Chapter 8

Ruby immediately attacked Belle with kisses as soon as they entered the mansion.

"I missed you too baby, but my god! We're around other people.." Belle laughed when Ruby spun her around and kissed her over and over again.

She gave Emma a wink and the blonde nodded then walked into the kitchen were Regina probably was.

"Ehm Hi" Emma said quietly. When Regina turned around she suddenly felt all of her fears, anxiety, and worries just fade away. Just from the sight of Regina's smile. God she's beautiful!

"Miss Swan, Hi!" Regina greeted and smiled.

"You know you can call me Emma, right?" Emma teased

"Well of course, but I've not been raised to be so informal, and it's a hard habit to break I guess, Em-ma" Regina replied trying to taste the name in her mouth. She divided she quite liked it. The blonde almost lost her balance when she heard Regina say her name. There was something about the way she pronounced it. It was so seductive, so sexy and so, wow! Maybe she should never call me by my first name….or maybe use it all the time…

"That's a start" Emma chuckled a bit nervously "Do you want any help with the food?"

"No dear, I'm quite good. Thanks for offering though." Regina smiled and almost lost herself in the beautiful sea colored eyes.

Belle rolled her eyes at Ruby because she knew this kissing charade had a purpose.

"You don't have to play matchmaker for those two, they can do just fine on their own baby. Trust me!" Belle grinned and laid her head against her girlfriend's shoulder.

"Oh really? What makes you so sure?" Ruby teased.

"Because, I also care about Emma, so I kinda interrogated Regina earlier.." at Ruby's shocked and slightly aroused expression Belle rolled her eyes then continued "Anyway, as it turns out, she really likes Emma too."

"Oh you don't have any idea of just how sexy you are when you're bossy do you?" Ruby almost whispered and cupped Belle's face in her hands. "I bet you were all like 'You better not hurt her!' and she was like 'I won't!' " the two shared a smile then Ruby continued "I love you, my little bookworm." she kissed Belle tenderly.

"And I love you my beautiful walking Lasagna." Belle teased and Ruby rolled her eyes then let go of her girlfriend.

"God! You're gonna make me get grey hair before I'm 20!" Ruby groaned.

"Right back at you!" Belle laughed and grabbed Ruby's hand. "Let's join the other two in the kitchen now. Shall we?"

The dinner was a success! Regina couldn't remember the last time she had laughed so much. She had never imagined herself feeling this happy again, but the blonde next to her was the biggest reason for the warm and happy feeling in her stomach.

Ruby kept a close eye on the interaction between Regina and Emma. Not much was spoken, it was the small things she noticed. Their small secret smiles, and the looks they shared. Ruby knew love was in the air but she had promised both Belle and herself not to intervene or push anything, even if she wanted to. Don't fuck this up Swan!

Emma had never felt like this. She had never felt so included, so loved and happy. It was a rather strange feeling, but a feeling she never wanted to lose. She was just starting to enjoy life, and she wondered if she would have been different, if life could have always been like this.

"What are you thinking about, dear?" Regina asked and her voice made Emma snap back to reality.

"Oh ehm, nothing special." Emma shrugged.

"Hm, really? Because you looked really beautiful. All concentrated and lost in your own thoughts." Emma blushed slightly. Does she think I'm beautiful?

"Well, I was just thinking that I have never felt like this, and I wondered if life could have been different, if I had been this happy. You know, all these years, instead of being depressed and lonely.."

"I know what you mean, Emma, believe me." Regina said and her hand just brushed against Emma's, but it sent shivers through Emma's whole body. Well the shiver could have been caused by the use of her name too. It fell from Regina's lips effortlessly now. Jesus fucking Christ.

"You do?" the blonde stuttered and bit her lip in wonder.

"Yes dear, I do." Regina nodded. "I haven't had the upbringing that you have, but I know how it is to grow up feeling alone"

"Wow, and here I was thinking we were totally different you and I.." Emma smiled. "It seems we're more alike than I knew. Who would have known?"

Ruby and Belle shared a look and without words they nodded at each other.

"Well, it's getting kinda late." Ruby said and faked a yawn. "So I think Belle and I should be heading home, but thanks for a really good evening Regina!"

"Guess I should go too then. I have to work tomorrow." Emma sighed then she felt Ruby's hand on her shoulder.

"Don't worry Emma, stay. I'll take the shift for you tomorrow." Ruby smiled. "I owe you one anyway, remember? So stay! Watch a movie and get to know Regina or something. I'm sure she wouldn't mind the company tonight." Emma jumped up and hugged Ruby with a big grin.

"Thank you" Emma whispered in Ruby's ear. Belle gave Regina a goodbye hug and a wink.

"Good night then!" Ruby smirked then grabbed Belle's hand and left.

"What would you say to a bet?" Ruby grinned when they got inside Belles apartment.

"A bet? What are you planning now Rubes?" Belle asked curiously.

"I wanna bet that Emma is gonna kiss Regina tonight"

"Really? So soon?"

"Yepp"

"Oh, you're cocky aren't you? I think they will do it tomorrow, after sharing the bed together." Belle smiled Ruby chuckled.

"So, what are the terms?" Ruby asked with a smug smirk. I know where this is going! I hope I do anyway!

"Hm" Belle grinned and laid her arms around her girlfriend. "If I win, you have to be my slave for a day and do as I say, whatever I say"

"Hmm, so if I win, you'll be my slave huh?"

"Yepp!"

"Deal" Ruby winked. Yep! She knew it! Win Win situation right here!

"Deal" Belle replied and gave Ruby a quick kiss.

Emma bit her lip and felt her heart beating like crazy. God Swan, talk! Say something for fuck sake!

"So what do you want to do?" Regina asked and broke the silence. Emma turned around to meet her eyes and smile.

"Oh ehm, do you have any movies? I'm in the mood for a horror movie and some popcorn." Emma beamed. Smooth Swan. You're on a roll. Ruby would have been proud!

"A scary movie Hm? You just want a reason to cuddle don't you?" Regina teased and Emma blushed and looked away.

"Maybe? God I don't know. I don't really.." Suddenly Emma felt Regina's lips brush against hers. At first Emma wanted to pull away, but she deepened the kiss instead, and felt almost hypnotized by the taste and smell of Regina.

Regina was nervous about how Emma would react to a kiss, because she knew how she felt about touching, but when she deepened the kiss Regina almost melted. Oh god.

"Wow." Emma grinned as the two separated. "Just wow."

"Wow indeed." Regina replied and was shocked when Emma snuggled close and put Regina's arm around her. It surprised and excited Regina.

"I can't get enough of you" Emma whispered but Regina heard every word. She placed a kiss against Emma's forehead and there were the butterflies in her stomach again. What is this girl doing to me?