A.N.: So here we are again! I have good news. Firstly, now the month is over and I managed to accomplish the NaNoWriMo Challenge! It means I wrote 50k words in one month, and therefore it means that the next 5 or so chapters are already written as well. I will post now, around three times a week, so I have a chance to re-read everything and look for typos. The days (most likely) will be Tuesday, Thursday and Saturday. So keep tuned! If you haven't subscribed yet, please do so so you won't miss an update. Other than that, thank you all for all the love! xx
I know you haven't made your mind up yet
But I will never do you wrong
I've known it from the moment that we met
No doubt in my mind where you belong
(Adele)
Emma and Henry had watched two movies in a row, together with the first three episodes of The Stranger Things. The blonde loved the geek series, and it was funny to tell Henry how things were when she was younger, in a world without smartphones and the Internet.
They indulged in a delivery of the classic Chicago deep dish pizza, which Henry adored. Eating on the sofa, something she wouldn't usually allow, they watched TV until they couldn't take it anymore. Outside, the rain was still pouring heavily, with no perspective of stopping.
After lunch, they decided to take a break from the series and do something else, stretch their legs. It was impossible to imagine to actually go out in the rain, so they got creative. What can we do indoors?
Emma suggested one of the museums the boy liked, however, he was skeptical. He knew the blonde was easily bored by the exhibitions, so it wouldn't be as much fun as going with Regina. Feigning hurt, the blonde continued to think of another idea. She was just playing around because she knew he was absolutely right about it.
"What if we surprise Gina?" The boy inquired. "She's at work, right?"
"Yes, she is. I think she's teaching a class this afternoon." Emma mused, trying to remember her schedule. Regina usually kept her informed of her plans, yet, sometimes the blonde could be very forgetful. "What do you have in mind?"
"I just thought we could pick her up, or something. When she's finished, I mean." It was cute to see he missed her too. "Then we could have dinner somewhere, or Gina could show me the library. I've heard it's awesome!" He beamed.
"Sure, anything for you, my little nerd." She joked. Which kid would consciously ask to visit a library on a school-free day? Henry, apparently. Emma didn't mind visiting Regina, though, and the kid had a great idea. Maybe it would help them break the ice, spending some quality time together. "Let's get ready then. If we want to surprise her, we cannot be late!"
Shortly after a class, Regina was sorting out some papers on her desk. There was still a pile of them to be corrected, and she was falling short since her T.A. had dropped out. She had yet to find the time to interview new students for the position. Truth be told, she was hating the fact she had to go throw this again. Her last pupil was great, and he was used to her methods. The thought of starting all again, with a new student, and lots of training, was rather extenuating.
Feeling a headache beginning to creep in, she massaged her temples, releasing her breath. Great, she thought, and now this. She was still immersed in her reading when she heard a soft knock on the door. She wasn't expecting anyone, she mused, still, she voiced they could come in. "Yes?"
"Dr. Milano, hi," A young voice started, "my name is Isabella, Isabella Wright, I am in your behavioral psychologist class." Coming in, the student, in her early twenties, walked towards Regina's desk. "I was wondering if I could talk to you if you don't mind."
"By all means, Ms. Wright. What can I do for you?" Normally, the brunette didn't like to be interrupted. However, she also knew the students sometimes needed her attention, so she was happy to comply. As long as they were not asking her to cut some slack, that is.
The blonde girl looked bright and innocent at the same time, and very young. She remembered her last paper, though, and the young woman was very inquisitive and sharp. In that sense, she liked to work with perspicacious minds.
"Well, I was actually wondering what can I do for you. I heard your last T.A. dropped off, and I thought maybe the position was available?" She smirked. There was something about this girl like she knew some inside secret Regina wasn't aware of. "I brought my resume, just in case." There was something amiable about her, the professor thought, without fully grasping what.
"Thank you for your offer, Ms. Wright. You do understand we would need to schedule an interview for that, right? I cannot simply assess you immediately." The professor removed the glasses she would only wear at work, and looked at the girl, analytically. Most students would know when to send an e-mail for this kind of inquiry, and yet, Isabella was standing in front of her, in an alluring yet intruding sort of way.
"Yes, of course, Dr. Milano. I apologize, I didn't mean to intrude." Her words didn't reach her eyes, and the brunette was more than sure she wasn't sorry at all. Yet, it was intriguing. "I just thought maybe I could talk to you in person and see about it." There was definitely something about her eyes, they sparkled in an electrifying way. Slowly, Regina started to absorb the reason why the whole situation was a bit off.
"You know," the girl stated, "I really appreciate you taking the time to interview me right away." Green eyes were sharp, yet alluring. "I know how busy you are, Professor Milano. Especially now..."
"No problem at all, Ms. Wright." She started, but then the student shifted the conversation and she inquired, curious, "especially now? what do you mean by that?"
"Oh, I didn't mean to intrude in any sense..." Feigning innocence, the girl knew how to dwell.
"Ms. Wright, I would love for you to explain your comment."
"Oh, well, yes, if you want me to-" There was something odd about this girl, and the way she swayed. Upon Regina's nod, she continued, taking her time, "What I meant is, you're probably very busy now since you got married."
The professor didn't know what one thing had to do with the other, however, she noticed quite immediately the girl's choice of words had little to do with her real intentions. Isabella was already leaning on the edge of her desk, and she looked at the brunette, intently. "You know, if you must know, I always had a suspicion-"
Regina started to get up sensing where this was going. The girl was clearly out of line, and she was surely about to get a reprimand. No one could dare to talk about her personal life like this, especially her students. "Ms. Wright, I would appreciate if you-"
The student, which was now standing just a few inches of the professor, shut her up with an impromptu kiss. The brunette was caught off guard for a second, surely she had students coming on her before, but never one dared to go this far. Pushing her away forcefully, she tried as much as she could to stay calm and not lose her ground.
She wouldn't give this girl the satisfaction of unbalancing her. "Ms. Wright, this was highly inappropriate and completely indecorous. Please remove yourself from my presence before I decide to take further measures."
"Am I interrupting something?" The blonde's voice echoed from the entrance door. Luckily, Henry was too enthralled in his new book to notice what had just happened.
"Yes" replied the girl, pointedly, at the same time Regina said a sound "No." Frankly, the brunette was more than happily surprise Emma was there, and she just hoped the whole scene wouldn't give her the wrong impression.
"Regina and I, we are busy. And who are you to dare to enter this room without permission?" The girl's demeanor changed quickly from naïve to unpolite as if she had all the right to be annoyed by someone else's presence.
"Her wife," Emma said, simply. "And I would like very much to know who are you, and exactly what you think you're doing kissing my spouse?" The blonde drawled the words, her tone low and threatening.
Clearly shocked by the development of things, green eyes were like saucers as she tried so hard to recompose herself. Emma, on the other hand, used the few seconds to cross the room and stand side by side with Regina.
The girl started to talk once more, again on her feet, "Oh, I am so sorry you had to find out about us like this, then. I never wanted to hide, but you know, for Dr. Milano reputation, it would look quite bad so I've conceded-"
The professor was appalled the girl could say such nasty things, still trying to turn the situation on her favor. Luckily for her, she didn't have to counter-strike, since Emma was already more than willing to do so.
Holding the girl by her blouse's collar, she stated, visibly enraged, "Listen, little brat, this is my wife you're talking about, and if you dare to say one more thing about her, I'll make sure you'll have a hard time speaking at all."
The girl looked stunned but didn't move or say anything. The blonde was furious with the fact that not only she had kissed Regina forcefully, but also, was now trying to get in between them, and even threatened Regina's career.
When she motioned like she would say something, Emma cut her off, once again. "I hope we are understood. Now get away from here and make sure the first thing you do is to go transfer yourself to another class. You are done here."
The girl started to walk away, still unsure, when the blonde said firmly, from afar, "You make sure you don't get anywhere near Regina. If you do, you will wish you haven't. She might be your teacher and therefore be bound to the University rules, but let me make this crystal clear: I am not."
Regina didn't know for sure of how all of that happened. Firstly, she was immersed in her professor duties, and then a student, which she barely recalled came and not only wanted to work with her, but also, a lot more.
Providentially, Emma was there, to be her knight on a shining armor. Of course, she would have handled it herself if needed, but Emma's presence and assurance made her feel wanted, cared and above it all, all sorts of gooey inside.
The brunette was always very assertive and independent, however, it was good for a chance to feel protected by someone. Since losing her dad very young, Regina never really felt this kind of warmth from anyone else.
Truth be told, she knew Emma's possessive act was exactly that: an act. She saw Regina in a bad situation and decided to help her. She would do the same thing even if they weren't married, and the brunette knew this as well. Yet, she couldn't help but feel cherished - and slightly blushed - whenever she would think of how the blonde had behaved.
They didn't have the chance to talk much since Henry was with them in the car. And now on the ride home, both were quiet. The boy was the only one filling the silence, and the women were happy to comply. He was talking animatedly about the book he got from the University Library, and how he would apply to study there when he was of age.
Henry had a not-so-secret admiration towards Regina. He found her awesome, as he would describe, but mainly to depict her intelligence and poise. The brunette might appear to be just a professor, however, anyone who'd ever seen her teach would know she was so much more. Her strength, outwardness and especially the control she seemed to exert on her class was extraordinary. They knew better than not to respect her, and Henry knew it well.
His mom was goofy, laid-back, genuine. He loved every second of it, but it was good to see the differences. It was like they complement each other in a way, so when Henry heard about their wedding, he couldn't be more excited to welcome the brunette - officially - to their little family.
They had dinner together, and even though they still couldn't talk about what happened, the brunette started to put two and two together. Yes, her best friend Emma would still have performed the same actions towards her student, but there was something more. A sparkle in her eyes, her wrists tighten up in a ball. Emma was not only pretending to be this affected, but she was also. And even the brunette was finding it hard not to see it.
Suddenly, it all made sense. The way the blonde had reacted around her for quite some time now. The wedding plans. The touches, the lingering looks, it all came back in a jiffy. Even at the honeymoon, the way the blonde was coy sometimes, and somewhat hesitant towards her. She remembered the spa day, the blonde's timidity. Surely it wasn't justified, considering they've been friends for ages.
Awareness took in, and she breathed heavily, in and out, in and out. Emma was driving them back home, so she could allow herself a few seconds to think. She got it all wrong, she thought, upon remembering their last day at the resort and how she inflicted the status quo upon both of them. It was all too much, precociously. She desperately needed some time to think, sort her ideas out. Doubtless, she would have to talk to Emma. The least she could do was to do it in the best possible way.