A/N: I'm sorry for taking a while to upload this next chapter, but work has been crazy busy with seeing tons of patients that by the time I've arrived home, I just could not gather the energy to write. But, today was an easy going day, so I decided to push myself and deliver this to all my faithful readers. :) I hope you enjoy it! This story will have 18 chapters in total, so the next one shall be what closes this story.
Chapter 17: Thanksgiving Day
Regina hadn't realized how exhausted she was until she woke up the next morning in one of the guest bedroom's to Zelena's house. She dreamed that night, dreamed of Emma and her smile, dreamed of the many times they had made love until ends of the night and woke up sitting up on the bed, pinching the bridge of her nose, fighting yet more tears that wanted to spring out. It wasn't until she heard a light knock outside the door that she looked up, spotting a little blonde girl peeking in.
"Hello. Who are you?" Regina asked, giving the shy little girl a sad smile.
"Robyn!" Zelena's voice was heard outside as the door was pushed open and she took the girl by the hand. "What did I tell you about coming in here when we have guests?"
"It's okay," Regina shook her head. "I was already up. You're a mom?" Her brows shoot up in surprise.
"I know- hard to believe, isn't it?" Zelena sighs. "And Robin wants to have another one, I told him he could go ahead and have it himself. Science is advanced enough." She rolls her eyes, which fall on her daughter. "Don't let this one fool you into thinking she is shy. She's very observant and a bit of a trouble maker. Takes after her father."
Regina smiles, standing up from the bed and taking a few steps toward the little girl. "She looks a lot like you. I know a little boy who would love to meet you. His name's Henry."
"Are you-?" Zelena's eyes almost bulged out in surprise. She hadn't known anything about Regina's life for years, but she never pictured her being the mother type.
"No," Regina shook her head and chuckled. "He's not mine. He's fostered by some friends, I've just done things with him from time to time."
"Well…" Zelena sighs, looking down at her daughter. "This is your aunt Regina…" She looks back up at her sister. "You'll be seeing her around here more often. I hope?"
The brunette's lips part in surprise, her eyes fighting back more tears. "Do you… Want me around more often?"
"Well, you are my sister," Zelena shrugs. "I certainly could have used you around when I was pregnant."
Regina lets out a small laugh that comes as a surprise to her. Her and Zelena had talked more into the night, a talk that was past due for both siblings.
"Go finish your cereal, please." Zelena rushed off the girl, looking back at Regina. "So, I heard you tossing and turning all night until you passed out around five AM. Did you come to any conclusion?"
Regina sighed, running a single hand through her hair. "I love her. That's my conclusion, and I'm going to do everything I can to have her."
"You certainly lived a hell of a month with this woman."
"A month that isn't over yet." Suddenly Regina came up with a plan. "Could I borrow your cell phone for just a minute?"
"Sure." Zelena shrugged, heading out of the bedroom and into her kitchen to retrieve her purse. Regina followed close behind. She had a plan, and if this didn't get her an endless chance with Emma- she didn't know what would.
Emma was mashing potatoes, stirring them inside of a bowl. She wasn't a hundred percent, but she was definitely feeling up to cooking for Thanksgiving. Ruby was happy to help as she was on the other side of the small kitchen, slicing up a few carrots.
"So, Thanksgiving…" Ruby looked over her shoulder at the blonde, seeing for a reaction.
"Yeah?" Emma continued to stir and mash, her hands feeling a little weak.
"Have you considered calling your parents?" The brunette asked.
"No." Emma frowned.
"It's Thanksgiving, Em. I'm sure they will be more than happy to come and celebrate it with you."
"Come on," Emma chuckles. "You know my parents better than anyone, Ruby. If I invite them, I will only give my father a free card to stir up drama, which I don't particularly need."
"Well, call it the beauty of Thanksgiving. It always comes with drama. Belle and I have had our fair share, trust me." Ruby smirks, feeling happy to see Emma smile for the first time since Regina left.
Emma's hands fail to catch the bowl as it suddenly slipped from her grip, crashing down to the floor. "Shit," she hissed, seeing the mash potatoes all over the floor along with broken glass.
"Are you alright? Let me, let me." Ruby looked over her shoulder, quickly rushing to kneel beside Emma, reaching for her hands before she dared to try and pick up the broken glass pieces.
"Yeah…" Emma helps Ruby pick up a small pile of mash potatoes, reaching for a cloth and wiping them instantly. "You know, it's fine, I was planning on serving the mash potatoes on the floor anyway, so this is actually perfect."
Ruby smirks at the blonde's sarcasm, glad she hadn't lost it. "I'll be having some, I'm sure they taste divine." She placed the broken glass inside the trash can, her eyes seeing Emma plop down on the floor, leaning against the bottom cupboard of the sink. She didn't waste any time in joining her on the floor, seeing the sadness take over her.
Emma's eyes moved over to Ruby's hand, which placed itself against her knee.
"She really left, Ruby." Her voice was as sad as the lost look on her face.
"Well, you did kick her out, Em. You know, you could ask her to come back and she would, right?" Ruby asked, knowing perfectly well that Emma had been missing Regina a lot lately.
Emma shook her head, her sad eyes met with Ruby's. "I'm not asking her to come back, Ruby. It's just not fair. I allowed the whole thing to go too far."
Ruby's eyebrow lifts. "Too far for whom?"
"Both of us." Emma's voice is almost a whisper. "You know she asked me to marry her." She chuckles.
"She's not the first," Ruby smiles.
"No, but it was the first time I wanted to say yes." Green eyes water, allowing a few tears to touch her cheeks. Tears that Emma is quick to wipe away.
"And why didn't you?" Ruby's arm wrapped around Emma's form, cuddling her against her side.
Emma scoffs, shaking her head to fight off more tears that quickly stream down. "Because I'm not going to put her through that pain, Ruby. I can't hurt her by being here today and gone tomorrow." Her voice breaks.
"It'll hurt no matter what you do." Ruby's voice is as gentle as the squeeze her hand provides against the blonde's shoulder. "But, don't you think that's a choice only Regina can make?" She pauses. "Look, Em, I know this is beyond your power of control and it completely throws your plans off balance, but you can't keep pushing those who love you out of your life."
Emma closes her eyes for a short moment before staring back into Ruby's. "So allowing her to watch me slowly deteriorate, that's okay?" She scoffs, shaking her head and wiping away another tear. "She doesn't deserve that."
"And you think you don't deserve to be happy. That you don't deserve love." Ruby shakes her head. "You know, Em it's okay to break your own rules. You fell in love with her, and that's great. Regina absolutely adores you." She gave her a sad smile. "I mean, I almost had to pry her away from you with a crowbar when we had to take you to the hospital."
Emma chuckles, her eyes taking in the sight of a few mash potatoes that were still on the floor right by her feet.
"Look, I can't tell you what to do or how to run your life. But, I will say this…" Ruby paused. "It's moments like these that one needs to have those closest to them surround them." She gave the blonde's shoulder another squeeze, seeing her nod in agreement.
Regina walked around that day through the city, showered and dressed in a freshly washed pair of jeans, a black shirt and the leather jacket that Emma had gifted her. She was never parting with this jacket. Even more so now.
Her mind wasn't allowing her to think of anything else but Emma's smile, how she loved watching it stretch across her lips every morning. Emma's eyes, how lost she could find herself getting in them. Emma's laugh, how it sounded so rich it could make her own heart sing. The way her golden hair cascaded throughout her naked body after they had made love.
Silent tears traveled down Regina's cheeks that she quickly wiped away. She missed Emma and was determined to get her back, at all cost. Even death. Her eyes suddenly caught sight of the window before her.
"Regina?" The brunette turned to the sound of Kathryn's familiar voice. "Hi." She smiled, frowning upon seeing glossy brown eyes stare back at her.
"Kathryn," she nods, giving her a small smile. "How've you been?"
"Good, good. Couldn't be better, actually." Kathryn's smile turned into a frown once again. "Are- are you okay?"
Regina looked away from her for a short moment before providing Kathryn with a truthful answer. "I could be better. But, I want to change that." She glanced back toward the window of the shop.
"Well, you certainly look different. Happier. A little sad right now, but happier, if that makes sense." Kathryn chuckled. "Listen, Regina… What I said to you before when I ended things-"
"Don't even worry about it, Kathryn." Regina shook her head. "You were right. I wasn't made for any type of commitment. Not until…" Her eyes looked back toward the window, "Not until I met Emma."
"Is she the girl you were in the ice cream shop with that day?" Kathryn asked, smiling at Regina's nod. "She's beautiful. I never imagined you with someone as free-spirited as she looked."
Regina chuckled, "Yeah. You and I both."
"Blonde's were always your inclination, huh?" She smiled upon seeing an actual smile stretch across the brunette's lips. "So, Graham called me. I was surprised to hear that after he bent over backwards for you on this career opportunity, you turned him down. I couldn't believe it when he told me. I never remembered you turning down anything work related."
"Yeah…" Regina breathed. "He was pretty upset."
"He'll get over it," Kathryn shrugged. "Listen, about him and I-"
"You picked a good one, Kathryn. Listen," the brunette paused, her eyes locking on Kathryn's. "I don't know if you two are official or maybe not, but… If you are… Take it from me. Live any moment you can to the fullest, don't let Graham waste away slaving over work, and you shouldn't either. Because in the end you'll only end up alone."
Kathryn frowned, noticing Regina's eyes water. "Regina, what's going on?"
Regina shook her head, blinking away any signs of gathered tears around her eyes. "Life can just surprise you in unexpected ways sometimes, Kathryn. But, I think…" She turns one last time to glance at the window. "I think I want to surprise it back."
Kathryn glanced over at the window to see what had captured Regina's interest. Her brow raised upon looking back at Regina. "You're kidding?"
"Will you help me? I could really use your opinion."
The blonde released a sound that was caught between a chuckle and a surprised scoff. "You're not kidding? Are you?" She smiled upon seeing Regina shake her head. "I would be more than happy to help."
Regina's smile finally grew, her heart accelerating inside of her chest.
"Okay." Ruby stood up from the table, holding up her glass of wine as her, Belle, Henry and Emma were gathered in Emma's apartment for their Thanksgiving dinner. "I think it's only fair that I make a toast…" She grinned, her eyes on Emma. "To Emma. Thank you for being in our lives, and for making this delicious Thanksgiving feast."
"Here, here!" Belle raised her glass, while Henry raised his glass filled with soda.
"To Emma!" He toasted with a smile of his own.
"Thank you." Emma smiled, the color in her cheeks and complexion appearing more stable than before. "Thank you to all three of you for being here. And for being my family," she reached over to hold Belle's hand along with Ruby's. "And, Ruby, you can't give me all the credit, after all- you did help me."
Ruby smiled proudly, taking a small bow.
"But, really, thank you. To all three of you." Emma held back tears that begged to roam free. "Here's a toast to you." She raised her glass, taking a much needed sip.
Heads turned to a knock just outside a window, where Regina had climbed up the fire escape until she reached the blonde's window and parted it open. Normally Emma would keep the windows open, but there had been a chill in the air, which made them remain closed.
"Sorry I'm late!" Regina smiled upon climbing her way in. "My invitation must have gotten lost in the mail."
Ruby grinned, while Belle remained in shock as well as Emma, who frowned. On the outside at least, because on the inside her heart was pounding upon seeing Regina again. Especially when she was sure she never would again.
"Regina, you're back!" Henry was the only one who stood up from his place at the table and ran straight to the brunette, wrapping his arms around her form.
"Hey, Henry," Regina smiled, hugging him tightly.
"I knew you would come back." The boy grinned as he looked up at Regina.
Brown eyes looked up, finding Emma's unreadable stare looking right at her.
"Emma," she gives a curt nod. "I'm sorry for showing up uninvited, but you have to admit, that was-"
"A very sweet and romantic surprise!" Belle grinned, earning a disapproving glare from Emma.
"Well," Regina couldn't help but grin along, feeling pretty proud of herself. "I must admit, I never really imagined myself coming in through anyone's window before. I guess you did change me after all."
Emma's heart wanted to melt, but instead she crossed her arms over her chest, determined not to let that happen in front of Regina.
"Uh… Who's up for some pizza, huh? Belle?" Ruby glanced over at Belle, giving her a knowing nod while she beckoned Henry to join them. "I know Marco's is open even on Thanksgiving."
"Yeah, pizza sounds good." Belle nodded, standing from the table as she gathered her purse.
"You don't have go-" Emma shook her head.
"Actually, we do." Ruby placed on her leather jacket a sleeve at a time, giving Emma an apologetic smile. "Sorry, Em, but when Regina called me earlier I couldn't resist."
Emma's eyes grew wide in surprise. This was planned?
"Come on, Hen." Ruby nodded.
"But, I want to stay with Regina and Emma." He pleaded.
"We'll be back. Let's leave them alone for a little while, alright?" Belle moved forward, reaching for Henry's hand as she walked past a glaring Emma. "Just give her a chance," she murmured on her way out the front door.
Emma sighed with frustration, turning back to stare at a smiling Regina once the door closed. Regina couldn't possibly take her eyes off of her, how beautiful she looked. She definitely looked better since the last time she saw her. Emma decided on her best pair of jeans and her white sweater that Regina grew to love so much on her. Her hair had gained back its bright blonde color as it cascaded over her shoulders.
"You look lovely." Regina breathed, feeling her heart wanting to explode out of her chest.
"Why are you here, Regina? I told you-" The blonde asked.
"I know. And, I give you my word, I will leave if that's what you wish, but first I would really appreciate it if you just hear me out. Please." She could hear her pounding heart in her ears, her head pounded.
How could she refuse? Regina had come a long way, and her heart was practically melting over the pleading look she was giving her.
"Okay." Emma nodded, seeing that smile that she had missed seeing stretch out on Regina's lips.