"I'm hoping the night shifts will end soon, I'm just as tired of them as you are," Graham exasperates just as the doorbell rings, persuading his hazel eyes to slide toward his wife in questioning.
"I'm not expecting anyone," she states, rising from her chair to answer the door, leaving her husband to continue eating dinner before his shift.
Her mind is shuffling through all the possibilities of who could possibly be behind the door as she crosses her home, from Susan, to Ruby, to Janet, but secretly she hopes it's Emma. She hasn't spoken to the woman in four days, but there's still a glimmer of hope swelling in her chest that when she jerks open that door, a shy blonde will be swaying on the other end.
She clicks the lock in the opposite direction and yanks open her front door and her heart stops in her chest.
"Hi."
"Emma," she gasps, desperately trying to hide the smile creeping through her cheeks.
"Can I come in?" She sheepishly questions, shrugging one shoulder and scrunching up only the right side of her face and it's so adorable that it kick starts Regina's heart once again.
She offers a faint smile and steps back, opening the door even wider and allowing the woman to step over the threshold. One hundred different scenarios as to why she is there flashes across Regina's mind as she gently eases the door closed again.
"We were just sitting down for dinner. Are you hungry? Would you like something to eat?" She politely extends the invitation as she leads the way back into the kitchen.
"I ate at my parents."
"So, you would like a small plate, correct?" Regina sasses, knowing this young blonde is always hungry for her home cooked meals.
"Um, what did you make?" She investigates, a small smile tugging at the corner of one side of her mouth.
"Pasta and a small side salad," Regina informs her, already moving around the kitchen to make a plate for her.
"Hey, Emma. How are you?" Graham chimes in, grinning like a fool as she lingers near the doorway of the kitchen, not fully committed into walking in just yet.
"Hey, I'm good. You?"
"Not too shabby," he happily answers before guzzling down his glass of ice water while Emma nods along mindlessly.
"Emma, would you like a glass of wine?" Regina offers, setting down a plate of pasta next to Graham and directly across from herself.
"Uh, sure," she mumbles under her breath, prompting Graham to reach for the bottle and pour her a glass.
Regina slides back into her chair, exchanging a knowing look with Graham as he settles back in his seat as well. Emma stiffly perches herself at the edge of her chair, those green eyes cast down and focusing on her plate as a distraction. Not one word is spoken as they all try to decide where to begin. Quietly, Emma picks up her fork and starts eating, while Regina studies her carefully, sipping her wine and Graham's eyes flick between the two women for guidance.
Regina clears her throat after Emma has indulged in a few bites of her dinner. "It's nice to have you eating dinner with us again," she softly acknowledges, not wanting to jump right back into a complicated conversation they all know is coming.
Emma smiles to herself around her fork and nods slowly, her apprehension about the upcoming topic on full display for the couple to see. Graham creates an audible gulp and sits back in his chair, glancing at his wife for some direction.
"Have you been studying hard for your exam?" Regina kindly asks, her voice softening for the younger woman like it always seems to do whenever she is around.
Emma nods, quickly swallowing down her bite and wiping her mouth before speaking. "Yeah, my mom has been hovering lately." She rolls her eyes, her fork absentmindedly pushing her food all around her plate. "It's in three days," she reminds the couple, again, never once lifting her gaze from the plate below.
"I'm sure you will do just fine," Graham cheerfully encourages, which inspires a small smirk from that pretty pink mouth.
"Yeah," she breathes out slowly and concentrates on eating once more.
Regina strums her nails against her wine glass, her lips pursing as she debates with herself on how she would like to proceed. Graham glances at the clock on the wall and scratches at his scruffy cheek.
"I have to get going in about a half an hour," he announces.
Emma squirms in her seat, still refusing to meet their eyes as Regina squints at her, wondering what the hell is going through that genius little head of hers. She sets down her glass gently and leans into the table, folding her hands neatly in front of her.
"Emma, how come you have been ignoring my calls?" She bravely inquires, and watches as the woman visibly winces. "We have been trying to speak with you."
"I know," she exasperates, tossing her fork down with a loud clatter. "I'm sorry," she whines, scrubbing her hands down her face and appearing so much younger than she is and that's when Regina realizes that she is still very young despite a college degree and studying to become a doctor. "I just," she exhales slowly and finally those anxious green orbs meet concerned brown. "I don't do relationships. I don't know how. I have always been focused on school and my studies and this...ugh this is even more complicated than a regular relationship. I needed time and space to think."
"And we understood that and respected your space," Graham gently responds, leaning into the table as well.
"Emma, nothing has to happen, we don't want you to feel uncomfortable in any way," Regina earnestly vows.
"I know, and I appreciate you guys being so cool about all of this." Emma folds her arms across the table, her nails biting into her biceps to keep her from shaking from anxiety. "School has always been a top priority. For as long as I can remember, I've wanted to be a doctor and I've never allowed anything to distract me."
"We don't want to distract you either," Regina agrees.
"Yeah, we want you to accomplish your dreams," Graham adds on, smiling so sweetly and it does help take the edge off for Emma and it would be so much easier for her to step away if they were both selfish jerks.
"I know, and you guys are so great and that's why this is so hard for me. I want to continue what we've been doing through the summer..."
"But," Regina finishes, because she can sense it lingering in the air like a foul stench.
"I don't know how that's going to work because in two months, I'll be back in New York," she whines and the sound of her desperation produces a frown upon Regina's face.
"We can keep it casual then, like we've been doing," she suggests because she would love more time with this corky woman, even if she knows in the end they will have to part ways. She just wants to soak up as much of this beautiful soul while she still can. Emma hesitates, there's something ringing loudly in her head that just isn't for Regina and Graham's ears and she wishes she could read this woman's mind. "Please, Emma, you know my policy is open and honest," she reminds, urging her to open up and reveal what's on her mind.
"Okay," she sighs, and Regina notices right away how the woman's fingers turn white from clenching her arms so tightly. "Where-How...do I fit into your world?"
Graham smiles softly and reaches across the table to sweep his thumb against her upper arm. "We just see you as part of our relationship."
"But how?" She implores, the confusion so evident upon her face.
"We can't really explain it," Regina fully admits, "we just know that we both feel like you are a part of our relationship. We both feel comfortable with you around and it just feels right with you in our home," she confesses, hoping that Emma can see the sincerity in her eyes and she must, because Emma is brightening up and smiling back at her.
"And..." the blonde turns to Graham in questioning, "you don't feel weird about Regina and I...um..." she trails off, hoping he will just catch on and answer without her having to say it out loud because her cheeks are starting to burn and her mouth suddenly feels very dry.
"I don't. Not at all, I know Regina craves a woman's affection and I trust you," he swears, holding her gaze to stress his point. "I trust both of you."
"I wouldn't feel comfortable sleeping with you without Regina though," she blurts, provoking a small laugh to slip through Regina's lips.
Graham scoffs, but both women hear the teasing in his tone. "I know," he earnestly states, "I understand that you and Regina share a deeper bond."
"I still don't get how this works," Emma exasperates, scrubbing her hands down her face.
"Can I let you in on a little secret?" Regina whispers, encouraging green eyes to meet hers. "We don't either," she divulges, inspiring Emma to laugh out loud. "Like I said, we just feel like you fit into our relationship."
"So, I'm basically dating you both?" She incredulously inquires, her eyes shifting frantically between the two.
Regina and Graham both shrug which isn't helping the situation the least bit. "I suppose," she says, mulling the idea over in her head. "But you said you wanted to keep it casual because of school?"
"Can we just see how this goes? Like not put a label or anything?" Emma suggests, her eyes still flicking between the couple for confirmation because she has always hated labels.
"That's fine with me," Graham concedes. "I think we should just see how it all works out before we decide anything."
"Okay," Emma murmurs, somewhat lost in thought as Graham pushes away from the table to rinse his plate and place it in the dishwasher.
"I need to get a move on," he announces before gently pecking Emma's cheek. "You two continue talking or enjoy the evening, either way," he shrugs and captures Regina's lips for a meaningful kiss that settles her worries. "Hopefully, I will come home and find you two cuddling in bed," he says, slipping into his work boots. "Those are my favorite mornings," he confesses before he struts confidently out the door.
As soon as the door clicks shut, Emma exhales slowly and Regina can see the tension slipping away.
"What's wrong?" She carefully asks, reaching across the table to gather Emma's hand.
"Nothing, I was just worried about having that conversation in front of him. I didn't want him to think I was like...trying to steal his wife." Emma grimaces at the thought and the expression is too cute for Regina not to chuckle at.
"He knows that's not what this is," Regina confirms, brushing her thumb across the silky skin that she has missed so much.
"Okay, good," she sighs in relief. "Are you done?" Emma generously asks, reaching to clear Regina's plate.
Regina nods curtly and smiles as Emma begins clearing the table. "Would you like to stay this evening?" She questions, sweeping through the kitchen to clean the condiments while Emma does the dishes.
"Yeah," Emma agrees and exhales slowly, like she's missed being in their home, even if it was only four days away, but Regina understands because she missed her just as much. "Maybe we can rent a movie?"
"I think you should study," she strictly recommends.
"No, it's fine-"
"No, you only have three days left and then you can relax and enjoy the summer, but I think for the next three days we focus on your studies," she sternly demands.
"We? You gonna help me study?" Emma hopefully inquires with a dancing smile playing at her lips.
"I can if you'd like..."
"Okay, after I'm done with these dishes, I'll go get my books and you can help me, okay?"
"Okay," Regina softly whispers, pressing a delicate kiss to the woman's cheek and melting from the strong connection buzzing through them once again.
XXXX
"Mom, relax, Regina is going to help me study tonight," Emma exasperates, full of annoyance as she walks around collecting the mess of books scattered throughout the Swan home.
Mary Margaret's eyes dart toward Regina for confirmation and she flashes the most sincere grin she can manage, but it doesn't settle the older woman's worries.
"Sweetie-"
"Mom, I need a change of scenery, I've been locked up for days. I promise I will be studying," she vows, handing over a pile of books that are far too heavy, but Regina simply smiles and holds them close.
"I'm sure she will do just fine on the exam," Regina supplies, hoping to calm Mary Margaret down before she hyperventilates.
"I know she will," the older woman firmly declares before a sappy grin takes over her face, "she nearly had a perfect score last time."
"Last time?" Regina sputters rapidly.
"Yes," Mary Margaret squeals, while Emma morphs into a tomato and ducks her head to hide her embarrassment. "She's already taken this test almost two years ago and used it for her application to Columbia."
"Oh?"
"Our little medical genius ranked top in her class with the highest scores and when Albert Einstein College of Medicine caught wind of her, they asked her to take the test again and consider their school." Emma's mother latches onto her daughter and squeezes her with all her might. "It's the best medical school in New York and they focus more on new studies and the science behind medicine," she gushes while poor Emma looks like she may faint at any moment from her embarrassment.
"I had no idea. Emma," Regina softly coos, encouraging those panicked eyes to meet hers. "Congratulations, that's so wonderful to hear."
"I-I still don't know where I want to go. Even though I should have decided like yesterday, but they are offering me time because of my scores," she sheepishly answers.
"Why are you being so modest? You should be so proud," Regina happily acknowledges, but Emma just shrugs in response.
"She has always been so modest," her mother claims, pressing a sloppy kiss to her cheek. "She's always been a little genius, messy though...a scatter brain really," she laughs as Emma continues sweeping through their home to collect all her books that have been left in disarray.
"I heard that's a little quirk of someone with high intelligence," Regina states, eyeing Emma until the younger woman lifts her gaze and smiles shyly in return.
"She could probably pass this test in her sleep, but I want her to be prepared, I don't want her panicking under pressure. I want my baby girl to have options and attend whatever school she wants," Mary Margaret gloats over her daughter while Emma slips into her room for a moment leaving Regina alone.
"I'm sure she will choose whatever school is right for her."
"Please make sure she studies," the older woman steps forward, almost in an intimidating threat, but Regina holds her chin high. "I'm not quite sure what my daughter is constantly doing at your house, frankly, I don't care for it with all the rumors around this small town, however, I'm not going to say anything and stress my daughter out even more before her exam. Just know, that I do have my eye on you."
"Be that as it may, at the end of the day, I care very deeply for Emma and I want what's best for her. She's an adult now though, she can make her own choices. After this exam is complete, you won't be able to stop her from coming to my house," she smugly replies, with a cocky smirk dancing around her lips.
"You're a married woman, Regina, what could you possibly want with my daughter? She doesn't need to be used and left for heartache-"
"Stop right there," Regina growls, stepping into the woman's personal space. "What Graham and I decide together is between our marriage, us, not you or anyone else. But more importantly, I would never hurt Emma. I care very deeply for her and insinuating that I would ever use her is a mistake on your behalf that will only result in-"
"All set, Regina?" Emma cheerfully interrupts her threat, oblivious to the argument unfolding while she had disappeared, but she does sense the tension, her skeptical eyes flickering between both women.
Regina softens immediately, grinning wildly at the short, cotton shorts and the knee-high socks, today they are a Robin's egg blue, with the toes, heels and a stripe across her knee, neon green. "I'm ready when you are, dear," she purrs just to irk the blonde's mother.
"I probably won't be home tonight," Emma announces, sliding her feet into her sneakers, "I'm not dead in a ditch somewhere," she sasses, gripping the straps on her backpack impossibly tight while Regina admires the dorky side of her beauty.
"I do wish you would come home tonight," her mother pleads, but Emma is already moving toward the door.
"I'm sure I'll be exhausted and end up falling asleep," she lies, but Regina's eyes light up and an evil twinkle sparkles with anticipation of what may come of the night. "Good night, lock the door behind me," she says and leads the way into the warm evening air. Regina holds the mound of books up as the crickets chirp their song and Emma steps off the porch. "I'm sorry, you want me to take those, I know they're heavy."
"It's fine-"
"No," Emma interjects, already pulling the pile into her own arms. "I'm sorry, I was distracted."
"That seems to be a quirk of yours, yes?" She enthuses, radiating playfulness as she follows the blonde into the street.
"Yeah," Emma huffs, blowing a stray hair out of her eyes from the warm evening breeze blowing against them. "So, it seems," she agrees and follows Regina the rest of the way into her home.