A/N: Sorry about the flashback chapter. You are choking me right now. Enjoy.
- Flashback: Fall 2008 -
Since the reunion in New York City, Regina promised herself that she would have time to hang out with Emma if she wanted to. She felt like a puppy who follows in the infuriating blonde woman's life as an actress. Regina swore to herself that she wanted their friendship to mend over time because she remembered that day at the airport with Graham and his family for the cruise. It definitely made no excuse for Regina to know that Emma felt hurt because of her relationship with Graham over years ago.
When she attended in Columbia University for the law, Regina made sure that she completed everything before joining Emma for the girls' weekend. It was that time when Regina didn't know that Emma was madly in love with her like forever. Ruby kept a secret because she knew Emma's whole life and the one who was willingly to take care of their child. It was Regina's biological son who barely was near one years old. It was falling down on Emma's hands because the blonde woman had no guts to tell Regina that she had her child since the nightstand.
The problem was that Ruby kept that secret for long time since Henry's birth and hated when it came to Regina. She felt heartbroken because of her godson. Yep, Emma honored Ruby to be his godmother since they knew each other's life even Ruby's grandmother who owned the diner over the years. It was time when Emma decided to leave everything in an empty answer to Regina's puzzle on her immediate leave in New York City and never returned back with the main reason.
On that night of the girls' weekend, Emma took Regina to the small club in the corner of Times Square. It was a basic club with some popular groups. Ruby was the one who recommended Emma to enjoy their nightclub. Emma knew that the club only provided Regina's favorite heavy drink of all times, Cider. It was very popular over in New York City and it was no surprise because it was the Big Apple State after all.
It happened when Emma took Regina under her wing and chatted up about their days in college. Regina felt like she wanted to make up for London's thing since Emma was mad at her for being with Graham on that day. Regina wanted to clarify on that day but Emma denied her answer because she was afraid to reveal everything on one night. Emma wanted Regina to enjoy her time in the club and banter over the normal and boring routines in the college.
The brunette woman had a desire to ask Emma everything as they used to do that in their younger selfs before coming in the college. They knew that they were too proud of their achievements in the education and it was no doubts in their life. Emma kept drinking as she was overthinking on their conversation. Regina dared to do something very amorous for her best friend and smiled at herself for a point.
"What do you like to do around in here?"
"I wanted you to enjoy your time in here and I just want to do nothing but hang out with you. That's all I want for you to have a good time." Emma replied with a shrug. Regina softly looked at her and felt so heartwarming by her comfort time with her. She nodded and continued.
"Why not we drink some alcohol before we dance together?"
"Sure, it's up to you." The blonde woman smiled. Regina widely beamed and gestured for the waiter to take their order for drinks. Emma always stuck with her domestic beer from Costa Rica. She loved the flavor of pumpkins since her birthday gift from her father. He visited Emma few times with the package of the beers on her birthday and she thanked him for it. Emma honestly didn't want her mom to know that Emma liked that beer when her father gave her for her first 21st birthday long time ago. It was a hunch of her time to keep a secret away from her mother.
It was in doubt when Mary Margaret found out on the receipt from the grocery shop on the foyer table where David left it before seeing their daughter. She came upon facing her husband for a long conversation while Neal was with his friends for the gathering in Granny's diner. David was in trouble when he came home from New York City. He was fussed by his wife and slept in the guest bedroom for a week. David explained to Emma on the Skype about Mary Margaret and Emma enjoyed laughing at their interactions with Mary Margaret. It happened when her mother appeared to be grim and waved her hand to her daughter then warned Emma to not drink too much of alcohol. Emma was glad that her mother gave her a warning but won't let the kids drink in their house when they came to visit.
Back in the club, Emma kept sipping some beer but didn't want to drink all of it. Regina kept drinking heavy liquor like Tequila and Vodka. Emma knew Regina very well because of her father, Henry Sr. always buy some expensive liquors so they could drink together while Cora was away on the business. The blonde woman was volunteering to be her designated driver on their girls' weekend. Regina babbled about her studies in the criminal law. Emma smiled at the brunette woman who was very chilling with her drink and listened to everything in her words. They actually enjoyed their time sitting and talking about their life in the college.
Few minutes later, Regina dragged Emma to the dance floor and dared herself to grind against the blonde woman's backside. Emma didn't mind at all and just chuckled because of Regina's messy dances. The music got louder and it kept them busy on the floor. Emma turned Regina into the twirls and heard her laughter through the music. She knew that she loved Regina so much since their nightstand. They didn't speak of it since that night when Emma left. Honestly, Regina didn't remember it at all when she had a sex with Emma.
When it finished, the ladies returned to their table and kept drinking until Emma killed their tab and took Regina back to her apartment. Emma honestly didn't want Ruby to find out that Regina was fully drunk. She took a cab to her place then dragged Regina to her loft. Emma dumped Regina on her queen bed and looked for some water and pills to kill a hangover cure in the morning. The blonde woman took herself to sleep in the living room and fell asleep. Regina snored loudly in the bedroom in her nightclub dress and didn't remember everything after drinking a last one of whiskey.
In the morning after the nightclub, Emma cooked the breakfast for them and sat down while studying her lines from her class. Regina woke up in 11 o'clock morning on Monday and found herself in a nightclub dress but her eyes took a look in the bedroom which it wasn't her. She widened her eyes when it came to the picture of Emma and Regina in their high school graduation. Regina ran through the door and found Emma there on the breakfast stool. She halted to study the blonde woman in her glorious pantsuit and liked the moment when Emma spoke like a queen on her lines of the play. Regina smiled at her memory back in the high school when Emma dressed up in her goth days and spoke up.
"How many drinks did I take?"
"About 12 or 13. I was sure that you blacked out for good. So, I decided to take you in here but didn't want Ruby to kill me."
"Oh, thank you. I appreciate it. Is it Monday today?"
"Yes. I called Ruby that you are resting in my bedroom today and canceled your schedule all day so you could hang out with me in here. I have no classes today."
"Alright, I smell something good."
"It's a hash brown and eggs. It's not like your mother made the breakfast long time ago. Dig in before you take a shower to freshen up." Emma replied with a wink. Regina smiled and thanked her for it then dug her meal while studying on Emma's vocals.
Not long after Regina's breakfast, they heard the cellphone ringing and Regina looked for it in the living room. Emma told her that Regina did drop it before falling down in her embrace with Emma. It blushed Regina harder and she found her phone behind the couch then answered.
"Hello?"
"Hi!" It was a man's voice. Emma heard it and waited.
"Oh, Daniel! I miss you! Did you come home last night from the case?"
"Yes, babe. I did and I called you last night to surprise you but you were not there last night. Ruby told me that you hung out with your old friend, Emma for a girls' weekend. It's nice of having a friend."
"I enjoyed my time with her. I was too drunk. Hah. Darling, can you bring me some clothes from your place? I think I left my things in your closet."
"Sure, what's the address? We could take out for lunch together and catch up."
"Yes please! Thank you, babe. You are the best boyfriend I have." Regina spoke up with a smile. It affected Emma to halt her studying and her heart went in her stomach when she heard the word - 'boyfriend'. Ruby didn't tell her that Regina had a boyfriend. It crashed Emma's heart when it came to that. She slowly looked up at Regina's smiling face when she talked adorably toward her boyfriend. It was that reason where Emma didn't want to tell Regina for good.
Regina finally hung up on the phone conversation as Emma went back to her lines, pretending to not hear anything between Regina and her boyfriend. The brown-haired woman was smitten with her boyfriend. Emma just wanted to have her as her girlfriend but thought that it was too late for her to tell her that she really loved her.
Emma mumbled under her breath while reading a line on the script. Regina practically hopped toward the counter to grab something on her plate then ate it. The blonde woman stole a glance over Regina who was smitten with her boyfriend coming to pick her up which it was ten minutes left for them to catch up before Daniel showed up at her door.
Ten minutes later, Emma felt her heart going up in her throat when it was a knock on her door and she didn't know what to do but let herself walk to her front door. She looked over her shoulder that Regina was still in her bedroom doing something on her laptop that she borrowed from Emma. The blonde woman gulped and took some breath for a minute.
Finally, the door opened to reveal the shaggy brown-haired man in his business suit standing there with a smile. It was Daniel Stables, Emma once knew from high school. The golden-haired woman blinked several times and realized that it was Daniel from their prom together then replied in a confused way.
"Daniel? Is that you from our prom in high school?"
"Oh, my goodness. Emma Nolan!? It is great to see you again. Also, to be alive too." Daniel chuckled. Emma nervously laughed before letting him come in the foyer hall. They had a small talk before Regina heard her boyfriend in the living room. The brunette woman immediately lunged toward him with a big kiss on his lips. Emma looked away from the intense scene that she didn't want to see it. Emma scratched behind her ear with her finger while walking away to the kitchen for more coffee. She heard the conversation between Regina and Daniel about the lunch then staying over at his place for few nights before the classes starts right after the long weekend.
It happened when Emma leaned against the kitchen counter while staring at the white marble stone counter. She didn't hear Regina calling her name until the thud of the duffel bag was dumping on the floor from Daniel's hand in the living room. She finally looked up at them with a nervous smile. Regina furrowed her brows and planned to ask but denied to do it.
"Are you ok?" It was Daniel's voice shaking her thoughts off. Emma nodded with a smile.
"Just some thoughts on my field study."
"Oh, what kind of the field study?"
"Being an actress. It's a field study that I'm researching based on how it started like the entertainment system or something like that." Emma nervously laughed while fiddling with the mug's handle to chip away. Regina was smitten with her boyfriend while she cuddled in his arms. It was a hard one for Emma to watch them in an intimate scene. She cleared her throat and continued.
"So, are y'all leaving soon?"
"Oh yes. Regina, are you ready? I just took a reservation at La Parrilla Mexican Restaurant. I know you love that restaurant."
"Yes, please. I'm all ready. Since you started to chat with Emma, I ran back to the bedroom and made some changes really quickly. So, I'm here." Regina replied before kissing his lips and smiled at him. Emma felt her heart being broken because she wanted to be the one Regina kissed.
Not long after their leave in Emma's place, Regina thanked her for taking care of her in a whole weekend. Daniel just smiled at her and waved his farewell before hooking Regina in his arm to walk back to his car. Emma watched them all the way and made a call to her best friend, Ruby.
"Hi Ruby? How is my son doing?"
"He is good now. So, sup?"
"I think I didn't tell Regina that she had a son. So, why didn't you tell me that she had a boyfriend named Daniel Stables that we knew for all the years in high school?"
"I didn't mean to tell you but it sort of went quickly when Regina and Daniel were the partners for the law firm before until he asked her out for their first date like three months ago. So, um, are you mad at me?" Ruby asked with an uneasy frown. Emma took a deep breath and continued.
"I am not mad at you but angry at Regina for not telling me everything else I wanted to know about her life. You know what I mean? Anyway, Regina is staying with her boyfriend for few nights and I have to pick my son up before the school starts."
"Sure, do you want me to bring him up to your place? I don't mind to do that."
"No thanks but I appreciate that and no." Emma put a final answer before hanging up on her. Ruby was sad that she wanted to do it for her but wanted Henry Jr. to play with her for a while. Emma returned with her angry look when she came to her door. Ruby and Emma practically lived in a same apartment but they had their own place. So, Ruby lived downstairs and Emma lived in a top of the building.
Emma came in Ruby's living room to find her son rocking in the crib. He was barely one year old and still crawling on the baby steps before starting to walk by himself. He was a stubborn late bloomer like Regina. Henry Jr. was looking like Regina's splitting image. Of course, he had Emma's emerald eyes and pouty behavior in a puppy look. She sighed when she saw her son sleeping in the crib and decided to bring him with her to her place. Ruby begged her to tell her what's happening with Emma and Regina. The blonde woman decided to explain nothing and closed the door behind her.
Henry Jr. was still sleeping in her arms when they arrived back to her place. Emma was smarter to have an extra bedroom for her son so, Regina won't notice the door that was a transparent door which it was a bookcase shelves. That's why Emma didn't want to let Regina know that she had her biological son. She actually feared that her son would stand up to hate her but didn't want that to be happening in the future.
Ruby and Ellie were the ones who found out that Emma was pregnant. Until Henry Jr's birth, Emma called Ellie to be his godmother. Ruby was in the city for expanding the enterprise of Granny's Diner in New York City when it happened in the park, Emma and Henry Jr. was playing together on the swing. Ruby finally realized that she saw the boy in Emma's arms and came to face them for the first time before moving in New York City to manage the diner.
So, Emma explained everything about her son's birth and kept him as a secret. Ruby found out that Emma and Regina had a nightstand together before they returned to New York City. Emma was clueless until the three months later, she felt more nauseous and went immediately to the bathroom in the office where she took a meeting with her professor in New York University. They were supposed to discuss on the internship under the Broadway Theatre Company to join them as an ensemble cast.
That's how it happened between Ruby and Emma. So, Ruby kept it as a secret until Emma was telling Regina that she had a biological son with her. It would be hard for her to explain why Emma kept it as a secret. Not until the few days later, Ruby came upon on her place to inform Emma that Regina was getting married to Daniel. Also, it happened when Emma decided to leave New York City like few months later after their meeting for the girls' weekend. Of course, Emma brought Henry Jr. to California for a new work and abandoned her studies in New York University on her third year.
Emma lost her scholarships and sponsorship from Cora's hands in New York University. She decided to withdraw her classes and everything else included her apartment. Ruby didn't find out until she got a letter from Emma. Emma was little relieved that she got herself in her own world in California and got her first agent to hire for her auditions in any TV shows, films and stage in California. She has been working hard while managing her son's daycare and preschool in the work field where Emma worked as an actress.
For the golden-haired woman's public life, Emma decided to change her stage name, Emma Swan and has explained to her lawyers and agents even the business people that Emma guaranteed to ban any public news, news reporters and tabloids based on her personal life with her son's name in it. They understood that Emma didn't want her son to be overwhelmed with the fame. Emma was legally changing her last name from Nolan to Swan so she didn't want to be found by Regina and her family. It's how Emma decided to use up her trips to New York City to visit Ruby and Ellie all of the times included her stage in Broadway. It's how she became a famous actress as Emma Swan.
It is not Emma Nolan anymore.
- Flashback -
A/N: I can't guarantee you for 'no more' flashbacks. It will be there few times in this story. I swear that I have few flashbacks ahead of this time. I'm sorry. I know you are choking my neck and yelling at me for wanting the present chapters in this story. I know you already got sick of my flashbacks but I apologize.
Enjoy?