Well, I just figured it'd be easier since I don't know where you live or anything," Regina began to ramble.
"Gina. It's fine. I was just kidding. Yes, I'll pick you up here. Let's say...around 7?"
"That's sounds great. Oh wait! We didn't even establish where we're going or what we're even doing?"
"Well I figured we could do dinner and then go see a 9 o'clock movie...? Do you want to see Wonder Woman?" Emma asked.
"Yeah that sounds great! When did you find the time to plan this out so fast?" Regina asked, quirking a skeptical eyebrow at Emma.
Emma chuckled in response. "I just checked the times on my phone while you were putting Luce to bed. Which reminds me, I'm gonna need your wifi password the next time we're here. I had to use my data to do that."
"Okay, Emma," Regina chuckled. "I'll definitely remember to give it to you then." She walked behind her and Henry as they made their way to the door.
Just before they got there Emma put her hand up to stop Regina. "Wait here. I'm going to go put Henry in his car seat real quick and then I'll be back to give you a proper goodnight kiss," Emma said with a grin.
"Oh. Okay," Regina replied. She was taken aback by Emma's statement. She stood in the open front door as she watch Emma take her son to her car. She still couldn't believe how much had happened between them in a little over a week. This woman who she met thru her daughter in a park was now taking her out for dinner and a movie tomorrow night. She could hardly contain her excitement when she saw Emma walking back up the steps and to the front door. Regina stood looking at Emma with a wide grin as Emma put both of her hands on either side of the door frame and gazed at Regina with a large smile on her face. Then she slowly moved closer to Regina, wrapping her arms around her waist before bringing her in for long, slow kiss. Regina had responded by wrapping her arms around Emma's neck and standing on her toes to reach her. The kiss lasted for almost a full minute before both women simultaneously pulled back to smile at each other.
Emma was the first to let go and when she did Regina reluctantly released her hold. Emma took one of Regina's hands in hers. "So I'll pick you up here tomorrow at 7 then?"
"Yes," Regina breathed out. She cleared her throat. "I'll be here. Don't be late, okay?"
Emma walked away and released Regina's hand. "Oh nothing could make that happen, Gina," she replied with a wink and a smirk.