Pulling up down the street from the mansion, making sure she was far enough away that her car would be out of Cora's sight, Ruby quickly grabbed her phone, pretending to check her messages and trying her best to give Emma and Regina their privacy as they kissed good night. With a sad smile, Regina took her flowers from the blonde, before slipping out of the car. Standing on the pavement, she leant back into the car once more, stealing one more kiss before finally pulling back to leave.
Ruby looked up as Regina covered the short distance to her house, catching the cute little wave she gave Emma as she slipped inside. "Hey, Ems, you wanna move up front?"
"What?"
Ruby chuckled at the distracted answer. "Get your ass up front."
Blushing at having been caught so distracted, Emma quickly clambered up front.
"Your date went well then?" she asked as she put the car into drive and pulled away.
Still blushing heavily, Emma nodded. "It was great. I don't know how I'm ever going to compete with it though."
Ruby smiled gently. "She doesn't want you to compete." She glanced over at Emma, who was frowning in question. "She's the kind of person who loves to go all out on something. And she likes having someone to go all out on. But she doesn't expect it back. All she wants from you, is that you're there for her."
"She knows I am," said Emma, sighing. "But I just wish I could go all out for her too."
"Oh, I'm sure you'll think of something," smirked Ruby. "And when you do, you know where I am if you need any help setting something up."
Emma smiled. "Thanks. Really, it means a lot." She paused, careful of how she phrased her next words. "I wanted to say thanks for telling me...how innocent Regina was when we were camping." She paused once more, waiting to see how her words were received. "I'd've hated to push her into anything."
The brunette smiled wolfishly. "I don't think you have anything to worry about there. I think she'll be the one dragging you along before long! Especially if the way she looked at you when you walked in tonight is anything to go by!"
"And just where have you been?" demanded Cora the moment Regina walked through the door, coming to stand in front of her daughter. "And who on earth presented you with that sorry excuse for a bunch of flowers?"
Regina's eyes widened in horror for a split second as she glanced down at the flowers in her hand. "Ruby," she lied, saying the first thing that came to her mind. "Her Grandmother ordered flowers to brighten up the B&B, and she ordered too many. Ruby wasn't much interested so Granny said I could take a few stems."
"I might have guessed it would be that blind old bat ordering such a hideous selection," sneered the older woman. "But I suppose you may keep them, so long as I do not have to see them in any of the rooms I frequent."
"I promise I'll keep them in my room, mother," said Regina, her grasp tight on the flowers in her hand. She kept the tremor from her voice, however. She thought the flowers were beautiful. Of course, she was going to be biased, given that it was Emma who had nervously presented her with them.
"If they make you sneeze you'll be getting rid of them," came the snapped reply.
"Yes, mother," sighed Regina.
"Don't sigh at me, child," said Cora, her voice cold. "And for goodness sake straighten your posture. When you slouch in that dress it makes you look fat."
Fighting the tears that threatened to spill from her eyes, knowing they would only anger her mother further. "I think I might go to bed, mother. I'm quite exhausted, and I want to be awake for class tomorrow. Good night.
"Are all your assignments in order?"
"Yes, mother," replied Regina, her hand on the banister.
"Very well," came her mother's voice. "Goodnight, Regina."
The younger brunette nodded towards her mother. There were no good night kisses in this house. She walked slowly up the stairs, her back straight, even when she so desperately wanted to escape to her room. Behind the safely of her door, she let her shoulders slump, setting the flowers from Emma in a vase before changing into her pajamas and getting ready for bed. Settling beneath her covers, she found a smile tugging at her lips as she looked at the flowers on her nightstand. Slipping her phone from under her pillow, her smile widened when she saw a text from Emma.
I just wanted to thank you for an amazing date. Like, a really amazing date. You were amazing too. You always are...and I'm rambling. So just, thank you again for tonight, and I'll see you at school tomorrow x
Smiling in the darkness, Regina typed her reply.
It wouldn't have been amazing if you hadn't been there. I'm glad you enjoyed it, and thank you again for the beautiful flowers. See you tomorrow.
She had barely even hit send when a reply came through.
Sweet dreams, Princess.
Practically grinning in the darkness, Regina held her phone to her chest, her heart threatening to burst from her chest at the sweetness of the blonde.
To you to. *goodnight kiss*
On the other side of town, Emma let a grin spread across her face. She hadn't always had it easy, but in coming to Storybrooke, she had hit the jackpot. For the first time, she felt as if she truly had a home. And what was more, she had a reason to stay.
