So, hey guys!

I know I've been away for so freaking long and I hate it. The thing is, I have college applications to submit and SAT tests to take (And I'm not even American!) so you do the math how much time this shit takes out of my day :( Add that to working three jobs and you get a very busy me. This hell is supposed to be over by the end of January… I will try to update every once in a while but I'll practically be dormant until it is over. Then I'll be back in full force, so stick with me :)

Oh! And happy holidays everybody! :P


"Regina?" Emma mumbles into the, still warm, empty bed. When an answer isn't voiced she lifts her head up, eyes blinking the sleep away.

"'Gina?" she tries again, eyes scanning the dark room. It's empty. The dark skies indicate that it is still night and Emma frowns at the absence of her girlfriend.

She rises from the bed, immediately missing the comfort provided by the luxurious sheets and goose-feathers blanket. Tiptoeing to the living room she finds a rather beautiful pictures. The drapes are open, exposing the city's skyline. The bright stars in the sky kiss the city lights in what looks like a blanket of twinkles. Regina, with a sheet draped over her otherwise naked form (thanks to last night's enjoyable activities) is leaning against the window, staring into the wide space stretched out if front of her. Her face, even more beautiful if possible, half lit by the lights of the city.

She turns to look at Emma, her thoughtful gaze turns loving for just a second before returning to clouded swirling concern.

"Hey" she mumbles, not moving an inch. Emma makes her way to the window. Once she reaches it she wraps her hands around Regina's form, molding their bodies together.

"What's on your mind?" she coaxes and moves to ghost her lips over the smooth skin of Regina's shoulders. The brunette hums in response, head lolling back.

"Things" she sighs and Emma quits her actions.

"Wanna share?" she asks softly, not wanting to push Regina into telling her anything but at the same time wanting to be there for her.

"Mmm" Regina hums noncommittally and goes quiet. Emma almost gives up on receiving an answer when the brunette finally rasps out. "My mother" she states and Emma doesn't need anything else to know exactly what bothers her.

"I'm here for you" she whispers and Regina's lips quirk up "I mean it" she emphasizes "Anything you need. You want me to be there? I'll be there. You want space? I'll give you space. I want it to be easy but since I know it won't, I want to help making it easier."

Regina turns her head, pressing her lips against Emma's in a lazy kiss. Then, she goes back to staring at the cities.

"I fear for you" she admits quietly.

"Don't be" Emma assures "Trust me, I can take it" because she honestly can. What's an homophobic mother in comparison to drunken foster parents and violent foster kids?

The older woman chuckles but it lacks the humor.

"I know you think you can but you don't know my mother." She states and Emma frowns.

"You think she'll go down on me?"

"I honestly don't know. I don't know how badly she will react, I don't know who she is going to take it on. I fear it's not going to be me."

Emma keeps quiet, sensing that the brunette wasn't done. Sure enough, she continues a moment later.

"She wants me to take over, I doubt she will punish me in a way that will hurt her interests. You, on the other hand, are an easy target. My mother is quite resourceful and creative when she wants to be."

They go quiet, both processing their thoughts and emotions.

"We will figure it out." Emma says eventually. Imagining a different scenario is too painful. Would Regina choose romance over family and business? That sounds unlikely to Emma; Regina jeopardizing her future for her.

"I will fight for you" Regina states and Emma can't help but chuckle "I will" Regina repeats, determined "I won't let her lay a hand on you."

"As much as I appreciate it, please keep in mind that she is your mother and this is your family and your future on the line. Be reasonable." Emma nozzles her nose into her neck. So that's what is feels like caring for another more than yourself. Surprisingly so, it doesn't set her nerves on edge.

"Emma" Regina protests, she turns around in the blonde's embrace, chocolate eyes bore into emerald ones. "You matter" she states, her eyes determined. "I love you and even if it might scare you, and hell, even me, I see a future." She smiles timidly, almost as if she's afraid her words will chase Emma away. "I know it's early but," she swallows "I've never felt this deeply about someone Emma. Sometimes I feel like locking you down just so I know you won't leave."

"I'm not going anywhere" Emma assures, her face colored with love and content.

"I know you don't but I still fear it and that, my love, means that you matter so much." She leans in, their lips inches apart "Someday I want you to carry my name and I yours, I want to wake up next to you, to hold your hand without behind afraid of the consequences, I want you to be mine. My Emma." She finishes with a smile and Emma charges forward, crashing their lips together.

"I am yours" she mumbles in between kisses "And always will be, if you let me."

Her hold tightens around her form, hands caressing all over the brunette's sheet-clad body.

"And I see a future too" she breathes out, her chest heaving due to lack of air. She feels like she's about to explode from the size and depth of the emotions currently coursing through her body.

"You do?" Regina asks with a vulnerable voice, her face so hopeful they make her look years younger.

"Of course I do" she says, her tone airy, when Regina charges her neck "I love you" she rasps out.

"I love you too" Regina's voice is muffled by Emma's skin.

That's the last coherent words they say for the rest of the night.


"It is all taken care of?" Regina asks with a hint of a smile on her face. She's looking at Emma since she answered the call, her eyes twinkling mischievously. Emma's frown deepens and deepens in the face of what could only be called giddiness. Giddiness and Regina should not go hand in hand yet somehow that's exactly how Regina looks right now, giddy.

"Excellent" Regina announces, drawing Emma's attention once again. Her smile is large, almost a beam, and her eyes dart all over Emma's facial features.

'What?' Emma mouths but Regina ignores it and bids her goodbye politely.

When she places the phone down, a small smile is still gracing her face. She dives back into her breakfast, ignoring Emma's expectant face.

"Regina?" she asks when she realizes Regina isn't planning on sharing.

"Mmm?" she hums, looking pleased with herself.

"What was that about?"

"What?" she asks innocently, but Emma isn't buying it. "The phone call?" she asks after Emma sends a pointed look directed at her cell.

"Yes" she voices out slowly "The phone"

"Oh, that's a surprise" Regina sends her a sinister look, enjoying their banter more than she should.

Emma examines her face carefully. "A surprise to whom?"

Regina shrugs nonchalantly and Emma shakes her head in disbelief. "Oh no!" she exclaims, whining "Please tell me you didn't buy or spend an obnoxious amount of money about something related to me." She half begs half determines.

Regina doesn't answer but her lips twitch. That's enough of a confirmation to Emma.

"Come on Regina, I thought we talked about it."

"Relax" the brunette dismisses calmly "It is as much for me as it is for you so calm down." she rises from her seat, leaving the plate for the butler that will probably arrive once they're gone.

Emma watches her fixing her outfit, completing it with a sharp blazer. A blazer that makes Emma's stomach do flips when she watches Regina in it. Not that she will ever admit that. Actually, she might, later, when they're naked and writhing.

"Emma, are you coming?" Regina looks at her from her place near the door. Emma nods, jumps out of her chair and follows Regina outside.

"Don't forget" Regina reminds her while they're in their car. Apparently Regina is important enough to be assigned with a driver. "Just like the office in New York, you are just my employee."


The first day is gone in a blink of an eye. Emma follows Regina throughout the day like a puppy, accompanying here during meetings and presentations. The brunette's stance is as confidence as it always is and Regina strides down the halls with the composure of a queen. She is familiar with the London based office, it turns out, after spending quite some time here in her youth.

Most but not all of their scheduled meeting are fundraiser's related. The workers seem to milk Regina's skills to the last drop, asking for her help and using her knowledge and skills in various projects. Regina remains professional all throughout those unexpected detours, answering their questions politely and helpfully.

When they finally get to discussing the event Regina seems to light up. It's not noticeable, she's sure, to a generic employee. But to Emma, who's used to memorize each and every nook in Regina's features, Emma sees the difference. She sees the excitement lighting up her eyes, turning them from mundane dark brown to a caramel shade. She sees her posture change, her body leaning forward, seeking to get more involved.

It's a long, grueling day but they get to spend it together, sending meaningful looks when no one is watching.

When they get back to the hotel they are exhausted. They decide on a rather calm evening. They get into the Jacuzzi, keeping their kisses heated just enough but not too much. Then, they move to the living room, finally trying the large comfy-looking couch, finding it as comfortable as it looks if not more. They order in and snuggle in front of the TV until they're on the verge of falling asleep and then they retire to their room.

The second day is mostly spent outside, which is wonderful because it's disturbance-free and horrible since it looks like the skies decide to piss on them. Literally.

"Oh fuck" Emma moans and adds another bite into her stuffed mouth.

Regina lifts an eyebrow but her small smile is giving her away.

"That good?" she asks while sipping from her sugar free coffee. They're sitting In a small coffee shop, seeking a shelter from the rain.

"Mmm!" Emma nods enthusiastically, turning to count how many churros she has left in the bag.

"You've never had churros before?" Regina inquires, surprised.

Emma shakes her head "Foster kid, remember?" she points at herself while shrugging.

"Yes" Regina slumps a little in her seat.

"Oh come on!" Emma exclaims, reaching out to grab Regina's hand. "It is who I am. It's sad, I know, but it's in the past and I can't change it, there's no reason to keep mourning. It's over."

Regina stares at her thoughtfully, her hand mindlessly playing with Emma's.

"You're right" she relents and Emma smiles.

"Duh" she states and it makes Regina chuckle.

"Idiot" she mumbles lovingly.

"Your idiot" she adds.

"Damn right" Regina confirms and leans over the table for a kiss.


"It's going to be okay" Emma promises.

"You don't know that" Regina states bitterly.

The elevator charges up towards the upper floor. The closer they get, the 'jumpier' Regina gets. Her stiff form and jigging leg indicate just how nervous the usually put together woman is.

"True, but I believe it will." She counters and grabs Regina's chin, turning her head so they can stare at each other. "I know it's scary and it will probably be one of the hardest things you have done in your life but it's necessary. And once it will be over you'll feel so relieved and free that it will all be worth it." she ghosts her thumb over her jaw line, just like Regina did to her days prior. She can't help but feel her heart expand with pride thinking about how far they've come. Now, they lean on each other and support each other instead of looking away and closing themselves off. And that, that makes all the difference.

Regina nods absentmindedly so Emma steals a peck and locks eyes with her girlfriend.

"She is your mom after all, she loves you."

Regina hesitates but eventually nods and it's moments later that they step out to the spacious management floor. Regina slows down when they reach a large glass door. To its side there's a metal plate screwed to the wall, and on it, written in a clean font is the name

'Cora Mills'


So I know it's cruel to stop here but I felt like I had to give you something. I hope you enjoyed it and that it will keep you afloat until I'm done with all the registration and testing process. Next chapter is the feared yet expected one- Regina talks to Cora :O

Let me know what you think?