I don't own these characters; Disney/ABC does.
Public Service Announcement: there is sadly no sexy times in this chapter, but there is bonding and fluff.
5: Acceptance
"Are you sure you don't have a problem watching Robbie?" Regina asked Emma as Regina finished refreshing her makeup.
Emma rolled her eyes from her spot on the bed. "I don't mind. I like the kid and you should hang out with your sister. She wants your friendship and you like having a sister, even though she's annoying as hell."
Regina sighed. "She really should be the younger of the two of us."
"Probably. But, yeah, stop acting like I'm some asshole alpha who doesn't think I should watch pups."
"I would never think that and that's a terrible stereotype. I think we both know a true alpha would delight in watching a pup to learn more about them for when they have their own or would delight in watching their own pups because they want to protect them." Regina really wanted to get Emma out of the habit of bringing up negative alpha stereotypes. She needed to start getting comfortable in her own skin. She was an alpha and that was the way it was.
Emma tilted her head, like that did not sound right to her at first. "That kinda makes sense."
"Of course it does. An alpha wants the best for their pups, just like an omega, just like a beta. People like to make up stories about these insane, dominating, power-hungry alphas, but I think it's best to remember that some of these things come from our natural instincts. An alpha's natural instinct is to protect family and, yes, sometimes they want to show off to show they can protect their family. That's been twisted into alphas wanting to strut for the world to show they run everything, that they're in charge."
Emma scratched her chin. "I do want to protect my family."
"Of course you do. Do you think you could do me a favor while I'm gone?"
Emma smiled. "Anything."
"I saved a documentary on wolves. I was going to watch it with Robbie, but can you watch it with her now?" Regina asked. Her niece was suddenly fascinated with dogs and Regina was happy to indulge her in any way possible. The documentary might help Emma, though. Some people still clung to the disproved idea that wolves had alphas and omegas. Emma could see what an "alpha" wolf did and find it was not so terrible. It might help her get comfortable with the idea of alphas and build on not every alpha was like the horrible ones she had encountered before coming to Storybrooke.
"It's funny, Little Guy is into dogs now, too. We were at the park yesterday and he practically shot off after Pongo, like Pongo isn't the size of three of him," Emma said with a smile.
"You want to have him over as well? The three of you could have a play date?" It was only partially teasing.
Emma turned her mouth up a little. "You think I could handle both of them?"
"Why not? You have watched both of them before and you know what to do. The only issue I think might arise is if you ask, your mother will decide to come with him, so the two of you can bond as well." Snow liked to situate herself in spaces she was not invited.
Emma frowned slightly. "She might think I couldn't watch both of them for a long period of time."
That could be true for any number of reasons when it came to Snow. "Well, you could always tell her you just want to hang out with your two favorite short people."
"Yeah, but then she'll take it personal."
"That she would. Well, how about you stick to the original plan of watching Robbie and then later in the week we can arrange for both of them. I'll even keep Snow occupied while you enjoy the pups."
Emma's face lit up. "You love me, don't you?"
"Obviously. I'm willing to act as the decoy for your mother so you can be happy." If that was not love, Regina did not know what was.
"Good, so enjoy your time out. It's good that you have friends." Emma's face twitched a bit after that and Regina could only guess why.
She was going out with Zelena, yes, but also with Maleficent, Lily, and Tinker Bell. Regina was certain Emma had a problem with her going out with just one of those people, even if she tried her best to hide it. Regina was happy Emma tried to act like she was okay with Regina being out with Maleficent, but ever since Emma got it into her head that Maleficent was a probably ex, she never looked happy to hear about her.
"It's good you spend time with Zelena, too. Good for both of you," Emma added on.
"You should spend time with your friends, as well."
Emma laughed. "You have no idea what I do at work, huh? Good to know you're not spying."
"You're making it sound like I should start."
"Unless there's a Big Bad roaming the streets, crime is usually pretty slow around here. I do paperwork and Ruby pops in a bunch. Probably because Dorothy works there now, but my point is, I see my friends a lot. You don't have to worry about me."
Regina accepted that, as it was probably true. Storybrooke had a low crime rate, even with the Curse broken. She liked to think it was because no one really wanted to get on her bad side, but it could also be because the worst of the worst were her and her friends. The only really big criminal they had to worry about was Gold. And worry about him they did since they doubted he wanted to play nice after Henry's birthday celebration.
"How do I look?" Regina asked once she was done with everything.
Emma breathed out through her nose and climbed off the bed. She tried to give a sexy approach, but it was hard in her tattered joggers. Although, since they hung low on her hips and left nothing to the imagination as to what she had underneath them, Regina felt like it was sexy enough for her. Definitely in love. Emma put her hands on Regina's hips.
"You look good enough to eat, so when you get back, that's just what I'm going to do, okay?" Emma asked, as if she needed permission to make a plan.
"Just that?" Regina smirked and her eyebrow ticked up. She could already picture Emma tearing her little black dress from her. It would be fun.
"Right now, yeah, just that. I just want to spend a night with my tongue between your legs."
"Promises, promises." Although Emma had been a little more fascinated with her vagina ever since Emma had one a couple of weeks ago. Regina was not sure why that was and Emma was never able to put it into words, but Regina had reaped the benefits of this curiosity.
With that, they exchanged a kiss and then Regina went downstairs. Zelena waited for her with Robbie. Henry was out with friends, but would be back before Regina would. Emma felt like she could handle both of them when the time came and Regina did not dispute it. Henry would not be hard to deal with, after all.
-8-8-8-8-
Emma handled dinner herself, calling for pizza. While she loved Regina's cooking, it was always nice to have junk food every now and then. She was not surprised when Ruby popped up with her pizza.
"Did you kill the delivery guy on his way here?" Emma snickered.
"When I smelled the meat lover's pizza, I couldn't help myself," Ruby grinned.
"I thought you were going to go out with Dorothy tonight," Emma said. She invited Ruby over when Regina decided she was going to go out, but Ruby said she had a thing with her girlfriend.
Ruby snorted. "I thought I was, too, but she found out about this seminar at the last minute she wanted to."
Emma's face scrunched up. "What seminar?" It was not a Storybrooke sheriff thing.
"Something about continuing education for adults here. I dunno." Ruby shrugged.
Emma laughed. "You are a terrible girlfriend."
"Nah, she actually didn't want me to go. It was going to be full of newbies and she didn't want to seem like she had a guide with her. Something like having your mom drop you off your first day of high school or something, I guess. Point being, my evening is free again." Ruby popped open the pizza box as Robbie waddled over to her.
Robbie squealed and reached for Ruby. Ruby grinned and picked her up. Robbie giggled and bounced, slamming her little feet into Ruby's legs.
"I think she knows you're a werewolf," Emma said.
Ruby shrugged. "Why not? I know she's a little witch!" She tickled Robbie, who giggled and squirmed. "Where's her mama?"
"I told you Zelena and Regina are hanging out with Maleficent and Lily."
"Can some place stand all that alpha power in one place?"
"Fuck if I know." It was Emma's turn to shrug. Even if they were not all alphas, they gave off enough alpha energy to bring a place down.
"That's probably one hell of a party, though. Did they take Tink?"
Emma nodded. "Regina decided to, even though she felt like it would be a little weird. She feels like Tink doesn't fit in with the others, so she likes to hang out with Tink separately. But, she felt like if she could take Zelena anywhere, she should be able to take Tink, which I agree with. At least Tink's cluelessness is cute. Zelena is just nuts."
"Yeah, but just nuts is usually good for partying and fucking."
"Dude!" Emma motioned to the child in Ruby's arms.
Ruby winced. "Oh, sorry! Not that I think about Zelena that way either."
"I should hope not. Isn't your girlfriend an alpha? You gonna have her go start a fight with Zelena," Emma remarked.
"If Zelena being the Wicked Witch hasn't started a fight, I don't think my brain vomit is going to be the thing to start it," Ruby replied.
"You say that now until Dorothy wants to show Zelena who's in charge."
Ruby waved that off as she put Robbie down. She grabbed a slice of pizza and took a huge bite. "Dorothy isn't that kind of alpha. She's very secure in herself and our relationship. Which is good, since I flirt with almost anything that moves." She blew a kiss to Emma.
Emma rolled her eyes, but she realized that every alpha she now knew did not fit what she heard and learned about alphas throughout her life. Her father, Dorothy, and possibly Maleficent. They were decent people who did not try to lord over anyone. They did not go out of their way to hurt people or subjugate them. None of them tried to dominate the omegas they knew either. None of them tried to dominate the landscape beyond just having boisterous personalities. She would like to think they were the norm, but they were three out of dozens and dozens of alphas she had met in her life. They were the exception to the rule, not the rule. Or maybe things were different in the other world.
Emma did not know and was not sure if she wanted to ask. She did not want to find out the exceptions to the rule were the exceptions across worlds. That would be depressing.
Emma grabbed a slice of pizza. "So, you ever consider having pups with Dorothy?"
"Yeah, every now and then. As a werewolf, I go through a heat cycle, like an omega, even though I'm a beta. So, I get all baby crazy during heat. She gets baby crazy during her rut."
"Have you guys synced?"
"Dude! Do you not realize how personal that is?" Ruby asked.
Emma shrugged and glanced away for a moment. "Um… No, I didn't realize it was. I'm not totally up on what's appropriate and inappropriate when it comes to sex stuff. I mean, even before prison, which screws up what's normal and what's not, I spent about three years on the street with sex workers. I wasn't a sex worker, but I worked adjacent to them."
Ruby's brow furrowed and she eyed Emma. "Is that code for you robbed johns?"
Emma did not want to come right out and say that was basically what she did, as it sounded pretty bad. "Not so much robbed, but a lot of wallets went missing and stuff like that, as they were leaving the hotel rooms. Funny, a lot of them never realized they bumped into me more than once when they came to see their favorites." People probably never suspected how mushy their brains were after a good orgasm and how easy it was to pluck belongings off of them.
Ruby nodded. "Sounds like a good con. Should I ask how old you were doing this?"
Emma shook her head. "I don't think that's relevant, but I will say, it clearly colored my perception on what's appropriate and what isn't involving some sex stuff."
"Okay, well, now you know asking about someone's sync isn't cool. That's really personal, like asking about someone sex status. I don't mind talking about that with you, but not everyone is going to be so open, sort of like you are."
Emma frowned. "What are you talking about?"
"Emma, we both know you're not interested in telling the world what you are. Hell, remember, you told me you took all your drugs to try to hide it? Which, I want to remind you, wasn't smart."
"I know. You don't have to keep reminding me."
"I'm just saying, you have to understand some people are more like you with their sex status, sexuality, and syncing than they are like me."
"I've got a lot to learn." She had always known her view of the world was a little tilted because of the way she was raised… or was not raised, however it went.
"It's not your fault and I don't hold it against you." Ruby smiled. "Now, what are we watching?"
"Well, Robbie was all about this wolf documentary until you showed up. She's a weird little kid because she was watching this like she totally understood what was going on," Emma said. She was not paying it much mind, more concerned with what time it was. Partially because she was expecting Henry home and partially because she wanted Regina to come back already.
"She's probably just enjoying the movement and loving whenever a wolf shows up on screen, proving she's got good taste. That's why we're cool, bud." Ruby leaned down and held her hand up for a high-five. Robbie did not disappoint, giving Ruby a very enthusiastic high-five.
"You're going to be so hurt if she ever grows out of this dog stage. With Regina for an aunt, you know horses are going to take the number one spot eventually."
Ruby scoffed. "Nah. I've learned one thing about Regina and she's actually got a soft spot for all animals, not just horses. There's a reason why Pongo jumps on her whenever he sees her and she hasn't turned him inside out yet. It also lets me know Regina isn't all bad. So, Robbie here is definitely going to be my bud for life. Me, her, and Neal are going to be the three musketeers."
Emma frowned a little. "You can't be best friends with three generations of Charmings." It was already weird she and her mother shared Ruby as a best friend.
"Watch me now!" Ruby clapped her hands. "Besides, does it really count as three generations? Technically, you and Neal are the same generation."
"Please, let's not try to figure this out right now. I didn't have enough beer for this to not be weird."
"And I didn't bring any alcohol that would make it funny, so yeah, we'll leave that one alone."
Emma laughed and turned her attention back to her pizza, finishing a slice easy. She realized she probably should have ordered two. She could eat one herself and Ruby could do the same. They were both going to be hungry if Ruby planned to stay awhile.
"Can you smell me being an alpha now?" Emma asked. Ruby had not been able to tell when she was on the beta drugs, not until Regina's heat a few months ago threatened to peel her skin off as desire scratched at every inch of her.
Ruby nodded as she started in on another slice. "More or less. It's subtle to me and I would doubt it if I didn't know, so I know no one else has picked up on it. I'm just glad you're not taking drugs anymore."
"Regina made me go to the doctor to make sure nothing is wrong with me. It was the first time in my adult life going to the doctor."
Ruby smiled and patted Emma on the leg. "I'm glad she's taking care of you. What did the doctor say?"
"I'm pretty healthy, but the drugs stunted a lot of my growth. I'm kinda scrawny for an alpha."
"I don't think size matters. People come in all shapes and sizes regardless of status. There's still a lot of fight in you. We know that because if anyone tries to mess with your family or your mate, you take 'em down."
Emma had never thought about it that way. That protectiveness she felt for her family, she always chalked it up to her desire to keep them safe because she was just supposed to or because she refused to lose any more people in her life. She never considered the alpha inside of her was the thing that made her feel like she was supposed to. Maybe it was like Regina said, alphas instinctively protect family, like the wolves in the show.
"I think we're going to have to order some more pizza," Ruby said as she ate another slice.
"You do that. I have to feed the pup anyway." Emma got up to get Robbie, who was glued to the television, probably not even thinking about it being dinnertime. It was adorable.
-8-8-8-8-
By midnight, Regina, Zelena, and Maleficent made their way to Maleficent's new condo. Lily had found love for the night at the club they visited and Tink could not hold her liquor, so they dropped her off at her room at Granny's… or so Regina hoped. They were not even close to sober either, but she felt sure they got Tink home safely and to the right room.
"You better have all the chocolate I gave you for your housewarming," Regina said as they tumbled into the place.
"Chocolate and wine. My friend, you couldn't get more bourgeois if you tried," Maleficent teased.
"It's called class."
"Class from the tomboy who loved telling me tales of how she rode horses bareback when her mother wasn't looking?"
"You can still have class as a tomboy."
For all her class, Regina ended up sitting on the floor with them, with chocolate and wine. The only thing she needed to make this better would be Emma lying in her lap, so she could run her fingers through soft, blond tresses and feed Emma chocolate every now and then. Oh, you are so in love it's disgusting me and I'm you!
"This realm is very good with the idea of clubbing. I would have loved it in the Old World," Maleficent said, taking a healthy gulp of her wine.
"I'm surprised you didn't turn into a dragon," Zelena said.
"And I'm surprised your skin isn't green with envy from all the attention I got," Maleficent shot back.
"It's only because you ooze alpha pheromones like some kind of aerosol spray. It's quite disgusting." Zelena made a face.
Maleficent was unimpressed. "I'm sorry your weak beta pheromones do nothing. Maybe you should give the potion a rest."
Zelena made a noise like she choked on her tongue. "Excuse you!"
"My dear, while I've been trapped underground for twenty-eight years, I haven't been living under a rock. I know a spell when I'm around one. If you want to attract someone to you, be yourself. Be the proud, bitchy omega you are."
"Yet you say nothing of your friend not accepting who she is," Zelena pointed out.
"Hey, why does this have to be about me?" Regina chimed in. She was technically not ashamed of her status, but did not want the hassle of others knowing.
Maleficent regarded her with a tilted head. "Yes, good point. Why are you still using the spell? We both know if someone says something offensive about you being an omega, you'll set them on fire."
"This is true and nothing they say to me now would be different than what they would have said to me as the Evil Queen. They could challenge me if they wanted to and I would still destroy them," Regina said, holding a piece of chocolate in between her fingers, feeling it melt from her body warmth.
Zelena looked at her like she was mad. "You seriously think it wouldn't change anything? They would do more than openly mock and challenge you. You know people treat you differently when they think your one job in life is to bear children."
"And, considering your age, you're a failure at that one job," Maleficent added.
"And you call Zelena a bitch," Regina said.
"Although…" Maleficent tapped her chin. "I would love to see you start a collection of penises in a jar."
"Disgusting," Regina replied.
"Yes, and then people can make all sorts of crude remarks about how you take them home and suck them like some degenerate cock-starved omega," Zelena hissed, lip curled.
"How am I supposed to enjoy chocolate and wine with all this talk of penises in jars?" Regina made a face before eating another chocolate. It was a struggle to enjoy, but she would soldier on. She needed to lick her fingers clean, trying to ignore the self-conscious feeling crawling through her.
"What, are you not a fan of penises now? Probably imagining what you'll do to one when you get home, right?" Maleficent threw a chocolate at her.
Regina decided it was time to disgust them right back. "Nothing to imagine really. I will ride the one at home if she's still awake and if she isn't, I might just wake her with a blowjob, which we would both enjoy." She then made a show of sucking the chocolate from her forefinger. Screw them.
"Now how am I supposed to enjoy my chocolate?" Maleficent huffed and had the nerve to glare at Regina.
"You're the one who brought it up. So, yes, I like to keep my alpha satisfied and she keeps me the same," Regina replied with a smirk.
"You truly are the most evil amongst us," Maleficent remarked.
Zelena curled her lip. "You actually put it in your mouth? The most degrading act known to humankind and you do it without problem?"
"Careful, Regina, you're losing all of your big sister's respect," Maleficent said.
Regina sucked her teeth and rolled her eyes. "Forgive me for loving the alpha who was kind enough to watch your child enough for me to consider granting her not only pleasure, but showing her she trusted the right person with her heart."
"Oh, vomit. You're seriously trying to spin the greatest act of submission?" Zelena scoffed. "Do you fall to your knees on command as well? Ask how Emma wants you?"
"Should I not want to please my mate? Or are you upset you haven't had a chance to steal her from me?" Regina glared at her sister. She never considered Zelena might try such a thing, but she also never considered Emma would fall for such a thing.
Zelena sucked her teeth. "And why should I want your scrawny alpha?"
"Why should you want Robin Hood?" Regina countered.
"You two, please don't start. If I wanted a fight, I could've stayed with my daughter," Maleficent said.
"That would've made her booty call awkward," Regina pointed out.
"Maybe they're into that sort of thing," Zelena said.
Maleficent groaned. "You truly are the most annoying being in all of creation. You shouldn't give Regina a hard time for finding some who loves her and accepts her for who she is. After all, isn't that why you're in her life? She loves you for who you are, like family should."
Zelena scowled. "So, I should be proud of her sucking dick?"
"Just as vulgar as I should expect. I've also been known to lick her knot if you care to know," Regina added. If this went on longer, she would let them know way more about her love life than any of them wanted.
Zelena groaned. "I'm sure you'll be fetching her slippers any day now as well."
"Yes, and maybe I'll stop welcoming you into my home. How dare you look down on me because I enjoy pleasuring the woman I love? Because I want to build a happy home with her? You think just because I've accepted being an omega for her that I won't hesitate to cut you or anyone else out of my life if necessary? That I won't be willing to do whatever I must for my own happiness?" Regina demanded.
Zelena had the nerve to glare at her. "Oh, so she's more family to you than I am?"
"She loves me unconditionally, which is more than what you seem to do right now. I've had a lifetime of being deemed less than by Mother and then by a rotten King. I won't take any more of it, especially from someone who claims to be my sister. If you were my sister, you would be happy that I found love, as I am happy for you to have had Robbie, even though you only did it to spite and hurt me. Have I judged you for that?" Regina snapped. How dare Zelena act so high and mighty?!
Zelena flinched and looked like she sucked a lemon. "It sounds like you have."
"I haven't. I'm more than happy to have you in my life, despite the fact that you tried to erase me from existence. I even look at you and I thank the stars you never had to experience our mother because I know she would've torn you down and I never want that for you, yet here you sit doing exactly what she would have done to me. Tell me how foolish I am for wanting to mate for love, tell me how you think I'm weak for being an omega, tell me how you think I'm only good for waiting on people hand and foot. Tell me!" Regina punched her fist into her palm and fire sparked from the impact.
"Hey, calm down, fire starter. If anyone burns this place to the ground, it'll be Lily when she accidentally snores flames in her sleep," Maleficent said.
Zelena looked away, almost like she might feel guilty, almost like she was not a complete sociopath like she used to be. Regina was unconvinced. Maleficent reached over, rubbing Regina's knee.
"Don't be this way. You two love each other and I'm not going to let you rip each other apart after we just had a great night out. Especially not after you helped me connect with Lily," Maleficent said. She turned to Zelena. "Look, Zelena, I'm sure it's hard for you to watch your little sister have it all, but you have to stop being angry with her over your own insecurities."
Zelena scowled. "I'm not insecure."
"You're not happy that you're an omega because of the perceptions that come with being an omega and I'm sure once upon a time you would've been able to commiserate with Regina over that, but not now. She's moved on and you're still at the same point. It's not her fault, but it's not your fault either," Maleficent said.
"Who said it was my fault?" Zelena growled.
"Your anger," Maleficent said in a deadpan. "You need to calm down and just be happy for your sister, as she's been happy for you. Regina has given you so much. Now, it's your turn to give back to her by supporting the fact that she has a family. And, as someone who knew her before she nose dived off the deep end, I have to say it's good to see her right where she would've been had Rumple not been a jackass."
Zelena glanced over at Regina, still frowning as if Regina's presence offended her. "You got so comfortable being an omega so fast. I thought… I thought you would hold onto your anger, like when you were the Evil Queen."
Regina shook her head. "I have no reason to be that angry. I have a mate, a child, a sister, a niece, a best friend, and whatever the hell Lily might be when she's not getting on my nerves about how I never killed Snow White."
"She'll be using that one against you for years," Maleficent said.
"She's lucky she's your daughter and for some reason that makes me think she's adorable," Regina commented. Even though she met Lily as an adult and someone who Emma despised, Regina could only see her as Maleficent's daughter now. And, for some reason, that made her see Lily as someone so much younger than she really was.
Maleficent smiled. "I really wish our circumstances were slightly different. I'd like your family to be the way it is, but for Lily to be whatever you imagine, so she could play with Henry."
Zelena groaned. "Oh, vomit. You might as well be her sister."
"Is that part of the problem?" Maleficent asked, tilting her head slightly. It was a possibility. Zelena would always be upset over Regina's relationship with Maleficent.
Zelena sighed and her shoulders slumped. Regina sighed, too, and moved to Zelena's side. She wrapped her in a hug, even petting Zelena's hair.
"Zelena, you are my sister. We don't have a choice in the matter in the sense that you chose your family, but we also do have a choice because we could've easily fell apart over so many things. Instead, we chose each other and chose to be the family no one thought we could be. Hell, we didn't think we could be at first. I want to be there for you, with you. I don't want you to ever be alone again. If you feel alone now because you're struggling with your status, just say so. You don't have to snap at me, even though I know snapping is what we all do best," Regina said.
"To be fair, I do become a dragon," Maleficent remarked.
"That's not an excuse." Regina rested her cheek in Zelena's hair. "You don't have to be okay with being an omega, but don't be resentful of me for being comfortable with it or over my relationship. No matter what happens, I love you."
Zelena relaxed against her, but did not say anything in return. Regina did not expect her to. Even as their relationship improved and they got closer, Zelena never uttered anything that came close to how she directly felt about Regina. Still, her behavior, her desire to be around Regina all the time, and even her jealousy of Regina having other relationships spoke more about how Zelena felt than words could.
"Your heart is bigger than I ever imagined," Zelena mumbled.
"It expands whenever I meet someone worthy of letting in," Regina replied. She did not think her heart was so big, but she understood how precious loved ones were. She did not want to lose anymore and she was learning how to hold on without breaking people.
"Can I vomit now?" Maleficent said with a sneer.
"Can we go back to being drunk and eating chocolate?" Regina countered. It was all she wanted and they had to go turn things about emotions.
Bullets seemed to be dodged and they went back to drinking. Regina felt like this was probably what normal friendships in this realm felt like, if movies were to be believed. Even if that was not the case, she was more than happy to have the few friends she had and her sister, even if Zelena was annoying.
"So, what are you going to do if you or Lily want to bring someone back here one day?" Zelena asked Maleficent.
"I don't know. What are you going to do when Robbie starts dating?" Maleficent countered with a grin.
"I don't know. I'll see what Regina does once Henry presents," Zelena replied.
Regina groaned. "I'm never going out with any of you again. I just want to drink and eat chocolate. Why is that too much to ask?"
Zelena nodded. "This chocolate is top notch, though."
"Yes, now can we enjoy it?" Regina replied. Thankfully, Zelena ate more chocolate and did not say anything for a while. Maleficent kept that up by making sure the wine continued to flow.
-8-8-8-8-
Emma woke with a start as Regina flopped down in bed. Emma laughed to herself as she took in the sight of her partner. Regina was still fully clothed and Emma could detect the light scent of alcohol coming from her. Emma grabbed her phone and checked the time. It was almost two in the morning.
"Well, I don't need to ask if you had a good time. I can smell that," Emma said.
"I'm not as drunk as you think," Regina replied.
"And that's why you didn't get undressed."
Regina made a noise and Emma smiled to herself. She moved to help Regina out of her clothing. Regina did not put up any resistance. Emma gathered Regina in her arms and cuddled her close after getting her naked. Regina put her head on Emma's shoulder. Emma kissed her forehead.
"Where's Zelena?" Emma asked.
"Guest room. We didn't want to move Robbie, even if it was just to teleport. And… well, we might be a little drunk."
Emma snickered. "You don't say. I never would've guessed." She kissed the top of Regina's head.
"But, I'm not as drunk as you think."
"You said that already. I don't really care how drunk you are. I'm glad you had fun and you made it back safe… and I'm on the fence if I'm happy Zelena made it back. I mean, sure, Robbie's probably grateful, but she could forget Zelena eventually."
Regina pushed herself up a little to look Emma in the eye. "Don't do that tonight, please."
"Tough sister night?"
"Zelena had a bad night, but not the whole night. She needed to be reminded she is loved. Speaking of that, I love you."
Emma scoffed. "I know you love me."
"I don't tell you enough."
"You tell me all the time."
"Yes, but that's usually while we're making love. I want to tell you in the quiet moments, too."
Emma gave her a little squeeze. "You tell me all the time, well beyond the quiet moments. You tell me when you make my favorite food. You tell me when you snuggle in close to me. You tell me when trust me to watch Robbie or be with Henry by myself. You tell me all the time."
Regina let loose a pleased purr. "You tell me all the time, too. That's why I don't mind doing little omega things for you. How were things with Robbie?"
"Good. Ruby came over and we watched her together. By the time she went down for the night, Henry came in. Ruby stuck around until about eleven. Henry went to bed around that time. I watched a movie, waiting up for you, but then went to bed about an hour ago."
"You like watching Robbie, don't you?"
"I do. She's cool. Are we sure she didn't fall out of the sky? I mean, how could Zelena and Robin Hood make a tiny human that cool?" Emma inquired.
Regina pinched her side. "Hey, leave my sister be."
"Ow! I thought you loved me. Pinching is not a form of love."
"Teasing my sister isn't either."
"You tease my mom all the time."
Regina scoffed. "Your mother is insufferable."
"And sometimes your sister is the same. We both come with annoying baggage, but love each other just the same."
"I do love you."
"I know." Emma wondered if drunk-Regina often repeated herself. She could learn to like it. She would not mind seeing drunk-Regina every now and then. Regina deserved a chance to cut loose and enjoy herself, even if it was with Maleficent. Not that Emma wanted to think about Maleficent. "Why did Zelena need to be reminded she's loved? You let her get away with everything now. You'd think that'd be enough."
"She has issues I don't want to discuss."
"Did she hit on Maleficent and get turned down?"
Regina chuckled. "I wouldn't even want to imagine that. They already snipe at each other like an old married couple."
Emma blew out a raspberry. "You say that about me and Lily, too, which is gross by the way."
Regina snickered. "I know. I've been told I'm evil."
"Don't sound so satisfied about it." For all her scolding, Emma ran her hand across Regina's thigh and settled on her ass.
"I can't help it. I love you."
"Those two things don't even go together. I think you need to go to sleep." Emma kissed the top of Regina's head again. "I'm glad you had a good night, even if something happened with Zelena."
"It was good, even though Zelena doesn't understand."
"Doesn't understand what?"
"That I love you. Haven't you been listening? She doesn't understand I love you, but Maleficent is happy for me because she's a good friend."
Emma held in a groan. She did not want to talk about or even think about Maleficent being a "good friend." She definitely did not want to think about Maleficent being a good friend with her drunk partner. I'm not jealous. I have nothing to be jealous of. Regina loves me. She could've had Maleficent if she wanted, but she chose me.
"I'm going to show you how much I love you in the morning," Regina mumbled into Emma's shoulder.
"Oh, chocolate chip pancakes? No, no, wait, a blowjob, then chocolate chip pancakes," Emma teased.
"Make fun all you like, but when I serve you chocolate chip pancakes in bed and give you oral while you eat them, then we'll see who's laughing."
"I don't think either of us will be laughing in that situation, babe. I also think you're tired. Go to sleep. We can talk in the morning."
"Okay. Love you." It was like Regina was hanging up a phone. She was also out after that.
Emma smiled and ran her fingers through Regina's hair. She doubted Regina would get up in the morning to do anything, as she was definitely drunker than she thought she was. It was all right. Regina deserved the fun. Emma hoped whatever happened with Zelena was water under the bridge because as annoying as Zelena was, the sisters loved each other and loved being sisters. It was good for both of them as well.
-8-8-8-8-
Emma wished she had better culinary skills at times like this, but she was pretty good and she felt like Regina would appreciate the gesture of breakfast in bed more than the food she was served. Oatmeal, a bagel with cream cheese and jam, and that gourmet coffee Regina loved so much along with water and headache pills. Best of all, Robbie, who wanted to ride on the tray for whatever reason. Emma had no problem holding her up along with the tray.
"Auntie!" Robbie howled as soon as Emma set the tray down.
Regina woke with a start, but did not rattle the tray thanks to the weight of Robbie. As she settled back into the pillow, she had to notice Robbie because a smile worked its way onto her face. Emma eased back into bed next to her.
"What's all this?" Regina asked.
"Breakfast and a Robbie in bed. The Robbie might eat the breakfast, though." Emma reached out and just missed Robbie's hand as she poked her finger into the cream cheese and jam.
"Well, yes, if the Emma doesn't stop her," Regina remarked as she pushed herself up into a sitting position. Emma took that moment to grab Robbie up and sit her between the two of them. Regina put half of the bagel to her mouth and let her nibble it. "Has Zelena gotten up yet?"
Emma shook her head. "I peeked in on her. She's face down in the pillow, but still breathing."
Regina made a noise. "Henry?"
"Just in his room writing. We can have a lazy Sunday."
Regina nodded and turned her attention to her oatmeal. "Did you make Robbie some?"
"She ate a whole bowl with me before we came up here. Well, she ate her own bowl, but I had one, too," Emma replied.
Regina smiled and had a spoonful. "You've improved on the milk and sugar ratio."
"Just for you. Me and Robbie basically ate bowls of sugar. I put marshmallows in it and everything." Emma grinned.
Regina sighed. "You're so good with her."
"You sound sad about it."
"Because you clearly deserve another child and I can't give you one."
Emma frowned. "You already gave me one and he's freaking awesome. And, you're open to try again when we're both ready. For right now, enjoy your breakfast. I'm really happy." That was not a lie. She doubted she had ever been so content with life before. Even if she and Regina did not have another baby, they were still a family.
"Thank you for taking care of me," Regina said.
Emma smiled. "That's what I'm here for. I'm your alpha, right? I gotta take care of you."
Regina leaned over and gave her a small kiss. "You are an amazing alpha and you do a great job taking care of me."
Emma felt pride bloom in her chest and her inner alpha roared. She did not have a chance to bask in the feeling as Robbie was about to dive on the breakfast tray. Emma caught her just in time. She breathed a sigh of relief and Regina chuckled, amused by her adventurous niece.
"You sure you want a pup?" Regina asked with a teasing smile.
Emma snorted and rolled her eyes. "I got this one, just enjoy your food."
Regina did just that while Emma tried to wrangle Robbie. It was a chore, but Robbie settled when Regina shared more food. Just as Regina finished, Henry poked his head in, as if he sensed he was missing out on family time. He laid down in the bed without saying a word and turned on the TV. It was cool until Zelena appeared in the room, thankfully on Regina's side of the bed, complaining of a headache. Regina shut her up with headache pills and Henry found a movie they all liked. It was still a lazy Sunday and not as weird as Emma would have thought with Zelena in her bed.
-8-8-8-8-
Next time: the end.