Chapter Twenty Nine: Blackmail
It was Friday and Emma could say she was officially tired. The week had dragged itself out. Classes seemed to be getting harder and harder every day. She had too much to study for and too little disposition to do so. Emma was driving home from classes, and couldn't wait to eat the burger she had on the backseat. Emma was really, really hungry, all she had all day was half an apple on her way out of the house. The other half fell from her mouth when she was trying to get the door of her bug open. Needless to say, she was very frustrated when it happened. And now, the smell of the burger on the backseat kept invading her nostrils and all Emma wanted was to get home and eat it in front of the TV.
It was odd not having Henry with her. She usually picked him up from school on Fridays. They even had a name for their Friday lunch. They call it 'Operation junk food' and it was their secret. Regina could never find out about it. Every Friday, when Emma went to pick up Henry they chose a new food place to get their Friday meal. One day they even made a list, googling all sorts of places and crossing the ones they already went to. If they liked the food they put the name of the restaurant onto another list of places to come back soon. Emma didn't want to go to a new place without Henry, it felt like cheating, so, she went to one of the places marked as their favorite. And by the smell of it, she knew she wouldn't regret it.
Emma finally arrived, parking her bug in front of the building. She picked up her things from the back seat and rushed up. Once in the apartment, she dropped her backpack and took off her shoes walking to the kitchen with the bag from the restaurant. She took a plate from the cabinet and placed the burger and fries in it. Still standing up Emma gave its first bite. She nearly moaned when the delicious combination of meat, bread, cheese, and sauce hit her tongue. God, that was a good burger. She would have to talk to Henry about making another list called the best of the best. She knew he would be in for it. That kid was in for anything that involved food. It was very amusing. Emma took the plate and walked back to the living room. She sat down on the couch and turned on the TV to watch the news while eating. As depressing as it was watching bad news after bad news it was always good to be updated with what was happening in the world. Especially when it comes to politics. It seemed like the world was going to shit lately in that aspect.
She finished eating her lunch, regretting not taking two but at the same time thinking how much she would have to run later to burn all that off. She was washing the single plate she used when she heard the doorbell. Emma walked to the door to answer, already excited about seen Regina. When she flung the door open, to her surprise it wasn't the Mills she was expecting.
- Mrs. Mills. What are you doing here?
- May I come in, Miss Swan?
- Ah, yeah. Okay! – Emma said opening the door wilder to the older woman – Take a seat.
- Thank you, dear.
Emma closed the door behind her and took a seat on the far corner of the couch. She looked at Cora and felt her features hardened, remembering the things she said about her. It was even worse when Emma remembered she had slapped Regina. It took everything in Emma to remember who the woman in front of her was and that she couldn't, in fact, slap her back.
- What are you doing here? – Emma asked again
- I came here to make you the offer of your life, Miss Swan. – Cora said.
- Excuse me?
- I know what you are doing. You may have fooled my daughter, but I am well aware of the likes of you.
- The hell are you talking about? – Emma asked.
- I know what you want, Miss Swan.
- And what do I want, Mrs. Mills? – Emma asked sarcastically.
- Money. And lucky for you, I have plenty. Name your price, dear.
- I think you should get the fuck out of my house! – Emma said standing up.
- Are you offended, dear?
- I don't want your money, Mrs. Mills. Now, kindly, fuck the hell off.
- A hooker with morals? That's a first! You sell your body, Miss Swan. We both know you have a price, just name it and you shall have it.
- Yeah, you are right. I had a price. I did sell my body for money. But I never sold my character, Mrs. Mills. That's something you or anyone else will never be able to buy.
- Don't be a fool, Miss Swan. I can solve all of your problems. Your college, for example. Harvard, quite impressive, I must admit. But its also, quite expansive. We both know you don't have money to pay for it until your graduation. Let me help you with that.
- Mrs. Mills…
- All you have to do is stay away from my daughter. Name your price, dear.
- Mrs. Mill, I swear to God, I will not be held responsible for my actions if you don't get the fuck out of my house. – Emma said angrily.
- Half a million.
- What?
- Half a million dollars – Cora said getting up from the couch – How does that sound?
- I know its hard for you to understand this, but, some things in life are more important than money. I love your daughter and Im not going anywhere. Now, please, get the fuck out of my house. – Emma said holding the door open.
- Think about it, dear – Cora said leaving a small card on the side table – My offer still stands. Half a million could easily change your life. All you have to do is step out of my daughter's life.
Cora left the apartment leaving a very angry Emma behind. How dare she? How dare that woman going to her home and try to buy her out of Regina's life. She could offer her the entire Mills fortune and still, she wouldn't leave Regina. She was her family. She was her everything. Emma was angry. She felt her blood boil. She needed to get out of the apartment to clear her thoughts. Emma went to her bedroom and changed into her running outfit. She needed the exercise. She needed the adrenaline running through her body to make things clear to her. She left the apartment and took her usual route to the park. She did so without thinking, completely on autopilot. As she ran, she thought about the conversation she had with Cora. Half a million dollars. She just threw that right to her face. Yeah, sure, the money would change her life. It would change the life of any ordinary person. But who the fuck did she think she was? She couldn't just buy people out of her daughter's life. That was insane. You can't just buy people like that. Besides, Emma would never leave Regina. Not for money, anyway. She was the first person she ever loved. The first one who ever loved her back. That was something Emma wanted for as long as she could remember. To be loved by someone. There wasn't enough money in the world that could ever buy that.
Emma ran the whole park twice without even realizing it. She needed that. She needed to think about what had just happened. She was piss. She should have told Cora to shove it. Kicking her out of the house, wasn't enough. Emma should have done more. Should have insisted more. Half a million dollars. Emma didn't even know how much money was that. Not really. She never saw such a figure. And if it meant having Regina by her side, she wished she never did. By the time she was making her way home, she was exhausted. She had just stepped out of the elevator when she noticed a familiar brunette in front of the door.
- Regina?
- Hey.
- What are you doing here? – Emma asked walking closer to her.
- It's nice to see you too, Miss Swan.
- Sorry – Emma said packing her lips – Hi!
- Hi, dear. You are all sweat.
- I was out running.
Emma opened the front door, letting Regina get in first. She closed the door behind her, taking Regina's coat in the process.
- Were you waiting long? – Emma asked
- A little. I was about to go. I was just leaving a messenger on your voicemail.
- Oh! Hold on.
Emma walked to the bedroom, eagerly opening the drawer on her study desk. She fumbled around for a while until she found a small object at the bottom of it. She took the object out and held it, smiling at it. She then went back to the leaving room where she found Regina on the couch looking at her phone. Emma sat beside her and took Regina's hand, pressing the small object in her hand.
- Here!
- What is this? – Regina asked looking at the object.
- It's my spare key – Emma said smiling – So you won't have to wait outside anymore.
- Emma… A-Are you sure?
- Of course. You are more than welcome to let yourself in and out whenever you want, Regina. – Emma said grinning.
- Thank you! – Regina said and leaned in to kiss her.
- I'm all sweaty and stinky – Emma said between kisses
- I don't care!
Regina pushed Emma down to the couch, positioning herself on top of her, claiming Emma's lips with hers. Emma wrapped her arms around Regina's waist to push her down to her. She wanted to feel Regina's weight on top of her. Regina held Emma's face between hers, deepened the kiss, invading Emma's mouth with her tongue. They kept on making out on the couch until the need for air made an appearance. Regina pushed her body up a little smiling down at Emma. Then Emma saw her eyes lingered to something at the side table. Regina lifted herself completely from Emma and walked to the side table, taking the card Cora had left there only a few hours prior.
- What is this doing here? – Regina asked angrily.
- Regina, I can explain…
- Did she come here? – Regina asked again, her features hardened.
- Yes!
- When?
- A few hours ago.
- What did she want?
- Nothing, she just….
- Emma! What. Did. She. Want?
- She came to offer me money… – Emma said looking down
- To break up with me! – Regina finished the sentence for her
- I didn't accept it! I told her to get the fuck out of my house!
- How much?
- Regina…
- How much?
- Half a million.
- Wow. She certainly grew more generous with time.
- What are you talking about?
- This is not the first time she tries to buy someone out of my life. I'm glad to know my price is increasing. – Regina smirked.
- I'm sorry!
- Did you really tell her to get the fuck out? – Regina asked softly.
- Yes! Several times. – Emma said firmly.
- Thank you! – Regina said coming closer to Emma and hugging her.
- You don't have to thank me! – Emma hugged her back - You are my everything, Regina. I would never exchange this for something as petty as money.
- That's a lot of money – Regina said breaking the hug – It would change your life.
- You have already done that, Regina!
- You should take it!
- What? No!
- I meant it. Take the money. She has more than enough to go around.
- Regina, I am not breaking up with you. – Emma said panicking.
- I didn't say you would. Take the money, put it on your savings. Pay for school. You needed it more then she does.
- I'm not taking her money, Regina. I don't want or need anything from her.
Regina closed the distance between them again, taking Emma's face between hers. She smiled at Emma, that smile that always made her heart skip a beat, every single time, and all Emma could do was smile back at her. This was exactly the reason why she could never give up on Regina. It was little moments like this. How happy just a smile could make Emma feel. How in peace she felt just by being in the presence of this woman. Emma moved closer, taking Regina's lips. Regina kissed her back, they both lost in the sensations of one another. When they broke apart, Regina asked:
- Is that why you went out to run?
- Yeah, I…I needed to clear my head.
- I'm sorry!
- It's okay. As long as I have you, I can handle anything.
- You know what? – Regina said - How about a shower?
- Is that your way to say I stink? – Emma laughed.
- Yes! Its also my way to get you naked – Regina winked.
- As if you need a way to get me naked.
Regina laughed wholeheartedly as Emma held her hand between hers. They walked together to the bathroom where they stripped each other and jumped into the shower. They made love to each other under the warm water, bringing themselves to orgasms as generous lovers usually do. They stayed there until the water ran cold and they were forced to step out. Emma tried to continue their physical activities in bed, but Regina claimed she needed to pick up Henry at school as he had afternoon activities that day. Emma then changed and fixed her backpack and duffle bag automatically. When Regina asked her what she was doing, Emma gave her the most honest answer. I'm going home with you, she said. Regina smiled, walking to where Emma was to give her a kiss. Emma was slightly confused, but nevertheless, continued to pack. They left on Regina's car, to pick up Henry at school. He was super excited when he saw the two of them there. They drove to the manor where Henry claimed that they needed to have a movie night. After the first movie, they were able to convince Regina to have pizza for dinner, which made her roll her eyes, saying that she had two children, but accepting it in the end. They ate in the leaving room with another movie Henry had chosen on. The night filled Emma's heart with such happiness, something so new and still so recurrent for her ever since she met Regina that she knew she made the right choice. No money in the world could never buy this. No money could ever buy her out of her family.