Regina woke too early morning sunlight streaming through the curtains, Emma's warm skin pressed against her naked body and soft feather kisses on the tops of her shoulders. She blinked herself awake but didn't dare move; she was enjoying Emma's kisses far too much, and Regina had no intention of scaring her away. Regina would get what she could because there was always a chance that last night had been a mistake for Emma.
"I wish you knew," Emma's voice softly spoke. "I wish I had told you a year ago." Emma kissed Regina's shoulder once more. "I don't know if I'll survive your rejection, Gina." Emma's voice faded out and the kisses stopped, but still, Emma's warm body held Regina tightly- as if she were unwilling to let go.
Now Regina was sure as hell she wasn't going to move. But that didn't stop her mind from moving faster than a bullet train. Had Emma just professed feelings for her? Emma wished she had told her a year ago, did that mean that Emma had had feelings for her for a year? She was in shock, and yet she was completely overjoyed.
Emma groaned softly. "I'm worried I took advantage of you," Emma admitted in a whisper. "Did I?" Emma quietly scoffed at herself. "I guess I'll find out when you're awake." Emma's grip around Regina's waist tightened. "If I've hurt you I don't know what I'll do. I know that it's no excuse but I'm so in love with you - I wanted to believe last night actually meant something to you."
Regina was breathless, if she hadn't already subtly pinched herself she would be sure she was dreaming. "Em," Regina couldn't contain herself. She turned over in Emma's arms to face the woman in question. "You didn't hurt me," Regina looked deeply into Emma's eyes. "I wanted last night just as much as you did." Regina reached upwards and cupped Emma's check.
But in return, Emma just stared widely. "How much did you hear?" She finally asked, almost as if she was scared.
"I wish you knew," Regina repeated Emma's words. Emma nodded slowly but couldn't manage a word. "If it helps I'm so in love with you too," Regina said as a massive grin consumed her features.
Emma's whole face lit up. "You are?"
Regina nodded before kissing Emma's lips softly. "I am," She confirmed before kissing Emma again. The two shared a long moment of soft kisses and cuddling before either of them spoke again. Hands stroking backs, lips relearning each other and gentle caresses.
"A year?" Regina spoke, her voice light and fun as if she was teasing Emma. "How come you didn't tell me?" She questioned after a moment of silence.
"Well," Emma shrugged the best she could while laying on her side. "You were still with Robin when I started to have feelings for you," Emma explained. "Then he passed away, and well I wasn't going to burst into your grieving process and confess my love for you,"
Regina nodded, that made sense. "But, it's been almost a year since Robin passed," Regina stated, though in there somewhere was a question.
Emma smiled softly. "After a while, I started to flirt with you, I started being really obvious, I can't believe you didn't pick up on that," Emma laughed, "or maybe you did?" She asked a little more seriously.
"I didn't," Regina stated, at least she hadn't notice Emma overtly and specifically flirting with her, however, Regina knew Emma had a flirtatious nature, so light comments here and there seemed normal and in character for Emma.
"I was being so obvious," Emma laughed shyly. "I thought either you were so oblivious because you were still grieving and in love with Robin or you were choosing to ignore me in hopes that I would stop."
"I would have told you to stop if I didn't want you flirting with me," Regina said, but Emma already knew that.
"I know, but those were my only two theories." Emma smiled.
Regina matched Emma's smiled. "I suppose I was just oblivious in this case," Regina was scolding herself internally. If Emma was being serious, how on earth did she miss all that flirting. Perhaps all her desperate projections weren't that at all, perhaps all of it been serious and intentional flirting all along.
Emma nodded in agreement, "I mean, yeah," She laughed. "I told you I wanted to marry you and what? You thought I was joking,"
Regina stared at Emma in shocked. Her mouth suddenly dry and her lungs empty. Marry? She didn't speak for a long time, and Emma easily gave her the space she needed to process that. Finally, Regina spoke. "The handfasting?" She questioned barely above a whisper.
Emma smiled awkwardly. "I was being serious, I know this might be forward to you but I've been in love with you for a year…" Emma had wanted to tell Regina her feelings for so long, so now, when she had the chance she wasn't going to hold back.
Regina couldn't speak, it's not like Emma had just proposed but, fuck, she was serious. Regina kissed Emma, she kissed Emma hard. "I'm so fucking in love with you," Regina whispered as she rest her head against Emma's. "I can't believe it has taken me so long to realise that," Regina just about laughed at herself.
"Better late than never," Emma noted before kissing Regina sweetly.
Regina nodded slowly, Emma had a point. "That's true," Regina agreed. "But I've known for years that you are inevitable for me. I should have realised I was going to fall for you then, I should've have known you were the one."
"I'm inevitable for you?" Emma questioned breathlessly, hope and joy filled her eyes.
Regina nodded. "You have been for-" Regina chuckled. "Ever since I can remember," Regina smiled softly as she caressed Emma's check. "I should have known it was you from the night we met."
"When we met I knew that I wanted every piece of you," Emma mirrored Regina's caress. "That night I felt this magnetic connection to you, and it took me so long to realise what it meant," Emma confessed. "I was so caught up in myself that I couldn't see what was right in front of me."
"Eyes wide open, huh," Regina smiled softly, shifting in the sheets until she was sitting upright. Her hand gently resting on Emma's check.
"Does it feel like you've just woken up?" Emma grinned.
Regina rolled her eyes and shook her head lightly because of course, Emma would make that joke. "Yes," Regina nodded once. "And I need coffee,"
Emma nodded as she too sat up. "Same," She groaned dramatically. "How about we go out for breakfast?"
Regina turned to Emma, "I thought you were going to cook for me on this trip,"
Emma smiled, "I am,"
"But not this morning?" Regina liked the idea of going out for breakfast to a place that wasn't Granny's, however, she didn't look forward to putting her clothes on; she'd much prefer to spend the morning in bed with Emma.
"Well, I have to shop before I can cook." Emma shrugged. "How about tonight?"
Regina nodded. "Okay," She grinned. "But that means I'm going to get dressed." Regina grinned as she slipped out the sheets and stood completely naked in front of Emma. Regina gladly gave Emma a moment to completely take in her naked body before walking towards the bathroom and closing the door.
Emma grinned as she shook her head. Groaning she flopped back on to the mattress. Regina Mills was a fucking marvel.
…
Regina and Emma sat at a small quaint coffee house no more than a block from their hotel. Local artwork covering the walls, vintage furniture and a cakes cabinet to die for. Breakfast was eaten and their second cups of café style coffee recently made to order and placed on their table.
"What are we doing today?" Emma asked from beneath the rim of her cup.
Regina shrugged. "Can we do something touristy?" Regina smiled innocently. She had loved getting to know Emma's city yesterday but if she was in New York City there were certain things she wanted to see.
Emma laughed, "Of course," She smiled. "What does Queeny want to do?"
"All of it?" Regina smiled hopefully.
Emma shook her head with a laugh, "What exactly does that entail?" And Emma was soon to find out.
The two took to Central Park first. Regina had said a morning walk after breakfast was just what the both of them needed, and Emma had, after a loud groan, agreed. It wasn't that she didn't like central park, in fact, she loved it, but hated walking through it. She was more of the sit-and-enjoy type. It was about 20minutes into their walk that Regina saw a small quaint sign that read Paddle Boats and with a gleeful squeak Regina grabbed Emma's hand and pulled her in the direction of the water.
The two were quick to procure themselves a paddle boat but before the two hit the water Regina had frozen. On the small pier, she stood, staring at the water.
Finally, she spoke, "I feel like this may be unsafe," Regina huffed.
Emma smiled up at Regina from her position in the small paddle boat. "Are you scared of the water, or the boat?" Emma asked gently.
Regina glared for a moment. "I can see at least five cracks,"
"Join me," Emma extended her hand to Regina. "And die with a beautiful view," She grinned.
"This is just you admitting that the boat is unsafe," Regina argued playfully.
"We can ask for a new boat," Emma spoke softly, "However, the torpedo to destroy your case is the fact that you have survived much worse," Emma paused stepping back onto the pier. "I mean," She lowered her voice to a whisper. "You've survived my death trap," Emma played.
Regina couldn't help but crack a smile. "If I get water on my Jimmy Choos I will be out for blood." She warned.
Emma shrugged. "May I remind you, this was your idea." Emma teased.
Regina shook her head and grinned. "A tourist doing something in the heat of the moment is never to be trusted,"
Emma clutched her chest and mocked hurt. "Don't ruin a perfect weekend." Emma joked, though deep down, somewhere, she awaited an answer to a question she didn't dare ask.
Regina stepped closer to Emma, their bodies against one another. "You're a for good kind of thing." Regina didn't see herself just visiting or seeing the attractions that Emma had to offer; no, Regina wanted to buy a house, settle down and get to know everything there was about Emma. Every ally way, every quant coffee shop, every secret lookout point, everything. Every emotion, every facial expression, every inch of her skin.
Regina and Emma spent a little over half an hour on the water, little said but hand in hand and hearts beating as one. When paddling back to the boathouse the two decided to walk to Times Square.
As they reached the south end of the park and started down 7th Street Regina took Emma's hand silently as she watched the busy city continuing to unfold around her. Upon reaching Times Square Regina found herself in awe, what a bright and colour filled sight. Even in the morning sun Time Square shone bright and strong.
"Emma," Regina called softly as she spun around. "This place is so," She couldn't even think of the right word.
Emma nodded. "I know," She smiled fondly. "The first time I saw this place, I felt the same."
Regina nodded as she stepped over to Emma. "What exactly is it that you felt?" Regina asked genuinely. "Because I can't quite place it. It's like, I've seen it all a thousand times, in every movie I watched when I was stuck in Storybrooke, in every travel magazine, it feels so familiar and yet, it's completely brand-new."
"Bewilderment, wonderment," Emma explained. "It's like you're coming home, and yet, you know it's all brand-new and that there is so much unknown."
Regina nodded slowly, watching Emma curiously. Emma had stolen the words right out of her mouth. "Exactly. I didn't think such a touristy commercial place would make me feel this way," Regina admitted. Everything Regina felt in that moment was a surprise- an oddly delightful surprise- one that Regina wanted to feel again, and now curious if her whole day would make her feel this way.
"It's not the grand advertisements and loud TV screens, it's the history and stories. It's the heart." Emma explained, knowing just how Regina felt.
The two wondered slowly for a few minutes, just looking around and taking it all in.
"You should take photos," Emma suggested.
Regina nodded and pulled out her phone. Regina sent the first photo she took to Henry with the caption "We love you," and the rest were saved to her camera roll.
Emma and Regina played around, taking photos of just about everything, sometimes getting each other to pose for "tourist" photos and laughing at just how ridiculous they were. Emma was taking a photo of Regina when a strange woman had tapped Emma on the shoulder and offered to take a picture of the two of them together. Emma had been a little reluctant but after Regina had offered up her phone Emma agreed and soon the two were posing like crazy.
The young woman had been friendly and encouraging. Suggesting silly poses and laughing with Emma and Regina.
"Okay, for the last photo I want the best pose you've got," The young woman instructed.
The two nodded and, as Regina was distracted thinking of a pose they hadn't already done, Emma grabbed Regina by the waist, dipping her as they shared a kiss. Because if you're in Times Square why not do it all.
The kiss was brief, but intoxicating none the less. The young woman had handed back Regina's phone and told them they made a cute couple before taking her leave. Regina opened her phone and quickly went to view the photo of the kiss. It was from the picture that Regina had realised what Emma was trying to do, she had been trying to recreate The Kiss, and she had succeeded. Regina clutched her phone tightly because now she'd have that memory forever. She smiled as she stepped over to Emma, ready for the next adventure of their day.
After agreeing to heard over to Madame Tussaud's the two started the short walk, hand in hand.
Once the two reached their destination Emma courteously paid for their entry and began to explain to Regina why she loved this place so much. She was just like Henry, Regina thought, lover of The Stars.
Emma had decided to take Regina through the Marvel section first, claiming it was for Henry's sake but clearly enjoying it herself. Regina watched Emma with soft eyes and marvelled at how a simple activity as such could bring the blonde so much happiness.
Emma stopped and turned to Regina with a massive grin.
"Regina!" She exclaimed. "You gotta get a photo with Iron Man! Henry would love it."
Regina nodded, knowing Henry would enjoy such a photo. "Okay," She agreed, pulling out her photo. It was then that Regina saw she had a notification- a message from Henry.
ID: Henry. 11.37am
Have my parents turned into buildings? Should I be concerned?
Regina smiled at her phone, laughing a little as she shared the message with Emma.
"Quite the sass-mister," Emma laughed.
"Take a photo of me with Iron Man, and I'll tell him that you've become a superhero," Regina smiled as she handed her phone to Emma.
"What are you talking about? I'm already a superhero!" Emma glared, her voice mocking a pained tone.
Regina snickered a little. Nodding slowly, she agreed. "That you are, my dear."
Emma grinned from ear to ear before opening the camera on Regina's phone and telling her to pose. Regina wrapped one arm around the waist of the statue and place her free hand on the statue's chest- a little leg kick and she was ready to take the perfect photo.
"Do you think I'd win in a fight again him?" Regina asked out of the blue as she looked up at the large red mask.
Emma laughed a little as she continued to take photos. "Depends, do you have your magic?"
Regina took her eyes from the statue and glared at Emma. "Are you saying I couldn't beat him in my current state?"
Emma stopped taking photos and stepped over to Regina. "I'm saying he has lasers and you have Royal Army combat training, sooo," Emma shrugged, a smirk covering her lips.
"Maybe I'd just seduce him," Regina winked as she took her phone from Emma and began to walk towards another display.
"Well," Emma caught up to Regina. "You can have Iron Man, and I'll go find Harry." She playfully threatened.
Regina stopped in her tracks. "You wouldn't." She was daring Emma with her eyes, knowing full well what kind of game this was- and like hell, she would lose. Regina never lost when it came to teasing.
"I'm already on my way," Emma grinned as she headed towards the music zone.
Regina followed Emma through to the music zone and was quick to spot Harry Styles- sitting on a bench with the rest of the One Direction Band.
"He's a bit young," Regina noted as she watched Emma hug the statue.
Emma cupped the statue's face and looked at it for a moment. "Someone could easily say that to you about me," Emma quipped as she glared playfully at Regina.
Regina froze because lord was Emma right. "I hate you," Regina said with a laugh as she shook her head.
Emma grinned. Gesturing between herself and the Harry Style's statue she continued. "I mean, we're only a decade apart, but us," Emma said, locking eyes with Regina.
"We have already been through this," Regina warned, "Bring up my age again and I will smite you."
Emma laughed, "I won't," She held up her hands. "But please take a photo of Harry and me,"
Regina smiled as she shook her head. After pulling out her phone Regina began taking photos of Emma and the statue.
"I think I'm going to print and frame one of these so I can have it above my bed," Emma said as she stepped over Regina to look at the photos.
"Then I will never sleep in your bed," Regina threatened... however, her voice light.
Emma gasped, "Well I can't have that!" Emma turned to Regina and grasped her hands. "We'll send Henry on of these and burn the rest!"
Regina smiled, surprisingly enjoying Emma's dramatics. "Much better," and with that, she was opening her messages to Henry and selecting photos of Harry Styles and Iron Man to send. The capitation read "We are still human- A-lister husbands too boot."
Emma and Regina were just about to leave Madame Tussaud's when they received a response from Henry.
ID: Henry. 12.17pm
It's 2017, you guys don't need beards, just get married already!
Regina had stopped on the sidewalk just outside of the wax museum, taken aback. And she found herself thinking, how did Henry know before I did.
"You okay?" Emma asked, walking back towards Regina after realising she had stopped.
"Mmm," Regina nodded as she handed her phone over to Emma, a small smile on her lips. "How is he so observant?"
Emma shrugged as she handed the phone back to Regina. "Kid knew the whole town was cursed after reading a storybook- He might as well be Sherlock Holmes."
Regina smiled, she was proud of how smart and intuitive her son was. "Yes, he was always good at seeing through people."
Emma nodded, "Tell me about it," She laughed as she rolled her eyes.
"Shall we continue on?" Regina asked, excited for their next destination, which she had decided would be Grand Central Terminal.
The cab ride there was short and sweet, so after only minutes in the car Emma and Regina were stepping out to find themselves right in front of Grand Central. A historic landmark that Regina had only ever seen in films.
"It's beautiful," Regina said, completely in awe of the grand building before them.
Emma nodded, taking Regina's hand and leading her towards the entrance. "Its way better inside."
And Regina soon found that Emma wasn't at all wrong. The interior of the building was immaculate. Busy and bustling with so many people and yet Regina found that in that moment that crowd didn't at all bother her.
"Hungry?" Emma softly asked Regina, drawing her from her thoughts.
Regina blinked, taking a moment to think about what Emma had just said. "Yes," She finally responded.
"Good, because I'm starving," Emma smiled as she led Regina towards a nearby café.
The two women spent a good hour and a half at lunch. Enjoying the comings and goings of the station. Finding comfort in conversation and their silences.
As the clock struck two o'clock Regina found herself ready to leave, ready for the last leg of their day's activities. "Should we catch a cab or a train to Battery?"
Emma took a moment to think, "Cab would be much quicker, and while I would usually say the subway is a part of the tourist experience I'm pretty sure that the last tour starts at 3,"
"So perhaps we'll catch a train home?" Regina questioned, not really overly fussed on how they got there.
Emma nodded, "Sounds like a plan,"
And the two were off. A thirty-minute cab ride and several minutes in line for tickets and they were on the ferry to Liberty Island. The boat ride was beautiful and Regina found the water extremely calming, it was certainly the most relaxing thing she had done all day- just staring out at the water that is.
As Regina stared into the water she found herself feeling the weight of the past few weeks wash away. She was there with Emma, and Emma was with her- and for now, that was enough. With a deep breath and context exhale Regina reached over to Emma and entwined her fingers with Emma's. It was a small gesture, but it was one that Regina found sweet enough to convey her feelings. Emma squeezed back softly, she two gazing out over the water.
I'm happy. Regina thought, sincerely, seriously, gratefully. It had been a long moment since Regina had felt like this. And She was sure she would hold on to that feeling for as long as she could.
Soon enough the two were exiting the ferry, being told they had 20mintues before the boat would be leaving the dock, and making their way across the green towards the Statue of Liberty.
"She is beautiful," Regina smiled up towards the face of Liberty.
"That she is," Emma agreed as she pulled out her phone and began to take photos.
Emma and Regina spent their twenty minutes mucking around with silly photos, a perfect tourist's attitude.
"Okay," Regina sighed, stepping back onto the ferry. "Being a tourist is tiring," She smiled.
"We'll head back to the hotel and I'll cook you a low-key dinner then," Emma offered softly- she too was feeling rather tired, knowing neither of them slept much last night.
"That sounds wonderful." Regina smiled.