A Date for Three
Emma woke up bright and early after yet another peaceful night's sleep, she blinked blearily and reached to turn off her alarm, just before she discarded her phone as she usually did before getting up Emma noticed that she had received a message, 'that's odd' she thought wondering who it could be this early, she unlocked her phone and her heart began to race as she saw Regina's name appear,
Good morning, Emma, I hope you slept well xx
Was all it read but it was enough to make Emma feel weak at the knees,
Morning, I slept great thanks, hope you slept well to x
She replied before getting up to get ready for work, when she returned to collect her phone before she left, she found another message waiting for her,
I slept soundly thank-you and thank-you for a wonderful evening last night, Henry is thrilled with his new castle though he's a little disappointed that he fell asleep before he got his bedtime story xx
Tell him not to worry I'll come by again really soon and read him that story x
Emma replied thrusting her phone to the pocket and racing out the door so that she wouldn't be late,
She had scheduled in a much deserved day off for David today and Mulan was on the morning patrol so Emma had the station to herself and she wasted no time searching for a suitable place to take Regina and Henry on their date, when she should have been working Emma was busy scrolling through the wide web in search of the perfect place, one place in particular caught her eye not that there were a whole lot for her to choose from but she did find a diner that catered for an arcade and soft play area that she thought would be perfect for Henry, it wouldn't be the most romantic place for Regina and she doubted that the food would be the best but Henry would have a great time and that was the main thing, besides if Regina made good on her promise Emma would soon enough be able to take her to some posh restaurant the likes of which no six year old would ever want to visit.
'How do you feel about going out for dinner this Friday?' Emma asked over text,
'I feel pretty good about it actually' the reply came far quicker than any other that day so Regina must have managed to find time for a break, or she just wasn't in a meeting right now and had her phone nearby,
'Great. I'll pick you and Henry up at five'
'And will there be a dress code wherever we are going'
'Just wear something casual' Emma told her,
'I'm not sure that I'm capable of casual but I'll try' Regina replied.
It turned out that Regina could do casual after all and Emma thought that she wore it very well when she answered the door at five sharp that Friday evening, with an excited Henry bouncing at her heels,
Regina wore her dark hair loose around her as she usually did but her attire couldn't be more different if she tried, gone were her impressive power suites in their place a pair of form hugging dark blue jeans that showed very little signs of wear had been paired a white slouchy tee that had a pink outline shaped like a heart on the front hung, it off of one of her shoulders in a very attractive way revealing the white strap of her bra underneath, she'd finished the outfit off with a pair of plain black flats, Henry flew out the door as he always did wrapping his arms around Emma and she automatically returned the gesture but she couldn't tear her eyes away from the boys mom who was still inside the house shrugging on a hooded jacket,
"You look great Regina" Emma said smiling over the top of Henrys head as Regina pulled the door closed and locked it behind her,
"Thank-you" Regina replied turning to face Emma and Henry "You don't look so bad yourself she added eyeing Emma appreciatorily as she stood to her full height clad in her own pair of tight jeans and began to walk down the drive Henry's little hand in hers.
Regina hung back enjoying the gentle sway of Emma's ass until she suddenly realised where they were heading and was brought up short,
"I hope that you aren't expecting us to get into that death trap" she said eyes narrowing at the bug that Emma was leading them to, as though the car had personally offended her in some way,
"Hey there's nothing wrong with my car" Emma defended her precious bug,
"Yes, well it's just a shame that there isn't anything right with it either" Regina remarked casting another distasteful look at the little yellow car before heading towards her own, "Besides Henry needs to be in his car seat" she added for good measure,
"I know that's why I bought a suitable car seat for him, and had it fitted into my car already" Emma replied turning around to face Regina who remained frozen on the spot, Emma sighed but she tried to understand,
"If you're really not comfortable with the idea of the bug I can always take it to the station and swap it for the cruiser" Emma offered with a nonchalant shrug,
"Yes" Henry cheered punching the air in his excitement at the prospect of travelling in the back of a police car. "Can we have the lights and sirens on Emma?" he asked eagerly
"I hardly think that that will be necessary" Regina replied before Emma could answer, turning towards the second car on the drive, "We'll just take my car instead, come on Henry" she called and though Henry looked a little disappointed that he wasn't get his ride in a police car after all he let go of Emma's hand and ran to get into his car seat without argument, Regina made sure that he was secure before backing out of the car and slamming the door shut.
"I can work with this" Emma smiled walking around the black Mercedes and holding her hand out to receive the keys,
"You must be crazy if you think that I'm allowing you to drive my car" Regina laughed lowering herself into the driver's seat,
"But this is yours and Henrys surprise" Emma whined,
"So, you can direct me" Regina shrugged now hurry up and get in or maybe you'd rather ride in the back with Henry?"
"Fine" Emma grumbled "but I just need to grab something from my car first" she said racing to open the bugs passenger side door, returning seconds later with a small bulging bag in hand sliding into the seat next to Regina ready to direct her off the drive,
"I'm sorry that this isn't quite what you had in mind" Regina said reaching to place her hand on Emma's thigh as they rounded the third corner, "and thank-you for the car seat that really was thoughtful of you, I just, since the accident I have difficulty trusting anybody to drive but me especially when Henrys in the car" she glanced at her son through the strategically placed second mirror that sat alongside her rear-view mirror giving her a perfect view into the back of the car hoping that Emma would get her hint without the need for her to explain further, unseen by her in the next seat Emma's eyes had grown wide with realisation,
"Oh my god, I'm so sorry Regina" she stammered taking hold of the warm hand still resting on her thigh in one of her own and giving it a gentle squeeze "I didn't think, I should have thought" Emma cast her eyes down sadly feeling she could have kicked her stupid self,
"It's okay" Regina smiled relieved that Emma had understood, "Now tell me which way to go from here"
"Right" Emma replied looking up at the junction that they were approaching, Regina flicked on her indicator and took the turning.
They arrived at their destination about ten minutes later, Henry's eyes were wide as saucers when her saw the lights of the machines inside through the building's large windows,
"We're going in there" he squeaked in awe
"We sure are kid" Emma replied jumping out her seat and moving to release Henry from his,
"What's that" Henry asked pointing at the bag that was jingling merrily in Emma's hand,
"This?" Emma asked giving the bag an enthusiastic shake and Henry nodded curiously "It's just something that you're going to need in a minute kid" Emma smiled mysteriously taking his hand and leading him into the arcade,
"Can I have a go on this mom" Henry asked running up to the first machine that he could get to one of a rank of machines that housed cuddly toys,
"Hang on Henry I'm going to have to get some change" Regina told the eager boy,
"No need" Emma grinned jangling her bag again "I came prepared" she said grabbing a few empty coin pots and filling them with coins from her bag handing them to Henry and Regina in turn, keeping the last one for herself,
"Thank-you Emma" Henry beamed immediately feeding the first coin into the machine and moving his claw into position over the toys as he had seen someone further down the rank doing, he was way off the first time but was just as eager in his second attempt his little tongue sticking out in concentration as he guided the claw much more accurately this time, it came down picking up a toy and raising it a little way into the air before its shiny fur slipped though its metal grip and the toy fell landing back on top of the others,
"Well done, Henry" Emma praised, and the boy paused to grin before returning his focus to the machine,
"We can't accept all of this off of you" Regina as she watched the claws progress, for the second time the toy rose only to fall again halfway in the air this time landing a little closer to the hole that it needed to fall through for Henry to get his win,
"Yes, you can" Emma insisted "this is my treat now pick a machine and lets all have a try at this" she urged,
Regina not wanting to hurt Emma's feeling chose the third machine on the rank leaving Emma to take the one that stood between hers and Henry's, Emma had good aim but Regina's was even better, even so the machines dropped the toys again and again until a few coins later both women conceded defeat and decided that it was time to move on,
"Come on Henry" Regina called to her son "let's go play on something else" Henry was reluctant, but he moved away and followed them to see what else the arcade had to offer.
They played a variety of games together with Henry unsuccessfully trying to win a toy from several more machines along the way, then Emma introduced him to the soft play area and the little boy kicked his shoes off and dove straight in, quickly befriending another boy his age as he ran around and dove into the ball pits, Emma purchased a drink each fer herself and Regina and they sat for while enjoying their hot chocolatey goodness a sense of contentment falling over them as they watched Henry enjoying himself until he had tired himself out and returned to their table declaring that he was hungry,
"Dinner time now then?" Emma asked and Regina nodded.
It was busy out in the dining area which was not unexpected considering it was a Friday night and after a quick calculation of empty tables vs the number of people in the queue Emma ascertained that they might run in to difficulty finding a table after they had gotten their food if they didn't claim one first so spotting one that she liked Emma grabbed some menus and headed straight for it with Henry and Regina hot on her tail, it was one of a few booths that were currently still empty, it was a little bit more cosy and intimate than the more central fully exposed tables that filled the majority of the space and shielded none of the noise from one table to the next so that their occupants had to shout over each other to be heard,
As they all settled into the long comfortable leather seats Emma handed Regina and Henry a menu each telling them to pick what they wanted, they chose a large pizza in the end, one half with a cheese and tomato topping to suit Henrys taste buds and the other with a few more toppings that Emma and Regina had chosen, Emma ordered a large share basket of fries and another of cheesy garlic bread to go along side it, cold soft drinks for all them and a bowl of salad for Regina who insisted that if she was going to be eating all of this junk food then she needed at least one healthy dish too. Emma had to make two trips to from the counter to the table and back before she had managed to get everything onto the table and by the time, she had returned Henry was already halfway through his first slice of pizza and had taken one bite out of a piece of garlic bread,
"You really were hungry weren't you Henry" Emma laughed, and Henry nodded his response as he continued to chew knowing better than to talk with his mouthful even if he did sometimes forget and do it anyway.
Henry ate through his piece of garlic bread, a handful of fries and two slices of pizza's, taking a single bite from a third before he sat back with huff and declared that he couldn't eat another bite,
"I think it's time to get you home my little prince" Regina smiled when Henry let out a huge yawn moments later,
"But I'm not even tired and I've still got coins, I wanted to play the games again before we go" Henry complained letting another huge yawn,
"I don't know" Regina replied uncertainly,
"Come on Regina" Emma implored siding with Henry "A couple of games while his food goes down a bit couldn't hurt, we wouldn't want him being sick in the car after all that pizza would we?" she asked,
Emma had a point and that combined with the doe eyed look that her son was giving her from across the table was fast swaying Regina to their point view, Henry had had issues with travelling badly directly after a heavy meal in the past so maybe it would be a good idea to stay until all of their stomachs felt a little more comfortable,
"Okay" she conceded "but" she spoke firmly over Henry woops of joy effectively silencing him instantly, "Choose what you want to play carefully Henry Mills because you have thirty minutes before we have to leave" she said and Henry nodding eagerly running straight for the first machine that he had played and started to feed coins into it,
"I thought you'd given up on this one" Emma laughed as they drew closer to him and watched the progress of the toy that he had just picked up,
"Not yet I just want to try one more time" Henry replied as the toy dropped again,
"I just don't want you to feel disappointed if you don't win" Emma admitted "You know if you want one that much I can always ask if I can buy one" Emma offered, Regina opened her mouth to argue against that idea but before she could they all noticed something at the same time, the toy currently nestled within the claw had made it to a greater height than it ever had before at least since they had been playing, in fact it was as high as it could go, a tense silence fell over the three of them none of daring to speak as they watched the toys progress along with the small group of other people who stopped to watch and see if they would win, the metal arm was moving towards the winning slot now, Emma could almost feel the sweat beading on her forehead as she continued to watch not able to tear her eyes away even if she wanted to as she willed It along, it was nearing its final location but it was also starting to slip, she saw Henry's reflection in glass turn from tense excitement to disheartened disappointment as he watched the toy beginning to fall, Emma felt extremely frustrated by the damn machine but before she could reassure Henry that they would go and buy one the toy hit the edge of the box that the claw had been headed for and gravity for once seemed to be on their side, Henry began to dance in glee when toy toppled and fell into the box and down to the other side of the small door that Henry could reach into and pull it out through,
"I did it" he squealed excitedly waving his bright red soft octopus around while Emma and Regina cheered him on, and the winning sirens wailed from the machine lights flashing furiously in the background,
"And now" Regina said when they had all calmed down a bit "it really is time to go"
"Okay mom" Henry agreed taking her hand and following her out happily, they were barely out of the carpark before Henry had fallen fast asleep clutching his precious prize.
"Thank-you for a wonderful evening" Regina murmured to Emma so as not to disturb the sleeping child,
"Any time" Emma smiled,
"But next time I'm picking the restaurant and taking you out while Zelena babysits" Regina promised reaching to lace her fingers through Emma's as she drove, Emma's heart began to race at the physical contact and the promise of a future date, her cheeks flushed and she had to swallow twice before she could reply,
"I'm looking forward to it" she said, and Regina's grin broadened,
"Good" she replied.
The rest of the journey passed in a comfortable silence with Regina only letting go of Emma's hand when she needed to change the gear or use the indicators, until they pulled up alongside Emma's bug and clambered out of the car, the temperature had lowered considerably now that night had closed in and both of them started shivering as soon as they stepped outside so Emma waited by the car while Regina hurried up to her front door and unlocked it ready for Emma to step straight through once she had gathered the still sleeping Henry up in her arms, she took him straight up the stairs and placed him onto his bed and then she stepped out onto the landing while Regina changed him into his bed clothes and tucked him in to afford the child some privacy, taking a little peek through the door when she was done and smiling her heart swelling when she saw the octopus's little red head poking out from the top of the blanket Henry still hadn't relinquished his hold on the toy that he was so proud to have won.
It was gone ten by the time Emma and Regina were back at the bottom of the stairs together,
"I should probably go" Emma murmured moving towards the front door,
"Okay" Regina nodded in agreement, though Emma was sure that she had detected a glint of disappointment in her eye as she moved to open the door,
"Will you come by for dinner during the week?" Regina asked,
"If you'll have me" Emma replied,
"Always" Regina said, and Emma couldn't help but wonder if there was a double meaning to that statement or was, she just overthinking things,
"Umm what day should I come?' she asked clearing her throat
"How are you fixed for Tuesday?"
"Tuesday's fine"
"Tuesday It is then" Regina smiled, and I'll try to arrange for Zelena to babysit next weekend before then" she added,
"Okay, I'll see you then" Emma replied breaking a slightly awkward silence that had momentarily fallen between them as she stood hovering in the doorway, she moved to walk away but before she could Regina had completely taken her by surprise by swooping in and plating a chaste kiss on Emma's lips, she had stepped back before Emma's addled brain had really had a chance to properly register what had just happened,
"Good night, Emma" Regina smiled a little coyly from inside the doorway,
"Good night, Regina" Emma replied returning the smile before she really did turn and hurry through the cold towards her bug mind and heart racing at a thousand miles per hour.