"Good morning," Emma cheerfully greets Regina as she enters the kitchen, bouncing away with a smile that just won't quit.
"Good morning," Regina repeats, less enthusiastic and a little more defeated as she carefully reads something over.
Emma slows down her pace, scrutinizing the sour mood before she drops a kiss to the top of Lennox's head. Her goddaughter is just as perky as Emma feels this morning, happily munching away on some fruit that is accompanying her eggs this morning. Emma automatically smiles, knowing Lennox is finally eating Regina's cooking.
"Something wrong?" She investigates, attempting to sound light and airy while she sweeps through the kitchen to pour herself a cup of coffee.
"I just received the bill for the clinic."
"Already? Those suckers move fast, huh?"
"It appears so," Regina drawls slowly, watching as Emma slides into the chair across from her, folding her legs like a pretzel.
Why is the blonde so endearing?
"So? What's the damage?" Emma asks, slowly sipping her steaming morning caffeine.
"Fifteen hundred," she so vacantly responds, causing Emma to choke on her coffee and even dribble down her pointed chin.
"What? Don't we have insurance?"
"Yes, we do, but it appears that the clinic we went to isn't in our network."
"Are you kidding me? The kid had a high fever, that's the most ridiculous thing I've ever heard. What do they expect? Risk her life and drive out of my way."
"That's exactly what they expect."
"That's bullshit. We need to switch plans. We can't have that. If there is an emergency we should be able to bring her wherever the hell we need to," Emma complains, stealing the papers away to examine the damage herself.
Something swells in Regina's chest, provoking a small smile to play at her lips and it's all because of this protective nature in Emma. It's quite adorable watching her fuss over this little dilemma they have found themselves in.
The bubbling anger and bitter tone reminds her of a few nights ago, when she was heading off on her date. She knows Emma was jealous, even if the woman tried her best to play it cool. To Regina, she was as transparent as a freshly cleaned window on a summer's day, she could see right through Emma's hard exterior. When they were at the hospital, she noticed right away how Emma was tracking her. Especially when Ivy was around and even though she shouldn't condone that type of behavior, it doesn't stop the way it makes her feel inside.
She secretly loves a possessive and jealous Emma.
"And Emma, you were right," she interrupts the blonde's concentration on the bills as she slides a few more envelopes under her nose. "This place is costing us a fortune between the heat and the electricity."
Emma snatches up the bills, her eyes frantically scanning everything over. "Alright, so we make some cut backs. We will be fine. This isn't that bad."
"I know it's not that bad and I know we can manage, I just...I think I need to pull the plug on the expansion of my bakery. It's too expensive right now with everything that I'm trying to juggle here. Besides, I can hardly pay attention to the project right now with everything I'm trying to manage at home."
"Wait, what?" Emma balks, her neck snapping up to meet Regina's vacant stare and she knows that look all too well. Regina's setting a mask into place to hide away her true feelings. "No, Regina, you can't. This is your dream."
"I know, but it's alright," she nonchalantly shrugs, rising from her chair to refill her coffee mug, but they both know she's still trying to hide her emotions. "I can always start the project later on down the road. Maybe when Lennox is in kindergarten."
Lennox cranes her neck, peeking behind her high-chair from the mention of her name, but both aunts seem too distracted to notice her curiosity peaking.
"No, come on, you already started putting this into motion and if you don't do it now, it will just keep getting postponed," Emma declares, pushing the papers away, so she doesn't have the reminder staring her down.
"I am a very determined person, Emma," she states with conviction, slowly pouring herself another cup of coffee. "I will eventually build that expansion."
"No, I can't let you give up on your dream when you do so much for us," Emma demands, standing up from her chair and crossing the kitchen in just a few short strides. "I know you think I'm a flake, irresponsible...an idiot," she pauses when Regina rolls her eyes, but Emma latches onto her hips and locks onto her gaze. "But I'm actually a really good saver. I've been working since I was sixteen and stashing my money away-"
"Emma, stop right there." Regina places her hand against the woman's chest, immobilizing when she feels how strong and determined the heart is pounding beneath her fingertips.
"Just hear me out."
"No, I will not take money from you. I wouldn't even allow my own father to help me. Absolutely not."
"I knew you were going to say that. Look, I know you are independent and I know you don't want charity." Regina's rolling her eyes again, attempting to escape, but Emma tightens her hold and ducks down to lock eyes once again. "Hey, I understand that better than anyone, but you said we are family now and we have to help each other, right? So, what if I don't give you the money?"
"What do you mean?" She questions, brown eyes flickering all across Emma's face for some unspoken answer.
"What if I invest in your business?"
"Invest."
"Yes, I will help with the costs of renovations and I will...receive a percentage of sales."
Regina's eyes wander away for a moment as she mulls over the proposal. "Invest," she murmurs to herself, working through every reason why they shouldn't become business partners, but frankly, she cannot come up with one. Technically, the money Emma will receive will just end up going toward the house they share, more bills, or Lennox. "What kind of percentage are you suggesting?"
"Uh, fifteen percent?"
"Ten percent," Regina quickly counters without truly thinking because the tug and pull with Emma seems to be almost reflexive now.
"Ten percent, but I get free meals anytime I want."
"Deal."
"Deal," Emma says and Regina's not entirely sure why her heart has quickened its pace, but it takes off soaring.
Something shifts in the air, the wind changing direction, swaying them from friends and business partners to blurring the lines and moving toward lovers instead. Regina's big eyes are expressing her vulnerability as she searches Emma's face for a hint at where their relationship is heading. She's hesitating, she knows Emma can feel her apprehension and it's all from her conflicting heart and mind.
Ivy is still on her mind, but she has yet to call the woman back and it's been three days. Shouldn't that be all the validation she needs that Emma means more to her? Yet, the doctor is still on her mind, so she deflects.
"I think you should come to the bakery and see what you are getting yourself into. You've never even seen the place."
"Okay, one condition," Emma mumbles so softly that Regina finds herself swaying closer, lifting one eyebrow to prompt the blonde to continue. "After you show me around the bakery, you let me take you out to celebrate."
"Take me out? Emma, I should be taking you out as a thank you," she sighs, her hands sliding up the strong arms holding her into place. "How about this? I cook for us at the bakery as a thank you."
"That's fine with me. I rather have you all to myself anyways," she confidently says while Regina just shakes her head in amusement. "It's a date."
"A date," Regina repeats, a cross between a question and a statement like she's testing the word on her tongue. Much to her surprise, she becomes quite giddy inside from the prospect.
A shy smile graces her face the moment she realizes that her heart is winning, she really does want a date from this woman. She wants a redo for that awful night over three years ago now.
Emma must sense where her mind is at because one hand leaves Regina's hip to cup her cheek tenderly. Brown eyes latch onto green just as Emma encloses the space between them and gently brushes her lips against Regina's. She sighs, so full of contentment as her hands glide up Emma's arms to rest upon the woman's shoulders.
This is the moment where Regina completely surrenders, opening up and allowing Emma to step through. It's always been Emma, that's why they spent the last three years butting heads, teasing one another, driving each other absolutely mad. Because Regina knew, even back then, how hard she could fall for Emma and how easily the woman could break her. She couldn't stand the thought of Emma breaking her heart, so she pushed back. She fought, and shoved Emma away to protect herself, but that ends today.
No more inner debate between Ivy and Emma.
It's no contest.
"Mema?" Lennox's squeal tears Regina and Emma apart, well, just their lips. Apparently, they refuse to let each other go.
"Did she say ma-ma?" Emma cautiously questions, quite dumbfounded really.
"No, that can't be. I think she knows that neither one of us are her mother. We have always been Auntie Regina and Auntie Emma. Oh, she must have said Emma," Regina concludes, stepping out of the woman's embrace to scoop up Lennox. "Did you say Emma?" She happily questions, holding the baby close, almost connecting their foreheads.
Lennox doesn't repeat herself, she's a little distracted with Regina's shiny necklace at the moment.
"I don't know, Regina, kinda sounded like ma-ma," Emma stresses, brushing some hair out of Lennox's face.
"That's ridiculous. We never say that around her," Regina dismisses rather quickly before she heads upstairs to get ready for the day.
Never bringing up the mama subject again.
XXXX
They had waited until the following Saturday night for their date. Emma didn't have to work, the bakery was closed and the neighbor girl from down the block was available to watch Lennox. Regina and Emma were abnormally quiet the entire day, both too consumed by their internal struggles with opening up and irrational fears to speak to one another.
However, as Emma stands in the bakery, observing as Regina works so swiftly around the kitchen to prepare their dinner, every worry and concern melts away. She smiles to herself, knowing she could definitely get used to the sight of Regina cooking for them. She chuckles to herself, Regina already does that, but Emma enjoys the serene moment all the more knowing that sexy brunette is all hers and Lennox's.
"You're like a ninja with those fast knife skills," she comments, entering the small area that is under construction to extend the eating area to become a small cafe. Regina laughs lightly, a beautiful smile gracing her face and highlighting those rich eyes. "No, recipe? No, plan?" Emma thoughtfully questions when she realizes the lack of instructions nearby.
"No," Regina muses, smirking as she begins plating their meals. "This is the only place where I don't follow a strict plan. The kitchen is the only place where I can relax and just go with it."
Emma's smile reaches new territory from how wide it actually is. She can't help herself, she needs to be close to this astonishing woman. She swiftly steps behind the petite brunette and allows her hands to gently glide around her hips. Much to both of their surprise, Regina inhales sharply and melts into the embrace. Emma smiles, so damn proud of herself for finally winning over this woman. She buries her nose in the silky curve of Regina's neck and holds her even closer.
"You're incredible, you know that?"
"Emma-"
"No, I've never said it before and I think you need to hear it," she declares, spinning Regina around in her arms and taking just a split second to admire the navy blue dress.
It's an elegant dress, modest, never revealing any sort of cleavage, however there is a zipper that is decorating her thigh, just begging to be pulled up and expose the olive flesh beneath. When Emma blinks away her naughty thoughts, she finds enchanting brown eyes sparkling at her expectantly.
"Running a business that you created all on your own," she begins her praise, cupping Regina's cheek and encouraging the woman to lean into her touch. "While trying to raise a one-year-old that isn't yours and having to live with me, the biggest pain in your ass," she teases, coaxing a soft chuckle to spill from Regina's mouth as she bites her bottom lip nervously. "I really admire you, Regina. You are one hell of a woman and I'm so honored to be by your side," she compliments before softly connecting their lips.
Regina hums, thoroughly satisfied with the little speech. She curls her fingers around Emma's wrist that is holding her face into place, trying to stay grounded in the moment, knowing she can easily float away from the woman's words.
"Thank you," she mutters against a set of pale lips, provoking Emma to slowly end the kiss. "I think we should eat."
"Of course," Emma agrees with a sappy grin across her face. "I'm excited to try what you made, I love your cooking."
"Emma, you got me. I'm on this date with you, you can stop kissing my ass," Regina sasses, even though she secretly loves Emma pining over her.
"Hey, I'm being honest here. I really love your cooking," she demands, taking Regina's lead and picking up her plate to follow her for dinner. "And maybe I want to kiss your ass," she coyly adds on, motivating Regina to peer over her shoulder and flash a teasing little smirk.
Regina leads the way to the front of the bakery, where all the lights are off, except for two candles glowing in the middle of a small circular table. It's romantic, something straight out of a movie and Emma couldn't imagine anything less from the perfectionist.
Together, they settle down at the table, across from one another. Regina moves quickly to fill their wine glasses while Emma forces herself to wait before diving in like a starved lunatic.
"By the way," Regina's tone is low, seductive, alluring, "that dress is really something else," she compliments, handing Emma a glass of white wine while she drinks in the black leather dress that is displaying Emma's biceps so beautifully.
Emma immediately feels the heat burning her cheeks and she's so thankful that it's almost pitch-black in there.
"I wanted you to know how serious I am about us." Regina sips her wine slowly, her eyebrows rising at the admission. "I know you think I didn't care about our blind date, but that wasn't the case."
Regina gently sets down her wine glass, nodding toward Emma's dish. "Eat, before it gets cold."
Emma nods along, cutting enthusiastically into her salmon, even if she's not the biggest fan of fish. "You told me how you perceived that night when you were drunk and that's not at all how I imagined the night going," she confesses, placing a small bite into her mouth. Her tastebuds explode with flavor, nothing like the fishy taste that she was expecting. Her hand immediately flies up to her mouth to ensure nothing comes spilling out, because she needs to rave about this meal right this very second. "Oh my god, Regina, this is so good." She quickly swallows, watching as Regina takes a dainty bite. "Seriously, I don't like fish."
"You don't like fish? Why didn't you say something while I was cooking?" She pouts.
"I don't know," Emma mumbles around the fork already shoving another piece into her mouth. "But this is amazing. You definitely need to cook this again."
"Are you sure? Be honest, I can make-"
"No, this is so delicious," she proudly says, grinning from ear to ear. "I won't let you take my plate away," she jokes, grabbing her dish and moving it away from the table playfully.
Regina softly chuckles, her skeptical eyes still studying Emma's face for any signs of deceit, but she finds nothing but pure enthusiasm with each bite.
"So, like I was saying before," Emma begins, wiping her mouth with a cloth napkin. "I really did care about our date. It's just, I had a really stressful night at work and then my bike broke down on the way to you and I ripped my jeans along the way and I swear, Regina, I was not scheduling another date."
"Really?" Regina suspiciously investigates, that damn stern eyebrow scaling high upon her forehead.
"I promise. The neighbor above me was very sick and she was calling to ask if I could take her dog out. The poor dog had been inside all day, she couldn't get out of bed."
"And this neighbor," Regina proceeds with her skeptical tone, "you had never slept with her before?"
"Oh come on, it was one time," Emma whines, hoping she didn't just screw up her date again, but then Regina chuckles. A deep, rich laugh that does dirty things to the little gem buried between her thighs.
"That's what I thought, dear," Regina smugly replies.
"But it wasn't like that, I swear. We fooled around one time when we first met and then we were strictly friends. She's seeing someone now. I just wanted to help the poor pup out."
"I believe you," Regina earnestly says.
"Yeah?"
"Yes."
"Good. Now since that's all out in the open, I really want a fresh start between us."
Regina gently lifts her glass, a playful smirk playing at her lips that encourages Emma to fumble for her glass as well and meet her in the middle.
"To second chances," Regina flirts.
"To second chances," Emma repeats, clinking their glasses together.
XXXX
"I had a really nice evening, thank you for walking me to the door," Regina teases.
Maybe she shouldn't have had that last glass of wine.
"Oh shut up and unlock the door," Emma laughs, clinging to Regina's back like a baby chimpanzee and attacking her neck with playful kisses and nips.
"It's kind of hard when I have a pesky mosquito trying to drink my blood," Regina attempts to sound annoyed, but the last glass of wine sort of tipped her over the edge and she can't suppress her stupid grin and high school giggle.
"You know, this doesn't bode well for me that you aren't great at multitasking," Emma teases, gently stealing the key from Regina's hands and stepping around her to unlock the door.
Regina slides up right behind Emma, her sneaky fingers gliding along the leather encasing the woman's hips. She smiles to herself, basking in the warmth of the strong blonde who becomes immobile in her arms. Regina buries her nose in the silkiest curls and releases a heavy sigh against Emma's neck. The woman shudders in her embrace and Regina knows she has her, right where she wants her.
"It doesn't bode well for me that you can't multitask, dear," she purrs as her palms press further into Emma and travel down her torso, towards her thighs until her short nails are biting into the flesh just below the hem of the sexy leather dress.
In one swift move, Emma whirls around, her hands swooping beneath Regina's bottom and lifting her to decorate the front door with her. Regina gasps from the sudden change, her head still trying to keep up after the alcohol fogged her brain. She finds a cocky smirk dancing in her face and she attempts to scowls.
And fails miserably.
"Will you let me prove you wrong?" Emma whispers, and truthfully, Regina was expecting a smug retort or some cocky statement, but instead this woman almost sounds shy.
"I beg your pardon?"
Emma dips closer, the tip of her freckled nose brushing against Regina's as she inhales sharply. "Will you let me prove you wrong?" She innocently repeats before her lips just skim Regina's parted mouth, never truly kissing her. "I promise, I can multitask," she sincerely vows, her lips trailing away to set up camp, blazing a roaring fire as she hovers over Regina's ear. "Especially for you," she husks, delivering a brutal chill to trickle down Regina's spine.
She shivers violently, physically trembling in Emma's arms while her abdomen and thighs clench deliciously. Her brown eyes are wide as they scan every inch of Emma's, but this strong woman slowly drags Regina back to the ground. Gently, she plants Regina's stilettos upon the porch and then reaches behind her to push the unlocked door wide open.
"After you," Emma politely says, gesturing for Regina to find her common sense again and remember how to walk.
Regina flashes her most flirtatious smirk, even though she's screaming at herself to stop quivering from this woman's touch. She steps inside the house, feeling Emma move right behind her. She slips out of her heels at the doorway, Emma copying her move, so their heels don't echo through the house, just in case Lennox is asleep. She should be asleep.
When Regina walks into the living room, she finds the young teen curled up in a tight ball on the couch, reading a book.
"Hey Grace," Emma cheerfully greets the girl first, encouraging the teen to peek over her book.
"Hi, Emma, Regina," she politely replies, grinning a little harder than she usually does in their presence.
Regina squints at her. Is she blushing?
"How was Lennox this evening, dear?" Regina inquires, venturing further into the living room while rummaging her purse.
"She was good. She's always good," Grace answers, her cheeks glowing a deeper red than a string of Christmas lights.
Regina continues to eye her suspiciously. "Well, we are glad to hear that," she says, handing over the payment for her services.
Grace hesitates a moment before she carefully accepts the money. She stands from the couch, clutching the book to her chest as she awkwardly makes her way toward the door. Regina is watching her closely, but Emma has other things on her mind, like lightly brushing their fingertips together, so she can drag Regina to the sofa.
"Umm..." Grace nervously mumbles, her voice quivering as she pivots on her tiptoes and faces the two women once again. Emma and Regina both stare at the thirteen-year-old, their fingers laced together, completely caught holding hands. "I-uh," she curls her hair behind her ear and blurts out, "I think you make a really pretty couple."
And then she dashes out the door before Regina and Emma can even snap their hanging mouths shut and respond to the poor girl.
"She-she said the same thing about Taylor Swift and everybody," Emma nervously replies, but Regina just tosses another flirty smirk her way and yanks on their fingers, effectively slamming Emma against her body.
"She's a sweet girl," Regina whispers, persuading Emma's eyes to drift down toward her mouth. "I really did have a nice evening with you, Emma."
"I really wanted to make up for our first meeting," and the sincerity in her voice makes Regina weak in the knees.
"You have," Regina vows, gently reaching between them. She smiles softly at Emma, her index finger gliding through the blonde tresses hanging in front of Emma's face. She doesn't necessarily brush the hair away, she mostly follows the trail, admiring the way Emma curled her hair this evening. "No more bringing up the past. I promise you have mended that rocky start. It's time to look at the future."
And with that being said, Emma lunges forward, almost desperate as she crashes their lips together. Regina doesn't even skip a beat. Her arms wrap possessively around Emma's neck, pulling her in even closer while Emma slams her back against the wall. She gasps, the rugged force an instant turn on that steals her breath away, especially with Emma's hands sliding down her ribs to latch onto her hips. She rolls her body provocatively against Emma's, pulling out a deep groan from the woman and inspiring her to smirk in triumph.
Regina hikes up one leg, slamming her bare foot against the wall behind her for leverage before she pushes off the wall. Emma stumbles back, but never do their bodies break apart. Emma smiles, her green eyes glistening with amusement as Regina grins right back, thinking she has finally met her match.
Emma's feet shuffle backward while Regina rushes them to the staircase. This time, it's her turn to crush Emma up against the wall, all while their mouths become desperate, needy, starving for attention. This is definitely not how Emma has kissed her before, so slow, sensual and timid, now she's demanding, forceful, claiming and Regina's not entirely sure which version she likes more, but she knows damn well, she's obsessed. And nobody, nobody kisses like Emma Swan.
"Ugh," Emma groans into the kiss, her head tilting back when Regina captures her bottom lip between her teeth and slowly allows the flesh to tear away from her sassy mouth. "You're going to be the death of me," she murmurs, her hands gliding deliberately down the navy dress to steal two handfuls of that plump bottom.
Regina instantly rocks closer to Emma, allowing this woman to paw at her, demanding that she comes closer. Except, between their constricting tight dresses, she can't seem to get as close as her body craves. She growls, actually growls when she is denied the friction her body desires. She feels like she's possessed, like her blood is thumping in her veins and her heart is screaming to be closer to this woman. And she needs her. She needs Emma like she has never needed another soul on this planet.
Of course, Emma, always the hero, swoops in and saves the day. She sneaks her fingers between their bodies and drags that zipper up Regina's quivering thigh. Emma's fingertips dig into her flesh, memorizing every inch of silky flesh as she roughly glides further up toward her waist. Very slowly, she trails just below the lace decorating Regina's hip, then her fingers swoop around to her bottom, grabbing a handful of that meat before she slides down Regina's thigh and hooks her leg over her own waist.
Regina releases a trembling breath into their kiss when Emma strategically lifts her leg, connecting that strong thigh with her hot center. Emma uses her leverage on Regina's bottom to roughly tug her closer and Regina isn't even ashamed how she grinds down upon that thigh. The electricity that surges through Regina is more fierce than a bolt of lightning and suddenly she feels more energized than she has in years.
In an instant, she is roughly groping Emma's breasts through her leather dress and diving her tongue into Emma's mouth when she gasps. Nails dig deliciously into her bottom again as they both allow deep animalistic groans to fall from their mouths.
"Fuck, you're so hot," Emma mumbles incoherently, shoving off the wall and moving to take a step up, but Regina is caught between the steps and they both tumble to the middle of the stairs.
Emma landing brutally on top of Regina.
Normally, they would have both been laughing at the clumsiness of it all, but they are both too caught up in the moment to stop. The way Emma is obsessively kissing her, Regina is fairly confident the woman will crawl up the rest of the stairs without ever breaking away from Regina's lips.
Regina latches onto Emma's face with both hands, tugging her closer while Emma's hand wanders up her exposed thigh once again. So, fucking thankful that the zipper has finally been open. She travels up toward Regina's hip and squeezes the bone, provoking Regina's hips to jerk forward reflexively. And then her thumb slips beneath the lace to tenderly sweep across her hip and the action has Regina's head spinning.
This woman is so damn contradicting, flipping so fast between rough and tender and Regina is caught up in the swirling vortex, not sure if she will ever come down from the high, but she's absolutely okay with that. She's never felt so damn good in her entire life. She has never felt so sexy then when she's pressed up against Emma. And she knows, she has never been this dripping wet before in her life.
Emma squirms her hand beneath Regina's back and easily lifts her up two stairs, which encourages a small chuckle to bubble out of Regina.
"Are you going to drag me up these stairs, Miss Swan?" She muses, wiggling uncomfortably against the steps because now that she has a moment to breathe, her mind is clear enough to realize just how painful this position is.
"If I have to, I will. I'm not about to break this moment," she declares, determination in her tone and narrowing eyes. "And I'm not about to stop kissing these lips anytime soon," she states, showing off how serious she really is by diving right back in to claim Regina's mouth.
Regina moans, her back arching off the steps and pleading for more of this woman's incredible body. She snakes her arms around Emma's waist and wanders down until she has two handfuls of that tight bottom that looks so damn delicious in those skin-tight workout pants. She has waited too long to feel how firm these muscles truly are, always being forced to admire from a far, especially when Emma works out in the living room for her to see.
Emma groans into her mouth, her tongue prodding with ownership as she shoves Regina up another two steps.
"And what happens when we reach the top?" Regina teases, already chuckling as Emma nuzzles against her vibrating throat. "Will you drag me across the carpet like a caveman?" Emma laughs against her neck, shaking her head. "Because I must say, I have no desire for rug-burns."
"Okay, your majesty," Emma sasses, abruptly standing tall and provoking a pout from Regina's lips.
And in one swift motion, she lifts Regina right off the stairs. "Emma!" She squeals because she's convinced this woman cannot possibly carry her and she has a mild panic attack that she's going to be dropped down the stairs.
"You're fine," Emma scoffs, swatting at Regina's bottom as she climbs the stairs.
"Emma!"
When they reach the hallway, Emma slides Regina down her front, instinctively, she wraps her legs around the blonde's waist. Their eyes instantly connect, like they are magnetized to each other. The moment is intense, forcefully pumping Regina's heart because she knows this is where their lives will indefinitely change.
She hooks one arm around Emma, while her free hand cups the woman's cheek. She caresses the soft flesh before she slowly inches her lips closer. Gently, she brushes her lips against the pale smile beaming up at her and she knows she has never kissed another woman so intimately before.
Emma kisses her back, just as sensual and full of love, but it couldn't possibly be love. Not now. Not this soon.
She doesn't have time to dwell on the matter though because Emma is kicking a door open and depositing Regina on to the bed.