Finding Hope in Rainbows
Chapter 21
A/N: So we finally got our house. We have been moving the last few weekends. I will do everything I can to get another update this weekend, but we have to finish the move. Remember I will finish this story shortly. Please review, I love hearing what you all think.
"Emma, of course I want more than right now with you. And you are an idiot for getting pissed at that imbecile and endangering yourself." Regina whispered in the blonde's ear as she stroked her head. Regina continued to lie next to the blonde and give her comfort and warmth as Emma slept. It felt perfect, the two of them wrapped together, relaxed and safe. Regina sighed as she thought about the past couple of months that led up to this moment. She could barely stand Emma in the beginning and yet there was always something that drew her attention to the blonde.
Hours later, Emma stirred. The blonde opened her eyes and looked into the dark brown orbs staring back at her. "You have the most beautiful eyes Regina." Regina smiled but before she could respond, Emma interjected. "And smile. I love it when you smile."
"Nice line Emma."
"It's only a line if it is said with the intention of engaging in sex."
Regina raised an eyebrow and smirked. "Don't you want to have sex?"
Emma stammered and stumbled over her words. The thought of not only pursuing the beautiful brunette, but also making love to her was exciting. She rubbed the back of her neck as she tried to pull two words together.
"Emma, I am giving you a hard time." Regina chuckled at the blonde's momentary idiocy. "Why don't we get some food?"
Emma nodded, still afraid her voice and brain would malfunction. She sat up quickly, but was immediately pushed back onto the bed.
"Let me clarify, I will go get us some food. You will stay here and wait for me."
"I am fine." Emma stated as she tried to sit up again. The brunettes hand remained on the blondes shoulder. Emma huffed as she knew this was a fight she wouldn't win.
"Great. I will be back in a minute."
After the two had eaten, Regina moved the plates to the dresser and sat back onto the bed next to Emma. She spoke up about the conflict in the house. "So, we are the only two in the house." After Emma just nodded, Regina continued. "You don't seem surprised by that."
"No, I gave David the option to leave with Mary-Margaret. I knew he would." Emma seemed like she was closing herself off to the questions. Regina quickly grabbed her hand and rubbed her thumb back and forth. Emma looked into Regina's eyes and saw the intense emotion shinning in the depths of brown. She could see the woman's care and concern for her.
"Please don't close yourself off to me. I want to be here for you, just like you are here for me. Alright?"
Emma nodded. "What do you want to know?"
"Tell me what happened. I heard Mary-Margaret's side, but I don't believe that was all of it."
Emma sighed and closed her eyes for a moment before she began. "I walked into the kitchen after our therapy session and Mary-Margaret asked if we had finally had sex. I was appalled. I told her I was your therapist first and foremost and we were just in therapy. She insinuated that we have been going to meetings regularly and maybe we weren't really going to meetings. I told her to watch herself. I informed her she was close to accusing me of breaking my code of ethics. She continued on and stated that you will be gone the instant your twelve weeks are up and I should just get it out of my system now. I told her that I felt more for you than she knew and I wanted to do this right. She called you a few names, and I told her not to talk about the woman I care for like that. She kept going and even went as far to say that you would sleep with me just to get out of the program early. I told her she was fired. I told her to get out of my house. I then started walking to my office, and she grabbed my arm and demanded that I listen to her reasons. I told her again to get out. I made it to the office and began signing her separation papers. She stormed in with David demanding that I come to my senses. I then told David he could stay or leave as well. She then told me you were a whore and I would be sorry I chose you over the only family I have ever had. I told her to get out now. That's it." Emma finished with her head down.
Regina put her finger under Emma's chin and lifted until the blondes eyes locked with hers. She leaned in until the two women were a breath apart. Regina held there for just a second before Emma closed the gap and pushed their lips together. The kiss started slow and sensual with their lips lightly moving in sync. Emma wanted her whole body to feel the way her lips felt while being caressed by Regina Mills' lips. Emma pulled back to look into the brown eyes that held so much emotion in them. After seeing what she needed to see, she crashed their lips together again, this time with much more passion and hunger. Regina's hand moved from Emma's chin to her cheek and eventually to the back of her neck where she pulled her even closer.
Emma moaned at the aggressive nature of the brunette. Emma's left hand disappeared into Regina's thick hair and her right went to the woman's hip. As she squeezed her hip, Regina took the tip of her tongue and touched Emma's lip. The blonde immediately opened her mouth and the two women's tongues began to passionately duel. Regina was the first to pull back from the kiss and Emma began to pout. "You are adorable with that pout dear." Regina said as she nuzzled her nose against Emma's.
"We didn't have to stop." Emma stated factually.
"Yes we do. We both need showers and you still need rest." Emma took a deep breath. Her mind knew she needed to calm down and get more rest, but her body was craving Regina. The brunette stood and smiled down at her. "Are you going to be ok in the shower? Or do you need my help?"
The second the words left Regina's mouth, Emma stopped breathing.
Regina saw Emma's eyes darken as she finished her question and instantly regretted it. "Emma, I meant if you are too weak, I can-"
"I know what you meant." Emma cut her off and quickly stood. She rushed into the bathroom and shut the bathroom door behind her. Emma leaned against the door and attempted to control her breathing. Just Regina mentioning being there during the shower had Emma picturing a rated R scene.
Regina knocked on the bathroom door. "Emma, I am sorry. I just meant that I could assist you if need be."
"I know. I am fine. I am just going to take a quick shower and then go to bed." Emma waited a few moments hoping Regina had walked away before getting in the shower.
The next morning at breakfast time, Emma found Regina in the kitchen cooking. "Do you know how to cook?" Emma teased as she saw the woman in an apron at the stove. She walked closer to the brunette to see what was in the skillet.
"Yes!" Regina acted offended. "I actually love to cook, but stopped trying a few years ago. It feels nice to be back in the kitchen."
"I didn't know that." Emma stated with a frown while wracking her brain for that fact from her research.
"Many people don't. It's not a published fact about me. It is one of the few things that have remained private about me."
"Well, what other facts are there that I am unaware of?" Emma asked suggestively as she leaned closer to the brunette and wiggled her eyebrows.
Regina turned her head to find Emma's lips within inches of hers. She looked back up into Emma's eyes and then back down to her lips. "More than you know." Regina stated factually before leaning in and connecting their lips. After the short, intense kiss, Regina pulled back and went back to her task.
As they sat down to eat, Emma brought up the topic she had been excited about and dreading at the same time. "So, you have been here almost eight weeks. You are required to be here for twelve." Emma kept her head down as she spoke. She was afraid to continue the topic, but they needed to get ready for Regina's entrance back into the real world. "There are a few things we need to get accomplished before we start the final checklist to get you out of the program." Emma rubbed the back of her neck as she spoke.
"Emma?" Regina waited until the blonde made eye contact with her. "You rub your neck when you are nervous or frustrated. It's your tell. Are you ok?"
Emma sat stunned for a moment. Not many people picked up on her nervous tic. Most of the time, she was unaware she was even doing it. But apparently, Regina had noticed. "I am fine." Emma looked off to the side as she thought of her words.
"Bullshit." Regina called out. "But you obviously don't want to talk about it, so what do we need today?"
Emma was relieved Regina had let it go. "Alright, we have extra chores to do now that two people are gone. But when we are done with the chores and therapy, we need to work on building our bench and start a plan of how to comfortably implement you back into your life without the drugs and alcohol. It will be hard, but it is time to focus on how you are going to survive in your natural environment without the crutch."
"Alright, I'm ready." Regina stated with excitement and determination.
Emma just nodded as she stood and put her plate in the sink. She had suddenly lost her appetite.
"Alright, we are going to cut this tree in half. Then we will use this special saw to hand cut each half into thick boards. The left over pieces will be used as the legs. We will be able to get two benches out of this tree. Once we are done, my friend Tink will come over tomorrow and put designs on the wood."
"What kind of designs?" Regina questioned.
"Well, this is your project. Why don't you work with Tink tomorrow and the two of you can design the benches anyway you want."
Regina crouched next to the tree on the ground and shivered. It was only October, but they had already had a small snow that had melted instantly. It had to be the higher altitude that affected the weather this much. "Is it always this cold in October here?"
Emma laughed. "Not usually this early. We are supposed to have a bad winter this year. It is one of the reasons David and I got a jump start on the wood. It will get warm again, and then winter will really hit."
Regina nodded and stood again. "Alright, let's get started."
Regina warmed herself by the fire. After they had cut the bench pieces, taken their showers, ate dinner and discussed a plan of action, Emma had informed Regina of a surprise. She had left the room with specific instructions that Regina wait patiently for her to return. Regina had been trying to warm her still chilled body by the fire and was starting to become impatient.
"Ah, here it is." Emma stated as she walked back into the room with a satellite phone sitting in an open case.
"What is that for?"
"So we usually do this earlier in the program, but your journey has been rather dramatic, so it was put on the back burner. I have informed Judge Hopper that you are ok to receive calls for the next hour. He will inform your family and they have been given this number. It is untraceable and I will turn it off when the hour is done. Also, I have to stay in the room the whole time and it needs to be on speakerphone." Regina looked nervously at Emma. "Regina? What's wrong?"
After clearing her throat, Regina wet her lips and spoke quietly. "What if no one calls?"
Emma almost laughed. She cared deeply for the woman and couldn't understand how no one else felt the same about the brunette. She held in her chuckle. "I am sure someone will call."
"And if they don't?"
Emma felt brave when she stated, "Then I will let you take the phone to your room, I will call the number from my room, and we can have phone sex."
Regina's face began to blush just as the phone began to ring. "Saved by the ring, Emma Swan." Regina took a deep breath as she hit the answer button. "Hello."
After speaking to her parents, Regina was about to pack up the phone when Emma spoke up. "I believe you have one more scheduled. You only have about ten minutes, but they really want to speak to you."
Before Regina could question the caller, the phone rang again. "Hello?"
"Regina, is that you?"
"Katherine! Oh, thank God. I have missed you."
"I have missed you. Where are you?"
"I have no idea. But it is pretty here."
"Ok, give me details; I can try to break you out. Is it cold or warm? Is it in the United States? Do they speak English?"
"Katherine? I cannot give you any information. Plus, there is someone else here."
"Oh, are they male or female?"
"She is female." Regina stated as she looked across the room at Emma. Emma's back was to her and it appeared as if she was trying to do paperwork, but Regina suspected she was listening to the conversation more than getting work done.
"Oh goody. When you bed this one, will you at lease give me details? The last couple of times you have seduced women in power you have screwed me out of the info."
"Katherine…"
"Oh, speaking of women, your ex has contacted me a handful of times. She wants to know when you will get out so you two can start up your affair again. She sounds very desperate. And we both know how good she is in bed when she is desperate." Katherine chuckled loudly. Before Regina could even get a word in, Regina's best friend started speaking again. "Oh Reggie, my time is up. I don't want you to get in trouble. Do everything you can to get out of there A.S.A.P. I love you."
Before Regina could close her mouth, the line went dead. She quickly looked toward Emma who sat completely still. Her back was ramrod straight and the tension could be felt in the room. "Emma-"
Emma stood slowly and took a deep breath before turning around. She walked to the phone and packed it back into its case. "I'm going to go put this up and go to bed."
"Emma, she did not mean that how it sounded." Regina stated at Emma's retreating back. Emma walked into her room and for the second time in two nights, Regina was being shut out by Emma.
After lying in bed for three hours tossing and turning, Regina finally decided to stop playing the cat and mouse game. "TAC?"
"Yes, Ms. Mills."
"If I ask you a question, do you report it to Emma?"
"I only report it immediately to Emma if it is involving your safety or I believe you are trying to leave. She can look up any dialogue I have though."
"I understand. Is Emma asleep? Or is she having trouble sleeping like myself?"
"That is a borderline flight risk question. Do you wish to rephrase?"
"Yes, I wish to speak to Emma right now, but if she is asleep, I want to allow her to rest."
"She has been having extreme difficulties sleeping as of late. She is awake." He responded easily.
"Great." Regina replied as she stood.
"Do you wish for me to inform her of your arrival?"
"No, thank you." Regina stated as she left her room and crossed the hall to Emma's. Regina knocked twice and waited a moment before she opened the door and strolled in.
"Do you mind?" Emma mumbled as she turned the page on her book. She sat with her back against the headboard, thick reading glasses on, and the nightstand light on.
"I actually do. We need to talk about that conversation you overheard. Katherine was being an idiot. I have never slept with a therapist and I am not getting back together with my ex." As she finished her statement, she leaned down, grabbed Emma's neck and pulled the blonde into a searing kiss. As she pulled back, Regina corrected her statement. "I haven't slept with a therapist yet."