Henry and Rumple prepare for their European tour. Word starts to leak about Belle and Ariel.
Emma bumps into her former lover and his new wife in the diner.
And as they spend some quality time in New York, Regina and Emma learn Snow isn't quite as vanilla as they thought!
Two weeks later...
Having arrived back from Harvard for the long weekend, Henry and Rumple sat at his breakfast table, finalising the itinerary for the forthcoming trip, maps strewn across the table, Ariel and Belle sitting opposite, while the librarian made suggestions for additional places to go, and things to do.
Arriving the previous morning, his family had mobbed Henry from the start. His older sisters adored their big brother (Margot now regarded by all as just one of the family) and monopolized his time the moment he'd arrive. Finally free, after Henry had read them early bedtime stories, Robin had insisted Regina and Emma take their son out, to get some valuable time with him together, on their own. Henry proposed dinner with his mothers at the Earl of Locksley. So, an hour later, the three sat around a dinner table.
"While I'm pleased you're looking forward to the trip Henry, your mother and I haven't seen that much of you this year, what with everything that's happened. And now you're off for another five weeks?" Regina frowned.
Emma gave him a sad smile, bringing her arm around her wife's shoulder. "What she's saying is, we've missed you."
Henry leats over to take one of each of his mother's hands. "I know, and believe it or not, I miss you both too! I love you, and I know we've had a couple of fallings out over the last year, what with the jail, my magic, grandpa and everything. I promise I'll try not to be so much of a jerk this year? But then, you've also had so much going on since Robin came back, what with the babies and everything?"
"Maybe, but you're our eldest! Just because we're now a large family, don't forget you're still in the centre of it! Without you, none of this would even be possible!"
"I guess. Anyway, enough of being maudlin! Tell me about your wedding plans? You fixed the date yet?"
"Maudlin? Harvard teaching you big words just to confuse your mothers, Henry?" Emma's voice held a hint of sarcasm.
"It means over-sentimental or self-pitying, Emma." Regina mildly rebuked her. "And I for one am happy that our son's developed his vocabulary. He is studying English Literature, after all! Still, never mind all that. Before we start talking about the wedding, I have a more important question. Namely, why is your grandfather now constantly being seen around Storybrooke in new casual designer clothes? Kathryn said he's changed his wardrobe completely, and all the black suits seem to have disappeared? I know he came to see you in Boston a couple of weeks ago, so, what's going on?"
Henry chuckled. "Yeah. A lady's touch, in more ways than one!"
Two sets of brows arched. "You are so going to explain that comment, in much greater detail, young man!" Emma smirked back. "You're saying the Dark One's got a new girlfriend?"
"Weeeeell, I'm not too sure 'girlfriend' exactly." He hesitated, unsure just how much to tell them. "But they seem close. Basically, a really good friend of mind, my flatmate Sofia. Well, her granny's a women's clothes designer and owns some shops in Boston and New York and other places. We went out for dinner and she and grandpa really hit it off! They left us after the first night and spent a couple of evenings together. The next thing I know, there's loads of boxes of clothes he's bought! All designer names too. All upmarket stuff, none of the rubbish! I think Gabbie's got the hots for him. But I don't care, because he's happier than I've ever seen him."
"Gabbie? Gabbie who?" Emma's curiosity was aroused. "Some shop owner? It's not like he needs the money, is it?"
"Her name's Gabriella Weiss. She's lovely, and probably as wealthy as him! So no, it wasn't anything like that. They just seemed to really hit it off. She's a widow, and he's single. So what's the harm?"
Regina had already pulled out her cell phone, having heard the name before. Once she googled, she gasped in surprise.
"'Gabriella Weiss. Designer and retailer', it says here. She owns over twenty-five stores! Henry, this woman's dating Gold?"
"Hell. I wonder if Belle knows?" Emma pondered. "Wonder what she'd say about this?"
"No idea. Still, it's none of her business now, is it? After all, she's got Ariel." The moment he said it, Henry realized he'd said too much. His grandpa might have told him that in confidence. "Sorry, forget I said that!"
"Belle and Ariel?" the wives replied, almost in unison.
"Yeah. I shouldn't have said anything. I think grandpa might have told me that in confidence! Please don't say anything to anyone? It's not like they've announced anything."
"Of course not, Hen. But I always just assumed they were both straight? Belle, certainly"
"Doesn't she want to get back with Eric?" Regina was well aware of the mermaid's story and the fight for her voice. She'd always assumed they'd found true love.
"They're not together any more. Ariel's been living at grandpa's house for a couple of weeks now, I think. Eric's already got someone else. Some local princess, though I can't remember her name. Ariel's kinda moved in there, too."
"To Gold's?" Emma couldn't believe her ears. "Is she even safe there?"
"Of course she's safe!" He replied, irritated. "She helps look after Gideon."
"I never imagined either of them could be…bisexual! The bookworm went out with Will Scarlett! And according to rumours, that over-muscled baboon who runs the Rabbit Hole?"
"Yeah, but let's face it, half the women around here seem to 'dabble' with other women, don't they? Trying both options?" His tone was almost derogatory. Was that supposed to be aimed at us?
"Well, I'm more than surprised. The imp would normally have slaughtered anyone, man or woman, coming anywhere near Belle! I recall he once beat up Keith Nottingham, just for letching at her!"
"Well, don't forget, this time grandpa threw Belle out, not the other way around? Now he just wants her happy."
"Enough to let Belle's…girlfriend…live with them? Can't see that working for too long! Oh, well. Are we going to get any more time with you this weekend? You said you're going to Gold's tomorrow?"
"Yeah, we're finalising everything for the trip. Now, come on, tell me about the wedding?"
"All in good time, young man! Now tell me, who's this 'Sofia' girl? Your 'flatmate', you said?"
The following morning...
"So it's all agreed. Grandpa and I leave Oslo on the second Sunday afternoon. You and Ariel take the Eurostar from London, and we all meet up again at the hotel in Paris. On Wednesday evening, we'll all take the train down to Strasbourg. Saturday we fly to Rome, so we need to confirm flights and hotels for that bit. So, five days in Rome. Everyone happy with it so far?" Henry asked the little group. They'd already plotted out he first three week's and were now working on the last one before flying home.
Rumple saw a look on his wife's face. "Belle, something wrong? Something you wish to change? If there is, now's the time to speak up."
Belle sighed. "Nothing wrong, it's just, Rome has got loads to see, and you could easily spend a lifetime there. But I was really hoping to visit Florence! I've always wanted to visit the Uffizi Gallery. It's got probably the finest collection of mediaeval and renaissance paintings in the world."
"Yes, certainly the finest examples of Botticelli and da Vinci, I gather?" Rumple pondered. "What about you Ariel, do you fancy that?"
"Well, I'd rather see Venice, quite frankly! It looks absolutely stunning. But I'll go with whatever the rest of you decide on."
Henry was surprised the mermaid even knew about Venice! "We can't do both, as it'll be the last few days, and we'll need to fly back from Rome Sunday. Though I must admit, I quite fancy Florence too, Belle. I read up on the Uffizi and I'd also like to visit the Ponte Vecchio if I'm there. Grandpa?"
"I prefer Ariel's idea of Venice. I read up on it recently, and The Doge's Palace and St. Mark's Square do look rather magnificent. There's also a magical centre not far from there, on a little island close by."
"So how about we just do two days in Rome?" Henry suggested. "Venice and Florence are just train rides away. Ariel, how about you and grandpa head across to Venice while me and Belle go to Florence? Two nights away, and then we come back to Rome for the last day! Next day, we get the flight back to New York."
"An excellent idea, my boy; we all get what we want. Provided Belle and Ariel are happy with that?"
Belle looked silently at Ariel, hoping she'd say something. The mermaid had moved in just over three weeks ago and they hadn't spent a day, or night, apart. With the exception of Belle's work at the library. She hadn't discussed their situation with anyone apart from Rumple, although she thought Aurora and Mulan had already suspected there was something between them. That was, until Henry's next question.
"That is, unless you two can't bear to be separated from one another, for more than a day?"
He knows!
"What? No…of course we can, Henry. I don't have any problem with…but…what about Gideon? Who's going to look after him?"
"It'll be my turn anyway," Ariel squeezed her hand under the table. "If Rumple's joining me, we'll be just fine. Unless you'd prefer to explore Venice separately, Angus?" she smiled at Rumple.
it was Henry's turn to be surprised. He'd never heard anyone, apart from Sofia's grandmother, call his grandfather by his first name in this realm. Henry looked to see how he would respond, but he seemed oblivious to it, merely smiling back at the mermaid. "Not particularly, dearie. We can split off from each other while we're there, if you have anything specific to see that doesn't appeal. But I'm more than agreeable for you to join me. It'll be easier if two of us look after Gideon, after all. I'm sure Henry and Belle are more than capable of going their own way in Florence."
Belle looked aghast. Had Ariel really just agreed to spend two days alone in Venice with him?
"Great. I'll go ahead and book the last bits then, grandpa. Three rooms in Rome, two in Venice, two in Florence, then three back in Rome for the last two nights, before the flights back? I'll also sort out the trains." Henry was pleased they'd finally agreed and finalised the complicated five-week itinerary. "Did you get all the passports sorted out?"
"I did indeed..." Rumple dug into his briefcase, bringing out a large brown envelope. Handing Belle her own one, she was more than surprised to see what appeared to be a very recent passport photo of herself, and a digital signature almost exactly like her own.
"Rumple, how did you…?" but she knew even before asking. Contacts? Magic? Perhaps a bit of both…
"It's all in order, dearie. I've made assumptions on Miss Tritonsdottir's date of birth. As her surname would attract suspicion, I've given her your maiden name, Belle. So it'll seem as though you're sisters. I trust you're ok with that, Ariel?"
"More than happy, Angus. You two seem to have thought of everything!" Henry was surprised at just how comfortable the mermaid and his grandfather were with each other. She seemed a lot more at ease about things than Belle!
"Thank you, we do try! So, in two weeks' time, early on Saturday Henry will pick you both up and you'll drive to JFK. I'll meet you at the airport, as Gideon and I will be leaving here on Thursday."
"Why Rumple?" asked Belle, surprised at the change of plan. "Why aren't we all leaving together?"
"I have a prior engagement in Boston," he gave no further details. Henry saw Belle's look darken. Almost into a scowl.
"Oh? And can't this 'prior engagement' wait until we get back?" her tone hardened, to the surprise of the others. "Can't 'it', or is it 'she', wait till you get back?"
Rumple knew that look. "No actually. I will be meeting my broker and yes, also spending a little time with Miss Weiss. I have no wish, nor need, to postpone it. In fact, I'm very much looking forward to seeing her again, and my grandson is more than capable of organising things from here, aren't you, Henry?"
Henry loved the way his grandfather treated him like an adult these days. Since his magic came in a year and a half ago, Rumple had taken him under his wing, teaching him so much. Not just about how to control and exploit magic, but also his business affairs and how best to make use of his management skills. He'd even given him a large endowment, making him less financially dependent on his mothers. Henry knew it was partly due to a guilt that burdened the man's soul, at the loss of his own son, but that made him love the old wizard even more.
"Of course, grandpa. I'll also let Sofia know you're coming. She said she'd also love to see you again for a drink. That is, if her granny doesn't monopolise you, like last time?"
As he smirked back, Rumple's face turned into a groan when he heard his son start to cry from the cot upstairs. "Bugger. He's only been down half an hour! If he stays awake now, he'll be up all night." He stood, heading towards the door, as a voice behind him called, "I'll come up with you, Angus. Perhaps I could sing to him again if he doesn't settle?"
"Good idea. Come…" the pair left the room together to settle the screaming toddler, leaving Henry and an irritated Belle alone. Henry couldn't help but notice how her mood had changed.
"Something wrong, Belle?"
"Oh, nothing." she huffed. "I just don't see why he doesn't leave at the same time, with us. Henry, this woman. Gabbie? What do you know about her? Is it serious between them? I just…wondered."
He ignored the question. "are you jealous?"
"No, don't be silly, it's nothing like that, I just…"
"You're annoyed grandpa's finally got himself a new girlfriend, aren't you? I don't see why – you've got one yourself. Don't you think he deserves some happiness too?"
That confirmed he knew about her and Ariel. She was stunned at his blunt question. "Henry…I'm not…yes, of course he deserves to be happy! I'm just surprised, that's all. In the last few weeks he's changed his clothes, his entire wardrobe; all it seems because of this 'Gabbie' woman? I just find it a little odd, after all the time I've known him."
"Well, think of it from his point of view? It must also be a bit odd seeing his wife become a lesbian, don't you think?"
Belle was rarely lost for words, but that threw her. Was she a lesbian? She was certainly in a relationship with another woman. But she still liked men too, didn't she? So she was bisexual? Like Aurora or Mulan? Or Emma and Regina? And what were her feelings for Ariel? She was certainly drawn to her. Very much so! For the best part of a month they had shared a bed, and each other. Sex with her was wonderful. She told her she loved her but was she in love with her? And why was she upset about Rumple?
Henry was right – he did deserve to be happy. So what is he to me now?
"Henry, this isn't something I feel comfortable discussing with you. It's between your grandfather and myself."
"fair enough, but you've brought someone else in here, haven't you? Belle, I have no problem whatsoever with who you're with, but I don't want you standing in the way of grandpa's happiness, either. I've never seen him so happy and I don't intend to allow anyone to fuck it up. Former wife or not."
"I'm STILL his wife!" he growled back at him. "And you may be a grown man, Henry Mills, but you will not tell me how to treat my own husband!"
"Like you did such a great job before, eh?" he sarked back, standing up to leave the room.
~oOo~
Upstairs, the atmosphere in Gideon's nursery was very different.
Ariel stood silently watching, as Rumple cuddled the grouchy almost-toddler in his arms. He was singing him some sort of nursery rhyme.
"Oh, ye cannae shove yer granny aff a bus!
Ye canny shove yer granny aff a bus.
Ye canny shove yer granny, cause she's yer mammy's mammy
Ye canny shove yer granny aff a bus."
Ariel listened to the rich, Scottish accent, as he sang soft and low. She smiled, seeing the little one slowly smile back at his father. She could almost feel the overwhelming love he had for his son.
"Now ye can shove yer other granny aff a bus - PUSH! PUSH!
Ye can shove yer other granny aff a bus - PUSH PUSH!
Ye can shove yer other granny, cause she's just yer daddy's mammy
Ye can shove yer other granny aff a bus - PUSH PUSH!"
She couldn't stifle the little giggle at his words. She found the pair of them just adorable together, and a part of her wished that, one day, she might even be able to have a baby of her own. A tinge of sadness overcame her, as she remembered her last parting with Eric, the young prince who stole her heart. It was not to be!
"He's gorgeous..." She whispered as she stepped closer to them. "I'd always hoped to have a child of my own, one day. You're a truly lucky man. He's nearly asleep now. May I help him settle?"
"Aye, dear, of course. Let me hand him to you…" She cradled her arms as he moved into her space. As she took the weight, she leaned in and kissed the man's cheek, something she had done, almost nightly, recently. Usually as she retired for bed. "You're a wonderful father, Angus Gold!" she breathed.
He would never admit it, but he had slowly begun to savour her little goodnight kiss at the end of each day. The mermaid was one of life's innocents, untouched by the nastiness of the world. It made him want to protect her. All the more surprising, seeing as she was usually leaving to share a bed with his wife! "Thank you, dear," he whispered back. "And I hope one day you'll have the chance. You certainly have a mother's touch."
"Hmm. Bit unlikely now, though. Probably why I enjoy having time with Gideon. He's perfect…"
"Aye, he is." A moment later, for reasons unknown to him, he gently leaned forward and gave her a small peck on her lips. "Never say never!" He whispered, stepping back and moving toward the door.
It was Ariel's turn to be stunned. He just…kissed me?
Two weeks later...
Henry, Belle and Ariel prepared to set off for New York, bound for the airport.
He'd hired a bigger car to take the extra luggage and baby walker, Rumple having gone on ahead with Gideon two days before. His family gathered to see him off. It had been an emotional farewell, particularly for his mothers. Although he'd mainly been living in Cambridge, near Boston, since winning his place in Harvard two years ago, his trip to Europe was a foretaste of what it would feel like in the future. With their son far, far away from them.
Henry loved the fact he was now a good ten inches taller than either of them, as he brought both mothers into a group hug. "It'll be fine, you'll see! It'll be no different to me being at Harvard."
"No, because you'll be thousands of miles away, at least five hours ahead, and in a different time zone!" Regina was not comforted in the least. "And why's Gold not here, to travel to the airport with you?"
"He's gone on ahead with Gideon. He's seeing his broker and…a friend." He looked across at Belle, who was standing just out of earshot, watching Robin and Ariel load everything into the car.
"This friend being Gabriella Weiss, by any chance?"
"Erm, yeah, probably. Why'd you ask?"
As they talked, Emma saw an odd look on the librarian's face. "You okay? You look nervous."
"Oh fine, I guess. I am a little bit. I've read so much about the Land Without Magic from books and seen so much on tv, but it's different from actually going there! I'm also a bit nervous about the flying…"
"Don't be, it's a lot easier than you imagine. Get some of the free drinks inside you, and get your head down for a sleep and you'll be fine."
"I suppose so. Rumple said he's already booked some sort of 'bed seats'. Harry said it was 'business class', whatever that means?"
The Saviour smiled back. Then, as they were now out of earshot, she couldn't resist it. "So. You and Ariel? I definitely didn't see that one coming, Belle!"
Belle blushed. Clearly it was all over the damn town! "Um, nor did I."
"So, are you an item yet? Is it 'official'?"
She cringed. "No. It's just…early days. So, we'll see. Maybe." She really didn't want to be having this conversation!
"Perhaps this trip will help. Surprised you're taking your ex-husband, though? I would have thought you'd have wanted to ditch him and do your own thing?"
"He's still my husband, Emma! And my son's father," she seethed. "I know you two don't get along, but I do! He's…changed. And he's invited Ariel and myself along on Henry's trip, not the other way around."
"Oh, he's changed, all right! What with the clothes and everything. All very swish – imakes him look younger, and well...normal? I guess he's going out with someone, too?" Emma knew she was pushing her luck, as she already knew the answer.
"Yes, so I gather." Belle really needed to end this.
"Henry tells me you'll be splitting up into separate groups, for some parts of the trip?"
"Yes, there's a lot to take in. We're all going to London first for a few days. Henry will then head off to Oxford, Rumple to Scotland, and Ariel and I to York, where we'll meet up again later. We've a few stops in between, but we're together in Norway and France, then splitting up again before we all get to Rome. It should be fun!"
God I hope so – I'm bloody petrified!
~oOo~
Once they'd bid Henry a teary farewell, the Locksley and Swan-Mills families descended on the diner for lunch.
Heading for the largest table available, Emma froze at the sight of a too-familiar face. Killian Jones, with the proprietors, huddled in a corner! However, Unfortunately, Ruby spotted the Saviour first. "Emma! Did Henry get away okay?"
The blonde knew she couldn't avoid him forever and had dreaded this moment. So, taking a breath, she stepped towards the group. "Hi Rubes, Dorothy. Killian? Rosie? Nice to see you both back!" She looked across at her former lover, for the first time in over a year and a half. He still looks as hot as ever! Then his piercing blue eyes found hers. A look still made her knees weak. Her voice betraying her nerves.
"Swan, it's been a while. You're looking well. And the family continues to grow, I see?" He nodded in the direction of Regina and Robin, who were behind her, pushing the long double buggy through the room, towards them.
"Um, yeah. Regina and I had two more girls. One each. And I gather you've got a son now?" Emma looked over at the still rather glamorous figure of Rosalind, currently sitting, feeding a tot with a spoon.
"He's got two actually!" said Dorothy, who also sat feeding their own slightly older and larger toddler. "Nathaniel is Killian's son too! We decided between the four of us, not to keep it confidential any more. Without Rosie and Killian's consent, he wouldn't even be here!" she looked with appreciation to the other couple.
"And Rosie are now married. Just before Liam here was born." He leant over to kiss her on the cheek.
"Congratulations," Emma stepped closer, to get a better look. "He's lovely! I can see the resemblance between the two of them. It's in the eyes!"
By now, Regina had settled the children at their own table, Robin now walking across to stand by Emma's side. He exchanged a knowing look with Killian, before the former pirate stepped forward, giving his old friend a hearty hug, slapping his back. "It's good to see you, thief!" said Killian. "Fate's been kind to both of us, it seems?"
Emma watched the simple embrace between the two men, feeling a little hurt Killian hadn't even attempted to hug her too, even though it would have been awkward.
"Hello, pirate! And hello again to you, Rosie!" Robin then bent down to deliver a small kiss to the mother's cheek, as she responded in kind. "He's a handsome lad indeed! Thank goodness he looks like his mother, instead of this old reprobate?" Earning a snigger from Rosie and an eye roll from Killian. Emma was always surprised, even slightly irritated, at just how easily Robin seemed to mix with everyone, even in awkward situations. "And to answer your question, yes Killian, I've been blessed with two more daughters, Hope and Faith. Life is indeed rather good!"
Amid the uneasy tension between them, Rosie was the first to ease it. "I guess I need to get to know you a little better too now, Robin? It seems my little brother is dating your little sister!"
"So I gather. Do I need to give him the 'big brother' interrogation?" he grinned.
"I'd enjoy watching that, though your Maria wouldn't thank you! She seems more than capable of taking care of herself. It's all horribly sweet. I've never seen Charlie smitten before, and Anna and I just assumed he'd remain a bachelor forever."
"There's someone for everyone out there Rosie!" Robin glanced at Emma, giving a wink.
"Or in your case, more than one?" She gave a sly grin. "Emma, come have a hold of Liam, and let Robin take me to meet your babies?" Before Emma could object, the tall brunette stood, handing Killian's baby up and into her arms, taking the Saviour by surprise.
"Oh, um…" she stuttered, as Robin stepped back to introduce Rosie to his own family, leaving Emma alone with the others.
As she held the baby, looking down to the father, she couldn't help but notice the odd, resigned but happy look in her former lover's eyes.
"Funny how circumstances change, eh Swan?"
~oOo~
"So Carrie and Maria are going to be in New York next weekend? The same weekend as us?"
"Apparently so," said Regina. "Carrie's popping up to see Whale, and Maria's seeing her boyfriend. It seems Charles Sage is opening some sort of music school there. Carrie suggested we should have a girls evening. I thought we could perhaps combine it with our own wedding expedition? Your mother could join us." After her long-overdue apology a few weeks ago, Regina was finally trying to mend bridges with her mother-in-law.
New York, one week later...
Emma, Regina and Snow found themselves in a Manhattan bistro, sharing cocktails with Maria and Caroline Locksley.
Robin's sister and cousin turned out to be great company in the city, and after Caroline had giving them a guided tour of parts of Manhattan she and Victor had recently discovered, they sat happily tired from the day. Maria was the most keen to make it a good evening.
"Okay girls, shall we do a few clubs or what? Anyone in the mood for dancing?"
Emma and Regina, having enjoyed their first break for a while, and looking forward to a baby-free and child-free morning lie-in, weren't too keen on making it a long night. However the voice beside Emma piped up.
"I'd love that!" Snow White was already tipsy from just three tequila slammers. "When David and I stayed near here, I saw that neon-lit place on the corner opposite the hotel? That looked fun. 'Diva's', I think that's what it's called?"
Carrie cackled into her drink. "We can certainly go there. And you probably won't get pestered by any unwelcome male attention! Just the opposite, in fact. It's a gay and lesbian bar. Good music though."
Regina laughed. "I hardly think Snow would feel comfortable on a dance floor full of lesbians? She'd probably freak out if another woman came on to her!" Emma also laughed, nodding in agreement, which drew an arched brow from her mother.
"Why on earth would you think that, Regina? Perhaps you don't know me as well as you think!"
"Oh come on, mum! A lesbian bar? It's not as though you've even kissed another girl before…"
"Again, why on earth would you think that, Emma? I'll have you know-" but she was interrupted.
"Mum, you're Snow White! We're not talking about a childhood crush here!"
Snow was now annoyed, and the alcohol started doing the talking. "Thank you, both of you, for your condescension! But for your information, I HAVE kissed another girl, and I have also had sex with another girl! Once, before I met your father, and once with him alongside me! So there…" The small crop-topped brunette suddenly stood, collected her bag and angrily stormed off to the toilets, leaving an astonished pair looking at each other, wide-eyed.
~oOo~
"Wow!" Maria spoke first. "I'm guessing by the looks on your faces, that was a surprise? It certainly makes my love life tame by comparison. I've kissed a few other girls when I was younger, but never gone that far! Sounds like your mum's a lot more interesting than you thought, Emma? And as for your dad…"
Caroline giggled. "Well I guess that makes me the dullest woman here. I'm boringly straight. Only men I'm afraid! Perhaps I don't have the looks for it?"
"You surprise me," Emma was still trying to get Snow's parting words out of her head. "First time I saw you, in Robin's pub, you were definitely flirting with Regina! And Ruby!"
Maria jumped in. "Oh, Carrie does that with everyone, Emma! Men, women. She flirts with all of them! That's how she gets people to do what she wants."
"I agree, she does!" Regina winked, blowing an air kiss in Robin's cousin's direction. "And it works, too."
Emma instantly picked up the look. "Hey, knock it off, you two. Stop flirting! Unless you've forgotten, not only are you sitting beside your gorgeous, beloved wife, but we're both going to be marrying her cousin in a few months time. Control yourself, madam!" she rebuked her, albeit still smiling.
"Well I for one am never going to look at Snow White and Prince Charming in the same way ever again!" said Maria, making the others, except Emma, giggle again. "I mean, I may be straight, but I'd tag-team for a three-way if David Nolan asked me - he's a babe!"
Seeing Caroline and Regina nod in agreement really freaked Emma out. "Aargh, please stop? That's my dad you're talking about! I've only just discovered my mother's taken part in girl-sex and a threesome! Enough already?" Then, realising they were just teasing her, a mischievous idea came to her. "Maria, did I ever tell you just how good you brother is in the sack? Robin is…"
"Okay, I get it!" Robin's sister defended herself, closing her cupped hands around her ears. "Last Thanksgiving, your wife here said he was 'hung like a donkey', if I recall? Which sadly, I do!"
Regina pinked slightly, remembering her tease, looking at Emma with a shade of guilt. So, Emma couldn't resist responding in kind!
"Regina said that? Well it's true! Did she also tell you he's the King of Cunnilingus? The things he can do with that tongue of his-"
Maria almost spat out her cocktail. "Okay, I surrender! No more talking about your parents and sex! Or my brother! I got it!"
"A guy who can get two women pregnant, at almost the same time?" She continued, now enjoying tormenting her.
"Emma, please?" Said Caroline, between loud chuckles. "I'm only his cousin, but even I've heard too much!"
"…stiff as a post! Lasts for ages…" she couldn't resist turning the knife.
"Emma, kindly stop telling these Locksley women about our love life!" said Regina, imperiously. Though inwardly, she thought it was completely hilarious. God, I wish I could tell Robin about all this? "I think you've disturbed them enough for one evening. And if Robin caught wind of it, he'd be far too smug!"
Later...
After eventually saying goodbye to Maria and Caroline, who decided to head for a nightclub, the wives finally got back to their room, Regina having insisted on a decent suite. As the brunette disappeared into the bathroom to change and freshen up, Emma fell back onto the large bed.
"I'm completely pooped! Maybe I'm getting too old for girls nights out? I need my beauty sleep..."
"Oh, what a shame." Regina stepped back into the bedroom wearing the sexiest silk camisole Emma had ever seen her in, which showed off her figure to perfection. "I wasn't quite ready…sleep yet," she purred. "I bought a few…little items. What you do think of this?" she pirouetted for her wife's gaze.
One look and Emma no longer felt sleepy! "I think perhaps I'm not that tired! I assume that's something you bought when I left you to go shopping this morning?"
She nodded, as her wife sat up, turning to the small collection of bags on her side of the bed. "I did a bit of shopping myself, as it happens? I've found something that might go very nicely with that top..." Emma took a black box from one bag, opening it up to reveal a silk sleeve, containing something Regina had only recently read about. As she pulled out the purple rubber item, Regina gasped.
"Ooh! Is that what I think it is?"
"Uh-huh. It's called a Feeldoe." She lifted up the strapless, double-ended dildo.
"Hmm. Perhaps we could give it a test-drive? If you're not too…tired?"
~oOo~
An hour later, Regina collapsed on top of her lover, spent. "That was…rather wonderful!"
After the vigorous bout of lovemaking, both women hot and sweaty, the brunette slid lowly off Emma onto her back, gently removing the device, before laying by her side, as they both caught their breath.
"It was great, though you held it in a little easier than I did! Perhaps I should borrow those pelvic-floor weights Archie prescribed you? I think I need practise."
"Nonsense," Regina entwined her fingers with her lover's. "You were superb. I came four times, so I'm more than happy. Though more practise would be fun. Perhaps Robin would enjoy watching, too?"
"He's a kinky little bugger, there's no 'perhaps' about it!"
The pair chuckled in the darkness. "Well we'd better get some sleep!. We're supposed to meet for breakfast at nine, then head to the bridal shop with Snow."
At that, a horrible realisation overcame over Emma. "Oh Fuck!" Her voice became suddenly panicky. "Oh, holy fuck!"
"What is it? Emma, what's wrong?"
"Mum! After she stormed off to the bathroom at the bistro, and I forget all about her! I even forgot she was with us! Oh shit. Gina, we left her behind. What if she didn't get back?"
"Calm down. She's not completely incompetent! I'm sure she'll have seen we went off somewhere else, and headed back to the hotel. She's Snow White, for heavens sake! She survived alone in the Enchanted Forest for years. Give her a call, or just call her room. She might get annoyed you woke her up, but just tell her you were worried about her? She'll be fine."
Emma sat up immediately, getting her phone off the dressing table and speed dialling her mother. Within a few seconds the call went straight to voice messaging.
Slightly panicked, she left a message. "Mum, it's me. Sorry we left you behind, back at the bar! I had too many drinks and forgot. We're back at the hotel now. Give me a call and let me know you're okay? Please?"
Regina had already picked up the hotel phone, calling down to Reception. "Hello, this is room 422. Could you pass me through to Mrs. Nolan in room 320 please?"
After a moment of checking, the voice on the other end said, "I've tried her line for you, Mrs. Swan-Mills, but I don't think she's back yet. Mrs. Nolan's key is still here at the front desk. I'll keep calling anyway and let you know if she picks up."
Regina thanked the young man and put the phone down.
"Gina, it's one thirty in the morning! Mum's not back, and she's alone in New York City! What do I do? Dad's going to be so pissed!"
Meanwhile...
Less than a mile away and unbeknown to the pair, Snow White was currently fast asleep in a large bed, in a flat, over the Diva's night club.
'You get some rest, lovely." Said a soft voice next to her, kissing her on the forehead. "You probably need it!"
~oOo~