CHAPTER 24
The rest of their afternoon and the following day went by without any incidents. After things had settled down, Regina had retreated with David and Emma had gone back to helping her mother in the kitchen. She talked to her mother about how she and Regina had met and what had happened with her girlfriend's family. Regina meeting her parents again for the first time and of course, her job. After hearing about what the other woman had been through with her family and finding out her parents were indeed alive, Mary Margret suddenly felt horrible for the comment she'd made when she was angry at finding out about Emma's accident. Emma had also made sure to talk to her mother about that incident as well. Considering it had led up to her decision to spend more time in the office and less in the field.
But Emma explained that it was only temporary and that she and Regina had discussed how she would feel about Emma's job keeping her in constant danger. Regina knew it was a downside to the blonde's job, but one she was willing to except. She had argued with Emma about the whole decision, insisting that if she stepped down, Regina knew Emma would be miserable. Not only would it take away the job she does so well, but she would also be stepping down as her best friend's partner. And that was something Regina simply would not stand by and let happen. She knew how important Emma's job was to her. On top of all that, Regina knew that Emma had been worrying about Regina's relationship with her own parents.
"Whatcha thinkin' about?" Emma asked, rolling over on her side to face the woman lying in the bed next to her. It had been a little over a week since their Thanksgiving dinner with Emma's family. Emma had gone back to work and Regina was working on a new painting. But at the moment, it was late in the evening and after a long day both women had finally found their way into bed.
"What makes you think I'm thinking about anything?" Regina smiled, looking away from the book in her lap to glance at the blonde next to her. She lifted said book and waggled it in Emma's direction. "I'm just reading."
"That wasn't your 'I'm reading' face. It was your 'I'm overthinking something' face." Emma smiled, knowing she was right, but wondered how long Regina would keep up the back and forth. "Wanna talk about it?"
"I was…thinking about my parents." Regina answered somewhat reluctantly, closing the book and sitting it on the night stand. Turning out the bedside lamp, she slid down into the bed and turned to face Emma who was still watching her closely. She knew Emma would wait for her to elaborate before saying anything else, so she did. "I was thinking, maybe-"
Emma listened closely, waiting for Regina to choose her words. It hadn't taken them long to find their way around each other. Knowing when to listen and when to talk. Right now was one of the listening times.
"Maybe we could have them over for Christmas?" Regina finally finished and buried her face against Emma's chest, burrowing in as close as she could. Emma was somewhat surprised by the admission but waited to say anything. "I don't know if they would- If they would be interested. But-"
"Are you crazy?" Emma blurted out before she could stop herself. Wrapping her arms tighter around the brunette, Emma knew that she was probably feeling vulnerable speaking about her parents. And admitting that she wanted them around for a holiday was quite the step. "I mean- not like that. I mean I would assume that they would jump on the- the opportunity to spend time with you, Regina."
"I haven't exactly made things easy on them."
"You haven't made things easy on them?" Emma laughed then. "Regina they haven't made things easy on you. You're dealing with this at your own pace and no one can blame you for that. If you want to invite them over, we'll invite them over. If you want to meet them somewhere, then-"
"No." Regina shook her head quickly. "I want them to come here. I think it would be more…comfortable."
Emma nodded in agreement. "Okay. Well…you make the calls and we'll plan on having them. Are you thinking just a short visit? Or are you going to ask them to stay the night?"
"I think we'll start small." Regina took a deep breath and exhaled slowly. She felt Emma shiver as the warmth of her breath hit cool bare flesh. The brunette had her arms tucked in closely between the two of them and found herself idly playing with the strap of Emma's tank as they talked. "I think maybe the twenty-third? Since we're supposed to spend Christmas Eve with Neal at his place?"
"That sounds good. I know I need to see my parent's again at some point." Emma smiled against the top of Regina's head and traced lazy circles over her back. She smiled bigger then, thinking about the conversation she'd had with Neal that afternoon about one of Regina's Christmas presents. Emma had never cared much either way when it came to the beloved holiday, but this year she found herself rather excited at the prospect. "I'd like to spend Christmas day with just…you. If that's okay?"
"More than okay." Regina tilted her head up to place a light kiss on her girlfriend's lips. "What about your parents?"
"I should see them more." Emma admitted, kissing her again. "Thanks to you…I realize that now."
"Maybe we could invite your parents here and they could- I don't know. Maybe they could meet mine?"
"I couldn't think of a better idea." Emma smiled broadly into the dark of the room and looked down to find Regina doing the same.
. . .
The following morning, Regina walked into the kitchen and found Emma in front of the stove. The smell of coffee and food had pulled Regina from sleep and she'd woken up to find her girlfriend missing from their bed. It didn't take her long to realize where she was. Regina stepped up behind the blonde, wrapping her arms around Emma's waist and gave her a gentle squeeze.
"Morning." Emma smiled, turning her head just enough to catch the brunettes lips in a quick good morning kiss. "Sleep good?"
"I must have, since I didn't have a clue you were gone from the bed." Regina smiled and continued to place little kisses down her girlfriend's neck and over the exposed skin on her back.
"Or maybe you just don't miss me when I'm not there." Emma teased, smiling to herself as she slid the fluffy scrambled eggs onto two small breakfast plates. She jumped, almost spilling the eggs for the second plate when she received a firm pop on her backside for the teasing. "Hey! What was that for?"
"If you'd like to sleep on the couch, we could find out who misses who more." Regina playfully raised an eyebrow at her girlfriend before turning to retrieve a bottle of juice from the fridge.
"You wouldn't last a second." Emma challenged, leaning over to kiss Regina sweetly as she helped her into her seat at the table.
Regina didn't dignify the taunting with a response, in favor of digging into her hot breakfast. Both women ate in silence which was much the norm for the both of them. Once they were finished and both plates had been pushed away, Emma decided to bring up their conversation from the night before. "Are you going to call your parents today?"
"I think I will in a little while." Regina told her. "I don't want to call too early. What about you?"
"Yeah. I'm gonna call my dad after I get everything cleaned up in the kitchen. He's always up at the crack of dawn."
. . .
"Yeah, dad. That'll be great." Emma smiled, pacing back and forth in the living room. The minute she'd gotten on the phone with her parents to invite them to have Christmas with herself and Regina, Emma noticed Regina had disappeared. "We'll work out the details and let you guys know if there's anything you can do or bring. Yeah. Okay. Tell mom I love her. Love you too, Dad. I know. Yes. Okay, see you both soon. Bye."
Emma hit the button to end the call. Shoving the phone in her back pocket, she immediately began looking for her girlfriend who'd gotten awfully quiet. As she passed by the bay window on the back side of the living room, she spotted the brunette pacing back and forth herself, in the back yard. Emma shook her head as she watched the other woman, shivering and holding her phone to her ear. The woman was stubborn, Emma knew, but going outside to make a phone call without her jacket was more than Emma was willing to let slide. Grabbing a blanket off the back of the couch, Emma made a beeline for the back door. Not wanting to intrude on the conversation, she waited until Regina turned back in her direction. She waved the blanket at her with a raised eyebrow. Regina's features softened as she allowed the blonde to wrap the blanket around her shoulders.
"Don't stay out here too long." Emma whispered before placing a kiss on her forehead and retreating back into the house. She tried not to linger around the window, worrying over what her girlfriend was doing, but there was a small part of her that couldn't seem to help herself. After a few more minutes on the phone, Regina was hanging up and heading toward the door. Emma ran towards the stairs and climbed them as fast as she could, not wanting Regina to know she'd been worrying. Emma waited until she heard the door shut and the click of the lock before coming back down. "Hey. Did you get everything settled? What did they say?"
Regina looked as if she were about to cry and wrapped her arms around Emma's waist, hugging her tight. "They said they'll be here and they can't wait to meet your parents."
Emma was suddenly excited and sick all at the same time. For every possible good outcome, there was a possible bad outcome to match it. All she wanted was for Regina to have the Christmas she hadn't had since before she'd lost her family. She knew there was no making up for everything Regina had missed, but there was nothing stopping them from starting a new tradition of their own. Emma liked the idea of having both their parents under the same roof and all of the sudden she was thinking about presents and food and everything that needed to be done. Regina must have realized that Emma's brain was running rampant because she pulled back just far enough to look her girlfriend in the eyes, silently questioning what was going on in her head.
"Do you realize how much we have to do? And only a couple weeks to do it!" Emma answered without having been asked. "We should be shopping for Christmas presents and-"
"Right now?" Regina smiled, raising a curious eyebrow at the woman in her arms. "You want to Christmas shop…right now?"
Emma's eyes actually lit up at the idea but she kept her facial expressions neutral. "I mean, you know, if you're up for shopping. It wouldn't kill me. I suppose we need to shop for both our parents."
Regina laughed then. Stepping back, she pulled Emma by the hand toward the stairs. "Yes. What does one get their long lost parents they know nothing about?"
Emma knew Regina was making a joke, but she couldn't help giving the question some serious thought. When they reached the bedroom, Regina was about to let go of Emma's hand to head for the shower when she found herself being pulled back into Emma's arms. She searched Emma's eyes, wondering what she was up to, but didn't have to wait long. Emma was too excited.
"What if I told you I have an idea?" Emma smiled mischievously. "An idea that I think you're going to love and it will make your life super easy in the gift department."
"Do tell." Regina tried her best to suppress the grin creeping up on her lips.
"Your parents were at the gallery the night of your opening. What if you chose one of your pieces and gave it to them for Christmas?" Emma was like a kid, waiting for some sort of response.
"That's actually not a bad idea." Regina nodded in agreement.
"It will be kind of like…giving them a piece of you." Emma explained her thought process even though she had no idea if she actually needed to or not. "You're only just getting to know each other and- Regina, your work is amazing. Every single piece tells a tiny little story about you. Who you are. What you've been through. You can't beat that as a gift. I think they'll love it!"
Regina knew that Emma was right. Now…she just had to decide which one told the best story about her.
. . .
The following days passed far too quickly for Regina's liking. She and Emma had gotten their shopping done and presents wrapped. The anticipation of her parents arrival was threatening to take over her good senses and she repeatedly went back and forth from looking forward to the day and wanting to cancel their plans altogether. But as she lay there staring at the ceiling, watching the morning sun slowly creeping across the room, Regina realized it was far too late for that. In just a few short hours, both Emma's parents and her own would be arriving and their first Christmas together as a family would begin. Not just hers and Emma's. But all of them as a whole. The idea was weighing heavily on her heart and just as she took a deep breath to try and calm herself down, Regina felt Emma stir next to her. Looking to her left, Regina watched as Emma stretched and slowly rolled onto her side, slipping an arm across her stomach and pulling their bodies closer together.
"Good morning." Emma whispered, her eyes still closed and her voice raspy from sleep. She buried her face in Regina's hair, breathing her in. "What's the matter, babe?"
Regina smiled to herself and let the calming effect that was her girlfriend wash over her. Even in sleep Emma knew when Regina's world wasn't quite right and that was something Regina wasn't sure she would ever get used to. In fact, she wasn't sure if she even wanted to. Getting used to anything about Emma would mean taking her for granted and that, to Regina, was simply unacceptable.
"We need to get up." Regina finally answered. "I need to start preparing the food and stuff before your parents get here."
Emma was well aware that Regina had left her own parents out of the equation, but she knew that Regina was still nervous about having them around. Emma hated it and wished there was something she could do, but the reality of the situation was that she could only hope that the upcoming day would hopefully change the dynamic between Regina and her parents and put them one step closer to becoming a family again.
"Is there something I need to know?" Emma smiled against the bare skin of Regina's neck. "Did you disinvite your own parents? And are we cooking now? I thought we agreed on snack foods and keeping it as simple as possible."
Regina abruptly turned in Emma's arms, scooting in closer until they were face to face, their noses almost touching. "You know what I meant."
"Did I?" Emma teased, smiling as she closed the gap and claimed her girlfriend's lips with her own for a quick good morning kiss. "Because it sounded like only my parents were going to be here and if that's the case, I'm totally calling them and telling them something came up so that I can keep my gorgeous girlfriend in bed all day."
Regina shook her head and kissed Emma again. Burying her hands in Emma's blonde hair, she grabbed a handful and pulled her closer, quickly intensifying the kiss. Regina caught Emma's bottom lip between her teeth and pulled gently before letting it go and sliding her tongue over Emma's. Both women were warring for dominance. It was a game they frequently played and Regina secretly loved it. Thoughts of the impending day were temporarily forgotten as Emma quickly flipped Regina onto her back and trapped her hands above her head.
"Did I hear you say there was time for a quickie?" Emma smiled capturing Regina's lips in a heated kiss again. Regina pulled back after a moment, staring up at the woman hovering over her.
"Quickie? Really?" Regina laughed and shook her head. "Nothing with you is ever quick, Emma."
"Can I help it if I like to take my time with you?" Emma smiled mischievously, pressing the weight of her body into the woman underneath her. Regina drew her legs up and wrapped them around the back of Emma's own and pulled her close.
"Did it ever occur to you that sometimes I like it fast?" Regina's lips curved up into a playful smile, her tongue snaking out over her own lips, knowing that it would drive Emma crazy. "And hard. We can't forget hard."
A low growl escaped Emma's throat and she pushed her hips into Regina's. "You're teasing."
"I'm on the bottom. Trapped. Unable to move." Regina's words were low and even. She shrugged, raising an eyebrow at the blonde. "All I said was that I like it fast. And hard."
Regina moved her arms, attempting to wrench her hands free from Emma's grasp. As soon as Emma felt the tug, she applied more pressure, keeping her girlfriend trapped. Regina thrust her hips up as if she was trying to buck Emma off of her and Emma realized that Regina was slowly picking a fight. A playful, sexual, fight. But a fight nonetheless. And before she realized what was happening, Regina pushed her weight off the bed and managed to flip Emma over onto her back.
"It's like that then?" Emma laughed, enjoying the game. "You want to be on top?"
"I want you to shut up." Regina covered Emma's mouth with her own, thrusting her tongue inside Emma's mouth, slipping and sliding over lips and teeth and the rough surface of Emma's own tongue. As soon as Emma's tongue came out to lick at Regina's lips, she sucked Emma's tongue between her lips and pulled on it a few times before letting go. The sound that slipped past Emma's throat almost made Regina come undone. "Just because I said I like it fast and hard, doesn't mean I meant me this time."
. . .
An hour later, both women were showered and dressed, standing in the kitchen. Regina had won their little wrestling match in the bed, but Emma had been victorious in the shower. Now, both women satisfied for the moment, were standing at the island having a quick breakfast of toast and coffee. They'd gotten a later start than either had intended, but no one was complaining. Emma had been right about the food. There was technically nothing to prep. They had decided while shopping that snack foods would be best, thus making the day less stressful than it might possibly be. Emma caught Regina looking at the clock more than once and finally reached out to cover one of Regina's hands with her own.
"It's going to be all right." Emma reassured her.
"I know. I'm trying not to be nervous." Regina nodded. "It's just…the last time I saw them, I yelled at them and walked away."
"And you know they understand why you did what you did." Emma squeezed her hand before letting go to pick up her mug of coffee. "You've talked to them on the phone. Today is going to be great. You'll see."
"I know. I just-"
Both women froze at the sound of the doorbell. Regina's heart was suddenly in her throat and Emma quickly leaned over and kissed her on the cheek.
"Deep breaths babe. It might just be my parents." Emma left Regina standing in the kitchen to answer the door. When she returned a moment later, Regina could hear the voices of David and Mary Margret in tow. "Like I said. Just mom and dad."
Emma's parents greeted Regina with hugs and lots of enthusiastic chatter. Once they finally calmed down, Emma pulled them away to give them a quick tour of the house. Regina remained downstairs, organizing things in the kitchen so that they could all have drinks and snacks whenever they got hungry. Emma's parents were early, but Regina was okay with that. She'd only met them once before as well, though it had been a longer visit. Still she felt she knew them better than her own parents. There wasn't much to show upstairs, but still it seemed as if Emma and her parents had been gone forever. Under normal circumstances Regina would find solace in her moments alone. But in times like this, the anticipation of the day ahead…the impending arrival of her own parents and the fact that they were about to meet Emma's parents as well, was weighing heavy on Regina's heart. There was far too much room for things to go ten different kinds of wrong when all she wanted was a nice normal Christmas get together with her family. Both of them.
Much to Regina's relief, Emma returned with her parents in tow, both gushing about how wonderful their house was. David and Mary Margret, Regina could handle. She only prayed her parents wouldn't show up early, so that she would have enough time to calm down and prepare herself for their arrival. Regina retreated to the kitchen, leaving Emma and her parents in the living room to chat. She'd excused herself under the guise of getting something to drink, but Emma knew that her girlfriend was trying not to panic, especially in front of David and Mary Margret.
Regina leaned against the counter, bracing herself with both hands and took a deep breath. She'd told her parents that noon would be a sufficient time for them to arrive, hopeful that they wouldn't stay too late. Her mixed emotions over Henry and Cora Mills were threatening to drive her crazy. No matter how many times she thought about the situation, Regina always came away feeling conflicted. Why couldn't she just be happy to have her parents back in her life? Why couldn't she just get rid of the anger? Emma had assured her more than once that over time, her feelings would change and eventually she would be able to forgive them and start taking steps toward reuniting with them mentally as well as physically. Regina couldn't wait for that day to come. At the moment, it didn't exactly feel like there was any light at the end of that tunnel.
Regina glanced at the clock and realized that it was closing in on eleven which meant her parents would either arrive promptly at noon or they could show up any time. Regina suddenly felt sick. Why had she chosen Christmas to invite them into her home? With Emma's parents visiting as well. Whose idea was this?
"Babe?" Regina's head snapped up in the direction of the voice standing in the doorway. Emma was standing there with a concerned look on her face. "Everything okay?"
Regina stood up straight and plastered a smile on her face, but Emma knew her well enough to know that it was fake. She wasn't upset about it. Just concerned. "Yeah. I was just…"
"I know." Emma gave her a half smile, understanding exactly what was going on. "I could feel you freaking out. Just take a deep breath. My parents are here. I'm here. And when your parents get here, you'll have the three of us as a buffer. It won't be like last time."
"You don't know that, Emma." Regina kept her voice low and calm. But it was far from how she felt on the inside. "What if I break down again? What if I-"
"'Gina…" Emma took both of her girlfriend's hands in her own. She took a deep breath, silently encouraging Regina to do the same. "It's just a couple of hours. You've seen my father talk. I'd almost be willing to bet that you won't be able to get a word in edge-wise. I'll be right by your side. All day."
Regina conceded, nodding and finally taking that deep breath. Emma leaned in, kissing her gently and smiling against the soft lips moving with her own. Regina smiled in return and Emma finally felt her beginning to relax. Regina told herself that this day was going to go smoothly and perfectly. She wanted nothing more than to get to know her parents and this was her chance. The beginning of it, anyway.
"I'm sorry you had to leave your parents to come check on me." Regina apologized as she stepped toward the fridge to grab a bottle of water. She shook her head in frustration. "There's no telling what they think of me."
"My parents love you." Emma responded without hesitation. "I knew you were freaking out, but I was trying to give you a minute to work things out. My mother is the one who told me to get my ass in here and check on you before she did it herself."
Regina laughed at the revelation. But thinking about it, she really wasn't surprised. Just because Emma hadn't been extremely close with her own parents, didn't mean they loved her any less and Mary Margret was definitely very much a loving and caring mother. Apparently that now extended to Regina as well and the idea left her feeling slightly warm and fuzzy. In less than two months Regina had managed to gain two sets of parents. Now if she could only wrap her head around the fact and get to know her own mother and father, maybe she could begin to heal.
"Am I going to keep losing you like this all day?" Emma asked with a smile, snapping Regina out of her thoughts.
"No. I'm sorry, Em. I-"
Her words were interrupted at the sound of the doorbell ringing once more and Regina knew that her parents were on the other side of the door. Regina's eyes darted between the direction of the door and back to Emma who was squeezing her hand with gentle reassurance. They had long since reached the point of turning back or changing plans. And then there was the fact that Regina had no idea what to call them. Did she call them Henry and Cora? Mother and father? It was something she'd been thinking about since the day she'd called and invited them to hers and Emma's home.
"You got this." Emma reassured her with a quick kiss and a smile. Regina inhaled until she thought she would bust and released the air slowly as she nodded at the woman standing in front of her. Emma retreated to the living room with her parents and watched as Regina made her way to the door.
With her hand on the doorknob, Regina hesitated for a second before plastering a smile on her face and opening the door.