A/N: I'm away for the holiday weekend so I haven't been able to update as frequently. I wanted to get this chapter up ASAP so you all aren't kept waiting! The next chapter should be posted on Monday or Tuesday! Enjoy :) And as always, leave your feedback in the comments. They really do make my day every time!
The sunshine coming through the sheer blinds hit Emma's face and she squeezed her eyes shut, desperate to get a few more moments of sleep in before taking on the day. As thoughts of the night before came pouring into her mind, she remembered Regina helping her in the tub and how great it felt when she took care of her. For a brief moment, she remembered the day she showered with Killian and how he tried so hard to care for her but it paled in comparison to how phenomenal it felt when Regina was sliding the sponge over every inch of her. Well, almost every inch.
Emma reached out, hoping to find Regina still in bed next to her in the same position they laid in when they fell asleep the night before. When all she felt was a cold bed, she opened her eyes and groaned. She felt a pain in her chest when all her hope dissipated and she realized just how badly she wanted the brunette to be beside her in bed.
Emma took a moment to appreciate the plush carpet as her feet hit the floor and she pushed herself off the bed. She walked to the door then made her way down the hall to Regina's bedroom. She decided against knocking, just in case the woman was still asleep. Without a moment of hesitation, she turned the handle gently and stuck her head inside.
When she was met with the sight of a tidy room and perfectly made bed, her head bowed in disappointment. She listened for any sign of life in the house but all she heard was silence.
She ran down to the kitchen and filled a bowl up with some Lucky Charms that she found in the pantry. As she poured the milk, the sound of Regina clearing her throat made Emma jump out of her seat. "Oh, you're home! I figured you were out. Where is Henry?"
"It's Monday, Miss Swan. He's a fifteen-year-old boy and he's at school. I was doing some work in my study and heard you come down. I have some work to get done today so I'll leave you to your sugary, disgusting breakfast. I'll be in my office if you need anything." Regina stated flatly and walked out of the kitchen.
Emma quickly scarfed down the rest of her cereal, then headed back upstairs to change. She was feeling much better today and decided she was tired of sweatpants. She took a quick shower, then brushed her teeth and threw on a pair of skinny jeans and a simple v-neck T-shirt. She ran her fingers through her hair as she hit it with the blow dryer for a few moments then pinned it half up in a clip. After some finishing touches and a bit of sheer pink tinted lip balm, she made her way back downstairs, eager to spend more time with Regina.
"Oh, you're dressed. Do you have any big plans today?" Regina laughed.
Emma shook her head. "Nope! Just tired of wearing sweatpants and I felt much better when I woke up today. Must have been from the spell you did yesterday. Or your excellent bath-giving skills." Emma smirked and Regina jut ignored her comment and continued working.
Emma looked down as she twiddled her thumbs. "Do you mind if I sit in here with you? I promise I won't bother you too much. I just like your company." Emma smiled, hopeful that Regina wouldn't turn her down.
"I'll tell you what. How about you go make me a cup of coffee and then you can come back and sit with me?" Regina raised her eyebrow.
"You've got it, Madam Mayor!" Emma ran out of the room and into the kitchen. She fumbled with the coffee machine until it began brewing. She poured two cups then realized she already remembered exactly how Regina took her coffee, but wasn't quite sure how that was possible.
"Here you go, your majesty." Emma made her way back into the study and set Regina's mug down in front of her. "Coffee with a splash of vanilla creamer and one sugar. Don't ask me how I know that. Because I couldn't tell you, even if I tried." She shrugged her shoulders but let out a small grin before bringing her own cup of coffee to her lips and let the beverage warm her throat as she swallowed, never taking her eyes of the woman in front of her who was hard at work.
Minutes of silence passed and Emma continued to just watch and admire the brunette as she worked, dedication and focus all over her face. Emma took note of the way Regina bit her bottom lip as she filled out paperwork.
"Miss Swan, do you plan to stare at me all day long? That seems like a tremendous waste of your time."
"It seems like great use of my time actually. Besides, where else do I have to be? And I get a kick out of watching the way you bite your lip when you're writing."
Regina shook her head, unsure why she still was so fazed by the blonde's bluntness. "Well then, by all means... keep staring."
"Can I ask you something?" Emma said flatly.
"Hmm?" Regina mumbled but didn't look up from her papers.
"Can you tell me a story?"
Regina dropped her pen and looked up. "Emma, Henry will be home from school soon and he can read stories to you."
"No, I don't mean that kind of story. Can you tell me something about you? Something that's not in the story book? Tell me about your childhood."
Regina stood up and pushed her chair out from the desk. Emma remained seated on her chair in the corner of her office. Regina walked around the desk and leaned back until her lower back made contact with the desk frame and she crossed one leg over the other. Emma refused to take her eyes off her.
Regina cleared her throat. "I had a horse named Rocinante. He was beautiful, loyal and most of all - fast. Perhaps the most incredible steed I've ever had the chance to ride. Every day I dreamed of just packing a bag, hoping on Rocinante, and running away."
Emma kept her eyes on Regina but didn't say a word, urging her to continue.
"Henry's story book can tell you all about the terrible things I've done in my past. And believe me, I've done my fair share of horrible things to other people. But what the book fails to tell you is what made me that way." She paused and swallowed. "My mother always wanted me to be a queen. She named me Regina for that very reason, it's Latin for queen. But she never took into consideration what I wanted. My mother had magic just like you and I do. And I hated it. No, I despised it. I vowed to never use magic because I didn't want to end up like her. Obviously, things changed." Her voice trailed off.
"What did your mother do that made you hate magic so much?" Emma asked, genuinely curious and intrigued to learn more.
"I had no say over the way my life was. My opinions and desires didn't matter. If it wasn't something my mother didn't agree with, it couldn't happen. She would put up barrier spells so I couldn't leave our land and she would humiliate me with her magic and punish me in the most unfathomable ways. Part of me believed she didn't truly love me, I was just a pawn in her game. And I found out a few years ago when she came to Storybrooke that I was right. She didn't love me, because she ripped out her own heart long before I was even born."
Emma's eyes went wide at the thought of someone ripping out their own heart. "You can do that? Rip out hearts?" She swallowed nervously, suddenly feeling her palms begin to clam up.
"Yes." Regina bowed her head, unsure if she should be explaining this to Emma in her state of mind. But when Emma kept her eyes glued on her, she continued. "I can rip out hearts and use them to control the person against their will. Or I can crush it and kill them. I'm not proud of the things I've done, Emma."
Emma felt a bead of sweat form on her forehead. She wasn't sure whether she was supposed to feel afraid, nervous, or heartbroken for the woman in front of her.
"When I was younger, we had a stable boy. His name was Daniel. And we fell in love and I can't remember a time when I've been as happy as I was when I was with him." Regina paused as her voice hitched in her throat. Emma stood up and slid over to Regina's side. She rested her hand on her shoulder and brushed her thumb back and forth, feeling the brunette's silky button down blouse under her fingertip. When they locked eyes, Emma saw the pain behind Regina's dark brown orbs.
"What happened to him?" Emma whispered, unsure if she wanted to hear the answer she already knew in the back of her mind.
"My mother found out our plans to run away together. She ripped out his heart and crushed it right in front of me." The brunette's voice cracked as she choked on her words. She shifted her gaze down to the floor but Emma's hand reached out and grabbed her under her chin, forcing the brunette to keep her eyes on the blonde.
"Don't pull away, Regina. You don't have to be afraid. You're the strongest woman I know. I'm here."
Regina nodded and when her dark eyes locked with Emma's green eyes, she let out a breath she didn't realize she was holding. Her chest felt tight, yet she knew she was safe with Emma by her side.
"How did your mom find out about Daniel?"
Emma watched Regina's eyes grow dark. "Your mother has a a big mouth." She spat the words out and Emma felt the sting.
"Oh. I'm sorry, Regina. If it were up to me, I would go back in time and change everything I can to ensure you find your happiness."
Regina felt her stomach flutter again in a way she didn't know could happen. "Thank you. I know you had a rough upbringing as well and I know I am partially to blame for that. But I wouldn't change my decisions because if I didn't cast the curse, I wouldn't have had Henry. Or you. I know that's selfish of me to say." Her gaze shifted to the floor.
"It's okay to be selfish. You did what you thought would make you happy. You should always do what makes you happy, Regina." She smiled sweetly at the brunette.
"Well, if that's the case. Then there is something I need to do." Regina's voice quickly switched from soft and broken to stern as the words came out of her mouth.
Emma looked at the brunette in front of her and cocked her head. "And what might that be, your maj- ". Before Emma could finish her sentence, Regina's lips crashed against hers.
Emma's eyes fluttered shut as the feel of Regina's soft, warm lips meshed against hers. She let out a moan as the brunette deepened the kiss and brushed her tongue against Emma's parted lips, begging for entrance. Emma opened her mouth and as their tongues danced together, she snaked her arms around the brunette's back then lifted her onto the desk in one swift motion.
Their lips never broke contact as Regina's hands traveled up and down Emma's slender body, exploring her curves with one hand while the other was tangled in the blonde's wavy tresses. Regina wrapped her legs around Emma and pulled her body closer. Emma's hands left the brunette's hips and traveled up to the buttons on her blouse, slowly popping one button off at a time.
After undoing the final button, Emma reached up to Regina's shoulders to push the blouse off completely. She peeled her lips away from Regina's, eager to take in the sight of the bare olive skin in front of her and show the brunette what she deserved.
Her gaze moved quickly. Admiring the brunette's slightly swollen, red lips, as well as the sight of her sitting on the desk with only a black lace bra covering her large breasts. The sight of cleavage spilling out from the top of the bra made Emma's heart race even faster. She yanked her own shirt over her head and smiled as she watched Regina take in the sight of her.
"Like what you see, your majesty?"
Regina nodded and slid her hands over Emma's bare skin before making her way to her back to unclip Emma's white bra. Emma assisted her and glided the straps off her shoulders, letting the bra fall to the floor.
Regina yanked the blonde closer to her and their lips were together again. Emma slid the black straps off Regina's tan shoulders then quickly unclipped the bra clasp with the other hand. She looked down at the sight, admiring her swollen breasts for a moment before her lips pressed against Regina's neck.
A gasp escaped Regina's lips and Emma smiled knowing it was because of her mouth. She kissed a trail down to her collarbone and felt the heat pool in her core as a loud breathy moan escaped through the brunette's parted lips and her head rolled back in pleasure.
Just as Emma continued to trail mouthy kisses toward the brunette's swollen breast, Regina grabbed the blonde's shoulders.
"Oh god, Emma. Stop!"
Emma broke her mouth's contact with the curve of Regina's breast and looked up at the panicked brunette in confusion.
"It's 2:58! Henry will be home from school any second. Get dressed!"
The brunette pushed a very frustrated Emma off as she buttoned up her shirt. Emma groaned loudly but followed suit and clipped her bra and threw her shirt over her head.
"We'll pick this up where we left off. Tonight." Emma winked and grabbed her coffee mug and walked out of the study.