Emma glanced at her watch, it was nearing noon. Weighing her options she decided on staying for Regina and not just for the sake of seeing her.

Sitting up there on the balcony Emma actually had the time to register what happened in the last three days in Boston. She was so engrossed in her pain and the fact that she was back at her hometown that she didn't have the time to stop and think about all the things Regina did for her; the hotel, the food, being there for her every single minute of every single day. And it wasn't over in Boston. Taking her here, staying with her, buying her breakfast, those things Emma never and took nor will take for granted, ever.

She felt this urge to convey those feelings, to show Regina how fucking grateful she is. It's amazing to think how far they've come in the past two weeks, the amount of trust they both entrusted in the other's hands.

Regina hasn't failed being there for her, supporting her, making her feel loved and cherished and taken care of and Emma had to repay. Not for the sake of evening the field but merely for the fact that she wanted to make Regina feel as good as the brunette made her feel.

That's why she was heading to the nearest grocery shop at three in the afternoon. She wanted so badly to prepare dinner for Regina for when she comes back. Something romantic, light and fun since they didn't really get the chance to do this for quite a while.

Yes, Boston sure had its moments in the movies or the restaurant but Emma's mind was swamped with a thousand other things and it also felt like Regina constantly had to ask and seek for time alone. Emma has to get over her insecurities and start initiating things between them.

After wrecking her brain trying to think about possible dinner foods that she can actually make she wrote down a list of ingredients she needed in order to make a proper dinner.

Deciding on not using a single thing out of Regina's stuff since it's dinner for her, she entered the shop with quite a list.

After an hour of grocery shopping and YouTube watching on how to perfect each and every dish, she started working. She chopped onions and garlic and threw them in a hot pan while checking on the baked potatoes in the oven. She chopped vegetables in between and scooped them into a large glass bowel. She went to check on the marinated Sirloin Steaks after receiving accurate and in detail instruction on how to treat the meat and cook it. She decided on keeping the meet for last since it didn't require and obscene amount of cooking time and was best served fresh. She placed the beans in the pan with the garlic and onions and added soy sauce and teriyaki sauce and let the heat do its thing.

In the mean time she set up the table for two and placed the scented candle she picked up while waiting for the cashier to finish with another customer. She halted. Is this too much? Yes, Regina invited her to stay but maybe she was overstepping.

The pan made a screeching sound and Emma made her way back to the stove to find the beans screaming for a stir. She pushed the pan forwards and it flipped the beans, just like she has seen Tony's cooks do while in service.

Melancholy settled in her chest for a short moment. Then the phone beeped and tore her out of her world.

Regina- I don't know if you decided to stay but I'm on my way home.

Emma smiled at that, in perfect synchronization with the cooked food.

She got back to tending the various foods in the cooking. She placed the Sirloin Steak on a heated striped pan and heard it sizzling. She was seasoning the salad when she heard the door open.

A smile graced her face as she heard the famous click of the heels. She turned around and whatever it is that she planned on saying escaped her brain. Her smile quickly turned into a frown when she was met with a large redhead mane.

She stared at the woman in shock before connecting the dots in her head. That was Zelena, Regina's sister.

Fuck, there goes their meal.

Afraid from what she might think of her Emma remained silent and waited for her company to take the lead.

Zelena turned and placed a hand on her chest

"Jeez, you scared the hell out of me." She said while stretching her head to see what Emma was doing.

"Oh" she said and clasped her hands excitedly "I'm glad to see Regina took my advice and hired help."

"I-" Emma tried and gave up after realizing that she has no idea what to do. Zelena, probably used to the presence of several strangers in her house on daily basis wasn't bothered by it in the least.

"Is my sister here yet?"

"Err-" Emma swallowed. Come on, you can do it, it's an easy question with an easy answer. "No" she felt her cheek heating with panic and humiliation. So she is the help, great.

"Alright then, I'll wait for her in the living room." Zelena informed while grabbing her awfully expensive looking bag and sauntering away.

Emma finally allowed a sharp intake of air. Fuck.

She turned to the food to check that everything was on course. She put the beans in a white bowl and placed it on the table. Next to it she set the salad. She pulled the scorching potatoes out and moved them into a different container.

When all was set on the table she went over to the stove and flipped the Steak after marinating it again. After the flip she was pleased to find the cooked side looking deliciously enticing. The happy notion flew out the window as soon as she realized that she is not going to be eating this meal.

Regina was pretty clear about her family ignorance regarding her sexuality and she isn't going to do anything to compromise it. Obviously, family comes first and after taking Regina all to herself for three whole days her family would want to see her.

What was she thinking? Going around playing house in someone else's home. What if Regina wanted some space and she lands on her with a dinner after they spent three whole days with each other?

She shook her head sadly at that.

The door opened again and the familiar sound of heels quickly filled the quite space.

"Emma?" Regina called before entering into the kitchen. Emma was just placing the Steaks on the table next to everything else.

She looked up and caught Regina's look.

"What-?" Regina started but then her eyes landed on the set table and her face broke into an uncontrollable beam. "Emma" she sighed again, this time all adoring and emotional.

But Emma didn't have time to engulf herself in the feeling of pride when Zelena walked into the room.

"Hey sis" she greeted while approaching the table. So rudely thinking it was made for her. Emma fisted her hands in anger but when she spoke up it was all calm and almost submissive like.

"Enjoy your meal" she greeted in nonchalance, though she was sure Regina could spot the hurt and humiliation all over her face.

"Emma?" she questioned, perplexed but Emma just passed her and grabbed her bag on her way to the door.

The minute she opened it a hand grabbed her arm. She turned to face a worried Regina.

"What happened?" she asked quietly, evidently not wanting Zelena as a part of this conversation.

"I made us dinner" Emma shrugged and her face fell "But apparently I'm the help" she couldn't keep the hurt out of her voice while saying it. She cast her eyes down when they started to water.

"Emma-"

"It's okay, I get it" she freed her arm out of her grasp "enjoy your meal"

She turned around and descended the stairs.

"Emma" Regina called after her but Emma was already halfway through the street, walking quickly and trying her best not to let the tears fall.

God knows how long she wandered the streets. She didn't check her watch, but the setting sun was a signaling the approaching evening.

Emma made a detour to the park.

Walking in the forest of green calmed her a little.

It wasn't Regina's fault, Emma new that from the minute Zelena walked in, but the pent up frustration of the situation caused Emma to somehow project those emotions onto Regina as if it was her fault.

After wandering aimlessly for a while she turned and headed home. The streets emptied significantly, most of the working people already made it home.

She weighed entering Granny's for a cup of coffee but dropped it. She was in no mode to act normal nor explaining why she was moody.

She stomped up the stairs to her apartment, eyes cast down.

Her eyes landed on black heels, resting against her door. She looked up.

"Regina?" she questioned, frowning, over the brunette leaning against her door with four bags in hand. Emma wrecked her brain, trying to figure out how she hadn't spotted Regina's car, realizing her look was cast down for most of her stroll.

Regina made a dismissal gesture with her head, smirking "Some gorgeous blonde made this for me, but unfortunately she ran away. I was hoping you feel in the mood for a romantic dinner?" she inquired with a full on smile and soft eyes.

Emma's eyes cast down to the bags and back up.

"And Zelena?"

Regina cleared her throat "Zelena was explained that I have prior engagements."

Emma gulped.

"Ones that matter more" she added and leaned in for a quick pack. "I'm so sorry for what just happened" she apologized, eyes pleading.

"It's okay" Emma quickly assured, in awe of the gesture. No matter how many times it happens, she will still be surprised from people holding onto her instead of pushing her away, disposing her. "It wasn't your fault"

She reaches for the key, hands shaking. Why is she so emotional it's only fucking dinner. Only it's not, Regina has chosen her over her sister and fuck if it isn't doing things to Emma's heart.

"Emma?" Regina asks gently and Emma lets out a watery laugh, gesturing her hand animatedly she assures "Oh don't mind me, it's just a stupid- well. Yeah"

Regina lifts her chin up, locking their eyes.

"You have no idea how much you mean to me" she says with so much care and endearment in her eyes that Emma can only nod.

"As you are to me" she rasps out and Regina leans in for another kiss, this one much deeper.

"And don't think for a moment that I forgot about the fact that you actually made me dinner, and a rather fancy one" she smirks and Emma's cheeks warm up.

"So we are going to eat this beautifully made, divinely smelling food and then I'm going to show you how grateful I am for the gesture" she promises with a mirthful smile and gleaming eyes.

Emma gulps and nods quickly reaching for the lock hastily, eager to get the two of them alone.