Chapter 2
I am so sorry for the long gap between chapters, it was a bit hard trying to figure out what to write for this one, no particular reason other than my brain decided it wanted a Christmas holiday! Hopefully gaps won't always be that long but I can't promise anything! Hope you like this chapter nonetheless :)
"Hello Emma, please sit." Regina gestured to the seat opposite and watched as Emma shrugged off her jacket and threw it over the back of the chair before sitting down. "Can I get you a drink at all?"
"Don't worry about it Ms Mills, Ruby will bring over my usual." Emma smiled, and right on cue Ruby came over and placed a mug of what appeared to be only whipped cream.
"Please, call me Regina. Do you prefer Emma or Miss Swan?" Regina asked, taking a sip from her coffee.
"Emma. Thank you for calling about the position, I was quite surprised. Were there no other applicants or something?" Emma asked half joking. Regina recognised the tone as one she frequently used with her mother, unsure and cautious.
"No, actually you and two others applied early and I'm still getting resumes through now but yours intrigued me." Regina said taking another sip of coffee.
"I intrigued you? How?" Emma asked, taking a drink and wiping away the cream moustache that had appeared.
"Well for starters, you put spirited and optimist on your resume. I've never heard of anyone describing themselves that way on their resume. Would you care to explain that?" Regina asked, leaning forward in her chair.
"It's fairly simple. I put 'spirited' down because that's what my social workers used to say about me in my file and 'optimist' because I got out of the foster system, so I know that life gets better and there's always hope."
Regina's face had been inquisitive but as Emma brought up social workers and the foster system her smile faded and she bit her lip. "I'm sorry, you didn't need to tell me that."
"It's okay, you didn't know." Emma shrugged and smiled. " So my parents didn't want me? It's their loss and now I have a loving mother who chose me. Don't feel you need to tiptoe around it."
"Well that explains the minor in Social Work." Regina chuckled "It's a strange thing to pair with Business Studies, if you don't mind me saying."
"Not at all. My mother told me to follow my heart and choose things I love, because that's the only way I'll get anywhere. Doing something I love. Social Work because of my… upbringing shall we say, and Business Studies because, well, I've always thought it was a good thing to know. If the social work goes wrong I can always set up my own business, you must know what I mean." Regina's brow furrowed, "Well didn't you study with my Professor?" Emma continued.
"Um…yes, you're right I did. Did Mari- did Professor Recio tell you that?" Regina was a bit surprised that Emma knew this.
"Yes, she just said her old college friend had an opening for an internship. I just assumed you did Business Studies because, well, because you have your own business." Emma realised she might have overstepped so quickly backtracked. "Oh god, I'm sorry, I shouldn't make assumptions."
Regina smiled at Emma over her coffee. "No, you're quite right. I did major in Business Studies. But I bet you can't guess my minor?"
Emma studied Regina for a moment, taking another mouthful of her drink. "Art History." Emma replied confidently and laughed as Regina's eyes widen. "My cousin slash best friend does Art, I recognised the signs."
"The signs?"
"Oh um, well I saw you doodling on your notepad when I came in and it looks pretty good from here and you made notes down beside it, alithough I can't read what they say."
"So why Art History? Why not Art?" Regina asked leaning forward, hands together under her chin.
"That's simple. Your hands."
Regina sat back and looked at her hands, confused. "My hands?"
"Yes. They're too clean. You may have done art in the past but not in recent years." Emma blushed realising she may have overstepped again and quickly turned her attention to the remains of her drink.
Regina was still examining her hands but at Emma's silence she looked up, her mind made up. "That's a very good party trick. I look forward to hearing more about it tomorrow." Regina smiled as she gathered up her bag and jacket and stood to leave.
"Wait? Tomorrow?" Now it was Emma's turn to look confused, her brows furrowing.
"Well, you do want the internship don't you?"
Emma's mouth fell open, her eyes widening. "You mean you actually want my help?"
"Yes. You intrigue me Emma Swan. I'm usually working by 9 each day but you don't have to be at mine until 10. I'll ask Ruby and Belle if they can come along at that time and see if they're free to discuss details for their wedding. Then we can get started." Regina said placing her card on the table in front of Emma and holding out her hand. "It was good to meet you Emma."
"Thank you so much Regina. I won't let you down." Emma stood up sharply and took Regina's hand, shaking it enthusiastically.
"I hope you won't. I'll see you tomorrow." Regina smiled once more before she left the diner, leaving Emma sitting shocked at the table.
"Mom I'm home!" Emma called out as she pushed the door closed behind her. Emma dropped her bag by the door and walked towards the kitchen where she could smell dinner being cooked. Emma's mom Ingrid might run the local ice cream store but her talents extended beyond frozen treats too. "Hey Mom, it smells lovely in here!" Emma kissed Ingrid on the cheek before she walked over to the fridge, pulled out a carton of milk and took a swig.
"Emma use a glass please."
"Sorry," Emma said as she pulled out a glass from the adjacent cupboard and filled it up. "Hey you'll never guess what happened this afternoon." Emma didn't give her mom time to guess before she continued. "I got an internship with Regina Mills, the wedding planner!"
"Well done darling." Ingrid gasped pulling Emma into a hug. "I didn't know she was hiring or that you'd even applied. Why didn't you tell me?"
"Well I only sent her my resume last night. Professor Recio told us about it at the end of class yesterday. Regina's planning Ruby and Belle's wedding and its happening too soon so Regina can't do it alone. And she picked me. She said I intrigue her." Emma beamed as Ingrid pulled away.
"Well this calls for a bottle of wine with dinner, why don't you get that bottle of red out of the cupboard and pour us both a glass." Ingrid said turning back to the stove, giving the pan a quick stir as it hissed. "What will you be doing with Ms Mills?"
Emma stopped, brows furrowed. She hadn't thought to ask. "Oh, um, I guess just general assisting type things… I didn't ask. We didn't actually talk about the job, mostly about our education really. I guess I'll find out tomorrow." She added, pouring herself and Ingrid a glass of wine.
"Well I am very proud of you." Ingrid said raising her glass before taking a drink. "Can you pull out the table for me? Gerda, Alex, Elsa and Anna will probably be here soon."
Emma nodded, remembering that today was Thursday. Ever since Ingrid had adopted Emma 8 years previously and officially made her a part of the family, Ingrid's sister and her family would come over for dinner every Thursday. Sure enough Emma had barely put down the last fork when the doorbell rang and she was letting in her family.
"Hey Em!" Elsa said as Anna pulled Emma into a hug. "You sent a resume to Regina Mills didn't you? Have you heard from her at all? I mean I know it's only been a day but Prof said she seemed to need an intern fairly quickly."
"Yeah actually she called me this morning, I met her this afternoon and I start tomorrow." Emma blushed and shrugged.
"Wow, well done! Is that why you disappeared after class? I looked round and you were just gone." Elsa beamed as she pulled Emma into what was probably their ninth hug of the day- something else Emma had had to get used to after finding her family. "What will you be doing? Just like fetching coffee? Or are you going to have actual responsibilities?"
"Oi! Less of the cheek, I can do stuff you know. But I don't actually know what I'll be doing, I forgot to ask." Emma blushed and giggled nervously.
"Don't worry Emma I'm sure you'll do brilliantly." Alex smiled at his adoptive niece as his wife hugged her sister. "Now where's the food? I am famished."
"Darling you are always famished." Gerda shook her head lovingly as Ingrid handed her a glass of wine.
"Actually you're just in time. Emma can you get the dishes out for me?"
The dinner passed much in the same capacity as every Thursday that had passed before. Emma, Elsa and Anna would gossip about what was going on at college and high school while Ingrid, Gerda and Alex chatted about whatever it is actual grownups chat about - taxes probably. Later, after the ice cream had been eaten and the dishes washed up, Emma was putting the dishes away and Ingrid was relaxing on the couch.
"Do you want a lift tomorrow morning?" Ingrid asked.
"Mom I don't have to be at Regina's until 10. I don't want to be hanging around her office for 4 hours." Emma replied, plopping down next to her mom and playfully shoving Ingrid's shoulder with her own. "Thank you though. I'll take Charlie she hasn't been out for a while."
"Oh Emma do be careful, you know I don't like you driving that death trap." Ingrid sighed.
Charlie, Emma's car, was a beat up yellow bug that was practically falling apart when Emma had bought it 4 years ago. Although Emma had spent a lot of money and many hours fixing and cleaning it, Ingrid was still uneasy whenever Emma drove it, especially as her own parents had died in a car accident 8 years earlier.
"I always am mom, you know that. But I promise I'll text you as soon as I arrive and when I'm leaving if it'll put you at ease."
"Thank you. Now unless you want to be yawning on your first day I recommend bed. Night dear." Ingrid got up and kissed Emma's forehead before she retired for the night, leaving Emma alone on the couch wondering what Regina had lined up for her.
When Emma awoke the next day Ingrid had already left to open up her shop but she had left a note on top of her lunch wishing her luck on her first day. Emma smiled softly before switching on the coffee pot and heading for the shower. Emerging with a towel wrapped around her hair and a dressing gown on she headed back to the kitchen, stuck some bread in the toaster and poured herself some coffee.
Half an hour later Emma was dressed in blue jeans and a grey loose knit jumper with a red leather jacket thrown in her bag in case it got unseasonably chilly later on. With her hair in loose waves Emma grabbed her sunglasses and car keys before locking the front door and heading into the garage.
The drive to Regina's house took longer than she had been anticipating, it should have taken her 15 minutes but Emma hadn't accounted for the morning traffic, so despite leaving the house at half past 9 it was 5 to 10 by the time Emma parked. Even then she still wasn't technically late as Regina had said to get there for 10am but as Emma remembered Regina had started at 9, she made a mental note to get there for 9am each day instead. If she was going to do this, she may as well do it properly.
A bit unsure of what to do Emma pushed the button for Regina's flat and waited for the intercom to kick in. "Hello?" Regina's voice echoed out of the wall.
"Hi Regina it's me." Emma waited for a moment before adding her name, realising that Regina couldn't see her.
Regina chuckled softly "Yes of course, come on up." The accompanying buzz let Emma know she could pull open the door.
Regina's flat was located on the 4th floor, so by the time Emma had traipsed upstairs she was a little out of breath when she knocked on Regina's flat. "Oh did you walk up?" Regina asked a little confused as she let Emma in, who nodded. "You do know there's an elevator right? Past the stairwell and around the corner?"
Emma stopped and leant against the wall. "Well it wasn't well directed." Emma sighed.
Regina laughed. "Can I get you a glass of water or something? Then I'll show you to my office and talk you through what the plan is."
"Some water would be lovely thank you."
With a glass in her hand Emma followed Regina down the hallway to what looked like Regina's office. It was just as stylish as the rest of the apartment. The large ebony desk sat in front of a black and white swivel chair, the window behind it framed by white curtains. A matching ebony coffee table stood to the side covered with wedding magazines with white leather couches covered in cushions.
"Wow. This is… snazzy." Emma said as she perused the photos that sat on the mantelpiece. "Who are all these people?"
"They're all the couples from the weddings I've organised. My best friends Mary Margaret and David, they were high school sweethearts and the first wedding I planned. Then there's Marian and her husband Robin Locksely-"
"She didn't take his name?" Emma interrupted.
"No she didn't want to give up her heritage, if that makes sense." Emma nodded and gestured for Regina to continue. "Kathryn and Frederick, Neal and Tamara, Ashley and Sean and Aurora and Phillip."
"So Belle and Ruby are your first gay couple?"
"Yes, that's not a problem is it?" Regina quickly asked, realising that she didn't know Emma's feelings towards homosexuality and gay marriages.
"No it's absolutely fine." Emma beamed, "I've been friends with them for years, they were always coming into my mom's ice cream shop. I was so happy when Ruby finally proposed."
"That's great! So you already know them somewhat, that should be helpful." Before Regina could continue the doorbell rang. "That must be them, take a seat and I'll show them through."
Regina returned a few moments later, Belle and Ruby in tow. "You got the job then I see, more fool Regina."
"Oh ha ha Rubes." Emma said pulling Ruby into a hug. "Hiya Belle, am I alright to collect my book later today?"
"Sure thing." Belle replied hugging Emma after Ruby had let her go.
"Good that you're already acquainted, means I don't have to do any awkward introductions." Regina laughed softy "Right, shall we get started then?" She looked at the couple expectantly.
Ruby and Belle nodded and Regina gestured for them to take a seat before taking her own beside Emma on the couch adjacent to them.
"Shall we start with guests? That way we can find the right sized venue and book catering for the right number of people and as you want a summer wedding we need to get booking as soon as possible really." Regina said pulling a notepad and pen seemingly out from nowhere.
"My parents definitely, I told them when Ruby first proposed and they were over the moon for us. I don't have an extensive family and we can probably collate our friend list into one." Belle said looking at Ruby.
"My parents are dead so there's just Granny on the family side but I think between us we can get maybe thirty, forty guests?" Ruby looked quizzically back at Belle who nodded.
Regina scribbled on her notepad "Okay lets go with 40 for now. What about venue? Did you have any thoughts on that front?"
"There is this absolutely gorgeous park that we run through with a well by the lake." Belle sighed.
"That should be fairly simple, I can call the park rangers and see if they can let us have a wedding ceremony, which brings me to my next question. Do you have a date in mind?" Regina asked as she continued to scribble on her notepad.
"Well we were thinking June eleventh." Ruby smiled.
"Sure, okay I can give them a ring now or later if you want to keep brainstorming?"
Ruby and Belle looked at each other, seemingly having a silent conversation that only came after years of knowing one another.
"Do you mind calling them now? Then it will be easier to plan the rest of the day." Belle nibbled her bottom lip nervously.
"Of course. Won't be a moment." Regina smiled and stood up, dialling the number as she walked into the hallway.
After a moment of silence, interrupted only by mutterings from Regina in the hall, Emma spoke. "You guys must be so excited. You've been together for absolutely ages." She joked, met with eye rolling from Belle and a playful punch from Ruby.
"Good news." Regina said walking back into the room with a smile. "They can cordon off the section by the lake for you on the eleventh. You'll obviously have onlookers but if that prospect bothers you we can always put up a marquee or something." She added sitting back down and looking at the beaming faces of Belle and Ruby.
"Now the reception, do you want it at the lake? Or a separate venue?"
Again Belle and Ruby exchanged looks but before they could say anything Emma spoke. "I think you should have it at the lake, if you have an afternoon wedding and then a reception at dusk it will be beautiful. The lighting alone would be great, and it shouldn't be too cold either."
Regina looked, almost in awe, at Emma as Ruby nodded enthusiastically, causing Belle to be the voice of reason. "Well in that case it would be a good idea to get a marquee, just in case it decides to rain. And a floor should probably be put down," she added, "we don't want heels sticking in the grass during the dancing. Which reminds me," Belle turned to Ruby, "you are not allowed to wear heels higher than 3 inches I don't want to look like a dwarf next to you. I mean, any more than I normally do."
"Anything for you babe." Ruby smiled, kissing Belle's cheek.
"In that case that brings us to dresses next. How many bridesmaids are you both having? If any at all? And do you want them in identical dresses, or different? Do you two want to keep your own dresses a surprise?" Regina continued, looking up from her notepad.
"I'd like to keep dresses a surprise, but then there's always the possibility that we could end up wearing the same dress" Ruby trailed off looking at her fiancé and biting her lip.
"If you want to keep the dresses a surprise Emma or myself could accompany both of you and make sure you don't get the same dress." Regina's idea was again met with beaming smiles from Belle and Ruby causing Regina to scribble again on her notepad.
By the time Ruby and Belle left a little over an hour later, a good chunk of the wedding had been covered and Regina had a plethora of notes on what she needed to do next. Belle and Ruby had yet to ask their friends to be bridesmaids but they were looking at 3 each, in co-ordinated dresses but not identical. A band not a DJ, soft scented flowers, nothing too overpowering. And Regina had been given free reign over invitation designs.
"Now that I know what the couple want, it's my job to put together a selection of options for them. So bridal shops, florists, bands etcetera. They aren't too fussed about the invitation but as they want the ceremony in two months, I'll need to get those printed and sent out by tomorrow evening." Regina turned to face Emma as she closed the door behind Belle and Ruby. "Do you have a preference to what you would like to help me with?"
Emma thought for a moment, feeling a little daunted. She hadn't really realised just how much a wedding planner had to do. "I can look at bridal boutiques?" Emma said, unsure of herself.
"Sure. Feel free to use my iPad to look online, Pinterest is always very handy for images of dresses but we need boutiques within a... let's say a fifty mile radius." Regina said walking back to her office and handing the tablet to Emma. "Do you want a coffee or something?"
Emma sat at the breakfast bar, a coffee mug to her right, a notepad on her left and Regina's iPad in front wondering what on earth she had signed up for.
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