A/N: Just a teeny update, but since it's December 21st I thought it only right to post since that's when this fic is currently set. I hope the chapter is alright, and I hope everyone is enjoying the last days up until Christmas!
Regina could not believe what she had just done. She had never, in all her life, been so forward so fast. Of course she had flirted before, teased before, but the words she had just spoken were neither of those things. She hadn't meant to go there, she had only meant to joke around with Emma about Chris, but then her feelings had just surfaced so quickly and she spoke without thinking.
Deep breaths. She told herself. She felt like an idiot, she had allowed herself to be caught up in a moment and now things were bound to be awkward for the rest of the flight. The most dreadful thing was that she had actually really been enjoying Emma's company. Even though Regina had meant what she'd said to the other woman, she should have just kept her mouth shut. Emma's response after her initial shock had been very sweet, in fact it had very nearly taken Regina's breath away, but Regina did not want to believe that Emma had truly meant it.
'Not as beautiful as you are.' Regina repeated in her head, her heart still pounding from when Emma had first uttered those words.
Emma was lovely, and it didn't hurt that she was so wonderful with Henry, but Regina knew she needed to stop whatever this was between them before it became something bigger. Emma had her own life to get back to, she had a flight for South Carolina leaving soon after this one landed. Whatever was going on, Regina needed to end it before they both began to hope that this could turn into something more.
We live on opposite ends of the country for heaven's sake. Regina tried to talk some sense into herself. Emma's life is in California, she doesn't want to be trapped in some small town in Maine when she could be off travelling the world.
Despite how much Regina liked the clumsy, free-spirited and beautiful blonde beside her, she knew it would probably never amount to anything more than a long-distanced fling. Instead of waiting for the inevitable moment when her heart would be broken, perhaps it was best to just stay away from the start.
Regina knew this was her fault, she should not have led the other woman on, but there was just something about her, and Regina couldn't help but react to it. She blamed it on Disneyland. Her emotions were still a little revved up from the magic that she still felt like everything and anything was possible. But this was not a fairy tale, and Regina needed to protect them both from getting hurt.
Rather than saying any of the things she had wanted to say when Emma had whispered in her ear, she had laughed the comment off, pretending they were still joking around, even though they both knew that wasn't the case.
For the rest of the flight they were civil and friendly, and Regina pretended that nothing had happened. She suspected that Emma was doing the same because even though she was still very kind, the blonde was now a little more reserved than she had been before. However it was not lost on Regina that Emma was still shooting not-so-subtle glances her way, and Emma was still watching her when she thought the brunette couldn't see. Regina felt terribly, but she knew keeping her distance was for the best.
I'm such a freaking idiot. Emma scolded herself. Regina was kidding. She was KIDDING! Emma knew she had weirded the other woman out when she'd whispered in her ear, and so now it was time to lay a little bit low. She could sense that Regina did like her... well... at least she had liked her at first, but perhaps Emma had moved too fast and had misinterpreted Regina's intentions. Regina was nice to her the rest of the flight, but there were no more comments or small touches that could be mistaken for flirting.
...
Logan International Airport: Boston, Massachusetts
Regina wasn't quite ready to say goodbye to Emma when their plane landed. The rest of the flight had quite literally flown by, and Regina found herself wanting more time with the quirky Californian. She regretted her behaviour on the plane, and despite what she kept trying to tell herself, she was very drawn to Emma. And so – she was realizing – was her son.
As the two of them walked through the airport, Henry was talking away beside her but Regina was paying little attention. In her mind she was replaying over and over again her parting with Emma. She knew their fingers had been entwined just a little bit too long as they shook hands in farewell... their gazes had been locked for much longer than was normal for two acquaintances... and Regina could still feel the fabric of Emma's red coat as they had briefly hugged goodbye and wished each other a Merry Christmas.
I think Emma actually really liked me. Regina thought sadly. Why can't I ever just let myself be happy? Why must I ruin everything? Regina knew she could go for another good dose of Disney right about now.
"Mom do you think Emma will get to her parents' house today?"
"Hmm?" Regina asked distractedly, still looking ahead as they meandered through the busy airport.
"Do you think Emma will make it to her parents' today?" Henry repeated as they walked. Henry had a backpack thrown over his shoulders and Regina was rolling a carry-on size Luis Vuitton suitcase.
"I don't know Henry... I hope so."
"What if her flight gets cancelled?" Henry asked a little too enthusiastically.
"Henry... I know you liked her but we couldn't have just brought her home with us. She's not an abandoned puppy."
Henry rolled his eyes. "But she said it herself! She wanted to see Storybrooke. I did really like her, and you did too, I could tell."
Regina eyed him warily. She was holding his hand as they made their way towards baggage claim. They were just about to leave the secure area, and Regina found herself stopping. Once she went through those doors she would officially be separated from Emma forever. Her abrupt stop nearly caused an accident as two chattering girls wearing Stanford sweatshirts barely missed colliding with her from behind. They both apologized even though it had clearly Regina's fault.
"I'm sorry, excuse me." Regina mumbled to them as she searched the crowds, wondering if by some twist of fate Emma had followed them.
"Mom?"
After scouring the area, she was disappointed when she did not get a location on Emma Swan.
"You're looking for her aren't you?"
"What? No of course I'm not," Regina quickly lied, "I'm just not sure where we're supposed to go, that's all."
"Mom," Henry tilted his head back, tired with her resistance. He wished she would just be honest. "We've been at this airport way too many times for me to believe that."
Regina looked down at her son in surprise. For someone so young he was very sharp.
"Why don't we just go back and look for her?" Henry suggested.
Regina sighed, turning around again, trying to force her feet to move forward. She felt lost all of a sudden. "Because Henry, it's not fair to ask her to miss another Christmas with her parents. Besides, she's a complete stranger. We don't know anything about her. She could be dangerous for all we know." Regina was trying to convince herself as much as her son.
Henry was staring at her, his expression deadpan. "Mom. Do you want to go back?"
Regina's shoulders practically sagged, which was very unlike her. She bit her lip as she gave herself a few more seconds to ponder. Finally she shook her head.
It's too late.
She had let Emma Swan go and now she would have to live with the consequences and regret. "Come on," she said softly, "we should retrieve our bags and get to the car. I want to head home before the weather gets worse. We're going to have a long drive ahead of us and I don't want to end up stranded in a ditch somewhere." She draped an arm lightly around his shoulders and guided him towards the exit.
Why, why did I push her away? Regina thought miserably as she and Henry exited to the baggage claim. I didn't even get a phone number.
A/N: Thank you for reading, please review! Take care xx
