CHAPTER ONE
Emma had been dreading this day for weeks, Since her doctor told her it was the best way forward for the blonde. To get out all of her anger and pain and to finally start to feel normal again. Whatever thats supposed to be. Therapy. Thats what he suggested to her. At first the blonde was completely against the idea, shutting it out completely. It wasnt unltil a few weeks after that appointment she allowed her life long friend to convince her to give it a try.
"I just dont see what you could lose! If you dont like it you can always bail! its not like you arent good at that already" Ruby, (the best friend) chirped over her deep glass of red wine she cradled carefully.
"Im not the talking type Rubes...especially about my past" Emma replied, glancing around at their local bar that seemed to be getting emptier by the minute. Emma sighed and looked back at her friend who wasnt even paying attention to her or their conversation anymore but instead, undressing a 'tall dark and handsome' type with her eyes from across the room.
Ruby was that friend in Emma's life who never settled down and never cared. She was a free spirit and Emma loved that about her. She always kept the blonde on her toes. It became a habit for her to stick to Emma when they met in pre-school and it hasnt ever changed. They were bonded.
Emma pulled on her boots as she thought about the conversation she had with her friend a few weeks ago. Sure, this thing wasnt a big deal. Was it? she was just going to speak to a total stanger about her life problems and why she feels she cant excel at life the way she wants to...or should do. With a quick bite of toast and mouthful of coffee the blonde was swirling out of her apartment and down to her loyal old bug parked like a sore thumb out on the curb.
"Great" Emma muttered the first drop of rain hit her windshield. Now not only would she be late to her first session, she would be walking in soaked too. Emma just hoped the therapist wasn't an attractive one.
Emma pulled her bug into the first available space she could see as she drove into the posh, full car park. At first glance, the building looked rather small. White bricks covered the view with a large silver sign that read 'Augusts Heaven". Emma scoffed as she stuffed her keys into her jean pocket and quickly made her way into the lobby where she quickly found her way to the red headed receptionist looking through a pair of black rimmed glasses into a computer.
"Hi" Emma said awkwardly after the woman hadnt looked up to greet her when she approached.
"Name?" The lady asked, still not looking up from whatever was so fascinating on the screen in front of her.
"Uh...Swan. Emma Swan"
"Take a seat"
Emma nodded and furrowed her brows before swiftly turning and looking for a chair to drop into. She found a nice corner in the room with a soft pale pink chair with a lemon pillow in the corner. She sat and looked around for a moment, taking in her surroundings. Beautiful tall lamp shades complimented the room, glowing a warm white over the seating area. Along the wall next to Emma was a long oak table full of hot drink choices and snacks ranging from croissants to cheese to grapes or bananas. Above this was a large frame that hung a portrait of a man that looked to be in his early twenties. Dark slick hair that fell around his dark brown eyes. His face was soft but troubled. Emma wondered why there would be such a sad looking portrait in a place that is supposed to make you feel happy. She thought the same for the receptionist.
She twiddled her thumbs as she pondered on the possibilities of what could happen. Would she break down? show her true colors? Be a complete ass to this poor Doctor that was going to try her best to fix her with no real reason or desire to at all? She didnt know Emma after all, why would she be so invested in her? Okay so she grew up in care and nine times out of ten she would get sympathy for it, which she hated. But she didnt want this to be like that. She didnt want her feelings of rejection and worthlessness to be the only reason people give her the time of day. Pity. Thats what it was.
"Emma swan?" A voice called from across the room.
Emma looked up, not realizing how long she'd been waiting. Quickly, she stood and smoothed her jeans before approaching the small woman with a cute pixie cut.
"We're ready for you now." Her smile beamed making Emma feel obliged to show teeth when she gave her own. Slowly she followed the smaller woman down a long corridor with a few heavy looking doors either side, all marked with a plaque and a name. She kept walking until she finally reached a halt.
"There's nothing to worry about Miss Swan. Go in when you're ready" The lady smiled, holding her filed across her chest. Emma nodded and turned to look at the door. The plaque read Dr. Regina Mills. Emma swallowed, Her name even sounded daunting.
Emma took a breath and nodded with a smile to the brunette before gently knocking on the door.
"Come in"
The rich, sultry voice hit Emmas ears and sent shivers down her spine. She reached for the handle and pushed her way in.
The room was dark. The walls looked like some kind of black velvet with a hint of sparkle. A tall plant stood in the corner that hung down huge leaves that looked like they belonged in a rain forrest. To the back of the room stood a large black desk with a plush leather chair to match. Just infront, centered in the oak flooring was a cream carpet, accompanied by a dark blue velvet sofa complimented with the same lemon pillows Emma spotted in the reception.
"You must be Miss Swan. My name is Regina Mills. Its lovely to meet you" Emma looked at the woman who rose from her desk and came around to the front, reaching out a tanned and finely polished hand. Emma took the chance to look at the woman properly as she shook her hand. Dark hair that dropped just above her shoulders. Deep red limps that were so plump they reminded Emma of a ripe apple ready to be devoured and then she saw her eyes. Dark pools of chocolate that seemed to glisten each time the warm glow from the lamp hit them.
"Please, take a seat and make yourself comfortable." The brunette smiled before turning and heading over to a table similar to the one outside holding coffee and snacks. "Can i get you a hot drink Miss Swan?"
"Uh, No...Thank you" She nodded before sitting down gingerly on the beautiful settee. Emma watched for a moment as silence filled the air. The brunette with her back to Emma pouring a mug of what Emma only assumed was coffee.
"Youll have to excuse me. I can not get through the day here without at least ten of these" Regina laughed as she turned with her coffee and quickly picked up her glasses, pushing then onto the bridge of her nose. She sat down opposite Emma, swiftly crossing her leg over the other allowing Emma to see the full length of the woman leg. Emma liked the thought but knew it was nothing of the sort. This woman was clearly a professional and she should just forget it now. Besides, the size of the diamond that occupied the brunettes finger told Emma she was somewhat...Unavailable.
"So, This isnt going to be to stressful today. I just want to get to know abit about you from your own perspective and see if theres something we can do together to help you feel a little...Better in yourself." Regina said softly, pushing her glasses completely on.
"Okay" Emma replied quietly, twisting her thumbs again.
Regina smiled softly and looked at the blonde. "So..."
"Uh, Right. Well, Im 29. I live down town with my childhood friend Ruby. Uh...I work for a bar down the street from here acutally. Its not what i want to do forever but at the moment i havent really got a plan?" Emma stopped for a second and glanced at Regina, almost for some sort of approval. "Uh so, my parents ...-"
"Its okay. I do have a file which tells me what your doctor has written about you in your notes. Im partially aware of your story Miss swan and i dont want you to think you need to come in here and lay your heart out on the floor. Not if you dont want to" She smiled warmly at the blonde, leaning forward slightly. "Tell me what you like to do"
Emma smiled. "I really like to paint"
Regina raised a brown. "Really? What do you like to paint?"
"People" Emma replied quickly. "I like to think when i paint people i capture moments of gold..You know? like a moment in time, a frame of a second that could mean so much to one person, so little to the next" Emma explained.
"I think thats a lovely way to look at it. As long as its something that makes you feel good in here" She pointed to Emma's chest across the table with a well manicured finger. "Thats all that matters, right?"
Emma smiled.
"So Emma, like I said. This isn't a stressful one so im going to give you some things i want you to take with you when you go and complete them for the next time you're here. Just a few questionnaires and things like that so i know what boundaries you have and which way is best for us to work together as doctor and client. I want to do everything possible to make this a safe place for you"