Finding Hope in Rainbows
Chapter 25
A/N: I apologize for the extremely long delay in posting. A lot has been going on in my life and although writing is an outlet for my raw emotion, I cannot begin to get this out until I have processed this emotion myself first. I believe I have finally processed enough to write so you all get the benefits of that emotion. Unfortunately, the next few chapters are transitional. They are needed for the story, but I will not get my raw emotion out in them. We are heading toward the end though, so it won't be long before we see this emotion come out. I appreciate the patience and support in a difficult time.
"When we are no longer able to change a situation, we are challenged to change ourselves." Viktor Frankl
The next morning, Regina woke to find Emma already standing in the small room with multiple plates of food and cups sitting on the dresser. Her back was to the brunette and she seemed to be surveying the contents on every plate. Regina sat completely up before realizing she was still mostly naked under the blankets. She pulled the blankets up around her before speaking. "Did you get any sleep?"
If Emma was startled by the sound of the other woman speaking in the room she didn't show it. "No." She continued to arrange plates and cups until Regina realized what Emma was doing.
"You are waiting for me to get dressed."
"Regina," Emma breathed out with exasperation. "Honey, I cannot stand the thought of you being so close to me and I cannot do what I want."
"Which is?" Regina questioned as she stood and stretched. She knew Emma would recognize the small grunt she made at the end of her stretch. The woman didn't surprise her as she stiffened at the sound. Regina could see Emma's hands gripping the dresser, knuckles white from holding on so tightly.
"Honey, I want to turn around right now, be invited by you to that bed, and finish what we started the other day before David interrupted us. I want to make love to you for hours. I want to satisfy you in every way imaginable. I want to give you the entire world. I want you to know how I feel, because I don't always say it."
Regina had just finished putting on the last of her clothing and looked up to see the strong blonde slightly hunched over. Whether it was from the confession or trying to prevent herself from acting on those words, Regina didn't know. She would spare the woman she loved from anymore anguish though. "I'm decent Emma."
Emma slowly turned her head and looked over her shoulder at the other woman. Regina just smiled coyly at her. Emma fully turned to her and before Regina had time to think, Emma was in front of her, grabbing her hips and pulling her in for a kiss. The women connected lips and Emma almost immediately moaned. The need had been so overwhelming to touch the brunette; she didn't know how much longer she could have withheld. Emma's hand came up to Regina's neck and her fingers instantly tangled in soft, dark hair. Lips glided over lips until Emma sucked Regina's lower lip into her mouth. Regina let out a breathy little moan and the sound instantly awoke Emma's brain. She slowly ended the kiss with a few gentle pecks and pulled back. "Sorry." She said sheepishly. "If I don't stop now, I don't know when I will."
Regina just smiled lovingly at the blonde before turning her attention on the plates. "Please tell me you are not going to eat all of this."
"Oh, no." Emma laughed. "They have a continental breakfast. And since you cannot be seen, or shouldn't be seen yet, I thought I would grab a little of everything and bring it back so you can have breakfast before we pack up." Emma looked from the food back to the beautiful brown eyes she loved.
"Emma, thank you." Regina sincerely replied. "I really need coffee first."
Emma chuckled. "Oh, I know." She exclaimed as she handed her a cup already mixed with creamer. "They only had half&half downstairs, so I ran around the corner to the gas station and got a bottle of flavored creamer. If there isn't enough in your cup, the rest of the bottle is in the ice bucket." Regina just stared at the woman for a moment. "What?" Emma questioned when she noticed.
"You didn't have to do that."
"Regina, I know that you prefer flavored creamer in your coffee. You have to have a cup and get moving in the morning before you eat anything. And you need time to wake up fully, so I am going to get ready and pack my things so you can do what you need to do on your schedule." Emma smiled as she started to turn away.
Regina grabbed Emma's arm as she turned and stopped the blonde. At Emma's inquisitive look, Regina responded. "Thank you." Emma just shrugged and pulled away, rubbing the back of her neck as she turned into the bathroom.
After Emma had checked out, the two women had packed the car and started moving west. "So what is the plan? Or am I not allowed to know?" Regina questioned playfully.
"Oh, it is top secret Your Highness." Emma joked back. "But under the right circumstances, I am sure you could get me to divulge these secrets."
"Really?" Regina responded as her hand found Emma's thigh. "I don't know, you seem to be like a vault." Her fingers played with the inner seam of Emma's jeans. Emma gulped and kept her eyes on the road. "I mean, you have clients you have never spoken of, a past you rarely mention, a future you have planned for but won't tell anyone, I doubt I can get you to tell me something as trivial as this trip." Regina goaded as she used slight pressure and drug her fingernails up and down the blonde's thigh. Emma took a deep breath and tried to keep it even. The trip wasn't even a secret, but what had started as a little game had turned into something more. Emma could feel the tension building. "It looks like you are holding out pretty well Miss Swan."
"Regina, you have to stop." Emma couldn't take it any longer. The little game had become more and she would end up losing either way. She began to realize she was regularly ending up on the losing side of these battles. She just hoped she could win the war. Regina pulled back with a smirk. Emma cleared her throat hoping the sound of her arousal would not be evident. "We have two weeks until we need to be back in Los Angeles. I have arranged for us to stay just outside of Albuquerque for about a week. I have a friend who has a house there, but he only uses it from January to March so he is allowing us to stay. He had it stocked with food and had it cleaned yesterday, so it should be ready for us. It is only about four hours away, so it won't be so bad." Emma smiled as she said this.
"What crazy person has a winter place in Albuquerque, New Mexico?"
"Drug smugglers." Emma deadpanned. Regina stared at the woman for a moment to see if she was kidding. "Come on Regina. I help people get over addictions. Why would I stay at a drug smugglers house? Especially with a recovering addict." Emma questioned. "He grew up in New Mexico and has family there." Emma just chuckled and continued to drive.
"You know, I could drive." Regina said after a few moments of silence. Emma outright laughed at that. When the laughing fit had finally subsided, Regina angrily questioned, "Why is that so funny?"
"Oh, you were serious?" Emma quickly sobered. "Honey, you forgot they took your driver's license away permanently."
Regina went silent. She had forgotten that part of the agreement. And the community service that she would be required to do. "What do we need to do to finish my rehabilitation?"
Emma looked over to see the brunette deep in thought. She instantly recognized the signs. Regina Mills was nothing if not predictable to Emma. She was becoming overwhelmed and introverting. Emma could almost visibly see the walls rising up around her. "Regina, look at me honey." Emma didn't say anything until she did. "We have time. I will help you every step of the way. What is scaring you right now?" Regina just shrugged. Emma let out a deep breath. "Regina, what is making you worry?"
"I had forgotten about the drivers' license and the community service. I also have not planned for what I am going to do when I get back. Where I am going to live? What will I do for money? My parents cut me off Emma!" The panic was evident in her voice.
"Those are the things we are going to do in Albuquerque. We will get everything lined up for you. And then we will get a plan together on how to deal with difficult situations for you. Stressful situations when you want to revert back. We have two weeks and we are going to use them." Emma put her hand on Regina's thigh and although the woman didn't grab it and accept the comfort, she didn't shun it either. Emma continued to drive and let the brunette sort the thoughts in her own head.
The two women walked into the house. Outskirts of Albuquerque was an understatement. The house was situated in the middle of nowhere, with nothing around, and the longest driveway Regina had ever seen. If she were to be hidden somewhere, this would be the perfect place. As if reading her mind Emma spoke up. "It's a good thing they stocked the pantry and fridge since I have no idea where we would have went for groceries."
Regina laughed. "So you had no idea it was in the middle of nowhere?"
"He said it was secluded. I didn't think he meant we would never be found kind of secluded." Emma smiled. "It is perfect though. Let me just make sure we have internet and cell service, otherwise this is pointless. Go grab a bedroom and get unpacked, there are three to choose from." Emma stated as she walked away.
Regina took that to mean she was allowed to explore the house so she began to walk around. The living room was open into the dining room and the kitchen could be seen over a breakfast bar. Emma stood at the breakfast bar messing with her laptop she just opened. Regina turned and began to make her way down the hallway. The first door on the right was a normal sized bedroom and had a queen sized bed, dresser and a night stand. She continued down the hallway to the second room on the right which appeared to be slightly bigger in size, but had the same contents. The laundry room was across the hall from this bedroom and Regina could see the benefits of this. Just a couple of steps down the hall on the left was the first bathroom. "Another point for the second bedroom." Regina stated out loud. She moved to the door standing at the end of the hallway. As she opened it she gasped. The master was large. The king sized bed, two dressers, two night stands, and wall mounted television didn't even make the room feel crowded. She turned inside the room to see a large walk in closet. One side had empty hangers, the other side held men's clothing. Regina stepped back to survey the large room and saw the other door. She knew it had to be the other bath, but was unprepared for the amazement she saw. Where the other bathroom was a simple shower and tub with a sink and toilet, this was an oasis for someone who knew the importance of relaxing. The bath was a deep soaker with jets, the shower had a rain showerhead and digital controls, a single sauna was tucked in the corner of the room, the double sinks were modern and updated, and whoever had designed the bathroom had definitely put the time, effort and money into it. Regina left the room and went to grab her bags.
"Did you pick the bedroom you want?" Emma questioned as Regina entered the living room again.
"Yes, but I have conditions." Emma just cocked an eyebrow and waited. "You deserve to have the master for that amazing bathroom. You need to relax. I will take the second bedroom but I want to use that bathroom occasionally to relax as well."
"Regina, you can have the master. I am working, I won't relax. And not to bring up the elephant in the room, but by the way you were in the car, you are the one that needs to relax, not me.
"You need to. And I want to help that. And I have calmed down a bit. You said you will help, I believe you. And I will use it too. Plus it has a TV and I am sure you will want to monitor the situation when I am not around." The day before, when the women were watching TV, Emma had purposely jumped past any news channels. She had paid the extra and immediately went to the movie channels. It had been obvious to Regina as to why, but she hadn't commented on it.
Emma rubbed the back of her neck. "Fine, but anytime you want to use this 'amazing' bathroom just say the word."
"Deal." Regina replied. She quickly grabbed her bag and headed to the bedroom across from the laundry room. As she was putting her clothes into the dresser she heard Emma excitedly swear from the master bedroom. "Told you." Regina shouted to the blonde.