Warning: slight violence but nothing major!
Chapter 14
Prising the front door open, Regina steps inside and glances around the empty space. "Zelena? Hello?"
Appearing at the top of the stairs, the redhead smiles. "Hey sis, are you back now?"
"Not exactly.." The brunette smiles then looks behind her as Emma and Mia also step through the door. "Mia and I have come for the rest of our belongings..as we are moving out.."
Hurrying down the steps, Zelena raises an eyebrow. "Oh?" Looking past her sister, the redhead grins at her niece.
The small brunette lets go of the blondes hand and runs up to her auntie, being lifted up straight away into a hug. "We're moving in with mama!"
"I'm sorry what?"
Confused by the question, Mia points towards Emma. "..mama?..."
"I got that pumpkin I just..." Looking towards her sister, Zelena questions. "When did she.."
"Long story..but like she said we are moving in with Emma.."
Rubbing temple, the redhead tries to get her head around it all. "Right well..how about you pack up and then we can all have dinner..stay the night at least..as its the last time"
"That is a good idea.." The blonde agrees. "Just pass me the boxes and I'll drive them back and see you in the morning"
"Emma I meant you too.."
"Oh.."
Smiling in adoration, Regina reaches for Emma's arm and hugs into her. "That is, if you don't mind?"
"No I don't mind" smiling back, Emma keeps the brunette close.
Grinning at the pair, Mia kisses her aunt's cheek then holds her arms out towards her mother. "Mommy.."
Taking hold of the girl, the brunette nuzzles their noses then smiles as her mini me attempts to snuggle into them both while resting her small head against the blonde.
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Sharing the wash load after dinner, Emma passes a plate across to Zelena to be dried.
"So do I need to give you the talk?"
Glancing over at the redhead, the blonde smiles. "I think we're past that stage. You know that I would never hurt them.."
Chuckling, Zelena nods. "Yes I know..just with how things are going for me, this may be the only time I'll ever get to use the talk"
"Zelena, leave her alone.."
Coming up behind the pair, Regina smiles upon the blondes face lighting up then wraps her arms around Emma's waist from behind while pressing a small kiss to her shoulder. "Mia is in bed but she is waiting on a goodnight from her mama"
"Okay then" grinning, Emma abandons the soapy water to dry her hands then quickly pecks the brunette's lips before leaving the kitchen.
Having watched the scene, Zelena bites her lip. "I would say you two are incredibly insufferable if I weren't so jealous.."
Flicking some water at her sister with a smirk, Regina then wraps an arm around the redheads shoulder. "Your time will come, look at what I had to endure to get here but I did, so will you"
Leaning into the hug, Zelena smiles sadly. "Maybe I should just become a lesbian too?"
Rolling her eyes, the younger sister releases her hold and steps away. "Like that would ever happen.." Turning towards the counter at hearing her phone ring, the brunette frowns at the ID then answers. "Kate?"
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Laying on top on the covers beside the girl, Emma tucks her in with a smile. "So how are we doing this kid?"
"Story?" Looking innocent, Mia holds up 1 finger with a grin.
"I suppose..." Winking, the blonde reaches for a book then waits until the small brunette is cuddled into her before beginning. Half way through, Emma peers down hearing a light snore then kisses the girls head before slowly lowering her down onto her pillow. Shifting off the bed, the blonde puts the book back on the shelf then watches as Mia turns in her sleep, gripping tighter to her unicorn. Smiling to herself at how lucky she is, Emma heads towards the door to turn the light out.
"Night..mama..."
Looking over again, the blonde watches a moment as the girl remains in her position. "Night baby girl.."
Making her way back downstairs, Emma checks the kitchen to find it empty and in darkness before heading towards the living to find Zelena nursing a glass of wine. "Hey..where's Regina?"
"She had to go out..Kate called about a scan or something..Regina said she was pretty upset so she went to meet her at the diner as he is away..she has no one else.."
Frowning slightly, the blonde looks worried. "okay..I'm just gonna grab a glass and join you.." Turning back towards the kitchen, Emma gets her phone out and calls the diner. "Hey Ruby it's Emma"
"Oh hey! What's up? Want a takeout?"
"No thanks, has Regina been in at all in like the past 5 minutes? Or is she there now?" Rubbing the back of her neck, the blonde leans against the counter.
"No. She hasn't been in. I haven't seen her since work"
"Okay..if..if you see her can you give me a call?"
"Sure! Night Em"
Hanging up with a deep breath, Emma reaches for her car keys then slips her phone in her pocket. Walking back through to the living room, the blonde pokes her head in the doorway. "Hey Zelena do you mind watching Mia for a bit? Regina forgot her phone. It was on the counter"
"Sure" giving a small wave as she flicks through the channels, Zelena sips her wine.
Rushing out the door hating that she had to lie, the blonde sets up a track on her phone to meet Regina's then drives to the house directed, praying that she is blowing this out of proportion.
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"I'm..I'm sorry that I called you..but..you're the only one who get its it..you understand.."
Pacing along the floor, Regina looks across at the shaken woman with a clear blue and purple bruise making its way across the right side of her
face. "I don't know what you expect me to do..all I can advise is that you get out before he does anything worse..don't make the same mistake I did with Mia and put that baby at risk"
"But..I'm not like you..I don't have anyone else..any family. You had your sister to turn to.." Sniffling, Kate wipes her face with a small wince.
Coming to a halt, the brunette sighs. "Did he do anything else aside from your face?"
"No..he looked shocked..and angry..then walked out"
Closing her eyes briefly at how much danger even she could be in, Regina questions. "So he could be back at any minute?"
Nodding slightly, the scared woman looks down, apologising quietly. "I'm sorry..I didn't...know what else to do.."
"Well you can't stay here..we may not know each other well but even id feel guilty if I walked out and left you and your baby here..go pack a bag.." Turning away, Regina reaches for her phone but pauses at a knock on the door. Looking across to see Kate wide eyed, the brunette holds her hand out to her to stay put and motions to be quiet. Carefully heading to the front door, Regina takes a breath before hesitantly looking through the spyhole.
"Regina? It's me I can see you, open up"
Visibly relaxing, the brunette pulls the door open and hugs the blonde immediately before even granting access inside. Hugging back in relief that she is okay, Emma frowns. "Regina what's going on? Why are you here?"
Pulling back, the brunette takes hold of her hand silently and leads her inside. Following the woman's gaze, the blonde raises an eyebrow seeing Kate stood awkwardly while fiddling with her hands. "This is Kate.."
Noticing the bruise, Emma purses her lips as she can feel her anger rising. "Let me guess..he started again.."
Looking down, the brunette gives a small nod. "You must be Emma.."
Crosses her arms protectively, Regina looks to the blonde. "I told her to pack a bag..for the baby's sake.."
"Looks like I'm gonna have another guest at the apartment.."
Confused, Regina raises an eyebrow. "What?"
"Well he still doesn't know about where I live so if she stays there at least for tonight.." Emma explains before feeling the brunette's arms engulf her once again.
Kissing her cheek, the brunette smiles. "You're amazing you know that? Willing to help a perfect stranger for me.."
Giving a shrug, the blonde lets slip a small smile before looking seriously towards Kate. "Regina's right, pack a bag.."
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Swirling the wine in her glass, Regina sighs as she looks over towards her sister and Emma. "I don't know what I'm going to do..I'm sorry that I have once again dragged you into my mess.."
Reaching for the brunette hand, the blonde gives a reassuring squeeze. "Our mess..we are in this together remember? and we will figure it out.."
Feeling bad, Regina takes a breath then looks to her phone at a new message. "He's contacted her, saying he came home and wants to know where she is.."
Scoffing, Emma persuades the brunette to sit with her on the couch. "Tough.."
Watching the pair, Zelena smiles then disappears upstairs to check on Mia.
"Will this ever end?"
Kissing her head, the blonde stands and takes hold of the older woman's empty glass. "It will..I will get you a top up"
Following Emma's footsteps, Regina smiles to herself at how positive the woman seems, making her love her even more. Jumping slightly at the doorbell, the brunette huffs then calls out for the blonde as she heads over. Opening the door, Regina looks momentarily angry at who is stood in front of her until she is pushed back roughly.
"Where is she?!"
"She's not here. She's gone" the brunette states coldly.
"She's gone? She's.." Slowly smirking, the brunette's ex husband stalks up to her, prompting Regina to move back until she can go no further. "Well that's great..that's..we can be together again, properly as a family! Me, you and Mia.."
Frowning, the brunette looks in disbelief. "Are you deluded? Why on earth would I go back to you when I have someone who loves me?"
"Loves you? Please..she's only in it for one thing because you're desperate to have someone in your life. That blonde bimbo is not worth it"
Glaring at the insult, Regina slaps him hard, leading to her ex grabbing at her neck and shoving her against the staircase. Having heard the commotion, Emma comes rushing through then stops at the look that the brunette is giving her. Silently coding, the blonde nods and slowly walks up behind the man and taps his shoulder.
Losing focus briefly, the ex loosens his grip on Regina and glances over his shoulder. "What do you-"
Shoving her knee forward, the brunette then slips out from under his grasp as her ex falls to the floor in pain.
"What is going on down here?"
Both women look up to the stairs to find Zelena looking wide eyed at the scene.
"Zelena keep Mia upstairs" Emma orders then reaches for the phone to call the cops. Passing it over to Regina who is rubbing her neck, the blonde reaches in the stair closet and grabs whatever she can before tying the man's wrists up, making sure it's tight enough to hurt. "Don't ever come near my family again!"
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Coming up beside Regina, Emma slips her arm over her, turning her around to give her a hug as the cops leave. "You should get checked out.."
Shaking her head as she buries into the blonde, the brunette lets out a breath. "I'm okay. Just a bit of bruising..I'm better where I am"
Approaching the pair, Zelena smiles as she rubs her sisters back. "Hey Mia is asleep again although she had a million questions as to what was going on and why she wasn't allowed downstairs"
"We will explain in the morning, it's been a long day.." Emma responds.
Letting out a yawn as she pulls away from the hug, Regina chuckles. "You could say that..I'm ready for bed..you coming up?"
Nodding, the blonde kisses her forehead. "I'll be right behind you"
Moving away, Regina slowly makes her way upstairs with another yawn then disappears from view. Turning towards the redhead, Emma reaches for her arm. "I'm so glad she has got you as a sister. Thank you for looking after her when I couldn't..and for continuing to do so"
Smiling, Zelena nods before pulling the blonde into a hug. "And thank you, for loving her the way you do"
Smiling back, the blonde pulls back then follows the brunette up to their room.
A/N: unexpected drama there! What will happen to Kate?
P.S. If you're not already, I'm currently in the middle of another swanqueen story called Living the Dream if you want to give it a try, things are just about to get very interesting!