Chapter Seventeen: Love is Worth

"I am not eating that," Emma said making a face.

"Yes you are"

"Regina, this is grey. Food is not supposed to be grey"

"Oh, stop being such a child. It's just oatmeal. I even put on bananas for you"

"Yeah, and they are now brown because of the grey mushy"

"Emma Swan! You will eat that now or so help me God…"

"God, you are bossy!"

Emma said getting the spoon to take a teeny tiny amount of the oatmeal and put it in her mouth. She was surprised to notice that it wasn't all that bad. It just looked ugly as fuck, but it didn't taste the way it looked. Emma took the spoon again, this time taking a bigger amount on it and put it in the mouth. Definitely not as bad as she thought it was. But she couldn't quite let Regina know that otherwise, she would make her eat that too often for her taste, and so, Emma ate all of the oatmeal, making a disgusting face every now and then.

"So?" Regina asked spying her now empty bowl.

"I suppose it's not that bad," Emma said pouting.

"Good Girl" Regina said as she stands up and walked around the island to peck Emma's lips.

Regina went to the fridge and took off an ice tray from it. She took a few cubes and placed on a clean dishcloth twisting it until the ices were secure inside. She turned around to Emma, stretching her arm for her to take it.

"Come on. Let me put some ice on your back. It will help with the purple and the pain"

Emma smiled softly at her and took her hand. Regina led their way to the living room. Once inside Regina placed the dishcloth on the coffee table and gently removed Emma's tank top off her body. She sight and looked concerned when she saw the huge amount of bruised caused by the rocks on Emma's body. Her back and arms were completely covered In deep dark purple mark and when Regina gently ran a digit on one of the bruised Emma couldn't help but gasp at the touch.

"Sorry," Regina said quickly "I didn't mean to hurt you"

"You didn't it," Emma said back "It looks worse than it actually is"

"Come on, lay down. Im gonna put some ice over it"

Emma smiled at Regina and kissed her before laying down on her stomach on the couch. Regina adjusted herself on top of Emma, sitting on her butt but not putting too much weight on it. She took the dishcloth and pressed on the first bruise.

"Oh, that's cold," Emma said below her.

"Sorry, dear. But it will help heal faster"

"Never ever I though our first ice experience would be outside of the bedroom"

"Well, I can put ice on you upstairs too. Just say the word"

"Oh, I'll totally say the word. You just wait until im fully recovered. Not even, I'm sure I can do that half recovered"

"Get your head out of the gutter Miss Swan" Regina smirked "Hows your hand?"

"Itch. I really feel like taking this thing off"

"Don't even bother. Dr. Whale said we should come back in seven days for him to look at it and see if he can remove the stitches"

"We?"

"Yes, Miss Swan, we! You are not going alone"

"Because you are my girlfriend?" Emma asked smiling.

"That's right,"

"I like this girlfriend thing"

"You are ridiculous," Regina said half laughing.

She continued spreading the ice on Emma's back and arm until the ice was too melted. Regina carefully lifted herself up from Emma and asked if she needed another pain killer, which she did. Her hand had started to bother her a while ago, but Emma was too comfortable feeling Regina caring for her, so much that she ignored the pain. But now that that was over she couldn't. Regina put on Emma's tank top back, gently not to hurt her, and left for the painkiller. She came back with the pill and a glass of water for her which Emma instantly took. Regina sat down on the couch and Emma laid her head on her lap stretching her long legs. They chose a movie to watch and while it was playing Regina started to play with Emma's hair. She ran her nails on her scalped massaging it and Emma felt herself drifting off at the feeling. So much that she could hardly keep her eyes open anymore.

When Emma woke up she was alone in the living room. She was confused for a second to where she was and almost panicked at the lack of recognization. She sat down abruptly on the couch and her head felt dizzy. Little by little Emma took in the ambiance and realized she was at Regina's house. She breathed in deeply waiting for her heart to be steady again before going after the brunette woman. She found Regina in the study. The door was open and Regina was on the phone when Emma appeared in front of her. She nodded with her head for Emma to get inside and Emma did, sitting in the chair in front of Regina. She watched her while sitting. Regina was definitely talking work-related stuff. But Emma didn't pay much attention to this. No! Emma was paying attention to Regina. Her brown eyes and light up every time she smiled. Her smile was capable of making Emma's heart melt. That vain in her forehead that always pooped out when she was happy. Emma wondered if would do the same when she was angry and but then she shooked her head. That was one thing about Regina she did not want to find out. Regina turned off the phone and smiled softly at Emma.

"How was your nap?" Regina asked.

"Pretty good. How long was I out?"

"About two hours"

"Oh! I'm hungry"

"Already?"

"That grey mushy you gave me had no sustenance"

"It was oatmeal" Regina rolled her eyes.

"What time is it?"

"Eleven thirty" Regina answered her.

"Grany's?"

"Sure! I'll go change. You wait right here"

Regina walked around the desk and kissed Emma before going up. Emma stayed put grinning while she waited. The events of the day before made an appearance in her mind. She was really pissed at the mayor and her inconsequential behavior. Emma couldn't wait to fill up that report. This was probably the only time of Emma's life when she actually wanted to do a desk job. That woman needed to be held responsible for her actions for once in her life. And then there was Regina. She had shown up on at the hospital looking so worried. Emma didn't even think about calling her. It wasn't like she didn't want to call her, of course, she did. But she also felt like she didn't want to bother her. Emma was just going o do it later when she was all patched up at home telling she just had a scratch. She wasn't exactly used to have someone caring for her like that and that took some adjusting. But so far, Emma was enjoying it. Regina was amazing. Emma never felt so well cared for in her life and she liked that. More than she cared to admit. Emma was so lost in thoughts that she got scared when suddenly lips were on her cheeks.

"Regina! God, you scared me half-dead"

"Sorry," Regina said grinning "I couldn't resist. What were you thinking about?"

"You, actually"

"Me? What about me?"

"Wouldn't you like to know" Emma smirked

"Yes, hence why I'm asking"

"Not telling"

"Fine! Are you ready to go?"

"Yep!" Emma said standing up.

"Good. It's still a bit early, but I supposed we could have a nice little salad"

"W-what? I don't want a salad!"

"But you'll have one"

"Oh, no! No way! I injured my hand, not my brain"

"That cut in your forehead says otherwise"

"Regina!"

"Yes, dear?"

"You are not making me eat a salad"

"Okay. Shall we?"

"Yes!"

Emma stood up and walked defiantly to Regina. She held her hand and soon they were off the door. They decided to walk to Grany's to enjoy the mix of the sun with the freezing wind. Emma pointed out a few things over to Regina who was still getting used to the little town. When the passed through Grany's door Emma led their way to the last booth. It wasn't long before Ruby approached them.

"Emma!" Ruby said worriedly " I've been calling you since yesterday! I was worried sick about you."

"Oh! Sorry, my phone discharged" Emma said apologetically.

"Are you okay? I've heard about what happened at the miners" Ruby asked.

"Yeah, I'm fine. I had a really good nurse" Emma said smiling at Regina.

"Right! Of course. I'm glad you are okay" Ruby said "What can I get you two"

"We'll have two chicken salad, please," Regina said.

"And a burger" Emma said fast.

"No burgers. Just the salad" Regina said.

"Oh, come on Regina."

"You have to eat good things that will help you heal faster," Regina said looking worriedly at her.

"Can I at least have grilled cheese?" Emma asked.

"Sure. But that's it"

"Thank you"

Ruby left the booth with their orders. Emma smiled gently at Regina. The woman was annoying the shit out of her since they woke up in the morning and still, Emma was loving every minute of it. This whole being cared for, it was still weird, but not as bad as Emma always thought. Iy was nice to be cared for by Regina. Even if she had to eat a grey booger for breakfast.

"How's your hand?" Regina asked "I have your painkillers if you need"

"You brought them with you?" Emma asked.

"Of course I did. What if your hand hurt while we're out?"

"You are amazing, did you know that?" Emma said looking lovingly at Regina.

"Yeah I know," Regina said with a wink.

Emma smiled softly at her, taking one of her hands with her good one and kissing. Ruby came back with their orders and placed it in front of them. Emma ate her salad and grilled cheese with gusto. True be told, she actually liked the salad. Just like the grey mushy. It was good, she just couldn't let Regina know how much she didn't mind actually eating them. When they were done, Emma asked for a bear claw for dessert. Regina eyed her but didn't say anything ordering a fruit cup for herself. Emma smiled victoriously when the bear claw arrived enjoying every bite, making little moans that only served to make Regina laugh shaking her head at her. When they were ready to go, Regina paid for the check. Emma asked Regina for a walk and off they go. They ended up walking to their spot at the marines, sitting down on their bench looking out the sea. Emma put her arm around Regina pulling her closer. Regina rested her head on Emma's shoulder wrapping one arm around her waist. They stayed there for a while just enjoying each other company. Emma kissed the top of her head and said:

"Thank you"

"For what?" Regina asked.

"Everything," Emma said simply.

"Even the grey mushy?" Regina asked looking up at her with a smile.

"Even that" Emma said smiling back.

"How's your hand?"

"A little itchy"

"Do you need a pain killer?"

"Not right now"

"You'll let me know when you do, okay? I mean it"

"I will"

Emma kissed the top of her head again and looked out the sea. She was falling for this woman. Hard. She knew that ever since their first kiss. Her desperation to go out and find her in the morning. It was unlikely she ever would see that woman again but Emma didn't believe that. She refused. She looked for her and found her. And now that same woman was here in her arms with her and Emma felt her heart swell. She was always so scared of falling in love. It wasn't worth the heartache. She always thought that. But now that she had Regina she knew how wrong she was. It was worth it. Love was worth it. Loving Regina was worth anything.