A/N: After receiving so many messages asking for an update to this story, I thought it was time I got to it. (Apologies for the wait and delay!) But, I promise that this chapter is worth the wait. ;) With that being said, I'll keep my Author's note short and let you get on with reading. Thank you as always for the love and support you have given this story. Happy reading, and a happy weekend to all! Stay tuned for the next update tomorrow.
Emma thought about trying out her idea on the bed, but then thought, that might be a little too much, too soon for Regina. Then she thought about the couch, but then, not enough space. Too much, too soon. So, her next plan was to bring out a stack of blankets, thick covers that Regina kept in a closet for when winter arrived, and a few pillows into the living room. Regina was so confused as to how quickly Emma had moved the coffee table out of the living room, scooting it just behind the couch, and brought in the four chairs from the breakfast table, aligning them out into pairs of two, side to side, against the front of the couch, with a wide space in the middle of them.
"What on earth are you doing now?" Said Regina, her brow furrowed.
"It's all part of the experience." Emma smiled, reaching for two blankets. "Heads up," she tossed one of the folded blankets over to Regina, which Regina caught in mid-air with a small surprised squeal.
"Emma, what is it?" Regina chuckled, watching Emma move over to two of the chairs.
"Just do what I do." Said Emma, splaying out the sheet over the wooden chairs, creating a wall.
Regina smiled and shook her head, and even if she didn't understand what Emma was doing, she copied exactly, step by step every one of her instructions.
Little by little, the fort Emma was having Regina help her build came together. After the two sheets were placed over the chairs, Emma laid out about three thick blankets on the floor with Regina's help, So the floor wouldn't feel so hard against her back. Then, Emma alone gathered the two cushions from the couch, with Regina's permission of course, followed by the two pillows from the bedroom to give Regina's head a more fluffier support. It was then that Regina's heart raced, realizing that it resembled a bed. Only it wasn't. This was something else.
"Alright," Emma extended the other sheet, handing a corner to Regina. "Grab that, go behind the other chairs." She nodded, and waited for Regina to do as she was instructed to lift up the sheet, over the chairs.
After that, Emma moved over to the bookshelf, reached for the four heaviest books Regina kept, and used them as weights to sit on the flaps of the sheet that landed against the cushion part of the chairs, to hold the sheet in place.
"There," Emma grinned, standing with her hands on her hips, admiring her handiwork. "Not the best in the world, because I haven't done this since I was eleven, but, given the years, I say it's pretty damn good for a fort."
"A what?" Regina said quizzically.
"A fort. Uh… It's like… Think of it like a tent," Emma places her hands together until the tips of her fingers touch in an example of a tent. "For camping. Only, this is better, simply because it's in doors and it just has a more personal feeling to it. And we aren't in any danger of a bear showing up to attack us."
Regina smiled. Emma was such a kid at heart. "How old are you again?" She asked.
Emma decided to ignore that question and reached for Regina's hand. "Come on, trust me. You'll love it. Here," she bent down, so that Regina would do the same. "Try it out. Get in."
Regina sighed defeatingly and crawled right into their 'fort,' sitting up and looking around, not really knowing what to do next.
"How is it?" Said Emma.
"Surprisingly…" Regina looked down at the covers that she sat on. "Comfortable."
Emma grinned. "It gets better, hang on." She stands.
"Where are you going?" Asked Regina.
"Just hang on. You'll see."
Regina chuckles and shakes her head. "You are such a child," she muttered under her breath.
"I heard that." Emma's voice sounded, giving Regina the impression that it was coming from outside.
"Emma, what are you doing?" Before Regina could call out to her again, she saw Emma appear before her again with a few logs tucked under her arms. She was starting a fire inside the chimney. And once it was lit, it provided a warmth and more comfort inside the fort that Regina instantly came to love.
"Alright, I'm coming in." Emma crawled inside the fort, sitting up with her legs crossed. "So, what do you think?"
Regina chuckled, "I think you're about the most childish adult I have ever met."
"You've met others?" Emma's head tilts quizzically and smiles once Regina playfully shoves her. "No, but seriously… What do you think? Is this… Okay?"
"It's certainly unlike anything I've ever done before." Regina chuckles, and her eyes lock onto Emma's. "It's surprising and lovely. Like everything tends to be with you."
Emma smiles, her hand cups Regina's cheek, while her thumb softly strokes along her bottom lip. "I'm glad you feel that way. Because you deserve everything that's surprising and lovely."
Regina's hand cupped Emma's wrist and she leaned in until her lips brushed with Emma's, in what turned into the most beautiful kiss in the entire world. It's a good thing, Regina had removed herself from her jacket earlier, because the warmth inside this fort was beginning to grow around herself and Emma. Especially once Regina felt the light tickle to the tip of Emma's tongue, asking for the slightest of permissions to enter her mouth.
Permission was granted, of course. How could Regina refuse? She could never refuse Emma anything.
And with that, the feeling of Emma's tongue entering her mouth, Regina didn't waste any time in allowing her arms to land on Emma's shoulder blades. And as they did, she felt as Emma's arms wrapped around her like snakes. That only intensified their kiss, enough to make both their heads spin without a single thought crossing through their minds.
Before either of them knew it, they had become so lost in their kiss, in their embrace that neither of them realized what was happening in that moment. Kissing Regina always turned Emma on instantly, and as a result to that, she began to lean her body in further. And Regina could feel her body being laid back against the pillows.
But what surprised Regina all the more was how comfortable she surprisingly felt. A little too comfortable, given that kissing Emma helped her fight through the small wave of fear that washed over her in that moment.
Leopold wasn't much for kissing, and the times he did kiss Regina, it was never pleasant. Not like the way it was kissing Emma right now. That's what made this whole experience a little nerve wrecking and exciting all at the same time for Regina.
It was becoming a little too exciting. It surprised her how her body wanted to feel more, but she was too afraid to give in. Emma knew it, too. She could feel how Regina's body stiffened just a little once she dared to lightly touch her arm, caressing her skin along an upward trail, ending at her shoulder.
Emma wasn't Leopold. Regina always reminded herself of that. Emma was far from being anyone threatening who would ever dare to lay a hand on her without her say-so. In intimacy or in anger. Never in anger.
"Emma, maybe we should slow down." Regina called out in a heavy huff of breath, once Emma's lips parted from her lips and began placing a trail of small kisses along her jawline.
Emma's head lifted up, her breathing equally heavy as she nodded. "Yeah," she breathed out.
"I'm sorry." There was a crease of frustration formed in between Regina's brow. She could see a hint of disappointment in Emma's eyes as they looked down on her. "I must be such a disappointment to you, I know."
"Disappointment? You?" Emma shook her head. "That's impossible. You could never disappoint me, Regina."
Regina groaned, allowing herself to roll her eyes. "Emma. I can practically see it in your eyes every single time I put a stop to things between you and I. If it were any other girl in here with you, she would have already-"
"If it were any other girl in here with me," Emma pressed a single digit against Regina's lips to quiet her rant. "I would ask her to leave and replace her with you. And what you see in my eyes isn't disappointment. It's love, respect and understanding. Followed by a short glimpse of arousal."
Regina breathed out a small laugh, shaking her head. Regina's hand held Emma's and moved it on top of her chest. She loved the gentle look in Emma's eyes as she was hovering over her.
"Regina," Emma's voice was soft. "I told you. We don't have to do anything that you aren't ready for. I didn't do this in hopes of anything to happen between us."
Regina threw a knowing glare at her.
"Okay, maybe a little." Emma admitted, hearing another small laugh escape past Regina's lips. "It crossed my mind, but my point is… Nothing that you don't want to happen will happen. I just get so lost in you every time we kiss that…" Emma inhales slowly and sharply, exhaling out instantly.
"You lose control of your urges?" Said Regina, seeing a nod come from Emma. "Emma. You have no idea how much I want to be with you. Even now. That's what's so alarmingly frightening."
"Of course it's frightening," Emma brings Regina's knuckles close to her lips and places a gentle kiss right on them. "You've never known what it's like to have someone who only wants to live to love you. Who wants to touch you in every pleasurable and delicate way imaginable." She wipes away a single tear from the corner of Regina's eye. "And we'll get there. I promise. And you will decide when the time is right."
Regina wipes away another tear, feeling Emma's lips place another kiss along her knuckles. "On the night of our marriage. When we went into the bedroom, I knew what was about to happen."
There's a frown on Emma's lips, her face bared concentration as she listened.
"My mother," Regina sighed. "She never wanted to talk about the subject of sex when I became of age." She chuckles. "I just remember her saying to me, hours before my wedding, 'All a woman has to know, Regina, is that it's your job to satisfy your husband. He's needs matter above your own.'" She pauses, feeling a bit of anger burn inside of her. "If only you knew how many times Leopold has told me the same thing. Him and my mother would have made a great couple."
The corner of Emma's lip tilts into a small smile. "Ask me." She said softly.
All it took was to look into Emma's eyes and Regina knew what she meant.
"What's it like? To truly be with someone you willingly want, and allow them to explore on a different level. Is it truly every bit as special as they say it is?"
Emma nods. "It is," she whispered. "It's even more beautiful when you're with the person you love. To touch them on such a level of intimacy, to… Hold them, and feel them cling to your skin, begging you to never let them go, to never stop is the most pleasurable but also the most beautiful thing to ever exist." A single tear rolls down Emma's own cheek that Regina is quick to wipe away. "And when you both reach that moment of release. You feel like you're falling. Like your soul just dived from heaven, crashing right back into your body."
Regina wipes away another fallen tear that travels down Emma's cheek.
"Close your eyes." Emma whispers, and Regina didn't have a problem in trusting Emma enough to do what she had been asked to do. As the brunette's eyes closed, Emma slowly leaned down, placing a soft kiss along the brunette's forehead.
Despite Regina jerking a little, she remained as still as she possibly could, remembering what Emma had told her about why people closed their eyes when they kissed. Now, she knew. It wasn't just when they kissed. Everything was meant to be felt.
And Regina felt as Emma's lips, after having placed a kiss against her forehead, they trailed off to each of her eyelids. Softly leaving the feeling of every given kiss. Emma then bent down to place another kiss against the tip of Regina's nose, followed by each of her cheeks, ending on her lips.
"Keep them closed," Said Emma, slowly standing, leaving the fort and coming right back with a single rose in her hand. She was happy to see that Regina hadn't moved as she snuggled right beside her, supporting herself on her elbow so that she could see Regina as she brought the rose up and held it against the brunette's lips.
Regina jerked a little, not sure what she was expecting as she felt a small tickle, but remained still.
"Just imagine…" Emma spoke softly. "That this is me."
"But, it is you." Regina grinned, keeping her eyes closed.
Emma grinned. "Yes, but I'm guiding this flower to where you feel most comfortable having it touch you." Emma looked at the rose as she ran it along Regina's chin, followed by her neck. "I won't place it anywhere you don't want me to. You call the shots."
Regina swallowed calmly, feeling the soft caress of the rose continue on her neck. With her eyes closed, she could imagine it was Emma's lips, kissing a trail along her throat.
"Shall I continue?" Said Emma, her voice remaining low.
Regina nods, feeling the gentle tickle of the rose slide along her neck and onto her collarbone, and then her chest which Emma could see was moving up and down with ease. Emma could watch Regina's chest rise and fall for an eternity. The blonde swallowed, halting the rose a little before Regina's breasts, and then decided to move it back up, all the way to Regina's shoulder, trailing it down her arm and back up. Her eyes caught sight of a bit of skin from Regina's exposed stomach as her shirt had lifted up a little.
Emma looked up at Regina, seeing her eyes were still closed, and with caution and very slowly she placed the rose against the bit of skin, feeling Regina jerk a little at the contact. "Is this okay?" Asked Emma.
After swallowing a small lump inside of her throat, Regina nodded, "Yes," she whispered, and instantly imagined it was Emma's lips.
Emma's lips felt dry so she licked them to give them some lubrication. She wished she could actually kiss Regina's stomach, raise her shirt up a little to see more of it, know every curve of it, but she wouldn't push her luck. Not yet. Instead, she moved up and came to a stop right below the older woman's breasts.
"You have no idea how jealous I am of this flower right now." Emma breathed, seeing Regina's eyes slowly part open and lock right onto hers. "You have no idea how beautiful you are to me, Regina." She inhaled slowly, and breathed out. "You take my very breath away, it's a wonder I still have any left."
A light blush settles against Regina's cheeks. "How do you come up with such things to say, Emma?"
Emma shrugged, "Just comes naturally." She grinned as she heard Regina chuckle.
"That's impossible. I can't imagine anyone would be quite like you."
"That's very true." Emma nods. "I am a very unique person."
Regina let out a light laugh. "Thank you," she whispered on a more serious level. "I can imagine this can't be easy for you."
"Regina," Emma shook her head. "Even if it took a hundred years, or in my next life to make love to you. I'd wait. You are worth the wait."
Regina cupped the back of Emma's head to pull her in until their lips brushed together in the most delicate, but passionate kiss imaginable until Regina decided to pull away. "If I asked you, would you do something for me?" She asked.
Emma released a soft, content and happy sigh, her hand gently playing with Regina's hair as she looked down into her eyes with that sparkle Regina loved so much. "You could ask me to jump off the Brooklyn bridge or Empire State building and I'd do as your heart desires."
Regina couldn't help but laugh, "I'm serious, Emma."
"So am I," Emma smiled. "I think in another life I might've been your most loyal servant, I am just falling in love with you all over again in this life."
Regina smirked and shook her head. "And I think you are out of your mind, Ms. Swan."
"Oh, most definitely, Ms. Mills. I am out of my mind in love with you." Emma leaned down and placed a kiss on Regina's lips. "Sorry, now tell me, what can this loyal servant perform as a request for you, your majesty?"
Regina's brow lifts. "I proudly take that title." She chuckles and waits a beat before she says, "It might be torture for you, but… Would you…" Her cheeks go red.
"What is it?" Emma's head tilts quizzically, noticing Regina's embarrassment. "It's okay. You can tell me."
"Promise not to laugh?"
"Cross my heart."
"Would you," the brunette takes a pause. "Lie on top of me? I just… When Leopold does it, he-" She shakes her head as she sees anger flicker in Emma's green eyes. "I just want to try it with someone I'm comfortable with. Someone I love. I want to get used to that feeling for when I'm ready and willing to give myself to you, and so you'll know that when that day comes, I will not hesitate anymore. I want to feel that it isn't always as horrible as he makes it seem. But if it's too much to ask-"
"No," Emma shakes her head and gives off a small smile. "Nothing that you ask of me will ever be too much." With that being said, Emma shifted slowly, and held herself over Regina. "Are you sure you want to do this?"
Regina couldn't begin to say how grateful she was every single time Emma took the initiative to ask her, check with her if she really was comfortable with trying something new.
The brunette nods. Her heart vibrates inside of her chest like a jackhammer, especially as she feels Emma's body press up against her ever so slowly. To have Emma this close to her with her consent turned her on. She couldn't believe how much Emma turned her on, especially after all she's been through with her abusive husband. But, there was just something about Emma that automatically triggered it. She wanted this. She wanted to try new things, experience more of this, together.
"Is this okay?" Said Emma, her forearms resting on each side of Regina's head. She wanted Regina to know, to feel that she wouldn't hurt her in any way, or try anything.
"It feels different." Said Regina, looking into Emma's eyes. "It… It doesn't hurt." Her voice breaks with emotion and her eyes release a few tears, which Emma is quick to wipe away.
"I told you," Emma spoke softly. "Whatever pain he caused you, I'll replace it with something beautiful."
"You don't care that he's forced me to-?"
"No." Emma shook her head. "It angers me, yes, what he's done to you. But, I promise you that when the time comes and you're ready to be with me. I'll turn it into the most magical experience that you've ever had. That day, it will no longer be painful for you."
"You make so much promises, Ms. Swan, that I'm starting to believe in them." Regina's hands rest against Emma's back.
Emma smiles. "Good. You should. Because I will keep every single promise I make to you."
"Every one?" Regina's brow lifts, and she smirks.
"Every one." Promised Emma.
"And what if I make you promise me that you'll love me forever? Even when I'm old and wrinkly, and you're still in your prime." She chuckles.
Emma chuckles along and the sparkle in her eyes says it all. "Regina, you could live to be a hundred years old, and the promise of loving you for all eternity will remain unbreakable."
Regina raised her head up a little to meet Emma halfway in a tender kiss. She hadn't realized when her hands had decided to caress along her back.
"Do you want to go to bed?" Said Emma.
"Yes," Regina nodded, her arms holding a little tighter onto Emma as she felt that her body was ready to make its way up. "But, can't we sleep here?"
"If that's what you want, that's what shall be. Do you want to change first or should I?"
"You go ahead. I'll wait here." Regina released Emma, feeling her body lift up, until she was out of the fort. Her eyes fell on the rose, which had been neglected beside them and she took it, lifting it up to her nose to take a whiff and smiled.
Emma shut the door to the bathroom and leaned her back against the door. Her chest was heaving as she was trying to calm her breathing. Regina seriously underestimated just how dangerously attractive she was. She loved kissing Regina to death, until she could no longer feel her lips. But, to kiss her also turned Emma on something fierce.
"Okay," all she could think of doing right now was what she found herself doing. Heading over to the sink, turning on the faucet with the coldest water possible and splash her face, all the way to the back of her neck. She took a few calm breaths, and looked at her own hand. "Well, old friend, looks like I'll be needing your services the first chance I get to be alone."
Saying goodbye had never been a hard thing to do for Emma. Nor for Regina. But that was exactly what they had to do, once their perfect weekend came to an end.
"Do you want to come inside for a short minute?" Asked Regina, sitting in the passenger seat of Emma's bug as they were parked in front of her home.
"I'd love nothing more than to not have to say goodbye to you. Much less leave you here." Emma rolled her eyes toward the house. "But, I really must get going, I have to stop by the university to pick up my schedule for my classes on Tuesday."
Regina smiled. "Are you nervous about your classes?"
"No," Emma shook her head. "Excited, more like it. I really love learning all I can."
"You'll be great," Regina gently caressed Emma's dimple that formed against her cheek sometimes when she smiled with her thumb. "But, I'll miss you." She paused. "I love you."
Emma sighed another happy and content sigh, her eyes sparkling with all the love in the world. "I love it when you love me. And even more when you miss me" She leaned in and captured Regina's lips in a kiss. One of her favorite things she loved feeling when kissing Regina, was when she smiled against her lips like she was now.
"Alright, go now. You have a long ride ahead of you." Said Regina, placing one last kiss to Emma's lips.
"Hold on," Emma exited the car and opened up the hood to carry Regina's luggage. "I drove you all the way over here, and we spent the most amazing weekend together, the finishing touch to that would be for me to walk you to the door."
Regina smiled as she walked beside her. "If you insist."
"Oh, I do, very much insist." Once they reached the steps, and Regina was safely standing in front of the door, Emma handed her her luggage.
"Thank you. For everything." Said Regina.
"I'll call you as soon as I get a chance later." Said Emma.
"You better."
Emma smirked. "I will. And I'll text you once I've arrived in Portland." She leaned in for one more kiss, and waved as she walked off. "Oh, Regina!" She turned back, seeing Regina do the same through the parted front door. "Uh, my friend August always likes to throw a party the first weekend we've started school, and… Well, I was just wondering if there was any way that you'd like to come."
Regina wasn't expecting that. And it was obvious to Emma she was surprised, given the nose she had made in the back of her throat. "I'd love to go anywhere with you, but… Emma, what would people think if I were to be at your college party? And wouldn't Audrey be there?"
"I don't care what people think. To hell with that. And it wouldn't be on campus, it would be a beach party. And I know for a fact that August likes you. Trust me, he doesn't give up his apartment for just anyone." Emma smiles. "And as for Audrey…" She scratches the back of her neck. "There is a slight possibility, but usually she doesn't make it to his first party, because school doesn't give her much time. She likes to study the first weekend. Let me find out, and I'll let you know for sure."
Regina flashed Emma a smile and nodded. "I would appreciate that. I'll find out what Leopold will be doing, make sure he won't be home. If the coast is clear, I could drive up-"
"No. I'll come pick you up. I'm afraid I insist." Emma grinned.
Regina chuckled. "Well, if you insist."
They waved goodbye, and Regina waited at the door until she no longer spotted Emma's car.
Emma thought long and hard on her drive home. All of her thoughts focused on Regina. She thought about her staying in that damn house all alone. Well, thank goodness Sidney would be there. But, that wasn't enough to take away the empty hollow feeling that settled inside of her chest every time they had to say goodbye. In fact, Emma couldn't imagine her life without it somehow including Regina within it anymore. She didn't want to imagine a life or future plans without Regina.
And most importantly, she wanted more out of their relationship. Experience it all with Regina. Spend the rest of her life making her happy, and not have to worry about leaving her in a place that made her unhappy. She wanted to expand her plans to have more to offer the next time her and Regina were together.
Turning the volume knob on her radio, Emma grinned, feeling happier than ever as music filled her car.
David placed a playing card on his solitaire game as he sat at the table. "Sweetheart, relax. She'll be here." He said, after seeing his wife peek from the kitchen for the tenth time today.
"I'm home!" Emma announced as she entered her home.
"Hi, sweetheart!" Mary Margaret beamed as she entered the living room, racing over to hug her daughter.
"Hey, kiddo, how was the drive?" David asked.
"It was fine." Emma smiled, leaving her luggage where she stood to sit next to David.
"And how were things? How's Regina?" Mary Margaret asked.
"Great. To both your questions." Said Emma.
"Dinner will be ready in just a few minutes." After giving her daughter a gentle squeeze along the shoulder, Mary Margaret returned to the kitchen.
David shook his empty beer bottle, "Beer?" He told Emma.
"No, thanks." Emma shook her head, hearing David grunt as he stood from his spot in search of another beer inside the fridge. Her eyes followed him as he sat back down.
"So, you had a good weekend, huh?" He asked her.
"The best." Emma smiled and sighed. "David," she said softly, hearing him hum in response as he took a sip of his beer. "I wanted to ask you a question."
"Shoot." David placed another card down on the table.
"Here we go," Mary Margaret came in with a bowl of spaghetti and sat it down on the table, along with a salad before sitting at her usual spot.
"That looks wonderful, sweetheart." David smiled before looking back at Emma as they all served each other some dinner. "So, what did you want to ask me, Em?"
"Well, I know you guys said I should focus on school and worry about a job once I've graduated, but…" Emma twirled her fork, gathering up some spaghetti. "On my way over here, I actually did a lot of thinking and," she paused. "Well, I've decided that given that I'm close to finishing my course, it would be the best time for me to start thinking about maybe getting a place of my own. And for that, I was thinking of getting a job and saving up a little more to add to what I already have from working with August and his dad from time to time."
David and Mary Margaret shared a look before looking back at Emma.
"Well, I have no problem with that." Said David, chewing through his spaghetti.
"I don't either." Said Mary Margaret. "But, sweetheart, you know you can live here as long as you'd like. We aren't throwing you out."
"I know that, mom," Emma nods. "But, it's not about throwing me out. I just… I want to expand myself. I think it's time."
"Emma," Mary Margaret reached for her daughter's hand. "You know we won't stop you if this is what you want to do. But, have you thought about everything? I mean, you still have school, and you have to worry about paying for your tuition. Studying sometimes takes up so much of your time, and you become so involved. Are you really prepared to deal with the stress of a job on top of that?"
"Yes." Emma nodded and smiled.
"Emma, you know that if you want to find a place of your own, your mother and I could always give you the money."
"I appreciate that, guys. I really do. But this isn't about needing money, really. This is about entire independence and it would be great to have my own place to invite Regina over. We'd have more privacy." Despite feeling her cheeks turn a little flushed, Emma continued. "I don't spend much, and you guys know that. So, next to the money you and mom provided me with when I started college," she exchanged glances with both her parents. "I've saved up a good amount from working for August and his dad. But a little more money wouldn't hurt either."
"Well, I think it's a great idea." David nods and smiles. "It sounds to me like you're ready and quite capable. What do you think, Mary Margaret?" He turns to his wife, as does Emma.
Mary Margaret's eyes tear up, as any mother would with their child giving them the news that they are ready to move on and have a life of their own, away from their parents. "Well, Emma… If you feel ready and capable like David says you are," she breathes. "Then, I believe it's time." She feels Emma give her hand a gentle squeeze.
David raises his beer bottle in a form of cheers, and Emma smiles. "You know, Em, if you're interested. You could come to work at the station for me."
"Really?" Emma's eyes lit up.
"Absolutely." He nods.
"Oh, David, I don't know about that now," There was a worried look on Mary Margaret's face. "I mean, her around guns, I don't like it." She shakes her head.
"Sweetheart," David reaches for Mary Margaret's other hand. "She won't have to shoot anyone. Well, unless someone tries to break into the station, which is highly unlikely." He can't hold back a laugh, and neither can Emma.
"Can you two be serious about this?" There's a frow in between Mary Margaret's brow. "I don't want Emma playing around with guns, no."
"Mom," Emma gives her mother's hand another reassuring squeeze. "Mom, look at me. I'm twenty-five years old. Growing up with David, I've learned well how to use a gun, and I know they aren't a toy. Besides, you heard what David said, I'll only be keeping watch."
"And sweetheart, I'll be there. We could come home together when she'll need to work." Said David.
Mary Margaret sighed defeatingly, it took her a moment to speak. "What's the job?" She finally asked, and Emma smiled as she looked at David.
"You'll be a part time security guard. Your area will be in the garage. It'll be every other Saturday. I'm setting it up that way because obviously, you still need time to study for school while you finish and, well, I imagine you'll want some time to spend with Regina as well."
Emma's grin grew impossibly larger as she rushed over to David to wrap him up in a hug. "Thank you, David! Thank you! I promise I won't let you down."
David chuckled, "I know you won't. That's why I'm giving it to you. And because if there is ever an issue around the station, I know you can handle yourself."
Emma moved back to her seat but not before hugging her mother and kissing her cheek.
"Just promise me you'll be very careful, Emma." Said Mary Margaret, unable to shake the worry off of her.
"I will. I promise." Emma smiled.
"Friday, you can come with me to the station, and I'll give you everything you'll need, plus a uniform. You start Saturday morning, and you'll be off by four." David explained, and Emma couldn't feel more excited.
"Well, then," Her mother smiled. "Now that that's settled, let's eat, shall we? Before it gets cold."