Chapter 11
Emma just left Regina's. She didn't know why she had told her about the Swans. That was something sacred to her, but also a deep wound. Emma was crying as she ran home. She stumbled up the stairs and slammed the door to her room behind her. Ruby who was home at the moment, and napping on her bed woke up due to the big slam and frowned. Emma? What the hell? Ruby thought to herself and headed over to her sister's room. Emma had seemed to be so happy earlier? She took a deep breath and knocked on her sister's door.
"Swan? Is everything okay?" she asked, tugging on her bottom lip nervously
"Ruby not now. I want to be alone!" Emma groaned from inside. Please. Just. Please.
"Well I'm coming in anyhow" Ruby said out loud and opened the door. Emma was sitting on her bed shaking and crying. The big sister feelings in Ruby awakened and she sat down beside her. Emma pulled away and the blonde wished Ruby would get the point, but she didn't. Emma knew Ruby wanted to comfort her.
"Please go." Emma sobbed but Ruby just shook her head.
"Not gonna happen Swan, you know that." Ruby said in a gentle tone and met Emma's eyes. "So, what's wrong? Did something happen between you and Regina?"
"I don't wanna talk about it!" Emma growled and dried her tears. "I'm so sick and tired of this. I just. God. Never mind..."
"Emma…" Ruby warned. "You have to tell me what's happened. Because clearly something has! You're shaking like a leaf. Please Lil sis, talk to me."
"I don't need to tell you shit!" Emma snapped and Ruby didn't know what to say. She had never seen Emma like this or heard her talk like this. What the hell is going on? Ruby thought to herself.
Ruby had comforted Emma many times and they had gotten closer over time. She didn't recognize her sister's behavior right now, but she refused to back down. So she pushed on, but this time she pushed too hard and Emma's reaction took her totally by surprise. Her little sister pushed her off the bed and clenched her fists, looking ready to attack like a wolf hunting prey, eyes almost black and dangerous.
"Like I said.. Leave!" Emma spat and Ruby stood up and did what she had been told. The last thing she wanted was to fight Emma. She may be stupid but not that stupid. Instead Ruby decided to go to Regina. I knew I shouldn't have trusted Regina so easily! I need answers!
Regina was sitting out by the apple tree, a tree her daddy had planted when she had been just a kid. Regina always went there when she needed to talk to someone or get advice. Well she didn't get much of either, but this was a place for her to relax and just feel a bit connected to her Daddy. Now she felt confused and sad about Emma's reaction.
"Daddy what did I do wrong with Emma? She just left.. I tried to comfort her but she pushed me away." Regina sighed. I would have done anything for a hug now, daddy.
"Regina!" a voice suddenly called and she was fast on her feet. "Regina where the hell are you?!" Regina walked up to the house and was met by a furious Ruby.
"Ruby? What's wrong?"
"Well you tell me Hm?" Ruby growled and took a step closer. "What the hell did you do to my sister?!" Regina frowned and didn't understand a thing, but she noticed the dangerous tone Ruby had in her voice.
"Please calm down, I don't understand what you're talking about?"
"Emma! I'm talking about Emma! You idiot!" Ruby snapped. "You have to have done something to my sister because she's almost as broken as she was when she came here for the first time. So answer the fucking question or I swear to God I will…"
"Ruby please don't yell, I haven't done anything to her!" Regina shot back, gritting her teeth.
"Bull fucking shit!" Ruby spat and took a step closer to Regina. But they were interrupted as car parked pulled up on the driveway and both Regina and Ruby froze.
"Mother…" Regina breathed. "Ruby, she can't see you, please leave!"
"This isn't over" Ruby groaned and ran out the back gate. Regina closed her eyes and wondered if this day could become any more worse, as she walked up to the driveway to greet her mother.
"Regina!" Cora said with a false happy tone in her voice and hugged her daughter tight. "I've missed you"
"I missed you too, mother." Regina said with a false smile in return and bit her lip.
"Has Rosita been treating you well?" Cora asked, not really caring, as her own personal slave, Fredrik, carried in her suitcases into the house.
"Yes mother. I've been well taken care of."
"Good dear, good. We can have a dinner tonight Hm? I have some really big news to tell you!"
"Yes mother" Regina sighed. This can't be good.
Granny wondered why neither Emma or Ruby had showed up for work that day. She decided to take that up with them when she closed down the diner for the evening. It was a really slow day, so she decided to close earlier and go home to check on her daughters. She frowned when she found Ruby on the sofa. What was going on?
"So here you are!" Granny said and sat down on her armchair. "Why didn't you show up to work today Hm?"
"Because." Ruby answered and gritted her teeth.
"Ruby." Granny warned. "What's going on? Where's Emma?"
"She's in her room, crying her eyes out." Ruby sighed. "And she almost hit me when I tried to comfort her, so I went over to Regina's to give her a piece of my mind, but of course her bitch of a mother came home. So I had to leave.." Granny sighed. She knew how angry Ruby could get when someone she loved and cared for was sad, but the old woman couldn't believe Regina had hurt Emma in that way. It had to be something else! The old woman told herself.
"Ruby calm down. I can promise you Regina hasn't made Emma this upset."
"How the fuck do you know that?!" Ruby growled and stood up. "God!I'm outta here. I'll go to Belle's. Good luck with Swan." Ruby groaned and left the apartment, slamming the door behind her.
Granny sighed and walked up to Emma's room. She could hear the crying through the door and decided to open it door without knocking.
"Emma dear, what's wrong?" Granny asked carefully and Emma dried her eyes and met Granny's calm and worried eyes.
"I don't know. I just.. Something inside me snapped" Emma shrugged. "Oh god, and I almost hit Ruby.. I'm an idiot.."
"Emma I'm sure you have your reasons. Would you mind telling me what made you snap?" There was silence unroll Emma remembered how much better She felt after the first confession to Regina.
"I told Regina this story and I just got so upset.." Granny sat down and Emma let her foster mother put her arms around her.
"What did you tell Regina then?" The woman asked gently
Regina was walking on eggshells. She knew her mother was up to something and that scared her. Besides that, Regina wasn't used to having Cora around and kinda hated it in some way. Especially since she couldn't have either her girlfriend or friends around now. Emma is still my girlfriend… Right? Regina gritted her teeth and frowned when she heard a knock on her door.
"Regina, here you are!" Cora said with another false smile and Regina rolled her eyes. Of course she would be in her room. She always fled there when her mother was home. "I have a dress you should wear for dinner tonight." Cora said. Regina just wanted to tell her to go away and let her be. But she couldn't. She couldn't risk her finding out about either Emma or Belle and Ruby, or risk getting disowned "for not behaving", so she had to play along. Regina was actually scared of her mother. She took a deep breath and turned around, fighting the urge in her body to snap at her mother. I wish you were still here daddy so she would leave me alone..
"Can't I wear any of my usual dresses mother?" Regina asked carefully, trying to sound as polite as she could.
"No I want you to wear a new dress I bought you in Paris" Cora huffed and gave her daughter yet another false smile. She studied Regina's body and shook her head. "I'll have to tell Rosita to put you on a diet. You have gained weight"
"No mother, I haven't" Regina growled.
"Do not use that tone with me!" Cora snapped and gave Regina a slap on her check. "You do as I say or I'll let you live out on the streets. Who knows, maybe Eugina will take you in like she does with all the street rats" the tone Cora had in her voice made Regina sick to her stomach.
"Neither Miss Swan, nor Miss Lucas are street rats, mother!" Regina shot back and was surprised her tone didn't earn her another slap.
"Oh but they are! I'm glad you don't have those kinds of parasites around you anymore dear. They're not even worthy your presence."
"You weren't always rich mother, so don't patronize them!" Regina screamed back and Cora slapped her again, but she didn't care this time. "You can pretend all you want that you have noble blue blood in your veins, but I know the truth mother! You were nothing before daddy!"
"Not one more word!" Cora spat and raised her clenched fist.
"Go on mother. Hit me! Raise me with your hand like always! Daddy would have been furious if he could see you now. Hitting your own flesh and blood!"
"I don't understand what has happened to you Regina, but you'll sit here in your room and think about your behavior!"
"Oh, house arrest? I'm not a kid mother!"
"Well, you're certainly behaving like one! Don't you worry though, that will be changed soon enough!" Cora smirked. "So I'll be dining alone and I'm leaving again tomorrow. Good night."
Regina sat down on the bed and buried her head on her hands. This day is just getting worse and worse! She wished Emma was here or someone. Just someone. Her mother hadn't been home overnight in almost 6 months, and Regina had forgotten how awful she was. What the hell did mother mean with it will be changed soon?
Ruby knew she shouldn't have snapped at her grandmother but she couldn't help herself. She hated to see Emma so sad, and not being able to help her was eating her alive. Plus, the reaction she got from Emma was new and troubling. Ruby signed and opened the door to Belle's.
"Ruby? Babe? Is something wrong?" Belle asked anxiously when Ruby barged inside. She had never come over unannounced before, even though she had a key. Ruby shrugged and sat down on the sofa next to Belle. She then bit her lip before she spoke.
"Emma came home and was completely torn apart. When I tried to ask her what happened, she fucking snapped at me, and almost punched me in my face!" Ruby said quickly and dragged her fingers through her hair. Belle saw her girlfriend was very concerned and confused, and that broke her heart.
"Then what happened Babe?" Belle asked, feeling this wasn't the end of the story.
"Then I barged over to Regina's and gave her a piece of my mind! I know she had to have done something! Emma hasn't been this broken since she came here, and of course Regina denied it. Then her bitch of a mother turned up…"
"Ruby you shouldn't stick your nose in other people's business all the time. You know that doesn't end well." Belle sighed and remembered the last time Ruby had done that.
Belle had finally finished school for the day. It had been a long terrible day, and everything that could go wrong did go wrong. She had even failed a test. So Belle was tired and grumpy, and just wanted to come home and snuggle up on the couch with Ruby. Unfortunately she saw Killian following her and rolled her eyes. This guy had been stalking her the whole week, and had tried to get her to go out with her, even though she had declined more than 20 times. Or was it more? Either way, he obviously wasn't getting the point, since he was still trying.
Belle hadn't said anything to Ruby because she knew how angry and territorial she was with her friends and family, and the last thing Belle wanted was more trouble. Belle told herself that she could handle this on her own, but her patience was wearing thin.
"Hey Belle, wait up!" Killian shouted and the brunette groaned. "So what's happening tonight? Fancy a drink with me, love?"
"Killian, please. I'm not interested." Belle sighed. "like I said before, I've got a girlfriend."
"Oh love, you just haven't met the right man yet. Give me a night and you'll get over that gay faze." Killian grinned and Belle shivered.
Belle didn't have a chance to react before he pressed his lips against hers, or react when he was dragged backwards.
"Don't you ever touch my girlfriend!" Ruby growled and gritted her teeth and spat on the ground. "You fucking creep"
"Oh you're the girlfriend?" Killian grinned.
"Yes I am! And if you don't mind my asking, who the fuck are you?" Ruby spat and Belle noticed the darkness in her girlfriend's eyes. She was absolutely furious. Some people were standing around them now, some just watching, some whispering and pointing. Belle didn't want to cause a scene and tried to get Ruby's attention. It was almost an impossible task, but she had to try.
"Ruby, let's just go home." Belle plead and reached for her hand, but Ruby shrugged her off, still glaring at Killian with dark eyes.
"Yeah go home Love, and let me handle Belle. So I can make a woman out of her" Killian laughed. "When I'm done with that I can do the same for you." That was the last straw for the redhead. She punched Killian straight in the face the kneed him in the crotch. He fell to the ground and Ruby took a step forward with both her fists clenched.
"Ruby leave it! Please!" Belle shouted but she was too scared to take a step forward. She had never seen Ruby like this. She almost looked like a dog with rabies.
"Fucking bitch." Killian moaned when Ruby gripped his shirt.
"Don't you ever even look at Belle again!" She growled and pushed him backwards toward the ground. "If you do, I will break every fucking tooth you have in your disgusting mouth!"
"It's not the same." Ruby huffed. "It's not like I went over and punched Regina!"
"No but you went over there, and accused Regina of something you probably just made up in your head." Belle pointed out and laid her arm around her girlfriend. "I know you're upset babe, and I know I would feel that way too if I were in your shoes, but we have to let Emma and Regina work this out, what ever this is, alright?" Belle tried to reason and Ruby sighed. Of course she was right.
"I guess...but god Belle! Emma was so sad. I felt helpless. When she pushed me away like that... She has never done something like that before! She's never been aggressive like that..." Ruby frowned and snuggled close to her girlfriend. Ruby knew Belle was right but she didn't want to say it out loud.
"I know you love your sister, but we both know she has her demons she struggles with, right?"
"Right..." Ruby mumbled. God I love her so much!
"So just give Emma some time and she'll come around. I promise! Okay?"
"Yeah I hope so. I guess I gotta go apologize to Regina then?" Ruby groaned and rubbed her temple with her fingers. All of this was giving her a headache.
"Probably baby, but she'll forgive you. Regina doesn't hold grudges" Belle said in a gentle tone and kissed Ruby on her cheek. "Especially not with you." she winked and Ruby rolled her eyes with a small chuckle
"I just hope I didn't make things worse with my accusations." Ruby signed.
"Regina will forgive you. She knows you have quite the temper." Belle smiled and Ruby shrugged.
"Yeah I guess, but I'm just worried you know? Emma is my little sister and I would do anything for her... to just be happy!"
"I know baby, but sometimes you let your head and gigantic heart get the best of you." Belle said and Ruby rolled her eyes.
"What would I do without you?" Ruby smiled and cupped Belle's face in her hands. "I love you, my little bookworm"
"And I love you too." Belle replied and smiled. "Even if you are a little crazy."
"Hey! Be nice." Ruby laughed and attacked Belle with kisses.
Emma had calmed down drastically after Granny talked to her, or talked some sense into her. That old woman was magic with her words. She had called Ruby and apologized and told her a little about why she had been so upset. Ruby had said it was okay and told Emma she would be home later.
"I'm going for a run Granny." Emma said and the old lady nodded. "See you later!" she shouted over her shoulder and closed the door. She happily breathed in the fresh air, and was wondering what Regina was doing. Emma smiled and decided to jog over there. She wondered whose car was parked beside Regina's, but she didn't care. She just wanted to see Regina. Hug her. Tell her she was sorry. Kiss her.
Emma knocked on the door, and her smile disappeared as soon as she saw Regina's mother in front of her. She must have gotten a new car.
"Mrs Mills?" Emma stuttered.
"What do you want Miss Swan?" Cora snarled. She looked at Emma with openly judging eyes. The kind of eyes judgemental eyes Emma had always had on her. The looks that judged her because of her background. The fact she had grown up as a foster kid. Eyes that looked at her like she was worth nothing. Nothing more than a common street rat. Emma shivered and cleared her throat.
"Ehm, I was just wondering if ehm, I could ehm, talk to your daughter? She's in right?" Emma stuttered, fidgeting with her hands. Why does this woman make me so fucking nervous?!
"Learn to speak properly Miss Swan, I can't understand a word." Cora taunted. Emma felt like she was as worthless as she had felt when she stumbled into Granny's diner that cold winter night. The blonde couldn't understand how Regina, who was so sweet and gentle, could have a mother like this. So heartless and cold.
"I wish to see your daughter." Emma spoke up and gritted her teeth. This woman is testing me.
"What business do you have with my daughter then, Miss Swan?" Cora seethed.
"That's none of your business, so if you please, Mrs. Mills" Emma spat and took a step closer but got pushed backwards by Cora
"Let me give you a piece of advice, Miss Swan. Stay away from my daughter."
"No" Emma shot back. "She's my gi.. She's my friend!"
"If you don't leave my property immediately Miss swan, I will call the sheriff and make your life a living hell, but I assume that wouldn't be something you aren't used to. Would it? Foster Kid!" Cora spat and laughed. Emma clenched her fists and knew this was just what Cora wanted. She wanted Emma to get angry. To slip. To fail. Emma held back her anger.
"I may be a foster kid, but don't talk about me as if you know me, because you don't." Emma growled. "I'm not afraid of you Cora. I promise you that I have met worse, much scarier people!"
"So much temper. Typical for a street rat, I presume?"
"Mother?" a beautiful voice behind Cora spoke. Emma felt how all of her anger just melted away at the sound of Regina's voice.
"Emma?"
"Regina! Are you okay?" Emma asked anxiously but Cora was standing between them.
"Yes Miss Swan, but what are you doing here? Why are you arguing with her mother?"
"This girl is saying she is your friend. That's not right, is it Regina?" Cora shot her daughter a glare and Regina wished her daddy could have been here. He would have thrown Cora out head first and invited Emma in. Why was it you that had to be sick, Daddy?
"Mother, leave us." Regina said and Cora rolled her eyes then went inside with a huff. Regina closed the door behind her and Emma didn't know what to say or do. She just looked at Regina.
"Emma what are you doing here?" Regina asked carefully.
"I thought I was gonna apologize for my behavior earlier, but I'm sorry I caused another scene. I didn't mean to. I should have called.. I'm do sorry. I didn't know your mother was home.." Emma sighed. I just continue to fuck things up.
"Regina!" Cora shouted impatiently from inside.
"Emma I'm so sorry, you have to leave." Regina sighed and took a quick look over her shoulder. She leaned in quickly and gave Emma a kiss on her cheek, then whispered in her ear. "I'll text you?"
"Yeah okay ehm, yeah bye." Emma shrugged and jogged away. She felt terrible. And she knew Regina did as well. She was smiling slightly though. Her mother was right there and she still kissed me!