A/N: As always, your responses to every new story I post blows me away. Thank you all for the daily comments, likes & favorites. As a writer, I can't begin to say how it fills me up with tons of motivation. This update came a little later than I hoped, but here it is. Finally, our ladies meet, and I do hope you enjoy the encounter. Happy reading! :)
To my reviewer who recently suffered and accident. My heart goes out to you. You are a true warrior. Thank you so much for reading this. It warms my heart that I could bring a smile to your face.
Emma's mouth dropped to the floor at the size and sight of the inside of the building. She obviously got some strange looks. Snobby rich people thinking they are always better than anyone else. It made Emma feel way out of her element, but she was here for a job.
"Excuse me…" Emma leaned into a janitor of the building as he was mopping the floors, to show him the newspaper ad. The only one she felt comfortable asking. "You wouldn't know where I could find this apartment, do you? The name of Mills." Thank God Graham had called in for her to set up an interview.
"Apartment?" The man chuckled, aiming his thumb upward. "Floor 40. You want the penthouse."
"Thanks." Emma pressed the button, summoning the elevator and stepping right in. At her arrival to the 40th. Floor, her mouth dropped to the floor. "Whoa," she muttered to herself.
The place was massive. It was elegant, clean, and obviously old in architecture. The floors, even the walls were all made of fine polished marble. The entrance was a white marble, with fine designed, sculpted edges and ceilings. There was a circular skyline that gave the room a perfect catch of the sunlight. One of the walls was coated with shelves and endless books, and some statues. Art maybe?
"Oh," She sighed at the sight of other candidates waiting and sitting around. Some filling out applications, which Emma wasn't given one. Well she was screwed. Everyone here was dressed in suites or tidy dresses. And all she had was her jeans, shirt and leather jacket. At least her hair was fixed up.
She moved along to the nearest cushioned benched by one of the walls, three were sitting, two men and a woman. She stood before one of them, giving him a dirty look. This bench could sit at least five people, and this guy was taking up the rest of the space.
"May I help you?" The man asked as he looked up at Emma, feeling a little intimidated by her staring.
"Do you own the seat? Move over." She glared harder, taking a seat next to the man who immediately moved her.
Shit. Maybe she should have asked Graham to wait for her. Emma glanced down at her watch. It was only 9:30 in the morning and Henry had a baseball game at 11. Thanks to Ingrid, Emma had a reserved seat to catch her son play, since she hasn't been able to be there for any of his past games. She really wanted to make it. But with all these people here, who knows if she would even make it in time.
She tilted her head back in frustration, turning her attention to the man sitting next to her. "Are you here for the job, too?" She gave his application a quick glance.
The man nodded. "Yes." He smiled, "Don't you just love Regina Mills? She's truly an inspiration." He pulled out a hardcover book from his briefcase, showing it off to Emma. "I've read all her books. She's brilliant."
Emma chuckled. "Easy there, fanboy. You'll wet yourself."
He frowned, putting away his book in silence.
Emma's head turned to the sound of one of the double doors opening, her eyes catching sight of a slender, tall, redheaded woman, her glasses on point, as red as her hair. She held a clipboard in one arm, her dress fitted perfectly to her body.
"Mr. Locksley?" Zelena asked.
Emma's head turned as the man sitting next to her rose to his feet. She stood right with him, her eyes landing on the redheaded woman. "Hold on a minute," she said, pointing to her seat on the bench. "I was next. Why does he get to go first?"
The man, known as Locksley gave Emma a look, "Excuse me, but you cut through me and all of these patient people here."
Zelena rolled her eyes, "Mr. Locksley- come with me, please," she motioned for the man to follow her, her eyes landing on Emma. "You have the wrong side, darling. Deliveries are left in the lobby."
What? Emma blinked, her lips parting in surprise. Did she really look that bad to be mistaken by a fucking delivery person?
"Excuse me," Emma reached for the woman's arm, immediately releasing it as Zelena glanced down at her hand. "I'm sorry, but maybe you didn't hear me with all that hair you have going on," she motioned to the woman's red, extremely curly hair. "But, I am here for a job interview. I believe you spoke to Graham Humbert on the phone about an hour ago. I was told to be here at 9:30. Well, it's 9:30."
Zelena blinked, taking the woman's poor choice of attire. "You're Emma Swan?"
"Yes. Now, if we can get this interview over with? I'm kind of in a rush."
The redhead chuckled, following Emma as she rushed past Robin, "Ms. Swan…" She beckoned Emma back to her, which the blonde moved to. "While I'm sure you took time off from your ridiculously busy- dreadful schedule to be here, I'm afraid you'll have to wait like everyone else. You may have arrived on time, but as you can see, there are others before you."
Fuck me. Emma sighed, glancing down at her watch once again while plopping down on the bench. Henry was going to hate her this time. More than he probably already does.
Who was she kidding? She fucking hated herself. If there was an award for worst mother of the year- she'd be the winner.
"And you worked for the Jefferson family for…" Zelena glanced down at Mr. Locksley's resume. "Three years?"
He smiled, "Correct. They moved, to which I had to start applying elsewhere." He shifted in his seat at the sight of Regina. "May I just say… You are truly an inspiration, Ms. Mills, so, I figured… Even if I don't get the position," he reached out for his book, flashing it before the brunette. "I could get an autograph."
"How would you get an autograph?" Regina asked him, zero amusement on her features.
Mr. Locksley frowned, feeling like such a fool.
"Thank you, Mr. Locksley. We'll contact you." Zelena smiled as kindly as she could, showing the man to the door.
"So, you're saying you are perfectly capable of completing all these tasks?" Zelena asked.
"Oh, yes," a woman smiled. "I have many other references, too, if you wish to contact them."
Zelena smiled, finally happy that they had come across someone competent. She turned to Regina, who remained serious.
"Thank you for coming. We'll be sure to contact you." Said Regina. No way would she allow this woman to help her.
"I don't hear disability. I hear… this ability."
Regina's brows lifted up. You have to be kidding. Her head slightly shook as her sister turned to look at her.
Zelena turned her attention back to the man sitting before them. "Thank you for coming," she smiled.
"Let me be your hands, and your arms, and your legs… To guide you into a more relaxing state of mind."
Both Regina and Zelena blinked. This guy was a definite no.
"Alright." Zelena checked him off the list, adjusting her sunglasses.
Applicant after applicant was seen by Regina herself, and none of them have fit her standards. She's had enough. She didn't want anyone helping because of who she was. She didn't want anyone helping her, period.
Emma paced back and forth outside the double doors, biting down on her thumb nail in an anxious manner. She's been waiting here for what felt like an eternity, it was already 10am, and considering how long it took Graham to bring her here, it would take her longer to get back into her part of the city. She needed to get to her kid's baseball game- for fucking once. And to make matters worse, there were still three more people before her.
"Fuck this," she muttered, bursting through the double doors, causing every pairs of eyes in that room to look right at her.
Zelena stood from her seat, gawking at Emma's rudeness. "Excuse me, Ms. Swan, but you can't just come barging in-"
"Listen, I realize there are others before me, but I've come a really long way, and I really have to get going. I'm cutting it awfully close with my kid, alright?"
"Ms. Swan, if you could wait outside-?"
"No. You've kept me waiting long enough, you even let the ass kisser in before me." Her eyes moved toward the man sitting on the couch, "Oh, not you, this is another ass kisser."
The corner of Regina's lip tilted up into a tiny smirk. Well, at least this one is has some humor in her.
"Look, screw this job, alright?" She dug into her jacket pocket, unfolding her paper and holding it out to Zelena. "Can you just sign my paper and I'll get out of your hair?"
Zelena's brow furrowed, "I'm sorry. Why do you require a signature?"
"I don't require it. My PO needs a signature."
"PO?"
"Her parole officer." Regina explained, speaking up.
Emma's eyes moved toward the woman in a wheelchair, her brow furrowed. "What's that look you're giving me? Don't judge me. You don't see me judging you."
"I'm sorry, Ms. Swan, but I'm afraid I'm going to have to ask you to leave," Zelena's hand hovered over Emma's arm. She wouldn't have a convict taking care of her sister.
"Fine. I just need this Regina Mills person to sign her name and I can leave. Is that you?"
"No." Zelena frowned.
Emma turned to the man sitting on the couch again, before her eyes landed back on Regina. "How about you? Is that you?"
"Yes." Regina replied.
"Great." Emma walked up to the brunette sitting on the wheelchair, holding out her paper to her. "If you can just sign this and I'll be on my way."
Regina blinked. "And how do you suppose I sign it?"
"I don't know. Slowly?"
Regina let out a scoff mixed with a chuckle.
Green eyes looked down at the woman's hands, calmly placed over the arms of the chair before looking back into her beautiful brown eyes. "What, your arms don't work either?"
"They don't."
"Shit. Tough luck." Emma looked over to Zelena, who glared at her for her poor observational skills.
"Would you excuse us for just a moment, please?" Regina's eyes moved over to the man still sitting on the couch, gaping at the scene that was happening before him.
Zelena watched as the man excused himself and left the room, her eyes wide as she gaped at her sister. "Regina-"
"Sit down, Ms. Swan." Regina told Emma, looking back up at her.
Emma's lips slightly parted. She had never heard her last name sound so freely on anyone's lips before. "I really just need a signature."
"You're not interested in the job?" Regina asked.
"I need both." Replied Emma.
"Well, then have a seat."
The blonde sighed, "Henry is going to hate me," she muttered to herself, taking a seat on the same couch that was now vacant. Her eyes locked on Regina's brown ones.
"Regina," Zelena whispered, standing closer to her sister this time. "I don't think she is at all qualified for this position. Shouldn't we at least talk about this?"
"It's quite alright," Regina said, her eyes trained on Emma. Truth is, there was something about her that pulled Regina in. She hadn't felt that with anyone for a long time, since way before her accident. And truth be told, after a dull day, she needed a bit of fun with Emma's sense of humor. "Now, I assume you don't have any experience in being a life auxiliary?"
"A what?" Emma's brow furrowed.
"A life auxiliary." Regina repeated.
Zelena rolled her eyes. "She doesn't even know what she's applying for, Regina."
"My arms don't move, as you so… astutely noted. Neither do my legs. I can only move my neck."
"You can move your mouth." Emma's eyes didn't break contact as she said this.
"As can you." She glared. Okay, maybe this woman did get under her skin a little, but out of everyone she saw today, she liked her. Well, a part of her did. "You'll have to assist me at all times," the brunette explained. "You'll have to transfer me to my chair, to my car, my bed, etc."
Emma's brow lifted, "Bathe you?"
Regina noticed that the corner to the woman's lip wanted to tilt upward. "Yes."
Zelena's eyes exchanged looks between her sister and this dreadful woman.
Tempting. Emma nodded. What can she say? The woman was attractive. But… She stood to her feet, "Sorry, but I can't. I'm in deep water with my kid, up to my neck. I don't have much experience with caring for him, what makes you think I'll do better with you? Besides, your sister said it herself, I'm not qualified. And to be honest with you and save you the trouble of hiring me- I was just released from prison. For theft. And I guess this is the part of me that will tell you, 'I don't need your charity,' in which case now you'll feel bad so now you'll have to hire me."
Zelena gave Regina an I told you so look.
The corner to Regina's lip tilted up into a tiny smirk. "Which is why I am offering you the position."
"What?" Green eyes grew wide.
"What?" Zelena gawked at her sister. "Regina, what are you doing?"
"I'm offering her the position." She replied, looking from her sister back to Emma.
"You're kidding." Emma looked over at Zelena, who placed her hand over her face and shook her head in silence. Her eyes moved toward Regina, brow furrowed. "I could have killed someone for all you know. Why would you want to hire an ex-convict?"
Regina observed the woman in silence, keeping her reason to herself. "Think it over, come back tomorrow with your answer. Excuse me." Her eyes moved toward her sister. "We're done here." With her chin, she controlled the shift that was lifted up near her face to exit the room.
Emma's line of sight followed Regina as she headed further into the penthouse, her sister rushing right behind her, trying to get a last word in. What just happened? She was left clueless.
Emma rushed through the park, she ran until there was no breath left in her lungs. God, that hurt her chest. She spent what little she had in her pocket to take a cab just to get here in time. She was done disappointing Henry anymore. Done. Finished. Her mind was rushing just as fast as her feet, back to the woman inside that fancy penthouse. Why hire her? Emma didn't understand it. She had no desire to take care of anyone. Well, Henry, but that was her son. Sure, the woman was attractive, which meant she probably wasn't even gay. I mean a woman like that probably had a husband, working off somewhere, traveling maybe… or cheating on her. Scumbag.
She shook her head, deciding to push her thoughts aside and run a little faster until she reached the baseball field. She was running so fast, she didn't realize that people were walking past her in the opposite direction. Until her eyes landed on Ingrid, who was walking toward her with Henry, dressed sharply in his baseball uniform and glove in one hand.
Shit. Her eyes closed. She was late. Deciding to tough it out, she walked up to Henry, who was looking at her with anger in his eyes. Again. But more than anger, there was disappointment.
"Hey, kid," Emma breathed out, her chest rapidly moving up and down. "Hard to get here when you don't have a car." She smiled, trying to lighten the mood.
Henry didn't even crack a smile, he just kept his gaze to the grass by his feet.
"Listen, I was coming. Honest. I just had a job interview way across toward downtown and it was impossible to get here in time. They kept me waiting for hours." She babbled on, hoping her son would understand.
Only, to her disappointment, Henry looked up at Ingrid and rushed past Emma without so much as a glance.
"Hey," Emma called out to him, standing in place. "Henry, don't walk away."
"You taught me how." The boy said, not bothering to turn and look at his mother.
Emma bit the inside of her cheek to keep herself from yelling at her son. Because he was right. She did walk away, she left him over her mistakes. But what kind of mother would she have been, going in and out of jail? Her eyes fell on Ingrid, who's hand landed on her shoulder.
"You showed up." Ingrid encouraged her.
Emma chuckled to herself, "Just not in time." Her eyes watered, which she blinked rapidly to fight back the unwanted tears. She wasn't going to cry. Not now. Not here.
"How did the interview go?" Ingrid asked.
Emma's eyes met hers. "Well, the job is mine if I want it."
Ingrid smiled. "That's wonderful news. Things are finally coming along." Her hand caressed Emma's back, "Why don't you come with us? Henry and I always get ice cream after every game. I'm sure he would love it if you came. You can come back to the apartment for dinner. Stay the night. I know you don't have a place to stay."
She shook her head, "No. I don't think he wants to be around me right now."
"He does, Em." Ingrid insisted, giving her friend a warm smile. "Trust me. He was disappointed that you left last night."
Emma's lip parted at this newfound information. "He was?"
Ingrid nodded. "Come on, come with us." She linked arms with Emma, not giving her much of a choice.
Ice cream with Henry didn't go as Emma hoped. The boy remained silent, until Ingrid managed to get him to talk, but he would only talk to her. So what very little Emma knew about his baseball team, was because Ingrid told her. Still, Emma toughed it out, hoping that some part of Henry was happy because his mom was finally around.
She accepted the woman's offer in spending the night, after Ingrid had already laid out some extra bed sheets on her couch and given her a cover of her own and a pillow.
Emma had decided not to bother Henry as much during dinner. She just decided to have a conversation with Ingrid instead. And while helping her with her dishes, the woman asked her about her job offer.
"So, you were honest with this woman about your criminal record and she still offered you the job?"
Emma felt a sting at the choice of words being used. "I prefer to refer to my criminal record as my past. But, yes. Her sister is not too crazy about me."
Ingrid chuckled, "Well, seems to me like the one who makes the decisions in that household is this Regina character."
Emma's mind was transported back to the woman's powerful gaze. Those brown eyes. She didn't even catch sight of the blush coating her cheeks. Ingrid on the other hand- did. "What?" She asked, catching Ingrid's eyes looking directly at her with a tiny smirk playing on her lips.
"You're blushing."
"What?" Emma's brow furrowed, "Get out."
"You are. What, did something happen with this woman?"
Emma's eyes almost bulged out of her head, she placed her index finger against her lips, looking out into the living room for any signs of Henry. Henry already hated her enough, he didn't need to know that his mother was always more secretly inclined toward women.
"Something did happen?" Ingrid asked, smirking.
"Wipe that smirk off your face. No, nothing happened." Emma shook her head. "I was just thinking…" She chuckled, "How on earth am I going to even take care of her, when I couldn't even take care of Henry? I mean, if it hadn't been for you stepping it, taking him in like you did with me- God knows where he would be." She paused. "Why me? Why would someone like Regina Mills want me?"
Ingrid shrugged, "Maybe she sees potential in you? A friend of mine is a huge fan, she has read all her books. She's very brilliant."
"Yeah, well, I think her IQ must have dropped because out of all the candidates before me- I get the job."
"Maybe she likes you." She smirked, earning a hard glare from Emma. "Oh, come on, lighten up. You should be happy. You'll finally be making some money, getting your life together. Isn't that what matters? Just think of it as looking after a child. Only this one is the richest, most attractive woman in New York." Lastly, she gave the blonde's shoulder a gentle squeeze. "I say take it. How hard can it be?"
"Right," Emma muttered.