By the weekend, Emma set up a sleepover with one of Henry's classmates and so she had her new home and her new brat all to herself. She invited the Queen over, specifically requesting that the woman plan for a sleepover as well and set up the gesture she'd been waiting for the right time to present.
Emma went out the week prior and purchased a silver choker with a steady row of recessed diamonds in hopes to give it to the Queen, solidifying their relationship. She was nervous when she bought it, not so much because of the price tag, which was what was left of her savings, but because this was more than just her claiming ownership over the Mayor. This was committing to her. A permanent commitment that she'd never wanted before.
She was anxious and nervous and nervous about being anxious, so she invited her best friend over to her new place to not only get an expert opinion on the modifications made but to also get a pep talk about her planned weekend.
Ruby was looking through the cabinets of her kitchen when she turned and flicked a black O ring mounted against the center island. "Well, that's a sturdy tee towel rack," the brunette winked knowingly.
Emma smirked then rushed over to a spot at the opposite side of the island and pressed a button under a hidden switch. Ruby circled the centerpiece when she heard the click of the panels opening to reveal mounted eye loops in the floor.
"You better hope Henry doesn't find those."
Emma's smirk faded into a smile, and replied smugly, "You would have to know what you're looking for, and he doesn't."
The tall brunette squatted down and looped her finger into the ring and gave it a strong tug before complementing, "Well done Swan. I'm assuming you have these all over the place?"
"Everywhere except Hen's room and the study."
"Yeah fucking his mom in his room and where he does his homework would be crazy weird."
"Jesus, don't say it like that, dude!"
Ruby lifted an eyebrow then pointed at the floor and said, "Well? You're going to fuck his mom where he eats his breakfast."
Emma's face crumpled in disgust and said in jest, "You're ruining this for me."
Ruby started to laugh and put her hand on the blonde's shoulder and said, "I'm sorry! I know you're trying to balance stuff, and honestly, I think this is great. So she's coming over tonight?"
"Yeah."
"Is this the first time she'll see all of this?"
"Yeah," Emma answered, worrying her brow.
"You really went all out for her, and if I didn't know better, I'd think you were moving past smitten, Swan."
"Smitten? Seriously?"
"Don't avoid the underlying accusation," the brunette gave her a strong reprimand.
Emma reached behind Ruby and pressed the button to close the eye loops, then crossed the kitchen to the pantry and pulled out a large velvet box and placed it on the counter wordlessly.
"For me?" Ruby joked then laughed harder when green eyes rolled in jest.
"These last couple of months have been kind of unreal, and if I'm honest with myself, it's her. I made a rule when we started this that our past was just that, the past and I think that gave her permission to let it go a bit and trust me. We don't talk about her time as Queen, but she's told me about other things, and I think we've really gotten to a place of understanding."
"Holy crap, you're falling in lo-"
Emma opened the velvet box to show Ruby the collar she bought for Regina and stood in silence as she took in the awestruck look in her friend's face. After a beat, Emma explained, "I wanted it to be classy, but not too royal looking, but still be fit for a queen."
With tears brimming the wolf's eyes she breathed out, "You nailed it, Swan. She is going to love it."
"Really? Are you sure it's not too much? Because it was like four months worth of my salary."
"I'm positive. It's perfect."
Emma blushed then said, "I… I just want her to know I'm serious about not just this, but her, you know?"
Ruby smiled, then took Emma up into a hug and said, "I'm so proud of you, my little protege!"
"Thank you for this, Red. If it weren't for you, I'd still be silently pining over her."
There was a knock at the front door that pulled the women apart, and Emma closed the jewelry box and tucked it back away in the pantry then said, "Speak of the devil."
Ruby followed Emma to the door to greet Regina with a wide knowing grin on her face.
"Mis-… Ruby," Regina corrected as she greeted the wolf. She knew of Emma's possessive jealousy, and although she loved how it made her feel all consumed and desired, she wanted to show respect for her Mistress. She belonged to Miss Swan in ways she was never owned by Ruby Lucas, and she wanted the distinction known, so she'd made an effort to drop the honor title to her former Mistress' name.
"You kids have fun," Ruby said with a wink and quickly made her way out the door.
Emma escorted the Mayor in and took her jacket before giving her a guided tour of the house.
"And Henry likes his bedroom?" The brunette asked as she poked her head in her son's large room.
"He seemed to. He was more interested in getting to play with his friends this weekend."
"Ah yes, the twins up the street?"
"Yeah," Emma said absently as she looked over the rigid stance of the Queen. She looked uncomfortable and a little anxious and completely out of place. Emma took up one of Regina's fidgeting hands and pulled her closer. "Hey," she said with an easy smile. "What's going on?"
Regina closed her eyes and tucked her bottom lip in her mouth as she silently shook her head. Emma leaned in and whispered, "Talk to me."
"I… I don't know how to feel about this." Regina motioned her free hand around, visually indicating Emma's home.
"Start by telling me how you do feel and not what you think you should feel."
"I'm concerned," the brunette started.
"About Henry?"
"No."
"Okay," Emma said and added, "Because I didn't buy this house to take him away from you or anything. Our custody arrangement is working out, and I mean, that's mostly why I bought so close to you, to make it easier on us, and him."
"That was thoughtful," the Queen said absently.
"So what else would you be concerned with?"
"Our arrangement."
"What about it?"
Regina rolled her eyes at having to spell it out and explained, "I'm concerned that now you don't have a good reason to leave your home, our play time will be affected."
"Regina," Emma stifled the smile she had pulling at the corners of her mouth and stepped closer to the woman and said, "If anything this house represents our privacy. Our freedom." She brushed a stray hair away from the brunette's face and said, "I want you to feel welcome here." She took a deep breath before adding, "More than welcome."
"More?"
"Come, let's finish our tour," Emma said before leading the woman into a room at the end of the hall.
"A study?"
"Wait," Emma cautioned, then led her to a locked door in the corner of the room which housed a set of steep steps that opened up to the finished attic.
Emma watched as Regina tentatively looked around the sparse room, and when questioning eyes focused back on her, she explained, "This is going to be our play space. I know it isn't much at the moment, I had an unexpected expense, and so the furniture is on hold for a little bit, but I think," Emma stepped closer so she could see Regina's features more clearly before she continued, "together, we can make this area our safe space."
Dark eyes widened as words registered within the brunette, and she repeated the word that had her attention, "Together?"
"Yes, precious," Emma replied, seeing the wheels were silently churning within the brunette, and she decided to start off their weekend with a gesture to help ground the Mayor. "In fact, I got you something," Emma said with a devious grin before stepping away from the Queen and heading to the dresser that lined the wall. She opened the top drawer and pulled out the sturdy black leather collar she purchased and draped it over her open palm for Regina's inspection.
"You got me a collar?"
"I did, and while we are together, I wish for you to wear it."
Regina let her fingertips run across the soft leather, and she swallowed thickly before turning around and lifting her hair without being told.
Emma laced the piece around, and before she affixed the binding, she laid a tender kiss at the base of Regina's neck and whispered, "You're my good girl."
An involuntary groan escaped the Mayor, and she turned around to face her Mistress and said, "I am Yours."
Emma ran her thumb over the soft leather then leaned in and kissed Regina just below her earlobe, and when she felt the shudder pass over the brunette, she smiled and asked, "So are we still concerned, precious?"
"No, Miss Swan."
"Good. I've already told Henry this place is for storage, and it will remain locked at all times." She wrapped her hand around the back of the brunette's neck and pulled her close before adding, "And you are welcome here anytime you want."
"Well, not anytime," Regina replied, breaking eye contact.
"I said anytime, precious, and that's what I meant."
"Henry will surely find it unusual if I make myself at home in your home, Miss Swan."
"Only until you do it often enough that it becomes his usual."
The scoff she received at that caused her to lift the brunette's chin, and she waited until she was certain she had the other woman's full attention before asking, "What part of I want permanence with you was unclear?"
"So you're going to what? Tell my son I'm your submissive?"
"No, but we will tell him that we're together."
"Are we? Together?"
"We are."
"And this playroom? Is… ours? As in, you did this for me?"
"It is, and I did." Emma looked at the brunette and added, "You're mine. I don't want another submissive. I only want you. Is that clear?"
Regina folded her arms around herself then looked around the room with new eyes and said, "I appreciate how much thought and effort you've put into this, Miss Swan."
Emma leaned in and whispered into the brunette's ear, "We're just getting started, my precious." She then smirked when the confused look passed over dark features and decided to continue on with their evening. "Come on, I've made tacos for dinner."