Part Thirty: The One With the Festival
Emma was sitting at the last booth of the diner, enjoying a bowl of chopped fruits and yogurt for breakfast.
She had jumped off Regina's window late that morning, her stomach growling before her feet even touched the ground.
They had worked up quite an appetite throughout the night and then again early in the morning and Emma was absolutely famished when she walked through the doors of the diner.
She asked Ruby for whatever was quicker, whatever was already made, even if it belonged to another customer.
She would even pay double for it.
Thirty seconds later, Ruby put a bow of fruits and yogurt in front of Emma, smiling mischievously at her.
So Emma just clicked her tongue and took the bowl, not wanting to give Ruby the satisfaction of knowing her stomach required much more substance that morning.
Somehow, she felt like Ruby knew.
Like Ruby could smell it on her again.
Emma took a mouthful of the fruits, chewing the mix of pineapple, papaya, and apples covered in thick yogurt.
Her stomach was quieting now, no longer pulling on her flesh and muscles, the noises subsiding.
She would order something else after she was done. But right now, she just needed to get something inside her stomach.
Emma took another mouthful, her eyes suddenly focussing her attention in the direction of the door.
Mary Margaret was standing in front of the door, holding a clipboard while asking for everyone's attention.
"I'm sorry to interrupt your morning but I just wanted to remind everyone that a very special occasion is upon us. Miner's Day" Mary Margaret said.
Emma put the spoon down, staring at her friend just like everyone else in the diner.
"As always the nuns of Storybrooke are hoping that everyone will get involved and will help sell their exquisite candles," Mary Margaret said "All we need are a few energetic volunteers. So who wants to join me?"
Emma watched as everyone inside the diner chose to ignore Mary Margaret, going back to their breakfast, some grunting grotesque things about her friend.
The word about her infidelity had spread like wildfire around town.
Everyone seemed to blame Mary Margaret while David…
Emma shook her head, looking in the direction of her friend again. She was talking to Leroy by the door and when he walked past her out of the diner, Mary Margaret looked like she was about to cry.
And the image of her torn like that enraged Emma more than it sadder her.
It wasn't fair.
Yes, what she did was wrong, and Emma had warned her many, many times before.
But she wasn't the only one to blame nor was any of their business what she did behind closed doors.
Her personal life wasn't open to town trial.
This was between Mary Margaret, David, and Katheryn.
And if Katheryn could find in her heart to put this behind her, who the hell was the rest of this town to judge?
Mary Margaret opened the door of the diner, the bell above the door chiming as she made her way out.
Emma reached for her wallet inside the jacket, putting the money for the fruits and yogurt on top of the table before picking up her keys and phone and leaving the diner, her hunger long forgotten.
"Mary Margaret," Emma shouted.
Mary Margaret stopped walking, turning around to face Emma, as she walked closer to her friend.
"What was that all about?" Emma asked.
Mary Margaret resumed her walk, Emma walking beside her.
"I need volunteers for the festival tonight," Mary Margaret said "Do you, by any chance, want to join me?"
"I can't," Emma said apologetically "Graham and I are working at the festival tonight"
"Yes, of course," Mary Margaret nodded.
"We are supposed to walk around the festival, and make sure everything is running smoothly," Emma said "It's not really hard work but I can't commit to any stall, I'm sorry"
"No, Emma, I get it," Mary Margaret said, bringing her clipboard closer to her chest "You know last week I had 10 volunteers. This week they all dropped out"
"You think this is about what happened with David?" Emma asked.
"Oh, I know it is," Mary Margaret said bitterly "A few of them told me as much. I've never...been a homewrecker before"
"I'm sorry," Emma said "It's gonna roll over. You made a mistake with David. It happens. You don't have to do charity to win people's hearts back"
"I have to do something," Mary Margaret said "And this is the best I can do. I've ruined my life"
"You didn't ruin anything," Emma said firmly.
"Do you…" Mary Margaret cleared her throat "Have you heard from Katheryn?"
"Yes, I have," Emma nodded.
"How is she doing?" Mary Margaret asked concerned.
"She is doing pretty well, actually," Emma smiled "She understands now that David was a lying bastard and she wants nothing to do with him anymore"
"So, he is free," Mary Margaret stated.
"At last," Emma nodded "Are you sure you still want to go down that road?"
"I don't know," Mary Margaret said "I don't know anything anymore"
Emma smiled sadly at her friend before her phone started to ring inside her jeans pocket.
Emma picked up the phone, giving a step back before answering, hardly hearing what Graham was saying because of the background noises.
By the time Emma finished the call, all she knew was that she had to go to City Hall where the festival was going to take place.
"I'm sorry, but I have to go, Graham needs my help," Emma said apologetically "Hang in there, okay? And if there's anything I can do to help, I will"
"Thank you, Emma," Mary Margaret smiled at her.
Sadly.
But at least it was a smile.
Emma squeezed Mary Margaret's arm softly, before turning around and getting inside her bug…
Emma parked her car in front of the City Hall building, the place crowded with people running around, shouting and hammering stalls.
The place was completely transformed, the front lawn was full of wooden stalls, fairy lights were being hung above the trees, crossing the sky, and a small park with rides for children was just finishing being built on the left side of the building.
And there was exactly where Emma found Regina, shouting orders at the two poor bastards holding a screwdriver with Marco by their side.
"Emma,"
Emma looked behind her shoulder, watching Graham run in her direction.
"Hey," Emma said when Grahan stopped in front of her "What do you need me for?"
"Her," Graham put one arm around Emma's shoulder and then pointed in Regina's direction.
"Can you please talk to her?" Graham said "She is terrorizing the park crew"
Emma smirked, watching Regina give a death glare to a man who was about two times bigger than her size.
But the man was visibly trembling.
"You seem to have a way with her," Graham said "And if she keeps making them run, there will be no rides for the kids and adults tonight"
"I'll talk to her," Emma smiled.
She walked away from Graham in Regina's direction, people bumping into her all the way there.
"Regina," Emma shouted.
Regina looked behind her shoulder, her features changing from deadly angry to softly loving when she smiled at Emma.
"Hey, what's going on?" Emma asked when she stopped by Regina's side.
"These two idiots," Regina said angrily pointing at the two trembling men "Are not screwing these rides properly"
"Miss Regina, I assure you, they are doing everything right to ensure everyone's safety," Marco said in a thick Italian accent.
"That screw is too loose," Regina said pointing at a piece of on the ghost ride rail.
"If we screw this any deeper we are going to crack the wood," One of the men said.
"The only thing that is going to be cracked is your face if you don't screw that thing properly," Regina said angrily.
"Oookay," Emma said nervously, looking at the three men in front of her.
She walked to the rail and looked at the piece Regina was pointing to, using her hand to examine the work.
"Regina, it looks pretty solid to me," Emma said.
"Excuse me?" Regina crossed her arms.
Emma ran her fingertip over the screw before looking at Regina.
"Marco is right," Emma said "If they screw this any deeper the wood is going to crack"
"Well, if that is a possibility it means this ride is not safe," Regina clicked her tongue "We should take it down"
"What?" Emma asked.
"Miss Regina, this ride is perfectly safe," Marco argued.
"I will not have my son riding on top of something that can be easily cracked by a screw," Regina said in a threatening voice.
"Okay, come on, let's go," Emma said putting both her hands on Regina's shoulder and turning her away from the ride.
"I need to supervise their work," Regina said as Emma forced Regina to walk away by pushing her gently from behind.
"No, right now you are just terrorizing them," Emma said.
"You know Henry is going to want to ride in that thing right?" Regina asked.
"Yep," Emma nodded before letting go of Regina and walking by her side "And I assure you, he is going to be just fine"
"Did Graham call you to get me away from the rides?" Regina arched an eyebrow.
"Apparently, I'm the only one you listen to," Emma winked at Regina.
"Well, that is sort of true," Regina as a matter of fact.
They walked together to the other side of the lawn, most stalls already set and people putting on display their goods for the night.
"The festival is going to be bigger this year," Regina said, looking around.
"What is Miner's Day exactly?" Emma asked.
"It's an annual holiday celebrating an old tradition," Regina said.
"But why Miners?" Emma asked, "If they were mining lobster I'd understand, but…"
"I don't know," Regina cleared her throat "The tradition was here before I was"
"Oh," Emma nodded.
But something in the back of her mind beeped.
Like her lie detector had come to life.
Emma shook her head, ignoring the strange feeling that crept up her spine, because truthfully, what reason would Regina have to lie about something as ridiculous as the answer to this old tradition?
It was probably just the cold because the morning was freezing and now that she was here, she could hear her stomach knotting in hunger again.
"It's all looking very beautiful," Emma said, breaking the silence.
"Wait until it's night and the lights are on," Regina smiled.
Emma smiled back at Regina, that strange feeling dissipating into the thin air.
"Do you come every year with Henry?" Emma asked.
"I do," Regina nodded "Henry loves the festival and… and so do I. I actually look forward to this festival every year"
"Why is that?" Emma asked softly.
"People don't treat me as Regina the Mayor during this festival" Regina frowned "For some reason, this one night of the year, it feels like I'm just one of them"
Emma took Regina's hand between hers, squeezing softly.
Regina looked at Emma and smiled before letting go of her hand and looking out at the festival preparation again.
"Of course, I don't particularly enjoy those rides," Regina said pointing at the rides Marco was finishing building "Or how much Henry likes to be in every single one of them all night"
Emma smirked, watching Marco shout something at one of the men.
"The rides look solid, Regina," Emma said "I'm sure Henry will have the time of his life in them"
"He always does," Regina sighed "I guess I just worry too much"
"You forget that Henry traveled all alone from Storybrooke to Boston using a credit card he stole from his teacher," Emma said.
"I'm not sure I want to be reminded of that," Regina clicked her tongue.
"Well," Emma smiled wickedly "Something good came out of it,"
"Indeed, it has," Regina gave Emma the same look, checking her out while biting her lower lip.
Emma felt that look right between her legs.
The rush of arousal almost felt like a punch in the stomach at the way her clit twitched.
And judging by the smile on Regina's lips, she knew exactly what she was doing to Emma.
Emma swallowed dry, looking away from Regina, trying to regain a shred of dignity while her thoughts wandered to the things Regina did to her body early that morning.
How her desperate muffled moans for release made her beg shameless to and for Regina.
How her body felt deliciously spent and used when Regina was done with her.
Emma curled her toes inside her boots, her skin heating up despite the cold.
Regina moved an inch closer, pressing her lips against Emma's ear.
"Something in your mind, dear?" Regina purred.
Emma grunted and moaned lowly at the same time, Regina's voice making every hair of her body shiver.
Her lips couldn't quite produce words now.
Regina smirked and then looked out the festival again, her features completely unbothered.
Emma was finding it hard to keep standing, all she wanted was to fall to her knees in front of Regina.
"Regina,"
Both Emma and Regina looked to the side, watching Graham approaching them.
"You need to sign the final license for Granny's stand," Graham said "Otherwise she can't sell beer during the festival"
"Oh, right," Regina nodded.
"Come on, I'll take you to her," Graham said.
"I'll go with her," Emma said.
"I can take her, Emma," Graham laughed "Help out setting the rest of the stands, we need everything ready before lunchtime"
Regina looked at Emma, smiling softly at her before reaching for her hand and squizzing quickly before letting go.
"I'll see you later," Regina said.
And then she just walked with Graham, away from her, while Emma felt annoyance hammered hard in the back of her head when Graham dared to put his hand on Regina's lower back pointing at something that actually made her laugh.
"You look well," Graham said as they walked to the other side of the lawn in the direction of Granny's stand.
"I am well," Regina said back, shoving her hands inside her coat pockets.
"Things with Emma seem to have worked out, huh?" Graham asked.
"Indeed, they have," Regina smiled softly.
She had given up by now not smiling when she heard Emma's name.
There was no point.
She would always smile simply at hearing her true love's name.
"You look different," Graham turned his head to look at Regina "You look happy"
"I am happy," Regina said softly.
Calmly.
Peaceful.
Which was exactly how she felt inside.
Being with Emma had that effect on her.
That rage that always seemed to burn low on the pit of her stomach and consume her all at any mere annoyance had been replaced for something else.
She no longer felt the fire of rage and vengeance burn inside of her.
That fire now was one of love and lust and pure primal need for the one her heart craved with every breath she took.
That fire now belonged to Emma to feed and let consume her whole.
"Madam Mayor,"
Regina looked ahead, watching the older woman behind the stand move her fingers nervously over the papers.
Regina hurried her steps, stopping in front of Granny who handed her the papers.
"I need you to sign the license so the boys can set up the beer tanks," Granny said.
"Pen?" Regina asked.
Granny gave Regina the pen, watching curiously when Regina bent down on the stall and simply opened the last page, signing it.
"You are not going to read it?" Granny asked surprised when Regina gave her the papers back.
"I trust you," Regina said simply.
"Thank you," Granny smiled at Regina before turning around "Boys, let's set up the tanks. Where the hell is Ruby?"
Regina smirked and then looked to the side, watching Graham looking curious at her.
"What?" Regina asked.
"Nothing, it's just…" Graham smiled "I don't think I ever noticed how beautiful you are, Regina"
"Oh," Regina looked down, feeling her cheeks burn "Thanks"
Graham took a step closer, invading her personal space, forcing Regina to give one step back.
"Are you seeing anyone?" Graham asked.
"I am," Regina nodded.
"And this person is the reason why you ended things with me?" Graham asked.
"It is," Regina nodded.
"Whoever this guy is," Graham said looking into Regina's eyes "I hope he realizes what a lucky bastard he is. Because I sure didn't"
"There is no guy, Graham," Regina said smiling amused at Graham's confused expression "I should go. Don't forget to request an ambulance for the festival at the hospital"
"I've already done that," Graham said.
"And the fire department,?" Regina asked, already walking away from him.
"They'll stand closer to the rides," Graham shouted "Regina?"
"Yeah?" Regina turned around to face Graham.
"I hope I'll see you tonight," Graham smiled.
"I'm sure I'll be plenty busy," Regina said "With the people I love"
And then she turned around and walked away, her heart beating a little faster inside her chest when she caught a glimpse of Emma kneeling in front of a stand while screwing a piece of wood, her scent enveloping Regina in a way that made her heart swell with the purest of love.
Emma moaned softly when the taste of the burger hit her tongue, her stomach snoring its protest to be filled.
She had been hungry all morning with barely any time to eat.
The whole time she spent in the festival area, people were asking her to do this and do that.
It was brutal.
But it was over.
All the stands were set up.
The rides were built.
And now she finally had time to eat.
Emma gave another bite, the gooey cheese pulling when she moved the burger away from her mouth.
She wasn't sure if it was her hunger state but Granny's burgers for the festival were tasting particularly delicious now.
"Hey,"
Emma looked up, watching Ruby holding the frame of the wooden chair in front of her.
"Do you mind if I sit?" Ruby asked.
"Sure," Emma snwered.
Ruby smiled at Emma before taking a seat in front of her.
"This is your first festival, huh," Ruby said.
"Yep," Emma took another bite of her burger.
"I think you'll like it," Ruby said "It's actually one of the fewest nights that doesn't suck in this town,"
"Yeah, so I've heard," Emma smiled softly.
"Regina?" Ruby asked.
Emma felt all of her instincts going into alert, her features slightly harder when she looked at Ruby.
"Yes," Emma said.
"You don't have to go into defensive mode," Ruby laughed "I… I think I was wrong"
"What makes you say that?" Emma asked.
"She just signed Granny's liquor license without taking a peak at the papers," Ruby said "She always gives Granny a hard time even though everything is in order but this year she didn't even bother. I think you are good for her"
"Because she signed your liquor license?" Emma smirked.
"Because she is actually learning how to treat people," Ruby said "She looks different. Happier. I don't think I have ever seen her so…soft. At least not with anyone who wasn't Henry"
"We are good for each other," Emma said "She has changed me for the better too you know"
"Yeah," Ruby nodded "You look different too"
A loud noise coming from the stand behind them followed by Granny's shouting made both women look in the direction of the stand.
"I should go," Ruby said already getting up "Granny will have my head if she sees me sitting here with you"
"Good luck," Emma laughed, popping a few fries inside her mouth.
"Thanks," Ruby smirked "I guess I'll see you tonight,"
"Yep," Emma nodded "I'll be here"
Emma finished eating her burger and fries, her stomach finally settling down.
She cleaned her hands with the napkins on top of the small table and then rose from the chair, walking around the festival stands.
And when she saw Mary Margaret and Leroy at the candle stand, desperately trying to get any attention from the people walking in front of their stand, Emma's heart broke.
They were all ignoring them.
As if they were worth nothing.
Emma walked to their stand, smiling softly at her friend when she approached.
"Hey," Emma greeted.
"Emma, hi," Mary Margaret smiled at her.
"Can I have two?" Emma asked.
"Yes, of course," Mary Margaret said cheerfully.
"Why are you so happy about it?" Leroy said bitterly "Two candles aren't going to help us"
"I know, you are right," Mary Margaret said defeated while packing the candles "This isn't working"
"Hey, don't give up," Emma said hopefully "Things might change before tonight"
"We should pack it up," Leroy said.
"You are giving up?" Mary Margaret asked.
"If the customers don't come to us, we got to go to them," Leroy said "Door to door"
"If they hate us here, what makes you think they'll like us in their homes?" Mary Margaret asked.
"Exactly," Leroy smiled "They'll pay us just to leave"
'That is actually not a bad idea," Emma said.
"Maybe that could work," Mary Margaret smiled.
She handed Emma a package with the candles, both of them already packing up the candles from the stand.
"Good luck," Emma said.
And then she just walked away, desperately to get some rest at the loft, hoping that their plan would work.
"Mom, are you ready yet?" Henry asked for the fifteenth time that night.
Regina rolled her eyes in front of the mirror in her bathroom, applying red-as-blood lipstick on her lips.
She had just bought that particular lipstick for one single purpose.
Kissing Emma without smudging.
Regina smiled at the mirror before rolling her eyes again, for a different reason now.
"Why are you taking so long?" Henry asked from inside her bedroom.
"Henry, I'm still getting ready" Regina sighed.
"But there is food to be eaten and rides to be… ride" Henry counterattacked.
"And it's all still going to be there by the time we arrive," Regina said applying mascara on her lashes.
"We are losing precious time," Henry whined.
Regina smirked, finishing applying the mascara and then looking at herself in the mirror.
The make-up was beautiful, perfectly laid on her skin.
But the glow…
That glow in her eyes was entirely Regina's.
Regina smiled at herself in the mirror, her heart humming happily inside her chest.
"Mom!" Henry shouted.
Regina sighed and walked out of her bathroom, finding Henry lying in the middle of her bed.
"Do you mind?" Regina asked "It's not even seven at night yet"
"I'm hungry," Henry said.
"Then go down to the kitchen and eat something," Regina said.
"I'm hungry for festival food," Henry said "I'm saving my stomach"
Regina smirked and looked at herself in the mirror, admiring her form.
She was wearing a blue sleeveless dress that hugged her form perfectly, the black leggings she was wearing underneath warming her legs.
The night was freezing and even though the dress was completely sleeveless, Regina knew her coat would be enough to keep her warm during the festival.
"You look nice," Henry said.
"You think?" Regina turned her head to look at Henry.
"Yep," Henry nodded "You look very pretty"
"Thank you, honey," Regina smiled softly at him.
"Can we go now?" Henry asked.
Regina rolled her eyes playfully but walked to her closet, putting on her high-heeled black boots.
When she left the closet, Henry was already at the bedroom door, urging her out.
They walked from the mansion to the festival, there was no point in driving there. The place would be packed with people and finding a spot to park her car would be nearly impossible.
Townfolks walked beside them some greeting politely, others too afraid to meet her eyes.
Regina kept her expression neutral, nodding here and there, her arm protectively around Henry's shoulder.
"The lights look pretty," Henry said when they were getting closer.
"Yes, they do," Regina smiled.
This was the part she liked most about the festival, the way the whole night was illuminated by those tiny little lights crossing the sky.
Regina always thought they looked so beautiful.
Like the lights were fighting the empty darkness that surrounded the night.
"I can't wait to go on the rides," Henry said excited "The roller coater looks bigger this year"
Regina grunted bringing Henry a little closer, not wanting to kill her son's excitement but also not liking the idea of Henry inside that thing.
She knew this was a battle she would never win.
"Regina!"
Regina stopped walking and looked behind her shoulder, watching Katheryn approaching them.
Katheryn smiled at Regina and then walked a little faster to meet them, intertwining her arm with Regina's when she stopped by her side.
"Oh, I'm glad I caught you guys here," Katheryn said.
"Hi, Katheryn," Henry greeted Katheryn.
"Hi, Henry," Katheryn said warmingly "Are you excited about the festival?"
"Yes," Henry said excitedly "I can't wait to go on the rides"
Regina grunted again, Katheryn laughing amused by her side while they walked towards the festival.
"Your mom seems very excited too," Katheryn said playfully.
"She never is," Henry said.
"I just don't think those things are safe," Regina said.
"You say that every year, mom," Henry laughed.
"I'm sure it's fine Regina," Katheryn said tightening her hold on Regina's arm "God, it's cold tonight"
"It will be warmer when we get inside the festival area," Regina said.
They walked together to the festival entrance, Henry already looking at everything all at once.
Regina knew exactly what he was doing.
He was memorizing where the food stands were and what he would like to get first and what was closer to the rides.
Regina smiled softly, before dropping a kiss on top of Henry's hair.
She had barely lifted her head when the scent of wildflowers and summer breeze enveloped her and when she looked ahead, Emma was walking beautifully in her direction.
And just the sight of that smile took Regina's breath away.
"Hi, Emma," Henry smiled when Emma stopped in front of them.
"Hey, kid," Emma messed with his hair.
She looked at Regina and smiled before looking at Katheryn, clicking her tongue when she saw their arms intertwined.
"Katheryn," Emma said seriously.
"Emma," Katheryn said amused.
"Mom, I'll go get a hot dog first," Henry said "Can you give me some money, please?"
Regina moved her arm from Henry's shoulder, reaching inside her pocket. She pulled out a twenty dollar bill and gave it to Henry who ran away the second his hand touched the money, his thanks shouted to the wind.
"Is everything running smoothly?" Regina asked Emma.
"Yeah, I've only been here for fifteen minutes," Emma squinted her eyes in the direction of her arm "But so far so good"
"It's killing you that I have my arm intertwined with Regina, isn't it?" Katheryn asked.
"Do you really need to touch her all the time?" Emma asked annoyed.
"Alright, enough you two," Regina said "Katheryn let go of me"
"Fine,"
Katheryn smirked and then let go of Regina's arm, shoving both her hands inside her coat pocket.
"Thank you," Emma said looking at Katheryn.
"And you stop being jealous of Katheryn," Regina told Emma.
"I'm not jealous of her," Emma rolled her eyes.
"Right," Regina arched an eyebrow.
Emma opened her mouth to say something but then she stopped. From the corner of her eye, Regina could see Henry was walking back in their direction.
"How is the hot dog, kid?" Emma asked.
"Good," Henry said, his mouth full.
"Hi, Henry,"
Regina looked behind Henry, Ava, and Nicholas standing there.
Henry looked behind him, swallowing his hot dog thickly while looking at Ava.
"Hi," Henry said back.
"Ava, Nicholas," Emma said warmingly "How are things at home?"
"They are good," Ava smiled "We are still adjusting but dad has been great. I think we are all helping each other"
"That's great to hear," Emma smiled.
"Dad told us that you reached out to him," Ava said looking at Regina "I just wanted to say thank you for your help"
"Don't mention it," Regina smiled although a lump had formed in her throat.
"Henry, do you want to go on the rides with us?" Nicholas asked.
"Really?" Henry asked surprised.
"Yeah," Ava smiled "But can one of your moms come with us? We need an adult to get inside the rides area and I can't find dad anywhere"
"Of course," Henry said before looking up at Emma "Emma?"
"Why me?" Emma asked.
"Because we'll never get in if I take mom," Henry said and then looked at Regina.
"Henry!" Regina protested.
"Regina, even I have to agree with Henry," Katheryn laughed.
Regina rolled her eyes, but she knew she didn't have a leg to stand on in the matter.
"Fine, I'll take you guys," Emma laughed and then looked at Regina "I'll find you in a few, okay?"
"I'll be here," Regina smiled.
Regina watched them walk away but suddenly, Nicholas turned around and ran in Regina's direction.
"Miss Mills?" Nicholas asked.
"Yes, honey?" Regina smiled warmly at him.
"I just wanted to tell you that I think you are very pretty," Nicholas said.
And then he just ran away to meet with the others.
"I hope Emma didn't hear that," Katheryn said teasingly, bumping her shoulder against Regina's.
"You are impossible," Regina laughed.
And the reverberations of that laugh echoed lightly and effortlessly inside her heart.
Katheryn smiled at Regina, both of them walking around the stands.
"How are you doing?" Regina asked.
"I'm okay," Katheryn nodded, "I'm over it, to be honest. I understand now that it was never meant to be"
"Good," Regina looked at Katheryn "You deserve so much more"
"Thank you," Katheryn said softly.
But then her eyes just focused on something behind Regina, sparkling lightly, Katheryn's expression both curious and interested.
"Who is that?" Katheryn asked.
Regina turned around, looking in the same direction as Katheryn was staring, an ember of recognition lighting in the back of her mind.
She had been working so hard trying to remember who Katheryn's true love was.
All she could remember was that she was once engaged to David.
But staring at the man now, something clicked inside Regina, probably the same way it had inside Katheryn.
Regina smiled looking at Katheryn, her heart racing inside her chest.
"He is the coach in Henry's school," Regina said "But I don't remember his name"
"He is cute," Katheryn said.
"Indeed, he is," Regina said "Why don't we go there so you can say hello"
"What?" Katheryn looked surprised at Regina "Regina, I can't do that"
"Why not?" Regina asked.
"Because," Katheryn bit her lower lip "It's weird, isn't it?"
"He is running the kissing booth," Regina shrugged "How about I buy you a kiss"
Katheryn laughed and then sank her teeth into her lower lip, closing her eyes.
"Okay," Katheryn nodded "Why not, right?"
Regina smiled at Katheryn, taking the first step in the direction of the booth, Katheryn beside her.
"Madam Mayor," The man said politely at Regina before focusing his eyes on Katheryn "Hi there"
"Hi," Katheryn said back almost shily.
"I know you," the man said looking at Katheryn "I saw you at the school"
"Oh, God," Katheryn shook her head "That day wasn't my finest moment, at all"
"Yeah, I…" The man paused "I heard"
An awkward silence followed, muffled only by the sound of people around them.
Regina could see Katheryn wanting to retreat, her cheeks redder not just from the cold.
But this was the opportunity Regina was looking for to reunite two too-long lost lovers.
The chance she had to give Katheryn's happy ending back.
Regina looked at the man, clearing her throat to call for his attention.
"You are the coach at the school, aren't you?" Regina asked.
"Yes," The man said not taking his eyes from Katheryn "My name is Jim"
"Well, Jim," Regina said "I'm Regina and this is Katheryn"
"It's nice to meet you, Katheryn," Jim said "Both of you"
"How would you like to buy Katheryn a cup of coffee, Jim?" Regina asked "Or a beer"
And the look Kateryn gave Regina was almost comical.
In a murderous way.
"I would love to," Jim smiled "But I can't leave my booth. It's for the nuns"
"I'll stay," Regina said.
"What?" Katheryn looked surprised at Regina.
"I'll watch the booth," Regina said again.
"Regina," Katheryn laughed, taking a step closer "If Emma finds out I left you alone taking care of a kissing booth she is going to kill me"
"Oh, relax," Regina rolled her eyes "Go! Have a cup of coffee with him. You deserve this"
"Are you sure?" Katheryn asked.
"Yes," Regina smiled "Go, have some fun"
Katheryn looked at Jim and smiled. Jim smiled back at her, already walking from behind the booth.
"How about that coffee, Jim?" Katheryn asked.
"It will be my pleasure,"
Katheryn waved goodbye to Regina, walking beside Jim to the festival, while Regina smiled watching them go, before taking her place behind the booth.
Emma was walking away from the rides area, her eyes already roaming between the stands looking for Regina.
The kids had a hard time letting her go.
Not because they were having so much fun with her.
But because they needed extra adult authorization to go on some of the rides.
And as it turns out, Regina wasn't the only one with a soft spot for Henry's pleading eyes.
But only this time, she had the addition of Ava and Nicholas.
Emma had to go on three different rides with them, telling the person responsible they had her authorization to go on the rides.
They only let her go after they got the three stamps on their hands, not a single one of them looking over their shoulder when they ran away together, leaving Emma behind.
But Emma couldn't find a shred of annoyance inside of her for that.
Not when they looked so happy.
All three of them.
Emma left the rides area, stepping inside the festival.
She looked around the stands, walking between people and looking for Regina and Katheryn, her eyes scanning everyone around her.
But it was only when she sniffed the air, that Emma could tell Regina was close.
Her scent was already there, enveloping her, guiding Emma in her direction.
Pulling Emma to her, like that invisible cord between them had forged the second Emma let her will to find Regina form in her mind.
Emma walked ahead, her feet in a path of their own as if they knew exactly where to go.
She walked past a few food stands, her nose and stomach not even tempted to take a step back and see what the delicious smells around her were.
There was only one scent guiding her tonight.
Emma frowned when saw Regina standing behind a booth, her eyes glaring deadly at a man in front of her.
Emma took another step closer, her eyes focusing on the letters written on top of the booth.
Kissing Booth.
"What the hell?"
Emma hurried her pace, listening clearly now to what the man was saying.
"This is a kissing booth," Mr. Clark said "I have put my money in the jar, now I deserve my kiss"
"I am not going to kiss you," Regina said outrageously.
"Hey, what's going on?" Emma asked when she got closer.
"Oh good, the police are here," Mr. Clark said looking at Emma "Deputy Swan, I have put my money inside the jar. If you put the money inside the jar you get one kiss. I have done my part by putting the money in the jar so now I demand my kiss"
"I am not kissing you," Regina said angrily.
"I demand my kiss," Mr. Clark said again.
"The only thing you are going to demand is my fist against your nose if you so much try and get a kiss from her," Emma said seriously.
Mr. Clark swallowed audibly and Regina just smiled, crossing her arms under her chest.
"This is a kissing booth," Mr. Clark said lamely.
"Yeah, I'm aware of it," Emma said annoyed before looking at Regina "What the hell are you doing in a kissing booth?"
"I'm covering for a friend," Regina said.
"If I am not getting a kiss I want my money back," Mr. Clark said.
"You are not getting your money back," Regina said angrily.
"Then give me my kiss,"
"If you ask her to kiss you again, so help me God, I am going to throw your ass in jail," Emma said angrily.
"This is outrageous," Mr. Clark threw his hands in the air.
"The money is going for the nuns, that's why you are not getting it back," Regina smiled "Thank you for your donation"
"But I wasn't donating anything," Mr. Clark said.
Emma rolled her eyes, reaching inside her jeans pocket. She counted her money, pulling out a five-dollar bill and giving it to Mr. Clark.
"Here," Emma said "Now walk"
"I really wanted the kiss," Mr. Clark said, tilting his head in Regina's direction "It's the Mayor"
"Walk," Emma said angrily.
"Fine," Mr. Clark said "But I've put ten dollars in the jar"
"I am this close," Emma gestured with her thumb and index finger before closing her hand on a fist "To make my fist kiss your face"
Mr. Clark looked at Emma with eyes widened, before taking a step back and then walking away, turning his head from time to time as if he was making sure Emma wasn't following him.
Emma watched the man go before turning her attention to Regina.
"So," Emma smiled seductively at Regina "How much for a kiss"
"Yours is free, my darling," Regina smiled at Emma.
Emma winked at Regina, leaning forward inside the booth, and turning her face to Regina.
"Right here," Emma tapped her finger on her cheek.
And Regina simply pressed her lips there, letting them linger on her skin one, two, and then three seconds longer before pulling away.
And that simple kiss was capable of making Emma's arousal twine in every pore of her body.
"Where is Henry?" Regina asked.
"He is in the rides area with Ava and Nicholas," Emma smirked "The kid ditched me the second he got his stamps"
"Oh, I know the feeling," Regina rolled her eyes "We'll only see him again when he runs out of money"
"You kidding?" Emma laughed.
"Nope!" Regina smiled "You just wait"
Emma laughed wholeheartedly, happiness echoing from somewhere deep within her.
She took Regina's hand from the top of the wooden surface of the booth, kissing softly before letting go.
"So, the kissing booth?" Emma arched an eyebrow "Who are you covering for?"
"Katheryn, sort of," Regina said, "I offered to watch the booth while she and Jim go get a cup of coffee"
"I'm going to kill Katheryn," Emma said seriously.
"She said the same thing," Regina laughed.
"Well, I'm glad she knows," Emma smiled.
"Regina! You are here"
Both Emma and Regina turned their heads to the side, watching Graham approaching them.
"Sheriff," Regina said politely.
"Kissing booth, huh?" Graham said lightly seductively.
"I'm just covering for someone," Regina said back.
"How much for a kiss?" Graham winked at her.
"It depends," Emma said seriously.
"Depends on what?" Graham laughed.
"On how much do you wish to see my fist colliding against your face" Emma clicked her tongue.
"Excuse me?" Graham asked confused.
Emma opened her mouth with every intention of being more specific but Regina interrupted her.
"I am not kissing anyone," Regina said lightly "But I am accepting the donations"
"But if you are in a kissing booth…" Graham started to say.
"Emma!"
Emma looked behind her shoulder, watching Ruby approach them.
"You are in a kissing booth?" Ruby asked Regina, confusion written all over her face.
"Indeed I am," Regina nodded.
"That explains why is going around complaining about the kissing booth being a fraud," Ruby laughed.
"Seriously?" Emma rolled her eyes.
"Oh yeah," Ruby said "How much for a kiss?"
"Oh my God," Emma sighed "She is not kissing anyone"
"But this is a kissing booth," Ruby protested.
"That's what I said," Graham pointed at Ruby.
"Do you see what's happening?" Emma looked desperately at Regina.
"I didn't think anyone would come," Regina said back.
"Are you kidding me?" Ruby asked, "Who wouldn't want to kiss the Mayor?"
"I certainly do," Graham winked at Regina.
Emma closed her hands on a fist, her hand begging her to just punch Graham right in the middle of his nose.
But instead, Emma looked at Ruby an idea already forming in the back of her mind.
"Ruby, are you free right now?" Emma asked.
"Yeah," Rubby nodded "I'm running away from Granny" Ruby looked behind her shoulder.
"How would you like to keep the kissing booth?" Emma asked.
"Really?" Ruby smiled "I would love to, but I can't. If Granny sees me here…"
"I'll tell her the Mayor requested you," Emma said "I doubt she'll want to fight Regina"
Ruby looked hopefully at Regina, waiting for her answer.
"I'll tell her your services are needed," Regina said.
"Awesome," Ruby jumped, clapping her hands.
Ruby walked behind the kissing booth, Regina already moving to stand beside Emma.
Emma reached for Regina's hand, intertwining their fingers together and taking a step forward.
"You can buy your kiss now, Sheriff," Emma said sarcastically.
And then she just pulled Regina away with her, taking her as far away from that damn kissing booth and all the people who wanted to buy a kiss from her.
Regina let go of Emma's hand the moment they reached the main area of the festival, her fingers aching when she let go.
But the area was full of townfolks and Regina could see some of them looking at them curiously.
So, Regina let go of Emma's hand even though her own soul stabbed her heart when she did.
She didn't want to let go of Emma.
She didn't want to keep acting as if they meant nothing to each other because Emma meant the whole world to Regina.
Emma stopped walking, looking at Regina confused when their fingers weren't touching each other anymore.
And Regina felt that stab again when the realization hit Emma and she smiled at Regina sadly, shoving her hands inside the back pockets of her jeans.
"I'm sorry," Regina said.
And she was sorry.
True be told, Regina had been thinking a lot about Emma's request to tell Henry.
She was too afraid to say something before, too afraid of Henry's reaction.
But now that they were here at this festival, all Regina wanted to do was take Emma's hands between hers, lean closer to her body, feeling her heat warming her body and her scent enveloping her.
"I get it," Emma nodded "I'm sorry about back there, by the way"
"No, don't," Regina shook her head "I'm glad you pull me out of that booth"
"Remind me of killing Katheryn for leaving you in a kissing booth," Emma said playfully.
"I swear, it was for a good cause," Regina smiled.
"Do you want to get something to eat?" Emma tilted her head to the side.
"Absolutely," Regina said.
They walked side by side to Granny's stand, Emma making the order while Regina took the table a family of four had just vacant.
The place was packed with people, and getting a place to sit was nearly mission impossible.
Of course, Regina could always use her Mayor's authority to get people to give her a table but the idea of doing that didn't appeal to Regina as much as it did before.
She didn't want to be the kind of person who took it by force.
She no longer desired to be like her mother.
Regina swallowed dry, shooking her head to get rid of the demons from her past that crawled in the back of her mind.
She did not want them twinning in her memories and tinging this moment with the empty horror she used to feel when she was younger and powerless.
Regina was neither one of these things anymore.
Regina looked ahead, watching Emma walking in her direction, holding a tray between her hands.
She smiled at Regina beautifully, her heart skipping a beat and then beating twice as faster inside her chest.
She loved her so much.
"Hey," Emma said, putting the tray on top of the table and taking the seat across from Regina 'There was nothing healthy there, I asked"
"It's okay," Regina laughed "It's a festival after all"
"Good," Emma smiled "Because I got you an extra bacon burger and a beer"
Regina smiled softly at Emma, her fingers itching to take her hand.
It was painful.
And Regina was now truly realizing how much she no longer desired to keep Emma a secret.
Regina reached for the beer, taking a long gulp worthy of her days back in the Enchanted forest.
And when she put the beer back on the table, Emma was looking at her with a surprised expression that was almost comical.
"What?" Regina asked.
"I never knew you could drink beer like that," Emma said surprised.
Regina smirked, reaching for her fries and popping them inside her mouth.
"I'm not a spoiled Princess, you know," Regina said lightly.
"I wouldn't dream of it," Emma smiled "The only title worthy of you is Queen"
Regina looked at Emma surprised, her lips slightly parted.
But then she just shook her head, reaching for her beer again and taking a sip.
Being a Queen was something else Regina no longer desired to be.
But the words whispered from Emma's mouth made her toes curl inside her boots, imagining Emma on her knees in front of her, bending to her will.
"Where did your mind go?" Emma asked, a knowing look adorning her features.
"Perhaps I'll show you later," Regina winked at her.
And this time, Emma was the one left with a surprised expression and lips parted.
Lips that Regina could hardly wait to have closed around her…
"Regina!"
Regina grunted before looking to the side, watching Katheryn approach them with Jim by her side.
"Hey," Regina said back.
Katheryn took the seat beside Regina while Jim took the seat beside Emma.
"Is the booth left alone?" Jim asked.
"No, Miss Lucas is taking care of it," Regina said.
"Let me guess," Katheryn picked up one of Regina's fries and put it in her mouth "Emma pulled you out of there?"
"Remind me to never leave Regina alone with you again," Emma said seriously.
"Are you two a couple?" Jim asked lightly.
The silence fell between them, Katheryn looking intensely down at the table and Emma painfully hopeful at Regina.
A moment passed and then another.
And Regina saw the sadness invade Emma's features and a sour taste lingering in the back of her throat.
Her heart squeezed inside her chest when an overwhelming feeling deep into her soul took over, crushing something inside of her.
"No, we…" Emma started to say.
But Regina couldn't let Emma finish that sentence.
Because they weren't just a couple.
Emma was her true love.
Emma was part of her heart.
And Regina never wanted Emma to hesitate because there wasn't a single inch of Regina that didn't belong to Emma.
So Regina reached for Emma's hand above the table, intertwining their fingers together and interrupting her.
"Yes, we are," Regina said firmly looking at Jim "But we haven't told our son yet, so I would appreciate it if you didn't tell anyone just yet"
"Of course," Jim smiled.
Emma looked at Regina a beautiful smile playing on her lips and eyes full of something Regina could only ever describe as love.
It touched something deep inside of her, something that twined around her heart and made its way down to the pit of her stomach before spreading to her very flesh and bones.
"I'm going to get something to eat too," Jim said standing up from the chair "Can I get you anything, Katheryn?"
"Yes, I'd love one of Granny's burgers too," Katheryn smiled.
"Ladies?" Jim asked, looking between Emma and Regina.
"Nah, Im good," Emma said.
"Me too," Regina smiled.
She squeezed Emma's hand softly before letting go, the act not as painful as it was only a few moments ago.
Regina shifted her attention to Katheryn rolling her eyes at the way she was looking at her.
"How is Jim?" Regina asked.
"Oh, he is great," Katheryn smiled "I know it's too soon to tell but I feel like we have a connection"
"I disagree," Regina smiled and looked at Emma "Sometimes you just know"
"Unless you are stubborn like Regina," Emma pointed at Regina.
"Very mature, Miss Swan," Regina clicked her tongue.
But the cheeky smile Emma gave her made it impossible for the annoyance to have any room in the back of her mind.
After a moment, Jim came back with his and Katheryn's food, the four of them making light and pleasant conversation while they eat.
It felt good to be there with them, to hear Katheryn and Emma laughing, to roll her eyes at the way Katheryn so easily teased Emma and vice-versa.
To feel like she belonged, that her company was wanted there.
She wasn't surprised by the sentiment, it had easily crawled under her skin the second she had opened herself to Emma.
"Mom!"
Regina looked to the side, watching Henry running in her direction.
Her little boy crashed heavily against her body, wrapping his arms around Regina's torso.
"We need more money," Henry said looking up at Regina.
Regina ran her hand over Henry's sweaty hair, his cheeks red from both the cold and the running.
"How about something to eat first?" Regina asked.
Henry looked at the table, reaching for a few fries and shoving them inside his mouth.
"No time," Henry said "We still need to go on three rides"
"Where are Ava and Nicholas?" Emma asked.
"With their father," Henry said "We are supposed to meet at the park entrance again in five minutes"
Henry picked up Regina's burger, taking a bite not even bothering to ask first.
"Can I have more money now?" Henry asked between chews.
"How about asking nicely, kid?" Emma arched an eyebrow.
"Please," Henry said before swallowing the burger.
Regina smiled at Emma and ran her hand on top of Henry's hair again before reaching inside her coat pockets and giving Henry more money.
"Promise you'll get something to eat?" Regina asked.
"I promise," Henry smiled "Oh, Emma, can you come with me again? One of my stamps is faded" Henry showed his hand to Emma.
"Hey, why don't we take you," Katheryn offered "Jim wanted to check the rides area, there is a bull situation that he wanted to conquer?"
"Oh yeah," Henry laughed "Nicholas nearly flew out of the ring when the bull took him down"
"Excuse me?" Regina asked.
"It was wild," Henry laughed.
"Maybe I should take you inside the park and see what the hell are they making for children," Regina said.
"Oh, no, mom, it's okay," Henry said "I'll just go with Katheryn and coach Jim"
Henry reached for a handful of fries, shoving them all inside his mouth.
"I have to go now, see you guys in there," Henry said.
And then he just run away, disappearing among the people before Regina could even blink her eyes.
Katheryn laughed beside Regina, already getting up from the chair.
"Don't worry, we'll keep an eye on him," Katheryn said "You two enjoy some time alone"
Katheryn winked at Regina, before walking beside Jim, them too disappearing among the sea of people.
"Do you have City Hall keys with you?" Emma asked.
"I do, yes," Regina nodded.
"Come on," Emma smiled wickedly at Regina "Let's go"
They made it through the crowd together, Emma pulling Regina by the hand and Regina not having either the heart or the desire to let go.
They reached the main door, Regina letting go of Emma's hand for just one moment to reach inside her coat and pick up the keys, opening the door.
Inside the dark entrance, Emma reached for Regina's hand again, intertwining their fingers together.
Emma pulled Regina up the stairs, using her phone flashlight to illuminate the steps.
She knew exactly where Emma was taking her.
Regina smiled softly, flashes of their first night together spent on the rooftop flashing behind her eyes.
That night she had surrendered herself to Emma.
And then every single night after that.
Regina took a deep breath in, filling her lungs with Emma's scent.
With their scent.
Because the apple blossom scent was lingering with Emma's scent now, not just a hint anymore.
It had blended.
Forged with hers.
Became one.
They reached the rooftop door, Regina passing the keys for Emma to open it.
Emma pushed the door open and stepped inside, the cold solitary wind of the night hitting Regina when she walked through the door.
Emma intertwined their fingers together again, taking Regina to the spot where she had built their tent that night.
The rooftop was dark, only the moonlight and the stars above them illuminating the space and the sound of the people chatting down at the festival filling the silence.
Regina looked at Emma, the moonlight glow catching part of her hair, turning her golden locks into a silvery cascade of curls.
Her eyes had that glow again, that glow that held Regina's whole heart, and her smile nearly took Regina's breath away.
Beautiful.
Emma stepped closer to Regina, wrapping her arms around her waist.
Regina hooked her arms around Emma's neck, leaning forward to capture Emma's lips in a kiss.
Slow.
Savoring.
Demanding.
Regina parted Emma's lips with her tongue, their kiss heating up at every stroke of their tongues.
Regina moaned softly inside the kiss, Emma's arms tightening her embrace around Regina's waist, bringing her closer, flushing their bodies together.
Regina barely felt the cold anymore.
Emma's heat was pulsating from her body directly into Regina.
Her knees turned weak when Emma pulled on her lower lip, her toes curled inside her boots when Emma claimed her tongue, and her moans became louder when Emma sank her fingers through the fabric of her coat.
Regina felt the kiss with her whole body.
Every nerve under her skin was alive, every beat of her heart was a song for Emma, and every stroke of her tongue intertwined their souls deeper together.
Emma broke the kiss slowly, pressing their foreheads together.
"I've been wanting to do this the whole night," Emma smiled.
Regina kissed Emma's lips softly before pulling away enough to look into her eyes.
She ran one hand gently down Emma's face, admiring the beautiful dance of the moonlight over Emma's skin.
"Me too," Regina smiled back.
"You told Jim about us," Emma bit her lower lip.
"I don't want to hide you anymore," Regina said thoughtfully.
She didn't.
She couldn't bare this anymore.
She couldn't bare only having half of Emma in public.
She wanted all of her and not just inside closed walls.
She wanted to have everything with Emma, everything that had been denied to her, everything she could only dream of its existence.
She wanted to have everything she had given up ever having because it wasn't her destiny.
And most importantly, she never wanted to taste that sour taste on the back of her tongue and that overwhelming feeling of not being worth it that nearly crushed her soul.
Regina didn't want Emma to have any doubts anymore.
Because Emma was worth everything to her.
"Have you thought about what I asked?" Emma said pulling Regina out of her thoughts "About telling Henry"
"I have," Regina nodded.
She had.
So much!
Ever since that night when Emma asked her it was all Regina could think about it.
But fear always crept in with those thoughts, spiraling from somewhere deep inside her entrails and then taking residence in her heart.
It was always a sequence of what if's that always ended with Regina losing Henry and then Emma and then both.
That was until tonight.
Regina didn't want to feel fear any more simply because she no longer wanted to have her family in halves.
It was time to make them whole.
Caving to fear had never accomplished anything for Regina.
Regina looked into Emma's eyes, softly cherishing her cheek again.
"Henry has a school trip coming up next week," Regina said "I want us to tell him when he comes back"
"Really?" Emma smiled beautifully at her.
And that smile so full of joy and hope made Regina's heart both squeeze and warm inside her chest.
Regina leaned forward, pressing her lips softly against Emma's.
And when she pulled back, Emma was smiling at her again, her scent blowing in the wind mixed with something sweet that Regina decided could only be happiness.
"Yes," Regina smiled back at Emma "You are right, it's time to tell him. I don't want to hide you anymore either. I don't want to hide us"
Emma pulled Regina closer, the tips of their noses brushing against one another.
Emma closed her eyes and kissed Regina's cheek gently, then nuzzled her nose against Regina's before kissing her other cheek.
"I can't wait to tell him," Emma whispered.
"Me neither," Regina whispered back "But if Henry doesn't…."
"He won't," Emma interrupted her "Henry loves you. And I think… I think he loves me too…"
"Of course he does," Regina interrupted Emma now.
Emma smiled, taking half a step away from Regina, running her hand down Regina's face.
"He'll want us to be happy," Emma said "And you make me happy, Regina"
Hearing those words whispered from Emma's lips anchored something inside Regina's heart a feeling of peace washing over her body.
"You make me happy too," Regina said back.
Emma leaned forward to capture Regina's lips in a kiss. Her lips were already brushing over Regina's when suddenly they heard a blow of explosion and then murmurs echoing in the air.
"What was that?" Regina asked alarmed.
"I don't know," Emma said back.
Emma let go of Regina, walking to the side of the rooftop.
She leaned her body forwards over the parapet, Regina feeling her own entrails recoiling to the act.
"It seems like the power went out," Emma said.
Regina let out a breath of relief when Emma moved away from the parapet, walking back in her direction.
But that relief only lasted one second because…
"Henry!" Regina breathed out.
Emma nodded at her, reaching for her hand and intertwining their fingers together.
Regina's phone rang inside her coat, the noise echoing louder over the rooftop.
Regina reached inside her coat with her free hand, answering the call the second she saw Katheryn's name flashing on the screen.
"Katheryn?" Regina said slightly alarmed.
"Hey, I just called to let you know Henry is okay," Katheryn said "We were about to go on a ride when the power went out. We got all three of them here with us"
"Oh, thank God," Regina said relieved "Where are you?"
"We are going to the candles stand to buy us a few," Katheryn said "Meet us there?"
"Yes," Regina nodded "We'll be right there"
Regina turned off the call putting the phone back inside her pocket.
"Katheryn got Henry?" Emma asked.
"Yes," Regina nodded "They are going to the candle stand"
"I'm not sure that's such a good idea," Emma made a face "Mary Margaret is in charge of that stand"
"Oh!" Regina frowned.
"Yeah, we should get going,"
Emma gave a step forward pulling Regina with her.
But instead of going with her, Regina pulled Emma back, bringing her inside her arms, and kissed her lips.
When she pulled away, Emma grunted her protest and Regina just smiled before pressing her lips against Emma's again.
"Come on," Regina smiled, pulling Emma with her in the direction of the door "Let's go get our son"
And so they walked, hand in hand down the stairs and into the festival, their fingers brushing against one another when they found Henry and then always touching throughout the night.