This chapter is for LittlePenguin93 with the prompt: "maybe one where everyone keeps putting it on Emma to be the "man" in the relationship that when she does something "feminine" like maybe she makes a baby blanket for ruby and Dorothy and Regina is given credit she gets pissed and yells about how Regina's not the only girl in their relationship. Regina goes after her and tells her all the amazing things Emma does that show what a beautiful woman she is. I'd also throw in Regina asking why it's such a big deal for her to be girly maybe tie it into a foster home who drilled lady like behavior into her or something."
Whew. This prompt has a lot to it. Let's see how I do!
Emma sat in the living room, running her fingers over her old baby blanket. She should probably have gotten rid of it years ago, but she couldn't find a reason to.
Studying it closely, Emma took notes on the way that Granny had made the blanket. She could do it, no problem. Maybe making a baby blanket for Neal would make her parents trust her again after everything with the Snow Queen and Emma herself hurting David.
Grabbing her supplies, Emma got everything ready. She decided to use the same kind of material that Granny had, except Neal's name would be in dark blue instead of purple. Smiling to herself, Emma got to work.
She had a baby blanket to make.
"Emma," Snow said in surprise, opening the door to the apartment. "What are you doing here?"
Emma winced. "Sorry. I can go if you want."
"No that's not what I meant," Snow said quickly, pulling Emma inside. "I just meant that since you live with Regina now, I wasn't expecting to see you here."
"I come bearing a peace offering," Emma said, holding up her bag.
Snow's face visibly lit up. "A present? For who?"
"Neal," Emma said. She handed the bag to Snow, who quickly reached in and pulled out the blanket.
"Oh my goodness," Snow said. "This looks exactly like your baby blanket. How did Regina know?"
"What do you mean?" Emma asked in confusion.
"Didn't Regina make this?" Snow asked.
"No," Emma said. "I did."
"Oh!" Snow said. "I'm sorry. You said peace offering, so I just assumed that it was from her. Plus I just figured that you wouldn't want to do girly things like making blankets or anything."
"Why wouldn't I want to do anything girly?" Emma asked defensively.
"You're just not very girly," Snow explained.
Emma narrowed her eyes. "So I can't make a blanket because I'm not girly enough. Is that it?"
"No, not at all," Snow said. "I think maybe we should try this conversation over."
"No need," Emma said. She turned and opened the door to the apartment. "I hope that Neal likes the blanket."
Sit up straight. Fix your dress. For goodness sakes Emma, at least try and act like a lady!
Emma dug her nails into her palms. Letting people down, that was what she was the best at. All of that time that she had been trained to be a lady, and she had to go and ruin it.
Dresses are what ladies wear. Go change this instant.
Emma looked down at her usual outfit. Jeans, boots, t-shirt, and red leather jacket. So very ladylike. Shaking her head, Emma went to walk into the forest.
"Emma!" Regina called. She walked as fast as she could to where Emma stood, quickly grabbing her arm.
"I was just going to go for a walk," Emma said. "I'll see you at home later."
Regina tightened her grip as Emma went to pull away. "Your mother called me and told me about what happened."
Emma winced. "Of course she did."
"It's not that big of a deal," Regina assured her. "You don't have to be girly to be able to make a blanket. And you don't have to be girly."
"Yes I do," Emma argued.
"Why?" Regina asked.
Emma sighed. "One of my foster mothers was big on being a lady. She trained me about how to be a complete lady, from everything that you wear to how you eat your food. Not being girly enough feels like I'm letting her down."
"You don't need to be girly," Regina said. She held up her hand, as Emma looked ready to argue. "There is way more to being a lady than just dressing up in fancy clothes."
"Oh yeah?" Emma challenged. "And what might that be?"
"You have to always keep your composure," Regina said. "No matter what you're feeling. You do that on a daily basis. It takes self-control."
"You also have to always hold yourself accountable for your actions," Regina continued. "Which you did. You admitted that you hurt David and Henry, and still feel bad about what happened."
"Lastly, you always have to look presentable," Regina finished. "You may wear pants and a leather jacket, but you always look beautiful in whatever you wear. Those things are what make a lady. I'd say that you have those down, don't you?"
Emma nodded. Regina smiled gently before pulling her into a hug. "You want to know a secret?" Regina asked.
"Of course. I'm always looking for new things to hang over your head," Emma teased.
Regina rolled her eyes before pulling away from Emma. "Funny."
"So what's this secret?" Emma asked. "Now I'm curious."
"There's no way that I could have made that blanket," Regina said. "I can't knit to save my life."
Emma burst out laughing. "I'm sorry. But I find it funny that the Queen herself, basically the model of being a lady, can't knit."
"Oh yes, it's hilarious," Regina scoffed. "But what did I just say about being a lady? It's not what everyone thinks."
"True," Emma agreed. "I could always teach you to knit." She loved teaching Regina new things.
"Only if I get to dress you up," Regina countered. "Dress, makeup, everything."
"Fine," Emma grumbled. "You can put me in a dress."
Regina smiled before grabbing Emma's hand, pulling her in the direction of the mansion. "I'll make you into a girly girl yet."