Clowns to the left of me, jokers to the right,
Here I am, stuck in the middle with you
Turning her head to the left, so she could look at Killian, who gave her a thumb up.
One of their rituals was singing 'stuck in the middle with you' by Grace Potter. It made them feel good and happy.
And Emma could use some happy moments. She had been on the edge, since she has received the dinner invitation from Regina.
There was no rational explanation, as to why she freaked out – only that she did and a big case of nerves had hit her.
"Isn't that an appropriate song?" Said a raspy voice from the side entry of the stage.
Emma whipped around, just to see Regina standing there.
"Well, in some way, yeah…it is." Emma grinned, masking her nervousness skillfully, "How long have you been standing there?"
Regina bit back a smirk, as she watched Emma's crew and friends working.
"Long enough to know that tomorrow night will be interesting. Tell me, are there anymore tickets available?"
Emma's eyebrows rose at that, standing tall she shook her head no, "It is sold out."
A flicker of disappointment crossed Regina's face, but vanished quickly and she nodded curtly.
"Although," Emma started, mischief sparkling in her eyes. "I can get you in, Henry too."
That sparked Regina's interest; she leaned closer to the blonde rapper. "Where is the catch?"
Emma tapped her finger against her chin, regarding Regina in silence.
"I don't know if you would call it a catch. But, how about we'll go on a date, once my tour is over?"
The well-prepared snide remark died on Regina's tongue, when she heard the proposal.
She stared baffled at Emma, "You mean, like a date date?!"
A small smile tug on Emma's lower lip, as she watched Regina fighting for dominance and composure.
"Yeah, a casual date. Have some dinner, get to know each other…"
Regina's mind raced. Part of her did want to go on a date with Emma. But the other – more persistent – part wanted to send her to hell for coning – flirting – her into this. The blonde's confidence impressed Regina, but it also scared her.
"Cat got your tongue?" Emma said, winking with a shit-eating grin all over her face.
Game on, Regina thought.
"I am merely surprised, Miss Swan. Of course, I would love to go on a date with you. Fair warning, though – I like it refined – in every sense."
Emma's eyes went wide and her brain short-circuited.
The mayor laughed quietly, while walking past Emma, her shoulder slightly brushing Emma's. "I see you tonight." Regina rasped.
"Emma asked me out on a date and I said yes!" Regina panted, as she barged into Kathryn's office.
Kathryn looked up from her papers and furrowed her brow in confusion. "Take a deep breath and start again."
Regina braced herself against the back of a chair, looking distraught and confused. "I was at the sound check, trying to rile Emma up. That…that woman riled me up instead."
Kathryn chuckled, shaking her head as she got up. Moving closer to Regina, she guided the brunette woman towards the couch.
"So she beat you with your own game? I'm impressed."
"Kat, you are not helping. That is what she did. So, I asked her if there were any tickets available. She said no and offered to get me and Henry in – in exchange for a date."
"Damn, she's good. So you agreed? Without a fight or anything of sorts?" Kathryn asked in anticipation.
Regina smoothed her hands down her skirt, licking her dry lips.
"More or less, yes. It took me a few seconds to respond, but when I did...it rendered her speechless."
Kathryn's eyebrow went up, as she looked questioningly at her brunette friend. "What did you say, Regina?"
"That I would love to go on a date with her and I like it refined – in every way."
"Oh my god, Regina!" Kathryn exclaimed, laughter bubbling up. "Are you serious? Did she have a heart attack after? Poor woman. And to top all of this, she has to face YOUR mother tonight. Can you imagine the things she must be thinking now?" Kathryn wiped some tears of joy away, as she looked at Regina again.
"Seriously now. You made it sound like, you wanted her to push you up a refined wall or take you on a refined table."
Regina cringed at that, throwing her head back as she groaned.
"Two can play that game and anyway, she wants to go on a date after her tour. Who knows if it will happen? Maybe I am just an - on the road – adventure?"
Kathryn rolled her eyes, as she grabbed one of Regina's hands.
"Hey, stop thinking stuff like that. I'm sure she's genuinely interested in you."
The brunette sighed quietly, as she pinched the bridge of her nose. "We will see about that."
Standing there, in the driveway of Regina's house Emma didn't know if it was a good idea anymore.
She obviously really liked the older woman; it was as if something drew her closer and closer.
She was an award winning, famous rapper – who faced a lot of oppression in the beginning.
Yet, when it came to Regina, she felt like her 17 year self again. Hitting on an older woman and failing in doing so.
"Oh come on Swan, you can do this."
Taking the remaining steps, Emma knocked on the big mansion door.
Henry opened the front door and smiled nervously at Emma.
"I didn't believe it at first, when she told me." He said, letting the rapper enter the house.
She smiled brightly at the teenager, while he helped her with her red leather jacket.
"Mom is in the kitchen and my Grandma still upstairs, follow me." Henry explained, leading Emma through the hallway.
"Mom, Emma is here." Henry announced as they walked into the kitchen.
"Hello Miss Swan pleased to see that you are punctual." Regina said, while she closed the oven.
"Thanks for the invite, it really smells delicious." Emma said nervously, twiddling her thumbs.
The sound of footsteps on the stairs announced Cora, who appeared in the kitchen door shortly after.
Emma swallowed, as she looked at the older woman. So, this was Regina's mother. She looked powerful, beautiful and somewhat intimidating.
"Hello Mrs. Mills, it is nice to meet you." Emma said, extending her hand to Cora.
Taking the proffered hand, Cora smiled friendly at Emma, "Please, call me Cora."
"Regina, your cooking is amazing. That must be the best lasagna I ever had!" Emma said, wiping the corners of her mouth clean with a napkin.
"Oh I bet it is," Regina winked, taking a sip of her wine.
"Emma, how are the preparations for tomorrow going?" Cora asked, smiling at the blonde.
"Good, we've had a sound check today and it went very smoothly." Emma explained, looking at Cora who seemed genuinely interested.
"I'm not very accustomed to rap music, but I have certainly heard of you." Cora said, her eyes briefly flickering to Regina.
"Oh really? I hope only good things."
Cora chuckled, as she placed her glass back on the table.
"Of course, but tell me… How did you manage to succeed in such a male dominated business?"
Emma sighed, leaning back as she continued to look at the older woman.
"It was tough; I had to overcome some obstacles. I mean, it is still tough at times. I have worked with some male musicians, which was great. Then there are these types of men, who cannot see a woman succeeding. So, I only push myself harder."
Regina's face softened at that, listening to Emma with rapt attention. She would not admit it out loud, but she admired Emma.
"Well, Emma… That is admirable." Cora smiled sweetly at the rapper, briefly patting her hand.
"I think it is really cool. Your music is not the usual rap stuff." Henry chimed in as he grinned.
After they had cleaned the table and kitchen, Cora excused herself for the night – as she dragged Henry with her.
Suddenly the air was thick and laden with tension. Regina poured two glasses of cider, handing one to Emma.
"Um…thanks." Emma nervously licked her lips, her palms sweaty.
"Let's move this to the lounge." Regina said, leaving the kitchen with hurried steps.
Once in the lounge, Emma took a seat right next to Regina. The mayor cleared her throat, turning her head so she was able to look at Emma.
"I have been thinking, Emma…and… I do not want to be one of your adventures."
Emma swallowed visibly, as she stared dumfounded at the brunette. "I'm sorry what? Adventures?"
Regina sipped from her cider, as she regarded Emma curiously. Taking her sweet time with her drink.
"Yes, I do not know how you would call it? Fun on the tour maybe?"
Emma shook her head slowly; turning her body so was fully facing Regina.
"Okay, I think you've got the wrong idea here," Running her hand through her hair, Emma searched for the right words.
"I like you Regina; despite our rough start I really think you are a remarkable woman. I am aware that we live two very different lives, but I want to get to know you nonetheless. If you were just a one night stand, please believe me I would have told you lone ago."
Emma looked at the brunette, with open and earnest eyes.
"I have never been with a woman before." Regina blurted out, avoiding Emma's eyes at all costs.
"Oh," Emma breathed in realization. "Is it bothering you then?"
Daring to look at the musician now, Regina thought about the question.
"No, not really. I am just surprised; Kathryn blames my inexperience on my busy life and duties. Maybe she's right, I don't know."
Nodding in understanding, Emma took another sip of her strong cider.
"I have never really given into attraction or desire. For me, it was a fleeting inconvenience. I mean yes, I'm no nun by all means." Regina further explained, toying with her glass.
"What about Henry's father?" Emma carefully asked, butterflies fluttering through her belly. Did this really happen? Did she really have a conversation with Regina about attraction and love?
"Henry is adopted," Regina said, watching how Emma's eyes went wide. "I always wanted a child, something meaningful and beautiful. After some time, I realized that I might never marry or meet the right person. So I took matters into my own hands."
"Jesus, Regina! I would so kiss you right now. That makes my heart soar and beat wildly, for real. I was an orphan from the beginning, so I really understand you and I can see what good deed you did in adopting him."
"That must have been hard for you, Emma." Regina breathed her eyes soft and understanding.
"Yeah, it was. But I came out strong and it made who I am today." The blonde shrugged, looking down at her hands.
Suddenly a hand cradled her face. Emma's eyes shot up in surprise, looking right into brown orbs.
Emma pressed her face further into Regina's warm hand, while they stayed that way.
Caressing Emma's cheek with the pat of her thumb, Regina's eyes roamed the blonde's face. Memorizing everything about it; every blemish, the little freckles.
"Promise me, that I am more than just one night, Emma."
"I promise."
