Small invasions and happiness 2
Emma felt bone-weary. She'd been out in the cold all evening, looking for Archie's dog Pongo who had run off - again. An unpleasant trek through the forest had only resulted in her getting her feet wet and her fingers to turn blue from the low temperature. She'd gone to Granny's to warm up and while drinking her cocoa she'd recruited Ruby to help her out. Of course it hadn't taken Ruby more than 10 minutes to track the dog down. Next time Emma would know where to look - apparently Pongo had a thing for Miss Ginger's evil little shih tzu.
She returned home five hours later than planned. By the way the windows on the top floor gaped darkly out towards the street she knew that Henry and Regina would be in bed, both of them probably already asleep. She unlocked the door, still feeling a little happy thrill at having a key to a house that actually felt like a home. The hallway light was on, illuminating the stairs and the top landing.
Making her way upstairs, she stopped to peak into Henry's room. He was on his side, breathing deeply and holding onto a stuffed elephant he'd never acknowledge even owning when awake. She smiled, even though seemingly impossible she loved him more each day. Regina had done good raising him. He was kind and smart and opinionated and stubborn - just like his mothers. He was spoiled too. She grinned, shaking her head at the way Regina would do anything for their son. He didn't realise how favourable his childhood was with a mother who put him before anything else. His aversion to Regina had faded since they had all become a family and Emma was proud of him for the change of heart.
She opened the door to the master bedroom. A thin line of light spilled from the slightly ajar door of the adjoining bathroom and it was just enough for her to navigate by. She was too tired to shower and she didn't really want to risk waking Regina. Instead she shrugged out of her jacket, hung it over a chair and sat down to unzip her boots. She noted she needed to get a new pair as these wouldn't do if the weather got wetter and she was sure that it would. She wiggled her freezing toes as they were freed from boots and socks and then she tugged her jeans off.
Pulling the sheets back she crawled into bed, invading Regina's side of the bed, wrapping her arms around a warm body and kissing a naked shoulder. Emma relaxed as warmth slowly seeped into her body.
"Em, you're cold." Regina's voice was heavy with sleep.
"Mhmm, but you're my very own little furnace." She pressed the cold tip of her nose against the nape of Regina's neck and felt the woman in her arms jump.
"We missed you."
"Believe me, I would rather have had dinner with my two favourite people than playing dogcatcher out in the little known Maine jungle."
Regina chuckled, turning onto her back. "Did Ruby find Pongo at Miss Ginger's?"
Emma groaned. "You knew?" She let her cold hands travel up Regina's thighs as a poor attempt at punishment, but strong hands wrapped around her own and after bringing them to her lips, Regina breathed hot air onto them.
"Here, let me make it up to you. I'll have you warm in no time." Her smile was seductive and Emma smiled back while untangling one of her hands. She caressed Regina's cheek, feeling the soft skin against her fingertips and touching her thumb to plump lips.
"You are beautiful, you know." It was a statement, not a question and a kiss to her fingertip sent a shiver through Emma's body. "And I love you, even when you're being villainous enough to leave me cold and alone in forests I could easily get lost in." She pouted, trying her best to garner sympathy. Instead Regina burst out laughing - a full bellylaugh that brought tears to her eyes and made the mattress rock.
"Shhh! You'll wake Henry!" Emma hissed indignantly, but she couldn't really be upset when the love of her life was looking at her with glittering eyes and an expression of pure joy on her face. Shaking her head at Regina's antics Emma snuggled back down and closed her eyes. Just before sleep claimed her she felt a kiss to her temple and a whisper against her ear.
"I love you Emma Swan. Sleep tight."