Part Twenty-Eight: The One With the Cheating
Regina was moaning softly, her nails scratching down Emma's back as a wave of pleasure ran through every nerve of her body.
The pale light of the morning sun was lazily penetrating through the curtains, the beautiful mix of light and darkness dancing in the room while Regina gasped for air again, Emma's teeth sinking into her neck making her toes curl on the sheets and her clit tingle in the most lustful way.
Regina loved morning sex.
The slow burn of their skins rubbing together, the gentle touches upon one another, the teasing fingers between their legs.
It was always a slow dance at first, just a soft ember before the fire consumed them both, burning every inch of their skin with desire.
And now Regina was ready to be consumed by Emma again, her whole body was aching for more of her touch, more of her tongue, more of her.
"Emma..."
Regina moaned her name again, every whisper to form the words sounding like a desperate plead.
Her clit was writhing between her legs, her juices pouring out of her in a cascade of pleasure begging Emma to touch her again, to let her flood.
But Emma was devastating her in the most sweetest and torturous way.
She had had Regina once.
She had satisfied her hunger for Regina, she had let Regina eat all of her.
So now she was taking slow, savoring, touching, scratching, and biting Regina only to satisfy her own burning need for Regina's body while Regina was panting under her in a mess of a wildfire fueled by pleasure.
Every single cell in Regina's body was awake and reacting deliciously to Emma's touch.
Emma kissed down Regina's neck slowly, kissing and licking her flesh before closing her lips around Regina's nipple.
She sucked Regina's nipple with force inside her mouth, moaning softly before releasing the erect nipple only to circle her tongue around it and then flick it with the tip of her tongue.
Regina's nipple was so hard.
Emma blew a warm breath again before closing her mouth around her flesh, taking Regina's breast inside her mouth.
Regina threw her head back, closing her eyes, her back arching from the bed before her hands flew to Emma's head, urging her to take more and more inside.
Emma's tongue sucking her nipple sent a wave of pleasure through Regina's whole body and then concentrated on her clit, aching painfully between her legs.
"Emma…"
Another whisper.
Another plead.
Emma smiled over Regina's breast, sucking her nipple roughly again before licking a straight line to Regina's other breast.
Sucking and licking and teasing her nipple shameless.
Regina was agonizing.
Her whole body felt like an ocean full of waves that ran and ran and ran but never break.
"Emma…"
Emma licked her again, the tip of her tongue harder as she flicked Regina's nipple.
Her hand found Regina's other breast, squeezing the flesh inside her hand, before rolling the hard nipple between her fingers.
Regina could feel her juices drenching her pussy.
"Emma, please," Regina moaned "Please, touch me"
"I've touched you three times already," Emma licked her nipple "Now I want to savor you"
Emma sucked Regina's breast, purring at every bit of Regina's skin that was inside her mouth.
Regina felt it everywhere.
Her breath was shallow, the muscles on her stomach were flexing painfully, her legs trembling as Regina tried to close them, her clit desperate for some friction.
But Emma wouldn't let her.
Her knee was positioned between her legs, hovering just an inch under her pussy, never getting close enough for Regina to rub herself in it.
"I love your skin," Emma whispered her nose nuzzling on Regina's ribs "You are so soft and hard at the same time"
Emma scratched her nails on Regina's ribs, tickling and making her shiver at the same time.
Emma licked under Regina's breast, her tongue running hard where Regina's breast ended and her ribs bone begin her nails running lazily on the sides of her body.
So slow.
So excruciatingly slow.
Regina needed more, she was ready to come again, her whole body was pulsating with the need to be unleashed.
"Emma, please," Regina moaned, her throat dry "I need to come"
Emma kissed Regina's stomach, the muscle flexing uncontrollably under her lips. She ran one finger down Regina's stomach, under her navel, and then stopped right above her cunt.
Regina's whole body was shivering, every nerve anticipating Emma's touch between her legs.
She wanted Emma inside of her.
She craved Emma's fingers inside of her more than she craved her next breath.
"Fuck me," Regina gasped "Please, Emma. Fuck me"
Emma smiled again, her wet lips and teeth scratching her stomach.
"So eager to have me inside you," Emma purred "I haven't even licked you properly"
"Fuck, Emma, stop teasing me," Regina moaned "Fuck me"
"I will," Emma nuzzled her cheeks over Regina's stomach "When Im done savoring you"
Emma licked Regina's stomach, her tongue running hard and wet from one side to the other before she continued kissing her way down.
Regina nearly cried in relief when Emma dropped a kiss over her pussy, her legs automatically parting to welcome Emma between them.
Emma adjusted herself between Regina's legs, her hands spreading Regina's thighs apart, the muscles quivering under her touch.
The cold morning air kissed Regina's clit, making her impossible horner, her juices pouring out of her, craving Emma's fingers.
Emma lowered herself between Regina's legs, her warm breath tickling her folds.
So close.
Regina was so close to having what she wanted, to release the excruciating pleasure that had accumulated in the pit of her stomach.
So close to being unleashed.
"I love your smell," Emma purred between Regina's legs.
"Emma," Regina begged "Eat me"
Emma sank her fingers into Regina's thigh, dropping soft kisses on her flesh.
So close.
So painfully close to where she wanted Emma the most.
Regina's legs trembled, her hands fisting the sheets.
Her throat was dry, her stomach was flexing almost painfully, her clit stinging between her legs.
"Emma, please," Regina whined "Please"
Emma smiled again, her teeth scrapping Regina's skin.
"I want to lick you more," Emma said.
"Lick between my legs," Regina demanded.
Emma spread Regina's thigh wider and dropped a kiss there before the flat of her tongue licked Regina's inner thigh up, stopping right at the junction between her thigh and her pussy.
"Emma," Regina sobbed "Please"
She was past the point of caring about pleading.
Emma placed her fingers on Regina's pussy, slowly opening her.
Every touch of Emma's fingers sent a merciful wave of pleasure to Regina's body, settling under her clit.
"Fuck me,"
Emma licked Regina flatly from the entrance to clit.
Regina's body jerked from the bed, her lips parting and moaning in desperate relief as her whole body convulsed in a torment of pleasure within.
Emma closed her lips around Regina's clit, sucking the sensitive bundle of nerves before flicking with the tip of her tongue.
Regina felt every stroke pulsating inside of her, the waves growing and growing and growing in a never-ending vastness of bliss.
She was on the verge of breaking.
Emma sucked her clit again, her fingers invading Regina, two and then three pumping in and out of her.
Regina felt her walls clench around Emma's fingers, felt that burn explode in her clit, felt that cold in the pit of her stomach rip her apart, and then Emma's name was moaned from her lips and whispered vulgarly to the wind when the waves finally crashed inside her and Regina came again and again and again…
Emma moved above Regina, kissing softly her oversensitive body. She nuzzled her nose gently against Regina's nose, her hand caressing her cheek.
"Kiss me,"
Emma captured Regina's lips in a gentle kiss, Regina tasting herself on Emma's tongue.
Emma had stayed between her legs long after Regina stopped convulsing with pleasure, licking her deliciously until Regina couldn't take any more stimulation, and now her taste was spread all over Emma's mouth, sticky and salty mixed with the sweetness of Emma's tongue.
"I love the taste of you," Emma whispered against Regina's lips.
"You said I didn't have to beg," Regina said before kissing Emma again.
Emma smiled against Regina's lips, kissing her one last time before laying on her elbow by her side.
"I wanted to kiss every inch of you," Emma said "Which I didn't, by the way"
Regina turned to face Emma, pressing her lips softly against hers.
"Couldn't you kiss me after you made me come?" Regina asked.
"I could," Emma smiled cheekily "But as it turns out, I like to hear you beg"
Regina smirked and pressed her lips against Emma's again.
"For you only, my dear"
Emma smiled and captured Regina's lips in a kiss, her tongue invading her again, sucking her tongue. She put her arm on Regina's waist and pulled her closer, their breast pressing against one another, Emma's leg between Regina's, her knee pressing gently under her pussy.
"Now you press your knee there?" Regina asked breaking the kiss.
"Well," Emma smiled, her fingers caressing Regina's back "One can always hope you can take another round"
"Is that a challenge, Miss Swan?" Regina arched an eyebrow.
"I wish," Emma smiled "But I should get going. Henry is going to be up soon"
Regina grunted and pressed her lips with Emma's.
"I know," Regina nodded "The sun is rising already. Are you working today?"
"Nope," Emma smiled "I have the day off"
"Meet me at the Mayor's office later?" Regina asked "Maybe we can have lunch together"
"I'll bring something over," Emma kissed Regina again before getting up from the bed.
Regina snuggled under the sheets, watching Emma disappear inside the bathroom and then reemerge fully dressed.
She hated saying goodbye to Emma like this.
She wanted more.
She wanted more time together, she wanted to snuggle in bed, and she wanted to have a slow morning with Emma by her side before heading downstairs to eat breakfast with their son.
Together.
But having all this meant they would have to tell Henry and…
Regina wasn't sure she was ready for that.
Emma kneeled on top of the bed, the soft sinking of the mattress in front of her pulling Regina out of her thoughts. Emma bent down, kissing Regina's cheek then her nose then the smile forming on her lips.
"I'll see you later," Emma whispered against Regina's lips.
And then she disappeared out of the window, the soft pale light of the rising morning completely replaced by the bright yellow of the day ahead.
Emma opened the door of the loft trying her hardest not to make a sound.
She didn't need to wake up Mary Margareth that early in the morning.
Neither did she need her inquisitive questions about where Emma had been and who her mysterious lover was.
Emma was too old to have someone her own age trying to parent her.
If she wanted to spend her nights out, that was no one's business but hers.
Emma pushed the door, carefully entering the loft, the old hinges making a scrapping sound before she closed the door behind herself.
The loft seemed empty.
Which was weird considering it was still six in the morning.
Emma pushed her black coat down her arms and then hung it behind the door, putting her keys inside the pocket.
She walked to the refrigerator and took out a bottle of water, drinking the content all at once.
She was thirsty after the night with Regina.
Emma smiled softly, closing the bottle cap and then putting the empty bottle inside the trash.
She missed her already.
She wished they could have more time in the morning.
Emma walked in the direction of the stairs, noticing that Mary Margaret's bed was empty, the curtain completely open in the downstairs bedroom.
She walked closer to her roommate's room, the bed still neatly made, not even a crease on the pillowcase.
She hadn't slept at home either.
Emma sighed and scratched her forehead, a slight worry adorning her features.
What she was doing wasn't right.
David was married.
Mary Margaret knew he was married.
And Katheryn… she didn't deserve that.
Emma left the room, walking back to the stairs and then up to her bedroom.
She sat on the edge of the bed and removed her boots and then she stood up again to take off her jeans, blouse, and bra before snuggling under the sheets.
Emma needed to talk to Mary Margaret before it was too late.
Someone was going to end up hurt.
And in her experience, the women were always the ones who ended up paying for everybody else's sins.
Regina was walking to the Mayor's office after dropping Henry at the bus stop, the hard cold of the morning assaulting her cheeks.
She tightened the scarf around her neck and then shoved her hands inside her coat pockets before blowing out cold smoke in the wind when she let out a puff of air.
She couldn't wait to arrive in her office.
Regina took another turn, walking freely on the empty street, only one or another citizen crossing from a distance.
She had no idea if they were just walking their way or if they were avoiding getting in her way due to the curse and the fear it inflicted upon them.
Part of her wished it was the second.
But another part of her no longer felt the same pleasure in it.
Regina shook her head, willing the thoughts away from her mind and telling herself that everything was okay.
Her curse was still strong. All she had to do was keep everything exactly the way they were.
Regina kept on walking, the cold freezing her to the bones.
Not even the thick clothes were keeping her warm this morning.
But they wouldn't make a difference anyway.
The only heat she wanted was Emma.
Naked.
On top of her.
Regina smiled and shook her head, trying and failing to push Emma out of her mind.
But it was impossible.
Emma was the most delightful of thoughts.
How could Regina not have fallen in love with her?
Emma was everything. She never truly had a fighting chance.
Neither did she want one, not when it came to Emma.
She wanted to love her freely.
Or as freely as she could under the curse.
Regina crossed the street, the City Hall building already visible. She hurried her pace, her heels scraping against the pavement making a soft click sound echoing the now empty street.
Except for the laughter…
Regina slowed her pace, approaching the alley near the City Hall slowly.
She pressed her body against the wall before taking a peek inside the alley, her features already hardening when she saw them.
Mary Margaret and David.
He was pressing her against the wall, kissing her deeply, their bodies flushed together like one.
Regina wanted to be consumed by rage, she wanted to march in there and shame them for what they were doing.
She waited and waited and waited but that violent rage never came.
Her absolute hatred for Mary Margaret didn't hold the same punch anymore.
Not when she knew who she was.
She could never fully hate her anymore.
Not when she was Emma's mother.
Not when Regina loved Emma with everything she had inside of her.
Regina shook her head, slowly walking away from the alley, taking the next street to the Mayor's office.
Inside the warmer office, Regina sat down on the chair behind her desk, pondering about what to do.
She had to find a way to break them apart.
It was too dangerous to have them together when her curse was weakening, wasn't it?
Regina sighed before scratching her forehead, the question pounding in her head.
Things were conflicted inside her now.
The boundaries between right and wrong have been drawn somewhere along the way.
She wished she could say she hated that. She liked when she crossed whatever line she wanted, never looking back, never caring.
But that life was long behind her now.
Regina shook her head and took a deep breath in, determined to put this matter to the side for now and focus on the work of the day.
She had so many things to do now.
Regina reached for the folder on her desk and opened the soft cover, leaning back against the chair.
The damages from the storm around town had been big, and Regina had to approve so many repairs budget that her eyes were burning with the numbers.
Luckily, her office had the money.
Regina put the folder on top of the desk and pulled out a blank sheet of paper, making a priority list according to the report.
Then she turned on her computer, the old machine testing her patient, before checking the necessary budget for each action, selecting what would be done immediately and what could wait.
She worked on that for hours, her mind never drifting away.
It was almost rewarding when she finished.
Regina leaned back on the chair again, closing her eyes for a second, the pitch black darkness behind her eyes a comfort after staring at the computer screen for so long.
"Regina,"
Regina opened her eyes at once, the voice choked with sorrow making her heart race inside her chest as she looked at the door.
"Katheryn," Regina said worried "What happened?"
Katheryn sobbed walking inside the office. Regina got up from the chair quickly, meeting Katheryn halfway and pulling her into her arms.
"It's David," Katheryn sobbed, hugging Regina with force "He's leaving me"
"Kathryn," Regina whispered, patting her back.
"It's different now, he really means it," Katheryn pulled away from Regina looking deep into her eyes "He says we are not working anymore. He says we are not good for each other. I don't know what to do, I don't want to lose him "
Regina put her hand on Katheryn's cheek, pure rage burning inside her blood.
She was getting so tired of that sorry excuse of a man making her friend suffer, making her friend doubt herself.
Making her think that it was her fault when in reality, he was the one going around her back, cheating on her.
Katheryn deserved more.
She had always deserved more, she deserved to be reunited with her true love, she deserved to live a happy life with the one her heart desired and she deserved a friend who was not too much of a coward to make that happen.
Regina was tired of hurting Katheryn too.
There were lines that she was no longer willing to cross.
Regina looked deep into Katheryn's eyes, determination taking over her body.
She was ending this.
It didn't matter that her curse would grow weaker, the price should never be the happiness of the people she care about.
"Dump him," Regina said firmly.
"'Scuse me?" Katheryn asked confused.
"You heard me," Regina said seriously "Dump him. He doesn't deserve you, Katheryn, he never did. If he wants to go around and be with that little wench so be it. Let him go, you were always too much for him anyway"
"What are you talking about?" Katheryn asked, taking a step back "Regina, what are you talking about?"
"Why, Mary Margaret, of course," Regina said confused.
"What's Mary Margaret got to do with this?" Katheryn asked, "What's Mary Margaret got to do with any of this, Regina, do you know something?"
Regina looked at Katheryn, lips slightly parted.
She thought she knew.
She sincerely thought Katheryn knew because it wasn't like David and Mary Margaret were being discreet, Regina had seen them together many times around town and she thought… she thought by now that the news of their affair would have reached Katheryn.
And if that wasn't the case, she thought that at least David wouldn't be such a coward as to keep this from Katheryn.
But judging by the look on her face and the way she was looking back at Regina with nothing but anger burning behind her blue eyes, she knew she was wrong.
He had lied to her.
"Regina, what the hell does Mary Margaret has to do with this?" Katheryn shouted.
Regina looked at Katheryn, her heart heavy inside her chest.
"They've been having an affair,"
Katheryn gasped for air, tears falling down her face again.
"How do you know this?" Katheryn asked, "How… did you see something?"
"Katheryn…"
"Tell me!" Katheryn shouted.
Nothing but pure rage in every word, in every look, in every expression of Katheryn while she looked back at Regina.
"I did," Regina nodded "I saw them together a few times"
"A few times?" Katheryn asked incredulously "Why didn't you tell me?"
"Because I thought you two were working it out!" Regina said "I wanted you to work it out"
Because she wanted to protect her curse was left unsaid.
"I thought you were my friend," Kathryn said, tears falling down her face.
"I am," Regina said firmly.
She took a step in Katheryn's direction, reaching for Katheryn's arm, and squeezing it gently.
"I am your friend Katheryn," Regina said.
"No, you're not," Katheryn said, pulling her arm back "A friend wouldn't do this. A friend wouldn't lie. Everyone is lying to me!"
Katheryn turned her back to Regina, leaving the office.
And all Regina could do was stare at the open door and the emptiness of the hallway as the stab of Katheryn's words hurt more than Regina ever thought they could.
Emma pushed the door of the diner open, the chiming of the bell above the door announcing her presence.
She had slept the whole day in the loft, the much-needed sleep a blessing on her tired body.
Not that she regretted spending her nights at Regina's.
She would stay awake every night if it meant being with her.
Emma looked at the counter, frowning at the two people sitting there before a light fear ran through her veins.
Henry was sitting on a stool, drawing something on a book.
And beside him, the outsider trying to engage in a conversation with her son.
Emma closed her hands on a fist, walking in Henry's direction. She put her arm protectively over his shoulder and looked deadly at the man beside him.
"Is there a reason why you are talking to my ten-year-old son?" Emma asked the outsider.
"Emma, hey," Henry looked up at her.
"Your son?" The outsider asked "I thought he was the Mayor's kid"
"He is our kid," Emma said slightly angry "What do you want with him?"
"I was just admiring his drawing," The outsider rose from the stool "I should get going, Emma" He smiled at her.
"How do you know my name?" Emma asked angrily.
"Your kid just called you that," The outsider said, walking in the direction of the door and then leaving the diner.
Emma watched him go until he disappeared from her sight before taking his place next to Henry.
"What did that man want with you?" Emma asked.
"He was just asking about my book," Henry shrugged.
"Your book?" Emma asked.
"I mentioned that I have lost it," Henry splashed another color on the paper.
Emma bit her lower lip and looked at the diner door again.
Why would that man ask about Henry's book?
Was that some sort of trick to gain Henry's trust?
And if so, to what end?
Emma sighed and looked at her son, running her hand over his hair.
Then Emma looked at the diner watch, frowning at the time.
"Henry, what are you doing here?" Emma asked, "Shouldn't you be at school?"
"I had a free period before the next class," Henry said before looking up at the watch in the diner "And now I have to go. The bus will be here in five minutes"
Henry started to shove everything carelessly inside his backpack before returning to the leftover food on top of the counter, shoving everything in his mouth.
"Hey, Emma, can you pay for this, please?" Henry asked.
"Why?" Emma asked.
"Because I don't have any money," Henry said simply.
"Then why did you order?" Emma arched an eyebrow.
"Mom has a tab," Henry said cheekily.
"Then why don't you put it on her tab?" Emma asked.
"Because I'm not supposed to use it without her permission," Henry said hopping from the stool and swinging the backpack over his shoulder "Please?"
"Fine," Emma smirked "But just this once"
"Thanks," Henry smiled and then looked to the side "The bus is here, I have to go. I'll see you later, Emma"
"See you kid," Emma said back, but Henry was already halfway out the door.
Emma watched Henry go inside the school bus, tapping her fingers against the counter.
Regina was right, the outsider seemed to be taking a special interest in Henry.
And Emma needed to know more about him.
"Emma,"
Emma's attention was pulled away from her thoughts and she turned around to face the voice that had just called her name.
Ruby!
They hadn't really talked to one another since that night in the loft and Emma felt her features hardening automatically as she looked at the waitress, anger already bubbling on the surface.
"Can I take your order?" Ruby asked.
"Two kale salads with chicken, a portion of fries, and two slices of apple pie, please," Emma said tonelessly.
"Two, huh?" Ruby asked, "Are you that hungry?"
"Is there a limit of orders I can place in the diner now?" Emma asked.
"No, of course not," Ruby shook her head.
"Then that would be all," Emma said seriously.
"Emma, I…" Ruby cleared her throat "I'm sorry. I was out of line the other night"
"Yeah, you think?" Emma asked.
"I was just worried about you," Ruby said.
"I don't need your worry," Emma said "I can take care of myself"
Ruby nodded and then leaned forward in Emma's direction, sniffing her.
Emma frowned and automatically pushed her body back.
How fucking weird was that?
Why the hell was Ruby sniffing her?
"She makes you happy, doesn't she?" Ruby asked.
"You got that from sniffing me?" Emma asked confused.
"I did," Ruby laughed "Her scent is all over you. It's forged with yours"
"O-kay," Emma said akawadly.
The whole situation was awkward.
How could Ruby even smell that?
Emma thought it was something special, something only she and Regina could sense.
"Maybe I was wrong about her," Ruby said softly.
"You are," Emma said seriously.
Ruby nodded at Emma.
"I'll be right back with your order," Ruby said before disappearing behind the kitchen door.
Emma's phone vibrated inside her jacket pocket and Emma smiled, Regina's image already forming behind her eyes.
But when she looked at the screen, Emma frowned, tapping her password and opening the text Mary Margaret had just sent her.
"Katheryn found out about David and me"
Please, come home"
Emma rose from the stool and left the diner, completely ignoring Ruby shouting behind her saying her order was ready.
Inside the loft, Emma found Mary Margaret crying on the kitchen table, drinking straight from the whiskey bottle.
"What happened?" Emma asked before closing the door behind her.
"He lied, Emma," Mary Margaret cried "He lied to both of us"
"What are you talking about?" Emma asked, taking a seat next to Mary Margaret.
"He said..." Mary Margaret laughed and took another sip of the whiskey "He said he told her about us. He told me that he told Katheryn everything but he didn't. He lied!"
"I don't understand," Emma said, taking Mary Margaret's hand between hers and squeezing softly before letting go.
"We talked about our situation, I told him that I couldn't keep doing this, that it wasn't right," Mary Margaret said "He said he would tell Katheryn everything, that he would come clean with her and end their marriage. He told me he would tell her the truth. But he didn't. He broke up with her without telling her about us"
"Shit!"
"She slapped me in front of the whole school, Emma," Mary Margaret cried "She just showed up there demanding to know the truth, and then she slapped me," Mary Margaret lifted the bottle to her lips, drinking the alcohol "And I can't even blame her. I can't even be upset with her because she is right. I was having an unfair with her husband"
Mary Margaret put the bottle down and looked at Emma with eyes widened and lips slightly parted
"I was having an affair with a married man," Mary Margaret said "Oh my God, Emma! How could I be so stupid?"
"You were in love," Emma said softly "We often do stupid things when we are in love"
"But you tried to warn me so many times," Mary Margaret shook her head "You were right all along, Emma. In the end, Katheryn and I are the ones who ended up truly hurt by him"
"I'm sorry," Emma squeezed her hand again "I really am sorry about this, Mary Margaret"
"I feel so humiliated," Mary Margaret pulled her hand back and then covered her face with her hands "Everybody in the school saw it, Emma. The other teachers, the students, their parents, they all saw it"
"Have you talked to him yet?" Emma asked.
"I can't stand looking at his face right now," Mary Margaret said "Part of me wishes I have never even met him. How could he do this to us?"
"He is an asshole," Emma said simply.
Mary Margaret looked at Emma, blinking her eyes in surprise.
"Is that what you think of me too?" Mary Margaret asked.
"No," Emma shook her head "No, of course not"
"It's okay, Emma," Mary Margaret said "You can say it. I am an asshole"
Emma sighed and leaned forward on the table, taking the whiskey bottle and bringing it to her lips, taking a long gulp.
The liquid went down smoothly, burning her throat and then settling acidily in her stomach.
Emma put the bottle down and then breathed out, the strong scent of alcohol poisoning the air.
"I think that what you did was wrong and I did tell you this many times before," Emma looked at Mary Margaret "But at the end of the day, Mary Margaret, this was his responsibility, not yours. He was the one who was married to Katheryn, not you. He was the one who was supposed to tell her the truth. I am not saying that you are blameless here, because you are not but, you are not the sole responsible for this either"
Mary Margaret nodded, taking the bottle from the table and drinking another long gulp.
"Katheryn is a good person," Mary Margaret said putting the bottle down "She didn't deserve this"
"No, she didn't," Emma said "But neither did you"
A knock on the door echoed inside the loft, making both women look to the side.
"Mary Margaret? Mary Margaret, are you there? Please open the door"
Emma shifted her attention from the door to Mary Margaret, her heart squeezing inside her chest at the painful expression on her friend's face, her eyes closed and the soft tears falling from the corners of her eyes.
"I don't want to see him, Emma," Mary Margaret said.
"Mary Margaret!" The knock echoed again, only louder this time "Mary Margaret please, open the door"
Emma rose from the chair and walked to the door, annoyance hammering in the back of her head.
It wasn't fair.
It wasn't fair that Mary Margaret took all the blame, it wasn't fair that she was humiliated in her place of work.
But Emma didn't blame Katheryn either, she was deceived by both of them and Emma supposed she could understand her reaction.
Emma opened the door, anger boiling her blood at the sight of David in front of her.
He looked distressed, yes, but what did he really have to endure?
He lied to Mary Margaret for weeks telling her he would leave Katheryn. And then when he finally man up and decided to leave Katheryn, he wasn't even man enough to tell her the real reason why.
He was a coward.
A cheater.
And he had hurt two people Emma actually cherished.
"Is she in there?" David asked.
Emma squinted her eyes, her features hard and voice cold.
"She doesn't want to talk to you," Emma said.
"Emma, please," David looked down and shook his head before looking back at Emma "Im sorry, I'm so sorry, I didn't mean for any of this to happen"
"Yeah, but it did happen," Emma clicked her tongue "And it seems like everyone else is paying for it except you"
"Please let me talk to her," David asked.
"No!" Emma said firmly.
"Emma, I need to talk to her," David said.
"I said no," Emma said angrily.
David tried to push the door wider but Emma strongly held the door, not letting David step an inch inside the loft.
"Go away," Emma said firmly "If you bother us again I will have you arrested for harassment"
"You can't do that," David said disbelievingly.
"Watch me,"
Emma closed the door on David's face, his surprised expression still burning behind her eyes.
And when she looked to the side, Mary Margaret was drinking what was left of the whiskey bottle and Emma knew without a doubt that today, she could never leave her side.
Regina was in the kitchen, cleaning up the dishes from her dinner with Henry.
The day had gone by her in a daze, guilt, and sadness rippling from her heart to her stomach, turning it into a knot before rippling back to her heart again.
She had failed Katheryn.
The only true friend she had ever had.
The look of betrail in Katheryn's eyes when she said Regina was not her friend had hunted her the whole day.
Katheryn was right.
Regina wasn't her friend, not truly.
She had lied to her.
Convinced her to stay in that marriage for her own selfish reasons.
She should have told Katheryn the truth.
Not about the curse, not that, never that.
But Regina should have told her about David and Mary Margaret.
She should have never encouraged Katheryn to fight for that loveless marriage.
She should at least have given Katheryn a choice.
Regina sighed, rinsing the plate under the water.
She wanted to apologize to Katheryn. To tell her how sorry she truly was.
Not for her marriage.
That was always doomed.
But for the sadness that it had caused her.
But Katheryn had ignored every phone call from Regina's number.
Every text.
Every voicemail.
And in the end, Regina decided to leave her alone.
Even if that was hurting something inside.
But she had no right to torment her friend anymore.
If Katheryn wanted distance, Regina would give this to her.
She no longer desired to own anything that didn't come to her willingly.
She no longer wanted to control everyone and everything around her.
"Mom, can I have ice cream?"
Regina looked behind her shoulder and smiled sadly at Henry.
"Of course," Regina said.
Regina rinsed the last cup and then dried her hands on the dish towel before walking to the refrigerator.
"Is everything okay?" Henry asked, slightly concerned.
"Yeah, everything is fine," Regina said taking a small cup of ice cream from the freezer.
"You look a little sad," Henry said taking the ice cream from Regina's hand "But not like before"
Regina ran her hand over Henry's hair and then kissed the top of his head.
Henry was always very observant.
But it wasn't just that.
Lately, Regina was finding it hard to keep her emotions buried in a well of darkness sealed with melted iron.
That was something else she didn't want anymore.
She had hidden from her feelings for so long that she didn't notice that her feelings had eaten her alive, turning her into the worst version of herself.
Regina walked to the cabinet drawer and took a spoon from inside, giving it to Henry.
"You are right, I am a little sad," Regina said "But everything is okay, you don't have to worry about anything, okay?"
"Okay," Henry nodded.
Regina put her arm over Henry's shoulder, walking with him out of the kitchen.
"Do you still have any homework left?" Regina asked.
"Just math," Henry sighed, opening his ice cream cup "I've been avoiding it all day"
"Do you need any help with it?" Regina asked when they reached the base of the staircase.
"That depends," Henry looked up at Regina "Are you making it for me?"
"What do you think?" Regina arched an eyebrow.
They were halfway up the staircase when the sound of the doorbell echoed inside the house.
They both stopped walking and looked back. Regina squeezed Henry's shoulder lightly before taking one step down.
"Go finish your homework," Regina said.
"Who is it?" Henry asked.
"I have no idea," Regina said "Go to your room, finish your homework"
Regina finished walking down the staircase and then reached the door, opening it all at once.
"You suck, did you know that?"
Regina blinked her eyes, surprised to see Katheryn at her doorstep.
Her eyes were puffy and red and her clothes were a mess of unmatching fabric put together.
And she looked sad.
Regina felt her heart sink inside her chest, guilt tugging at her stomach again.
"I know," Regina nodded "For what is worth, Katheryn, I am sorry. I truly am"
"Sorry doesn't help anything," Katheryn said "You were supposed to be my best friend"
"I know," Regina nodded.
"But I get it now," Katheryn said softly.
"What?" Regina looked at her.
"You were trying to give me a chance to work on my marriage," Katheryn sniffed "And besides, Emma is that woman's best friend, I can understand the conflict of interest, I mean, I guess she knew about them?"
"She did, yes," Regina nodded "But we never talked about it"
"You should have told me, Regina," Katheryn cried.
"I'm sorry," Regina said sincerely.
"I'm sorry too," Katheryn said before launching herself on Regina hugging her "I'm sorry about the things I said. I was upset and heartbroken and I am so sorry"
"No, don't," Regina said, hugging Katheryn back, "This is my fault, Katheryn, all of it"
"No, it isn't," Katheryn said pulling back "It's not even that woman's fault, really. It's David. He is an asshole"
"That he is," Regina said seriously.
"Do you think we can go inside and get drunk," Katheryn asked "I don't want to drink alone anymore and it's really cold out here"
"Yes, of course," Regina laughed "Come on, get inside"
Regina stepped to the side letting Katheryn get inside before closing the door.
"Mom, who is it?" Henry shouted from the top of the staircase.
"It's just Katheryn, honey," Regina said.
"Henry, hey," Katheryn said before looking at Regina "I'm sorry, am I disturbing your night?"
"No, no, of course not," Regina shook her head before looking up the staircase at Henry "Henry, Katheryn and I are going to the study. Go to your room and finish your homework, okay?"
"Okay," Henry said before disappearing into the hallway.
Regina walked to Katheryn and put her hand on her lower back, taking her to the study.
Inside, Katheryn fell heavily on the couch while Regina walked to her liquor cabinet.
"How about a glass of my cider?" Regina asked looking fondly at the decanter, running her fingers over the glass "This is… This is my last good batch"
"Why is that?" Katheryn asked.
"My apples, they…" Regina shook her head "They are not as sweet as they used to be"
"Oh," Katheryn sniffed "Is that strong enough to get me drunk?"
"Oh, you have no idea," Regina smirked.
Regina poured a glass of the cider and then walked to Katheryn, giving her the glass before walking back to pour another glass.
"Oh, this is good," Katheryn said "Bring the whole thing here"
"I know it may not taste like but my cider is really strong, Katheryn," Regina said.
"Good," Katheryn said before drinking the whole content of the glass all at once "Now bring that here"
Regina arched an eyebrow at Katheryn but took the decanter anyway and put it on top of the coffee table before taking a seat next to Katheryn.
Katheryn leaned forward on the couch, reaching for the decanter and then pouring herself another glass.
"I slapped her," Katheryn said.
"What?" Regina asked.
"Mary Margaret," Katheryn took a sip of the cider "I slapped her in the face in front of the whole school"
"Oh!" Regina exclaimed "Well, good for you"
Regina raised her glass to Katheryn, clicking them together.
Just because she didn't hate the woman with the same force as she used to, it didn't mean she was incapable of feeling a spiral of joy rippling through her body.
She did deserve a good slap in the face anyway.
"He lied to her too," Katheryn said "He told her he would tell me the truth about them but David never said a thing. I almost felt avenged by knowing he lied to her but truthfully, I just feel sorry for her now"
"He is an idiot," Regina said truthfully.
He really was.
Regina rolled her eyes the first time she saw him and that was still the case today.
"Do you want to help me set his things on fire?" Katheryn asked.
"Sure," Regina laughed "When are we doing this?"
"Tonight," Katheryn said mischievously "After we are too drunk to regret our actions"
"Perhaps one of us should stay sober if we are going to play with fire," Regina warned.
"Then you take that job," Katheryn said reaching for the decanter again "Because I want to forget I was ever married to that cheating bastard"
Regina's phone rang inside the office, vibrating against the wooden desk.
Regina rose from the couch and walked to the desk, smiling softly when Emma's name flashed on the screen.
"Judging by the smile on your face, I bet that's Emma," Katheryn said.
Regina rolled her eyes and accepted the call, pressing the phone to her ear.
"Hey," Emma said.
"Hi," Regina smiled softly.
"I'm calling to let you know I can't come over tonight," Emma said "I'm sorry"
"Oh," Regina nodded "Yeah, I figured you wouldn't considering what happened"
"I know you don't like her, Regina, but Mary Margaret is really bad about what happened," Emma said.
"Well, Katheryn is not doing all that great either," Regina said back.
"Hey," Katheryn protested "I'm right here"
But Regina just arched an eyebrow at her while Katheryn took another sip of the cider.
"I can imagine," Emma said "This whole thing is…"
"I know," Regina nodded, not needing Emma to finish the sentence.
A mess!
This whole thing was a huge fucking mess.
"Yeah," Emma said "I should go and stay with her"
"Yeah, me too," Regina said "With Katheryn, I mean"
"I'll really miss you tonight, you know," Emma said.
"I'll miss you too," Regina smiled softly.
"Good," Emma laughed "Alright, I'll talk to you later"
"Yes," Regina nodded "Goodnight, Emma"
"Good night, Regina,"
Regina finished the call and put the phone back on the desk.
And when she looked back at Katheryn, she knew without a doubt her friend was not leaving her house and definitely not setting anything on fire tonight.