Thank you so much for your patience! I've been having trouble getting the words out, but I won't give up. Enjoy and don't forget to review!
Chapter 21 Drunk Confidence
Regina found herself sitting alone at Grannies the next morning. It was Saturday and Emma had taken Henry to the arcade. She had been texting Katherine since leaving Leopold and finally she was well enough to meet up with her. She had missed her friend. After the dinner party months ago, Leopold forbade her to see or even speak to her friend. Katherine of course had gone against that until Leopold had spoken to her. Katherine never came around after that.
She was nervous. Her heart was heavy with so much emotion at this reunion. Her hands shook and she desperately tried to ground herself and hid her shaking hands under the table.
She stood when Katherine finally came in. The blonde looked at her with teary eyes full of so much relief. She rushed over and gathered the shaking brunette in her arms, hugging her tightly and desperately trying not to cry.
"I'm ok," she whispered. "Henry and I are safe now."
"I missed you," her friend said softly, pulling away to look at her. "I'm sorry. I should have never stopped talking to you. I should have never given up. He threatened me and I was afraid he'd hurt you."
"He threatened you?" she hissed angrily, her brown eyes full of fury for her husband.
"He said he'd have to show me my place just like you and that he can cover it up. He'd said he hurt you. I couldn't take that chance. I should've done more!"
"Oh, dear you've done everything you can. You were there for me when I had no one," she assured her, her own eyes just as teary as her friend's. "But now we could take him down. Will you help me testify against him?"
"Of course," she said as they sat at the booth. "When is it?"
"It's this weekend, but today I'm actually meeting with him and his lawyer to sign the divorce papers and get him to sign his rights away for Henry."
"Will he agree to that? Signing away his parental rights?"
"If not, whatever the outcome of his trial, the judge will make the ultimate decision."
"Do you need me to come over after?" she asked, reaching out and squeezing her hand. "We could have a girls night. Drink some cider and catch up."
"I'd love that and also there's one more thing I wanted to tell you."
"What is it?" she asked, looking at her with curious blue eyes.
"As you know, Emma was the one to help get me away from him. She's been with me every step of the way and we've become close."
"So we don't hate her anymore?"
"No," Regina chuckled, her eyes glowing and Katherine immediately caught on. Her mouth fell open in shock.
"No way! Are you together?" she gasped in surprise, a smile threatening to break out on her face.
Regina nodded, unable to stop her own smile. She was positively glowing and Katherine couldn't even remember seeing her this happy since Daniel.
"Despite everything," she said softly, reaching out and caressing the cheek where Leopold had last struck her the day before. The dark bruising was even prominent through her makeup. Regina closed her eyes at the touch, a single tear escaping and streaming down her cheek at the reminder of what her husband had done to her yesterday. "You've come out stronger. You deserve so much more and I'm so happy that Emma is a part of your happiness."
"I think I might even love her," Regina whispered, looking around and making sure no one was eavesdropping. Katherine nearly let out a squeal of excitement.
"Does she know?"
"Of course not!" she said. "I don't even know if I know."
"Don't make it complicated," her friend laughed.
"You don't think it's too soon do you? With all these court dates coming up and the fact that I just got out of a marriage and started a new relationship after, I feel like I'm crazy for going too fast."
"Regina, you may have been married to the bastard, but there was no relationship. You and Emma, that's a relationship. The way you glow just by talking about her, that's love. You're not going too fast if you feel that it is right."
Regina took her hands and squeezed them.
From then on they enjoyed their breakfast together until the new sheriff entered the diner with Henry in tow. Regina smiled brightly at the sight of them and Katherine had never seen her glow as much as she did now. Especially since every time she saw her with Leopold, she always looked at him with fear in her eyes. With Emma, her face radiated with so much love and warmth as she met green eyes from across the room.
"You see," Katherine said softly. "You do love her."
The time has finally come and Regina found herself standing outside of town hall. She looked up at the building, the cold Maine air making her shiver and she wrapped her arms around herself. She remembered the last time she was here. He was forcing her to do reports for him. She could remember her frustration and then the pain and fear as he backhanded her so hard, she had stumbled to the floor. She could remember the warm blood rolling down her chin and the way she had froze up at his feet, too terrified to move as he yelled at her.
"Hey, you can do it," Emma whispered, shaking her from her thoughts. They had walked over together hand in hand. After her breakfast with Katherine, she and Emma had dropped Henry off at the loft with Mary Margaret. They decided to walk to town hall together for the opportunity for some fresh air before meeting with Leopold.
She was shaking. She thought it was from the frosty air, but she was actually terrified of seeing him.
"I'm trying to have courage," she said softly, desperately trying to be brave.
"Listen," Emma urged, standing in front of her and raising her chin with her fingers. She looked deep into dark fearful brown eyes. "No matter what happens in there, we've already beat him. You got away from him and he'll never get you back. You and Henry don't belong to him."
Regina took a shaky breath.
"He still holds so much fear over me."
"And one day he won't," Emma assured her and then took her hand. "Are you ready?"
Regina shook her head because of course she'll never be ready to face him. To look in those cruel eyes and remember the beatings he condemned on her since their wedding. To feel the fear he instilled in her and to remember the pain. This was something she had to do though if it meant it would officially free her from the shackles he placed on her since she was 17.
She squeezed Emma's hand and followed her anyway.
Gold was already waiting for them outside of the mayor's office. His face was serious and his eyes dark. Regina couldn't read him.
"They're both inside. Don't say a word Regina unless I require you to. Spencer plays dirty and we can't give him an opportunity to use anything you say against you."
Regina agreed and they were soon heading inside. She felt his eyes on her the moment they walked in. She didn't look at him and took her seat across from him. Gold sat beside her across from Spencer. Emma took a seat on Regina's other side where she glared at the smug son of a bitch.
"It's nice to see you Regina," he said coolly, his eyes fixed on his wife. Regina didn't make eye contact.
"Don't talk to her," Emma practically growled at him.
"Mayor Blanchard, anything you have to say to my client you will do so through me," Gold informed him coolly.
Leopold glared at the lawyer and then his eyes fell to the stack of documents he had pulled out of his briefcase. Regina nodded at Gold, signaling him to go through with why they were here for.
"We all know why we're here. All we need is your signature," he informed the party across from him. Anger clouded Leopold's eyes as he looked over the divorce papers.
"No," he decided, and Regina's eyes snapped up at him.
"Are you kidding me," she growled out, anger blinding her fear and she rose to her feet. "You son of bitch. Sign the damn papers!"
Emma's mouth fell open at the curse word that fell from Regina's mouth. She hasn't seen this kind of anger radiating from her since it was directed at herself upon her arrival to Storybrooke. She was even more shocked when Regina muttered some spanish curse words under her breath. She didn't even know she spoke spanish.
Leopold was shocked for a moment and then stood. He smirked when Regina suddenly realized what she was doing and took a step back, her hands suddenly shaking. Emma stood as well, placing a hand on her back.
He leaned forward, his eyes flashing dangerously.
"Control your anger," he reminded her sinisterly, making her remember all the punishments he's given her when she had lost her temper. "You're my wife and it's time for you to come home where you belong."
"I don't belong to you," she said confidently although her voice shook. Emma's presence beside her, the feel of her hand on her back gave her the confidence she needed to stand there and look him in the eye.
"Your parents made a deal," he reminded her. "I can go ahead and sue them for everything they've got. You will go to prison and where would that leave Henry?"
Regina laughed at that.
"Don't use my son against me! You and I both know you've tweaked the evidence that proved my innocence. My case will be reopened and when my innocence is proved, you'll be the one to rot in prison like you deserve."
"You have no proof!" he snapped.
"Oh I do," she sneered. "Not only do I have records, Graham confessed everything to me. He is willing to take the stand and tell them about every cover up even if he's going to be put away for it."
A sudden dark look flashed across his face and Regina tilted her head in curiosity as she realized it was fear.
"Let's make a deal," he offered. "I sign the papers and you drop the charges."
"I believe deals are my department and my client will not be taking any from you," Gold spoke up. "If you're not going to be signing anything today than it will be decided for you in court next weekend."
Leopold nodded in agreement, therefore ending the meeting. Emma could see the tension in Regina's shoulders and the murderous glare she shot at her husband as Mr. Gold ushered her out. Emma followed, not daring to say anything in case she loses her temper.
"So now what?" Emma asked as they headed out into the breezy afternoon air.
"We go to court and see what the judge decides, however after his stunt yesterday, the odds are definitely in our favor."
"That was why he tried making a last minute deal," Emma smirked in realization.
"Indeed," Gold replied. "We'll talk the day before the trial."
"Thank you," Regina nodded, and once they were alone Emma could see the wall the brunette had put up crumble. Her hands were shaking.
"Let's get you a drink."
"How many drinks is she in?" Katherine asked as she made her way over to where Emma and Regina were sitting. The sheriff had called her to meet her at the rabbit hole. She guessed the meeting with Leopold didn't go well.
"Three," Regina answered herself. She knocked back the rest of her whiskey and then got up to order another.
"So what happened?" Katherine asked, watching Regina worriedly as she ordered her drink at the bar.
"Bastard wouldn't sign the divorce papers or relinquish his parental rights. Mary Margaret agreed to watch Henry tonight. I figured she needed to let off some steam."
"You guessed right," she said as Regina came back with two more drinks. She set one in front of her friend and plopped back down into her seat.
"He wouldn't sign the damn papers, can you believe him. I don't belong to him," she angrily ranted, taking a sip of her drink.
"Hey, he'll get what he deserves," Katherine put her hand on her shoulder in comfort.
"What if we lose?" she asked with big fearful brown eyes. Her voice shook and she hid her suddenly shaking hands under the table. "What if he gets Henry? What if the divorce never goes through. I'll always be tied to him."
"Don't think like that," Emma said. "Remember what Gold said? After his stunt yesterday, he doesn't have a chance. The guy practically begged to make a deal with you to drop the charges. He knows it's over for him."
"I'm afraid Emma," she whispered, looking at the woman she was falling in love with and then to her best friend. "I'm afraid about telling the court everything he's done with him sitting in the room."
"We're going to be right there with you," Emma said softly.
Regina took a breath and looked into confident green eyes. She fed off of her strength and it gave her the courage to get through this.
"Hey tonight is your night," Katherine spoke up. "You can vent, you can cry, scream, or not talk and just drink. We're here for you."
Regina downed her drink at those words and Katherine signaled a waiter to keep them coming.
"I don't know what's worse," Regina shook her head in disbelief. "Leo not wanting to let me go or the fact that my mother wants me to go back to him."
"They're both assholes," Emma rolled her eyes
"Your happiness matters, Regina," Katherine assured her. "You're doing the right thing."
Regina didn't answer as the waiter came and set another whiskey in front of her. Katherine thought it was strange that she wasn't indulging in her ciders. Maybe she needed something stronger.
"The only good thing that came out of this nightmare is Henry…" she whispered and then looked over at the Sheriff. "And you."
Emma felt her cheeks blushing as she stared into those dark brown eyes. Regina gazed back at her although she had trouble focusing as she was well on her way to tipsy.
Katherine rolled her eyes at the two love birds. They should just admit that they love each other and stop wasting everyone's time. As much as she would love to call it out on them, she also didn't want to take away such a precious moment from them. She decided to let them go at their own pace no matter how painful it was to watch.
"I'm glad you don't hate me anymore, Gina," Emma smiled, leaning in and kissing her cheek.
"I never hated you."
"Right," Emma laughed and Regina sent her a glare that lacked its usual power due to the alcohol in her system. Regina sipped her whiskey sour and set it down.
"Keep laughing… sheriff," she was starting to slur now and Emma counted this to be her fourth drink. She's barely got through her beer and Katherine was still on her first drink as well. She downed her drink and then proceeded to signal the waiter for another. Emma could see the young woman frowning at how quick Regina was going.
"How is she doing?" the waiter asked, coming over and setting some water in front of her instead.
"She's fine," Emma replied, annoyance lacing her words as she pushed the water to Regina who thankfully took it and sipped it. The waiter was clearly doing a check to see if she was drunk and needed to be asked to leave. She didn't understand the hell this woman went through and a night out with some drinks was what she needed. "She'll take another whiskey sour."
"I'm sorry but I'm cutting her off for the night."
"She's not even drunk or causing a scene!" Emma snapped, anger rising up within her and she couldn't help but slam her hand down on the table. Regina jumped, the sound triggering a fear response. Because of the alcohol, the fear she felt was much more intense if she had been sober.
She started shaking, her dark eyes became distant as if she were somewhere else. Tears streamed down her cheeks and Emma suddenly realized what had happened. She kicked herself for losing her temper and scaring Regina, especially when her judgement was clouded by alcohol.
"Shit!" she cursed, taking Regina's shaking hand in an attempt to ground her. "Regina, I'm sorry."
"Is she ok?" the waiter had the nerve to ask. Katherine sent her a glare.
"We don't need your concern," Katherine practically growled. "We're leaving."
Emma stood, pulling a shaking Regina to her feet.
"Are you ok?" she asked, affectionately placing her hand on her cheek. Regina could barely focus on her but she nodded.
"Let's… get out of here," she whispered shakily.
"Back to my place?" Katherine asked as they left the bar. "I know we hardly finished our drinks and I'm sure Regina doesn't want Henry to see her like this. You guys could even spend the night."
"We don't want to put you out," Emma said.
"No it's not a problem," she insisted. "My place is only a few blocks down. We don't even have to drive."
"Emma, please," Regina squeezed her hand. "I don't want to wake up Henry or for him to know I've been drinking."
"Alright," she sighed, realizing perhaps it wasn't a good idea to go home like this. "Lead the way."
Soon enough they were all sitting on the floor of Katherine's living room with a case of beer and a dirty card game called Cards of Humanity. Federick joined them and was sitting with his back against the couch, beer in one hand and Katherine cuddling beside him.
"This is a stupid game," Regina muttered as she looked at her cards. Emma was sitting beside her.
"You don't have to play your majesty. You're too tipsy to make any smart moves. Your cards don't even make sense."
Regina sent her a murderous glare and Emma let out a snort of amusement. She threw her cards at Emma and stood, although wobbly on her feet. She was still very tipsy from the bar but hasn't had a drink since. She didn't want to mix drinks and suffer for it the next morning.
"s'cuse me," she slurred as she headed for the bathroom. Emma watched her go until she disappeared down the hall and heard the door click.
"She's fun when she's drunk," Federick smirked.
"Right?" Katherine agreed as she sipped her beer. "Can you believe they kicked us out because she went through four drinks in less than an hour. What kind of bullshit is that?"
Emma shrugged as she gathered Regina's cards from where they had landed all over her lap. "Well we're having more fun here." She piled the cards up and threw them in the box, signaling she was done as well. She stood, she herself a little wobbly from all the beers she had. "I'm going to go check on her."
The couple stood and started clearing up the cards and empty beer bottles.
"We'll set up the guest room," Katherine nodded.
Emma smiled gratefully and followed Regina where she had disappeared down the hall. She knocked on the door and when there was no reply, she called out. "Regina? Can I come in?"
She heard the sink turn on. She waited a moment and then let out a breath of relief when she heard a shaky yes. She opened the door to see the brunette leaning over the sink. She was pale and her breaths were heavy.
"Are you ok?" she asked, rushing over and pulling her back her so she was leaning back against her.
"I don't feel good," Regina whispered.
"They're getting the bed ready," she said. "Do you want to go lay down."
Regina nodded and then turned in her arms so that she was facing her girlfriend. She wrapped her arms around Emma's neck and then pulled her in for a kiss. She thought back to the words Katherine had told her in the diner that morning.
"You see, you do love her."
She just couldn't be honest with herself. She was afraid of scaring her off and getting hurt. She didn't know what to do. She didn't even feel the tears that were streaming down her cheeks until Emma had pulled away.
"Hey, why are you crying," she asked softly, her brow furrowed in concern.
"I…" She didn't know what to say.
"Don't worry about the trial," Emma said, assuming she was thinking about Leopold. "You saw how scared he got when trying to make that deal. He doesn't stand a chance. Pretty soon this will all be over and we could finally move on."
"Move on?" She wondered what that entailed. A life with Emma and Henry. The three of them a family.
Emma kissed her again and Regina let herself melt into it. She tangled her fingers into blonde locks of hair and pulled her closer if it were even possible. The words I love you were on the tip of her tongue. She held them in and hated herself for it.
They spent the night with heated kisses and gentle touches. That was as far as they ever got. It had never led to sex. Regina was too fearful of what it would mean and the fact that it had always been painful and traumatic for her. Emma seemed to hold back to respect her space.
It wasn't until Regina was half asleep, cuddled into Emma's arms did she hear the words she herself was too afraid to say.
Even with her eyes closed, she can feel those beautiful green eyes watching her. She pretended to be asleep.
"You're probably not ready to hear this considering everything that bastard had put you through which is why I'm telling you while you're asleep." She heard Emma take a deep shaky breath as if she were trying to summon the courage to follow through.
"I'm falling in love with you Regina Mills."
She couldn't sleep after that.
