A/N: Finally! I know I left this story untouched for a while, and I apologize. Sometimes I have to be in certain moods for a certain story, and I have found myself giving my full attention to others that I've been working on. (Sorry! But I do hope you check them out as well) I have however, finally gotten my groove back to continue to work on this one and FINISH it. Possibly- not sure yet- the next chapter will be the last one. Sorry to keep everyone waiting, but as I've said before, all my stories at some point or another will be finished. Thank you all for being so awesome and supportive. Happy reading! :)
A beautiful waltz was playing in the ballroom as Regina roamed the halls. Her and Emma had arrived back to the Swan estate early morning, at the first sight of sunrise. Their night had been the most incredible she had ever experienced. Emma was going all out on this vacation to make it absolutely memorable for her- even Regina knew that. Who in their right mind would gift anyone with a boat? The thought made Regina shake her head and smile. Her smile grew once she stood just outside the ballroom entrance, her eyes focused on father and daughter as they shared a dance. A waltz. David and Emma both shared matching twin-like smiles. They looked happy, and at peace. Their perfect postures were an identical match. Maybe they were practicing for their father and daughter dance? Regina wasn't sure. What she was sure of, was that Emma looked happy. And so did the King.
Father and daughter were lost in their own world of royalty, of love and respect for one another within this dance. The entire floor was theirs to claim- and they did.
"Hey," Ruby nudged her best friend, her eyes glancing over at the father and daughter dance happening inside the room.
"Ruby…" Regina's mouth fell open. The sight of her friend alone spoke volumes.
Ruby turned to look at her friend, who grinned a wicked grin. "What?" She asked.
"You didn't!" She whispered.
Ruby shrugged, crossing her arms over her chest, her gaze turning toward the dance happening before them.
"You did! How?" The older woman shook her head, "What I mean to say is… how did you-?"
"How did I break him in?" The other brunette chuckled. "Well, you won't believe this… but it was actually him who turned the tables on me."
"I'm sorry?" Regina scoffed, not believing what she was hearing.
"Shocking, I know." Ruby sighed, gazing at father and daughter rehearsing their dance. "And he didn't even have to seduce me. I was his before I knew it." She shook her head at the memory, "And let me tell you, behind a closed door…" She fanned herself, sighing deeply. "That cuddly bear is just how he looks."
Regina chuckled, shaking her head, she turned her attention back to Emma and David.
"I mean, it wasn't just fucking, Gina- Graham… he made love to me." Ruby sighed once again. "It was unlike-"
"Anything you ever imagined?" The older brunette finished her sentence for her.
"Yes! I mean I thought he was going to be waking up next to me, but he didn't. He was gone by the time I woke up this morning."
Regina grinned. "Ruby…"
"What?" She gawked at Regina.
"You're in-"
"Don't say it." She held up her index finger, preventing Regina from wording the one word she feared to hear. "I forbid you."
Regina grinned, turning back to the music as it reached its end. "But you are." She murmured, leaving Ruby to glare.
"Look at who decided to grace us with their presence!" David grinned, walking up to the two brunettes, Emma by his side.
Emma wrapped an arm around Regina, providing her with a peck on the lips.
"Your Highness," Ruby nodded, smiling.
"Ruby," David nodded, bowing. "Care for a morning dance? Emma and I were just rehearsing."
"How can I say no to you?" Ruby grinned. "Would you care to join me for some breakfast before we enjoy that dance?"
"Of course, I'd be delighted." David's gaze turned to his daughter and Regina. "Will you join us?"
"We'll be there in just a moment." Said Emma.
David placed his arm out, waiting for Ruby to take it. "Ruby?" He walked out of the ball room as soon as Ruby held onto his arm.
"That was a beautiful dance. Was that your traditional father/daughter dance?" Asked Regina, her eyes on Emma.
"No, actually- we have ours memorized- it being traditional and all. My father was helping me learn the waltz of love."
Regina's brow raised. "Oh?"
Emma smiled. "It's a traditional dance a prince and princess have once they are engaged. In our case… two future queens."
"Oh, the same one we were learning?"
"Yes. Only this time, we have a song."
"We do?"
Emma walked over to the stereo, repeating the song her and her father were just dancing. Regina couldn't help but smile as soon as the song started. It was a beautiful waltz, very much like what Cinderella would have danced to, would her life be a Disney movie.
Emma walked right back to the brunette, holding out her hand. "May I have this dance?"
"You most certainly may," Regina nodded, reaching out for the blonde's hand, her left hand placed against the blonde's shoulder, her feet instantly following her lead.
An arrow shot straight into the circular target, hitting the very edge. Henry grunted in frustrated, a pout forming on his bottom lip as he looked up at Graham.
"Graham, I can't shoot the big ones. Emma always lets me use the smaller ones that are for me."
"Alright, wait here. I'll be right back." Graham glared at the boy in warning, "Don't try shooting those by yourself, deal?"
"I won't." He watched as Graham walked over toward the estate before turning his attention back to the target. Placing the bow and arrow down, he reached for the arrow that was stuck on the target. He grunted, struggling to pull it out. It was harder than it looked, especially for a boy his age. His little head turned to the sight of a hand reaching down for the arrow and pulling out with ease.
"Practicing?" The queen asked, looking down at the small boy, the arrow twirling around in her fingers.
Henry nodded. "Graham is helping me."
"Oh? Where is he now?"
"He went to get the smaller arrows that Emma used with me, because this one was too big for me."
The corner of Mary Margaret's lip tilted into a tiny smirk as she looked down at the boy. He was cute, she could admit that. And he has been on his best behavior since their arrival. And watching him with Emma practicing archery took her back to when she taught her daughter when she was about his age.
"You know, it's all in the posture." She explained. "Emma learned to shoot with these when she was about your age."
"Really?" Henry asked.
The queen nodded.
"Who taught her?" The little boy's head tilted.
"I did."
"You?" The boy's voice was that of surprise.
"It's not difficult, once you learn posture."
"Emma told me, but I forget." Henry pouted.
"And absolutely no pouting." Mary Margaret kneeled down beside the boy, reaching for the bow and handing it to him. "Take this," she released it to him. "Now," her hand placed itself on top of Henry's head. "Do you know how puppets are controlled?" She asked the boy.
Henry nodded, "They have strings."
"Right. Now…" Mary Margaret rotated Henry's body to face the target. "I want you to imagine that you have a long invisible string right above your head. Now, what would happen if I were to pull on that string?"
Henry thought about it for a minute. "Mm… my head would be pulled up?"
The queen chuckled, "More or less. You would stand up straight. So, imagine you have a string, okay?" At Henry's body, she took her thumb and index finger, pinching them together and placing them above the boy's head. "Now, I am going to pull…" She mimicked a pull motion, her free hand placed against the boy's small back and gently pushed it forward, feeling his posture straighten. "And that's how you should be standing. Now, don't move," she placed the arrow against the bow, gaining control of the boy's hands with her own. "Head straight, good." Her hand reached for the boy's head, pushing it in a little more toward the bow. "Line up your shot. Do you see where you want the arrow to go?"
"Yes."
"Good. Now, pull back." Mary Margaret released the boy's arms. "And, release."
A whoosh came before a tap. The queen smiled as she saw the arrow aim right in the center of the target.
"I did it!" Henry grinned proudly, his head turning toward the queen. "I did it by myself!"
"Very good, Henry." She acknowledged, smiling proudly at her teachings. "Now, go again."
Henry looked at the queen over his shoulder. "You aren't as bad as everyone thinks."
"Everyone?" Her brow raised. "Really? Did you think I was bad?"
"Well…" The boy's shoulders fell. "I know you don't like my mom. I just can't understand why."
Mary Margaret frowned, kneeling in front of the small boy. "Henry…" She paused. It was taking everything in her not to be so harsh right now. It was one thing to be rude to Regina, but this little boy, whom she surprisingly liked, was another story. "Your mom is fine. I just…" She sighed. "It's complicated."
"But why? Emma loves my mom, and she loves her. She makes Emma smile a lot."
"Does she now?" She asked another question at Henry's nod. "Tell me something, back in New York, does Emma ever talk about us?"
"No. We found out this summer."
"I see. And in New York, does Emma have a good life?"
Henry nodded. "I think she does. She has her own apartment, I spend the night many times." He smiles. "Emma always lets me pick any movie I want. And she reads to me and plays games with me."
There was a sparkle in the queen's eye as she looked at how happy Henry was. "You love my daughter, don't you?"
"Uh-huh. And so does my mom."
Mary Margaret hesitated to reply, but after a few beats she simply smiled. "I'm sure she does." Of course she knew Regina loved her daughter. Any fool could see that.
"Henry, I hope you haven't-" Graham's voice caught in his throat at the sight of the queen standing before him. "Your Majesty." He nodded curtly.
"Graham," the queen nodded. "I was just having an interesting archery lesson with the boy."
"Of course."
"Have you seen the King this morning?" She asked him.
"Yes, he was inside, enjoying a late breakfast with Ms. Ruby." He informed her.
Her brow slightly raised. "Is that so?" A light scoff escaped her. "Everyone around here seems to enjoy that girl's company. Especially you. Isn't that right, Graham?"
He cleared his throat, his eyes falling on Henry. "I…" He paused, not exactly knowing what to say. "She's… Your majesty, if I may-"
"Now, now, Graham," she chuckled. "There's absolutely no reason to be nervous. It was merely an observation."
He nodded, relaxing a little.
"However…" She pulled the man aside, away from Henry's earshot. "I would advise you to be careful," she whispered. "Someone like her… flaunting herself the way she does… that's not very ladylike, is it? One wouldn't want to get the wrong impression."
Graham's jaw tightened, because how could he exactly argue with the queen? Of course he didn't think of Ruby as 'loose', in any way. Yes, she was a heavy flirt and might come on a little too strong, but he knew her. After the night they shared together, and the way he saw her. That meant something to her as much as it did for him. He was sure of it.
"Well, I shall let you get back to your lesson." She nodded toward Henry, a tiny smile tugging at the corner of her lip before walking away.
"Oh, would you look at these two? So in love. So vibrant around one another. I mean, it is absolutely sickening." Ruby rested her arm against the king's shoulder, while David stood by her, grinning at Emma and Regina as they entered the ballroom.
"To be young and in love." David acknowledged, causing Regina to blush and Emma to grin as they parted from their dance.
"Alright!" Ruby clapped her hands, making her way toward the stereo in the room. "That's enough old traditional waltzing for now," the static of the radio was heard throughout the room once she began changing it to another tune. "Now, let's see some real dancing." She grinned, leaving the station on a Jennifer Lopez song. On The Floor filled the ballroom. "Now we dance!"
Regina shook her head, while Emma grinned. "Rubes, I don't think-"
"Oh, come on, Em!" Ruby danced around the couple. "I've seen you dance. You have been on your royal behavior since we arrived here. I'm sure your dad won't mind you letting lose once in a while. Show him the Emma we all know and love." She winked, dancing away.
Emma's eyes fell on David, who couldn't help looking over to Ruby as she now danced around him.
"Your Majesty," Ruby held out a hand before a gawking David.
Emma threw her father an apologetic look, same as Regina.
"Oh, what the hell," David shocked everyone with his reply, while Ruby grinned once he took her hand.
"You have to let loose, sire," said Ruby, eyeing the king's clothes. "Here," she unzipped the man's navy blue sweater, ruffled his hair a bit and untucked his light blue shirt. "That's better."
Regina and Emma shared a chuckle among each other. The brunette's eyes drank in her attire. "She's right, you know," her arms wrapped around her form. "As much as I love this royal side of you, I want the Emma I met to come out and play for a little while."
Emma grinned, leading the dance with the brunette, her hips following the very rhythm of the song, quickly spinning Regina out and back into her embrace.
It wasn't hard for David to follow Ruby's lead after he let loose as she instructed him too. The same way they guided one another while dancing that late night of tango away, they guided each other with ease now.
To see David smiling was like a breath of fresh air for Emma. It had been a long while without seeing her father truly smile. Somewhere along the song, all four of them danced around each other, switching partners. David dancing a little with Regina, and Emma with Ruby, then switching again to Regina and Ruby dancing; Emma and David dancing. Until finally they switched back, to where Regina felt free to be all over Emma once the song slowed down for a beat. Her eyes shooting a seductive glance her way.
David spun Ruby once, allowing her to spin him next, both coming right back to dancing together again.
"I can see where Emma gets all of her moves from, your majesty." Ruby winked, dancing around the blushing man, her fingers gently caressing at his shoulders.
"David!" A shout made everyone stop and gawk at an equally gawking and furious Queen, and Killian who grinned like a fool.
"Killian," David grinned, his hair a mess as well as his shirt. Resembling a man who someone just roughly had her way with. "So good to see you again."
"Likewise, your majesty." Killian chuckled at the man's hysterical state. "Having fun, I see."
"We, uh…" David quickly tucked in his shirt and brushed his fingers through his hair, clearing his throat. His eyes landing on his furious wife. "We were just…" He turned to Emma.
"Rehearsing." Emma quickly came up with the word.
"Right." He grinned.
"Well," the queen cleared her throat, her eyes glaring directly at the king. "If you two are quite finished. I'd like to see you two in the study. Now. We have to finish going over a lot of party preparations."
"Of course." David nodded, looking over at Emma, who looked over at Regina.
"Go," Regina smiled, leaning in for a quick peck on the lips. "I'll be around."
"I am… going to find Graham." Ruby smirked, her eyes landing on David once the Queen walked away from plain view. "Your majesty. As always, it is a pleasure dancing with you."
"The pleasure is all mine, Ruby." David bowed, walking out of the room along with Emma. "Joining us, Killian?" His eyes landed on Jones.
"Of course, I'll be a minute." He smiled, nodding over at Ruby, who stopped to say hi to him. "I see I've been replaced." He teased. "A worthy opponent. Yet a devastating blow."
Ruby chuckled, "Always a smooth talker, aren't you, Jonesy?"
"Always." He grinned, his head turning back toward Regina once they were the only ones left in the ballroom. His eyes fell on said brunette. "You dance very well. I hope you save a dance for me at the ball."
Regina grinned, "Thank you, and I'll only promise to save you a dance if you don't get handsy. Ruby told me about dancing with you."
Killian grinned, "Oh, well- I can't promise that, love. I mean you are a very attractive woman."
"Oh, I wasn't talking about me. I meant with my fiancee." Regina's brow raised. "Don't think I don't see how you drool all over her every time you've come over."
"Oh, don't be jealous, love. What Emma and I had is long dead and buried. She saw to it." He chuckled. "Besides… I don't suppose Emma told you about me." He leaned in a little too close for Regina's liking.
"That you are a terrible flirt? I'm aware." Regina nodded, stepping back a step.
"Not that." He leaned in again, "Our whole relationship-engagement thing… It was merely for show."
"Whatever do you mean?" Her brow furrowed.
Killian smirked, his voice a whisper. "Let's just say, I tend to have other inclinations just as well. Men and women."
"You?" Regina's mouth fell open. That she did not expect.
"Shocking, isn't it?" He offered his arm to Regina, which she took. "I will admit," he began walking out of the room with the brunette by his side. "I have had my fair share of girlfriends, way before Emma. And, yes- I did have a bit of a crush on her at the time. But, then… I met a certain someone that changed that. Our families always dreamed of us marrying, and at the time, Emma didn't want to disappoint them- neither did I- so, we decided on an engagement."
"May I ask-"
"What happened with this special someone?" He nodded, "Well as it turned out, he wasn't the one."
"I'm sorry." Regina frowned.
Killian shrugged, "That's life, love. For what it's worth, in all sincerity…" He stopped walking, his eyes locking with Regina's. "I'm happy for Emma. One of us had the right at happiness. Frankly, I don't know much about you- but, she couldn't have chosen anyone better than you."
For the first time around the man, Regina warmed up to him. Now that she no longer saw him as another threat to come between her and Emma.
"Thank you, Killian. I appreciate that."
"It's the truth." He smiled warmly, continuing to guide her through the estate. "Now that that's cleared out between us. Will I have the honor of a dance?"
"You just might." Regina smirked, giving the man a quick wink. "I can't believe Emma neglected to tell me this little detail about you."
"Good 'ol Emma, she sure knows how to keep a secret."
"I'll say that she does." The brunette chuckled, recalling the way she found that Emma was a princess all this time.
"Long, smooth strokes," Graham nodded, holding Henry up in his arms as the boy brushed the horse's fur. "That's it. You got it."
"Can we go for another ride?" Henry asked him.
Graham set Henry on the ground, taking the brush back. "I'm afraid not. A lot of planting is happening for the big party. It's only a couple of days away. But," he kneeled before him. "After everything is done and out of the way and your mom and Emma celebrate their engagement, I promise to take you on another riding lesson."
"Okay," Henry smiled.
"There you are, Hen," Ruby smiled, walking into the stables. "Go on inside, your mom has been asking for you."
"Bye, Graham!" Henry waved, running off out of the stables and across the big yard that led toward the estate.
Graham smiled, his eyes falling on Ruby. "Cute kid."
"Cutest you'll ever see." Ruby walked slowly toward Graham, her arms wrapping around the man's toned form. "Don't I get a proper greeting?"
Graham's brow raised. "I don't know. Depends on what your idea of a proper greeting entails."
Ruby grinned, leaning up, standing a little on the tips of her toes to reach Graham's lips until they were connected right to hers. Her hands slowly moved upward, caressing the man's pectoral muscles, all the way until her arms wrapped around his neck. Their kiss deepened once she felt Graham's arms circle her waist.
"Mm, Ruby-" Graham breathed against the brunette's lips, pulling away from their heated kiss once he felt her tongue evade his mouth.
"What?" She asked, equally breathless. Her eyes wide as they looked right into Graham's lustful green ones. "Don't worry about it- no one is coming this way. I checked."
"No," he chuckled, holding her back, restraint being incredibly hard for him at the moment. "It's not that."
"What is it?" She asked.
"I just…" Graham paused for a moment. He really liked Ruby. Really, really liked her. He had felt like this before over someone before and ended up becoming hurt and betrayed. He didn't want the same thing happening with Ruby. He had fought so much to resist her charms, all to give into them in the end. He wanted this to be more than just a mutual attraction.
"Is it me? Did you not like what we did last night?" She asked with concern in her voice.
"No, no-" He chuckled, his cheeks turning a shade of pink. "Believe me. Last night was everything a man like myself could hope for. You were amazing. Truly amazing."
Ruby smirked at his words.
"I just… I really think we should talk about this. What it means."
"What it means?" Ruby asked, a puzzled look on her face.
He nodded. "Yes. What it means for us."
"Oh. Us." Ruby's brow raised. "You mean… officially?" At his nod, she backed away, frankly more shocked than ever. Graham wasn't the first man Ruby had met or slept with that wanted things to turn official with her. And every time one showed up, she would run for the hills. But Graham… the idea of being with him as a couple… it scared her and thrilled her at the same time. She couldn't explain why- frankly, she didn't want to.
Graham swallowed down the lump of nerves that formed inside his throat. His eyes wide. "I know it's probably not what you wanted to hear."
She chuckled, "You're right- it's not." Turning to face him, her eyes locked with his, displaying the same fear his were in that moment.
"Oh." He frowned. "Perhaps I shouldn't have said anything. Forgive me. Let's just forget the whole thing." He nodded, turning his back to her.
"No, Graham." Ruby grabbed onto the man's bicep, forcing him to face her again. "Don't assume that just because I've slept around I'm not one bit flattered. I am."
"But, you don't want a relationship, is that it?"
"No." She chuckled. "That's the thing. I do want to." She continued at the sign of the man's smile. "Probably more than I've ever wanted anything, and it terrifies me. I mean, when I first met you- before wanting to punch your face in for making us think that you and Emma were having some type of affair-" her face scrunched up at the memory, "I thought you were the most hot guy on the planet. I mean, I wanted to devour you, and take advantage of you in more ways than I did last night."
Graham's cheeks turned pink right before the brunette's eyes.
Ruby pulled Graham closer to her body again, holding herself against him. "And you rejecting my attention towards you, possibly made me want you even more. And now that I've had you…" She scoffed. "Don't think for a second that I am letting you go, so some other desperate little floozy can come and sweep you off your feet."
Graham held Ruby incredibly close, his lips desperately crashing onto her own. It was a kiss that made her head spin and left her just as breathless as last night. And it was in that moment, she knew that this choice she had just made- was the right one. Neither of them spoke about love, of course. But, whatever this was, Ruby and Graham were willing to stick around long enough to find out.
