Disclaimer in Chapter 1
Chapter 23
"Thanks so much for this guys," Emma says as she directs Alex into Ruby's apartment before she goes home to get ready for her date.
"It's no problem Emma," Ruby says as she takes Alex's bag from Emma.
"Here I got you this to say thanks as well," Emma says handing Dorothy a bottle of her favourite wine.
"Thanks Emma, that is too sweet," Dorothy says giving the blonde a hug.
"How is Regina?" Dorothy asks delighted that Emma has finally found someone after the whole Lily thing. She deserves someone special in her life and the change in Emma since Regina came along was amazing. She was happier. Not that you would ever describe Emma as unhappy but now she was a more vibrant happy. Also not working for that douchebag Killian anymore was helping. Dorothy though believed that this new light in Emma was because of Regina.
"Ok Duck, I will collect you in the morning and we will go to the market?" Emma says as she hugs and kisses her daughter goodbye.
"Ok Momma. Tell Gina I says hi," Alex responds. Alex had not left Regina's lap the entire evening when Emma and Alex had been there last night. Regina went to get the pizza Alex went too. Regina went to make the popcorn Alex went too. Regina was enjoying having the little one look up to her like that.
"Thanks again," Emma says to Ruby as her best friend walks her to the door.
"Don't do anything I wouldn't do," Ruby says with a smirk.
Emma flips her off as Ruby laughs and closes the door. Emma rushes home to get ready. She has booked a table at a roof top restaurant so Regina can see the whole city. Emma was getting nervous the closer to the time to go came. She really like Regina and wanted this to go well. She was also very aware of the heat in Regina's eyes anytime the pair met now. She felt it too. She was wondering if tonight was the night that they might sleep together. She was planning it, but she was preparing herself for the possibility. She was ready to go there. She really wanted Regina. She was the most beautiful woman she had ever seen. She got herself dressed in a smart suit that always made her look great but one that she was very comfortable wearing. It was navy suit jacket with the lapels trimmed with black and navy pants. She had a low-cut white shirt inside it giving off a hint of cleavage. She sprayed on her favourite perfume and looked at her efforts in the mirror. She as very happy with how she looked. She picked up the box of chocolates and the wine she had purchased for Regina and headed out the door.
Meanwhile Regina was also getting ready. She too was having the same thoughts as Emma. She knew Emma had her heart broken by Lily walking out on her like that much like a lot of people had through out her life. She wanted to prove to Emma that she was going to be there for her and that she wasn't going to walk away and leave her like so many other had. However, she was a woman with needs and she really needed to get into Emma's pants. She laughed at her thoughts and how badly she wanted Emma. She never wanted Daniel this much. She doesn't recall wanting Elsa this much either. She didn't want to go telling her mother she wouldn't be home because she was not in the mood for the teasing that would sure follow but she was really thinking about asking to go back to Emma's place after their dinner if Emma had nothing else planned. Maybe she was being too forward, but she knew from looking in Emma's eyes that she wanted Regina too. She applied her red lipstick to her plump lips and smacked them together. She took a step back to have a look at herself in the mirror. She was wearing a red suit. She always enjoyed the way it made her feel. She had for gone wearing a shirt inside to show off her cleavage a bit and was delighted with how she looked. She made her way downstairs just now awaiting Emma's arrival. Her parents were in the kitchen feeding Henry.
"Well look at you," Cora says as she notices her daughter first.
"You look amazing dear. Poor Emma won't know what hit her," Cora finishes. Regina laughs at her mother.
She was about to respond when there was a knock at the door that sent her heart fluttering.
"Should we be expecting you home this time dear?" Cora says with a grin on her face and a chuckle from her father.
"Mother," Regina chastises as she moves to the door eager as always to see Emma.
Emma is standing there in an amazing suit with a single red rose in her hand.
"A beautiful flower for a beautiful lady," she says as she hands over the flower and pulls a gift bag with the wine and chocolates from behind her back.
"Emma you look stunning," Regina says as she takes the gifts from Emma.
"You look amazing," Emma says back to the brunette trying not to get caught looking at Regina's chest, but man is Regina looking fine in that suit.
"We should get going," Emma says as she shows Regina that she has a taxi waiting for them.
"Sure thing," Regina says as she just about pulls her eyes from the blonde and heads to get her purse from the table.
She moves back to the kitchen kissing Henry and her dad goodbye. Her mother has moved into the hallway where she is now chatting with Emma.
"Bye mother," Regina says as she moves to hug her mother and then towards Emma.
"Have a great time," Cora responds. Emma blushes slightly as Cora's tone was slightly suggestive.
They head off down the steps with their hands together and fingers interlocked. Butterflies fluttering in both their stomachs. Again, both oblivious to being watched.
Emma had already told the driver where they were going so as no to ruin the surprise for Regina, so they headed off. Emma is playing with Regina's hand a feeling that makes the butterflies in Regina's stomach go even more crazy.
"Emma," Regina calls after they have been rather quiet for a few moments. Hearing her name brings the blondes attention back to her companion.
"Is everything ok?" Regina asks. Concerned because the blonde was being uncharacteristically quiet.
"Yes, sorry, I was just thinking about the day we met," Emma says with a find smile looking at Regina.
"Ah yes, I should thank my son for being so cranky I guess," Regina says as she squeezes the blonde's hand.
"I actually noticed you before that but was too nervous to come over and talk to you," Emma admits.
"Oh really," Regina exclaims.
"Yes," Emma says with a blush.
"You were sitting in the chairs waiting to board and you had Henry on your lap. You were reading him a story," Emma says as Regina nods remembering.
"A guy came over talking to you and you said you were taken," Emma says, as Regina remembers the guy that had come and spoke to her, he smelled of pinecones. She told him she was taken so he would leave her alone.
"I was gutted but thought a beautiful woman like you would have to be taken and that I would never be that lucky," Emma says as her eyes lock on Regina's. After all this Regina leans in and places a tender kiss on Emma's lips. Nothing deep just a kiss that said more than any words they could share right now. Emma smiles as the break apart. Just then the cab comes to a stop and after a little discussion over who should pay Emma wins and pays the guy. Emma takes Regina's hand again as she guides her towards the restaurant. As they get to the top floor of the building where they will be eating Regina is mesmerized by the view and twinkling lights of the city. They are guided to a table near the windows. Emma thanks the host and takes a seat.
"Hello, my name is Ariel and I will be your server this evening. Could I start you ladies off with a drink?" a young red-haired girl asks them.
"Yes, could we have a bottle of chateaunauf de pape please?" Emma asks causing Regina's eyebrows to raise a little as Emma winks at Regina. It is Regina's favourite.
"Why do I get the feeling you knew that was my favourite wine?" Regina asks with a suspicious gaze.
"I may or may not have picked your mother's brains," Emma says with a please grin as she takes her menu and begins to browse it. Regina chuckles but is delighted that Emma is going to these lengths to make the evening enjoyable. Regina too beings looking at the menu impressed by the variety it has. Ariel returns with the wine which Emma insists Regina tastes.
"It's beautiful thanks," Regina says smiling at Ariel.
Ariel pours out their glasses and leaves the bottle on the table.
"Are you ready to order?" she asks. Both women look to the other for confirmation with a nod.
"Great what will it be?" Ariel asks. Emma nods at Regina to go first.
"I will have the grilled salmon please," Regina says.
"I will get the chicken parmesan please." Emma says as Ariel nods.
"Great. Thanks ladies," Ariel says with a smile "that shouldn't be long to get out to you and in the meantime if you need anything else let me know."
"Emma this place is fabulous," Regina says as she slides her hand across the table to get the blonde's that is left there. She locks their fingers together as she gazes at the view with a smile. She never thought after everything that Daniel had put her through that she would feel happier than she ever had.
"Well the view out there is good but the one across the table from me is out of this world," Emma says her gaze never wavering from the brunette. Her stamen causes Regina to turn her eyes back to the blonde and Emma notices immediately the blush.
"How is my best friend?" Regina asks.
"She is good. She would not stop talking about you all day," Emma says with a laugh. Regina smiles fondly at this.
"She is such a wonderful little girl Emma. You have done an amazing job with her," Regina says as she connects her eyes with vibrant green ones again. She picks up Emma's hand and brings it to her lips kissing it twice before gently placing their connected hands back onto the table.
"She is an awesome kid but it's all her. She has got bundles of personality. How is master Henry?" Emma asks blushing at the brunette's compliments and actions.
"He is great. The move hasn't seemed to unsettle him at all," Regina says happily.
"How is your work going?" Emma continues.
"It's good. I am just happy to be doing something I love. What about you? Have you made any decisions?" Regina asks.
"I have a meeting with Mr. Gold on Tuesday. He is very eager to get me into his company. They are expanding and he wants me to be one of his architects. I have explained to him that I don't want a job with a lot of travel because of Alex and to be fair to the guy he seems really family orientated. He has a wife and a son too, so he seems to understand me not wanting to leave Alex. I am hopeful we can work something out," Emma says happily.
"Oh, Emma I am so happy for you," Regina says with a beaming smile. Having seen first-hand how scared Emma was after the whole Killian incident she is very happy to know that Emma won't be working for him anymore.
Their meals soon arrive, and the evening continues with chatter and flirting. Once they are finished, they sip on the last of the wine before Emma settles the bill. Regina doesn't want the date to end but she is now very nervous to ask about going back to Emma's. Their flirting all night was great.
"Hey," Emma says as she takes Regina's hand.
"I have an idea if you would like to go somewhere else. I understand if you need to return home," Emma says hopefully.
"What's the idea?" Regina asks thrilled that their date is not ending.
"I know a great place nearby where there is dancing," Emma says.
"Sounds great," Regina says as they head to the lifts.
The enter the small place which has a nice but not overwhelming crowd. They take a table in a booth and slide in. A server comes and takes their drinks order. Emma suggest the apple cider which they both get.
Emma is about to turn and speak when she feels Regina move closer to her and when she turns her head Regina's lips meet her own. This kiss is filled with want from both. They pull back.
"Wow," Emma exclaims.
"Sorry, I have been dying to do that for a while now," Regina says as she is slightly embarrassed by her urges.
"No problem," Emma responds with a smile. Their drinks come and it is a much needed one. Both women feeling the heat of being so close to the other.
"Will you dance with me?" Emma asks shyly.
"I thought you would never ask," Regina responds as she moves to get out of the booth. Emma follows nearly tripping over herself trying to keep up with Regina. As the pair make it to the dancefloor Prince's the most beautiful girl in the world is playing. Emma can't help but think how perfect it is. Emma places her hands-on Regina's hips and Regina puts hers on Emma's shoulders. Regina is getting hotter by the second being this close to the blonde and Emma isn't fairing much better. Without them realising they are getting closer and closer together until there is no space between them. The tension is so high you could almost reach out and touch it. Regina breaks and brings her lips to Emma's causing a moan from the blonde. They continue to move not even knowing what song is on now they just know it is a slow one.
As they continue to dance and kiss for a few more songs Regina finally can't take anymore.
"Emma," she whispers into their intimate bubble.
"Mm," is all Emma responds.
"Take me to bed please," Regina says as Emma looks at her now very dark eyes filled with so much lust. Emma nods as she quickly grabs Regina's hand and moves back to get their coats and bags.
Once out on the street Emma flags a taxi as quick as she can. She knows at the start of the night she wasn't sure if she wanted to take this step with Regina tonight. But after spending the evening with this intoxicating woman all doubt is gone from her mind. She wants Regina and by the looks in Regina's eyes she wants Emma too. And that is all Emma needs to know.