A/N: I want to thank all who give the first chapter to this new story a try, and give my endless appreciation to SheriffSwan28 for listening to Tim McGraw and Faith Hill's songs that brought up this awesome idea for a story. :) As a result to that, I will be using a lot of their songs as Emma and Regina's own for this story. Keep in mind, I know nothing about show business, but I am excited about this idea and couldn't wait to share it with you all. More updates will be posted tomorrow on my other stories. Happy reading!
I can feel the magic floating in the air.
Being with you gets me that way.
I watch the sunlight dance across your face-
"Cut!" A man sitting in a chair yells and the entire studio falls silent. The music stops playing, and a beautiful and elegant brunette who happened to be the artist of the lyrics she was singing along to, sighs in aggravation, but is forced to stop like everyone else.
"Brightness! I need more brightness." Said the director of the video as he stood in front of Regina. "I need the visual of the desert she's on to appear like gold." He turns to Regina. "Don't you think so, Regina?"
How much more visual did a man need? Regina thought, but smiled. She was already used to working with Robert Gold, one of the toughest and most demanding directors of his generation in the music business. But above all that, the man was brilliant beyond his years, so Regina found a way to work with him.
"Whatever you think is best, Robert." She smiled, wishing to get out of this silk white dress she found herself wearing while standing in front of a green screen.
Regina never asked to be a singer. Just like she never imagined being the hottest slow country artist of all time. But, from a young age, Regina loved to sing and her voice was a talent she didn't intend to waste. Besides, it wasn't as if Regina didn't like what she did career wise. She loved singing, and she loved the fame it brought her.
What good was a job if you didn't love what you did?
And Regina loved what she did every single day. Even if that meant spending hours in a studio or in front of a camera lens.
It could get tiresome, but at the end of the day, after hearing her voice sound on every radio station, seeing every unknown face light up to her presence alone, or spending hours up on a stage performing her top hits of the year made it all worthwhile.
But, unfortunately, there was one thing Regina lacked. Something that even music couldn't grant her.
Finding her true love.
"Alright, let's add more lighting, please, and let's start again." Robert instructed, taking back his seat again as Regina prepared.
"Okay, Regina, and… Action!" Gold shouted and the music started, followed by the lyrics.
Cora sighed, shaking her head while resting her temple against two of her fingers. "How did you ever convince me to work with Robert Gold again?" She turned to face the man sitting beside her, looking sharp in his black suit. His hair was combed over nicely and his beard was always well kept.
"Because he's the best, Cora. You know that." He hears Cora scoff out a breath. His voice remained low to avoid interrupting the video shoot as he undoes the single button on his suit jacket. "Besides, Regina loves working with him. And you can't deny that even if it takes centuries to film one scene with Gold, the man knows what he's doing."
Cora rolls her eyes and scoffs again, waving her hand in the air. "The man's practically a relic, Robin." she hears a low chuckle from Robin. "I'm sure, there are plenty of other directors who would be delighted to work with my daughter. I," her hand lands against her own chest. "As her agent could easily find someone more capable. And you," she points to Robin. "As her manager, could grant me that."
"I could." Robin nodded, hearing a hum come from Cora. "But that wouldn't make Regina happy. Would it?"
"And you, my dear Robin, would do anything to make my daughter happy. Wouldn't you?"
The corner of his lip tilts into a private smirk as does Cora, before they turn back to watch Regina finish up the scene to her newest music video.
After another hour, Gold's eyes were lit up as he watched the perfect scene unravel before him before he yelled the final cut! And that ended Regina's day of work. Although, for how long? 'Fame always comes with a price,' those were her mother's famous words, which Regina grew to come to know by heart.
Being famous meant that even when you weren't working, you were always working.
Regina couldn't possibly go anywhere without being recognized, and that didn't bother her. That was the price of fame. But, what did bother her was how suffocated she felt sometimes. By her mother, her fame, and for keeping the biggest, darkest secret that should be easy to reveal to the entire world, but it wasn't.
'It's not right. These feelings. You have to push them aside, and do what's right, Regina.'
Another lovely phrase Regina knew by heart and memory. That phrase haunted her dreams, her raw thoughts every single time she would see someone who would seem interested and attracted to her. Regina hasn't come to meet any woman that would make those thoughts grow quiet.
And she couldn't. That possibility had become impossible for her, especially when Robin Locksley, her manager, of all people always found ways to please her like a good obedient dog.
It was no secret that he always had feelings for her. She agrees to go on a date with him one time, simply to please her mother, and the man thinks they are soul mates.
But, what mattered before anything else to Regina. What mattered before her secret attraction to women. Before pleasing her mother, and before her one date with Robin Locksley- was her fans. It was all about them. And keeping her career intact.
The crowd roared and cheered beyond Emma's wildest dreams as she stood up on that stage with her acoustic guitar strapped to her shoulder, waving and thanking the crowd as she sat in her stool, in front of her microphone.
It surprised Emma how, in such little time she had become one of the biggest rock country singers of all time.
Here she was, living her dream, her life, hounded by millions of people, chanting her name, and begging her to sing one more song.
"Thank you," Emma waved as she spoke into her microphone, standing tall and proud at the Cynthia Mitchell Woods Pavillion center in Houston, Texas. It had proven to be her biggest concert yet, and to see every single seat occupied made her heart flutter.
The crowd cheered, chanting on more, spurring her on, which always made Emma smile. How could she refuse, when her success had grown so much in such little time?
There was nothing more that pleased Emma more than to see her fans' devotion for her.
She never planned to become someone famous, nor to see her face on every television channel she surfed or on every magazine cover. Especially, since she decided to publicly come out as gay in one of her last interviews given.
One thing about Emma that her fans loved, and what made her the most popular was that she was out and proud. She had hidden all of her life, and that was enough. Why hide any longer when being gay wasn't the most horrible thing on earth anymore? It had become more accepted, and more tolerated. By some people, anyway, which if Emma was being honest with herself, she didn't care about the people who couldn't cope with the idea that being gay was absolutely normal.
She had hidden for too long, too much to care what anyone thought about it now.
Yes, that had lost her some fans, but it also gained an entire community of fans for Emma. Fans that she more than welcomed and eternally loved.
As the crowd continuously cheered, Emma couldn't refuse to stay up against the microphone and smile. "Alright, one more," she heard the crowd go crazy as she spoke into the microphone, her guitar adjusted. "This last one is one of my personal favorites, that I think you all know well."
It's Your Love was Emma's number one hit, ten times in a row. The crowd went crazy recognizing the song as it began playing, starting with the strumming of her guitar. It filled Emma's heart every single time she would hear her fans singing along by heart to her lyrics.
Dancing in the dark.
Middle of the night.
Taking your heart.
And holding it tight.
This song had become her number one single that fans had been ranting about seeing her do a duet with Regina Mills. The next country artist of the year.
The crowd roared at the end of the song and she waved before making her way off stage for good, where she was met by Graham, her manager and older brother for all intents and purposes.
"Yes!" He clapped, feeling as equally satisfied as the crowd still cheering and clapping for another wonderfully given performance by Emma.
Emma grabs a white hand towel that is handed to her by Graham and wipes her face, followed by a bottle of water.
"Whoo! You're a hit, Em! Listen to them out there! They love you." Graham smiles, clapping his sister on the shoulder.
Emma takes a big sip of water, as she tended to do after every successful performance.
"That was wonderful, Emma." Kathryn smiled, looking down at her phone and reading over the programmed schedule. "Next we have the Florida tour, and then if all runs smoothly you'll get to finish at home in New York."
Emma takes another sip of water and unstraps her guitar, handing it over to Graham, who hands it over to someone from the backstage crew, who takes it with them to store away, all while Emma makes her way into her dressing room.
"With the way things are going, I say you are due for an award at the fifty-sixth annual award in Austin two months from now."
"That's great." Emma smiles, removing her hat and tossing it on the couch where she gladly plops down, taking another sip of water. The coolness of the room hits her sweaty skin in all the right ways. "So, I finally get to take a much needed break, then, huh?" She asked.
"Well, I would call it a short break." Said Graham, giving Emma an apologetic look.
"What do you mean a short break?" Emma's face falls. "Graham, you promised me that after this tour, I'd-"
"I know very well what I said, Em, but listen to me for a second." Graham held his hands together in a pleading manner. "I was on the phone with Robin Locksley, and he thought it would be a grand idea if you collaborated with Regina Mills at the Two Faces event in Nashville."
"Regina Mills?" Emma's brow raised, and she saw Graham open up his suit jacket to reach for a folded up magazine from a pocket within before handing it over to her. Emma studied the magazine where none other than Regina, staring deeply into the camera lens, wearing an all black tight dress.
"She's the next biggest country artist of this year," said Kathryn. "And this is a big event. They asked specifically for you."
"That's right." Said Graham. "All you'd have to do is sing your little heart out with a few of your songs and do a duet with her."
Emma's eyes glance up at Graham and Kathryn, forcing herself to tear her sight away from the magazine.
"I was thinking It's Your Love would be a great song to collaborate with her." Said Graham.
"Fans have been requesting for years to see you two together. If we make this happen, it'll be remembered for years to come." Kathryn smirked, her hands clapping in excitement.
Emma looked back down at the magazine that she continued to hold onto, looking into Regina's eyes. That was the first thing she noticed. The woman had a deeply profound concentrated gaze. "She's on board with this?" She motions toward the magazine as she asked Graham and Kathryn.
"Absolutely." Graham nodded.
"She was just informed as well." Said Kathryn. "Now, we've rescheduled your New York tour, because they expect you to be there in two weeks. It's just for a day, and afterward you can perform in New York, and take that much needed break."
Emma sighed, tossing the magazine beside her on the empty spot of the couch where she sat. "How am I going to tell Lily?"
How indeed? Especially when she promised that after this tour was over, she would be home.
"The event is Two Faces in Nashville." Robin explained while sitting in the back seat of Regina's SUV, while Cora read over the latest magazine article that held Emma on the cover. "It's in two weeks. I spoke to Ms. Swan's manager and agent personally, and they promised she's on board."
Regina took a sip out of her water bottle, setting down. "Two weeks?"
Robin nods.
"Robin, Regina is still shooting her music video for her new single. Two weeks is too fast. Gold will not appreciate-"
"It won't interfere with her schedule. Regina is practically almost done shooting the video," he motioned toward Regina. "This event will only be for a day. You should be finished with your video before we leave."
Cora shakes her head as she reads through the article, her eyes focused on a picture of Emma. "I don't think this is a very good idea, Robin. No. You should tell them to find someone else."
"They asked for Regina." Said Robin.
"Well, tell them she has another engagement in another event and simply can't make it." Cora slams the magazine closed, flashing the cover of it where Emma's face is lit up by her smile and green eyes. "I refuse to allow my daughter to sing alongside Emma Swan." She tosses the magazine right beside Regina. "Especially after the scandal she created by announcing her sexuality to the world last year in front of thousands of people."
"Mother," Regina glared at Cora.
"What?"
"A person's sexuality has nothing to do with this."
"Are you seriously listening to yourself right now, Regina?" Cora leaned into her daughter, anger taking over her eyes. "It has everything to do with it."
Regina rolls her eyes and turns to look outside her window. Cora Mills being old-fashioned was one thing, but her hatred and fear when it came to someone's sexual preference being that of the same sex was an absolute nightmare to Regina. Especially since Regina came clean about her own feelings regarding her own sexual preference toward women when she was twenty years old.
Her mother, after slapping her across the face, went on a rant as to how wrong and sinful that was. And that's when everything changed for Regina and forced her to 'stay in the closet,' hiding who she truly was. Especially when Cora threatened to have her career end in the snap of a finger if she so much as gave in to those feelings.
Regina loved her career. She didn't want anything to jeopardize it.
"Don't you remember when this woman came out last year, how fans were enraged? I don't need my daughter to make her fans believe that she too is gay, and lose all she's worked for." Said Cora.
Regina remembered that year well. How Emma Swan announced her sexuality to the world during a live interview, and the world was shocked, but to Regina it had been the most bravest thing in the world to do. Bravery that Regina lacked.
"If I remember correctly, she also gained many fans." Regina murmured, keeping her gaze to the outside world around them. "Especially in the LGBT community."
Cora scoffed and shook her head.
"Regina is right, Cora." Said Robin. "I won't lie, I'm not a fan of this Emma Swan person," he motioned toward the magazine which Regina picked up to observe Emma's picture in silence. He neglects to see Regina glare at him from behind the magazine. "But, this event is for a good cause. Think of the popularity it would bring Regina- more than she has now- if we allow her to do this. After all, I must admit, Ms. Swan does have a great singing voice. A duet with her would be huge."
Cora sighs and rubs away at her temple before her eyes turn to Regina, who's reading over the magazine article. "What do you think of Ms. Swan, Regina?"
Regina shrugged as she flipped the page, her eyes trained on the blonde's picture. "I've heard a few of her songs, and I must say, Robin is right. She does have an excellent singing voice." She flips to the next page, seeing another picture. Not to mention how beautiful Regina thought Emma was. "I want to do it."
Cora scoffs, "Regina, there will be other events where you could-"
"Mother." Regina's eyes lock onto Cora's, and Robin observes them in silence. "I want to do it. It'll be fine. Like Robin says, it's just for a day. What's the worst that could happen?"
Robin nods, "Very good. I'll make the call."
A week later, Emma was on her last destination in Florida. She had been trying to contact Lily, leaving voicemail after voicemail with no return phone call. She was probably busy filming her new film. Her career was skyrocketing just as Emma's was.
"Come in," Said Emma after hearing a knock outside her dressing room door.
Graham popped his head in, and Emma could hear the crowd already chanting her name. "Hey, sorry, but you're on in five minutes."
"Okay, five minutes is all I need. I'll meet you out there." Emma nods. She hears the door shut, and turns her attention back to her phone, her thumb tapping on Lily's name in her contact list before placing her phone by her ear, listening to the line ring.
"Em? Where are you? I thought you would be in Florida by now." It wasn't until the third ring that Lily's voice was heard.
"I am. This is my last stop." Said Emma.
"Well, that's great!" She could hear LIly smile through the phone. Lily had been looking forward to some time off so that her and Emma could spend some time together. Maybe go on vacation. "How was your show in Houston?"
"Fine. It went well." Emma smiled. "I wish you could have been there. The entire place was sold out."
She heard a chuckle come from Lily, "Of course it was. Your music is truly something out of this world. Listen, I was talking to one of my co-stars here on set, and she was telling me about her vacation to Cancun. I was thinking maybe we should-"
"That's, uh, why I was calling you." Said Emma, hearing Lily remain silent. "Lily… I have to go to this event, to perform next week, so much so that my tour through New York got a little pushed back."
"What? What are you talking about? What event?"
"It's the Two Faces event in Nashville." Said Emma.
"Nashville?"
"It's for a good cause. They asked for me specifically and I couldn't turn it down. It's just for a day. I'll go greet some fans, sing a few songs, do a duet and I'll be back home before-"
"A duet?" Emma heard Lily scoff, "Emma. You promised me-"
"I know what I promised you, Lil. But, if anyone knows how fame is, it's you. You're the one always telling me how unpredictable it is, and I've been more than understanding of you being away for months because of this film you're working on."
"Yeah, which, today I close that project and I'll be home for a good while while you're out singing in Nashville."
Emma rolled her eyes, "It's just for a day. After that, I'll be home finishing my tour in New York. I was even thinking that you could be with me, cheering me on." She smiled, and her smile was gone as soon as she heard Lily's response.
"Tour four cities in New York? Emma," Lily pauses. "I've been working for months on a film that has truly been exhausting. I really just want nothing more than to relax in our home. Preferably with you. And now you're telling me that's not going to happen?"
"I didn't say it isn't going to happen, Lily. I'm simply stating, it'll hold me back a day. Just a day." Emma heard Lily talk to someone else. "Lily?"
"Look," Lily sighs. "I can't talk about this now. If you've already said yes to attending this event, then there really isn't anything I can do to change your mind, is there?" Emma sighs. "Go do your thing, knock 'em dead like you always do and we'll talk when we're both back home in New York."
"Alright," That's all Emma said. She had a show to put on, and wanted to give it her all. "I'll see you at home when I arrive." She sighed as she heard the line go dead. "I'll see you at home, Em. I love you, Em. Have a good show, Em." She answered herself as if she were Lily before reaching for her black hat, placing it on her head before exiting out the dressing room door.
Once at the Nashville event, Emma smiled and waved as she looked out her car window at the million screaming fans. To this event, she decided on wearing some jeans, one of her flannel shirts and a vest, adding the finishing touch of her black hat.
"This is insane. It's absolutely insane." Graham smiled, watching all of the fans holding up signs in support of Emma's arrival.
Robin and Cora walked right behind Regina as they were accompanied by security all the way to what would be her dressing room.
"Thank God, we've arrived. That flight was eternal." Cora sighed, collapsing on the couch.
"The stage is nearly ready." Robin came into the room. "In about twenty minutes Regina will be going on stage to sing the songs that she chose. Then, you come back here and prepare for your duet while Ms. Swan goes on and sings a few of her songs. It's all very simple."
Regina nods. "Sounds good."
"Oh, and as for your duet, uh they want you to sing one of Ms. Swan's songs along with her."
"Dear God, what song?" Cora asked, sitting up on the couch.
"It's Your Love," answered Regina, knowing the song perfectly well. She has heard it on the radio a couple of times. It's one of her best. "I was informed. Thank you, Robin." She smiles at him.
Robin smiles and nods. "Well, I'll let you get ready. I'll go check to make sure everything is up to speed."
"Thank you, Robin." Regina smiles in gratitude.
"Always a pleasure, Regina." He gives Regina's arm a gentle squeeze and exits the room.
Regina sighs as she sits for a while, her eyes glancing over at her mother's smirk. "What?"
"That man is crazy about you, Regina." Said Cora, and Regina groans.
"Mother,"
"What?"
"Not this again, please." Regina rests her head on her hand, her elbow propped onto the arm of the couch, and her eyes closed.
"What's wrong with becoming interested in someone like Robin Locksley, Regina?" Cora shrugged. "Besides, you can't deny that he is a very attractive man. Definitely one who would kiss the ground you walk on." Cora tilts her head and leans into her daughter. "Or do you not find him attractive?"
Yes. Robin was attractive, Regina couldn't deny that. And as good as Robin is, and goes above and beyond every single time, he wasn't someone she could see herself falling in love with. Especially because what she wanted was a woman.
"Yes, Robin is an attractive man," Regina rolls her eyes. "But, he isn't for me, mother."
"And why ever not?" Cora chuckled. "You're a beautiful woman, he's an attractive man- it works, Regina."
Regina groaned, rubbing away at her temple as she stood from the couch.
"Where are you off to dear?" Asked Cora.
"I'm going to stretch my legs for a while."
Cora pursed her lips. "Well, don't be long, you have-"
"Twenty minutes. I'm aware." Regina smiled and exited the dressing room.
Truth was she needed to get as far away from her mother as possible. Honestly, touching the Robin Locksley subject always suffocated her. Regina walked past a door, followed by another as she walked down the hallway, coming to an abrupt halt as one of the doors to the hallway pulled open, startling her and the person stepping before her, causing Regina to almost run into her.
"Oh, I'm so sorry-" Said Regina, her eyes locking into Emma's pair of green ones.
"I'm sorry, excuse me-" Emma said in unison, her eyes locking in place, piercing Regina's brown orbs.
The brunette's heart stopped, as did Emma's around the same time, time itself felt as if it slowed down.
