A/N: I promised another update that I am proud to deliver! :) Lots of fluff again. I shall start working on my next update, which I probably won't post until tomorrow or Tues. But I give you my word, you will have it. As always, Happy reading!
Regina reported with Kathryn the following morning. Feeling bad that she wasn't there to help her finish moving in, even after Kathryn kept telling her not to worry about. She was absolutely delighted to hear all about her first full day with Emma.
"So, your future mother-in-law approves, huh?"
Regina sat on the bed as she held her phone to her ear, smiling as she knew perfectly well Kathryn was all grins right now, "She is very sweet."
"That's wonderful news. So, what's on the 'Remma' agenda today?"
Regina's brows furrowed, chuckling, "Excuse me?"
She didn't have to see the older blonde to know she was rolling her eyes, her sigh alone said it all, "That's your ship name. When two people you've been rooting for are finally together, you combine their names to create one. What planet are you from?"
Regina shook her head, "I was thinking of going back to Boston today. Help you out with-"
"Oh, my God. If you say what I think you're going to say I will throw you out of the apartment."
"You need help, Kathryn. I feel bad enough already missing a day of helping you with the new apartment." Said Regina.
"I already told you, I can handle it. God forbid you spend the weekend with your soldier."
Regina rolled her eyes. She loved her dearly, but she could be stubborn, "We have all the time in the world, Kathryn."
"You haven't seen the kid in almost two years, Gina. Now quit using me as an excuse and spend time with Emma. You can tell me all about it when you come back."
Regina turned to the faint knock on the door, "I have to go. I'll call you later."
"Give Emma my love."
Emma slowly opened the door, smiling as Regina hung up the call, "Good morning. Ingrid made some breakfast, if you're hungry."
"I am actually, thank you." Regina smiled, standing up from the bed as she placed a quick peck on the blonde's lips. "How did you sleep?"
"With you in the next room, as well as could be expected." Emma replied. She always knew the right words to say to make her smile. "What time would you like me to drop you off to the city?"
"Well… actually," Regina smirked, "There's been a slight change in plans. It seems Kathryn doesn't want me there, so she insists on me spending the weekend with you. If that's alright with you and Ingrid, of course."
Emma's smile grew at the sound of the brunette's words, "It's more than alright. I know for a fact, Ingrid will love having you around."
"There's just one problem." She paused, "I will have to go back to pack up some clothes. Since I didn't actually bring any with me."
"That's no problem, we can drive over and get some."
Regina chuckled, "That's sweet, but the city isn't exactly around the corner, Emma."
Emma shrugged, not seeing any inconvenience in driving all the way into the city, "So?"
"Emma, I'm not making you drive almost four hours just to get clothes and almost four back, that's ridiculous." Regina shook her head, "I have money, I can buy something here. I'm perfectly capable."
Emma rolled her eyes playfully, smirking, "Alright. We can go get some clothes for you after breakfast."
"Thank you." Regina smiled, placing another quick peck on the blonde's lips, "Now, let's go have some breakfast."
After buying two sets of clothes, walking around town hand in hand proudly and happier than ever. Emma decided she would take Regina into Granny's diner for lunch. Her treat.
Heads turned at their new comer as both women entered the diner.
"Emma, hey!" Ruby smiled, signaling over to the reserved booth she had for them by a window.
"Come on." Emma walked Regina over to the booth, "Ruby, this is my Regina."
'My Regina.' That was a phrase, like many that made the nurse smile. She had never heard Emma refer to her like hers to anyone before.
"You are more beautiful than the picture Emma always carries around in her phone." Ruby pulled the older brunette in for a hug, "Welcome to Storybrooke. I'm Ruby, Emma's best friend for all intents and purposes." She grinned, despite Emma's flushed appearance. "It's a pleasure to finally meet you."
"The pleasure is all mine." Regina smiled, "Of course, I've heard all about you."
Emma motioned for Regina to sit inside the booth first, which she did, as she looked over at Ruby, "Could you bring us two orders of Granny's famous burgers, please? She needs to try one."
"Of course!" Ruby wrote down their order on her pad, "With fries?"
"With fries." Emma nodded.
"Right away." Ruby left as soon as she took their orders for drinks. Both asking for a glass of water.
Regina smiled, watching Ruby leave, "She seems really nice."
"She is." Replied Emma, taking the brunette's hand despite some of the town's folk staring at them in a disapproving manner.
Regina pulled it back quickly, "Emma," She whispered, "Some of them are staring."
Emma looked around the diner, not taking any interest in those staring. She smiled as she looked at Regina again, "That's just because you are so beautiful. It would make anyone jealous."
Regina chuckled, looking down at their joined hands as Emma took hold of her hand again.
Ruby came back, setting two glasses of water in front of them, "Here you are. Two waters. Granny will be right out with your orders."
"Thanks, Rubes."
"Thank you."
Ruby grinned, "So, did you serve in Germany too or were you always working there?" She asked the brunette.
"I was volunteering, but then decided to stay for work."
"That must have been exciting, seeing Germany." Ruby sighed, "I wish I could travel like that. But, I'm stuck here unfortunately."
"Ruby! Get back to work!" Granny ordered her, walking her way towards their table.
"Alright!" Ruby rolled her eyes, looking down at Regina, "See what I mean."
"What, you've never seen two women hold hands before? Go back to your business!" Granny shouted at some of the regular customers who kept staring. Smiling as she placed each order of burger with fries on the table, "Here you are. You two enjoy. Don't mind these close minded people."
"Thanks, Granny."
"I'll pack you up some apple pie for dessert. Your favorite, kiddo." She winked at the blonde as she walked away, providing them with some privacy.
"You were right." Emma turned to the sound of Regina's voice, "Everyone here is very welcoming. I can see why everyone loves you."
"What, my natural charm?" Emma winked, taking a bite of her burger as a red spot of ketchup rested on the corner of her mouth.
Regina chuckled at the childlike sight, wiping the smudge of ketchup with her napkin, "That's definitely up there." She took a bite of her burger, feeling as her eyes almost bulged out of her head. "Oh, my God."
Emma grinned proudly, "I stand corrected, Ms. Mills." Granny's burgers were always the best.
"Emma!" Marco waved across the street, crossing over to her side as he caught up with them, removing his hat as he smiled at the beautiful brunette that was with her.
"That's August's dad." Emma smiled over at the older man, "Marco, this is Regina."
"Such a pleasure." Marco took the brunette's free hand as he placed a gentle kiss on the back of it.
"It's nice to finally meet you." Regina smiled warmly at him, "And, I'm terribly sorry for your loss. I know how devastating news like that can be."
Marco nodded, "Thank you."
"What's up?" Asked Emma, staring at Marco.
"Emma, I'm sorry. I know you have company, but I really need your help in finishing up a few more of your rocking chairs."
"What, now?" Emma's shoulders slumped, not wanting to waste a day with Regina.
He hated to even have to ask, "I'm sorry, but you are the only help I have. You are much faster than I am. You know I wouldn't ask, unless it wasn't an emergency."
Emma had an almost pleading look, beginning Regina to get her out of having to work at least for that day, but was surprised when the brunette urged her to do so instead.
"You should go. It's fine." Regina smiled.
"Gina…" Emma whined.
Regina cupped the blonde's cheek, "Emma, help him out. He desperately needs you. It will only be for a while."
"But-"
"I'll be here when you get back. I remember well where Ingrid's house is, I can find it." She smiled, giving her a quick peck on the lips, "Go. It'll be fine."
Emma sighed but nodded. How is that Regina had a way of convincing her to do things was beyond her. "Alright. I'll see you later, then."
"That's a promise, soldier." Regina smiled, watching Emma walking away with Marco. Going on her way with an idea circling her head for tonight to surprise her with. After all, she had to thank her for this wonderful weekend she and Ingrid had been giving her.
Ingrid was more than happy to help Regina set up a surprise picnic for Emma. With the older blonde's help, Regina was able to make a perfectly good lasagna that even Ingrid had the pleasure of enjoying along with the brunette's company. It was done and packed inside a picnic basket.
The brunette didn't mind being in the house with Ingrid alone. It gave both women some time to talk.
"So you were married once before?" Asked Ingrid, fascinated by the nurse's life story. Only what she wanted to tell her, of course.
Regina nodded, "Yes. His name was Daniel."
"And, he was a soldier?"
Regina chuckled at the blonde's expression, "I can imagine what you must be thinking."
Ingrid shook her head, "Far from it. I just can't believe you've gone through so much. To lose your father and husband around the same year, that's…"
"I took it very hard." She paused, taking a sip of her lemonade as she placed it back on the table.
"And, you never had any children with him? Emma's never mentioned you having kids. I hope that's not too personal of a question."
There was a moment of silence as sadness over took the brunette. "No." Her voice was soft, filled with sadness as she decided to be honest, "To be honest with you… I was never able to have any children."
Ingrid's lips parted in surprise. That was a long kept secret that only Kathryn knew, until now.
"Emma, doesn't know." She paused, frustration written all over her features now, chuckling at how happy the soldier looked every time she mentioned having kids. "She has this picture in her head about us having a son. As if she knows we will someday. I haven't had the heart to tell her the truth, fearing that it will crush her."
Ingrid took Regina's hand into her own, much like a mother, a friend should. Something her own mother never did.
"Emma is a dreamer of her own. And she has a very kind heart. It's also your business if you decide to tell her, but, I can assure you that when you do. Emma will understand." She smiled, "Besides, if you two ever decide in having a child, there's always adoption."
Regina smiled as a single tear ran down her cheek, hugging Ingrid in the process. Her hug well returned to her.
"You're a good woman, Regina. After the life you've lead, you deserve some happiness."
Both women broke their hug as Emma's keys were heard right outside the door, smiling warmly at her as the younger blonde walked in.
"Sorry. It was more than what Marco said it would be." Emma drew in a breath, sniffing the scent of lasagna, "Hey, it smells great in here. What's for dinner?"
Both older women shared a small laugh. Ingrid stood up as she placed a hand on the brunette's shoulder, "Have fun." She walked up to a clueless Emma, kissing her temple, "Good night."
"Night." Emma's brows furrowed, turning back to face the brunette, "Did I miss something?"
Regina smiled, making her way towards the the blonde, "Come, help me." She moved towards the breakfast table, gathering up the picnic basket as she handed it over to Emma. "I made us a picnic."
Emma smirked, "A picnic?"
The brunette nodded, "Mhm. It's your town, soldier, so you decide the perfect spot to enjoy it. I just cooked what's inside."
"You cooked?" Emma's brow raised, impressed.
"I do know how to cook, Ms. Swan." Regina glared playfully at her, "Now, lead the way, please."
The perfect spot. Emma knew just the one. It was a bit of a drive out of Storybrooke, but it was private. Away from prying eyes and with no one to see them for miles. She parked her bug near a hill that from far away looked down at the beautiful town. It's lights illuminating bright from afar. The picnic blanket had been spread across the hood of the car, empty plates were now stored inside the basket which rested inside the car. The radio had been left on as it played soft music, the windows were rolled down. Both women laid on the hood, looking out into the town and up at the moon and stars.
"That was the best lasagna I've ever eaten." Emma turned to give a quick glance at the brunette lying beside her, "Just don't tell Granny I said that."
Regina couldn't help but chuckle, "I make no promises, soldier."
"Traitor." Emma replied teasingly, which made the brunette grin as she looked back up at the night's sky. While Emma closed her eyes, taking in their peaceful moment.
Regina's grin was soon gone. She thought about how she had revealed her long kept secret to Ingrid and how Emma had a right to know. Sure, it was too soon to talk about kids, but if there was a future for them (and she did want one with Emma), she needed to be honest.
"Emma."
"Hm?" Emma's remained closed, her hands resting behind her head.
"I have something I want to tell you." She turned to look at the blonde, who still had her eyes closed. "Something you have a right to know."
That's when Emma's eyes shot open, her head turning towards the brunette, her gaze in full attention. "What is it?"
"Emma." She paused, trying to find the right way to say it. "I…" She sighed, "I just don't want to hurt you. In any way."
Emma quickly sat up, as did Regina, "What? What's wrong?"
She needed to say it. Just rip it off as you would rip off a band-aid. The sooner she knew, the better this would be. Ingrid was right. Emma would understand.
"I'm unable to have children." There. She said it. And the sad look in the blonde's eyes made her regret it instantly. "I'm sorry. I should have told you. I just- you seem so happy every time you mention it that I couldn't bare to disappoint you. You're mad, aren't you?" She asked, as Emma remained silent.
To her surprise, Emma shook her head as she took her by the hands, "Why would I be mad? Regina, you have no control in what happens with your body. No one does." She licked her lips as she continued, "Shit happens, but it doesn't mean there isn't a solution." She kissed the brunette's knuckles as she smiled, feeling a sense of peace at the blonde's words. "Sure you would look beautiful pregnant, I mean, what woman wouldn't? But, how we have him won't matter to me, as long as we do."
Regina's smile only grew, "We'll have one hell of a story to tell him someday."
Emma smiled, "I love it that you are considering having a kid of our own someday. He's going to look all like you, I know it."
Regina chuckled, "What about you? He will need to have something of yours as well."
Emma thought for a moment. Her hands never moving away from the brunette's, "My dimples?"
"And your chin." Regina held onto the blonde's chin with her thumb and index finger, pulling her closer as their lips were only inches apart. Practically touching.
"Deal." Emma grinned happily, her lips capturing Regina's in a soft kiss. A kiss that soon broke as a song began playing, a song that was one of Emma's favorites, otherwise, she wouldn't have broken their kiss as she hopped off the hood of her car to turn it up. "Listen." She smiled, taking in the 80's beat and melodic lyrics of Yazoo's Only You.
Regina remained seated on the hood of the car, chuckling and shaking her head at the soldier's childlike behavior. It was then she wished that if they ever did have a son together, he would be just like her in his childlike ways.
"This is a sign. It's meant to be our song, I know it."
"Our song?" Asked the brunette.
"Yes. Yours, mine and Henry's. Because you know, we'll have to share things with the kid, otherwise he'll feel left out."
Regina laughed at the mental picture of an upset boy with pouty lips and tiny, chubby crossed arms.
"Well, we wouldn't want that." Replied Regina, sliding off the hood of the car as Emma took her hand, making her stand on her own two feet as she placed her arms around her own shoulders, placing her hands on her waist as she began to dance with her to the slow rhythm to the remainder of the song.