A/N: Hello, beautiful readers! Thank you for all of your follows, favorites, and reviews! You make me smile every day. Hopefully with this chapter I can make you smile.
Thank you to Hunnyfresh, my fabulous beta! You are the best!
Disclaimer: I don't own anything or make any money from this.
Regina awoke with a smile on her face the following morning. She had expected a fitful night of sleep but found that the weight lifted by sharing her story with Emma combined with several glasses of cider allowed her to slip into a deep sleep. Her dreams were full of warm moments with a certain blonde sheriff, the one before she woke taking on a particularly naughty theme. She continued to grin as she turned on the water in her shower to warm and brushed her teeth.
She felt more comfortable and contented than she had since Henry was small and she was his whole world. She pondered the change as she replaced her toothbrush and pulled off her clothes before stepping into the nearly scalding water. She was startled to realize that it wasn't only Emma and Henry contributing to her new feeling of calm. Henry's idea to help the town find their happy endings had truly made her feel good. She felt as though each step she took toward redeeming herself with them removed her one step further from her past, from the curse, from the Queen.
As she toweled off she grinned nervously at her plans for the evening. She had put so much thought into it after Henry convinced her to continue with Operation Swan Song – a name chosen to reflect not only Regina's pursuit of Emma but Henry's retirement from operations. Henry had told her he was fairly certain that if her operation succeeded, he would no longer need operations to achieve his happy ending.
At first, she had been utterly baffled and intensely intimidated by the idea of planning a date for Emma. She knew that if their first "appointment" had been her means to demonstrate her dominance in their relationship, this was her opportunity to relinquish some of her control and instead focus on what Emma enjoys. She was determined that the evening would be perfect; Emma's date had been exquisite. Henry had been extremely helpful as he rolled his eyes and reminded her of the assets she had available to offer Emma without a great deal of preparation or effort. He urged her to just relax and have fun "for once". She chuckled as she pulled on her clothes for the day remembering how sarcastic he had been when she had protested that she does indeed have fun.
"Yeah," he had snorted, "I'm sure Emma would have a great time pruning your apple tree or reading Jane Austen."
Regina shook her head at the memory of her continued indignant stammering as she looked at herself in the mirror and went downstairs to start the day. She had gotten up extra early to go to the office. She wanted to be home by mid-afternoon to prepare everything for Emma. She bit her lip as she considered what she thought might happen that night; what she wanted to happen. It had been awhile since she was intimate with anyone.
Even more unsettling, she had never been intimate with someone she actually had feelings for. Daniel and she had stolen kisses and franticly felt one another's bodies in their rushed moments together, but they had never had the opportunity to make love. And she had never considered the possibility that she would ever share that with someone else.
But the kisses she had shared with Emma to this point made her feel alive. When their lips pressed together, she felt that her body became so aroused that she could feel the minute whisperings of Emma's breath across her cheek. She could feel the blood pounding through her veins, enflaming her senses and awakening something she had not felt since she was a young woman. If she was honest, she had not even felt that intensity when she kissed Daniel, although their age and inexperience may account for some of that.
She was both electrified and terrified with the thought of Emma sharing her bed tonight. She dropped her keys twice on the way to her car - once in the foyer and once on the sidewalk just after she locked the door. She leaned her head back against the headrest and gave a deep sigh before the Mercedes purred with her turn of the key and she set off to the Town Hall.
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Several hours later, Emma stumbled into the kitchen and poured herself a giant bowl of cereal after a much less restful night. She had dreamt of the mayor, but her dreams had been filled with the horrors of the stories Regina had told her. She imagined what a young, idealistic Regina would have been like. She nearly felt the pain herself as she watched Cora rip out a young man's heart. Emma had no idea what Daniel had looked like, but in her dream it had not mattered, she only saw his back. Her eyes were focused on the heartbreak in Regina's face.
Emma was exhausted and extremely irritated. She had spent the whole walk home getting soaked again and growing angrier and angrier. How could it be that Regina's story was so negligently left out of the book? How could Snow have given such a minimal and highly colored story of what happened to Regina's first love? How could anyone expect such a young girl to react well after everything she cared about was stripped away? And Emma knew beyond the shadow of a doubt that Daniel's death had only been one event in a long succession of losses.
She had never felt so fiercely protective of anyone other than Henry. She had known for a long time that she had feelings for the mayor, but she was astonished to realize how deep they ran. She had considered dating Regina out of intense physical attraction and the undeniable chemistry between them. She watched Regina pursue her redemption for Henry's sake and she never doubted that she would achieve her goal. Regina Mills on a mission would not be denied. As the thought crossed her mind, Emma smiled for the first time that morning.
Regina's past was certainly tragic and it was daunting to Emma to realize just how deep her love for Daniel had run. His death had shaken her to the point where she literally saw no future for herself, no happiness without him. Emma knew that she could never compete with Regina's first love, but it occurred to her that she didn't need to try to compete with his memory. Just because she could not replace Daniel did not mean she could not have a place in Regina's life. It didn't even mean she couldn't occupy the role he once had. It just meant accepting that Daniel was a part of Regina's past and without him she would never have had the opportunity to be a part of her future. Because there was no longer any doubt in her mind. She loved Regina.
After one (maybe one and a half) dates, there was no way she would express the way she felt to Regina. Just the thought of it scared Emma down to her socks. She had told exactly one person in her life that she loved them in that way and she had landed in jail, pregnant. She had actively avoided the type of attachment that came with those words fearing the plummet that inevitably followed the climb. Still, the most unsettling thing about loving Regina was that despite Emma's fear of commitment, despite Regina's past misdeeds, despite their inability to have a single conversation without argument, she felt completely confident that she had never felt this way about anyone and that she was unlikely to feel this way about anyone else.
She finished her cereal and set the bowl on the counter to trudge back up to her room. As she threw on clothes to go walk Henry to school, she decided that her approach last night had been the best one possible and it would continue to be her strategy. Although not naturally inclined to be patient, she had learned from her days as a bounty hunter that often it was patience and observation that got her the grab in the end. She would go into tonight without expectations of what she hoped to achieve and let Regina take it at her own pace. After all, Emma had been working through her feelings for months. Regina had clearly been blindsided. And if it meant getting the girl in the end, Emma was willing to take all the time in the world.
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When Emma arrived to pick Henry up, she avoided making eye contact with her mother. Charming apparently had already left for the day, planning to stop for coffee on his way to the station. She continued to be perturbed that nobody had thought it important to share Regina's story with her. Especially when Snow obviously knew what happened – she had known Regina before she was the Queen. Her mother picked up on the tension and hustled Henry off to get his backpack and put his shoes on.
"Everything ok today, Emma?"
"Grand."
"You look like you barely slept."
"Pretty much."
"Did you and Regina fight?"
Emma snorted, "No, we didn't fight. We talked. She shared the whole story with me. You know, the evil side," her tone dripped with sarcasm.
"I see."
"Why didn't you tell me what happened to him?"
Snow sighed, "Emma, look. The history between Regina and me is long. It is complicated. And although I know that things aren't black and white to you, in that world they were. At least for me."
"But isn't there something evil about abusing a child? About killing the man she loves?"
"Of course there is. I've never defended Cora."
"But you never defended Regina either," Emma's voice began to rise dangerously.
"That's not true! You know very little of our history Emma. I saved her from being executed. I gave her chances time and again and she chose evil."
"And so have I," the words burst from Emma without a thought.
Snow paused, stunned. "What does that mean?"
"Stealing. Hurting people. I…I've done things that people think are evil. Do you think that of me?" Emma's eyes had filled with tears.
"Oh Emma, honey, of course not."
"I don't get this…any of it. You encouraged me to go for this. Why are you calling her evil now?"
"Emma, listen to me. I'm not saying she's evil now. I have known her a very long time. While I can't say that I completely trust her, I believe that she's trying. I believe that she loves Henry, genuinely. And I believe that I need to give her a chance…because you are my daughter, and…" she made sure Emma was looking her straight in the eye, "and I believe that you are in love with her."
Emma stood dumbly staring at her for a moment, but she could not hide the mingled joy and fear that crossed her face.
"Look, this whole situation has been an adjustment for everyone," Snow continued when it was clear that Emma was not planning to respond, "But I refuse to let anything stand between us ever again. You are my daughter. And I love you. And nothing you could ever do would change that."
Emma burst into tears. She had no idea how to respond to hearing the words she had wished to hear all her life. She sobbed uncontrollably as her mother pulled her head down to her chest and rocked her gently. Henry came into the room, saw the two women embracing, turned and walked back out. They sat together for several minutes before Emma sat up and wiped her eyes.
"I know that you have a history with Regina. I just don't see her the same way. My whole life I've been surrounded be people who made bad choices because they felt like that was their only choice. Henry loves her and I…I think I love her too."
"I know, Emma. But thank you for telling me."
Emma gave a shaky smile and said, "Thanks, Mom."
Snow's tears overflowed at hearing Emma's words. "You just remember one thing, Emma Swan."
"What?"
"Regina and I…both of us are queens. You are my only daughter. If she breaks your heart, we'll judge once and for all which one of us is evil," she lifted her brows and gave a determined glare.
Emma gave a teary chuckle and hugged her mother before she called out, "Ok, kid. It's safe, you can come out. We need to get you to school."
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Regina was in her element. She was in the kitchen, dinner well underway. She was expecting Emma within the half hour and she was beginning to grow extremely nervous. Everything was ready. She felt surprisingly comfortable wearing dark blue jeans and a red button-down shirt. She was dressed and ready. Everything was prepared for their evening. She was relishing the feeling that she was doing something for Emma, who she felt like had done so much for her. Not just on their date. She had saved her time and again.
She couldn't help but feel that just as she had with Henry she was getting a second chance with Emma. She was unsure whether it was deserved but determined not to push the chance away again. She checked the oven again and went to check her hair and make-up one last time. She dabbed a tiny hint of perfume behind her ears and gave a nervous smile. She had every intention of fulfilling her implied promise to Miss Swan tonight. She unbuttoned one more button, smiling as the smallest trace of black lace peeked out. No longer nervous, she smirked and turned out the light.
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Apparently Henry had not been messing around when he told her about the Mario Kart tournament. Charming seemed to be even more excited than Henry. They showed her the bracket they made on poster board for the eight Mario Characters they planned to race that evening complete with printed illustrations of the characters. She grinned and shook her head at their twin excited faces as they described their plans.
She and Henry had gone for a hot chocolate after school before she brought him over to her parents' house for the evening. He had declared her outfit "awesome" and said that he was sure she'd have a good time with a mischievous smile. She had tried to pry clues from him about what their evening would entail, but he staunchly refused to cave.
"Because then it won't be a surprise."
Her mother had smiled broadly and told her she looked beautiful as the boys had begun to set up their game and choose their first characters to play. Emma gave a shy smile and said, "I have no idea what I'm doing," a statement she meant on many levels.
Snow seemed to pick up on all of them. "You're going to go and show your Emma Swan charm and she'll find you irresistible."
"You think?" Emma scrunched her whole face.
"Emma, she has shared things with you that she's never shared with anyone to my knowledge. I think you have to accept she likes you, too."
Emma beamed at her and said, "Thanks. And thanks for watching Henry; he's been really excited about the tournament."
"I think he's excited to see his mothers happy."
Emma nodded and backed toward the door. "Well, wish me luck," before turning and walking out without waiting for a reply.
Snow sighed, not unhappily and whispered, "Good luck, baby girl."
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Emma parked her bug outside Regina's house and checked her hair in the rearview mirror before taking a deep breath and saying, "Go get her, Swan," and stepping out of the car. She opened the back door to pull out a bouquet of red roses. She knew that orchids were Regina's favorite, but she had used them on the first date and she wanted to give her something different and romantic this time. She walked up the path feeling her heart already starting to race. She felt strange to be so nervous. It wasn't their first date, but it was the first since she had acknowledged how she really felt. Still, she had no intention of declaring her feelings so she needed to just relax. She exhaled a deep breath and shook her hands to release some of her anxiety before lifting her hand to knock.
Her heart beat in time to the click of Regina's heels across the tile. She forced a smile on her face over the bouquet as the door opened and her jaw dropped. She had never seen Regina in jeans. She had never seen Regina dressed this casually, except in her pajamas the previous night. The thought of the silky pajamas made her face flush. Her blush deepened as she saw the appreciative gaze the mayor was bestowing upon her.
"These are for you," Emma said as she thrust the bouquet forward.
"They're beautiful. Thank you."
"You look…different."
Regina quirked an eyebrow. "Different?"
"Well, yeah. More relaxed. It's nice. I mean, you look beautiful." Smooth Swan.
"Thank you. You look gorgeous, Emma." She allowed her eyes to wander again over the sheriff's pinstripe pants, royal blue collared shirt, and tailored vest. Emma wore a black leather jacket over the top. Regina gestured behind her for Emma to enter. Emma walked through and heard the door close behind her. Regina walked past sniffing the roses and set them on the side table. She put her hand to Emma's cheek and kissed her sweetly. She pulled off Emma's jacket and hung it on the coat rack before turning and walking into the kitchen leaving Emma to follow moments later.
The moment she entered the kitchen, Emma moaned at the amazing smell. She stopped and sniffed dramatically closing her eyes, "Regina, this smells like Heaven."
"Thank you, dear. I thought perhaps for tonight we could have some of your favorites."
She had made turkey burgers with green chilies, avocado, tomato, and lettuce slices on homemade rolls with seasoned sweet potato fries. Emma immediately felt her mouth watering as she looked at the meal.
"I've just got to finish the burgers and we can eat."
"Regina, this is amazing."
"Well, I know it's not a bacon cheeseburger from Granny's, but I figured maybe we could find a happy medium."
Emma walked up behind her where she stood at the stove and wrapped her arms around Regina's waist. She leaned her chin on Regina's shoulder and said, "It's perfect."
Regina closed her eyes for just a moment before saying, "Let's go eat it." She turned her head to kiss Emma briefly before moving away and handing her a plate. Emma happily took it and started toward the dining room.
"No, wait! Let's go downstairs."
Emma turned, "Downstairs? What's downstairs?"
"You'll see," Regina smirked enigmatically, picking up her own plate and leading the way to a door near the back door Emma had never seen open. Emma followed down the stairs into a finished basement rec room complete with ping pong and air hockey tables, a bar, a sectional sofa, and a huge flat-screen TV. Her jaw fell open and she stood gaping on the bottom step as Regina set her plate on the bar and sat on the stool in front of it.
"Care to join me, Miss Swan?"
Emma closed her mouth with a snap and walked over to sit beside Regina.
"How the hell did I not know you had a room like this?"
Regina chuckled, "Why would you know?"
"This is like the best room ever! You've been holding out on me."
"When Henry was little, I tended to go a little overboard with trying to please him. He started making friends at school and said he wanted to have them over to play. I looked at pictures of recreation rooms in magazines and bought everything. It was a little above his age and when he got old enough, he mostly played in his room."
"He definitely can't be my kid. This is so cool." Emma stopped talking in order to take a huge bite of her burger, moaning at the taste. "Oh my god, Regina, you are amazing."
"I do try, dear." Regina flushed with pleasure at the words.
"No really, if I had food like this I'd never eat at Granny's or frankly anywhere else again."
"You're not pleased with your mother's cooking?"
"No, I mean she's good, but there are other benefits to eating here."
"Like what?"
In response, Emma leaned over and kissed Regina firmly. Regina wound her arms around Emma's neck and Emma slid off her stool to get closer. She ran her hands slowly up Regina's thighs and around to her back, pushing their bodies together. Regina ran a tongue over Emma's bottom lip begging entrance, which she was quickly granted. They both moaned together as their tongues stroked one another and Emma pulled back. She pressed kisses down Regina's jaw and nibbled at her earlobe.
"Mmm…Emma?"
"Hmmm?"
"You don't want to see the rest of my plan?"
"This isn't your plan?"
"Well, I didn't say that exactly. I just thought maybe we could watch a movie first."
"Hmmm…what movie?"
"I got The Ring."
Emma fully stepped back from her embrace, her jaw dropping yet again.
"You want to watch the Ring?"
"Well, I've never seen it, but Henry said it's your favorite. Would you rather watch something else?"
"No! No, I guess I'm just a little surprised."
Regina merely smirked, "Oh Emma, I am full of surprises."
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Other than getting the title from Henry, Regina clearly had not researched the movie at all. Emma was surprised how scared Regina was by the movie, but she had not one complaint. At the start of the movie they had sat slightly apart on the couch but as it continued Regina had inched closer and closer with each scare until she was practically in Emma's lap. Emma had wrapped a protective arm around her and Regina began to hide her face in Emma's shoulder. Emma had a silly grin on her face despite the creepy girl crawling over the screen as once again, Regina pressed her face to Emma's neck as she trembled. Emma rubbed a soothing hand over her arm and kissed her temple, chuckling.
"I never took you for a scaredy-cat, Mayor Mills."
Regina swatted her arm playfully, "I am not." But she was quickly betrayed as she jumped at a loud crescendo in the music.
Emma laughed out loud. Regina indignantly pulled away, but Emma pulled her back close giggling, "I'm kidding, come back here, please?"
Regina pouted but she allowed Emma to wrap her arms around her and laid her head on her shoulder fully. She took Emma's hand with her own, laying her arm across Emma's lap. Emma couldn't believe her luck. She had a delicious meal, clearly intended to be all of her favorites. She was watching her favorite movie on the biggest screen she'd ever seen outside a movie theater. And she was cuddling (seriously cuddling) Regina Mills. She spent the rest of the movie staring at her companion as the brunette's face reflected her hope as the heroine combatted the evil forces, her fear when all hope seemed lost. She felt Emma's eyes after a while and looked over.
"Is there something wrong?"
"No. It's perfect."
Regina kissed Emma's neck and said, "I have to know how it ends," before turning back to the movie, nestling her head against Emma's shoulder again. Emma leaned her head on Regina's. They stayed entwined on the couch until the movie ended and the credits started to roll. Regina looked up at Emma and said in a completely deadpan voice, "That is your favorite movie?"
"Yeah. It's classic!"
Regina snorted, "We'll have to work on your definition of classic."
"Oh we will, will we? Do you plan to continue to watch movies with me, Madam Mayor?"
"Well that depends."
"On what?"
"Whether you'll be my…partner. I hate the word girlfriend."
Emma sat up straight, looking at Regina completely stunned.
"Seriously?"
Regina cleared her throat as she stiffened. "Well, I thought…"
Emma put a finger on plump red lips and said, "You want to be with me, like together?"
"Well, yes. I thought that was obvious."
Emma looked crestfallen for a moment.
"Emma, I'm sorry. If it's too soon, or…"
Emma interrupted again, "It's not that. It's just…I wanted to ask you."
Regina visibly relaxed, sinking into the sofa a little even as she smirked and said, "Too slow on the draw, Sheriff. So, does that mean you will?"
Emma leaned in to kiss her in response, a hand behind her neck to pull her closer. She pulled away after a moment, only far enough to look Regina in the eye, "Yes," and then resume kissing her. Regina pulled her closer as their tongues met again.
Emma began to lean Regina back into the sofa as they continued to kiss. Regina pushed her back. "Emma, I don't think we should…"
Emma groaned and said, "Why not?"
Regina bit her lip as she looked at Emma's jutting bottom lip as she pouted, suppressing the urge to giggle. Instead, she leaned forward and delicately took the lip between her teeth and slowly pulled back, meeting Emma's eyes and giving her a look that made Emma feel she was already naked. She gulped audibly.
"Because I have a very large, very comfortable bed upstairs."
She trailed her tongue over the lip she'd just bitten and stood, offering her hand to Emma. Emma felt that her jaw may have become permanently unhinged at some point during the evening, but she quickly closed her mouth and took Regina's hand. Regina gave her a sexy little smile before leading her upstairs. Emma nearly tripped on her feet and for the thousandth time that night caught herself grinning like an idiot as she followed Regina to her bedroom.
A/N: Thank you again and please review!