A/N: Forgive my long absence. This is one of the busy times of the month as Christmas is around the corner. I hope everyone had a wonderful Thanksgiving. And now that I finally had some time to work on this favorite story of mine, I went out of my way to not only deliver the longest chapter in this story to all of my readers and fans of this story, but I come delivering the first rated M chapter. I hope you all love the development of it. Tomorrow a new chapter will be posted. :) Thank you to all who continue reading this story despite it being a slow burn. Happy reading!
Three weeks. Three long weeks had passed and Emma was going out of her mind. She sat in her small cubicle at the station, in the parking garage, reading The Count of Monte Cristo. Extra credit assignment from her literary professor to finish her course early, leaving Emma to only focus on her photography and art classes. But she couldn't even concentrate on the damn book right now, enough was said about that once Emma shut the book and tossed it against the table.
"I don't blame you, kid. I couldn't get into that book either. I mean, who wants to read a book by a guy who's last name is dumbass, anyway, right?" Said Bill, who was sitting right behind her, taking a bite out of his burger.
"It's Dumas." Emma corrected him.
If only the book was the problem. Her problem was that she needed to see Regina. She missed her.
Graham walked by, whistling to himself and knocking on the window of Emma's cubicle. He waited for Emma to beckon him inside before feeling free to open the door. "Hey, Em. I asked Ruby to go to lunch with me, but she absolutely refused. Would you care to join me? I'm buying."
"Yeah, sure." Emma shrugged, standing from her seat, clapping Bill on the back as she headed out. "See you later, Bill!"
Graham and Emma found themselves a while later, sitting inside a booth at a nearby diner for some sodas. Graham had decided on a burger, while Emma decided on just a grilled cheese sandwich.
"So, I keep trying everything to make Ruby go on a date with me. But, at this rate," he shakes his head as he dips a french fry into his puddle of ketchup. "I'm about to give up. Nothing gets through to her."
Emma smiles. "Maybe you're just trying too hard."
Graham scoffs, "Or not enough."
Emma takes a bite out of her sandwich. "Have you ever tried giving her a flower?"
"A flower?" Graham's brow rises as he sees Emma nod, hearing her hum in response. "Well…"
"I'll take that as a no." Said Emma, taking a sip of her soda.
"I don't get it, Em. I mean, what is a flower supposed to do?"
Poor Graham. Emma thought to herself. He needed a lot of coaching on how to be romantic. Regina would like him.
"It does a lot. It makes a girl feel special for starters." Said Emma, unable to help herself from thinking about Regina again. "For example, her smile. Just the sight of it is enough payment to fill your heart, especially if you really like the girl. And, compliment her eyes, or simply tell her that you think she looks nice."
"And then do I ask her out?" Graham asked, intrigued.
"No, no," Emma chuckled. "You don't want to rush it. Never rush her."
"Never rush her," Graham echoes as he nods.
"When you give her this flower, and you compliment her, just take a moment and admire her beauty."
"Admire her beauty," Graham echoes once more.
"And instead of hanging around like you usually do, try leaving it at that. Wish her a nice day, and just walk away. I guarantee you, she'll smile. And after you've done that, just keep complimenting her. She might even ask you out."
"And if that doesn't work?" Asked Graham.
"It will." Emma nods, taking her last bite of her grilled cheese.
"Wow," Graham leans back against his seat. "Love is so complicated."
Emma smiled, because if anyone knew a thing or two about that, it was her.
"You wanted to see me, sir?" Sidney peeked into Leopold's office and waited by the door.
Leopold removed his glasses in exhaustion. "Yes," he breathed, beckoning him inside. "Close the door."
As Sidney followed a simple order, Leopold placed his glasses back on and leaned back on his chair. He waited for Sidney to reach for a chair, "Don't sit down. This'll just take a minute."
Sidney took a step back and waited.
Leopold waited a beat, hunching over his desk again as his eyes looked up at Sidney. "I'm letting you know, I'll have to travel again. I leave tomorrow."
The muscles in Sidney's face relax. "A lot of traveling this time of year, sir."
Leopold hums as he nods. "Yes," he runs a hand through his hair, what was left of it. "I've had my sights set on France for quite a while, but they refuse to sell."
"That's unfortunate, sir." Said Sidney.
"Not unfortunate, Sidney. A challenge. And you more than anyone knows there isn't a challenge that has managed to get the best of me just yet." The corner of Leopold's lip tilts into a somewhat evil private smirk.
"Yes, sir, I'm well aware of that."
Leopold cleared his throat and adjusted in his seat, tossing his pen onto his desk. "I'll be gone for two weeks. Maybe more, depending on how long it takes to persuade them. I'll, of course, keep you up to date."
"Yes, sir." Sidney nods.
"With that being said," Leopold picks up his pen and uses it to point to Sidney. His eyes glaring, "I don't think I need to remind you of what I asked you to do regarding my wife."
Sidney's body tensed, but not because of what was expected of him. But of the abuse Regina had sustained that night, not to mention this morning. "No, sir. I'm to follow Mrs. White, no matter where she goes or with whom."
"Remember, Sidney," Leopold glares in warning. "Her shadow doesn't exist, because you are her new shadow."
"Understood, sir."
"Good." Leopold sighs and leans back against his chair. "I'll be calling you to give me updates on my wife's whereabouts."
"Yes, sir." Sidney nods and walks toward the door, and as he reaches for the knob-
"And Sidney." Leopold calls out, waiting for the man to turn to him. His eyes glaring once more. "Let it be the last time you interfere when you see me with Regina. I would hate to think you are more on her side than mine." His eyes darken.
Sidney can't speak so he just nods.
"When I feel that my wife deserves discipline, it's because she deserves it."
With that, Sidney exits the office, shutting the door in place, leaving Leopold to his privacy, to which Leopold takes advantage to take his cell phone and dial a number.
"It's me," he says upon hearing an answer. "I need a personal favor."
By the fourth week, Regina was more than happy to find out that Leopold had to leave again for a work trip. Of course, he couldn't leave without leaving her with a small souvenir to remember him by, aching and throbbing at her right shoulder blade, where she couldn't reach to even place an ice pack on it to help bring down the swelling before Emma's arrival.
At least she had that to look forward to. Emma would be coming to visit her, right after work. And that was something she was certainly looking forward to. She had missed Emma something fierce.
She loved admitting that to herself now.
Not to mention, Emma jumped at the opportunity knowing Leopold would be gone for a while and they were safe to see each other again. A bag ready and packed.
Regina heard a horn honk in the distance, and Regina didn't waste any time in pulling her shirt back down, composing herself and rushing downstairs. Sidney happily held the door open for Regina, where Emma met her halfway with open arms and a smile Regina missed looking at. To her surprise, once Regina wrapped her arms tightly around Emma's neck she felt as Emma lifted her up until her feet were no longer touching the ground.
"God, I missed you." Emma breathed, her nose buried against Regina's shoulder.
"You have no idea how much I missed you." Regina's eyes stung with tears she wasn't afraid to let free, and as she parted she felt Emma's hands cup the sides of her face, and wipe her tears away as their eyes locked.
Just like their embrace, their lips didn't waste any time in coming together in a tender and passionate kiss, that even Regina's hands gripped onto Emma's uniform shirt. And just with that little gesture, Emma could feel a chill run up her spine.
Emma couldn't help but let out a small moan, and as the sound vibrated inside of Regina's mouth, it made her feel things she didn't know she could still feel. So much, that Regina decided to part from their kiss, but with a smile stretched out across her lips.
"You ready to go?" Asked Emma with a smile of her own.
"Yes," Regina nodded, keeping a hold of Emma to keep her close. "I just need to go get my bag. With the excitement of your arrival, I left it upstairs."
Emma chuckles and places another kiss on Regina's lips. "Go. I'll wait here."
"Regina?" A voice startled them both, causing them to part instantly and stare at Belle, wide-eyed and in shock. This proved to Regina that she in fact, had not seen them together that night in Portland.
"Belle." Regina breathed, exchanging a quick glance with Emma.
Belle could say nothing but stare wide-eyed at both women, her jaw was all the way down to the floor.
"I didn't know you were planning to come." Said Regina, wanting to break the silence.
"I… Wanted to pop by for a surprise…" Belle's eyes fell on Emma. "But, I can see I'm the one who was surprised."
"Belle," Regina looked over at Emma. "We- Emma and I…" How could she say this in a way that Belle would understand and stop looking at them as if both had grown two pairs of heads.
"Well, you caught us," Emma breathed defeatingly, her eyes on Belle. "Now you must die."
Regina scoffed and rolled her eyes, throwing a glare in Emma's direction. Leave it to her to want to use her sense of humor at this moment. "Emma," she murmured before turning back to Belle. "Belle, I think it's best if you and I had a talk."
"Y- yeah. I- I agree." Belle breathed out a chuckle. "Because I honestly need to know what's going on here. I mean, I knew you and Audrey broke up, but I never imagined that-"
"Why don't we all head inside?" Regina motioned toward the house and turned to Emma, who nodded.
Belle followed them both in silence. Or shock. Could have been both, and stepped aside, eyeing both Emma and Regina once they were all inside the four walls of the house, which strangely fell even more silent.
"Ah, Ms. Belle," Sidney entered the room, making it feel lighter for all three women. "It's always lovely to see you." He smiles.
"It's lovely to see you, Sidney." Belle smiles, shifting on the balls of her feet.
Sidney looked on in question, noticing a change in the air, but still asked, "Would anyone care for some refreshments? There's a pitcher of cold lemonade." He smiles once more.
Regina turns to Belle, who says, "Thank you, but I'm fine."
"Ms. Emma?" Sidney turns to Emma.
"Yeah, that sounds great. You know what, I'll come with you." Emma claps a hand against the man's shoulder. "I believe," she turns to Regina and Belle, exchanging a look. "They have some talking to do."
Regina nods at Emma, her hand falling against the blonde's bicep as Emma leans in to place a delicate kiss along her cheek.
"If you need me, I'll be…" Emma motions toward the kitchen, nods at Belle- who nods back- and walks away with Sidney in tow. Leaving Regina and Belle with their silence.
Regina clears her throat for good measure, coating the bit of silence before giving her attention to Belle again. "Shall we sit?" She motioned toward the living room, before following Belle inside.
Belle watched Regina before joining her on the couch. Regina hadn't noticed the book that was clutched in Belle's hands.
There was silence.
Emma helped herself to a large sip of lemonade, setting the glass down as Sidney refilled it for her. "Thank you." She told him. Her heart beating itself into a bundle of nerves. "It's awfully quiet in there, huh? Which means, Belle is completely okay with this whole thing or you'll have to help us dispose of Belle's corpse and become our accomplice."
Sidney chuckled. Like Dr. Whale; Sidney was another one who enjoyed Emma's sense of humor. "I'm sure everything will be fine, Ms. Emma. Ms. Belle is trustworthy. She would never betray Regina."
"Well, I hope you're right." Emma held the glass of lemonade up to her lips. "Because, when we ran into her in Portland, I thought for sure she had seen us, but seeing her surprised expression right now just proved that she hadn't."
"If I know, Ms. Belle at all, and I do. I am certain that she will see the love you two have is real. Like I did when you first came here." Sidney smiled.
Emma's eyebrows skyrocketed. "You're kidding… You could tell?"
The corner of Sidney's lip tilted into a little smile. "I had my suspicions. Especially with the way Regina would look at you from time to time. But that night you brought her into my room, holding her in your arms, that was confirmation for me that what you felt for her was so much more than just an attraction."
Sidney's revelation shouldn't surprise Emma, but it did. It surprised her to her very core.
"Let me ask you something, Sidney." Emma leaned her hips against the kitchen counter, watching Sidney's expressions carefully as she asked, "Leopold saw me that night. Dive in to save Regina from drowning." She saw him frown. "Do you think he knows?"
Sidney's frown deepened. He inhaled a slow breath before letting it escape his lungs. "I suspect he might have his suspicions. But, then again, if he had, he would have already looked into it." He pauses. "Believe me. Mr. White doesn't waste time. Especially when something angers him."
Emma took one last sip of her lemonade in silence, her mind racing with questions. As much as she wanted to feel secure with Sidney's words, she couldn't. Not completely.
"Are you sure I can't get you some lemonade?" Regina asked.
"I'm fine. Really." Belle shook her head, and waited for a minute before she decided to finally say, "You know, I had my suspicions that night in Portland when I ran into you. I might've been a little under the influence, but once my head started clearing up… I started remembering the glances you two would share." She chuckles, "Yet I still can't help to feel surprised that… I just never imagined that you- Regina- would ever dare to have an affair." Belle could see how uncomfortable that word made Regina as she said it. "Especially not with your daughter's girlfriend."
After a moment, and all while keeping her eyes on the book Belle clutched in her hands, Regina spoke. "I can imagine what you must think of me, Belle. But, I can promise you," she dares to lock eyes with Belle. "It's not without reason." She pauses. "For as long as you've known me, you may have seen my marriage to be the perfect one. But it's been far from that."
Belle listened attentively. She owed Regina that.
Regina swallowed the dry lump in her throat. "You've always known that I married Leopold at a young age. But what you don't know is that it was never my idea to marry him. My mother arranged everything with him shortly after my father died."
Belle's eyes bugged out, "So… You didn't marry him because you became pregnant and he-?"
"No." Regina shook her head. She had told Belle that the reason she married Leopold was because she had become pregnant and when they met, he couldn't stand seeing her race a child alone, stepping in like the good man he wasn't. She had told that made up lie to all of Leopold's acquaintances, and truth be told- it felt great not having to lie to one of her own anymore. "Audrey has always been his. My life with Leopold isn't the fairy tale he lets others believe it is. Leopold has always been a different person behind closed doors."
"How…?" Belle scoffs, not being able to produce any words.
"I've lived in fear of him for all of my life. Leopold has always been controlling and wanting things his way. Before Emma came along, you have been my only friend." Regina swallowed once again, daring herself to continue. She couldn't stop not. She would not. "You have always been known to be observant and astute. Have you not noticed my change in attire whenever he's around compared to whenever he's out of town?"
Of course, Belle had. "I…" She nods. "Yes. However, I just always thought that it was just your way." Suddenly her eyes bulge out. "Does he…? Oh, God, Regina, he doesn't hit you. Does he?"
Belle wished she hadn't asked that question. If Regina's silence and fallen gaze didn't tell her everything, seeing Regina look around to make sure Emma wasn't around to see as she exposed to Belle the bruise that rested against her shoulder blade- did. Regina wore a pair of jeans and one of her blouses. It was easy to simply pull at its neck line and expose the throbbing black and blue bruise. It wasn't enough to say, Belle was horrified. So horrified, her hand covered up her mouth in utter horror. Her eyes stung with tears that quickly slid past the girl's cheeks.
"Oh, Regina…" Belle wiped away her tears, seeing Regina's own eyes gloss over. "Regina." She couldn't think of what more to do but pull her best friend into a careful hug. A hug where Regina allowed herself to cry, whip silently. And what a liberating feeling it was, to allow herself to cry, expose herself to someone else that wasn't Emma or Sidney.
Once breaking free from their embrace, Belle composed herself, adjusting herself on the couch again along with Regina before Regina spoke up again.
"I can't tell you how many times I wanted to tell you," Regina's voice broke. "But being married to Robert, I wasn't sure how much I could trust you with something like this without saying anything to him."
"I-" Belle nodded. "That's understandable. But," She reached to take Regina's hand. "Regina, you must know that I would never say anything you didn't want me to. I've known you a long time. The last thing I'd want is to make you feel like you can't trust me with something this massive."
Regina allows herself to smile a little. A simple gesture of a thank you towards Belle. "If you're wondering," she started again. "Why I've never told anyone about this. It's because Leopold has made sure I don't."
"I understand." Belle squeezes the brunette's hand reassuringly. Her eyes lock onto brown orbs. "Does Audrey… Does she know?" Her eyes grow wide upon seeing Regina shake her head. "Regina-" Her shoulders slump.
"Audrey wouldn't understand, Belle. She is a woman who lives in her own world." Regina wipes away at a fallen tear. "She thinks the world of her father, and I'm…" She chuckles. "I'm no one to destroy that for her. It's bad enough how much it'll hurt her when she has to find out about Emma and I. Let alone when Leopold finds out. We are talking about a man who is jealous of his own shadow around me, after all."
Belle frowns, and she can't figure out what to say next.
"I can only imagine what you must be thinking." Said Regina.
Belle didn't know how, but she forced herself to say something then. "Well, Regina… Be that as it may, no matter how horrible things clearly are between you and Leopold… You have to realize that what you and Emma are having together… Well," she shifts uncomfortably. "Let's call it what it is." She watches Regina frown. "How did all of this between you two begin?"
"During the summer," Regina swallowed another hard lump down her throat. "While Audrey… Was here." She quickly jumped in after seeing Belle's eyes bug out once more in complete shock. "We've never slept together, Belle. It wasn't like that." She watched as Belle placed a hand against her own chest in relief. "We merely kissed."
"But… How?" Once again, Belle's eyes bug out.
Regina sighed and began, "At first I didn't see Emma but as my daughter's companion. I kept to myself, as I tend to do whenever some of Audrey's friends have stopped by. But, Emma… She began to notice everything. At first it was a bruise here and there, until she began to question why it was happening so frequently. And as much as I tried to avoid it, in a matter of days, Emma gave me a sense of trust. For the first time in my life I felt 'seen,' like someone other than just Audrey's mom. None of Audrey's friends or girlfriend's ever cared about getting to know me, but Emma was different. She wanted to be my friend." She allows a tear to escape her that Regina is quick to wipe away. And Belle mocks her hand gesture against her own cheek as she feels tears of her own begin to run down. "You have to believe me, Belle. If anything, I tried- with all my might- I tried not to fall for her. But, I failed. I failed miserably." She chuckles away her cracked voice.
Belle wipes away more tears that can't seem to stop spawning on her as she listens attentively.
"I've lived tortured my entire life, enduring physical and sexual abuse from the man who swore in front of thousands of people that he would love and protect me." Regina allowed more tears to flow, feeling her very soul drain out along with them. "Twenty-five years living in this hell," she looked around the house, with no particular destination. "Of never truly experiencing what it is like to fall in love. To be happy with someone who makes you smile and not cry most nights, making you wish you were dead." Regina chuckles, wiping another tear. "Until Emma Swan introduced herself with a smile as bright as the sun."
It was then that Belle could see how different Regina's eyes shined. Like she had never seen them shine before.
"And… Emma…" Belle pushed her words out carefully. "She loves you?"
Regina nodded, still unable to believe that Emma in fact, did love her. "Leopold always knew about my 'inclinations,' as he calls it. He prefers to ignore them and thought that once we married they would vanish into thin air. As well as my mother. Of course the reason she deemed it so for me to marry Leopold was for security purposes. Financial to be exact."
Belle nods in understanding. "Now I understand why end things with Audrey. She did it for you."
Regina nods once more. "She fought against her feelings, like I did in the beginning."
Belle remained silent, processing all of the new and fresh information into her brain.
"I realize that you might be in shock, I mean, Emma is younger-"
"Younger?" Belle chuckled and shook her head. "Regina, the age gap doesn't frighten me. If anyone understands about age gaps, it's me. I am however worried for you if Leopold were to ever find out. It could have been him walking up that driveway and not me today, seeing the two of you kiss."
"Emma and I only get together when he's not around. And with school starting for her, it's a little more less."
"So, you two-" Belle nods. "You're dating?"
Regina nods.
Belle releases a sharp breath, "Boy… Well… Tell you the truth… If I had to choose between Emma and Leopold. I would choose Emma." She smiles upon seeing a small smile form on Regina's lips. "I can't say I agree how you're doing things, still staying here if you love Emma, sneaking around in an affair, especially after my situation, but-"
"Your situation?" Regina's brow furrows quizzically. "Belle, what- what situation?"
Belle sighs deeply this time, "It's Bobby." Her shoulders deflate.
"What happened?"
"As it turns out, I was right about him having an affair." She saw Regina's face shift in front of her into shock. "Turns out that while I need one man to fulfill my needs, he needs various women to fulfill his one."
"Oh, Belle," Regina pats the girl's hand. "I'm so sorry."
"So, I left him." Belle shrugged.
Now it's Regina's turn to allow her eyes to bug out on her at Belle's surprising revelation. "You-? You left him?"
Belle nods in silence, her chin raised up proudly. "It was a bold move on my part. But after confirming his infidelity, I simply couldn't stick around like some trophy wife. I'm much more than just a young wife with a pretty face. And I believe that by leaving, I proved that to him. Of course, he didn't miss out on the opportunity to shout at me that I wouldn't make it out in the world without him," she rolls her eyes. "As if he were God, who could fix it all with a snap of a finger." She snaps her fingers as she says this and smirks.
"Belle," Regina breathed in shock.
"It was a much easier decision than I thought it would be. After I felt my heart shatter into a million pieces, and I cried my eyes out for an hour or two."
Belle did look happy. A little sad. Her eyes were irritated, which Regina now noticed, but she had a sense of relief washing over her.
"I really wish you would have called me. I could have gone to pick you up." Regina gave Belle's hand a squeeze. "How are you feeling? What did Robert say upon you leaving?"
"I'm fine," Belle sighed, her shoulders deflating. "And Bobby didn't have much of a choice but to accept my abandonment. To tell you the truth, I'm hoping this little lesson will knock him straight on his ass for once. Make him realize what he lost with me. I mean, I'm no top model but I was a good wife to him."
"And what will you do now?" Regina asked.
"Well to start, I already landed a job at a library. In Portland."
"Portland?" Regina's brows rise. "Where Emma lives?"
Belle nods and grins. "Yeah! How crazy is that? I escape away for a day on a whim and fall in love with the place. I've been staying at a hotel around here. I will leave for Portland tomorrow."
"So… You'll be living there now?"
Belle nodded once more. "Looks that way. And hey," her face lights up. "Now that you've let me in on your relationship with Emma, if you ever need a place to stay and you decide to leave Leopold for good. Which I hope you do. You can stay with me."
Regina didn't expect this kind of support from Belle. But what surprised her all the more was for her to suggest Regina should leave Leopold. For good. "I appreciate that, Belle." She said with a small smile to the corner of her lip. "I would love to visit you."
"You are always welcome, Gina." Belle gave her a genuine smile that reached her eyes before she reached for the woman's shoulder, carefully landing her hand on it. "I know your situation is far more complicated but… Do think about leaving him. It's the right thing to do."
"If only I could," Regina frowned, her eyes stinging once more. "But, I'm afraid what he would do if I were to leave."
Belle's jaw clenched in anger at the memory of the bruise on Regina's shoulder. "Well, you have somewhere to run now. If you don't ever want to involve Emma in all of this, come and stay with me. I'd like to see Leopold try and get past me." She scoffs, and Regina chuckles.
"If only I could be as brave as you, Belle."
Belle locks eyes with Regina's at that moment. "Regina. If you are brave enough to have fallen for Emma and see her behind that bastard's back, then you are more brave than you give yourself credit for."
"That's what Emma tells me." The corner of Regina's lip slightly lifts.
"I thought I liked her." Belle holds her head up high, hearing a laugh escape Regina's lungs. And she smiles.
"Would you like to stay for some dinner?" Regina happily offered.
"I would love to, but I wouldn't want to impose on your time with…" Belle motioned and smiled as she motioned with her eyes over Regina's shoulder, causing the brunette to turn to a pair of green curious eyes staring back in their direction.
Regina looks over her shoulder, her body twisting a little more once she's spotting Emma and smiling.
"Sorry," Emma lifts her hands as she waits for Regina to grant her entrance into the living room.
"Come on in. It's okay." Regina smiles, being the only confirmation that Emma needs.
"I just wanted to check in, make sure you're both okay." Said Emma, tucking her hands inside her pockets.
"We're okay, Emma." Regina turns to Belle with a hopeful look.
"Yeah," Belle finally confirms, smiling up at Emma. "We're fine."
"I was just inviting Belle to join us for dinner." Regina turned back to Emma with a smile.
"Dinner," Emma's brows lift in surprise, especially at Regina's nod. "Here?"
"Of course. Leopold isn't here," Regina waves her hand along the air. "Therefore, I believe that makes me in control of my own choices and I choose to invite two people I care about dearly to dinner and please me with the pleasure of your company."
Belle and Emma share a more liberated and relaxed smile, as well as a shared glance.
"Well, I'll stay if Belle stays. Just as long as the coast is clear." Said Emma.
Belle's grin grows. "Well, with such a generous invitation how can a girl possibly refuse? It would be nice to enjoy a nice cooked home meal, other than hotel food." She shook her head as Emma's brow lifted quizzically. "Long story that I will give you the pleasure to listen to over dinner."
Regina chuckles and stands along with Belle from the couch. "You two head on over to the dining room, while I go inform Sidney about dinner."
Regina couldn't remember when was the last time she had enjoyed a nice peaceful dinner like tonight's. And after feeling as if a weight had lifted off of her chest tonight, after confessing everything to Belle and letting her into that dark glimpse of her life that no one knew about, except Emma and Sidney, she had insisted on Belle staying over so that she wouldn't have to drive back in a taxi all the way to Portland.
"Absolutely not. I'll be fine." Belle shook her head, pulling the front door open.
"Belle, I insist you can either stay here in my bedroom, or Emma and I could drop you off." Said Regina.
"And make you two drive all the way back here? Forget it." Belle shakes her head. "Out of the question. Besides, I've made up my mind."
"Belle, you know if you need a car, my friend August runs an autoshop with his dad. I could give you his number, you could talk to him about that, now that you'll be living around Portland." Said Emma.
Belle smiled. "You'd do that?" She asked Emma.
"Well, yeah." Emma smiled. "You happen to be Regina's best friend, and that makes you mine, so…" Her cheeks turn a shade of pink upon feeling Regina's eyes glued right to her.
"That's so generous of you, Emma." Belle's smile grows. "I'll definitely need that number. Being married to Bobby for so long, there was never any need for me to drive, but I am quite capable and do have a class C license." She shares a small laugh with the blonde and brunette.
"Oh, Sidney." Regina calls out to Sidney as he's entering the room. "Would you, please, be so kind as to drive Belle to wherever she's staying tonight?"
"Regina, no- that really isn't-" Belle shakes her head, but is beaten to the punch by Regina.
"Belle, please. I honestly will feel much better if you at least let someone that I trust completely in, drive you." She smiles at Sidney and gives him a nod.
"It would be no trouble at all, Ms. Belle. It would be a pleasure." Sidney gives off a kind smile. A smile Belle can't possibly say no to.
Regina's smile grew, and Belle couldn't say no to that either apparently.
"Well, if you insist. Very well." Belle nods, leaning in to place a quick kiss to Regina's cheek. "Call me anytime, Gina."
"I will. And thank you, Belle." Regina locks eyes with her friend. "For everything, but especially for listening."
"It's what I'm here for. And remember, if you ever need a place to lay low for a while, get away or what-have-you, I'm here." Belle gave the brunette's hand a gentle squeeze before she turned to Emma. "And you…" Her eyes dart toward the blonde. "I think it's natural as Regina's best friend to say that I expect you to take excellent care of her. If I know so much that you've hurt her and you aren't better than that lousy husband of hers," Belle holds up a single digit in warning. "I will be committing a murder."
Emma chuckled. "If I ever hurt Regina, Belle, you won't have to worry, because I would gladly throw myself off of a bridge."
Belle's brow rose. "Very well, then. I'm glad we agree." She waves at them before following Sidney out the door.
And as soon as Belle was out the door, Regina didn't waste any time, surprising Emma, in wrapping her arms around Emma's own waist. Her lips certainly didn't waste any time in capturing Emma's either in a kiss so delicate, the blonde feared her heart would combust from.
Regina kissed Emma again and again until she parted away with a smile that reached her ears, but kept herself in the blonde's embrace. "Thank you," she muttered.
"Technically you kissed me, so for that I believe, I should be thanking you." Emma's eyes narrowed as she heard a chuckle escape Regina's lips. "How are you feeling? You know, after everything with Belle."
Regina breathed in and exhaled sharply with relief. "I feel as if a weight has been lifted off my shoulders. For the most part. It felt liberating to be able to share this with someone else. I just hate that she's going through a rough time right now and on her own." Regina frowns to that. "I wish there was more I could do to help her."
"Listening to her tonight, mutually, was help enough." Emma promised. "I don't know her as well as you do, or as long as you do, but remember I do know people. And I know Belle is going to be just fine on her own. She's quite capable of handling this."
"Oh, right, Ms. Know-It-All. I forgot." Regina smirked in a teasing manner and Emma chuckled.
"If that were true, I wouldn't be struggling with this term paper."
"What term paper?" Regina finally released Emma, intrigued by this so-called term paper.
"Just this book we have to read and write a paper on for extra credit. It could guarantee me to graduate a little early and finish school a little sooner if I get the required grade on it, because then I would only have my photography class and art class to focus on." Emma explained.
"Well, that's great news, Emma." Regina beamed, frowning all too quickly. "So, what's the problem?"
Emma sighed, "It would be great, yeah, if the professor wasn't such a hard ass. He expects me to have this assignment all typed up, and in his inbox by Monday."
"Monday?" Regina's brow lifts as she sees Emma nod. "What's your course?"
"Literature. He's having us read The Count of Monte Cristo. Which wouldn't be so bad if I knew the right words to use, given that he's very particular that way." Emma chuckles.
"Did you bring the book with you?" Regina asked as she watched Emma's brows furrow before her quizzically.
"Yeah. Why?"
Her 'why,' was answered by a grin, fully stretching across Regina's lips.
They didn't remain in Leopold's home for the rest of the evening. As planned they settled in Regina's house of The Orchard, planning to spend the night before driving to Portland the following morning.
Emma was amazed to still find her fort set up and intact. Just as it had remained since the last time they were here. When asked, Regina informed her that she had given Daniel instructions to leave everything as it was.
With a fire roasting before them, its warmth starting at their bare feet, Emma and Regina found themselves nested within what had become their fort. A comfort within their comfort. With Emma's book nestled against her thigh, while Regina's head lay on Emma's other thigh, listening to her voice as she read along to the ink filled pages of the book.
Regina had had her eyes closed through Emma's reading, listening to her sweet voice attentively as it read aloud the words on the pages before her, until somewhere in the middle they parted and stared up at the blonde's thin lips as they read along.
"How did I escape? With difficulty. How did I plan this moment? With pleasure."
Regina mouthed along to the words, all while staring up at the calm movements of Emma's lips. And once Emma's hooded but kind eyes locked back on hers, Regina said, "It's necessary to have wished for death in order to know how good it is to live." Her voice was soft.
And somehow, Emma knew why Regina had quoted that particular line in the book. She could see her own memory of the darkest time in the brunette's life, when she dove into that water, determined to end it all.
"I never truly told you how thankful I am that you saved me that night, Emma." Said Regina.
Emma remained quiet, knowing Regina had more to say.
"Had I gotten away with it, I wouldn't be here. With you."
The corner of Emma's lip tilted. "Like I said, you're stronger than you think."
Could I be? Regina thought, voicing her thoughts a little differently out loud for Emma to hear. "Am I?" She saw Emma quietly nod in response before she asked what she had been wondering about since talking to Belle. "Do you think… That I could be as strong as Belle? Strong enough to do what she did? Leave Leopold for good."
"Stronger," Emma whispered, her thumb lightly caressing its way along her bottom lip, ending at her scar as it was accustomed to. "You are so much stronger than you realize, Gina. And I know that when you're ready, Chief Irons won't know what's coming to him."
Regina let out a light chuckle. And as she spotted the corner of Emma's lip tilt upward again, this time she didn't stop herself from grabbing Emma by the back of her head, pulling her down and kissing that corner away, until their lips crashed together like two forced magnets in a kiss that instantaneously became as warm and heated as the fire burning before them.
The book in Emma's hand slipped past her pale fingers, ending somewhere beside their bodies, witness to how Emma's body then shifted along with Regina's, just as olive-toned hands slid their way along the blonde's sides, along her back, forcing her on top with a gentle, inviting pull that Emma was more than cautiously happy to obey.
Truth was, Regina had missed this. She had missed getting to hold Emma, getting to kiss her just like this, and she had missed the feeling of her gentle weight on top of her own body. So much that Regina found herself having dream after dream about it. Only, in her dreams, she would never be afraid; always brave enough to take things a little further.
Well, she wanted to be brave. She wanted to try. Be brave.
Emma felt a tug at her shirt, realizing that it was Regina who was pulling her further in, inviting her to lay on top of her again. A gesture Emma was happy to deliver as she allowed her body to lean forward. Her hand caressing its way along Regina's bare arm, up and up, trailing soft skin underneath her fingertips until her fingers curled around the brunette's shoulder-
That's when Regina hissed along Emma's lips, parting from their kiss, and their embrace, alerting the blonde's body to sit back with wide eyes.
"What? What's wrong? Did I hurt you?" Emma asked with alert in her voice.
"No," Regina reached behind her aching shoulder, her hand hovering over it before she smiled and shook her head. "It's nothing. I'm fine."
Emma moves back as Regina's hands reach out for her again, a crease formed along her brow. "What's wrong with your shoulder?" She asked.
"Nothing, Emma. I'm fine." Regina tried her best to sound convincing, but she knew Emma wasn't buying it.
"Regina." Emma glared this time.
"Emma, please, don't ruin this. I'm fine."
"Let me see."
"Emma-"
"Regina, please. Let me see." Emma's eyes remained on Regina until the brunette sighed in defeat, rotating until her back was facing Emma. That's when Emma carefully and respectfully lifted the woman's shirt, all the way up until her back was bare, enough to hear another hiss come from Regina as she lifted the shirt over her bruised shoulder. Green eyes darken.
Regina felt a chill run up her spine upon the skin on her back feeling the chill in the air that suddenly surrounded them. "It looks much worse than it feels." She said softly. The fire was still burning, but she couldn't hear its crackle anymore from how silent the ambient had fallen around them.
Emma's jaw clenched at the sight of the bruise covering the woman's entire shoulder. What the hell did he do? Green eyes looked up into Regina's brown orbs upon seeing her turn back to face her directly once more. "Did he-?"
"No!" Regina's eyes grew wide as she shook her head, her hand cupping itself along Emma's light pink cheek. "He hasn't done that in a while."
"When I see him-" Emma hissed, her eyes dark.
Regina could think of nothing more to say or do to calm Emma, bring a little bit of their peaceful moment back than to press her lips against thin ones as she placed a delicate kiss, two along the way before their eyes met again. Inches away through the privacy of pressed foreheads. "You once told me," her voice came out a gentle whisper. "That any pain he caused me, you would mend with something beautiful."
Emma's breathing could be heard in angry small huffs, until it calmed due to her closed distance of having Regina so close. Her eyes closed as she drank in Regina's voice.
"Do that now." Regina pleaded with a whisper, not waiting for Emma to capture her lips once more in a kiss that like all their others began slowly and progressed into something deeper and personal.
Emma once again, was happy to obey. Responding to each and every kiss given to her by Regina. There was nothing that Emma loved more- other than being with Regina- than feeling how easily their lips melted together with one another. It was no secret between them how bold, little by little Regina had started to become. And Emma could tell more than anyone.
Once again, Regina's hands tugged at the blonde's shirt, pulling her forward and Emma could not deny to comply. Her pale hand carefully went up the same trail of skin as before, only was more careful around the shoulder, shielding it gently to prevent it from feeling any ounce of pain again, especially once Emma's body laid out, resting on top of Regina's.
"Are you okay?" Emma whispered as their eyes met for a mere moment.
Regina nodded and bit down on her bottom lip, her eyes locked onto Emma's now gentle green ones. Her hand came up, brushing back behind Emma's ear, a fallen golden strand of hair that hung over her face after coming loose from the messy ponytail she had her hair in. "Is it always like this?" Regina whispered.
"What?"
"Wanting you so much," Regina replied, her eyes locked onto Emma's. "Wanting you to kiss me and never stop, to the point where I feel like my body has been set ablaze."
"I hope so. Otherwise, I'll think I've lost my touch." The corner of Emma's lip tilts upward, and Regina lets out a small laugh.
Regina's hand comes up, her thumb caressing itself along that adoring corner on the blonde's lip. "You haunt my dreams so beautifully. Sometimes I've woken up trying to calm that burning sensation that takes over my body every single time I wake up."
"And? Do you?" Emma's voice is low. She knew that Regina's dreams had been erotic. She never asked to not push her in talking about something that might make her slightly uncomfortable- but she knew.
Even so, Regina's cheeks can't help to develop a slight blush within them as she says, "I start to. It's strange because I never felt the desire to do even that. Until you started taking over my dreams. Thing is… I can't ever seem to…" Her cheeks turn crimson red at this point.
So much, that Emma's thumb brushes along one of them in comfort. "There's nothing to feel ashamed of, Regina. It happens."
"Emma." Regina rolls her eyes. "You're lying on me after kissing me like you do, and I'm telling you something very intimate."
"Touche." Emma grinned, finding the brunette's red blush endearing.
"Would you help?" Regina caught herself asking, noticing Emma's relaxed but heated expression change into one filled with surprise. "I'm not asking you to go further. I just… I need guidance."
"Are you sure?" Emma's lips parted and turned dry.
Regina nods. "I've been thinking about it for a while now, ever since you and I went back to the cliff and kissed in the car." So had Emma. Oh, the things that crossed her mind that night. "I want to start becoming more comfortable with the idea. Like that weekend here, when you used the flower as guidance for me."
Emma couldn't believe what she was hearing. It wouldn't be straight forward intercourse between them, but a type of- a start. "Alright," she breathed. "Close your eyes."
Regina's eyes closed, and as they did, the next thing she felt was Emma's hand grab a hold of her own. Emma would use Regina's own hand as guidance not only for Regina, but herself as well. So it would be like she would be doing the touching without actually doing it. Making Regina feel a little more comfortable.
Emma guided Regina's hand, splaying it out, her fingers on top of olive-toned ones, near her neck first. Her eyes watching her the entire time, how calm she looked, how comfortable, while Regina just felt, allowing her hand to be guided along to wherever Emma wanted to travel next. Only to Regina's surprise, she jerked a little as Emma dared to lean in until her lips dipped along a spot of the brunette's neck, placing a small kiss there.
"I've always loved the sight of your neck." Emma whispered. "You are so incredibly beautiful."
Regina remained with her eyes closed. She could feel how Emma guided her hand down to her chest, her skin feeling the light tickle of the tip of Emma's own fingers lightly grazing her as they moved together. It made her breathing remain calm but wanting to speed up all the same. Emma shifted her body to lay beside Regina, a spot so comfortable in between finding your place and finding a great front row view type of sight for Emma.
"Are you sure you want to try this?" Emma asked again for reassurance.
"Yes," Regina breathed out, swallowing down a lump in her throat as it turned dry. She remained perfectly still, accepting and welcoming Emma's lips as they captured her own in a kiss so soft it helped her mind relax from every single bundle of nerve forming within her brain.
Emma knew perfectly well how to handle this. For someone who never experienced anything like this before, without an ounce of force or violence in its intentions, the experience not only could be relatively new but a little frightening as well. And above and beyond, the last thing Emma wanted was for Regina to feel scared or that she had to continue this if she did not wish to do so.
Lips smacked apart, and both women shared a huff of breath that proved, this was arousing enough for Regina as much as it was for Emma.
For Emma, many things could be arousing. But to earn Regina's trust, to help her- guide her- to grow comfortable with her own body was at the top of Emma's list of things that turned her thighs into a puddle.
Emma took Regina's own hand, placing it against the waistband of her jeans and the hem where her shirt ended. "Touch yourself here," she instructed her- guiding her. Keeping her voice soft at all times. "Imagine…" Emma swallows the hard/dry lump in the back of her throat that spelled desire. "Imagine that I'm the one touching you. Guide your hand wherever you see mine travel in your dreams."
Regina followed instructions to a key. So well that all Emma could do was watch in awe, aroused and amazed all at once. Two feelings mixed together that inside of her wanted to ignite like an atomic bomb, traveling all the way down in between her thighs, settling in her most intimate of areas.
As for Regina, she could see Emma clear as day with her eyes closed. She could see her pale hands worming their way up, settling against her waist, where her thumbs caressed and squeezed wantonly at her stomach, her pelvic bones. Suddenly, Emma is licking her lips, biting down at her bottom lip as she watches Regina's own hand begin to guide herself, snaking underneath the hem of her shirt, all the way up, along the soft skin of her stomach, up, until she could see the brunette's knuckles mold underneath the part of her shirt where Emma knew her breast was.
And if that wasn't hard enough for Emma to watch without touching herself, hearing a shuttered breath escape Regina's lips was. Green eyes landed against slightly bucking hips, and Emma wanted to come undone then and there. Especially with the way she could imagine Regina's hand cupping her own breast, kneading it along with her hand. And if that wasn't enough for Emma to clench her thighs together, hearing Regina call out her name with one shuttered breath was.
"I'm right here." There was promise in Emma's soft voice. "Do you want to go a little further?" She asked, her eyes falling to her slightly raised hips again.
Regina nodded, feeling pretty sure of herself. Herself. She was doing this all to herself, with Emma's help but this was all her. Regina. And she did want to go further. She wanted to finish what she never could on her own.
"I'm going to take your hand, okay?" Emma guided the brunette with her voice once more, all while reaching for Regina's forearm that wasn't underneath her shirt. She guided her hand out, placing it near the waistline of Regina's jeans again. "Undo them. Take your time, you're doing great."
Regina did as was requested. All on her own, by her own decision, the brunette undid the button of her jeans, hearing it pop as she did, And after a minute, she pulled on the cold tag which undid her zipper. Regina didn't know what possibly possessed her to want to start removing her jeans, but just as her hands readied themselves in position to do so, she was stopped by Emma's voice.
"No, don't. You don't have to." Emma's eyes locked on Regina's as she was positioned beside her, keeping her hands entirely to herself at all times. "Don't rush it. This is all for you, Gina. It's all about you. Not me."
Regina didn't want it to be just about her. She wasn't used to it. But, she could tell from the look in Emma's eyes, as aroused as they seemed, she wanted this experience to be hers, and hers alone. For now. She saw Emma's hand come up, reach for hers, which had remained immobile, splayed on top of her stomach after undoing her jeans. Emma looked down for a second until she locked eyes with Regina again before beginning to guide her hand slowly down her stomach.
"Are you okay?" Emma asked, stopping Regina's hand before even the tip of her fingers reached the hem of what Emma could see were black silk underwear. And at Regina's nod, Emma continued guiding her hand, grabbing it at the wrist so that none of her fingers would come in contact with Regina.
Regina couldn't believe it, but, as she hesitantly allowed her own fingers to come in contact with her own self. Her own sex, taking in the feel of her own pubic hairs first and stopping there- she didn't even have to reach further to know just how aroused she was by all this. How was she okay? How was she okay with Emma lying next to her, not moving, just guiding and watching her along the way?
She couldn't understand it.
Had it been Leopold or anyone else- Regina wouldn't stand for this.
But here she was. Free to touch herself without a worry or care in the world. Allowing her fingers to travel more down South by her own free choice. Regina bit down on her bottom lip exactly as she allowed her fingers to come in contact with the obvious arousal taking place within and outside of her warm, soaked folds.
"Eyes on me, baby. Keep them on me. I'm here." Emma breathed in guidance upon hearing Regina's shuddering breath, followed by a soft moan spur from her parted lips.
Regina could see Emma's pupils dilate before her eyes as they stared down into her own brown orbs, even as they momentarily closed before staring back up into Emma's again. "Emma," she breathed out a gentle breath followed by a moan, then another, which spurred her own fingers to get to work, not penetrating but rubbing along her surprisingly, aroused clit.
"I'm here, baby. It's okay. Keep going." Emma bit down on her own lip, unable to help her eyes from giving a quick glance at how easy and slow Regina's hand motion appeared to be, followed by the buckle in her hips. "God, you're amazing." She muttered, unable to look away from the brunette's hips. "You're doing so good."
A few strokes, and a few panting moans later, Regina's free hand clasped along Emma's shirt, until it snaked its way up to end at her hair. Her strokes along her clit arousing her more and more, soaking up the one place that had never truly known any ounce of pleasure before.
Emma grunted a little upon feeling Regina's nails scrape along her neck. She could hear the brunette call out her name, again and again, and she made sure to keep her eyes right on every expression she made as her climax came rushing through. And to hear Regina come undone, watch her before her eyes was the most erotic, beautiful and dangerous thing she had ever seen. And with that, Emma couldn't help herself, she dipped down until her lips crashed along with Regina's in a breathless and passionate kiss.
A couple of Regina's moans vibrated inside of Emma's mouth, followed by some heavy breathing that made the blonde practically come in silence, within the privacy of her thighs. And what followed once their lips parted, was another breathless moan huff out of Regina's lips.
"Did… Did that just happen?" Regina breathed, unable to believe it herself.
Emma locked eyes with Regina's dark brown ones and smiled with confirmation. "It was all you, Gina. All you." She leaned down to place another kiss along Regina's lips before looking down at her again. "I told you," Emma breathed, feeling so aroused herself. "You can do anything you put your mind to. Sex can also be a very beautiful experience. Maybe next time you're alone, and you think of me, you won't be so worried about that anymore."
Regina pulled Emma in, dipping her down to her lips again, capturing them in another breathless kiss that proved to be Emma's silent undoing as she came back up for a puff of breath. Regina could see the arousal in Emma's eyes still. She could feel the poor girl's own voice tremble with careful instructions while patiently watching Regina touch herself. The least she could do was try to help her out the exact same way.
The brunette brought their lips together again in another kiss that proved to turn quickly heated. Only it wasn't until Regina reached for the buckle of Emma's belt and attempted to pull that she felt Emma's hands stop her, as well as pull away from their wonderful kiss.
"Let me try," Regina breathed, her eyes locking onto Emma's.
Emma shook her head. "No. Not like this. Not now."
"Why?"
Emma smiled, which proved- for the first time in Regina's life- frustrating. How could someone be so calm? So patient? She thought to herself in silence as Emma's voice followed through, "Slow, remember?" Emma brushed away a strand of jet black hair along Regina's ear. "Besides, I told you, tonight was all about you. Not me."
Regina sighed, chuckling and shaking her head. "You are truly something else, Emma."
Emma's smile grew out into a grin. "I'm in love. There's a difference. And as badly as I want you right now, I am willing to keep waiting. You took a first step to which you are comfortable with and that's enough for me. For now."
"Fine. But, could you still lay on top of me for the rest of the night?" Regina requested.
Emma nods, positioning her body gently on top of the brunette's and as she did, her nostrils were gifted with the glorious torture of picking up on the scent of Regina's own arousal mixed with the aftermath of it all. And as their lips joined together in the last kiss of the night, melting with one another, this proved to be another dangerous challenge for Emma. But it was one, she was not going to break. Not until she knew that Regina was truly ready.