hi :) please let me know what you think of this chapter...a little different ;) xxx
Henry's birthday party arrived quicker than Regina imaged it would. She'd been so busy with work and dealing with Cora that she'd lost track of how much time she would have to prepare. She and David had agreed to have it at her home since it was bigger and could accommodate more people, so now she was furiously decorating and preparing for everyone's arrival later this afternoon.
Cora was no help, of course, stating that she had a manicure scheduled that she couldn't miss. The woman wouldn't of been any help, regardless. She'd always had maids and party planners to do all of the work for her and she couldn't comprehend why Regina would take on the extra stress of her own son's birthday party. Her mother was different but still very much the same person who raised her.
Regina rolled her eyes at the thought as she whisked the cake batter, sighing when she looked up to see what a mess she'd turned the kitchen into. She wanted everything to be perfect today, especially considering her current relationship with her son. He was not longer the little boy who wanted nothing but cuddles from his mommy and threw himself into her legs every evening when she got home from work. He was older, approaching puberty and relating more to his father than her, naturally.
Everything had to be perfect, not only for Henry but for everyone who would be there. David would be there with his wife, her mother would be watching her like a hawk and Emma and Killian would undoubtedly be keeping tabs on she and David. Her shoulders ached with stress and she felt her head begin to pound as she silently prayed it wasn't the beginning of a migraine.
Tears came to her eyes as she felt more and more overwhelmed. How was she meant to have everything done as well as get herself ready? How was she supposed to put up the front that she was happy and fine when all she wanted to do was crumple at the current state of her life? David had volunteered to keep Henry busy all day until it was time for the party, but she still needed to bake the cake, finish the decorations, prepare the finger foods and then get herself ready. Oh, and put together Henry's present.
Just as a tear rolled down her cheek she heard her doorbell ring, a groan escaping her at who or what situation was outside. She couldn't handle a random visitor or her mother being home early. She was so close to breaking down the way it was. Quickly she wiped her hands on a dish towel and made her way towards the door, pulling it open with a sense of dread that instantly vanished when she saw who was on the other side.
"Ruth, Robert?!"
"Hello, sweetheart," Ruth smiled warmly, reaching up to cup Regina's stunned face and kiss her cheek. Robert was behind her with a warm smile of his own, bringing his former daughter-in-law in for a tight hug when Ruth made her way in.
"We got into town early and we figured you might need some help," Ruth smiled, seeing Regina's red rimmed eyes, hair falling out of the short ponytail she had it in and flour on her face and apron. She was much thinner than when she'd last seen her and she looked not only overwhelmed, but exhausted.
"You don't-" Regina swallowed hard as emotion welled in her throat at her former in-laws being there. Just their presence comforted her, they were such warm and loving people who didn't stop caring for her just because she and David split. "You don't have to, you're a guest you-"
"Now I won't be told I can't help with my own grandson's birthday party," Ruth smiled and patted Regina's cheek, wiping the flour off with her thumb, "We can put Robert to work, too. You know he'll just get into trouble if he doesn't have a task," She teased with a sparkle in her eye at her husband. They'd been together for years but they just worked and it made Regina long to have a relationship like that. That was supposed to be she and David.
Robert's mouth dropped in mock offense as he looked between the two of them, making Regina give a teary chuckle, "Alright alright, what can I do to help?" He asked with his hands up and Regina noticed his hair had went grayer since she'd seen him last. So had Ruth's, but they were still a beautiful older couple.
"Regina and I have some work to do in the kitchen I take it," Ruth glanced at Regina and wrapped an arm around hers, "Do you have anything else that needs to be done, honey?"
"Uh," Regina swallowed hard before smiling weakly at them, still surprised by their visit, "I ordered Henry a bike for his birthday, but…as you can see it came in parts," Her eyes widened and she waved to the box the bike came in that now sat half opened in her foyer.
"Ah," Robert nodded with a smile, giving Regina a wink, "Not the first bike I've put together, little one," She smiled at his old nickname for her, "I'll get it taken care of. It's good to see you," He added with a gentle squeeze of her shoulder before going over to check out the contents of the box.
"Now," Ruth smiled and led Regina towards the kitchen, "Is everything still in the same place? You haven't went switching up things on me, have you?" She asked playfully as she patted Regina's hand before letting her arm go, going over to the pantry to grab another apron.
"No, it's all still the same," Regina smiled a little, her anxiety lessening at the easy way Ruth took to work, "Thank you for coming, I-" She shook her head as her voice wavered.
"It's my pleasure, sweetheart," Ruth said truthfully as she tied the apron around her waist, "Now get over here and tell me how you've been while we cook."
"Where's that beautiful girl of yours?" Ruth smiled at him when he came into the kitchen, still in his flannel pajama bottoms and college sweatshirt. The smell of breakfast filled the entire downstairs of his mother's home, mixing with the smell of the Christmas pine to create that distinct holiday smell that reminded him of his childhood. To top it all off, it was the first holiday he was getting to spend with Regina and his family.
"She's still asleep," David smiled at the mention of Regina, the picture of her curled in the middle of his bed, bundled under the covers with a peaceful expression coming to his mind. "I actually wanted to talk to you before she got up…"
"Oh?" Ruth looked up from the stove, a hint of a smile playing on her lips as her son sat down on the stool at the counter opposite of her.
"Yeah, uh," He fiddled with his hands a little, meeting her gaze slowly, "I wanted to thank you first of all for making her feel so welcome. It hasn't been easy for her, or us, since everything blew up with her mother and step-father. I wanted her to experience what a real family was like and you made her feel right at home…"
Ruth smiled warmly with a nod, "She's a special woman, honey. I adore her."
"Me too," David reflected his mother's expression, "I was wondering-"
He barely began the sentence before Ruth slipped a hand into the pocket of her apron, pulling out a small black box and sliding it across the counter, "About this?"
David swallowed hard and picked up the box knowingly, opening it slowly to reveal his mother's engagement ring that had been passed down through the women of their family, "Are you sure, Mom?"
"As long as you are, my boy," She nodded once before smiling to herself as she picked the spatula back up and occupied herself with flipping a pancake.
"I've never been so sure about anything," David replied truthfully, looking down at the generous diamond set on a simple band. It was classic and elegant, especially fitting for the young woman who would hopefully soon wear it. "Don't mention it to Dad or James yet, okay? You know they can't handle surprises."
Ruth chuckled softly, "Don't forget, we're all going down to your Uncle's tavern for the Christmas party tonight."
"Oh god," David raised a brow with a smile as he stood, slipping the box in his pocket, "I'll really know if she's going to stick around after this."
"Ah, one night with all of the Nolan's under one roof is the ultimate test."
"I'm gonna go wake her up," David laughed on his way out of the kitchen.
"Yell at your brother on your way back down, too," Ruth called out with a shake of her head at how different her boys were, despite being identical.
David took the steps two at a time to reach the second story of his parent's comfortable red brick town home, turning the corner to side of the hall where he and his brother's rooms were. He smiled to himself as he slipped in his door, shutting it softly behind him when he saw Regina was still asleep. Sneaking over to his dresser, he quietly slipped the ring box from his pocket into his top drawer before turning to go over to his bed.
He slipped back under the covers on his side, feeling Regina snuggle back against him when she felt his presence again. She was warm, despite only being dressed in one of his loose fitting college basketball shirts after forgetting to pack her own pajamas. He nuzzled his face in her hair, inhaling the familiar scent of her as he wrapped his arms around her waist, pulling her back closer to his front.
"Mmm, g'morning," She murmured, voice husky from sleep. She stretched a little in his arms before rolling over to face him, a soft smile gracing her makeup-less features and making his heart skip a beat. "Where'd you go?"
"Just downstairs to see if anyone was up," David smiled, running his hand up the back of her tshirt to her bare, warm skin and rubbing her back gently, "Mom is making breakfast," He added, pressing a kiss to her forehead, "Did you sleep well?"
"Mhm," Regina smiled and nuzzled her face into his neck, enjoying the cozy warmth of his body, lifting her leg to hook over his hips and bringing herself as close to him as possible. She'd never felt comfortable with affection or intimacy, had never had it growing up, but they'd been dating for about a year now and she couldn't seem to get enough from him.
"Mmm," A grumble escaped him deep down in his throat and she pulled her face from his neck, smirking up at him, "We should go downstairs and get some coffee," He whispered with a smile, not wanting to get too worked up before breakfast with his family.
"Five more minutes," She pleaded with a pout, leaning in to kiss him slowly. He responded instantly, his scruff grazing her chin deliciously as he deepened the kiss. Making out with him was something she couldn't stop doing. It was exciting and intimate and something she never imagined she'd enjoy so much. He was patient with her, knew of her issues and only went as far as she was comfortable with.
"Mm, who am I to say no to that?" He whispered with a grin before dipping his tongue into her mouth, brushing it against hers slowly. Her hand came up to run through the back of his hair, leg tightening over his hip to bring her waist closer to his.
"Thank you for bringing me here," She whispered in between kisses, moaning softly when his hand on her lower back slipped down to her bottom, fingers grasping her supple mound and massaging it under his palm. They hadn't been intimate yet, though they'd been close to it before she'd went home for Thanksgiving. With everything that had happened since, their progression towards sex had slowed down until nearing Christmastime.
"I'm happy you're here," He groaned into her mouth when she nudged him onto his back, rolling with her body pressed to his as her thighs spread and she was straddling him. Her hands came up to cup his jaw and kiss him hungrier, both of them getting worked up in mere moments. She knew it was easy for him to get there with as long as it had been, but she couldn't seem to make herself stop, her hips starting to grind on his.
"David," She moaned a little when she felt him beginning to get hard underneath her, her breasts pressed against his chest, nipples hard against his skin. His hands had traveled up the backs of her thighs and under his tshirt she wore, gripping her ass over the little lace panties she wore. It had taken so long for them to even get to this point physically and he reveled in it each time she was the one to initiate fooling around. He loved that she felt comfortable enough to experiment with him, that she knew he'd never pressure her into anything she wasn't ready for.
"God, baby," David groaned as he stiffened fully, cock rubbing against her lace covered sex as she grinded harder, the friction spurning them both on, "You're so perfect," He murmured against her mouth, tugging on her bottom lip with his teeth. She pulled her head back as she pressed her hands into the mattress above his shoulders, lifting her chest up to give her hips more leverage as she rolled them.
Her eyes were darkened with lust, lips parted as she breathed heavier, tshirt bunched around her waist as his hands gripped her bottom and helped her move, "Mmm," She whimpered and her eyes closed briefly and David let his head fall back into the pillows with a groan. The noises she made alone made him want to come and he wondered how he'd ever stay hard when he had the chance to actually be inside of her.
Regina's brows were furrowed and her eyes were closed now, biting down on her bottom lip as she moved her hips faster but couldn't seem to get the friction she desired, "Regina?" He breathed heavily, watching her eyes pop open, "Can I touch you?" His voice nearly faltered with want, seeing her nod quickly and give him a needy little whimper.
He rolled them over almost instantly, leaning in to kiss over her neck as he laid between her legs, "Tell me if you want me to stop, okay?" He whispered, always giving her the option before the did anything more intimate like this. She mumbled something impatient and he nearly chuckled, slipping his hand between them as he grazed his fingertips over her lower abdomen.
His cock ached as he slipped his fingers under the band of her panties, bringing his face up to watch her. Their eyed locked as his fingers slipped between her folds, cursing under his breath at how wet she was already, "Mmm Regina, you're so perfect," He whispered and her lips parted with a gasp as his fingers found her throbbing clit. The look of pleasure that flashed in her eyes made his groin burn with arousal, slowly beginning to rub circles over her bundle of nerves.
"Uhnnn," She moaned and her hips squirmed, prompting him to pick up the pace of his strokes. She looked so good as her back arched from the bed a little, hips moving against his hand, eyes shutting as the pleasure increased. He would never get tired of this, not even if he had to walk away from it painfully stiff. Watching her come was enough, even if he did desperately want more.
"You're so wet," He bit down on his bottom lip, watching her as he slowly starting to push two fingers inside of her, thumb pressing to her clit and continuing the circles.
Her abdomen twitched with arousal, panting now as her eyes opened to lock with his gaze as he pushed his digits inside of her. The girth of his fingers together felt good, not at all uncomfortable. He slid inside of her easily, fingers curling and touching something inside of her, "It's okay," She nodded desperately at the questioning look on his face, seeing him smile breathlessly in response before beginning to move his fingers. He kept them curled slightly, slowly pumping them in and out of her as his thumb continued to tease her clit.
She began to push her hips up, forcing his fingers deeper, moaning out loud when he slipped a third one inside of her at the pleasant stretching feeling, "That's it baby, chase it," He coaxed her, wanting her to let go of all control, "Come for me," He whispered as he ducked his head again, kissing over her neck in the way that always made her purr.
"I'm-almost-" She panted in between moans, her hips moving greedily against his hand but he just applied more pressure back against her, his thumb grinding more firmly on her clit, fingers pressing harder against the spot inside of her that had her coiling rapidly. A sudden cry escaped her before she could stop it as she came, coating his hand in her cum as her hips writhed against it in the last throws. "Oh," She whispered as her head fell back, looking up at him a little wideyed. Her face flushed red, "I'm-I don't know what-that-" She stuttered and he smiled softly.
"Shh, it's okay," He whispered as he pressed a kiss to her lips, brushing her hair from her face with his clean hand, "That's a good thing. Was it good for you?"
"Mhm," She nodded before smiling embarrassedly, pressing a hand over her face. "Do you think your brother heard me?"
He laughed, pressing his forehead to hers, "No, he could sleep through a tornado," He smiled despite the face his cock was still painfully hard, "I'm gonna get a quick shower, okay?"
"What about…?" She looked up at him, feeling him press against her leg.
"I can take care of it…unless you want to?" He silently prayed she did but schooled his expression to remain casual, not wanting her to feel pressured. He nearly groaned out loud when she slipped her hand between them, hand rubbing him through his pajama pants at first.
"You don't have to, babe-"
"I want to," She murmured as she lifted her head a little to press tiny kisses along his jaw line, her hand slipping into his pajama pants. He was stiff and heavy in her hand, his girth impressive when her fingers wrapped around him. She didn't have much to compare him to but she knew he was above average in the size department and it made her a little nervous to think about when they went all of the way.
"Mmm, god," David groaned as her fingers began to pump up and down his shaft, reaching down to push the front of his pajamas down to make it easier for her to get him out, "That feels so good, Regina."
She watched his eyes close, his chest heave a little as he held himself up over her. Her hand cupped his velvety tip, hearing him grunt a little which made her smirk. An idea took her and she bit her lip as she pulled her hand away. His eyes popped open and he looked down at her a little confused before glancing in between them, seeing her hand move inside of her own panties.
"Fucking hell," He groaned out loud as he watched her coat her hand move in her panties before slipping back out. He nearly came when she gripped him again, her hand coated in her own juices, providing somewhat of a lubricant as she pumped him now more easily. "So good," He mumbled and buried his face in her neck, starting to thrust into her hand as she pumped and swiveled her wrist a little. It didn't take him long until he was panting, giving into the feeling despite wanting it to last as he let himself go.
Regina smiled, pleased with herself as his face fell into her neck and she ran her free hand through the back of his hair, "Let me freshen up before you take your shower so I can go help your mother in the kitchen."