A/N – Happy Saturday! First part after about 1000 words is NSFW. The rest after is.
And for those reading my other new fics thank you, thank you for your love and feedback! There will be more parts at some point. I began writing one today, in fact. J
Title - Home Coming
Summary- Regina comes home. Dragon and Queen play between the sheets. Little and teen Emma push and push without knowing why.
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The clock struck 7:45 pm on the dot.
A little nose twitched.
Breaks outside squeaked.
Purple socked feet shifted back and forth.
A car door closed.
Pink mouth curled up.
A gold knob turned.
Emma sprang forward.
"Omph!" Regina fell back against the door jamb and laughed as her little one literally climbed her body. "Hello to you too baby!"
"Mama! You're finally home!" Emma clung to a neck as a purse and luggage were dropped in favor of holding her. Long time in her mind since Sunday morning, Tuesday night had not come soon enough.
Inhaling the fresh scent of her girl's conditioner Queen's eyes blurred. Home found her eyes in a second pair of welcoming ones coming their way from the living room. Keeping a hold of Emma, she opened one arm beckoning, pulling Dragon in for a much needed hug.
"Welcome home my Queen." Mal whispered into a neck as Emma giggled between them.
"Mama, looky!" Pointing to the hair style she had begged for after her bath. "These are dragon tails! Neat huh?"
"Very neat baby and I bet your hair will be even curlier when we brush them out in the morning." Hair damp now, would surely spiral more when dry and she bet it would be lovely. Regina set Emma down as Dragon brought her things further inside and shut the door.
"What's about Paige Mama? You said you'd tell me when you gots home and that's right now." Hanging heavy on a ringed hand in curiosity.
Nodding, Regina began to walk with Dragon at her side. "I did, let's go into the kitchen and we can talk for a little bit." Pulling Emma along. She prepped a small glass of warm cinnamon honey milk, an old favorite go to on evenings when child was wound up to help calm before bed.
Hopping up on her stool, Emma accepted her favorite yellow mug a minute later eagerly sipping. Eyes drifting between the adults standing hand in hand at the counter. "What'd the doctor say?"
"Paige is going to be just fine. She's anemic and that means her blood does not have enough iron in it." Regina began. "That is what made her pass out to begin with. She also had a mild concussion from falling and hitting her head so that is why the doctors kept her for a few days."
Emma's brows scrunched. "But you said there was something good too?"
Smiling at the idea and knowing the child's adult counter-part would be just as happy, Regina wondered over the other reactions as she took up Emma's hand. "Henry and Paige are going to have a baby."
Little jaw dropped. "Really?"
Rounding the counter with Mal to stand on either side of Emma. "Really sweet one. What do you think about that?"
Pink was slow to bloom, but green sparkled impishly. "You're gonna be a Grandma!"
Not keen on the term, Regina crossed her arms in a mock pout. "It seems that way." Though the huge smile gave her true feelings away.
"You and Granny are gonna have lots more in common now Mama." Squealing delightfully as she tried to avoid tickling hands coming her way. Emma was happily bursting with questions and some were answered as she finished her milk, eyes growing sleepy.
"Alight sweet one. Time for bed." Regina took the empty mug to rinse as Mal went to lift Emma to protesting feet.
"But you just gots home." Upset, Emma's tone stressed that time spent was too short.
"We will have lots of time together the rest of the week and right now because Mama will tuck you in." Reaching out a hand for child to take, Queen assured.
Pushing. "Want more time now."
"Emma, let's go please."
Little feet refused to move.
Not expecting misbehavior upon her return so soon, Regina eyed her Dragon, silently questioning if this had been the reality of the last few days. Getting a dipped chin as a yes and knowing Emma had been upset in her absence she knelt down patiently to take little hands. "Mama is tired too baby. May I lay with you while you fall asleep?" Having planned to anyway. Emma needed a little time with just her and she knew her Dragon was more than understanding of the fact.
Almost ready to give into the idea of close comfort, but not yet for want of more time awake, Emma whined. "Laaatter Mama. I wanna stay up with you."
"Come little one."
Squirming as the decision was made on her behalf as she was picked up. "Stay up noooow?" Tired tears threatened.
Regina rubbed a little back. "Say goodnight to Mal, Emma."
"But Mama I—"
"Goodnight my darling." Mal leaned in, kissing a fussy pale cheek and giving supportive eyes to her Queen.
Carried away to the stairs, Emma tried again to voice her opinion. "But—" Stilling some as another kiss came to temple. "I wanna stay UP." Losing fight to a sniffle and to the hand supporting her weight, now gently patting her behind.
"Enough baby." Entering Emma's room Regina turned down the bed with one hand. "Time for sleep."
Groggy now. "Wanna sleep with you."
"Mama is right here." Removing the charm to the glass dish, tucking in, she curled up around her little love.
Green fought to stay open, but closed. Hair stroked as humming began behind. Her prior meaning missed, Emma took in the comfort of the moment and drifted off under the lullaby from another world that sang her softly to sleep.
Regina stayed until she was sure Emma was out. Giving one more kiss, she eased from the bed and room, leaving the door cracked for the hall light to shine in. Fingers went to immediately unbutton her blouse, ready to be rid of the formality of the day. Silk slipped down her arms and a skirt followed once in the master suite and door closed. Matching in basic lacy black briefly she further shed garments under amused blue eyes watching from the bed. Bundling all fabric in a wad for the hamper, Regina took her time donning a soft cotton gray tank and matching panties. Legs left bare, she crawled over the blanket to Dragon's side and curled up, resting head on a heart. Mal's nails gently raked her bare skin between waist band and where tank rode up at the dip of her back.
Mal closed the book she'd been skimming and set it aside in favor of cupping a missed cheek, thumb trailing a fine jaw. "So a Grandmother then."
Amber rolled affectionately. "Mal, do not start."
"Or do you prefer Grandma or perhaps more informally, Nana?" Biting a lip, unable to help herself.
Serious tone failing, Regina laughed. "Keep it up and you are sleeping on the couch."
Never one to give up easily Mal continued. "Technically you are already a rather Grand-something, aren't you?" Recalling indirectly the distinct family tree Queen shared with Snow.
Somber now in a rare moment as past sucked her mind away, Regina made no immediate comment. By traditional roots traced she was a step one anyway, to Emma, and if she were to honor those brittle roots she had not chosen for herself when choice had been taken from her that would make Henry her great grandson. Then this new child yet to be born would be an even greater extension. Family was deeper than blood and she had taken great pains to teach Henry and now Emma that lesson. Deep in her head she did not hear name said.
Mal sensed she may have been misunderstood and rested her lips on a forehead just as Queen turned away from her, though back was firmly pressed along her side clearly inviting touch. "I'm sorry Regina. I was just teasing."
Mist made the wrinkles in fisted sheets blur as Regina tried to swallow the past down. "It's not you or that. It's him and her, it… sometimes it just sneaks up on me. I will be fine in a minute." Taking a shaking breath as a shudder rippled through her body. Two arms pulled her close and she tried a small smile over being the little spoon, a much loved position after a long day.
"You can be however you need to be Regina." Mal rubbed a smooth arm, following the length to interlace their fingers. Kissing a shoulder gently and murmuring. "A baby though, is so exciting."
Red lips grew. "Henry was all starry eyed when he dropped me off at the airport. I love seeing him so happy."
"He will be an excellent father."
"Yes, he will." Sure of that fact as Regina was of the moon rising each night. Quiet now as the past began to prick her brain again.
Mal inquired. "Do you want to talk about it?"
"We have talked about it already." Though, long ago it had been. "I don't see the point in opening the wound again."
"It still hurts you though." Dragon observed.
Nodding as teeth from time held her lip captive.
"Then perhaps you need to Regina so you can let it go, my love."
Turning back over, Regina found steady blue, braving under them. "It was not my choice to marry him. She forced me. It should have been mine." One old chapter left unfinished between her and Mother, scratched raw.
"Yes, it should have been back then." Validating Mal lifted a chin. Holding firm in affix of present moment as Queen needed her to. "Now it is your choice Regina." Hard question she was not afraid to ask and one she knew was expected of her in the promise they had made to honor the truth between them and leave the past buried where it belonged since reconnecting. Using special tone just between them she commanded softly. "And who do you choose?"
"You." Sure as the salt spilling down her cheek Regina promised. "I choose you and this life we are building."
As Mal's comforting lips reassured love in return, Regina gave in to another rare need rising. Arms drifted up as Dragon rolled over to straddle her hips. Wrists taken by an invisible hand above her head, Queen willingly gave herself over to the dominant heat filling the room as amber begged her Dragon for time in another space entirely. And magical flick towards the door from Mal ensured their privacy and soundproofed the room.
Purring. "What is our safeword my Queen?"
"Fire." Regina answered with the favorite element shared between them.
"And when you can't speak?"
"I will snap my fingers."
"Very good." Acknowledging, but not in praise.
That was not the way of the moment between them. Regina wouldn't be praised like a submissive even when submitting and disliked any tone that readily indicated they were less than equal in leading space. Actions though were wide open for the taking and her long fingers magically removed gray fabric in the way over a sex, now explored with the same hand. Regina clenched hard around her.
Mal chuckled. "Easy, you will wear yourself out before we even begin."
Amber flashed in challenge. Though submitting to her role for the moment Regina never did easily for long. After being in such control for the last few days she was in the mood to bait and play. Letting her inner brat out Regina's teeth nipped at Mal's breast still covered by silk. Her right leg was easily pulled up and a hand slapped her ass for the effort. Hissing at the heat blooming she smirked and tried again; this time the other breast. Mal's hand gave another slap and moved quick as lightening to her throat.
Regina gave a hearty laugh as fingers began pressing just firm enough against her windpipe with a precise hand, making the edges of the room blacken as she liked. Two fingers pumping inside her core became three and she moaned. Ready now she moved her caught wrist just enough to vanish Dragon's silk shirt into nothing, leaving two full breasts swaying with nipples prominent free.
"So hungry." Mal mused as she pulled away from a wanting mouth, easily keeping Regina pinned under her. Wet fingers slowed way down and she enjoyed the merest of whimpers at the change. "Oh, do you want something now naughty one?" Teasing with a rare term used between them and one that never failed to rile Queen up in just the right way.
Regina's eyes narrowed as red lips curled up and took a sweet breath when a palm lifted from her throat. "You." Pushing up, she tried to flip them over as was their custom of give and take when they were both in leading top space. Two quick hands flipped her over instead belly first onto the bed Regina began squirming and growled. "No!"
Knee firm on a bottom, Dragon's sharp nail tapped at the base of a spine and traced in a perfect circle as she leaned in. Lips brushed the back of an ear, tickling. "Oh yes. You need my attention right here." Teeth sank into a neck claiming. Queen bucked once and then melted with a moan as she licked and sucked a quick pulse to surface. Dragging her nail up skin created the shiver she so adored. Pulling up and leaving a kiss on the mark she made Mal ripped the fabric of tank keeping them apart clean in half. "There you are my love." Laying skin on skin she worked an arm under Queen's hips as her lips continued to give attention to hot skin. Kissing, licking and nibbling to taste. Giving her other hand an opening to explore just how much Regina was enjoying this space they sometimes danced together in.
Soaked answered.
Regina pushed up her hips giving Mal better access to her most sensitive place and she was stroked deep and firm like that for a few minutes; building, building, building and then nothing. Lips pursed, she found her legs and with a great kick managed to roll them over, her stomach to the ceiling and Dragon lay flat under her back. Win was bitter brief as a pair of long legs wove around her hips and matching arms further cocooned her. Caught she huffed, both of them slick with passion and smiles. Wrestling ensued and she was played with, but lost as Dragon magically secured her wrists to the bedpost and legs spread leaving her need on clear display.
"Seems you need to be reminded of who is in control tonight. You may watch only." Mal said in such as way that only further made Regina squirm against the magical bonds beautifully. Blue linked with amber unrelenting. Hovering up over Queen's hips Mal gave quite the show of playing with her breasts and pleasuring herself while Regina whined underneath her in want of a turn.
Licking lips, pupils blown Regina countered. "Evil much, my dear Dragon? I thought that was my title, not yours."
Mal smirked and shuddered as a wave of heat passed through her core. "Evil is not how I am feeling tonight my Queen. More on the sweeter side of malevolent than anything else. But Evil I can do." Quirking a brow. "If you insist..."
Taking one of Regina's delicate breasts in each hand she squeezed, moving fingers to pinch sensitive nipples to points and sucking each to just the tender underside of a flowering bruise. Pained red peaks erected under cool air when she moved her swollen lips back to rest between legs. Racking nails firm on either side of a pair of gasping ribs Regina trembled and Mal rewarded open vulnerability with a hot mouth on a miniature ripe red apple.
Lapped toward teasing climax again and again by a rough tongue only to not be allowed to come until she was crying for release. Regina bit her shoulder to keep from screaming and gave into a throaty peak escaping when she finally was allowed to crest under Mal's talented mouth. Submitting not innate or simple between them, but the afterglow never failed to leave her a sweet gooey pile of deliciously satisfied Queen.
Mal rose on high from a drenched apex and then down kissing falling tears from intensity away. Brushing Regina's cheeks with both thumbs she consumed her love's mouth once more, breaking only for air a minute later. Magical bonds released. Buzzing and deep in the abyss of afterglow, they both lay watching and breathing in the sole pleasure of the other melting them as one.
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Green glared at the closed door.
Ten PM or just before had a little hand knocking the white wood. Waiting as taught, Emma heard stirring and knob turned a minute later. Girl rubbed an eye complaining of not being able to sleep and shook her head no to the inquiry of bad dream. Mama clad in gray robe lifted her up to hip and began pacing the hall dimly lit by a nightlight.
Desire spoke from earlier. "Mama I sleep with you?"
Wanting to give in, she did, but knew for Emma's well being she couldn't. Told of the occurrence the last few nights, Queen knew the pattern Emma was getting into. A habit developed in their spelled life little one took up after a sequence of repeated hard nights and one she always hated to break the child of. Regina never minded giving comfort or even Emma in her bed, but also knew the importance of independent sleeping and a set routine.
"We need to try your room tonight." Already walking that way as murmurs of displeasure crooned against her neck.
"Rock first Mama?"
"Yes baby." Nearly tripping over the blanket dropped by the door, Regina entered and sat with the girl in requested rocker with crocheted comfort wrapped around little shoulders. Emma twisted fully around, resting chest to chest.
After fifteen minutes when she thought child had dropped off Regina carefully went to stand and little hands gripped her robe in protest. Sighing she sat back and continued rocking. She realized after a second time Emma was purposefully fighting sleep. Lifting child she went to the bed and laid once again cradling until breathing leveled out. Extracting her numb arm from under a head she left Emma to sleep.
An hour later another knock came the door and Regina rose to answer in spite of Mal's offer to take a turn. "I have her, you sleep." Wanting to return favor of rest that had been broken in her absence. Questions asked before to Emma yielded the same answers. Part of her wanted to relent to the now third attempt to sleep in the master suite, but knew the consequence of breaking resolve now. One slip in their other life of giving in had set them up for a full week of back and forth nights she did not care to repeat.
Little feet, now frustrated, walked along slippers back to her room. "Maammaa?"
"Emma you need to be in your own bed tonight."
A fourth time a half hour later had now very awake green eyes scrunched against amber. Without a word Regina returned Emma to the lavender room, on her way back to bed, child began to follow.
Turning in the hall, Regina took up little shoulders steering Emma back. "Last time I will tell you sweet one. It is way past your bed time." Giving a gentle pat as they approached the room. She waited in the door way as Emma appeared to be willing to listen, but left too soon it seemed as child peered at her with tired eyes around the door frame.
"Mama but—but…" Wilting and knowing she would get no further in her attempts.
Regina shook her head, but still patience answered as she took a hand back to where girl needed to be, this time with a firmer pat of warning to a little bottom that Emma was pushing what understanding Mama had left. Finally child got the message and climbed into bed as Regina re-tucked the covers around stubborn shoulders. Another kiss given, Queen left. Returning to her room, she shut the door and discarded her robe. Skin found skin in the darkness and with a sigh she welcomed a soft nuzzle from Mal.
Regina sighed sleepily. "I think she will stay put for the night."
Murmured into a neck, Mal answered. "You have the staying power of a saint my Queen."
Smirking. "She can't entirely help it in this case." Emma's genuine dislike for the dark and being alone always a hard battle for Regina to ever be upset with, despite the mini battle of wills it had ended in tonight. "Had this been her purely defying me it would have ended much, much sooner."
"I feel responsible for this upset she's in."
Her turn to be the big spoon, Regina pulled Mal tight against her. "You have nothing to be sorry for. She needed the comfort you gave her during the storms. I would have done the same thing. Tonight she needed something else and she'll be better for it by the time this shift cycle comes again." Tough calls sometimes in mothering Regina felt her heart still pulling as the fog of sleep stole her away.
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Saturday brought the first of June to their doorstep and the promise of summer not long off with only two weeks of school left. It also brought apple cinnamon pancakes, a recipe Mal now knew by heart and dished onto waiting plates. Watchful Dragon didn't miss the slower than usual pace with which the smaller blonde ate, wondering if she should inquire or wait for Regina to come down for breakfast so they could do it together.
Emma awoke her thirteen year old self and quiet in her current focus on texting with Justina. Mechanical effort to eat brought favorite breakfast to her taste buds as her eyes rolled over the feed on her phone. Wiping her mouth, she wondered how best to ask for what she wanted and who might give the answer she craved. A group of kids were meeting at the pond to go swimming. Water secluded by the tree line on the edge of the woods a less frequented area for cooling off in the heat than the water front by the pier. A finger tip tapping the counter by her plate snapped green eyes up.
"Huh?"
"I asked if you wanted another pancake?" Mal eyed the child's hand. "And to remind you of the no phone rule at the table."
Blinking. "Um, sure. Thanks." Emma set her phone aside and held up her plate to accept round two. "And technically this isn't the table Mal." Joking only in part.
Dragon let the comment go and removed apron as she turned off the stove. Taking coffee in her favorite mug, a hand painted pottery confection of Emma's creation that vaguely resembled a very lopsided dragon with wings for a handle, she joined girl at the counter. "You are very quiet this morning. What is on your mind?"
Chewing an extra big bite, Emma swallowed and decided that Mal was probably more apt to give her a yes. "There are some kids meeting at the pond to go swimming in a little bit and I wanna go." Seeing gears turning in Dragon's head she added quickly. "Justina invited me and it's getting hot out now. My homework and weekend chores are done too. Can I?"
Not expecting that to be the reason for quiet, Mal thought about the request. "We already—"
Cutting in. "Her mom will be there the whole time and would drive a bunch of us." Seeing hesitation there Emma added. "Call her if you don't believe me."
"I do believe you Emma. That is not where my mind went at all." On any other day, with adult supervision, Mal would have agreed. "We have plans already though my darling."
"You and Mama have plans." Trying to keep the sass from her tone, Emma corrected the situation from her perspective. "I don't."
Mal shook her head, setting mug aside. "Those plans include you." She knew Regina was looking forward to working on the plant beds all together, especially after missing their chance last weekend with the sudden trip to Boston.
"I don't want to work outside though. The backyard is fine and you have magic to get the work done faster, so I don't see the point if I don't help." Heel bouncing on a stool rung in displeasure.
"Your Mama is very particular about her flowers as you well know and plants grow better when tended without magic." Ever the nature lover herself Mal too was looking forward to their planned family morning. Hand went to tuck hair behind a pale ear before catching Emma's wandering chin. "Besides she doesn't ask for your help often and it would be a nice thing to do for her."
Loving the feel of that hand. "Maaaal, please?" But upset now that her first choice of who to ask had not been the best one. "I hate weeding. It's a shi—"
"Emma." Chiding. She despised rough language and from Emma's mouth even more so. Then a hard answer to give to such big green eyes. "No."
"But…" Sighing and pulling away. Emma saw only resolve in blue.
"No, not this morning." Then calculating time they would need to spend out back to do their job. "Perhaps later in the day if we finish at a decent time and your friends are still there. We can see what time we finish up."
"That won't work! Everyone is going early and they'll be done by then. Why do you have to be such a stick in the mud?" Elbow on counter with chin in palm. Full on sulk took over Emma's face.
"I know I did not just hear further whining from you." Mal arched both brows in wait, firm she was finished with the display.
"What if you did?" Pushing to see the line she thought was close.
"Then you will be facing that corner rather shortly my darling to think about a different choice." Sipping coffee and gesturing to a bare kitchen corner sometimes used for that very purpose.
Sour, and not ready to push her luck anymore with one of them so soon in the day Emma dropped the subject. Pushing back from the counter she excused herself, only to be called back to clear her place. Chore done and now annoyed, she hurried upstairs. Sure feet went toward the master suite and knuckles rapped brief on the open door.
"Come in." Regina called from the closet where she was busy pulling on fitted black t-shirt over a pair of yoga pants for their gardening day. Seeing a clearly upset girl coming her way, she opened arms for Emma to fall into. "What's the matter baby?"
"Mama my friends are meeting to go swimming at the pond and Justina's mom is driving and will be there the whole time to watch. I really wanna go and not work outside." Spilling her want as Emma stepped back to gauge brown eyes. "Can I please go?"
"I could really use your help this morning sweet girl."
"And I promise I'll help you later when I get home or if you wait to this afternoon after I'm done then we all can."
"The sun is much too harsh the later the day goes I want to be done by noon." Giving some insight into her rationale of why it had to be in the morning, though that did not have the affect Regina wanted.
"Maaamma." Shifting between brown. "Please?"
"The answer is no Emma."
"Ugh!" Head dropped back dramatically. "You never let me do anything fun."
Ignoring the upset, Regina went to the bathroom for a hair tie, returning to see Emma with arms crossed and green glaring.
"I wanna go!" Repeating least her scowl and stance weren't enough of a display of her annoyance.
"I know, but that is not a choice this morning. I do not care to hear any whining or attitude about it."
"Fine you won't have to." Turning on her heel, Emma stalked away. "I'm mad and I am choosing my room to calm down." Explicit use of her cue to leave her alone, she knew Mama would give her the space for a while to chill out.
Regina, conflicted, watched Emma leave. Shaking her head she went down stairs, gladly accepting coffee and a kiss from Mal before sitting in her place. Plate of pancakes ready she picked up her fork. "I take it you heard the stomping."
"I did." Mal affirmed. Letting the bitter brew stay on her tongue for a moment before setting down her mug. "Is she still angry with me then?"
Puzzled, Queen gave pause to fork's journey to her mouth. "What do you mean? She's mad at me, dear."
"I told her no when she asked about going swimming with her friends this morning…" Mal gave further details of the conversation that had a royal hand setting fork aside all together.
"We have nearly been played." Regina sighed and pushed her plate aside, no longer hungry. "She asked me the same thing, probably hoping for a different answer than the one you gave. We need to let her know that is not acceptable."
Always one to see the silver lining Mal agreed with her own twist. "At least we both gave the same answer." And pulled Regina's plate back over with a pointed look.
Eyeing the food Regina chose not to fight over this sometimes issue between them. Fork back in hand she made a small show of stabbing a fluffy cake. "This time, yes. Had we not, that would have created a bigger problem."
"True. I don't get the feeling she is testing again. Do you?"
"No, I don't think so." Taking a bite and chewing. After a moment, thoughtful. "Not that she is aware of at any rate and that changes how we will approach this."
Finally taking another bite of pancake as her appetite returned, Regina let the topic rest until they were both done eating. Having given Emma twenty minutes, she set the dishes to soak as Mal finished the paper and went back upstairs. Knocking thrice on the teen's door, no response came.
"Emma?" Trying again. "May I come in?"
"No."
"Baby we need to talk."
Knob turned and Emma cracked the door just enough to see concerned brown eyes. "And I am choosing not to right now thank you very much." Door closed again.
Hurt, she rested her head on the door briefly, but Regina kept it from her tone. "Alright. We will try again in a little bit." Wanting to respect the space still needed.
Muffled and full of attitude. "I'll come out when I am ready… Just leave me alone 'til then."
Wanting to correct, but not without seeing the why in those eyes, Regina fought her natural inclination to open the door and take the girl down a notch. "Then I will be here when you are ready."
Leaving without further words, she placed an alarm spell at the base of the door that would alert her if Emma stirred. Intending to get the day started outside while teen further cooled off, she wanted to be available when girl was ready to speak. Back down stairs found Dragon placing the last breakfast dish in rack to dry. Blue questioned lack of Emma and together they went out back to begin weeding the flower beds as they talked.
An hour passed.
Wilting under the rising heat, Regina wiped her brow and removed gloves. "Ready for a break?"
Mal persisted a moment longer digging up a particularly nasty root and sat back nodding. "Lemonade?"
"Oh yes." Standing and brushing off, Queen helped her lover to feet. Together they went inside to the kitchen for a cool beverage. A few refreshing sips in Regina nodded to the ceiling. "I best go and check on her."
"She's been butting heads with both of us all morning. Let me take a turn.
Grateful for the support, Regina nodded relenting as Dragon left the room
It was unlike Emma to stew for so long in isolation and something in Mal's gut felt off. Knocking got no response, nor did the second attempt after a long pause. Trying the knob found the door locked. "Emma? Are you alright?" No answer and worried now Mal knocked again. "Darling, I need to see you are okay."
Nothing.
"Emma…" Sighing and changing her tone. "Open the door."
Never having invaded Emma's space without a direct invitation, a trigger well known and one she respected as a boundary, Mal felt sick magically shifting the lock. She let the door open, while staying on her side of the hallway. Gravity forced feet into the room at what she saw; in disbelief, she quickly called over her shoulder for Regina as her pulse throbbed behind temples...
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Emma checked her appearance in the refection of the water. Long blonde locks in a high pony tail and a one piece green swimsuit with red sandals met her approval. Lowering a pair of cat eye sun glasses she'd borrowed from Mal and forgot to return a while back she took a deep breath and backed up. Kicking off shoes and casting aside glasses she took a running leap and cannon balled off the small dock and into the cold murky water.
Laughing as she surfaced and a splash war began. Forgetting the morning Emma was enjoying herself immensely. Justina challenged everyone to a game of Maro Polo and teams divided they began to play under the watchful eye of Mrs. Wood supervising from the shore line.
She knew her space would be respected and urge to be with her friends had taken over. Want for an hour of freedom and then returning to help out back was a win-win she figured. Time ran as the sun nearly reached its peak in the sky, the water began to slowly warm, still colder than normal for this time of year. Thirsty after three rounds of play and sensing she needed to be getting back, Emma swam over to the dock and slowly began climbing the ladder. Pulling herself from the water she nearly lost her footing at the familiar shadow overtaking her. Green braved length of those legs all the way up to calculating blue eyes, sharper than normal.
Emma gulped. "Hi?"
"Hi there." Taking a hand, Mal helped Emma up the rest of the way. "Get your things and tell Mrs. Wood thank you. We are going home."
Wet and dripping with more than water. "Seriously? You—"
Holding fast to a hand that tried to pull away, Mal stated expectation. "Now is not the time for back chat Emma. Do as I ask."
Bristling, Emma tried to distract by wringing out her hair with her one free hand. Water dripped on Dragon's feet. "Why?"
Mal squeezed a pale hand once and let go. "If we have to have that conversation here you will not be pleased with me when we are finished." Again pointing up the dock. "Let's go. Shoes and bag."
Emma sucked her bottom lip. "You wouldn't."
Mal nodded once.
"But…" Failing and taking a step in the right direction when she saw her Mama speaking with Justina's mom.
Lips pouted, but feet obeyed. Wrapping up in a towel, Emma slipped on sandals while stuffing her shorts and t-shirt in her bag. A wave to her friends and finally a trudge toward the adults now waiting. She avoided her Mama's eyes as she gave thanks as directed before following her… Stopping briefly deep in the meaning of that thought, Emma finally looked up at the women walking ahead of her. Both had come to fetch her and just as both turned to look back now. Finding her footing in spite of a feeling she couldn't place Emma got into the back of the Royce fidgeting in the seat.
Car moved them toward home and Emma hunched down when her Mama turned in the passenger seat. Dark eyes reproachful and teen found she still had some fight left from her earlier upset. She scowled, but before she could comment blue eyes found hers in the rear view mirror in full warning. Queen turned back around as Dragon reached to put a hand to a royal knee. The drive remained silent. Regina led the way up the walk letting Mal coax reluctant teen from the car with nothing but a pointed look. Once in the foyer Emma's dropped bag hitting the tile brought words to life.
"I don't even know where to begin Emma." Regina paced. "Asking each of us separately to go out today in hope of a better answer, your attitude, sneaking out, climbing down the trellis—"
Crossing arms Emma interjected. "How'd you know I didn't use the front door?"
"Do not interrupt me." Hands to hips, Regina's tone held firm. Seeing stubborn green she sighed. "I was worried about you after I knocked the first time so I put an alarm on your door so I would know when you were ready to talk. It never went off before Mal came to check on you later, and with your open window it was not hard for us to figure you where you went, but that is beside the point."
"What point Mama?" And spinning to glare at Mal. "Why'd you come instead of her?" Difference meant something, but she was not sure what. Suddenly the feeling she had gotten watching them both watching her at the pond come over again full force. And new as it was she had no idea what to do with it.
"Attitude Emma." Mal advised, girl was pushing yet again and nothing got her attention quicker than disrespect to her partner or the child's safety on the line. Both were equally tugging hard at either end of her heart at the moment.
"So you barged in anyway?" Ignoring and hot that her space had been invaded, Emma questioned.
Mal remained patient. "You were not answering me and I was worried you might be hurt, so yes, I opened the door to check on you."
"It's my room Mal." Catching the slipping towel Emma glared.
Reason slipped naturally into the heat rising from teen. "And you are our little girl and I was concerned about your safety. That overrides quite a few things—"
"It does not!" Emma shouted her upset.
Regina began to intervene. "Emma—"
Green cocked a trigger and mouth fired left. "I won't Mama! This is fucking bullshit!" It was out before Emma could take it back or think though why it was said, least of all the consequence for that slip.
Vile words leaving that sweet mouth in such a way woke something long dormant in Mal. She closed the distance before teen even blinked. "Emma, you do not get to speak that way, especially to your Mama." Calm in tone, even under the angry green question. "Apologize." When nothing was forth coming in challenge she took Emma's arm, turning to the side and gave a swat for compliance. First correction of such echoing between them had green eyes glassing. Her heart hurt. "Now."
Emma hopped once, rubbing the sting. Losing some fire in the wake of her actions and the firmly tender way Mal was looking at her, she licked her lips. Pushing and heat still present she pulled her arm away speaking with some cheek. "I'm sorry, okay?"
Mal directed to Regina's turf for their next discussion. "No, your tone and your actions are not okay. Go into the Study and to the corner. You need a few minutes to calm down before we continue." Done with misbehavior.
"I don't want to." Feet stuck and deep in, Emma avoided looking at either of the women, but chin taken by Dragon, she had no choice.
"Eyes up here." Waiting and then. "I gave you a direction and you are edging a very fine line right now my darling." Blue affection for the ache in green.
Ever stubborn. "Nooo."
No idle threat, but a promise Mal hoped not to have to keep. "Would you rather join me in my office upstairs instead for a reminder about rules before we come right back down for your time out and get to the matter at hand?" Emma had been begging for her attention all day in a way she did not want to have to give, but give she would if it meant a return of the sweet child she knew was hiding under all these hard layers of a past they all wished was not real.
Response of respect ingrained at that cue, Emma bit her lip and fought it. Meaning clear from Mal had teen blushing to her roots, and feet slowly took a few steps in the right direction, but stalled and crossed her arms. Dragon serious and suddenly no nonsense she was unused to and her chest hurt for being the cause of that change in tone. Glaring in need Emma tried to keep her mouth in check, but like it so often did, it sank her further into trouble.
"You can't." She sided up next to her Mama, turning a back on Mal. "Mama?" Unsure of what she was even asking Emma tried to begin getting herself out of trouble.
Regina raised a brow, shaking her head and turned Emma around by the shoulders with a nudge toward her partner. "You have made your choice young lady. Go on."
Stuck in her thoughts Emma allowed her hand to be taken by Mal. Escorted this way, her slow feet finally got moving of their own accord toward the stairs when another, much softer pat from her Mama landed to the seat of her swim suit in passing, hurrying her along. "Okay I'm going…" Then mumbling. "Get off my case..."
But Mal's adept ears heard it when Regina's had not and she confirmed the trouble girl was in once they were on the mid rise landing of the grand staircase. "Language aside Emma, your current attitude is not helping your case." Letting girl go ahead, she took a moment to look down at Regina. Getting a nod and reassuring eyes Dragon gathered her strength as she followed the Emma upstairs….
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A/n – Told ya it'd be a cliff hanger….
Next time—Emma gains insight into her upset, but not before unknowingly pushing for a defining conversation.