Regina stopped at the sheriff's station at lunch time, warning Emma ahead of time that she was bringing her some lunch. She texted Emma when she was in the parking lot and Emma came out and opened the door for her, escorting her to her office. Regina couldn't help but look over at Charming who kept his eyes on her the entire time. He seemed surprised that she was there.
Emma closed the door to her office and Regina handed over the food and took a seat.
"Thanks for the food," Emma said.
"It was no problem," Regina said. "You have been busy all week and I made extra."
The truth was she used the food as an excuse to come see her. They hadn't seen each since the night Emma had told her parents. They had talked but Emma had been so busy at work that she hadn't got much free time.
Emma had already opened one of the food containers and began eating the sandwich.
"About the other night," Regina said. "I wanted you to know that even if your parents are ok with this, that I would like to keep seeing you."
Emma looked up at her in surprise and swallowed the food that was in her mouth. "What made you change your mind?"
"Do you remember how I told you that my mother found out about me kissing girl when I was young and had her sent away?"
Emma nodded yes.
Regina proceeded to tell her the condensed version of the story, leaving out how her mother had punished her. "I haven't had a lot of relationships in my life and part of that stems from my upbringing and the influence I allowed my mother to have on my life. I am in no way saying my mother is like your parents. I am only saying that I know doing or not doing what your parent wants is not always easy, so if you want to keep seeing me even if your parents don't want you to then I would be agreeable to that."
Emma looked past Regina out into the office and Regina figured she was looking at her father. "Neither one of them has said anything about you since that night," Emma said. "At first I was angry about it, but I realize they probably just need some time to think it through. I did spring it on them out of nowhere. Or maybe their silence is their way of not approving of it, but deciding not to interfere. I don't know to be honest. But I do know I would like to keep seeing you, especially if you keep bringing me food."
Regina returned the smile Emma was now giving her. "Good," she said. "I am glad we cleared that up. Well I should let you get back to your lunch and I need to head into work myself."
"I will call you later," Emma said. "Maybe we can figure out a time to see each other."
"I'd like that. Have a good day sheriff."
"You know I kind of miss being able to throw a 'Madame Mayor' your way."
"I don't," she said before leaving. She tried not to look directly at Charming but he wasn't masking the fact he was watching her leave.
….
There next date ended up being less like a date and more like Regina watching Emma and Henry play a video game after they had all eaten dinner together. She tried not to laugh too loudly at the Emma's sixth level wizard.
After it was over and Henry went upstairs to bed, Regina and Emma sat on the couch.
"I don't feel like you have any right to make fun of my game play if you aren't going to attempt to play the game yourself," Emma said.
"I think I can remain happy in life without ever picking up that game."
"Are you happy?" Emma asked.
Regina considered the question a moment. "Yes, I am," she said finally. "Henry and I are getting along better than ever. I enjoy not being mayor more than I thought I would. I really love my job. I have actual friends now, especially Tink. So yes, I am happy."
"Is that all that makes you happy?"
"Are you fishing for a compliment Miss Swan?"
"Not at all. But if something else or someone else made you happy then you should go ahead and mention it."
"Well I was thinking about getting a dog. Having a pet might make me happier."
"Cute," Emma said.
"I am just kidding. Yes having you in my life makes me happy too. As strange as that may seem given how we started."
"It is a little crazy," Emma conceded.
"Although I do have a question I have been meaning to ask you about when we first met."
"What is that?"
"That morning I came to your room at Granny's, why did you answer it wearing – well less clothing than could be considered appropriate in a polite society."
Emma had a confused look on her face before recognition flashed over her features and she smiled. "It's not like I brought a lot of clothes with me to stay for a long period time in your quaint little town."
"Fair enough."
"Now let me ask you a question. When that happened, you barely batted an eyelash at it. Did you not find me attractive?"
"Oh no, I found you attractive. When you grow up around royalty learning how to control your reactions and features is common place."
Emma leaned in closer, "so to clarify, you found me attractive from the beginning?"
"Yes," Regina said just before Emma kissed her.
They kept kissing for a while before Regina finally pulled back. "I'd invite you upstairs but I am not sure we're quite there yet, especially with Henry."
"You're right. I got a little carried away."
"I didn't mind," Regina said. "But if we didn't stop now then I am not sure we could have stopped."
….
Regina pulled into her driveway after a long day at work. It was Wednesday and Henry was with Emma so she had the place to herself for the night. She was looking forward to a warm bath and maybe a glass of wine and a book. No sooner was she out of her car but another car pulled in behind hers.
So much for a relaxing evening, she thought as she approached the car.
"Hello Snow," she said when the other woman got out of her car.
"We need to talk."
Regina nodded. "Come inside."
Once inside, she offered Snow a seat and asked her if she wanted anything to drink. Snow politely refused and Regina excused herself saying she needed to go to the bathroom. The truth was she needed a few moments. Her cellphone was in her pocket and she briefly considered sending a text to Emma to tell her that Snow was there, but she was afraid Emma might show up so she didn't. Instead she composed herself and went to face off with the mother of the woman she was dating.
"She's my daughter," Snow said.
"I know," Regina sighed. "I know. And I can't imagine what you must thinking."
"It is not what I am thinking that should concern you; it's what I am feeling."
Regina didn't say anything. She knew at this point, whatever Snow had to say to her she was going to say it and Regina was going to have to take it.
"I've had several days now to think about this. I've running different thoughts through my head. Like for instance since I didn't get the opportunity to raise my daughter maybe this is just some rebellious phase she is going through. You know a way to challenge her parents like many kids do. Or maybe even though from all outward appearances you haven't changed and this is some plot on your part to get back at me. Or maybe you've put a spell on her, making her believe this relationship is something she really wants."
Snow paused and Regina kept silent. Nothing she would want to say would matter to Snow, she realized.
"But you have changed Regina," Snow said. "I can see that. Everyone sees that. But even knowing that, knowing this isn't some plan of yours, I am not sure I am that good of a person that I can accept this. I don't know far this relationship with Emma has progressed but you need to break it off with her. I am asking you to break it off with her before it goes any further."
Regina wasn't sure if she was surprised by the request or not.
She had been standing the entire time while Snow remained seated in the chair. She moved over to the couch and took her own seat. She locked eyes with Snow. "I assume you are asking me this because you feel you can't ask Emma."
"I don't think she would appreciate me even being here, I think you would agree."
Regina merely nodded.
"I think this would be the best for all involved," Snow said. "You and I have finally put our past behind us, surely you can see where all of this could bring back some of those hurt feelings, especially if it should end badly between the two of you. It's best that ends before any strong feelings become involved."
"It's too late for that," Regina said. "I care very deeply for Emma. I can't, no I won't do as you ask. I didn't know that Emma was going to be telling you that she and I had become involved, but after she did she came here to tell me and the only way I can describe her as being was lost. She is prepared to move forward with our relationship without your blessing but she would feel better if you she had it. I would feel better if you she had it. I have no desire to be at odds with you once more. I hope you can find it in yourself to accept that Emma and I are in a relationship."
"I don't know that I can do that."
"Until you do I don't know that you and I have anything to say to each other."
"I guess we don't," she said standing up. "Thank you for your time."
Snow left without Regina escorting her out. Regina eventually got up and locked the door before heading upstairs. She sat on the edge of her bed for a long time thinking – thinking about her past with Snow. She had been foolish to believe that when they decided to move beyond their past, that meant they actually could. Obviously she was wrong.
She wondered if she should call Emma.
In the end she got out her phone. If she was going to be in a relationship with Emma it meant being truthful with her and not hiding things.
….
Regina sat across from Tink at Granny's.
"Would you just ask her out already," Regina said to her.
She had been watching Tink and Ruby give each other smiles all through dinner.
"We're just friends."
"If you are just friends, why did you ask me here? Because I am fairly certain you did so in order for me to help you figure this out."
"She and I get along really well and I don't want to mess that up if I am wrong."
Regina had a headache and she wasn't in the mood for this. "Excuse me," she said, standing up. She walked over to the counter where Ruby was tabulating their bill.
"Miss Lucas," Regina said. "Can you clear something up for me?"
"Um, sure."
"Do you have any interest in being more than friends with Tink?"
"What?"
"You heard me. Tink values her friendship with you very much but you two have also been making eyes at each other all night. So if you are wanting something more out of that, I suggest you make the first move because she isn't. In fact that you are doing is confusing her, so as her friend I am asking you to either clarify things with her, or be the brave one and ask her out."
"Um …"
"Here," she said handing her some money. "That should cover the meal and the tip."
Regina moved along and went to the bathroom. Her headache was pounding in her skull at this point. She leaned against the sink for a moment. She knew the headache was caused by stress. She had been stressed ever since Snow had paid her a visit.
Telling Emma the truth may not have been the best idea as Emma had gotten angry and confronted her mother. Now the two weren't on speaking terms and as she figured that residual stress was creeping into their relationship.
Nothing had happened per se but Emma was being more distant with her and Regina had finally decided to back off a bit and give the other woman her space. Emma had interpreted it as Regina trying to back away from the relationship completely and they did what they did best – they fought. That was three days ago and Regina knew she should suck it up and call Emma but she decided to be stubborn instead.
She finally walked out of the bathroom and went to gather up Tink, but as she walked out she saw Ruby was now occupying her seat. Regina had driven Tink here so she took a seat at the counter to let the two speak. She thought about ordering a coffee, if nothing else to have something to concentrate on before her headache turned into a full-fledged migraine.
She heard the door open but kept her eyes on the counter before her.
"Let me get you a place to sit," she heard Ruby say.
"The counter is fine," a woman's voice said. This time Regina did look as the woman sat down three stools from her. Her eyes took in everything about her. She sat straight back in the stool, not slouching, like she had been taught the proper way to sit as a child. Her shoulders were held back and her chin up.
"Heather," Regina said in disbelief.
The woman turned toward her and smiled. "Hello Gina."