Chapter 31
Regina opened her eyes slowly. The first thing she noticed was the delicious soreness in her muscles, as well as a few other places. She smiled to herself. The heat she felt against her back was something she was amazed she had lived so long without. Slowly and carefully, she rolled over. Blonde hair covered Emma's face as she lay on her side facing Regina.
Reaching over, Regina gently moved the hair away from the Emma's sleeping face. She was beautiful. For a brief moment, she found herself wondering if she had pleased the woman. Meaning with all the experience Emma had under her belt, but then she smiled again. After the hours of lovemaking, she knew too well that she had more than pleased her. God knows Emma had definitely satisfied her.
She watched the younger woman's features. Smooth and relaxed and she wondered what she was dreaming about or if she was dreaming at all. She fought the urge to kiss those thin pink lips, for fear of waking her. She let out a silent sigh. Everything she could ever want was under one roof. Not that she wanted to rush anything, but the thought of being a family with Emma made her bubble over with happiness. She bit her bottom lip. She didn't even know if Emma was ready for a family. Well, a family such as her and Henry.
"What are you thinking so hard about," A voice heavy with sleep croaked?
"You," she answered. It was the truth, although a little vague.
Emma's eyes opened and peered at her, "No regrets I hope."
Regina smiled and shook her head, "No. I don't regret it." She leaned in a kissed the younger woman on the mouth.
"Good. Cause there are no take backs," the blonde said as she grinned and stretched her arms out above her with a yawn. "Jez, I feel like I did a total boy work out."
Regina raised an eyebrow and smirked, "You didn't, did you?"
Emma smiled, "I did, and I would gladly do it again." She moved closer to the brunette, pushing her back flush to the mattress. Her mouth sought out Regina's. Her hand gently kneaded Regina's small, yet firm breast, grazing her thumb over the rapid stiffening nipple.
Just as the brunette's arched into the touch, Emma's cell phone buzzed on the nightstand. They both stopped and looked at one another. The blonde went back for another kiss.
"You need to get that. It might be important," Regina said, dodging Emma's mouth.
Emma smiled, "Everything I need is right here."
"As much as I love the idea of staying here in bed, with you, we really need to get up. I don't want a certain nine-year-old to come busting through that door again," the brunette explained.
Oh how she would love to stay here all day, feeling the other woman's hands, mouth, skin. She shook off the shiver of arousal that ran up her spine.
The blonde pouted for a moment before nodding, "Right."
The phone continued to vibrate from the nightstand and Emma rolled over to retrieve it.
"Yeah?" After a second, Emma sat up, "Really? Uh, okay. I can be there in an hour."
Regina sat up pulling the sheets to her chest. She couldn't hear who was on the phone, but her curiosity peeked.
"Yes ma'am, thank you." Emma hit end on the cell phone and dropped it back down on the end table. She turned to Regina with a thoughtful expression, "It was the school."
"What did they say," Regina asked?
They said I got the job," Emma said in disbelief.
"Emma that's great," Regina scooted closer to her.
"Yeah. They want me to come in today to fill out paperwork and go over things. I may have to shadow the current music teacher until she officially leaves, but I got it," Emma said.
Emma didn't look excited. "What's wrong? I thought you wanted the job."
Emma shook her head, "I do want the job, I just." She paused, turning to look at Regina, "What if I'm not any good at this or I screw it up?"
Regina smiled and reached up cupping the blonde's cheek, "Em, Honey, you're going to be great."
The blonde still didn't look convinced, but she managed a smile, "I hope you're right."
The brunette laughed lightly. She pulled the younger woman closer kissing her. When she pulled back, she kept her hand on Emma's cheek, "You're going to be great. The kids are going to love you. Henry loves you and," she paused to peck the blonde's lips again, "I love you."
She didn't miss the surprise in the other woman's eyes, but she could see that all her worries seemed to ease, "Could you repeat that, please?"
Regina raised an eyebrow, "Which part?"
"The 'love you' part," Emma grinned.
Regina hit her playfully in the arm, but repeated, "I love you."
Emma crashed their mouths together in a fast heated kiss that took Regina's breath away. She returned it with as much feeling as she could muster. After what felt like an eternity she gasped pushing the younger woman away, "You need to go shower or you'll be late."
Emma groaned, rolling out of the bed. Regina laughed as she watched the other woman stomp off to the bathroom like a petulant child. Just as she stepped inside and turned on the lights, she called back, "Sure you don't want to join me?"
Regina laughed again, "I would love to, but something tells me that wouldn't get you to the school any faster."
There was a very dramatic huff followed by a "Fine," that echoed from the bathroom.
Regina's cheeks were starting to hurt from all the smiling. She slipped out of the bed and pulled on the t-shirt Emma had been wearing the night before. She grabbed a pair of underwear from her drawer and pulled them on. She'd shower after she got everyone off on their day. She picked up her gray silk robe from the floor and put it on, tying it loosely at the waist.
She walked into the bathroom, trying to ignore the glass shower as she made her way to the counter to brush her teeth. Grabbing her toothbrush she squeezed out the white paste and began to scrub her teeth. Glancing up in the mirror, she instantly regretted it. She had a perfect view of the shower. Well, more like a perfect view of the naked, soapy blonde in the shower.
She leaned over the sink to spit because she was literally foaming at the mouth. You would think after last night, she would have had her fill, but that couldn't be farther from the truth. Regina went back to brushing her teeth while avoiding the mirror.
"Oh hey, Regina," Emma called from the shower.
Regina didn't turn around, "Yeah?"
"I talked to Henry a little yesterday," The blonde said cautiously.
Emma's nakedness forgotten, Regina glanced up in the mirror, "And what did he say?"
"Not a lot. He just said he really needs to speak with Robin," She said, turning the water off and stepping out of the shower.
Regina turned, "And does he expect me to let him see his father after everything that's happened? I don't even know if legally we can see him."
"Um, Henry and I can talk to Zelena about it and see if we can meet up somewhere," Emma reached for the towel on the shelf and wrapped it around herself.
The brunette raised an eyebrow, "You and Henry?"
"Yeah, I mean I could take him and-" Emma didn't get to finish.
"Why would you take him," She asked crossing her arms over her chest.
Green eyes avoided hers, "Well, Henry and I, don't think it's a good idea."
"What isn't a good idea, exactly," She clenched her jaw tight?
The blonde licked her lips stepping closer, "That you should be around Robin."
Regina flexed the muscle in her jaw, "And why is that? I am not afraid of Robin Locksley."
Emma looked confused, "I know that, but he hurt you, Regina. He put his hands on you. He could have killed the mother of his son."
"I will not cower down to him. Not now, not ever. And I'm supposed to let you take my son to see him? If I remember correctly, you're the one with an anger management problem. You think after one session you're cured," She regretted it as soon as the words left her mouth.
Emma stared blankly at her for a long moment. Regina couldn't believe she had said that "I'm sorry, I-,"
The blonde put her hand up, "You're right." She hesitated then let out a long sigh, "I'm probably not the best person for the job. I think of what he did to you and I want to kill him." Regina let her talk, "But I would gladly rot in a jail cell before I ever let him touch you again."
Regina chewed lightly at her bottom lip. She loved the protectiveness the blonde had for her and her son. She just didn't like the thought of not knowing if the other woman could control her temper, "We can't have a relationship if you're in prison, or worse, dead."
A soft smile crossed the blonde's face, "You saying you wouldn't wait for me?"
"Emma, this isn't a joke," She said, the corners of her mouth turning up slightly.
"I know. Look, we can talk to Zelena and see what she says. I just know that if we don't all come to an agreement about how Henry gets to talk to his father, he'll go alone," the blonde explained.
"The Hell he will," She snapped.
"In case you're forgetting, he has snuck out on more than one occasion," Emma said matter of fact.
"I am aware, but if you recall, he was in his father's care at the time," She pointed out. Her mind moving back to all the times Robin had failed their son.
"Okay. My point is that he is a very resourceful and headstrong child," Emma clarified.
This time it was Regina who sighed. She closed her eyes wishing this would all be over. She mentally counted up how many years until Henry was 18. Nine more years. That's how long she had to deal with Robin fucking Locksley. She jumped slightly when Emma pulled her into her arms, resting their foreheads together.
"We'll get through this, together. I promise," Emma whispered.
Regina nodded, "I know. It doesn't make it any easier."
Before Emma could respond Regina lifted her head to give a chaste kiss, "Now finish getting ready so you won't be late."
She turned and walked out of the bathroom. Part of her was a little jealous that her son trusted Emma more than her when it came to secrets. The other part of her was elated her son finally had someone else who loved him and wanted to protect him. She knew Henry wasn't like other nine-year-olds. Yeah, he had his moments and deep down she could see the child that wanted to come out. It was just that most of the time he acted more like an adult than many of the adults she had met in her life. She blamed herself really. Had she taken him and left Robin long ago, he wouldn't have been forced to grow up so fast. She shook her head. It was too late to think like that now. And besides, had she changed anything in the past, she might not have met Emma. She felt a little ping of guilt that she found happiness out of something that stemmed from such tragic events. But then her mind went to Emma's beautiful face and the new light in her son's eyes and she pushed the guilt away.
Walking into the kitchen, she saw Kathryn already sitting at the island, "Hey? You're up early."
Kathryn looked up from her cup of coffee and nodded, "Yeah, I have another appointment with Archie." Her head cocked sideways as she stared at the brunette's clothing, "Wasn't that the shirt Emma was wearing to bed."
Regina blushed. She hadn't planned on lying to her friend, but she thought she would ease into the conversation. Obviously, that option was no longer available, "Umm, well..."
Kathryn's eyebrows shot up into her hairline, "Holy shit!"
Regina turned to look at the kitchen doorway, hoping no one else heard, "Shhh. It's not a big deal, okay?"
"Not a big deal? You getting laid is such a big deal," Her friend grinned.
"Shut up," Regina hissed while wearing her own smile.
"You have to tell me everything," Kathryn said, her elbows propped up on the granite top.
"What are you guys talking about," Henry asked rubbing his eyes.
"Nothing important, sweetie. Do you want some cereal," Regina asked, changing the subject. Her cheeks were now burning from the memories of only a few hours ago.
The front door opened and closed and her father's voices called out, "Morning."
"We're in here dad," Regina called back.
"GRANDPA," Henry shouted as the man appeared in the doorway! Henry was always excited to see her father and she couldn't help smile at them.
"Hey there. I thought I would come to give you a ride to school so your mom could sleep in," her father said to Henry, but his eyes were on Regina.
She blushed again, raising an eyebrow, "When have you ever known me to sleep in?"
Her father shrugged, "Well, I thought after last night's festivities, you may have been tired." He smirked, pointing to her shirt.
Regina closed her eyes, momentarily mortified. She shook head. Why did she have to put on the same shirt Emma had worn to bed every night since she had come here?
"Morning everyone," Emma said entering the room.
Her eyes scanned the faces of everyone, ending at the bright red one of her girlfriend, "Did I miss something?"
Regina tried to recover, "No. Dad is offering to take Henry to school for me."
"Oh, you don't have to do that Dr. Mills. I have an appointment there anyways so I can take him," the younger blonde said making her way to the coffee pot.
Regina watched her. Her hair was still wet but dried enough not to drip. She wore a pair of well-fitting pinstriped slacks and a grey satin button up. She appeared to have applied light makeup. One side of Regina's mouth curled up and her pupil's dilated. She now found herself wishing the school had waited one more day before calling.
She whipped her head in her father's and Kathryn's directions when she heard one of them clear their throat. Another bout of heat flooded her cheek.
"What is the appointment you have with Henry's school," her father asked, his eyes still on his daughter?
"Oh, I got a job there," Emma answered modestly.
Kathryn took a sip from her mug, "Really? Doing what?"
Emma seemed unsure, but answered, "Teaching."
Kathryn gasped, "Teaching? You have a teaching degree?"
Emma chewed her bottom lip. Regina could tell it was going to take time for her girlfriend to have confidence. Especially in a line of work that didn't include selling businesses or passing out alcohol to the Houston residents.
The emerald green eyes flashed to her and Regina gave an encouraging smile as she poured the sugar-coated cereal into a bowl for her son.
"Yeah I do," the younger blonde sat her cup down on the island.
Regina placed Henry's bowl, now with milk in front of him. She laid a reassuring hand on her girlfriend's back, "Emma applied for the advanced music teaching position at the Junior High."
Henry's eyes lit up, "Really? You're going to be the new music teacher?"
Emma smiled at him and then looked to Dr. Mills when he spoke, "That's wonderful news, Emma. Why didn't you tell us?"
"I didn't want to let anyone know until I knew I had the job. I just got the call a little while ago," She said glancing up at the clock on the wall.
"That's right and Henry, you need to hurry and finish so you guys aren't late," Regina said making her way to the coffee pot for her own cup of coffee.
Henry's newfound excitement caused him to push his bowl away, "We can go now. I can eat at school, besides I can't wait to tell Peter and Felix."
Regina cocked her eyebrow, "Why would you need to tell them?"
He looked at her and shrugged, "They're my friends."
The brunette was dumbfounded. Who would have thought that the same boys, who bullied her son, were now his friends? She fought the sting of tears she felt at hearing her son say, friends.
Emma seemed a bit hesitant as she glanced over at her, "I guess we'll see you later then?"
Regina smiled leaning closer to give the blonde a soft kiss on the lips, "Have a good day." Her voice lowered, but all ears could still hear, "I love you." She didn't miss the shock on the blonde's face or the surprise on her father and Kathryn's faces after she spoke.
She could see the nervousness in her girlfriend's eyes, but the grin won out, "I love you."
Her son stared at them for a moment, his mouth wide, "I guess I'll see you later too."
Regina kissed him on the forehead and watched them walk out of the room. As soon as the front door closed behind them she turned to the other two who stood staring wide-eyed at her, "I know, I know. You're probably thinking it's too fast for me to say I love her, but I don't care. I'm taking both of your advice and going with it. Life is short and I don't want to waste another minute wondering what could have been." She didn't wait for a response. She grabbed her mug and walked out of the room, leaving the pair to gape at her. She was in an amazing mood and refused to have anyone criticize her. Now she hoped her conversation with a certain redheaded lawyer went as well.
SQSQSQSQSQSQSQSQ
Henry frowned at lunch. He thought for sure he would have seen Emma by now. Unfortunately, he didn't have music class scheduled for today, but he thought he would have seen her pass by in the hallway or something.
"Hey Mills, what's up," Peter asked, sitting down across from Henry, his brother following.
"Hey," he answered, looking past them and around the cafeteria.
"Who are you looking for," Felix asked, pulling a sandwich from his lunch bag.
"Emma," Henry said absently.
He didn't get a chance to tell the news about Emma's job yet today. She had barely gotten them here on time, because of a wreck on the freeway. When he made it into class with only a minute to spare, Mrs. Blue announced a pop quiz.
Peter whirled his head around, "Why would she be here?"
Henry pulled his attention to his two friends who waited patiently for an answer, "She going to be Ms. Hensley's replacement."
Both boys looked surprised, "Really? That's cool."
Henry smiled, "Yeah."
The two older boys exchanged looks before Felix nudged his brother. Peter looked back at Henry anxiously, "So, our mom is letting us have a sleepover this weekend." Peter hesitated and Felix elbowed him again, "I am," he snapped at his brother. "We wanted to know if you wanted to come."
A huge grin spread across Henry's face, but then quickly faded, "You guys don't have to invite me over because I helped you with your homework. I mean, I-,"
Felix narrowed his eyebrows, "Shut up man. We want to invite you over because we like you."
Henry stared at them for a minute longer than needed, but his expression remained. He wanted more than anything to trust them. To know that he truly had made friends, but he knew his luck.
Peter pointed somewhere behind the younger boy, "There she goes."
Henry turned to look in the direction, not sure who he was referring to. There was Emma. She stood next to Ms. Hensley chatting as they walked through the lunch line, both carrying trays. Henry smiled. He liked knowing she would be here all the time, and he couldn't wait to have her in class. Not because he thought he would have special privileges, but because it was Emma. His hero.
"So what's up with her bringing you to school," Peter asked?
"Yeah, you staying with her or something," Felix added?
Henry turned his eyes back the boys and shook his head, "No, she's been staying with us."
The brother's exchanged another look, waiting for the younger boy to elaborate. Well, if they were genuine about the sleep over-invite, then this is where they would change their minds. As much as Henry desperately wanted these guys as his friends, he wanted his mom's happiness more.
"She and my mom are dating," he said not making eye contact, but he refused to be ashamed.
Felix shrugged, "Ah, okay."
Peter nodded an agreement then reached across the table and waved his hands in front of Henry's face, "Earth to Henry. So do you want to come or not?"
Henry blinked, "Uh, sure."
"Cool," Felix said taking a bite of his sandwich. Once he swallowed most of what was in his mouth he added, "Let your mom know that our mom is going to call her to make sure it's okay."
Henry's mouth hung a little open, but he managed to nod his head. He was speechless. Henry didn't see this coming at all. He thought his confession of his mother and Emma's relationship would have turned the two older kids on him. The information hadn't fazed them in the slightest.
"Hey kid," Emma's said.
Henry looked up and she was standing at the end of their table, "Hey Em. How's your first day going?"
Emma let out a breath of air, "So far I got three paper cuts and a cramp in my wrist from signing my name so much." She laughed, "But good." She smiled at Peter and Felix, "Hey guys."
"Hey," They answered in unison.
"Congrats on your new job," Peter said.
"Yeah, that's awesome," Felix chimed in.
"Thanks. Hopefully, everyone still feels that way once I'm actually teaching a class," the blonde said. "Well, you guys have a good lunch," she observed the room, locating the teachers' table, "I have to go sit at the uncool table." She winked as the boys laughed. "I'll meet you in the music room after school, okay Henry?"
He smiled and nodded at her, "later. Good luck."
He watched her maneuver around several rambunctious middle schoolers as she made her way to the teacher's table to eat.
"That's awesome," Felix said nonchalantly.
Henry turned to look at the older boy, "You guys aren't mad at her?"
Felix cocked an eyebrow, "No, why would we be?"
Henry let his eyes drift to Peter, "What about you?"
Peter pulled a chip out of his back and popped it into his mouth, chewing thoughtfully, "I was mad at her and you at first, but that's changed. After she beat up our dad, our lives have gotten much better and our mom is-," He stopped, looking to his brother for help.
"Our mom is different now. She not afraid anymore and she's happy if you know what I mean," Felix added but kept his eyes on the table in front of him.
Henry smiled, "I totally know what you mean."
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Emma kept a watchful eye over Henry during lunch. She was confident that the boys no longer meant him any harm, but she couldn't shake the protectiveness she felt over him. Each time she watched Henry smile, her heart melted. She knew how much having friends meant to him, even though he liked to pretend it didn't.
She glanced up at the large round white clock high above the cafeteria wall. Her lunch period was nearly over. She was glad that the majority of the paperwork was done. Now she would be able to spend the rest of the day in the actual music room. The rest of her spaghetti that she pushed around on her plate was now cold.
"When I heard a strange rumor that Emma Nolan had beaten my dear friend for the new teaching position, I couldn't believe it. Yet here you are," A familiar voice sneered.
Emma clenched her jaw and looked up. What fucking luck, "Lily."
"That's Mrs. Hatter. I'm the senior English Literature teacher," Without an invite, the woman sat down next to her. "How long do you think you'll last Emma? I mean, is this really where someone like you belongs? What's going to happen when people find out about you and your past?"
Emma dropped her fork with a clank as it hit the plastic tray. She turned looking the brunette hard in the eyes, "What do you want Lily?" Her eyes drifted to the table Henry had been seated, hoping he didn't see. Of course, again, no such luck. The nine-year old's eyes were staring daggers through the woman next to her. Shit! Couldn't she just survive one damned day without the drama of some kind weaseling its way into her life?
"You don't have anything that I want. I'm sure you feel like some big hero now that Neal's dead," Lilly hissed.
Emma let her eyes scan the lunch room. There were at least 150 kids eating and chatting with their buddies. The noise was loud, but it was louder working in the club. Her eyes found Henry again, but this time he was in deep conversation with Peter and Felix.
"I didn't kill Neal," her tone was cold but smooth.
"You might as well have. I can't believe you could do something like that to your own brother," The woman said with a smirk.
Emma snapped her head back to the woman, "He. Was. Not. My. Brother," Emma said each work very carefully. "Stay out of my way Lily. I got no beef with you."
The woman picked up her tray as she stood, "You are just as worthless as those Nolan's. Why Mr. Gold protects his baby girl, I'll never know." She stomped away to another table.
Emma let a large breath of air out. Her anger and stress level was to the 'break down and cry,' level and she would die before anyone here saw that. How could everything be going so good in her life and then this shit kept happening? She just wanted to move forward, not take giant leaps backward.
"Hey Em," Henry's voice pulled her from her thoughts. "You okay?"
She looked up seeing Henry, Peter, and Felix standing in front of her. Emma tried to smile, but it didn't reach her eyes, hell it barely reached her mouth, "Yeah, kid, I'll be fine." She lied.
"You're better than her. You have mom and me now, remember," He asked, his voice full of worry?
She gave a sincere smile at that, "I know, kid." She reached out and rustled his hair.
Her eyes moved up to the other two boys and they gave their own tight smiles, "Later Miss?" Felix paused, not sure what to call her.
Emma flexed her jaw, "Miss Swan."
Henry raised an eyebrow, "Miss Swan?"
"Today's only half day, right," She asked, stealing a glance back at Lily.
"Right," Henry answered eyeing her suspiciously.
"We have a little stop to make by the courthouse on our way home later," the corner of Henry's mouth curled up. She knew, he knew exactly what she had planned.
