The atmosphere on the set was noticeably more relaxed the following day, the plans had been altered somewhat in the wake of Cora's disruptive behaviour and the delays that casting her had caused even Gold who according to Regina had a lot of history with her family which was probably how she had managed to land the role in the first place seemed glad to see the back of her but having quickly deduced that Cora's mere presence was going to cause them to go over schedule he had shuffled the time table around shifting focus entirely on the scenes that she was in to get them finished before she left and that meant that were still some scenes that needed filming outside of Leah's adoptive mothers hospital room between Leah and her adoptive father and the young woman portraying the babysitter bringing the baby to meet Emma.
It was a little disappointing because Emma had been looking forward to filming with Regina again, but it was also nice to work with those whom she had spent the last week working with under exceptionally strained conditions with the tension lifted and the atmosphere lighter, everybody was so much happier, and the mother and baby returned for the first time since Cora had reduced the mother to tears.
"How was your morning dear?" Regina asked when Emma joined her for lunch
"Bliss" Emma sighed reaching for one of Regina's fries,
"Well, that's good to hear" Regina beamed
"What about you? How was yours?" Emma asked chewing on the fry,
"It was okay, except for the phone calls" Regina replied pulling a face,
"Phone calls" Emma frowned
"Yes, from my mother" Regina sighed "She always gets like this when Zelena or I do something that she doesn't approve of its like she tries to wear us down…Anyway" she suddenly brightened up "It doesn't matter anymore because I'm not answering anymore of her calls at least not for the time being" she smiled and Emma smiled back at her,
"I'm sorry you have such a crap mother" she said so sincerely that Regina burst out laughing,
"Sorry" Regina spluttered "I couldn't help it and honestly don't worry about, sometimes I wonder why I put up with her at all, what my life would be like if I just washed my hands of her but no matter how much I want to sometimes, I just can't seem to actually go through with it" Regina shrugged "So I try to keep her at arm's length as much as possible instead"
"Still, it's not right that she treats you how she does" Emma said firmly,
"No" Regina agreed "It's really not"
They changed the subject after that and talk over lunch became considerably lighter and more pleasant, it was so much nicer being able to sit with Regina without Cora's constant toxic presence looming over them casting its dark shadow everywhere it reached, and Emma went back to work that afternoon feeling happier than she had all week.
"I feel like I can finally breath again" Emma sighed happily when they stepped out of the elevator and into the penthouse suite later that evening,
"I'm glad to hear it" Regina smiled pulling her ringing from her pocket and cutting the call the second she saw the caller's name,
"Your mother again" Emma guessed shoulders sagging, Emma might be able to breath at work now, but it seemed that Cora still hadn't given up her bombardment of Regina's phone with calls and texts, Regina had been cutting the calls and deleting the text unopened since her mother's third call shouting the odds at her,
"I hope she gets over it soon" Emma continued brow creased in a concerned frown,
"Oh she'll never get over it" Regina stated matter of factually, discarding her phone onto the coffee table "Mother never does, She was the same when Zelena told her that she was changing careers to become a pop star, honestly Zee is probably better known worldwide than mother is at this point but still she gripes about her leaving the family" Regina lifted her hands forming air quotations with her fingers "business at any opportunity she gets, it's just the way that mother is, but we don't let her stop us from living our lives the way we want to we've just learned to grow a thick skin and give as good as we get" she laughed,
"Zee" Emma murmured images of Regina standing next to a red head in a photo frame suddenly leaping to the forefront of her mind and the reason for her being so familiar finally dawned on her, "your sister is Zee as in the international superstar who tours the world, Zee?" Emma exclaimed in amazement,
"That would be the one" Regina laughed "She's facetiming me later I wanted to introduce you and tell her about us, though judging from her message I think that mothers already beaten me to the punch and told her about my" more hand quotations "fling" she sighed,
"No way" Emma squeaked not fully registering what Regina had said because she was still stuck on Regina's sister being Zee, Zee the pop sensation whom she had heard blaring out of the speakers of the stereo at the loft more times than she could count, no wonder the red head that Emma had seen in the pictures next to Daniel was so familiar to her, she must have looked at that cd cover with Zee's face plastered all over it a hundred times or more perhaps she reasoned if Zelena's face hadn't been a glittery green on her album cover she would have made the connection sooner "Ruby loves her she must have listened to wicked a thousand times by now," Emma said,
"Yes, well that is one her more popular tracks" Regina smiled proudly while Emma continued to marvel over this latest revelation,
"She's calling at eight so we'll have time for a shower and something to eat if we're quick about it, I suggest we order dinner now and shower while we're waiting for it, Zelena will no doubt keep us chatting for ages so we won't be wanting to wait until after the phone call to do either those things, at best we'll end going to bed stinky and at worse your stomach will end up talking louder than us" Regina teased gently poking Emma in the offending area of her body and tickling her so that she ended up bent over and shrieking with laughter.
"I just can't believe your sister is Zee, it's no wonder she has her own private jet" Emma laughed still amazed when she brought their half full bottle of wine and glasses over to the sitting area placing them onto the coffee table where Regina had her laptop open ready and loading a little while later,
"Just wait until I tell Rubes", she said pouring them each a glass of wine "of course I'm going to have to wait until we're home and do it in person, it's never the same seeing someone's reaction over facetime" she chuckled taking a sip from her glass,
Zelena was punctual and at exactly eight o clock Regina's laptop began to ring indicating that a call was coming through Regina hit the answer button and a pretty face framed by red hair came into view,
"Ahh so this is the famous Emma that I've been hearing so much about" Zelena greeted smiling at Emma who was squirming nervously in her seat
"Mother" Regina replied rolling her eyes in exasperation,
"You know it little sis" Zelena laughed easily "I've had the old hag moaning on since she stormed out of your hotel room, I stopped answering after the fourth call" she shrugged and Emma suddenly found herself able to relax, she knew that she liked Zelena the second that she had called Cora an old hag,
"I stopped after the third" Regina laughed
"Ugh well played Regina well played, you know one day we'll just wise up and stop answering after the first or better still stop answering at all when we know she's on one, mind you it's not like I had a heads up or anything this time" Zelena finished with an accusatory glare at Regina who gave a sheepish look in response,
"Yeah, sorry about that" Regina replied rubbing the back of her neck nervously "I guess didn't think"
"It's alright Regina it's not as though it's your fault that our mother is crazier than a cat on catnip is it" she laughed "and don't worry Emma I don't think that you look like miscreant riff raff at all" she smiled innocently,
"She actually said that" Regina gasped,
"Yep and that was the nicer part, but you and I both know what she's like, I'm the riff raff miscreant in her eyes to, for daring to do something different that she didn't approve of" Zelena rolled her eyes, "what she says doesn't matter as long as you don't let it ruin what you two have" she smiled "So tell what have you all be up to, how bad was it working with my mother Emma, was it terrible" she shuddered and Emma laughed,
Regina was right the conversation did go on for a long time and by the time they had said their goodbyes their bottle was long empty, and they were yawning massively,
"Looking forward to working with me again tomorrow" Regina asked as she settled into Emma's arms,
"More than you could possibly know" Emma yawned dropping a kiss on top of Regina's head as they settled to sleep.
The rest of their time in Toronto flew by in haze of work, lunch dates and hotel romps, Emma was thrilled to get to work with Regina again the next day, she still found seeing Regina looking so small and vulnerable in Isabella's hospital bed difficult, but she was also starting to be able to separate her emotions from Leah's a little so that now she was choosing to tap into her own emotions to help improve her performance rather than her emotions ruling the performance and leaving her completely drained out afterwards.
Their work hours changed halfway through the second week so that they were on lates and at around the same time Cora's calls finally began to fizzle out, then on their final week in Toronto they began filming hotel scenes which conveniently enough were being filmed in the hotel that they were staying in and were a most welcome change in location because it meant no travelling which equalled to more time spent in their hotel room together, It also meant that they dined in the hotel's restaurant together for the first time since the start of their stay, they still preferred to order room service whenever they could but the restaurant was handy for meals that were taken during breaks between shooting scenes and it was easier to eat there the same as the other cast members and crew did if they wanted to avoid awkward questions about where and why they were disappearing during their breaks.
So far, they had managed to keep their relationship hidden safe inside their room and although Cora had ranted at her eldest daughter about them, she didn't appear to have mentioned anything to anyone else so that at least was something.
The end of their time in Toronto was coming around fast and Emma found herself wondering more and more how they would be getting back, it seemed too much to hope that they might get another six-day train trip together and yet still she couldn't help but hope just a little bit.
They arrived at the station for their last day of filming they were starting early and finishing at six, half an hour before the train was set to depart and begin its journey back to Vancouver. As Emma muscled through the crowds of extra's getting onto the train wearing the first outfit that she would be seen in on the show she longed to really be boarding to travel just as long as Regina was with her.
They first half of the day was spent filming some of the first scenes that would be seen on the show hers and Regina's boarding scenes, Emma boarded alone while Regina was waved off by little Charlie and Hailee until Charlie had reached his quota of time that he was allowed to work in the morning then the focus was on Regina and Hailee until lunchtime.
The afternoons shoot called for an outfit change for everybody and instead of strangers boarding a train Isabella and Leah became a couple leaving it and greeting Charlie and Hailee off the train together.
Charlie having reached his working time limits for day left an hour after lunch. As six o clock finally arrived Emma waited in eager anticipation to see if they would receive train tickets for the return journey, however her earlier suspicions were realised when Gold handed them airline tickets and directed them to the cars instead, still at least we're still in first class she thought as she slid into the car behind a very disgruntled Sidney because he and Jefferson were in economy again.
"I really don't understand why he doesn't just sit us in first class with the two of you" he complained bitterly on the way to the airport,
"Stop moaning and man up" Jefferson retorted "economy isn't that bad"
"That might be as so but it's no first class either" Sidney grumbled,
"Well, you could always trump up the difference and upgrade old man" Jefferson replied patting him jovially on the back,
"Hmmm" Sidney hmphed before he fell silent for the remainder of the journey to the airport.
The airport was busy and loud and just like before people ran up to Regina calling out her name and asking for her autograph before turning to ask for Emma's to, she still found it all very strange but she obliged the same as Regina did until they had finally passed through the crowds and made it into the VIP lounge leaving Jefferson and Sidney outside the entrance after they were declined entry in the absence of first class tickets.
It was ten pm by the time they boarded the plane and Emma felt a hum of excitement as she took one step closer to home, she had fifty dollars burning a hole in her pocket and was getting closer to very happily admitting to Ruby that she had lost their little bet plus this was longest she had been away from Storybrooke since she had moved there and whilst she had been to wrapped up in work and the excitement of her newly found relationship with Regina to have had a chance to feel truly homesick she did miss home.
She and Regina settled into their seats and Emma watched out of the window as the plane taxed down the runway then lifted into the air,
"Storybrooke here we come" she smiled at Regina,
"Yes, won't be long now" Regina grinned back lacing her fingers through Emma's as the blonde continued to watch through the window,
"It's okay" Regina assured squeezing Emma's hand when they hit some heavy turbulence which alarmed the blonde whose fear was written all over her face, "there's a bit more turbulence than on our last flight but I promise that we're perfectly safe"
"Okay" Emma replied in a small voice
"Why don't you close your eyes for a while" Regina suggested "if you fall asleep, I promise that I'll wake you up before we land" she unfolded a blanket wrapping it around Emma and herself as she spoke,
Emma looked at Regina in disbelief she didn't think that she'd ever be able to fall asleep, but she cuddled up into Regina any way and let her eyelids rest listening to the soothing sounds of Regina's chest moving up and down, up and …...
"Emma wake up" Regina urged a little while later,
"Hmm" Emma blinked blearily,
"Look out the window" Regina smiled excitedly,
Emma blinked again and did as she was asked, she could see that they were descending and as they got lower, she recognised with a jolt the lights of,
"Storybrooke" Regina murmured pointing unnecessarily
"It certainly is" Emma beamed still staring through the little round window heart swelling with a warm glow,
The plane landed with a soft thud, and they were quick to dismount, the airport was quiet at this time in the morning, so they were able to get through the check in process and out into their waiting cars fairly quickly and soon they were weaving down familiar roads with dark trees rising on each side. It wasn't a long drive to Storybrooke from the airport and before Emma knew it the headlights of car had fallen upon a familiar sign up ahead,
WELCOME TO STORYBROOKE it read, and Emma found her heart aching with longing as it grew ever closer and then they finally crossed the town line, she was home,
"Hey what's the matter?" Regina asked reaching for Emma's hand face full of concern,
"I just missed home more than I realised I guess" Emma sniffed wiping the tears away that she hadn't even noticed starting to fall until Regina had spoken, "I've really missed this place" she said squeezing Regina's hand and offering her a watery smile,
It felt very strange driving through Storybrooke after a month away, it was three am, so the town was deserted even Grannies was silent and dark as they passed through the centre of town, without any filming happening in town for the last month Granny has returned to her usual opening hours but that soon be changing again with their return,
Sidney pulled in outside of Emma's trailer and Jefferson helped her in with her bags,
"Will you be okay" Regina asked before they parted,
"Sure" Emma nodded missing Regina already which was silly because she was still with her,
"Alright then I'll see you for lunch at Grannies tomorrow" she smiled leaning in to give Emma a hug goodbye then in her ear she whispered for only Emma to hear "Pack an overnight bag then wait for my text and come over" she said pulling away and slipping back into the car with a wink at a surprised Emma who's heart was racing in her chest.
Rushing into the trailer Emma barely paused to look around before she had raced into her bedroom plonking her case onto her bed and pulling out her wash bag removing her old face flannel and packing a fresh one before she transferred the little bag into her backpack, next she grabbed fresh pjs and a change of clothes, clipping the bag up as a her phone pinged,
I finally got rid of Bert and Ernie
Emma read laughing at Regina's use of her silly nickname for the guards,
Come the back way so you don't bump into them,
Just think no more hiding after tomorrow,
Love you, see you in a few,
R xoxox
On my way,
And I love you to,
Emma
Xoxo
Emma sent back, then she shrugged on her backpack and crept out of her trailer, she saw the headlights of the car creeping past the end of her trailer but she quickly scurried around the other end doing as Regina had suggested and walking around what they called the back way rather than the well-lit road way, if it wasn't so secure in the complex Emma would have been terrified because it was pitch black and very quiet back here as it was she even in the safety of the complex Emma still felt unsettled as she stealthily moved from one trailer to the next resisting the temptation to take her chances and cut through the road side.
Resist she did though, and it was a massive relief that she finally reached Regina's trailer and found the woman herself standing on her steps squinting into the darkness waiting for Emma to appear,
"Thank-god" she whispered quickly ushering Emma inside when she did, "I was getting worried, never walk that way again" she scolded as though it was all Emma's idea and not her own,
"I'm so happy you invited me over" Emma smiled joyfully dropping her bag next to Regina's settee and stepping into Regina's arms,
"What, you didn't think I was just going to leave you alone in yours did you?" Regina laughed "Not when you'd just gotten all emotional on me crossing the town line no way was I leaving you alone tonight not to mention that we have the day off tomorrow and we're going to meet with Ruby and Granny for lunch, until then I want to spend every second I can alone with you and besides" she whispered into Emma's ear nibbling her lobe and sending heat flooding between her legs "I've been dying to christen my bed"
"You had me at not leaving me alone tonight" Emma replied moving to find Regina's lips with her own, hands finding the hem of Regina's shirt and pulling it free from its perfectly tucked position in Regina's tailored pants, while Regina simultaneously tried to undo Emma's jeans while leading them into her bedroom.
Emma stepped out of her jeans just a few steps away from the end of the bed, pulling Regina's shirt over her head and dropping it on top of them a split later, her shirt and Regina's pants quickly following them as the back of Regina's legs hit the bed and she fell back pulling Emma down with her tongues still lashing together.
Waking up with Regina in her trailer, the faint shafts of early daylight filtering through the blinds was the icing and the cherry on top the cake for Emma now she really felt like she had come home, her phone beeped again identifying the source of the noise that had woken her so early, she fumbled about with one hand because the other was wrapped around Regina's sleeping form, switching the phone to silent before it could disturb her girlfriend, then with the silent setting on she opened her phone already certain of who was messaging, her suspicions were immediately confirmed when her phone flared to life and Ruby's name appeared on the screen, there were already two missed calls and five impatient texts from her best friend waiting for her to respond to,
Patience Ruby,
We'll be there in a few hours,
And trust me it'll be worth the wait
Love you
Xoxo
"Who's that" Regina yawned limbs still wrapped around Emma,
"Just Ruby, demanding that we hurry up" Emma replied, catching Regina's yawn "Sorry babe I tried not to disturb you"
"it's fine and we said lunch time, didn't we?" Regina frowned confused
"We did, but Ruby isn't known for her patience, lunch time probably meant breakfast in her mind" Emma laughed,
"Oh well we can get ready and go now if you like" Regina replied moving to get out of the bed,
"Not a chance" Emma practically growled pulling Regina firmly back towards her, "Ruby can wait a couple of hours" she smiled seductively hand slipping under the covers while her lips found their way to Regina's peppering gentle kisses across her jawbone on the way. Intoxicating little whimpers began to escape from Regina and her back began to arch as Emma began to work her magic.
"Shit we're going to be late" Emma cursed when they had finally came up for air a couple of hours later, she dropped her phone, leaping out of bed, it was half past eleven and they were due at grannies at twelve, they were never going to make it on time she knew that but they could at least hurry up, she dashed straight into the shower leaving the hot water running for Regina to jump straight in after her. By the time they were dressed Ruby was blowing Emma's phone up with texts demanding to know where they were again,
Sorry Rubes
Late night, fell
Back to sleep,
Leaving now
Xoxo
Emma sent hoping to keep her at bay, though she doubted that would work for long, not once she had dropped her little bomb shell.
They left together hand in hand not caring who saw them after all Granny and Ruby would know everything in the next hour or so anyway, against Regina's better judgement they had decided to take the bug, so they only had to walk as far as Emma's trailer then hop in, Jefferson and Sidney followed behind them as usual.
"You're here" a very excited Ruby squealed pulling them both into hug as soon as they entered the diner, "I've missed you both SOOO much" she beamed squeezing them tight,
"Rubes I spoke to you like every day" Emma laughed untangling herself from Ruby's arms "But I missed you too" she smiled reaching into her pocket to retrieve the money thrusting it into Ruby's hand without explanation,
"What's this for?" Ruby asked confused
"I lost the bet" Emma winked then casually followed Regina towards their usual booth
"Seriously" Ruby called after her retreating back jaw dropping
"Yup" Emma's grinned slipping into her seat next to Regina turning to give her a quick kiss before picking up the menu and casting an eye over it, it was all for show and Ruby knew it, Emma had known the menu by heart for years only the specials changed daily, and they were written up on the board each day.
"Wait you can't leave it at that" Ruby called after her and Emma just laughed, "Granny I'm taking my break" Ruby yelled over her shoulder tossing her apron onto the counter "And you two are going to tell me everything" she said sliding into the seat opposite them and looking at Emma expectantly "fell back to sleep huh" she said brow raised in disbelief, Emma just shrugged without responding while a tell-tale blush rose in Regina's cheeks.
"i'm so happy for you both" Granny beamed from across the table taking one of each of their hands in hers after they had repeated almost all of what they had already told Ruby to her,
"I still can't believe that you didn't tell be sooner" Ruby grumbled good humourdly
"What and miss seeing you're reaction in person, no way" Emma teased and Ruby rolled her eyes in response while Granny and Regina just chuckled at the silliness of the sisters,
"I just know that you two are going to be very happy together, now you will take care of my Emma won't you" Granny said looking Regina straight in the eye
"Of course i will" Regina assured her with a broad smile,
"She'd better" Ruby sounded serious but her eyes were shining with humour "she'll have me to deal with if she doesn't, we sisters stick togther isn't that right Em" she smiled across the table,
"it sure is" Emma beamed back "and talking of sisters" she continued seeing her opening "you'll never believe who Regina's sister is"
"No way, you're teasing me now right" Ruby gasped eyes as wide as saucers when Emma dropped the name,
"It's all true, Zee is my big sister" Regina laughed bringing a pictures of her and Zelena up on her phone to show Ruby
"I take it all back" Ruby whispered looking at the phone as though she had just discovered the motherlode, "I don't care how you treat Emma just as long as i get to meet your sister" she said,
"Oi traiter" Emma laughed,
"I'm sure that can be arranged" Regina chuckled, maybe you can join us for a facetime chat one day and if she's free i know that Zelena is planning to join us for Christmas shopping she can never resist shopping in New York.
"I can't wait" Ruby squealed, "just think it's only a few months away" she said a faraway look in her eyes "How are you guys feeling about being so close the end of season one?" she asked,
"Good i guess" Emma shrugged, "excited to finally film on the interior train sets and they finally recast Thomas so were going back up to the cabin for a couple of weeks when the train scenes are done and then Regina tells me there's an after party before we get three months break" she beamed,
"why are you at the cabin so long?" Ruby asked "I thought you only had a few scenes to shoot again up there"
"We do with Thomas" Emma replied "but it's Isabella's holiday home so our two leading ladies are going to be heading up there again for a little break away minus the drama of the first trip so we are staying on after the Thomas scenes are finished to film the scenes for that second trip to" Emma explained,
"And I'm sure that neither of you will be objecting to another trip in that particular location" Ruby laughed waggling her eyebrows suggestivly, she had seen the photo's that Emma had taken after their first trip to the cabin and knew just how secluded and romantic the place was, though the presence of an entire filming crew would no doubt make the place much less secluded Ruby was still certain that they would find little romantic area's to squirrel away together out of sight,
"Well I'd be lying if I said that I wasn't looking forward to it" Emma smiled
"Me to" Regina agreed with a smile.
After dinner Granny dragged a very reluctant Ruby back to work and Emma and Regina said their goodbyes and went for a walk tailed descreetly by Jefferson and Sidney, they decided to drop in on Marco who was equally as pleased for them as Ruby and Granny had been,
"I am so very happy" he beamed holding one of each of their hands together in his own in a similar fashion to which Granny had earlier in the diner, "But I knew of course, the second I saw you both together" he continued eyes shining "Maco always knows, you two are perfect together" with that he pulled them both into a firm hug, they didn't stay long after that, they wanted to make the most of their day off and Marco had a customer to tend to so they were soon on their way again, it was nice clear day in Storybrooke, a little on the nippy side which was nothing new but the sky was clear and the sun was shining, they wandered for a while with no real plan eventually finding themselves down on the beach watching the tide come in and feeling the cold breeze blowing off the sea tinged with a salty edge,
"It's beautiful down here" Regina murmered as they sat next to each other on a log fingers laced together between them looking out at the waves licking the shore before backing out again in an almost hypnotic ebb,
"It's a lovely town" Emma replied "I couldn't imagine living anywhere else now, this place really is home" she smiled contentedly while Regina looked thoughtful next to her.
They stayed until the sun began to dip and Emma's stomach had begun to growl,
"Dinner at Granny's?" Emma asked as they made their way back their to collect the bug,
"Sure, why not" Regina shrugged "It'll be miles better than what evers ever on offer back at the complex" she smiled,
Ruby had already gone home for the day the time they got back to the diner and Granny was out back cooking up a storm, the waitress that was working that night wasn't someone in Emma's usual social circle which wasn't actually much bigger than Ruby and Killian she just wasn't that much of a people person and unfortunatly life had taught her the hard way not to trust easy, so dinner that evening was a much more quiet affair than usual.
"You know if you ever get bored of Grannies we do have some other places to try, there's a rather nice itallian restaruant and I know you're partial to an itallian dish" Emma smiled,
"Sounds good but i like it here" Regina replied with a shrug "its got the no paps allowed rule after all" she chuckled,
"True" Emma laughed tucking into the food that had just been placed in front of her.
Their return to the complex closely followed their meal, Emma stopped by her trailer to collect some more clothes and then headed to Regina's place with her this time taking the road route, hand in hand not caring if anybody spotted them.