A/N: Thanks to all of those who have left reviews so far. Your comments brighten my day! For my fellow Swifties out there, I leave Easter eggs in every chapter. I usually leave hidden song lyrics from her other songs. See if you can spot them! I hope you enjoy this chapter, as much as I enjoyed writing it!
Chapter 7: Mine
The sun shined brightly that cool autumn morning on Mifflin St. and Regina decided that it would be a perfect time to sit in her front porch swing, and watch the swirling leaves fall while drinking her coffee. She sighed in content as that first sip cut through the haziness of her sleep addled brain. With the caffeine rejuvenating her and making her feel more human than she had earlier, she curled up, resting her legs underneath her and gazed out at the beautiful trees. As someone who knew magic, there was something inherently magical about Fall.
While listening to the breeze sweep through the rustling leaves, she closed her eyes and directed her thoughts to yesterday, reviewing every waking moment with Emma. She could still feel the blonde's fingers curled around her own, how like two magnets, neither one could stay apart from the other for long. And, the way Emma's arms had wrapped around her when she was teaching her how to pitch the baseball, or when they were dancing had just felt so…natural. An exhale escaped her and if she is allowed enough concentration, she can still smell spice and her shampoo. The scent overwhelmed her senses and allowed a clean, natural high to intoxicate her. Emma was like a drug, and Regina wanted more.
Since when have things changed between them? Regina supposed that for her, it was before their arduous trek in Neverland. In fact, she had began to feel something else besides loathing for the sheriff after she realized that Emma's concern for their son wasn't empty. But, she had proved time and again that her actions concerning Henry were genuine. Point A, she had selflessly rescued their son and Dr. Hopper from the mines as they were collapsing. Point B, she then proceeded to break her curse, but had saved Henry with true love's kiss. Followed up with protecting Henry from Cora, that damn pirate, and even from Regina herself. No matter how much she had wanted to deny it back then, Emma loved Henry with all of her being and she was adamant about keeping him safe.
Regina had, albeit reluctantly, admitted to herself that she found that to be courageous…admirable even. Then when Emma had been practicing sword fighting with David, the foolish woman had been clumsy in her parry, and sent her own sword slashing across her shoulder. The wound wasn't life threatening, but she still needed stitches. For reasons that she found illogical, she uncharacteristically found a pit of worry settling in her stomach, and had left a potion for pain on the Charming's doorstep.
This is only repayment for her protecting Henry. Nothing more. She had told herself repeatedly.
But that inner still small voice just scoffed incredulously.
Yeah, you're not worried at all. But it's fine. Whatever helps you sleep at night.
When the blonde had attempted to thank her over dinner at Granny's, Regina just brushed her off casually.
"Keep your thanks, Ms. Swan. I owed you a debt for protecting Henry, and now that debt has been paid."
Emma's green eyes narrowed and she began cutting into her steak. "What? You think you're too good for my thanks, Your Majesty?"
The mayor smirked over the brim of her teacup. "I think it was a thankless gesture."
"Are you really so prideful that you can't accept that maybe someone appreciates your efforts - appreciates you?"
If the annoyed look on Emma's face was anything to go by, Regina was willing to bet that the savior had not appreciated her condescending tone. While the blonde's words normally fell on deaf ears, this time it was different. They struck a chord within her and she felt a tug on her heart.
Nevertheless, she had appearances to uphold. "I don't need your appreciation, Ms. Swan." She sneered.
"Yeah? Well, you could've fooled me." Green eyes challenged the mayor's dark gaze.
"What the hell does that mean?" Her voice lowered in pitch, taking on a menacing tone and unknowingly sending shivers down Emma's spine.
Emma's hands ceased altogether in the cutting of her food; her fingers tightening around her fork and knife in anger.
"Oh, I don't know Madame Mayor. Just that I don't think you've ever had anybody truly see you for who you are."
Regina laughed mockingly. "And you do?"
Their voices began to rise, and the other customers looked on in amusement. "Damn straight!" Oh how Regina loved seeing the other woman red faced and in the throes of their arguments.
Well that's a new development.
The fiery brunette slammed her own utensils on the table and abruptly stood up from her chair causing it to loudly scratch across the floor. As Emma rose to meet her head on, the mayor moved towards her in one quick stride, invading her personal space.
"And how is it that you see me, Ms. Swan?"
Emma used her height to her full advantage, and shifted towards her until there was minimal space between them.
"You make yourself out to be an arrogant, uppity bitch who looks like she doesn't need anyone or anything, and that her superior knowledge has no equal. But you know what, Regina? On the inside you're crying out for relief because you've fought to keep up this ruthless, perfect image for so long that it's worn you down. I'm no psychologist, but I'd bet that it's a defense mechanism that stems from the trauma of others letting you down, hurting you, leaving scars. Sure, you're a spoiled brat, but you're no weakling, damn it. Learn to take the fucking compliment, and maybe you'll find what you've been looking for all of these years."
The words hit their mark and set her body ablaze. Raw passion, unbridled fury, and a flash of something else burned brightly in their eyes; their pupils blown wide. That look in the blonde's eyes could set her on fire, and Regina would happily allow it. The air was ripe with tension and sexual frustration. That's when she could feel desire pooling in between her legs. But she wouldn't allow her facade to waver.
"Alright Ms. Swan, I'll play have I been looking for?"
"Maybe someone who cares about you, respects your boundaries, treats you like the goddamn royalty that you are? Because for fuck's sake Regina, you are so worthy of that love, and if you would just let down your walls a little, someone's gonna come in and sweep you off of your feet the way you deserve."
Regina's eyes fell to Emma's lips, but quickly averted her gaze back to Emma's eyes.
She knew that she shouldn't entertain the idea, but found her mouth running prematurely.
"Someone like you?" Her husky tone cut through the diner, and then there was a deafening silence as they realized that all eyes were upon them. Emma's eyes widened in shock and for a moment she was frozen to the spot.
"I…I uh-" At a loss for words, the blonde took a step back and cleared her throat. "I gotta go. Gonna be late for my shift." She muttered, tossing some bills on the table to pay for their dinner.
"Food's on me. Thanks again for the healing potion." She avoided Regina's gaze as she brushed past her, hurriedly making her way to the exit, and slamming the door shut behind her.
"You're welcome." Regina whispered to herself.
As Regina reminisced, she realized that they both had grown exponentially since then. After their perilous journey to Neverland, she had decided to attempt regular therapy sessions with Dr. Hopper, and she was surprised that she was able to talk through her insecurities and past traumas with him. He had reassured her that while there was nothing that could reverse what had been done to her, and how she had been treated, that there were healthy coping methods available to set her on the path to healing. The mayor found just talking was therapeutic in itself. Slowly, yet surely, she started to lower her walls ever so slightly, and she found it refreshing to be able to have a conversation with others without being tense all the time. And so, as she continued her sessions, she logged her progress, and learned to give herself positive affirmations when it was due.
A cold burst of air suddenly jogged the mayor out of her reverie. She took another sip of her coffee, and her heart skipped a beat in excitement when she remembered that she was going to have dinner with Henry and Emma tonight. She got up from her position in the swing and arched her back, stretching out her stiff muscles.
Hmm…I think I'll make my baked ziti this evening. She smiled to herself and headed back inside to catch up on some reading before she had to begin making preparations for their arrival.
Oh, oh, oh.
Oh, oh, oh.
You were in college working part time, waiting tables.
Left a small town, never looked back.
I was a flight risk, with a fear of falling.
Wondering why we bother with love, if it never lasts.
Regina was in the kitchen prepping dinner, when she heard the engine of Emma's yellow bug over a young Taylor Swift streaming on her iPad. She was just chopping the onion and bell pepper when Henry's pubescent voice carried throughout the mansion.
"Mom, I'm home! Emma's here too!"
"In the kitchen, dear!" She called back.
She continued cutting until she sensed them entering the kitchen, and turned around to greet them.
"Wow, something smells awesome! Emma moaned happily.
"Yeah Mom, what's for dinner? I'm hungry!"
She chuckled and glanced towards Emma. "He gets that from you."
"Guilty as charged. Give me food, and I'm as happy as a clam." The blonde said, shoving her hands in the pockets of her red leather jacket.
"To answer your question, Henry, baked ziti, garlic bread, salad, and chocolate cake are on the menu for this evening."
They both gasped at Regina's mention of her famous baked ziti and chocolate cake. Regina smiled to herself, as she prided herself on her cooking abilities.
"Yes!" Emma cheered and the mother son duo gave each other a high five.
The brunette gazed upon them fondly before continuing to chop the vegetables. She found their closeness and love for one another endearing.
"Mom, I'm gonna go upstairs and start on my homework." Henry suddenly said.
"Homework? But it's Sunday." Emma crossed her arms and raised her eyebrow in suspicion.
"Yeah, but I have a big project due at the end of this week, and I really don't want to wait to get it done." He shrugged.
Emma's superpower didn't ping, but she could tell that Henry was using this as a way to give her and Regina some alone time.
"Alright kid, go on." Emma dismissed him.
"Work hard, son." Regina encouraged and he nodded.
"Yeah, you got it Mom." He walked over to wrap an arm around her shoulders, pulling her in for a side hug as she continued to chop away. "Love you."
"Love you too, dear."
He walked out of the kitchen, and then it was just the two of them.
Emma leaned her back against the island and crossed her arms, admiring the view of Regina in her white button up blouse and black dress pants with an apron tied around her waist. She never knew that domesticity could fit Regina so well, and she didn't know how it was possible, but she was even more attracted to the brunette than before.
"Anything I can help with?" She offered.
"Do you mind making the salad for me? All of the vegetables that need chopping, as well as anything else you need to assemble are over here on the counter next to me."
"Yeah, gladly!" She moved to stand next to Regina and did a double take when she heard Taylor Swift playing on her iPad.
I say 'Can you believe it?'
As we're lying on the couch.
The moment I can see it.
Yes, yes. I can see it now.
Do you remember we were sittin' there by the water?
You put your arm around me, for the first time.
You made a rebel of a careless man's careful daughter.
You are the best thing that's ever been mine.
"Hey, check it out! I didn't know you were a Swiftie!" Emma teased in excitement.
Regina shrugged. "She writes all of her own songs. I find her music to be incredibly invoking. Plus, she can play just about any instrument, so she's extremely talented." Emma watched as Regina added the chopped onions and bell peppers to the ground beef and Italian sausage that sizzled away in the skillet on the stove.
"Ah! Seems you've done your research."
"Believe it or not Ms. Swan, I enjoy all genres of music." She stirred the ground beef concoction and seasoned it with salt, pepper, and Italian seasonings.
"So you even like Opera?" The blonde wiggled her eyebrows at Regina while cutting up the mushrooms.
"Have you not heard Pavarotti's performance of Libiamo ne'lieti calici from Verdi's La Traviata?"
Emma grinned, and transitioned from cutting to chopping. "Can't say I have."
"You don't know what you're missing. It's exquisite. Hey Siri, whip up some Pavarotti."
"What are you doing?"
"Just listen. You're about to obtain some culture! Listening to Italian opera while making Italian food!"
After the first few orchestral bars, Luciano Pavarotti's Italian tenor resonated throughout the kitchen.
"Hey! I heard this song in a beer commercial!"
Regina gave her a gentle smile. "I should hope so. It's appropriately dubbed "The Drinking Song."
With the ground beef now properly browned and drained, the brunette set it aside and moved to the other side of Emma, adding ricotta cheese, an egg, mozzarella, and parmesan cheese to a large bowl. She then sprinkled the mixture with Italian seasoning, salt, and pepper, followed by crushed red pepper flakes.
"Red pepper flakes?" Emma gave her a quizzical look.
"Gives it a little kick." She began mixing it all together, and Emma began slicing and dicing away at the tomatoes.
Pavarotti finished strong with his final note, ending the tune.
"Well, what do you think, Emma?"
"It was pretty cool. What other genres do you enjoy?"
"Pop, Rock, Classical, Indie…anything."
"Yeah? Even 90s music?"
"Sure, pick something." She carried the mixture over to the cooked penne pasta and combined the two. Emma was just finishing up the lettuce when she called out to Siri.
"Hey Siri, play 'Semi Charmed Life' by Third Eye Blind."
"Oh, I've only heard 'Never Let You Go'"
"Just listen…it's wonderful."
An upbeat drum rhythm broke the silence followed by an electric guitar and bass that continued a driving eighth note pattern.
Do, Do, Do, Do, Do, Do
Do, Do, Do, Do, Do, Do
I'm packed and I'm holding
I'm smiling, she's living, she's golden
She lives for me, she says she lives for me, ovation.
Her own motivation.
They listened in companionable silence, and Regina added the marinara sauce and ground beef mixture to the pasta and ricotta. Emma watched her tap her foot in rhythm as she moved around gracefully while putting the dish into the preheated oven.
Emma tore at the lettuce, and couldn't help but to feel she was where she was meant to be as her heart skipped a beat in tempo with the music.
I want something else to get me through this
Semi charmed kinda life, baby, baby.
I want something else.
I'm not listening when you say goodbye.
"Catchy huh?" Emma giggled as Regina's hips moved ever so slightly back and forth.
The mayor blushed slightly as she began slicing a loaf of bread.
"Indeed. Would you mind grabbing the parsley for me? It's just in the cabinet above me."
"Yeah, I gotcha." Emma finished up her salad prep, and stepped behind Regina. In an effort to avoid reaching in front of the brunette's face, she extended her right arm above the back of her head. Placing a gentle left hand on Regina's hip, the front of her body brushed Regina's back and it didn't escape her notice when the mayor stiffened and then shivered as their bodies came into contact with one another.
Regina could feel Emma's clothed breasts against her back and she froze as heat enveloped her, sending delicious wave after wave of arousal to her center. Little did she know that Emma was having a very similar experience. The blonde finally found the seasoning shaker and she handed it to the brunette.
"There you go."
Regina accepted it with shaking hands, but Emma didn't move.
Her voice sounded breathless as she spoke. "Thank you."
"Regina…" Emma tenderly brought her hand up to Regina's and intertwined their fingers as her hips came into contact with the other woman's, effectively pinning Regina to the counter.
"Hmm?" The brunette turned her head to look at the blonde, but found herself at a loss for words due to their close proximity. She backed away slightly, no longer pinning her to the counter. Regina set the knife down and let go of Emma's hand so that she could turn to face the blonde idiot.
"I…I um…I just wanted to tell you…" she gulped.
Damn it…why is it so hard to breathe?
"Tell me what, Emma?" Her heart pounded in her chest and her breathing suddenly became heavier.
Emma placed her hands on Regina's shoulders, took in a deep breath, and tried to calm her own erratic heartbeat.
"That I find myself wanting to be near you more and more every day…how nervous you make me; so much so that I start shaking like a leaf in your presence."
The brunette didn't say anything and gave her a look to continue.
"Ya know, you have grown so much since I have known you. You didn't change, Regina. Because this woman that I see in front of me, has always deep down been a part of who you are. I'm just glad that you decided to show yourself. And you…" she inhaled shakily. "You have made me so incredibly proud, that at times I - I feel unworthy to even be your friend. You have made so much progress…while I have stayed the same."
The shorter woman felt cracks in her heart beginning to form, and immediately wanted to run away and hide somewhere far away. Her hopes were being crushed into dust before her eyes and she averted her gaze away from the blonde.
So…Emma only wants to be friends.
"But Regina…"
She shifted her brown eyes back to pools of green eyes that held so much hope and sincerity.
"I know I'm being selfish, but I don't want to just be your friend."
Regina's breath hitched at Emma's unexpected turnaround. "You don't?"
Emma brought a hand up to cup the other woman's cheek. "No," blonde curls bounced as she shook her head. "I want to be nervous when I ask you out on dates, no matter if it's the first, or the tenth. I want to hold your hand just because I can. I want to tease you, annoy the hell out of you, everyday, because it's fun, and I love it when you're angry." She chuckled nervously and then inhaled. "I want to fight with you about stupid shit like bills, or if I did the laundry, or whatever it is that couples argue about, you'd call me an idiot and I'd call you a pain in the ass, but what's new? That's what we do already, but I'm so willing to work hard at it, because at the end of the day, I want you to know that you'd have someone to turn to."
Regina couldn't believe what she was hearing.
"Emma -"
"I know I'm probably way in over my head, but I just…I don't care. I want us to come home to each other, maybe make dinner together, talk about our day with Henry…raise our son together and I never want to miss an opportunity to tell you how beautiful you are," She caressed Regina's face with the pad of her thumb. "to hold you when you're afraid or when you're upset about something." The brunette could see tears well up in Emma's eyes, and she fought the urge to wrap her arms around the taller woman.
"Regina, I want to be able to walk down the street with you, and proudly show you off. To surprise you with gifts or lunch because you deserve it. I want for us to wake up in the morning with the knowledge that I am yours…and you are mine. To kiss you, the way that you deserve to be kissed, and if I ever get to kiss you…you will finally understand the depths of how I feel for you. If I'm being honest, there are other times when…oh god…" Her voice trembled.
"Other times when…?" Regina's own voice broke, and missing the sheriff's body, she closed the distance until their bodies were touching.
"There are other times when…" She chuckled in disbelief at the cluster fuck of words that were about to spill out of her. "God, if you only knew the things I wanted to do to you, Regina." She licked her dry lips as a tear fell out of her eye. "You make me so incredibly happy, Regina Mills…happier than I've ever been." "W-when I'm around you, I feel like a kid on Christmas morning; excited, and I have this nervous energy that doesn't dampen." She gave a watery smile. "You're like a breath of fresh air, and a fiery explosion all wrapped up into one. You make me feel warm, and like I can do anything that I set my mind to. It's as if the sky could be falling, and I could be falling with it, but I wouldn't care as long as I had you by my side. You make me want to do better, to be better everyday."
Regina could no longer hold back her tears. Her whole world exploded like fireworks in an array of colors; burning red, golden yellow, sparkling green…lots of green. Emma's words managed to tear down her last line of defense, and build her back up into something new. Something incredible.
"Regina…I want to grow with you…together. I want to be with you. But only if -"
"Yes."
"Yes?"
"Yes, you idiot." Regina chuckled through her tears, and Emma wiped one away with her thumb. "Emma, I want to be with you too. I want to be yours."
"Y-You do?" Emma's voice broke in disbelief, her eyes widened in shock.
"Like I've never wanted anything else. You're like oxygen. I'm willing to work hard to show you that we can make this work. Because my darling…you are just as deserving and you are more than worth it."
Regina wiped away the blonde's tears and wrapped her arms around her neck.
"You're my person, Regina Mills." Emma chuckled and wrapped her arms around the brunette's waist, pulling her close.
"And you are mine, Emma Swan."
Regina moved to lay her head on Emma's chest, and wrapped her arms around Emma's middle, enveloping herself in the warmth of their embrace. She breathed in the blonde's scent of spice and shampoo and allowed herself to get lost in the feel of Emma's arms finally around her.
Emma placed her head on top of Regina's and placed a long, yet tender kiss on top of her head.
"Promise me that we will always be honest with each other?" Emma asked and Regina looked up lovingly into green eyes, and the taller woman fell even more in love with her.
"I promise." Regina whispered, touching her forehead to Emma's.
"Regina…" Emma bit her lip.
"Hmm?"
"I've been doing some thinking…and if it's okay, with you, I'd like to take the um…well the physical side of things slow." She blushed.
"Physical? Oh you mean intimate?"
"Yes." Emma nodded. "You and Henry mean everything to me, and I don't want to screw this up. I want us to take our time, because I want to show you just how much I…"
Come on, Swan. Tell her that you love her.
"…care for you. Because you are someone that deserves to be cherished, treasured, worshipped, every single day. Not just physically, but in all of the ways. And when I kiss you for the first time, there will be no room for doubt about how I feel for you."
Regina's heart swelled and she could feel that natural, clean high overtake her senses again. She tightened her hold around the blonde's middle.
She swallowed. "Emma…I would wait a thousand years if that made you happy."
The sheriff smiled at the woman she loved. "Oh, my dear, I don't plan to keep you waiting that long.
Suddenly they heard the deepening voice of their son, cut through the kitchen. "Oh thank God, it's about time." They quickly broke apart, their faces burning.
"Henry!" Both women exclaimed.
"How long were you standing there?" Emma asked curiously and crossed her arms.
"Well, it's funny. I was coming down to ask if dinner was ready, and I managed to walk in about the time you were telling Mom how much you loved us both and how we meant everything to you. Then you started talking about being intimate and kissing and I almost ran back up to my room, but thank God you mentioned waiting because Jesus, I did not wanna see that."
Emma had noticed that Henry had said "love" but didn't feel the need to correct him over something that was true.
"So, you know that we're -" Regina was cut off by Henry.
"Together? Yeah, and like I told you both, you both deserve happiness and if being with each other makes you happy, then I'm happy. But can we eat soon? I'm like starving!"
His mothers chuckled. "Yes sweetheart, it would've been ready sooner, but your mother distracted me from finishing the garlic bread."
Emma blushed. "Hey, I'd say that was the best distraction ever."
She playfully nudged Regina's arm as the brunette turned back to making the garlic bread.
The best distraction ever, indeed.
Flash forward and we're taking on the world together,
and there's a drawer of my things at your place.
You learn my secrets, and you figure out why I'm guarded.
You say we'll never make my parent's mistakes.
Over the course of the next several weeks, Emma was true to her word, and everyday with the blonde was magical. On her lunch break, the sheriff would bring the mayor lunch to her office, and they fell into a comfortable routine of talking about anything and everything. Regina couldn't remember the last time she had laughed so hard or when she had enjoyed life so much. The couple held hands wherever they went, walking down the street, at the store, in the car, and even at the table. Regardless of who was watching, Emma would never fail to kiss Regina on the cheek before they parted ways.
The first time they showed affection in the public eye, they had just finished Sunday dinner at Granny's before Emma had to depart for her evening shift at the station. Zipping up her coat, the blonde exited the booth as Ruby approached for the check.
The waitress froze in shock and happiness at the display in front of her.
"Thank you for dinner, sweetheart." Regina said warmly.
Emma handed Regina her scarf. "Here, it's snowing out, and I don't want you to get sick."
Regina's heart melted at Emma's concern. "You're too good to me, Emma. Thank you. Please be careful, and stay warm."
"You're welcome, honey." She flashed a bright smile, and leaned down to place a loving kiss on Regina's cheek. The huge grins that plastered their faces, was a sight that Ruby would never forget.
"I'll see you soon." She winked and headed out of the diner towards the station.
Ruby stood, mouth agape, with a hand on her chest.
She broke out of her reverie when Regina called out to her.
"Everything alright, Ruby?" The mayor asked as the waitress arrived at her table and collected the check.
Ruby continued to smile and cleared her throat. "Yeah, I was just going to ask you if everything was to your liking?"
Regina returned her wide smile with one of her own.
"Perfect."
During the evenings, Emma had dinner with her and Henry, sometimes at the mansion, or at Granny's if either were too tired to cook. Regina had been teaching Emma some new recipes to try, and the blonde would always help with dishes, without being asked, no matter how many there were. They would top off their evenings with a family game night, or a movie.
Emma was showing Regina that life could be…beautiful. One evening, Regina had been in a particularly ill mood after Sydney Glass had failed to do the most menial tasks that she had asked of him, and it had put her office behind schedule for the full day.
"I have never met such an inept man in all of my life! How hard is it for him to follow simple directions?" Regina growled while drying a plate that Emma had washed.
Emma snorted. "Apparently very. If you'll recall, he thought he could pull a fast one over on me by pretending to be on my side when he was actually a double crossing bastard. He played both of us. Hell, I'm certain that he loved us being at each other's throats." The warm, soapy water submerged her arms as she scrubbed away at a pan.
"Oh, he did. He absolutely hates your guts." She sighed, placing a plate on the drying rack and recalled when her heart once loathed the woman next to her. "I'm sorry I punched you by the way."
Emma chuckled. "Don't be. It was a nice punch. I could really feel your anger through its power. I had a ring indent as well as a bruise along my jaw for two weeks."
Regina managed a small smile. "My hand was in agony after that."
"I've got to teach you how to throw a punch without hurting your hands. Then again…your anger is usually enough to frighten anyone off."
Regina took this time to unashamedly rake her eyes over Emma's body, loving the view of her tight jeans, and how they perfectly accentuated her ass. Her white tank top combined with her black flannel shirt sleeves rolled up, showed off her muscular upper body, and left nothing to the imagination. Regina's mouth began to water over how utterly delicious Emma looked.
She stalked over into Emma's personal space and lifted a hand to cup her cheek.
"It wasn't enough to scare you off." Her voice suddenly became husky, and waves of arousal tugged at both of their abdomens and down to their centers.
Emma swallowed as she gazed into lust filled eyes. "Well yeah, that's because I think you're hot when you're angry." She turned her face to kiss the inside of Regina's palm and gasped when the brunette suddenly splashed her front with the warm soapy water.
"You're a tease, Emma Swan!"
"Damn right, and Sydney Glass doesn't stand a chance." She returned the splash with fervor, successfully dampening the front of Regina's purple dress.
Regina gasped and sent a wave back at her. "Not a chance in Hell. And if you think I'm hot when I'm angry, you should see me when I'm furious."
Emma suddenly dropped the plate and scooped up a handful of water, splashing the brunette in the face.
Soon, they were both soaked and giggling like teenagers. With her frustrations forgotten, she dropped the towel she had used to try to block Emma's relentless onslaught.
"There's that smile that I love to see." Emma moved to wrap her arms around Regina's waist. "Don't ever let anyone make you lose it, Regina." She said quietly and leaned forward to kiss Regina's forehead. Their eyes met in a loving gaze, and Regina once again laid her head on the other's shoulder.
Wrapped up in Emma's strong arms, she felt the familiar peace that only the savior could bring.
"Is there anything you need, honey?" Emma asked her gently while running a tough hand through Regina's hair.
Regina breathed Emma in, and sighed contentedly into her chest. "Just this. Just you."
"I can do that." Emma assured her with a smile in her voice, and placed a loving kiss on the top of her head.
The next day, Regina arrived at her office to find a bouquet of tulips on her desk along with a note.
You are my reason, Regina. I'm proud of you. Keep smiling.
Regina felt a tug on her heartstrings, and she was left speechless as tears began to prickle at her eyes.
Oh Emma, I don't know what I did to deserve you.
That evening, she wanted to do something special for the blonde, so she left the office early, and cooked Emma's favorite dish: tacos. And for dessert, she made an apple crisp.
The mayor was cutting up the tomatoes when Emma had walked in the kitchen from her afternoon shift. "I smell tacos!" Regina turned her head slightly in acknowledgement. "Good evening, Sheriff. Nothing gets past your nose, does it?" She turned back to her cutting and smiled to herself as she sensed Emma come up behind her. She felt Emma's strong arms wrap around her waist and the blonde rested her head on the brunette's shoulder.
"Good evening, Madame Mayor." She whispered in her ear, sending shivers down Regina's spine. "How was your day?" She asked and began placing sweet kisses from her temple to her jaw.
"It was wonderful." She tilted her head to the side to give better access as Emma kissed underneath her jaw. She was loving the contact and while her body screamed for more, she managed to reign herself in. However, she couldn't stop the moan that escaped her lips. "Hmm…and it's about to get even better if you don't stop that." Emma chuckled and moved her head to just rest on Regina's shoulder. "Alright, thanks for keeping me accountable."
"How was your day?" Regina grinned.
"Didn't you know that everyday is paradise when I'm with you?" She winked.
"Glad to hear it. Thank you for the flowers. They're beautiful."
"Anything for you, Regina." She assured her and placed one last kiss on her cheek before releasing her waist. "Where's Henry?"
"He's over at his grandparents for the evening. He wanted to spend some time with them and Neal."
While neither woman doubted that he wanted to spend time with family, they suspected that it had more to do with wanting to give them alone time.
After dinner was enjoyed, and the apple crisp was dug into in earnest, they decided to watch a movie together, and it was Emma's turn to decide.
"How about The Theory of Everything?" Emma asked as she picked up the remote to Regina's smart tv.
Regina settled into the couch. "What's it about?"
"It focuses mainly on astrophysicist Stephen Hawking and his wife, Jane Wilde. They fall in love before he develops motor neuron disease, and Jane decides to be with him despite his illness. It also focuses on how, despite his illness, he didn't let that stop him from becoming one of the most prominent scientists in the world. It's quite romantic, actually."
"Go on, then. So, Emma Swan likes romantic films?" Regina smiled as Emma wrapped a blanket around them and they cuddled close into each other's warmth.
"I'm a sap for them."
Both women ended up teary eyed by the time the end credits rolled.
"How did you like it?" Emma inquired.
"Oh, I loved it. It was sad, beautiful, tragic…but mostly beautiful."
"Yeah…beautiful." She agreed while gazing into chocolate brown eyes.
Regina moved her body into Emma's and they both found home in each other's eyes. She tilted her chin, and Emma leaned down until their foreheads were touching.
"You're so beautiful." The blonde ran a hand through the brunette's silky strands.
"Not as beautiful as you."
"Hmm..I beg to differ." Emma replied, cupping her face with both hands. There was a moment of silence as time seemed to stop, and all that seemed to matter was this moment between them.
"Regina…"
"Hmm?"
"I might kiss you."
Regina's breathing picked up. "I might be bad at it."
Emma swallowed nervously and her hands began to shake as she flashed a bright smile encouragingly to Regina.
"That's impossible."
Emma leaned in slowly, asking with her eyes and soon they were sharing the same breath as their noses touched. Just a few more meters and-
BOOM!
Startled, they quickly broke apart at the loud lightning crash. Through their heavy breathing, they heard the sound of rain pelting the windows and pouring down heavily.
"Stay tonight? I don't want you to drive home in this storm."
"Okay. I guess this will have to do for now." She said as she grabbed Regina's hand and brought it to her lips.
"Emma…this…" She squeezed the blonde's hand. "This is perfect, for now."
"Are you sure?" Emma blushed, and Regina could see the embarrassment in Emma's eyes even as she averted her gaze. "I just don't want to disappoint you."
"Yes. I told you, I wait however long it takes, and I meant it! Look at me." She tilted Emma's chin to look into her eyes. "I knew what I was signing up for. You don't owe me anything, Emma. The bond that we share…the way that we feel…it isn't measured in kisses or any level of physical affection. I truly believe that it transcends that. I couldn't be disappointed by you wanting to take things slow."
Emma's self deprecating frown turned into a small grin and pulled the other woman into her embrace.
"Oh Regina…I -"
I love you.
But she chickened out. "You mean everything to me."
"As do you, sweetheart." She said, tenderly kissing Emma's cheek.
That night, they fell asleep on the couch in each other's arms, peacefully dreaming of a long, full life with each other.
But we've got bills to pay.
We got nothing figured out.
When it was hard to take,
Yes, yes, this is what I thought about.
The following Monday afternoon, Emma had stopped by Regina's office to have lunch with her. With a greasy brown paper bag from Granny's in her hand, she stood in the threshold of the doorway, and admired the mayor sitting at her desk, hard at work, and focused on the task at hand.
Emma carefully knocked as to avoid startling her. "Hey!" She smiled her beautiful smile, and Regina was a goner.
"Hey yourself." Regina smirked.
After closing the door to give them some privacy, Emma was over at her desk within two seconds, and the mayor stood up to wrap her arms around her neck, hugging her close.
"Brought you lunch." She said, releasing Regina and handing her the bag.
She peered inside. "Does my nose deceive me, or is that a patty melt?"
"Maybe…"
"God, Emma." She moaned. "How did you know this was my guilty pleasure?"
"Granny spilled the beans. All I had to do was ask. She said and I quote 'Anything for my favorite couple.'" She took a seat in her favorite chair, and began unwrapping her own burger.
"Well, thank you darling."
The couple ate happily and carried on about their plans for the week.
Regina placed a hand on Emma's arm as the blonde zipped up her coat over her red leather jacket in preparation to leave to head back to the station. "Can I ask a favor of you?"
"Yeah. What's up?"
Regina reached around her on the desk and handed her a plain envelope. "This is a check for the power bill for the mansion. Would you mind dropping this off for me at the power company office on your way back to the station?"
"Your wish is my command." Emma said, pocketing the envelope.
Regina wrapped her arms around Emma and held her close. "You're an angel." She stood on her tallest tiptoes and kissed Emma on the cheek. "Thank you."
"No problem." Emma leaned down with a kiss of her own on Regina's cheek. "I'll see you tonight?"
Regina nodded and gave Emma a heartfelt smile. "Of course. I wouldn't miss it for the world, sweetheart."
Little did they know that Sydney Glass was spying on them through the crack in the doorway.