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Italics show peoples thoughts.
Big thank you to my beta NoSoup395.
Disclaimer in chapter 1.
Eventually the four women migrated into the family room. Settling onto the couches with their respective partners, they proceeded to tell Regina stories about Emma.
"So tell me, how did you and Emma meet, Jane?" Regina asked.
"Why don't you start that one, Em." Jane suggested.
"Okay. So when I was fourteen I ran away from my foster home and was living on the streets. I was too stubborn to beg for money, so in order to eat I had to steal food." She breaks eye contact with Regina and looks over to Jane, indicating that the brunette should continue with a nod of her head.
"I was sixteen, and had been sent to buy some bread for a family gathering. I caught Emma stealing bread from Bianchi's bakery. I watched her walk around before discreetly snatching a loaf and putting it inside her jacket before running from the building. I followed after her to a park, where I jumped her to make a citizen's arrest, but it didn't go as planned."
"She scared the shit out of me when she jumped on my back." Emma laughs at the memory.
"Language!" Regina and Maura say at the same time, making the sisters roll their eyes.
"Didn't stop you from breaking my nose though, did it?" Jane quips.
"You broke her nose?" Regina questions with a raised eyebrow.
"Yeah, she had to have a rhinoplasty surgery to realign her nose. In my defence, she jumped me. For all I knew she could've been a rapist or a murderer. So I jabbed out my elbow and ended up socking her in the face. It got her off my back and I ran without looking back. It was my bad that I broke her nose but you don't jump on a person without some warning and expect them to not defend themselves." Emma smirked at her sister, who was not amused.
"Anyway, after she ran again I followed, ignoring my bleeding nose. I followed her to an abandoned building and hid in the shadows to watch her and see what she was doing there. When I got a better look, I saw the sleeping bag on the floor, a small pile of clothes in one corner and Emma in the other corner eating the bread. I put two and two together and realised she was living there." She paused to take a sip of her iced tea before continuing. "I approached her slowly, not wanting to scare her and when I was in sight I said, 'I think you broke my nose.' She frowned at me, looking me up and down before replying, 'The fuck you talking about?' I know, 'language' but that's what she said." She looked at Maura with a smirk before turning back to Regina. "So I explained to her what happened and she narrows her eyes at me and snarls before saying, 'Serves you right for jumping me. Now get lost before I break one of your more vital bones.' I could see in her eyes that she had more bark than bite but I left anyway."
"Seeing as your first meeting was less than pleasant, how did you actually become friends?" The Mayor asked.
"She's very stubborn and persistent, like me. Every day after that Jane would come back and bring me food. I'd ignore her every time, so she'd sit and have a one sided conversation before leaving me with the food. I couldn't understand why she was being nice to me, especially since I broke her nose and was nothing but a bitch to her the first time we met. But she kept coming back, and each time she'd stay a little longer. Eventually I stopped questioning why she was doing it and just enjoyed the company and then I began talk to her. We found we had a lot in common and after a month I found myself trusting her. Seven months later the police started finding bodies of young girls in the park. Jane forced me to come home with her. She said 'I don't want to come here one day and find your body.' It was the first time anyone had cared about what happened to me so I went with her. Ma welcomed me with open arms. I couldn't understand why, but I decided not to question it. A year later Ma and Pop officially adopted me. They were my first real family. I wish I could have seen that at the time, maybe then I wouldn't have run away like I did, but then we wouldn't have Henry and he is the one thing I don't regret" Emma explained. Jane looked towards her with a beaming smile.
"Wait, so if Jane is older than you by two years how did you end up in the academy together?" The Mayor turned to Emma.
"Detective Smarty-pants over there got a scholarship to BCU, where she studied criminal psychology and human biology. That's where she met Maura, though she was two years ahead of Jane. After two years of college she decided it wasn't for her and that she wanted to go into her original career choice. Jane dropped out and applied to the academy at the same time I got out of juvie. While I was inside I'd written to Jane to apologise and explained what happened and where I was. When I got out I had nowhere to go and I only had the bug and $1000 that Neal had left in the glove compartment. So I decided it was time I apologised to Jane and the rest of the Rizzolis in person. After I went home to them Jane told me she'd applied to the academy so I did too."
"Why did you run away?" Regina inquired, curious as to why Emma would leave the only family she'd ever had to steal a car and become a somewhat of a modern day Bonnie and Clyde with Henry's father.
"It's going to sound silly, but I was playing with a basketball in the house and I broke a vase. I was scared of what might happen, in other homes I'd been sent away for a lot less, or had worse done to me, and even though I knew they were different I couldn't help but let all the dark thoughts and memories seep in. So I left a note saying I was sorry and that I had to go." Emma explained, looking off to the side sadly.
"She did bring a new vase when she came back though." Jane chuckled, sensing the sadness in her sister.
"Ma still has that vase." Emma joined her chuckling, grateful for the distraction from her darker thoughts.
She's so strong. After everything she's been through she still manages to be this incredibly strong, funny, amazing woman. She can find the light in any bit of darkness. If I'd have lived her life I don't think I'd be strong enough to get out of bed in the morning. I have so much respect for her. That's part of why I love her. Regina thought.
"Now that we've given you some of our Emma stories, do we get to hear about a teenage Regina? I can't see you being a rebel like our Ems." Jane says.
"No I was not. My mother would've skinned me alive if I'd have even had a hair out of place, never mind breaking any rules." The Mayor replied.
"Not even one tiny little rule?" Jane raised an eyebrow in disbelief.
"Well, I used to ride my horse bareback, which mother hates, and when I was seventeen I got a tattoo. It was my own private 'fuck you' to Cora Mills." Regina smirked at the memory.
Regina has a tattoo? God that's hot. And she just said fuck. This woman is going to kill me one day. Thought Emma.
"I want to see that tattoo later." Emma whispered to the brunette beside her.
"I'll show you mine if you show me yours." Regina whispered back with a wink, knowing that Emma had an extensive amount of tattoos that went from her thighs up to her back. The blonde had told her over one of their lunches that she had gotten her first tattoo at the age of 12 and all of them had a significance to her, promising Regina to let her explore them one day and reveal the story behind each one.
The Mayor's comment sent a shiver up the blonde's spine and a flush spread over her cheeks and chest.
"You ride horses?" Maura inquired, completely oblivious to what had just passed between the two women sitting opposite her.
"Not for a few years. I do miss it though." She looked off to the side sadly before looking back towards Maura with a slight smile.
"I haven't gone riding in a while. We should go some time." Suggested the doctor.
"I'd like that. Perhaps we could go while you're here. I actually own the local stable. The only reason I haven't been is because it was something Sofia and I did together and it hurt too much to ride without her. Now that she's back it would be wonderful to get back up on a horse." She and Maura shared a smile.
"Looks like you two got it all figured out." Emma teased, nudging Regina's shoulder with her own.
"You and Jane are more than welcome to join us, darling." The term of endearment made Emma's blush deepen, causing Jane to snicker.
"These two would never get on a horse. They may be able to chase down murderers but they're terrified of horses for some bizarre reason." Maura chuckled.
"Are not!" The sisters shouted in unison.
"Well, I see no reason you why you can't join us then." Regina smirked.
"I'm in a wheelchair." Emma said in a "duh" voice. "I can't walk, never mind get up on a horse, but I'm sure Jane would love to. A badass detective like her should have no problem facing a horse. Right, Jane?" Emma smirked, knowing that Jane was in fact scared of horses like herself, having been there when the two of them had been chased by herd of wild horses.
Jane shot the smirking Sheriff a glare before responding. "No problem at all, I love horses." She said sarcastically.
Regina chuckled at that and decided to change the subject.
"How long have the two of you been married?"
"Seven years this June passed." Maura smiled over at Jane.
"I still can't believe Maura agreed to have the wedding at Fenway." Emma says.
"It was a compromise. Jane got to pick where we got married as long as she agreed to either wear a dress or a suit, no Red Sox jersey." Maura stated matter of factly.
"I can't believe you wore your uniform." Jane laughed.
"You dared me to, I had no other choice. Besides, I look so hot in my uniform." Emma smirked, sending a wink to Regina, making the older woman blush at the thought of the blonde in her uniform.
I'll bet she does look hot in that uniform. Though she'd look even hotter out of it too. Perhaps I can convince her to wear it once she's back on her feet. Regina thought with a smirk.
Before they could say anymore on the matter, they heard the sound of the front door opening before slamming shut with a bang, signalling the arrival of Henry.
"Hey mom? I'm hungry. Where are you?" Henry shouted as he made his way through the house, after kicking off his shoes by the front door and throwing his backpack and coat into the closet.
"He's so your kid Emma, hungry all the time. You're like a bottomless pit." Jane chuckled, earning a glare from her blonde sister.
"In here dear." Regina called out.
They could hear the sound of heavy footsteps as Henry ran to the family room.
"Hey." Henry smiled at his mothers as he entered the room before looking over to survey their guests.
"Hey kid, this is my sister Jane and her wife Maura." Emma said, gesturing to each woman.
"You have a sister?" He asked with a raised brow.
"Yes, I didn't mention that? Huh, I thought I did. I have two brothers as well."
"You have two brothers?" Regina chimed in, only knowing that Emma had one brother, Frankie.
"Erm, yeah. I thought I mentioned them."
"Gee Em, how self-centered are you? Not mentioning your siblings at all. That's a crime." Jane teased, smirking at the blonde.
"Shut up." Emma said, before sticking her tongue out at Jane, making Henry chuckle.
"It's nice to meet you." Henry said politely to Jane and Maura.
"It's nice to meet you too, Henry. We've heard a lot about you." Maura told the boy with a smile.
"Really? I didn't even know the two of you existed until a few seconds ago." He said, making Jane laugh.
"Any more secret family members you need to tell me about, Ma?" Henry asked with a smirk.
Emma just stared at him in disbelief. It was the first time he had ever called her anything but Emma. She gave him a smile and felt tears begin to form in her eyes that quickly went away when Regina reached out and gently squeezed her arm. She looked toward the brunette and they shared a loving smile before she turned back to address their son.
"Well, let's see. Jane and Maura have a daughter. So that would make her your cousin. I have a Ma and a Pop, and a few aunts and cousins. Though we don't see Pop much since he moved to Florida." She offers him a big smile, which he returns.
"Cool. What are your brothers called? What do they do? How long have you had them? Because I know that you must have been adopted. What's my cousin called? When do I get to meet them?" He shot off each question quickly, only stopping when the need for oxygen became apparent, making the women chuckle.
"Whoa kid, slow down. Let's see, what did you ask: My brothers are called Frankie and Tommy. Frankie is a detective like Jane and Tommy is a plumber. I was fourteen when Jane took me home with her and fifteen when they adopted me. Your cousin is called Emelia and you will get to meet her and Frankie today. Jane, Maura and Emelia will be here for two weeks, but Frankie can't stay."
"Awesome." He gives his mothers a beaming smile. "So can I have something to eat now? I'm starving." The women laughed at that and Regina led him to the kitchen to make him a snack.
"He's cute. Got your eyes." Jane smiled across at her sister.
"How could you possibly see that from all the way over there?" Emma asked in disbelief.
"Some of us aren't blind like you, Swan." The Italian smirked.
"Could the two of you play nice?" Maura asked, rolling her eyes in a habit she had picked up from her wife and sister-in law.
"Yes mom." The sisters say together sarcastically, making the medical examiner roll her eyes again.
"Anyway that reminds me, would you mind going over to my apartment and getting my glasses for me? When Regina went and got some of my things she didn't bring contact lenses, because she doesn't know I wear them. It will just be so much easier for me to just wear the glasses since I don't really leave the house, I don't want to ask Regina. She's done so much for me already. Plus I can hardly see anything without my contacts. The two of you are just blurry shapes but I can see things close to me." Emma says with a slight smile.
"Sure, just give me directions and I'll head over now before Frankie gets here." Jane says with a smile.
"It's the first left as you head down Main Street, then take a right and it's an old industrial looking building. My apartment is on the third floor, 3A. Oh and my keys are on the bedside table in the guest room." The blonde informs Jane, who leaves the room to quickly collect Emma's keys before coming back.
"So where will I find your glasses?" Jane asks.
"Erm, try my nightstand. If they're not there then I don't know. You'll just have to look around. Come to think of it they may be at the station. Just look around the apartment." Emma gives her sister a sheepish smile. She had never been an organised person like Jane.
"Okay. I'll be back soon." She gives Maura a quick peck on the lips before leaving for the Sheriff's apartment.
"Still as disorganised as I remember, I see." Maura comments with a smile.
"Yeah, you know me. I live in organised chaos. You should see my apartment." Emma chuckles. "Regina is very much like you though. Her office in city hall is cleaner than my fridge alone."
"I'll bet it is." Maura laughs.
"Where did Jane go?" Regina asks when she enters the room, a fresh pitcher of iced tea in hand.
"She went to my apartment to get my glasses." Emma confesses.
"You wear glasses?" The Mayor asks as she takes her seat beside the blonde.
"Only around the house if I don't have plans to go out. I usually wear contacts." Emma confesses.
"Why didn't you say something when I went to collect some of your things?"
"It slipped my mind and then when I remembered you'd already done so much for me that I didn't want to ask you to go back to my apartment to get the glasses, so I just ignored the problem and carried on as normal."
"Emma, it wouldn't have been a problem for me to drive over and collect your glasses. Have you gone all this time without being able to see properly?"
"No, kinda...okay yes. I have gone all this time without being to see properly, but I can see things close up, it's just the further from me they are the more blurry they become."
"Well next time just tell me." Regina says as she begins to laugh, making Emma and Maura very confused.
"What's so funny?" Emma asked.
"It explains a lot."
"It does?"
"Yes, it explains why you would gasp and roam your eyes all over my outfit whenever I came to sit next to you as if you didn't see it from the doorway. It also explains why you've been squinting." She chuckles and the other women in the room join in.
Before anything more can be said there is a knock at the door.
"That will probably be Frankie and Emelia." Maura says with a smile, looking up from her watch and seeing that it is half past three.
"You ready to meet my brother and niece?" Emma asks Regina with a beaming smile.
TBC.