Underneath The Surface

Chapter 29

Second Chances

Author's Note: Let me start off by thanking each and every one of you for reading, as well as thanking those who leave their thoughts in reviews. Each one of you, whether you comment or not, makes my writing richer. Thank you from the bottom of my heart. I'd also like to acknowledge that the formatting still isn't perfect. I'm not sure what's going on with , but they don't seem to be carrying through on either italics or viewpoint breaks. I have no idea why.

I have changed how I upload as well as the symbols I use to signify breaks. It drives me batty because as a reader, I expect to be able to read seamlessly, and the site isn't holding up their end of the deal. So please, dear readers, bear with me. I am trying to find a way to make your reading seamless and enjoyable. So enjoy this next chapter, and feel free to let me know what you think!

"Sometimes you only get one chance to rewrite the qualities of the character you played in a person's life story. Always take it. Never let the world read the wrong version of you."

Shannon L. Alder

"Is that dinner invitation still good?" Charlie called out from the front door.

"Come on in!" Patty called back before heading to the front door herself.

Regina straightened and went to the stove where she began to spoon green beans into an earthenware bowl. She could imagine Patty being concerned about telling Callie, and Charlie trying to reassure her. Regina smiled a little and focused on setting all the food out on the table.

By the time Patty and Charlie came into the dining room, Regina was just settling into her chair beside Emma.

Everyone made small talk as they began to fill their plates, and as Callie picked up her fork, Patty cleared her throat. "Callie, if you could hang on a minute..."

The teenager hesitated.

"We're all friends here." Charlie said at the same time Patty hedged with, "There's something..."

Callie glanced from one to the other.

"I know you've been through a lot..." Patty began again, before floundering for the right words. "It's felt like a lifetime since your dad died, and...it...I mean..."

Charlie turned her water glass in her hands and tried to explain. "What your mom is trying to tell you is that...ummm...she's lonely sometimes and...while she still loves your dad...she needs to..."

"Oh my god, you guys." Callie rolled her eyes. "I already know, so stop trying to explain before you both look like tomatoes. I've known for a while now. You two finally decided to stop goofing around and be a couple."

Charlie looked up at Callie as Patty did the same. "You already know?"

"My friends sneak around when they think their families don't know. I'm pretty good at spotting the signs." Callie answered Charlie as she reached for the bowl of beans. She glanced at Patty then. "It's no big deal, Mom, I don't know why you're so red. I knew you and Charlie were close, then you weren't, then you were and after a while I stopped trying to figure you out. Too much drama. But I'm glad you've finally decided to come out of the closet."

Patty's face flared red and Emma burst out laughing, despite her best attempts not to.

Soon, everyone was laughing along with her.

"So now that your big news is out, can we eat, because I'm starving." Callie asked as she reached for her fork again.

Once apple pie was served, Charlie leaned on the arm of her chair and spoke up. "Callie, before you and Emma took off after Genesis, I wanted to ask you something. This has nothing to do with your mom, just so you understand. I want to offer you some hours at The Moose."

Callie glanced to her mother, who shrugged. "Honey, if you're mature enough to help save your best friend, then you can make your own decision about a part-time job."

"I know Brittany's grades are slipping. She says her folks are telling her she has to give up her job. Is that why you want me?"

Charlie nodded. "I have a plan for The Sneezing Moose, and you and Regina are a big part of that."

Callie looked confused and looked to Regina.

"Charlie has offered me a job as her baker, and I've decided to accept."

"That's wonderful!" Charlie slapped the chair-arm and looked at Callie.

Callie shrugged as she gave a half-smile. "Sure."

"Perfect!" Charlie grinned. "Regina, if you can swing by The Moose tomorrow, we can chat about the menu, hours and pay."

Regina nodded. "I'll come with Emma when she goes to chop wood."

"Perfect!"

After dessert, Callie talked Patty and Charlie into watching a movie with her and Regina and Emma took a walk. As Regina tucked her hand into the crook of Emma's elbow she commented. "That was quite the dinner."

"She really has a knack for cutting through the crap, doesn't she?" Emma chuckled.

"Callie, you mean? Yes, she does. That's good."

Emma nodded. "It is. Usually girls her age are all full of themselves. You should have seen her out there, Regina, she didn't complain once. We got to talking and she's got a good head on her. She's pretty smart."

"Indeed."

They strolled up the main street slowly, not in any hurry, just enjoying the cooling evening air. Regina's hand on Emma's arm and Emma as happy as she had ever been. When they reached the high school, the blonde eyed the darkening woods beyond the baseball field and suggested they had back to the B&B.

They crossed the road just as the frogs and crickets joined their voices in chorus. As they watched the setting sun tint stray clouds, Emma reached out and covered Regina's hand with her own. "You know, if Henry were here, I might be convinced to not go back at all."

Regina smiled slightly as they passed a clump of mostly wild lilac bushes. "You too?"

"I kind of like being accepted for who we are and not history, or fairy tales, or what some damn drunken Dwarf says. Yeah, I miss Mary Margaret...Snow...but I can't help but think that if you and I hadn't had all that crap working against us, we might have been friends."

"Oh, I don't know about that." Regina chuckled. "It's certainly been interesting getting to this point. I rather enjoy imagining all the things I can do with you later. Things will be complicated enough when we get back. Let's just enjoy ourselves uninhibited for now."

"What kinds of things are we talking about?" Emma asked with a glance.

Regina smirked. "Let's just say you'll sleep even better when I'm done with you, Saviour."

"Why, that sounds slightly...erotic, your majesty."

"Wait till you feel it. You may be changing your mind from slightly erotic to downright smutty."

Emma gulped audibly as Regina chuckled wickedly.