Part Twenty-Nine: The One With the Casual Intimacy
Emma was leaning against the wall, arms crossed, staring amused at the image in front of her.
She had woken up early in the morning, with only the first rays of sunrise entering the still-dark bedroom of Mary Margaret in the loft.
Emma had stayed with Mary Margaret the whole day yesterday.
She had listened to her hatred and then her meltdown over David.
She had drunk with her, although Emma wasn't suicidal enough to keep up with Mary Margaret's rate.
And then, at the stroke of midnight, Emma had rubbed her back while Mary Margaret put all the alcohol she drank into the toilet.
By the time Emma had put Mary Margaret on the bed, her friend was just a mess of limbs and bones incapable of forming any coherent thought.
So Emma stayed with her.
Slept on her bed.
Made sure Mary Margaret was breathing when she woke up in the middle of the night with her throat burning for water.
And then, when she woke up early in the morning again, her blood was roaring inside her veins for someone else.
Emma had gotten used to waking up early.
She had gotten used to her body pressed against Regina's, to the heat of her body enveloping her, to the dance they made in the early morning with a touch here, fingers teasing there, a kiss that always started slow, always started gently before growing demanding, before claiming, before they were on top of each other, taking and giving at the same rate until their bodies were spent but wonderfully satisfied.
Until Emma had to leave her, carrying only half of her heart and leaving the other half with Regina.
But this morning was different.
This morning Emma woke up still fully dressed in her own clothes, in a bed she did not recognize at first, and next to a body that was completely dead to the world and would continue to be for hours.
She had barely opened her eyes properly when her blood started to roar inside her veins when her soul was demanding to be reunited and her heart was craving to beat next to someone else.
So Emma made sure Mary Margaret was still breathing properly before going up the stairs to take a shower and then changing into fresh clothes that did not stink of alcohol.
And when she made her way down the stairs again, Emma just ate a few bananas she found on the counter and the strawberries she found inside the refrigerator before grabbing two painkiller pills and a glass of water, leaving them on the bedside table next to Mary Margaret.
Emma drove to Regina's mansion with only the company of the birds singing and the serenity of the morning about to rise.
She climbed up the ladder to Regina's window and then frowned at first at what she saw on the bed.
And now she was just amused, leaning against the wall watching Regina sleep in a tiny space on the edge of the bed, nearly falling, while Katheryn was splashed on the mattress beside her, taking over the whole thing.
Regina stirred in bed, grunting softly, her eyes blinking slowly.
Emma smiled before walking in her direction, kneeling on the floor in front of Regina and softly running her hand on Regina's hair and face.
"Good morning," Emma whispered.
Regina opened her eyes and smiled lazily at Emma, her hand that was hanging from the bed reaching for Emma's hand and bringing it to her lips, kissing softly.
"Good morning," Regina whispered, her voice hoarse.
Emma pulled her hand back, trapping a lock of hair behind Regina's ear before leaning forward to press her lips against Regina's.
"Why are you kneeling on the floor?" Regina asked.
"Well, it seems like my side of the bed is taken," Emma laughed.
"What?" Regina asked confused.
Regina turned around slightly, looking behind her shoulder before looking back at Emma, eyes widened.
"Emma," Regina said, "I know it looks strange that Katheryn is in my bed but nothing happened, she had a lot to drink last night and…."
Emma laughed lowly before leaning forward to press her lips against Regina's, letting her lips linger against hers just a second or two longer.
And the protest sound Regina made when Emma pulled away made something warm inside her.
"I know," Emma said "I trust you"
Regina smiled and reached for Emma's jacket, pulling her closer and claiming her lips in a kiss.
When they pulled apart, Emma nuzzled her nose softly against Regina's before running her hands gently down her face.
"Rought night?" Emma asked.
"You have no idea," Regina sighed "There was so much alcohol"
"Are you hungover?" Emma asked.
"No, I'm fine," Regina shook her head "I only had a few drinks, I couldn't possibly keep up with Katheryn. She drank my whole cider from the decanter and half a bottle of wine"
"Ouch!" Emma laughed "I'd be surprised if I haven't witnessed worse last night"
"How was your night?" Regina asked.
"Pretty much like yours, I think," Emma sighed "I know it doesn't seem fair to say this, but Mary Margaret was really bad last night. I know it's worse for Katheryn but…"
"I get it," Regina nodded.
"She's my friend too, you know," Emma bit her lower lip.
"I know," Regina said lowly before reaching for Emma's face, her hand cherishing Emma's cheek "Did you get any sleep?"
"I got some," Emma nodded "I was in a pretty much similar bed situation. I had to sleep next to Mary Margaret too, I was scared to leave her alone the whole night"
"I was scared to leave Katheryn in the guest room," Regina said "She was so drunk last night I could hardly bring her up. I was afraid she might wake up Henry and I also didn't want her to sleep alone"
"You are a good friend," Emma said, bringing Regina's palm to her lips and kissing it.
"I just didn't want her to wake up alone in a strange bed," Regina said.
Emma smiled softly at Regina and leaned forward, to press her lips against hers.
"And how did you sleep?" Emma asked when they broke apart.
"Not very well," Regina said "It was strange not to have you by my side"
"Yeah, I know," Emma ran her hand over Regina's face "I was confused for a second when I woke up this morning. Then I had the strangest urge to see you"
"Im glad you are here," Regina smiled softly "I missed you so much last night"
"I missed you too," Emma smiled.
"Oh, for the love of God can the two of you shut up! My head hurts like hell and it's too early for this love thing you two are doing"
Emma smirked while Regina rolled her yes. Regina pushed her body up, sitting on the bed while Emma rose from the floor and sat on the edge of the bed, facing Regina.
"Morning, sunshine," Emma said sarcastically.
"My head is killing me," Katheryn said, rubbing her forehead.
"I told you not to drink all that much," Regina said, "You told me to shove it"
"It felt like a good idea at the time," Katheryn grunted.
"And this morning?" Emma laughed.
"I still have no regrets," Katheryn said before turning around in bed, and looking up at Regina "Did we by any chance burn David's stuff last night?"
"No," Regina smirked "We didn't leave the house"
"Then I have one regret," Katheryn said looking at Emma.
Emma laughed and put her hand on top of Regina's thigh. Regina reached for Emma's hand on her thigh, intertwining their fingers together.
"How is Mary Margaret?" Katheryn asked.
"Oh, she…" Emma shook her head "She's not doing all that great. For all it's worth, Katheryn, she never meant to hurt you"
"But she did," Katheryn said "How long did you know they were having an affair?"
"Katheryn…" Regina warned.
"It's okay," Emma squeezed Regina's hand "I knew from the beginning"
"And all this time, you never thought about telling me?" Katheryn asked.
"It wasn't my place, Katheryn," Emma said "And it's not fair to put all the blame on her either, he was the one who was married to you"
"I know," Katheryn sighed "David is an asshole"
"That he is," Emma nodded.
"I can't believe you let me stay married to that man for so long," Katheryn said to Regina.
"I know, I'm sorry," Regina said sincerely "I'm sorry I wasn't such a good friend to you"
"You made up for it last night," Katheryn smiled at Regina.
The loud noise of Regina's alarm clock echoed in the room, making Katheryn bury her head under the pillows.
"Oh my God, turn that off," Katheryn grunted.
Regina reached for the alarm clock on the bedside table and switched off the alarm.
"I should go," Emma sighed "I have to get to the station"
Emma rose from the bed and then reached inside her jeans pocket, pulling out two painkillers pills.
"I brought painkillers," Emma said looking at Katheryn "I'm going to leave them on the bedside table for you"
"Thank you," Katheryn's muffled voice said.
Emma smirked and put the two pills on the bedside table before leaning in Regina's direction, holding her face between her hands and pressing their lips together.
"See you later?" Emma asked.
"Absolutely," Regina smiled at her.
Emma smiled back at Regina and kissed her one last time before jumping off her window, her blood already roaring for her to go back to Regina before her feet even touched the ground.
Regina was in the kitchen, pouring steamy coffee into a mug with Katheryn grunting behind her.
They made it downstairs to the kitchen only a few minutes after Emma left, Katheryn's headache demanding water, coffee, and food.
Regina walked to Katheryn who was sitting on the island, her face buried inside her arms against the cold marble.
"Here," Regina said putting the mug beside Katheryn "Have some coffee"
Katheryn lifted her face from under her arms, her eyes adjusting to the light in the kitchen before reaching for the coffee mug.
"Thank you," Katheryn said sipping the coffee.
"The pills haven't kicked in yet?" Regina asked, retrieving a few eggs and a package of bacon from the refrigerator.
"Not completely," Katheryn said "Remind me to thank Emma for the pills"
"I will," Regina smiled softly before ripping the bacon package and putting them into a skillet, and then cracking the eggs on another.
"Hey, is it just me or did Emma not leave through the door?" Katheryn asked "I know I had my face under the pillow but I don't remember hearing the door opening"
"Yeah, she left through the window," Regina said moving the eggs and then flipping the bacon.
"Why?"
"Because Henry doesn't know about us yet," Regina said.
And something in her chest tightened.
"Why on earth haven't you told Henry yet?" Katheryn asked.
"Because," Regina sighed, moving to take the plates from the cabinet "It's too soon, I mean, I dont know how is he going to react"
"Regina, Henry adores Emma," Katheryn said "Don't you think it's time to let him know?"
"Let who know what?"
Regina turned around alarmed, staring at her son at the kitchen entrance.
Regina cleared her throat before giving Katheryn a look that told her to keep her mouth shut and smiled at Henry.
"Good morning, honey," Regina said.
"Morning, mom," Henry said back, taking his place on the island before looking at Katheryn "Are you okay?"
"Getting there," Katheryn smiled at Henry.
"Did you sleep here last night?" Henry asked Katheryn.
"Yes, I did," Katheryn said "I wasn't feeling very well and your mom was kind enough to watch over me"
"Really?" Henry smiled at Regina "That's really cool, mom"
Regina smiled back at him and walked to Henry, putting a plate of eggs and bacon in front of him before kissing the top of his head and putting the other plate in front of Katheryn.
"How did you sleep, honey?" Regina asked Henry.
"Pretty well," Henry said, "I thought I heard Emma's voice this morning"
Katheryn arched an eyebrow at Regina, but Regina just squinted her eyes at her.
"I'm sure it was just Katheryn talking," Regina said eventually.
Katheryn smirked but just sipped her coffee before eating her breakfast and Henry did the same beside her while Regina just stared at her food.
It wasn't that she didn't want to tell Henry.
She just wasn't sure he would believe that The Evil Queen fell in love with the Savior.
Emma was doing her rounds around Storybrooke, the cold from the day entering the car even with all the windows closed and the heater on.
The day had been bright and shiny all day but the wind…
The wind was a blow of coldness kissed by ice.
Emma entered another street, the sidewalks on every side nearly empty.
As bad as the cold was, it made her job just that much easier.
Emma continued her drive, tapping her fingers lightly over the steering wheel of her bug.
She had to use her car to make the rounds today.
Graham had been very particular about needing the Sheriff's cruiser.
Emma looked to the side, gripping the steering wheel with force when she saw the familiar figure sitting at a booth inside Granny's diner through the window.
Something in her spine chilled.
Something about that man and the way he seemed to be interested in Henry made a protective instinct crawl under Emma's skin.
Emma maneuvered the car, parking across the street from Granny's before leaving the car and walking to the diner.
She opened the door, the bell chiming above her head the only indication of her presence.
The diner was completely empty.
And the stranger didn't even bother to turn around.
Wasn't even curious about the new arrival at the empty diner.
Emma walked in the stranger's direction, staring at his erect back while rubbing her hands together.
"We need to talk?" Emma said still behind him.
"Why?" The Stranger asked.
"Because," Emma stared at the wooden case by his feet before standing still in front of him "You are suspicious"
"Sitting here? Out in the open? Drinking coffee?" The Stranger said amused gesturing to the diner "I wonder what kind of hell I would have raised had I ordered a doughnut"
"You were talking to Henry," Emma said seriously.
"You mean the Mayor's kid?" The Stranger asked "Excuse me, your kid" The Stranger put his hand over his heart "He came up to me asking me questions. Is that unusual for him, being curious and precocious?"
"Why were you talking to him out on the street near the Mayor's Office?" Emma asked annoyed.
"My bike broke down," The Stranger shrugged "It happens"
Emma cracked her neck to the side, the alarms beeping in the back of her head.
He was lying.
Her lie detector didn't always work, but Emma had learned to trust it over the years when it did.
Emma looked down, the wooden case by his feet sending a weird sensation to her body.
Something wasn't right. About him. About the case. About his presence.
"Your mysterious box," Emma asked "What's in it?"
"It's awfully frustrating, not knowing, isn't it?" The Stranger smiled at her.
"Just tell me," Emma said seriously.
"Why?" The Stranger asked, "Is it illegal to carry around a box in these parts?"
"No, of course it's not" Emma suppressed her urge to roll her eyes.
"You really want to know what's inside it, don't you?" The Stranger asked.
"Yes," Emma didn't hesitate.
Not when this man was walking around, particularly interested in her kid.
Not when her spine was rigid and her body was alert.
Not when her lie detector was pounding in the back of her head.
"I'm gonna make you wait," The Stranger said slowly "You're gonna have to wait a long time, and watch me carry it around, hauling it, to strange and mysterious places. And with each passing moment the mystery will become more tantalizing. Your imagination will inflame, but so will your frustration, never knowing, only guessing, 'What could possibly be inside that box?'"
Emma rolled her eyes, sighing, annoyance already dancing on the tip of her tongue.
The Stranger smiled at her in a charming way that only made Emma's annoyance hit harder.
She could feel her blood boiling.
She could feel herself getting angrier.
She could feel it in every sharp breath she took while staring at the Stranger, stretching her fingers to prevent it to turn into a fist.
"Or," The Stranger said forcing Emma to focus on him "You could let me buy you a drink sometime and I'll tell you right now"
"I am not interested," Emma said angrily.
"In the drink?" The Stranger smiled "Or in the box?"
Emma smiled venomously at him and put both her hands on top of the table, leaning forward, looking deep into his eyes.
"Either you show me what is in that box right now," Emma said slowly "Or the next time I catch you talking to my underage son I will have you in jail and a search warrant for your room. I am very sure the Mayor will have no problem getting me a judge to approve the search and between you and me, this box might be the least of your problems"
The Stranger stared at Emma for a second and then two without blicking, before cracking his neck to the side.
He nodded at Emma before leaning down, retrieving the box from the floor, and putting it on top of the table.
Emma sat down in front of him, watching every movement of his fingers as he clicked the box open.
The stranger looked inside the box and smiled before slowly turning the box on the table, and pushing it in Emma's direction.
"Really?" Emma asked.
She looked at the box, frustration creeping into the back of her head.
All that mystery, for a fucking typing machine.
"I'm a writer," The Stranger said.
"That's why you are here," Emma said, her shoulders dropping forward as she sank into her seat.
"I find this place provides inspiration," The Stranger smiled "Don't you?"
"Have you been here before?" Emma asked suspiciously.
"I didn't say that," The Stranger said.
Emma nodded at him, biting her lower lip.
Some of the tension she was feeling had vanished now that she looked into the box, replaced by some strange sense of relief Emma couldn't quite understand.
Emma looked at the Stranger who was smiling amused at her.
"And what is it that you write?" Emma asked.
"I'm a big fan of fairy tale retelling," Tha Stranger said.
"Right," Emma rolled her eyes.
At least that could explain his interest in Henry.
"You don't like the genre?" The Stranger asked.
"Let's just say I got my hands full with the fairy tale stuff," Emma gestured with her hand.
"Your boy?" The Stranger asked.
"Stay away from him," Emma said seriously "You are a grown man, he is just a kid"
"I mean him no harm," The Stranger put his hand solemnly over his heart.
"I don't care," Emma said "You are still a stranger"
"My name is August," He smiled at her "Emma"
"Well, August," Emma rose from her seat "Stay away from my son and maybe, we won't have a problem"
"Have a drink with me and you'll see I mean no harm," August smiled sideways at her.
"I'm not interested,"
Emma walked away from August, each step a sweet relief for the distance.
Emma entered the car and drove away, tapping her fingers on the steering wheel.
She had this annoying feeling pounding in the back of her head that even though she had no idea who August was, she might have seen him before.
And that he might know more than he appeared to know.
Regina was cracking her neck from one side to the other, moaning softly when a bone snapped back into place.
She had been working the whole day bent over on top of a stack of reports and city projects.
She barely had time for anything.
Except for those stolen hours with Emma during lunchtime.
Regina smiled, biting her lower lip and closing her eyes.
As infuriating as it was sometimes, Regina couldn't help smiling just at the thought of Emma's name.
It was easy to smile when thinking about Emma.
Just her name could warm something deep inside her heart.
"You are thinking about Emma, aren't you?"
Regina opened her eyes, shifting her attention to the presence by the door.
"You know, it's polite to knock before opening a closed door?" Regina arched an eyebrow.
"I actually did," Katheryn laughed closing the door behind her.
"You did?" Regina frowned "I didn't hear anything"
"Those Emma thoughts go deep, huh?" Katheryn teased.
"I wasn't thinking about her," Regina rolled her eyes.
But she knew she wasn't fooling anyone.
"Right," Katheryn laughed.
"What are you doing here?" Regina asked, "Are you okay?"
"Yeah, I'm fine," Katheryn smiled before sitting on the arm of the chair across from Regina "I came to kidnap you"
"Excuse me?" Regina asked.
"Wine and cheese and more wine at my house," Katheryn said "I don't take no for an answer"
"Oh, Katheryn," Regina shifted her attention to the clock on top of her desk "I can't. I need to go home and make dinner for Henry"
"I took care of that already," Katheryn smiled.
"What?" Regina asked.
"I called your house before coming here and asked Henry if it was okay to keep you for the night," Katheryn laughed "The negotiation was hard, but he caved when offered him pizza delivery for dinner and the promise of not having you back before midnight so he could stay up and play"
"You are bribing my son?" Regina asked incredulously.
"Is it really bribing when he was the one who actually made all the offers?" Katheryn asked.
"So that's what I'm worth to my son?" Regina clicked her tongue "Pizza and game night"
"Also ice cream," Katheryn smirked.
Regina rolled her eyes but smiled anyway.
This easy talk, this honest friendship, this desire to have her around it was still so foreign to her.
And yet, Regina cherished every crumb of it.
"So, get your things," Katheryn rose from the arm of the chair "We are leaving right now"
"How can you even drink after last night?" Regina asked, getting up from the chair.
"I drank a lot of water," Katheryn shrugged "And I'm still in deep sorrow"
"Are you?" Regina asked.
"It comes and goes," Katheryn said honestly.
Regina looked at Katheryn warmingly before walking in her direction, placing both her hands on Katheryn's up arm.
"There is someone out there who is a perfect match for you," Regina said looking into Katheryn's eyes "The one you are truly supposed to be with"
"I don't know if I still believe that," Katheryn smiled sadly "There was a time when I thought David was everything. I don't even know how many years went by where I was just sitting and waiting for him to come back to me"
"I'm so sorry, Katheryn," Regina said lowly.
"You have to stop apologizing, Regina," Katheryn said softly "None of this is your fault"
Except that it was.
All of it was her fault.
All of Katheryn's doubt and sorrow, everything were her fault.
But Regina would find a way to fix things for her.
For Katheryn, she would open an exception, regardless of her will to keep her curse intact.
She would find a way to reunite Katheryn with her one true love.
Even if that weakened her curse, Regina would do it.
And then she would find a way to mend the cracks from Katheryn's happy ending.
"Ready?" Katheryn asked, pulling Regina out of her thoughts.
"Yes," Regina shook her head, letting go of Katheryn's arms.
Regina put her coat on and retrieved her purse, leaving the office with Katheryn by her side…
Regina was genuinely surprised when Katheryn leaned over the coffee table and filled her third glass of wine of the night.
They had walked from the Mayor's office to her house, the cold wind assaulting their cheeks all the way there.
Regina was grateful when they walked inside the house, the warmth from the heater enveloping her body the second Regina removed her coat.
Katheryn had left everything set up in the living room.
Trays with cheese and cold meat, bread and pate, nuts and acidic fruits were taking over the coffee table.
Regina had only excused herself to use the washroom and then make a quick phone call to Henry to make sure everything was okay and to let him know he could call her at any time, no matter what.
When Regina walked back to the living room, Katheryn was already emptying her first glass.
"Katheryn, you should slow down," Regina said, holding lightly her half-empty glass from her place on the couch.
"I'm in sorrow, remember?" Katheryn said before sipping from her glass.
"I know," Regina nodded "But drinking your way out of it isn't the solution"
"I know, I know," Katheryn said from beside Regina on the couch.
Katheryn leaned over the coffee table and put her glass on top of the wooden surface before reaching for a slice of bread, spreading pate on it.
"I'll eat too so I can balance things over," Katheryn joked.
"Well, good," Regina laughed.
"David came over this afternoon," Katheryn said between chews.
"Please tell me you burned his things," Regina asked before sipping her wine.
"I wish," Katheryn laughed "He wanted to apologize for what happened. Said he was deeply sorry for what he did. Can you believe that?"
"Unfortunately, yes," Regina rolled her eyes before leaning forward, picking up a cube of cheese from the tray, and popping it into her mouth.
"Regina, he was sleeping with me, and her at the same time," Katheryn said bitterly "I can't believe I could have gotten pregnant with that man's child"
"How are you feeling about this?" Regina asked concerned "The last time we talked you said you wanted to have a child"
"I still do," Katheryn nodded," But I want to have a child with the right person, you know?"
"I do, yes," Regina said.
"How did you know Emma was the right person?" Katheryn asked.
"I'm not sure, to be honest," Regina smiled softly "One day I wanted to either kill her or chase her out of the town," Regina laughed "The next day I couldn't take her out of my mind"
"You two seem so connected," Katheryn said softly.
"We are," Regina nodded "What Emma and I have is deeper than anything I ever felt in my life before"
"It's visible, you know," Katheryn said before reaching for her wine glass on the coffee table "I don't know why you two are keeping it a secret"
"It's complicated," Regina shrugged "We haven't told Henry yet and in case you haven't noticed, this town isn't exactly warming when it comes to me"
"Regina, I don't know you for long," Katheryn sipped her wine "But you don't strike me as the kind of person who cares about what the townfolks think"
"I don't," Regina shook her head.
"Then what is the matter?" Katheryn asked.
She was scared.
She was scared of what revealing her relationship with Emma would do to her curse.
She was scared of Henry's reaction because… what if he didn't approve of their relationship?
What if he thought this was some evil deed on Regina's part to destroy Emma?
What if he didn't believe that he and Emma meant the whole world to Regina?
What if this pushed him away from her again?
Regina closed her eyes, tears threatening to fall.
She couldn't imagine going back to the way they were before.
That look of pure hate in Henry's eyes was a stab to her heart every time she looked at her son.
It was killing her slowly, eating her alive.
Regina opened her eyes when the soft touch of Katheryn's hand squeezed hers lightly.
"I'm sorry," Katheryn said "I didn't mean to upset you"
"No," Regina shook her head "It's not you, it's just… I don't know. I guess I'm just unsure of what Henry's reaction will be"
"I don't think you need to worry about that, Regina," Katheryn smiled "Henry loves you and he absolutely adores Emma. Why wouldn't he want both his mothers to be happy?"
"Do you really think that?" Regina asked hopefully.
"Absolutely," Katheryn smiled "Will you give me a minute? I need to use the bathroom"
"Yes, of course," Regina tilted her head to the side "Go"
Katheryn rose from the couch and disappeared inside the house.
Regina reached for the wine bottle and filled her glass, drawing the last drop of wine left in the bottle before reaching for another cube of cheese and popping it into her mouth.
Telling Henry would change everything.
Regina sipped her wine, the sweet taste of the wine lingering on her tongue before she swallowed it.
Could she dare have hope that Henry would be okay with her and Emma?
Could she dare dream of a life where she woke up slowly with Emma in the morning without the rush or fear of getting caught?
Could she dare dream of a life with her family, happy together sitting around the dining room table sharing a meal and a laugh?
Regina sipped her wine again, her heart squeezing inside her chest.
She wanted this.
She wanted Emma and Henry.
She wanted her family.
The soft sound of a door closing and steps echoing in the living room made Regina turn her head to the side.
"We need more wine," Regina said, her voice a tone higher.
"On it," Katheryn shouted.
Regina heard Katheryn open and then close the refrigerator and a moment later the popping sound of the stopper being released from the bottle.
Katheryn entered the living room again, taking Regina's glass from her hand and filling it before doing the same with hers.
"Did I tell you Mary Margaret called me?" Katheryn asked, sitting next to Regina.
"What?" Regina asked surprised.
"She called me this afternoon after David left," Katheryn said.
"What did she want?" Regina asked.
"To apologize again," Katheryn said "I'm honestly not even that angry with her anymore. David is truly the one worthy of my wrath"
"How were things with him anyway?" Regina asked "You never told me"
"He packed a suitcase with his things," Katheryn said "I may have spread itching dust all over his underwear"
Katheryn smiled at Regina who looked back at Katheryn with lips slightly parted.
"You kidding me?" Regina asked surprised.
"Nope," Katheryn laughed "I pick it up from the flower shop when I left your house. Maurice said I should be very careful because the plant that made the dust was extremely itching in contact with the skin. I put it in every single one of his underwear"
"Katheryn!" Regina bust out laughing.
"Let's just say he is not going to be using his cheating parts for a very long time"
Regina kept on laughing, tears of joy falling from the corners of her eyes.
She raised her glass in the air, smiling at Katheryn, trying to regain her composure.
"To good revenge," Regina said.
"To good revenge," Katheryn clicked her glass with Regina's.
And just when she was about to drink, the doorbell sound echoed inside the house.
"You should get that," Katheryn smiled at Regina.
"Why?" Regina asked suspiciously.
"Something tells me you'll like what you'll find behind the door"
Regina arched an eyebrow at Katheryn before putting her glass down and walking to the door.
And when she pulled the door open, Regina felt like the air was pulled out of her lungs as a smile that owned her whole heart sparkled when her eyes landed on her.
Emma smiled when Regina opened the door, her scent surrounding Emma long before her form did.
She knew who was coming in her direction.
And her heart leaped inside her chest, dancing softly to a deep melody that belonged only to her and Regina.
She was always eager to see her.
Always eager for just one more minute, one more second, one more moment.
And the second Regina opened that door, Emma felt it, felt this deep fire pulsating inside of her.
The fire she knew would forever belong to Regina.
The fire she knew burned inside Regina too.
The fire that would always bond them together.
"Emma," Regina smiled "What are you doing here?"
"Hey," Emma said, her smile never leaving her face "I got this weird text from Katheryn, telling me to come to her house urgently" Emma frowned "And to bring wine"
"Oh!" Regina exclaimed.
"Regina, is that Emma?" Katheryn shouted from inside the house.
"Yes," Regina looked back, inside the house.
"Well, tell her to come in," Katheryn shouted.
Regina stepped to the side, opening the door wider for Emma to get inside.
Emma stepped inside the house, stopping beside Regina as Katheryn approached them.
"Did you bring the wine?" Katheryn asked.
"Yes, I did," Emma lifted the bag in the air.
"Kathryn, did you just use Emma as a delivery person?" Regina arched an eyebrow.
"No, of course not," Katheryn laughed "I invented Emma because I wanted you two to feel free and have a moment together without worrying about who is around you. The wine was just a bonus"
Regina smiled softly at Katheryn and Emma felt that smile fuel that fire inside of her, the flames growing higher with every heartbeat.
Regina was breathtakingly beautiful.
How could she ever not belong to her?
"So, go on you two," Katheryn gestured with her hands "Go ahead and kiss, I know you are dying to"
Katheryn took a step closer to Emma, taking the wine bag from her hand.
And the second Emma's hands were free, she stepped closer to Regina, holding her face between her hands and pressing their lips together.
"Hi," Emma whispered when they broke apart.
"Hi," Regina whispered back, her hands covering Emma's over her face.
"I'll just put this in the fridge," Katheryn said but Emma was only vaguely aware of her presence.
And by the time Katheryn's footstep became distant and distant, Regina had already pressed her lips against Emma's again.
Emma protested when Regina broke apart.
The feel of Regina's tongue moving inside hers, the taste of alcohol on her tongue, the heat from their bodies pressed together felt like good wine and all Emma wanted to do was get drunk in it.
So naturally, Emma grunted when Regina pulled away.
And if it wasn't for that lazy smile, the way her teeth sank into her lower lips, and the hand softly cherishing her cheek Emma would have kissed Regina again until her lungs burned for oxygen, and even then, she would have ignored the need.
"We should get inside," Regina tilted her head to the side.
"Right," Emma nodded.
In that lost moment with Regina, Emma had completely forgotten where she was.
Emma took a step away from Regina, opening her coat and then sliding it off her shoulders.
She put the coat inside the small coat closet beside the door and when she looked back at Regina, her heart skipped a beat inside her chest.
Regina was smiling at Emma, stretching her hand in her direction.
When Emma took her hand, Regina intertwined their fingers together and pulled Emma with her to the living room.
And in that split second when their fingers touched, Emma knew this was what she wanted to do for the rest of her life.
She no longer desired to keep this secret.
"I sincerely thought you two were going to spend the whole night making out against my wall," Katheryn said when they entered the living room.
"Tempting," Regina smiled at her.
They sat down on the couch side by side, Katheryn taking the armchair across from them.
"Wine, Emma?" Katheryn asked.
"No, I'm good," Emma said "I'm guessing someone needs to watch over the two of you"
Regina smirked before leaning forward on the coffee table picking up a slice of bread and then spreading pate on top.
"Here," Regina said, offering Emma the piece of bread.
And Emma felt the warmth washing over her again, that hum inside her heart singing the melody of what she felt for Regina.
Pure love.
Emma smiled at Regina, taking the slice from her hand and then taking a bite.
"Do you want me to get you some water?" Regina asked.
"Yeah," Emma said softly "Water would be nice"
"I'll get it," Katheryn said before getting up from the armchair and walking out of the living room.
Regina moved an inch closer to Emma, taking her hand between hers.
"How was your day?" Regina asked.
"It was okay," Emma said between chews before swallowing "I talked to August, by the way"
"Who?" Regina asked confused.
"The outsider," Emma said "He is a writer, he is here in Storybrooke for inspiration or something"
"And what did he want with Henry?" Regina asked.
"He claims Henry came after him asking questions," Emma said "There is something strange about him, though. I'm not exactly sure what it is, but…"
"Here it is," Kathryn said entering the living room again and giving the glass to Emma "Who is strange?"
"Oh, just this new guy who showed up in town," Emma said taking the glass from Katheryn.
"The guy in the motorbike," Katheryn asked, taking her wine glass and sitting crossed legs on the armchair.
"That's the one," Emma nodded.
"He is cute," Katheryn said "Do you know if he is single?"
"Katheryn, she literally just said that there is something strange about the guy," Regina said looking at Katheryn.
"I'm recently single," Katheryn sipped her wine "I should at least have an affair with a strange cute guy who rides a motorbike"
"I think that's enough wine for you," Regina pointed at Katheryn.
"Oh, don't you dare," Katheryn said before smiling at Regina.
Regina rolled her eyes playfully before turning her head to Emma.
"Do you want more bread?" Regina asked.
"Always," Emma winked at her.
Regina smiled at Emma and pressed her lips against her quickly before leaning forward spreading pate on the bread and topping it with a slice of cheese.
"How is Mary Margaret doing, Emma?" Katheryn asked.
"She's better than she was yesterday," Emma said taking the bread slice from Regina "She told me she called you this afternoon and… well, thank you for not making her feel worse. Trust me, she already feels really shitty about all of this"
"Well, I definitely don't plan on being friends with the woman who was sleeping with my husband," Katheryn said bitterly "But between the two of them, I'll save my anger for David"
"Well, good for you," Emma said.
Regina moved closer to Emma again, laying her head on Emma's shoulder with a casual intimacy.
As if she had done that her whole life.
Emma smiled and put her arms around Regina, kissing her hair and then pressing her closer to her body.
"I don't think David and I ever had that," Katheryn said sadly "This connection between the two of you, is… it's something rare, isn't it?"
"You just haven't found the one yet, Katheryn," Regina said "Everything will change once you find him"
"Or her," Emma pointed at Katheryn.
"Her?" Katheryn frowned.
"Yeah, I mean, you never know, right?" Emma said.
"You know, Katheryn," Regina lifted her head from Emma's shoulder "Emma used to be jealous of you"
"I did not," Emma scoffed.
"What was it that you said again?" Regina looked amused at Emma "She has the annoying habit of having her claws all over you"
"What?" Katheryn asked.
"Well, she does," Emma said.
And then she lowered her lips to Regina's shoulder, sinking her teeth there in both a revengeful act and a distraction to hide her embarrassment.
She could feel her cheeks burning.
"Ouch," Regina protested.
But Emma just kissed her the spot where she had sunk her teeth before raising her head again.
"I have never even considered being with a woman," Katheryn said thoughtfully before looking at Regina "Although, I must admit that Regina would definitely be my first choice if I wanted to try something like that"
"Okay, back off, blondie," Emma said half murderously "She's taken"
"I think you are my type of woman, Regina," Katheryn winked at Regina.
Regina started to laugh while Emma clicked her tongue, looking at Katheryn.
But that look only lasted a second, because Regina's laughter reached Emma's ear and settled in her heart.
She was happy.
And Emma could never feel anything but pure love when Regina's happiness rippled to her body, an invisible strand connecting with her soul.
Emma could hear it humming inside of her, pushing through her bloodstream.
The happiness.
The peace.
The love.
Her home.
Emma smiled while looking at Regina and when Regina's laughter subsided, Emma leaned in her direction and gently kissed her cheek.
Regina turned her head to Emma, looking lovingly at her.
"You know you have nothing to worry about, right?" Regina asked "I am yours. Completely"
"As I am," Emma said looking into Regina's eyes "I am yours. Completely"
"God, I need more wine," Katheryn grunted.
Regina smirked and then lay her head on Emma's shoulder again, intertwining their fingers over Emma's thigh.
That hum in her heart echoed again, reverberating through her body.
This easy intimacy, the casual touches, the warm closeness.
Yes, Emma wanted this for the rest of her life.
"So, Emma," Katheryn said, "How did you know you liked Regina?"
"I'm not sure, to be honest," Emma said tightening her embrace around Regina "I remember the first time I saw her when I brought Henry back to Storybroke, and when she left the house, I remember thinking she was the most beautiful woman I have ever seen in my life"
"Really?" Regina asked, looking up at Emma.
"Yep," Emma smiled down at her "Although there were moments, especially after you put me in jail, that I thought I have completely lost my mind"
"You put her in jail?" Katheryn asked shocked.
"She destroyed my tree," Regina said seriously.
"After you put me in jail," Emma said back
"Then how the hell did that happen?" Katheryn laughed.
'The attraction between us was always there," Regina snuggled closer to Emma "We were just mistaking it for something else"
"You were mistaking it for something else," Emma said.
"Hey, you were no sunshine either,' Regina barked.
"Okay, okay, okay" Emma laughed "That's true. I pushed just as hard as you did"
"Thank you," Regina smiled.
"You know, I'm glad you two are here tonight," Katheryn said softly "Watching the two of you together has literally made me get over David"
"How so?" Regina asked.
"It was never meant to be," Katheryn said "He was never right for me"
"No," Regina said "No, he wasn't"
"Maybe the guy in the motorbike is," Katheryn said mischievously.
"No, he is not," Regina rolled her eyes "Your true love is here, I just need to find him"
"Oh, and how are you going to do that?" Katheryn laughed.
And for a second, Regina's body went completely stiff against Emma's as a rush of panic ran down her spine.
It was so fast.
If they weren't so close, Emma was sure she wouldn't have felt it.
Emma tightened her embrace around Regina again, her fingers sinking softly on Regina's arm, bringing her back.
Regina squeezed Emma's hand, kissing her shoulder before looking back at Katheryn.
"I don't know," Regina said "But I'm going to find him and bring the two of you together. I promise"
"Alright, then," Katheryn laughed, raising her glass "I'll drink to that"
"I'm pretty sure you'll drink just about anything right now," Emma teased.
"I'm in deep sorrow," Katheryn protested.
"Are you?" Emma tilted her head to the side.
"The deepest," Katheryn laughed.
Regina yawned against Emma's shoulder, nuzzling her cheek on the fabric of her blouse.
Emma kissed the top of her head, inhaling her scent deeply, letting it set inside her heart.
"We should get you home," Emma said against Regina's hair.
"No, it's fine," Regina said unconvincingly.
"Emma is right, Regina," Katheryn said "I barely let you have any sleep last night"
"It's okay, really," Regina said.
"Get her home, Emma," Katheryn smiled at Emma.
Emma nodded at Katheryn, gently moving her arms from around Regina.
Regina rose from the couch and hugged Katheryn both of them whispering their goodbyes inside their embrace.
Emma did the same after Regina, thanking Katheryn for the night, not even surprised to realize how genuine her thanks were.
This easy night with Regina by her side was exactly what she wanted.
Emma pulled away from the embrace and Regina's fingers intertwined with hers again.
Emma smiled at Regina, peace rippling through her body in contentment.
Regina pulled Emma to the door, Katheryn walking in front of them.
Regina let go of Emma's hand, picking up Emma's coat and handing it to Emma before getting hers.
"I didn't see your car outside," Emma said, putting her coat on.
"Oh, I came with Katheryn," Regina said.
"I'll drive you then," Emma smiled.
The whole ride home, their fingers were intertwined on top of Regina's thigh.
Emma parked the car two houses down from Regina's mansion.
They left the car together, Emma's fingers itching to be intertwined with Regina's again, but Regina's hand was shoved inside her coat pocket.
"Why is it so cold?" Regina asked, cold smoke leaving her lips.
Emma moved closer to Regina, wrapping her arm around her shoulder and then rubbing her arm.
And the smile Regina gave her had the power of pulling all the air out of her lungs.
Regina laid her head on top of Emma's shoulder as they walked side by side, that casual intimacy reverberating in Emma's heart again.
It pulled something inside Emma, something she longed to have, something she could no longer wait.
Her heart was anchored.
There was no before and no after.
There was only Regina, from the beginning to the end.
Regina moved away from Emma, pushing the black gate of the mansion open.
Emma felt the lack of contact on her very soul.
So brief.
And yet, so devastating.
They walked side by side to Regina's door, Emma inhaling and exhaling Regina's scent.
"I had fun tonight," Regina said when they stopped in front of her door.
"Me too," Emma said back.
Regina yawned again, the gesture warming something inside Emma's chest.
Emma smiled at Regina and took a step closer.
She held Regina's face between her hands, her heart beating faster at the lazy smile Regina gave her before she pressed their lips together.
Softly.
Longingly.
Emma pulled away, Regina grunting gently before yawning again.
"I should go," Emma nuzzled her nose with Regina's "Let you get some rest"
Emma pressed her lips against Regina again and took a step back before turning her back to Regina.
She hardly gave one step away before Regina's hand found hers, pulling her back.
"Stay," Regina said softly "Stay home with me, Emma"
Emma turned around to face Regina, intertwining their fingers together.
"I want to tell Henry," Emma said.
It had echoed inside her heart the whole night.
"What?" Regina blinked her eyes.
"I want to tell Henry about us," Emma said firmly.
"Emma…" Regina shook her head.
"Tonight made me realize how much I want this, Regina," Emma took a step closer "I don't want to keep this a secret anymore. I understand why we have to before but now… I think it's safe to say that we know things are working between us, right?"
"Of course they are," Regina said.
"I'm not ashamed of you, and I'm not ashamed of us," Emma let go of Regina's hand putting it on her cheek "If anything I am proud to have you by my side"
"What if Henry doesn't like this?" Regina asked, a silver line glowing behind her eyes "What if he doesn't approve?"
"Then we'll deal with it together," Emma said looking into Regina's eyes "But I doubt that he won't, Regina. Henry is a good boy. You raised him well"
Regina put her hand on Emma's heart over the coat, pressing their foreheads together.
"I'm done hiding," Emma whispered "I want the world to know we are together"
Regina pressed her hand harder on Emma's heart, the seconds ticking by them.
"Okay," Regina whispered.
"Okay?" Emma smiled.
Emma took a step back, only far enough to look into Regina's eyes.
"We'll tell Henry," Regina said "But not right now. We'll wait for the perfect time to tell him"
"As long as this perfect time doesn't take too long," Emma said seriously.
"It won't," Regina said softly "I promise"
Emma nodded and smiled at Regina before pressing their lips together.
"You'll stay?" Regina whispered against Emma's lips.
"I'll stay," Emma whispered back.
So Regina went inside the house through the door and Emma climbed up the ladder to her bedroom.
And when Regina opened the bedroom door, their eyes met and hunger took over when they met halfway, lips fighting for dominance, hands ripping clothes apart, bodies falling naked on top of each on the bed, moving in perfect sync while fingers explored, teased and fucked the deepest of pleasure that forever would be forged with love.