Killian! Killian, stop you're hurting me!
You asked for it, you bitch! You fucking asked for it!
Her scalp burned as he yanked at her hair. Forced her down on her knees. A wide strap was wrapped around her neck from behind. It took her hazy mind a moment to realize that it was his belt.
No, stop it! She yelled and began clawing at the belt. Let me go, let me go!
I said, shut up!
The belt was tightened around her neck.
Please, let me go! It was getting difficult to speak because of the belt. I promise I won't ever leave you! I'm sorry!
Keep your fucking mouth shut! Killian hissed in her ear. I hate women who cries! Now I'm going to make sure you're going to stay silent forever!
The belt was tightened around her neck again.
And again.
And again.
She coughed. Her eyes started to water. The world blurred and the wheezing sound escaping her sounded like something right out of a horror movie.
This was it. She was going to die. With Killian Jones as her executioner…
She was awakened by a sharp gasp. Her own. Regina sat bold upright in bed and tried to gather herself.
She was fine.
She was here.
And Killian was in jail. He couldn't ever harm her again.
"Hey, what's goin' on?"
The noise had awakened Emma who now was reaching for her glasses and perching them on her nose, and Regina cursed the stupid nightmare that had rattled her so. She reached for the glass of water on the nightstand and eagerly swallowed down a few mouthfuls.
A reassurance.
Nothing was constricting her throat.
She could swallow just fine.
"I'm...okay. I'm fine," she tried to reassurance them both. It had just been a nightmare, really. Nothing to worry about.
"Nah, you're not." Now Emma sat up in bed as well. She shuffled closer to her and placed an open palm on Regina's chest.
The touch felt nice. It always did. But Regina was acutely aware that her heart was beating entirely too fast against Emma's palm. Calm down, she silently willed herself. Calm down, you're fine. You're okay.
"Do you want to talk about it?"
The question was gentle. Soft. But Regina didn't want to make a fuss. It had been so long since she last had a nightmare, and she didn't want to delve too deep into it.
She tried shrugging. "Not...much to talk...about."
Emma said nothing.
And in the following silence, Regina decided that she did not want to brush her partner off. Not when said partner was trying to help her.
"I was on the...floor," she began and focused only on Emma's palm against her chest. "He was tightening...the belt around...my neck...just the usual." Oh how she wished that it wasn't 'the usual'.
Emma gently rubbed her palm against her skin. It felt nice. It helped her focus. Helped her stay. Her heartbeat slowed down. Thank god.
"And where are you right now, beautiful?"
Easily answered. "I'm in...a safe place," she said and gave a little smile. "I am in a...place where...he can't get...me."
It had been a long time since they had banished Killian Jones from their bedroom, and he still couldn't get through the barrier they had created.
"That's right. And who are you with?"
Easily answered again. She chuckled. "I am...with you, my love. And you...love me."
"That is absolutely correct." Emma leaned in and kissed her jaw. "And what do you need right now?"
Another question there was an easy, obvious answer to. "Touches?" she asked. She needed to feel something that wasn't the phantom belt around her neck.
"As many as you like."
She let out a breath when Emma's soft fingers brushed up and down her bare arm. "Mmm, that feels...really nice."
"Good. How are you feeling right now?"
"Better." It was true, she did feel better, but…. She frowned and wished 'better' was all she felt. But unfortunately, it wasn't. "But...a bit...guilty too I'm...afraid."
"Why do you feel guilty, my love?" Emma continued to lightly brush her fingertips up and down her arm.
"Because...I had...a nightmare." She couldn't help but feel a bit defeated, even though she deep down knew that having a nightmare was not a setback for her.
"For the first time in several months," Emma said gently. "And you didn't wait with telling me what you needed. You allowed me to help you. And you could tell me right away that you were in a safe place with someone who loves you."
Well, there was that. She smiled and felt encouraged. "I'm...doing better, aren't I?"
"You are." Emma kissed the hinge of her jaw again. "You're awesome, beautiful."
"I...didn't scare you, did...I?" Regina asked worriedly. She hated when Emma was got scared.
"No. I know I have what it takes to make you come back. But you didn't go anywhere. You haven't in a long, long time."
Regina reached and took the glass of water again. Took a sip. Then licked her lips and repeated the mantra she had worked out with her therapist a while ago. "I am...not choking. I can...breathe just fine. And I can...talk too." another deep breath. "I'm...in a s-safe place w-with the...o-one I l-love."
"That is exactly what you are," her partner softly confirmed "Do you want me to keep touching you? Or do you need anything else? Just name it, and you shall have it, beautiful."
"Henry is asleep, so we...shouldn't wake him and...make him worried...but...Do you think...You could go and...get Neal?" Holding the baby always made her feel better, but she was aware that it was a bit selfish of her to ask for him now. She frowned as she continued: "I know...he's asleep too, but..."
"I will go and grab him right now." Emma climbed out of bed.
Regina busied herself with tipping her head back and breathing slowly and deeply like her therapist had taught her. It had been a while since she last had used this method for anything, but today she was happy that the method existed. It always helped her enormously. She heard the door being opened and closed, and knew that Emma had just left the bedroom. Regina was on her own.
But that was fine. She did not feel panicked at the idea of being alone. Not in her own bedroom with the invisible, yet strong barrier between her and the Killian who sometimes still haunted her dreams.
Well, guess what, you can't get in here, she triumphantly thought to herself. Maybe you can invade my dreams now and then, but you cannot get into my bedroom. I am safe here.
She shook her head as though to shake the dream. She felt better. She truly did. The flash of terror she had experienced, was hastily subsiding. Thank god.
She took the opportunity to fix her hair a bit. She didn't like having a bedhead. And she had a feeling that her curls were particularly wild this morning.
Before she could do too much about it, though, the door to the bedroom was pushed open, and not only Emma, but also Henry came inside the bedroom. Henry was carrying Neal.
The sight of her loved ones had Regina moving her hands away from her hair and concentrating only on them.
"Hello, my...darlings," she greeted her oldest son. "You're up...early today, young...man."
Henry did a little shrug and came over to the bed. "Can you take Neal please?"
Well, there was nothing she'd rather do more. Regina extended her arms out. Neal did a little coo when Henry carefully laid him in Regina's arms. He was so good at holding the baby. Always made sure to support his little head and fragile back. It was like Henry had just waited to become someone's older brother.
"Hello, my….. little…. One," she cooed at the baby. And as Henry climbed up in bed with her, she turned her head so she could kiss the top of his head. Removed Neal's little knitted hat and did the same. She would always give her boys the same amount of love and attention. "Mmmm... you smell so...good, sweetheart. Both of you...s-smell s-s-s-o...good."
"What about me?" Emma huffed and feigned jealousy in the most adorable way possible. "Is there even room for me in the bed now?"
It would be a cold day in hell when there wasn't room for Emma Swan in the bed. "O-o-of c-c-c-course there is, my...love," she assured and extended her free hand out towards her partner. "Come, my...darling."
Emma took the offer. And her hand. In one fluid motion, she had climbed up in bed with them, but she had clearly decided to be a little dramatic this morning. "There isn't enough room for me," she whined. "I'll end up on the floor!"
"Come closer to mom," Henry suggested flatly. Like it was the most obvious thing in the world. "Then you won't fall on the floor!"
"You know what, coming closer to your mom is something I can easily do." Emma inched closer to her. "Hi, baby."
"Hello, darling," Regina softly answered and looked at Neal in her arms. He was making those adorable cooing sounds he always made when he was waking up in the morning. He was even trying to grab her hair with those eager little hands, and she chuckled lightly. Then buried her nose in the soft baby hair and sniffed. How come babies hair always had such a nice scent to it?
"His hair is getting darker," Emma commented.
"It is."
Neal's little mouth opened, and he yawned squeakily. Regina chuckled.
"He's not awake yet." Henry observed. Then yawned himself.
"Are you?" Emma gave him a teasing nudge.
"Yes," Henry said, but the answer didn't quite match the way he covered his mouth as he yawned again. "This is too early for the weekend."
Regina chuckled again. "Perhaps we...should head...downstairs and...have some...b-b-breakfast."
"Or maybe we could stay in bed for five more minutes?" Emma suggestion was followed by her snuggling closer and laying her head on her shoulder.
Neal cooed. He clearly found Emma's suggestion to be an excellent one.
All four of them were having an incredibly cozy time until Henry's stomach started growling. Softly first, like a dragon slowly waking from a century long slumber. Then roaring as though the dragon had taken offense to being awakened.
"Someone's hungry," Emma said with a little laugh.
"I always am," Henry shrugged.
"Me, too."
Their hunger was not news to Regina. She rolled her eyes. "You two...are always...h-h-hungry."
Of course her stomach chose that exact moment to growl. Loudly.
"You are a fine one to talk, Mills."
Regina shrugged and chose to ignore that. "I am…. Ready….to….g-g-get…..out of….bed."
"Can we have pancakes for breakfast?" Henry asked her and widened his eyes in that particular manner he always did when he wanted something.
This time however, Regina was not taking the bait. "May...we," she corrected. "And no...we m-m-may not. You can...have...oatmeal."
"But moooo-ooom..."
"Henry," she said sternly and narrowed her eyes at him. Begging did not become of him. And they couldn't have pancakes for breakfast all the time.
"Urgh, fine." Henry surrendered. But entirely without grace. "I'll just ask Malena if we can have pancakes tonight."
Interesting. She lifted an eyebrow as she elegantly got out of bed with Neal in her arms. "I...cannot...imagine the outcome...of that."
"She doesn't know to cook?" Emma snickered a bit.
"Definitely...not," Regina confirmed. She wasn't selling Malena out by saying so. It was no secret that Malena couldn't cook. She had already entertained with that at the dinner.
"Wasn't she the one who blew up a stove when you guys were teenagers?" Henry asked.
Emma stared with her mouth hanging open. "Blew up a stove?!"
No, not entirely correct. Regina smiled at her son and corrected: "She didn't...blow up a stove, sweetie...but she did...set it...on fire." She turned her head and looked at Emma to clarify: "it was when we were...-n-n-n-nineteen and had...just
moved...into our first...apartment... she set the s-s-stove on fire...by accident. The firefighters...showed up and...reprimanded us." Oh, how embarrassed Malena had been afterwards. She had actually been quite distraught. It had taken a while to soothe her. But afterwards, they had laughed and laughed.
"Wow," Emma laughed. "I mean, I know I'm bad in a kitchen, but at least that has never happened."
The memory had Regina chuckling. "She...may have the...p-p-p-pool story, but I've...got this...one."
"What pool story?" Henry asked curiously.
"Never...you mind," Regina brushed him off. There was no reason to tell him that story. She didn't want him to learn from her or whatever.
Emma hopped out of bed and grabbed her bathrobe. "Here, let me take him," she said as she snatched Neal from her arms.
Regina didn't took offense, though. Now she could put on her own bathrobe. While she did that, she heard Neal gurgle in Emma's arms. He was getting hungry.
Regina smiled. All her loved ones had such a healthy appetite in the morning.
They went downstairs. Regina made Henry his oatmeal while Emma fed Neal his morning bottle.
"So, kid?" Emma said briskly. "What are you and Malena gonna do tonight?"
"We're gonna watch E.T!"
"Malena...is gonna love...that," Regina said, bringing a pot of fresh coffee over to the table. Malena loved E.T. And she particularly loved to watch the movie with her godson.
"But we might also watch Pete's Dragon. She texted and asked me."
"She asked you?" Emma chuckled.
"Yup."
"Malena has...always loved...a...good dragon." She was not at all surprised that Malena had asked Henry if he wanted to watch a dragon movie with her. She would probably continue to do that when Henry turned fifteen. And twenty.
It was wonderful that Malena and Henry was going to spend time together later. Regina loved that for them.
But she also really loved that she and Emma would be getting some alone time later. Dinner at a nice restaurant. With candles on the table. Eugenia's Inn was a wonderful place, but it wasn't that romantic.
She made eye contact with Emma across the table. Emma smiled at her. A tad mischievously. Perhaps she was on the verge of mouthing something scandalous, but she never found out. Emma's cellphone rang. She carefully placed Neal in Regina's arms and gave her the bottle so she could pick up.
"Hey, David," she greeted as she answered the phone.
Regina heard a soft 'hello Emma', in the other end. She smiled as Emma told David how nice it was to hear from him and asked him how he was doing today.
The answer was positive. David had had a good night. And apparently, two large portions of oatmeal for breakfast too.
Good for him, Regina thought to herself. She had learned that food was an incredible important factor in recovery.
"That's really good to hear, David!" Emma said. Very excited. And definitely not just because of the oatmeal.
Regina didn't really listen as David asked Emma how she was doing and whether he had interrupted her during breakfast. She was more focused on giving Neal his morning bottle. Neal had reached the state where he grabbed for the bottle with his little hands. It wouldn't be long before he would be able to hold it himself. With a little bit of help, of course.
"We're doing really well. Regina is just giving Neal the rest of his morning bottle," Emma said, free hand reaching out and touching Neal's cheek softly even though they had an unwritten rule to not disturb him while he was eating. Regina let it slide this time, though.
"He's still eating like a champion," Emma continued, grinning a bit.
"That's very nice to hear," David said in the other end.
Regina heard the apprehension and anxiety in his voice. It wasn't difficult to figure out what he was anxious about. Not in light of the conversation they'd had yesterday. There is no reason to stall and keep him in the dark for longer than necessary, Regina thought to herself. We have already made our decision. She looked up. Was pleasantly surprised when seeing that Emma was looking at her. Regina could see the silent question in her eyes. They were thinking the same. As they so often did.
"Tell...him," Regina said softly and looked at the happy baby in her arms. He's already our son.
Emma smiled at her. Did the slightest little nod. "You know what, David," Emma said warmly into the phone. "Regina and I really appreciate that you gave us time to think about adopting Neal, but it turns out that we don't need to think about it at all."
That caught Henry's attention. He looked up and smiled.
"You've already reached a decision?"
"We have."
"There now…. What a good… little lion….you are," Regina praised their son who now was gurgling happily whilst turning his little face away to indicate that he was done.. "You finished….. The entire….bottle….Good….job!"
"And...what have you decided?"
"We've decided to say yes." Emma moved closer to her and put a hand on her shoulder. Gave it a very soft squeeze. "Neal is already a member of our family, and honestly, we can't imagine to say goodbye to him. If you still feel the same, Regina and I would love to adopt Neal."
A beat of silence.
Then: "Oh Emma, I'm so happy to hear that! I really, really am! This is the best thing for everyone. Neal will get a happy, safe childhood. He deserves that."
"He does."
"I will contact my lawyer and have him set up the paperwork," David said. "Since this will be a kinship adoption, and an open one too, it shouldn't be too difficult, or take too long."
"Are you saying that Regina and I will just have to sign on the dotted line, and Neal will be ours?"
The half joke made Regina smile. But so did the fact that David was interested in having a relationship with Neal in the future.
"Yes." David chuckled a bit. "More or less. Kathryn has been kind enough to help me with looking into things, and it would appear that since both parties agree, the road should be relatively smooth."
"That sounds great." Emma's voice was all light and excited. Her eyes were shining. She was happy.
So was Regina. Very, very happy. She kissed the top of Neal's head and positioned him over her shoulder so he could burp.
"I'm really sorry that this is such a short phone call, but I'm supposed to take a walk with Kathryn in five minutes, and I wouldn't want to be late for that."
"Then you're in a hurry," Emma laughed. "Have a good walk, David, and tell nurse Kathryn I said hi."
"I'll do that. Give my best to Regina and Henry. And to my...grandson."
"I'll...I'll do that."
Regina could understand why Emma's voice snagged a bit. Hearing David call Neal his grandson with such confidence and relief was very special.
Emma concluded the phone call and put the phone down on the table. "Well, David sends his love to us and...his grandson."
"'Grandson'...huh?" Regina patted Neal's back in an attempt to make him burp.
"Does that mean that Neal is going to be ours?" Henry asked, looking between them. There was a droplet of milk on his chin. Regina felt tempted to wipe it off. She didn't, though.
"Yep, kid. That is exactly what it means," Emma told him.
"YES!" Henry yelled and pumped his fist in the air.
Neal burped. Very loudly. Then cooed.
Regina and Emma's laughter blended together, and Regina of course took the opportunity to praise their youngest son. "Well...done, little one. That was...a good one!"
Neal gurgled happily in her arms.
"We're actually having another kid." Emma sat down heavily on the chair and shook her head.
"We...are," Regina confirmed and would have said something more. But alas, she was prevented from doing so when her phone started ringing in the living room. Regina grimaced. She had a pretty good idea who it was.
"Ten bucks that's Zelena!" Henry cried.
Regina's advise to her partner would be not to make any bets with their son. Because it would most definitely be Zelena calling her. She handed the baby to Emma and headed into the living room. Grabbed her phone and took the call. From her sister. Obviously. "Good morning... sister dear. How...are you doing? And how...is my little...niece or nephew?"
"Good morning! The baby is doing splendidly, but me? Not so much, I have these terrible back aches that I don't know what to do with! How did you handle it when you were pregnant with Henry? I don't understand how you did it…"
"Well….. my backaches…. Weren't….that….bad," Regina said patiently as she headed back into the kitchen. She rolled her eyes. Zelena was definitely not the type to give short answers.
"Dinner," Emma whispered.
'What?' Regina mouthed and frowned. She wasn't sure she understood what Emma was talking about.
"Ask her to come for dinner next Saturday," Emma whispered. "She'll be home alone, won't she?"
Ah yes, that's right. Chad's away on business again. Zelena would be on her own. Which she did not like. That was a great suggestion Emma had come up with. Regina smiled and nodded to show that she understood. Then she waited not-so-patiently until Zelena was done talking about the warm compress she had read about online and was going to try for her back. "That sounds...nice, dear. How would...you like to...come over...for dinner next...Saturday? I'm making...pot roast."
"Oh yes, I would love to!" Zelena chirped."Absolutely. I was actually going to invite you. Chad is in Boston, and you know me, I don't like being on my own."
"That's...settled then."
"Saturday, was it?"
"Yes... next Saturday," Regina confirmed. "At...seven o'clock. I am...looking forward to seeing you. And seeing how...big you've...become since the...last time." "Prepare for a shock, little sister," Zelena laughed.
Regina did the same. She was very familiar with how quickly a pregnant belly could reach a sudden growth spurt.
"I'll be looking forward to the pot roast. Speaking of that, are you cooking anything good tonight? I could use some inspiration."
"No, Emma and I are...going out tonight," Regina revealed. There would be no cooking tonight.
"You are?"
"Yes. To...Tony's."
"Oh, that sounds nice."
Mhmm," Regina said. It absolutely sounded nice. She couldn't wait to be the two of them in a nice restaurant with candles on the table, and…
"Regina? Regina?"
"What?" Regina said quickly, realizing that Zelena most likely had been talking to her while she zoned out.
"I was just asking if you guys need a babysitter for the night?"
Oh. "No, we don't...need a babysitter... It's very nice of you to offer, but we've...already found one."
"Great. Who then?"
"Malena," Regina answered and grinned.
"Really?" she could hear the smile in her sister's voice.
"Yes. We've asked...Malena to babysit tonight."
"That's great! We all know she's pretty much obsessed with that!"
"Mhmm...Henry is...looking f-f-forward to spending time with his...godmother." Regina looked at Henry and smiled at him for confirmation. "Aren't you...sweetheart?"
"Yup!" Henry said whilst chewing down his oatmeal.. "Malena's so cool!"
"You...heard the boy," Regina chuckled into the phone. "Apparently, his...godmother is...cool."
"She IS!" Henry said firmly. "And she's so funny!"
"Make sure to tell her that," Emma joined in. "I'm sure she would love to hear that."
"And besides, if she and Ursula wants to have a baby sometimes, she can practice on Neal," Henry said matter of factly.
Emma started laughing.
"Please...tell me you...heard that...little nugget," Regina said into the phone.
"I sure did," Zelena laughed. "And you know what else I've noticed? You are speaking with less pauses, little sis."
"You think...so?" Regina said and smiled beamingly even though her sister was not here to see it. "I haven't even...noticed." She felt really proud now.
"I have. And it's very impressive. Oh!"
"What?" Regina frowned a bit now. What did 'oh' mean?
"The baby is kicking. Maybe she's proud too."
"Oh." She smiled. "Well, I…. hope so. I cannot…. Wait to… meet her."
"Me neither. Oh, by the way, did I tell you that Chad suddenly thinks that Irene is a great name?"
Regina wrinkled her nose in disdain even though Zelena couldn't see it. "Seriously? That is…..an interesting suggestion."
"You don't have to be polite about it, sis! It's horrible, we both know that!" Zelena huffed. "It sounds like an old lady!"
Regina laughed and agreed with her sister. It did indeed sound like an old lady. They talked back and forward for a couple of minutes, and arrived at the decision that Zelena definitely should tell Chad that she did not like the name 'Irene'.
With that settled, Zelena declared that she wanted some more breakfast. They said their goodbyes and ended the call.
"What?" Emma asked almost immediately. "What is it you haven't noticed?"
"Zelena thinks that...I am speaking with less...pauses," Regina told her and smiled again.
"Oh. Yeah, I've noticed that too." Emma reached across the table and took her hand.
"I am doing...well," Regina said and tugged a lock of hair behind her ear. Even if she wasn't noticing, she was still making progress. But it did not bother her that she didn't notice the progress anymore. Because she could speak. That was the only thing that mattered to her. The pauses didn't really bother her anymore. If anything, the pauses were a benefit. They gave her time to consider her words carefully.
"Yeah, you are," Emma agreed. "I'm proud of you."
"Thank you…. My love." Regina leaned across the table so she could brush her lips against Emma's.
"Ewww, moms!" Henry moaned. "That's disgusting!"
Regina ignored him. Mostly because she had just received a text. At first she thought it was from Zelena, but it quickly turned out to be from Malena.
'Good morning, dear. I am merely confirming that it is tonight I will be looking after the little hatchlings.'
Regina grinned as she texted back and confirmed just that. Malena was excited. Otherwise she wouldn't have texted…
Finally, after what felt like the longest day in human history, it was finally time to get ready for their date.
And Regina had definitely gotten ready. She felt sexy and confident in her red dress. She had styled her hair in soft curls and applied her favorite red lipstick to her lips. Not unlike how she had looked on the night of the concert, but there was one thing that was different. She was wearing a row pearls around her neck instead of a scarf.
Once she was done and dressed up for the night, she left the bedroom and headed downstairs. She noticed that the door to the bathroom was still closed. Emma was still in there. Regina was definitely not about to knock on the door and ask Emma if she was done soon. Emma had been very focused on dressing up tonight. She had talked a lot about it and been excited about it.
So Regina left her to that and went down the stairs.
In the kitchen, she found Henry who sweetly had offered to look after Neal while they got ready. "I want to spend time with my baby brother," he'd said with a grin. Regina had had no qualms about that. Henry was so responsible.
"Hey, mom," Henry said and smiled at her. "You look nice."
"Thank you… my….little prince," Regina returned the smile and nodded towards Neal who was happily gurgling in Henry's arms. "Do you want….me to….take him?"
"Won't he drool on your dress?"
"I'll….put a dishtowel….over…my….shoulder," Regina chuckled. Then she took the baby from Henry so he could get back to his comic book.
She also put a dishtowel over her shoulder. Just in case.
She carried him into the living room and rocked him in her arms until he cooed and yawned loudly. Regina chuckled. What a sleepy little boy. If Mal was really lucky, he would be asleep for the most of it.
"Mom?"
"Yes?"
"When is Mal coming over?"
Regina suffocated a smile. Henry had repeated that question frequently throughout the day. But this time, Regina could finally give him an answer that wouldn't be disappointing. "It won't….. Be…..long now," she told him.
"Yay!"
Henry's little exclamation caused Neal to let out a high pitched 'hooh!' in her arms. Perhaps he was excited about Malena coming over too. Regina chuckled as she wondered whether she should 'warn' Malena of Neal's fondness for 'hooting'. Just so she didn't get spooked by it. Regina certainly had the first time Neal had made the sound. That was before she knew that Neal liked to pretend that he was a little owl.
A little owl who had a very strict routine. Regina gently laid her littlest boy down on his baby blanket so she could work a bit more on the list she had been writing for Malena. The list of all things Neal-related.
The sound of high heels coming down the stairs had Regina looking up in anticipation. Emma was done in the bathroom. Which meant that they were one step closer to leaving for their date. Regina was so excited.
Clack-clack-clack, the sound of the high heels was getting closer. Regina was intrigued. Emma wasn't usually one for wearing high heels. Had she gone all out tonight? What was she wearing?
Neal guuh'ed on the floor and reminded her that she wasn't on the date yet.
"I'm sorry…my little owl," she said softly and let Neal grab her finger. "You're important…. Too."
"Hey kid, whacha' reading?" she heard from the kitchen.
Henry's answer ('Wolverine') was a bit grumpy, but his next comment was very sweet: "you look really nice, Ma."
"Thanks, Hen," Emma answered with a little snicker: "let's hope your mom thinks so too. Where's she hiding?"
Deciding to join the conversation (and the party) Regina emerged from the living room, stating that no one was hiding.
Emma turned around and looked at her. The look on her face was priceless. She had that look in her eyes. That gentle, adoring look that made Regina feel like the most special woman on earth.
Regina tore her gaze away from Emma's eyes and looked at the rest of her.
Emma looked absolutely stunning.
She was wearing the dress. The silver sequin dress she had worn on the night of the concert. That dress was special. And that night had been special. That was the night where Regina had realized that she was falling in love with Emma.
That night had changed everything.
Emma had done something to her hair. It was curly in a different way than it usually was. It looked even more perfect tonight than usually. Fell perfectly over her shoulders. Her makeup was light and natural. Her lips had been painted a pale pink. There was something about the lipstick. Was it shimmering the littlest bit? Regina wasn't sure, but either way, Emma's lips looked very kissable tonight
not pearls.
"You look amazing," Emma said, voicing exactly what Regina was thinking.
About Emma.
"Why thank you...my love," she beamed. "You look...so beautiful tonight...too."
"Okay, eww!" Henry protested and made a whole show of covering his ears. "Stop gushing about each other, guys! It's gross."
"No, it's not. You're just not old enough to find it nice," Emma shamelessly teased him, and Regina had to admit that Henry's answer was pretty funny.
"I'd never ever gush like that over anyone," he said firmly and screwed up his face. "Disgusting!"
Of course the adults knew better. Regina and Emma smiled conspiratorially at one another. And Regina tried not to think of the day where Henry would start getting interested in girls. Or boys. Whatever made him happy. Either way, she didn't want to think about him growing up. Right now, he was still their little boy.
"When's Mal coming over?" Henry asked. Again.
"It...won't be long...if she's...on time," Regina said and looked at the list still in her hand.
"Is that a list over the do's and don'ts's for taking care of Neal?"
The teasing was evident in her voice, and Regina shot her girlfriend a rare stern look. "Yes... my love. It is."
Emma chuckled. Then walked up behind her and slipped an arm around her waist. "Relax," she murmured into her hair. Which sent shivers down Regina's spine. "Malena will do fine. I know she will. And Henry is gonna help her. Isn't that right, kiddo?"
"Yup," Henry confirmed.
"See? You have absolutely nothing to worry about, Mills," Emma continued. "The only thing you have to think about is having an awesome time with me. Easy peasy."
"I can...definitely...do that," Regina assured and laughed heartedly.
"Atta girl."
Her waist was squeezed again, and Regina really had to remind herself that they weren't alone right now.
But if they had been….
Oh, if they had been….
Regina would have kissed her right then and there!
"You guys are being totally gross tonight!" Henry moaned.
Emma chuckled warmly in her ear. Her hot breath made Regina think things. And combining that with the way Emma was squeezing her waist again…
Oh my, Regina was one weak woman!
Ding-dong!
"Ooops, looks like our nanny is here," Emma observed and let go of her. Which was both good and bad.
"And...right on time...too," Regina observed and tried not to mourn the loss of Emma's arms around her waist. "That's...impressive. And...unlike her."
Henry skipped ahead of them and ran into the hallway. Whilst he greeted his godmother, Regina went back to the living room and picked up Neal. She had heard a tiny little sound coming from him, and she didn't want Malena's 'shift' as babysitter to start with Neal wailing. Whilst trying to cheer him up a bit, she heard Emma greet Malena. Heard her thank her former boss-turned-friend for being available for babysitting.
"I'm not a baby!" she heard Henry protest.
"Indeed you're not," Malena said. "It won't be long before you'll be taller than your mother, young man. But then again, that is not terribly hard to achieve."
She couldn't possibly let that slide. "Excuse...me?" she asked as she walked into the kitchen with Neal in her arms. She mock glared at her oldest, best friend. "You've been here for...what, five...minutes, and you're already...insulting me?"
"I'd never," Malena said firmly. "I was merely stating that you're not that tall." Regina lifted an eyebrow. Was that supposed to make her feel better?
"Hello, my darling," Malena continued and smiled at her. "Don't you look quite spiffing tonight. You both do."
Emma thanked her, and Malena walked over to Regina and did her usual hello-routine. Two kisses on each cheek.
"Uuuuuh," said Neal and wiggled a bit in her arms.
That had Malena tilting her head as she shot him a fond look. "Hello, my little one. I'm afraid you'll be stuck with me for the night. Your caregivers are going out to paint the town. Or something like that. It's been a while since I've last been on a date. Ursula and I are both working too much. We're working on that."
Emma chuckled and revealed: "actually, we're not quite Neal's caregivers anymore."
"And exactly what does that mean?" Malena asked, furrowing her brows. "Surely, he's not going back to Toronto?"
"Not...quite," Regina answered. "David has asked...if Neal can stay here...permanently."
"Permanently?" Malena echoed a bit confused. "And what does that mean?"
"Mom and Ma are going to adopt Neal!" Henry loudly exclaimed.
Regina smiled at him. She loved that he was so excited about the adoption.
Now the big question was…. What did Malena think? Regina excitedly watched her reaction. First she saw surprise on her oldest friend's face.
But then Malena smiled at both at them. "That is excellent news," she said kindly. "He fits right in." she turned her attention to Regina. "And you always did want a whole nest of babies."
Emma made an odd sputtering sound. "A whole nest of babies?"
"I said...that once. When I was...eighteen," Regina defended and scowled. Eighteen and a bit naïve. And I'm pretty sure I was a little drunk when I said it.
"And I have never forgotten it," Malena drawled and winked at her. "I never forget anything."
Emma was openly chuckling now. Her green eyes sparkled with amusement and a just a bit of mischief as she looked at Regina. "A whole nest, huh? We'll have to adopt lots more then."
"Good idea!" Henry chirped.
Regina was very tempted to tell all of them to shut up.
She didn't, though. She settled for: "I think...our taxi will be...here in a moment." Oh, how she wished that she wasn't blushing right now!
Emma gave her another grin. "Right you are, babe."
"Yes, do go on," Malena encouraged, clapping her hands in a 'brisk mom' sort of way. "The little ones and I will be just fine. I've seen you made a list for me regarding the littlest dragon. I trust the oldest dragon will help me with that."
"Yeah!" Henry assured with a chuckle. "If you make me pancakes."
"Without...setting the stove...on fire," Regina added. Ha. Now she could throw that one back in Mal's face. A small revenge for the 'nest full of babies' comment.
"Oh, please don't tell me you've told Emma about that," Malena said mournfully.
"Of course she has." Emma chuckled and slipped an arm around her waist again.
"Guilty...as charged," Regina drawled.
Malena sighed deeply and shook her head as though they were a couple of kids she was scolding. "Get out of here, will you."
"Alright, alright, we're leaving," Emma laughed.
Henry hugged first her and then Regina. "Have a nice time, moms."
Regina ruffled their oldest son's hair fondly. "Be good...for Malena. And help her...with Neal."
"Roger," Henry said with a grin.
"And bed...by nine...thirty. That's the rule. Don't...try to...negotiate it," she warned. She knew their son. And she also knew that look on his face.
"I wasn't gonna," Henry claimed, clearly lying through his teeth.
Regina exchanged a knowing look with her girlfriend who happened to know their son quite well too. They both knew that Henry definitely would have tried to coax Malena into letting him stay up until ten o'clock.
Well, there would be none of that. Henry had certain routines. And so did Neal. A whole list of them. Regina began walking Malena through everything. At what time Neal should have his evening bottle. What time he should be put down for the night, what to do if he cried and how to hold him.
"He likes to be…. Cuddled," she explained. "Hold him….tight, he's a….bit of a….squirmer. But don't…. hold him….too tight either, he doesn't…. like that. and be careful he doesn't…..pull your hair….or his own for….that matter. He's in a phase….where he….pulls his….hair until….he…cries…. if he starts…pulling at his hair, you…..have to massage….his hands….that….will…make him…let go. Otherwise call….me or Emma….then we will guide you…. Over the phone."
"Got it," Malena nodded.
"If he starts hiccupping after you…. Give him…his bottle…it might mean… that he hasn't….burped properly," she continued. "But….you fix that by….rubbing a particular….spot on his back. He has this….kind of trigger point…. Right between his shoulder….blades where you….press down gently….with two fingers. Not too hard…that will….make him….cry. But Henry will know…. What to do, and-"
"Hey babe, I think we should head out. The taxi is here," Emma gently interrupted.
Oh. Right. Of course. Regina drew a lock of hair behind her ear and felt a bit sheepish. She had just babbled on to poor Malena. She flashed her friend an apologetic smile. "Sorry… about that."
"Don't be sorry," Malena said briskly. "You're his mother. Of course you're rambling. But you needn't worry. My godson and I got everything under control. We will take care of the little hatchling. Now off you pop. And have a wonderful evening."
"Can you please go already," Henry groaned. "I wanna hang out with auntie Mal!"
"You heard my godson," Malena chuckled, ruffling Henry's hair. "Away with you both."
And so, Regina carefully placed baby Neal in Malena's waiting arms. She was almost about to tell Malena to support his back, but managed to hold it back and felt a little annoyed at herself. Malena wasn't stupid. Of course she knew how to hold a baby. Regina was just being overprotective of their youngest son.
She and Emma headed into the hallway to put on their coats. Henry and Malena walked them out. Henry was chattering on about all the fun stuff he wanted to do tonight, and Malena happily agreed to everything. Including what Henry described as an 'epic game of scrabble'.
"You are of course aware that I will beat you though, right," Malena drawled, cuddling the baby into her chest. "You don't stand a chance, godson of mine…"
"Ha, we'll see about that!" Henry mock threatened and waved a fist in the air.
Regina and Emma left. There was nothing more for them to do here. Henry and Malena had plans for the night….
"So... a whole nest of babies, huh?" Emma said when they were sitting in the taxi that took them to their destination.
Regina blushed a bit and hoped to chalk it up to the heat in the taxi. "I said...a lot of things...when I was a teenager."
"Do you still want a nest full of babies, Mills?" Emma asked and squeezed her hand. She wasn't teasing anymore, and Regina saw no reason to not be honest about her feelings. "I always...did want a lot of...children," she admitted.
"You're such a mom," Emma teased. In the gentlest way possible.
Regina chuckled a bit, adopting a lighter tone. "Yes, I suppose...I am."
"Well, in that case..." Emma squeezed her hand again. "We're gonna be real busy then."
"I don't think... a whole nest...full of babies...is a good...idea," Regina said practically. How many babies even is that?
"Okay, maybe not a whole nest, but a couple of more, yeah?" Emma laughed. Her voice was all light. And entirely free of teasing, Regina noted.
She tilted her head but did not feel silly for asking: "Are you...actually serious...right now?"
"Yeah," the simple confirmation was followed by the softest of chuckles "We're good at the kid thing, and I wanna give you anything you want."
"You have to...want it too, Emma," Regina reminded her.
"And I do." Emma leaned slightly sideways and murmured directly into her ear: "I really wanna have babies with you."
"You are…. Ridiculous," Regina laughed.
"If I'm ridiculous, it's because I'm all excited about being out and about with you, Mills. I love our cozy nights in with the boys, but damn it feels good to be out just you and me! Be away from home for a change."
"I know," Regina hummed. "It is… nice," Regina hummed.
"How do you think Malena is doing?"
"She'll be...fine," Regina said, steely determined to make up for giving Mal the whole lecture earlier. "She might not...have a ton of experience with...babies, but she did...change Henry's diaper many times when I was...incapacitated."
"Why were you incapacitated?" Emma asked curiously.
"Mastitis," Regina said. The memory had her grimacing. That had not been a fun time at all!
"Oh."
"Yes, it was...quite painful."
"I can only imagine." Emma nodded a bit. "Good thing you had Malena to help you then."
"And...Zelena," Regina recalled with a smile. "She hung...around a lot...too."
"She still does," Emma pointed out. "She misses her little sister."
"It would...appear so." It wasn't really Zelena Regina wanted to talk about. She was much more interested in playing with Emma's fingers.
"What do you think Malena will make Henry for dinner?"
"I'm guessing...they'll order a...pizza or something," Regina chuckled. She didn't mind that. Rather a bit of cheese and grease than the risk of Malena setting the stove on fire.
"Yeah, I guess you're right about that," Emma snickered. "Henry is going to have the best night ever!"
"He'll...force her to watch Jurassic Park," Regina predicted. And Malena would suggest Pete's Dragon. She wondered who would win.
"You think so?"
"I...know so," Regina chuckled.
Emma mirrored the sound. Then went quiet. Her fingers slipped in between Regina's, and it didn't take long before her silence had Regina all curious.
"Penny...for your thoughts, my...darling?" She asked softly.
"I was thinking about you. I always am."
Oh. That was sweet. And she clearly wasn't the only one who thought to. To her utmost surprise, the taxi driver laughed a bit. In a very kind manner.
Regina smiled at Emma and earned herself a little wink. Had they been alone, she would have taken the opportunity to tell Emma how sexy that sound was. But the taxi driver was preventing her from doing so…
They arrived at their destination. Tony's. They hopped out of the taxi, paid him and headed inside the restaurant. They ridded themselves of their coats in the little 'foyer', and continued inside the restaurant itself.
A waiter found them as soon as they walked inside.
"Reservation for Swan?" Emma asked him and smiled.
"Just follow me, miss Swan," he said and returned her smile.
He brought them to a table near the window. Very private, but not too secluded either. There was no reason for that. Regina was pleased to see the white tablecloth and the candles she had been dreaming of. This was a proper outing for them. An adult outing in a very 'adult' restaurant'.
Regina reached for the chair so she could pull it out, but Emma was faster than her. Before Regina could as much as blink, she had rounded the table and pulling out her chair with a proud: "milady."
Regina rolled her eyes a bit but still made sure to smile. Emma was so gallant. "Thank you...dear."
"Pulling out the chair for you is a part of my job description," Emma quipped as she walked around the table and sat down opposite her. "You hungry?"
"I am," Regina confirmed. She was actually surprised that her stomach wasn't growling right now.
"Me too. I'm absolutely famished as Zelena would say." Emma grinned.
"She would say that."
"But it's not her we're supposed to talk about tonight." Emma reached out so she could take her hand across the table.
"It's...not?" Regina smiled. She had somewhat of an idea what Emma was going to say next.
"Nope. Tonight we're supposed to talk about you. And how absolutely stunning you look in that dress."
Okay, so not completely what she had expected, but still. She used her free hand to pat Emma's. "You look...so beautiful too, my love. That is...the dress you...wore when...we went to the...concert."
"You remember."
"Of course I...do." 'Duh' as Emma would say. Of course she remembered this dress. She would always this dress. As she would remember the way she felt that night.
"It feels like that was ages ago," Emma softly mused.
"Emma, it is...ages ago," Regina chuckled, shaking her head slightly when thinking about it. "I was...so different and...guarded back then. And look...how long we've come...since." I was so afraid of everything back then. I was less… me.
"Yeah, lots of things has happened since that concert," Emma softly agreed with her.
"We had...our first kiss...after the concert," Regina recalled. Such a soft, gentle kiss it had been.
Emma didn't seem to have the same warm feelings, though. "Yeah. We did. And sometimes I wish I could have done that differently, you weren't-"
"I was," Regina quickly interrupted her. She didn't want Emma to feel guilty about anything. Not even for a second. "Believe me, I...was. Completely...and utterly. My feelings were...just too jumbled for me...to...recognize it." it was crucial that she made Emma understand. "But I can assure you... my first...instinctive feeling after...that kiss...was happiness. So...don't wish...you could change anything...okay? Because I...wouldn't." And that is the truth.
"I believe you," Emma said.
Then the waiter came back with two menus. "Maybe you've already decided what you want to drink tonight?" he asked, glancing at the wine card laying available on the table.
Regina certainly hadn't paid any attention to the wine card, and she hadn't seen Emma look at it either.
"We want red wine, don't we?" Emma asked. Either she was good at improvising, or she had thought about this beforehand.
"Red wine?" Regina lifted an eyebrow.
"Yeah, I mean, we're taking a taxi home for once."
Oh yes. I had completely forgotten about that. For a silly seconds, she thought that they had come here by car. "Red wine sounds good," she agreed and chuckled.
"And let's see about the food," Emma said briskly, eagerly flipping her menu open.
Regina did the same, and it did not take long for her to decide that she wanted steak and potatoes. Emma wanted salmon with sweet potato fries.
"It's almost like we're switching roles tonight," she quipped and smirked at Regina once the waiter had left. "Salmon is usually your thing, beautiful."
"Well, I am… all for switching… things up now and…then," Regina drawled without skipping a beat.
"Bold statement, Mills," Emma grinned. "Mind telling me more?"
Regina would have loved so. But just then, the waiter came back with two glasses of red wine for them.
"Cheers, babe," Emma said as and raised her glass after having thanked the waiter.
"Cheers, my...love," Regina hummed.
The two glasses clinked together with a delicate little sound, and Regina thought to herself that it was very nice to finally be out like this again. Tonight, there would be no Zelena interrupting them. Thank god. She wasn't sure she could have stood another interruption.
The wine was good. Very rich in flavor. Regina licked her lips slightly. Drink too much of that, and it'll be a VERY fun evening.
She couldn't have been happier when their food arrived. Regina was hungry. Had worked up an appetite throughout the day. She had made a point of not eating too much at lunch because she knew that they were going out tonight. The food was so good. The meat was so tender, it practically melted on her tongue. Perfect.
"Wow, you really are hungry," Emma said and chuckled in that warm, tender way she always did when she wanted to let Regina know that she wasn't teasing her. "That's good to see."
Regina made sure to swallow before speaking. That was what she always reminded Henry to do, and she would be damned if she couldn't honor her own rules. "Being on a...liquid diet really...makes you appreciate...solid food."
"Yeah. I get that."
Regina resumed eating. Noted that the clasp on her pearl necklace had shifted so it suddenly was sitting in front rather than in the back. She brought a hand up to her correct it, but stopped when she realized something. "Oh."
"'Oh'?" Emma immediately stopped eating and lifted an eyebrow. "What's 'oh'? Is something wrong?"
"No, I...I've just...forgotten to powder my...throat," Regina explained and couldn't quite believe that she had actually forgotten to do that.
"Oh."
"I guess I...must have been...too focused on getting dressed. And getting...out of the door," Regina mused. Incredible. She always powdered her throat to minimize the scars, but tonight she hadn't done so. Tonight she had been more focused on which necklace to wear with her dress. Another victory. I have to remember to tell my therapist.
"Does it bother you?" Emma asked softly. "That you forgot to powder your throat?"
"No." she shook her head. "That's what...so surprising."
"Oh," Emma said once again and smiled.
Now feeling even happier, Regina raised her glass of wine. "Cheers...to you.
"Nu-uh. Cheers to you. And the nest full of babies we're going to adopt."
Oh my goodness. She laughed and shook her head. "You'll...never let that...go, will you?"
"Never," Emma teased. "We're gonna have a ton of babies, Mills."
"Good...god." She sought solace in another piece of steak. This was definitely not a conversation to have in a restaurant.
Emma ate with the same eagerness. "I hate to break it to you, babe," she said after a few mouthfuls. "But this is almost better than your food."
"This is...definitely better than my food." So. Much. Better. She munched down a potato and thought to herself that they should eat here more often.
"Don't give the food that look, Mills," Emma teased. "It really isn't fair when I'm sitting right here."
"I wasn't...aware that I was...giving the food any...look." Am I blushing again?
"You totally are," Emma snickered. "And I'll have you know that it's a look I've seen quite a few times before."
"Be… quiet," Regina scolded as she sipped her wine.
Naturally, Emma laughed at her. Very sweetly.
The food was over far too quickly, but the night wasn't.
"It has barely started," Emma said firmly, flicking through the menu again. "How about some dessert, Mills?"
"No, it's…. fine," Regina said quickly. "I am… full."
She wasn't. But she definitely should be with the way she had just gobbled down her food.
"Aw, come on, it's dessert. You can't say no to dessert," Emma proclaimed and looked at her with those big, green eyes. "Look at the menu and tell me that there isn't just one single thing that makes your mouth water."
"Emma-"
"Look at the menu, beautiful," Emma insisted.
What choice did Regina have but to do as requested? She opened her menu once again and took a look at the dessert options. There was many delicious things. Ice cream. Slices of cake. And pie. So many pies. Regina was already reconsidering.
"Well?" Emma asked. "See something you like, babe?"
Regina licked her lips and admitted: "the chocolate pie… looks very…. Good."
"It does, absolutely," Emma agreed. "I'll definitely order myself a slice."
Regina surrendered without grace but lots of happiness. "Then I would…. Like a slice… too."
"Hell yeah, you do!" Emma exclaimed and lifted a hand. "High five!"
Regina happily high fived her girlfriend across the table. And didn't feel one bit silly while doing so.
When the waiter came back, Emma ordered two slices of pie for them. "And it would be really great if you could refill our glasses."
"Of course, miss," the waiter said and took off.
Refill our glasses? Regina quirked an eyebrow. "Emma, you know...one glass is my limit. I'll get...drunk."
"Good thing you're not driving, huh?" Emma chuckled.
Regina jokingly scowled and shook her head. She knew herself and how silly she got when she had too much wine.
"You're not actually mad that I asked for more wine, are you?" Emma checked.
"No," Regina said, flashing her girlfriend a teasing smile. "But I'm warning...you. That wine...will go straight to...my legs."
"I'll carry you then," Emma laughed. "It would be my pleasure."
"Oh, I'm...sure it would...dear." she was absolutely certain.
Emma leaned forward and put a hand over hers. "Are you having a good time?"
"Absolutely," Regina assured, turning her hand palm up so they could hold hands. "Are...you?"
"Definitely," Emma beamed.
I was thinking..." Regina said as she pushed a stray curl behind her ear. "How about we...try and...do this once... every...week?"
"One date per week?" Emma chuckled. "I'm in."
"It...doesn't have to be...going to a...restaurant every time," Regina said.
"I'm still in," Emma chuckled. "I'm in for all of it, Mills."
Regina smiled. In for it all. I like the sound of that. And she liked the look of those slices of chocolate pie the waiter had just brought to their table. God, that looked so good. She couldn't take her eyes off the dessert. Not even when the waiter refilled their wine glasses and uttered a 'bon Appetit!' before taking off once more.
"Cheers, beautiful," Emma said as she lifted her glass of wine.
Regina finally managed to take her eyes off the dessert and quickly raised her own glass. "Cheers," she parroted and took a small sip of the wine. "I'm telling you...I'll get...drunk. You have...been warned."
"We'll overcome that too, I'm sure," Emma snickered. And besides, I've seen you drunk before. During the train ride."
"And in...the hospital," Regina recalled with a slight smirk. "It might have...been anesthesia, but I assure you... I felt drunk."
"You looked pretty drunk too. Very cute and cross eyed."
Regina laughed and shook her head at the memory. It felt like the operation had happened ages ago too. So many things had happened since. Moving in together. Neal. The book signing event.
Oh yes, about that…
"Do you...think Ruby would...be up for babysitting next Friday when we're...going to that...book signing?" she asked. It was never too early to think about these things.
"Sure, why not," Emma said, first shrugging then shaking her head a bit, making golden curls bounce around her face. "God, I can't believe how many bookstores that wants a book signing event."
"I can," Regina beamed. "You are...a genius writer...my love."
"And my ego is overinflated," Emma teased.
Regina laughed. If an ego could handle to be 'overinflated', it was Emma Swan's.
"Did you read the chapter I left for you yesterday morning?" Emma asked with something Regina suspected was feigned casualness.
She was happy to give Emma a positive answer. "I did," she said and took a sip of her wine. Thinking about the chapter made her crave wine.
"And what did you think?"
Regina sat her glass of wine down and licked her lips slowly and with much consideration. "It was very...good. Quite...juicy. Perhaps...you should make it so...I read the chapters...at night instead." That wouldn't be so bad. A sexy little bedtime story.
"Right. Got it. You really liked it?"
"Yes, dear," Regina assured, and now she felt very satisfied with how husky her voice was. "I really...really did."
"Good. All I wanted to know."
Satisfied with how Emma sounded just the littlest bit dazed, Regina resumed eating her slice of chocolate pie again. Seriously, eating the delicious pie was pretty much the only thing that could distract her from thinking too much about that chapter. She licked chocolate away from the corner of her mouth and noticed that Emma had just shifted a bit in her seat. Looking up, Regina asked: "everything...okay?"
"Leg cramp.
Leg cramp? Regina tilted her head. Why do I get the feeling that that's not true?
"Have you thought more about whether you want to go back to work?" Emma changed the subject. Clearly not at all eager to talk about her supposed 'leg cramp'.
"No," Regina replied. "I'm still...considering."
"Which is totally fine," Emma nodded. "But it would actually be pretty perfect if you did."
"It...would?"
"Yeah," Emma smiled. "Let's be honest, I probably won't be working at Dragon Publishing for long. My book is selling pretty good if I do say so myself. Good enough for me to be able to quit my job and dedicate my time to writing. I could become a writer/stay at home mom. Write while Neal is sleeping, and Henry is in school. And I could pick him up from school."
"Are...you sure you'd be...okay with that?" Regina asked, feeling skeptical. "Writing is your...passion, Emma. I would hate...if you got too...distracted to...write."
"I have many passions," Emma smiled. "You being the first one-"
Regina clicked her tongue.
"And taking care of our kids and making sure they're thriving is another one," Emma continued. "And of course writing. Which I would get plenty of time to do at home. You don't have to worry, beautiful."
Regina wasn't convinced. It wasn't Emma's idea to stay home and write and take care of their sons that worried her. It was the direction her thoughts were straying in. Talking about this… the possibility of going back to work… It shifted something within her. Made her think about things that weren't nice.
"Wanna tell me what you're thinking right now?"
Not in particularly, no. Regina bit her lip. "It wouldn't...be right of me...to bring it up...on our date."
"I doubt the room will light up in smoke if you do," Emma said softly. "Nor will I. Come on. Tell me."
Naturally, she saw no reason to hold back. Not even on their date. "He didn't...like that I was...working," she began, not saying his name. She didn't need to. "And I know...that you obviously aren't...like that, but...talking about going back to...work still seems to...trigger something for...some reason. Maybe because it was...one of the last things...we argued about...before...well, you know." She concluded the sentence by taking a big sip of her wine.
"We don't have to talk about it right now if you don't want to," Emma said softly and squeezed her hand. "You don't have to decide anything right now or tomorrow or next month or next year. You have all the time in the world, my love."
"I think I'll...talk to my therapist about...it," Regina decided. "She usually have...some words of...wisdom."
"That's a good idea."
"Now..." She flashed her partner a smile. "Let's toast...and talk about...something...more cheerful."
"Sure," Emma smiled as she lifted her glass. "We could talk about how awesome that dress of yours is. I'd love to discuss that for the rest of the night."
Regina laughed. "It's nothing...you haven't seen...before."
"Doesn't matter. I am still more than capable of appreciating it, thank you very much. And cheers."
"Cheers, my...love," Regina hummed. Their glasses clinked together, and the slight discomfort she had been feeling a moment ago, disappeared the second she looked into Emma's eyes.
Killian Jones wasn't welcome at their date either….
She was tipsy. Maybe even a little drunk. Exactly as she had predicted she would be. It had happened sometimes after she had emptied her second glass of wine. As the night had progressed, Emma's jokes, all of them had become increasingly funnier. Regina had laughed. Maybe even giggled a bit. Even though she wouldn't admit it. The only thing she would admit to, was being inebriated.
"I...told you," she said, shaking her head slightly in feigned dismay.
"Yeah, someone is a bit tipsy, huh," Emma said fondly.
"Well, I'm not...twenty something anymore," Regina defended. It wasn't her fault that the fine was getting to her.
"You can't remember how old I am?" Emma teased and laughed a bit at her.
Oh gosh, how old is she again? She scrunched up her nose and thought about it. "Twenty...five?"
"Nah, I'm afraid you're bit off, but thanks though," Emma chuckled.
Damn it. "Then I'm...sorry. But I can't...remember how old...you are right...now," Regina said a bit sheepishly.
"That's fine," Emma snickered. "Can you remember your own age?"
Of course I can remember how old I am! "Thirty two," she said firmly.
"Spot on."
I knew it! Of course I know my age! She smiled proudly, satisfied with herself.
"Soooo, you do remember who I am, right?" Emma asked and tilted her head in a way that nearly had Regina doing the same because it looked so funny.
She scoffed, unimpressed at the question. "Of...course I do. I always...know who you are, my love."
Emma squeezed her hand.
Oh, how happy Regina felt tonight! She smiled widely at Emma. "This is the...best date I've ever...been on.
"Happy to hear that. Do you want more pie, beautiful?"
"No, thank...you. I'm full." Full of happiness. "Everything was...so delicious!"
"It was. "We'll have to come here more often."
"I...second that," Regina said eagerly and was pretty surprised to find Emma laughing at her. "What's...funny?"
"Nothing. Are you ready to leave, Mills?"
"I am." She nodded and stood from the chair. Easy enough. Walking is easy.
Except it wasn't. She had to stop after the first step and put a hand on the table to steady herself. Her legs were shaking under her. Uh-oh. "Oh dear."
"Don't move," Emma laughed, quickly walking around the table. "Here, I'll help you." She wrapped an arm around Regina's waist.
"This is...embarrassing," Regina said simply.
"Nah, it's not," Emma said as she gallantly escorted her out of the restaurant. "It looks like I'm cuddling my girlfriend. Which is completely true, by the way."
That's true, she's cuddling me. I like when she's cuddling me. Cuddling. That's a funny word, isn't it? Regina laughed heartedly. Cuddling was a funny word.
Somehow, Emma managed to help her into the little room where they had left their coats. Regina wished that she could be as smooth as her girlfriend when it came to putting on her coat, but alas, the left sleeve on her trench coat kept getting away from her.
"I…. need help," Regina declared and laughed at how ridiculous it was. Her coat was a little trickster.
Emma laughed as well but was very gallant when she helped her put on her coat. "Woops. There we go."
That girl… She is so good at everything! "I... love you!" she told her partner and smiled at her.
"Because I'm helping with your coat?" Emma teased.
"No, just...in general," Regina huffed. "That's...not a problem...is it?"
"Definitely not," Emma assured her, grinning. "Come on, professor Mills. Let's get you home."
Not the professor thing, I can't deal with the professor thing right now. Hearing Emma call her 'Professor Mills' made Regina want to do stuff to Emma. And it probably wouldn't be a good idea if she did said stuff in the middle of a restaurant. "Don't...call me that," she groaned.
"I thought you liked when I called you that?"
"I...do. I like it...too much. That's why...you shouldn't...call me that." Regina stuck out her bottom lip.
Emma laughed. Then kissed her. Very softly.
Regina cooed. "Oooh. That was...really nice."
"Happy to hear that. Come on, baby."
Right. Coming. If it hadn't been for Emma's strong, secure grip on her arm, she surely would have fallen as they left the restaurant. Regina frowned in sheer concentration as she focused on putting one foot in front of the other. This was not easy. Not at all easy. She let out a little bubbly laughter. "I'll end up… falling before we're….done….walking."
"Nope. That's not gonna happen," Emma said firmly. "I'll carry you if your legs gets wonkier than this..."
"Wonkier," Regina repeated. "That's...a...very funny word."
"YOU are very funny," Emma snickered. Then kissed her temple.
This distracted Regina so much she nearly did trip.
"Careful!" Emma exclaimed, wrapping an arm around her waist instead. "I want no accidents, Mills!"
"No… accidents," Regina repeated, once again focusing on putting one foot in front of the other. "Fuck," she muttered under her breath. "This is….hard!"
"Yeah, I can see that," Emma laughed. "Want me to carry you? Because I can do that."
"I can.. walk," Regina said, proudly sticking up her chin. Even though it would have been mighty nice to be carried by Emma…
Emma found them a taxi. Regina clumsily got inside. Oooh, this was good. Yes, definitely good. No more walking. Thank god.
"Mmm," she hummed as she leaned back in the seat.
"You good?" Emma asked.
"I...am," Regina said, turning her head and smiling at her girlfriend. "I'm just...so happy."
"Me, too."
"This has...been a wonderful night." With some trouble (her seatbelt didn't really seem to stretch all that much) Regina wiggled closer to Emma and rested her head on her shoulder.
"It definitely has," Emma agreed as she kissed her temple.
There was music in the taxi. Good music. Regina tapped her foot up and down to match the beat. A shame they hadn't danced tonight. Or maybe it wasn't. Maybe dancing could have been dangerous when she was wearing heels. And when she'd had something to drink.
"It's been...a while since I last...was this tipsy," she observed and felt pretty smart. This is not drunken nonsense, is it?
"Yeah, you weren't this tipsy on the train," Emma said warmly.
Regina chuckled and mused out loud: "maybe I...shouldn't have had so much...red wine."
"You had two glasses only. You're good. You just need a bit of water."
"I don't want...Henry to see me like... this." That much was certain. If Henry saw her like this, he would get scared.
"Well, if Malena did her job, he has been asleep for hours," Emma quipped.
"Let's...hope so." She stretched her legs. Her knees were funny. Like they were full of bubbles or something. Or chocolate. No, wait, that doesn't make sense. But… Mmm, chocolate! "That pie... was really...good."
"Yeah, it sure was," Emma nodded.
"But perhaps...I shouldn't have...eaten so...much," Regina mused more to herself than to Emma. Had she overdone it? Been too eager?
"Why the hell not?" Emma scoffed. You liked it. That's the most important thing, right?"
"Mmm," Regina hummed. "I suppose...so."
Was she imagining things, or was the music getting louder? She wasn't sure, but it was definitely good music. Regina just had to hum along as they drove.
What a wonderful evening this is. I want more of these. She glanced at Emma. And she also wanted to end this night in style. In the bedroom….
Walking was still hard when they arrived back home.
Things went south when she was walking up the little steps leading to the porch. The two first steps was no big deal, Regina felt like a champion, but the third step was a damned traitor. Or maybe it was her high heels that was the traitor. Either way, she tripped and would have fallen over spectacularly if it hadn't been for Emma's quick reflexes. She swiftly caught Regina around the waist and prevented her from face planting. "Woah."
"Oops," Regina said, quite unaffected by the near-accident and laughed cheerfully. "I told you...I would fall."
"And I told you, I would be there to catch you."
"You a-always...are," Regina said nonchalantly. Trust Emma to always be there when she needed it.
And that included opening doors too apparently. Emma was being very gallant tonight. Regina reminded herself to thank her for it later as she went inside the hallway. She made an effort to be quiet. Didn't want to wake the whole house. She actually did a fairly decent job at being quiet, but apparently, hanging her coat on the coat rack was too much to ask. She missed the little hook when she attempted to hang up her coat, and as a result, her white trench coat ended up on the floor. But before she could end up getting frustrated about it, Emma bend down and picked it up. Hung it carefully on the rack. "There we go."
"My...Swan in...shining armor," Regina cooed. There was that acute urge to do things to Emma.
But alas, they were in a hallway. Unfortunately.
She managed to get her high heels off and followed Emma into the living room where they found Malena sitting on the couch and reading a book. No kids around. Good. It was much too late for them to be up now.
Assured that everything was as it should be, Regina stalked into the kitchen to get some water. Maybe that could help with her drunken…ness. Not that there was anything wrong with it. She felt woozy in the good way. But still, a glass of water probably couldn't harm.
She eagerly drank her freshly poured water and listened to the conversation in the living room. She caught snippets. Henry had gone to sleep five minutes after his bedtime. She could let that slide. They'd had pizza for dinner and pancakes for dessert. No stoves had been sacrificed in the process. Neal was asleep. All was well. Excellent. Malena should definitely babysit again.
Regina took a large gulp of the water and cheerfully noted that it didn't help her inebriated state one bit. She was still hammered.
Okay, maybe not hammered, but not sober either.
What is sober even? She wondered to herself as she took another sip of the water. Who decides what defines sober and what doesn't?
"Where's your other half? I could have sworn she was with you when you left," she heard from the living room.
Regina took that as her cue and sauntered into the living room. Walking was a bit easier now that she wasn't wearing her heels, but not much. She had a bit of trouble walking straight. Well, good thing I'm not a circus artist, then. Imagine being a tightrope artist right now…
"My, my. I do believe someone have had a bit to drink," Malena observed and chuckled.
"I am... as...tight as... a... boiled owl," Regina said cheerfully and took a sip of her water.
"You're what now?!" Emma sputtered.
What? It's not like I said something obscene!
At least not yet. Emma looked so awfully pretty in that dress of hers.
"Drunk," Malena chuckled. "She's telling me she's drunk."
"Oh. Is that professor slang or something like that?"
Is it? Regina searched her brain. And came up with absolutely nothing. Frowning, she lowered her glass. "I can't...remember right...now. Ask me...again tomorrow."
"That looks like someone needs to go straight to bed if you ask me," Malena laughed.
Regina hadn't asked. But she found that it was an excellent idea. "Oh yes...that sounds...nice!" she said eagerly, setting her glass of water down and draping an arm around Emma's waist. She very much wanted to go to bed. Right away.
"And I think that's my cue to leave," Malena laughed.
"Yeah. Thank you for watching the kids."
"Yes, thank...you!" Regina added and smiled at Malena. She didn't want to be impolite.
"You are most welcome, my dears." Malena hugged Emma and kissed Regina once on each cheek. "Have fun with your headache tomorrow. Perhaps I'll text you to hear how you're doing."
What headache? I feel fine. Better than fine. Fine and dandy. She was vaguely aware that Emma and Malena seemed to disappear. They went into the hallway. What were they doing in there?
Oh right. Malena was going home. That's why they were in there.
But Emma wasn't going anywhere. Except for upstairs. With her.
Regina grinned and felt very sly as she turned around and walked up the stairs. Soon Emma would come to bed, and Regina wanted to be ready for that. Wanted to surprise her partner. They should definitely end this very successful date in style.
Upstairs in the bedroom, Regina worked fast. She took off her dress, stockings and underwear and left it in a pile on the floor. She could damn well put the clothes away tomorrow. Then she opened the closet and hummed softly to herself whilst roaming around.
"There you… are," she said triumphantly upon finding what she was looking for. The sheer, red nightgown. She knew how much Emma loved that nightgown. She shrugged it on and chuckled. She supposed that it was a bit silly to bother with the nightgown when Emma was going to take it off anyway, but oh well.
Regina smoothened a hand over the nightgown and felt very satisfied with herself. Was pretty sure that her makeup was still sitting where it should. She was still wearing the pearl necklace. And she decided to let it stay that way. Pearls were sexy. And sexy was exactly what she wanted to be right now.
With some trouble, she climbed onto the bed and positioned herself on her stomach. She folded her hands under her chin and lifted her legs, elegantly resting one ankle on top of the other in the air. Now all she had to do was wait for Emma to come up here. And soon her wish was granted. The door opened and Emma stepped in. Never had Regina been happier to see her.
"There...you are," she said huskily and blinked at Emma. "Are you...coming to...bed?"
"Uhh," Emma said, rubbing the back of her neck.
She looked so confused, the poor thing. Regina decided to help Emma's thought process along. "I was...hoping we could...continue the...date in a...more private...setting," she clarified and licked her lips in what she really hoped was a seductive manner.
"Uhh..."
Why is she just standing there? Why isn't she coming over here? Regina frowned as she tried to make sense of Emma's 'uhh's. It didn't take long before she arrived at a conclusion. A very disappointing conclusion that was. "Oh...you don't...want to," she acknowledged and felt a bit silly. "My...bad."
"You're jumping the conclusion, Mills." Emma came closer to the bed. "I always want to. I was just thinking about the kids?"
"They're...asleep." she DOES want to! Thank god! Feeling optimistic once more, Regina rushed to explain why this was a really, really good idea. "Neal will...be asleep for at least...three hours. And Henry...will be...dead to the world...until...ten o'clock tomorrow."
"You are making some exceptionally good points right now," Emma praised as she reached behind herself and unzipped the grey sequin dress. It fell to the floor.
Fuck. Emma looked absolutely stunning as she stood there wearing only a midnight blue thong and matching bra. Her golden hair hung down her naked back. Regina's mouth went dry and a dull throbbing between her legs had her extending a hand out towards Emma and nearly begging: "come to...bed, my...love."
"You know what, that is the fucking best suggestion I've ever heard," Emma said as she took Regina's hand.
Regina tugged her into bed with her and positioned herself on top of her. She kissed her and moaned in delight when Emma's hands crept up her thighs under the nightgown.
"Just one more thing," Emma murmured in between kisses.
"Yes?" Regina breathed as she worked a hand behind Emma and started fumbling with the clasp on Emma's bra.
"You're drunk," Emma said slowly. "But you will definitely be able to remember this tomorrow, right?"
"Absolutely," Regina assured and hummed in triumph when she managed to unclasp Emma's bra.
"Good." Emma wiggled so Regina could push the thin straps down her arms. "I'm just making sure, you know? I wanna be certain that you're-"
"I will…. Remember," Regina gently cut her off. "And you…. Could never….take advantage of…. Me. Never. I am…. Consenting…..one hundred….percent….to this."
Emma smiled so softly up at her. "That's all I wanted to hear, Mills. Give me a kiss."
Regina willingly kissed her. Longingly and lovingly. Because Emma was so goddamn perfect all the time.
"Now," Emma said once they were coming up for air and Regina had just ridded her of the midnight blue bra. "I think it's high time I help you out of that pretty nightgown. Don't you agree, Professor Mills?"
Oh yes. Professor Mills absolutely agreed to that!
To Be Continued...