AN: So the last few chapters have been pretty sure, but I'm planning on them getting a bit longer from now on
Hope you all enjoy, reviews are always encouraged :D
Chapter 9
Emma found it even more difficult to pay attention at the meeting this time. She was thinking back to the hour she had just spent with Regina alone, it was nice, less formal and Emma had found herself more relaxed when talking to her. They hadn't talked about anything of particular importance, but that didn't matter. She'd just enjoyed Regina's company and hoped Regina had enjoyed her company.
Emma found herself thinking about what future dates could be like with Regina, taking her for a meal, to a movie. Just being together. Her thoughts were disrupted when she heard Robin's voice. He had been missing for the past couple of meetings, something which Emma was not sad about, she didn't have anything particularly against the man, minus that he constantly leered over Regina, staring at her like a lost puppy.
"Hi everyone, so I haven't been here for a few weeks" Robin began, Emma looked at him trying not to show her contempt.
"How are you Robin is everything alright?" Regina had her usual pleasant smile on her face. How could she be so nice to him all the time?
"I'm not too bad Regina thank you, myself and Marian have discussed… things, and it looks as though we are headed for a divorce" Shit.
"I'm sorry to hear that, how are you feeling about it all?"
"Well I feel as though I have broken a vow, I made a vow till death do us part, and if I can't keep my vow what kind of life am I living?"
"You could work it out Robin, but at the end of the day you and Marian have to think about what is best"
"But what about my son? How is it going to look to him?"
"But is it the best thing for him to live in a house where his parents are only staying together for him?" Killian commented "kids pick up on everything, if you and your wife aren't in love any more or are finding it difficult to make it work then he'll pick up on it mate"
"Killian is right Robin" Regina said "and then you have to think is that right for him either?"
Robin nodded, "I guess you're right, the best example I can set for my son is to live truthfully"
"You and Marian need to talk about everything, and out weigh it all, don't rush into anything or you could regret the decision you make."
Robin looked down at the floor, his elbows on his knees, hands together with his chin resting on his knuckles.
/-/
Sensing that she should turn the attention away from Robin, Regina asked if there was anybody else who needed to talk about anything.
Elsa then told the group how Anna and her fiancé were planning their wedding and the plans were in full swing.
"I've got a new job" came Leroy's voice just before Regina was going to call time to the meeting
"That's great Leroy where is it?"
"It's as a janitor at a hospital, it's not great pay, but I don't need to interact with stupid people all day or worry about my 'customer skills' so it may suit me well"
"That's great, I hope it works out for you". Everyone applauded but it just seemed to make Leroy more grumpy.
"Right then" Regina said as she took out a notepad from her bag "at the end of the meeting I'll be making a list of all those who are attending the ball again, so if you never told me that you're attending last week and would like to then please see me at the end" Regina opened the notepad. "so far I have conformations from "Killian, Lacey, Anna - who is brining Hans" Elsa scoffed at this "Whale and Mal if I've missed anyone off please let me know and I'll see you all soon".
At that everyone slowly started to disperse.
Robin walked over to Regina as soon as the meeting ended
"Thank you Regina"
"For what?"
"For your kind words, you have no idea how much they mean to me"
"Oh you're very welcome Robin, it's what we're all here for. Will you be attending the ball?" Robin beamed at Regina
"Yes - of course I will be!"
"That's great, I'll add you on" Regina wrote down Robin's name and walked towards Maleficent hoping to avoid an awkward situation with Robin.
Jefferson also confirmed his attendance as did Elsa who claimed it was just to keep an eye on her sister.
Regina finished packing away the chairs and started on the refreshments
"So how did your date go?" Maleficent said from behind her
"Shh!" Regina ushured
"Why? There's no one here" Regina looked around, disappointed to discover that Maleficent was right, for the first time in weeks Emma had left straight away
"Disappointed are we?"
"No" Regina lied, turning her attention back to the table "you could help you know?"
"Don't get all snappy with me, just because your date didn't go that well"
"It wasn't a date" Regina snapped. But for one brief moment Regina had thought it was a date, and she had thought it had gone well. But apparently not.
Ten minutes later the room looked back to normal and Regina picked her coat up, taking out her car keys, as she did a piece of paper fell onto the floor.
Confused Regina bent to pick the paper up, she unfolded it reading the note
Regina,
thank you for this evening, same time next week?
Emma
Followed by a phone number, smiling Regina placed the note into her bag.
"What are you smiling about?" Maleficent asked as they walked towards the car
"Nothing dear, nothing at all."