Happy Daze
Yall... this got so out of hand! I appreciate all your patience and reads. Hope you enjoyed the story! It feels weird that after... 6 years... I don't have to think about it anymore! Haha! Thanks again, yall! Enjoy!
Emma felt like an eagle with brand new wings as Graham unhooked the ankle monitor from her foot. "God, that feels so good!" She rubbed her raw skin that now felt fresh air for the first time in weeks. Truthfully, she could have gotten the bracelet off much sooner, but with all the chaos in town, the paperwork Graham filed many weeks ago finally went across the judges desk.
"Well, I'm just glad we could get this all worked out. I don't think this would have turned out like this if August hadn't put in the work. And turns out, our friend Mickie wasn't the tough guy he made himself out to be. The guy squeaked faster than a lab rat." Graham admitted apologetically. "I'm just really sorry, Emma."
Emma wrapped him in a hug, taking him off guard a bit. "None of this was your fault. You were doing your job." She pulled away and placed a gentle hand on her shoulder. "And you saved us… again." They both chuckled.
"Supper is ready!" Regina hollered from the kitchen.
"Stay for dinner?" Emma asked Graham sweetly. "It's the least we can do for you after saving our lives for like the eighteenth time."
Graham nodded in acceptance and followed Emma to the already crowded dining room table. He darted into the kitchen to help Regina carry the plates and silverware to the table. August and Henry were deep in an intense conversation, already seated at the table, about who the best basketball player of all time was. Henry's argument for Lebron was strong, but August had never lost a debate when defending the great Jordan.
"Mom, come on. You gotta have my back on this one. Lebron is King!" His hands went big over his head.
Emma laughed as she sat directly across from August at the head of the table. "Both of yall are wrong." Emma said matter of factly.
"What?" August and Henry said simultaneously.
"Honestly, Kobe. Come on! It's not even a competition." Emma took the basket of rolls from Regina, while Graham placed the large platter of lasagna in the middle of the table. Henry licked his lips in anticipation. Regina's lasagna was his absolute favorite meal.
"What happened to you when you were a kid?" August teased her and Henry laughed out loud.
Emma rolled her eyes. "Alright, well I don't know about you all but this lasagna isn't going to eat itself." Emma started into the lasagna and passed it around, quickly following the rolls and the salad. The table grew quiet as they devoured their plates, the only noise coming from clanks and pings of hungry forks on plates. Emma glanced up at her table for a moment as she caught her breath from eating. In two weeks Henry had become a state basketball champion, even though he didn't get to play. Sitting on the bench in a large cast was not how he thought he would be experiencing the game of his life, but Emma had never seen him happier cheering on and helping coach his team to victory. Despite not being able to play, during the post-game celebration, his team awarded him the season MVP. Henry all but cried and his trophy now sat proudly on his desk in his room. Regina had been promoted to District Supervisor for the school district, and even though she offered Emma her job back at the school, Emma decided her career was headed in a different direction. After some heated discussion, her and August decided to expand his business from one private investigator, to two. It would take some time before she was official, but her training could begin as early as next week, and she was more than excited to begin something new, and to have August back in her life.
Regina caught Emma gazing around the table and reached out to gently touch her hand. Emma flicked her eyes to Regina and smiled. The bruising on Regina's face had significantly healed and it was almost like nothing had ever happened. She would have only one scar from the whole thing just above her right upper lip. Emma gently rubbed the top of her hand with her thumb and smiled.
As everyone finished up their food, the boys leaned back in their chairs and looked completely stuffed. "Regina, that was beyond satisfying. Thank you all so much for this. It's not often I get to sit and have family dinner." Graham stood politely. "Unfortunately, duty calls."
Everyone but Henry stood to say their goodbyes. Emma gave Graham another hug, followed by Regina who made sure he knew he was always welcome in their home for dinner. August shook his hand and walked him out to his cruiser. Emma helped Henry up out of his seat. "How are your feet feeling?" She asked him as he got situated on his crutches.
He struggled a bit to gain his balance. "Good, actually. I can put almost all my weight on it. See!" Henry tried to stand, but soon began to lean and fall one direction. Emma caught him quickly, balancing him back on his crutches.
"Okay, kid! Why don't you head to the living room, and maybe Regina will bring you desert!" She winked at him and kissed him on the forehead and he happily retreated into the next room. Emma turned her attention to Regina who had her back to her while she rinsed off dishes and placed them in the dishwasher.
"Oh, Emma!" Regina giggled as Emma snuck up behind her, wrapping her arms around Regina's waist and dropping her head on Regina's shoulder.
They stood there for a moment. Still. Quiet. Warm.
"Emma, are you okay?" Regina finally chimed in, even though she wished this moment could last forever.
Emma took a deep breath, inhaling the sweet apple fragrance in Regina's clothes and spun her around so their faces were inches apart. Regina wrapped her hands around Emma's neck, running her fingers through Emma's blonde curls. They're lips met in the softest kiss. "I love you so much, Regina." Emma rested her head on Regina's chest.
Regina kissed her again on her forehead. "I love you, too."
When August and Henry had both trudged off to bed, Emma plopped down in her bed heavily, looking forward to a long night of sleep. Even after two weeks it felt so weird to finally just relax at the end of the day. No one in the hospital, no one hunting them down, no more lost memories.
Regina came out of the bathroom in her silk top and shorts, her arms raised above her head as she pulled her long dark curls up in a ponytail. Emma got a small peak of her stomach underneath her shirt until Regina lowered her arms and headed to her side of the bed and pulled back the covers.
Regina noticed Emma's stare as she slid into the bed next to Emma. "What?" She smiled.
"Nothing." Emma smiled back, her eyes never wavering.
Regina raised a curious eye at her as she continued to get comfortable. Emma scooted closer to Regina and could feel the heat radiating from her body. Emma reached up at ever so gently stroked Regina's cheek near the cut on her lip. Regina's eyes flashed down at her hand and she pressed her lips into Emma's palm. Emma smiled instantly.
It was a weird feeling between them. It wasn't hot, and steamy, and sensual. It wasn't casual. But it was deep. They had been through so much the last few years. Conquered every mountain. And here and now, all Emma wanted to do was stare at Regina like this forever. They had both learned how precious life was, and how it could be taken away in an instant. They learned to savor every moment they could when they were around each other, and though Emma never thought it was possible, she believed she loved Regina more and more every day she woke up to her.
Emma's eyes fluttered open to a dark room. At some point in the night she had thrown the covers off of her and she could feel a sweaty chill come over her exposed legs. She turned clumsily to check the clock and it blinked in her scratchy eyes. 3:02a.m. She sighed and rolled over expecting to wrap her arm around Regina, but only found emptiness. She sat up and looked around the room, checking for light under the bathroom door in case she had just needed a quick trip, but nothing. Darkness.
She pulled on her robe and headed downstairs. The light to the stove lit a small glow coming from the kitchen and the bright rays of light coming from the back porch cut through the shades and cast creepy shadows across the living room.
When Emma slid open the back porch door, she found Regina wrapped in a small blanket sitting on the outdoor couch. "Hey, babe." Emma shut the door behind her. "You okay?"
Regina smiled as Emma sat next to her and pulled Regina's feet into her lap. But she didn't answer Emma's question. Instead she just looked at her.
"Now who's staring?" Emma joked and began rubbing Regina's feet. Regina moaned at the pressure. "What are you doing out here?" Emma asked again.
"I just needed some fresh air."
Emma's hands drifted up Regina's legs as she continued her massage up Regina's calves. "At three in the morning?" Emma joked.
Regina smiled and ran her hand through her hair. "I just…" Regina started. Emma stared at her anxiously, her eyebrows clearly showing her concern. "How did we do this? Two weeks ago I was tied up… the car accident… Henry… how did all of this happen?" Regina picked nervously at her fingers. "I can't stop thinking about it."
Emma pulled Regina to her. "I can't either." Emma admitted. They sat there quietly for a moment.
Regina shifted so she could see Emma. "Is it wrong to feel guilty? To feel responsible?"
"No." Emma answered immediately cupping Regina's face. "There is no right way to deal with what we've been through. It doesn't matter how normal things seem to be, you're allowed to feel how you need to feel. I…" Emma's voice caught in her throat. "I think every day what would have happened if I would have lost you that night. When he had you… I…" Emma took a deep breath, blinking away tears. "I would have never forgiven myself. I wouldn't have been able to take it." Emma planted a kiss on Regina's lips.
Regina returned the kiss and even though her lip throbbed, she pressed them harder into Emma. When they separated, Regina wiped a tear from Emma's cheek. "How do we move forward from this?" Regina asked innocently.
The corner of Emma's lip raised. "Together." She kissed her again.
Regina checked her watch nervously as she sipped on her coffee in one of the middle benches at Granny's. She was supposed to meet Emma there for breakfast over half an hour ago, but Emma hadn't shown up yet. It was expected for Emma to always be a little late, but never this long. She picked up her phone. The last two text messages she sent were still unread, so she flipped to her contacts to call her. No answer.
Granny came to her table with a fresh pot of coffee. "Need a refill, hun?" She asked her.
"You haven't heard from Emma today have you? She was supposed to meet me here but she's over half an hour late." Regina hoped to get an answer. Suddenly her phone came to life and vibrated on the table in front of her. It was Emma.
8:39 a.m. Come to the docks ASAP
Granny smiled at Regina and wished her a good morning as she headed out. The streets seemed more empty than usual, but it was the summer, and she knew of quite a few people who headed out for a much needed vacation this year. Like Emma and Regina, the town had been through a lot as well. With Gold's very public trial, and the closing of the base nearby, the number of people that frequented town had dwindled over the last year. She wished for a vacation as well, and though her family of three had spent a couple weekends down in Boston for some of Emma's training and tests, it just didn't seem like enough to feel rested.
Emma had finished her training a couple months back, and even though there aren't many people in the area, it was weird how busy August and Emma were. Emma travelled more than she expected, but August made sure to take the long jobs so that Emma could be home with her family. Regina kept herself busy helping Henry get to therapy, and he even attended and participated in his first basketball practice since the accident last week. He was so excited he couldn't stop talking about it until he passed out on the couch from exhaustion. He was terribly out of shape.
The morning was beautiful despite the loneliness. Even for the middle of the summer it was a mild day, and the summer breeze that blew in from the bay brushed by Regina's cheeks. She hadn't been to the water since she regained her memories. To her surprise she realized she hadn't even thought about the docks since that night. It had been so long since she smelled the water's edge, and a flutter started in her chest to finally touch the sand with her toes after so long.
Though confused on why Emma had changed plans, she nevertheless continued down the street until she was nearing the docks. As she got closer, there were a large number of cars in the parking lot. There usually weren't this many people at the docks all at once, and she wondered if the nice day had just brought an abnormally large number of people to the water today.
As she headed up the steps of the dock she looked up to see a familiar figure standing ahead of her.
"August, what are you doing?" Regina questioned him. He smiled, showing his most handsome smile. Regina eyed him from head to toe. He was in a suit. A nice suit. One of his best suits.
"May I escort you?" He held out his elbow.
Regina hesitated and looked around suspiciously. "Is this a joke? Why are you so dressed up?" She asked him.
"Only one way to find out." He winked.
She reluctantly took his arm and they strolled down the dock. August was weirdly quiet, but took some deep thoughtful breaths every once in a while. They passed boat after boat docked and wobbly in the water, and as the end of the dock came into view, Regina's heart skipped a beat.
White flowers decorated the roped barriers on either side of them. Red roses scattered out in front of them. Then, Regina realized why there were so many cars in the parking lot. Mary Margaret greeted her just before the rose petals started and handed her a white and red rose bouquet of flowers. David smiled proudly behind his wife and gave Regina a small bow as August continued down the dock. Ruby smiled and wiped a tear from her eye as Regina walked by. Neighbors and friends lined the rope edge as Regina approached a boat at the very end of the dock. Perched on top was a sight that instantly brought tears to her eyes. Emma stood tall and proud atop the boat in a completely white formal suit. Like a knight in shining white armor. Her blonde curls perfectly fell down her shoulders and the most beautiful smile Regina had ever seen was glued to Emma's face. Regina hitched and looked up at August, who gave her a reassuring nod.
Henry stepped up to Regina, bowing like a proper gentleman and offered his hand. "May I?" he said properly.
August bowed back to him respectfully and placed Regina's shaking hand in Henrys. But before they turned to walk up the boat ramp, Henry threw his arms around Regina's waist. Regina squeezed him hard. "I love you." Henry whispered.
Regina couldn't help but let tears escape her eyes and when she looked up at Emma, she felt so embarrassed to be showing so much feeling. Henry let her go and took her hand, leading her gently up the ramp and up to Emma, August following close behind. The crowd below stepped closer to watch.
When Regina reached the top of the boat, she stepped over the railing and to meet Emma face to face. "Emma?" Regina questioned.
Emma took Regina's hands in hers and just smiled. Her white suit fit every curve, and Regina could hardly stand in front of her without her knees shaking in anticipation.
"Regina." Emma started. "First off, I want to apologize."
Regina stared at her in confusion.
"I've been lying to you… sort of." Emma glanced over at August with a small smile. "My weekends spent working with August, we weren't always out of town. We were actually here. Building this boat together. For you. For us." She glanced down at Henry who was absolutely beaming at the both of them.
Regina's attention fell on the boat for the first time. The deck refinished, the frame painted a clean white and the sails wrapped up neatly above them. "Is this the boat from…"
"Leroy's. Yeah. I finally finished it, with some help of course." Emma admitted.
"It's beautiful." Regina whispered because that was all she could manage.
Emma sighed in relief and adjusted her stance, finding it harder to hold it together herself as well. But she hadn't even gotten to the good part yet. "Regina, I love you so much. Unbelievably more and more every day I wake up loving you more and kicking myself for not loving you as much the previous day. You love my son, and he absolutely adores you. You took our little family of two and you loved us as our own, and we want spend the rest of our lives loving you back." Emma reached out and wiped a tear falling slowly down Regina's cheek. With her other hand, she reached into her jacket pocket and pulled out a small blue velvet box and in one clean motion she knelt down onto one knee.
"Regina Mills. Would you please do me the honor of making me the happiest woman on this planet, and be my wife?" Emma opened the box and Regina gasped at the gorgeous studded ring inside. Her tears fell heavily but without a single hesitation she shook her head. "Yes!" She answered happily. Emma hopped up and wrapped Regina in a passionate kiss, and the crowd below them cheered. Henry swooped in and wrapped them both in a big hug.
"Oh Emma!" Regina sucked in her tears as Emma placed the ring on her finger. It felt so perfect around her finger like she had always been missing a piece of herself and it had finally been returned. "What now? We just start planning?" Regina asked happily, kissing Emma again and again.
"Actually…" Emma turned her head toward a figure on the boat with them, and out from behind the mast stepped Graham in a full black and white suit, sharply tailored perfectly to his figure. One of the few times he was ever out of uniform. "I may have arranged something." Emma winced and half smiled, not knowing how Regina was going to react.
"If you'd allow me, Regina," Graham bowed to her. "It would be an honor to marry you today." He offered.
Regina looked between Emma and Graham, and out to the smiling faces below anticipating the moment. She smiled genuinely. "It would be an honor to be married by you, Graham."
Emma let out a small sigh of relief and before the sun had reached its peak in the sky, Emma pulled Regina in to seal the ceremony with a kiss. When they separated, Emma kept their foreheads together. "Pleasure to meet you, Mrs. Swan." Emma chuckled.
Regina smiled. "The pleasure is all mine, Mrs. Swan."
The crowd below them shouted out in praise and they all crowded on board as August popped open a bottle of champagne. As he passed it around to everyone, he clanked on his own full glass to get everyone's attention.
"Alas, dear family and friends. It is with all the gratitude in my heart that we find ourselves here today to celebrate my sister and her wife. Regina, you are more family to Emma, Henry and I then we have ever known. You took us in as our own, you put up with my sister every day," the crowd chuckled. "But most of all, through everything you three have been through, you loved her. You loved Henry. And I think I can speak for everyone here, that we wish you the most beautiful life together."
"Cheers!" The crowd clinked their glasses together and toasted the happy couple. As Emma and Regina mingled through the crowd on the boat, Emma excused herself to the edge of the boat to get some fresh air. Before long, August approached and chugged the last of his champagne.
"August, I…"
"Hey." He cut her off. "None of that mushy big brother stuff.
Emma laughed. "I wouldn't think of it." She nudged him with her shoulder. "How about just a thank you." She held her hand out for him to shake. He raised an eyebrow, and in a flash wrapped her in a bear hug. She squeezed him back. And that was all she needed to finish this day. Emma was married. Her wife was stunningly happy. They had created a kind of family that Emma only dreamed about when her and August were just young kids bouncing around the foster homes. But it's not about how you start the story. It's how you finish it. And Emma definitely felt like she had finished in the most beautiful place possible.