A/N: Guess what?! yeah I actually updated! This story is not dead! I promise! I had a long bout of writer's block, then real life crazy. But I promise, this story is not dead and it will be finished. I do love each and every one of you that reads this story and sticks by it. I've had amazing reviews from people and that keeps me going. So I'm going to shut up now and let you read! Enjoy! *mwah*
Chapter 38
Secrets and Plans
Snow and Henry sat at the table in the Charmings' loft the next morning, stuff spread out everywhere, as they worked on ideas for the reception being done for Regina and Emma. Henry had stayed the night with them instead of going back to the manor after David had promised to take him to the stables in the morning. Henry had missed them and wanted to make the most of his time with them while he and his mothers were in Storybrooke.
"What do you think of this one?" Snow asked as she passed over some pictures to the boy. He looked them over then shook his head and handed them back to her, pulling out some more to look at instead. Snow scrunched her face as she looked at her choices again. "What's wrong with these this time?"
Henry looked up at her. "I wouldn't choose that if I were you unless you want my mother to kill you.."
"I thought Regina had changed," Snow teased, getting a small smile from her grandson. "Well anyway, I thought the birds were a nice touch," she added before letting out a huff of defeat and laid the photos in the discard pile, which seemed to be growing exponentially. "This idea of mine is turning into a complete disaster. What was I thinking?"
"You were thinking that we missed out on yet another one of our daughter's big moments in life," David interjected with a smile as he came up behind her and set a cup of tea down for her, kissing the top of her head as he brought his hands to her shoulders and gave them a light squeeze. "Don't try so hard. Did it ever occur to you that they aren't wanting this whole reception thing, that perhaps they said yes because they know it would mean a lot to you?" He moved to sit down next to her. "Just a thought." He brought his mug up to his lips and took a sip as he glanced down at their discard pile.
"Are you sure you don't want to help us, David?"
David's brow shot up and he almost choked on his coffee. "No thanks. I'm leaving this up to you two. I am no good at this kind of stuff."
Snow shook her head and chuckled a little at her husband then looked around at all of the mess in front of her. "Maybe if," she started and picked up a few of the discarded ones. "What if we took this little bit from this one, and added it to this, but took out the birds, and then…" She rearranged the photos, ripping some of them in half to eliminate the parts they didn't like. "And maybe a smaller gathering, less fanfare?" Snow asked hesitantly as she looked to her husband and grandson for their reaction.
David and Henry looked over the collage of ideas, then the boy raised his head, a grin slowly coming upon his face. "I think this would be perfect. They'll love it."
Snow let out the breath she didn't know she was holding in. David wrapped his arm around her shoulder and pulled her toward him to plant a kiss on her temple. "I just wanted everything for her that perhaps I got caught up in the pomp and circumstance, and I forgot Emma isn't like me when it comes to stuff like this," Snow confessed.
"She may not be like you when it comes to that," David started, turning and looking into her eyes as he cupped her cheek tenderly, "but she has a loving heart and fights for what and whom she loves, just like you." That earned a smile and light blush from his wife.
"I love you. Thank you."
David placed a chaste kiss upon her lips. "Now that that seems to be all sorted," he dropped his hands and turned to face Henry, "why don't you go and get ready and we'll head out to the stables and check on the horses?" He didn't have to say anymore as the boy was up out of his chair before the sentence was finished and charging up the stairs. "Did you want to come with us?" David offered to Snow as he got up to put his cup in the sink.
"No, I'll be fine. I'm just going to clean up here and then see what Emma and Regina have planned."
"Alright." David kissed the top of her head. "I love you. We'll be back for lunch."
Emma knocked on the door to Regina's office before stepping in. "Hey, I just got off the phone with my mom. Henry and David went out to the stables so she thought we could come over and have some girl time and catch up."
Regina looked up from the book she was reading over, removing her glasses. "I actually have some things I wanted to look over here, but I think you should go spend time with her." She took a quick glance down at the book before continuing, "then we can all meet up for lunch later at the diner."
Emma frowned and took a few steps toward the desk. "Are you sure?" She tried to steal a look at what Regina was reading but she had quickly closed the book and stood up to come around the desk and placed her hands on Emma's waist, tugging the blonde against her body to distract her.
"I'm sure," Regina answered with a tender kiss.
"Mmm, I'm not though." Emma commented as they separated. "I'd rather stay here to get more of this." She waggled her eyebrows then went in for another kiss, eliciting a moan from Regina. "I love that I can make you do that." Emma murmured with a smirk, moving her lips along Regina's jawline and down along her neck.
"Oh, I'm sure you do."
Emma stopped and locked gazes with her wife. "Why don't I just call back and say something came up and then I drag you back to bed?" There was a devilish twinkler in her eyes.
"While that is incredibly tempting, dear, we have the rest of our lives for that." Regina brought a hand up and cupped Emma's cheek. "We only have a short time here in Storybrooke, so perhaps you should go visit your mother."
Emma quirked her brow. "Excuse me? Are you trying to get rid of me?" She teased and ran her index finger along the exposed skin where Regina's top two buttons of her blouse were undone.
"Never." Regina hooked her fingers in Emma's belt loops and pulled her along back toward the desk. She spun them around pinning Emma against the desk with a smirk. "Does this feel like I want to get rid of you?" She inquired as she leaned in, kissing and nibbling along her neck, eliciting a satisfied groan from the blonde.
"Dear, God, no. But I also feel you're luring me into a trap," Emma commented. Regina lifted her head and looked at the blonde. "Said with all of my love?" Emma added innocently, her head slightly tilted to the side. Regina narrowed her eyes with an amused smirk. "And I do love you." Emma cupped her wife's face and kissed her, Regina wrapping her arms around her waist.
"And why would you think I'm luring you into a trap?"
"Because we're back in Storybrooke, you're being secretive with a certain book you've been reading the past couple hours, and you're quite adamant that I go see my mother." Emma answered with a chuckle then kissed her nose.
"Oh, so you think I'm trying to sneak back into my scheming ways, hmm?" Regina playfully smirked, pinching Emma's side causing the blonde to jump, knocking the pen holder that was on the desk onto the floor. "Maybe I'm planning something special for the reception."
Emma quirked her brow in surprise. "Are you?"
Regina just shrugged noncommittally and captured her wife's lips in a kiss, hoping to distract her. It seemed to work as they got lost in each other for a few quiet moments.
When it ended, Emma was the first to pull away and rested her forehead against Regina's. "Are you sure you can't just put that away and do it later?" She played with the hair at the nape of Regina's neck.
"I could, but I won't." Regina felt more than heard the huff from Emma at her answer. "Besides, I think I'd like to go spend some time with my father. I know it may sound odd, but I've missed going to his grave and talking to him."
Emma looked up with her brow knitted with concern. "If you want, I can stay and go with you and then we can go over to my parents after."
Regina shook her head. "No. Go have time with your mom, I'll be fine. I have a lot to catch daddy up on." She gave her a soft smile. She had just come up with the idea but she really did wish to speak to him. She knew he was gone but, that didn't mean she didn't feel him whenever she went to visit his grave site. She wanted to let him know and see how happy she was now. She was so caught up in her thoughts that she flinched when she felt Emma reach up to wipe a stray tear away from her cheek. "Sorry," Regina blushed and cleared her throat, trying to compose herself.
"You promise you'll be alright?"
"Of course. Worried about me, dear?" Regina gave her signature smirk and quirked her brow, the playfulness returning to her eyes.
"No, I'm worried about this town with you on the loose," Emma teasingly scoffed as though it was the least on her mind and went to slip away from Regina's hold.
Regina was quicker though, and wrapped her arms tighter around the her wife's waist as the blonde tried to escape, now with Emma's back penned against her front. Emma's laughter filled the room as Regina used one hand to tickle her. "I'm sorry, what was that dear? I think the only person you should be concerned about while I'm 'on the loose', is yourself." She said the last in a whisper against her wife's ear, her hand sliding under Emma's tank top, fingers spreading and flexing along the toned stomach there.
Emma's laughter quickly faded. While her heart was still beating rapidly from the tickling, it was also racing for a whole other reason. Regina continued to hold her and toy with her, her hand inching farther up Emma's stomach, across her ribs. Higher and higher, inch by precious inch.
"If this is what I should worry about, I'm totally okay with this," Emma managed to get out somewhat composed, and somewhat impressed with herself for it.
Regina hummed softly, her breath warm against Emma's neck. "My delightful little swan," Regina murmured against the sensitive skin along her wife's neck, planting feather kisses across it. Her hand cupping a breast while she nuzzled into Emma's neck more.
"I don't know how you expect me to go to see my mother now that you went and got me all worked up." Emma could feel the devilish smirk coming across Regina's lips against her skin before she pulled away.
Regina released her and Emma moaned at the loss of those hands and arms she loved holding and touching her. Regina stepped around in front of Emma and grabbed her chin between her thumb and forefinger. "Just think of this as a taste of what you get later when we're home."
"Regina, that did not help my little um… situation," Emma stumbled out. Regina quirked her brow and flashed her predatory Evil Queen smile that Emma had not seen in a long time. "And that doesn't help either."
As fast as the look came, it was gone, replaced instead by an all out laugh from Regina as she let go of Emma's chin and walked away.
"You are one cruel woman," Emma muttered and headed off to go take a very cold shower, before leaving to see her mother.
"You know you love it when I leave you craving more, my love." Regina commented to the retreating blonde, as she took her seat at the desk once more and opened her book.
Emma stopped just at the doorway and looked over her shoulder. "Always." She gave a playful smile and wink. "And don't forget about meeting for lunch." She blew Regina a kiss then walked out.
Regina smiled and blew a kiss back, but as soon as Emma closed the door, her smile faded. "I'm sorry I had to keep this from you, Emma. But if this works, perhaps you'll forgive me." She looked down at her book and ran her hand over the cover before opening it back up and trying to find anything that could help her.