Part Seventeen: The One With The Welcome Back Party
Regina parked the Mercedes in front of the Nolans' house and sighed.
She absolutely detested the idea of organizing a welcome back party for the insufferable Prince Charming.
Regina could feel her insides turning inside her stomach just for doing something remotely kind for that man.
But Regina had no choice on the matter when Katheryn showed up in her office early that day and asked Regina if she could welcome everyone inside at night while she went out to pick up David from the hospital.
Her first instinct was to say no, but then Katheryn acted so sweet and friendly towards her, telling her how Regina was the only friend she had in town and how grateful she was to Regina for having found her husband that Regina had no choice but to say yes to her request.
Plus, the idea of being part of something that would ultimately break Snow White's heart by shoving her husband in the arms of another woman was highly entertaining.
"This isn't right, you know," Henry said on the passenger seat.
Regina blinked her eyes a few times and looked at her son's face.
"What isn't?" Regina asked confused.
"He doesn't belong with her," Henry said "Prince Charming should be with Snow White"
"Henry…"
"You are just doing this to hurt her," Henry said stubbornly.
"I am helping a friend who is bringing her husband home after God knows how many years now," Regina said "I'm here for Katheryn"
"You can't keep them apart, you know?" Henry said "You can't keep true love apart"
"I am not trying to keep anyone apart," Regina cleared her throat "Now, can you help me inside or do you want to talk more about this fairy tale insanity?"
"Do I really get to choose?" Henry asked looking at Regina.
"No," Regina smirked.
"Then why did you ask?" Henry rolled his eyes and opened the door.
Regina rolled her eyes in the same fashion and opened her door as well.
Sometimes Henry was more like her than she ever realized.
They walked together to the front door where Regina instructed Henry to take the key Katheryn had left for them under the mat.
Henry crouched down to take the key and then he opened the door, revealing the balloon decorations taped on the walls and stairs and food trays on top of almost every surface.
Everything looked absolutely hideous. And yet, it was more than that idiot deserved.
Henry ran to one of the bowls and grabbed a handful of chips before shoving them all at once inside his mouth.
"Henry!" Regina scolded him.
"What?" Henry asked between chews "It's a party"
"They are for the guests," Regina said.
"I am a guest," Henry shrugged before putting his hand on the bowl again.
And Regina saved herself the trouble of scolding him again.
She hated when her son was right and she couldn't argue back.
The guests started to arrive and Regina could nearly feel her skin turning upside down at every smile she gave and every polite welcome she was forced to say to all of the people she despised.
For a moment, Regina almost felt like she was at the Enchanted Forest again, back to the Castle, back to a life where she was nothing more than a plaything to entertain the King's guests.
The feeling was overwhelming, so much that Regina had to lean against the wall and take a deep breath while her hands opened and closed in a fist.
She couldn't let it devasted her.
She refused to let that man win.
Regina closed her eyes pushing away the memories from the past and fighting back the tears that started to form behind her eyes.
Her heart was racing inside her chest, louder than the people talking inside the house and Regina felt like no air could fulfill her lungs.
The doorbell rang, and Regina opened her eyes all at once, staring at the wooden door for a second or two too long.
Her breathing was uneven, her mouth was dry and Regina wasn't sure how long it would take before she fell apart.
The doorbell rang again, and Regina took a deep breath, shaking her head before hardening her features.
She swallowed dry and let out a puff of air ignoring the way her feet seemed like concrete as she moved to open the door and put on her polite smile on her face as she yanked the door open.
"Emma," Regina blinked her eyes both surprised and relieved as she looked at the woman standing in front of her.
"Hey, you okay?" Emma asked concerned.
Emma gave one step closer to Regina and gently put her hand on her cheek and suddenly Regina felt safe inside that wildflowers scent and that warm summer breeze that enveloped her body and calmed her heart.
Regina closed her eyes and leaned into Emma's touch just for a second long, long enough to feel Emma's warm hand gently stroking her cheek.
Just one second of Emma's touch and Regina could rise to her fearless glory again.
The loud noise of glass breaking behind her somewhere in the house made Regina open her eyes and sighed when she gave one step back, tilting her head to the side to indicate the rest of the guests to Emma.
Emma nodded at Regina and smiled before stepping inside the house as Regina closed the door.
"Hi," Emma smiled beautifully at Regina.
"Miss Swan," Regina said back, unable to stop her own smile.
"Is everything okay?" Emma asked worriedly.
"Of course," Regina lied "Everything is fine"
Emma nodded at Regina and bit her lower lip before talking again.
"When I was out there I sensed this…"
"Emma!"
Emma was interrupted by Henry's voice and both women looked down at him standing next to Emma.
"Hi, kid," Emma smiled down at Henry.
"Hey," Henry said and pulled on Emma's hand "Come on, I need to talk to you"
"Hey, kid," Emma pulled Henry back "Give me a second?"
"No, this is important," Henry said pulling Emma again.
Regina watched their interaction, waiting for that jealousy wave to take over her body for the way Henry was acting with Emma.
The way he never acted with her.
But the wave never came.
Regina was surprised to realize that she wasn't jealous of Emma anymore.
She didn't fear that Emma would take her son away from her.
Didn't feel like she had to send her away, chase her out of town and keep Henry for herself.
In fact, Henry was as sassy and impatient with Emma as he was with her, and this deep dark part of Regina chuckled, thinking that it was Emma's turn now to handle this mini version of herself.
"Okay, okay," Emma laughed and let go of Henry's hand "Get me a snack? I'm starved!"
"You can get your own snack inside," Henry said pointing at the living room.
"Charming," Emma laughed "Then be a gentleman and get me a drink? I'll meet you inside"
"Fiiinnee," Henry exhaled and looked at Regina "Do you want a drink too, mom?"
"No, honey," Regina smiled at her son "But thank you"
"Okay," Henry nodded "Emma, hurry"
Henry ran inside the house leaving both women alone again.
"I swear to God," Emma rolled her eyes "He is so your son"
Regina smiled at Emma and felt that warm tingled sensation run through her whole body and then settled in her heart.
"That he is," Regina said back with a smile.
Emma looked behind her and then she gave one step closer to Regina, brushing her fingertips lightly against Regina's fingertips.
"I have to go before the kid comes back," Emma said looking into Regina's eyes "Promise me you are okay?"
"I promise," Regina whispered, dreading having to pull away from Emma.
Emma nodded at Regina and smiled at her one last time before entering the house.
And by the time the doorbell rang again, there wasn't a single fiber on Regina's body that felt trapped while playing host to all of these people.
Not when she could sense Emma's scent around her.
Not when she knew Emma was near.
About one hour after Regina arrived at the house, she received a text from Katheryn saying she was arriving with David.
Regina scanned the room quickly, looking for the evil bitch she hated with force.
She wanted to see the devasted look on her face when David arrived home with Katheryn.
That would definitely be the cherry on top of the night.
Unfortunately, she was nowhere to be seen.
And Regina barely contained the eye roll when everyone started to clap their hands when David entered the house.
Yes!
Congratulations on not dying!
What a great achievement!
A moment later, Regina found herself in the kitchen with Katheryn while watching Emma interact with David.
Katheryn was so focused on doing, whatever she was doing in the kitchen that she didn't hear David asking Emma about Mary Margaret.
But Regina did.
And so did every alarm inside of her.
Regina took a step closer to Katheryn, looking at the woman slightly annoyed.
"You should go out there," Regina said seriously stopping Katheryn from putting the food from one container to another "There's plenty of food. Go. Be with your husband"
Katheryn shook her head defeated, her voice on the verge of tears.
"I lost him once. Now I have him back. But it's like I still don't have him back" Katheryn said "You have no idea how that feels"
"Actually, I do," Regina swelled dry as that old familiar pain constricted her heart "I lost someone once too"
"Really?" Katheryn asked.
Regina nodded at Katheryn, waiting for the pain to take over her body and soul the way it always did when she so much spared a thought about Daniel.
But the pain never consumed her whole, not the way it used to, not the way it would enrage her, the way it forced her to be cruel.
The sound of Emma's laughter entered the kitchen and Regina looked ahead, watching Emma mess with Henry's hair while still talking with David.
Her heart felt lighter.
And she wasn't quite sure how to walk this path.
Regina turned her attention back to Kathery who was staring at her, waiting for an answer.
"Yes," Regina nodded "But look, Katheryn, you have a chance here. Your husband is here. You should go to him"
"You're right" Katheryn nodded "And, Regina, thank you. Thank you for being such a good friend. It's been so lonely. I'm not used to having one"
Katheryn gave one step closer to Regina and hugged her.
It took Regina several seconds to react, to understand what was happening.
And when she finally did, the only thing she was able to do was rub Katheryn's back in a reassuring manner while her body was still very stiff.
"Neither am I," Regina said when they broke apart.
"Well, like it or not, you have one now," Katheryn smiled at Regina before walking away from the kitchen.
Regina stared at Katheryn's back, watching her go away while trying to shake off the bitter ash taste from the back of her tongue and the feeling that maybe, just maybe what she was doing was wrong.
Emma turned in the direction of the kitchen at the exact moment Katheryn was leaning forward to hug Regina and frowned.
There was this slight sting in the pit of her stomach and this annoyance that took over her body when she saw Regina in the arms of another woman.
If Emma had to admit, she was a little jealous.
Emma walked to the kitchen just when Katheryn was telling Regina something about her having a friend and then she smiled at Emma as she walked past her out of the kitchen.
Emma smiled back at Katheryn and then looked at Regina, but she could tell the brunette woman was lost in thoughts.
She didn't even acknowledge Emma's presence and that only made Emma's jealousy crawl like a viper under her skin.
"Do I need to worry about blondie over there?" Emma asked casually.
"What?" Regina blinked her eyes only now noticing Emma.
"Katheryn," Emma clicked her tongue "Do I need to worry about her?"
"Don't be ridiculous," Regina scoffed "We are friends"
"She had her arms all over you," Emma arched an eyebrow.
"Are you jealous?" Regina asked.
"No," Emma shrugged "Of course not"
"Right," Regina laughed "Katheryn is just a friend"
"Good," Emma nodded.
Emma gave one step closer to Regina and then another and another, her eyes never leaving hers. Regina gave one step back at each step Emma gave forward, her lips lightly parted, staring back at her.
"Emma…" Regina warned.
But Emma didn't care about the warning tone in Regina's voice. She kept on walking in her direction, her eyes never breaking contact as something old and primitive took over her body, whispering in her heart that the woman in front of her was hers.
Regina's back hit the kitchen table, leaving her with nowhere to go. She looked at Emma, clicking her tongue once as Emma took the final two steps in her direction, stopping in front of her.
Emma smiled sideways at Regina breaking eye contact for the first time, lowering her gaze slowly to her lips. Emma licked her own lips, her tongue running slowly and wet before she pressed her body against Regina, moving her lips to her ear.
"Follow me outside," Emma whispered, her warm breath tickling Regina's ear.
Emma pressed her body further against Regina, smiling at the little moan that escaped Regina's lips as she grabbed something from inside a container on the table, and then she gave a step back, putting the finger food inside her mouth and walking to the back door.
Outside, Emma looked up at the sky, smiling at the shining silvery moon, and breathed the night air.
She loved this night breeze.
Loved the dark night with only a hint of light and the cool air that kissed her cheeks.
Emma walked to the back of the house, spotting a thick tree in the backyard. She leaned her back against the tree closing her eyes for a second while she waited.
It didn't take long before Emma heard the kitchen door being open and she smiled as she pop her head from behind the tree and lightly called Regina's name.
Emma watched Regina walking in her direction and when she was just within reach, Emma pulled her by the hand and pressed her body against the tree.
"Miss Swan," Regina arched an eyebrow.
"Hi," Emma smiled sweetly at Regina.
"May I ask what are we doing here?" Regina smiled at Emma.
"I'll do better than that," Emma licked her lips "I'll show you"
Emma leaned forward and captured Regina's lips in a kiss, her hands snaking around Regina's waist. Regina hooked her hands behind Emma's neck, pulling her closer to her body, melting herself on Emma.
Emma could feel the warmth of Regina's body warming hers, the little moan that escaped Regina's lips was enough to send a rush of wetness down Emma's panties, and oh, how Emma wanted to hear that sweet sound escape Regina's lips over and over and over again while no clothes were involved.
"God, I missed this," Emma said when they broke apart "I missed you" Emma confessed, carefully looking at Regina.
She bit her lower lip and braced herself for whatever joke Regina would make at her lame attempt of showing her feelings.
Regina looked at Emma seriously, so seriously that for a moment, Emma thought she have done the wrong thing, said the wrong thing, confessed too much too soon.
But then Regina's fingers started to play gently with the hair of Emma's neck and she smiled softly at Emma before leaning forward to peck Emma's lips.
"I missed you too," Regina said.
"Really?" Emma asked unsurely.
"Of course I did," Regina said softly "You jealous little thing"
Emma smirked and leaned forward to kiss Regina one more time.
"It's not fair that she gets to hug you and I don't," Emma said goofily.
"Indeed it isn't," Regina smiled at Emma "But we have to go back"
"No," Emma shook her head "Not yet"
"Emma, someone could see us," Regina said seriously "And Henry will notice that the two of us are missing"
"I know," Emma nodded "But there is something I need to ask you"
"What is it?" Regina asked, her fingers still toying with Emma's hair.
"Are you free tomorrow night?" Emma asked.
"I am," Regina arched an eyebrow "Why?"
"I want to take you out tomorrow night," Emma smiled "On a second date"
"Already?" Regina smiled.
"Yes," Emma leaned forward and kissed Regina again "I want to see you tomorrow tonight," Emma bit her lower lip "Say yes"
"Yes," Regina whispered the smile never leaving her face.
"Good," Emma grinned "How about we meet at seven?"
"Do you think that's enough time to interrogate Henry about me again?" Regina playfully asked.
"Ha ha, very funny," Emma rolled her eyes.
Regina moved one hand from Emma's neck and gently stroked her cheek.
Emma closed her eyes and softly moaned at the delicate touch before turning her head to kiss Regina's palm.
"We should get inside," Regina said softly.
"I know," Emma let out a puff of air "I'll go first"
"Okay," Regina nodded and leaned forward to kiss Emma.
"Are you sure you want me to go inside?" Emma playfully asked.
"Of course, I don't," Regina said "But we have to"
Emma nodded at Regina and pressed her lips against hers one last time before walking back to the house.
She entered through the kitchen door and was greeted by Katheryn who was putting more food onto a tray.
"Emma, hi," Katheryn said "I'm so sorry, I don't think we talk the whole night"
"Oh, that's okay," Emma shoved her hands inside her jeans back pocket "I know you are busy"
"How are you enjoying the party?" Katheryn asked.
"It's pretty great," Emma said and pointed at the tray "The food is really good"
"Thank you," Katheryn smiled "Have you seen Regina by any chance?"
Emma looked at Katheryn slightly annoyed and couldn't help the feeling to drip into her voice when she answered:
"I have not," Emma clicked her tongue "Why do you ask?"
"Oh, Henry fell asleep," Katheryn said "I've put him in my bedroom because of the noise"
"Oh," It was all Emma was able to voice while she felt her cheeks burn.
She knew she was being ridiculous, she just couldn't help.
When she saw Regina being enveloped by Katheryn in a hug felt like something old and primal had been awakened from within her entrails.
And she hated that Katheryn get to do that in public when she couldn't.
Even if Emma wasn't ready for that just yet.
As on a cue, Regina walked inside the kitchen through the same back door and Emma nearly laughed at the way she froze by the door while looking between Emma and Katheryn.
"Regina, I was just asking Emma about you," Katheryn said.
"Excuse me?" Regina blinked her eyes.
"I was just telling Emma that Henry fell asleep," Katheryn said and then paused "Were you two outside together?" Katheryn looked at Emma "I thought you said you didn't see her"
"I… I didn't," Emma said lamely.
"I didn't see Miss Swan either," Regina said too quickly.
"Oh, okay," Katheryn looked puzzled between the two women.
"What were you saying about Henry?" Regina asked clearing her throat and smoothing her blazer.
"He fell asleep," Katheryn smiled "I asked Dr. Whale to put him in my bedroom a while ago"
"Oh," Regina nodded "We should go home. If you could point me to your bedroom I'll go and collect him"
"It's at the end of the hallway upstairs," Katheryn said "I'll see if I can find David to carry him to your car"
"There is no need for that," Emma said "I can carry him"
"Miss Swan…"
"I can carry him, Regina," Emma interrupted Regina with a tone that left no room for argument.
"Very well," Regina nodded "I'll wait by the car"
Emma left the kitchen when Regina was moving closer to Katheryn, probably to say goodbye.
She walked up the stairs and found Henry lying in the middle of the bed with a blanket covering his body.
Emma gently removed the blanket and then sank one knee on the mattress while her other leg supported her body as she gathered Henry in her arms.
Henry grunted a few times while Emma was adjusting him but other than that, the kid didn't wake up.
Once Henry was properly safe in her arms, Emma grunted her own muffled sounds of protest.
The kid was heavier than Emma thought.
Emma carried Henry out of the bedroom and then out of the house. She spotted Regina leaning casually against the black Mercedes with her arms crossed.
When Regina saw Emma walking in her direction, she moved to open the car door and Emma gently deposited Henry on the back seat.
Regina walked around the car to the driver's door and Emma followed her after pushing the front seat back and closing the door gently.
"I'm sorry," Emma said simply.
"For what?" Regina asked confused.
"The way I acted inside, I…" Emma bit her lower lip "I shouldn't have talked like that with you"
"Then why did you?" Regina asked.
"I didn't like the idea of anyone else but me helping you with our son," Emma said.
"Our son?" Regina asked.
"Yeah," Emma looked down "I mean, you know,"
Regina gave one step closer and suddenly Emma was enveloped by that wonderful scent of blooming apples and winter breeze. Emma inhaled deeply, wanting to breathe in the scent until her lungs burned until she couldn't hold the air anymore.
Regina reached for Emma's hand and intertwined their fingers together.
"I suppose he is our son," Regina said softly.
Emma smiled still looking down and then she squeezed Regina's hand before facing her again.
"I really want to kiss you right now," Emma said.
"We can't," Regina said apologetically.
"I know," Emma nodded "I'll see you tomorrow?"
"Yes, you will," Regina smiled.
Regina let go of Emma's hand and Emma couldn't stop the grunting protest that escaped her throat.
Regina smirked and open the car door, sitting on the passenger seat.
"Goodnight, Miss Swan," Regina said in a seductive tone.
Emma smiled at Regina while holding the door open and before she could even think of what she was doing, she leaned forward inside the car and captured Regina's lips in a kiss.
When they broke apart, Emma pressed her lips to Regina's ear lowering her voice when she whispered:
"Goodnight, Regina,"
Emma looked at Regina and smiled at the surprised expression on her face and the fire burning in her eyes.
Emma winked cheekily at Regina and then closed the car door, the smile never leaving her lips as she walked back inside the house to the party.