Chapter Forty-Nine: Celebration
Emma was starting to get a little on edge with Regina constantly telling her she needed to study. She was always checking on her, asking if she needed any book, or how was the study was going, or if she needed private lessons. And the one private lesson Regina gave her, wasn't what Emma was expecting at all. She didn't even let Emma kiss her, not even once. In fact, she got really upset because Emma wasn't taking it seriously. Henry was also off the map. According to Regina, she should use the extra free time to…guess what? STUDY! Emma had no idea what was up with that. She had excellent grades. Especially on Introduction to law, which was Regina's chair. The rest of them wasn't as good as, but still fairly decent. So why was she freaking out about it? What was the deal with all of that annoyance? Did she know something Emma didn't? She had finals in one and a half weeks and she could not wait for her break. Not only for the You have to study motto Regina had adopted, but also because she couldn't wait to spend free time no strings attached with her family.
But before any of that could happen, Emma had to finish her finals and actually study for them, which was why she had her butt seated properly on a chair at nearly eleven at night reviewing the last paperwork of the year for Regina's chair based upon The Case of the Speluncean Explorers. The book was intense and it was really challenging for Emma to write about it from a juridic point of view. But she wanted to impress Regina and so, she had been working on that paperwork for two weeks now. Also, Regina had forbidden her to go to her place this close to the end of the semester. She had a No distraction rule in place now.
Emma missed her. A lot. And Henry. Picking him up from school had become part of her daily routine just as seen Regina every day. Professor Mills in the morning didn't count, damn it! She wanted to see REGINA. Not only see her, but she also needed to kiss her, touch her, feel her. Her skin craved contact with the brunette woman like a junkie. After deemed the paperwork was close to perfection Emma saved it and shut down the laptop. At least she was tired enough to go to sleep, as the week had exhausted her.
When Emma woke up Saturday morning the first thought that came to her mind was Regina. She woke up with this longing feeling deep inside her heart and decided she was determined to spend the day with her. She knew that it was better to just catch her by surprise and so, Emma rose from the bed and went straight to the bathroom to make her morning business. After she was showered and changed (And fed, hungry Emma was grumpy Emma) she took her keys and drove straight to the mansion.
She parked her car right in front of the mansion and jogged her way to the door. In front of it, she debated if she should ring the bell or just use her key. Emma bit her lower lip and decided to just let herself in. That's what her keys were for. She entered the house and heard chatting coming from the kitchen. Regina and Henry were making breakfast and most likely didn't hear her opening the door. Emma silently walked to the kitchen and stood by the door watching her two favorite people in the whole world with their back to her, cooking what it seemed like to be pancakes.
- Morning, you guys – Emma said watching mother and son jumping with the sound of her voice.
- EMMA! – Henry screamed and catapulted himself on her – I missed you.
- I missed you too, Kid! – Emma said hugging him back.
- Emma, what are you doing here? – Regina asked.
- And good morning to you too, beautiful – Emma said.
- Good morning – Regina said – What are you doing here?
- I missed you guys! – Emma answered her.
- Are you done with your studies? – Henry asked.
- Yes! – Emma said.
- No! - Regina said at the same time.
- Yes, I'm more than done for the week. Everything is up to date, well absorbed and now I have time to chill with you guys.
- Awesome! – Henry said.
- Emma…
- Nope! – Emma interrupted Regina – Today is Saturday and I'm spending with you guys!
- Are you going to grandma's party too? – Henry asked.
- What party?
- Sheppard dropped the case - Regina said – Mother is throwing a party tonight to celebrate.
- Oh! Cool – Emma said looking down.
- So, are you coming with us? – Henry asked again.
- I don't think so, Kid! – Emma answered him.
- Why not? – The boy asked.
- Ahhh…Regina? – Emma said looking desperately at the woman.
- Henry, why don't we finish making breakfast – Regina said – I'm sure Miss Swan would like to have some pancakes too?
- Hell yeah, I would!
Henry giggled and forgot all about his questions when he returned to his mixing task. Emma walked closer to Regina, kissing the woman for the first time in a week. She had missed those lips. She had missed all of her. Regina smiled at her and gave Emma a chore. Once breakfast was made and eaten, Henry demanded Emma's attention for the day. She had missed the boy too. She spent the morning just talking and playing with him. Close to lunchtime, Emma heard Regina moving inside the kitchen. She told Henry she was going to help out his mom, the boy didn't even make a movement to do the same, and Emma couldn't help but chuckle at that.
- Hey – Emma said entering the kitchen.
- Miss Swan – Regina said arching an eyebrow.
- You are upset that I came here?
- Not upset – Regina said – I just don't want you to lose focus this close to your finals.
- I'm not – Emma said – I promise. Everything is more than up to date!
- I believe you – Regina said – Now, come here and kiss me properly.
Emma smiled largely at her and walked to where Regina was, capturing her lips in a deep loving kiss. Emma moaned inside Regina's mouth, as her hands snaked around the other woman's waist, bringing her closer to her body, feeling what she had been missing for the past week. Never again, Emma thought. She would never go this long without feeling Regina. When they finally broke apart (To Emma's absolute annoyance) she helped Regina with the processing of lunch making.
- So…- Emma started to say – You didn't tell me about this party.
- Yes, I'm sorry. – Regina said – Mother is giving a small gathering for the firm tonight at her house.
- Oh! – Emma said – And I supposed I'm not invited?
- You are invited to go anywhere I go – Regina said, walking closer to her – If you are not welcome, neither am I!
- But you didn't tell me about it.
- I figured you wouldn't want to go with my mother and all – Regina said – Do you want to go?
- No! – Emma said – I mean, yes!
- Yes?
- Yeah. Look, I know your mother hates me. I have no doubt about that! But she is your family, and…I don't know, I guess she just needed to get used to us!
- I agree!
- You do?
- Yes, Emma – Regina said – I'm not going anywhere and I supposed you are not going either?
- Not in this lifetime, nope! – Emma answered her grinning.
- Then it's about time to make mother get used to you – Regina said and kissed Emma – Get used to us!
Emma smiled brightly at her and captured Regina's lips on a kiss only breaking apart by the sound of Henry entering the kitchen and ewing at them. They both rolled their eyes as they broke apart and started to work together on lunchmaking.
At nightfall, the little family worked together on getting dressed for Cora's party. Emma asked Regina what she wanted her to wear and to her surprise, Regina had told her to choose whatever she likes. Emma joked saying she was going to go with her usual jeans and boots attire and when Regina said her ass does look magnificent in it, Emma's eye widened. This was definitely not the Regina from the first meeting with Cora. Emma chose one of the many dresses she and Regina had shop for months ago and that she never got around to use. She really, really wanted to put on the short leather dress, but she figured that was too much of a provocation (For both Cora and Regina but with an entirely different meaning for each) and so, Emma decided on one of the longs black dresses. Regina helped her with hair and makeup and they were all done, Emma tried (And failed) not to drool over Regina's suit attire.
The drive to Cora's house was quick, too quick for Emma's liking. She froze when she saw the house…mansion remembering everything Cora had said about her at the one and only time she had ever be there. She remembered how helpless she had felt, hiding behind the bathroom door and how much her blood boiled when the older woman hit Regina. Emma didn't want to be there anymore. She wanted to take the car and drive them back home, she wanted to spend the night just with Regina and Henry, away from the likes of Cora. She must have drifted off for too long as the next thing she felt was Regina's hand on her thigh.
- Are you okay? – Regina asked – I can drive you back if you want to.
- The thought did cross my mind, yes – Emma said with a shy smile – But, no! Let's do this.
Regina smiled at Emma and the trio left the car. Regina immediately held Emma's hand which was already a huge change from Emma's first night there. That night, Regina barely let Emma touch her. Emma squeezed Regina's hand back and together they made it inside the house to the huge garden on the back.
- Sis! – Zelena said – Finally! What took you so long?
- My fault – Emma said – Sorry!
- Oh, I like the dress, Swan! – Zelena said.
- Thanks – Emma said with a shy smile.
- Where is Mother? – Regina asked.
- I don't know – Zelena said - She already made a comment about my shoes, so, good luck with that man's suit you are wearing.
- What you talking about? – Emma said – She looks perfect!
- I really don't like you two together! – Zelena said.
- We are perfect together – Emma said snaking her arm around Regina's waist.
- Exactly! – Zelena said back.
The women made their way towards the table Zelena was previously sat on. Henry Sir showed up and was his delightful self, so loving with both his daughters and Emma, so much that, she had trouble believing this kind man was married for so long with Cora. How come she couldn't be just a little bit more like him? She could certainly learn a thing or two from him. As the night goes, the drinks Emma was sipping made her want to pee. She asked Regina for the nearest bathroom downstairs and Regina pointed them out for her. No way Emma was going upstairs again. On her way there, Emma saw a table full of seafood that the waiters definitely did not bring to their table. Regina loved seafood and Emma made a mental note to stop by on her way back and pick up a few goodies for Regina. She found the bathroom and did her business, fixing her makeup before leaving. Regina did a fine job with it, the light makeup suited her. Emma left the bathroom and stopped by the seafood table when she heard a voice behind her.
- I see you snaked your way into my house again.
- Cora! – Emma said turning around.
- I don't remember inviting you, Miss Swan – Cora said.
- I did – Regina's voice said behind Emma – I invited her.
- Regina, dear – Cora said – Did you come here straight from work?
- No, Mother, I didn't – Regina said.
- You look terrible, dear – Cora said.
- She looks perfect – Emma defended her.
- Miss Swan… - Cora started to say.
- She's my partner – Regina said - If she is not welcome in your house, neither am I. Or my son.
- Don't be ridiculous, Regina! – Cora said – If you want to keep her, keep her. Just don't make a scene.
- Of course not, Mother – Regina said – Have you thanked her yet?
- Excuse me? – Cora asked.
- Emma found Mary Margaret. If t wasn't for her, Shepard would continue the sue and therefore, make you lose millions of dollars – Regina said.
- I'm sure you would find something, dear – Cora said back.
- No, we wouldn't! Zelena and I were ready to offer him a deal – Regina said – This is all happening because of Emma. You should thank her.
- Well, I see you've done one thing good, Miss Swan – Cora said – Enjoy the food.
Cora turned around and left them. Emma looked surprised at Regina, her eyes wide and mouth slightly open.
- I think she is warming up to me, babe – Emma joked.
- You wish! – Regina laughed.
They made their way back to their table (After Emma made sure to get a good amount of seafood now that she had Regina to help carry) and the rest of the evening was uneventful. Cora made a speech, thanking the staff for the wonderful job they made on the case along with her daughters. She spoke so highly of them that Emma had trouble believing she was the same woman who criticized Zelena's shoes and Regina's outfit. Emma's name wasn't mentioned. They left the mansion late that night. Emma was surprised to notice she was actually having a good time. Henry Sir joined them after the speech and Emma just couldn't have enough of Regina and Zelena's childhood stories. She didn't see Cora for the rest of the evening, except when they were saying their goodnights. Cora didn't hug her as she did with Regina and Henry, but at least she looked at Emma and said I hope you enjoyed the party, Miss Swan which was already huge considering the woman. As the trio walked to the car, Emma held Regina's hand and squeezed tightly. Regina squeezed back and smiled at her. When Emma came to this party tonight, back to this house, she was closed up just waiting for something to go terribly wrong. And now she was leaving the place with a feeling of hope that together, with Regina, with her partner, they could win anything and most importantly, anyone.
