A/N: Again I will note, if you haven't read this story in third-person yet. DO SO BEFORE YOU READ THIS STORY. Both stories contain different scenarios that will be left out of each version due to the differences. But if you rather be confused, that's up to ya'll lol. Don't say I didn't warn you. I am enjoying this first-person version, so I will keep updating. For tonight, here is Emma's POV on chapter 4. Happy reading! :) And thank you to all my familiar readers who are re-joining me on this journey.
Chapter 4: Emma
I walked out of the house hand in hand with Audrey. To be honest, I wasn't looking forward to the riding lessons, but if this place was as beautiful as Audrey went on about it, I had to see it for myself. With my keen eye, I always appreciated new and unknown locations. What photographer didn't?
"You're going to love the Orchard, Em." Audrey smiled at me as I smiled back. "I'm telling you, it puts every beautiful place there is."
"Oh, yeah?" I raise my eyebrow at her as we walk along. We stop until we come along a black Mercedes. "Nice car." I say to Audrey.
"It's my mom's." She tells me.
Three seconds later, one of the front doors to the house opens and my eyes fall on Regina as she's walking our way with the kindest smile I've ever seen anyone give. To anyone, if this woman would smile at you the way Regina smiled at me in that moment, no one would suspect she wasn't happy. But to the naked eye like mine, it only took me to catch a glimpse of what I did last night to know that the sadness she carried in her eyes wasn't there because it wanted to be a part of her.
And, judging from my own personal experience, I know men like Leopold White. Just by setting eyes on him since day one, I could tell that he was the type of man who looked down on you if you let him. He was the type of man who felt as if he had all the power in the world and still craved for more. And would do anything to get it.
I don't go on looking in people's windows. But I've seen enough marital problems in my life to know the signs. To not stride very far from an example- take my own mom- the only ounce of happiness she knew to exist before David came into both our lives to change it all for the better was me.
"Are we ready?" Regina pressed the unlock button on her remote that was strapped to her keys before opening the driver's side door and sitting inside.
Audrey opens the passenger door, and I climb in the back seat, quickly strapping myself in as the engine starts. A second later, her mom is backing out of the driveway and driving along the road.
As I'm looking out the window at the speeding city of Boston, I look over to find Audrey fidgeting with her mom's radio. She turns the volume knob down just a bit, and I can hear music coating the inside of the car, but not enough to tell what song began playing. I notice her mom exchanging another kind, yet sad smile with her as they take a quick glance at one another.
Had I brought my camera with me, this would have been a perfect picture moment to snap into the memory of a film roll.
I chose not to bring my camera today because, considering I would find myself having to mount one of these, as Regina's intention of reference toward them was- gentle giants. What was gentle about them, anyway? I couldn't possibly consider an animal that was bigger than you to be exactly gentle. But that was me. Funny that, you could place me in front of an army of people and I wouldn't bat an eye of fear against them. Hell, I was forced to come face-to-face with my first sadistic asshole when I was just sixteen. But place me in front of an animal bigger than, and my legs would turn to mush.
I guess, you could say they were the kryptonite to my Superman. I chuckle to myself at my own chosen metaphor.
I take in the sights of the city of Boston, and I'm mesmerized to say the least. It was such a beautiful city. My mom and David would love it here. I think to myself, making a mental note to come back with them someday.
"Is everything alright, Ms. Swan?" I hear Regina call to me, and my eyes are quick to look her way, first at the back of her head, followed by her eyes which look back at me through the rearview mirror.
Just Emma. I didn't mind the formalities, but people that I instantly click with, I always liked them using my first name. There was just something about Regina that clicked for me. "Fine." I answer as I turn to look back out the car window.
"Not too overwhelming, then?" Regina asked me, and I found her eyes staring at me through the mirror again.
"Nothing this beautiful could ever be overwhelming." I smile, giving my attention to the city once more. About a minute later, I give the sight of the city a break to turn back to the sight of Regina's eyes as I can catch sight of them in the mirror. She doesn't look my way anymore, which I was thankful for, otherwise she would have caught me staring.
As we arrived, my eyes didn't prepare me for the beautiful sight of the Orchard. It wasn't overwhelming, but it sure was something like out of the pages of an untold story. It had a certain magic to it. As Regina drove along, I could see wooden fences placed along the massive field. The grass was so green it hurt your eyes if you stared at it long enough. It went on for miles. There were fields of trees that from what I could tell were all apple trees. There was a barn, where I imagined the stables were, and I could spot the distant figure of a man making his way out of it. We drove along a dirt road that then led to a two story house made entirely of fine brick. It wasn't a massive home like her mansion back in the city. But it was a beautiful looking cottage type. Flowers adorned their way around the bottom of it, coming to a halt right where the three steps leading to the porch was.
You could breathe peacefulness out here.
"Welcome to The Orchard, Em!" Said Audrey, smiling proudly as she looked over her shoulder at me before exchanging a quick look and mutual grin with her mom. Both their hands joined in their embrace and as I looked at Regina, I could see the tension evaporate entirely from her body. That troubling weight- whatever it might be- lifted off of her shoulders once again. She was happy, as was Audrey.
My eyes widen for a second as I then catch sight of Regina's eyes staring at me through the rearview mirror once again. "Not too overwhelming, Ms. Swan?" She asked me again.
"Emma." I corrected her this time as a kind reminder. I spot the corner of Regina's eyes wrinkle and I know she's smirking at me, or maybe at Audrey, since mother and daughter exchanged looks then before exiting the Mercedes.
Audrey waits for me to exit the back seat of the car as she reaches for my hand in excitement. "Come on, Em! Let me show you the house!" She says to me, dragging me a step forward before turning back to her mother and asking, "Coming, mom?"
"You two go ahead, I have to say hi to someone." Says Regina, giving Audrey and me a smile before that same smile widens at the sight of a man that's meeting her halfway in a hug so strong, I could hear both of them grunt in content.
"Who's that?" I ask, nodding toward the stranger that apparently didn't want to let Regina go just yet.
"Oh, that's my mom's boyfriend." Audrey says jokingly, chuckling at the shocked look on my face as I stare at her quizzically.
"Come again?" I release a small laugh, and feel nervous about it. Why? I don't know. But even my eyes glance back toward Regina and Daniel, who are still embraced in a hug.
"That's Daniel. He works over at the stables." Audrey explains to me. "I always like to joke that he's her boyfriend because he always looks at my mom with his tongue hanging out. Just look at him."
I turn back to them and in that moment I can see what Audrey is talking about as they free each other from their embrace. This Daniel guy definitely looked at Regina with a certain devotion in his eyes. I couldn't hear the words they exchanged, but I could certainly see Regina's cheeks turn a shade of light pink to whatever compliment he was giving her at that moment. I can't say I blame the guy. Even I could admit that Audrey's mom was, for an older woman, extremely attractive.
I blink myself out of the thought. Leave it to me to be captivated by a woman's beauty. Well, Regina's wardrobe certainly had a lot to do with my thoughts wandering for a short minute. I had only known her for not even a full day yet, and the jeans, white tucked in dress shirt with her sleeves rolled up, plus her boots that she decided to change into before coming here certainly complimented her beauty.
"Poor guy. He's crushing on her bad." Audrey's voice startles my thoughts, causing them to short-circuit on me.
Before I even realize what's about to come out of my own mind-of-its-own mouth, I reply to Audrey with, "I mean, can you blame him? Your mom's hot." My eyebrows do a little dance as a grin forms along the corner of my lips, which earns me a playful smack along the arm from my own girlfriend.
"Don't let my dad hear that, he'll kill you." Audrey chuckles as she says this jokingly. But somehow, judging from the way Leopold watches Regina- I'd say he was the jealous type.
"Oh, what? Just for complimenting your mom? You aren't even going to protect me as my girlfriend?" I pout, deciding to play along.
"Aw," Audrey moves in to capture my lips in a quick peck as she grins. "Of course, I'll protect you. I always will. Now, come on, let's get you inside and ready for your first riding lesson."
"Can't wait." I'm less enthusiastic, and judging from Audrey's laugh, I know she can tell as she leads the way inside of the house, pulling open the outer door first before opening up the main wooden door.
As we enter the house, my eyes quickly drink in the beauty of what's inside. It's all made of fine wood, and you could pick up the scent of lumber. Audrey stops shortly and I can feel her eyes on me as I quickly give myself a tour of my surroundings.
"Beautiful, isn't it?" I give her a nod and she smiles at me. "My mom loves it here. It's her favorite place in the world. It holds sentimental value."
I look over to a wall that crosses the line that divides the living room and kitchen and spot a piano. I could picture my mom sitting on that piano, teaching me to play one of her favorite pieces and it warms my heart.
"Come on," I feel Audrey's hand in mine once more as she says, "Let's find you some clothes." She says to me, dragging me away from my memory and leading me into a bedroom just past the piano and into a small hallway.
"I don't understand what's wrong with what I'm wearing. I think these clothes are fine." I say to Audrey, looking down at my own clothes as I stand in the middle of the bedroom while I watch her search a few drawers, and picking out a pair of jeans and a flannel shirt by memory.
"You'd think so, but to ride you have to be as comfortable as possible." Audrey places her choice of clothes on the bed while she pulls open a closet door and pulls out a pair of black riding boots. "These should do just fine." She gathers the clothes and hands them to me. "Bathroom's just down the hall."
My eyes examine the threads before I look back up into Audrey's eyes. "Who's clothes are these?" I ask with curiosity in my voice.
"My mom's." Audrey shrugs and glances at the size of her flannel shirt from inside the collar. "It should fit you. You two seem about the same size."
While Audrey finds it normal to lend me some of her mother's riding clothes for comfort, I don't feel at all comfortable. "Audrey," I shake my head.
"What?"
"I can't wear these." I say to Audrey.
"Why ever not?" There's a small chuckle that escapes Audrey as she cocks her head to one side. "Em, it's fine," she continues saying to me, "My mom won't mind if I lend you some of her clothes to wear. It's not like you came prepared with your own riding clothes and you cannot be riding out in that jacket and those tight jeans. You need proper clothes."
My head continues to shake. "I just don't think I'll feel comfortable without asking her first-"
"Baby, it's fine." Audrey smiles at me as she leans in to capture my lips in several given kisses. "I'll tell you what, after you've had your first lesson, I'll be sure to wash them and leave them exactly how they were."
That did provide some comfort for me. "Really?" I ask either way.
"Really. Now, go," she grabs me by the shoulders, rotates my body and directs me toward the direction of the bathroom. "Change. Now. Please." She shoves me playfully, and I enter the bathroom, accepting defeat.
I remove my jacket, followed by my shirt, and then my jeans. I reach for Regina's jeans first and place them on one leg at a time. To my surprise, they fit perfectly, closing along the waistline without a struggle or concern of them being too big or too small. They were perfect.
Next came the flannel. I undo the first four buttons that keep the shirt together to be folded neatly, and bring it along my back, placing one arm at a time through its long sleeves before closing each button, except the first two, those I leave open so the neckline would part.
"How's it going in there?" I hear Audrey's voice just outside the door, followed by a light knock.
"Almost done." I reply, placing my feet one at a time inside the riding boots. Another perfect fit. Lastly, turn to face the mirror, look at my reflection as I tuck in the shirt along the waistline of the borrowed jeans.
I reach for my own clothes, tucking it along my arm, followed by shoes before exiting the bathroom, where Audrey's eyes do a once over on my body, taking in my appearance. "What do you think?" I ask her.
"I think it should be a crime to look as good as you do right now." Audrey smirks, as do I. "I mean it, Em. You look so good!" She takes me by the hand and twirls me around, allowing her eyes to check me out. "How do they feel?"
"Honestly?" I glance down at the clothes. "They feel perfect. I can't believe they fit."
"You and I both," Audrey chuckles. "My mom is not going to believe how good her clothes look on you."
"What?" I feel my eyes grow wide, and for an unknown reason, my heart begins to pound inside of my chest.
"Come on, you can leave your clothes in her room." Audrey takes my clothes from me and leaves them on top of the bed of the same bedroom where she had gathered up these clothes. She takes my hand and rushes me out the door so fast, it gives me a little bit of a whiplash.
"Audrey!" I don't pull my hand away to try to fight her, but I protest.
"Don't worry," Audrey smiles at me before pulling open the front door and rushing out with a massive grin. Thankfully, she lets go of my hand so I remain hidden. "Mom! You won't believe this! But, I had Emma try on a pair of your breeches for riding- and they fit perfectly!"
"Is that so?" I can hear Regina ask.
"Em, come on out! It's okay." Audrey tells me, quickly reaching for my hand and forcing me to step out onto the porch for Regina to see me. Again, my heart accelerated inside of me.
"Audrey- no! This is so embarrassing!" I hiss under my breath, feeling my cheeks turn crimson red at that very moment. I could see something in Regina's eyes, a sparkle followed by surprise as she drank in my appearance.
"Don't they look so good on her?!" I can hear more excitement in Audrey's voice now.
While her mom, she stood there staring at me as if I had grown two heads. Her brown eyes were wide and her lips were slightly parted open. Even Daniel didn't move as he stood like a statue beside her. While, me; I wanted to run back into the house and change back into my own clothes. All I can do is look into the woman's eyes as I stand on the porch.
"How funny is that? Not even I could fit into your pants," Audrey's words followed by her laughter causes me to blink, and I notice that whatever Regina was thinking at that very moment vanishes into thin air as well.
"They sure do fit her perfectly. As well as my shirt, I see. And my boots." The way Regina tilts her head at me, and allows her eyes to look me over make my cheeks fall victim to another incoming blush.
"I'm really sorry," I apologize profoundly. "It was Audrey's idea-"
I see a playful smirk stretch out at the corners of Regina's lips, followed by, "It's quite alright, dear. They look better on you than they ever did on me, anyway. And you need to be as comfortable as possible for riding." Audrey gives me an I told you so nod, while Regina turns to Daniel. "Daniel, please prepare three horses for me, will you?"
"With pleasure." Daniel smiles and Regina gives him a firm squeeze along his bicep before he scurries off toward the stables.
"Thank you." I can see Audrey grinning out of the corner of my eye at her mother. Teasing her. And as Regina turns, she says, "What?"
"I think it's cute how you are so naive toward Daniel's puppy love around you, mom." Audrey chuckles, and I can see Regina's cheeks slightly turn pink.
"Stop," Says Regina as she shakes her head and begins to head into the house, her boots thumping along the porch. "You two go on ahead to the stables, I'll meet you there."
"Alright. Come on, let's go." Audrey takes my hand and we walk hand in hand toward the stables.
It didn't take long for us to approach the stables, where Daniel was finishing up strapping a saddle onto the back of a white beautiful stallion. I didn't take to horses much, but that didn't mean I didn't think they were beautiful creatures. The gentle part was still up for debate.
"Daniel!" I'm startled by Audrey's launch into the guy's arms once he brings out the horse to stand alongside the other. She is beaming as she is quickly wrapped up in a tight hug by Daniel. Both must have not seen each other for a while, I would assume, judging by how happy both looked. Audrey's feet even raised up off the ground as Daniel lifted her up to spin her around before placing her feet firmly on the hay covered ground again.
"Audrey, look at you!" Daniel eyes Audrey, taking in everything. His grin is stretched from ear to ear. "I remember when you were just a little thing. Six-year-old girl running around here with your mom."
That image of a six-year-old Audrey with Regina possibly chasing after her actually makes me smile.
"And I remember you as a sixteen year old teenager, so focused on your love for my mom that you neglected to see my crush on you at the time." I see blush coating along Audrey's cheeks as she says this.
Daniel laughs along, obviously hiding a blush behind it. His eyes look over to me, and Audrey follows his line of sight as I stand there with my eyebrow raised.
"Oh! Sorry, babe-" Audrey took me by the hand and pulled me toward Daniel for a more proper introduction. "Daniel, this is my girlfriend Emma; Emma, Daniel."
Daniel was slightly built, he had broad shoulders, dark black hair, and a kind smile. And dare I say, a little overly-friendly.
"Hi, Emma," he greeted me, meeting me halfway in a firm handshake.
"Hi. It's a real pleasure, I'm sure." I force my best smile out, trying not to appear so rude. I gave his hand a firmer squeeze before releasing it. Firmer enough to let him know I was the one in Audrey's life. Call it jealousy, or what have you. But, if I had already taken that giant step of possibly becoming part of this family someday- which that thought still remained far from my mind- I needed boundaries to be set clear.
"So, are the horses ready?" Audrey said to Daniel, the excitement of riding was oozing from her eyes. I'm fine without riding one after all now that I'm seeing them up close and personal. But I am curious to see Audrey ride.
"They are," Daniel smiles as he pats one of the stallions along his neck. His eyes are trained on Audrey. "I just have to get your mom's ready and all three of you will be good to go."
"Great! You have time, she went into the house for a minute." He explained to Audrey while she nudged me playfully and I smiled. Trying my best to hide my nerves.
I nodded, cocking my head off to the side and Audrey understood that I wanted her to step aside for a minute. Once we did, I whispered over to her, "He likes to be overly-friendly, doesn't he?"
"What do you mean?" Audrey's head tilts quite like Regina's.
"Well, first your mother and now you. It's like he wants to set a personal record." It was a bit of an overboard joke, but that was my sense of humor for you. I went through life using my sense of humor for every situation. I've never been a jealous person, and I wasn't going to start now.
"Oh," Audrey chuckles, smacking me playfully on the arm.. "He's been in the family for years, Em. He's a cool guy. Really. Once you get to really know him, you'll like him, too."
I'll like him, too? Sure, Daniel seemed like a cool guy. Audrey was right about that. But, he hugged her for a long period of time. Not to mention Regina. Audrey places a kiss along my cheek and that is the end of that conversation.
"Come on, I want you to meet Rocky." She takes me by the hand and my body tenses automatically as I now stand in front of a dark brown- not to mention tall- stallion. I take baby steps toward the animal as my feet feel heavy, becoming like blocks of cement.
"Rocky, huh? He- he's cute." My heart accelerates inside of my chest once more. At that moment, I wondered to myself why he was named Rocky. Did he take after Sylvester Stallone?
Audrey grinned as she petted the fur along Rocky's neck. "You want to pet him? He's very gentle."
"Gentle?" My brow skyrockets as my eyes shift between Rocky and Audrey. "With a name like Rocky?"
There's that sense of humor.
"Stop it," Audrey chuckles with a roll of her eyes. She catches an apple in mid-air that was tossed her way by Daniel himself. "Look, you can even feed him. He loves apples." She holds the apple before me.
Feeding him would require me to be a little closer to him. "Uh… I don't think so." I take a step back, shaking my head.
Audrey's shoulders slump automatically. "Come on, Em. It'll be fine. Look, I'll do it with you, okay?" I feel Audrey's hand guide mine upward, and see the apple placed right in the center of my palm. My instinct is to hold it. I watch in horror, feeling my heart dropping to the floor before my feet as she slowly brings the apple closer to the stallion's mouth.
"I just want to point out that if it bites my hand off, I won't be able to satisfy you anymore." I keep my voice low to keep my words a secret just between Audrey and myself. Audrey's eyes look toward Daniel who thankfully didn't hear a thing, while Audrey's cheeks turn crimson red. I smirk playfully.
"That's why you have two hands," Audrey whispers back, and I feel her hand caress along my back. Normally that would soothe me, but it wasn't helping right now.
I couldn't watch Audrey as she continued to bring my hand near the stallion's mouth. I did the next best thing I could think of to try and calm my nerves that were beginning to get the better of me. I closed my eyes. I allowed my senses to take over, making me feel as my hand was brought closer and closer. I felt a gentle tickle as my hand came in contact with the animal's mouth and my hand jolted back, but was brought right back. I didn't dare to open my eyes until I heard a loud crunch.
Rocky was chewing the apple.
"See! You did it! Nothing to it." Audrey smiled at me, and petted the animal's fur once more. "Now you can mount him."
"What?" My eyes can't grow impossibly larger than they were right now.
"How is everything?" Thank the grace of God, Regina stepped into the stables. Something was different about her. Her attire was comfortable but that wasn't it. Her hair! She cut her hair, which was long before, but now it was shoulder length.
No offense to Audrey, but with the way the sunlight struck inside through the parted door of the barn, with Regina standing in between the shining light… I had never seen such a beautiful manifestation. Not only did my heart stop at that moment, but my breath as well. I had literally forgotten how to fucking breathe.
"Mom! You cut your hair!" Audrey's exclaimed words startled me awake. So quickly, I blinked.
"Just a trim," Regina shrugged with a shy smile. "Which reminds me. Emma… If I may," Suddenly, Regina is pulling on a black strap that she's wearing along her left wrist, and holds it before me. It's a hair tie.
"Oh. Sure, yeah." I blink, nodding my head, seeing as that was the only thing I could do at that moment. And just as I'm about to try to get my feet to move, Regina steps, inches closer before me now and my heart drops. Especially once I feel her hands smooth their way through my loose hair, gathering it all in one swift movement to tie my hair back in a ponytail. My breath caught in my throat at how close she stood to me. God, she's beautiful. My mind said, and she smelled amazing.
My eyes took notice of everything during those short few seconds it took for Regina to tie my hair back. I could have easily tied it back myself. Why would she do that for me? Someone she barely knew. Not that I minded. It certainly calmed my pounding heart and controlled my nerves, just when I didn't think anything could. And to have Regina this close to me, I could tell that she was a woman that aged like fine wine when you let it sit out after a while for it to breathe. And she was most certainly breathing. I could see her chest, rising and falling calmly as she stood before me. I tried hard not to look because the first two buttons on her shirt were undone and that would be inappropriate to do. But that scar above her lip…
That was something I couldn't look away from.
It was as beautiful as she was.
Wait. Is it wrong to crush on your mom's girlfriend? My head mentally tilts, my brain putting an abrupt halt from these thoughts that seem to be coming in from an unknown place that apparently I didn't know I even possessed.
I swallowed a lump that formed in my throat, my breathing started to become rapid when suddenly, Regina's hands landed right on my shoulders. Warm, gentle, and careful- and everything stopped.
"There you go. Much better." The smile Regina gave me in that moment was like a jump start to my heart, until I saw her hand come up out of the corner of my eye to feel the tip of her nail caress along my temple as she brushed back a strand of hair away from my face. And that tickle that she provided me with, was like a short-circuit to my heart. It stopped it and restarted it all together.
It was a strange, unrecognizable feeling for me.
"I wouldn't want you to fall off Rocky because you couldn't see where you were going." Said Regina, and just then I drank in the chocolate color of her eyes. It wasn't like I hadn't seen brown eyes before. I'd seen plenty. But none compared to Audrey's mom's eyes.
"Thank you." I mutter under my breath, my eyes blinking and my throat dry. I swallow down the unexpected lump that forms in the back of my throat. Another alienated feeling for me.
What the hell was wrong with me?
"He's all set for you." Daniel's voice startles me out of my quizzical thoughts. My head turns to the sight of a white stallion being brought out by him. It makes me step aside.
"Thank you, Daniel. You are always a great help." I see Regina flash a smile to him and for whatever unknown reason, I frown.
"Have fun." Daniel waves at all three of us before going about his duties.
"Bye, Daniel!" Audrey waves at Daniel before she turns to me and says, "Em, now you mount Rocky. It's super easy. Just place one foot on the stirrup followed by the other."
Super easy? Even if I see Audrey mount her own stallion super easy, I can't say it would be that way for me.
"I don't know, maybe you guys should go and I'll just go with Daniel-"
"There's absolutely nothing to it, dear." Regina gives me a reassuring smile, and unexpectedly takes a hold of my arm, guiding me toward the dark brown stallion. My heart is a mess again, even as she says, "Think of it as… Mounting a bike."
"That's a big bike." I chuckle, throwing in a bit of humor to help me remain calm.
I hear Regina chuckle. Whether it's due to my humor or because she can sense my fear, I'm not sure. "You're right. Bad example. Here, why don't I show you, and then you can simply follow my lead?" She says to me and I instantly like the idea.
"Okay," I nod.
"You two have fun, I'm heading out there." Audrey flashes a smile my way as she rides off. "Don't worry, Em- you're in great hands!" I can hear her voice trail farther and farther.
There was no doubt I was in great hands. I just wish that was enough to control this fear that was settling inside my gut. My eyes move back toward Regina.
"Just watch me. Like so." She tells me, and I do exactly that. I watch. I'm so focused on the way she grabs onto the saddle horn and pulls herself up until she's mounted up with such poise and elegance. It's mesmerizing to watch. I need to remind myself to bring my camera next time and take a picture of her riding one of these horses. And just as she mounts up, she climbs back down with such ease. "See? It's very easy. Here," I'm then surprised, once again to catch sight of Regina standing behind me. I can pick up on her voice, low and gentle as she says, "Now, you're standing on the animal's left side, so you'll want to take your left leg."
I do as I'm told. I lift up my left leg and quickly glance over my shoulder, seeing Regina nod.
"Place the tip of your boot in between the metal stirrup." I watch Regina point to the stirrup. I do as instructed, because that's what her voice does to me at that moment. It's so calm, I just do as I'm told. Like a robot on command. She nods again. "Good. Now, grab onto this part here- firmly." She points toward the horn on the saddle.
"Okay," I managed to reply, grabbing onto the horn and once again feeling my heart was ready to jump out of my chest.
"Use both hands. And you'll want to pull yourself up, but be careful not to be too rough, or he'll knock you over." I hear Regina explain just behind me. I can feel her standing so close to me, it's so calming.
"Well, that's reassuring." I say with a hint of sarcasm as I look over my shoulder at her.
I hear her chuckle before she says, "One important thing you have to know about horses, Emma. They can sense when you are nervous. Just, try to relax."
"They can?" I grow nervous and glance quickly over my shoulder just to see her nod in affirmative before she turns to look over at Rocky, who appears calm. Calmer than me. Lucky him. "Tell you what, Rocky." I decide to try to speak to the horse as if suddenly I'm Doctor Doolittle. "You work with me here, and I promise to take you to go see the film. Deal?"
Suddenly I hear Rocky snort, as if he was snorting directly at me in response. "Hey, listen to that! He likes me!" My head whips around like a little girl that just received a new puppy and I see Regina smile at me.
"Try again. Left leg up." This time, Regina steps back to give me enough space to do as I'm instructed by her. I lift my left leg up, settle it on the stirrup, ending my actions with an "Okay," as she continues to instruct me. "Good. You're doing good, Emma. Now, lift up and mount."
"Lift up, and mount." I echo in a murmur to myself, using all of my arm strength to begin pulling myself up. I struggle at first, but quickly try again. "Whoa!" This time as I begin to pull myself halfway up, I feel my foot slip and my entire body slide off the saddle. My hand instinctively, instead of grabbing onto anything else that could possibly help me stay afloat, it grips onto the reins that yank on the stallion.
"Don't pull on that!" I can hear Regina shout out in warning as the next thing she I feel is Rocky letting out a loud neigh that frightens me even more, making me fear for dear life as I could feel the animal jump up on his two front legs, successfully knocking me to the ground.
I land right on my back, and it hurts. All I can remember doing is releasing a grunt as I shake my head and blink a few times. I roll over on my side and attempt to stand right up as I hear Regina's voice come through with another warning. "No, Emma- don't!"
"Shit!" I feel my eyes grow wide as the next thing I see are Rocky's two back legs do a little dancing motion before they deliver a strong kick right to my face that causes me to fall and land against my back again.
"Oh, my God- Emma!" I can hear Regina's voice ring in my ears for a moment. I can hear her concern. But then, everything turns dark after that