It wasn't long before the cold Maine air made it's autumn presence known. The crisp cool air, the weekend bonfires, the changing colors of the leaves, and of course, Halloween.
Unfortunately, it also meant Zelena's annual Halloween costume party. Emma never really got a chance to go because she was never popular or popular enough. But this year, when the redheaded devil handed her an invitation, Emma basically screamed in bliss. She shouldn't have cared, and the only reason she probably got an invite was because she was on the cheer team now. If it wasn't for that, she wouldn't be going.
When she told her mom that she was going, she was extremely hesitant.
"But Emma, that girl has been mean and bullied you all throughout high school. Are you sure you want to go?" her mother asked as she helped her daughter find a Halloween costume.
"Mom, it's no big deal. And believe it or not, this has the nicest she has been to me all year." Emma retorted with a slight eye roll as she scanned through the costumes. It was already embarrassing her mother was lecturing her about a party she had always wanted to secretly go to, but even more that she was here with her trying to find an outfit for the party.
"Well, I don't trust her. I've seen how she's treated you over the years, and if she hurts you at this party, I'm going to have a serious conversation with her mother."
Oh my God. "I can handle it if she does." Emma scoffed. Shuffling through the flamboyant and colorful outfit, her eyes landed on one. She pulled it out, holding it to her body. "What do you think of this one?"
Her mother scrunched up her nose in distaste. "I don't think Nightmare Before Christmas suits you well." Emma rolled her eyes. "What about this?" she held up an Alice and Wonderland dress. Emma's eyes shot up, flushing slightly. "This would look so cute on you!"
"OH MY GOD MOM!" Emma quickly snatched it from her. "I want to look hot, not cute. Maybe Regina can help me in this department." Shivering as she put the outfit back on the rack; her mother gave a pout. "Oh come on mom, don't you remember when you were a teen? Would you want your mom dressing you up as something cute?"
"I was a princess every year. How do you think I met your father? I dressed up as Snow White at a Halloween Party his friends were throwing and-"
"I know, I know. He was dressed up as Prince Charming and it was as if you guys were meant to be. I know the story." Emma rolled her eyes at first before her mother elbowed her, causing her to laugh.
"Hello Emma." a raspy voice came from the other side of the clothing rack.
"Regina! What are you doing here?" she blushed. Taking in Regina's appearance. She was wearing a black dress with a white bow at the neck with white pearls. Black panty hose, white heels and a white zip up jacket, her lips painted a shade of pink. Emma was not dressed by any means. She was in grey warm up sweatpants and the school's hoodie. Her face getting hotter by the second.
"My mother is helping me find a costume for Zelena's party." she regarded Emma for a moment before turning her attention to Emma's mother. "Hello Mrs. Bla-Mrs. Mary. It's nice to see you again. I assume you're helping her find a costume as well."
"I was. But, she doesn't want the help. She said she wants to look 'sexy' and not 'cute'." Glaring at her daughter in a playful manner, but her cheeks were beet red. "She said you're better in that department. She was actually just-OW! Emma that was very rude!" Emma had returned the elbow dig into her mother's arm, sure her daughter was purple from embarrassment. However, Regina just stood there with a huge smirk on her face. If she needs help being sexy, she doesn't need a costume for that. She already is; Regina thought to herself.
"OK-KAY mom! Regina, it was nice seeing you! I'll talk to you later? Kay, bye!" Emma pulled her mother's arm, dragging her to another section of the store, Mary Margret putting the breaks on her heels.
"Emma Michelle Swan!" Emma froze dead in her tracks at her middle name. "That was incredibly rude! You should be ashamed of yourself! Regina seems like a very nice girl and has been your friend since last year. I raised you better than that!" Now she was berating her in front of people. Emma just wanted to crawl in a hole and die. However, Regina followed her in pursuit.
"It's quite alright Mrs. Mary." Regina stated coolly. "As I remember correctly, this is Emma's first high school party and I'm sure she just wants to look just right. I really don't mind helping her find an appropriate costume." Regina offered sweetly, but Emma saw right through that façade. There was a glint of that seductive glare twinkling in her eyes.
Mary Margret raised her eyebrow at the teen, then back to a flushed Emma. "You see, here Regina is trying to help you out, and you barge away from her like a bat out of hell. You apologize, then you can go with your friend."
God, take me now. The blonde thought, however, her guilty expression mixed with humiliation, made Regina smirk even wider. "I'm sorry." she whispered, not making eye contact with the brunette.
"Emma…" her mother started.
"I'm sorry for being rude Regina."
Mary Margret's frown turned into a grin, kissing her daughter on the top of her head. "Now you see, that wasn't so hard was it? Now, go have fun with your friend."
Just when she thought was scott free, Regina's mother appeared behind her daughter. She was dressed in a black blazer with a bright red undershirt with a black skirt pantyhose. She looked incredibly regal next to her mother who was in jeans and a soft cream sweater. "Hello, Emma. It's nice to see you again, dear." When the auburn haired woman made eye contact with the pixie-haired brunette, she offered a smile. "Are you Emma's mother?"
"Yes I am. Mary Margret," she outreached a friendly hand.
"Cora Mills," the older woman took her hand, shaking it firmly. "It's a pleasure to finally meet you. Regina never stops talking about your daughter." she smiled. Now it was Regina's turn to turn a lovely shade of pink. "She's absolutely crazy about her."
"That's so nice to hear. Emma is always talking about how close she and Regina are and your daughter is so nice to Emma. It's nice to see her hanging out with someone other than the neighborhood boys." the younger woman smiled.
"I would actually love to chat with you about this party they are going to next Monday night." Cora smiled. "From what I've heard about this girl, I am not too crazy of Regina going."
Regina looked like Emma moments ago, but knew better than to pry into her mother's conversations but it was becoming to much for her to bare. "Mother, I'm sure Mrs. Mary has a lot of things to do today."
"Regina, you know better than to interrupt me when I am talking." Cora said firmly. However, the glare she received from her mother was enough to make Regina step back and nod.
"Actually, helping Emma find a costume was on my list of things to do today. But, since Emma would rather do this without me, we could head over to Granny's for a cup of coffee and some lunch. I would love to talk about our girls and get the chance to get to know you." Mary Margret beamed.
"That sounds like a lovely idea." Cora smiled brightly. "We are within walking distance and since it's such a nice day, maybe we could walk there. It should give the girls enough time to decide what they want to wear." Core dug into her brown Coco Chanel bag, handing Regina her debit card. "Don't spend too much." She smiled, giving her daughter a kiss on the cheek.
Mary Margret dug into her hand held wallet, handing Emma forty dollars. Emma's eyes widened in shock. "I'll see you later sweetheart."
The teens watched as their mothers exited the Halloween store in complete bafflement. "Well, that went better than I expected." Emma sighed, shoving her hands into her hoodie pockets. Regina's turned to Emma with a bright smile.
"I'm glad to see you finally returned to a normal shade. I was getting worried." Regina laughed.
"Hey, you were getting pretty red yourself you know." she scoffed as they began searching around the store. "So…you talk about me, huh?" Emma's pride bubbling up.
Regina started to blush again. "Yeah, why? I can't talk about my best friend to my mother?" She was clearly embarrassed about talking about this, which only made Emma beam more.
"I think we both know I'm more than just a friend." she leaned in and whispered, causing a chill to run down Regina's spine. Regina glanced around, grabbing a cheetah costume and a Harley Quinn costume. She grabbed Emma's arm, dragging her to the changing room a few feet away, locking the door behind them. Regina shoved her against the wall, planting a heated kiss onto her lips. Emma was taken aback, her eyes open for a moment before closing them, placing her hands on Regina's hips. Regina's tongue lapped her lower lip, begging for entrance, which was immediately granted. Emma began sucking on her tongue, making Regina moan quietly. Emma felt up the brunette, shrugging off her jacket as she groped her breast. Regina let out a breathy moan as the brunette ran her hands underneath Emma's hoodie, her eyes popping open.
"No bra or shirt?" the brunette breathed in surprise. "That is daring…but so hot." Her mouth attacked Emma's before pulling her sweatshirt up, latching her lips to those pink nipples. The blonde let out a moan. "Shh, be quiet." she whispered, before she continued nibbling on the little bud, pinching and rolling the other one.
"How is everything in there ladies? Need anything?" a sales associate asked as she knocked on the door. The girls sprang apart breathless.
"No, we're fine, thank you." Regina breathed.
"Okay, if you need anything, just let me know. My name is Melissa."
When the footsteps had gone, they just stared at each other, trying to figure out what to do next. After a long pause, Emma finally spoke. "I guess we should try these on?"
"No, I want to be surprised when I see you in this. I figured you were a small."
"Regina, this outfit is so…slutty."
The brunette took a step closer, her lips ghosting hers. "That's the point." As Emma awaited for a kiss, Regina turned on her heels, picking up her jacket and walking out the stall. Emma stood there, mouth agape before shaking her head. "Let's go check these out, Emma." putting emphases on the second syllable of her name. Damn cursed woman! Emma thought as she followed the brunette to the checkout line.
Just as they got to the check out counter, their mother's had reappeared, snickering in the store. "I guess my mom likes yours." Emma stared. Their parents made it to the counter just after the teenager's had paid for their costumes. "Did you two have a good time?" Emma intrigued with a smile.
"You have a darling mother, dear." Cora smiled. "You are welcome over anytime. And the same goes for you Regina." As the brunette stood next to the blonde, eyeing her mother questionably. "Did you two finally decided on a costume?"
"Well, that's why we have bags mother." Regina chuckled. It was nice seeing her in such a good mood. Cora was a pretty serious person, which gave her a bad reputation, but she really did have a nice heart. Even though they had money, she always reminded Regina that she had to earn it; which gave her a great work ethic and determination in her schoolwork.
"Right. That was a rather silly question." the older woman smiled.
"Hey, why don't you and Regina stop by for dinner this evening?" Mary Margret requested as if a lightbulb went off in her head. "David will be working late tonight and I would love to have you! I make a mean beef and potato soup and peach cobbler!"
"Okay, now you have to come Ms. Cora. My mom's soup is the best." Her eyes bright with excitement. She loved her mother's cooking.
"I don't doubt it." the older woman smiled. "We will be there for seven o'clock sharp. I will bring over my homemade apple cider." Regina's eyes lit up. "For adults only." Her expression deflated, making Cora chuckle. "Okay, maybe just a sip for the girls. We will see you tonight ladies." Cora waved as she wrapped her arm over her daughter as they left.
"You have a great friend there, Emma. And her mother is a dream. I don't understand how people can call her rude."
"Probably because she is working all the time and tired when she is home." Emma offered as Mary Margret nodded her head in agreement. "Now come on lady, you've got cooking to do!" Emma looped her arm through her mom's and they headed through the doors to her car. Mary Margret laughed in her daughter's enthusiasm.
"Just like your father, I swear." She chuckled as they entered the car.
Dinner couldn't have gone better. The four women laughed at the table, talking about the latest celebrity gossip, mocking today's music, and how they hadn't done this sooner. "Mary Margret, this is delicious! You must give me the recipe!" Cora beamed as she took another bite of her cobbler. "I thought the soup was superb, but this is heavenly."
Mary Margret smiled brightly. "It's a family recipe passed down by my grandmother. So, I don't think I can give away my secret." she giggled.
"Now that is just cruel. I do hope there is leftovers."
"Watch out now, that is Emma's favorite pie. She may fight you for it."
Regina chuckled as Emma cut herself a huge slice. "Oh, would you look at that." Emma played. "I'm not sure Ms. Cora. I'm the worst when it comes to sharing."
"Emma!" Her mother shrilled.
"Just kidding." Emma smiled, cutting it in half, giving Regina another piece. "If anything, mom can whip up another one and bring it over, right mom?"
"Absolutely!" Mary Margret grinned.
"This is incredible Mrs. Mary. Mom and I will need about a dozen of these." Regina chuckled, taking another bite. "Six for her, and six for me." The table roared with laughter as they ate their dessert.
"Now, time for cider." Cora prompted, pulling the glass bottle from her purse. Emma stood up, picking up their dessert plates, placing them in the sink before grabbing four small glasses. "Now Regina, only one drink. Understand?" Regina nodded eagerly as Cora poured her a small glass. "Same goes for you Emma. One glass. This is Regina's favorite fall beverage. I allow her a drink every so often, but it's incredibly rare. One day the recipe will be passed to her." She announced to everyone as she filled everyone else's drinks. "To new friendships." The older woman cheered, everyone clinking glasses.
Emma coughed hazardously as everyone else sipped it with ease. "Oh wow. That is strong! Good, but wow."
"It isn't that bad." Regina chuckled. "It would have been better if you didn't down it like a shot."
"Well, I got excited."
"Clearly." Regina chuckled as Emma bumped her lightly with her arm. The older women peered at them before grinning at each other.
Mary Margret leaned over to Cora and whispered, "See, it's like they were made for each other." Cora smiled brightly.
"I know. Nothing makes me happier than that smile."
"What are you two whispering about?" Regina smirked.
"Secrets don't make friend!" Emma pointed with her finger.
"Just how much we love our daughters." Mary Margret answered. "Can't two mother's talk about that?" she smiled.
The girls chuckled as the night continued on before Cora and Regina left. With containers of soup and a slice of pie that they knew Regina and her mother would fight over. The thought made Emma's heart race. Mary Margret placed a kiss on her daughters head. "I had a great time with Regina and Cora. I'm glad you girls are friends." Even though Mary Margret knew it was more, so did Cora, but she was going to wait until Emma told her the truth about her sexuality.
"Me too." Emma yawned.
"Now, up to bed. You have school in the morning." Emma groaned as she made her way up the stairs. "I love you sweetie."
"Love you too, mom."
