A/N: Hello lovelies,
I apologize for my long absence.
I've had a bit of a personal crisis, but oh well...it's dealt with.
I just wanted to let you all know that I am unbelievably grateful for your support, love and understanding for this story...it means so very much.
To all the lovely reviewers - thank you so much for taking the time to let me know what you think...for sharing your thoughts. I feel truly blessed.
To everyone who reads, follows and favorited this story - you are amazing. All of you.
So, here comes the next chapter...
And since I'm leaving to visit family on Friday I will update again before I do.
Chapter 35 is done for the most part already.
Right...this is, at least to me, a filler-ish chapter...so I hope it doesn't bore you too much.
Much love to everyone,
Raven xo
TAKE ME TO WONDERLAND
Chapter 34
Waking up holding a peacefully sleeping Regina Mills in her arms had been sensational.
For a moment Emma had feared that Regina would freak out once she would open her eyes, but the brunette had only smiled happily before she had gotten up to make them breakfast.
Seeing Regina so free of concern for once had been a delight.
She had enjoyed her lunch with Killian later that day, it had made her see how much she had missed him in the first place.
It had been nice to catch up and to hear stories about Regina's work – clearly the brunette had risen like the phoenix from the ashes and was shining like the brightest star in the dark night sky by now.
And Emma had felt so very proud.
She did still.
Unfortunately it turned out to be a merciless week only a few hours later when Emma sat down with her laptop and opened the various emails she had received during her absence.
God, she had so much work to catch up on.
When Emma finally left her office on Friday night it was close to midnight.
She cursed herself for not coming back from the cabin earlier. It would have saved her a lot of trouble and time.
Time she could have spent with Regina, whom she had hardly ever seen all week.
The brunette had been busy as well and their schedules simply had not fit together.
Emma had hoped to be done early today so she could have dinner with Regina, but some last minute changes for an event had ruined her plans completely.
She was frustrated to no end by the time she entered her penthouse about twenty minutes later, especially since she was aware that it would not get much better in the upcoming weeks.
And she had yet to set up a meeting with Gold to make arrangements for his second event.
The thought alone made her skin crawl.
Oh, how much she despised that man...
But there was nothing she could do.
She would call him first thing Monday morning and face him head on. Still better than this creepy old man sneaking up on her unexpectedly.
Emma woke up to a knock on her door and realized that she must have fallen asleep on the couch.
In her work clothes.
Great.
She stumbled through the room, almost fell over Tamotsu, who seemed way more enthusiastic than her, but as soon as she opened the door and caught sight of Regina her sour mood was wiped away.
"I brought breakfast", the brunette announced balancing a tablet filled with food and entered the penthouse when Emma gestured for her to come in and a smile spread on the blonde's face, "Oh thank God!"
Regina chuckled, "I figured you could need some since you obviously came home late. Which reminds me...Henry will be home in a bit."
"Awesome. I really missed the kid", Emma stated and frowned, "I...uh...can I take a shower before we eat?"
"Sure. But hurry...I'll make coffee in the meantime."
When Emma returned from the bathroom a few minutes later the table was set and Regina was awaiting her with some fresh brewed coffee and a warm smile.
Emma took her seat, but hesitated to start eating, "Uhm..."
"What is it?" a worried expression appeared on Regina's face instantly.
"What...are we going to tell Henry? Are we telling him anything at all?" Emma asked hesitantly.
What if Regina had changed her mind altogether?
They had not spent too much time together lately, they had not found time to talk either.
So what if...
"I think it would be the best to tell him the truth", Regina interrupted the blonde's thoughts, "He knows that...that I have feelings for you anyway. And if we want to do this...spend time together...with him...as a family...and even without him at times...I think he deserves to know why."
A smile started to spread on Emma's face, "You sure?"
"I'm sure."
There was no hesitation on Regina's part and that was what made it all the better.
Emma was about to get up and hug the brunette when the front door flung open and Henry stormed into the penthouse bouncing with excitement.
He almost jumped into Regina's arms, thrilled to see his mother who seemed as happy and all Emma could do was watch their interaction with this feeling of utter content and belonging in her chest.
This was it.
Her family.
Regina had made the decision to sit down and talk to Henry right after breakfast because he already knew about her feelings for Emma anyway.
He had taken the news even better than expected, his eyes sparkling, his smile heart warming and he had hugged them both – the joy literally radiating from his embrace.
Of course they had explained to Henry that it was not as easy as simply being together, but that they both were willing to work hard for their blossoming relationship and their family with him and he had assured them that he wanted to help make things better too.
And his look left know doubt that he knew it was mostly his mother's burden that made everything complicated, but Henry was eager to see Regina happy, Emma as well.
So of course the smart boy would move heaven and hell to make it happen.
They had spent the afternoon and evening together as the little family they've become, walking Tamotsu, watching movies, eating pizza.
And while Emma had missed Regina and Henry the instant they had left for their own apartment to go to sleep she also felt relieved.
Because truth be told she did not know how to react around Regina sometimes.
She did not want to walk on eggshells, but she was well aware that one wrong move, one rushed action could destroy everything they had.
Yes, they had hugged and held hands before and they had slept in the same bed during their vacation. They had even slept together on the couch, Regina in her arms.
And it had been the best feeling, one of her fondest memories.
But since the both of them had been so busy lately Emma felt like they had made a step back instead of forward and it was nagging on her like nothing else.
Regina was not ready to go on a real date yet, so how should she act towards her? Like usual?
That did not feel right.
Acting like the couple they were not, at least not yet, was not going to work either.
So Emma found herself in a dilemma of sorts. One she would have never expected.
And what was worse was that she did not know how to talk about it with Regina because she did not want to pressure her or come off as too demanding.
Needless to say she had not been able to sleep all night.
She had went for a morning run with Tamotsu to clear her head, but she was not that much wiser when she returned to her penthouse.
And tonight all her friends would be at her place and she did not know what to say to them or how to act in front of them and it was stressing her out.
Emma knew she should not worry so much, but she could not help it.
This was Regina, not some random girl.
This was the woman she was truly in love with. It was also the woman she could imagine spending her life with.
She could not screw this up.
Regina and Henry were preparing breakfast while he shared stories from his camping trip with David and Mary Margaret and Regina was glad that he had such a great time.
"Henry, could you run over and tell Emma that breakfast is ready?"
He turned to look at her, "She's your girlfriend, not mine. You go."
Regina was startled for a moment by his comment, because they were not there yet and they had tried to explain that to Henry as well, but obviously he had not understood them correctly, "Henry..."
"I know what you told me, mom. But even if you are taking things slow...Emma can still be your girlfriend...she is in love with you...and you are in love with her."
His logic baffled her once again, but in the end he had a point, had he not?
What exactly were they?
Because clearly Regina did not want Emma to date someone else. Nor would she date anyone, but Emma.
And even if they were not really dating yet it felt like they were together.
Somehow.
Sure, she did not need a label, but they should probably talk about it anyway.
Because they had to know what to tell their friends since at least Killian and Ruby knew that they had feelings for each other.
"Fine. I'll go. Put the pancakes on the table in the meantime...please."
With that she headed out of the apartment and over to the penthouse.
She had to talk to Emma.
Emma just came out of the bathroom, wearing yoga pants and a tank top, her hair still damp from the shower when she heard a knock on the door and a smile appeared on her face.
That had to be Henry.
But when she pulled the door open she was quite surprised to find Regina there instead, seemingly nervous and worry immediately krept up her own spine, "Is something wrong?"
The brunette shook her head, "No, no. Nothing is wrong. I just came to let you know that breakfast is ready."
"Oh...okay. I'll just grab a hoodie and be right over", Emma turned to head back into her bedroom, but Regina's words made her stop.
"Can I talk to you for a moment?"
Emma spun around again, "Uh sure. Come on in and take a seat. I'll be right back."
While she headed to the bedroom to grab a pullover Emma could not surpress the panic she felt rising in the pit of her stomach, but there was no running away from this.
No running away from Regina.
Not anymore.
When she reappeared in the living room Regina was sitting on the couch, her hands playing with the hem of her shirt and it made Emma feel even more worried than before.
What was weighing so heavy on Regina's heart?
Something clearly was not right.
She walked over to the couch with wobbly legs, praying that they would not give out on her and sat down, leaving a bit of space between herself and Regina.
"What is it?"
Emma hated how weak and insecure her voice sounded, but there was nothing she could do about it.
Regina moved closer to her and took her hands in hers, "Emma, relax. It's nothing bad. At least I hope it's not."
She took a deep breath and nodded, "Alright. What is it then?"
"Henry said something that had me thinking..." Regina admitted, trying to put her confusing thoughts into words, "I wanted him to tell you that breakfast is ready...but he said I should go myself...since you are my girlfriend, not his."
Emma could not stop herself from chuckling at the absurdity of the statement, "I think he misunderstood what we were trying to tell him yesterday, huh?"
Regina felt insecure all of a sudden.
Was it the right time to talk about this? They had hardly seen each other all week.
It was too early, was it not?
"Regina?"
"Did he really? I mean...misunderstand..." the brunette forced over her lips, aware that her words might as well blow everything.
Emma seemed to be confused, "I'm not sure I understand...what are you saying?"
"I...well...I mean...we are in love with each other...right? And we want to be a family with Henry...so technically...aren't we...together...kind of?"
Emma laughed lightly, "You are adorable when you ramble, Regina. So you mean...even though we decided to take things super slow to be safe...you want to be my...girlfriend?"
"Yes. I think I'd like that. Because...because I don't want you to date someone else...and when someone hits on you...you could say you have a girlfriend...because...I...I really want to be with you. Does that make any sense or am I just a jealous fool?"
The brunette asked, sounding as helpless as she looked.
Emma brought their joined hands to her lips and put a kiss on Regina's palm, "Maybe a little bit of both. But I agree...I mean we are in love with each other. And we want to be together...so..."
"Girlfriends?" Regina suggested hopefully and Emma nodded, "Girlfriends."
The brunette pulled her into her arms and hugged her close, putting a gentle kiss on Emma's temple.
Yes, they were definitely going somehwere.
They were moving forward.
Emma and Regina had agreed that they would not hide their feelings for each other from their friends, but they would not scream it from the rooftops either. If they caught up on it they would not deny it, but they did not want to make a statement just yet.
Now that the whole troop was gathered in the blonde's living room and everyone was laughing about Henry's story of how Mary Margaret had almost gotten a heart attack when they had crossed paths with a snake on their camping trip, which had been harmless as David had pointed out, Emma felt the pressure she had been under finally fade away.
This was exactly what she needed.
Time with the people she considered her family.
Time with her friends and with the people she loved the most.
That was when there was a knock on the door and Killian jumped up, eager to answer it, only to stumble over his own feet, spilling red wine all over his shirt, "Bloody hell..."
Regina chuckled at the sight, knowing full well why he was so nervous, but keeping it to herself.
Emma went to answer the door while the brunette dragged her friend to the bathroom to get him cleaned up.
Through the door came a handsome man with frog green pants, a white dress shirt and pink tie and Emma's first and only thought was Oh my god...he's just as gay as Killian...minus the guyliner.
She chuckled at her own nonsense and offered her hand to the man who introduced himself as none other than Neal Cassidy – the wedding planner.
Mary Margaret was about to pour herself a glass of orange juice when she caught sight of the guest and the glass slid out of her hand in slow motion while she froze for a moment.
When the glass hit the floor and shattered into pieces she started to pace hysterically though, "Oh my god, oh my god."
Emma rolled her eyes at her friend's behavior, but had to smile nonetheless while the rest of their friends looked at them in utter confusion, so she cleared her throat, "Everyone, please listen...meet Neal Cassidy...appearantly he was a friend of Graham and our sneaky bastard talked him into planning the fairy tale wedding of our two love birds."
By the time Regina came out of the bathroom everyone was talking excitedly and she wondered how the room had turned into a chicken coop within a few minutes, but she was on a mission to find Killian a shirt to wear so she could not focus on the madness that once was the living room.
She went into Emma's bedroom and tried to find a shirt that would possibly fit the make up artist.
Well, this would be an adventure.
When Killian finally appeared in the living room, wearing a pink V-neck shirt that was not only too tight for him, but also way too short by ending mid-stomach, everyone stared at him and broke into loud laughter only a second later.
"Not funny", Killian grumbled and went to pour himself a drink.
"You know..." David appeared next to him, putting an arm around his shoulder, "I didn't know you felt like coming out again...I thought you were aware that all of us already know that you are gay."
"Haha. You are so funny, Charming", Killian spat back sourly.
Neal Cassidy seemed to be highly amused by the sight, but he kept talking to the bride-to-be, who looked literally radiant.
When things finally calmed down everyone sat down to eat the food Regina and Emma had prepared earlier and Neal told them how he had met Graham a few years ago during a rainy night in New York.
The picture of Neal being dressed as 'Rocky Horror's Frank-N-Furter' did not disturb them as much as one would think – it merely made them laugh more – especially when he pointed out that Graham had only agreed to share a cab with him because he had looked like a drenched poodle dressed as a drag queen with his make up runing down all over his face.
It was then that Emma's phone rang and she excused herself to take the call after she caught sight of the caller's identity.
Regina wondered for a moment what could be so important, but let it slide when Neal continued to tell the tale of his friendship with Graham.
Emma returned from her office seemingly worried, but trying to hide it and for the most part she succeeded.
And yet Regina saw right through her.
But she knew better than to ask her in front of everyone.
It would have to wait till later.
What if it had been Gold?
Because there was still the second event Emma had to organize for him.
What if he was giving her a hard time?
The thought alone made Regina squirm.
But then Neal took a letter out of his pocket and when she caught sight of Graham's hand writing it distracted her enough to calm down for the moment.
"Is it okay if I read it to all of you?" Neal asked, seemingly unsure how to handle this specific task.
Mary Margaret nodded, "I think that's a wonderful idea."
She grabbed David's hand, who squeezed hers reassuringly.
"Alright."
Neal cleared his throat and pulled a piece of paper out of the envelop with slightly shaking hands, unfolding it quickly as if not to lose the courage.
'To the happy couple,
you didn't think I've forgotten you, right?
How could I?
You are living the fairytale romance everyone dreams of and you deserve it.
And to make sure that you'll get your fairytale wedding as well, my beloved Snow White...well, that was why I hired Neal for you.
I know you tried to contact him for weeks, but I told him to shut you down – I hope you can forgive me for my little scheme.
I only had the best intentions.
I wish the two of you a life filled with joy, love and laughter. And a happiness that shines through the dark moments, a happiness that lasts a lifetime.
It saddens me that I won't be able to attend your wedding in person, but I promise you I'll be there to watch over you.
Over all of you.
And I know that I'll be there in your hearts.
Mary Margaret, David...I love you both.
You and your love have inspired me immensely as well as you've given me hope.
I can never thank you enough for that.
Be happy, live truly and love endlessly.
Graham'
Most of them were crying or at least teary eyed by the time Neal finished the letter.
Emma got up and walked over to the kitchen counter, wiping the tears from her cheeks and returned to the table a few moments later with a bottle of champagne and glasses, "I bought that bottle to celebrate Graham's gallery opening...but we never got the chance...we might as well open it now."
Ruby did the task and filled the glasses, handing one to all of her friends including one with orange juice for Henry.
Raising her own she smiled, "To an amazing friend and an oustanding man...to Graham."
Henry had went to sleep at some point – in Emma's guest room of course – together with Tamotsu, who had been pretty quiet all evening, probably because there had been too many people at once.
When the guests finally left Regina remembered Emma's worried expression from earlier and she tensed immediately.
What had Emma so on edge?
It had to be Gold, right?
Emma was putting the dishes into the dishwasher when Regina appeared next to her, putting a hand on the blonde's shoulder, causing her to jump.
"I'm sorry. I didn't mean to startle you."
"It's alright. I'm a bit..." Emma debated what to say, "My father called to tell me about dinner plans for tomorrow."
"Oh."
Regina did not know what to say to that, simply because she had not expected it, "Uh...but that's a good thing, right? Him calling you I mean..."
Emma shrugged, "Usually my mother calls about stuff like that. My father only calls when there is something to be discussed."
"I understand", Regina dropped her head, "Most likely it has something to do with me, don't you think? Because he is not too fond of me."
Emma let her shoulders slump, praying that would not be the reason because she did not have the strength to fight her father on that matter again, "No idea. He wouldn't say. But you can ask him yourself...because you are expected to come to dinner too."
