Regina walked into her townhome and looked around. As excited as she was to start this new chapter in her life she couldn't help but feel sad about closing this part of her life as well. This has been her home for a long time now and besides the incident with Bianca she had generally happy memories here.

Regina walked into the bedroom and opened her closet doors and took a deep breath. This is going to be fun. The woman looked over her endless pairs of heels, scarves, blouses, etc. and knew that she probably should condense some before moving into Emma's. One of the many things she liked was she didn't have to impress the blonde. She was just as turned on whether Regina was dressed up, in a pair of jeans, or in sweats. It was nice to be with someone who was attracted to her for her.

She had just begun to make two separate piles of keep and donate when she heard her doorbell ring. She quickly walked to the door and opened it to see her smiling Belle who already had tears in her eyes. Belle walked in and embraced Regina tightly.

"I miss you so much," Belle said.

"Hun, it's only been two days since I left the restaurant."

"I know but it's just not the same knowing that you won't be back."

"I know and I am sorry that I walked out like that but I just couldn't handle it anymore."

"No need to apologize love I understand. You are far too talented for that place anyways." Belle said as the women parted and began walking back to Regina's bedroom.

"So, you decided to stay at La Pomme huh?" Regina asked as she began throwing blouses into the two piles again as Belle flopped onto the bed. Regina knew she wouldn't be much help but she would enjoy spending the day with her friend.

"Yes, but only out of desperation. I am seeking out other employment. It is just paying the bills for now." Belle said as she sat up and grabbed a shirt that was Regina was tossing to the floor to give away. "Hey can I have this?"

Regina laughed, "Sure help yourself."

"Thanks!" Belle laid the shirt on the bed next to her. "So, you are moving in with Emma huh?"

"Yep," Regina replied waiting to see what kind of snarky comment the brunette would have about it.

"And…"

"And what?"

"Aren't you worried?"

"No, why would I be?"

"Regina, honey, you have known her for less than a week. It's soon. Very soon. Like, extremely soon…hell, I am worried for you."

"Well, I'm not." Regina said sternly as she continued to flip through her blouses.

"Relax babe, I do not doubt that you know what you are doing, I trust that Emma is a wonderful person. I just get nervous is all."

Regina stopped what she was doing and walked over to the bed to sit next to her friend. She knows what Belle has been through and doesn't doubt the worries that are probably going through her mind. Regina is all that Belle has. Like Regina's family Belle's is nonexistent in her life. Her mother passed when she was young and her father abandoned her leaving her to be raised by her Aunt who kicked her out when she was sixteen.

Regina placed a hand on her friend's knee. Belle lifted her head and pouted her bottom lip.

"Babe, I know you are worried. What can I do to help ease your mind about everything?"

"Let me meet her."

Regina smiled, "I think that can be arranged."

"Really?"

"Yes, I know you and I could tell you until I am blue in the face how wonderful she is but until you see for yourself you aren't going to be at ease. So, how about I talk to Emma and maybe you can come over for dinner tonight?"

"I would like that very much. Thank you." Belle laid her head on Regina's shoulder.

"You are welcome dear. Now will you please get off your cute little butt and help get these clothes sorted out!"

…..

It was quarter to seven and Emma was pacing back and fourth down the hallway from the kitchen to the bedroom changing shirts every few minutes while Regina prepared dinner.

"Babe, would you please relax and help me get the table ready?" Regina laughed at how cute Emma was when she was nervous. "Why are you so nervous anyways? It is just Belle!"

"Because she is the most important person in your life and I have to prove to her that I am worthy of your love…"

"Correction…you are the most important person in my life…and you do not have to prove anything to her. You simply have to be yourself and she will fall in love with you just as I have. Well… hopefully not exactly as I have," Regina laughed, "But you know what I mean."

Emma grabbed a few plates down from the cabinet deciding that the deep blue flannel and dark washed jeans were okay. Regina told her to make sure she wasn't dressed up because it would appear fake to Belle and the woman would be sure to call her out on it. Emma took her advice and also left her hair down flowing freely in loose curls.

Regina went comfortable as well in a pair of jeans with a hunter green top that cinched at the waist on the right side and was cut into a low v. Her hair was currently pulled into a loose bun as she was cooking and Emma loved the way that a few strands managed to fall down around her face.

It wasn't long after the table was set and Skittles was in the backyard playing happily with the new toys that Regina had picked up for her today at the market that the door bell rang. Regina went to answer as Emma continued to pace around the dining table ensuring that everything was in its place. She wasn't sure what had gotten into her because usually she really could care less about things like this.

Emma froze in place when she heard the women laughing as they rounded the corner of the kitchen and she heard the clicking of unfamiliar heels.

"Emma, I would like you to meet Belle," Regina smiled as she opened one arm out to the side motioning for the blonde to come and meet at her hip.

Emma walked nervously to the comfort of Regina's grasp and smiled at the new beauty standing in her kitchen.

"Nice to meet you Belle."

"Oh it is so nice to meet you Emma! I cannot tell you how much I have already heard about you!" Belle smiled sweetly at the blonde and handed her a bottle of wine. "I hope this is okay my lovely friend here didn't tell me what she was cooking for us so I wasn't quite sure what to bring."

Regina grabbed the bottle before Emma could accept it and laughed.

"Be quiet you it's perfect and I will have you know I am making your favorite dish!" Regina said as she walked past them swiftly setting the bottle down on the counter and making her way back to the stove top.

"No way! I haven't had that since I lived with you!" Belle smiled and followed her friend further into the kitchen.

Emma watched as Belle walked behind her girlfriend and she couldn't help but let her eyes roam. Belle really was breathtaking. She had brown hair that was long and flowing in loose waves down her back that perfectly complimented her crystal blue eyes and gorgeous smile. She was shorter than the other women and had beautiful curves in all of the right places especially in the emerald green dress she was wearing that was cut mid thigh and had revealing slits at the waist. Emma knew Regina was not lying when she said that she could get anyone she wanted. There was no denying her beauty. Still, watching them side by side over the stove top she fell short in comparison to the one Emma loved.

"Are you ready to eat love?" Regina's voice brought Emma out of her trance and Emma smiled up at the beauty that was holding a pan walking towards the table. Belle followed with another dish in hand.

"Definitely, I am starving after smelling this food for hours." Emma walked to the table and pulled Regina's chair out for her and then made a bold move and did the same for Belle.

"Wow, brownie points for you," Belle smiled and Regina winked at Emma in approval. Emma giggled and took her seat next to Regina and across from Belle. Her hands were shaking as she began to reach for some the chicken cordon bleu that Regina had prepared.

"So, Emma, tell me a little bit about you..." Belle began as she took a bite and eyed the blonde.

Emma gulped, "Um, well…I'm a sixth grade teacher at…."

Regina laughed, "Belle knock it off! Babe, she's fucking with you. She already knows all that stuff."

Emma looked around nervously and Belle giggled.

"Sorry hun just wanted to have a little fun," Belle winked at Emma and smiled.

"Oh, ha…" Emma laughed cautiously not sure if she was part of the fun or the subject of it.

"Anyways," Regina said wanting to change the subject because she could see Emma was getting uncomfortable, "any new job leads?" she asked looking at the brunette.

"Not yet. It's tough out there. Plus, Gold is such a dick. He says the restaurant is only going to be open Thursday thru Sunday yet he calls me constantly asking me questions so my days off never actually feel like a day off. I can't get anything done."

"Oh, so that is who you were stepping out to talk to all day?"

"Yeah, I'm sorry about that. I didn't want to tell you because I was afraid you would get upset."

"No, not upset. I just don't understand how you can stay working for a slime ball like that." Regina said angrily cutting at her chicken.

"Well, I don't understand how you can afford to be off of work! Believe me I wish I could have stormed out."

"Belle, it's only been two days. Trust me I won't be able to afford to be off much longer."

Emma just continued to eat and watch as the two bickered back and forth at each other.

"Well are you putting your name out there? What are you doing to try and get something?"

"I'm working on it…"

"What does that mean?"

"I'm looking into starting my own place."

Belle almost choked on her wine, "Excuse me what?"

"You heard me. Emma is going to help me."

"Oh, I see." Belle looked down and began poking at her food.

"What?" Regina sat her utensils down and stared at her friend eyebrows raised.

Emma's eyes were huge and she looked around uncomfortably feeling like maybe she shouldn't be there.

"Nothing…I just didn't know that a school teacher knew anything about starting a restaurant…"

"Hey!" Emma shrieked.

"It's okay babe…" Regina rubbed Emma's forearm. "Belle I think you should go."

"Fine. You know, I knew this was going to happen." Belle stood up and threw her napkin down on the table. "Thanks for inviting me into your home Emma. Good luck." She turned to leave and Regina could see that her friend's eyes were filling with tears.

"Belle, wait…" Regina stood up to follow her.

"No, its fine, you know I'm used to being alone. You were just one more chapter in my life that is closing. I wish you all the best."

Regina stood at the open door and watched as her best friend walked down the path and into her car. Emma didn't know what to say or do so she simply wrapped her arms around Regina's waist and held her tight.