The following morning, it was still just as hard to say goodbye. After their dream of an extended weekend, neither Regina nor Laura felt the urge to part ways. It was only after Laura half-jokingly had offered Regina a job in her flower store, and after a kiss or two, or three, that Regina finally forced herself out of the door.
Getting back on the road wasn't fun either. Regina's mind was still in the bedroom with the lime green walls. None of them had felt the urge to do "anything" the previous night. For once, they had just slept together in the most innocent of ways.
Regina kept thinking of Laura until she scolded herself for being a lovesick teenager. This was absurd. She was a grown woman, was she not? She couldn't keep this up, it was ridiculous.
Regina sighed gravely. The distance was most definitely starting to get to her. In fact, it killed her a little bit. Boston was so damn far away from Storybrooke. If only she lived a little closer. Like, in Portland or something like that.
Excuse me? You haven't known her that long, Regina dully informed herself. What had it been, almost seven months since their first online conversation? That wasn't very long. Don't rush into this, Regina reminded herself. It was so easy to get carried away. It was so easy to forget that they hadn't known each other for long.
And I'm thinking of her again. Nice.
Regina ended up finding some sickening pop song on the radio. She turned the volume up. Maybe that would be a rude enough wakeup call. She needed to snap the hell out of it. Dreaming herself back to Boston when she was on her way to Storybrooke was definitely a new level of self-torture. And Regina wasn't very big on inflicting pain upon herself anymore.
It was sometime midday when Regina crossed the town line. As opposed to the previous times, she hadn't stopped for lunch on her way back. Laura had served her a very full-filling breakfast, and Regina hadn't found it necessary to stop for lunch.
But now she found herself to be quite hungry, so she quickly drove towards Mifflin Street.
It felt nice to get out of the car and stretch her legs a little. Her back was quite cramped as well. Laura's mattress really was quite bulgy. It certainly did no wonders for her back. I wonder how she can sleep on that thing every night? Regina mused as she rubbed her cramped lower back. She winced slightly as she unlocked the door and walked into the mansion. She would need a hot bath to relax those muscles. How Laura could sleep on that mattress was an absolute mystery. Maybe she had developed muscles of steel during the time. Or maybe her back is less sensitive because she's younger than you.
Regina winced again. That was also a possibility. And a fairly good one too.
She cheated shamelessly and waved her hand instead of actually making something to eat. Within seconds, a salad with Brussel sprouts appeared in front of her.
She quickly chewed her way through the food, and as she ate, an idea started brewing in her mind. She had a back ache, alright, but beside a hot bath, there was another method that might just relieve her pain. She hadn't done it in quite some time, but what the hell. Today was another quiet day. There weren't a lot of paperwork to tend to. Why not spend the afternoon with something else than working?
Regina waved her used plate away. That was what she was gonna do. For the first time in god knows how long, she was gonna spent an afternoon on horseback.
She changed into something appropriate, and then she headed down to the stables. She was immediately greeted by the sound of neighing horses. And by David, who apparently not was at the animal shelter.
"Regina!" he said, pleasantly surprised. "What brings you all the way out here?"
Regina suffocated a smile. It should be fairly obvious why she's here. Certainly not to read the paper.
"Do you want to borrow one of the horses?" he asked.
Regina suffocated another smile. And there it is.
"Yes, is that alright?" she asked. "It's just for a half an hour or so."
"Sure. Do you want me to saddle one for you?"
"No, that's alright, I got it."
Regina ventured into the faint light in the stables. The choir neighing began anew, and Regina softly greeted every one of the horses.
After taking a little "tour" round in the stables, Regina decided on a black on a black stallion. She quickly rigged him up for the ride and then she lead him out of the stable.
David sniggered a little.
"What?" Regina asked and raised an eyebrow.
"His name is Majesty," David said as if that was explanation enough. Then he laughed again.
"Oh," Regina chuckled slightly. She supposed she could see the joke in that.
"Need a hand?" David offered as Regina put one hand on the saddle.
"That would be nice. Thanks," Regina said as David gallantly helped her mount the horse.
"He's a bit of a mouthful. Do you think you can handle him?" David asked, slightly concerned as Regina grabbed on to the reins.
"I think so," Regina smiled. "Don't worry."
David nodded and stepped aside.
"Come on," Regina said to Majesty and clicked her tongue slightly.
The lightest touch of her heels, and Majesty immediately started moving. And David was right. The black stallion is a bit of a mouthful, but Regina could easily handle him. He responded to every little pull of the reins. She never allowed him to run wild, but she didn't mind a bit of galloping either. It had been far too long since she last rode.
And she very much enjoyed it. Enjoyed the wind in her hair, the thrill when she felt Majesty shift and elegantly jump over a few fences.
Riding through Storybrooke was not what she had planned, so when she reached Zelena's farm house, she easily maneuvered Majesty to the left and steered towards the forest.
She bowed her head slightly to avoid getting hit with one of the low hanging branches. Majesty was slightly sweaty already, maybe it had been a while since he had been out and about.
So, when they reached a lumen, Regina pulled the reins slightly. Majesty halted immediately.
"Good boy," Regina praised as she climbed off the horse.
Majesty bowed his head slightly, and Regina stroked his soft snout and patted his neck.
The horse seemed fairly satisfied with taking a little break. He immediately started drinking from the nearby lake.
Regina wiped a hand over her brow. She too felt a little sweaty. Maybe she was out of shape. Perhaps she should start riding again. It had been one of her great joys when she was younger, and there was absolutely no reason as to why she shouldn't start enjoying it again. There were plenty of horses in the stables.
Sensing that Majesty perhaps needed a little break, Regina found a log where she sat down. Since they were taking a little break, she might as well check her phone.
So, she did. There were no new text messages, but there seemed to be quite a bit of activity on the chat site. Better look into that, then.
[Regina logged in]
Laura: Hey Ms. Mills. I just wanted to thank you for a lovely weekend. Hope you made it home alright.
Laura: It's been an hour since you got back, I know that from experience, and I still haven't heard from you… I'm disappointed.
Regina chuckled.
Regina: And impatient too it would seem.
Laura: There you are. Had me worried for a second.
Regina: Sorry about that. I'm absolutely fine. I went for a ride and forgot to message you.
Laura: A ride?
Regina: Yes, Storybrooke has quite a few horses.
Laura: You ride?
Regina: I did when I was younger and decided to give it a shot today.
Laura: And how did it go?
Regina: Quite well. At least I didn't get thrown off.
Laura: How fortunate. What prompted this spontaneous idea?
Regina: Your mattress.
Laura: Pardon?
Regina: I don't know if you're aware of it, but your mattress is extremely bulgy. Didn't do anything good for my back, so I decided to see if riding could ease some of the pain.
Laura: And did it?
Regina: Yes, luckily. Otherwise I would have to go to plan B.
Laura: And what's plan B?
Regina: A hot bath.
Laura: I'm glad you didn't have to do that today.
Regina: Why?
Laura: Because that's the kind of stuff I want to do with you.
Regina: Oh. We'll have to do that the next time you're here.
Laura: Definitely.
Laura: I miss you.
Regina: Already?
Laura: Yes.
Regina: I miss you too. A lot, actually.
Laura: I wanna go back to Storybrooke.
Regina: And you will. Soon.
Laura: Absolutely. I'm not done learning about your magic :P
Regina: Why do I sense an innuendo somewhere?
Laura: Because there was one. And I could come up with a ton more.
Regina: Have mercy. I can't stand your innuendoes, dear.
Laura: You like them.
Regina: No, I don't.
Laura: You do.
Regina: Whatever.
Laura: Did you just "whatever" me, Ms. Mills?
Regina: Yes.
Laura: Cheeky.
Regina: What are you gonna do about it?
Laura: Something that involves stripping you and throwing you on the bed.
Regina: Good luck with that. You'd be surprised over my strength.
Laura: I'm sure I could find the right way to "overpower" you, Ms. Mills.
Regina: Is that a promise?
Laura: Yes.
Regina: I'll keep you to that promise, then.
Laura: :P
Regina: How's it going with your flowers?
Laura: The store is quiet. You should have stayed an extra day.
Regina: I would never have been able to leave then.
Laura: Good.
Majesty whinnied softly, and Regina was surprised to see the horse standing right next to her.
"Is it time to go back?" she asked.
Majesty whinnied again.
"I'll take that a yes, then." Regina chuckled and took the reins with one hand.
Regina: I better get back in the saddle, so to speak.
Laura: Yeah. I bet you look real good on horseback.
Regina giggled a little.
Laura: I took quite a few riding lessons between the age 7 and fifteen. Maybe you'd be interested in riding together the next time I come to Storybrooke?
Regina: I would love that!
Laura: I'll pack a helmet then.
Regina: Very funny. We have plenty of helmets here. I'm sure we can find one in your size.
Laura: Sure? My head is pretty big…
Regina: Nonsense. No, it isn't. Not half as big as your ego, anyway…
Laura: Okay, I'm definitely gonna get you for that comment.
Regina: Happy flower selling, dear.
[Regina has logged out]
Regina sniggered to herself. She stuffed the phone away in her pocket and used the log to mount Majesty once again.
It was time to head back. The sky looked awfully grey. Maybe it was gonna rain. Regina clicked her tongue once more and gave Majesty a slight nudge. She didn't have to do much else. The horse immediately moved. He had a wonderful gallop.
"Maybe you'll be my preferred one," Regina quipped lightly and patted the side of Majesty's neck.
Majesty made a half-sneeze in response.
They rode back through the forest, and Regina spotted Zelena and Robin in front of the farmhouse. She didn't stop to chit-chat. She counted on beating the rain.
She settled for a quick wave. Zelena waved back.
They made it back just in time. The moment Regina climbed of Majesty and guided him back into the stable, she heard a low rumbling followed by a zig-zag lightening. Apparently, they were in for a bit of a storm.
Regina removed the saddle and reins. Dabbed Majesty until he was dry. Then she found a brush and curried him. She brushed through his soft fur and spoke quietly to him while the rain was coming down.
He seemed to be fairly used to thunder. Didn't even mind the lightening.
"Have a good rest," Regina said and patted his neck again. "You deserve it."
Majesty whinnied again, and Regina chuckled slightly as she left the stables. She definitely needed a bath now.
After her much needed bath, she decided she also needed a cup of coffee. The ride had made her thirsty.
It was still raining, so after getting dried off and changing into a pair of trousers and a burgundy blouse, Regina flicked her wrist and transported straight into Granny's instead of walking. She wasn't interested in having her hair ruined by the bad weather.
As usually, there was quite a few people in Granny's. People swinging by for a cup of coffee on their way back from work.
Regina ordered her own cup of coffee and went over to the booth were Snow and Emma were already sitting.
"How was the ride?" Snow asked as soon as Regina sat down.
Regina's mouth twitched a little. Was there anything Snow and David didn't tell each other?
"It was fine," the brunette answered and took a sip of her coffee. "It was nice riding again. Maybe I should do it more often."
"Good idea. Maybe you can teach Robin to ride," Emma quipped.
"She's only four years old, miss Swan. I don't think Zelena would like that."
Snow took a sip of her cocoa. "Have you heard from Laura after you got back?"
"I have," Regina nodded. "She's looking forward to visit Storybrooke again."
"When will we see her again?" Emma asked and smiled.
"Soon, I think."
Snow had looked like she was dying to ask a certain question, and now she couldn't keep it in anymore: "Are you gonna go to Paris with her?" she asked Regina.
Regina took another sip of her coffee. Right. They heard Laura's spontaneous invitation.
"I don't know," she said slowly. "I haven't decided yet."
"To me, it sounded like she very much wanted you to come with her," Snow said plainly.
Emma chuckled slightly, and Regina exchanged a look with the blonde. Why is it that your mother finds it necessary to be my cheerleader?
"Which is why I haven't said no," Regina clarified. "I just haven't said yes either."
Snow took a sip of her cocoa but for once kept her mouth shut.
"It's a bit sudden," Regina continued. "I don't want to rush into things."
"I get that," Emma nodded.
"We have a rather good thing here," Regina mused. "And there's no reason to jeopardize that."
"And how should a trip to Paris do that?" Snow asked.
Regina shrugged. "I just want to make sure I've thought things through before I give my answer. Travelling together is a big step. And Paris is far away. We'll see."
To Be Continued….