Chapter Fifty-four: New Year
Regina had decided they should all go to the beach house for the new year. Yes, it would be desert and yes, it would be very, very cold, and no, they would most likely not be able to come near the water at all. But spending the new year together on the beach, looking out that beautiful view was legit the best way to get into the new year. So, on the night of the twenty-six, they started to pack. Regina wanted to leave for the beach house the following day and so, the night was spent packing for the mini trip. Henry was not very happy about been separated from his PlayStation. Not at all. He tried to convince his mother to let him bring it, but Regina said no and that if he wanted some sort of entertainment, he could take the comic books Emma had given him for Christmas. The kid pouted and tried to convince Emma to help him, but Emma was firm when she said this was not a battle, she wished to participate in.
The next morning, Emma helped Regina taking off the contents of the cabinets and the fridge. After everything was loaded onto the car, the family hit the road with Regina taking over the wheels. One of the things Emma loved the most about their little car trips was seen Regina tapping the steering wheel every time a song she liked was playing on the radio. Emma liked it even more when she sang along with it, and today Regina was doing both. Tapping the steering wheel, moving her head, and singing along with the song. Emma felt like she could just melt right there and then. But instead of melting, Emma decided to sing along with Regina. She knew that particular song and for three glorious minutes, it was just the two of them singing out loud to Henry's absolute annoyance.
They arrived at the beach house at dusk. It was very cold indeed, but Emma was already loving the smell of the ocean and the sound of the waves crashing. She loved the beach. The calmness of the sea, the steady rhythm of the waves always had a way to calm her, to make her feel at peace. It was rare, the moments she like that. Like she was in peace. Until she met Regina. No matter what, the brunette woman always made her feel at peace. Regina wasn't just a temporary sea, she was her whole home. They unloaded the truck and putting everything where it was supposed to be. Henry ran up to his bedroom and Emma helped Regina getting the bags (yes, plural) up to their bedroom.
That same night they had arrived, the family decided to make a barbecue. Emma was in charge of the fire, it seemed like this was her job now, while Regina made the side dishes. That night, they hand an excellent steak with a glorious salad Regina had made them. Who would thought Emma would ever say a salad was glorious? But that was the thing about Regina, she supposed. She made everything perfect. After dinner, that night, they went into town for a walk. Regina wanted to buy seafood for the following day and Emma was more than happy to go along with it. They walked around town for a while before going to the supermarket and then home.
After Henry went to sleep that night, they made love on their bed. Their lovemaking had been slow and gentle, more about feeling one another than to make the other come, which only made the intensity of Emma's orgasm even bigger. After their lovemaking, they just laid naked in bed, wrapped in each other's arms, sharing silly laughs until sleep claimed them.
The next day, Emma woke up before Regina and she wanted to surprise her, for a change. It was fairly early still, only five in the morning, but Emma felt like she couldn't go back to sleep anymore, no matter how warm and soft Regina's body was. She changed into her running outfit and got the first real opportunity to use the music player Regina had given her. That little thing was absolutely amazing, and for a moment Emma was sure she would go deaf if she continued to high up the volume to see how loud it would get.
Emma ran along the beach all the way to the town where she found the beautiful bakery she and Regina had gone to the last time they were there. The moment Emma entered the shop her nose was assaulted with that wonderful smell of freshly baked bread and she knew she had made the right decision. Emma bought all of Regina's favorite. Olive Italian bread, croissants, Damascus jam, kingdom cheese, prosciutto, and sundry tomato pate. She also bought a few chocolate croissants for Henry's sake. The whole thing cost her a small fortune. With everything in hand, Emma was ready to walk back to the beach house. There was no way she could run back, t would ruin everything. She took off her shoes and rolled her leggings up, walking along the water all the way back home. The water was freezing but Emma simply loved the feel of the water on her feet.
When Emma arrived home, everything was quite still. She checked the clock and noticed it was still early, not even seven in the morning yet. She walked upstairs and quietly entered their bedroom, picking up a change of clothes before going downstairs again. Regina was dead to the world. She went downstairs again and used the bathroom to take a quick shower and changed. When she walked inside the kitchen, she found Henry already spying the contents of the bags she had brought home.
- Morning, Kid – Emma said.
- Hi, Emma – Henry said – Where did you buy all that?
- I went into town earlier.
- Oh, chocolate croissant – He said already moving to open the content.
- Hey, put that down – Emma warned him – It's for a surprise breakfast to your mom.
- But I'm hungry – Emma pouted.
- You'll live – Emma smirked – Now, help me set everything up.
- Fine! – Henry said – Didn't you see any Nutella at the store?
- Kid, I just bought you a tray with eight chocolate croissants!
- If they are for me, why can't I eat them? – Henry wisely asked.
- Because it goes for visual effects – Emma said – After your mother is all impressed you can have them.
- All of them? – Henry asked with his eyes full of hope.
- Kid, do you have worms or something?
- Eeww Emma! – Henry said making a face – I'm a growing boy!
- Well, growing boy, will you please help me set up the table?
Henry rolled his eyes but did as he was told. He set up the table, while Emma made the coffee in that super fancy coffee machine Regina had at the beach house. It took her a few tries before getting the thing to properly work. In fact, the coffee had just finished brewing when Regina's voice took them my surprise.
- What's all this? – Regina asked, hanging by the door.
- Mom! You scared me! – Henry said, with his hand in his heart.
- Sorry, Henry! – Regina said and then looked at Emma – So, what is this?
- It's breakfast! – Emma said smiling at Regina.
- I can see that – Regina said as she walked to Emma's front and wrapped her arms around her waist – What I mean is, what is the occasion?
- You! – Emma said and kissed her lips – You are the occasion.
- That's very vague – Regina said.
- Now that mom is awake, can we eat now? – Henry says getting the women's attention.
- Good morning, Henry – Regina said – How did you sleep?
- Fine! – Henry said – I'm hungry.
Regina rolled her eyes and let go of Emma. She walked in Henry's direction and kissed his head and then looked at the real contents of the table. She looked surprised at Emma and asked her when did she do all of that and Emma told her about the little journey she made to the town. Regina kissed her again before sitting down to eat. Emma had never seen Regina eat so much in her life, the woman nearly moaned at every bite. Emma had to bite her lower lip with force not to react to it.
The days passed on with the little family just hanging out and chilling with one another. One day, Henry had convinced his mother to let him in on the water. Emma went out with him and they were both freezing when they come out. Most of the late afternoon, Emma found Regina on the porch reading a book and sipping a glass of wine. She started to join her in this little habit and this had become one of her favorite moments of the day. The nights, after Henry was sleeping, they usually fall onto bed naked. Sometimes their lovemaking was slow, sometimes it was hard. One night, after a particularly intense round they went downstairs to the kitchen, wrapped up only on their robe to assault the kitchen. Regina had playfully spread Chantilly on the top of her breast and Emma licked the flesh clean. Regina continued to get herself dirty on Chantilly and Emma readily licked her every single time. They ended up making round three right there on the kitchen floor.
And then December thirty-one arrived. The last day of the year. They had gone into town early in the morning. Regina bought everything they needed for the new year's supper. They were going to do a barbecue on the porch. It was a little, okay a lot, for just the three of them but Regina had told her they had to welcome the new year with abundance. Emma quite liked that motto. Zelena had called the afternoon. She called to let Regina know that she and Chad were going to the beach house on January first. It was the first time they were going to meet the guy. Emma helped Regina to prepared and season everything for the night.
Emma lit up the fire at eight. It was cold outside, but the heat from the barbecue was enough to make the porch warm. She was wearing a pair of black jeans and a purple long sleeve cardigan that actually belonged to Regina. She loved wearing Regina's clothes, it had her smell. Regina put on a long grey dress with long sleeves and bare feet and Emma could only think about one word looking at her: Stunning. Henry had shown up all dress in a suit. When Emma asked what was that all about, he said they thought they were throwing a party. They all laughed, but he didn't change and Emma wondered if there was more to it than he was letting them know.
They had an amazing dinner together. The food was absolutely delicious and even the drinks seemed to taste better than usual. Emma could tell Regina was getting a little bit drunk with the wine and Emma knew she wasn't much different with the beer she was drinking. She loved Regina's half-drunk smiles. Henry passed out at eleven that night. The boy didn't resist the long day and ended up sleeping before the new year arrived. Emma and Regina carried him up to his bedroom (It was a two women job now) and changed him out of the suit. They came back down to the porch where Emma grilled more shrimps and steaks.
Al Green "Let's stay together" started to play on the radio and Emma immediately pulled Regina to her arms and started to sway with her. She had listened to that song once while driving her bug to pick up Henry from school and she couldn't stop thinking how much every single world was exactly what she felt for Regina. She heard that song on and on and on until she memorized the lyrics. And now, she was dancing with Regina in her arms, singing that same very song in her ear.
"I, I'm so in love with you
Whatever you want to do
Is all right with me
Cause you make me feel so brand new
And I want to spend my life with you
Let me say that since, baby, since we've been together
Loving you forever
Is what I need
Let me, be the one you come running to
I'll never be untrue
Oh baby"
Regina smiled dopey at her at the exact moment Emma had made a dance movement where she pushed Regina away from her and then, brought her back to her arms. Regina kissed her when their bodies were close together again and when they broke apart, Emma just smiled and continued to sing.
"Let's, let's stay together
Lovin' you whether, whether
Times are good or bad, happy or sad
Oh, oh, oh, oh, yeah
Whether times are good or bad, happy or sad
Why, why some people break up
Then turn around and makeup
I just can't see
You'd never do that to me (would you, baby)
Staying around you is all I see"
The song ended at the same moment the clock struck midnight. They were both caught by surprise by the sound of fireworks going off somewhere on the beach. They could see the lights illuminating the sky from far away. It was a beautiful view, the dark beach suddenly became all bright and when Emma looked at Regina, she felt her heart swell up with pure love for the woman in her arms.
- I love you – Emma breathed out – I love you so much.
- I love you too – Regina said looking at Emma.
- Happy new year, Regina.
- Happy new year, Emma.
