Chapter Forty: Family Vacation
Emma tapped her foot on the floor impatiently. She couldn't wait for the bell to ring and classes to be over with. She almost felt sorry for thinking that since it was Friday morning and she had Regina right in front of her teaching the class. But it was hard not to wish that when she was only a ring bell away from going on a family vacation with that same woman. Family vacation. Emma smiled thinking back when Regina said that. Why don't we go away this weekend? A mini family vacation, Regina had said. Emma closed her eyes and let the overwhelmed feeling wash over her. They were her family, Regina, and Henry. She had been feeling that for quite a long time now, but hearing Regina said that always made the emotions run strong inside her. Emma opened her eyes and saw Regina looking puzzled at her. She arched an eyebrow as if asking if her class was boring Emma. She knew that look. Emma smiled at her and then wrote down the things Regina was saying in her notebook.
When the class was finally over, Emma packed her things in a hurry. She literally just threw everything carelessly inside the backpack and left the room. She needed to go to Henry's school to pick him up and then go to the mansion. Her things were already all packed up on the backseat of the bug. Regina had a meeting after class but, she was going to be home by two in the afternoon and then, they would hit the road.
Emma arrived at Henry's school but barely had time to park properly. The kid started to run in the direction of the bug as soon as she entered the school street. The bug was kinda hard to miss. And it was hilarious because as Henry ran in her direction. Leroy ran after Henry and Emma knew just how pissed off Grumpy would be because of that. Good thing it was Friday.
- Hey Emma – Henry said by the window.
- Hey, Kid! Get in.
- Miss Swan! – Leroy said behind Henry – I'm gonna have to reprimand Henry for running out of the school property. Do you know how dangerous that is?
- Sorry, Leroy – Henry said innocently – But I knew it was Emma. I saw the bug from far and we have plans this weekend.
- I don't care! You are going to get a written warning. – Leroy said.
- Okay, calm down, pal! – Emma said – The kid apologized for it. And it's Friday, cut him some slack.
- What if he had been hit by a car, Sister? Would you like me to cut some slack in that case too? – Leroy said.
- I'm sorry, Leroy – Henry said – It won't happen again!
- Fine! But this is your last warning, Mills. – Leroy said.
- Thank you, Leroy - Henry said.
- Yep! Thanks, Leroy – Emma said too.
Henry entered the bug and threw this backpack on the back seat before putting his seat belt on. Emma turned the engine on and maneuver the bug off the school.
- You know he is right, Kid! You can't just run off like that – Emma said.
- I know. I'm sorry. But when I saw the bug I knew it was you – Henry said – You are the only one I know that has a car with color.
- Is that a good thing or a bad thing? – Emma asked.
- It's a good thing. All-day it's just black, white, and silver. I can't even tell the difference.
- You don't feel embarrassed, about my car, do you? – Emma asked worriedly.
- No! Your car is the coolest!
Emma smiled at him and asked about his day. Henry told Emma everything about it while they drove to pick up lunch. Today Operation junk food wouldn't have a new place. They were going to get something from the must-have it again list. The one closest to the mansion. After Emma pick up lunch for herself, Regina and Henry she drove to the mansion. When they arrived, Henry ran upstairs to his room while Emma placed the food on the island before going up herself. Emma dropped the backpack on the armchair and went into the bathroom to wash her hands. She met Henry again in the kitchen, where they both took their food and went into the living room to eat it. It was a little past two when Regina arrived home. When Henry heard the door being open he ran out of the living room with Emma right behind him.
- Mom! – Henry screamed – You are late!
- It's very nice to see you too, Henry – Regina said looking down at him.
- You were supposed to be home at two – Henry said looking up at her.
- It's two fifteen, Henry! – Regina said back.
- Yes, you are fifteen minutes late! – Henry said.
- He is your son alright – Emma smirked and walked to Regina to give her a kiss – Hi, babe.
- Hi, honey! – Regina said back to Emma.
- There is food in the kitchen in case you haven't eaten yet. – Emma said.
- Thank you. I haven't. – Regina said – I'll just eat real quick and then we can load the truck.
- There is no rush – Emma said softly.
- Speak for yourself! – Henry said – I haven't been to that beach house for years!
- Hey, kid, why don't YOU start bringing your stuff downstairs while your mom has some food, hun? – Emma said.
- Fine! – Henry said and ran upstairs.
Regina shook her head and walked to the kitchen with Emma right behind her. While Regina ate, Emma took the cooler she had left by the sink and started to pull out the things Regina told her to from the fridge. After that, Emma took a plastic box and took a few more items from the cabinet. By the time she finished packing the groceries, Regina also finished eating, and together they went to the garage where they started to load the trunk. Henry met them in the garage with his backpack and started to help too. He was very eager for them to hit the road.
- I'm going upstairs to change and bring down my bags - Regina said.
- Bags? - Emma said - We are going away for the weekend, babe.
- Yes, I'm aware of that, Miss Swan - Regina said annoyed.
- Miss Swan, Hun? - Emma said wrapping her arms around her waist - Did I hit a nerve there?
- No!
- No? - Emma smiled and kissed her lips - Do you need any help bringing them down?
- Maybe. - Regina said kissing her back.
- Okay! I'm going to get my bag from the bug and load in the trunk - Emma said - Then I'll go upstairs and help you bring yours down.
- Okay! – Regina said – Oh, bring the car out already so you can park the bug in the garage.
- What? You are gonna let my bug stay in the garage? – Emma asked surprised.
- Of course, I am! She can stay out there the whole weekend while we are out, can she?
- Thank you, babe! – Emma smiled brightly at Regina and kissed her again.
- Oh My God, can you two hurry up, please! – Henry whined – You can do the disgusting kissing thing when we get to the beach.
- He is so your son! – Emma said rolling her eyes.
Regina smirked and let go of Emma. She gave her the car keys and disappeared inside the house. Emma instructed Henry to get inside the car and then got in herself, backing it out of the garage and parking it outside the house. Emma then stepped out of the car and walked to the bug, taking the bag from the backseat and loading it into Regina's trunk. Henry hopped inside the bug and made Emma company while she drove the car inside the garage. After that, they both went up to Regina's room to help bring her bags down. One suitcase and a duffle bag. Emma had no idea what she could possibly be caring inside those that she couldn't just stay away from the weekend. After everything was loaded, Emma gave Regina the car key and they hit the road.
The car ride was very chill. There was barely any traffic going that way. Henry talked for the first half-hour of the drive but then he settled to read his comic. Regina held Emma's hand when they entered the highway. Emma could barely contain her smile. She was simply happy. Going out on a weekend getaway with Regina and Henry made her the happiest person in the world. Having a family for the first time in her life was something Emma never thought possible. She always felt so unloved. Being abandoned right after she was born, never been adopted, growing up in foster homes, all of that always made Emma think she didn't deserve to be loved. She had always thought love was something that happened to other people. She never even wanted to love another person. The only time she did she was screwed over so badly that Emma had given up on it completely. Until Regina. She changed things for Emma. The way she saw the world. Regina was kind and gentle. She accepted her. She fought for her. She treated her like family. And that was something Emma would always treasure. She wanted everything with her. She wanted to marry Regina. Live together. Have a baby. Emma stopped when the thought crossed her mind. And then she smiled. She wanted to have a baby with Regina. She wanted to adopt a little girl with her and raise her with this beautiful woman by her side. And Henry. She could just imagine him as the tough big brother.
- What are you smiling about? – Regina asked.
- Nothing – Emma lied – I'm just really happy we are doing this.
Regina squeezed her hand and looked at the rode. Emma shook her head and look out the window. She knew they would have this. Together. But she knew it was too soon to even talk about it with Regina. It didn't take much long before Emma could see the ocean. She smelled it before she could actually see it. She hit the button to lower the window and popped her head out. Emma always liked looking out the ocean. The sound of the waves always had a calming effect on her. Regina did a few more turns and then she parked the house on the back of a white house right in front of the beach. It was absolutely beautiful.
- This place is yours? – Emma asked.
- Yes, it is. Do you mind opening the gate so I can put the car in?
- Sure!
Regina gave Emma the keys and told her which one opened the gate. Emma did as command and slid the gate to the side for Regina to enter with the car. After she closed the gate, Emma walked to the trunk to help Regina unload. She gave the keys to Henry and he ran in front of them to open the house door. Regina walked in first with Emma right behind her.
- Wow! – Emma said.
- What? – Regina asked.
- This place is amazing! How come you don't come here often? – Emma asked.
- No time, I guess. – Regina shrugged off.
- Mom, can I choose my room? – Henry asked.
- Of course – Regina said - As long as it's not mine.
- O-okay! – Henry said and disappeared inside the house.
- Can I choose my room? – Emma asked cheekily.
- No! We are sharing! – Regina said back.
- In a house this big? – Emma said and wrapped her arms around Regina.
- Yes! – Regina said and kissed her – You are stuck with me, Miss Swan.
- Well.. – Emma said and kissed her again – I can certainly live with that.
- Come on – Regina said – Let's finish unloading and then I'll show you the house.
Regina held Emma's hand and they made it back to the car. There were only the bags in the trunk now and Emma took hers and Regina's out. They made their way upstairs, Emma walking behind Regina, taking in the new ambiance. Regina entered a room, their room, and Emma placed the bags on the floor. Regina walked to the windows and opened the curtains, illuminating the room. Emma walked closer to her and wrapped her arms on her waist and kissed her cheek. She could see the whole beach from the window. It was quite a view. She could imagine Regina in a white bikini walking on the sand and smiling at Emma. The thought brought a shiver to her skin.
- Seriously, how come you don't live in this place? – Emma asked – It's so beautiful here!
- Yeah, it is – Regina said – I have someone who comes once a month to clean everything up. Good thing she was able to this week otherwise we would be dusting all day.
- That's not what I asked, Regina!
- Dani loved here – Regina said – We used to come all the time when Henry was a baby. After she passed…I just…I couldn't.
- I'm sorry – Emma said – Does it still hurt you? To be here?
- No! – Regina said turning on Emma's embrace – I'm ready to make new memories in this place.
Emma smiled and captured Regina's lips on a kiss. A sweet, lingering kiss where she took her time to savory Regina's every taste. Her tongue danced inside her mouth, exploring it, her mouth sucked those luscious lips while her teeth trapped them, making Regina make those delightful moans sounds that Emma loved so much. They were so lost in the kiss that neither noticed footsteps coming their way.
- Oh My God! – Henry screamed – Stop sucking my mother's face, Emma!
- Jesus, Kid! – Emma said breaking apart from Regina – You have got to stop snicking out on us.
- I wouldn't have to if you two would stop kissing each other! – Henry said.
- Henry – Regina intervened – Did you pick a room yet?
- Yep! The last one on the very far side of this one! – Henry said.
- Oh, Thank God! – Emma said without thinking.
- EMMA! – Regina scolded her.
- So, Kid. Show me your room? – Emma said.
- Yep! Let's go!
Henry grabbed both Regina's and Emma's hands and pulled them out of the bedroom in the direction of his. The room really was in the far corner from their room and Emma couldn't help but smile at that. After Henry showed them his room, Regina showed the house to both Emma and Henry. After every corner was shown, the trio went outside to take a walk around the beach. Henry walked in front of them, kicking the sand with his bare feet while Emma and Regina walked behind him, hand in hand. Emma couldn't help and think about how they looked like a little family. She put one arm around Regina's waist and kissed her cheek. Regina smiled so beautifully at her that Emma was positive her heart had stopped for a second. They found an ice cream shop more ahead of where they stopped to have some while looking out the ocean.
It was nightfall when they made it back to the house. The trio worked together on making dinner. Henry tried to be bossy but Regina cut his wings. After they ate, the trio sat down on the floor by the coffee table and played a board game. Henry fell asleep a little past nine and Emma carried him to his room. She wasn't sure how much longer she would be able to do that as the kid got heavier and heavier every day. They both changed him into pajamas and tucked him in. Regina didn't close the door all the way and she let the hallway lights on in case he woke up in the middle of the night.
Once inside their bedroom, Emma and Regina were all about skin. They undressed each other as soon as the door was closed behind them, slow and gentle. Each one of them kissing every bit of exposed skin as a clothe garment fell on the floor. They laid in bed completely naked, hands exploring each other's body, tongues tasting each other's skin. They made love until the late hours of the night, bringing each other to ecstasy over and over again until their bodies were spent and completely satisfied.
