6:32. I rub my eyes and reach for my cell. Who is messaging this early? I smile at the lit-up screen. It's her. I sit up.
Morning, baby! Hope you slept well. How about we take a little hike on the trails today and find a spot for lunch? I'll bring a picnic! Can't wait to see you later.
A plump yellow circle with a face blowing a heart follows. A picnic? It's a little different to our normal Tuesday plans. The corners of my lips curl up at the thought of doing something so every-day with her.
We spend time together in Storybrooke. She comes to my office under the pretence of town business. I visit her at the Sheriff's station. She comes over to the mansion. We go to Granny's with Henry. Where since last week's incident, we receive a lot more looks from Ruby.
Even with Henry and work as perfectly reasonable explanations as to why we spend time together, we can't act like a couple. Are we even a couple anyway? This must be more to her than just a weekly arrangement, mustn't it? She brings me coffee for no reason. Stops by when there's no need. Comes over as often as she can, even when Henry isn't here.
The way it feels with her when we…it's never felt like this before. I've never done these things before. Not like this. I've never wanted, or needed, anyone in this way. She makes me…? She makes me happy. Happier than I've ever thought possible.
It must mean just as much to her as it does to me. I mean, she wants to take me on a picnic! I feel my face light up again. It seems crazy to be so happy about eating lunch in the woods with her. But there won't be anyone we know.
We can be outside enjoying life like a normal…couple…and not worry about making sure we don't rest a hand in the wrong place, or call each other something more familiar than we should. We can hold hands and kiss, and no one will care. If we walked down Main Street doing that? Well, who knows how people would react.
I tap at my screen to message her back:
Good morning, my dear. That sounds like a wonderful plan. Can I bring anything? Can't wait to see you either, baby.
I float out of bed on a cloud of contentment and set about getting ready for the day. We message a few more times. She tells me all I need to bring is myself. David is covering the Sheriff's office all day, so she has the morning to make up a picnic for us.
I tell her a grilled cheese does not a picnic make. She tells me that's fine; she's having one for breakfast. I roll my eyes.
Henry looks at me suspiciously as he spoons cereal into his mouth, wondering why I'm suddenly using my phone so much. I pass it off as work, but it's early in the day and I'm not sure he believes me. He's old enough to know if I'm seeing someone. Someone would be fine; it would be simple. But seeing Emma? That's…complicated.
He leaves for school and I make my way to work. Getting through Tuesday mornings has become increasingly harder. Thoughts of Emma fill my mind every day, but Tuesdays I lose all patience. I just want to be out of Storybrooke and with her.
I arrive at my office and the morning drags. I don't have the patience to deal with Miss Ginger complaining once again that her curb needs dropping and the pothole on a road that no one uses needs filling.
10:48. She tells me she's ready to leave. I decide to finish for the day and head out to my car. Before crossing the town line, I change my clothes to linen shorts and a fitted t-shirt. The weather is warm today and I want to be comfortable, but it's not exactly what Storybrooke expects me to wear to the office.
I pull into the hotel parking lot a little after midday. Emma is leaning against the side of her yellow bug, basking in the sunlight. She's wearing cut off jean shorts and a white tank. Long blonde hair hangs loosely around her toned shoulders. Her face beams as she notices me pulling into the spot next to her.
Jumping out as quickly as I can, I stand in front of her. Our arms wrap around each other as our lips meet. I don't care who sees us here; no one knows us. We're just two regular people going about our day.
I get lost in her immediately. My skin tingles at the feel of her smooth, sensual lips. Her tongue delving into my mouth. Her toned body under my hands. Bare arms wrapped around me, pulling me into her. The sweet but earthy scent of her perfume and shampoo.
She breaks our kiss. "Hey, baby." Her long fingers brush against my cheek as they push my hair from my face. "Ready for lunch?"
"Oh, I'm ready…" I bring my lips softly to hers again for a moment. "But I'm not sure it's lunch I'm wanting." I laugh as I look into her inviting green eyes.
She giggles, kissing me again. Her hand lands on my ass, pulling me closer. "Hmmm, I cannot wait to fuck you later." Her lips graze my ear as she whispers. My nipples stiffen against her and I feel myself getting wet already.
"C'mon." She straightens up from leaning against her bug as her head nods to the backpack by her feet. "The sooner we eat, the sooner…well…" She's wide-eyed as she looks at me, eyebrows raised. A coy laugh escapes her throat.
"Lead the way, Miss Swan!" I take a step back as she hoists the charcoal and orange bag onto her back.
My heart skips a beat as I feel her fingers lace themselves through my own. I look at her, a grin across my lips, hoping she doesn't quite notice the longing I know shows on my face.
Our hiking boots hit the concrete in tandem as we walk to the clearing on the edge of the parking lot. The spiny leaves of the red spruce trees tower on either side of us as we head into the woods.
Underfoot, worn wooden planks lay themselves out in front of us, showing us the way. We walk along in companionable silence for a few minutes, taking in the nature that surrounds us. It feels good to be outdoors, surrounded by trees and plants, odd leaves rustling underfoot rather than the sidewalks of Main Street. It feels good to be with Emma, walking along, hand-in-hand.
The wooden path gives way to natural terrain, a path still clearly cut through the majestic woods for hikers to follow. Moss and wildflowers litter the ground. Sunbeams cut through the tall coniferous woods, indiscriminately highlighting parts of the forest floor.
I take a few deep breaths as we walk along and feel my muscles relax; any tension leaving my body. It's a wonderful day. I've never felt more at home, or more content, than I do with her right now.
A little way in, the path forks off into three different routes. They're all clearly signposted with the distance and difficulty level. Instead, Emma tugs my hand, leading me off the cleared pathways and through the thicker woods. She suggests we find a more secluded spot to settle for lunch. It's not too busy today; we only see the odd person up ahead or overtaking us at a brisker pace. It will be nice to be alone, though.
We trudge through the overgrowth, mindful of tree stumps and fallen branches that try to trip us. As if by magic, we suddenly find ourselves in a small clearing. Uncut grass and wildflowers spread out in front of us.
I feel myself pout at the loss of her hand in mine as she turns to me, taking the backpack off and setting it down. Her hands settle at my waist and she pulls me close, kissing me once more, be it all too briefly. "Seem like a good place for lunch?" she asks.
"Perfect," I answer, not just talking about the location. "How did you know this was here?"
She's kneeling down already, unzipping the main compartment of the bag and pulling out a large chequered fleece blanket. She looks up at me, suddenly shy and biting her bottom lip. "Uh, so I may have come looking around here before heading back to Storybrooke last week." Her cheeks flush slightly.
"You planned this last week?" My heart skips a beat again, a warm glow filling me at the idea of her planning so far ahead.
She stands, throwing the blanket out over the grass, spreading it out. She chews at her lip again before answering quietly. "Maybe…" She leans down, pulling out the crumpled corners of the blanket. "I thought it might be nice, you know?" Taking a seat on one side, she pats the other for me to sit down.
I join her on the blanket. I lean forward to her, resting on one hand. "It's perfect, my dear." I kiss her and feel her relax again. Our lips melt together, soft and slow. Tongues exploring each other. Eventually we come up for air, and lunch.
We both unlace our boots and place them off to either side of the blanket, tucking our socks inside for when we need them again later. She slides the backpack over and pulls out containers from the same compartment that the blanket came from. The front is unzipped next and she brings out plates, cutlery and champagne flutes. Lastly, a bottle of champagne is pulled from one side of the bag and water from the other.
She starts removing the container lids, revealing an array of salads, fresh bread, fruit and desserts.
"You made all this?"
Her eyes stay focused on the containers as her forehead wrinkles. "Well, some I got from Granny's, but yeah, I made some."
I peck her on the lips. "It all looks wonderful, baby."
She seems to relax again, looking back up to meet my gaze, her face turning into a smile rather than a grimace. My heart warms at how shy she seems to be today over planning this.
She passes me one of the plates and we serve ourselves a little of everything, adding things to each other's plates, passing containers back and forth. The champagne makes a loud 'pop' as she removes the cork and bubbles up as she pours it. Once it settles, we clink our glasses together before taking a sip and enjoying lunch.
We talk about our week, laughing at each other's stories, picking at the food, listening to the birds tweeting in the trees. We finish eating and pack everything away, minus the champagne. We lie back on the blanket, looking up to the various shades of green from the trees giving way to the azure blue of the clear sky.
The conversation turns to Henry. Emma looks pensive as she starts to talk, her eyes darting around. "So I was thinking, Henry has his school trip in a couple of weeks. He'll be gone most of the week."
I nod in agreement, my mind whirring at what she might be about to suggest. "He will. I can't believe how old he is already. He's going to have some big decisions to make soon. But I'm glad he's got both of us to guide him." It seems like only yesterday I adopted him, but so much has happened since then; so much has changed. For the better.
"I'm glad he's got both of us too. He's got his whole life in front of him, and so many options to choose from. All I hoped is that he would have more chances than I did, and he has. And that's largely down to what you've done for him, Regina. He grew up in a stable home with someone who really cares about him."
I sit up. Panic and regret weigh heavily inside of me. "Oh, Emma, I'm sorry. I-"
Emma sits up too, looking startled, her brow furrowed. "Whoa, it's ok. What are you sorry for? You've been a great Mom."
"I never meant for you to grow up the way you did though, to not have a family. To have to give Henry up. I just, I was so angry and-"
She scoots over to me, resting her hands on mine, trying to calm me. "Hey, we're past all this. You don't have to apologise. I know I've been harsh on you in the past, but not everything is as black and white as I perhaps once believed."
"But you have to know how sorry I am, Emma."
Her hands squeeze mine. "I know, baby. But you really don't need to worry. Surely you can't think I hold anything against you? Not after these last few months together?"
My breathing starts to even back out. "Well, no, I suppose not, but I really am sorry." I truly am.
She shrugs. "If it wasn't for the curse, neither of us would have Henry. And we wouldn't have each other." Her lips shyly curl up into a smile as she looks at me.
"I guess not…" My shoulders relax again, realising everything is ok.
"Besides, I'm not sure who had it worse. Me growing up without a mother, or you growing up with Cora."
We both burst out in laughter and the tension lifts. She does have a point. Neither of us has had it easy.
"So anyway, I was thinking with Henry being away, we could go away for a few nights. You know, if you wanted to?" She sinks down into the blanket, looking shy again. I lean back, resting on my elbows next to her.
"I'd love to. Henry won't know we're gone, but how will we explain our absence to the rest of the town? I'm sure Ruby has figured us out after last week." I shake my head in dismay at the thought.
Emma laughs. "Um, yeah, she's been asking some…pointed questions. But she's cool; she won't say anything. Maybe we can say we have some Sheriff-Mayor-conference-event type thing to attend?" She screws up her nose; even she knows how crazy that sounds.
"As real as that sounds, darling, I'm just not sure people are going to buy it! But we'll think of something. A few days away together is too good to miss."
She looks at me coyly again. "It'll be three months by that point that we've been…together."
I try hard not to show too much excitement over her keeping track. I'm not sure what to say though.
"What, you didn't think I'd know that?"
"I just, I suppose I did, I just…wasn't sure."
She rolls onto her side and brings her lips to mine. I'm thankful for not needing to find any more words. I'm even more thankful as she manoeuvres herself on top of me. I rest back on the blanket, letting her straddle me.
Her hair falls down over us as we kiss. I wish we were back at the hotel. I really want to be in bed with her, just us in our own little bubble. My hands rest on her hips as I pull her close. The chirping of the birds is drowned out by both of our moans.
She props herself up over me with one hand, the other lightly tracing a trail down to my breast as she continues to kiss me. My nipples quickly stand to attention as her fingers skate over the thin fabric of my top. "Hmm, we should head back," I manage between kisses.
"Not yet," she utters breathily into my mouth. She places one leg between mine, grinding against me slowly, pushing her thigh against my pussy with each move. I groan and she lets out a little laugh of satisfaction.
I shiver as her hand runs down to find the bottom of my top, tucking her hand up under it, caressing my stomach before moving back up to my breast. Pulling the cup of my bra down, she rolls my nipple between her fingers. She feels divine, as always. The light breeze blows across us, ruffling our hair, and I remember where we are. I quickly decide I don't care as she lifts my top up to take me into her mouth.
Her tongue teasingly flicks at my hardened nipple, before she sucks me into her warm, wet mouth. My clit is aching for her touch. I can feel wetness seeping from between my folds. I weave a hand in between our bodies, pinching her nipples through her tank top. She moans before moving her head back up to kiss me; a little harder this time.
My breathing is ragged as I run my hand down to the button on her denim shorts and manage to undo it, along with the zip. I slide my hand in and curl my fingers over her pussy, pressing against her. She's soaked through her lace panties. As she grinds her thigh into me, my hand is pushed firmly against her each time. Her kisses slow as she struggles to concentrate. I smile.
"Regina! No! You can't do that to me! You're mine!" She pushes herself up so she's kneeling, and grabs each of my wrists firmly. My skin prickles in pleasure at her firm grasp. My fingers are already covered in her desire but I desperately want to plunge them inside of her.
"Oh, really?" I tease her.
"Really." Her voice is low, but she's definitive in her words as she looks at me wide-eyed. She dips back down over me; pinning my wrists above me with one hand now. I try to pull them out of her grip, squirming under her, but she just holds me more tightly. Her lips meet mine again and she resumes grinding her thigh into me. I give up trying to free my hands and move my hips against her instead.
Her other hand works its way inside of my shorts. My back arches the moment her fingers are on me; she presses circles over my clit, still over the top of my panties. I grind my hips in a circle against her, wetness flooding from me. Our kisses become harder, tongues flicking faster between short breaths.
"Please, Emma, fuck me…" I plead.
Her fingers hook under my panties and pull them to one side. I open my free leg a little more to try and give her better access. Two fingers push inside of me. She pins my wrists down a little tighter as I writhe under her touch. "Kiss me," I beg of her.
Her lips meet mine again as her fingers move in my cunt. Her palm brushes against my clit with every thrust, her thigh pushing her harder against me. She doesn't have much room to manoeuvre with us still being dressed, but she keeps her fingers moving within me, rubbing at my g-spot.
I look up at her. Her eyes are focused on me, watching me intently. The vivid blue sky sits above, the sun being blocked from my eyes by her. Birds flutter between the trees, paying no attention to what's happening beneath them.
She kisses me again as her fingers leave me and slide up to my clit. I moan against her. My hips buck up to meet her rhythm as she rubs her fingers back and forth. My arms still pinned above me, I've no way of pulling her closer to me. Fire starts to radiate through me, spreading throughout my body. Her fingers keep their rhythm even against my erratic movements. My back arches up off the blanket. I kiss her frantically as I ride out the flames.
She lets go of my wrists as I start to relax. "Stay," I whisper, as she goes to move off of me. She relaxes back down and pulls her hand away. I wriggle my fingers back into her shorts as my other hand rests on her back, pulling her to me. Her panties are even more soaked than earlier. I slip my hand inside and immediately let my fingers rub at her clit. Her warm slippery folds envelop me.
She moves against me, her moans growing louder, her kisses deeper. It doesn't take long and I feel her whole body tense. I keep rubbing her clit. Keep kissing her, as she comes undone on top of me.
As she relaxes, she rolls onto her back next to me. Both of us are breathing heavy, trying to catch our breath, as suddenly we hear barking. I freeze. She jumps up, straightening out her clothing. An elderly couple call their dog to them and head back towards the track. Once they're in the distance, she flops back down next to me and we both burst out laughing for the second time today.
"How about we head back to the hotel?" she asks through giggles.
"Good plan!" I agree as we both stand up. We pack the last few things into the backpack and head back towards the main trail; hand-in-hand.
It's almost 4pm by the time we get to the hotel. We check-in and go straight to the room, dumping our bags down by the door. We decide to take a shower so I set the water running and we both strip off our clothes. The water is pleasantly hot by the time we step into the glass cubicle.
The shower head is a large metal plate reaching from the ceiling that immediately soaks both of us as we step under it. The water falls down over us like a heavy rain shower. I tip my head up to the stream, closing my eyes. Running my hands up my face and over my head, I push my drenched hair back.
Her hands suddenly appear on my sides. I open my eyes to look at her. Droplets of water sit on her lightly tanned skin, the shower still cascading down over us. She pulls me to the side slightly so that our faces are out of the stream, and kisses me. I open my mouth to her as the hot water continues to hit our exposed skin.
She reaches for a little bottle of shower gel that sits on a small ledge of the shower wall. Squirting some into her hands, she lathers it up and places her hands on my shoulders, rubbing circles over my skin, spreading the suds over me. The scent of lavender fills the steamed-up shower cubicle.
I moan, closing my eyes and inhaling deeply. Her hands sliding so easily over my skin feels heavenly. She covers my whole body in the soapy suds, hovering a little longer over my breasts and between my legs. Every muscle relaxes under her touch.
I grab the shower gel and squirt some into my own hands, lathering up her body, just like she did to me. Her skin feels so silky smooth under my fingers. My hands glide so easily over every part of her.
Both covered in the suds, we come together again, our bodies pressing against each other as we kiss. I wrap my arms around her; running my hand down her back and over the delicious curve of her ass.
Stood in the hot steamy shower kissing her is perfect. The only thing in my mind is how good she feels against me. Our breasts press into each other, stiffened nipples standing out from the soft curves. Our hands run smoothly over each other and my skin is hypersensitive to her touch.
Her mouth is soft and open as we kiss slowly, deeply, enjoying the moment. Our tongues explore each other and I can't help but remember how wonderful that mouth feels on other parts of me. She pulls me right under the stream of water and the suds are washed from our bodies in seconds.
She moves us step-by-step towards the tiled wall and presses me against it. Her eyes are wide and dark. I can see the need in them. The look makes me even wetter than her touch already has. I rest my arms over her shoulders as her lips meet mine again. Her hand runs a quick trail down my front and hastily reaches between my thighs.
I hear myself groan before she's even touched me. I move my feet apart as her fingers easily slip between my folds. I'm sensitive from our fun on the trails; I know it won't take much to make me come. Her fingers settle on my clit, running slow wide circles around me. I start to build almost immediately.
Her fingers run in tighter and tighter circles as her gaze lingers over me. My nails dig into her back as I come. I press myself against the wall and pull her close. The hot water runs over us still. The noise drowned out by my moans.
As I start to relax again, I feel her warm breath in my ear. "I hope you savoured that, My Queen, 'cause it's going to be hours before I let you come again."