A/N: A little warning, this is another chapter that focuses on StableQueen (Sorry!). But, I beg you not to get discouraged. This is a SQ story with a SQ ending, and there will be an Emma and Regina encounter in the next chapter, which I will post a little later during the day. Happy reading and a million thank you's to all my loyal readers and followers for spamming this story! :) Keep it up! Hope everyone had a wonderful Thanksgiving.
The flight wasn't horrible. To Regina's surprise, the blonde pilot- who she now knew as Emma- lived up to her word on flying this metal death trap. Of course there were times where she would maneuver the plane in a way that would make Regina a little nauseous. She still wouldn't have chosen this to fly into a beautiful paradise island, but beggars couldn't be choosers.
At least during their flight, the brunette learned that Lily was quite the talker. She became fascinated to know all about how Daniel and her met, where they worked, and so on. One thing Regina didn't like was how fascinated Daniel seemed by the blonde pilot's… Girlfriend?
"So, not to seem perverted for asking here, but… Are you two…?" Daniel's eyes fell on Regina's as she turned to glare at him.
Both Emma and Lily smirked at one another, taking a quick glance over their shoulders at a blushing Daniel. Emma's eyes looked over to the annoyed brunette.
"We have a lot of fun." Said Lily, her smirk growing along with Emma's.
"And she means it," Emma chuckled, hearing a rich laugh escape from Lily while Daniel's was a nervous laugh.
"Emmy here knows how to appreciate a good woman." Lily's hand caresses its way down the blonde's bare arm, looking over her shoulder at Daniel and Regina, her voice low. "And I do mean appreciate." She brings down her sunglasses to the bridge of her nose and gives the blushing pair a wink.
The blonde remains quiet, but smirks over Lily's comment. She loved to mess with tourists.
"What about you?" Her eyes directed over to Regina.
"What about me?" Regina felt all the blood drain from her face, her eyes nervously turning to Daniel.
Lily smirks, pushing her sunglasses back up to her eyes. "What do you do for a living back in New York?" She decides to stop teasing, which Regina is thankful for.
"I am a magazine editor for Regal Magazine." She looks over at Daniel, who smiles proudly at her while taking her hand in his.
"Really?"
"She's very good." Daniel beamed, looking over at Regina. "Why don't you show them your latest magazine, sweetheart?"
Despite her glare, Regina digs through her big purse, unfolding the magazine and hands it to Lily.
"That's you!" Lily pointed at the latest magazine cover with Regina's picture, a grin to her as she held it before the pilot. "Look, Em- that's her! Isn't that exciting?"
"Yeah, sure is," said Emma, taking a quick glance at the photograph without saying anything else.
"Do you mind if I keep this?" Lily asked, holding onto the magazine.
Regina shook her head, waving her hand. "Knock yourself out. I have another."
"We're here!" Lily beamed, looking out her window with excitement.
"Welcome to Makatea!" Emma gave the pair a smile while looking over her shoulder before she smoothly landed on the dirt road.
Looking out her back window, Regina could see the island as they finally flew by it. It really was an island, where from this altitude, you could see the entire resort. It was far more beautiful than any place Regina had ever seen. The water surrounding the island was blue from afar and so clear. She couldn't wait to go for a swim or bathe under the sun. She was excited for them to land so her vacation could finally begin.
Lily and Emma were the first to climb out of the plane. The blonde was thankful to stretch her legs after every flight. "Alright," she held open the passenger side door, giving Daniel a pearly white smile. "Thank you for flying Swan Airlines. Where frequent flyers earn bonus points good for valuable merchandise."
"Wow, this is great!" Daniel breathed, drinking in the sight of the beautiful island.
Emma held out her hand for Regina to take as she stepped her way out of the plane.
"Oh." She has manners after all. Regina was surprised by the offered hand, but she took it anyway, making her way down the step quickly to release it. "Thank you."
Emma gave her a curt nod before looking over at Daniel, "Hey, you aren't trying to steal my vest, are you?" She chuckled at her own joke.
"Oh!" Daniel laughed, quickly removing the bright yellow vest from his body and handing it to the blonde.
"Well…" Emma breathed, resting her arm against the opened door of her plane. "As entertaining as you folks were, this is where we part ways. Your resort is straight ahead," she motioned before them. "You can't miss it. My plane will remain here, and someone will help you with your bags."
"Thank you," Daniel extended his hand, shaking hers in gratitude. "You are a really good pilot."
"We do what we can to earn a living," Emma smiled. "Enjoy your stay."
"We will, thank you. Here, let me-" Daniel fished out his wallet.
"Oh, no," Emma stopped him, shaking her head. "Please, you've paid me enough."
Typical of rich tourists wanting to flash their money and pay her more than it was intended. This is what Emma hated.
"Emmy, let's get a drink!" Lily beamed, pulling on her arm.
"We really should check in, darling." Regina's hand rested against the man's back.
"Right. Well, it was very nice meeting you." Daniel waved, giving the blonde one last smile.
"You, too." Emma's eyes moved over to the brunette from behind her glasses, her hand came up in a small salute. "Ma'am."
Regina gave the pilot a curt nod before catching up with Daniel, but found herself looking over her shoulder at the woman who now carried Lily behind her back. For a pair who just fooled around for fun they seemed like the real deal. And from what Regina could tell, the pilot took good care of herself, judging from the glimpse she caught on her toned stomach and now the tone texture of her arms as she carried Lily on her back in a playful manner.
"Sweetie," Daniel called out to Regina, smiling at the lost look on her face. "Did you forget something? What are you doing?"
She shook her head, not even realizing Daniel had taken a few steps forward, leaving her behind as he began to head toward their resort.
"Nothing," she smiled, catching up to him while her arm snaked around his back.
"Mr. Colter and Ms. Mills?" A friendly man in a navy blue suit asked them as they entered the hut looking resort.
"Yes," the couple said in unison.
"Welcome to Hanaiti." He walked them over to the reception desk.
"Thank you," both smiled, following the man hand in hand.
"I'm Sidney Glass. The general manager." He smiled, looking over at his staff behind the reception desk. "Please, can we have the reservation for Mr. Colter." He turned back to the couple. "Someone will assist you with your bags and take you to your room. Do enjoy your stay."
"Thank you," once again both spoke in unison.
"Here's your key," the receptionist handed him a card key with a smile tugging on her lips. "Anthony will help you with your bags and direct you to your room."
"Thank you," Daniel smiled, following Anthony over to their room with Regina by his side. The resort was opened to where you could see sights of the beach, other guests coming in and out of it with their families, or husbands with wives. It was the perfect choice for a vocational spot.
"Here we are," Anthony opened the door to their room, allowing them to enter first before stepping inside with their luggage.
The room was spacious. As the couple entered, to their left by the wall was the queen sized bed, made entirely of tree bark. The bed posts were in the forms of vines traveling upward, almost reaching the ceiling. There was a bathroom straight ahead, a closet, the floors were made entirely of hardwood and there was a single rug underneath the bed. There was a couch by a wall and chairs near the biggest double doors, which provided an amazing view of the beach.
"Wow!" Daniel smiled, his eyes drinking in the room.
"Enjoy your stay," Anthony smiled.
"Oh, here," Daniel handed the man a good tip for helping them to their room. "Thank you."
"Thank you, sir." The bellboy took his leave, leaving the couple to enjoy their room and all it had to offer.
Regina cuddled up to her boyfriend's side, her arm snaking across his back as they both stood near the double windows and took sight of the beautiful paradise they had before them.
"Oh, sweetheart, this is beautiful. We are never leaving." She beamed, feeling more than happy they were here.
Upon opening the double doors, they could feel the brush of wind in their hair. They could smell the beach water, the comfort of the sand. It made them hold each other closer.
"Thank you," Regina smiled up at Daniel, her arms snaking around his neck.
"This is going to be the best vacation of our lives." He assured her with an equal smile stretching across his lips until they neared hers, capturing them in a passionate kiss.
For that entire day, both spent time in their room, in their bed. Not wanting to leave it. And at night, they could see through their double large windows that a beach party was happening, it was given away by the melodic music playing, and groups of people walking around with drinks in their hands or dancing. The outdoor bar was opened and Regina and Daniel wanted in.
Both showered and dressed. Daniel decided to wear a simple combination of an all white suit with a pale blue polo shirt. The air was fresher at night. While Regina decided on an olive green spaghetti strapped beach dress.
They had their choice of dinner, which they enjoyed near the bar area. It was all quaint, friendly and very romantic.
"Shall we take a walk along the beach?" Daniel offered nodding his head, his hand reaching across the table for Regina's.
"That would be lovely." Regina smiled, standing up from their table and allowing him to guide her along the small crowd and onto the beach.
"Are you having a great time?" He asked her, wanting nothing but the best for her.
"Oh, Daniel, I'm having a wonderful time." Regina smiled.
Daniel brought the brunette's hand up to his lips, placing a kiss right on her knuckles. "You know, it's our anniversary."
Anniversary? Regina's brow lifted. "We have an anniversary?" She wondered, because their anniversary had already passed marking it two years that they had been dating.
He chuckled, "Yeah, unofficially."
"Oh?"
"Three years ago, today. We first met." His arms snaked around the brunette's form, his eyes locking on her brown orbs.
"We did?" She asked, her arms holding onto his form in a loving embrace.
"Yeah," he smiled and nodded. "Remember? We both were in a hurry, we stopped the same cab and were fighting over it-"
Regina's eyes shut tight at the memory. "Oh, I called you an idiot," she remembers, her lips stretching into an apologetic smile.
"Right, see you remember." A small laugh escaped Daniel.
"I'm so sorry about that."
"No, it's fine. The way I see it, it was all part of love's odyssey." His hand came up to brush away a strand of hair from her face. His eyes looked down on her in a gentle manner.
"It was?" She asked, her brow raised once again, knowing Daniel was up to something.
He nodded, his eyes never leaving hers. "If I asked, would you wear something special for me tonight?" His voice was soft, Regina could almost sense nerves and fear lingering within it.
"What exactly did you have in mind?" The brunette blinked.
"This," Regina's lips parted upon seeing him hold up an engagement ring before her. His eyes were still locked on her as she looked up in awe. "Would you marry me?" He asked.
A smile stretched out across Regina's ruby red lips as they locked around Daniel's in a passionate kiss, her arms pulling the man in by his neck closer to her body. That was all he needed to know that her answer had been yes. She would marry him.