Chapter Twenty-Three
Emma Swan was used to running but it was more of a figurative statement. Even as a bail-bonds person, she rarely had to literally chase someone.
Of course, Storybrooke had changed that, but the sheriff running at full tilt towards the hospital did earn her a few curious glances from the townspeople.
Of course, none of them was aware of how strange this really was for her.
She was running towards something, something that she wanted so badly that she had actually risked getting hurt.
It was this thought that forced her to skid to a stop outside the imposing door as she realised something that hadn't entered her mind before.
It was the same room as last time.
What if it had all been a break from reality? A way to process the sight of the woman she loved laying dead in front of her.
What if she was about to push through into the room and be met with the same scene as a few weeks ago?
Was she about to re-experience the deafening silence caused by a lack of monitor beeps? Had she actually just finished discussing details with Whale instead of some mystical Author?
A mental breakdown felt more likely than her parents readily accepting her feelings for the Evil Queen, the joy in Snow's voice when she told her that Regina was awake should have tipped her off really.
It felt so much more likely that she was about to once again kneel at Regina's bedside for over an hour, freaking out about telling Henry and resisting the need to beg a dead woman to wake up, to come back to her.
Could she handle that again?
In spite of the tremendous resistance, Emma pushed at the door.
The beeping that hit her ears brought her unexpected comfort, and then came the clicking of laptop keys.
The next difference was the hand on her shoulder and she didn't even have to turn to know that it was Snow.
She couldn't even have turned anyway, not when she beheld the bed.
Regina was propped up, drinking from the cup of water in Henry's hand. She was obviously hazy, but the way that she smiled at their son as he removed the cup ignited hope in the Saviour.
Surely that wasn't the face of a woman who was planning to leave behind everything she had ever known?
Dr Land finished typing and announced, "So all of your vitals are exceptional for two days post-op, but I should warn you that it will be a long road to a full recovery. This is all very promising, though."
"Thank you, doctor," Regina replied, her voice rasping despite the water.
As Henry practically vibrated with pride in his chair, Emma sucked in a sharp breath.
That voice made her sure that this wasn't some mental breakdown, Regina Mills was really alive.
The sound caused the trio at the bed to look over to the mother and daughter at the door and Emma felt heat in her cheeks.
She wasn't sure whether it was her own exhaustion or Regina's, but she still wasn't completely sure about the whole memory conundrum.
Dr Land snapped her laptop shut and said, "I'll be back to check on you in a couple of hours, I'm sure your family would like your attention for a while in the meantime."
Regina nodded gratefully as the doctor left and Henry asked instantly, "Are you sure you're okay, mom?"
Regina took his hand, lingering on the contact for a moment and then replied, "I am sure, my little prince."
Emma could almost pretend she wasn't in a hospital bed as she said it, so she stood mesmerised by the reunion until her mother pushed her further into the space.
Rubbing the back of her neck under Regina's indeterminate gaze, Emma said, "Hey, Regina."
"Emma," Regina breathed with a familiarity that loosened the tightening grip on the Saviour's heart.
She made to rush forward but faltered as she remembered that they were not alone.
"Henry, why don't we give your moms a few minutes?" Snow ventured, cutting through the palpable moment.
Regina looked curiously at her former stepdaughter as Henry squeezed her hand and said, "Sure."
Emma was only distantly aware of the light nudge from her son, followed by the closing of the door.
She couldn't look away from Regina, as if it would risk her disappearing again.
Her hesitation turned Regina's blissful expression into blatant concern and she said, the rasp slowly leaving her voice, "I know that we have said a lot of things to each other recently, but I understand if…"
The vulnerability unstuck Emma's feet, her brain coming up with one way to banish any doubt that Regina could somehow have.
She sat and connected their lips tentatively.
It was the exact chaste kiss she'd almost gone for multiple times a day, but now that she could feel the softness, she decided that there was no way that it would have ever been enough.
Regina apparently agreed as she participated in deepening and lengthening the kiss.
Screeching from the heart monitor had Emma pull back long before she would have liked to. She did palm her cheek and appreciated the view that the proximity gave her now that Regina was staring straight at her, even if she was a little out of breath from the limited exertion.
It was an excellent reminder of Dr Land's warning that there was still a long road to recovery.
"Wow," Emma said, "That was…so worth it."
Regina sank into the pillow as Emma laced their fingers together and replied, "I couldn't agree more."
"I thought…you might have forgotten," Emma admitted, unable to really comprehend how grateful she was that it wasn't considering what it had taken for her to be able to hold Regina's hand at all.
"You thought that I would forget haunting the Saviour?" Regina retorted.
"So you admit that it was a haunting?" Emma gasped triumphantly.
"Not an intentional one," the former queen replied, "it's not as if I had any choice in the matter."
Emma bit her bottom lip as if it would obscure her grin and she said playfully, "Well I'm sorry for believing in you, your majesty."
"I can think of a way that you can make it up to me," Regina said and Emma was already leaning in.
Neither of them reacted to the spiking of the heart monitor this time but it did attract the pair who were presumably not too far away. Emma didn't register the door opening to pull away in time, so Henry and Snow were treated to a view of their second kiss.
Regina frowned and Emma was sure that it was because Snow White was smiling at the fact that the Evil Queen was kissing her daughter.
As for Henry, after the heartfelt goodbye in the vault, Emma very much doubted that it held a candle to the level of love-struck that he'd already witnessed from his mothers.
"Does this mean that you asked mom to be your girlfriend?" Henry asked and Snow elbowed him with widened eyes.
"Come on, Kid," Emma objected.
"No, she hasn't gotten to that yet," Regina supplied as Henry returned to the second chair and Emma did notice that she was continuing to eye Snow in confused caution.
Emma blinked though and asked, "Yet? Does that mean you would say yes?"
Regina smiled as Henry's hand dropped to her forearm and she replied, "There is one way to find out."
S
Two weeks after Regina's discharge, things had fallen into a kind of routine, one that was made much easier by the fact that Emma had effectively moved into the mansion.
After a couple of days, Regina insisted that Henry return to school, so Emma started by making breakfast, taking Henry to the bus before returning to check Regina's incision (following the in-depth instruction of the nurses) before redressing the wound and then keeping her company until the end of the school day.
During all of her time picturing what it would be like after the latest curse broke, she hadn't envisioned quite so much medical care, but she didn't mind in the slightest.
How could she when each simple action earned her a gentle smile or even a kiss from her girlfriend?
When she and her son got to have dinner with Regina (in her room at first and then at the dining table when she had the energy) before she gave her pain medication and she fell asleep at her side.
It was admittedly strange to start their relationship so intensely, they shared a son (albeit not legally right now), essentially lived together and she acted as her carer (much to Regina's annoyance), but Emma didn't care about how things should have been.
According to Isaac, Emma should be at home right now mourning the loss of True Love which never got a chance to materialise. Maybe she would be trying to reassure a grief-stricken Henry who never got to say goodbye to his mother?
Those possibilities threw her current situation into stark perspective.
She may have been given a lot of commitments in a short period of time, but as long as she got to hug Regina close each night, she would be able to deal with it.
With another week until she had to return to work, Emma was wearing a huge grin, even as she just finished cleaning a kitchen that was bigger than some of her foster homes.
Perhaps when her girlfriend was more mobile, she would be able to ask her to teach her a cleaning spell or two?
With practised ease, she filled a glass with water and selected the required post-surgery pills that would ensure that Regina's path to health continued.
She hopped up the stairs with energy that was unwarranted after a particularly long day, but she maintained it as she entered the master bedroom.
Regina instantly discarded the book she was reading in the interest of looking at the Saviour so lovingly that Emma had to pause to behold her.
She may not yet be the formidable mayor that the town was missing, but she was sitting up on a pile of pillows and she had regained a lot of her colour.
For a woman who hadn't been long dead, she was extremely well looking and, each day, Emma saw her getting closer and closer to who she was.
"How are you feeling, Regina?" Emma asked, no longer feeling strange about approaching 'their' bed.
"The same as when you asked half an hour ago," Regina replied, accepting the glass and pills before placing them on the bedside table.
Emma perched on the edge of the mattress to give the woman a full view of her unimpressed expression.
"You need to take your medication," she said, going for forceful even if it was impossible with Regina now that their relationship had evolved.
"Can you just lay with me for a few minutes first?" Regina asked and Emma already took off her boots before she finished the question.
She slid into the ample space next to her, laying on her side and Regina grunted under the effort of mirroring her position.
Remembering the last time they had been like this, Emma was unable to resist unconsciously putting her hand to her waist.
She periodically liked to remind herself that not only was she allowed touching Regina Mills but that she was physically able to.
"That wouldn't have hurt as much if you had taken those," Emma said, pointing her chin towards the bedside table.
Regina touched Emma's face as she shook her head and she knew that the woman felt the same way about the availability of their physical contact.
"I couldn't risk falling asleep before I could appreciate this," Regina replied, kissing her girlfriend slowly and in a way that was readily reciprocated.
They had kissed many times over the last fortnight, but each time felt like a breath of fresh air.
It made Emma wish that her past self could have known how good it felt.
Surely she wouldn't have allowed anything to happen to Regina if she knew how amazing True Love's Kiss felt?
Eventually, she pulled back, grinning goofily, "I didn't know that you could be so romantic."
Regina's fingers left Emma's face to trail over her fresh bandage with a frown, "Well we still can't do what I have been imagining."
Emma took her hand, entwining their fingers in a way that she hoped would convey that she was happy with anything she was willing to give her.
"Are we talking first date or something…less innocent?" Emma asked.
"Either," Regina sighed and Emma had to kiss her again before her frown got too deep.
Still close to her face, Emma said, "We can start with the date, think you could brave Granny's in your wheelchair?"
The former queen smiled wistfully and replied, "Are we sure that there won't be a mob forming to defeat the Evil Queen risen from the dead?"
The sheriff narrowed her eyes and said, obstinately, "I'll arrest everyone in the diner if they even look at you funny."
Regina laughed fully, dragging Emma out of thoughts of whisking Leroy straight to the holding cell before they arrived at the diner.
"Sounds like an abuse of power," Regina teased.
"I'm sure that the mayor will be okay with it."
"Belle?"
Emma deflated, "Oh right."
An awkward moment passed over them, but Regina broke it quickly, "I suppose I will need to find a job once I have been medically cleared? Are there any openings at the station?"
Emma's half grin returned and she replied, "There could be, but you should know, the sheriff sets the dress code."
"Sounds like another abuse of power."
Emma released a bark of laughter and leaned forward to steal a kiss, but moved back as she felt the hint of a frown.
"What's wrong?" she asked.
Regina touched her bandage again and asked, "How badly do you think this is going to scar?"
Emma had to try and keep a straight face despite her desire to laugh, not wanting to make her girlfriend more self-conscious. She wouldn't know that she wanted to laugh at the notion that anything could affect Regina Mills' beauty.
Pulling herself closer, she said, "Chicks love scars."
"Even when it covers the majority of the chest?"
"Well, if it's a reminder of the time that you saved that chick's son, I would say yes," Emma replied.
Regina's palm dropped from the bandage, too speechless to even think about what she could say in response to that, so she made to take another kiss but winced before she could make it to Emma's lips.
She sprang up to swipe the medication and said with authority, "Okay, it's pill time, your majesty."
Regina was close to pouting but didn't say anything as the tablets were handed to her.
She swallowed them and huddled closer to her girlfriend, who set the water down for her.
"Could you stay until I'm asleep?" Regina asked against her neck.
It took only ten minutes for that to turn into light snores that Regina would always deny the next day and Emma glanced over to the clock.
It was only nine thirty but Emma couldn't see herself wanting to be anywhere else.
Despite not really being tired, she closed her eyes to better feel the tangible weight against her body and she turned her nose to press it against the raven locks.
"Thank you for being okay," she whispered.
The spell was broken as the door opened, flooding the room with light from the hallway, but the medicated woman didn't flinch.
Emma pulled her closer and turned to find Henry grinning at the pair with a book in his hand.
"Did mom already take her pills?"
"Out cold," Emma confirmed, "What's up kid?"
Henry smiled a moment longer at his peaceful mother curled into her girlfriend and then held up the book, "How are you with Algebra?"
"What, like math?" Emma replied with uncertainty.
Henry laughed and shook his head as he crossed the space to kiss Regina's forehead.
"I'll ask mom in the morning," he reassured.
"Good call," Emma replied, sighing in relief as Henry chuckled and headed back towards his room.
S
The bracing Maine breeze was not something that Regina thought she missed during her time as a spirit.
Nor did she believe that she missed things like eating or drinking, not when she could see the two people that she wanted to really be with.
Now that she had her greatest desire, she was able to appreciate the smaller comforts.
The cold against her face was not one of the things that would have made her smile in the past, but perhaps it had more to do with the chattering boy pushing her wheelchair through the streets of Storybrooke?
It really took away the pain of the townspeople who feared her seeing that she was not allowed to walk more than a few steps.
Perhaps she couldn't complain considering that she was finally able to stay away for long enough to partake in what Henry was pushing her towards?
"Grandma said I could have the book club if I get a few more people to sign up. Grace already agreed…"
Regina looked over her shoulder as he hitched at the name of his friend and she was certain that his ears had not only brightened because of the cold.
She decided not to pry hard until Grace or Henry gave her a reason to, especially when she was nervous about her own first date with the girlfriend she'd lived with for weeks now.
"That sounds great, dear, perhaps Hansel and Gretel would consider joining?" she suggested.
Henry touched his chin and said, "That's a good idea."
Regina nodded, preparing to ask for more details on his academic success but Henry noticed someone approaching before she did.
Emma ran over and Regina no longer resented the burst of joy at the sight of the saviour.
How could she when she saw her girlfriend?
"Hey ma," Henry said as she jogged up to them.
Emma clutched her knees to catch her breath and said, "Sorry I'm late."
"We only just got here, don't worry darling," Regina reassured.
Emma didn't get to beam at the other woman's natural term of endearment as Henry asked, "Did you figure out how to charge Jefferson and Whale with murder even though mom is alive?"
"Gold fudged some paperwork, something about fabricating another 'Regina Mills'. He said it should be airtight for the state," Emma replied, remembering she had forgotten something and ending the sentence by pressing her lips to Regina's in a kiss that was shortened by their son's presence.
"Thank you for that," Regina sighed as Henry renewed their forward trajectory towards the diner.
"Of course," Emma said, falling into step beside the chair, "They're not getting shorter sentences on a technicality. They didn't know that the curse would break."
The trio reached the diner as Regina looked lovingly between Emma and Henry, appreciating how passionate they were on the subject until she noticed something that definitely hadn't been at the door of Granny's the day before.
A wheelchair ramp.
Regina had anticipated the silent townspeople watching the former Evil Queen having to be carried into the diner, she had planned to bear the embarrassment so that she could finally get to have a date with Emma Swan.
"When did you have time to do this?" Regina asked.
"I didn't," Emma admitted, "It wasn't there this morning."
"I did tell Ruby about the date," Henry mused and hopped forward to hold the door open for both of his mothers.
Emma glided the chair up the ramp and both she and Regina were relieved to be received by only a collection of stares that quickly fizzled out.
They were able to seek out a table like any other patron.
Henry removed a chair to make space for Regina's and Emma glanced around.
"Looks like Snow and David aren't here yet. Wait here kid, I'll get us some drinks."
"Okay," Henry said, sitting opposite his other mother.
As Emma approached the counter, Regina asked, "Have you chosen any books for your club yet?"
Henry sucked in a breath and Regina was ready for a long ramble of her son's literary interests, but the topic seemed to summon the local bookworm.
Her hair was much more frazzled than Regina remembered, but it wasn't that which had the former queen raising an eyebrow.
Belle came straight up to the table to inspect her closely, had the mayorship stripped her of her senses?
"Regina," Belle sighed, "Thank goodness. Please tell me that you are recovering?"
Regina exchanged a look with Henry to make sure this was as strange as she thought it was before she replied, "I am…thank you? Is something wrong, Mayor French?"
"I don't know how you did this job!" Belle exploded in a frantic whisper, "These people are so…How long until you can take the office back?"
All of a sudden, the future felt much more familiar in a comforting way, so Regina held back all of the insults that sprang to her mind.
"I would have to consult my doctor. I take it that you are missing the library?"
Before Belle could release her gushing agreement, Emma rejoined the table, placing hot cocoa in front of Henry and two coffees for her and her date.
She looked curiously at Belle, who took a very relieved step back, "I'll leave you to your meal…Please keep me updated on your…recovery?"
Regina nodded as Emma furrowed her brow and the current mayor escaped back to Ruby.
"What was that about?" Emma asked.
Bringing the mug closer to her body, Regina breathed in the nice bitter smell. She could enjoy it even if she wasn't allowed caffeine for a while.
"I believe I have just resolved my employment issues," Regina replied.
Emma smirked and leaned down, "Does this mean I can go back to calling you, madam mayor?"
Regina laughed as she noticed Henry rolling his eyes through the blonde locks, he was just a typical teen who didn't like his parents flirting in public.
It felt oddly normal.
At the same moment, the bell announced the arrival of their designated babysitters and, once again, Regina was more than shocked to not pick up any negative reactions from either of them to have close their daughter was to the Evil Queen.
"Enjoy your date," Henry urged and then dashed across to his grandparents, though it didn't escape anyone that he chose a booth in their eye line.
"I think the kid is more excited than I am," Emma said, dragging the chair around so that she could be as close as possible before she sat.
The saviour locked eyes with Regina just as she involuntarily rubbed at her chest and she got that look about her that meant that she was running through all of the post-op care instructions.
It was an expression that Regina absolutely adored.
"Should I have brought a blanket?" Emma asked, looking around as if one would appear.
"I'm not nearly as cold anymore," Regina reassured, but Emma took her hand just in case.
Blankets were essential for her when she first got back to the mansion but it was something on a long list of things about her body that was slowly but surely improving.
"If you're sure," Emma said, plucking up the menu for perhaps the first time ever, she huffed at the options and added, "I know Granny's wasn't what I promised for our first date.""
Regina swatted the menu down to reveal the frowning saviour and said, "This is perfect, we're finally actually together."
To punctuate the point, Regina rubbed her thumb over the back of her girlfriend's hand, which had the calming effect that she anticipated.
Before she became her usual slumped self, Emma perked up and pulled out some papers from the bag that she had shoved under the table.
"Speaking of together, I got you something."
"I didn't realise that was a custom," Regina replied, half playful and half fascinated.
"It's not," Emma said, unceremoniously thrusting the contract at her, along with a prepared pen, "But this couldn't wait."
Regina read only the first line and then peered up, dumbstruck.
"Adoption papers?" she asked, her heart in her throat.
With everything that had happened, she had forgotten that she had technically lost her parental rights. How could she think about that when she was closer to Henry than ever?
It didn't at all feel like she was legally his mother's girlfriend.
"Yep," Emma replied, with absolute surety, "I need you to adopt our son."
Regina turned to find Henry peeking over the back of his booth and she knew instantly that Emma must have discussed this with him already.
The nervous anticipation exuding from him had her taking the pen so that he grinned and dropped back to greet his hot cocoa.
Twirling the pen thoughtfully, she said, "Awfully bold for a first date."
"I wouldn't be much of a saviour if I wasn't brave," Emma retorted.
"No I suppose not," Regina chuckled, unable to resist sliding her signature across the page.
Emma slipped the paper back to beam at the signature that officially made them both Henry's mothers.
She put it carefully into her bag and then kissed her girlfriend, starting out sweet and then heading dangerously close to something not as appropriate for the public until the clearing of someone's throat parted them.
The couple smiled sheepishly at Ruby who was wearing a patently wolfish grin.
"Good to see you out and about, Regina," the waitress said, "What can I get you lovebirds?"
Regina could only blush and allowed her girlfriend to order their usuals.
Once she was gone, Emma let out a content sigh and held both of her hands atop the table.
Since she woke up, Regina had grown more comfortable with the fact that Emma couldn't seem to look at her without initiating some physical contact.
"When you can wear heels again, I promise I'll take you somewhere gourmet, for like…a queen," Emma said.
"I already told you, Emma, this is perfect."
"The date hasn't really started yet," Emma argued.
"It doesn't matter, it's with you."
A/N so sorry it took so long to finish this but thank you for all of the support and patience!
Would love to hear what you think :D