Chapter 5

Emma left the living room, despite the fact that she knew Ruby had a thousand questions, and headed for bed. She was tired and when she closed the door behind her she suddenly realized that she had just left Regina's house. No good bye. No good night. She sighed and sat down on her bed and hid her head in her hands then groaned. Thank god you got her number, but what the fuck Swan? You just left!

Regina tossed and turned. She couldn't understand why Emma had left so didn't want to admit it, but she was sad that Emma had left at all. It had been wonderful to have someone to talk to. God had she missed that! Regina gritted her teeth at the thought. Then wondered if she should try to reconnect with Ruby and Belle. The trio had been in many of the same classes growing up. Some she only shared with Belle, others only with Ruby. But of course her favorite classes were the ones that all three shared.

The three were practically inseparable back then. They had all been separated during 9th grade though. Around that time Ruby had come out as lesbian, and Cora had come out as glaringly homophobic.

She never took a hard stance on marriage equality or the LGBTQ+ rights or lifestyle as a small town politician. Of course as soon as one of her daughter's best friends came out, her stance was very pointed. When she went up for re-election it was apparent that she wouldn't win.

That was a couple of years ago. Now they just offered Regina a smile or maybe a gentle wave. Regina knew that she couldn't let her mother ruin Ruby's beautiful personality. Of course Belle came out shortly after, and though the two had been flirting and hinting around at a possible relationship, it didn't happen till later.

Belle and Ruby becoming a couple in the end hadn't surprised either Regina, Granny or anybody else for that matter. They were perfect for eachother. Regina had been happy for them, but also a bit sad because she had a crush on Ruby for years but never acted on it. Now it seemed Belle beat her to it. Regina's mother had been sick to her stomach when she heard about Belle and Ruby's relationship and she and Regina had fought about it.

That was when she knew her mother was toxic for her friends. She had to protect them.

"What's wrong with Ruby and Belle being together?" Regina snapped and received a glare from her mother in return. "They love each other, they're happy and.." Cora cut her off with swift smack of her fist onto the table, making Regina flinch and recoil.

"First of all, love is weakness dear, and second, they are two women! It's wrong and unnatural!" Cora spat and Regina hated the look her mother had in her eyes. She looked emotionless, almost hollow. What did I really expect from her?

"Mother" Regina warned, sounding a bit dangerous. "Love is the most beautiful thing that exists in this world. Daddy always said that and I'm happy Ruby and Belle found each other. I also hope to find my own girl soon."

"The hell you are!" Cora growled and gritted her teeth. "You are supposed to take over this town and the business when I retire, but I am not going to let a homosexual do that. I would rather give away the position!"

"Do as you please mother! I would rather be the person I am and be happy with it. You may have power but you're miserable!" Regina growled and left the room.

Regina smirked at that memory because she knew her Daddy would have as well. Henry would have been proud of her for saying all of that. Regina had never understood how a loving and gentle person as Henry had been, could have fallen for someone like Cora. A heartless bitch who loved money and power over everything.

Regina sighed and felt her heart break when she thought about her dad. She missed him terribly. He had made this house a home with his humor and love. Hell! With only his presence! When he died it was like time stopped and the home's spirit died with him. It was just a house now. Like many others.

Suddenly Regina's phone buzzed and she wondered who would text her this late. When she saw Emma's name on the screen she couldn't help the smile dancing across her full lips.

E - Sorry for just leaving. I just panicked. But I had a really nice night. Hope to see you tomorrow at our usual spot.

Re - Good to know dear. Maybe you should save the running for, you know, an actual jog?

Emma was relieved Regina had answered her text at all and started to tap the screen, giggling like a little schoolgirl.

E - Well yeah maybe. But being stupid is a big part of me lol. Think we could do it again sometime? You know, hang out? Not that I don't like our little chats in the woods every morning when you're out riding that beast of yours, but I prefer the privacy we had tonight.

As soon as Emma pressed send she panicked. What the hell did you mean with that last sentence Swan?! Too far you idiot!

Re - I would love to Miss Swan. I have the house to myself most of the time, and believe me, you wouldn't want to meet my mother. She would eat you alive.

E - Doubt that. I'm a big girl and Ruby wouldn't let something happen to me, as the annoying but loving big sister she is. And by the way, you don't have to call me Miss Swan. It just feels weird. :p

Re - Well I don't want to risk anything so maybe we avoid mother for at least a while. She's not called the town's biggest bitch for nothing, dear.

E - So you can actually call your mother a bitch but you can't call me by my first name? That's not weird or anything…..

Re - Not to me dear. I usually call my mother a bitch more so than anything else. ;)

E - Well okay then. You're strange. But I like you anyway. ;) So ehm, what are you doing right now?

Emma blushed at her own words and felt her face turn red when she thought of Regina laying in her bed with just her underwear on. Emma shook her head and gave herself a slap to the forehead. Goddammit Swan! You're like a horny teen boy..

Re - I'm just laying in bed and wondering when I should kidnap you and throw you up on one of my horses. It would make my day.

Regina realized that she didn't feel so alone as she laid in bed and was texting Emma. She felt happy, and knew that her dad would have loved Emma. They were very alike in some that was the reason she had felt so connected with the blonde from start.

E - You're mean. And I'm not going anywhere near those gigantic beasts. I would actually prefer not to break my legs. It would be kinda tricky working as a waitress in a wheelchair.

E - Anyway I should really sleep now, but thanks for the night and sorry again for leaving like I did. I'm clumsy but I got the feeling you like that about me, huh?

Re - Sometimes I forget that you and Miss Lucas aren't related by blood.. But god are you alike. You're a bit cocky like her :p Well good night miss Swan. I'll see you tomorrow at our usual spot. Xo xo

Emma almost fell out of bed when her door flew open.

"Take the phone!" Ruby ordered and winked at Belle. "I'll handle my sister!" Emma didn't have a chance to react before Ruby had wrestled her to the floor or when Belle had taken her phone.

"Rubes come on! Let me go!" Emma laughed but Ruby refused.

"Naha nope. Not gonna happen." Ruby grinned. "You can't drop a bomb like that and just leave us hanging. The suspense is fucking killing me!" Belle sighed at her girlfriend and Ruby met her eye. "What?"

"Just. God Ruby, you have to stop swearing like a old sailor.." Belle chuckled and Emma burst out laughing. Ruby finally let go of her little sister and crossed her arms.

"You guys are no fun" Ruby huffed and Belle rolled her eyes at her girlfriend.

"So Emma, spill!" Belle said and gave Emma a curious look. "Or else I'll just go through the texts..." she teased

"Oh no you wouldn't dare!" Emma exclaimed with a roll of her eyes

"Oh believe me, she would." Ruby warned. "She may looks nice and all, but she can be QUITE the BIT..."

"Ruby!" Belle cut her off and threw a pillow at her girlfriend's face.

"See?" Ruby pointed out and Emma bit her lip.

"Okay okay, I'll tell you." Emma said with a pout. She wasn't used by sharing stuff like this but she knew Ruby just wanted what was best for her little sister. Plus she knew Ruby wouldn't leave her alone about it otherwise.

"Wow so Regina Mills huh. That was quite the surprise" Ruby grinned and she noticed how Emma blushed. "Bet that's the thing you have been refusing to tell me and Granny about huh?"

"Well yeah maybe. Kinda" Emma shrugged nonchalantly.

"Well I think Regina is nice. We three always hung out when we were younger." Belle said and Emma raised an eyebrow.

"What? You did?" she asked and both Belle and Ruby nodded.

"Yeah we went to the same school and people liked to call us the three musketeers, but I don't really know why." Belle replied.

"I guess the kids at our school weren't very creative! Ruby half answered with a small shrug

"But how come you don't hang out anymore? Regina seems to be so sweet. She's always alone " Emma's curiosity was killing her

"We kinda drifted apart when I and Ruby started to fool around. It wasn't that Regina had a problem with it, it was her homophobe of a mother. Granny didn't want us to hang around someone that toxic." Ruby shrugged and Emma bit her lip.

"So you lost touch with her because of her bitch of a mother? That's not fair to her." Emma groaned and both Ruby and Belle shared a look.

"Well I guess it's not when you say it like that." Ruby said, feeling a bit bad for the whole situation.

"Maybe we should try to reconnect with her? I mean if your little sister is hanging out with her, why shouldn't we? Besides, I missed having her around. I would love to discuss books with her again!" Belle said and Ruby shook her head with a big smirk then met Emma's eyes.

"Thank god you're around now Swan, you don't even know how dumb I felt when the two of them started to discuss some book they had read….and they did it almost all the time. I usually had to shut them up by throwing something at one of their heads!"

"So ehm, does Regina have a boyfriend or anything?" the blonde asked with cheeks that burned bright red. She had never felt like this for anyone and it was a really weird but nice feeling.

"Nah" Ruby shrugged. "I think their stable boy Daniel has the biggest crush on her, but as far as I know, Regina hates that guy and besides that, she's into girls."

"She is?" Emma asked and immediately knew her tone and voice kinda blew her cover. Ruby and Belle locked eyes before they both looked back at Emma.

"Oh my god Swan, you like her!" Ruby teased. "You like Regina!"

"Maybe..?" Emma smiled and bit her lip.

"I can't believe it. My little sister is crushing on the mayor's daughter…" Ruby chuckled. "So, I guess we need to have to talk about the importance of safe sex?"

"RUBY!" Emma shouted and felt how embarrassed she was. "Ex Mayor!"

"Anyhow, you and I are gonna take a trip into town tomorrow. Have a sisters day out!" Ruby smiled. "I actually convinced granny to loan us her car."

"But what about work?" Emma frowned.

"Don't worry about that. I got us covered. Belle is helping granny out."

"Wow that's really nice of you Belle, thank you."

"You're welcome, Emma" Belle replied and shot Ruby a glare. "You could learn from your sister, you know? At least she has some manners."

"You know I always thank you with sex." Ruby said with a low growl in her voice, knowing that always turned Belle on.

"Yeah well, I would appreciate that you don't have sex in my room guys!" Emma said and covered her eyes.

"Come on Ruby, I think we should leave Emma alone now. Let's go!" Belle grinned and stood up, holding her arm out to help Ruby up to her feet.

"Good night Swan" Ruby grinned and closed the door behind them.

When Ruby and Belle came into Ruby's room the redhead laid down on bed with her arm around her sleepy girlfriend.

"Wow, Emma seemed really happy tonight!" Belle smiled.

"Yeah it's was really nice to see her behaving like a normal teenager for once, you know?" Ruby replied, letting out a big breathe. Seeing Emma like this, even if it was just a little glimpse, made her relax a bit. Because she was always worried about Emma. Sometimes Ruby even felt worthless when Emma was down, because she didn't know what to do or say. Even though she knew her presence meant the world to her little sister. Seeing Emma all giggly tonight made Ruby so happy. Emma deserved nothing but happiness, and it stung like hell, knowing Emma had been miserable most of her life.

"Yeah I know Rubes, I know" Belle said and gave her girlfriend a kiss. "I kind of can't wait to hang out with Regina again. I have missed her"

"Me too actually"

"And how I have missed discussing books with her!" Ruby sat up and pinched Belle in her arm. "Hey what was that for!"

"That's because you're an idiot. I discuss books with you! What? I'm not smart enough for you?" Ruby chuckled and laid down again, snuggling close to Belle and turning of the light.

"Good night. I love you" Belle whispered adoringly with a grin

"Love you to baby, sleep tight" Ruby pecked her temple before the two drifted off to sleep.