Disclaimer in Chapter 1
Chapter 22
A Friday morning finds Regina is typing away on her latest article about an assault case that is currently in court. The reason it was garnering such attention was a Senator's son was involved. As she was typing there was a knock on her door.
"Come in," she calls barely looking up from her screen as she really wants to get this done so that she has nothing to work on over the weekend. Emma has arranged a second date for them on Saturday and she would really like to just clear her desk so that she can enjoy it more.
"Excuse me are you Ms. Mills," a voice says which finally breaks her concentration on her screen. She gasps as she sees a man standing there with a beautiful array of flowers.
"Yes, I am," Regina says standing.
"Great these are for you and if you could just sign here," the young man says as he places the flowers on Regina's desk and hands her the clipboard to sign.
"Sure thing," she replies as she scribbles her name and then hands the guy a tip.
"Thanks so much have a great day," he replies and heads out the door.
Regina spots the card in the flowers and opens it.
Regina,
Can't wait for our date tomorrow night. Just wanted to send you a little something to let you know I was thinking of you.
Emma.
Regina swoons a little at the card and picks up her phone to send the blonde a message.
"Well someone is popular," David says from the door before Regina can begin her text. She blushes slightly at her boss's words.
"Ya they are beautiful," Regina says as her eyes again land on the beautiful arrangement.
"This guy must be really trying to impress," David says with a chuckle as he looks at the flowers.
"She sure is," Regina says casually.
"Oh, my apologies," David says with a blush of his own. There is a small pause before anyone speaks again. Regina waiting for David's reaction and David unsure if he has just upset Regina.
"Did you need something?" Regina asks when the quiet was becoming awkward.
"I just came in to tell you that you are doing a great job here and I am happy with your work. You stuff has been great, and you are fitting in with everyone here so well," David says.
"Thanks David, that is nice to hear," Regina says.
"I should be finished the latest article in about 45 minutes, and I will send it on," Regina says. David's eyebrows go to his head.
"You are nearly finished already?" David says.
"Yes, it's not rushed I promise," Regina says thinking David may not like her getting it completed so quickly.
"No, I trust you Regina, the last guy that had your job was not as efficient as you," David says with a chuckle.
"Keep up the good work Regina," David says as he leaves her office.
She quickly gets back to her phone.
REGINA: Well I have a rather stunning display of flowers on my desk….
EMMA: Well aren't you lucky…
REGINA: I sure am. Thank you so much. I can't wait to see you either.
EMMA: I was afraid it would be too much, but I couldn't help it.
REGINA: They are beautiful. Thank you. Any hints about our date tomorrow night?
EMMA: There will be food… that's all you get.
Regina laughs at the response. She normally doesn't like to be surprised but knowing it's Emma doing the planning she is ok with.
REGINA: Tease
Regina knows her response is flirty but with Emma she just can't help it. She is in deep already she knows this. Its scary and exhilarating all at once. The years with Daniel now seem a waste except for Henry but then she supposes if she hadn't gone through it her path may not have brought her here to Emma then.
EMMA: Oh, you have no idea what I am capable of…
Regina laughs and blushes at the response. She feels a little quiver through her body at the thought of Emma teasing her in delicious ways. She really needs to finish up her work so she can get home. Her wonderful parents are due this evening to stay up so that they can baby sit for her tomorrow. Unknown to Regina her parents have an ulterior motive for their visit as they are also house hunting. Storybrooke isn't the same without their daughter and grandson so they are planning on buying a new place that is close to their daughter but not suffocating her.
After 30 minutes Regina is finished and sending off her article to David and powering down her computer. She heads off out of the office and to her car. She fails to notice she is being watched from across the street as she gets into her car and drives off.
Meanwhile across town,
"But Momma why I gots to stay with Ruby? I wanna see Gina too!" Alex exclaims as her mother told her a short time ago that she was staying with Ruby and Dorothy tomorrow night so that Emma could take Regina out.
"I know baby but this one is for adults only," Emma tries to explain like she has been on and off since she told Alex.
"But its not fair Gina is my friend too," Alex exclaims as tears fill her eyes.
"Oh, sweetie I know she is maybe I can organise a time that you can see her too when I see her tomorrow," Emma says as she hugs her daughter feeling bad for the small girl. She loves that Alex has bonded with Regina but at the same time it is scary because if things don't go well with Regina, Alex may get hurt.
Alex lets go finally and heads over to the corner to play with her Lego without another word to her mother. Just then Emma gets a text message.
Regina: Hi, how is your evening going?
Emma: Ok, just told Alex I was seeing you tomorrow and she is upset.
Regina: Oh, the poor munchkin, that is so cute. You want to bring her over now?
Emma: Oh, Regina that is so sweet, but you have your parents over, and you are spending time with them.
Regina: And Alex coming over will stop me spending time with them how? They will still be here, and they really enjoyed her company the last time.
Emma: Are you sure?
Regina: Yes, I am sure, may be a little selfish on my part I kind of have the hots for her mother.
Emma chuckles to herself and blushes at the response.
Emma: Oh really, that is an interesting piece of information. Word on the grapevine is that she has the hots for you too.
Regina: Get your butt over here!
Emma: Yes, your majesty.
Emma heads over to Alex and stoops down. Alex is ignoring her and won't look at her mother. Emma thinks that she is in trouble when Alex is a teenager if this is the way she can act now.
"Hey Duck, want to go somewhere with me?" Emma asks.
Alex looks at her with a pout.
"Where?" Alex says sceptically.
"It's a surprise but I think you will really like it," Emma responds. Alex is thinking carefully about her answer. Emma smiles at her daughter's face as she internally weighs up her options.
"Ok," Alex finally says.
"Great let's go get your jacket and shoes," Emma says as she leaves out her hand to help Alex from the floor. The pair quietly get prepared to leave. Alex still not talking as she awaits to see where they are going before forgiving her mother.
They head off holding hands as Emma guides Alex through the streets to Regina's house. As Emma is walking, she spots a small shop that has flowers outside. She decides to buy some.
"Momma, are we going to see Gina?" Alex says about to burst. Emma laughs at having been caught out by the flowers.
"Yes Duck," Emma says with a smile. Alex hugs her mother's legs.
"Thanks Momma. Can I gets Gina a flower too? Like she gots for me?" Alex asks. Emma laughs and nods as Alex sets off to pick a flower for Regina. Alex picks out a sunflower. Emma pays for them and the pair are on their way immediately. After a few more minutes they arrive at Regina's house. Alex bounds up the steps to knock on the door with her flower in her hand.
After a couple of moments Regina answers the door and beams a smile as she sees her favourite blonde pair.
"Well hello there," Regina says stooping down to be on Alex's level.
"Hi Gina. I so happy to see you," Alex says as she smiles.
"Well I am very happy to see you too Alex," Regina says as she places a little curl that has come loose behind the little one's ear. Alex giggles at the movement.
"I gots this for you," Alex says handing the flower to Regina.
"Oh well this is so pretty," Regina says as she sniffs the petals. Alex is in awe of Regina. She adores her. She is watching every movement that Regina makes carefully.
"Why don't you two come on in? We ordered pizza which should be here soon, and we are going to watch a movie and maybe have some popcorn," Regina says as Alex's eyes nearly pop out of her head. Regina laughs at the little one as she stands and laughs again as she sees practically the same look on Emma's face. This pair really love their food. Alex heads into the house as Emma steps forward.
"Hi," Emma says in a shy voice.
"Hi yourself," Regina says as she pulls the blonde forwards for a kiss.
"Mm," Emma moans as their lips are together.
"I am glad you came over," Regina says as they break the kiss but leave their foreheads together. The pair both realising that they are falling fast for the other but wanting to go with it.
"Sure, you won't get sick of me seeing me again tomorrow?" Emma says with a smile but at the same time it is a fear. She doesn't want to be clingy.
"Not a chance," Regina says as she seals her lips to Emma's again.
"How about we close the door and stop letting the cold air in?" Cora calls from the kitchen knowing well what the pair are up to at the front door. This causes the two to blush at having been caught but a small laugh from Emma breaks the tension of the situation.
"These are for you," Emma says as she hands Regina the flowers and finally steps into the house fully allowing Regina to close the door. Both unaware of the menacing eyes that were watching them from across the street.