A/N: Forgive my tardiness on this fanfic. You know me, always keeping busy with life and or other stories that also require my attention. But to make up for my late updating on this one, I bring you a new, super fun and longer chapter to enjoy over the weekend! :) I need sleep now, but tomorrow another update will be posted on this one and possibly others. Happy weekend my lovely readers!
Waking up that bright and early morning to an empty spot on the bed was a disappointment that was swept away once her eyes lazily opened, focusing on a single rose that had been placed on top of the cloud-like pillow.
The entire bed felt like sleeping on a cloud. Fancy hotel beds had nothing on this bed, or place for that matter.
Regina smiled, taking the rose within her long fingers, bringing it up to her nose, taking in a whiff of it's rich scent. Her smile only growing just as her mind replayed back the amazing night both shared in this bed after their bath. The softness of the petals caressing her neck, going over the trails of their previous, passionate and loving night.
The rose tickled her neck line down to her bare chest, her long lashes coating her eyelids as they closed, taking in the same trail but of Emma's lips to follow. Kissing away the ticking sensation she had caused her with the rose, replacing it with a trail of her love.
What followed was a soft trail back up, followed by a single rose petal being softly moved along her belly button up to her mid line with gentle, careful puffs of air. Sharing their sets of giggles and smirks. Emma removed the petal only to place her share of kisses on the brunette's body, following the exact trails of the petal, stopping exactly below the woman's breasts. Strands of fallen blonde hair tickling them and her stomach as green, gentle and caring eyes looked up at her, searching for approval before moving on.
Emma never moved on without the brunette's approval first, which was a loving gesture Regina wasn't quite used to, but quickly welcomed it.
Chocolate eyes closed after Regina nodded her approval. An olive hand cupping the back of the blonde's head, fingers gripping to her hair. One breast then the other feeling the gentle caress of her girlfriend's hands and fingers, and the careful biting and soothing of her mouth. Follower by the wet, hot trail of her tongue, tasting up against her neck, finishing with taking her lips into her own in a loving, gentle kiss that made her desire travel all the way down to her toes. Their arms circling around one another's form, immediately becoming one.
Knock, knock, knock- three fast knocks jerked Regina out of her thoughts, memories of how perfect their night had been. Her eyes staring wide-eyed towards the door as it swung open.
"Well, look at you!" Ruby beamed at her friend's morning glow, welcoming herself inside, "Someone got the royal treatment last night, huh?" She looked up and around the bedroom, not needing to look at her best friend's cheeks to know she was full on blushing, until finally she joined her, sitting on the edge of the bed, "This place, huh? I mean…" Her eyes grew huge with excitement.
"I know." Regina sighed, looking around the bedroom, her hand caressing the soft bed sheets surrounding her, "It's like a dream." She shook her head, chuckling, "It's crazy, isn't it? I mean this sort of thing doesn't just happen."
Ruby chuckled, "It does in Emma's world. A world she wants you to be a part of," she took her by the hands, "so enjoy it. I mean, who can say they ever dated a royal?"
Regina smiled, "If only everyone liked me."
"Oh, what? So the queen has a stick up her butt. So what?" Ruby's brow raised, "Emma wants you here and from what we've seen, pretty much what she says goes, so… don't even worry about it. You have an entire summer to get the queen to like you."
Regina's brows raised, not believing for a minute that the queen would ever come to like her. Not when she looked at her as the lowest thing in the entire existence. And a poor choice for her daughter.
"Now, come on!" Ruby grinned, determined to not let her friend become gloomy, "You have to see how they eat breakfast in this place. Even that is pretty fancy."
"Is Emma already there?" She asked her.
Ruby's brows furrowed, "Not yet, she and Henry went off somewhere, but everything downstairs is ready so I'd assume they should be back."
"Alright, let me just change." Regina agreed.
Ruby beamed, jumping off the bed and out the door. "I'll leave you to beautify yourself for Emma." She gave her a warning look, "Wear something freeing, this is a vacation, not work and I'll see you downstairs!"
It didn't take Regina long to change into a pair of jeans that ended just below her calf muscle, a black shirt with a yellow crown, the word regal written in red lettering. To finish, she placed on a jean jacket with a pair of spaghetti strap heels. This was casual enough, right?
Her eyes met a pair of green ones making their way towards the hallway and room as she walked out, shutting the door behind her. Correction, a pair of sparkling green eyes, with a smile so wide, the cat from Alice in Wonderland had nothing on it.
"Wow." Emma breathed out, "You look amazing."
Regina chuckled, flashing her own pair of pearly whites, "You always say that with anything I wear."
"Then, it must be true." She placed a gentle kiss on her hand, pulling her close towards her own body afterwards.
Regina's smile grew, her arms circling around the blonde's form, "And you look…" her brow raised, impressed, "very cleaned up."
Emma chuckled, watching the brunette's eyes take in her black dress pants, tucked in, well pressed light blue dress shirt and a jacket that wasn't her favorite red leather one, but a light brown blazer one. Buttoned up, her blonde hair in loose curls.
"By that, I assume you mean not myself?" She had to ask, looking down at her own attire, "It's very different, I know, but my mother insisted I at least look the part while we are here." She rolled her eyes at the words 'look the part'.
Regina wrapped her arms around her girlfriend's frame again, as Emma had pulled away. A smile tugging at her lips, "Leather jacket or not, I always think you look beautiful. No matter what you wear. However this is certainly a nice change I could get used to."
The princess smiled, her head leaning in to capture the brunette's lips, her thumb lightly stroking away at her cheekbone in a loving manner.
It was the clearing of a throat that caused their moment to become intruded upon.
Both women turned at the sight of Robert Gold, which Emma hadn't had the pleasure of meeting just yet either, to which her brows furrowed towards his sneaking presence.
"Princess." The older man nodded, a curt nod at that. A creepy little smile tugging at his lips, "Forgive my intrusion, but both Majesties the Queen and King await your presence for this morning's breakfast. As well as your… friend, of course."
Emma's brow slightly lifted, "I'm sorry, I don't believe I've had the pleasure."
"Gold, Your Highness, at your service. And your friend's." He nodded once again, a smile to him.
He dressed well, Emma had to give him that and he had manners. Still, there was something about him that didn't quite click with her and very politely, and diplomatically, the princess made that fact known.
Regina felt the blonde's hand intertwine with hers, watching her take a few steps towards Gold, as he called himself. From where she stood just behind the blonde, Regina couldn't see Emma's face very well, but she could certainly hear the polite smile in her voice.
"Don't you mean, our friends? And, I'll have you know, that the lady beside me is not just a friend. She is the woman who has captured my heart, she has a name. Regina. See to it that when you refer to her, you call her by that name. And, I assure you, you'll be lucky to have her as queen someday, of this house." Emma smiled a very polite smile towards the older man, who remained silent, "Is this in any way unclear?"
"Crystal clear, princess. I deeply offer my most sincere apologies." Gold nodded respectfully towards the blonde.
Regina couldn't even speak. She just blinked in awe.
"Oh, you don't have to apologize to me."
Regina gawked as Emma simply stepped aside, very curtly placing her in front of Gold. Her head did a double take between her royal girlfriend and the man, who's jaw seemed like it would freeze in place from how tightly he clenched it in silence.
Emma knew that very display, being put in his place, as politely as it may have been, by a woman displeased him a great deal. But this wasn't about so much putting him in his place, even though she did quite enjoy it- this was about defending Regina's honor, an act she would never hesitate to do so, even from her own mother if the occasion called for it.
Gold's chest puffed up as he slowly inhaled, that creepy, sarcastic like smile appearing before the brunette's very eyes, followed by a friendly, "I offer you my most deepest apologies, Ms. Regina."
Deepest? Don't you mean sincere? Regina thought to herself, taking a dislike to the man already. Yet, she offered him her most welcoming smile, brushing off his apology, "It's quite alright. Gold was it?" She asked him.
Gold smiled proudly at his name, nodding, "That is correct, ma'am. Robert Gold at your service."
"Is everything alright, Your Majesty?" Sidney asked, standing just at the top of the stairs. His eyes on Emma, who simply smiled.
"Everything is fine, Sidney. Robert here was just introducing himself." Her eyes shifted towards Gold, who's smile had vanished. Her smile on point just as her head turned to glance at Regina next, "Shall we?" She turned back to Gold before heading down the stairs to the first floor, "Excuse us."
Sidney smiled, nodding their way, watching them make their way down each step.
"A princess with another girl, and with no title, no less." Gold scoffed, which made Sidney's head turn, his eyes glaring, "Now I've seen it all." He shook his head in disbelief.
Sidney's body turned slowly, fully facing him, his hands placed in front of him rather calmly. He cleared his throat before speaking to him directly, "Do you like this job, Robert?"
"Gold." The older man corrected him, staring him down, "And I get to serve the queen. What's not to like?" He smirked.
Sidney's features remained serious, "Hm, well, with all due respect to her Highness, queen or not, her majesty, princess Emma also has a say in this household. And just as the king and queen's lives are none of your concern, what the princess does with hers isn't either. So," He smiled before continuing, "if you happen to value this position given to you, I suggest you keep your comments to yourself."
Gold's jaw clenched once again in built up anger.
"Excuse me." Sidney provided the man with another smile before heading down stairs, leaving Gold all alone.
"You know, you don't have to stand up for me with everyone." Said Regina, walking hand in hand with Emma towards the dining room, "I am-"
"Quite capable." Emma finished the sentence for her, nodding and smiling all at once, "I'm aware."
Regina smirked, watching the blonde's proud features.
"What?" The blonde's brow raised.
"Admit it. You get some sort of thrill out of it, don't you?" Asked Regina, releasing a chuckle once she spotted a shade of pink on Emma's cheeks, "You really are something else, Em. Next thing I need is for you to go slaying orcs and dragons in my name."
"Oh, don't ever doubt it." Emma smiled brightly, linking the brunette's arm in between her own, entering the dining room.
Everyone's eyes fall completely on both women.
"Well, it's about time you grace us with your presence." Mary Margaret spoke, while her husband, the king stood from his chair, as Graham quickly moved away from the near wall where he patently stood.
Emma held out her hand towards Graham, "Don't worry, Graham." She smiled, pulling out the chair for Regina to take a seat at the table next to Henry and Ruby. While Graham stood by. Once Regina provided the blonde with a smile, Emma moved quickly towards her mother, providing her with a quick kiss on the cheek, "Good morning, mother. Father." She nodded towards David, taking her seat just across Regina as Graham pulled out a chair for her. She smiled at him, "Thank you, Graham."
Graham nodded, smiling back and silently standing nearby, arms placed before him.
Ruby smiled over at the handsome Graham, her finger twirling around the top of her champagne cup filled with orange juice, "Quite the gentleman, aren't you, Graham cracker?"
"Of course, Ms. Ruby. I was well brought up since I was a small boy to serve the Swan family." He informed the brunette, finding it rude not to answer her question.
Ruby's smile turned into a smirk, a chuckle escaping her, "You certainly look to have been well brought up all over."
Emma slurped her drink from a laugh that escaped her, her orange juice spilling on the table, while she was quick to grab the napkin beside her and hold it against her mouth. Graham cleared his throat, blinking rapidly as no one had ever been so straightforward with him before. All while Regina lightly hit the brunette's arm with her bare knuckles, while David held in a smile that wanted to come out.
And Mary Margaret? Her fork fell onto her plate, while she momentarily coughed from her food going down the wrong pipe.
"Are you alright, sweetheart?" David asked his wife, lightly tapping on her back while she composed herself.
"I'm fine." Mary Margaret cleared her throat, taking a drink of her orange juice. Her head turning towards Emma who was still wiping orange juice from her mouth and nose. "Emma, for goodness sake."
Regina turned to Henry, who had pulled on her shirt to gain her attention. His voice a whisper, "What did Ruby mean, mom?"
"Nothing, Henry. Eat your breakfast." Regina quickly turned to Ruby, "Behave yourself, Red."
"What?" Ruby asked innocently.
David's brows furrowed, having heard the nickname Regina used to refer to Ruby, his head tilting towards them curiously, "Forgive me, but, may I ask… why red?"
Regina cleared her throat, tensing up.
While Ruby smirked proudly, her eyes on David, "Oh, that's my favorite color." And just as Regina sighed with relief, "And because that's the safe word all men use when alone with me in a room."
Graham's eyes matched the king's as they grew wide, turning their attention elsewhere, while Regina rubbed her temples and shook her head. Emma's shoulders simply shook from held in laughter, while her mother's own eyes grew wide, exchanging looks between her daughter and Ruby.
"I beg your pardon!" Mary Margaret exclaimed, still quite shocked, "Men?"
"Oh, not all the time, Your Majesty." She paused, shrugging, "Some are women."
Clank! The queen's fork fell once again, hard against the porcelain plate, her eyes wide, "Excuse me? Women?!"
David's head tilted towards Ruby, "Both?" He whispered, shocked but yet, somehow impressed, "How do you have the energy?"
Ruby smirked, winking his way.
"David!" Mary Margaret exclaimed.
Regina suddenly stood, clearing her throat, her eyes on Emma, "Darling, aren't we going to be late?" She nodded, pleading with her eyes, "We should go."
"Of course." Emma wiped away the corners of her mouth, dropping the cloth napkin on the table. Her eyes locking on both her parent's pairs of eyes, "We won't be long. I promised them to show them around. Do a little shopping for the day."
"How fun." David smiled at her.
"What's the rush, Emma?" Mary Margaret asked, "What about breakfast?"
Emma chuckled, "I wouldn't want to ruin what's left of yours, mother." She moved quickly between her parents, kissing their cheeks.
"Emma, this isn't like you to run off like that." Mary Margaret glared her way, watching her carelessly rush out of the dining room, taking Graham with her. "Emma!" She scoffed, looking over at David as he chuckled, enjoying his breakfast. "And what may I ask is so funny?"
David shook his head, chuckling, cutting into his omelette, placing a piece into his mouth. "Such energy." He mumbled, leaving his wife glaring at him in anger.
"I can't believe you would say such a thing, Ruby Lucas!" Regina scolded the brunette on their way out of the two main doors of the mansion, "I am going to kill you."
"What did Ruby say, mom?" Asked Henry, glancing up at them, walking in front of both friends.
"Nothing, Henry." Regina told him, glaring back at Ruby.
"Oh, lighten up. I was just having a bit of fun, besides the king seemed to enjoy it." She chuckled, heading down the steps.
"You call that fun?" Regina scoffed, "Did you see the look on the queen's face?"
"Pfft," Ruby brushed it off, linking arms with the older brunette, "Serves her right for looking down on you as if you weren't good for her daughter. She could use some of my sex tips. Did you see the king's face when I talked about my nickname? His royal highness needs what Emma gave you last night."
Emma chuckled, standing behind them now, "You know, I don't think breakfast time with my parents has ever been this enjoyable. Thank you, Rubes."
"Oh, don't encourage her!" Regina rubbed at her temples, while Ruby motioned towards Emma.
"See! Even Em here thought it was funny." Ruby shook her head, her arm falling limp on Henry's shoulder, "Come on, Hen. Let's wait in the car." Her head tilted towards the small boy, "You thought I was funny, right?"
"But, what did you mean?!" Henry asked, making his way inside the car.
"Don't you dare, Ruby!" Regina pointed towards Ruby, glaring at her in warning. Her fingers rubbing at her temples again.
"I'll explain it to you when you're older, Hen." Ruby's voice sounded from within the car.
"Regina sighed, feeling a headache coming on, "I swear to you, I am going to jail for committing murder."
Emma on the other hand, wrapped her arms around her girlfriend, a smile tugging at the corners of her lips, "Gina, relax. It was all in good fun. Besides, she's right," she chuckled at the memory, "my father did seem quite intrigued by Ruby's sexually active lifestyle."
Regina shook her head, her brows creased, "Which part of that is supposed to give me comfort? Your mother will probably throw us out now."
"My mother will do no such thing." Emma assured her, taking her hands within her own, providing her with a sweet, reassuring smile, "Because if you leave, I'll leave with you. It's as simple as that."
Regina glared at the blonde, "Did you clear that out with her first?"
Emma chuckled, holding open the passenger door of the car for her, "After you, milady. You ready, kid?" She asked Henry, who excitedly jumped up and down in his seat, his fist pumping up in the air.
"Yeah! I'm ready, let's go!"
"Sit back, Henry." Said Regina, clicking on the boy's seat belt.
London was a huge city to sight-see. Graham drove them, until they reached a good stopping point to walk along and sight-see for themselves. Henry was ecstatic to say the least, his tiny hands being held by both Regina and Emma, while Ruby linked onto Graham's arm, constantly winking and smirking at him. Emma walked them around buildings she knew of since she was a small child, which the boy was overly fascinated with. But, what he was really excited over was standing in front of the big Ben. That was his favorite. His little head tilted up, his mouth parted open.
"Hey, kid, how about a picture of you in front of big Ben?" Emma held out her phone, her camera ready, snapping a quick picture of Henry. "That way if your friends at school don't believe you. You have proof."
"Get in the picture with him, Em." Ruby ran up to the blonde, taking her phone from her, snapping a quick pic of Emma with Henry in front of London's clock. Both their smiles matching, which made Regina have a smile of her own.
Graham cleared his throat, seeing other sudden flashes of news reporters, "Time to go."
Emma quickly picked up Henry, who shrieked excitedly, mounting him on her shoulders, while with a free hand, grabbed onto Regina's own hand and quickly made a run for it.
"Wow!" Ruby's eyes shined, never before having seen a ton of reporters in one place. Ruby wouldn't be Ruby if she didn't pose a little for the flickering cameras. Which she did, proudly.
"What's your name?" A male reporter asked, "Are you a friend of the princess?" Another asked, "Who's the kid with her?"
"Ruby!" Regina was heard shouting.
"That's enough, thank you!" Next, Ruby was heard releasing a shriek, feeling as a pair of strong arms, belonging to no other than Graham himself lift her up, throwing her over his shoulder with one swift movement. She was quite light to Graham's surprise.
"Wow!" Ruby smirked, feeling absolutely delighted at being lifted up by the charming man.
Stopping for a bit of ice cream and sightseeing around shops resulted in the same crowd of both reporters and others who just wanted their pictures with Emma. Especially kids, which the blonde was more than happy to comply with- which Henry absolutely did not approve of. And of course, men and especially women, who wanted more than one picture- which Regina did not approve of.
Eventually, they were able to make a run for it, resulting in Ruby hopping on up into Graham's arms unexpectedly, to her surprise, he had caught her.
Once they arrived at a mall looking type of place, which was filled with more clothing stores than anything. The Royal Exchange, (seriously, that was the name) being Emma's favorite to visit. The buildings were big around them and as you looked up, right in the middle, there was no roof, but only the sun and blue skies beaming in. Of course, once you entered a store, you were sheltered from rain if the weather decided not to cooperate. Everything was calm, sure people glared the blonde's way, others just took pictures with their phones. But, as far as reporters went, they had been a bit lost, giving them a bit of a break from all the earlier running.
"Ms. Ruby, I think we're quite safe, you can get off now." Graham grunted, feeling the brunette slide off of his arms like a human slide.
Ruby smirked at him, standing by rather close, "You're quite strong there, Graham cracker. You work out, huh?"
"Occasionally." He told her, straightening out his tie.
"Please." Ruby brushed him off, her eyes looking him over, making him feel rather feasted on and uncomfortable, "You clearly work out more than just occasionally."
"Ruby." Emma walked up to her, motioning towards Regina, "You're needed. Apparently, Regina spotted this outfit that would be perfect for you."
"Thank you, your majesty." Graham leaned over to Emma, his eyes on Ruby, "She's quite spirited, that one."
Emma smiled, her eyes on Ruby, "Yes, she can be." Her head turned towards Graham, "Is this too much for you? I should have warned you, I'm sorry."
Graham's brows furrowed, his head shaking, "Please, no need for apologies, your majesty. Ms. Regina is really something. She's special for you, I can see it."
The blonde's green eyes looked forward at Regina, exchanging looks with her from afar, "That she is, no argument there, however I was talking about her friend Ruby."
A brow lifted off of Graham.
Emma smirked at him, lightly slapping his bicep before meeting up with Regina who looked like she was ready to pass out. "Are you alright?" She asked her girlfriend.
"Emma." Regina murmured, "Clothes here are expensive. We can't possibly afford any of this."
"Of course we can." Said the princess.
"We can?" The brunette's brow raised.
A smile tugged at the blonde's lips, "Absolutely. You just tell me what your heart desires and it's yours."
"No, Em-" Her voice was somewhere lost in a kiss that Emma had placed on her lips.
Emma handed the brunette a shirt she had seen her eyeing since they walked over to the section they were now in, a smirk on her lips, "Go, try this one on. I think it'll look beautiful on you." Her hand gave her a light smack on her bottom, sending her on her way, leaving the brunette with a smirk of her own.
Regina did love being spoiled, what girl didn't? But, she never imagined it happening at this extent.
Shopping bags after shopping bags hung on Ruby's forearms, no matter how much Regina protested against her going all out on clothes for them both and Henry himself, she didn't listen. Which frankly, Emma didn't mind. She was just happy to be enjoying this summer with the people she loved most.
"No way! They have their own Victoria Secret store!" Ruby exclaimed, quickly grabbing a hold of Graham's arm and pulling him over to the store with her, "Come, Grahammy bear, I need a grown man's opinion."
Emma chuckled, shifting Henry's passed out little body to her other arm, so it would carry all his weight. Taking a seat by a water fountain that was quite big. It was more of a busy morning than he was used to, but really what had knocked him out was how long his mother and aunt Ruby took browsing through clothes. His new stuffed wolf animal clutched to his hand.
"You're quite strong there, your majesty. You work out, huh?" Regina began to mock Ruby, doing her best impression of the other brunette.
"Occasionally." Emma mocked Graham, sharing a laugh with the older brunette. "Poor Graham. If him and Ruby formed part of the little red riding hood play, I think their roles would be reversed."
Regina laughed, keeping it light to not wake Henry up, "That would be one handsome six foot man in a red cape and hoodie. Poor Graham indeed." She chuckled, her eyes locking with Emma's, "With everything going on, I almost forgot to thank you."
"For what?" Asked Emma, her stare kind and loving.
Regina shrugged, "For everything. This trip, bringing Henry with us and…" She sighed, "Ruby."
Emma smiled, "Are you kidding? I mean look at this kid, he's practically glued to me." She lightly shook him, feeling his arms tighten more around her shoulders, getting a chuckle out of the brunette, "And Ruby, well… honestly, I had to bring her or else I wouldn't hear the end of it." She joked, her smile growing at the sight of Regina's own smile, "I wouldn't have it any other way, Gina. I'm afraid you're stuck with me, until you order me away."
Regina chuckled once again, leaning into her gorgeous girlfriend, "Good luck with that, Ms. Swan." She placed a kiss to her favorite pair of thin lips.
Both women so engraved in their own love, unaware of a picture that had been taken of them sitting on that water fountain, sharing a kiss, with a sleeping little boy being carried by Emma Swan herself.
