Emma was back in Storybrooke.
And she wasn't one bit happy about it.
Well, of course it was nice to see her parents again. And her friends too.
But the joy of that couldn't equalize the sadness she felt over having left her pregnant girlfriend in Madrid.
Slowly, but steadily, this long distance thing was killing her.
It was the same old song playing over and over again. Heartfelt joy when they were together, and profound sadness when they were not.
Rationally, she knew that their future together was within reach. Next week, Emma would be flying to California to look at what could be their new home in Laguna Beach. Regina would be with her via Skype. Not in person. She had gone back to work at the bar. Emma had had some thoughts about that. She hadn't been sure she liked the idea of a very pregnant Regina on her feet all night. And she also wasn't that keen on her pregnant girlfriend being in a bar environment. Regina had told her stories about how things sometimes could get a little wild when the bouncer had to physically remove a drunk person from the bar. Emma really didn't want Regina to be caught in the middle of all that.
But Emma wasn't so dumb she told Regina about her concerns. She was very aware that this was her problem and not Regina's. Regina was smart and used to work in the bar. There was nothing to be worried about. It was just Emma being an overprotective idiot.
Either way, the bottom line was that Regina wasn't going with her to California. Unfortunately. But it was a good thing that she had started working again. Emma knew that Regina loved working at the bar.
Someone who was going to be in California, was Henry. Since he was the one who knew the owner of the beach house, it made perfect sense that he was going with her. Regina had found it funny that Emma were 'going traveling' with her dad, but Emma was actually grateful that Henry would meet her in California. He had been there more than her, and he would be a great guide. With him by her side, Emma wouldn't get lost or something. Sure, GPS existed, but it was easier with a real guide by her side. Emma was looking forward to the trip. She was looking forward to seeing the place that could become her and Regina's home. And soon, hopefully. She wanted the place to be just right for them. A real home where they could raise their kid and wake up to the sound of waves every morning. Emma could almost envision it. Sitting outside on the little porch with a cup of morning coffee as the sun rose over the ocean. Walks along the shore with the little one cradled in her arms and Regina by her side. What an idyllic life it would be for both of them. Emma could not wait for it to get started.
Emma finally snapped out of her thoughts, and just in time. The alarm on her phone thrilled obnoxiously loud a second time, and Emma immediately snatched the device and tapped the screen. The sound stopped. It was tempting to roll onto her other side and go right back to sleep, but Emma had already decided that she didn't want to sleep in. She was not a teenager. And besides, she had a photo job later. Another wedding. Meaning that she would have to put on a nice dress and do her hair. Urgh. If there was something Emma wasn't in the mood to do today, it was that. But weddings paid such good money. She had already scraped a fair chunk of money together from the sales she had made in New York, but a little more money couldn't hurt.
With a groan, Emma sat up in bed and checked her phone. She always did so first thing in the morning. Wanted to make sure that Regina hadn't tried texting or calling while Emma was asleep. She hadn't. Good. Emma's shoulders uncurled. She knew that she was being paranoid, but sometimes she imagined that Regina experienced some kind of emergency during the night and couldn't get a hold of her.
"Quit being an idiot," Emma firmly told herself and rolled her eyes. Imagining that was literally so ridiculous. Firstly, Regina had just been checked out by a doctor. She was absolutely fine. As healthy as a horse. Her blood pressure was fine, her pulse was excellent. The baby's heartbeat was nice and strong. Blueberry was growing like he was supposed to. There was absolutely no cause for concern.
And secondly, if Regina should wake up and experience some kind of emergency (god forbid it!) her first impulse obviously would be to call her a doctor. Or an ambulance. Or her father, so he could take her to the hospital.
Emma would forever be grateful for Henry being so close to Regina.
And she would also forever be grateful for the cute little updates Regina sent her every single morning. Today's picture was one Regina had taken from above while laying down on her back. Her belly was rising like a mountain in a flat landscape. Emma could barely see Regina's bare feet and the top of what appeared to be red lace panties. Oooh. Emma licked her lips. Regina a hundred percent knew what she was doing when she sent that picture. What a little tease. Emma smiled and tapped away from the picture so she could see the video, Regina also had sent her. It was a video of Regina's belly, of course. Watching the movements within it was so goddamn fascinating every single time. Emma could look at it forever. Marvel at it. And forever acknowledge how strange it had to be for Regina to experience movements from inside her. Seriously, it had to be the weirdest sensation ever. Emma wondered how it was possible to get used it.
'Ay,' Regina suddenly said in the video, and the phone shook slightly for a moment. Then one of Regina's hands appeared in the frame. Emma saw how she rubbed her belly slightly and murmured: 'Amable. Amable, mi amor.'
Emma felt a surge of warmth rush through her. Regina's morning voice was one of the sexiest things ever.
The video ended shortly after, and Emma quickly responded with a row of heart eyed emojis and a sweet morning greeting for Blueberry. And of course a special greeting to what she supposed was Regina's red lace panties. It didn't take long before Regina answered. She never confirmed nor denied whether she was wearing red lace panties or not, but Emma suspected that she was. She postponed getting dressed a little while longer and asked Regina what she was up to. Regina told her that she was just about to have lunch. Emma was satisfied with that. It was definitely lunch time in Madrid.
'And what about, querida? Shouldn't you be getting out of bed? You have a photo job today.'
'Yes, ma'am ' Emma couldn't resist it. It was too tempting. She laughed out loud when Regina answered with an eyerolling emoji and a comment that she was too young to be called 'ma'am'. Emma agreed with that. And after having done so, Emma put down the phone and got out of bed. Shrugged on a robe and grabbed some clothes. Thick sweater and jeans. It was starting to get properly cold in Maine.
She wandered down the hallway towards the bathroom and chuckled quietly to herself when she heard her mother singing in the kitchen. Like she did every morning. It was quite the cozy sound to be greeted by.
But as cozy as living with her parents was, it couldn't quite measure up to waking up to Regina's hair in her face and her warm body cuddled up in her arms.
She headed inside the bathroom and closed the door behind her. Shed her robe and pajamas and stepped under the spray of warm water. Her parents' bathroom was plenty spacious, but Emma would happily have traded the extra space for Regina's tiny bathroom. And Regina in it.
She quickly washed her hair and body. She was deliberately hurrying the process because she was hoping to catch Regina on Skype before she was done eating lunch. They could eat together. Emma would be having breakfast, and Regina would be having lunch. Perfect.
She concluded her speed shower and dried herself off and got dressed in the speed of lightening. She didn't bother putting on makeup now. She could do that later when she was changing for the wedding anyway. Then she hurried back to her room and grabbed her phone again. Asked Regina if she felt up for Skyping while eating. Regina's answer was a delightful one: 'Sí, querida!'
Emma texted that she would be ready in five minutes, and then she grabbed her laptop and phone and headed downstairs.
In the kitchen, she was greeted by her mother who interrupted herself mid-song to say: "good morning, sweetie!"
"Good morning, mom," Emma said and suffocated a smile. It probably wouldn't matter how old she got. Her mom would always greet her in the same manner.
"Would you mind if I Skype with Regina here?" She asked.
"No, of course not," her mom smiled. "I'd like to say hi to her myself!"
"Fair enough." Emma had sort of figured that out already. Her mom was quite obsessed with Regina.
She sat up the laptop on the kitchen table and quickly made herself breakfast. The usual bear claw. And a bowl of fruit. So she could pretend that she was at least a little healthy. With the breakfast prepared, she logged into Skype and called Regina.
It didn't take long before Regina answered. Emma smiled when she appeared on the laptop screen. Her hair was pulled into a ponytail, and she was wearing a very soft looking grey t-shirt.
"Hola!" She said happily.
"Hola, beautiful girl," Emma said just as happily. "You look nice."
"Hola!" Emma's mother called behind them.
"Hola, Mary Margaret," Regina smiled and waved at her.
"That looks good," Emma said, nodding towards the plate she could see in front of Regina. "What is that?"
"Salad with spinach and strawberry. I found in one of those pregnancy magazines my dad keeps dropping off at my place. I think the spinach is supposed to strengthen the baby's lungs or something. It could just be bogus, of course. But either way, it'll strengthen my muscles, and that's a good thing." To emphasize, Regina speared a piece of strawberry on her fork and stuck it inside her mouth.
"It sure is," Emma agreed with her.
"And what are you having, querida?" Regina's dark eyes narrowed. "Is that a bear claw?"
"Yes," Emma admitted with a slight grin. "It is."
"Urgh," Regina said and rolled her eyes. "Why is it that you're the one eating bear claws when I'm the one who's pregnant? That isn't fair. I'll definitely get a milkshake on my way home from work!"
"What time does your shift start?"
"At seven."
"And at what time does it end?"
"I think it's at one."
"Okay," Emma said and tried to sound light and unbothered. But the truth was that she was bothered. She didn't like that Regina was going to work at the bar until one in the morning. If only Henry had succeeded in convincing Regina to come at work at his restaurant. But he hadn't. Regina had rejected the offer. She didn't want to work for her father. Didn't want him to pay her. It wouldn't be right, she had claimed.
Emma had gnashed her teeth after ending the call. Her and her damn pride!
"How is everything going?" Mary Margaret asked and interrupted Emma's train of thoughts.
"Everything is going perfectly well." Regina smiled at her mother-in-law. "Nothing to report on this days bumpdate."
The word would never fail to make Emma amused. "Can we see it?" She asked eagerly.
"Of course!" Regina chuckled as she abandoned her lunch and graciously stood from the chair. She pulled the t-shirt tight in the back to show off her stomach.
Both Emma and her mother ooh'ed and ahh'ed when Regina's round belly came into view. Emma nearly ached because she wasn't able to reach out and touch Regina's belly.
"I don't think it has changed much from this morning," Regina quipped as she ran a hand across her belly.
"You look lovely, Regina!" Emma's mother gushed and smiled from ear to ear.
Emma silently agreed with that.
"Gracias," Regina said. "I feel good too. Not having to use those crutches is a big relief. And it's nice that things are a bit more… settled." Of course she was referring to the whole Robin-Marian fiasco.
"Mmm, it must be," Emma's mother said sympathetically. "You haven't heard from either of them, have you?"
"No, fortunately enough, I haven't. Both of them has been given a restraining order, and I think Marian actually ended up behind bars for the night after the police took her away."
"Serves her right!" Emma huffed. "That bi-"
"Ahem!" Her mother made a show out of clearing her throat and den loudly declaring that there was something stuck in her throat.
Emma rolled her eyes at her mother's antics while Regina smiled politely. Ever the perfect daughter-in-law.
"Oh," Regina said quietly. Just like she had done in the video Emma had gotten from her earlier.
"Is the little one kicking?" Emma's mother asked kindly.
"Sí, very much so. Your grandchild is very active, Mary Margaret."
Emma was sure she saw her mother puff out her chest in pride at the word 'grandchild'. It was no secret that Mary Margaret was looking forward to becoming a grandmother. She had recently started to knit a pair of teeny tiny little socks for the baby. Emma had been quite the asshole when she had pointed out that the baby maybe wouldn't need knitted socks in California.
But Mary Margaret had just huffed and claimed that a baby always could need a pair of knitted socks.
Emma had dropped the subject right then and there. If her mom wanted to knit socks for the baby, then so be it.
"So, is there any news?" Emma asked as Regina began walking back and forward. She sometimes did that when the baby was kicking very hard.
Emma hoped that Regina would understand the hint. She couldn't exactly ask Regina if Cora had talked about coming to Madrid. Her own mother still had no idea about what had went down in New York.
"No," Regina said lightly, but while sending Emma a meaningful look at the same time. "No news. Though I was thinking of coming to Storybrooke in a couple of weeks. How does that sound?"
"Yes!" Emma said before her mother could get a chance to react. She stuck a fist in the air. "You should definitely do that! Absolutely!"
"I agree," Mary Margaret smiled. "You're more than welcome. You know that."
"Gracias. I actually have a suggestion, though."
"Suggest away," Emma quipped.
"I was wondering if I could bring my father this time? I told him that I was planning on going, and he mentioned that he would love to meet you and David," she said to Mary Margaret. "We could stay at the diner, I could show him Storybrooke, and he could stop by to meet you one night if that's alright."
"That's a wonderful idea, Regina," Mary Margaret said. "It would be lovely to meet your father. We've heard so much about him."
Emma smiled to show that she was on board with that plan too. It was perfect. This was, Henry could be a part of the surprise baby shower Emma was secretly planning for Regina. It would be wonderful for Regina to have her dad there. Everything was just making sense in the most delightful way.
Except for one teeny tiny detail. Regina would not be staying at the diner. Absolutely not. She would be staying right here in the guest room like she had the other times. Had there been a second guest room in the house, she would have suggested that Henry could stay here too.
"Perfecto," Regina said lightly as she sat down once again. "I'll tell him that, then." She rubbed her belly. Then cringed a bit.
Emma suspected that Regina's belly was itchy, and she couldn't help herself as she mouthed 'coconut'. Thereby referring to the soothing cream Regina kept in her bedside drawer. She just wasn't very good at remembering to rub the cream onto her stomach.
Now she flashed Emma a little smile and a thumbs-up. Message received and understood.
Emma wished that she could climb through the screen. Regina looked so cozy in that t-shirt. Upon taking a closer look at it, Emma finally recognized the shirt as her own. Huh. She had no idea that Regina had nicked that shirt.
"Goodness, time does fly!" Emma's mother exclaimed after having glanced at her wristwatch. "I'm sorry, Regina, dear, but I have to head over to the office. I would have loved to stay and talk some more."
"We will get plenty of opportunity to talk later, Mary Margaret," Regina cleverly pointed out.
"Yes, you are right about that," she chuckled. "Take care of yourself. And have a nice day at work, dear!" Mary Margaret stood from her chair and waved at the screen. Then she turned to Emma. "You have a good day at work too, sweetie." With that, she bowed her head and kissed the top of Emma's head with an exaggerated 'mwah!' sound.
"Mom," Emma groaned and rolled her eyes. "Jeez!"
Mary Margaret cackled all the way into the hallway. A moment later, Emma heard the front door open and then close. Once sure her mother was gone, Emma turned to the screen again. "Well, my mom just embarrassed me."
"Tu mamá es maravillosa," Regina said firmly.
"Totally. Especially when she's not embarrassing me," Emma said flatly. Then she changed the subject: "so? What's today's symptoms, beautiful girl?"
"I've been dealing with some headache," Regina said with a huff. "Nothing major, but still annoying."
"Drink plenty of water, okay?"
"Sí. Claro."
"What else?"
"Hmm…" Regina nibbled on her bottom lip. Which just so happened to look incredibly sexy. Emma could have thought of several things to say about it. But since it wouldn't be fair to rile up Regina, she chose not to.
"My belly keeps itching," Regina continued. "I think I'll get some of that cream right now. Hold on." Without waiting for an answer, she stood from the chair, and Emma grinned when she got the pleasure of watching her pregnant girlfriend waddle away. There was nothing cuter than a waddling Regina. Not that Emma ever would dream of teasing Regina about it. Obviously not. She would just quietly enjoy the sight.
It took a couple of minutes before Regina returned. Now with the bottle of cream in her hand. And the complain that she had needed to pee. Again.
"Another symptom," Emma said fondly and smiled as Regina lifted up in her (stolen) t-shirt and bared her round stomach. She began to slather it with cream, and the relief was palpable on her face.
"So, no news from Cora, huh?"
"Nada. But Lily might come and visit me next week."
"Really? That's great! Do you guys have any plans then?"
"Hmmm, no, I don't think so. We're just going to hang out and get to know each other. Since Cora and Malaina are together, Lily and I might as well become best friends." It was said with a laugh, but Emma could sense that there was much truth behind the words.
"Well, I'm glad she's coming and visiting, beautiful girl. Do you guys keep in touch?"
"Sí, we actually text every day. It's strange, but it feels like I've known her for ages. Like she really is my sister, or something. I hadn't expected that when I met her. But then again, I hadn't expected Cora to be with a woman." Regina rubbed another generous amount of the cream onto her stomach. "There. That's better."
"Is he still kicking?"
"Oh yes. Last night, he kicked so much, I had to get out of bed and walk around for a bit."
"Kid, we've talked about this," Emma said and cringed. "You can't keep your mom up at night."
"Do you hear this?" Regina tapped her belly lightly. "Your other mother is scolding you, Pequeño."
Emma grinned at that. She loved hearing Regina talk to their baby. "Is your dad looking forward to traveling with me?" She joked.
"Sí, he has actually been talking quite a lot about it. He's always eager to spend time with his nuera."
"His what?" Emma frowned at the unfamiliar word.
"Daughter-in-law, querida."
"Oh. How do you say 'father-in-law'?"
"Suegro."
"Suegro," Emma repeated. "Did I say that right?"
"You did. Bravo, querida."
"Thanks," Emma grinned. "Are you seeing your dad today?"
"Sí, he's actually taking me out for milkshakes in an hour. And I'm pretty sure he'll want to take a detour to the baby store."
Emma tried not to pout. She was missing out on a baby-shopping-session. Damnit! "Are you guys looking for anything in particular?" She asked instead.
"Not really. But I'm pretty sure daddy will want to look at strollers. Even though I've told him that it's too early. And that I'll be stroller-shopping with you." She put the bottle of cream away and touched her stomach with the tip of a finger. Most likely to feel if the cream had sunk into her skin yet. "It's just a bit difficult to buy larger things when I know that I eventually will move."
"Yeah, the move is kinda delaying everything," Emma muttered.
"I didn't say that, querida," Regina said gently as she leaned slightly forward. "I cannot wait to live with you. You know that. And we can always get a stroller. It's not the most important thing."
"No, the most important thing is that we live together," Emma agreed and smiled at her girlfriend.
"Exactamente, querida." Regina rubbed her left ring finger slightly. "I had to take off the ring you gave me," she said mournfully. "My fingers are kind of swollen. But I have it right here." She reached under her shirt and revealed that the ring was now hanging from a chain around her neck.
"Very clever," Emma complimented. "I like the upgrade." And even more did she like that Regina actually hadn't taken off the ring. She had just moved it to a different spot.
"Sí, I'm a smart girl." Regina snickered in that particular way Emma had heard in the bedroom a million times. But before her thoughts could stray too far, Regina asked: "And what about you, querida? Do you have any news?"
"Hmm, no, I don't think so. Same old same old. Just working. And waiting to see you again so I can kiss you."
"Eres un tonto."
"You're a tonto," Emma said defiantly and pointed at Regina. "You, not me."
Regina laughed sweetly. Then demanded: "eat your bear claw. I cannot bear to look at it for a second longer."
Emma wasted no time in shoving the rest of her bear claw inside her mouth. God forbid that Regina should suffer.
"Thank you. I might have to get some kind of cake along with the milkshake."
"You should definitely do that, beautiful girl. You deserve it."
"I do not," Regina protested and shook her head. "I literally haven't done anything all day, and don't you dare using the 'you're creating life' excuse, querida!"
Emma grinned. She had used that excuse quite a lot lately. But she meant it. Regina was in the middle of creating their baby. There was absolutely no reason why she shouldn't kick back and relax.
"Oh," Regina said, and Emma heard a low buzzing nearby. "My phone is ringing. One moment."
"Sure. Don't rush, though!"
"Idiota sobreprotector," Regina said over her shoulder as she got up from her chair and disappeared from view.
"I heard that!" Emma called after her. "And what's more, I also understood that!"
She received no answer. Just a low cackle from the living room.
"Cheeky little thing," Emma muttered under her breath. Damn shame Regina was so far away right now. Emma would have enjoyed giving her a proper scolding for that remark.
"It's Cora," Regina announced upon coming back to the kitchen with her phone in hand. "The daily phone call, and all that."
"Gotcha. I should get going anyway. Gotta prepare for that wedding and all that."
"Sí. Send me a picture of yourself in the dress, querida."
"You got it. Let me know what Cora wants, okay?"
"Claro. I'll tell you if she has finally decided to come to Madrid, but I'm not holding up too much hope at this point."
"You can't know for sure, beautiful girl. It wouldn't be the first time she has surprised you."
"That is very true," Regina said and shook her head slightly. "She's an expert in surprises."
"That she is. Talk to you later, okay?"
"Sí. Go shoot some good photos!"
Emma snickered. "Go have some milkshake with your dad. And have a good shift later. Text me when you get home."
"Claro. Te amo, querida."
"I love you too, beautiful girl. Give your belly an extra rub for me!"
"Will do. ¡Adiós!" Regina blew her a kiss, and then the connection was gone.
Emma sighed as she drummed her fingers against the table. 'In a couple of weeks' wasn't quite good enough. The next time she texted Regina, she would ask her for a solid date. Emma needed to know exactly when Regina and her dad would be coming to Storybrooke. She needed to know so she could incircle the date on her calendar and count the days until that day was finally here!
After a moment, she got up and headed downstairs to the basement. She knew exactly what she was going to do until it was time to get ready for that wedding. She was going to work on the secret photo album she was in the middle of creating for Regina. The plan was to give it to Regina on the night of the baby shower, and Emma happily threw herself into the process. She had to hurry if she wanted the photo album to be ready before the special occasion, and she whistled to herself as she worked. A happy little tune, it was. It was nice to have something to focus on. Something to occupy her mind. And it was also nice that the 'something' involved Regina. It was quite amazing how many ways Emma found to involve Regina when she wasn't even here.
To Be Continued…..