Hope everyone is still enjoying this story! Here's the next installment.
As it goes without saying, I don't own any of these characters.
Chapter 20
A loud, insistent rattling sound pulled Emma from her deep slumber. She groaned and tried to chase away the heavy cloud of being woken up so suddenly. Her hand swung to the side of the bed, only to come into contact with something soft. Scrunching her brows in half-asleep confusion, she felt around and discovered soft locks of… hair? Glancing over, she saw Regina sleeping peacefully next to her with the sheets pooled just below her breasts.
Emma smiled as the sleep faded away to the background and she remembered just why she was so tired. They had stayed up well into the night, discovering each other's bodies over and over and over again. At one point, they had drifted off for just a little while, only to resume when they woke. In the middle of the night, Regina had also extricated herself from Emma to finish reading the majority of her letters. Those brought on more bouts of heated sex as well as tender moments that had tears forming in Regina's eyes even though she wouldn't admit it.
The rattling sound came again and Emma strained her ears to figure out what was going on. Shock came across her face as she realized that it must be her parents, Snow and Charming, coming into the house.
"Shit, shit, shit," Emma chanted. "Regina!" She said in a stage whisper, reaching over and shaking her roughly. "Wake up," she hissed.
"Wh…" Regina rolled over, giving Emma her back.
"Regina!" Emma yanked the blankets roughly off of Regina causing her to gasp and jolt upright due to the sudden rush of cold air on naked body. Regina glanced around, wide-eyed, looking confused. This was not her house…
She looked over at Emma and radiant smile began to dawn on her face at her realization until she noticed the panicked look on her face. "What is it?"
"My parents! I think they're home at the door!" Emma jumped off the bed and began frantically digging around for her clothes. Finding her tank top, the threw that on. "I can't believe I didn't even notice they didn't come home last night!" She paused mid search, "wait… my underwear and sweatpants are still in the kitchen," she hissed.
They heard the deadbolt on the door click open. Emma began waving her arms helplessly which caused Regina to laugh out loud. "My dear, you look absolutely ridiculous." She waved her hands at Emma. "Did you forget that I have magic?"
With a wave, Emma found herself fully dressed in last night underwear and sweatpants and Regina looking… well, perfect as always.
Emma grimaced, "Ugh, you couldn't get me a fresh pair of underwear?"
"Don't be picky," Regina said, straightening her blouse. "Learn how to do your own magic next time," she threw over her shoulder as she began to walk out the bedroom and down to the kitchen.
A clammering of voices drifted up towards them and Emma realized that Henry's voice was mixed amongst them.
"Henry!" She proclaimed when she saw him.
"Ma!" He responded, throwing himself into her.
"Oof," Emma grunted. "Did you have to do that while still wearing your camping bag?"
Henry nodded into the embrace and Emma chuckled.
"You were supposed to pick me up," he accused as he leaned back to look.
"That's right, Emma," Snow piped up from the doorway with Charming. "Your dad and I happened to stop at Granny's when we saw Neal and Henry there waiting for you. What were you doing?"
"What was I doing?" Emma responded with a laugh to herself. If only they knew. "What were you doing?" she turned it on them. "If I recall, you never actually told me you guys weren't coming home last night." Emma was glad they didn't otherwise they'd probably walk in on something no one ever wanted to think of their child doing. She chuckled at the thought.
"Oh, you know," Snow said nonchalantly, "David and I had a late night out, so we decided to get a local bed and breakfast for the night. Taking advantage of the quiet nights while we can." She patted her pregnant belly.
Regina finally trailed into the kitchen. "So, Miss Swan, I take it we are in agreement?"
"Uhh… I… what?" Emma stuttered, completely at a loss at what Regina was referring to. Did they come to an agreement on something?
"Tonight," Regina began slowly as if talking to a child, "after Henry goes to bed, I need you to stop by to go over a project that I need the Sheriff to implement…" She trailed off and looked at Emma pointedly.
"Tonight?" Snow interjected. "Can't you give her a break, Regina? Henry only just got back."
"Exactly why I'm not asking her to come earlier," Regina snapped snarkily. Face softening, she looked over at Henry. "How was your trip, honey?"
Henry smiled and went to his other mom for a hug. "It was really fun! We saw a lot of animals!" He exclaimed. "Why are you here so early anyways," he said suspiciously, narrowing his eyes at her.
Regina shook her head, "I don't know what you're implying, Henry. I just wanted to see you as soon as I could to make sure Neal didn't do anything idiotic to you." Emma nodded her head enthusiastically. Leave it to Regina to be master of cover up for what really happened. "If only Emma didn't forget to pick you up…" Regina continued with a directed glare at Emma. She shrugged sheepishly, picking up on the playful glint in Regina's eyes.
"Oh, you know, I couldn't sleep," Emma mumbled.
"Why is that honey?" David chimed in with concern. "Eat something bad?"
A slight blush rose on Emma's face as she remembered just why she was up all night. "No no, nothing like that. Just… had a lot on my mind I guess," she trailed off. She really needed to learn how to be more eloquent like Regina she thought, grimacing to herself.
"Nevertheless," Regina said, "since I'm already here, do you mind if I take Henry for a couple hours? I'd like to catch up with him if that's all right." Her eyes looked hesitant, yet hopeful.
"Of course!" Emma exclaimed in a rush before her parents could interject. "I'll get the rest of the day with him anyways."
Regina nodded curtly and turned to Henry, "come, you will need to tell me about your trip. Let's go get some ice cream?"
"Yes!" Henry exclaimed. He tossed his camping bag on the sofa and went out the door. "Come on, Mom!" Halfway out the door, he stopped and looked back. "Want to join us, Ma?" He asked Emma.
Emma looked at him with a smile, "No, catch up with your mom," she said, "I'm sure she wants to spend some time with you." Henry's face fell just slightly. He was trying to get his moms to spend more time together so that Regina would feel comfortable telling Emma how she feels.
"It's okay, Henry," Regina responded, patting him on the shoulder. They would need to let Henry know that they've finally gotten their act together soon. Perhaps that can be part of the conversation when Emma comes over later. "Run along, I'll be down in just a bit."
Henry nodded and skipped out of the apartment complex to wait for his mom.
Emma trailed after Regina just outside the door and pulled it mostly closed so that her parents couldn't eavesdrop. "So… tonight, huh?" She asked. "You were serious about wanting me over after Henry's asleep?"
Regina smirked and purposely looked Emma up and down slowly. "Definitely." She licked her lips causing Emma to gulp and feel a rush of heat.
"Uh… yea.." Emma stumbled out, "I'll – uh – see you later then." She made to push open the door back to the apartment then changed her mind. Quickly, she closed the space between them and caught Regina's lips in a soft but quick kiss. "I enjoyed last night." She murmured softly. Her hands had found their way to Regina's waist and was lightly stroking it.
Regina hummed in agreement. "We'll have plenty of time to talk tonight, Emma." She chuckled. "Hmmm… I wonder…" she continued almost innocently. "We should definitely explore the use of my magic sometime soon," she trailed off suggestively as she flicked her eyes up and down Emma's body quickly.
A helpless yelp came out of Emma at the thought. "Oh my gosh, we can do that?" she asked breathlessly.
Regina smirked and leaned in close to Emma's ears. "My dear, you have no idea what I'm capable of." Stepping back briskly, she spun around to leave. "Tonight, Miss Swan," she said as she sauntered off, voice full of promises.
Confident knocks echoed throughout 108 Mifflin street at Regina bolted straight up out of her office chair. She had been pacing back and forth all evening, anxious for Emma to arrive after Henry had gone to bed. Finally, she had showered, changed to a power suit, and forced herself to sit at her desk to wait patiently. Patient resulted in twiddling her thumbs and tapping random patterns until she heard the rapping on her door.
She nervously ran her hands down her suit to make sure everything was in place. Regina debated all day what she would wear for the night and couldn't settle on anything so decided to wear something where she felt she had control.
The door swung open to reveal Emma, clad in her usual red leather jacket and skinny jeans. She was grinning sheepishly at her and Regina looked down to realize she had a single yellow rose in her hand. It looked eerily familiar and Regina let out a laugh when she realized where the rose came from.
"Are you giving me a flower from my own garden, Miss Swan?" She said teasingly, nerves washing away. Emma just had a way of making her comfortable.
Emma tilted a shoulder up in a half shrug. "It was late, so the shop was closed. I was trying to figure out all day how to bring you something without letting everyone know so I ended up seeing this on the side of your house. Also… I don't think I mind being called 'Miss Swan' when it's not said in malice."
Regina smirked and rolled her eyes in fake annoyance. "I'll have to install cameras to keep an eye on my plants." She gestured for Emma to come in. "Or I'll have to call the Sheriff to take care of my trespassing problem."
"I'm sure the Sheriff would understand where I'm coming from," Emma replied seriously while holding out the rose in front of her. "In all seriousness though. I want to do better. You've written all these amazing letters and I remember there's something you mentioned in your letters."
"Oh?" Regina quirked a perfectly sculpted eyebrow. "And what is that?"
"That you've never been on a date." Emma responded without skipping a beat. "So, Regina Mills." She flourished the flower in front of Regina again. "Would you let this underserving nobody take you out on a date tomorrow night?"
Regina felt a flutter of happiness inside her. "Of course, Emma," she said, taking the proffered rose in hand and lifting it up for a sniff. "And you're not a nobody. A Queen fell for you after all." She turned and walked towards the kitchen, heels clicking on the floor.
"Why are you always so dressed up anyways?" Emma wondered as she followed behind Regina, eyes raking her form, appreciating the view.
"Because I know I look good," came the response. Emma snapped her eyes to Regina's to find her smirking. Caught red handed.
"Can't blame a girl for looking. Especially now that she knows she can," Emma said nonchalantly. "By the way, we should talk about all..." she waved between the two of them vaguely, "this."
Regina stiffened slightly at that comment, unsure where Emma was headed. She busied herself getting a small vase for the flower that she got. "What about this?" She asked slowly.
"Hey," Emma said softly from close behind. She had picked up on Regina tensing. "Relax," she said comfortingly. "It's nothing bad."
"Well just spit it out then," Regina sniffed haughtily, slightly miffed that Emma picked up on her discomfort so easily.
"I just wanted to know if you were comfortable making this thing public. After we tell Henry of course!"
Regina placed the flower in the vase after filling it halfway with water and turned around, "and what's this… thing?" she inquired.
Emma shrugged. "I don't know yet. Was hoping we would talk about that? I mean… I think I know where you want to go but I just wasn't sure."
"And where do you presume I want to go?"
"A… relationship?" Emma responded, trailing off slightly at the end due to her uncertainty.
"Hmmm," Regina responded as if giving that thought. "I think that would be permissible," she responded lightly in a teasing tone.
"Oh good," Emma said in relief, "because that's what I want to. When did you want to tell Henry? Do you think we need to test the waters to see how he feels?"
Regina let out a light laugh, "No need to fret on that front. Henry already knows."
"What?!"
"He figured it out faster than you," Regina responded. "Honestly, are you sure you were a bounty hunter AND a Sheriff? I would think that your deduction skills would be better."
"How did he find out? Is he okay with it?" Emma asked, ignoring the dig Regina presented and focusing on Henry instead. She needed Henry to be okay with that whole thing, otherwise, she wasn't sure if either of them would be able to move forward with the relationship.
"Honestly, Emma," Regina said in a disappointing tone, "did you think that I would be here in this situation right now if our son knew how I felt and was somehow not okay with it?"
Emma chuckled sheepishly, "I suppose you're right."
Regina poured a couple glasses of wine for them on autopilot. She swirled hers around in her glass while Emma went straight in for a swig. Regina raised an eyebrow at her and exhaled in defeat. "I'm going to have to deal with a lot of your unruly and unsophisticated self, aren't I?"
Emma pretended to look offended. "Hey now, if I remember correctly, you have mentioned in your letters that despite acting like they irritate you, you find it somewhat endearing. Is that not the case?" she challenged.
"Sometimes endearing," Regina responded with a smile, "other times I'm appalled at the nonchalant behavior."
"Look at us," Emma said with a laugh, "having issues already. Day one of a relationship. We're destined to last."
"This is no different than our normal bickering," Regina retorted.
"Except now there's no malice behind it," Emma said, winking at her. "This is way more fun, by the way."
"Oh, I don't know," Regina responded teasingly, "I will admit that finding someone to challenge everything about me is quite… exhilarating."
Emma mimed taking notes in an imaginary notebook. "Duly noted under "Regina's kinks". We will have to have a night where we are at each other's throats." She nodded to herself, "and then it will get so heated that we end up ripping each other's clothes off."
A sputtering sound came from Regina as Emma said these things. "Miss…. Swan!" Her face felt the oncoming blush as she imagined the scenario. The thought of it was putting heat low in her core.
"Oh!" Emma continued, smirking at Regina's reaction. "It could be in public too," she chuckled gleefully, "imagine the surprise when everyone finds out we staged it just so we could have wild animal sex."
A sarcastic scoff came from Regina as she attempted to tame her blush in that same instance. "Wild animal sex," she muttered to herself, shaking her head. How she fell for such a crass woman, she would never know.
"Enough of this talk," she said louder so that Emma could hear her.
Emma paused and looked at her curiously, "I mean, okay," she shrugged, "if you want to talk about my kinks instead, I would be down," she said with a grin. She waved her hands vaguely, "you already know about my desire to have phone sex with you," she began.
Regina raised an eyebrow, "did I?"
"I told you that the voice you had would be amazing for phone sex," Emma protested. "You don't remember?"
"I thought you were just trying to throw me off my game."
"Well okay," Emma admitted, "that was mostly true at the time. But I also wasn't lying when I said it."
"I see," Regina responded, contemplating the meaning of this discovery. She had never actually tried phone sex before.
"When you're ready, of course," Emma responded, seeing the hesitation in Regina. "Or we don't have to! Like you said on the phone, the real thing would be much better anyways," she winked.
Regina felt herself relax at Emma's understanding. "Thank you," she said.
Emma shrugged. "No big deal."
Regina looked over at her fondly, "I can't believe you're mine now."
"Probably coulda had me earlier if you'd just told me you were the person behind the letters. I was ready to see where a relationship with that person was going to go well before today." Regina opened her mouth to defend her reasoning behind not exposing herself. "But," Emma continued, not giving Regina that chance, "I think this way helped us develop a friendship without the letters. Who knows, we might've gotten to this point later if we had kept it up."
"Either way, I'm glad it worked out," Regina said with a soft smile.
"Me too," Emma said, putting down her wine glass and walking closer to Regina. She placed her hand on her waist. "I'm yours now," she confirmed. She leaned in and captured Regina's lips in a soft kiss. "I belong to every part of you," she continued with yet another kiss. She continued peppering phrases in-between each kiss, lingering longer after each word. "The Mayor… Henry's Mom… Regina… even the Evil Queen."
Emma trailed her arms along the length of Regina's torso, drawing out a sigh. "Speaking of kinks," she whispered into Regina's ears. "Another one of mine is having you in your getup of the Evil Queen and demanding to have your way with me." She ghosted a kiss on Regina's neck, noting the hitched breath, and returned to her ear. "Maybe use a bit of your magic too," she nibbled Regina's ears.
Regina felt her knees grow weak from the thought and used the counter to support her weight. "What do you think?" she heard Emma whisper into her ear.
"That's an," Regina said between breathes, "extremely appealing idea." Her own hands were now gripping edge of Emma's jacket, itching to rip it off. She made motions to do just that when Emma's phone in her back pocket began to ring.
With a groan of disappointment, Emma pulled away slightly, face flushed and lips swollen from the kisses. She looked down at her phone and saw "Mary Margaret" flashing up at her.
"Better pick that up," Regina said reluctantly, "Otherwise she might send a search party here just in case I was doing something wicked to you."
Emma chuckled. "If only she knew…" she trailed off and accepted the call. "Hey, Snow."
Regina could hear warbled talking on the other side and Emma combed a hand through her hair. "No, we're finishing up, there's no need to worry. I'll be home in 15 mins…. Yea… okay, bye." She clicked the phone shut and looked up apologetically over at Regina.
"I have to go."
"I picked up on that."
"It's half because she wanted to make sure I was still alive," Emma started, "I don't even know why she cares. Yesterday, I hung out with you but because her and David weren't home, they didn't freak out. So strange." She looked over sheepishly, "sorry for ranting."
"That's quite alright, dear." Regina put the wine glasses in the sink and began to make her way to the door. "What was the other half?"
"Oh. She wanted to see if I can stop by the gas station for a couple things. David is taking the night shift at the station so he can't do it."
As Regina opened the door, Emma turned back around. "Are we still on for tomorrow night? A date?"
"Yes dear. We are still on," Regina responded. "Let's tell Henry tomorrow as well so that he knows. I am trying my best not to keep things from him anymore."
Emma nodded in agreement. "Besides," she leaned in to pull Regina flush against her body. "This way, he'll understand that he needs to be out of the way for us to get our needs met," she winked and kissed Regina, her tongue finding purchase in her mouth. Regina let out a moan and held Emma close.
"Mhmm," Regina agreed breathlessly when they parted for some air.
"Think about me tonight," Emma said with a wink.
"I undoubtedly will."
After Emma had left, Regina retired to the bedroom and got ready for bed. She contemplated the events of the last couple days with a fond smile on her face. Finally, she had Emma. She didn't love easily but when she did, she loved hard. Her mind went to the phone sex conversation that Emma mentioned. She seemed to be wanting something like that. Emma had to leave earlier than Regina would have liked. She wanted to have her way with her again tonight but of course, Snow White, had to ruin her plans.
She toyed with her phone on the nightstand. If they couldn't have the real thing tonight… the phone sex idea was starting to grow on her. Decision made, she unlocked her phone and clicked to dial Emma's number.
Thoughts?
I'm coming close to the end of this story... there will be a couple chapters left. Please Favorite this story if you've been enjoying it! Or wait until you see how it ends... and then favorite it ;)