A/N: I want to take a moment to thank you all for all the likes, favorites and follows this story has captured with just the first chapter. You guys are truly awesome! I also want to take another moment to thank SheriffSwan28 for the inspirational idea regarding this story! I only hope my writing and interpretation of it will meet your standards every step of the way. :) I am happy to say, that this second chapter is slightly longer than the first. Happy reading and Happy weekend to all!
Emma Swan. She was most definitely not what Regina had pictured to be her daughter's girlfriend. It's true she had yet to know more about her, other than her name and last name. But, from what Regina could observe of Emma as they shook hands was that she was a sweet, gentle person. She obviously didn't care about money or had ambition for it. Her green eyes were the most gentle ones Regina had ever seen. She liked that. Audrey deserved someone as good as Emma.
As for Emma… Audrey had told her many stories about her mother, and how beautiful and poise she always was, but she didn't expect this amount of beauty to stand before her.
"Wow," Emma flashed a smile with a small shade of pink coating her cheeks as she shook Regina's hand. "With all due respect, Mrs. White, but you are truly a beautiful woman."
"Thank you very much, Emma." This made Regina blush as she took her hand back.
Audrey happily grinned in approval as she gave her attention to her mother.
It had been a long time since Regina had heard a compliment toward herself or her so-called beauty. The last time Leopold ever told her how beautiful he thought she was, was when they met and he began to court her.
So for Emma to stand before her and say how beautiful she thought she was… Was something unfamiliar to her. But she had to keep up appearances, and right now she needed to act like the doting, happy wife, who heard how beautiful she was from her loving husband all the time.
"I'm serious. I can definitely see where Audrey gets her looks." Emma grins, her eyes never leaving Regina's.
"Uh, Audrey," Leopold finally spoke. "I wish you would have told us that you were bringing… a girlfriend home with you. Your mother and I would have been more prepared to welcome her properly." That's when Regina felt his arm snake around her waist. All for show, of course.
God, did she tense up every time he touched her. But she couldn't back away.
"Well, it was a last minute decision." Audrey smiled at her father, practically pleading him with her eyes to allow Emma to stay. "It's summer and Emma didn't have any big plans, so," she exchanged a quick doting smile with her girlfriend. "I told her she could spend the summer here." Her attention moves back to her father.
"I'm afraid she insisted," Emma grinned, her finger pointing toward Audrey.
'You are coming home with me. End of story. I am not leaving you all alone all summer, just so you can meet some other girl and fall out of love with me.'
It was said jokingly, of course. Thank heaven's, Regina was proud that their daughter didn't turn out nothing like her father. In the abusive sense. She was a nice girl. Very bright, strong headed just like the both of them, always thrived for more and went straight for what she wanted. And she couldn't hear a no from anyone. Audrey was a girl who fought for what she wanted. She was driven.
And besides… After Audrey and Emma had been dating for a year now, she was dying to introduce her to her parents. Why not get it over with?
Leopold chuckled, playfully slapping Emma on the shoulder, which made Regina cringe a little. Just by the look on this poor girl's face, she could tell Emma felt the slap against her arm a little too much.
"Don't worry about a thing! You are welcomed here, of course." His voice sounded so happy, it surprised Regina. "Why, any friend of our daughter, is a friend of ours and is always welcomed."
"Girlfriend, dad. Girlfriend." Audrey smiled a little sarcastically as she said this. Again emphasis on girlfriend. She knew her father wasn't at all comfortable with the idea, but of course, she didn't care either.
"Right," Leopold cleared his throat to compose his discomfort. "Well, who's hungry, huh? Your mother has cooked us all a delicious meal. Your favorite!" He grinned at his daughter.
"Ooh, mom, really? Lasagna?" Audrey was beaming as she looked over at her grinning mother before looking back at Emma. "You are going to love her lasagna. It is the best in the world."
"Really?" Emma had heard enough of Audrey's mother's lasagna. Frankly, she couldn't wait to try it. Especially when she was starving.
"Well, I wouldn't say that." Regina smiled along, thanking God and all that was holy that her daughter was finally back home. It really was like a breath of fresh air to have Audrey back.
"Well, why don't you two get settled into your old bedroom, hm?" Leopold smiled at the young couple. "Freshen up and come down for dinner."
"Yeah!" Audrey's attention turns to Emma again, "Come on, I'll show you my old room."
Emma's eyes turn back to Audrey's parents, particularly Regina's as she says, "It was nice to meet you both."
"Likewise, dear. Welcome." Regina smiles, giving the girl a curt nod, earning another smile from Emma.
Regina and Leopold turn to face Audrey and Emma as they watch them together head up the stairs with their suitcases in hand.
What a perfect portrayal of a happy little family. Just like Leopold wanted it in front of company.
"It's good to have her home." Leopold smiled, maintaining his arm around Regina's waist.
"It is." Regina said through a now forced grin.
"Dinner is almost ready, I presume?" Her husband's voice was now low and mandatory as he did that very thing. Demanded. Because Leopold's questions were never full questions toward Regina. They were demands.
"It's ready. No need to worry. Dear." Regina takes the opportunity to throw a hateful glare his way, given that Audrey and Emma are clear out of sight.
Leopold smiles, "I wasn't. I have faith that you will make dinner spectacular tonight. After all…" His hand slowly moved up Regina's right arm, causing Regina to grunt softly in pain, her body slightly shifting as she felt his fingers give her fresh bruise a gentle yet firm squeeze as a reminder of the consequences if things didn't go particularly right tonight.
The pain was too much, that Regina couldn't help but place her hand over his in a pleading manner.
"Our daughter is home, and as it would seem she deemed it so that we attend to her guest." His voice remained low, just as his eyes remained trained on the evident pain that displayed on her face as he gave her battered shoulder another squeeze.
Regina could swear the bastard gathered pleasure in seeing her squirm under his touch.
"And that is what we are going to do. As extraordinary parents. Aren't we?"
Regina let out a light grunt, her eyes momentarily closing as she felt one last squeeze against her injured shoulder. Right before she glared into the man's eyes again.
"I have dinner to attend too first, sweetheart. So if you please…?" Her eyes looked down at his hand that was placed against her shoulder. "Kindly let go of my shoulder." She hissed.
There was a smug grin on Leopold's face right now that Regina grew to detest. It was that smug look that told her, 'I'm in control around here. We are bound by marriage and by our daughter, and the sooner you come to realize that, the better things will be for you.'
That's right. Leopold didn't care that Audrey was a twenty-four young adult woman. He would use her as long as he could to bind Regina to him, just as he would use the reminder of that fucking ring glued to her damn finger. Or the fact that she had a pretty good roof under her head and didn't have to worry about anything else as long as she was with him.
Now, this didn't mean Regina couldn't provide for herself if she damn well needed to. She could. In fact, she thrived for it.
After all, what woman didn't want to feel independent and free of a loveless marriage?
That's right. Regina never grew to love Leopold.
But how can you possibly love someone who from day one after their marriage turned around completely in a one-eighty rotation? It was impossible.
Leopold's footsteps were heard next as he finally let Regina be, enough for her to relax. His footsteps could be both a blessing and a curse to hear, depending if they were either leaving or approaching a room.
"Ma'am?" The brunette turned to the sound of Sidney's kind voice, flashing him a little smile. "Would you like me to see that dinner is served?"
"No, don't trouble yourself, Sidney. I'll go. You just make sure the table is set," she nodded. "You know how Mr. White likes it."
"Yes, ma'am." Sidney nodded curtly and went on his way, allowing Regina to go on about her 'good wife' duties.
Emma took in all of the second floor surroundings as she walked along the long stretched hallway, hand in hand with Audrey.
"So, what do you think? You like it?" Audrey grinned happily at her girlfriend.
"Yeah, it's very…" The blonde takes another good look around before answering that question. What was the correct way to describe this house? "Massive." She settled for that, earning a light chuckle from Audrey. "You're parents sure like to show off how much money they make, don't they?"
"That's more my father's department." Audrey links her entire arm around Emma's.
"Oh? So, your mom…?"
"Her and my father agreed that he would work well enough for the both of them." She informed Emma, coming to halt as she allowed her girlfriend to have a good look at a massive portrait of the three of them.
"So, all rich people do have one of these somewhere in the house, huh?" Emma joked, looking up at the family portrait.
It was a beautiful painted portrait. The frame was a very Victorian style type, a vintage resin golden kind of frame. And in the middle was the painted family portrait. Leopold was sitting in one of those wooden chairs with a burgundy cushioned seat and back, while Regina stood behind him with an arm elegantly resting against the shoulder of his favorite gray suit, and Audrey stood on the other side wearing one of her best dresses that went well with her mother's. They were black, fitting dresses, sleeveless, real cocktail type.
Audrey smiles as she looks up at the portrait. "Come on, I'll show you our room." She moves along, releasing the blonde's arm.
Emma takes one last look at the portrait, studying it until her gaze ends right on a pair of brown eyes. Eyes that belonged to Regina. Eyes that told a thousand stories just with their stare alone.
Paintings never lied. As far as first impressions go, Leopold seemed to have been every bit as important as he seemed to be in this painting. Clearly proud of his family and the possessions he had, while Audrey's mother… The woman looked regal, but also like a mystery that was just waiting to unravel-
"Em?" Emma turns to her name being called by her girlfriend.
"Yeah, sorry." The blonde moves along, reaching for Audrey's outstretched hand as they continue their way down the hallway.
"Wait until you see the backyard through our bedroom window." She said proudly.
"Is it as Victorian looking as the rest of this house?" Emma asks, earning a light laugh from her girlfriend.
The home both inside and out had an old Victorian style look to it. From the outside, the exterior was a light gray stone structure, along with a few white boards here and there around the rounded shaped windows. It had five steps leading up to the main entrance, followed by more windows. No garage in sight, at least not that Emma could have seen right away. And inside, the floorboards were all hardwood with a few rugs here and there, and a lot of horse portraits. That was one the one thing Leopold agreed to allow Regina to hang inside the home, given their mutual attraction to horses. But the rest of the decorations were all decided by him.
"I know it all seems like a bit much, but my father likes his decorations." Said Audrey.
"And horses, too, I see." Emma motioned toward one of the portraits.
"Those are actually my mother's."
"She owns horses?" The blonde asked.
"She does, but don't expect to find them in the backyard." Audrey chuckles as she heads inside her bedroom. "So, this is my room. And where we will be staying for the whole summer."
Emma took one good look around the bedroom. It was the only room she had yet seen that didn't match the rest of the house's interior. Of course, for as long as she's known Audrey, she knew that she was a girl with her own persona and etiquette taste. The bed was possibly the most massive item in here. And it was a bit Victorian with a roof of its own and white sheets to compliment it. There was a desk by the only giant window within the bedroom, bookshelves with all of her favorite books, of course, and a-
"Is that an actual fireplace?" Emma pointed straight to it, her brow lifting up.
"I only ever use it when the weather is cold, or if it rains." Audrey places her suitcase along with Emma's inside a closet before she moves on over to where she's standing. Her eyes take in the picture Emma had been looking down at. It was one of Audrey's favorites of her and her mom. They were both mounted on top of a black stallion, a fifteen year old Audrey right up front holding onto the reins as her mother was placed right behind her, both had matching smiles.
"That was taken on my fifteenth birthday. Mom promised to show me how to ride." She smiles as she holds onto the picture.
"Are you any good?" Emma asks, glancing down at the picture.
Audrey holds her hand in between them and does a so-so manner. "I haven't ridden one in years, but yeah, I think so. After all, I had the best teacher. My mother is the best when it comes to riding."
"Hm. Very pretty." Says Emma.
"Thank you." Audrey places the picture back in its rightful place.
"Oh, you, too- but, I was actually talking about your mom." Emma finds herself grinning while holding her arm up as she feels a playful slap coming on, followed by another.
"You are so mean!" Audrey laughs along, enjoying the embrace her girlfriend had trapped her in. Her arms fall freely against Emma's shoulders, pulling her in enough to place a kiss right on her lips. "Thank you for spending the summer with me and my family. I'm really happy you're here."
"Are you sure it'll be okay with your parents? You know, you didn't exactly tell them I was your plus one for the summer. And your dad didn't look too open to the idea."
If there was one thing Emma was, it was observant. And Leopold didn't look happy at all.
"It's fine, trust me." Audrey smiles reassuringly. "My father has nothing to say about you staying here. I want you here, so you're staying."
Emma felt a soft boop on her nose from Audrey, a gesture that would always follow and end in a kiss. "Well, when you put it like that, how can I possibly refuse?" And just as if on cue, both their lips came together in a kiss that neither could resist sharing within the bedroom.
Upon entering Audrey's bedroom, Regina stopped mid door and cleared her throat to alert the young couple of her presence, which they immediately turned to, forced to break their kiss.
"Sorry, I don't mean to interrupt." Said Regina.
"No, mom- come in." The young girl smiles.
Regina takes a few steps inside the room, her eyes landing on Emma. "I trust you're settling in alright, Ms. Swan?"
"Just Emma." The blonde smiles. "You have a beautiful home, Mrs. White."
Mrs. White. God, how Regina hated being called that. But, that's who she was.
"Thank you, dear. Not too overwhelming, then?" The brunette grins.
"Well, maybe a little." Emma chuckles.
"You'll get used to it after a few days here." Audrey smiles at her girlfriend.
Her daughter's smile could always make Regina's smile come out as sincere, something Emma took immediate notice in. Both mother and daughter had matching smiles, but Regina's was a smile that could light up any room.
Of course, that was a thought she would keep to herself.
"Dinner is ready if you wish to join us. Your father is already waiting, and you know how he hates to wait." Regina looks at her daughter as she says this.
"Right. We'll be right down." With that Regina gave both of them a curt nod and walked out of the bedroom.
Dinner was amazing to say the least. It had been a long time since Emma had enjoyed a home cooked meal as good as Regina's lasagna. The room was a little quiet, which gave her the vibe that no matter what Audrey told her- Leopold wasn't too happy with this whole situation.
So, she decided to break the silence.
"I must say, Mrs. White…" Emma could see Regina's gaze fall on her as she continued. "This lasagna is amazing."
"Thank you, Emma." Regina gives the blonde a little smile, helping herself to a sip of her wine.
"Now I'm not much of a cook myself, but I think I may have to ask you to teach me to make this. Even if mine doesn't come out as good as yours." Emma takes another forkful of lasagna.
Audrey smiles at her girlfriend, "I don't think that'll be possible. Mom has been making her lasagna in secret for years. She won't even share her secret ingredient with her own daughter." She throws a playful glare at her mother.
Regina chuckles, "We've discussed this, Audrey. Once you become a married woman, then I will reveal my secret."
"Well, what if one day I want to cook it for Emma myself?" She grabs a hold of Emma's hand on top of the table while the couple shares an equal smile, a gesture that doesn't go unnoticed by Leopold as he clears his throat and takes a quick sip of his wine for effect.
"So, Ms. Swan…" Leopold begins only to be interrupted by his wife.
"Just Emma." Heads turn to Regina who clarifies that Emma would very much like to be called by her first name.
And while Leopold glares at his wife, Regina's eyes find Emma's green ones looking right at her with a glint of kindness and a sweet, endearing smile of appreciation.
"From what my daughter has told me before over the phone, you and her go to the same school, is that correct?" He asks.
Emma nods, "That would be correct, yes, sir."
"Hm. And what, may I ask, are you studying?" He doesn't look at all amused as he asks this.
"Dad," Audrey murmurs under her breath, her eyes throwing a glare his way. "Don't start grilling her with questions. It's summer."
"I am simply taking an interest in her life choices. As your father, I think I'm entitled." Leopold replies.
"It's okay, Audrey." Emma gives her girlfriend a reassuring smile before looking over at her girlfriend's father. "I'm actually studying photography."
A future photographer? Regina's brow lifts at this as she takes another bite of her lasagna.
"Photography? Really?" Leopold lets out a low chuckle once Emma nods in confirmation. "That doesn't pay very much, does it?"
"Dad!" Audrey glares harder this time, as does Regina.
"Leopold." Regina hisses under her breath, her cheeks a shade of pink due to being embarrassed by her idiot husband.
"I'm sorry, Em." Audrey gives her girlfriend an apologetic look.
"No, it's- it's fine." Emma turns her attention toward Leopold, not at all bothered by his comment as she calmly wipes her mouth. "And you're right. I won't be making not even half of what you make, career wise, but at the end of the day, Mr. White; I'm not in it for the money. I'd like to think that photography can provide you with the satisfaction of knowing people."
"Knowing people?" Again, Leopold's voice sounds unamused.
"That's right." Emma nods. "Take Audrey for example," she turns to Audrey, who smiles at her. "When we met, I could tell right off that she was not only beautiful, but self- driven, smart, and she had a lot on her mind."
Audrey chuckles, brushing back a strand of long hair behind her ear. "Nothing got past Emma. It's one of the things that made me fall in love with her."
Regina gives off a little smile, "And how is it exactly that you two met?"
Even through her father's discomfort, Audrey takes Emma's hand again as she answers her mother's question. "We actually met through a mutual friend. He threw a party one weekend, and Emma was there, standing across the room." She smiles at the memory. "And our eyes met."
Ah. Young Love. Something Regina knew nothing about.
"Oh, mom, I was showing Emma our picture, you know the one I keep in my bedroom when you were showing me to ride." She sees a smile stretch across her mother's lips, clearly remembering that day as if it were yesterday. "I told her how you are the best teacher there was." She grins proudly.
And Regina's cheeks suddenly turn a shade of light pink, as she finds herself hiding them behind her wine glass as she takes a quick sip.
"I wouldn't say that, sweetheart, but thank you for the compliment." Says Regina.
"It's the truth." Audrey smiles. "Anyway, do you think maybe sometime during our stay here we could all go to the stables and maybe you could teach Emma how to ride one of your horses?"
Leopold wiped his mouth in silence before downing his last sip of wine and standing up from the table. The noise of the chair scratching against the wooden floor distracting their conversation. "I have a lot of work to catch up tonight, so excuse me. Emma," he puts on his best smile toward the blonde. "It's been a pleasure. Make yourself at home, hm?"
"Will do. Thank you, Mr. White." Despite the uneasy feeling that the man gave off to her, Emma smiles right back.
He gives his daughter a gentle and loving squeeze against one of her shoulders, leans down and places a sweet kiss against her cheek. Regina could almost believe the man was a kind loving man. Almost. "It's great having you home again, sweetheart."
"Thanks, dad," she smiles up at her father, giving his hand a squeeze of her own. "I'm happy to be back. We'll need to do something together soon, just you and me."
"You can count on it." He chuckles before walking out of the dining room.
How the weight lifted off of Regina's back every single time that man left a room. It was a glorious feeling.
"I hope it's alright with your husband that I stay here? I really wouldn't want to impose." Emma turns her attention to Regina, a little more freely now.
"No imposition whatsoever. Just ignore my ogre-of-a-husband- I do." Regina shrugs in a careless manner, gulping down her last bit of wine.
This amuses Emma so much that she lets out a small laugh. She liked Audrey's mom. Not only was she a beautiful and elegant woman, but she was funny, too, it seemed. And apparently, Emma's laugh had been contagious enough for Regina to join in with a light laugh of her own.
It was nice having an extra person in this house. Emma gave Regina a sense of peace and comfort. And she loved the idea of her daughter being this happy with someone that seemed to care a lot about her. For Regina, that was important. Someone right for her daughter. And Emma appeared to be just right.
"So, mom, is that a yes on teaching Emma how to ride?" Audrey asks with a smile of her own that matches Regina's.
"I have no problem with that, but, I think you should be asking Emma how she feels about it first." Regina turns to Emma.
"Oh," Emma shifts nervously in her seat, exchanging quick glances with mother and daughter. "I don't know."
"Is there a problem?" Regina can't help but ask the girl, tilting her head in a quizzical manner.
"Um, well…" Emma turns to Audrey as soon as she feels her hand seek hers again at the top of the table.
"I forgot to mention that Emma might be a little terrified of horses." She smiles.
"Oh?" Regina's brow quirks.
"Okay, I wouldn't say terrified," the blonde chuckles as she looks over at her girlfriend's mother. "I've just never done well with larger animals. There's a difference."
Regina nods in complete understanding. "This might surprise you, Emma, but believe it or not, there are some breeds that are the most gentle giants of horses. They will think twice before acting aggressive toward a human being."
"You should listen to her," Audrey points proudly at her mother. "You are talking to a woman who knows her breeds."
"Really?" That catches Emma's interest toward Regina.
"Oh, I'm no expert," the brunette shrugs. "But, if you'd like a lesson in riding, just say the word. Audrey will be there, which I am sure will make you feel perfectly safe." She smiles.
"Well… I'll consider it, then. Thank you." Emma gives Regina a nervous yet sweet smile of her own. There's a shyness to her 'thank you' that Regina finds absolutely endearing.
"And, Emma, please- accept my apologies for Leopold's behavior. You are my daughter's guest, and as such, you are welcomed here anytime, so… Make yourself at home while you are here." She smiles gentler this time.
"Thank you. I appreciate your hospitality, Mrs. White."
"Regina." The brunette nods approvingly. If Emma referred to her as Mrs. White once more, she would hang herself.
"Regina." Emma spoke the woman's name softly, trying it out for size. As strange as it also felt to call her girlfriend's mother by her first name, she couldn't help but like the way it sounded as it made its way past her lips. Unlike Leopold's cold demeanor, Regina's welcoming words felt heartfelt and truly sincere.
And as their eyes meet across the table, Emma can't find it in herself to tear her gaze away from the woman's deep brown eyes.