Chapter 29

Emma stepped inside the club and looked around. She shook her head thinking of the lies her father had told her, well, the man she'd called father. She felt like she had lived her whole life as a lie. The sad part was it wasn't her lie. Maybe she should be angrier than she was right now, but she wasn't. This made things a little easier in her mind.

"Hey, Em? How are you doing," Killian asked as he walked around the counter.

"Good, considering," she answered.

She let her eyes roam over the empty shelves behind the bar, "I guess the cops took everything?"

He nodded, "Yeah. They said they couldn't take any chances. I'm pretty sure we won't be seeing any of it again."

Emma laughed, "No, I'm sure you're right."

"August said that the police said the club is no longer a crime scene. So as soon as we can restock our inventory, we can open back up. They will be digging into records and stuff," the pirate slipped his hands into his pockets.

The blonde nodded but didn't speak. She sat down on one of the stools and spun to look out at the empty club. She sighed and pulled her lips in over her teeth. She didn't know what to do now. Did she run the club like before? But then she thought of the late nights and frowned. If she went back to before, she wouldn't have much off time, but she would definitely have the money. Or, did she go for the job with the school? She wouldn't have the money, but she would be able to offer the time.

"Hey, how fast do you think the crew could get here," She asked, her eyes trained on the dance floor.

Killian shrugged, "Probably within the hour, why?"

"Call them. I want to talk to everyone," Emma said.

The man blinked, "Okay."

She stood walking towards the stairs. Emma wanted a normal life for once. She wanted that life to be with the cute kid and his gorgeous mother. She wondered if she was being overzealous or if it was a reasonable goal. The blonde wanted more than anything, for this to actually work in her favor.

Emma climbed to the top of the staircase and went into the office. Other than the furniture change and ugly hanging art, the room was still set up the same. She swallowed hard when her eyes met the dark reddish brown stain on the floor. It was funny how blood dried that way. The way it soaked into the hardwood, she knew the floors would need to be replaced. Emma found herself wishing there had been carpet. At least then, the bad spot could be cut out and a new piece added.

"Okay," Killian said from the doorway. "They all said they'd be here in less than thirty."

Emma nodded her head. Now she just needed to decide what she was going to do and all would be right with the world. Okay, maybe not the world, but for her, a small piece of it.

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Regina would be lying if she said she wasn't disappointed that her girlfriend hadn't made it to dinner. She half expected the blonde to find an excuse not to come at all. She hadn't seen her since this morning. The only time they talked was when she called her about the job with the school. Emma seemed distracted by something and it only made Regina worry.

Henry was upstairs in the bath and Kathryn was finishing cleaning the kitchen. Regina sat on the porch swing wondering if she should text Emma or not. She wasn't familiar with a new relationship and she didn't want to come across as overbearing.

Headlights turned into the driveway and she saw the yellow BMW come to a stop. Emma climbed out looking exhausted.

She made her way up the steps stopping to peer at the brunette, "I'm sorry about dinner. I know how you hate that and it won't happen again."

Regina squint her eyes trying to see the other woman's face in the porch light "Is everything okay?"

The blonde walked closer stopping to sit on the porch railing facing Regina, "Yeah. I think so."

The older woman moved from her place on the swing to where Emma was perched, "Tell me what happened."

The blonde shrugged, "I gave up control of the club."

"What? Just like that," Regina was surprised. She thought the blonde was going to tell her she was going to start working late nights again, or that her father was giving her a hard time. Not this. Not after everything she had been through.

"I made a deal with Killian and Anton. They'll have full control and I'll hold the deed. They'll make payments to me once a week. It'll be kind of like leasing it," Emma said, looking down at the floor.

"But why? I thought you wanted the club," Regina asked searching the other woman's face?

Emma met her gaze, "I thought that too, but not anymore. Besides, my biggest draw to that place was to ensure my friends didn't get kicked to the curb. They deserve to be taken care of. They have all worked their asses off for my brother and that club and they deserve it more than me."

"What about you," Regina asked?

"Well, I called the school back. I have an interview tomorrow morning." She bit at the skin on her thumb.

"Does this have anything to do with the conversation we had the other evening? The one where you were worried I wanted a life with money." Regina wanted to make sure Emma was making this decision on her own.

"Partly," Regina started to interrupt, but Emma cut her off, "But this teaching job, it's what I've always dreamed of. I just know teachers don't make much money and I wanted you to be okay with it."

A smile crept up on the brunette's face, "A teacher? Like a music teacher?"

Emma swallowed and nodded, "Yeah. I have my teaching degree. I was either going to be a teacher or play for a symphony."

"That's wonderful, Emma," She nearly shouted throwing her arms around the other woman's neck.

"You're okay with it, really," She asked into the soft dark hair?

Regina pulled back, "Yes, of course. Why wouldn't I be?"

Emma shook her head and grinned. Her eyes lit up and for once, Regina could see pure happiness in the blonde. This woman was full of surprises, and she couldn't wait to see more. Just the fact that the younger woman was thinking about her future was heartwarming. The fact that she was including the brunette in that future made her stomach flutter.

The front door opened and Henry popped his head out. Seeing the blonde, a grin spread across his face and he ran out, "EMMA!"

"Hey kid," She said with a smile as the boy leaped into her arms.

"I didn't think you were coming," He said hugging her around the neck.

Emma returned his hug, "Until your mom tells me otherwise, this is where I'll be."

Regina didn't miss the pained expression that crossed the other woman's face when she lifted the boy. "Okay Henry, get down. Emma's still hurt."

He glanced at his mother then back to his friend. He slowly pushed his way out of her arms and she lowered him back down to the porch, "Sorry, I forgot."

"It's okay kid, I barely felt it," the blonde lied.

Regina shook her head but managed a smile. She knew Emma was still in pain, but she loved how she was with Henry. The child adored her. She still had many concerns for the future when it came to how Emma and Henry would deal with one another in everyday scenarios, but she was starting to feel more confident about it.

"Okay young man," Regina said to her son. "You need to go up and get in bed. You have school in the morning."

"Ugh, come on mom. It's only 8," Henry whined.

"I don't want to hear it. You have a chemistry test tomorrow and you have an appointment with Archie after school," Regina countered.

The boy's face fell, "Oh, that's tomorrow?"

Regina knew he didn't want to go. He had only agreed because she asked him.

"Me too," Emma said.

Both mother and son looked up at her questionably. Henry tilted his head, "You too, what?"

"I have an appointment with Archie tomorrow afternoon. I figured," the blonde paused to look at Regina, "If it's okay with you. I could pick Henry up after school and we could go together. Maybe meet you there or something."

Henry grinned, "Really?"

The brunette watched the other two. She couldn't help her own smile. She was happy that Emma was helping to make it easier for Henry, but also because Emma was going for herself.

"Yeah, kid. I told you I would make an appointment, right," She smirked?

"Right," Henry's excitement radiated from him now. "Okay, goodnight mom, goodnight Emma." He hugged both of them then ran back inside the house.

"You know, you can't keep bribing him to get him to do things," Regina said walking closer to the younger woman.

"Sure I can," Emma joked. "I told you I meant it when I said I was going to talk with Archie. I'm doing that for me. If it happens to win in favor of a few others, I can't help that," the blonde beamed.

"You think you're cute, don't you," Regina's cheeks were hurting with all the smiling, but she didn't care stop.

Emma leaned closer, "I like to think so." She moved her lips lightly over the brunettes. Regina wondered how long she would need to wait before moving to the next step of their relationship. She found herself hoping it was sooner rather than later.

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Emma brushed her teeth and slipped the toothbrush into the protective travel container. She sat it on the counter top next to Henry's superhero one and Kathryn's. She let out a sigh as she wiped her hands on the towel hanging on the wall. Glancing around the small room she realized she hadn't paid much attention to it before. The only time she'd been in here was when the older blonde had cut herself. Now she took it all in. The white quartz countertop with light cabinets went well together.

She let her eyes fall on the superhero toothbrush and matching soap dispenser and then to the basket filled with toys near the tub. Emma couldn't help the smile. She loved how domestic everything was. Everything had its place and purpose just like in some home magazine. The only difference was that this home looked and felt lived in, not staged.

She flipped off the light as she walked out. Regina's room was at the end of the hallway, and she wondered if the older woman was in there right now. Maybe she was brushing her dark hair, or applying some face crème or changing. She shook her head. She was not thinking about that right now.

When she turned to go into Henry's room, Kathryn was coming out very quietly, "Oh, hey. Henry fell asleep in his bed and I was afraid to wake him."

"Oh, okay," Emma wasn't sure what she was supposed to do.

Regina came up behind them, "What's going on?"

"Henry fell asleep in his room," Kathryn explained.

Emma felt awkward, so she waited.

"I'll just move him to my room," Regina said starting to move forward.

Kathryn put her hand up, "That's probably not a good idea. He has a test tomorrow and you know how hard it is for him to fall back to sleep when he wakes up."

Emma looked up in time to catch what looked like a glare being passed from the brunette to her best friend. There was a moment of silence before Emma spoke up, "You know, it's not a big deal. I can sleep on the couch, or I can just go back to Kathryn's apartment."

Regina huffed, "No, you're not driving all the way across town." She looked to be fighting with herself, "You can sleep in my bed." A warming sensation rolled through Emma's lower belly at the thought. Regina cheeks reddened, "I'll sleep on the couch."

"What? No. You're not sleeping on the couch in your own house," Emma argued. "Look, all I need is a pillow and a blanket. I can promise I've slept in worse places than your couch."

Regina seemed to consider it and then nodded, "Fine. I'll get you a pillow and a blanket."

Kathryn was studying the younger blonde with curiosity. After a few seconds, she shook her head in disappointment. Emma watched her walk away and wondered what that was all about. A blush crept up her neck when she caught on. The woman was trying to get Regina and Emma in the same bed.

"Here we are," Regina announced reappearing with a pillow and a folded blanket in her arms.

Emma took them and smiled, "Thank you." She didn't want the night to end, but she knew both she and Regina had to get up early so she said, "Goodnight." She didn't wait for a reply. Emma turned and headed for the stairs.

"Emma?" Regina asked.

The blonde turned, "Yeah?"

The older woman paused for a moment then said, "You could sleep in my bed. I mean we're two adults, right? It's a king size bed, we won't even know each other's there."

Emma wanted to yell NO. How would she be able to sleep in the same bed as Regina? Yes, of course, they were adults, but Emma's libido was far from mature at this point in time. Her mouth spoke without consulting her brain, "Sure."

A shy smile crossed the older woman's face, "Okay. Just follow me."

Emma rolled her eyes at herself. This was by far the most stupid thing she had ever agreed to do. For weeks, hell, for a couple of months all she has been able to think about is being naked with this woman. She wanted to scream at herself. She let out a silent breath and followed Regina down the hall to her bedroom.

Once inside, Emma looked around as Regina took the pillow and blanket from her. She had wondered what it looked like in here. Not in a 'creepy stalker,' way, but in a, okay, maybe a little bit 'creepy stalker,' kind of way. The bed sat to the left of the room, while the master bathroom was to the far right. A beautiful vanity sat across the room with a large upright mirror. She wondered what it would be like to watch Regina get ready in the mornings. How she put her makeup on or took it off at night.

"Which side of the bed do you prefer," The brunette asked, pulling Emma from her thoughts.

"Oh, uh, it doesn't matter to me. I'll sleep wherever," She bit her thumbnail.

"I usually sleep on the side closest to the door. In case Henry needs me," Regina placed the folded blanket down on the hope chest at the foot of the bed. She walked passed Emma, pulling her hand away from her mouth as she went for the vanity, "That's a nasty habit."

Emma didn't respond, but she left her hand at her side. Her eyes were glued to the brunette who now sat at the same vanity she was thinking about on a moment ago. She watched Regina pull open the drawer and get a facial cleansing wipe. She began wiping her makeup away. Most people would have looked away. She couldn't tear her eyes from the scene. As each layer of makeup was wiped away. Emma was shocked at how much younger the other woman looked. Her skin was flawless and she was still just as beautiful as she had been with it on.

The blonde caught Regina's reflection staring back at her and she blushed, "Sorry. I didn't mean to stare, but." She stopped, she was afraid it would come out wrong and the last thing she wanted was to scare this woman away.

Regina raised an eyebrow, "But what?"

Emma swallowed, "You really are beautiful, you know that?"

"Oh yeah, I'm looking real hot without makeup," the older woman deadpanned.

A chuckle rolled from Emma's mouth, but her eyes never left the woman's gaze. She constantly found herself surprised with Regina's confidence level. It only made her want to kick the shit out of Robin.

"What's so funny," Regina asked throwing the used wipe in the small trash bin beside the vanity?

"You can't see it, can you," Emma asked.

Regina stood, her silk robe was tied at the waist, "See what?"

"That you are one of the most beautiful women I've ever seen," Emma said, finding new courage.

The other woman looked like she was going to argue, but stopped when she saw the blonde's expression, "Thank you. I just haven't heard it in a while and I guess you forget."

Emma smiled, but then looked away and cleared her throat. This conversation would not help their sleeping arrangements. She turned toward the bed and walked around to the side she would be on. Before Emma pulled the covers back, she slipped off her jogging pants and climbed in. This may have been a mistake because now her full view was the brunette.

Regina stood from the small bench and walked over to her side. She untied her robe and hung it over the foot of the bed. She seemed to hesitate for a moment, then pulled back her covers and climbed under. Without a word, she reached up and turned out the lamp on her end table.

For a few minutes, the room was engulfed in total darkness. Emma blinked a few times, hoping it would help her eyes adjust, but to no avail. She lay on her back staring up at the blackness. She could smell Regina's lotion, and her heart skipped a beat every time she felt the bed move. She really needed to get a grip. It was like being a teenager all over again.

"So a teacher, huh," The brunette asked in the darkness?

Emma nearly jumped, "Yeah. My professor back in college said I should get into conducting, but after meeting Henry, it all made sense."

The bed near her shifted and she was pretty sure the other woman had scooted closer, "Does Henry know?"

Emma swallowed, trying to keep her mind on the conversation, "No. You're the only person I've told."

The darkness was letting up some and now Emma could make out shadows and outlines in the room. She turned her head in the older woman's directions, "Henry will be beside himself when he finds out."

"Don't tell him," Emma's blurted. "I just don't want us both getting our hope up and then something goes wrong, you know," the blonde tried to whisper.

She could make out Regina's face now as the woman was looking at her, "I'm sure you'll do fine, but I won't tell him. We'll do that together after your interview."

Emma lay back, glancing back up at the ceiling. She wanted to tell this woman everything that was in her head. Tell her everything she was feeling, but she was afraid. Maybe it was because she thought if she spoke any of it out loud it would jinx it. Her eyes were heavy and she felt worn out. The last thing she wanted was to close her eyes and end this evening.

"Emma," Regina's asked shifting in the bed again.

"Yeah," She answered, turning her head to the side.

Regina wore a shy smile. It took everything the younger woman had to not grin at how innocent and young she looked. "Would it be too much if I ask you to hold me? I mean until I fall asleep?"

Emma swallowed again. She would never refuse this woman anything. Her stomach fluttered again at the thought of Regina in her arms, "No, not at all."

The brunette scooted the last couple of feet over to Emma. The younger woman held her arm out for Regina to move into and then put her head on Emma's shoulder. "I want more with you, I hope you know that." She didn't wait for the blonde to respond, "I'm just not sure I'm ready yet."

Emma was surprised that she didn't feel disappointment at the other woman's words. Instead, she understood, "Of course. I can wait." She adjusted her arm, tightening her hold around Regina. "I would wait forever for you," she whispered.

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Henry opened his eyes, "It's Emma's birthday." He rolled out of the twin size bed and hurried to change out of his pajamas. He glanced over at the alarm clock sitting on his desk, "6:30." He had school today, but he had to finish his present for Emma, before dinner tonight.

He threw on his shoes and dashed for the bathroom. He shoved the door open and hurried in to brush his teeth. The door banged loudly against the door stop on the wall. He didn't realize someone was in the shower.

"Jesus Henry," His Aunt shrieked, poking her head around the shower curtain.

"Sorry," he said squeezing out the toothpaste on his brush.

She disappeared back behind the curtain, "What's all the slamming about? You could have given me a heart attack."

"It's Emma's birthday," He sat and then spit into the sink. "Where is she?"

"I thought she was on the couch, but I didn't see her there this morning," Kathryn said.

He rinsed out his toothbrush tossing it on the counter, and then turned to wipe his mouth on the hand towel, "Maybe mom knows." He took off out the door.

"Henry Wait," His Aunt called after him, but he was near to her room now.

Henry opened the door quietly and peeked inside. His mom wasn't in her usual spot on her side so he stepped into the room. A grin spread across his face at the site before him. Emma was asleep on her back while his mother's head was on her shoulder. Her dark hair fanned out over the blonde's chest and his mom's arm was draped across her middle.

The part of a person's brain that tells you to go away and leave the couple alone, was not in the nine-year old's thoughts. Instead, he ran and jumped in the bed next to his mother.

Both women's eyes popped open at the sudden bounce on the bed and Henry beamed down at them, "Good morning."

"Henry?" his mom asked her eyes widening as she realized the position she was in.

The bedroom door swung open wider, "I'm sorry guys, I tried to stop him." Kathryn held her towel closed with her hand as her hair dripped freely onto the floor.

He watched his mother slowly sit up and he tilted his head. What was the big deal? They had a sleepover in his mom's room, so what? Henry's eyebrows shot up into his hairline. Sex. Adult couples had sex. His dad had sex all the time with that blonde woman who kept coming to his house. He only knew that because he could hear them through the walls. Not to mention he might have accidentally seen the woman naked once when his father's door got left open.

He wrinkled his face, "Did you guys do it last night?" Henry was actually surprised at the shade of red both women turned. It was impressive.

"Uh, no. We didn't, but it's not your business," His mother said. He could hear the shake in her voice.

He smiled, "It's okay if you did, but your right. It's not my business." Before either woman had a chance to respond he shouted, "HAPPY BIRTHDAY!"

Emma smiled, "Thank you, Henry." The blonde rustled his dark hair, "I guess it's time to get up."

His mom moved over to allow Emma to get out of the bed. He watched them with interest. The looks the two women shot each other. The way his mom followed the blonde's every move. The smiles they exchanged. It made him happy to see his mom like this.

"I thought Henry could ride to school with me if that's okay," Emma said slipping her jogging pants on.

"REALLY," Henry didn't mean to shout, but he couldn't help it.

A huge smile spread across the brunette's face, "I don't see why not."

"YAY," Henry bounced up and down on the bed!

Emma swiftly snatched the child off the mattress and tickled his sides. He squealed in laughter and after a minute Emma stopped, "All right kid, let's let your mom get dressed. We'll go find some breakfast."

He didn't miss the way the blonde looked at his mom or the way his mom looked back at her. He grinned again. He had never seen his mother look at his father that way. Of course, the man didn't give either of them much of a reason to smile.

"Mom," Henry asked as Emma let him down from her hold.

"Yes honey," the brunette replied on her way to the bathroom.

"I want to see dad," his tone was hollow and everyone in the room turned to look at him, all expressions sobered.

He watched his mom's eyes dart from person to person before meeting his gaze, "Umm, I don't know if-,"

"I need to speak with him alone about something," Henry interrupted. His mood darkened.

His mother raised an eyebrow, "We'll discuss it later."

He nodded and walked out of the room. Henry needed to speak with Robin Locksley, but he couldn't tell his mom why. She would definitely not let him go, or try and talk him out of it. He grimaced. Maybe he should have waited until tomorrow to bring it up, especially with today being Emma's birthday. He'd make sure to apologize to her later.