Chapter Thirty-Three: Family day
- Mom! Emma! Wake up! – Henry shooked them in bed – Come on! You promised we could go out today if it was sunny. It's sunny!
- Kid! It's the middle of the night – Emma said sleepily
- It's eight in the morning. You are a bad influence on my mom. – Henry said playfully
- Henry- Regina reprimand.
- She is. All you two do is stay in bed till late now.
- The bed is good, kid! – Emma said
- You know what is also good? Keeping promises.
- Okay, you are forcing my hand here, Kid – Emma said
- What? – Henry asked – Emma what are you…
Henry didn't have time to finish his sentence. Emma moved fast in bed and grabbed Henry's little body and pushed in down in bed, trapping him between them. Emma tickled him, laughing along with his laugh, his tiny little body squirming.
- Mom, HELP! – He shouted out.
- Of course, my little Prince – Regina said smiling at him
Except she didn't help him. Instead, she joined Emma and helped her tickle him. He screamed, laughed, and squirmed until he was too tired to take it anymore. He laid there between them, with Regina running her hand on his hair and Emma looking happily between them. This was her life now. This was her perfect little life full of love and laughs and Emma felt like she could cry out of happiness at that moment. She loved them so much. She loves Henry like he was her own. She looked at Regina and saw her face, smiling down at him and her heart filled with tenderness. What she felt for Regina was beyond anything she has ever experienced before. In a way, she felt like this was what she was made for. To love this woman. To be loved by her. Emma felt her eyes tear up a bit and shooked her head. Even though it was tears of happiness, today was not the day for them.
- So, what you wanna do, Kid? – Emma asked.
- We can go to the park. – He said – Emma, will you play ball with me?
- Sure! – Emma answered.
- Henry, why don't you go downstairs and take the basket and the blanket from the garage. – Regina told him.
- Already done that! – He said.
- Okay! How about we go downstairs and make some sandwiches? We can all have breakfast in the park. – Regina said
- Done it! – He said
- What? – Both Emma and Regina asked.
- I've already done everything. I'm up since six. The only thing missing is the two of you!
- O-Okay! I guess now Emma and I will have to change. – Regina said slightly puzzled
- Okay! I'll be watching TV downstairs. No kissing, you two!
- W-What? – Emma asked.
- You two take forever to get ready when you are kissing, so, NO KISSING. – Henry said as he got off the bed.
- You can't ask me that, Kid! – Emma said.
- I just did! – He said and storm out of the bedroom.
Emma smirked. Henry was adorable but there was no way in hell she wouldn't kiss Regina good morning. She moved to her in bed, half of her body on top of her. Emma's arm was loose around Regina's waist and she bent down to kiss her.
- Good morning – Emma said grinning down at her.
- Good morning - Regina said smiling back – Henry said no kissing.
- Henry is not the boss of me – Emma said and bent down to kiss her again.
- I SAID, NO KISSING – Henry shouted out from the door.
Emma's whole body fell on top of Regina, who was laughing at Emma's frustration. She rubbed her back sympathetically and kissed the top of her head.
- Come on, honey. Let's get change – Regina said.
- But I want to kiss you – Emma said with a pout.
- If you get up now I'll let you kiss me all you want at night.
- Really?
- Yes! Come on, lets get that kid tired – Regina said back with a wink.
Emma smiled wild at Regina before leaving the bed. They both went to the bathroom for their morning routines and changed. Emma put on one of the jeans she had brought to Regina's place but opted for wearing one of Regina's blouse. She loved the smell of Regna's fabric softener. She asked her once what the brand was, but when Emma wash it at home it just didn't have the same smell. It took her a while to realize it was a mix of the fabric softener, her perfume, and Regina's natural smell. She loved it. She loved it wearing her clothes, she loved the smell of her girlfriend. But Emma also knew that wasn't the only reason why she was wearing Regina's clothes. She was over what happened, sort of anyway, but she still needed that comfort. She needed to be closer to Regina in all the ways possible. She felt safe that way. Like nothing could ever hurt her. Regina must have sensed it as she walked behind Emma in the closet and wrapped her arms around her. She kissed the back of her neck and rested her head on Emma's shoulder. That brought a wave of warming feelings that washed Emma like a tsunami. Emma could never thank Regina enough for this. She could never thank her enough for making her feel safe. For making her feel whole. For making her feel home.
- Shall we go? – Regina asked gently.
- Yeah! – Emma said ging her arms one last squeeze.
Regina held Emma's hand between hers and together they made their way downstairs. They found Henry watching TV in the living room. When he saw them, he turned off the TV and asked them to follow him to the kitchen. They did so and found Henry retrieving the beverages from the fridge. Both Emma and Regina opened the basket and were impressed. Henry put everything together, not only he made the sandwiches, but he also put on fruits, butter, jam, and everything else they needed for the day out.
- I couldn't reach the cooler, you keep it way too high for me, mom! – Henry said as he put the drinks on the island.
- I'll get it, kid. – Emma said.
Regina took the ice from the freezer and soon the trio was out the door. They opted for Emma's bug as Henry said it was cooler than his mom's car. Regina rolled her eyes in a mock offense sort of way and Emma had to laugh. Oh, the joys of being a Kid. Where on earth Emma's car was cooler than Regina's? They fit everything in the back seat and soon they were driving to the park. The day really was beautiful, it was sunny and warm ad Emma couldn't help but think how good it was that she got to spend it with her family.
They arrived at the park and Henry choose the very same spot he was having a picnic with Regina the day she met him. God, how long ago was that? It felt like a lifetime for Emma. It felt like she knew them forever now, and this was just one more ordinary day of their lives. She liked that. She liked that feeling very much. They reached the tree Emma pointed and Emma and Regina opened the blanket on the grass. They sat down on it, and Regina reached for the basket, taking off its content. It wasn't until Emma saw all the food spread in front of her that she realized she was starved. She reached for a cheese and turkey sandwich, taking a big bite. Regina poured a cup of coffee for her and Emma almost laugh out loud at Henry. He made coffee. He knew Regina didn't function in the morning without a cup. Regina also made sure they both eat a bit of fruit. They both decided to have an apple leaving Regina with the grapes Henry had put in the basket. Once their belly was full, Henry asked Emma to play ball with him and so, Emma reached for Regina kissing her cheek before getting up and run down with him.
They kicked the ball to one another for a while, until Henry spy a kid kicking his ball all alone. He asked Emma if could invite him to play with them and when Emma said yes he ran towards the kid and soon they were playing together forgetting all about Emma. She had to admit, it hurt a little bit. After telling Henry to stay at eyesight, Emma made her way up to Regina. She was sitting by the tree reading a book Emma didn't even remember seeing her getting.
- Hey – Emma said crashing by Regina's side.
- Hi – Regina said taking her eyes off the book – Where is Henry?
- Right there – Emma said pointing at him – He made a friend.
- Oh, he did! That's nice.
- He forgot all about me, babe – Emma said pouting.
- Oh, don't be sad. He'll come back. – Regina said smiling at her.
- He is better. I'm supposed to be his favorite.
- Really?
- After you, of course. – Emma said with a goofy grin.
Emma moved to lay her head on Regina's lap. Regina ran her fingers on her hair and Emma closed her eyes to isolate everything but the feeling of Regina's fingers on her scalp. That was heaven. She felt like she could fall asleep right there and then. She was, in fact, drifting off when she felt a little body fall on top of her.
- Whoa, Kid! – Emma said.
- Sorry – Henry said looking up at her – Emma can you go back to play with us?
- Sure! – Emma said.
- We need you to be on the goal. We'll kick the ball to you and you have to stop it.
- Yeah, I can do that.
- Good, but… - Henry lowered his voice before saying – Can you let my balls go in more than you let his?
- Henry! – Regina sai reprimand him.
- What? Just a few. – He said looking at his mom.
- Sure, Kid! I can do that – Emma said between laughs.
- Good – Henry said standing up – Let's go!
- He came back – Emma said smiling up at Regina.
- He sure did. – Regina said smiling down at her.
Emma stood up and ran down to where Henry and his friend was. She took off her boots to make the goal for them and let the balls they were kicking pass trough it. True be told, she could easily have stopped every single one of them. Henry was happy, playing with his friend, high fiving every time he made a goal and that warmed Emma's heart to the core. She was happy too. So much. In a way, she never even thought it was possible and she owed all of that to the beautiful woman up by a tree looking down at them. Emma smiled and waved at her followed by Henry. Regina waved back and soon, they went right back to playing.
They were only done when Henry's friend had to go. Emma had let Henry win only by one goal, she figured that was fair enough. Henry said goodbye to his friend and they waited until the boy was right beside his father before they walked back up. As they were walking, Emma put her arm around Henry's shoulder as they gladly chat. He thanked her for letting him win even though it was a lame score difference. When they reached Regina, she was talking on the phone. They both flopped down to the blanket taking water bottles from the cooler. It was hot and they were sweaty. Well, Henry was sweaty, Emma was just mostly hot. A few minutes after their arrival, Regina turn off the phone and said:
- Zelena invited us for lunch.
- Oh! That's nice of her. – Emma said.
- Hold that thought – Regina told her.
- Why? – Emma asked.
- She waited until I say yes and then she asked us to bring the food.
- What? But, but…You said she invited us. – Emma said.
- Aunt Z. can't cook. – Henry said – She always puts me in the kitchen when I stay there. I like it as I get to use the knife alone.
- WHAT? – Regina asked him
- Aunt Z. drinks wine and let me cook. She always says Do your magic while she uses her phone. It's awesome! – He said
- I am having some serious conversation with your aunt – Regina said.
- No, don't do that! – Henry said – I don't want to lose my kitchen privileges!
- And I don't want you losing a finger! – Regina said.
- So, - Emma quipped – What are we bringing?
- I thought about going to that Italian place we went out to. The food is very good there. – Regina said.
- The one we had our first date? – Emma said grinning.
- That's the one – Regina winked at her.
- I think it's a great idea. – Emma said.
The little family then started to collect everything in order to leave. Regina held Emma's hand as they walked to the bug with Henry telling his mom about his new friend and how much fun he had. Regina had a bright beautiful smile on her face that affected Emma in all the right ways. They reached the bug and Emma drove to the restaurant to take their food. On the ride there, they had discussed what they wanted to eat leaving Emma in charge of going in to get the food, as she was the one with inside connections, as they put.
The drive to Zelina's place was quick. It was Sunday, there was no traffic whatsoever. Emma parked in front of the house that was even posher than Regina's and Emma couldn't help but shake her head. Emma took the bags with the food from Regina and held her hand as they walked to the door. Regina had one arm around Henry's shoulder who was trying to get away with studying math when they got home. Regina rang the doorbell and it didn't take long before they were greeted by the door with Zelena saying:
- Where the hell were you? I'm starving!
- Good morning, Zelena – Regina said sarcastically – It's very nice to see you too.
- Yeah, yeah, yeah, get in! – Zelena said opening the door wilder for them to enter.
Emma walked behind Regina to the kitchen and placed the food on the island. Zelena placed the plates in front of them and said she only had wine and water for a drink. Regina rolled her eyes and both Emma and Henry laughed. They all chosen water even though Henry said he would like some wine. His mother did not appreciate the joke and sent an evil glare in his direction. Emma took the food out of the bags and they all started to help themselves with all the contents in it. Regina sat beside Emma and kissed her cheek before starting eating. Emma smiled at the gesture, she always appreciated those little bits of affection Regina gave her in public. It warmed her heart, every single time.
- Oh my God, this is delicious – Zelena said – Where is this place?
- It's a bit far from here. – Emma said – It's where I took Regina out on our first date – Emma smiled at her.
- Yes, I was very impressed – Regina said smiling back.
- Are you two always like that? – Zelena asked.
- They are. – Henry said. – But I liked it. Except when they are kissing. That's disgusting.
- You say that now, Kid – Emma said.
- Emma! – Regina reprimand.
Emma smiled back at her and kissed her cheek. Zelena rolled her eyes at them and Henry laughed at his aunt's reaction. They ate their lunch with light chat and when Henry asked for dessert Zelena said she only had wine. Again. Henry laughed but Regina sent a murderous glare to her sister. Zelena's phone rang and she left the kitchen to answer. Emma and Regina started to clean up the kitchen and after a few moments Zelena walked back saying:
- Regina, I am so sorry. I really am.
- What is it? - Regina asked.
- We are gonna need to work. There is a new development in the case.
- No! It's my day off.
- I'm sorry – Zelena said apologetically.
- God damn it! – Regina said out loud which made Henry turned his head to her – I'm sorry, Henry.
- It's okay mom!
- Hey – Emma said softly – It's okay. We get it!
- I'm sorry. – Regina said looking apologetic at her.
- We have to go, Regina – Zelena said. – Right now!
- I'll get Henry home. – Emma said.
- Thank you – Regina said kissing her lips.
The four of them left the house together. Emma and Henry walked together to the bug and Emma took him for ice cream before driving home. Inside the mansion, they continued to have their day off by playing video games and watching movies. Around seven pm Emma ordered pizza that they ate in the same spot they were all afternoon. On the couch in front of the TV. Henry was out by nine pm and Emma carried him to his room before going to Regina's room. She changed into her nightshirt and tucked in bed to read a book while waiting for Regina. Emma fell asleep and only woke up again by the light movement on the mattress. She turned around to Regina's side, automatically spooning her.
- Hi! – Emma greeted.
- Hi. Go back to sleep.
- What time is it?
- Late! And you have classes in a few hours.
- So do you, babe.
- Exactly. Sleep, now.
- Okay – Emma said breathing in Regina's scent – I love you!
- I love you too.