"What can I get you, dad?" Emma happily asks, moving around the kitchen as if it were her home and not the neighbor's at all.
"Well," her mother's disapproving sigh hits her like a ton of bricks, "you sure know your way around this home, don't you?" And the accusing tone in her mother's voice provokes a snarl upon her face.
"Well, I do hang out here every day, like I state, every day," she sardonically retorts, slamming a cabinet shut a little too aggressively, but luckily the music is thumping obnoxiously loud and the chatter of the crowd drowns out the banging.
"And why is that, hmmm?" Her mother bitterly quips, leaning over the kitchen island like she's completely oblivious as to what her mind is coming up with.
"Mary Margret," David warns in his most stern voice. "You said you wouldn't start with her."
"I'm not starting anything," she innocently proclaims, straightening her posture.
"So, dad, would you like a scotch on the rocks for the special occasion?" She chirps, ignoring her mother's sour attitude altogether.
"Sure, princess, I think that would be perfect for today."
"And I would like an answer," Mary Margret demands, prompting two deeps groans from her husband and daughter.
Emma snatches Graham's good scotch from above the refrigerator along with a glass with ice and begins pouring. "Because mom, I'm really good friends with Regina and Graham," she exhales heavily, expressing how annoyed she truly is, but even still, she's polite to her mother. "What would you like, wine?" She suggests as she slides the glass over to her father.
"I'm just fine with water right now, it's only three o'clock in the afternoon."
"It's the Fourth of July, it's a barbecue, lighten up," she scoffs and pours her mother a hefty glass of wine against her wishes.
Mary Margret smiles apologetically and accepts the drink. "Thank you, honey."
Emma simply nods in return and pours herself a rather hefty glass as well. She consumes a large portion to settle her anxiety about her situation with Regina and Graham and her nosy mother just as someone advances on her pretty quickly.
"Emma, right?"
She blinks and blinks again as she tries to place the woman with long, jet-black hair and glowing green eyes. "Uhhh..." Her eyes flick to her parents before darting back to the stranger.
"You're the little thing stealing my best friend away, right?" The woman laughs, clasping her fingers around Emma's bicep and squeezing, persuading her eyes to drift down toward the connection.
"Ummm..."
"You are quite adorable, aren't you?"
Emma's eyes snap back up to find this woman flashing a wolffish grin, her attention solely focused on her and not paying any attention to her parents.
She swallows, to soothe her dry mouth and attempts to speak. "Yeah, I'm Emma," she weakly responds.
"Oh, I know, we've established that already. We are onto how adorable you are."
Emma swallows again. "Um, how about we move onto your name?"
"Ruby Lucas," she cheerfully introduces herself, as perky as a child on Christmas morning.
"Ohhhh," Emma slowly says as pieces start to fall into place. "That makes sense. Hi, Ruby. These are my parents-"
"Oh, I know them. Hi, David, Mary Margret."
"Hello Ruby," the couple sing in unison, earning themselves a shining smile from the tall, lanky woman.
"I've been dying to meet you, I've heard so much about you," Ruby gushes, her claws still digging in deep to Emma's upper arm.
"Well, here I am," she nervously retorts, and can she feel her cheeks flaring right up from the attention.
"Look at you blush," Ruby so boldly calls her out, deepening the shade and cranking up the heat in Emma's body. "No wonder you're her precious baby," she purrs, provoking Emma's panicked eyes to widen to their fullest extent.
"Her what?" Mary Margret snaps, slamming her wine glass down against the counter and Emma really wishes a tornado would drop down and sweep her away.
"Oh yeah," Ruby excitedly chirps, "this one is Regina's new BFF, she's so protective over her, doesn't want anyone ever...hurting her," she drawls slowly, and Emma just prays that her parents are too naive to pick up what Ruby is practically spelling out for them.
"That's good to hear," David announces, raising his glass into the air, "I want my princess always taken care of," he cheers to nobody but himself and downs the glass.
Ruby squeezes Emma's arm, demanding her attention before she boldly sweeps Emma's hair off her shoulder. "Oh, I can personally guarantee that she's being taken care of," she flirts, and Emma just wants to die at this point, like please let a lightening bolt strike her dead this very moment.
Mary Margret squints between the two of them before she angrily tosses back her wine and slams the glass down so fiercely that Emma flinches in response.
"Please, those are rather expensive," Regina's dark tone swims through the air and Emma immediately relaxes knowing she will be able to take the reigns on this horrific conversation.
"I-I'm sorry," Mary Margret winces, but Regina simply steps around the island and swiftly replenishes the empty glass.
"Quite alright, just please be careful next time," she sternly scolds, her eyes discreetly drifting around the small group and inspecting the tension, that she had noticed from across the room. "Ruby," she drawls slowly, "were you teasing Emma?"
Ruby clenches Emma's arm again, tilting her head back in laughter while Regina attempts a stoic expression. "It's too fun not to," Ruby wholeheartedly admits and slowly eases her hand away from Emma when Regina's narrowing eyes silently scold her.
Emma's eyes flick to Regina's in an instant, assessing her tense shoulders and the hard expression she's never quite seen before. She senses some animosity, maybe even that protective nature that everyone keeps going on and on about, but also jealousy. Yeah, definitely jealousy, which is incredibly mind boggling because Regina is never jealous and Emma makes out with the woman's husband on a day to day basis. Not to mention, that Graham is constantly showering her with affection and Regina never looks like this, she never even bats an eye.
So, why now?
Is it all because the three of them have found themselves in some kind of agreement, some peculiar relationship that she, herself, cannot possibly explain if she tried?
"Ruby, be a dear, and greet the Deckers," Regina broadcasts the widest grin and nods toward the front door. "They are coming in now."
"Oh, my pleasure," Ruby winks and saunters away without another word.
And Mary Margret seems rather conflicted, like she isn't sure if Regina just saved her daughter from the wild and promiscuous woman or if she's subtly claiming Emma all for her own. With a shaky hand, she lifts her wine glass and consumes until she empties the glass, surprising everyone around her.
Without a word spoken between the group, Regina lifts the chilled bottle and fills the glass once more, an evil little smirk dancing around her mouth. She hopes to intoxicate the woman enough that she won't remember the party and also maybe David will have to take his wife home a little earlier.
"Hey, from far away that woman kinda looks like you," Emma announces, quickly changing the subject to a much safer topic.
"Yes, yes," Regina grumbles under her breath, "we hear that all the time. I assure you though, we are night and day."
"You're night, right?" Emma playfully teases, leaning a little too close for friendly. "All dark and ominous, always with that evil little glint in your eye."
"Bite your tongue, Miss Swan," Regina coolly responds, to keep up the friendly appearances since this young woman is almost pressing into her side and grinning like an absolute fool. "Enjoy your time with your parents, I'm going to speak with Trina," she announces before sashaying away and leaving the Swans to themselves.
XXXX
"Oh princess!"
Emma's heart leaps in her chest and lodges painfully in the back of her throat as she whips to her left to find her mother and father approaching rather quickly. Her fingers subconsciously curl around the ledge of the pool beneath her thighs as a course of anxiety ripples through her bloodstream.
"Your mother might have had a few too many," her dad chuckles and it seems he's not too far behind his wife.
Emma's eyes flick toward Ruby and some girl she just met named, Belle, bobbing in the water on either side of her legs. She's horrified by the nickname so carelessly thrown out into the world, but both women offer soft smiles in return.
"Emma, why don't you come home tonight?" Mary Margret complains, collapsing recklessly onto her knees and Emma flinches from the thump of the concrete below.
"Uh, mom, I'm gonna hang out here," she softly reminds her, glancing back at her father for some assistance.
"Because of that woman," her mother growls, and then her eyes spring to life and are examining Emma's attire. "Emma," she hisses, "what are you wearing?"
"Umm, a bathing suit. It's ninety-five degrees out here," she deadpans, narrowing her eyes at her father to please take the intoxicated woman home.
"It's eight o'clock at night."
"A night time dip," Emma counters while her mother bristles.
"You better not be skinning dipping with these married couples," she hisses, attempting to whisper, but failing miserably and this is what inspires Ruby and Belle to snicker from inside the pool.
"Mary Margret, Emma is just fine. Let's go home and watch the fireworks from our backyard," David finally chimes in, wrapping his arms around her waist and helping her to her feet.
"Alright, fine. But I have my eye on...where is Regina?" Mary Margret inquires, her eyes scanning the backyard for her arch-nemesis who stole her daughter away with her flirtatious smirks, and those alluring dark eyes, and suggestive body language.
"Leave her alone," Emma exhales in annoyance. "She's with her husband by the bar, talking to Susan and Bruce." She rolls her eyes and then glares at her father to just sweep her up and for the love of god carry her away.
"Well," her mother exasperates, "you sure knew how to find them quickly in a crowd."
"Yes, mother, it's because I'm dating them and I like to keep a watchful eye on them at all times," she sarcastically quips and god does it feel good to tell the truth, but she knows her parents are too naive and too intoxicated to ever believe that their 'little princess' could ever do something so naughty.
However, Ruby snorts before she submerges herself into the water and Emma refuses to even glance in her direction because now she knows this woman knows her deepest, darkest secret and one glance and Emma will immediately sell herself out.
"That's not funny, Emma," he mother strictly reprimands, but she rolls her eyes in return.
"Come on, Mary Margret," David urges again, tugging her along. "Emma have fun and please behave," he implores as he escorts his wife out the door while she continues to scan the room for her enemy.
Emma sighs, trudging her legs through the water as Ruby pops back up, slicking back her hair. The woman is grinning wildly, blinking away the water droplets from her long lashes and Emma is just now appreciating her beauty.
"I can't believe you outed yourself," Ruby laughs while Belle cocks her head to the side in confusion.
"I didn't do anything. They have no idea," she firmly declares.
"You really are something," Ruby cackles and before Emma can take her next breath, this woman is yanking on her legs and tugging her right into the water.
The pool is surprisingly warm, so she takes a moment to stay under and relish in the soothing sensation and maybe pinching Ruby's bottom while she's under there. Even from under the water she can hear the woman's yelp. When she swims to the top, she's smiling, fully proud of herself.
"Emma?" Belle's soft voice is right beside her, catching her off guard before she wipes her face clear. "You're with Regina and Graham?"
She blinks rapidly, instantly turning to Ruby for some kind of direction in this mess.
"You know Regina and Graham," Ruby waves off any implication of anything more. "They enjoy their threesomes."
"Oh," Belle nods along, not dwelling on the subject.
"So, umm, who are you here with?" Emma asks, bobbing in the water as they form a close knit triangle.
"Mr. Gold," she joyful announces while Ruby growls rather loudly, persuading Emma's gaze to dart toward the taller woman.
"What's wrong with Gold?"
"He's a dick, I'm trying to save my girl some heartache here."
"He's not that bad," Belle defends, her tone still as light as ever and Emma can't help but find this woman adorable with her chestnut locks and piercing, baby blue eyes. "You just don't know him."
"You're young, babe. Don't waste your time with that old geezer," Ruby fires back, reaching under the water to pinch Belle's side.
"How young are you?" Emma suddenly investigates, wondering if there is anyone around her age at this party.
"I'm twenty-five-"
"And Gold is twice your age," Ruby interjects, earning herself an eye roll from those gorgeous blue eyes.
"Are you trying to snatch this girl up?" Emma playfully questions, turning the hot seat on Ruby for once.
"No, Belle and I are just best friends. We don't go there," she strictly orders, and Emma finds herself backing off immediately from her tone.
"Yes, Ruby just flirts with everything that walks passed her," Belle retorts, persuading them all to chuckle.
"Well, no offense Belle, but I've seen Gold, you could do a lot better."
"Oh?" Belle smiles softly, floating closer to invade Emma's personal space. "Are you offering?" She innocently questions, but Emma knows better.
She faintly hears Ruby giggling beside her, but her heart is hammering in her ears from the girl's proximity, that she can't hear clearly and she certainly can't think straight. Belle bites down on her bottom lip, her eyes swooping down to admire Emma's thin lips and she's speechless. She feels trapped in Belle's hypnotizing gaze and she's so conflicted between her heart and her body. Her heart is screaming that it's so wrong because she is in some kind of thing with Regina and Graham and she feels like maybe they need to be present for her to indulge. However, they never discussed rules for the three of them and her body is humming with attraction for this woman before her and that's what these parties are all about, right? Submitting to inner desires.
"Emma."
Her skin flushes from the sultry tone, her body whipping around to find Regina squatting and hovering over the edge of the pool in her skimpy sundress.
"Regina," she breathlessly whispers, hoping her face doesn't reveal the guilt and fear zapping through her body.
"May I steal you for a moment?" She authoritatively requests and even though her voice is softer than when she speaks to most, Emma senses the edge in her tone.
"Of course," she concedes, pressing her palms against the edge of the pool and lifting herself out without another glance at the women behind her. She suddenly feels embarrassed because she's just standing there, dripping wet and has no towel. But then, Graham steps in, always her protector and offers a towel. "Thanks," she sheepishly says, quickly wrapping herself up. "So, what's up?" She innocently asks, wringing out her sopping wet hair and eyeing the couple skeptically.
"I would love a word in private," Regina vacantly says and then spins on her heels and struts away.
Emma only flounders for a moment before she rushes to follow the woman back into the house with Graham following behind. She feels like a teenager once again, in trouble for staying out past curfew, and she has no idea why she's being dragged away to the bedroom, where nobody is allowed this evening.
Regina steps inside, Emma following behind with Graham gently easing the door closed behind them.
"What's up?" She chirps, a little too loudly to hide the nervousness coursing through her veins right now.
Regina steps forward, without a single world, crashing their lips together as one firm hand cups the back of her neck and pulls her in even closer. Her tongue doesn't ask permission, instead she expertly guides Emma's lips apart, that velvety muscle forcefully entering like she owns the damn place.
However, Emma's never seen this side of Regina before and she would be blatantly lying if she said this didn't turn her on. She releases her towel, allowing it to collapse at her feet, so she can grip Regina's hips, tugging her flush against her damp skin.
Graham clears his throat, but they are too busy to pay any attention. "Ladies, I believe we have something important we need to discuss?" He firmly states, encouraging Emma to break the heated kiss from her curiosity.
"We do?"
"We do," Regina harshly admits.
"Umm..." Emma pivots to her left, noticing Graham's presence. "What's going on?"
"Well, the evening is approaching fast," Regina states in a cold tone that Emma immediately realizes, she hates. "It isn't long before people start heading to the basement." Emma swallows, hard. "We have yet to discuss what we are going to do." Emma gulps again.
"Emma, we don't have to do anything, the three of us can enjoy an evening together," he kindly suggests, but Regina is still stone-cold and it's unnerving, because the older woman never acts like this with her.
"If I weren't here, would you two normally end up in the basement?" She shyly inquires.
"Yes," Regina solemnly answers, "however, things are different this time, with you."
"Why?" She blurts out without her brain's consent.
"It just is," Regina snaps, as cold as ever and it irks Emma and she feels this need to fight back.
"But why? Why was it okay for you and Graham to swap or indulge in whatever, but not when I'm here? Do you not want people to know what we are doing?" She rambles off in one breath, taking the couple by surprise.
"No, it's not like that," Graham immediately defends. "I enjoy swapping, it's fun for me and Regina always felt a need to be with a woman every now and again. But now that you have been around," his words fade as he shrugs shyly, "Regina doesn't crave a woman's touch anymore, she has you and I have been plenty satisfied," he chuckles softly, nervously scratching the back of his neck.
Emma's eyebrows pinch together as she absorbs his words and attempts to comprehend them. "I just don't buy that all off a sudden, you two don't want to play tonight. You guys loved this," she rebuttals, eyeing them suspiciously, but Regina's as still and blank as a statue and Graham's oddly anxious this evening, nothing like his usual laid-back demeanor. "Look, if you two are just nervous about me, I'll be fine."
"So, you want to do this?" Regina incredulously interrogates.
"Kind of," she meekly replies. "I don't know, I guess I would just like to experience this with you guys at least once." Regina's eyes are darker than normal, Emma notices as they flick to Graham for some guidance, but he simply exhales. "What is with you two tonight?" She screeches, so confused, because yesterday they both seemed so casual and cool discussing the prospect of them swapping.
"Nothing," Regina defends, "change into some dry clothes and meet us downstairs," she instructs, moving to step around her, but Emma is quick to grip her wrist and yank her back.
"Hey, isn't your policy open and honest? Tell me what's bothering you? I thought you would want this."
Regina purses her lips, but then she sighs and nods curtly. "I thought I would want it to, but I'm not so certain anymore, but if you would like to experience this once, well I want to be there to make sure you are safe and comfortable," she confidently explains.
"So, we are doing this?" She dumbly questions, suddenly feeling completely out of her element.
"Yes, but not with Belle," Regina coldly declares, but Graham is pinching his lips together to hold back his laughter.
"Why not? What's wrong with Belle?"
"First, I hate Gold. Second, I didn't like the way she was undressing you with her eyes in the pool," she bitterly remarks.
"Are you jealous?"
"I am not jealous," Regina spits in disgust before Emma can even finish her question which proves that she's the exact opposite of what she's claiming.
"You are so jealous," Emma ecstatically announces, tugging the woman flush against her body.
"Swan-"
"It's okay to be jealous, but we never really established rules here. It just kind of hit me tonight that we don't really have ground rules, this isn't a normal relationship."
"Well, obviously we have only been sleeping with you," Graham chimes in. "You're always here," he quips playfully.
"And obviously," she sasses right back, "I've only been sleeping with you two."
"I guess I assumed you wouldn't stray," Regina says, and there's a sadness in her eyes that convinces Emma she needs to kiss her worries away.
She presses her lips firmly to Regina's and breathes softly, "I would never."
"But you would still like to indulge tonight?"
"Yes," she admits, even if she is panicking inside.