Thanks for the support for this story SQers! Apologies for the short chapters.

Emma was leaning against the yellow bug outside the shop repeating a mantra to herself. You love Hook. You are straight. You love Hook. You are straight.

It wasn't as if she'd never had a fling with a woman in the past. She had but she'd never felt a connection with anyone other than Neal, not since the last few years. She'd slept around a bit after she'd given Henry up for adoption. It was more to prove to herself that she didn't need anyone and she was her own master. She hated men for quite a while after Neal left and she experimented with girls. It was fun but she never fell in love with any of them. It was always just sex, too much to drink and an itch to scratch. Not that she didn't appreciate the female form. She did but when she came to Storybrook, she didn't want to be known for her promiscuity. She wanted to be a proper motherly figure for Henry and when he started asking about his father, she made up some romantic story. It was all smoke and veils back then and she regretted at times not having been more truthful to the people around her.

In the beginning, she'd recognised the tell tale glint in Regina's eye as one of desire, before she wanted to kill her at least. On a number of occasions, she'd wondered about Regina's sexuality but after Graham and Robin, she dismissed it. When Emma met Hook, he had sparked her interest because of his connection to Neal. It was in a way, the only reason they got together. Neal died and she finally laid him to rest. It wasn't easy to start with because of the many years she'd spent avoiding men, but after Regina had given her that new life in New York, where she hadn't given Henry up and she was happy, she spent a year believing she had lived completely differently. Then another lifetime in the dream world, pining over Neal's death again. No wonder she was confused. People had been messing with her memories and thoughts for years. In her mind, the only one constant throughout had been Hook and his undying devotion to her. Except for Regina.
I love Hook. I'm going to marry him. I'm straight. I love Hook.

Ruby, Regina and Tink appeared on the sidewalk and were saying their goodbyes. "Emma, get your ass over here! We need to make a date for the rest of the bridesmaid stuff." It was Ruby who called her.

Emma pushed herself off the car and put on a smile that didn't quite reach her eyes.

"So, I was thinking we could have the hair and make-up trials on the afternoon of the bachelorette party and you can all come back to my place to get changed and we can go together." Ruby suggested.

"No offence, Ruby, but I'd prefer to get ready in my own home." Regina commented.

"Oh even better! We can all get ready at Regina's place! More space!" Ruby grinned.

"That's not what.. ah.. you know what, fine. It's the least I can do beings as you've arranged the bachelorette party." She smiled civilly but Emma could tell she wasn't keen on having them all making a mess of her place.

"Great! So I'll book us into Cinderella's Beauty Parlour at 2pm on Friday. Ashley said she'd keep it open for me, just gotta call to confirm. See you all there!" Ruby waved and tottered off down the street.

"Yeah, so, bye Regina, Emma." Tink said awkwardly and walked off in the opposite direction towards the docks.

"You sure you are ok with having a crowd of rowdy bridesmaids over at your place? I mean, Ruby can be quite insistent but she wouldn't be offended if you retracted the offer." Emma smiled apologetically.

"I want to do this Emma. I feel like I haven't been a very good Maid of Honor. You found the venue and Ruby organised pretty much everything else. I haven't done anything." Regina said in a self depricating tone.

Emma chewed her lip and sighed. "You have done the most important thing that I wouldn't trust anyone else to do."

Regina looked at the blonde with anticipation.

"You've kept me from turning into a nervous wreck!"

Regina smiled and wiped away a tear that had escaped her control. "Thank you for saying that Emma. It means a lot to me."

Emma hesitated but couldn't stand to not be holding this wonderful woman in her arms any longer. She stepped forward and hugged her tightly. "It's ok Gina. I mean it. I couldn't do any of this without you."