A/N: A little bit of a shorter chapter but a good one. And yes, I accidentally paired Ivy with her step-sister Ella lol but to be fair, they are total strangers in this fic. I actually, think they make a good pair. But, don't worry about it because you won't see much of them. This story is centered on Emma and Regina. Happy reading. :)
"What would you like for breakfast, Ms. Mills?" Mrs. Lucas smiles warmly.
"I'll just have some granola. Thank you, Mrs. Lucas." Regina flushes as the last time she saw the woman, she was being carried over Emma's shoulder.
"You look lovely," Emma says softly, taking a seat beside the brunette by the breakfast bar.
Regina is wearing a black pencil skirt with a light gray silk blouse. "So do you." She smiles.
Emma's wearing a pale blue shirt, sleeves rolled up her forearms, and a pair of jeans. "We should buy you some more skirts," she says. "In fact- I'd love to take you shopping."
Hmm. Shopping with Emma… that should be fun.
"I wonder what will happen at work today." Says Regina, taking a sip of her coffee that is placed before her by Mrs. Lucas.
"They'll have to replace the sleazeball." Emma frowns.
"I hope they take on a woman as my new boss."
"Why?"
"Well, you're less likely to object to me going away with her."
Emma chuckles, the corners of her lips tilting upward. "Don't be so sure about that, Ms. Mills."
Regina smirks.
Mrs. Lucas places their breakfast in front of them and they both dig in.
Regina drives her new Mercedes- finally- to work that morning, and oh, what a drive it was. She missed her classic beauty, sure, but this new beauty- courtesy of her gorgeous Emma- was a smooth drive.
"Hi, Kathryn. Good morning." She smiles.
"Hi, Gina. Um-" Um? What's the um? "Marian wants to see you in her office right away."
Regina's heart jumps to her throat. Oh… there it is. She was going to get fired. She nods and heads straight there, with her head held up high.
"Regina," Marian smiles kindly, waving to one of the chairs before her desk.
Regina sits, looking at her expectedly, hoping she couldn't hear her thumping heart.
"I'm afraid I have some rather sad news."
Here we go…
"I've called you in to inform you that Robin has left the company rather suddenly."
Well, that's not sad. Regina almost wants to tell her that she knows, but holds back.
"His rather hasty departure has left a vacancy, and we'd like you to fill it for now, until we find a replacement."
Come again? Regina blinks. "Me? I don't understand, I've only been here a week."
"Yes, Regina, I understand, but Robin was always a champion of your abilities. He had high hopes for you."
"I'm sure he did." Regina mentally scoffs, high hopes of getting into my panties, sure.
"Here's a detailed job description. Have a good look through it, and we can discuss it later today." She smiles. "I know this is very sudden, but you've already made contact with Robin's key authors. Your chapter notes haven't gone unnoticed by the other editors. You have a shrewd mind, Regina. You're the only one who knew his work schedule inside and out." She frowns, shaking her head. "But if you think it's too much-"
"No. I can do it." Regina nods.
Marian smiles. "Excellent! Well, in the meantime you can take Robin's office."
Regina shakes the woman's hand, and as she's turning to leave, she feels her grip tighten, making her whip her head back to face her.
"Between you and me…" She whispers. "I'm glad he's gone." And there's a rather haunted look to her face.
Jesus. What the hell did Robin do to her? Regina wonders as she exits her office.
Holy shit. I have to call Emma. She quickly pulls out her phone and dials.
Emma answers on the second ring. "Regina. Are you okay?" She asks.
"They've just given me Robin's job- well, temporarily," she blurts out.
"You're kidding," she whispers, shocked.
"Emma, did you have anything to do with this?" Her voice is sharper than she means for it to be.
"Of course not." Emma sounds wounded and a little offended. "I mean, with all due respect, Regina, you've only been there for a week or so- and I don't mean that unkindly."
"I know." Regina sighs. "Apparently, Robin really rated me."
"I'm sure he did." Emma's voice sounds frosty and she sighs. "Well, baby, if they think you can do it, I'm sure you can. Congratulations. Perhaps we should celebrate after we've seen Dr. Hopper."
"Are you sure you didn't have anything to do with this?" She asks again.
Emma is silent for a moment, because no, she didn't have anything to do with this. "Regina, hey… This was all you."
The brunette sighs, "I'm sorry. I just… it happened so fast."
"If you need anything, let me know. I'll be here. And Regina?"
"What?"
"Use your phone," Emma adds tersely.
"Yes, dear." She rolls her eyes, smirking. "I have to go, I have to change offices. I love you."
"I love you, too, baby." She can practically hear Emma smile. Oh, will she ever get tired of hearing her say those three little words?
"We'll talk later."
"Laters, baby."
She hangs up the call and settles into Robin's office- er- her office. She couldn't help but wonder what Robin would think if he knew she was taking his job now. Probably nothing good. She looks around, the only familiar items lingering around are all the paperwork he left behind. She certainly didn't feel that shiver coming in here anymore, at least.
She wonders how Robin might be spending his morning. Clearly not in Seattle as he planned. Regina settles into her desk and begins to read through the job description.
By twelve thirty, Marian buzzes her.
"Gina, we need you in a meeting at one o'clock in the boardroom. Hades and Kay Bestie will be there- you know, the company president and vice president? All the editors will be attending."
What? Shit. All this is too soon. Regina's heart races. "Do I need to prepare anything?" She asks.
"No, this is just an informal gathering we do once a month. Lunch will be provided."
"I'll be there." She hangs up. Quickly, she begins to check through the current roster of Robin's authors. Luckily, she has all of them nailed down. She has five manuscripts he was championing, plus two more, which should really be considered for publication. This day has started and has kept on as the most overwhelming day of her life, but she's loving it. It's certainly kept her busy.
A ping alerts her of a new notification. It's a reminder from her calendar.
Shit! Lunch with Ivy. She searches for her phone number in her contacts and her phone rings.
"Gina, that girl who was here last time is here again." Kathryn's voice informs her.
"Who?"
"The blonde goddess."
For a second Regina thinks it might be Emma. "Ella?" She remembers.
"Yes. Her. Should I send her up?"
"No. I'll go." She hangs up and hurries toward Reception, where she is greeted by a grinning Ella, dressed in jeans and a blue checkered shirt that's tied in a knot just above her navel.
"Hey, Gina! Wow, you're looking great," she says appreciatively. She gives the brunette a hug.
"Hi, Ella. Is everything okay?"
"Yeah, everything's fine, Gina. I just wanted to check on you, and see how things were going with your billionaire."
Regina smiles, her cheeks flush.
"Okay, I can see by that smile that everything is going better than good. Am I right?" She teases. "Listen, I was also hoping we could do lunch. I'm leaving for Seattle in September to do my masters and I wanted to celebrate."
"Oh, Ella… I wish I could, I would love to, really, but there's just so much going on right now. I have a meeting shortly." Regina frowns. "I'm even going to miss out on a lunch I had scheduled with Emma's cousin."
"Oh." Ella frowns. "Well, that's okay. Shit happens, right?" She grins.
"Right." And an idea strikes her. "However, would you mind doing me a big, big favor?"
"Sure," Ella shrugs. "Name it."
"Ivy is due here any minute now. Would you mind… taking her to lunch?" Regina practically pleads with her eyes.
"Lunch with a rich brat?" Ella practically whines.
"Please, I'll owe you. Big."
Ella sighs. "You'll cook me something?"
"Whatever you want. Whenever you want." Regina nods.
Ella sighs again, rolling her eyes this time but caving. "Fine. Where is this Ivy?"
Regina glances down at her watch, "She should be here now." And on cue, Ivy walks through the glass door. Removing her sunglasses, looking curvaious and elegant to a key. Her smile pearly white. She's wearing her sleep black bob, a mint green mini dress and matching high-heels with straps around her slim ankles. She looked absolutely stunning.
"Is that her?" Ella leans in to whisper.
"Yep."
"Hi, Gina." Ivy reaches to hug the brunette, and her eyes move bluntly toward Ella.
"Hi, Ivy." Regina's eyes fall on Ella, "This is Ella, she's a friend of mine and Belle's. I'm afraid I won't be able to make it to lunch today, something came up at work, but Ella here has agreed to take you. If that's okay?" She smiles apologetically. "Raincheck?"
"Sure," she says quietly. Ivy quiet. That's a new one.
"Yeah, I'll take it from here, Gina." Ella steps in abruptly, holding out her arm for Ivy to take. "Bye, Gina." She waves, heading out the door.
"Bye, Gina." Ivy smiles, looking over her shoulder quickly and mouthing, "Oh, my God."
She likes her! Regina smiles, watching both women leave the building together. She wonders what Emma's reaction will be once she finds out her cousin is dating another of Regina's friends. Either way, Ivy is a grown woman and can make her own choices.
Once she is back behind her desk, she is surprised to see an enormous wicker basket crammed with stunning white and red roses. The fragrance alone is heavenly. She smiles and picks up the card, knowing perfectly well who sent them.
Congratulations, Ms. Mills.
A gift for N.Y. Book Publishers new Acting Editor.
From your megalomaniac CEO.
Love
Emma
Regina smiles so much her cheeks hurt. She picks up her phone to email Emma.
Megalomaniac… is my favorite type of maniac. Thank you for the beautiful flowers. They've arrived in a huge wicker basket that makes me think of picnics and blankets.
X
Emma smiles as she reads through the email.
Maniac, huh? Dr. Hopper may have something to say about that.
You want to go on a picnic?
We could have fun in the great outdoors, Regina…
How is your day going, baby?
Emma Swan
CEO, Swan Enterprises Inc.
Regina's cheeks turn red to the thought of them out in the great outdoors. Doing… well, what they did best.
The day has flown by. I have hardly had a moment to myself to think about anything other than work. I think I can do this! I'll tell you more when I'm home.
Outdoors sounds… interesting.
Love you.
R x
P.S. Don't worry about Dr. Hopper.
Regina is on the phone the rest of her day, handling calls and quickly filling Kathryn in on who sent her the flowers and about Robin's departure. Leaving out certain details, of course. Her eyes fall on her phone, which has an incoming email from Emma.
I'll try not to worry.
Laters, baby. X
Emma Swan
CEO, Swan Enterprises Inc.
By five thirty, Regina is done clearing out her old desk and moving to her new one. Once again, she was surprised how fast the day had gone by. Today didn't give her much chance for anything. But, it was a good day on top of it all. Now, she had to go on home and prepare herself to sit down for a chat with the famous Dr. Hopper. She hadn't even worked out her questions that she wanted to ask the man.
And she knew Emma was nervous about it. She knew she was still fearing that after talking to good 'ol Dr. Hopper, Regina would run for the heels as Emma always says. Sometimes, Regina felt like Emma underestimated her. Especially when she has had plenty of chances to run, and she hasn't. The first and only time- okay- but, the circumstances were different then. Now, she loved her and wanted to fight for it. For her. Her Shades Darker.
Emma is on her phone when Regina enters the apartment. She turns to beam at her and quickly wraps up her call.
"That's great, Ingrid. Tell Barney and we'll go from there… Goodbye." She strolls over to the brunette, bends and kisses her. "Congratulations on your promotion." Her arms snake around her figure.
Emma always smells delicious, but in this proximity… She smells divine.
"You've showered." Regina takes notice in the blonde's smoldering image. Jeans, her converse, and a white t-shirt with a red, white and black flannel, unbuttoned and untucked. Her hair was pulled back in a messy ponytail, as was becoming Regina's favorite.
Emma looked good in anything, but this simple I'll just toss these on and look good in it look was beyond too good of a look for Emma.
"I've just had a workout with Gaston."
"Oh." Well that certainly explains why she also looks irresistible.
"Managed to knock him on his ass twice." Emma beams, looking very much her age and proud of herself.
"That doesn't happen often?"
"No. Very satisfying when it does. Hungry?"
Regina shakes her head.
Emma frowns. "What is it?"
"I'm just a little nervous. About Dr. Hopper."
"Me, too. How was your day?" She releases her and listens attentively as Regina gives her a brief summary on her day.
"Oh, there's one more thing I should tell you," Regina adds. "I was supposed to have lunch with Ivy."
Emma raises a brow, surprised. "You never mentioned that."
"I know. I forgot. I couldn't go because of the meeting I had today. So, my friend Ella took her out instead."
Her face hardens. "I see."
Regina smirked, "Lighten up, Emma. You can trust her." She brushes back a couple of blonde strands, planting a kiss right on her lips. "I'm going to change." She leaves before Emma has any more time to react.
Dr. Archie Hopper's office is surprisingly a short drive from Emma's apartment.
"I usually run here from home," Emma says as she parks the Mercedes. "This is a great car." She smiles at her girlfriend.
"I think so, too." Regina smiles back. "Emma… I-" she gazes anxiously at her.
"What is it, Gina?"
"Here." Regina pulls out a small black gift box from her purse. Sometime after her meeting, Regina was able to walk to a small gift shop a few blocks from there, where she saw the perfect gift for Emma. "This is for you for your birthday. I wanted to give it to you now- but only if you promise not to open it until Saturday, okay?"
Emma blinks in surprise. "Okay." She says surprised, because the last gift she ever got for her birthday was when she was still a teen. Once coming of age, parties were the only thing she ever allowed her parents to give her. Given that she was never one to celebrate the day she was born.
But a gift from Regina? That beat all odds.
Regina smiled, watching as Emma shook the box, holding it up to her ear after she had handed it to her. God, she looked her age, and like a kid all at once. She could tell she was excited about receiving a gift, even if she didn't want to show it. She shook it again and it provided a very satisfactory rattle.
"You can't open it until Saturday," the brunette warns her.
"I get it," Emma chuckles. "Why are you giving this to me now?" She tucks the box inside her breast pocket, close to her heart.
Regina smirks, mused. "Because I can, Ms. Swan."
Emma grins, clearly amused. "I believe that's my line, Ms. Mills."