Emma straightens her hair in the mirror, checking over her appearance a few more times before glancing over at the clock reading 7:15am. In precisely five minutes the Mayor of the town will walk through the door with her son. They will both come up to the counter and order breakfast; then they'll move to sit at the corner table next to the window beside the doorway.
The kid – Henry she's heard the Mayor call him a few times – will look outside of the window observing the environment for a few seconds then begin to ramble to his mom, talking animatedly about whatever topic suits him, while she nods enthusiastically, partaking in the conversation and watching him with a warm loving smile and eyes that crinkle softly at the edges lighting up at his every move.
Emma knows she sounds a bit like a stalker. But she isn't one. No not at all. It's just, well she's kind of sort of slowly been falling in love with the woman, so it's not really her fault she notices these things about her, right?
The blonde feels excitement build up inside her at the prospect of seeing the enchantress of a woman again. Remembers how her breath had caught when she first set eyes on the brunette beauty her first day on the job. How her mind had short-circuited when the woman had come up to the counter to order and Emma had ended up making a beeline for the kitchen flustered and overwhelmed, leaving the other barista to tend to the mother-son duo. She'd been lucky that Lu – the manager – was sympathetic since she was new to town and didn't fire her on the spot.
But that was a few months ago and Emma clearly didn't embarrass herself too much, as the pair continue to come in every Wednesday and Saturday without fail, which have quickly become Emma's favourite days of the week.
Emma is pulled out of her thoughts when she hears the bell hanging above the entry door ding, signalling a new customer. She glances over to the clock and upon realising it's 7:20am takes a deep breath composing herself; then moves away from the little alcove she's currently standing in and towards the main counter of the café.
As she rounds the corner her breath hitches like it always does when the mother-son duo come into view. Before Emma can do anything more however, she notices them speaking in hushed tones; the Mayor wears a tense expression as if they're disagreeing on something. It bothers Emma to see it and she frowns before collecting herself.
"Hi, what can I get you?" she asks chirpily, hoping to distract the duo and get that look off of the Mayor's face. Emma's heart does a little flip when the Mayor's warm brown orbs meet her sea-green ones, the tension around them settling slightly. She gives Emma a small smile and Emma starts to feel giddy with anticipation at hearing that captivating voice once again.
The first time Emma had heard the deep timbre of the Mayor's voice, she had felt something settle within her, the Mayor's voice anchoring her very soul to that moment in time. A thick fog of bliss had nestled itself inside Emma's mind and she had seriously questioned if the woman before her was a hypnotist.
Thankfully Emma had managed to bolt from there before embarrassing herself and asking such a question, but the voice continues to haunt her in her dreams and she just doesn't understand how a voice can be so attractive. But then she remembers who the voice belongs to and well... that answers all of her questions.
Here it comes, Emma thinks trying to keep her inner excitement contained; afraid she may miss a syllable or two she leans in a little closer, inhaling softly the exotic scent of spiced apples and sandalwood. Of course this woman would smell beautiful too. The Mayor opens her mouth to speak, but before she can say anything and that alluring voice can reach Emma's ears, Henry steps forward and,
"I WISH TO DEVOUR THE UNBORN!" he roars, silencing the entire café. Emma's eyes widen, and she freezes unsure of how to react. A few moments pass before she looks over to the Mayor. The Mayor closes her eyes, her shoulders slouching slightly and sighs like she should have expected this.
"Eggs... he would like some eggs," she supplies flatly.
Emma raises an eyebrow, holding in a chuckle, "Oh, is that all?"
"Some belly of swine on the side would be nice too actually," Henry says in thought, "Please," he adds.
Emma nods scribbling down the order, then turns to the Mayor, "And um, would you also... like to," she hesitates before continuing, "Devour the unborn?"
The Mayor watches her for a moment lost in thought, arching a perfectly sculpted eyebrow she says, "I prefer my unborn scrambled with cheese please." She smiles at Emma softly before adding, "A cup of black coffee too if you will."
Emma shoots a smile back at her, chuckling softly as she finishes scribbling down the order and moves to pass it to the chef.
...SQ...
And so it goes on like this, every time the mother-son duo comes in from then on, Henry makes a spectacle out of ordering his food and his mom has to translate for him. Emma's not complaining to be honest, it just means she gets to spend a few minutes extra basking in the glory of the presence of the woman who has stolen her heart, and it's for this reason that Henry has quickly become one of her favourite people in the world.
The bell dinging signals their entry once again and Emma perks up.
"What'll it be today?" Emma asks, taking the Mayor in before watching Henry with a smile.
He raises an eyebrow at her; then gets into character, puffing out his chest standing taller and using a voice Emma thinks is supposed to sound like a white knight from a fairytale says, "I should like a meat cookie with hot potato swords, a bubble drink and water bricks please."
Emma nods then looks over at the Mayor expectantly, "He'd like a burger with fries and a cup of lemonade with ice cubes please. I'll have the same but switch the lemonade to black coffee, thank you," she offers watching Emma scribble down the order.
Emma looks up to nod when her eyes settle on Henry who's watching her silently. She feels slightly self conscious wondering what he'll do now. He smirks then says, "We'll take it to go." And Emma gasps softly, because this is new, but also because she'll finally be able to find out this exquisite creature's name.
Their manager insists that as part of the café policy, if a hot beverage is ordered to go, you must write the customer's name on the cup. Emma had always thought it was a bit ridiculous, but now... now she is absolutely over the moon that Lu is such an odd guy.
She's brought out of her thoughts when she hears the woman ask, "And where exactly are we going Henry?"
"We shall head to the animal museum; I would like to see the battle unicorns."
"Henry they don't have rhinos at this zoo."
"Then we shall not rest until we find an animal museum that houses battle unicorns," Henry says adamantly; still in character. Emma chuckles softly watching the pair, they really are so adorable.
The Mayor rolls her eyes at Henry then, "Henry it's raining. We should stay put; I don't want you getting ill."
And Emma's happiness at finally finding out the Mayor's name deflates at that. But of course Henry comes to the rescue once more, "Your Majesty we are well equipped for such weather. Our rain shields shall protect us." Emma watches the Mayor closely, wondering what she'll say to combat her son's argument.
The brunette beauty falls silent for a few moments, watching Henry with a straight face and an arched eyebrow. It would seem that she's angry at him, except for the tiny almost non-existent creases at the corners of her mouth and the glimmer in her eyes that say she's just amused at her son's antics.
"Henry our umbrellas are at home."
"Then we shall retrieve them with our automobile at once," he says stomping his foot lightly in an attempt to seem petulant. The woman rolls her eyes at him, shaking her head in fond amusement.
"Very well," she acquiesces, "We can go to the zoo."
Once again the happiness at finally finding out this woman's name hits Emma and she lets out a chuckle. Henry shoots her a triumphant smile and Emma beams at him. This kid is marvellous. And she is very impressed. "Can I get a name to put on your coffee cup?" she asks Regina feeling giddy with excitement.
"Henry Mills," the Mayor offers, but before Emma's smile can fall from her face Henry intervenes.
"I do not wish to have any association with the black tar of death," he says dramatically; then looks at Emma knowingly and smirks. The Mayor sighs then chuckles softly, the rays from the overhead lights seem to hit her just right and Emma is momentarily struck from the sight.
"Regina," the woman says, "Regina Mills."
Emma's heart begins to beat erratically because God what a name, fit for a Queen and of course this woman would be called that. "Regina," she repeats softly, loving the feeling of the name on her tongue.
She makes sure the cook whips up the food in no time, it's the least she can do for Henry, not wanting him to have to wait too long before he can see the 'battle unicorns', God where does this kid come up with this stuff? She chuckles before handing over the food.
"Bye Henry, bye Regina," Regina nods calmly then gives her a soft smile, her eyes crinkling at the corners and Emma feels herself swoon. She sighs dreamily as she watches them make their way towards the door before remembering, "Wait!" she shouts quickly grabbing a few sachets of ketchup and runs over to the pair. "Forgot the sauce sorry," she says sheepishly handing them over to Henry.
Henry beams up at her, "Thou art our Saviour indeed." Emma just laughs, then smiles at Regina.
"Thank you Emma," she says softly.
Emma feels a blush spread across her cheeks but nods back, "Anytime... Regina."
...SQ...
Regina and Henry are late today. On Saturdays they usually come in just before she finishes her shift at 2pm and end up being the last customers she serves. It always leaves her in a good mood and the rest of her weekend ends up passing by smoothly.
Emma refrains from biting her nails, her nerves getting the best of her. She so badly wishes to see them before she leaves, she doesn't know how she'll cope if not. It's already been a few days since she last saw them and-
The sound of the bell dinging breaks her out of her thoughts and Emma exhales deeply, calm washing over her when she looks up to see the pair walk in.
"Hi Emma," Regina smiles at her as they move closer to the counter, her warm brown orbs lighting up with recognition and Emma feels herself melting. She hears a snicker come from Henry standing beside his mom. And that's another thing that's been changing these last few weeks, along with his crazy antics he seems to have grown bolder around Emma.
Though he hasn't ever downright come out with it, it's quite obvious he knows she's crushing on his mom and Emma is grateful he hasn't outed her to Regina, but he does love to tease Emma about it every chance he can get. She shoots him a mock glare and he just smiles mischievously at her in response. If Regina notices the exchange she doesn't say anything.
"Hi Regina," she replies, "You guys are late today, I hope everything is okay?" she asks, having no idea where the confidence to speak to Regina about something that isn't food came from. But she's found she does feel more comfortable around the woman, she should probably thank Henry for that.
"Henry decided to take his time getting ready," Regina says, narrowing her eyes at him suspiciously.
He just shrugs in response, "It takes time to look this good," he says nonchalantly.
Emma shakes her head fondly, "What would you like?"
"Sweet flour bagels with tree blood and cows formula mixed with cocoa blocks," Henry says adopting his white knight act immediately.
Before Regina can translate, Emma puts a hand out to stop her, she stands pretending to be deep in thought, and says, "Hm lemme guess... pancakes with maple syrup and chocolate milkshake?" Henry nods and she moves to scribble it down. "And for Her Majesty?" and Emma has no idea where that came from, but she blames Henry. Henry snickers again and she scowls at him before turning back to Regina.
Regina regards her with a soft look before smiling and says, "I'll have the same please, but black coffee instead."
By the time their food is ready, it's time for Emma to clock out. Swallowing down the disappointment that she won't get to carry it over to the waiting pair – Lu might think she's playing favourites with the customers if she hangs about - she collects her things and starts to make way for the door.
"Ah our Saviour," Henry calls out to her as she passes their table, still very clearly in white knight mode. She pauses and looks over at him, slightly confused since she doesn't have their food and it's quite obvious. She looks at Regina, but Regina seems just as bewildered, a small crease between her eyebrows and a pout on her lips. Emma is suddenly filled with the overwhelming urge to kiss it away and her fingers twitch at wanting to smooth out the worry lines on her forehead.
"Perhaps you could do something for me," Henry continues, "You see, Her Majesty - The Queen - would like to partake in a courtship with the fairest maiden in all the lands. Is that something that would interest you?"
"What?" Emma asks slightly baffled, too focused on Regina to hear what Henry was saying.
"He's saying his mother wants to date you," Regina blurts out on auto-pilot before her eyes widen and she claps a hand across her mouth. Emma's jaw turns slack and her eyes also widen at Regina's admission. She turns to see Henry smirking at them both.
"Well finally," he drawls standing up and dropping the white knight act. He smoothens out his shirt; then says, "It looks like my work here is done. I'm headed to the library across the street mom. Have fun on your date you two," he says nodding his head to the food that is currently being brought over to the table by the other barista. Emma gasps as she watches Henry leave.
"Believe me, this is not the kind of content I expected when I signed up to become a parent," Regina says also watching Henry's retreating form. She chuckles then shakes her head, "He's just so..."
"Wonderful," Emma finishes for her. Because he is. Slightly chaotic; absolutely hilarious, but also wonderful. She laughs as he disappears through the library doors across the street; then looks back at Regina to find that she's already looking at her.
Regina's face is so soft, her eyes twinkling as she watches Emma and then she smiles. And it's that smile that she gives to Henry. The one when they're both in their own little world sitting in the coffee shop talking animatedly about whatever interests Henry, but now it's being directed at her.
Emma smiles back, feeling her eyes begin to sting a little at what it means to be gazed upon like that. The food is placed down before them and Emma takes a moment to gulp, attempting to shoo away the emotions, "So," she asks, "How about that date?"
And Regina actually giggles. It's music to Emma's ears and she beams at the brunette. "Sure Emma," she says as Emma moves to sit opposite her, "That would make Her Majesty very happy indeed."