A/N: Hello everyone,
long time no see. I know. Life really has a way to throw me curveballs this year, but oh well.
No long speeches, just a few words to this chapter. I know it's short, but it's the last filler chapter for this story. Fasten your seat belts 'cause we're reaching the bumpier part of the ride.
I know...we all thought the worst was over, right? Well, not quite.
I'm finally back to writing properly, to a schedule were I actually have time to write more than just a few sentences here and there, so I'm positive that the next update will be up by next week.
Thanks to everyone for sticking with this story, for your incredible patience, support and all the love.
Special thanks to my friend Sandra, who has been nothing short of amazing during the latest disaster life has thrown at me.
Much love to everyone xo
TAKE ME TO WONDERLAND
Chapter 39
Emma did not dare to blink, breathe or move.
She had no idea what was happening and she was too surprised to do anything.
Having Regina touch her, even in this light and innocent way, was mind blowing. Her thoughts were literally somersaulting and her heart was racing at a pace that should concern her and yet all Emma could focus on was Regina's breath on her neck, their bodies so unbelievably close.
Meanwhile Regina came to her senses and realized what she was doing.
A part of her wanted to step back and run, but the bigger part of her wanted to stay like this forever. That part of her also wanted to feel Emma's skin against her own and while she was nowhere near ready to actually have sex or, how Emma had stated earlier "make love", with her girlfriend just yet she did want to feel closer to her.
Could she handle it or would she freak out?
The truth was Regina was not sure and although she knew that she needed to trust herself she did not want to risk too much too soon because it could end in a major setback.
"Emma..."
The blonde tried to step away again, "Uh...right. I better go change..."
"Wait, please."
Regina tried to sound calmer than she felt, but was not sure that she was successful.
Holding her dress securely in place Emma turned around to face the brunette, "Are you okay? Is there anything I can do for you?"
It should not surprise her anymore, but Regina was taken aback by Emma's question nonetheless. Even now Emma wanted to make sure that she was alright.
"I'm not ready to...you know...but I...I want to feel your skin...against mine...at least a little..." Regina managed to say, "I know it's stupid."
Emma smiled at her, "Not at all. I might have an idea...I'll be right back."
And with that Emma did step away, only to disappear in her bedroom, leaving Regina to her thoughts.
Before Regina had time to think too much about what she was doing Emma reappeared, wearing panties and a sports bra, holding out another one for Regina, "You think this could work?"
Distracted by the sight in front of her all Regina could do was to nod robotically.
Emma Swan truly was one hell of a woman.
Emma had put the sports bra into her hand and had told her that she would get ready for bed. Then she had disappeared again.
It had taken Regina a minute to get moving, but then she had headed for the guest bathroom to change and get her nightly routine done as well.
Now that she was on her way to Emma's bedroom her heart hammered in her chest and she could hear the blood rushing in her ears.
She was a nervous wreck, but not because she was afraid. Regina was certain that Emma would not push her, would do nothing to make her uncomfortable.
Ever since their session with Wendy Darling Regina felt more daring, probably because Emma had managed to relieve the pressure she had been under with her words.
She was safe with Emma, that much Regina knew without a doubt and it helped her to be more courageous.
So Regina was nervous simply because she looked forward to being close to Emma and making slow, but steady progress.
Progress she had not thought possible a couple of weeks ago and yet here she was.
Taking a deep breath Regina entered the bedroom where Emma was already under the covers, waiting for her. The sight made Regina smile and she went over to the bed and slid in, eager to run her fingers over Emma's delicate skin once again.
Emma had let her roam her hands all over her upper body and Regina had found great pleasure in it.
She had fallen asleep wrapped in Emma's arms, feeling the warmth of the blonde's smooth skin against her own and Regina had decided right then and there that she wanted to fall asleep like that for the rest of her life.
She woke up to Emma running her fingertips over her neck while she was still half asleep and Regina had to smile.
Even more so because she had not woken up panicked because someone was touching her, rather enjoying the feeling of Emma's gentle caress.
Things really did look up for her and Regina couldn't believe how lucky she was.
She had said good bye to Emma with a peck to the lips because her mood had been so overwhelmingly good and she felt like she finally was getting closer to having a "normal" life and a "normal" relationship.
Regina arrived at the studio where she would be working the next couple of days with a huge smile on her face and bumped right into Killian, who was sporting an even bigger smile – if that was even possible.
"Hello sunshine...whatever happened to you...make sure it happens again", Regina announced with a chuckle and surprised them both by kissing him on the cheek.
God, life was so good.
"Good morning, love! Nothing happened to me...except...", he made a very dramatic gesture with his hand, holding a make up brush, "Nealaskedmeoutonadate!"
"What did you just say?" Regina watched him closely, pretty sure she heard something about Neal and date, but she wasn't sure and she would rather have confirmation before she congratulated her friend on something that might have been nothing, but a misunderstanding.
Killian took a deep breath, trying to calm his nerves, "Neal. As. In. Neal. Cassidy...asked. Me. Out. On. A. Date."
Regina flashed her best smile, "That's wonderful news, Killian. Congratulations. I'm so happy for you!"
"I know! I'm so excited! But...we need to keep this quiet for a while", Killian started to whisper all of a sudden, which made the whole situation seem pretty ridiculous and Regina looked at him in confusion, "Why is that?"
Killian sobered up instantly and dropped his head, "Because...Graham. I mean...what if they think it's too early...what if Emma hates me...I can't lose anyone else...not over a stupid date."
Regina reached out her hand, waiting for her friend to take it. As he did she squeezed it encouragingly, "Emma could never hate you. She loves you and she wants you happy. I get that you are scared because everyone of you loved Graham dearly, me included, but he is gone. It's sad and it hurts, but he isn't coming back. He would want you to be happy. He wants all of you to be happy...do you think he would have spent so much time planning all those surprises for you guys otherwise?"
"I miss him."
Killian's voice was barely a whisper, "I miss him. Every hour of every day. I knew our relationship was rocky at best, but even when we took a break...we've always been friends. Why didn't he tell me, Regina? He shouldn't have died alone...he shouldn't have died to begin with! He's gone and I'm here...swooning over a wedding planner...it's...it's not fair."
"Life's not fair, I'm afraid", Regina stated, "I wish he had decided to let everyone know so we could have been there for him, I should have known that something is wrong when he took me on this walk to the gazebo...but we need to accept that he made this decision for himself. Not for everyone else...it was his choice...and he loved you. That's why he let you go. If he were here today...he'd be happy for you. He would want you to go for your dreams...and for what you want. I will be weird in the beginning...dating someone else. But it will be okay. Neal is a great guy from what I can tell...try to be happy, Killian. For Graham."
"Regina?"
"Yes?
"Can I give you a hug?"
She thought about it for a second and realized that, no, she wouldn't mind, "Of course."
Killian pulled her into his armed, careful for the embrace not to become too tight, "Thank you. For everything."
He took a step back, his hands on Regina's shoulders, their eyes locking, "I admit...when Emma first told me about you...I wasn't sure what to think of the whole story. After Jade and all that crap that woman pulled. But Regina Mills, you are a godsend. For all of us. I'm so glad that Emma saw that golden heart of yours right away. I get it now...I get why she loves you so damn much. There's simply no way not to."
Regina was completely taken aback by Killian's statement, "I...I owe you all so much...you've done so much for me...and I...Emma...she's...I have no words...she's everything."
"You don't owe anyone anything, love. All we did was help you out a little...we might have provided the wings...but the way you have risen like the phoenix from the ashes...that's all you."
Meanwhile Emma was pacing in Gold's office, her mind racing.
That sneaky bastard had revealed his wishes for the second event she was supposed to plan and of course he had asked for the one thing that was impossible to arrange.
"Mister Gold, we both know that I can't do that", she tried to stay calm, but he was really testing her temper.
"And how is that my problem, deary. We have a deal, remember? And you better keep your end of that deal or Regina will come back here where she belongs", his trademark giggle echoed through the room.
"She doesn't belong here! And she sure as hell doesn't belong to you!" Emma barked.
"Then see to it that I get my party", Gold said, got up from behind his desk and stepped right in front of her, "See to it...or our deal is obsolete."
Emma closed her eyes, trying to will back the tears.
She would make it happen if she could. The problem was she couldn't. He truly had asked the impossible of her.
What now?
