Chapter Twenty-Eight: What it feels like to be loved
When Emma woke, she was been spoon by Regina. Her arms were wrapped protectively around her waist, the faint sound of her breathing on her neck. The events of the night before rushed through Emma's mind all at once, the dinner at Regina's parents, the things Cora said about her, how Regina had defended her, and most importantly, what they say to each other when they arrived. Emma smiled remembering that moment, one that would forever be imprinted inside her mind. She turned around in Regina's arm coming face to face with her. She ran her fingers gently on her face, pushing away a lock of hair. Regina stirred but didn't wake. Emma then moved to drop small kisses on her face, one eye and then the other, her cheek, the tip of her nose, her chin, and then finally, her lips. Regina stirred again, and breathe in, slowly opening her eyes.
- Hi – Regina said smiling at Emma
- I love you – Emma said smiling back.
- I love you too. – Regina said still a little sleepy – Why are you awake?
- Because I love you.
- And loving me makes you wake up early?
- Yes!
- So, all the other times when you sleep in and I could hardly get you off the bed…
- I still loved you, just couldn't say out loud.
- Good to know. Can we go back to sleep now?
- Yes! I mean, no.
- Why not?
- I heard Henry a while ago. If he walks in, we are still naked.
- Oh, crap!
- Yep – Emma smirked – Stay there I'll fetch us some clothes.
Emma tossed the sheets to the side and left the bed, making Regina sight at her naked body. Emma turned her head around and winked at her, before disappearing inside the closet. She put on fresh panties, finding a tank top and a pair of pajama pants. She then chose a blue silky pajamas for Regina and walked back to bed. Regina changed under the sheets, wiggling to put on her panties and pants and then the top. She emerged from the sheets and turned to the side with Emma right behind her, ready to be the big spoon. They had just found the perfect position in bed when suddenly the door was wild open.
- Why are you two still in bed? – Henry asked.
- Its Sunday, kid! – Emma answered him.
- So? – Henry asked climbing in bed to lay in front of Regina.
- Good Morning, my little Prince – Regina opening her arms for Henry.
- What are we doing today?
- What you wanna do today, Kid?
- Breakfast would be a good start, Im really hungry!
They both laughed at Henry's little comment, Regina bringing him closer to kiss his head. They hang in bed for a while until both Emma and Henry stomachs made noises that made Regina laugh hard at the sync. The trio left the bed walking to the kitchen to start on breakfast. Emma was in charge of the coffee and fruit chopping. Regina made the omelets and Henry was in charge of setting the table. When everything was ready, the trio sat down to eat. Henry asked Emma about meeting his grandma, which made Regina and herself exchange looks. Regina then changed the subject, trying to keep the morning conversation out of last night's events, asking Henry about what he wanted to do after breakfast. He was more than happy to give a few ideas for outdoor activities. They had just finished eating when the loud noise of the doorbell echoed inside the house.
- Are you expecting someone? – Emma asked.
- No, I'm not. – Regina said back
- Want me to get it? – Emma asked.
- No, I'll go.
Regina left the dining room to answer the door and Emma felt weird out about it. What if it was Cora? What if she had come to make Regina leave her? She knew Regina wouldn't, not after what happened last night, but still, she wasn't sure she could be quiet this time around hearing the woman trash her. She also wouldn't let Regina alone with her. Not after what she saw. Emma was pulled out of her thoughts by the gentle tug of Henry on her shirt. She smiled down at him and helped collect the dirty dishes. They carried everything to the kitchen and Emma started washing them, more out of anticipation than anything else. Henry promptly offered to dry and they both worked together to clean everything up. They were nearly done when Regina walked back with no less than her father behind her.
- Grandpa – Henry catapulted himself at him.
- Hello, Pollito. – Henry Senior greeted.
- What are you doing here? – Henry asked
- I came to talk to Miss Swan. – He said.
- Me? – Emma asked drying her hands.
- Yes. Do you have a moment?
- Ah, yeah, sure!
- Henry, why don't you go upstairs? – Regina asked him
- Is everything okay? – Henry asked
- Yes, everything is fine. Go up. And brush your teeth. – Regina said to him.
- Okay!
Henry let go of his grandfather and left the kitchen. Emma focused on hearing the loud sound of Henry's footsteps on the floor. She needed that in order to stop the rush of thoughts running through her mind. She had a feeling she knew exactly what Regina's father wanted to talk to her about, and that genuinely scared her. Even though Regina didn't take her mother's opinion under consideration she knew her father was the very opposite. If he had a problem with Emma, her relationship with Regina was doomed.
- Why don't we go to the office? – Regina asked and the two of them followed her to the room.
- I think its better if I talk to Miss Swan alone – Henry Senior said.
- Daddy…
- It's okay, Regina can stay – Emma said – We don't have secrets from each other.
- Very well. – Henry Senior said back.
The three of them sat down, Henry Senior taking the armchair, Emma and Regina sitting on the couch side by side. Emma took Regina's hand between hers, needing the comfort only Regina could provide. She was nervous. She could hardly face him. She bit her lower lip and closed her eyes for a second. She opened again when she felt Regina's hand squeezing hers, and with a deep long breathe, she felt ready to hear whatever he had to say.
- I had a conversation with your mother last night. She told me all about Miss Swan's past.
- Daddy…
- Let me finish, Cariño – He said looking from Regina to Emma - I read your file, Miss Swan. My wife had a whole investigation on you. You didn't have an easy start in life, did you?
- No, Sir. I did not. – Emma said.
- I'm truly sorry about that. I am not judging you here. But I also need to protect my daughter and grandson. – Henry Senior said.
- Yeah, I get that. – Emma said back.
- As I understand, you went to jail? – Henry Senior asked.
- Juvie. When I was seventeen. But I didn't do anything, I was just blamed for it, I swear. – Emma said tearing up a little.
- And you know about this? – Henry Senior asked looking at Regina.
- Yes, she told me everything. – Regina said.
- And after that, you started working as a Prostitute? – Henry Senior asked.
- Yes, I did. – Emma said closing her eyes – Not right after, but yes.
- Are you really one of Regina's student?- Henry asked Emma.
- Yes, I am. I've started to put some money together and taking all sorts of morning classes so I could leave that life behind me. It took me a while, but I made it. – Emma said and felt Regina's hand squeezing hers when she finished.
- I am not going to pretend this is an easy situation – Henry Senior said – But, I am also not one to judge people from their past, from everything I read about you, Miss Swan, I believe you did the best possible with what you had.
- I did, Sir. I tried to, anyway. – Emma said.
- I also believe that we are the ones to chose who we share our stories with. It wasn't my wife's place to investigate yours. That was between you and my daughter, so, I am sorry your privacy was invaded like that.
- Thank you, Sir. – Emma said genuinely grateful for the apologies.
- She also told me about the conversation she had with you, Cariño – Henry Senior said looking at Regina – I'm sorry. I know how harsh your mother can be.
- I'm not the one you should apologize to – Regina said – Emma heard the whole thing.
- How? – Henry Senior asked.
- I was in the bathroom. – Emma answered.
- I see. Then I am truly sorry, Miss Swan – Henry Senior said.
- You didn't say anything, Sir. You have nothing to apologize for – Emma said.
- I know my wife. She is very hard with words, and sometimes with actions. I truly am sorry that you heard whatever it was that she said about you.
- It's okay – Emma said smiling at Regina – We managed.
- I see the two of you are okay. – Henry Senior said.
- We are, Daddy. I dare to say we are better than ever – Regina said smiling back at Emma.
- I love your daughter, Sir. I would never do anything to hurt her. Or Henry. This I promise you. – Emma said looking deep inside his eyes.
- I believe you, Miss Swan. – Henry Senior said back at Emma.
- Does that…Does that mean you….Does that me you accept me? – Emma asked
- I'm a married man, Miss Swan – Henry Senior said seriously.
- What? No, I..I…I didn't mean like that – Emma said and looked at Regina, eye wide – I didn't mean like that, I swear!
- He is messing with you, Sweetheart. – Regina said laughing squeezing Emma's hand
- Oh! – Emma exclaimed – Right!
- Light up, Emma! My daughter is the one who needs to accept you. If she does, so do I. The only thing that matters to me is seen her and my grandson happy. – Henry Senior said.
- I hope I make them happy as much as they make me, Sir. – Emma said back.
- You know you can call me Henry, right? Sir is just too formal.
- What about Mother, Daddy? – Regina asked.
- I will talk to your mother when I get home, Cariño. I wanted to talk to you and Emma first.
- She won't be okay with this – Regina said.
- No! But she is not the one who needs to. – Henry Senior said looking at his daughter.
- Maybe not. But I won't have Emma around her if she doesn't respect her. She doesn't have to like her, but she will treat her with respect. – Regina said firmly.
- I know, Cariño. I'll talk to her.
- Thank you, Daddy.
- Now – Henry Senior said standing up – Can I have my grandson for the day?
- Of course. Where are you taking him? – Regina asked.
- Just out for the day. You two stay here, I'll go up to his bedroom.
Henry Senior left the office, leaving Emma and Regina alone. Emma was trying to hold back her tears, but she knew that soon her eyes would betray her. She wasn't expecting that. At all. She really didn't think he was going to be as supportive as he was. She could tell from where Regina took her kindness and Emma couldn't help but be grateful for that man been her father. It made it easier somehow, knowing that even though Regina had Cora for a mother, Henry Senior was there for her. As soon as Henry Senior closed the door, Emma pulled Regina in a tight hug.
- Emma, you are squeezing the life out of me. – Regina said.
- Sorry! – Emma said pulling back.
- Don't cry – Regina softly as her hand captured a falling tear.
- Thank you.
- For what?
- For having my back. For defending me from your mother, for…For putting me first.
- You don't have to thank me for that.
- I fucking love you, Regina.
- I love you too, Sweetheart.
Regina leaned in and captured Emma's lips. The kiss was a bit salty as Emma's tears insisted on falling down, but that didn't make it any less perfect. Kissing Regina was always perfect. She was perfect. When they broke apart, Emma couldn't let go of her. She let her body fall on Regina's side, resting her head on her shoulder. Regina pulled Emma closer wrapping her arms around her body and kissed the top of her head running her nails on Emma's bare arm, up and down, up and down again. Emma's whole body shivered at that. She loved how gentle Regina was, the way she cared for her made Emma wished that she made Regina feel as safe and loved as she made her.
They stayed like that in the study just enjoying each other company until Henry burst through the door. He kissed Regina and then Emma saying goodbye to them before leaving with his grandfather. The gesture warmed Emma's heart, so much that she felt tears falling down her eyes again. Regina saw it and smiled gently at her, bringing Emma's hand to her lips and placing a soft kiss in them. Emma looked deep into Regina's eyes and realized that after twenty-eight years of abandonment, of being unloved and feeling unworthy of anything she finally knew what it felt like to be loved.
Chapters five to ten were re-uploaded.