"And I ran, I ran so far away, I just ran, I ran all night and day, Couldn't get away." Dad's fairly in tune voice sang.
"A cloud appears above your head, A beam of light comes shining down on you, shining down on you. The cloud is moving nearer still, Aurora Borealis comes in view, Aurora comes in view." my voice on the other hand, not so much.
He grabbed the phillips head and held it to his mouth like a microphone.
"And I ran, I ran so far away, I just ran, I ran all night and day, Couldn't get away."
We fell into a fit of laughter until the tears rolled down our faces. Our cackling eventually eased into low chuckles.
"Man, I'm going to miss this when you're gone." he turned down the radio and we walked over to the work bench to set down our tools.
"And where am I going?" I lightly teased and picked up the sandpaper to smooth any rough spots left on the pieces of wood.
"College comes to mind."
Right, college. Nodding my head I kept a steady hand while rolling the coarse paper over the corner. Tapping the wood square on the table the dust fell off and I grabbed another one.
"That is if you are going to college." dad pressed, fingertips trailed over the piece he was sanding, I'm presuming feeling for splinters.
"I don't know." No, I know. There has been a constant back and forth on when I should tell them but when I think I want to I just picture the look on mom's face and back out.
"You've been saying that since last summer."
"It's a hard decision."
He handed me the final piece and pushed over the glue with the squaring jig. The atmosphere had shifted from fun karaoke to heavy, thick, and tense.
"You know Emma, it's okay if you don't want to go." I raised a skeptical eyebrow and turned to face him.
"Since when?"
"Since we figured you weren't going."
My eyes moved away from his and back to the scattered wood squares. The opening had been given for me say what had been on my mind and I should definitely take it. That little voice in my head telling me I've lied to them enough.
"It's not like I don't want to go, just not right now." mumbling under my breath, I turned around and leaned my lower back against our work station.
"Well as your father I feel like I wouldn't be doing my job if I didn't ask you this."
Anticipation entered my body, I bit my lip and winced, forgetting it was still sore. Ended up telling my friends yesterday at school that I walked into a pole and busted my lip. They all got a good laugh out of it, everyone except Rachel who was apparently sick, as well as today, with the flu.
"Does this college thing have anything do with..." he paused mid sentence to move closer to me. A heavy arm draped over the back of my neck as dad tilted his head down. "with, um, Regina?"
What. The. Fuck.
Did he-? No, he couldn't have. I heard wrong.
"Regina, that's her name right?" the words hit me again and my eyes widened.
"I, um, um, what?" his grip tightened around my shoulder as I tried to get out of it.
"Emma." he warned.
My hair fell in front of my eyes as I dropped my head taking a deep breath in.
"Why would you think Ms. Mills has anything to do with it?" my words lacked the confusion I was trying to portray in attempt to keep playing it safe. The light snicker was proof he didn't believe me.
"Sometimes I think the women in this house forget what I do."
Oh trust me, we haven't forgotten.
"You said so yourself, it's been on my mind since last year. Way before she came into the picture."
"That may be, but it doesn't answer my question." dad replied. Stepping in front of me a gentle touch was felt on my chin as my head lifted. Eyes beaming with pride he tucked some hair behind my ear. "She is an attractive woman."
What should I do? Again he's giving me an opportunity to be honest...do I take it?
"Nobody has influenced my decision." I couldn't tell him yet. We've always had an open relationship but that was before I was doing something illegal. He's a cop for fuck sakes, yes as his daughter he'd probably want me to be happy but it's also his job to uphold the law even under the most conflicting of circumstances.
"You'd tell me if someone did?" his lips pursed while the protective tone surged in his voice.
"Yes." Directing a forced smile at him I pulled my head away from his grasp.
Nodding his head dad took the spot next to me while a weighted sigh reached my ears. Broad shoulders rose and fell as his arms crossed over his chest.
"You know I've only ever wanted you to be happy."
"I know." I replied, turning my body around to rest my elbows on the bench.
"Are you?"
I let my vision go blank as I stared through the water heater, ugh, this man is trying to fucking hard right now.
"Overall, yes."
"Then that's all that matters." mimicking my stance dad placed his cheek on the palm of his hand. "Listen to me Em, I'm a cop but a husband and father first, no matter what. I will always protect you no matter what, especially when it comes to things you can't control. Like feelings." as he spoke I shifted my curious gaze to him wondering how far this conversation would go. "You can't help who's attracted to you or who you're attracted to all you can do is live your best life. You and I, we've always been close and as you get older and life gets even crazier, I want you to know you can always come to me."
Taking a moment to pause for a breath dad gave me a look with his pleading eyes. His guard is breaking and I can see the hurt look cross his features. My lies have officially hit a toll with him and it fucking kills me to know that.
"Dad, it's just..." resting my forehead on my hands I closed my eyes. "Hypothetically speaking if I did know what you were talking about you wouldn't understand anyway." I finally said.
"Okay, hypothetically speaking, I'll tell you what I do understand and you tell me if I'm missing anything. Deal?"
I shook my head yes as I cradled it in my hands.
"I understand that there are two people who seem to really like each other, for the ones outside looking it may seem as though they fit together perfectly. Only they have had the odds stacked against them from the start. One person is probably having a tough time dealing with their morals the other is most likely lying to their friends and family in fear of the repercussions, maybe in fear of what society thinks. Their attraction however is too strong to deny so they hide in the shadows." Damn, right on the money with that. "Sound about right?"
Finally I turned to face him again. My dad is giving me nothing but compassion and I find myself loosing my grip. I'm so tired of giving them the run around. Exhausted for having to lie to them about everything little thing I do lately. Emotionally drained from dismissing their pressing questions to answer what they already know.
I'm just…
Done.
Before I could speak the door that led inside the house cracked open and mom poked her head out.
"I've got that lock you asked me for." she said walking out and set the items on the bench. Her smile faded when she saw my expression, her green eyes moved to dads with a frown now firmly planted on her face. "What's going on?"
"Honey why don't you go-"
"No dad, it's okay, I want to do this when you're both here." Jesus what the fuck am I doing.
Mom's face went pale, expecting the worse, as she usually does. He walked away from me and draped his arm over her shoulder, both of them standing across from me with expectant looks. My stomach started to twist and the deep breaths were doing little to keep the nausea at bay.
"Okay so, I guess you guys have noticed my change in behavior over the last almost 2 months?"
She stepped into his chest as if that would somehow shield her from my words.
"I haven't-" swallowing thickly I tried again. "I haven't been entirely truthful." This is harder then I thought it'd be. Once the words leave my mouth there is no turning back, I can't shove them back in and press the rewind button. "So, fuck, I..." Do it, just fucking do it. "I'm sort of, talking to someone."
It was quiet and Mom had visibly relaxed, dad had a small grin on his face.
"The older woman, right?" she asked and I nodded my head. "Who is it?"
"I don't get it, if you guys already know why do I need to say it?"
"Because Emma, you're an adult." dad answered. Apparently that's suppose to make me feel better.
Sighing, I hugged myself and closed my eyes. I suppose I should take this moment to think about all the fun times before they banish me from ever seeing her.
"Its Regina."
Mom's gasp made me look and I thought she would run to the police at that moment.
"Emma, that is illegal, do know the kind of mark that will be put on you if this gets out?" Shit, I shouldn't have said anything.
"But I-"
"NO! Emma, how could you? We trusted you." dad cut me off with a voice that was too measured.
Looking into their eyes I could see the disappointment and the betrayal they felt. Is it too late for them to return me to the home? Should I just go pack my bags now? However I couldn't make a decision on it as moms face cracked into a smile.
What is happening right now? It started with a light chuckle, a deep laugh from my dad and now a rolling cackle from my mom.
"What is-" I started, confused by their sudden change in emotions.
"You should've seen your face!" mom said doubling over. "Dav-Da-" she couldn't even get the words out through her wheezes. Not like he heard, dad was too busy sending out booming laughs and I swear if they didn't catch their breaths my parents would pass out. What is so funny? Why are they…
Oh. That is so unfair.
"Did you seriously just pull my fucking my leg."
"Ohhh you deserved it." she wiped the tears from her eyes while coughing to clear her throat.
"How? What you did was just, that was fucked up."
"No what's fucked up is torturing yourself by not telling us. I mean come on Emma, do you not know us by now?"
Running a hand through my I turned my back to them.
"It's not as easy as you guys make it seem."
"We know it's not black and white sweetie we just figured you'd come to us without being pressured into it." Her voice was much closer than before.
"Do you get why I was worried to tell you though? Regina could get in so much trouble and with dad being a cop it puts a huge damper on things."
I felt his warm touch on my shoulder and leaned into it.
"I couldn't take your happiness away like that. In fact I would fight tooth and nail if anything were to happen, but it's not so don't worry."
"How can you be so sure?"
"I just do. If anything were to go right in your life, it would be this."
Shaking my head I turned around and shifted my gaze to him then looked at mom.
"You're really not mad?"
"Mad no, confused maybe but when I put your father and I in your shoes I absolutely believe we would've done the same as you two. You can't control things like this but you can control how you react to them. You're both doing the best you can with the cards you've been dealt. How can I be mad at that?"
Again, how did I get so lucky to be with these two amazing humans. She gripped my other shoulder and squeezed gently.
"Are you being safe?"
I sent her a crooked smile.
"You don't have to worry about that, she wants to take it slow. Like until I'm 18 slow."
"Oh? Well she gets kudos for that." dad said. "Still, we'll go to the store you never know and we always want you prepared."
"Also, I want her here for dinner sometime after the holidays. So you two figure out when you want that to happen." mom added.
Is this for real, are they really putting aside their own feelings for my joy. In the middle of her sentence I pulled both in for a group hug. Resting my chin on their joined shoulders I smiled feeling like a literal weight has been lifted off my body.
"Thank you guys so much. You don't know how much this means to me."
"Of course. We love you." Dad answered and kissed the side of my head.
After a few more minutes of family hugging I pulled away with a teeth baring grin on my face.
"Okay, enough of the heavy. You two get back to work on this Christmas gift and I'll start dinner. We'll talk more then, by the way I've finished wrapping the ones for Ruby, Killian, Belle, and Jefferson." Not waiting for a reply she kissed my cheek and headed back inside. I looked at dad who began to pick up a piece of uncut wood and walk to the saw blade. His eyes met mine and he smiled, he couldn't have been prouder of me than in this moment. A wink was sent my way before he turned up the radio. Our smiles broadened at the song and as if he read my mind we belted at the same time:
"SAY, CANDY AND RONNIE HAVE YOU SEEN THEM YET, UH BUT THEY'RE SO SPACED OUT, B-B-B-BENNIE AND THE JETS"
As I sat up straight with a hand on the handle bars and one propped on my knee I thought about how much has happened between my parents and I within the last 12 hours. They officially know everything, truth be told, it was nice. When Regina shot me a text last night asking if I wanted to come over today after school and possibly stay the night I didn't have to lie to them and surprisingly they said yes as long as I was all packed and ready to go for Gramps and Grams. Even more surprised Regina asked me to stay the night since her flight was scheduled to leave early in the morning.
After dad and I finished her Christmas gift it was a race to get my room cleaned, the last of my homework done and everything packed before it was time for me to go to bed. Originally I planned on giving Regina the gift when she got back but since the opportunity has risen I can't find it in myself to pass it up. So imagine the frustrated groan I let out when I pulled into the school parking lot and saw Lily standing by my spot.
"I'm really not in the mood for this today." I said taking off my helmet and looking at her.
"Good because neither am I. Can we talk for a sec."
"Sure, what do you have to say?" Really, I give zero fucks. She frowned and motioned towards the gates.
"I was thinking in private." she mumbled. My curious eyes stayed on her noticing the slumped shoulders, her jostled hair like she drove to school with the windows down, wrinkled clothes, and her tired eyes.
"Right here will do." standing my ground I folded my arms over my chest.
Rolling her eyes she stepped closer to me, placing one hand behind her neck she squeezed it softly.
"Listen, I just want to say… I'm sorry, not just for what happened last week but for everything since we, ya know, broke up." Well, I was not expecting an apology. "I know this is random but I'm just tired of fighting with you all the time, it's exhausting as fuck."
"Do you expect me to believe that? We got into fight, you disappear for a week and the first time I see you again is to apologize. Nothing about this seems right. Why didn't you come to me Monday or Tuesday?"
A light chuckle passed her lips as she took a small step to the bike.
"Truthfully, I was working up the courage. Every time I thought I was going to you had your fucking guard dogs."
"Hey, watch it." my voice became rough. "They are my friends."
"Whatever you want to call them, they were there. So I decided to wait for a time where they weren't. Hence, right now."
Should I believe her? It all just seems so out of the blue.
"I still don't get why you all of a sudden had to talk. Did somebody set you up to this?"
"No, nobody set me up to do this. I'm just tired, being angry at you all the time is pointless. I just want to enjoy my senior year without anymore fucking drama."
Chuckling sarcastically I swung my leg over the bike and got off.
"That's rich coming from you."
"Look I'm not asking for you to forgive me, I'm mostly doing this for myself."
"Finally, an honest answer." I tried to control the bite in my tone but it was evident. I took a deep breath and closed my eyes for a few seconds. "God I'm so over this shit." she chuckled at my response.
"Something we actually agree on."
Her smile grew as my crooked one tugged on my lips.
"How about this, you do your thing I do my thing and if we run into each other then I'll do my best not be a bitch." She reached out her hand, waiting for me to shake it. I'm hesitant, a part of me may always be on the defense when she's around especially with this out of the blue heart felt confession. Shrugging my shoulders I took her hand in mind and we shook on it. It was a strange feeling to touch one another without being violent.
"Deal."
"Hey Lily!"
We dropped our hands and turned in the direction of the voice. Over by the entrance her friends were waving their hands frantically.
"Well I gotta go. Thanks Emma." she smiled one more time and took off.
That was strange. I wonder what made her change.
Lifting up my seat I checked Regina's gift to see if it was still intact in the tiny compartment where my over night clothes were. Husky and full of power her laugh surrounded me leaving my eyes no choice but to drift in her direction. Slender hands moved in a series of dramatic motions as she kept the crowd engaged in her story.
The all white power suit had me captivated like a moth to flame until her hand moved to lift the glasses off her face and set them on top of her head, not once breaking character. Principal Glass, VP Mal, Mrs. Oaks and few other male teachers I didn't recognize dropped their heads back and laughed. Some part of me will always be a little territorial over Regina but knowing we've got some alone time tonight, alone time none of them will ever get to have puts a huge smile on my face.
Suddenly her eyes landed on mine as she sent me a subtle wink then returned her gaze back to the audience. My cheeks began to heat up at the tiny gesture before I locked up my bike and headed towards the gates where she was standing.
"Emma! Wait up!" I halted in my tracks and spun around to find Ruby jogging up to me. "Good morning." she said clearing the long brown hair from her face.
"Good morning." I replied with a small chuckle, moving my hand up to tuck some hair behind her ear.
"Thanks." long arms pulled me in and I wrapped mine around her waist. "I miss my Emma time."
"I miss my Ruby time."
We held each other for a while when my phone vibrating in my pocket.
I wish we could do that…
The simple text had my stomach in knots. To know Regina wished the same things I did filled me with just the right amount of reassurance. I put it back in my pocket and shifted our position so we stood beside each other with her arm wrapped around my shoulder but more importantly I get a good look at my girlfriend, who is currently staring at me, fighting every urge to come over and rip me away.
"What should we do about that then?" Ruby set a light peck on my head. "Maybe since it's a half day we can hang out after school, you can stay the night."
Oof, that does sound nice. It's has been awhile since we've hung out.
"I can't tonight…" She tensed up around me before dropping her arm.
"What is it this time?"
"Why did you say it like that?"
Scoffing, Ruby created some distance between us.
"Just waiting for the next bullshit lie to come out of your mouth." Whoa, okay that was harsh.
"What are you talking about?" I replied getting defensive.
"I'm not fucking stupid Emma, I've known you too long to play these damn games. Something has been off with you for awhile and don't say it's nothing because we both fucking know it's not."
One minute we were hugging the next she's biting my head off. Just like yesterday another person in my life is fed up with the lies I've been spouting. Why does shit hit the fan all at the same time?
"Ruby, we can't do this here." I said in a low but stern whisper. The bell rang but it wasn't sharp enough to cut the sizzling tension between us.
"Why? I never see you outside of school anymore and I don't count volleyball practices or games so you're not really giving me a choice."
"I know and I do want to talk." I really fucking do. "But we can't here." Not when Regina is keeping a close eye on our conversation.
Ruby scoffed and ran a stiff hand through her hair.
"And why not?"
"Because we just can't!" I shouted.
"Fine, keep your fucking secrets." reaching in her back pocket Ruby pulled out an envelope. "Merry Fucking Christmas." she hissed and shoved it against my chest before walking past me and into the crowd headed to their class.
I picked it up off the ground and ran my fingers over 'To: Ruby's Swan' written in cursive. Smiling at the pet name she'd given me awhile ago I felt a swirl of emotions build. The words became blurry and I blinked away the looming tears.
What kind of shit is this? Finding common ground with my ex to only piss off my best friend. Well played Life, points for creativity.
The final bell rang but I stood in my spot and as the parking lot grew silent I opened the envelope.
Babes,
So this is it, our last Christmas together and haven't the times been fun. I wanted to get you something special, something that you've always wanted to do. Now we can't use this yet but in a few months we will. Love you Emma, more than you'll ever know.
I kept reading the note but her amazing penmanship was getting harder to see. Wiping my eyes on my sleeve I took out the second paper and gasped. Tears flowed freely down my face as I looked at the plane ticket headed to Santorini, Greece two days after graduation. How she afforded this is beyond me, I'm speechless, I'm frozen, the only thing moving are thin lines of salty liquid streaming down my cheeks. Sucking in a shuddered breath I tried to control the sadness but it was no use. The more I tried the more they came until it broke from my chest. I cried until my sleeve was soaked, I cried until a warm heat covered me.
"I've got you." came Regina's voice and immediately I turned around, burrying my head in the crook of her neck. Holding me close she rubbed small circles on my back while whispering words of encouragement. Finally I calmed down to gentle hiccups before I reluctantly pulled myself away from her grasp.
"Don't you have class?" I asked softly, I didn't want her to see me like this. I'm such an ugly crier.
"Ah uh, you don't get to push me away."
"I'm not pushing you away Regina." Shifting my gaze to the ground I clenched around the envelope. "You shouldn't be late because of me."
She took stepped closer, lifting my chin for our eyes to meet. Her thumb softly grazed my bottom lip and my eyes fluttered shut.
"You have no idea how hard it is for me not kiss you right now Emma."
"Wh-what are you doing?" we're at school, in fucking public for any and everyone to see.
"My car. Now."
Before I could refuse she was dragging me to her Porsche. My head moved on a swivel trying to spot students, teachers, or parents, but it was deserted. There is nobody here but us. Unlocking the car, she popped open the back door and forced me in the back seat. Landing on my back, I pushed myself up to rest against the door with one leg on the seat and the other on the floor. Unlike me, Regina got in with ease, shutting the door behind her. Hazel eyes darted to the envelope in my hand then back to me.
"What's that?"
"My gift from Ruby." a shudder ran through my body as her nails scratched up and down my calf.
"What did she give you?" In a swift motion, she pushed down my leg, grabbed my arm and moved my body until I was sitting properly in the seat. A second later she was straddling me, running both of her hands through my hair. "Tell me." she whispered against my mouth.
My tongue snaked out in attempt to reach her lips but she pulled her head back.
"Regina, what are you doing?" my hands slid up the white slacks, finding a resting place on the small of her back. "We sh-should get to class." When did I turn into the rational one.
"I'll write you a note and my class knows better than to act out when I'm not there." she mumbled then bit my cheek. "Now tell me, what did Ruby give you." My hips jerked up at the drop in her voice.
"A trip." our moans filled the car when she began to rock against me.
"To…?" fingernails dug in my scalp.
"Greece, for 2 weeks."
She pulled my head back, licking up my neck with the flat of her tongue.
"Mmm, that sounds like fun. I think you should go." tugging on my ear with her teeth is what did me in. Thrusting my hips up my hands trailed from her back to her thighs.
"Why?" I licked my dry lips, wanting nothing more than to kiss her.
"Because she's your friend." her mouth hovered over mine before I closed the gap. The vibrations from her moan sent tingles straight to my cock. Regina pulled away, staring at me. "We'll talk more about this later." winking she slid off of me and opened the door. Wait is she seriously about to let me walk around school with this ache. "Come on Emma, it's only a half day."
Growling lowly I opened my door and got out.
"That's easy for you to say."
"On the contrary Miss Swan..." She walked around to meet me with a smirk on her face. "If you knew how wet I was I think you'd see it differently."
"You're such a tease." Keeping a step behind her we walked to the campus.
"Oh you haven't even begun to see me tease. Just you wait."
Chuckling lightly I glanced at the envelope in my hand.
"Why did you do that?"
"I wanted to make you feel better. That was the only thing I could think of that would take your mind off the fight you guys had."
"You saw that huh?"
"I did..." she slowed down until we walked side by side. "I'm sorry Emma."
"For?" She didn't do anything. Why is she sorry?
"Later, we'll talk about it later. I just had to say that."
As we officially stepped foot on school grounds I knew that was the end of the conversation so I stayed quiet for the remainder of the walk. Regina was only in her classroom for a second before she stepped back out with a note in her hands. Sending me off to class with a smirk plus a wink I made my way through the empty halls and to English. The day went by fast and I had made the decision to find Ruby after school when she refused to answer my texts. By the time 3rd period arrived, thankfully the last class, I was fucking anxious to get it over with. As much as I loved spending time with Regina my friendship is on shaky ground and that's needs to get handled first, so I shot a quick text her saying that I would be about an hour late.
Lucky for me my government teacher let us out a few minutes early giving me enough time to make it over there in case she tried to make a run for it. I tapped the heel of my foot impatiently against the wall outside of Ruby's class. Doors opened before the bell could ring doors to various classrooms opened releasing kids and teachers as they rushed out, ready for the much needed break. Ruby was laughing with some of her friends on her way out when she noticed me and stopped, arching an eyebrow and shooting me a scowl.
"Can we talk?" I eyeballed her friends, shooing them off with a glare
"Now? What happened to 'we can't do this here'?" her voice was not quiet at all.
"Ruby that's not fucking fair."
She rolled her eyes and walked past me. Growling deeply I turned around to follow and fuck those long ass legs of hers making it harder to catch up.
"RUBY!" I yelled but she ignored me setting into a slow jog. Fuck, is she really about to make me run after her. Yes, yes she is. Sprinting to make up some ground I followed her into the parking lot and when I got close enough I gripped her arm, pulling hard, too hard causing her to fall to the ground. A few students stopped to help her up but she shoved them off.
"What the fuck Emma!" the joking playful Ruby I knew was gone as she got up and pushed my chest.
"If you would just fucking-"
"GUYS!"
Jefferson's voice cut the rest of my sentence off as he stepped in front of us.
"What's going on here?" Belle asked coming up behind him.
"Emma was just about to tell me what's been going on with her. Since we're all here why don't you just come out with it." Killian and Belle exchanged glances before looking at me. "Oh come on, don't act like you guys haven't noticed something going on with her." Ruby finished.
"Maybe here isn't the best place for that." Killian replied, he must've noticed the small crowd we had attracted. I definitely can't tell her now, not with these extra ears around eager to lap up the drama brewing between friends. She scoffed and crossed her arms.
"That's exactly what Em-ma…" she trailed off and her eyes got wide.
Oh fuck.
"Wait, do you know?" anger swirled in her blue eyes. "Do. You. Know." she hissed at Killian. He backed up to duck behind me.
"Ruby, just take a deep breath. We can all go somewhere and talk." Belle interjected, attempting to soothe the tension rapidly building.
"Oh, let me guess. Belle knows too?" she asked keeping her intense gaze on me. My lack of response was answer enough. "What about you Jefferson?"
"What about me? What the fuck is going on?" he asked.
"So they know, but we don't?"
Anger shifted into hurt right in front of my eyes and the guilt coursed through clutching it's callused hand around my heart.
"What? Know what?" Jefferson asked again. "Can somebody please tell me what in the fuck is going on?"
"Emma has a secret, these two know but she so kindly withheld the details from us."
"No, Ruby it's not so fucking easy." My voice raised as I stepped up to her. "I wanted to tell you, you have to believe me."
She sighed while fingers rubbed hers eyes.
"Call me when you get back into town and maybe we can talk then, right now, I just need some time." Without another word she spun around and pushed past the mini crowd. My gaze moved to Jefferson who's eyes were full of confusion, sadness, and frustration. Furrowing his eyebrows he shook his head and went after Ruby.
"And then they just left..."
"What about Belle and Killian?"
Drawing my knees to my chest I wrapped my arms around them and leaned my head back on Regina's couch. As she walked by her fingers trailed across my forehead before I felt the couch dip by my feet.
"They tried to go after them but were quickly shot down." Sighing I stared at the ceiling, twirling my thumbs around one another. "It's all my fault, our whole dynamic is off and it's because of me. Placing a hand on top of my knee she squeezed it.
"It's not your fault Emma, I was the one who asked you to stay quiet." Lifting my head to meet her gaze the corners of my mouth dropped, sending her a frown.
"I don't believe that Regina, I was the one who went about it the wrong way."
With a frustrated sigh she pulled my hands apart then yanked on my ankles to straighten out my legs. Spreading them apart she inched closer, rose up on her knees and placed her hands on either side of my head, hovering above me, brushing her nose against mine.
"We can do this all day or you can let me take the fall for pushing your friends away." She pulled back while clearing some hair from my vision. The look in her eyes makes me ache, she truly believes it's her fault. "I never meant to come between you and them." Immediately my hands cupped around her face.
"Is that why you said sorry this morning?" I asked.
She bowed her head in shame. Regina, fucking Regina. Confident, sexy, insatiable Regina.
"No, that was for my actions in the car. I had no intentions of doing that, I just couldn't help myself. It's-" removing her face from my hands she crawled back to her spot on the coach. "It's getting harder to be around you, publicly that is. What I did today was outrageously stupid." Running a slender hand through her hair she sighed. "To be honest, I even thought about changing schools."
"Wait what?" I sat up straight, feeling the dread blanket my body. Legs swung off the couch as I pressed my back into the cushions behind me. I couldn't let her see the mix of emotions I was feeling.
"It would still be in the same district-"
"Why does it sound like you've already made up your mind." I cut in, the tremble of panic was clear.
The warm expression was back in her eyes as she spread her arms wide.
"Come here."
"No, cuddles don't always make everything better." I was annoyed at this point, she always tries to skate around the fucking question by doing things like this.
"Emma, come here." she replied in a hard voice.
When I didn't move or speak she got up, walking out of my peripheral vision. However there is always this low vibration when we are near each other and it's growing with every second that passes. Smooth hands were planted firmly on my shoulders. She stretched them to my collarbone then up the length of my neck before settling under my jaw. Applying pressure she tilted my head back with a smirk on her face as she bent down.
"I'm not going anywhere. It was just a thought, I promise Emma." her soft voice sent sharp tingles that settled in the bottom of my stomach. "Also, I want you to tell the rest of your friends about us."
"Are you sure?" and I cursed myself for not being in control of my body whenever she did the smallest thing to me, like brushing her lips against my ear.
"I'm sure, if you trust them then I trust them. Thank you for talking with me about this..." she kissed just below my ear then bit the lobe. "I'm glad we can communicate about things like that."
My eyes widened as hands shot up to grip hers. Untangling my head from her grasp I stood and turned around to look at her.
"Yea, about that..." scratching nervously behind my neck I looked at her now tense state.
"What..."
"Now don't get mad..." Regina raised an eyebrow at my statement. "Right, not helping. Okay so last night I may have told my parents we were dating."
Now both eyebrows were raised, eyes wide with shock, her full and plump bottom lip being abused by the relentless gnawing. She looked worried almost scared. Jesus I'm such a douche for ending the sentence like that.
"And they are completely okay with it, well not completely. They have concerns but all they want for me is to be happy. I promise." Brown eyes rolled as she scoffed.
"You're dad is a fucking cop for crying out loud Emma!"
"I know, but he's not going to do anything. Like I said they want me happy and they know that lies with you." What? What the fuck did I just say? "I mean, you know because we're dating and stuff." Attempted recovery: failed.
Regina's expression softened the second those words left my mouth. Tilting her head to the side her eyes dragged over my body before landing on my face.
"What did they say?"
"They already knew there was something going on between us." I mumbled and chuckled when Regina did. "All my parents wanted from me was the truth, they were over the lying about what I was doing and where I would be going. But they like you a lot and..." the nervous tick to play with my fingers started "want you over for dinner when we get back."
"Really?"
"Yea to get to know you. I'm sorry, I didn't mean to tell them without talking to you first."
Slowly and deliberately she moved around the couch until her frame was pressed against mine. Fingers threaded through my blonde hair while the other clenched around my heart.
"Don't apologize. I'm not mad."
"You didn't see your face." I replied resting my hands on the crest of her hips.
"I was surprised, you caught me off guard. I don't know what I was expecting to come out of those lips of yours but it wasn't that. I'm not mad though, there will never be a right time we just have to put trust in each other and the people closest to us."
I smiled broadly and went in for kiss, only she pulled away and yanked on my hair.
"We're not done yet." Regina said by my ear. "I thought you'd be happy to know I talked to Mal." her hand slid down between my breast, over my trembling stomach and to the belt holding up my jeans.
"How did that go?" I asked while my fingers jerked on the shirt neatly tucked in her pants.
"She was disappointed but understood when I mentioned I was seeing someone." nails scratched over my abdomen and I sucked in a sharp breath. I didn't even realize she had gone under my shirt, I'm too busy fighting with the death grip this stupid belt has around her blouse. "Are you okay with us still being friends?"
I shook my head yes but she pulled back on my hair, letting me know that's not what she was looking for.
"I need you say it Emma and be honest." Swallowing the huge lump forming in my throat I looked deep into those hazel pools.
"I told you I didn't want to be that person who tells you who you can be friends with."
"Emma..."
"Okay I'm sorry. Yes I trust you and I trust her… somewhat. Realistically I think I'm always going to be a little jealous of anyone who gets to be with you in ways I don't."
Regina leaned in to kiss the corner of my mouth.
"Lay down." she whispered against my lips.
"Wh-"
"Just do it." a deep growl left her chest kicking my submissive ass into gear. Laying down without another word she wasted no time in mounting me, squeezing her thighs around my legs. "I understand how you feel when other people are around me but you're forgetting something." a flirtatious smirk appeared on her lips.
"What's that?" the moisture was gone from my throat leaving my voice to crack as the words came out.
Her hips began to roll in slow circular rotations as she slid her hands up, lightly brushing over the already hardened nipples. I moaned and bucked my hips up craving more contact when she got to my neck, then again when her fingers curled around my jaw whipping my head to the side.
"You get to be with me in ways they don't." her teeth scraped over my pulse point and moans soon filled the loft. "You get to kiss me." full lips trailed over my skin until she got to my mouth and planted a soft kiss. "You get to hold me." with a mind of their own my hands traveled up her legs to her low back and I pulled until her blouse freed itself from that damn belt. "You get to cuddle me." before I could get to the smooth skin Regina sat up, cheeks flushed, eyes shining with lust. "You, Emma Swan, get me. I'm yours."
She's...mine. Mine.
Fucking mine.
My body moved faster than my brain as I set up and crashed our lips together. Her hands dove into my golden locks when my tongue slipped into her mouth, the deep moan she made sent chills down my spine. Sweaty palms took a hold of the skin underneath the silk to unclasp her bra but she broke away first, leaving her lips inches from mine.
"How about I give your Christmas gift now?" Oh yea, I almost forgot. "I'll be right back." She kissed my cheek before climbing off me and running upstairs. 'I'm yours' she said it with so much conviction, so much power, so much belief.
I got off the couch, fixed my pants from the uncomfortable straining and picked up my backpack that had Regina's gift in it. Something told me to follow her so I made my up the spiral staircase. When I got the top she was sitting on the bed with her legs crossed and her hands behind her. A perfectly wrapped gift with a red and green bow on top sat beside the amazing woman in front of me.
"I knew you'd get the hint." patting the open spot her lips curved into a devilish smile. "Sit with me."
As I walked to the bed I became increasingly nervous. What if she doesn't like it. Would she be okay that it's not some fancy gift?
"Stop thinking so much and sit with me." Poking my tongue out as I climbed on the bed I set my bag in between my legs and leaned against the headboard. She eyed the bag then adjusted her position so she was sitting in front of me with the gift in her hands. Her arms extended as she placed it on top of my bag accompanied by the biggest smile I think I've ever seen.
My fingers trembled as I opened the card taped to it.
Emma,
Sometimes the greatest relationships are the ones you never expected to be in. The ones that sweep you off your feet and challenge you in every way. I wanted to ignore this but when my soul saw you it said 'Oh there you are. I've been looking for you'…
Always Yours,
Regina
Biting my lip I looked at Regina who was cautiously waiting for my reaction. All I could do was smile, afraid if I spoke the tears would start streaming down my face, again.
"You're an ass for trying to make me cry." I joked half heartily attempting to lighten the mood.
"Success!" she joked throwing her fist in the air. "Now, open your gift."
With a smile I set the card aside and tore off the wrapping paper, eager to see what was inside. I lifted off the lid of the box and froze.
This looks expensive. Really fucking expensive.
"If you don't like it we can take it back. I wasn't sure what your style was, I guess I shouldn't have tried-"
"Regina."
"-to get you something without you-"
"Regina..."
"-knowing, God that was such a dumb-"
"Regina!" I shouted.
Finally she stopped her rambling, setting her attention on me.
"I love it." I replied softly. Shoulders dropped as her lungs deflated the breath she was holding.
"Try it on."
Removing the items off my lap I stood and slipped the jacket on.
"It fits perfectly." I mumbled treading my fingers over the red leather. Standing up effortlessly she strode over eyeing the new addition. Grabbing the bottom of it she connected the zipper and pulled it up to sit in between my breasts.
"It's getting cold out there, well cold for California." she chuckled tracing her hands over my arms. "I wanted to make sure you stayed warm, especially on your motorcycle. Check the pockets see how they feel."
Check the pockets? What person asks you to check the pockets when they buy you a jacket. Not dwelling on the comment I unzipped the tiny pocket and stuffed my hands in there.
"They feel-" Wait, what is that? It felt like a…
Pulling out my right hand a shiny chain flickered in the sunlight. My curious green eyes racked over the top to find a key hanging at the bottom. Focusing on Regina I stared at her with a baffled expression.
"I want you have a place you can always come to."
Butterflies swirled in my stomach, the flood of emotions was paralyzing and like an hour glass it filled up my heart as it emptied my brain. She gave me a key to her place. Her place, where she can be vulnerable, where she feels safe, she's opening that up to me.
"I-I.." nothing is working, my words couldn't express how I feel anyway. I placed the chain on my neck then pulled Regina in for a hug. Her arms clung around my waist bringing me in closer, melting us into each other like the final piece of a puzzle. "Thank you Regina, it means everything to me you'd open your home like this."
"Of course." her voice was a soft breeze passing by as she drew her body away from mine. "I mean it, come here whenever you like. Even if I'm out of town." a genuine smile graced her lips before she brought me back to the bed. "I take it by your bag on the bed our gift exchange isn't quite done?"
Right, my gift which seems really fucking shitty in comparison.
"Nope, don't do that." Regina stated and I shot a glare her direction.
"Seriously, get out of my head." I said while opening the backpack.
"You're just-"
"I know easy to read. Close your eyes."
"Ohh, bossy, I like it."
Rolling my eyes playfully she held her hands in faux surrender and closed her eyes.
"I'm trying to hurry since you leave at an ungodly hour in the morning."
"No, I changed my flight, again." a faint tint of red crept on her cheeks. "I don't have to be a the airport until 10:30 AM."
I was glad she couldn't see the shit eating grin on my face as I slid the box out from the bag and placed it in front of her.
"Okay, now you can open."
As she did I tried to gauge her reaction but it was hopeless, stiff as a board her eyes stayed glued to the cherry wood jewelry box dad and I made. 'Regina Mills' was carved on top with tiny Aquarius symbols carved in each corner. I opened my mouth to speak but her hand moved over the lock and key keeping the tiny chest closed.
"Open it." I replied.
With a nod of her head she fumbled with the lock before popping it open and lifting the top it. Her mouth fell open but just as quickly her hand came up to cover it. It trembled over her lips as her eyes glossed. I couldn't tell if she was milking it or if her reactions were pure, based off what was in there I don't think it would make her cry.
"Emma I-I..." she started once her hand fell from her mouth. "I don't know what to say."
Shrugging my shoulders as if it wasn't a big deal, because it wasn't, I shifted my gaze back to the box.
"It's nothing like what you got me."
She chuckled softly and took out the small dream catcher I had made for her.
"It's so much more. I don't understand how you could have possibly known this." Okay, now I'm confused.
"Uh, me neither?"
Cradling to her chest she kept her eyes on me and bit her lip.
"When I was younger I use to watch my dad make these and eventually he taught me. It seemed to bug my mom that I wanted to be with him making dream catchers instead of out shopping with her and my sister, or meeting some boy to spend the rest of my life with. Always so jealous of our relationship to the point she took all of my dream catchers and burned them in the fireplace. Said 'they were a useless waste of time'."
"Your mom sounds like a bitch." and I hoped I didn't over step my bounds until a smile cracked on her face.
"She's difficult at times."
My scoff called bullshit.
"Regina, trying to fold a fitted sheet is difficult. Doing things out of spite..." I shook my head feeling myself getting angry for her.
"Hey, it's in the past." she said cupping my cheek with one hand. "I have new one thanks to you. Did you make the box?" she asked, redirecting the conversation.
"My dad and I." I grumbled still feeling my blood boil.
"It's beautiful Emma. Thank you so much."
Her eyes tracked between mine as though she were searching for something, usually it made me uncomfortable but not today, maybe it's the holiday spirit or the goddess in front of me either way I find myself loosening the grip on anger and relaxing under her stare. She set the gift aside and pushed me down flat on my back. Assuming the position she hovered me like so many time before, thighs gently clenching around mine.
"You going to wear the jacket for the rest of the day?"
"I might." I teased back.
"Sleep in it too?"
"I might."
She poked my stomach, finding the tickle spot causing me to shriek. My plan to retaliate was foiled quickly as Regina pinned my arms over my head, our nipples gently brushing, those addicting lips beckoning me to close the gap.
"You're like lucky I'm in strong like with you" she whispered so huskily it made my eyes roll and my cock jump.
"Strong like with me?"
"Yup." she replied emphasizing the 'p'.
"What does that mean?"
Chuckling lowly she grazed her tongue against my lip. I wanted a response but her mouth started moving over mine trapping us in another intense kiss.
Deep down I knew what it meant…
Deep down I felt the same way…
A/N:
Flock of Seagulls-I Ran
Elton John- Bennie and the Jets
I'll be out of town tomorrow-Thursday where there is no wi-fi so look for the next one sometime next Friday. Also I will be resuming my other story when I get back for anyone reading both. You all are seriously amazing, thanks for the comments and the love.
Til Next Time...