Slipping into the current of city life made the days short and the months shorter. School had taken a mere fraction of the day, leaving many hours to be enjoyed by an average student in the bustling city. But, for Emma, it had been spent behind the counter of a pizza shop, earning cash that Regina had been quick to decline when offered.
The blonde had desired to help contribute to the extravagant apartment and the money that it had cost. Guilt had eaten her away mere months after moving in, regardless of Regina's reassurances that she needn't pay a thing; that she was in school and had enough on her plate.
Over time, Emma gave in to Regina's persistence and quickly collected the money into a rather hefty sum. It sat in her newly opened bank account for a rainy day. A rainy day in which she had been planning for months ever since the idea was planted into her brain.
It had been filed in the back of her mind, though, as the days had seemed to melt together. She needed to gather enough money to go through with this plan and she couldn't fall short. Time seemed to slip through her fingers at an alarming rate and, before she knew it, she was already three months into the new school year.
It was within that eleventh month of the year did she call upon Graham for assistance.
The two had reconnected last year – spending more time with one another. He had eventually visited the apartment with his jaw to the floor. Regina had chuckled and greeted him before the two got into a discussion over their apartments. Emma had watched on with a smile, even as the young man disappeared behind the front door.
Their relationship had grown – Regina's and his. The brunette hadn't been as uncomfortable around Graham, Emma had noticed, as the night had progressed. She had even frowned when the brunet man had announced the time and departed.
Over the months leading up to the present, the three of them had even gone out together for lunch or dinner and had fun. It warmed Emma's heart to see her lover smiling as she spoke with Graham; with a friend. Regina always seemed lonely when she was in a crowd.
That was one of the reasons why Emma had chosen Graham to help her out with her super-secret plan. That, and he was her only friend that currently lived in Boston since both Ruby and Belle still resided in Storybrooke.
Emma had reiterated her plan to Graham over the phone and currently stood with a grin on her face.
"Wait, what?" Graham's voice queried over the line.
"I want you to help me pick out a ring." Emma repeated, a chuckle lilting her words.
"You're going to propose to Regina?"
"Yeah," the blonde answered, pacing across the kitchen with a sandwich in hand. She leaned against the counter closest to the front door, taking a bite of her lunch and stared at the wooden barrier as if Regina were to walk through at any given moment. But, Emma knew that she wouldn't. The brunette was at work and wouldn't be home for another four hours.
Graham's voice pulled her from the thoughts starting to form. "When are you going to do it?"
"On our anniversary in a couple of weeks." Emma's eyes never left the door. "I have it all planned out."
"I wouldn't doubt it." The blonde could hear his tongue click. "Are you ready to get married?"
If Graham were in front of her, Emma would be glaring at the man, but he wasn't, so the wrath was instead directed toward the unfortunate door before her. "Of course I am."
"I didn't mean it that way!" His words were rushed, apologetic. Emma chuckled. "I mean… you're only twenty, Em. I'm just concerned."
"She's the one, Graham. I know it." A smile cracked her stone features at the very thought of the woman she wanted to marry.
Ever since the idea had been rooted, she had no doubt in her mind that she wanted to wake up next to Regina for the rest of her life. Marriage, of course, didn't matter at all. It was naught but a mere piece of paper and a pair of rings that told people they were "officially" together. She would honestly be happy without the concept of marriage, but for some odd reason, she wanted it. She wanted everyone to know that she was Regina's and Regina was hers.
Emma couldn't help but to chuckle at the thought. Here she was, once again, thinking like some lovesick loon in one of those rom-coms that Regina watched on occasion. She would give anything to always feel like this, though, regardless of how silly it might be or sound.
"What are you laughing at?" Graham's voice was reality breaking Emma from her wandering thoughts once again.
The blonde pushed herself away from the counter and searched the room for her jacket. "Oh, nothing. So, you gonna help me or what?"
"I have nothing else to do, so why the hell not?"
"Good. Where are you? I'm gonna pick you up." Emma frowned when she hadn't located her jacket and, instead, donned Regina's pea coat that the older woman had left behind for a lighter jacket earlier that morning.
"I just got home. You're doing this now?"
The blonde quickly exited the apartment, locking the door behind her before heading off to the yellow Bug that waited for her outside. "While I have a day off, yeah."
"And not once did you ask if I was free for the day." Graham tsked on his line, but his words were said on a chuckle.
"You literally just said that you had nothing better to do." Emma gave a wry smile to no one in particular.
"Not fair. I meant before that."
"Boo-hoo. Get your coat on, loser, I'll be there soon." Emma exited the apartment building, stopping for a long moment as a cool breeze swept over her. She shivered and tightened the coat around her body.
"Yeah, yeah. Assho-"
The blonde didn't give her friend enough time to finish his insult before cutting the line and stuffing the phone into her pocket. She made haste to get into her little Bug and turn it on in desperate need for the warmth that it would provide.
Autumn was one of her favorite seasons, she had to admit. For some odd reason, the dead leaves were calming; the colors were beautiful and tranquilizing when mixed together in swatches of browns, reds, oranges, and yellows. But the cooling air generally ruined it for the blonde. She wasn't one for cold weather but, of course, she would prefer autumn over the harsh climate of winter.
Emma stepped down on a pile of leaves, rejoicing in the crunch they offered under her weight. She wished they had a yard, in that moment, so she could rake the leaves into one big pile to dive right into. The image of Regina lying next to her, crunchy leaves in her raven locks, as they enjoyed the makeshift bed and not yet cold weather floated through her mind.
The blonde pulled away from the parking space, more leaves crunching along with loose pieces of asphalt and gravel under the tires of her car. If what Regina had said last year remained written in stone, perhaps the two of them would be back in Storybrooke and the cozy mansion to live out her fantasies. She wouldn't mind that one bit; especially if a little tyke abused the leaves with them.
An absent grin ghosted over her features at the very thought. She didn't care what anyone would say about her desire to marry Regina. To Hell with them if they opposed. She loved that woman and the future that they could have.
A future that Emma never thought she would have; one that seemed so bleak when she was younger. And here she was, driving to a jewelry store for an engagement ring with thoughts of future kids. She could laugh, but she would rather do so in the faces of those that had said she could never have those things. She was proving them wrong.
She was proving them all wrong.
Her thoughts vanished when she parked in front of Graham's apartment building, the smile slowly fading from her face. She didn't need any more questions from him. She was sure that he would have plenty about her plan.
Emma offered a different smile to the man as he made his way out the door and to her car, a smile on Graham's own face.
"Hey, took you long enough." He settled into the Bug and quickly put on his seat belt when Emma gave him a look.
"It's hell trying to get to this side of town," she murmured, pulling back onto the road.
"Sorry I live in the Boondocks," he teased. "Where are we going, exactly?"
"I don't know. A jewelry store. I've looked up a few to check out." Emma paused at a stoplight and took the time to glance at her phone. She fumbled with a few buttons before the directions to one of the jewelers popped up and handed the small device to her friend.
"Uh…" Graham stared at the phone for a moment before glancing back up to the blonde. "You sure you can afford this? These places are pretty expensive."
"I've been saving up." Emma directed her attention back to the road when the light had changed. "Where else do you think all the money from my job has been going?"
"I don't know. Bills and stuff?"
The blonde chuckled softly and shook her head. "I wish. Gina won't let me pay a dime towards the bills. Says I have school to worry about. She's been trying to get me to quit my job since I started."
"Man, I wish I had a girlfriend that did that for me. I'd be all over that." Graham scoffed in disbelief, but still maintained the grin on his face.
"It's not as fun as it might sound," she muttered, turning onto the street of the store. "I feel really guilty. I mean, I want to contribute. She's been taking care of me for over a year."
Her friend shrugged slightly, eyes on the storefront and a whistle falling from his lips.
The blonde's stomach knotted with excitement as she gazed upon the building with a grin. Behind those immaculate glass doors might hold the perfect ring. She had an idea or two, and the money to spend.
"This place is high-end as hell." Graham muttered as the two friends pushed open the glass doors.
The air left Emma's lungs as her eyes ate up the elegant furnishings and displays the store had offered. The two of them were greeted by a silver haired man in a suit, an amiable smile covering his features.
"How can I help you today?"
"We're looking for a ring," Emma started, fingers digging into the palms of her hands.
The man grinned at the two of them before turning towards Graham. "What kind of ring are we looking to get?"
Graham merely shook his head, hooking a thumb to Emma. "She's looking for an engagement ring. Didn't tell me much about it."
The blonde had her eyes on one of the display cases, combing over the various precious gems and metals for an idea. When her attention left the cases, she was greeted by the kind eyes of the older gentleman.
"Why don't you follow me?" He gestured toward the very displays Emma had been looking at before leading the way to them. "Perhaps we can get an idea."
"Yeah," she murmured. "I don't think I want gold."
"Of course." The salesman slipped behind the case where the silver rings were. "We carry both silver and platinum rings with an array of precious gems. Diamonds are our most popular."
"Yeah, I was thinking a diamond or something red." Emma pressed her lips together, eyes skating over the various pieces of jewelry. There were so many of them; her head was spinning. "There's a lot."
"It can be quite overwhelming, yes?" The man chuckled softly and turned briefly before setting a magazine on the glass display. "We also have a guide of all the rings we keep in stock. We also custom create rings, as well. Feel free to take your time. I'm always here if you have any questions."
"Oh, uh… thank you." Emma grinned up at the man before flipping through the glossy pages of the magazine.
Graham leaned next to her, a smirk on his face. "The prices on those things make me want to cry."
"Me too," she muttered, glancing at a rather high price tag. "But it's what I need to dish out to get Gina a nice ring."
"Gods, how much money do you have?" His eyes landed on a particular number that Emma had paused on, herself.
"Enough." Emma shrugged slightly and continued to flip pages. "Man, I don't know what to get. I like some of these ones with rubies, or whatever red gem that is. It's pretty. It reminds me of apples."
"These are going into the thousands," Graham weakly muttered, diverting his gaze. "Maybe there's a cheaper place to go."
"Maybe." The blonde frowned slightly, pushing away from the counter. "I mean, I did have an idea, but that looks like it's way too impossible now."
"Don't have enough for that?" The brunet man jested, earning a dirty look from his blonde counterpart.
"No, I don't have ten grand. I don't even have five." Emma quickly stuck her tongue out at him. "I have about three, but I'll admit, I've spent a check or four on other stuff."
"Uh huh." He shook his head. "I wish I had that in my bank account."
"I'd give it to you, but I need it." The blonde gave him a mischievous look before backing away completely from the display case. "You think we should try somewhere else? There's a couple rings here that's in my budget, but just. I want some extra for a date with Gina."
"Goin' fancy, are we?" Graham was already heading toward the door with Emma hot on his trail.
"Duh!" She narrowed her eyes at her friend. "Now, where do you think we should go? I don't know the prices at these places."
"Well, there's always a pawn sh-"
"No."
"Couldn't shoot that one down fast enough, could you?" He laughed, getting into the passenger's side of the vehicle.
"I probably could have." She shrugged and pulled away from the store. "Now, where the hell are we going?"
"Uh, well there's a nice little locally owned place. And before you shoot that one down, too, no, it's not a 'cheapy' place. They've got some pretty nice stuff. I've bought a good watch there."
"A watch." She shook her head with a smirk. "Fine. Where's it at?"
Emma followed the directions Graham told her and soon arrived in front of a rather small building on the corner of a busy street. She struggled for a parking space but found one on the side of the road before exiting her Bug with Graham muttering reassurances beside her.
"You'll think me later," he finalized, holding the door open for her.
Emma murmured a quick thank you and entered the small shop. It was nowhere near as elegant as the store they were at prior. It was small, of course, and a bit snug when it came to browsing. She smiled to herself. This place was promising.
"Good afternoon! How can I help you?" A woman greeted the two of them, a smile on her face and gray in her chestnut hair.
Emma's grin widened as she nodded in acknowledgment, "hi! I'm looking for a ring."
"Of course! Let me show you our collection." She guided the two toward a small glassed-in case that held an array of colorful rings. "We carry gold, platinum, and silver, among others less pricey. If you have a different idea than what we have here, we might have it in the back. Don't hesitate to share."
The blonde found herself nodding at the older woman's words, her attention already taken by the shiny pieces of jewelry in the case. There weren't as many to get a headache over in this shop, though that did cause a problem. None of the rings were calling out to her.
Emma frowned.
"Find any that you like?" Graham murmured beside the blonde, the palm of his hand flat on the glass.
"Not really." Her frown deepened.
"What are you looking for?"
"What I told you." She shrugged, though her words caught the other woman's attention.
"Perhaps we having something similar in the back?" The saleswoman leaned forward with a friendly smile. "I would be more than happy to look."
"Oh, I doubt you would have anything like it, but…" Emma shrugged. "I was looking for something silver, maybe, with a red gem."
"I'll go have a look." With a nod, the woman was off.
Graham gave her a smirk. "These people are good. Don't doubt them."
"What's the price range?" Emma quirked a brow, leaning against the case.
"Depends on what you're looking at. I mean, some of these pieces are cheap. In the hundreds, maybe. They take payments, too. That's how I got this baby." He held up his wrist, showing Emma the golden watch that he wore.
Her brows squished together. She wasn't good at identifying those things, but the proud grin that Graham had on told Emma that it was high-end.
"Cool." She tilted her head slightly. "I probably wouldn't need to make any payments. But, that's if they even have what I'm looking for."
"I'm sure she does." He shrugged and wandered over to another case, gaining the blonde's curiosity. She followed behind to soon glance upon a selection of necklaces. Emma let them take her attention until the woman had returned.
"I found a few rings that fit the description you gave me." She carefully placed each ring onto the display case. "Feel free to look them over."
Emma's heart leapt in her throat at the sight. They were perfect. If she wasn't only limited to one, she would buy them all. But, she could not and had to narrow it down to the perfect one. The blonde bent down to examine the four rings the woman had placed.
"That rock's big." Graham muttered as he joined his friend.
"Yeah, probably too big." She glossed over that particular ring before landing on the next. She found something to nitpick it. The band seemed too thin and cheap, but perhaps that was just her.
"I like this one," she murmured, carefully picking up the fourth ring in line. The gem was crimson, looking as if it were a drop of blood wedged in the intricate patterns of the band, which swirled around the rock in vine-like designs.
It reminded her of an apple in some ways; the pattern like branches.
Her hands started to shake with her pent up excitement.
"This one is perfect."
"Ah, yes." The clerk nodded, reaching for the ring that Emma had offered. "The band is platinum and the gem is a ruby."
Emma's heart sunk at her words. She knew of that particular metal. "How much is it?"
"Of course." With a nod, the older woman turned and headed toward a computer.
The two friends followed as she typed away, soon grinning at the two.
"This was pawned to us a few months back. We're selling it for thirty-five hundred."
Emma frowned slightly. The ring was both things that she wasn't willing to buy. Her forest gaze drifted to Graham who shrugged in response.
"That's all up to you, Em."
"That's a little out of my price range." She sadly eyed the ring. The price only made her want it more. She could even look past the prior ownership.
"How about I knock it down for you?" Her words had taken Emma aback. Was she negotiating? "We've had this here for a while. Took it out of the display case because no one was buying. How about I lower the price to three?"
Three thousand was still a hefty sum. Emma was generally tight with her wallet, but she knew that she had to let it go. She had enough for that, and even a few extra dollars for dinner.
"I'll take it." The words were out of her mouth before her brain could even react.
"Perfect! What size do you need it?" The clerk was typing something into her computer, but her words made Emma blank.
Size? She completely forgot about size. She didn't know the size of Regina's fingers.
"Uh…" Emma held out her hand and compared it to her lover's for a hot minute. "Can I try it on?"
Graham snorted. "You don't know her ring size?"
"Shut up," she muttered and carefully slipped the ring onto her finger when the older woman had given her permission. It had fit her finger perfectly. "I think this is good."
"Perfect. And if you do need any adjustments in the future, I would be happy to assist…" she began to rattle off other services that they provided as she took Emma's card and rung her up.
"Thank you very much! Have a great day."
"You too." Emma beamed at the woman before heading out the door, a small bag in hand. "Oh my Gods. I did it."
"You did it." Graham smirked, joining the blonde on the sidewalk. "How does it feel?"
"I'm excited as hell!" She giggled giddily, nearly bouncing towards her car. "But nervous to give it to her."
"I bet," he snorted as he watched his friend. "And I bet that you're glad that you called me, huh, or else you wouldn't have gotten that ring."
"See, I knew I called you for a reason." Emma smirked at the man and started up her car.
"Now, what are you going to do about your ring?"
"What?"
"Your ring?"
"Oh…" She slumped against her seat. "I… never thought about that."
He laughed. "I'm sure you'll be fine. Maybe Regina will get yours."
Emma frowned slightly and shrugged. "I don't know."
Graham merely shrugged as well but said nothing more on the subject as Emma pulled back onto the street. "So, what do you plan on doing?"
"Go home. You're welcome to tag along." The blonde quickly glanced at the man who looked at her with a quirked brow. "Of course, unless you meant about my proposal. I'm just gonna make a nice dinner before Gina gets home and do it over dessert or something."
"Sounds kinda cheesy."
"Not as cheesy as getting on one knee in a restaurant." Emma smirked, turning down a familiar street with sparse buildings. "Besides, Gina likes cheesy because cheesy is kinda me."
"Leave it to you to be cheesy." Graham chuckled until the car had stopped moments later and he looked over to his friend. "Kidnapping me, I take it?"
"Yes." She grinned before tugging the key out of the ignition. "You're going to keep me company until Gina gets back. Maybe we can grab some pizza later."
"Sounds good to me." The young man joined his blonde friend as the two of them made their way into the apartment building, laughing over nothing in particular.