A/N: This isn't the last update to my Christmas fic lol so I'm sorry to disappoint on that part, but tomorrow I shall upload that. For now, I've had this chapter in my mind for days, and given that I am almost done with my x-mas story, I decided to finish this update up and post it, for those of you enjoying this one fanfic which has quickly become one of my personal favorites to write. :) Happy reading and do enjoy!
"Regina!" Ruby ran right behind the brunette, catching her by her arm to stop her from walking any further, "Hey. Where are you going?"
Regina sighed, "I don't know. Away from here."
"And leave Henry and me?" Ruby asked, "You don't even know which way to go, this place is endless."
Regina rolled her eyes, "I don't mean out of here, Ruby. I just need to be away from Emma for the moment."
"I can see why you would want to do that." Ruby nodded.
"I don't want to, but…" She scoffed, "I mean, she lied to me! She told me that nothing had happened between her and Killian, nothing I needed to worry about. Now it turns out they are arranged to be married?!"
"Alright, first of all, you heard what Killian said. Yes, they dated, but it was a mutual break-up, which means they aren't getting married anymore." Ruby nudged her, "Come on, Gina, you know Emma loves you. She's crazy about you. There's no way she would bring you all this way here just to hurt you like this." She scoffed, "The mother on the other hand."
Regina sighed, "That's another thing. I will admit she called out Emma purposely at the table just to get a rise out of me. She absolutely does not approve of our relationship."
"If you know that, then don't let her." Ruby stood in front of her friend, her hands rested on her shoulders, "Listen to me, okay? No one said this was going to be easy, I mean, what relationship is? But you and Emma have proven that above anything, you remain strong."
Regina nodded, "We do."
Ruby grinned, "Then show her royal highness exactly that! You are Regina fucking Mills. And queen or not, if she wants to play hardball, show her you can play hardball."
The brunette drew in a courageous breath, "You're right. There is no reason why I should back down."
"Absolutely not!"
Regina grinned, "I do love Emma and I want to be with her at all cost!"
"Of course you do!" Ruby continued to encourage her friend.
"Earlier was just… a little wrinkle. Her attempt to make me leave."
"Exactly!"
"But, I won't leave."
"Atta girl! Now, go find Emma!" Ruby grinned proudly.
"Oh, no. I can't do that just yet."
Ruby's face fell, her head tilting, "But you just said everything was fine-"
"Oh, it is. But Emma doesn't know that." Regina grinned.
Ruby's grin mirrored the other brunette's in sync understanding, "Ahhh… making her suffer a little. I like it. But, you do forgive her, don't you?"
"Of course I do." Regina chuckled, "You know as well as I do that I can't stay mad at her."
Ruby chuckled, linking arms with her best friend as they walked back to the castle (if they could find their way), "You are going to make a hell of a queen."
"Let's not go there just yet."
Whoosh! An arrow pierced right through the middle, red target that was set up somewhere outside the castle. Archery was Emma's favorite sport as a child. She became great at it at such a young age. Amazingly enough, it was her mother who had taught her to become such a champion at it. She had removed her jacket, setting aside by a tree that provided shade for her, leaving only her blue shirt, sleeves rolled up, forearms exposed.
David smiled over at Henry, pointing to Emma who fired another arrow right to the middle target. Both walking up to her.
"That is so cool! Can you teach me that, Emma?" Henry beamed.
Emma smiled at the sight of Henry, "Sure, kid. It's pretty easy. However, just to be on the safe side, I think you should practice with the ones I did when I was little, just like you." Her smile appeared again, ruffling his hair, "Why don't you go and tell Sidney to hand them to you? He knows where they are."
"Okay!" Henry ran off as fast as his feet could carry him.
David shook his head, smiling at the sight of Henry, stepping aside as he watched his daughter shoot a third arrow right at her target, "He's a cute kid. He's crazy about you, you know."
"And I'm quite crazy about him as well, father." Emma reached for another arrow.
"Oh, I know." David stood beside the target, with distance in between, his head following the fourth arrow piercing right through the target. He chuckled, hands stuffed inside his pockets, "Regina is quite crazy about you as well." He stretched out his hand, holding onto the bow as Emma handed it to him.
Emma chuckled, handing her father an arrow next, "Right now, I highly doubt I am her favorite person."
David took aim, his posture just as straight as his daughter's, "You are more than that to her, Emma." He released the string, his arrow shooting right on target. "Try to understand her, she just needs a little time."
Emma took the bow back from her father, gathering another arrow to shoot. She had missed their talks like this. Out here in the open, while she blew off some steam from a fight with her mother.
"I know. Believe it or not, this isn't the first fight we've had. However, this is the first one where she stays angry at me." She sighed, she set the arrow down, "I apologize for shouting earlier, especially at mother, but she-"
"Say no more, Emma." David held up a hand.
Her brow raised, "You're not displeased?"
David mirrored his daughter's raised brow, "Displeased?" He chuckled, "If anything I am proud of you." His hands rested on her shoulders, eyes locking on her green ones, "You stood up for what you love today, and that in my eyes, is what will make you a great ruler someday. And to be honest, I highly enjoyed your mother's dumbfounded look."
A small laugh escaped the blonde.
"Besides, I like Regina." He picked up the bow and another arrow, "We still need to know more about her, but I trust your judgement on this one. She seems to have a good head on her shoulders and she's a good mother to Henry." He took aim, taking a shot which this time landed on the blue area of the target. "Trust me, that is something your mother admires about her."
Emma couldn't help but scoff, "I hate to disagree with you. But, she hasn't shown any interest in Regina since we arrived. Or in Henry. And it's a shame, because I just know she would love her if she just gave her a chance."
David placed down the bow, standing in front of his daughter, "She will come to like her. I like her. Even Ruby, and she sure has some interesting stories under her belt."
Emma chuckled, "Yes, she does." She paused.
"What's on your mind?" David asked, knowing her too well.
Something had been on her mind. And if she was going to let anyone in on it, it would be her father.
"I'm thinking… that tonight I'd like to treat Regina to a night out. Just the two of us." Green eyes sparkled at the idea.
David smiled, "I think that's a terrific idea. You can take my car just for the special occasion-"
"No." Emma shook her head, her grin growing bigger, "I was thinking something… bigger."
"Bigger?" David's brow raised, his grin growing in understanding of what his daughter wanted.
"Emma!" Henry grunted, carrying the heavy pack of safety arrows with all the strength he could master. Sidney right behind him.
She smiled at the sight of the young boy, "Look at you, kid!"
Sidney ran right behind the boy, slightly panting, "Forgive me, Your Majesty. He absolutely insisted on carrying the bag all by himself."
"Well, he certainly has you beat there, Sidney!" Emma joked, patting the older man on the shoulder, "By the way… have you seen Regina anywhere?"
"Yes, ma'am." He nodded, "Ms. Regina and Ms. Ruby are baking up quite a storm in the kitchen with Mrs. Potts. She insisted on making a dessert for after tonight's dinner. Especially for the queen, she said. Apple turnovers, I believe."
Emma nodded, "Well, I need a favor. For later."
"Anything, ma'am."
"First of all, I need you to watch Henry tonight. Keep a close watch on him as if he were your own."
"Certainly." Sidney nodded.
"Second, I will have this hand written note for you later on. Be sure to hand it to Regina personally, notify her that I expect her to show."
"Of course." Another nod.
"Lastly, do notify my mother that I won't be present for dinner tonight."
"Right away, ma'am. Oh," Sidney turned back, "What about Ms. Ruby?"
"No need to worry about her. She can entertain herself just fine, I'm sure."
Sidney nodded, heading back into the castle directly to follow orders.
Emma looked over to Henry, who was already being placed in position by David with both bow and arrow. She kneeled beside him, watching as her father instructed him.
"Take your position, pull back and release." Said David, watching Henry try it on his own.
The arrow shot out, flying past the target. The boy's shoulders slumped over.
Meanwhile, inside the castle, Regina was watching them through a window with a clear enough view. She always did love watching Henry with Emma. A smile tugging at the corners of her lips as Henry fired another arrow that flew past the target again.
"Don't feel discouraged, kid. It's hard the first few times." Emma rested her hand on his shoulder, bending behind him, positioning his arms right, straightening his back by pushing it slightly in, "Take your stance."
Regina wasn't the only one watching, Sidney found himself rather amused by the little display with Mrs. Potts by another window of the castle. Something which Mary Margaret took notice of as she walked on by. Her head turned in their direction.
She cleared her throat, making the pair turn immediately to her presence, "May I ask what is so entertaining that it is keeping you from your duties?" She asked, walking further into the room.
"Apologies, Your Highness." Sidney stood up straight, "It's just that the princess is showing young Henry how to shoot an arrow."
Mary Margaret's brow raised looking out the window, seeing as Henry shot the arrow right through the blue target mark. "Hm." Her eyes met Sidney's and Mrs. Potts grins, who were quickly wiped away, "Honestly, I don't see the fascination. Let's not stand here all day."
"Yes, Your Grace." Sidney bowed, quickly leaving the room with Mrs. Potts.
Mary Margaret turned back to stare out the window once the room was vacant from everyone but her. She watched Emma instruct him step by step, correcting his mistakes from before, guiding him, standing behind him. Just like she used to do with Emma when she was a small child once upon a time ago. Now, before her very eyes, the tables turned and it was Emma repeating the same steps as her to teach Henry.
"That's it, kid. Breathe in and hold it." Emma instructed, slowly stepping away from Henry, "And release!"
Whoosh! The arrow shot right forward, piercing through a red mark on the target.
A big, pearly white smile tugging on all three faces. Henry smiling over David and Emma, his eyes wide with excitement, "I did it!"
"You did it, way to go, kid!" Emma high-fived him, next to David, who also ruffled his hair.
"Emma. Are you and my mom fighting?" He asked the blonde.
David cleared his throat, "I'm going to head on inside now. Leave you two to talk."
Emma nodded, kneeling in front of the boy, "No, Henry, we're not fighting. Why would you say that?"
"Well, she's angry that you and Killian dated." His face scrunched up, "Did you really date him?"
The princess sighed, "Yes, but that was before I met your mom or you. And we both agreed it was best if we just remained friends."
"But, why would you date him, and why would your mom say you are arranged to marry?" His head tilted, "What's that anyway?"
Emma chuckled, "It means that he is the one that's assigned to me. That I have to marry."
The boy's eyes grew wide, "So you'll marry him?!"
She shook her head, "No, Henry. That arrangement was tossed away when we broke up. And I dated him because it was a very confusing time for me."
He paused, not understanding it all, "But, you love my mom, right?" He asked her.
Emma nodded, smiling, "Very much, yes. And I love you very much, which is why I've been wanting to ask for your approval."
His head tilted, "Approval for what, Emma?"
The blonde grinned, at least that's all Regina could see from her, and both girlfriend and son exchanging a few muted words, along with a hug.
Later that night, around 8'O Clock sharp, Mary Margaret noticed that Emma was yet again late for dinner.
"Sidney." The queen called to him, seeing him walk by.
"Your majesty." He nodded.
"Have my daughter come down for dinner, please. I will not have her miss out again, no matter if she has company over."
Sidney placed his hands in front of him, standing straight, "The princess wanted me to inform you that she will in fact be missing out on dinner tonight, Your majesty."
Mary Margaret scoffed, "What could possibly be the reason this time?"
"It seems she has a surprise set up for Ms. Regina." He smiled, his smile gone as he noticed the serious features on the queen, which caused him to simply walk away.
Regina sighed in frustration, looking herself over within the mirror for the tenth time tonight. Her stomach in knots as to what surprise Emma could have in store for her.
"Ruby, are you sure you want me borrowing your new leather jacket?" She looked herself over again, the light brown colored jacket not really being her style, but damn if it didn't look great on her.
"Of course! Emma wants you to look your best, right?" Ruby stood just behind her friend, grinning, "Trust me, you look hot. She won't be able to keep her hands off you."
Regina chuckled, looking herself over again, her fingers running one last time through her hair.
A light knock at the door, followed by Sidney's voice quickly made them step away from the mirror.
"Ms. Regina. It's time." His voice called from just behind the bedroom door.
They mumbled a few words to one another, Ruby quickly running her hand through Regina's hair, licking her index finger to press down on a small single hair that was apparently stubborn and wouldn't remain in place with the rest of her hair.
"Oh, God, Ruby!" Regina brushed her off.
"Okay, you're fine! You're fine, go!" Ruby nudged her, pulling open the door to the bedroom, a grin appearing on her lips, "Hi, Sidney. How are you this fine evening?"
"Oh, just fine, Ms. Ruby. Thank you." Sidney nodded, his eyes glancing at Regina, taking in her fine form in a pair of Ruby's tight jeans, a white blouse that stuck to her figure quite nicely and light brown leather jacket. Respectfully, of course. "My word." He muttered, feeling a bit out of place.
"Sidney, now be honest…" Ruby grinned, "As a man. Don't you think Regina looks especially hot tonight?"
"Well…" He man chuckled, shifting uncomfortably on his feet, "Hot isn't the phrase I would use, Ms- especially because I doubt the princess would like to know that anyone was being disrespectful to you in any way, but, I must say that you are…" He nodded, "A very beautiful woman. If you don't mind my being so blunt."
Ruby leaned into Regina, whispering in her ear, "Looks like Emma's heart isn't the only you've captured." She teased.
Regina smiled, elbowing Ruby, feeling a bit of blush creep up on her, "Thank you, Sidney. You're very sweet and don't worry, Emma will never know."
He smiled a friendly smile, holding out his arm for her to take, "Well, shall we? The princess is expecting you."
The brunette nodded, taking the man by the arm. Which, she thought it was a bit too much because she could have walked her own just by following him. But, she knew deep down that this is how Emma had instructed whatever surprise was in store for her. Her heart pounding more and more by the minute.
And once they reached outside, going a different direction from the acres of backyard the castle held, her lips couldn't help to part open at the sight of a white helicopter with the family crest imprinted upon it in gold color. And standing just by the helicopter door was Emma, her eyes sparkling with joy, thankful that Regina had accepted her invitation for tonight's surprise, and a smile that already made her weak at the knees. Especially, when the princess was once again, dressed elegantly in a pair of black dress pants and white buttoned up shirt. Her sleeves rolled up to her elbows. Her golden hair glowing, agreeing with the night sky, making her look like an angel that was sculpted by God himself.
"Emma." The brunette breathed out, "What is this?"
"This, this is called a helicopter." Emma smiled, "It's also your ride for this evening." She took the brunette's hand in her own, "Thank you, Sidney."
He nodded, "My pleasure as always, Your Majesty."
Emma pulled open the door, not minding at all that Sidney was heading his way back into the castle, she helped Regina board the helicopter, closing the door and hopping onto the pilot's side, which left the brunette even more surprised. A small scoff with a mix of a chuckle escaping her once she noticed Emma placing a headset on her head.
"You're flying this?" She asked a bit terrified at the idea, but also impressed. This was something she never knew Emma could possibly do.
A tiny smirk was visible on Emma's lips, "Don't worry, I'm licensed." Her hands took a hold of her seat belt, strapping her in nice and tight, a little too tight, "Now, you can't get away." She whispered, her voice calm yet arousing.
She took a headset that was handed to her next, placing it on her head just as Emma had done a second ago, watching her just how easy she began pressing buttons and flipping switches after she had strapped herself in. There were so many buttons inside this machine, Regina wouldn't even know where to start. But Emma… it was like watching a genius work.
"November 1-2-2-4. Charlie Tango, ready to depart." Even through the headset, Emma's voice rang so professionally and royal into the brunette's ears.
"Roger that, Charlie Tango, your flight plan from London to Paris is all cleared." A male voice reported back to her.
Regina's eyes couldn't help but sparkle as she stared directly at Emma, "Paris? Really?" She couldn't help but smile with joy, a smile that caused her girlfriend to match.
Of course they could have taken a plane, but Emma wanted to really surprise her, make it intimate even, and hopefully impress her with her flying skills while she showed her the world in one entire night. Two different worlds in fact, which is what she wanted to give her tonight and every night.
"You ready?" Emma asked her, taking a hold of the controls, smiling as Regina gasped once she felt her stomach rise up along with the helicopter that only Emma would be controlling for an entire hour and twenty five minutes trip.
A/N: For those of you who are 50 shades of grey fans like myself, yes I did take Christian's helicopter name as Emma's lol and the idea for the last bit of this chapter. I just kept seeing it happen for this story, as romantic as Emma is.
