Months! It has been almost four months since I have last seen Emma.
But today, today we set a date to see one another again! Only a matter of days left now! The amount of time seems daunting but compared to these last months they also seem like no time at all.
After I got off the phone with her I began to look through all our text conversations. I've never deleted any. I couldn't bring myself to. Henry dropped my phone today and I was terrified. Not because I may have to replace my expensive phone, but if I did that would mean that I lost all of these precious words she has written me.
I suppose this is modern day love letters?
I have printed out some messages from the last few months and stapled them into the next page. It's a defensive measure. It's my way of ensuring that they survive regardless of technology.
I live for Henry, but these messages, they are what have been making me feel truly alive. They may not all be romantic or seem special but they share our story and I cherish each one.
July 10th
Regina: How was the race?
Emma: Good. Killian came in 3rd. Everyone is out to celebrate
Regina: I'm glad to hear it!
Emma: I'm happy about the placing but I'm even less inclined to socialize with everyone than usual. I miss you and Henry!
Regina: We miss you too!
Emma: I just much rather be there with you right now [sad emoji]
Regina: I would love that. Unfortunately you have an important job to do. I want you to be enjoying it!
Emma: I do enjoy it. Doesn't mean I don't wish I was enjoying it with you
August 6th
Emma: Hey Baby!
Regina: Baby?
Emma: No?
Regina: I really would prefer it if you didn't.
Emma: What's on you're approved list than your majesty? [crown emoji]
Regina: That has a nice ring to it.
Emma: Har Har.
Emma: I'll figure out a better pet name then
Regina: Do I need one at all?
Emma: yes. don't fight it [emoji with tongue out]
Regina: I reserve the right of veto power.
Emma: Whatever you want Honey
Regina: ...
Emma: still no?
Regina: Better but keep trying. Or don't. I wouldn't be okay if you don't.
Emma: We'll see
August 29th
Regina: Henry started school today!
Emma: Send me a picture!
Regina: [ picture message of Henry getting on the bus]
Emma: He's so cute! His backpack is bigger than he is!
Regina: He insisted on that one because it had Cars on it.
Emma: man after my own heart [red heart]
Emma: how you holding up?
Regina: I thought it would be easier than last year since that was his first year at school and my first year with him, but I was still sad
Emma: [crying emoji]
Regina: I wish you could have seen him. He was so excited.
Emma: Call me tonight so he can tell me all about it
Regina: You haven't talked it him in a while. He's going to keep you on the phone for a long time.
Emma: I know I still want to
Regina: Today would be better if you were here.
Regina: Sorry I'm not trying to make you feel bad.
Emma: No, it's okay. I wish I could.
Emma: So are you going into work today?
Regina: Yes, I need the distraction. The house would be too quiet.
Emma: Well look on the brightside, it's much easier to work when he's at school.
Regina: True. I don't have to worry about sitters or bringing him with me. He get's bored in my office after about two hours.
Regina: I will be happy about all of that tomorrow. Today, I miss him too much.
Emma: I'm giving you a virtual hug right now
Regina: Thanks. Not as good as the real thing, but I'll take what I can get.
September 17th
Regina: I thought the point of having a girlfriend was so that I had someone to go to events with?
Emma: Nice to know I'm only arm candy [candy emojis]
Emma: Is the wedding over?
Regina: You're much more than arm candy. You're the whole dam sweet shop
Regina: And the reception is still going on. I'm calculating an appropriate time to leave
Emma: You're so sweet my teeth ache lol and is it really that boring there?
Regina: No, I know some of Diana's family already and they are most certainly not boring, but everyone is busy and I've been away from Henry for hours already.
Emma: He should be in bed by the time you get home either way
Regina: I know but I would still like to be there.
Emma: How was the ceremony?
Regina: Nicest wedding I've ever been to. Not that I have been to many to compare.
Regina: Don't tell Katherine I said that
Emma: I'll make sure to say exactly that when I meet her
Regina: And you call me mean.
Emma: I'm teasing of course I wouldn't rat you out.
Emma: So is her husband's family as tall as he is?
Regina: Taller.
Emma: [shocked emoji] No!
Regina: She married into giants
Emma: Labor is going to be a bitch
Regina: I can only imagine.
Regina: I should really socialize some more before I leave. Good luck tomorrow!
Emma: Thanks! Try to have fun!
October 1st
Emma: Good Morning Beautiful! [blowing kisses face emoji] I know you were feeling run down yesterday and I hope today goes by much easier! I want you to relax! I promise when I see you I'll give a message to retroactively make you feel better [winking emoji] Can't wait!
October 23rd
Regina: Happy Birthday! The big 30! Trust me it's not as bad as it sounds! In fact, my life in my thirties has been infinitely better than my twenties. Having you and Henry in my life, how could it not be? I hope you have a wonderful day! Have fun at the race and stay safe! I'll be watching!
Emma: Regina! I can't talk right now but I just wanted to say thank you so much for the flowers and chocolate! I don't even know how you knew which hotel I was staying at to get them to me but it just proves how amazing you are! I will call you when the race is over!
October 30th
Regina: IT JUST ENDS!
Emma: What?
Regina: Henry and I finished the book of fairytales tonight and it just ends without the story being resolved!
Regina: THEY SEND A BABY TO ANOTHER WORLD IN A WARDROBE
Emma: What?! Okay you have to explain this to me!
Regina: Snow White and Prince Charming have a baby. The Evil Queen is about to curse everyone to a land without happy endings so they send their HOURS OLD NEWBORN away in a magical wardrobe so that when she's older she can find them, break the curse, and save them all.
Emma: That's nuts!
Regina: That's how it ends though! They don't tell you if she ever does come and rescue everyone and break the curse! Perhaps you're supposed to assume? Or perhaps the author intended to write a sequel? I even googled the authors name to find out if he wrote more but I couldn't find anything about him or the book. I suppose it is as rare as the man told you.
Emma: This book is crazy! And yeah that bookshop was real quirky so I'm not surprised
Regina: That's not even the craziest part!
Emma: Oh geez how could it get crazier?
Regina: Guess what the baby's name was?
Emma: I couldn't begin to imagine
Regina: Emma
Emma: what?
Regina: The baby's name was Emma
Emma: You're kidding?! [shocked face emoji]
Regina: I assure you, I couldn't make this up.
Emma: I'M THE SAVIOR PRINCESS
Regina: What?!
Emma: You're not the only royalty anymore your majesty!
Regina: You're ridiculous
Emma: Why? we were both abandoned.
Emma: You're just afraid I'm going to break your curse
Regina: Are you going to be a princess for Halloween tomorrow?
Emma: No thanks, big dresses and crowns aren't really my thing
Regina: I would like to see you in a dress
Emma: I've never seen you in a dress either
Regina: That's surprising. I wear them quite often. I do tend to be a little more casual when I see you.
Emma: And yet you're still dressed to the nines
November 10th
Emma: So the championship is in Miami...how would you feel about me stopping at your house on the way back to North Carolina?
Regina: I only have to wait 12 more days then?!
Regina: How long can you stay?!
Emma: I should probably only stay overnight. They are expecting me to pick up the key for the rental. But I will be back. I'm still invited for Christmas right?
Regina: Of course you are! You are always welcome to stay here. I want you to come and stay as long as you can.
Regina: Henry needs another child to play with.
Emma: Hey!
Emma: And what about you? [winking emoji]
Regina: I need another adult to play with too.
Emma: I thought I was a child?
Regina: You serve both purposes.
Emma: What kind of playing are we talking about?
Regina: I suppose you'll just have to see when you get here.
Emma: You're going to give me a heart attack. I can't text you in public anymore I'm getting weird looks
Regina: I'll let you go then. I wouldn't want anything to happen to that precious heart of yours
Emma: [green heart] [yellow heart] [blue heart]