Chapter Five
Fireworks
"What are these for?" Regina asked when Emma presented her with flowers. It was her first day back to cooking meals and she was eager to make Henry and Emma's favorite her lasagna. Granny had eased her back into the household work, and finally meals were the last to come back to Henry's displeasure. Also, it would make great leftovers for her to demolish tomorrow morning.
"You told me that last Thursday was your first date, and I'm sorry I didn't ask you directly if I had I would have known, and I would have presented you with flowers to mark the occasion." Regina smiled as she sniffed the flowers before placing them gently in a vase. No one had ever bought her flowers before, I mean Daniel had picked them as they lay in the grass. But no one had bought her flowers just to mark something special for her.
"Thank you, they're lovely," Regina smiled. Emma smiled back.
"I thought maybe this Friday we could try a second date, one where we both know we're on one." Emma blushed hard and looked away from Regina. Regina placed two fingers under Emma's chin and forced her to look at her.
"I would love to go a second date with you, but I am not ready to leave Demi again so soon." Emma practically melted under her touch and at her words.
"I actually don't want to leave her again either, so I thought maybe Henry could stay with Nick or someone, and after we put Darien down after a big feeding, we could basically have our date here. If that's cool with you?" Regina looked weary.
"Are you going to try and cook dinner?" Regina asked. Emma laughed at the fear in Regina's eyes.
"No, I'll take care of the setup and you take care of the meal. Partner effort, we work better together I think." Regina let out a breath of relief.
"Oh good, then yes I will happily partner up with you for the perfect second date." They smiled at each other and laughed a little.
"So, can I help in anyway, while I'm here?"
"Nope, just finished preparing dinner and it can go into the oven on time later, and now Darien and I can accompany our favorite Sheriff to lunch." Emma smiled at that. "We need to discuss the logistics of going to Portland and how to proceed with getting back at Dr. Hartmann." Emma nodded. Regina had wanted to know what she was getting Darien into with the implants. At first, she had been tempted to trust him as he was an expert, but than both her and Emma had learned that he had several young patients contract meningitis and that it wasn't recommended for a child under twelve months to have that surgery. Regina had been understandably furious. Now they had a new appointment with a new and better doctor to get Darien her first hearing aid at least and Regina wanted to attend sign language classes as a family.
"Shall we walk?" Emma asked. Regina nodded. Emma set up the pram while talking to Darien who was smiling happily in her arms. She was always happy for Emma to visit in the middle of the day and Emma never missed a day. Regina was grabbing her new designer bag which had space for a few of her things and mostly Darien's things when she saw Darien grunt.
"What, what's wrong why are you grunting?" Emma asked Darien.
"Oh Emma, bathroom now!" Regina cried as she dropped the bag and hurried over, but it was too late, Darien was already peeing down Emma's front. Emma looked horrified.
"Where is her diaper?" Emma asked. Regina cringed as Darien still made grunting noises. Regina just took her upstairs with Emma following. She put Darien on a miniature potty. Making sure to used, her body to support her back and head. She made a sound signaling Darien to poop. Emma came in the bathroom as she was going.
"What weird shit are you doing with the kid?" Emma asked. Regina chuckled.
"It's not weird, we didn't really have diapers in the Enchanted Forest. I should have started after she was born, but I was quite exhausted. Granny just said I should rather use the time to observe her cues than think I am being a shit mom by not starting right away like I did Henry. But I had less to physically recover from other than lack of sleep with him."
"But diapers make everything better."
"Diapers cause diaper rash and it's weird to sit in your own waste. Better this way, she'll be out of diapers before you know it. Henry was fully potty trained by eighteen months."
"Eighteen months!" Emma exclaimed. "All right I'm game, I need to see you proven right or wrong on this." Regina chuckled. Once Darien finished. She cleaned her butt with special soap that was clearly labeled for Darien and water in the sink. Once she was all fresh, Regina changed her clothes.
"Going diaper free all together today?"
"Yes, because if she has any accidents it will remind me to pay attention, I've been gradually building up to today. Yesterday was a half day and today is a full day right love?" Darien just smiled up at her big. Once she was dressed Regina handed Darien back over to Emma, so she could clean the small potty.
"I've always wondered about the sprayer, been great for my period."
"Well it is for that and this, dear," Regina commented. "In my Kingdom, you always washed a little after the bathroom, but it was not in your mother's. Imagine my horror when I arrived, and no one offered me water to wash after. I like to think I improved their way of life by cursing them here." Emma chuckled as Regina made a face.
"I'm honestly surprised you don't have a proper water toilet thingy." Regina's brow scrunched up in thought.
"Do you mean a bidet?" Regina asked.
"Yeah that thing," Emma told her. Regina chuckled.
"I did, but the sprayer is easier with a baby toilet," Regina shrugged. She put the toilet back and then washed her hands. She looked at herself in the mirror and grimaced. She quickly touched up her make up before pulling the top layer of her hair back with an apple clip. She hadn't had her hair long in a while. She left the bottom long and flowing.
"I like your natural curls, and when you decide to wear them."
"I wouldn't say I decided to wear them so much as someone only let me get my makeup done this morning," Regina said turning and tickling Darien's feet and making her smile big. Emma couldn't help but smile at them.
'I bet she was this beautiful with Henry,' Emma thought. They walked out of the bathroom and back downstairs. Soon they were walking into town. They were enjoying the silence and walk. Emma was happily pushing the pram the entire way.
"Don't kill me but I just realized you have princess curls, like I don't know why I was ever surprised you came out curly haired," Emma laughed. Regina glared at her and scoffed.
"Whatever you're lucky you even have waves, god knows I tried everything to get Snow's hair to curl like a proper princess. It's not right." Emma laughed. Regina chuckled as well. They made it to Granny's and Regina held the door open. Regina got some weird looks because she really hadn't been out in town with her hair curly, but she just shrugged, she was otherwise immaculate. Emma went to their usual booth and quickly lifted Darien out as she took a seat facing the door. Regina moved the pram off to the side out of the way before sitting opposite Emma and Darien. Ruby was of course over immediately to take their orders and see to Darien.
"I'll have my usual," Emma told her.
"And for you Regina?" Red asked.
"I'll have the pickled bean and egg salad, and can you add fresh tomatoes to that. And on the side of that I'll have your poached salmon." Red nodded and wrote it down. "To drink I will have water with lemon please."
"I'll make the portions large." Regina grinned.
"You know me so well Pup." Red chuckled as she walked away before Granny started yelling.
"You can take her hat off it's quite warm in here," Regina told her. Emma nodded and slipped off the white hat to reveal silky curls held down by a lace band with a small crystal crown.
"Oh my God really Regina?" Emma asked.
"What?" Regina asked. "She looks adorable."
"That isn't the point. I didn't even look at what you put her in until just down." Darien was wearing a very pretty, white lace dress with small crystals sewn into a crown.
"I sewed the crystals in myself this morning, she wouldn't wear it until I did it honest," Regina told her. Emma facepalmed.
"Oh my God, you're going to be just as high maintenance as your mommy, aren't you?" Emma asked holding up Darien and looking at her fully. Darien just gave a big smile. Emma couldn't help but kiss her forehead.
"Emma what do you think you are doing?" Mary Margaret demanded to know.
"I thought I was enjoying lunch," Emma snarked back.
"No, I mean what are you doing holding the Evil Queen's baby and kissing her after what she did to David that kid is a danger to society just like her mother. She attacked David." There was a murmur through the diner and Regina suddenly felt her defenses rise.
"Well maybe he shouldn't have been insulting me, she was protecting me." Darien looked at Snow and immediately started crying.
"Oh, hey it's okay, Mary Margaret was just leaving, she's not going to do anything bad," Emma told her getting Darien focusing on her as she bounced her.
"Emma you need stop this nonsense, we should put that kid over the town line before she does any harm, and arrest Regina for creating a weapon."
"Hey, my daughter isn't a weapon, she's a baby and she's innocent and I won't have you treating her like she's done something wrong when she hasn't."
"I think you need to leave before I arrest you for disturbing the peace," Emma told her. "And Regina is right Demi is just a baby and is innocent, and I'm not going to let anyone treat her like she's done something wrong when she hasn't. I grew my entire life like that because you put me in a wardrobe and I wouldn't wish that on anyone else. So, leave now Mary Margaret you're upsetting my daughter."
"Daughter?" Mary Margaret asked in disgust. "She's not your daughter, you may think you have to share Henry with her, but this is her bastard spawn."
"She became my daughter as soon as I was named Godmother at her birth and christening." Emma was standing now, and Darien was absolutely screaming. Regina was furious and forcibly yanked Mary Margaret out of the diner with magic just as Darien conjured up her second fireball and threw it at her. Regina however caught it and extinguished it before she did damage to Granny's diner.
"No honey we don't throw fireballs indoors at establishments we like," Regina told her as Emma calmed her down. Regina didn't think she'd understand that or had even really heard her over her own screams.
"Seriously Granny is now thinking about putting up a sign saying the Charmings can't enter the premises if you are here and need to leave if you are staying to eat or drink since they cannot be civilized," Ruby grumbled.
"I'll definitely support it," Emma grumbled as she clipped Darien's pacifier to her dress before putting it in her mouth. Regina produced a tiny blanket like stuffed dragon.
"Here honey hold your stuffie," This seemed to do the trick as Darien gripped Emma's shirt. Ruby set their plates down and brought their drinks over last. She just brought Regina the entire pitcher and just indicated Granny. Regina squeezed lemon onto her fished before dumping it into her salad.
"I'm sorry about them, I hope you know I do not hold their opinion," Emma told Regina when the diner seemed to settle again.
"Yes, I am well aware darling," Regina told her after swallowing a bite of salmon and egg. Emma nodded.
"Still," Emma murmured.
"Less about them more about if you'll be able to join Henry and I for the sign language classes." Emma let out a breath.
"Yes, Ruby agreed to cover any calls for me while we're gone. Though to be honest I don't know how well I'm going to be able to learn, with David no longer there, I have to work every day and I'm on call all night. You would be surprised the useless calls that come through sometimes."
"Trust me I'm not, I used to fake date Graham," Regina reminded her. Emma nodded.
"Plus, honestly it's pure anarchy with Mary Margaret at the helm. There were some criminals that came over and they just shrug and say you aren't in charge anymore so there's nothing to be afraid of." Regina chuckled as she ate. "They're pretty sure she'll pardon whatever they do."
"Honestly she might. And what you don't get I'll make flash cards for you to study when you get bored at work. It will take time for us all to learn including Demi," Regina replied. Emma nodded. They were just finishing their meal when David stomped in.
"Where do you get on using magic on my wife the mayor?" David demanded to know.
"She was upsetting my child, I saved her from a fireball to the face," Regina simply shrugged as she drank her water.
"You're a real piece of work, first you don't even answer your phone about the mold and now the broken cabinets and now you attack my wife with magic."
"I didn't attack your wife, I saved her from a fireball from a child who's learning to control their magic. Now as for the phones, if you had bothered to listen to the message, you would know that I am on maternity leave because I just had a baby who clearly needs lots of attention if I'm going to control any magical mishaps." He glared at her.
"You're full of shit, you didn't renovate the apartment and now it's got mold and is falling apart."
"What those were brand new cabinets I put in," Marco cried from his place at the counter.
"Then perhaps you can help her majesty out by fixing them and sending her the bill."
"Yeah and I'd like a full report on how they broke the cabinets Marco," Regina told him.
"And the mold?" David asked.
"My office hours are between ten and ten thirty Monday through Thursday."
"Last week it was Monday through Friday," He growled.
"Business hours have changed, like when I was mayor and brought Henry home, I took Fridays off no exceptions. However, you are becoming quite the pests, so since I won't be able to enjoy my maternity leave otherwise, someone will be over today to treat your mold problem."
"Finally, one good thing, and we'll be filing a complaint with Emma about your magical misconduct." He stomped out.
"And I'll promptly lose it," Emma grumbled rolling her eyes as Regina caught yet another fireball. "How does she even aim when she can't see?"
"I think she senses their negative energy," Regina commented as Darien scrunched her face. She quickly stood up. "Bathroom break." Emma immediately handed her over and Regina walked off to the bathroom and took the diaper bag. She held Darien over the toilet and made a sound that sounded like an s and Darien started peeing. She managed to aim her well over the toilet before she took her back to the changing station and cleaned her up.
"All done?" Emma asked. Regina nodded.
"Yep we made it to the potty, didn't we?" Regina asked Darien who just happily smiled at her as she gave her kisses.
"Will you be okay to head back home by yourself?" Emma asked as she got a call.
"Hmm…. yes, I've decided Demi and I are going to head to the vault and do some research," Regina told her. Emma nodded.
"Let me know if you find anything, I can't say I'm not curious too especially now that she has magic." Regina nodded as she paid the bill at Granny's. Emma protested but Regina waved her off. They left together, and Emma couldn't help but give Darien a thousand kisses before she said goodbye. She wanted to kiss Regina too, but she didn't want their first kiss to be a public spectacle in front of Granny's. Then they parted ways Darien wasn't particularly happy, but she was used to Emma leaving after lunch. She was practically asleep though by the time they arrived without incident to the vault. Regina stopped and conjured flowers for her father. She spoke to him as usual telling him about Darien and how much she had grown in just a few short months.
"Your grandfather would have loved your mi Amor," Regina told her daughter. She used magic to open her vault and take the pram down while she held Darien. She conjured up Darien's bouncy hair and secured her inside it on a table before she searched through her library.
"Where do I even start?" Regina asked out loud as she looked at her daughter. "I mean this world has clones and immaculate conception myths, you certainly didn't get here through mating and you are definitely my twin." Darien just watched her mother as she picked a few books.
"Hmm maybe there's some mention of magical pregnancies in these or magical babies or immaculate conception, although I doubt you're the next messiah that was Emma sort of." Regina chuckled to herself which made Darien smile wide. Regina couldn't help but tickle her stomach and she was rewarded with Darien's first laugh.
"Oh my God your first laugh!" Regina exclaimed she immediately got her phone used magic to make it record in the air while she tried again to illicit a laugh. Finally, she got one out of her and immediately texted Emma. Emma video called.
"Make her do it again." Darien was all too happy to see Emma only the screen as Regina blew on her stomach and she finally laughed again.
"How can something so small be that cute!" Emma exclaimed.
"I'm trying to find out," Regina laughed. Emma chuckled too. "All right I need to get down to business before I walk to pick Henry up. If Darien isn't a cranky butt we're going to head to the comic shop for a bit, before going home." Emma nodded.
"All right I will leave you to it and take more video if she laughs!"
"Done Sheriff Swan," Regina told her in mock seriousness. Emma chuckled again before they hung up. Eventually Regina was reading about immaculate conception and nursing Darien. Immaculate conception didn't seem possible without some sort of magical intervention and were very rare. This also meant a child growing faster than average and Darien was right on time with most of her milestones only the pregnancy had been fast, but immaculate conception was very specific in that the pregnancy seemed normal to the hide the coming of the Messiah. She was ruling this out as her alarm beeped indicating it was time for Darien's second nap. She burped Darien before she took her to the bathroom in her vault.
"Come on sweetie, time to go get your big brother." Once out of the vault she settled her in her pram and the constant motion immediately put her to sleep. She waited outside of Storybrooke Elementary. She got some weird looks but nothing more than her usual stares. Although not for the first time especially since having Darien, Regina had thought about maybe moving out of town, maybe nearby so Henry could stay with his friends, but she at least could walk around a town without worrying someone was going to decide to be an asshole that day.
"Um…excuse me your majesty, but we cannot let Henry off school grounds to be picked up by a non-parent," the teacher gulped. Thankfully there was still one minute until the children let out.
"Yes, I know the policy, but why are you telling me his mother that?" Regina asked. She knew damn well what the teacher was trying to say.
"Well we were informed this morning that you are not Henry's parent, that only Emma is. It was an official paper from the Mayor's office." Regina's face stayed completely neutral.
"I am going to need a copy of that paper as it concerns me, and I was not given such a paper terminating my parental rights. So as far as we're all concerned I still am Henry's legal guardian no matter what that so called, mayor says." The teacher nodded. She called in and Ashley brought it out for her.
"I'm really sorry I tried to call you earlier, but your phone was off."
"No, no Ashley thanks for trying to give me a heads up, but you know how it is in the beginning. I wanted to call you back but didn't have a chance." Ashley nodded.
"You don't have to apologize to me, honestly if you hadn't shown up I planned on already bringing you a copy despite what the headmistress said. She's a Charming supporter," Ashley said making a face.
"Don't risk your job for me, I'll take care of the Charmings." Ashley nodded and handed over the paper. The bell rang, and everyone ran out. Henry was one of the first out, and excited to see Regina. It was the first day she had picked him up in months. They left without incident heading for the comic book shop. Regina managed to tuck the paper away in her bag, right now Henry needed her attention.
"I made lasagna for tonight." Henry gave a shout of delight as he jumped around. He was on Darien's right side so for once she stirred a bit but settled back down. Henry solved the problem by moving to her left side. They went into the shop and Henry went straight for Iron man while Regina looked over wonder woman and Deadpool. But she also liked the comics featuring Poison Ivy and Harley Quinn. In general, she wasn't a DC fan, but they had her at lesbians and strong female icon like wonder woman. Regina also tended to enjoy Iron Man.
"Mom they got the Harley and Ivy miniseries in," Henry grinned. Regina pushed the pram over and they looked through the first issue.
"We'll save this for later, where's that new issue you wanted." Henry gasped.
"Are you sure it's limited edition?" Henry asked. Regina nodded.
"Yes, you've been such a good sport about getting a new sister on short notice, as a result there have been a lot of changes. And even despite the drama with your unfortunate grandparents, you still have been on top of your school work and helpful as well as loyal to Emma, even though it meant facing my wrath. So yes, I am very sure." Henry gave her a big smile before he danced around in happiness. She found that seeing him smile so big still warmed her heart just as fiercely as Darien's smile did.
"Did you make it to your vault today?" Henry asked as he looked at other comics with Regina since they already knew what two they were taking home.
"Hmm… yes, but I only made it through the topic of immaculate conception…"
"Like the virgin Mary?" Henry asked. Regina nodded.
"Yes, aside from it typically happening to virgins, it usually involves a prophecy, a big threat or philosophy shift, or a God or Gods, also the baby would experience a faster than average growth. And just honestly Darien doesn't look like the next Messiah now does she?"
"Emma doesn't look like the Savior." Regina chuckled along with Henry.
"Touché," Regina replied. They spent a good forty-five minutes of Darien's nap at the comic book shop until she was whimpering in her sleep.
"Watch the pram I need to take your sister to the toilet." Regina was taking Darien away before Henry could tell her there was no changing table.
"What am I saying she'll probably use magic," Henry grumbled. Henry was sort of relaxing into the idea of magic especially when his mother used it for nice things like fixing their home, helping Emma with the concrete from the gazebo, Regina was now convinced she would not be finishing at least not before winter, maybe next summer. Or to give Emma her new car which she seemed so pleased with, she only used the bug for work refusing to let her new baby as she called be dented by jerks. Or for sound proofing his room so he could sleep.
Meanwhile in the bathroom Regina hadn't bothered with magic, she had managed to remove the diaper and clean Darien's butt by balancing her over her arm. At best she used magic to get the cup out of the bag she used to clean her butt with warm water from the sink. Once she was all cleaned up Regina managed to get her hands washed before they both exited. They returned to Henry and the pram. He happily said hello to his sister, but she was already falling back asleep. Regina easily tucked her into the pram and looked at her watch.
"Shall we get home and get dinner started and work on your homework?" Regina asked. Henry nodded. They collected the ones they wanted, and Regina made sure to buy Henry a special case for his new comic.
"Thanks Mom!" Henry beamed. They left the shop and easily returned home. Henry got his shoes off and Regina took Darien in the pram to sleep in the backyard outside.
"Is that safe?" Henry asked.
"You slept outside, I slept outside, it's good for their health," Regina shrugged. "I can see her and she's fine." Henry nodded. They worked on his homework and sang along to some Spanish songs while Regina put the lasagna in and prepared garlic bread and a light salad.
"You put in red pepper flakes, though right?" Henry asked as she set the timer. Regina raised an eyebrow at him.
"Did you really even have to ask, I put in extra so Emma's going to need milk with dinner." Henry chuckled. He was silent for a moment as he looked at his work and tapped his pencil on the paper before he looked back up at his mother who was humming to herself as she pulled out her juicer and then grabbed acai berries from the refrigerator.
"Mom?"
"Yes dear?" Regina asked as she started washing the berries.
"Are you and Emma dating?" Henry asked. Regina paused.
"Is that something you don't like?" Regina asked curiously. She had been worried about Henry's reaction, but she had just wanted to enjoy Emma for a while at least until her parents split them up.
"No, honestly I figured she wanted to take you out on a date I just pretended to be clueless. I mean you did see the way she dressed up for you. You always dress nice, so I just couldn't tell if you were interested. Sorry if you weren't, but I thought Emma has to be better than this Lyra chick I don't know." He frowned.
"You don't worry about Lyra, she and I broke up finally, it was a long time coming, I hadn't had contact with her really since before I needed my cars," Regina told him. Henry nodded as Regina began to juice the berries but was watching him.
"So, were you into the date?" Henry asked.
"Very," Regina told him. "Although Emma is quite nervous that I did not, even now I think. She wants to have a date here after Demi is in bed and you go to a friend." Henry nodded.
"I can ask Nick or maybe I'll ask Grandma and Grandpa, so I can get recon from them. I saw Grandma at the school today and I don't think it was about work." Regina scoffed.
"Oh, right I almost forgot about earlier, but you don't worry about them, go have fun with Nick and Ava." Henry nodded.
"I think Emma is nervous about me knowing she likes girls, but you said it's completely natural, so I don't understand why she's nervous?" Regina smiled at him. He really was still a child sometimes and it was good to not forget that.
"Oh, my Prince, some people in this world don't like the idea of two women or two men being together. Especially royals as it was always very important to continue one's line. In the Southern Kingdom it was commonly accepted that you take a lover to give you heirs if necessary or the other way around. Whatever was more practical. In Snow's, there was one way of thinking that led to a lot of harsh treatment of gays and lesbians. You didn't even speak about this to royalty normally. I don't imagine that Mary Margaret has made nice comments here and there unknowingly in front of Emma, and Emma is used to being rejected. They already act like something is wrong with her, how do you think they will act when they find out not only is she a huge lesbian, but that she likes me?" Henry frowned.
"But there's nothing wrong with Emma, they're supposed to be heroes doesn't that mean you accept everyone?" Henry asked.
"It should, but honey the world is not so black and white as you once understood it. There are often gray areas. I'm starting to think it's better that Emma is in your life now, she's a gray area even if she is the savior. Your grandparents are made out to be complete representatives of good, and me I'm made out to be completely bad. It's a little harder to reconcile with our grayer areas. But Emma she's all gray. She always does the right thing, but she's not been a saint in her past either." Henry sighed.
"I know, but I…I…just wish they acted like heroes." Regina stroked his head.
"I know, but how about we focus on our family, maybe you can let Emma know you love her just the way she is gay and all. I think that will make her relax and maybe she'll stop asking me if I'm sure I wanna go on a date with her. Speak of the devil." Regina held up a text. Henry chuckled and nodded.
"I will mom," Henry smiled. Regina ended up making acai berry lemonade to go with dinner. She had one accident with Darien not getting her to the toilet because she was too far away while she was outside, but otherwise Darien was nursed, bathed and ready for Emma when she arrived home exhausted. Didn't stop the smile from spreading on her face though when Henry marched downstairs with a shirt he had asked Regina to replicate from a photo with magic. It had a rainbow flag and said I'm proud of my family. It had stick figures with two moms and two kids. One presumably was a small baby to represent Darien.
"Oh kid," Emma said before she pulled him into a huge hug.
"And don't worry I already made plans to sleep over at Nick and Ava's on Friday."
"You're the best kid," Emma told him.
"Look Demi got a new onesie," Regina said, holding her in a black onesie to match Henry's shirt. Regina also had one of her own and held a fourth out to Emma. "I thought we should all dine in style tonight." Emma was all tears and promptly put the shirt on before she washed her hands and took Darien. They enjoyed their meal and there was a lot of laughing as Emma gulped down the milk and Regina glared at both Emma and Henry to eat more salad. It was a wonderful family meal.
"You're really okay with me being gay kid?" Emma asked. Henry nodded.
"Mom always said it was perfectly natural and I don't see why I should be upset about who you love. Love is the most powerful magic of all and I will never stand in the way. You do love my mom, right?" Emma nodded.
"I think so kid, but we're still definitely in the early stages for romantic love, but friendship love, most definitely." Henry nodded. "Wait I thought you just found that Regina liked women when we were in Portland when did you two talk?"
"What no, I've always known mom liked no loved girls, I thought it was obvious, but I was more shocked she had a relationship outside of storybrooke. I just thought she was kind of with Maleficent under the library after the book, but I guess she was just a dragon all this time" He shrugged as Regina brought in cookies.
"I only managed cookies for dessert is that okay my prince?" Regina asked worried he wouldn't like it.
"Oatmeal raisin and chocolate chip. Yes!" Henry cried. Regina gave him a big smile that warmed Emma's heart as they all dug into the cookies. How anyone could think this woman didn't live to be the best mother in the world was beyond her. Afterwards, they played on his play station, the loser having to hold Darien in their lap and she cried if she wasn't held in a sitting position, so she could watch the screen. Although there was a pause in between as she laughed for the first time for Henry as he was making faces and tickling her stomach. He was overjoyed, and they let him think it was her very first laugh, to which he insisted on reenacting for a photo for her firsts book.
"I swear this kid is dominating the firsts book," Emma grumbled. It had, had to be agreed on early on that every time Darien had a first the person she experienced it with got a photo with her to commemorate the day.
"I only got dibs on her freaking birthday because she came out of my vagina."
"You got first time nursing too don't be greedy, meanwhile I've got first diaper change and first horrendous diaper, and you get the more popular first day diaper free," Emma grumped. Regina laughed as she pushed the book aside and straddled Emma. She felt Emma suck in her breath.
"Kids are asleep, and I've been waiting to do this since last Thursday." Regina leaned down until their lips were mere inches apart. Emma couldn't breathe. "I mean if it's okay, am I allowed to kiss you for the first time." Emma's palms were suddenly sweaty as she looked into chocolate brown eyes that were waiting for her consent.
"I…I…I've never kissed a woman before," Emma got out.
'What the fuck Swan the only thing that should have left your mouth was yes, absolutely fucking yes!' Emma screamed at herself in her head.
"Oh," Regina said pulling back. Emma had never in her life wanted to hit herself so much as she did as right in that moment.
"I'm sorry I didn't mean to ruin the moment!" Emma cried. Regina just gave her a small smile.
"You didn't, but your first kiss should be special, and you should see fireworks," Regina told her. "I know we work better together, but I think I have something specific and perfect in mind for our second first date."
"But…" Emma started. Regina placed a finger on her lips.
"No Buts." Regina started to move out of her straddle position on Emma, but Emma pulled her back down with a pout.
"No, you said you were up for a movie, and I want you to stay right here for it." Regina grinned.
"That I can do darling," Regina replied, and Emma thought she'd melt at being called darling. Regina turned around, so she could sit back, and Emma could wrap her arms around her. She put a blanket over them. They watched an old movie that Emma found funny, but Regina didn't care for. Still she spent the entire movie watching Emma laugh and that made her smile.
"So, Mary Margaret and David I don't know what to say except Regina has put out a restraining order against you for herself, Darien, and Henry," Emma told them as she stood in the loft the morning of her date. She just wanted to spend her day trying not to be nervous for what Regina had planned, but unfortunately yet another altercation between Regina, David, and Mary Margaret at the grocery store this time had resulted in property damage which Regina had to pay because they had upset Darien. They couldn't just walk by and say good morning and leave it alone. Witnesses had even said Regina had been completely focused on her shopping trip and Darien, they would expect the Evil Queen of course to usually start things, but Mary Margaret and David had chosen to approach her.
"WHAT!" Mary Margaret yelled. "She can't do that, we want a restraining order against her!"
"Yeah, how dare she," David grumbled. Emma sighed and looked around the apartment it was like it was falling apart and she was sure the mold was now spreading out of the bathroom.
"It doesn't work that way, anyway after you more than once tried to change Henry's guardianship on file around town, you are no longer authorized to take him out of school or approach him or anything like that without written consent from Regina and verbal consent from me at the same time. If you are seen with him, you will be asked by any officer on duty to provide the letter with her seal on it, to prove authenticity. Which will be me, so if I know I didn't give verbal consent, I will be asking. If you enter any building and Regina is already there barring a magical emergency threatening the town and I had to fight for that one, you must turn around and leave. You can come back when she's gone."
"And if she enters when we're already there?" David asked.
"I doubt that will happen anywhere except Granny's, she's agreed that, as long as, you do not speak to them or try to physically touch them, she will overlook your presence and consider Granny's neutral territory until you misbehave. The grocery store will not be overlooked as you have already seen fit to cause a scene," Emma told them crossing her arms.
"This is bullshit," David told her.
"I don't think so, three times now you have started fights resulting in property damage or almost."
"It's because of her devil spawn!" Mary Margaret yelled. "What kind of spell does that evil witch have you under."
"No spell, it's just common sense," Emma told her. "Anyway I need to go." She gave them the paper and turned to go.
"Emma wait, I wanted to let you know I made some changes to the mayor's office?"
"What more birds?" Emma asked. Mary Margaret glared.
"No, David is now head of the law enforcement department. Everything goes through him and he will have any meetings with me. He is your direct boss."
"Yes, which brings me to our next thing, Shifts are from eight to nine in the evening. And then on call from there," David told her. "No leaving the town when you're on shift or on call."
"I'll miss dinner and the sign language classes we're taking," Emma told them upset. They shrugged.
"Why do you need sign language classes you aren't defective like her spawn, serves her right to get a broken child," Mary Margaret grumbled. Emma looked at Mary Margaret as if she was devil's spawn.
"Darien is perfect in every way and I need it, so I can communicate with her, with more than words. And if you know anything babies can learn to sign at six months regardless of hearing or not, and that means that they are able to communicate their needs better," Emma snapped. She turned on her heel to leave before her magic exploded, Regina had warned her that her control was precarious even if she had managed a few things without any actual training.
"Here's your new work schedule," David told her.
"This leaves me no down time to spend with Regina and the kids," Emma told him.
"Good maybe you'll get out from under her spell," David told her. "And you'll lose the restraining order."
"That I won't do Sir," Emma grumbled. "That would be against the law around here." She stomped out. It didn't take long for them to decree that all restraining orders had to go through David for approval and back date that on recently made orders. Of course Regina's orders denied.
"Fucking hell," Emma grumbled as she got more instructions. People weren't to be jailed they were to be brought before Mary Margaret and David to pronounce judgement. The day was extremely long in her opinion, but she perked up if only for a moment when she heard the sound of familiar heels on the linoleum and the wheels of a pram. It could only be her two favorite girls. She was practically bouncing in her seat as Regina finally came into view and smiled at her as she picked up Darien.
"We thought we'd bring you lunch today," Regina beamed. Darien smiled big as soon as she saw Emma. "And from the look on your face despite your smile, I can tell my special lunch was just what the doctor ordered."
"You have no idea," Emma said as she took Darien and gave her a million kisses. Regina let Emma kiss her cheek to her unhappiness but not her lips. "Hi Demi, did you have a good morning with mommy. And what are you wearing today." Darien was a in a purple tutu and a onesie that said the snuggle was real that made Emma laugh. "Man, I love her onesies." Regina nodded. She had finished it off with a jeweled headband matter of fact Emma realized all her headbands were jeweled in some way. Regina apparently jeweled one every morning including ones she was sure were not bought with Jewels on the bears.
"What happened now?" Regina asked. "I take it the Charmings didn't like my restraining order." Emma rolled her eyes and shook her head.
"Did you bedazzle her onesie and tutu too?" Emma asked. Regina nodded. "Where do you find the time to look amazing, make the baby look amazing, make breakfast which I thought was my chore, and lunch, and you're setting up our date tonight which means dinner. Not including I bet you got the laundry done even I said I would take care of it." Regina shrugged.
"Already folded and sitting on your bed, I didn't think you wanted me to go through your drawers," She gave Emma a cute innocent smile, but her tone suggested something else. Emma blushed so hard her ears were red.
"Don't be embarrassed dear, we all have one," Regina shrugged. Emma got redder just thinking about Regina using a vibrator. Regina thankfully gracefully changed the subject. "So what did the uncharmings do this time?"
"She made David head of law enforcement through the mayor's office, delegating she called it later." Regina raised an eyebrow.
"Wow," Regina said. Emma nodded.
"And they told me to lose your restraining order and I said that was against the law, so they said all orders had to be approved with David's signature of course they back dated it to include just your restraining order as this is a small town and people haven't been filing any as under your rule there hadn't been any need. So, he could deny it." Regina's mouth set in a frown as she crossed her arms.
"Wow and people think I'm the asshole in this town," Regina said.
"Oh, it gets worse," Emma told her.
"How?" Regina asked.
"So, he now controls my schedule eight am to nine pm so that I can't attend classes with you guys next week. And after nine pm I have to be on call, and when I'm on call or on duty no leaving the town. And if I want to take half a shift off and only half a shift until there are preapproved hires, then I must ask David and tell him where I'm going. Because fuck privacy rules, your boss now has a right to know what your up too in your down time." Regina growled as she gripped the edge of the desk hard. "So, I said I wanted to hire Ruby part time to be on call you know or take half a shift. He denied it said that he couldn't allow a werewolf on the police force people would be upset."
"Ruby has been unofficial part time deputy since Graham's time!" Regina exclaimed. She felt her magic and emotions flaring and then Darien started crying. "Oh, I'm sorry sweetie, mommy's sorry, it's okay I'm fine, just upset." Darien calmed down when Regina had given her a genuine smile again and lots of kisses and cuddles.
"She's really in tune with your emotions," Emma commented.
"She's something special that's for sure," Regina told her kissing Darien's forehead.
"Did you research today?" Emma asked. Regina shook her head.
"No time the last few days have been busy with other stuff, she got cranky every time I headed for the vault yesterday, and I spent more time rocking her than reading. I think she's a bit colicky, I'm just glad it seems to be the afternoons and not at night. We'll see." Emma nodded as Regina sat down after Emma took her back. For awhile she just watched Emma talking to Darien and making her smile.
'Yes, this is the woman I definitely want to date,' Regina thought.
"Sheriff Swan I don't recall you clocking out for lunch, is the Evil Queen here to turn herself in?" David asked. Emma let out a breath as her smile disappeared. Darien started crying and was already putting up fireballs. Regina extinguished them easily as she quickly took Darien from Emma to protect her. Emma put herself between Regina and David.
"I was just going to clock out for lunch," Emma told him. "Don't worry."
"Don't bother, I have some more new rules and regulations to go over, so it's going to be a working lunch," David told her.
"Fine," Emma told him grumbling that he was getting in the way of her lunch time with Darien.
"One of the new rules is no civilians in the building unless they are here to use law enforcement services."
"I was just informing her that you denied her restraining order against yourself, because that's not illegal at all," Emma told him.
"It's okay Emma, enjoy your lunch, we'll see you at home at five?" Regina asked.
"No, Sheriff Swan now works until nine pm, don't bother waiting up," David told her. "You do have a baby to take care of, you must be tired."
"Nope, not with all the help Granny gives me," Regina told him glaring. She turned to Emma.
"Maybe Granny can help you fix the mold in our apartment."
"Nine is fine too don't worry," Regina told her meaning their date. She left disappeared in a cloud of smoke make sure to magic a few nails in David's tires, that he wouldn't notice until he was driving full speed. Regina had to take Darien to the park in order for both of them to relax, but she just spent the rest of the day crying because she didn't get her lunch with Emma. Nothing Regina did was good enough because she didn't want her, she wanted Emma.
To Emma's hatred she was home by ten that evening thanks to a call from Ms. Herbert about someone in her yard. It turned out to be David, so he could test her and then made her go through all the procedures that she had taught him to begin with. Then he banned her bug as a proper police car and denied her gas request until she had a better car. Which meant switching out her bug for her Aston Martin the next morning.
"I swear if anything happens to my baby I'm gonna scratch his new truck." After a curious wheel incident, David had purchased a new truck from a dealer, but it was still nothing compared to her Aston Martin. She slowly trudged up the brick path, growling angrily that the bouquet of flowers she had purchased out on her patrol had been crushed under David's boots when he had gotten in her car for the drive back to the station. This day wasn't going at all like she had planned. But she was grateful that one flower had escaped his giant feet. She put her key in the door and was met by a relieved looking and dressed up Regina as well as a crying but dressed up Darien. Regina had somehow bedazzled her hat and footie pajamas.
"Someone missed their Godmama today," Regina told her handing over Darien or she started too. She couldn't help but smile at them.
"Shower first and then cuddle time?" Emma asked. Regina nodded.
"Come on Demi, let's check on dinner, and when your God mama comes back she's going to give you all the cuddles I promise." She cringed as Darien cried, but Emma hurried upstairs and washed thoroughly. She came down in a pair of dark blue skinny jeans, and black Henley with the top button undone. Soon she had a blanket over her shoulder and was holding Darien in her arms. Regina look exhausted but was smiling when Darien was finally laughing after crying all day.
"Has she been crying all day?" Emma asked. Regina nodded.
"David broke her routine, she was so upset when she realized that you were not joining us for lunch or her dinner. Maybe she'll eat soon, I hope, she must be hungry," Regina told her as she sat. "So, our date won't be minus a baby, but I did promise you a good night."
"Oh Regina, you've had a long day clearly, the last thing you need to worry about is our date," Emma told her.
"I'm not worried," Regina grinned. "Now come on, I believe there was one carnation with my name on it, and you must be starving." Emma smiled at her and produced the flower. Regina smiled wide at it and added it to her vase with her daisies. Before she apparated herself, Emma, and Darien to a picknick blanket on a cliff overlooking storybrooke.
"I had planned on getting Henry to actually stay home with Darien while we took the baby monitor that way I could easily poof us back, but then plans changed." Emma was staring in wonder at the floating candles that were lighting up their little area.
"It's so beautiful," Emma replied. Regina smiled.
"I'm glad you think so, Demi and I worked on it all day, didn't we?" Darien finally gave her a smile in answer. They sat down on the blanket and Emma was given a glass of the best apple cider she had ever tasted.
"Got anything stronger after today?" Emma snorted into her glass. Regina chuckled.
"No sorry, I knew after today you'd probably take a big gulp and I didn't want you to regret getting drunk on the date."
"Smart move, I just can't even believe him. You know the reason I was late was because he made Ms. Herbert call me out saying there was an intruder than tested me on a procedure I taught him!" Emma looked completely outraged and Regina was just as outraged for her.
"Can they possibly get anymore condescending?" Regina asked.
"Now that you asked I'm sure someone is holding their beer," Emma grumbled. Regina chuckled. "As if that wasn't bad enough he crushed your flowers, under his boot and the entire way back said that now that he had been able to upgrade his truck, that the bug was no longer sufficient representation for them especially since Mary Margaret was Mayor and he was head of law enforcement and I was their princess." Emma made a face when she said Princess. "The peasants as he so kindly referred to them couldn't see me in an old car now."
"Did that shepherd really refer to everyone as peasants, does he really think people still think he was Prince James?" Regina asked eyebrow raised and arms crossed.
"Yes, he does. So now I've got to take the Ashton to work, and I swear on everything I'll lose it if my second baby gets a scratch." Emma pouted.
"Third baby, and it's okay we don't want for money if it gets a ding I will have it fixed no problem," Regina told her. "In the mean time though put in a request for a new police cruiser we never bothered replacing it after Graham messed it up." Emma nodded.
"I will, I will be damned if my dream car becomes my work car. The bug and I have been through a lot we work well together, but the Ashton is for pure pleasure."
"Speaking of your terrible bug, I had it added to the insurance today, we have triple A, so if you need to drive the thing out of town, you're covered."
"Thank you, I might have to honestly I heard them talking about cutting pay for a few people and I was at the top of the list. I swear they're trying to make me crawl back to them. Take my car, reduce my money, so I have to crawl back to mommy and daddy, that may have worked in their world but not on me."
"Well to be quite frank, those idiots don't know jack about you and have never bothered to learn. They already have in their head what you should be like and you don't conform, and they can't understand why. Mary Margaret had a blessed life, she doesn't understand why I am not her doting stepmother, and she's jealous as all get out of Demi, you should see her glaring at me when she thinks I haven't noticed her and I'm too focused on kissing Demi. As for the Shepherd, it's not that his life was all roses, but he came out on top too much, he's just entitled and got his head so far up Mary Margaret's butt." Emma laughed.
"I have an image of that physically occurring." Regina chuckled.
"Enough about them, I made us something called Cuban stew. It's stewed beef over rice." Regina uncovered a dish and Emma's mouth was watering.
"You are a Goddess in the kitchen, and I think I know what you should do with your time after your done staying home with Demi."
"Become a chef at a restaurant that either no one will eat at or put Granny out of business?" Regina asked.
"That's like two extremes, couldn't you just peacefully coexist?" Emma asked. Regina scoffed.
"No, because either no one in the town eats there because I'm known to poison things, or everyone eats there and they realize as you put it that I am a Goddess in the kitchen. And since I'm ruthless I will expand to breakfast, lunch, and dinner plus snacks. Granny's will go out of business and I couldn't do that to the old woman." Emma laughed loud and hard as she saw that Regina completely serious.
"I just cannot with you sometimes," Emma laughed. Regina laughed too as Emma's laughter was infectious and Darien who had no idea what was funny but laughed too with them. Soon Darien was having some tummy time with a ball hallow ball made from sticks that formed octagons, that she liked to try and grasp while they both finally enjoyed dinner. Regina drank regular apple juice pressed from the apples of her tree. They ate in silence except for Darien's gurgles and Emma's moans of pleasure as she went for seconds and thirds.
"Oh man sorry I ate it all, did you even get seconds?" Emma asked embarrassed as Regina finished her meal one handed as Darien had indicated she was ready to finally feed.
"I put a double heaping on mine to start," Regina chuckled. Emma laughed as well. "And it's quite all right Dear, I have more back at the house if I'm feeling hungry later. Plus, Henry forbid me to let you eat it all, so he could get at least tomorrow's lunch and dinner out of it." Emma chuckled.
"The kid is smart, I would also demand this deal." Regina chuckled.
"I know between a growing boy, you, and my need to consume so many calories, I have to cook for an army. What's your excuse by the way for my grocery bill?" Regina teased.
"I'm a growing girl?" Emma shrugged. They both laughed. "I don't know as a kid I rarely got to eat until I was satisfied, and then I was on the street, so I just really learned to pack it in I guess."
"Well just remember no one is going to take your food away from you here, at least not in my house." They smiled at each other. Once Darien was satisfied, Regina took her to pee on a tree before they lay back and watched the stars. Darien of course lay on Emma's chest as the candles lowered towards the ground and the night sky illuminated above them. Emma put one hand in Regina's and the other rubbed Darien's back.
"You know what I love most about spending time with you?" Emma asked.
"My amazing level of sarcasm?" Regina asked with a laugh. Emma chuckled.
"Your sass makes the top five when it's not directed at me, but no what I love most is that nearly every silence in which I am not torturing myself with my nerves, is the most comfortable silence. It makes me feel safe and warm, and I could lay in it forever with you." Regina just smiled and squeezed her hand as the silence returned once more.
"You know I was thinking that Godmama is a bit of a mouth full and maybe we could just refer to you as Mama to Darien and Henry, they're already our children, so maybe you wanna be Mama too." Regina turned her head to look at Emma at the same moment Emma turned to look at her with tears in her eyes.
"I would love that," Emma got out. Regina smiled.
"Good, because we would love that too," Regina told her before she leaned over. "Can I kiss you now?"
"Don't you dare not kiss me now after that," Emma told her. Regina grinned and kissed Emma as deeply as the position would allow. And she felt as if the world was exploding like there were fireworks. Emma was also feeling the fireworks, Regina was right, her first kiss should be magical, and it was to her. At first the fireworks were just in her head, but then as their kiss broke they were real and exploding overhead.
"See I told you, you'd see fireworks." They smiled at one another and just lay down to watch the show. Nothing could break her now not even David probably calling about unauthorized fireworks.
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