Chapter Eleven
Ruby found dinner with the former mayor and Henry and Emma rather strange. It wasn't as awkward as she thought it would be and Reginas cooking was to die for. Even if it was something as simple as grilled cheese and tomato soup.
She couldn't help but observe the two women in the room. It was clear that they were friends but with the looks and the touches they shared, Subtle, you would have missed them if you hadn't been looking so intently. Ruby wondered if it was something more. Did Emma and Regina even knew they were doing it?
Once all the food had been consumed, Ruby made a move to leave.
"Thank you for food Regina but I really should be going" she said. Regina nodded.
"It was a pleasure having you Miss Lucas," she responded.
"Hey, why don't I Give you a lift?" Emma piped up. Both Ruby and Regina looked at her.
"Oh its okay" Ruby said, not wanting to tear Emma away from Regina.
"No its okay, I need to pop and grab some stuff from the station anyway" Emma insisted.
The two of them made their way out of the house saying goodbyes to both Regina and Henry.
Once they were both safe in Emmas bug and Emma had started the engine Ruby turned to look at her. Emma eyed her suspiciously.
"Everything ok?" Emma asked as she pulled out of the drive.
"Whats going on with you and Regina?" Rubys asked. Straight to the point as always. Emma looked from Ruby to the road.
"What do you mean?" Emma asked, swallowing.
"You seem close?" Ruby asked and Emma nodded.
"Well yea, she's Henrys mother" Emma said, now keeping her eyes firmly on the road.
"Just Henrys Mother?" Rubys probed and Emma sighed.
"She's a friend. We understand each other" Emma confessed and Ruby nodded. Emma wasn't prepared for the next thing to come out of Ruby's mouth.
"Do you want to be more than friends?" Ruby asked and Emmas eyes widened.
"What makes you say that?" Emma managed to get out.
"I have eyes Emma. I see the way you look at her" Ruby revealed and Emma hands tightened on the steering wheel.
"Its okay to have feelings for her" Ruby continued. "I mean she is really hot" she said, smirking when she noticed the blush creeping up Emmas face, "and you're both adults. You can do what you want" Ruby started before Emma slammed on the brakes, bringing the car to a stop and held up her hands.
"Stop, Ruby please" Emma pleaded and Ruby noticed the tears in Emmas eyes.
"Emma I was joking" she said reaching out a hand to Emma but Emma pulled away. Realisation dawned on Ruby.
"You actually really do like her?" Ruby asked and Emma slumped in defeat.
"I'm Gay Ruby" Emma confessed and Ruby breathed in. "I haven't told anyone here that" Emma said, tears falling from her eyes
"Its okay to be Gay Emma" Ruby assured her. Emma nodded.
"I know its okay, its okay in the real world but what about in fairytale world? You don't see any fairytales about cinderella and Rapunzel hooking up together, its always prince charming and whatever princess" Emma let out, more tears falling down her face. Ruby placed a hand on Emmas arm.
"You're worried about how your parents will take it?" Ruby asked and Emma nodded.
"I just found them, the idea of them leaving again if I tell them" Emma whispered and Ruby understood.
"Snow and David aren't like that" Ruby insisted. "They can be idiots at time but they love you, and they'd want you to be happy. Gay or not" Ruby finished and Emma looked at her. She mustered a smile.
Ruby moved the topic away from Emma and Emma started the car back up. The rest of the drive went quickly and soon enough ruby was leaving the car assuring Emma that everything would be ok. Emma bid farewell to her friend and drove to the station to pick up some things.
A lot of things were going through her mind. Ruby had joked about her and Regina. Was it that obvious that Emma had feelings for the Queen. Emma thought she had hidden them very well. Not well enough. Since coming to town Emma had felt a pull towards her sons adoptive mother but when Regina rejected her and demanded she leave town Emma knew she didn't have a chance. But recently, since the curse broke, they had become friends. Emma had seen Regina at her lowest. The feelings had grown, and it hurt that they may not be reciprocated.
When she reached the station she pulled out her phone. A text from Regina. Emma closed her eyes. Probably Regina telling her that she was not welcome at the manor. She took a steadying breathe and opened the message.
R- Since dinner at Granny's didn't work out how does a movie with Henry and Myself sound?
Emma smiled. She knew she should turn down the offer but something inside her wanted Regina to want her. She wiped her tear stained face and pressed out a reply.
E- Sounds great. Be there in 10!
She pressed send and grabbed her things before starting the car and driving back over to Mifflin street. As she approached thoughts filled her head. What would Regina and Henry think if they found out she was Gay? Would Regina be repulsed by the idea. Panic flooded her and she sat staring at the house, lost in thought trying to regain control of her breathing.
Tears stung her eyes. As her breathing laboured a knock at the car window startled her. She looked up and found the worried eyes of Regina looking at her. In an instant, the door was pulled open and Regina was there, kneeling by the car.
"Its okay Emma. Breathe" she insisted, taking a hold of Emmas hand and stroking them lovingly. Emma held onto Reginas hand and slowed her breathing. Regina took every breath with Emma, supporting her. She had seen Emmas car pull up and watched as Emma just sat in the car. When Emma hadn't moved for a couple of minutes she decided to go check on her.
When Emmas panic attack subsided Regina smiled at her, she remained stroking her hand reassuringly.
'Do you want to talk about it?" Regina asked and Emma shook her head.
"I don't think I'm ready" Emma admitted and Regina nodded.
"Its ok. Whenever you are ready I'm here for you" Regina said squeezing Emmas hand.
"Henrys is inside, I told him to wait and pick out a movie" Regina informed her and Emma nodded. Wiping her eyes she got out of the car, her hands not leaving Reginas.
It was foolish, Emma knew, but having Reginas hand in hers brought her comfort, and a feeling of warmth deep in the pit of her stomach. Deep down Emma knew she probably never had a chance with the woman before her, but she still hung onto every piece of comfort she offered.
Entering the house, the warmth hit Emma. She often found that following a panic attack she went unusually cold so the warmth of the house was a great comfort. Regina turned to look at her.
"I placed some pyjamas on the spare bed, if you want to go freshen up, ill sort some coca and we can start the movie. Come down when you are ready" Regina said with a smile. Emma nodded, unsure of what to say. Regina looked at their hands, still entwined from the car.
"You may want to let go of my hand dear" Regina said, and it was like Emmas senses returned, she snapped her hand out of Reginas like it had been burned.
"I was joking" Regina said but Emma rushed passed her upstairs. Regina watched her go, unsure if what she had done or said to make Emma respond. She watching worried as the blonde rushed up to the spare room.
There was something clearly going on with her friend ad she wanted so badly to be able to comfort her. She smiled sadly. She hoped that whenever Emma was ready she would share with her what was troubling her. She moved to start the cocoa, her mind firmly on the blonde upstairs in her spare room.
Upstairs Emma swore multiple times to herself. She felt weak, vulnerable. She had allowed Regina to comfort her, seen her at her weakest. She tried to reason with herself that the only reason Regina was being so nice was because she was Henrys mother. Taking a deep breath she changed into the pyjamas. If she didn't go downstairs surely that would cause some concern. She changed and wiped her face in the en suite. Once she was satisfied that she looked like she hands been crying she made her way downstairs.
Entering the front room she wasn't surprised to see Henry and Regina already seated with cups of cocoa infant of them. Emma saw a third cup in front of a seat on the couch, next to Regina. She took a deep breath and took as seat. Once Henry was satisfied that Emma was comfy he pressed play on the remote and the opening sequence to Harry Potter started. Emma could feel retinas eyes on her and smiled. Shed pretend like everything was ok, Emma had decided.
The film finished and as the credits rolled Henry stood up and stretched.
"Im going to bed. Night Moms" he said giving them both a kiss and leaving them. Regina looked at Emma and smiled.
"Do you want a drink" she asked and Emma nodded. Regina moved to the cabinet in the corner and poured them both a generous helping of apple cider. She picked up the remote and turned off the tv.
Handing Emma her tumbler, she reclaimed her seat next to the blonde. She held up her glass in a cheers motion and took a sip. Emma did the same. They sat in silence for a bit before Emma blurted out.
"Im gay" before immediately putting her hands over her mouth in shock.
Regina looked at her friend. Truthfully she had been aware of Emmas sexuality early on into the blondes arrival in Storybrook but since they were "Enemies" it didn't seem plausible to dwell on it.
Regina placed her glass on the table and took Emmas hand away from her mouth.
"I know" Regina whispered, trying to offer comfort to the blonde. Emma looked at her dumbfounded.
"How?" Emma asked incredulously. Regina smiled.
"It was kind of obvious. You wore tank tops, stared at Ruby on any occasion when you thought no-one was looking and your nails?" Regina answered. Emma looked at her nails and swallowed.
"You don't mind?" Emma asked shyly. Regina had to stifle a laugh, knowing that Emma didn't need to feel like she was being laughed at
"Why would I care if you're gay Emma?" Regina asked and Emma looked down ashamed of even suggesting Regina would mind.
"I don't know how fairytale people feel about homosexuals" Emma admitted and Regina understood.
"Its not a taboo subject" Regina admitted and Emma looked up. She could see the caring in Reginas eyes.
"Sure you don't hear much stories about homosexual relationships but they did exist in the enchanted forest" Regina said. Emma looked at her.
"Know many do you?" Emma asked jokingly and regina laughed. If only Emma knew.
"I was aware of a few yes" Regina confided with a smirk and that smirk on Reginas face had Emma thinking the brunette knew more than she was letting on.
Regina took the glasses and refilled them both. Observing Emma she couldn't help the feelings that came up. On one hand she was delighted that Emma had announced she was gay. But on the other hand it had resurfaced some old feelings that she had tried to hide.
When Emma had first come to town Regina felt a pull towards the woman, an instant attraction and on many occasions she could have pinned the blonde against a wall and kissed her senseless but she couldn't allow her to become a weakness.
She had tried to get her to leave but that failed. She had tried to poison her that failed and Emma had broken her curse. In recent weeks they had gotten closer. Emma kew about Daniel, about how broken she once was. Could there be something more between them? Now wasn't the time to think about that. Emma needed a friend.
Handing Emma her glass she asked another question.
"Are you glad you told me?" Regina asked and Emma sighed and nodded.
"Yea, its been hard trying to keep it a secret but now its in the open and you don't hate me I feel better" Emma admitted and Regina smiled.
"See im not all that Evil" Regina joked and she smiled when it drew a laugh from Emma. It was quiet but it was there.
"I never thought you was evil" Emma admitted and Regina was taken aback. Emma smiled.
"You were kind of a bitch but what did I expect. I turned up and threatened to take Henry from you" Emma continued. "You did what any mama bear would do" Emma said and Reginas face scrunched at the phrase. Emma laughed. The cider had gone to her head a bit.
"So in the enchanted forest" Emma asked and Regina nodded, gesturing for Emma to continue.
She did so.
"Just how many people were gay?" Emma asked staring straight into Reginas eyes. Probing with her glare, Regina swallowed nervously under Emmas gaze. She ran a hand through her own hair trying to calm her beating heart. She swallowed
"There was a few I knew personally" Regina admitted looking at the floor. Emma got closer. Damn Reginas cider giving her confidence. Regina looked up as Emmas face approached.
"A Few personally?" The unasked question lingering between them. Regina nodded, biting her lip. Emmas gaze moved to the teeth holding the lip hostage and her pupils dilated. Moving her head even closer Emma knew she would regret this in the morning but with the emotions of the day she needed to act. Emma took a hold of Reginas face and gently and brought her lips to hers.