It was one giddy Regina who arrived back at Zelena's place a little while later. Tonight had been such a good night, and Regina was much too busy feeling excited to fear that everything would crash and burn.
She parked the Mercedes in the driveway and exited the car. Hurried up the little pathway. It was a cold evening, and she had already walked around plenty. She could feel that in her feet, and she was looking forward to getting her shoes off at last.
The hallway was quiet, but Regina could hear laughter from the living room. Henry was thriving. Good. But she hoped he wasn't too awake seeing that this was his bedtime. And she wasn't planning on letting him sleep until eleven in the morning even though he probably would have enjoyed that. At least he did during the weekends. Otherwise he was pretty good at getting up in the morning.
Regina released a breath of pure relief when she slipped off her heels and wiggled her feet. Oh god, maybe wearing those heels had been a tad too optimistic of her. Her feet hurt.
But she had also enjoyed wearing heels. She had enjoyed dressing up and putting on makeup without having to endure questions about her motives for dressing up.
Tonight she had simply been Regina.
On a date.
With a sweet woman.
No complicated past.
No baggage.
And it had been an absolute delight.
Smiling to herself, Regina slipped off her coat and then patted inside the living room of stocking-clad feet.
Zelena and Henry were sitting on the couch. Henry was in his pajamas and with wet hair. So he had taken a shower like Regina had reminded him to do. Good boy. There was an empty bowl standing on the coffee table. A small bowl. Regina was relieved to see that. She had feared that Zelena had let him eat all of the popcorn in the large bowl. She definitely would not have been happy about that. Could easily remember the last time Henry had consumed a whole bowl of popcorn. He had been up sick all night. It had been a right mess.
"Hi mom," he greeted and smiled at her. "I didn't even hear the car!"
"Welcome home, sis," Zelena said and looked like she had several things she wanted to ask Regina, but she clearly held off until Henry had gone to bed.
"Did you have a nice time with Emma?" Henry asked curiously.
Regina nodded. A very good time indeed.
"Are you gonna hang out with her again?" he asked casually.
Hang out. Regina liked that word. She liked how low-key it all sounded. And yes, she hoped that she would be 'hanging out' with Emma Swan again. She nodded, flashed her son a smile and then signed to him: 'it's bedtime.'
"Aww, mo-oooom," he said dramatically. "Just five more minutes?"
He was giving her cheek, and Regina found it to be mighty entertaining. But nevertheless she shook her head. It WAS bedtime.
Henry surrendered without grace. But there was a certain, joking gleam in his eyes as he said: "fiiiiine!"
Regina smiled and then extended a hand out towards him. He quickly got up from the couch and trotted over to Regina. Taking her hand, he turned to Zelena and said: "Goodnight, aunt Z!"
"Goodnight, oh favorite nephew," Zelena chuckled as she lazily ruffled his hair. "It was really fun to hang out with you tonight. Sleep well."
"Thanks!"
Regina and Henry went towards the stairs, and as Henry let go of her hand to skip ahead, Zelena said: "I'll make us some coffee!"
Code for sister-talk, no doubt. Regina felt slightly amused at that. Zelena really was quite curious. Regina found it to be quite entertaining. Especially because there wasn't that much to tell, really. She had already texted Zelena and told her how nice an evening she'd had with Emma. What more did Zelena want? It was just a meal, a dessert, and a walk around Steveston. It was limited how much information Zelena could squeeze out of that.
But then again, Zelena could squeeze information out of anything.
Regina made it up the stairs and she and Henry continued into his room. A fun evening with movies and popcorn had clearly gotten the best of him because he climbed into bed right away. Yawning, he put his head on the pillow. It was clear that it wouldn't take long before he drifted off to sleep, but he still had enough energy to ask: "when can I see Emma again?"
Regina suffocated a smile as she signed. 'Soon'. That was the best she could come up with. Someday she would have to invite Emma over for coffee. Or maybe a meal. That could be nice, couldn't it? And it was a very normal date-thing to do. Regina entertained the thought of Emma Swan sitting in the kitchen or on the couch as she sat on Henry's bedside and waited for him to settle in for the night.
"I'm glad you had a nice time with Emma," Henry said sleepily. "I wanna go to Steveston too."
She would have to bring him the next time. Emma Swan would probably not mind that.
It didn't take long before Henry drifted off to sleep, and Regina dropped a kiss on his hair. Then she quietly rose from the bed and left his room. Of course she left his little nightlight on. Henry preferred that the little bedside lamp was switched on during the night. After the 'accident' he had developed a fear of the darkness, Regina knew that even though Henry hadn't directly said so himself. And Regina could not bring herself to 'confront' him about his fear. She simply let the nightlight be on for the night.
Regina did not go downstairs right away. Instead she went inside her own bedroom. She quietly closed the door behind her and then went over to her closet. Found a pair of soft, grey, faded sweatpants and a plain, black t-shirt. She groaned slightly in relief as she unzipped her black dress and wiggled out of it. As nice as it had been to dress up for once, as nice was it to dress 'down' once more. She still wasn't completely accustomed to wearing 'normal' clothes. Least of all dresses.
She was proud of herself, though.
She had come a long way since panicking over wearing a skirt. Was finally starting to appreciate her old clothes.
Regina made sure to be careful as she slipped off the sheer stockings. She had no interest in ripping them, and fortunately enough, she succeeded in slipping them off without accidentally tearing them. The last thing to do was the scarf around her neck. After having slipped on her sweatpants and t-shirt, Regina sat down at the vanity and examined her plaster-covered throat. She was aware that the pain she had felt while eating earlier had been internal, but it didn't harm to take a look at the wound. Well. As much as she could while wearing the plaster, obviously.
It looked fairly decent. No oozing. No swelling. Nothing that seemed alarming. That was good. She could handle a bit of internal pain. As long as the wound hadn't become infected. An infection could jeopardize the opportunity of getting another operation, Doctor Anton had said.
But Regina wasn't even sure she wanted a new operation.
More doctors poking and prodding at her.
More pain.
More liquid diet.
And there was even a guarantee that it would work.
Had there only been that, Regina might have been more willing to say yes, but since there was not, she wasn't so sure.
One could get used to not having a voice, right?
She was getting by okay.
She didn't need to be poked and prodded at again.
The thought alone made her stomach lurch.
Regina pushed the dark thoughts away and concentrated on removing her makeup. Then stood from the little chair at the vanity table. Turned around and left the bedroom.
When she came back downstairs, Zelena had vanished from the couch. Regina guessed that she had gone into the office to call Chad. She often did that at night. There was a cup of coffee waiting for Regina, though, and Regina willingly settled down on the couch. Snatched her laptop which had been left on the coffee table. Now seemed like a good time to catch up on answering some emails or something else that was equally adult.
But she was distracted from doing anything adult the moment she opened her mailbox. Because Priscilla Adams was coming to Vancouver. Priscilla Adams, the opera singer. Regina felt a thrill of excitement as she clicked on the little 'show available tickets' box. She really tried telling herself not to get too excited. The tickets were probably already gone.
But no, they were not. There actually was two tickets available. It was almost too good to be true. The thing was, Regina was a huge fan of the opera singer Priscilla Adams. She had discovered Priscilla Adams when she was pregnant with Henry, and Priscilla had been a source of great comfort to Regina in the aftermath of her father's death. And later on, when things once again got tough, Regina had once again turned to Priscilla Adams for comfort. She had in fact seen Priscilla Adams perform five years ago, and she would sell her arm or leg to see her perform again.
Now she had the chance. Two tickets available. Two tickets calling her name. Once-in-a-lifetime opportunity. Regina lingered with her eyes darting towards the 'purchase'-button.
She couldn't remember the last time she had been to a classical concert.
There had been a time where she wouldn't have dared.
But now...
Well, now she actually found herself wanting to go.
Very much so.
Regina savored the feeling for a moment. The feeling of WANTING something. Like, genuinely wanting to do something. Actively seeking out a place that would be crowded. There had been a time where she didn't want to do anything or be in a crowd.
But here she was. Wanting to go to a classical concert.
God, how she wanted to go.
Regina bit her lip and looked at the 'purchase'-button again. So tempting. Her fingers were itching to click that button.
Should she?
The sudden feeling of a hand on her arm automatically made Regina jerk and nearly send the laptop flying. Her heart started racing and with shoulders that crawled up towards her ears and knuckles turning white around the laptop, she looked up.
"Oh god!" Zelena said, immediately removing her hand from Regina's arm. "I am so sorry about that, Regina! I thought you heard me come in!"
Regina did not. And now her automatic 'flight'-mode was embarrassing. This was Zelena. Her sister. And NOT her own, personal boogey-man. She flashed her sister a sheepish smile and mouthed: 'sorry'.
"Don't," Zelena said quickly. "Don't feel sorry. I'M the one who's sorry. I should have announced myself instead of taking you by surprise. I promise I'll remember that in the future. Can I sit down?"
Regina nodded absentmindedly and brushed a hand over her arm where Zelena had touched her. The surprise-touch made her skin crawl. It didn't matter that she knew it was just Zelena and not someone who was out to get her.
Zelena sat down and leaned forward slightly. "I really am sorry, Regina. I wasn't thinking."
And why should she? It was so dumb, the way Regina overreacted all the time. Stupid.
"Are you okay?" Zelena asked worriedly.
Regina nodded. She was fine. Or at least she would be in a moment. When her skin stopped itching. To distract herself, and her sister from worrying about her, Regina turned the laptop around so Zelena could see the concert page.
Zelena leaned in slightly and glanced at the website for a moment. Then she looked back at Regina. "Priscilla Adams," she said with a knowing smile. "One of your favorites."
Regina nodded, pointed eagerly to herself and then back to herself.
"You... you want to go to the concert?" Zelena quickly deduced, surprise coloring her voice and eyebrows shooting towards her hairline. She clearly had not expected this.
Regina nodded eagerly once more. Yes, she very much did want to go to the concert! But not on her own, though. She pointed lightly to Zelena and then to the website. And once she had eye contact with Zelena, she raised an eyebrow as a way to ask the silent question.
"Of course," Zelena said immediately. "Of course I want to go with you, sis. Absolutely!" she smiled beamingly, and Regina immediately knew that it wasn't just because of the concert. It was because of the way Regina was initiating to do things. Zelena wasn't used to that.
Feeling equally excited, Regina clicked 'book tickets', and in a heartbeat, she had bought two tickets for the concert with Priscilla Adams and orchestra. And she was so looking forward to it! It had been ages since she last went to a concert, let alone one with Priscilla Adams! This night couldn't get any better.
"So?" Zelena asked as Regina quickly read through the 'thank you for your order'-email and confirmed that everything was as it should with the tickets.
Regina turned her attention back to her sister and raised an eyebrow to show that she was listening.
"How was the date with Emma?" Zelena asked, and Regina realized that she probably had been sitting on that question for a while.
Regina gave a smile and a thumbs up in response before reaching for her cup of coffee. She took a little sip and tried not to wince when swallowing. Why did her throat have to act up tonight? She had already taken one pill. She wasn't too keen on taking anymore medication.
"Are you gonna see her again?" Zelena asked curiously.
Regina settled for a sort of half-nod with a raised eyebrow. Yes, she was indeed going to see Emma Swan again. And soon, she hoped. Tonight had been such a good night.
"So, you really like her then?" Zelena continued.
Regina nodded patiently. She really did like Emma. Kind Emma. Funny Emma. Beautiful Emma with the golden hair and the pretty smile. Oh god, that smile. That perfect smile. Regina had to raise an eyebrow at the way something warm flittered about in her stomach. Oh. Interesting. So that was still possible too. Was she getting smitten? Really? She had not expected that to happen. She hadn't imagined that she would still be capable of that. And yet here she was, feeling herself overflowing with warm feelings for Emma Swan.
"Did you guys go anywhere after the dinner?" Zelena asked curiously.
Regina nodded. 'Yes, we went for a walk around town. It was very nice.'
"Oh. That does sound nice," Zelena agreed with her. "Very nice."
It had been very nice. The best date Regina had been on in a very, very long time. She was actually pretty good at dating even though it had been ages since she last tried it. And the way Emma had acted all night, so gallantly and sweet had been a complete joy. Regina could not have been more pleased with how tonight had gone down. She had been a right fool, being hesitant about saying yes to go on a date with Emma Swan. Regina would be the one to invite her out the next time. That was how this was supposed to go.
Regina COULD remember as much when it came to dating. And she did want to go about this in the traditional fashion.
Well. As traditionally as she could. Her not being able to speak when on a date was pretty untraditional.
No. It was VERY untraditional.
But Emma Swan did not mind.
Thankfully.
"And did she..."
Regina raised an eyebrow. She really hated it when people did not finish their sentences. When she was a professor teaching, she had always encouraged her students to 'speak up, please. There are no dumb questions. Only stupid answers.'
Zelena fiddled a little with a lock of her red hair. Appeared to be making herself more comfortable in the couch. "Did she... did you kiss her?"
Oh. That. The only thing that could make the warm feelings fizzle out and the coffee taste stale in her mouth. Kiss. Regina's stomach churned. Such an innocent word, really. Kiss. One little word that promised new beginnings and budding feelings.
But a kiss could also be something else.
A kiss could be a way to control someone.
A kiss could be unwanted.
Forced onto your lips without your consent.
Regina closed her eyes for a moment.
She was immediately back in the bedroom.
Killian pushed her up against the wall. Pressed his lips against hers.
Bit down hard on her bottom lip.
Hard enough to make it bleed.
Her lip had been swollen for weeks afterwards.
But kissing was a part of dating.
An important part.
And at some point, Emma Swan would want to be kissed.
It would be natural for two people who were dating to kiss one another.
But how did you explain that you were scared of kissing?
That you could not even think about kissing anyone without having the most horrible flashbacks popping up in your mind.
It took everything in Regina to remember that she was currently holding a cup of coffee. To be present. She took a deep breath. Did not want to 'disappear'. Did not want to think such dark thoughts tonight.
Zelena put a hand on her arm again, and this time the gesture did not startle Regina. "No," Zelena said quickly, yet gently. "Please don't disappear, sis. I'm sorry. I should not have asked you that. I don't know what's with me tonight. I keep saying and doing the wrong things."
Regina sat the cup of coffee down so she could sign: 'and how could you possibly know? I barely know myself.' Very true. Sometimes it was the strangest things that triggered her. Regina bit her bottom lip and missed out on Zelena's answer. Now she had started to think. Of the day where Emma Swan would want more. Kisses. And all the other things that came with dating.
All the other things that Regina could not give her.
The hand still on her arm squeezed gently. "What are you thinking about?" Zelena asked softly.
Regina opted for honesty once more. 'I am thinking that some day Emma will want more, and I can't give that to her.'
"You can't right now," Zelena softly corrected. "But you will be able to one day. I know you will. I know it seems impossible right now, Regina, but you WILL get to a place where you'll be able to..." she did not finish the sentence. Just squeezed Regina's arm gently once more.
'Maybe I should not be dating her,' Regina signed in response. 'Not if I'm not able to do normal date things.'
"Please don't do this to yourself," Zelena said quietly. "I made you feel insecure, and I am so sorry, but please don't give up on this, Regina. You've just started seeing each other. It's too early to think about all that now. It seems to me that the most important thing to Emma is to get to know you, isn't that right?"
Regina nodded. That was the impression she had gotten too. That Emma genuinely wanted to get to know her.
"I think she'll continue to take it slow," Zelena concluded.
Regina hoped so. She truly wanted to believe that was the case.
"And she likes you, doesn't she?" Zelena asked.
Regina nodded. She had definitely gotten that impression.
"That's the most important thing," Zelena said firmly. "That she likes you, and you like her. The two of you had a wonderful time tonight. Do you think you can focus on that?"
Regina smiled now. She would certainly try.
"Good." Zelena smiled back. "Now tell me something nice Emma said or did tonight."
She was distracting her. And it was working. Regina felt another and bigger smile spread on her lips as she signed: 'she said that I am beautiful.'
Zelena was grinning now. Grinning. Because they both knew how important it was. How long it had been since someone that was not her family had called Regina beautiful. "Damn right you are," Zelena said plainly.
Regina smiled at her sister and swelled in the memory of Emma calling her beautiful whilst blushing and smiling so sweetly. That compliment had been completely sincere. It had come from a place of kindness. And while Regina did not always feel beautiful, it was wonderful to know that Emma Swan perceived her as such.
Regina grabbed her laptop and opened it again. She had a plan. She was going to google garlic-roasted chicken with root vegetables. That was what she was going to make for dinner tomorrow. It sounded like a lot, but Regina had missed going crazy in the kitchen. She had missed cooking more lavish meals, and since tomorrow was Sunday, she had plenty of time to do so. They didn't have any garlic, though. She would have to buy that tomorrow. She would get up early and go to the grocery store before the place got too crowded. That was a great plan.
"Garlic chicken," Zelena said as she read over Regina's shoulder. "That sounds good, sis. Is that tomorrow's menu?"
Regina nodded eagerly and felt quite excited at the prospect of cooking for her family. It seemed like such a basic thing. Perhaps not the most exciting thing to be looking forward to. But there had been a moment where Regina thought that she would never be able to cook for her family again, so now she cherished it. And speaking of family... Regina wiggled her fingers in the air. 'You should invite Chad.'
"You think so?" Zelena smiled. "Well, he would definitely not say no to that offer. You know how much he loves your garlic chicken. But are you sure you feel up for seeing him?"
Regina nodded firmly. Chad was a good man. She would never forget how gentle he had been to her when she was in the hospital. She had been scared of being alone but also scared of men, so Chad had ended up sitting in the farthest corner of the room just talking to her. Assuring her that he was still there so she shouldn't be alone.
Of course Chad should be seated at the table with them tomorrow night...
The following morning found Regina in one of the bigger supermarkets. It was ridiculously early. So early that Henry was not even thinking about getting out of bed yet.
But Regina was awake. And very alert and eager right from the crack of dawn. She was pushing a shopping cart and had a huge list over things she needed. Regina had so many baking plans for next week. And just cooking plans in general.
She quickly snatched a garlic. The last garlic. Regina felt slightly triumphant. She was looking forward to cooking tonight. Actually, she was looking forward to many things. She had promised Henry to watch a movie with him. Something Disney. Not because he'd had any nightmares, but simply because.
Regina liked 'simply because' days. And she liked that she now was able to go to the supermarket on her own. Unaccompanied. That was a huge thing for her.
She had reached quite a few milestones lately, and she was pretty proud of herself. She was allowed to be that. Her therapist always said so anyway. Normally, Regina wasn't one for constantly patting herself on the back, but now she needed it. She needed to consider every minor thing a step in the right direction.
Regina glanced at her shopping list. Carrots. She needed carrots. Henry wasn't overly fond of carrots, but it was healthy, and Regina always made an effort to make healthy food for her son. And herself. Now that she was out of hospital and off the liquid diet and had started to slowly put on some weight again, it was important that she took care of her body. Stayed healthy and all that.
Inspired by that, Regina went over and grabbed a bag of apples. They were almost brightly red and very delicious looking. Hmm. Perhaps she should make something out of those apples? Apple pie. Or maybe even- Regina smiled a little- apple turnovers. It had been a million years since she last made apple turnovers. Henry loved her apple turnovers. And so did Zelena.
Did Emma Swan?
Wait. Regina frowned. Where did that come from? Had she already reached the state where she wanted to bake for Emma Swan? Oh god, she had completely forgotten to text Emma last night. She had been meaning to do so. She had been meaning to tell Emma what a lovely time she'd had, but fatigue had gotten the best of her and she had been asleep the moment her head hit the pillow. But she would definitely text Emma the moment she got back from the grocery store. Or... Perhaps she would wait an hour or two. God forbid that she should end up waking Emma from her sleep or something. That would be quite terrible.
Regina lingered for a moment in the fruit and vegetables department. Maybe she should buy some broccoli. She was certain she could use it for something. A pasta or something. It tasted good and was healthy. Ish. Right now, ish was good enough for her.
"Regina?"
Regina's head whipped up and she turned around. Equal amount of joy and guilt rushed over her when she saw who had called out to her.
"I thought that was you," Malena said calmly as she came over to her. She was carrying a shopping basket filled with groceries. Malena had always been one for shopping either very early in the morning or very late at night. That was a good way to avoid the crowd. Malena wasn't a huge fan of crowds.
"You look splendid, dear," Malena praised in her everyday-voice. "Love the hair. The short style suits you well."
Regina smiled meekly at her oldest friend who clearly made an effort to sound like no time at all hadn't passed between them. And that Regina had not dropped off the surface of the earth without reaching out to her. Malena looked exactly like herself in her grey suit and with her long blonde hair rolled into a neat bun.
"I trust you're feeling better too?" Malena asked. Still completely nonchalantly.
Regina nodded. She did feel better. But also very awkward and ashamed right now. She had not expected Malena to be here. And she knew that she had been a bad friend the last... Well, the last year and a half. A terrible friend who had stopped returning phone calls and answering texts almost in the blink of an eye.
But she could not tell Malena that it was Killian who had forbidden her to reach out and that she had been too scared of him to go against his demands.
She just couldn't.
"Well, it is wonderful to see you again, dear," Malena said calmly. "It has been forever and a day."
Regina foolishly opened her mouth to apologize. But then she remembered that she could not utter a word.
"It's quite alright, dear," Malena said and flashed Regina a little smile. "You had your reasons, I'm sure. And I am fully convinced that you were planning on reaching out to me when you could. Isn't that right?"
Regina nodded eagerly. That had been the plan all along, and now that she was thinking of it, she was actually relieved that Malena was right here. It was far easier to get things done when the person in question was right here.
But Malena does not understand Sign Language.
And Regina did not feel too good about writing messages on the phone. That part was easier with Emma Swan. Because Emma did not know her before.
But Malena did. And she would find it very different from the way they normally communicated.
"And the little man?" Malena asked. "Is he doing alright too?"
Regina nodded again. Felt frustrated. God, it was so ridiculous that all she could do was nod! It didn't feel like it was enough!
"Good," Malena said. "That's good to hear." She seemed to shift a little bit, and Regina felt for her. Smalltalk had never been one of Malena's strongest suits and now she literally had to carry the conversation all on her own.
"I've been thinking a lot about you." Malena scoffed and rolled her eyes. "In a friendly manner, obviously. How you were doing, etcetera. So it is wonderful to see you looking so well. Did you get the flowers I sent you?"
Regina nodded. She did. Snapdragons. Malena's trademark flowers.
"Oh, good. I'm glad." Malena gave her one of her 'x-ray'-glances.
Now Regina had to do something that was not either smiling or nodding. She found her phone in the pocket of her coat and began typing. 'It is nice to see you again. I am sorry I haven't reached out to you sooner. Things have been very hectic, and I have not been feeling my best.' To put it lightly. It sounded like a bad excuse, but it really was not. And it was the best she could do. Regina hesitantly turned the screen towards her oldest friend and hoped that Malena would not mind this kind of communication. This was the best she could do in that regard too.
Malena quickly got the hint and leaned forward to read the message. After a moment she looked back at Regina. "Well, as I said, you had your reasons for not reaching out. I know you. I know you wouldn't just disappear altogether. And you didn't."
Regina smiled and shook her head. She very much did not. Thank god.
"But perhaps we could try getting back in touch?" Malena suggested. Not a word about Regina's new way of communication. "I have missed your delightful inputs and general comments."
There was nothing Regina wanted more than to re-discover her place as Malena's friend. But so many things had happened since they last spoke. Now Regina could not speak. That was a problem in itself. And then of course there were the many things Regina currently kept hidden from Mal. The truth about how she lost her voice. She was not ready for Mal to know that. Not ready for her to know the truth about what should have been a fairytale wedding. She knew her friend and knew that one of her first questions would be 'why didn't you tell me?'
And what was Regina supposed to say to that?
That she was a coward? That she had allowed some man to slap her around?
She settled for smiling at Malena.
"Well, I will leave you to your shopping then," Malena said casually. "Give my best to Henry. And don't be a stranger. Please."
Regina was not sure how to do that...
A few hours later found Regina back at Zelena's place. More specifically on Zelena's couch. She had taken off her makeup. Taken off her scarf. Her wound was itching, so removing the scarf was most likely a good thing. She had changed out of her stiff 'grocery-shopping'-clothes and back into her soft, comfortable sweatpants and the loose t-shirt. She was not going anywhere. She was allowed to look like this on Sunday.
And she was also allowed to look like this on any other given day. It was damn well up to her how she wanted to dress. Nobody else could or should decide that.
She had done her yoga earlier, prepared the chicken to go into the oven in about an hour. She could probably come up with more 'adult-stuff' to do if she really strained herself. Answer emails. Balance her checkbook. Reach out to the university about that 'maybe'-job.
But right now she did not want to strain herself. She just wanted to sit on the couch with her son and watch a Disney movie. Exactly like they had planned.
They were well into their second cup of hot chocolate, and Regina's arm were loosely draped around Henry's shoulder when her phone vibrated against the coffee table. Someone had just sent her a message, and Regina quickly snatched the phone to see what it was. It did not take long before the message made her smile. 'Thank you so much for last night! I had a really good time.' Emma. Once again, Regina had forgotten to text her. That had gotten lost in unloading the groceries and making breakfast for Henry. But now she could at last text Emma. And she did. 'So did I. To be honest, I can't remember the last time I've been so relaxed.' She sent the text and waited for an answer. Tried to focus on The Lion King, but Zelena's groan of dismay coming from the kitchen made it rather hard.
"Swear jar!" Henry called to his aunt and wrinkled his little nose at the bad word Zelena had just uttered.
"My apologies," Zelena said as she came wandering into the living room. Her eyes were on Regina as she said: "I'm afraid I have some bad news."
Regina tilted her head. Did Chad have to cancel tonight? That would be unfortunate seeing that the chicken was too big for just three people. Even though Henry had claimed that he could eat 'all of it!'
Regina did not doubt that. Her son had always displayed a very healthy appetite. And it had only gotten better lately. Exactly like hers.
"My boss just texted me," Zelena began and groaned again. "On a flippin' Sunday! Apparently, I have to work late next Saturday. Michelle's ill so we're understaffed, and if I say no... Well, I don't think my boss would be very happy with me." she gnashed her teeth. "And I'm afraid it means that I can't go with you to the concert anyway. I'm so sorry, Regina!"
Oh. How unfortunate. Regina felt a pang of disappointment. This was something she really wanted. But oh well. Sometimes plans changed. That was just how things were. She quickly composed herself and signed: 'It's alright. I will just get the tickets refunded.'
"Or bring someone else maybe?" Zelena suggested hopefully. It was clear that she hated the idea of Regina not being able to go.
Regina glanced at Henry.
Henry gave her a bit of a skeptical look. One that clearly said: 'if you want to, I will go with you, but I won't like it'. Regina could not do that to him. She could not force a ten year old to a classical concert with her. She was not Cora Mills, for god's sake. No, she would simply get the tickets refunded. And hope that Priscilla Adams would come to Vancouver some other time.
It was completely fine.
Maybe she wasn't ready to go to a concert anyway.
"I'm really sorry," Zelena said and looked as sad as a kid who got disappointed on Christmas day. "I know how much you wanted to go. I feel like a bastard for cancelling!"
Regina smiled a little as she shook her head. There was no need for that. It was just a thing that happened. No big deal.
"I will make it up to you. I promise!" Zelena assured as she patted Regina's shoulder and then disappeared. Most likely to call her boss and yell.
Henry turned his attention back to the movie running over the screen, and Regina turned her attention back to her phone so she could answer the text Emma had sent her: 'I'm very happy to hear that. What are you and the kid doing on this fine Sunday morning?'
Regina smiled as she texted back. 'Henry decided that today is pajamas and movie day. I decided to just indulge him, so now we're watching The Lion King. For the millionth time.' Henry knew every single line in that movie. All of it. Sometimes he said the lines along with 'the actors', and Regina always found that to be mighty entertaining.
'That honestly sounds like the perfect Sunday morning to me. I'm kinda jealous now.'
Regina was sure that her smile widened. 'I know I should be happy that he still wants to watch movies with me, but honest to god, he has watched that movie about a million times. He knows all the lines.'
'Yeah, I bet he does. But he's not alone. The Lion King was my favorite movie when I was a kid. I could watch it all the time. I even had a CD so I could listen to all the songs all the time.'
Texting Emma made Regina think about how nice it had been last night. How comfortable she had been in Emma Swan's company. And how it technically was her turn to invite Emma out. It was only reasonable. The wheels in Regina's head started turning. She had two tickets for the Priscilla Adams concert. Two.
Maybe she did not have to cancel.
Maybe she could in fact ask someone else.
Someone that was not her sister.
Regina found herself perking up. That was not a bad idea at all. It was a brilliant one. Of course it was a classical concert and probably not quite Emma's 'thing', but it was worth a shot, right?
'Speaking of watching and listening to things... Can I ask a favor of you?'
The response came immediately. 'Yeah, of course. Anything.'
Regina felt nervous as she began to type in a message. She feared that Emma was going to say no. And she could feel how much she truly wanted to go to the concert with Emma. They had been good at going out for dinner together, so why shouldn't they be good at going to a concert too. Regina quickly re-read the text she had just typed in. 'My sister and I were supposed to go to a classical concert at The Orpheum next Saturday, but she has just told me that she has to work that night. Over time. There's nothing she can do about it; her boss won't let her take the night off. She can't go with me anyway. Is there any chance you'd want to go with me instead? I'm not sure classical music is your thing, but Henry just stared at me when I asked him, and I don't want to go alone.' Very polite. Regina tapped 'send' and waited with baited breath for Emma's answer. This was either hit or miss.
She had not even watched a minute of The Lion King before the answer came. 'Of course! I'd love to.'
Regina couldn't help but feel a little skeptic, and her next text reflected that: 'really?'
'Absolutely. Should I wear something special? Is there like a dress code or something?'
Regina was smiling again. She could feel it. Emma was very sweet and eager. It was positively endearing. 'Wear whatever you want. I'm just relived that I'm not going alone.'
'Emma Swan to the rescue! Just call me the Savior. Should I pick you up somewhere? That would be most practical, right? There's no reason why you should drive all the way to Steveston to pick me up.'
How thoughtful. Regina quickly texted back, stating that she agreed with Emma and then gave her Zelena's address in Vancouver West, Granville. She hoped that Emma would be able to find it.
It did not take long before the answer ticked in. 'No problem. I'll find that. What time should I pick you up then?'
What time should I pick you up. So normal. So... date-esque. Honestly, Regina could barely believe it. 'Well, the concert starts at seven thirty, so I think it could be good if you could pick me up at seven. That way we have time to find a parking lot, etc.' Regina liked being early.
'Perfect. I'll be there at seven PM sharp.'
"Mom, you're not watching the movie," Henry complained.
He was right. Regina was most definitely not watching the movie. She smiled at him and made a half-hearted hand gesture to indicate that she would be in a moment. She just had to answer this message real quickly. Then she would be completely present. Pinky promise.
'Excellent. I'm very happy you want to go with me. I'm looking forward to seeing you again.' she pressed 'send' before she could get the chance to regret it. Why not just be truthful? She WAS looking forward to seeing Emma again. There was no point in denying that.
Then she put the phone down and turned her attention to the movie. Wrapped an arm around Henry's shoulder to show him how present she was.
But she was not allowed to stay present for long. Around five minutes later, Zelena re-entered the living room, grumbling about her boss and her ridiculous demands. But she stopped complaining when she saw the look on Regina's face.
"What are you smiling about?" she asked and raised an eyebrow as she glanced towards the television screen. Mufasa was dying. That wasn't exactly something to smile about.
Regina discreetly removed her arm from Henry's shoulder. She needed both hands to sign. 'I asked Emma to go to the concert with me. She said yes. She will be picking me up at seven on Saturday.'
Whether it was because of Henry's presence or because she simply did not have any words remained unclear, but Zelena did not say anything. Instead she just smiled and smiled and looked vaguely like a maniac.
But that did not matter. Because Regina was smiling too. In the same fashion, she feared. Which did not matter either.
She was excited about going to the concert.
And she was excited about seeing Emma again.
Perhaps she would even put on her red dress. She had not worn that in ages.
And maybe she was even hoping that Emma Swan would notice her dress...
To Be Continued...