:D Bonjour mes amis!

Your respons to the last chapter was just so great!

So, no... Regina doesn't know yet... but how much longer before she does? I promise you... not too long, but not right now either :3

In the meantime... here's another chapter that I hope you'll like :)

CHAPTER 8

"What's up Ems?" Ruby's cheerful voice sounds through the speaker of her phone.

"Do you have time?" The blonde hesitantly asks, wanting to make sure she's not actually disturbing her friend while she's supposed to be working.
She wouldn't put it past Ruby to answer her phone regardless and most certainly does not encourage such work ethic.

"Five minutes worth of it. Is something wrong?" The brunette confirms and like the good friend she is, instantly sounds concerned.

"No... I just have to tell somebody something." with good reason because Emma Swan is sounding extremely nervous and blushy.
Yes she actually sounds blushy.

"And since I'm your only friend..." The brunette lightly jokes and then all of the sudden Emma rushes out the words

"I kissed Regina."

"What the" effectively rendering her friend speechless. Ruby doesn't even have it in her to curse.

"She kissed me back too. A lot." The blonde says, really wanting to make clear that this magical kiss was not a desperate one sided thing.

"Okay" Ruby slowly says, registering the facts.

"I think we're dating." Emma says in a clipped tone, hardly believing her own words when she hears them out loud for the first time. Even from her own mouth.

"Hold on Emma. Did you guys... do it?" And of course that's on top of the list of questions Ruby could possibly have for her.

"Of course not." Emma rolls her eyes and tries to ignore how much that bothers her.
Not necessarily that Ruby's asking, of course she's asking.
She just wishes she could be gloating right now, with the fact that she had… in fact had sex with Regina Mills. But obviously, she hadn't.

"What do you mean, of course not?! It's a damn good question." Ruby snaps at her.

"I'm sorry... Just... No." Emma sighs and clears her throat. Obviously Ruby must understand her discomfort.

"Okay... And does she know about you?" The brunette asks her next.

"My dick?"

"Duh." It's Ruby's turn to roll her eyes and sigh.

"Yeah... No she doesn't... it's also kinda the reason why we didn't do it."

Emma shamefully confesses.
Out of all the times in her life she wished to be a little more normal… the time she had Regina Mills for the taking is definitely right up there on the list.

"Oh honey" Another sigh from Ruby.

"I couldn't just whip it out and surprise her with it, could I?" Emma groans and practically spats out. Actually sounding a little mad now.
Not a Ruby.
Not even at herself.
Just… at the situation.

You see, she doesn't necessarily want to be "normal" so to speak. Just to be perceived as normal with all that she is and isn't. Has and doesn't have.
Yeah, It would be just as good if the world could just be a little less judgmental. A little less you're either this or that, or pick a label and stick with it.

"Well... Who knows maybe she'd have liked that..." Ruby snickers on her end of the phone and Emma snorts loudly.

"Shut up. Of course she wouldn't."

"Okay... So what's your plan now, Casanova?" Her friend asks her in all seriousness now.

"I don't know." She really doesn't.

"You're gonna have to tell her." And Ruby really has a point there.

"I was thinking." Emma starts to say

"Hmm"

"You know how we always said we'd love to move to Europe?"

"Em" Of course she's making a joke out of this, Ruby annoyingly realizes.

"I feel like now's a good time for that." Though joking around does seem to make Emma's tone sound a little lighter again and that's surely a positive thing.

"Gotta go. Call me back when you've grown some balls." Ruby chuckles.

"Very funny." Emma deadpans.

"Love you."

"Yeah you too"

Emma'd called Ruby the moment she knew the brunette might have some time to answer her phone.
Thank god she hadn't been home when Emma'd gotten home with that nasty stain on her crotch. She'd never hear the end of it if Ruby knew.
So no... She wasn't going to fess up on her newest awkward experience, as much as the brunette would have loved to hear all about it, no doubt.
Emma'd simply stripped out of her jeans and boxers and had started on trying to get them clean again.
The stain had already started to dry but eventually with enough warm water and shower gel,
The girl'd been able to make her clothes look presentable enough to put with the rest of the laundry.

Emma'd then googled "ways to keep yourself from cumming too soon."

Cause, when your girlfriend's called Regina Mills, god knows you'll be able to use any and all advice on the matter...

"Oh my god someone got laid and loved it."

It's Sunday, Henry's drawing while singing along to some Taylor Swift playlist he made his mom put together for him.
Regina'd invited Kathryn over for coffee and conversation. Well, Kathryn had invited herself over for coffee and a very particular conversation.
The fact that Regina'd happily agreed and had even suggested she came over right away had of course,
instantly given away what kind of mood the brunette was in.

"If by someone you mean me, I'm gonna have to disappoint you there."

She pouts but her eyes are still smiling and her pout still looks kinda smiley, this of course to Kathryn's utter confusion.

"What?!" She curls up her nose in question.

"Well..." Regina begins and quickly glances over at where Henry's sitting at her desk to make sure he's not picking anything up from this conversation
and then proudly spills. "We did make out."

"So you got back and..." Kathryn narrows her eyes and starts to smile as well.

"I made her make the first move."
Regina nods and bites her lip as she recalls how she'd felt so amazing when Emma'd pressed their lips together for the first time.

"Good. So she kissed you." Kat nods appreciatively of the younger blonde's initiative.

"Yes but I'd laid all my cards on the table so I was in a pretty vulnerable position already." Regina tilts her head and truthfully tells her friend.

"And she took the bait." Kathryn smirks at the brunette.

"Thank god she did." She chuckles and nods. Another glance at Henry as she lovingly takes in how concentrated he's working on his latest masterpiece.

"But no sex."

Her attention is drawn back to Kathryn and she furrows her brow, motioning for her friend to be a little less explicit with th in the room.

"Not yet." She mouths reluctantly.

"Lame." Kathryn huffs and clicks her tongue.

"I guess she's the honorable type... I can live with that. I'm sure she'll be worth it." Regina reasons.

"Or maybe she sucks and she knows it." Kat purses her lips and offers unhelpfully.

"Oh shush you're just jealous. If her kissing is anything to go by, she's gonna be mind blowing."

"I'm happy for you." Kathryn just smiles at that and at the conviction and firework she sees in her friend's eyes.

"Me too..."

"So..."

"What?" Regina quirks a brow in question.

"You haven't already forgotten you've got me to thank for everything, have you?" Blonde eyebrows are raised in expectation.

"Oh please."

"Seriously?"

"No I know... Thank you for pushing me Kat. You were right."

Regina hates to have to admit it… but it is true.

"God the sound of that. I think I just came."

The first couple of days after their first kiss are exciting though nervous ones.
Regina's made sure to organize all of her work so she can always make time for lunch with Emma.
And so she's always got time for a break whenever Emma's finished cleaning for the day, just so they'd be able to spend some time bonding.
She's dressed impeccable always and her make up is just a tad more sultry and seductive than normal.
See, Regina's really hoping to look as enticing as possible to Emma. Surely the girl must think she's irresistible?

Emma does think exactly that and more.

She's having an extremely hard time keeping her hands to herself and on more than one occasion even fails miserably trying.

It's a Monday when they find themselves lip locked and out of breath when Emma suddenly out of the blue remembers she's got to go...
water the plants or something...

Another time, Regina's undoing the buttons on Emma's shirt slowly and smiles at her seductively...
making sure Emma can read in her eyes where all of this is leading to. Sex. Really great sex.

This time Emma very suddenly had to pee and then rushed out of the place before Regina could reclaim her.
Even though she wanted it so very badly.

She just simply couldn't.

Can't.

One Friday, after they'd finished their weekly waffles and Henry'd been off practicing some of his newest dance moves in his room,
Regina and Emma had remained seated in the couch.
Regina was already comfortably leaning against Emma's body as she'd tentatively placed her hand on Emma's knee.
Putting some subtle pressure on her fingers while slowly dragging her hand up and lowly humming against the side of the girl's face.

"You know I really enjoy spending time with you."

Emma'd happily smiled and nodded.

"I love spending time with you and the kid."

And see... As nice as that is... Regina was kind of hoping that for once... Henry hadn't been mentioned.

She loves him more than anything of course... But when it comes to dating Emma...
So far all it had entailed was spending time... the three of them... as a family... Them as a family... It works...
It warms her heart every time she thinks of it... It makes her feel those butterflies strongly... But damn...
She's really ready for some "one on one time" with the younger blonde.
Taking time to get to know each other is one thing but torturing yourself is a whole different story...
and frankly she's done enough time waiting around for the right woman to come along... at this point, to her it's pretty obvious...
Emma's that woman and she's ready for the next step.

As if she's heard the unspoken disappointment in Regina's silence Emma bites her lip and tries to sound like a better girlfriend... a romantic one.
Wait, are they girlfriends? Yet?

"Baby?" Emma softly says, surprising both herself and Regina with the affectioned term of endearment.

"I mean…" the girl shakes her head and takes a breath instead of trying to fix her slip up.

The brunette blushes and smirks "hmm?"

"If ... say... a dorky young blonde were to ask you out on a date, would you say yes?" She asks, probably not intending to sound so impossibly cute.

"Well that depends." Regina smirks even wider and pulls up her shoulders.

"On what?" She's got Emma's full attention and it's just amazing how those green eyes are so focused on her own lips.
Regina takes her sweet time to thoroughly wet them by sucking them between her teeth one by one and running her tongue along the delicate red flesh.

"Is this dorky young blonde a skilled kisser?" her voice sounds husky both because she wants it to and because it's just what Emma does to her.

"Are you asking for a list of references?" The girl snorts, and now manages to smirk a little herself.
She bites her lower lip and watches as Regina's expression changes from teasing to… is that a glimpse of jealousy she sees there?

"No... that won't be... Wait ... is this a long list we're talking about?"

Oh yes. Regina's eyes are narrowed, her head is tilted to the side and the slight snap to her tone indicates that… indeed… the Queen's at least a little green.

"Not at all. Don't worry. It's not really a significant list at all."

Emma makes sure to immediately reassure her though. No reason to make her feel any type of negative feeling anyway…
Emma never wants to be the cause of that. Not if she can help it.

"Good." The brunette nods and runs her hand through long blonde hair as she rests her head against Emma's shoulder.

"Regina?" The girl suddenly breaks the silence after neither knows how many minutes.

"Yes?"

"Are you... I mean... God this is gonna sound stupid..."
She stammers nervously and Regina isn't sure but it's just the combination of the girl's voice and her soft features,
her ever present blush and the way she always seems to be radiating warmth that makes the woman melt over and over again.

"Emma." She looks up into green eyes and smiles, encouraging the girl to say whatever it is she needs to.

"Are we girlfriends?" Emma says and then smiles back at her, awkwardly. Regina can see how the girl swallows thickly and broadens her own smile.

"Do you make out with other women?" She arches one of her eye brows.

"No." Emma doesn't hesitate.

"Do you ask other women on dates?"

"No."

"Do you steal other women's son's hearts."

"Not that I'm aware of." The girl shrugs and chuckles a little.

"if it's alright with you, I consider you my girlfriend." Regina then softly tells her.

It's all Emma needs. She gently reaches for the side of the brunette's head and brings their faces together,
wrapping her lips around Regina's lower one and softly sucking and biting it. A soft moan escapes the older woman's throat and Emma smiles into their kiss. She tilts her head a little and takes Regina's parted reds as a warm invitation to let her tongue dance a little inside.
It rubs hotly against the brunette's that's growing a little bolder and licking hers a little intenser and more suggestive.
This time it's Emma who moans and Regina who smirks against her.
Her hands have found Emma's sides now as she seems to be gently coaxing the girl into a horizontal position.
Before that can happen Emma pulls back though. Not that she wants for this to ever end, of course.

"So? Good enough kisser?" She breathlessly asks, her eyes are still fluttering. because… Regina's just… hmm…

"You've got yourself a date" The older woman nods in confirmation and smiles happily…
even though she's already mourning the loss of Emma's tongue against her own.
Let's just hope Emma doesn't follow the 'no sex before the third date rule'.
Because… if so, Regina's definitely going to have to put her foot down.

Emma'd cracked her brain over a suitable activity for her date with Regina.
She really wanted to impress the woman without being too cliché and she also wanted to avoid places where they could "get it on".
Because if the possibililty would present itself,
Regina was going to try and persuade her and Emma really doubted she was even physically able to do that anymore.

Eventually she's arranged what she believes is a great first date for her and her new girlfriend to go on.

"Wear something -in your case- extremely casual."
She'd told Regina, who'd huffed and shaken her head and still wore something Emma swore was handpicked from Paris' latest fashion week.

"Where are we going?" Regina chuckles, resting her chin on Emma's leather clad shoulder as her eyes focus on the road ahead.
All The girl'd told her is that it would take them about an hour to get to their destination.

Emma'd begged Ruby to beg her brother to let her borrow his Vespa, which had been okay because he still owed his sister a couple of favors

Emma's hands tighten their grip on the the scooter as she shakes her head and tells Regina

"Just some place I hope you'll like."

She does.

The place Emma's taken Regina to looks absolutely magical.

"Ever After Land…" Regina'd tilted her head and read the dangling billboard at the entrance.

They'd silently walked for a while, and just taken in the way everything seemed to be so oddly silent but so full of history and memories.
Yes, this was a place were memories had been made.

"This used to be an amusement park?" Regina asks, almost states, because that much is pretty obvious really.

"A pretty alternative one. No big rides as you can see...
But it was fun if you like that kind of stuff" The blonde smiles a little, her eyes focused on something in the distance or nothing in particular.

"You don't?" Regina softly asks her, lacing their fingers together. It's a simple, sweet gesture that for some reason seems so intimate to both of them.

The blonde's breath hitches before she starts talking.

"I ... was a bit of a loner... still am... but as a kid it's hard to find your place… you know.
Especially because kids came and went quickly where I'm from, well… those who're lucky." She chuckles dryly.
"Coming here... I could hide away… It was a place where make believe was possible and it was wonderful."
She stares away again. At nothing. Or at least, not something that's actually there.

"So... Did you come her often?" Regina squeezes her fingers tightly, pulling her back to the present.

Emma clears her throat and gathers her thoughts before answering.

"Once a month... twice during the summer. The couple that used to own this place loved kids... The system kids were allowed free entrance."

Regina smiles wide before asking

"What happened?"

"They died... and their own children... well I guess they didn't care for it that much."

The blonde shrugs. It's the way things go… It's life. Nice things end. It's the way it always goes in the life of Emma Swan.

"It's a shame." Regina softly says and hums.

"Yes but this is pretty too, no?"

And honestly, it really is... so very pretty. If you're willing to see it.
And just the fact that Emma's found a new way to look at and love this place that clearly isn't what it used to be, tells Regina so much about this girl.

Poison Ivy had practically overgrown everything but Emma had said it makes the place look even more fairytale-like.

There's an old castle in the center of the theme park, a couple of fairish wheels, some beautiful swings, some of which are even still up in their hinges.

Next to the castle there's a lake with big swan shaped pedalo's, Regina'd dared Emma to go on.
Emma'd reclined but only after seriously considering if actually doing it would impress her gorgeous lady-friend.

There were huge slides, that thankfully missed their steps to go up on -who knows what else Regina might have dared Emma to do-
and a beautiful flower garden that had obviously grown wild over the years.

They wander around the place, discovering new weird old attractions, rusty billboards and forgotten paths until a distinct smell catches Regina's attention.

"There are horses here?"

"I don't think there's still" Emma shrugs and starts to tell the brunette

But Regina's not really listening and grabs her hand before dragging her towards where her nose leads her.

"This way."

"Stables." Shes smiles the moment indeed, stables come into sight.

"It's still here." Emma whispers amazed.

"You used to visit the horses?"

The brunette smiles pleasantly surprised, and excited to go look closer at the majestic animals.

"It was part of the park. I didn't think... they'd still be here..."

"Emma, they're beautiful." Regina says in awe as she's carefully approaching the animals.

"Yeah." The girl nods agreeingly and anxiously looks around until her eyes fall on.

"Pedro!" She smiles wide while drawing the attention of an old man with light gray hair and dark gray eyes.

"Visitors?"

"Pedro it's me" Emma begins to say but then abruptly cut herself off and bites her tongue...

She swallows thickly and just hates that she can't just speak freely.
Not to anyone… about the truth. It wouldn't only be weird and awkward for Regina, Pedro wouldn't understand it either and so yes, right now,
Emma feels terribly alone.

Alone with her past and her secret.

"I mean… It's me... Emil's sister. Emil Swan" She manages to smile, hoping her eyes won't betray her sadness.

"Emil..." Pedro carefully scrutinizes the girl's face. Emma really hopes that's just because he's in need of a new pair of glasses
because there's no way the Pedro she used to know would have ever forgotten about… Emil.

"But of course... like two drops... You look just like him." Pedro suddenly throws his hands in the air
and in that moment Emma really wishes she could run into them and hug the old man that used to make her feel like she had a purpose.
If only for a day a month.

"And who might this young lady be?" Pedro raises a gray brow while gesturing towards Regina. He then, of course, smiles warmly at the brunette woman.

Regina watches the scene in front of her with big eyes. So, Emma has a brother...
Why has Emma never mentioned she has a brother? Was he with her in the group homes?

"This is Regina... my ... euhm she's my girlfriend." Emma nearly stumbles over her words as she blushingly introduces the beautiful woman to Pedro.

"Pedro used to... let my brother help him with the horses... whenever he came here... He told me all about you Pedro."
Emma looks back at the old man as she says that last part and smiles.

"Yet he never got you to join him and come say hi."

He chuckles with narrowed eyes.

"He tried but... I guess, I was busy going up and down those slides. I was wrong."
Emma's desperately avoiding making eye contact while telling the man, all the while hoping Regina won't be listening too closely and catch her lie.

"It's a pleasure meeting you Pedro, and these horses are truly beautiful."

The brunette genuinely tells the older man.

"Ah the pleasure is mine, Regina was it?"

She smiles and nods.

"Do you know how to ride?" He raises an eyebrow and smiles at both women.

"Actually, I do."

'No."

Regina and Emma respond almost simultaneously.

Pedro laughs at both of their facial expressions then.
Regina's eyes are wide in excitement and anticipation. It's been over a decade since she's ridden a horse
but she is definitely ready to get back on the saddle whereas Emma's eyes are huge with what looks like fear and nerves.

"Aaah you and your brother have more alike than your smiles it seems."
Pedro shakes his head and snickers while tapping Emma's shoulder and walking towards the equipment shed.

"What? Oh don't tell me you're afraid of horses?" Regina smirks at her in both amusement and disbelief.

"I'm not... I just... respect them enough to not feel the need to sit on them."

Pedro then turns around, holding a large saddle in his bent arms and looks at Emma.

"Right." It's just one word but it's loaded with sarcasm.

"Nonsense... no girlfriend of mine has never ridden a horse..."
The brunette simply states and walks towards Pedro to help carry the saddle towards a beautiful black mare.

"Her name is Jane and she's just the sweetest."

"Emma come say hello to Jane." Regina ushers her girlfriend to come closer.

"Hey girl." Emma then actually effortlessly approaches and smiles wide and affectionately at the big animal.
It's an older mare she could have never forgotten about.

"How are you doing?" She softly asks the black beauty while gently patting it and stroking it's mane.

"So now you're suddenly a horse whisperer?"

"I told you... I'm not afraid." Emma shrugs and smirks a little into Regina's direction.

"I'm just... good taking care of them... I mean... I would be good just taking care of them." She smiles casually and keeps her attention on Jane.

"Regina?" Pedro asks "Do you still want to ride?"

"Oh no... If it's just going to be me" The brunette smiles, but her disappointment is evident.
It's obvious she'd been excited to ride the moment she'd laid eyes on the stables.

"I... where would I be sitting? I mean ... on Jane... In front?" Emma awkwardly speaks up after clearing her throat, equally awkward.

"Of course. Why?" Regina furrows her brow and smiles a little funny.

"I just" Emma shakes her head wary of what words are going to come out of her mouth if she isn't careful enough...
Honestly she doesn't want to sit pressed with her front against Regina's back. It would be the absolute worst idea.

"have this irrational fear I'd slide of the back of the horse if I were to sit behind." She lies.

And to be fair, she's fairly certain her jeans aren't the most comfortable type of attire to be wearing while riding a horse for the first time.
Also, she's not really looking forward to a bumpy ride on a horse (as much as she loves Jane), knowing Regina's perfect front will be pressed up against her.
But well.

Regina rolls her eyes and snorts while averting her attention towards Pedro.

"Is that why Emil didn't want to ride either?"

"No, actually Emil didn't want to ride because"

the horse track was used as a photo set. Before mounting the horses the visitors were to dress up as lords and ladies to have their picture taken.
It just happened to be so that Emil Swan had much rather dressed up as the latter rather than the former,
Pedro told him he could try on a dress if that's what he wanted but he was always too afraid the others would see and laugh at him so he never did.
Instead he just spent all of his time around the horses, taking care of them, helping Pedro out.

But Regina's not about to hear that story.

"Are we riding or what?!" Emma interrupts him quickly and raises both eye brows, smiling a little awkwardly.

She skillfully takes the saddle from Regina and readies Jane to be rode.

"There. Good girl." She gently pats the animal.

"You're so good with her." Regina smiles and waves a hand through Emma's own blonde mane.

"hmmm She's amazing." The girl smiles and hums appreciatively of the warm hand that's making her feel special.

"Hmm." Regina nods and smiles.

This really is a perfect date.

Once they've mounted the horse, which hadn't been without difficulty for Emma, Pedro leaves them to make a little tour through the field by themselves.

"Were you and your brother always in the same group homes?"

"We... Yeah..."

"Oh... That's nice, right?"

"I don't know... We weren't really close... I often felt like... he wasn't really a part of me."
Emma speaks so softly Regina has to really listen carefully to make out her words.

"Are you still in contact with him?"

"Not at all." Emma says and shrugs nonchalantly before turning her head and giving Regina a reassuring smile.

"Don't worry, I'm fine. I don't need him for me to be happy." And her smile's a sincere one. Even though Regina is still confused...
She believes the look in those green eyes that tell her not to worry... Emma is in a good place now.

"Thank you for this date, Emma."

Regina affectionately nuzzles the blonde's neck and kisses a red flushed cheek sweetly while tightening her arms around the girl's waist.

"It's a good date, right?" Emma chuckles happily and momentarily closes her eyes while fully taking in Regina's sweet, soft lips on her cheek.

"Someone's cocky." Regina smiles, still in place against her cheek.

And Emma's eye brows now instantly go up as she has to bite her tongue before she makes some stupid joke that would give away her big annoying secret. Maybe she should just tell Regina right now. Maybe the date and this moment are perfect enough...
Perfect enough for the brunette to just say something like

"Oh you have a penis? I don't but I've always wanted to try one."

Well, maybe THAT's a bit far fetched but you get the gist...

Emma really wonders... What if she were to just tell Regina...

But before she manages to make up her mind if she's ready to tell her, time and it's annoying way of creeping up on people,
does just that and the moment is gone.

When they're ready –but not really- to leave Pedro, Jane and the stables, the park and all it's wild and rusty wonders, to take the Vespa back home.
Henry-wards. they say their goodbyes and 'see you soon's' to both Pedro, the black beauty and the rest of the horses.

While Regina takes her time petting Jane, Pedro quickly but discreetly pulls Emma into a bear hug that holds force no one ever would expect a man who looks vintage enough one would wonder when he's about to turn into a tree, to possess and smiles warmly.

"You really turned out a beautiful princess, Emmy. Don't wait so long to come back anymore."

Emma's eyes go wide as he winks all knowingly. As mortified as she would have expected herself to be,
the girl actually feels extreme relief wash over her and wishes that she could just cry her eye balls out because of the emotional state she finds herself in, without that seeming entirely strange to Regina.

Instead she womans up and bites her lip while nodding.

"Thanks Pedro. I won't be a stranger. Pinky swear." She murmurs and smiles bashfully.

He nods, hooks his pinky into hers. She chuckles and then Regina's ready to go too.

That's when Emma takes her princess by the hand, they strode off into the sunset and live happily ever after.

At least that's what would happen if life was a fairytale.

Okay, I'm actually extremely curious to hear your thoughts on this chapter...
Is it too confusing or okay? Of course you'll get more of Emma's backstory in the future :)

and damn this chapter turned out longer than expected :p

Hope ya'll are having a great weekend ;)

NEXT UP: Regina takes it up a notch... *smirks slyly*