A/N: Thank you for the reviews, faves and fallows… It makes me happy to know you are enjoying the story so far; and well here is the next chapter… you guys are so lovely, so if you'll have me I'm on tumblr by the strange name of xishmish.
Chapter 3 All of The Stars. (Ed Sheeran)
It was Friday. The first official day of winter had arrived to Storybrooke and Regina dreaded the next few days, as both her children would leave and spend them with their other mother. It would be the first time they would sleep away from her; and for a minute she wondered just how difficult the past weeks must have been for the blonde. The brunette packed a bag for Jack.
"Ugh… here mommy these too" The boy said as he carried a small pile of toys towards his bed where Regina sat while making his overnight bag. He dumped them on it.
"Baby… you're only staying over for a couple of nights" It pained her to admit that it hurt. She knew it was ridiculous and unfair for her to feel this way but she could not help but to feel the sting. "You'll be back Sunday my love there's no need to take these many things with you"
"But mommy I has to play with mama too" He motioned innocently with his hands as he furrowed his brows.
"Have to play sweetheart… and yes I know you do, but I'm afraid all your friends won't fit in this bag…"
Jack slouched his shoulders in defeat and furrowed his brows.
"Why don't you choose one? Or maybe… two?" Regina proposed as she lifted his stuffed astronaut and a big superman doll; the woman smiled in attempt to make the moment as easy as possible for the toddler.
Jack smiled "Kay… I choose…" The boy tapped his chin with his tiny finger and searched the ceiling as her made a decision. He took the superman doll, a stuffed minion and lastly; the boy reached for his favorite teddy, the one he always slept with.
Regina placed the items in the bag dreading each second. Her face however remained together for her son.
Jack placed his hands on hers "No mommy…" He took the bear out of the bag and gave it to her "You play with teddy…" He finished smiling while piercing her heart with his emerald green eyes.
An arrow hit her heart. The brunette smiled choking back tears and held the soft toy to her chest. "Thank you my love… I'll take very good care of him"
In that moment, Emily popped by the door.
"Hey, Ma is here… Are you ready Jack?" She asked casually.
"Yeah!" He jumped excitedly onto Regina, the woman let out a small laugh as she caught her son.
She placed him right in front of her, his feet planted on the floor; her hands on his torso. "Ok darling, please be good for mama and Emy…" She ran one hand from his hair down to his cheek "And have fun, I'll see you in a couple of days"
"Kay mommy…" He looped his arms around her neck and held her tight "I love you" He finished with a sloppy kiss on her cheek. The boy quickly picked up his back pack "Come on Emy! Let's go!"
Regina stood up and held her daughter. "Please be careful, and call me if you need anything… his tooth brush is in the small front pocket with his toothpaste… oh and his other toiletries are inside in a separate small bag"
Emily rolled her eyes and smiled "Mom relax… I know where everything is, he'll be ok, we both will be… ma will be there remember?"
Regina rolled her eyes at herself "I know… I just" Regina folded her hands in two fists and took a deep breath; she quickly opened them.
Emily could see how difficult this was for her mother. Regina knew they were perfectly safe with their blonde, but the thought of having her family torn was now becoming a tangible reality; their new family arrangements left a bitter taste in her mouth.
"Mom…" Em took her hand "It will get better… you'll see, plus… we'll be back in like two days, one and a half technically speaking…" Regina's lip trembled lightly as she held back an honest cry. Emily held her again; then gently broke away.
"I love you mom" She took the brunette's hands and squeezed them; looking into her eyes reassuringly. Regina nodded and smiled.
"I love you too darling" She said with a broken voice.
"Alright tiny dude let's go" Em looked down at her brother and offered her hand.
"Awesome!" Jack furrowed his brows "Hey! I not tiny"
Em widened her eyes "Sure you aren't squirt let's go…" He took her hand and skipped his way to the hallway.
Regina stood by the white door and watched as her children got in the large vehicle; she rested her head on the edge of it and observed Emma place their son in the car seat.
She missed her, her insides screamed for her; yet she could not ignore the ardent betrayal she felt in the pit of her stomach. She felt cross with the one person she trusted most. Emma had simply broken her heart.
The blonde closed the door after safely buckling her son and turned to see the woman she loved. She could see and just feel Regina's current sadness. Emma's face mirrored said melancholic emotions; all she wanted to do was run to her and kiss her pain away. For her children's sake, she decided to just get in the vehicle and leave without them noticing this; at least not Jack.
A few hours had passed. They were in Emma's apartment; the night had fallen and a few splashes of water could be heard coming from the nearby bathroom. The door was open; while Jack played in the bathtub; Emily sat on the counter munching on french fries and a salad. Emma prepared a small plate for Jack. She felt content. Her days had been filled with a kind of loneliness she had long forgotten the feeling of. She would make the best of her days with them.
Emily typed on her cell as the blonde froze; she smiled and felt her heart flutter at the most wonderful sounds that came from the bathroom.
Emma gasped and smiled, Emily looked up from her phone to her mother, and the blonde met her gaze in wonder.
"Is he singing?" Emma asked with the widest smile on her face.
The joyful and tender sounds of his melodic babbling echoed from the bathroom.
Emily caught on and smiled knowingly "Oh… yeah, that's his new thing, singing in the bathtub" The girl bit on a crispy fry " That and the whole 'awesome' thing… and by the way cars have been replaced by yellow creatures called minions" Em finished amused.
"God, I can't believe all the things I'm missing…" Her smile quickly faded at this realization. The woman remembered that she had a growing baby; these precious moments she was missing and could not get back.
"Ma… I think we should try to find out who this… mystery woman is" Emily proposed "I mean, so many things are just weird… I can't believe mom doesn't see this… but you know what…? In the mean time why don't you try to like… I don't know swoon her"
"Swoon her?" Emma let out a small laugh.
"It wouldn't hurt… I mean just try to remind her why she loves you"
Emma gazed into her daughter's eyes and smiled.
"What do you have to lose?" Em said honestly.
Emma's eyes glowed with hope; maybe her daughter was right… maybe just maybe… there could be a way to solve this mess.
"Here's a thought…you just worry about getting your girl back… and leave the rest to me, I have an idea…" The girl mischievously proposed wearing one of her mother's signature expressions.
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The night had turned colder. Regina ate dinner alone; drank some wine trying to release the tension… or maybe she was just trying to fill the hole she felt inside her chest; as she sat on the couch for hours, she contemplated her great ability to run from emotions that simply didn't feel good… she was an expert at escaping inner pain, or at the very least she was simply a master at anesthetizing it… because in truth, there was simply no escaping this.
After a few glasses of red, Regina had successfully numbed herself to sleep.
Emma stood outside the mansion, the blonde paced back and forth breathing in and out. The cold air bracing her flushed skin harshly; the woman used her key and stealthily entered the pristine place. She took a few steps into the foyer, embracing the familiar scent of her home. Emma shrugged her jacket off her shoulders and quietly placed it by the stairs. She allowed the instant to lead her; her instincts became her compass… she traversed the dining room slowly. Her feet came to a halt; she gasped and her pulse raced. The blonde could feel the ebb and flow of her blood within her. She became a bit hazy and swallowed. Emerald eyes fixed on her wife. Regina laid on the couch lost in oblivion. She looked like a divine concoction of her mind, so raw and detached. The edge of her torso flirted with the end line of her black silk pajamas. Her tanned legs inviting her in, drawing her closer.
The closer the blonde got, the more she could feel Regina's heat radiate and consume her. Emma's breathing increased its steady pattern; she slowly kneeled down. Her hands defying the torture… her eyes now lost in the view of her stunning mouth. How could something so wrong feel so provocatively good?
The woman gave in, her thumb caressed her enticing lips and observed with fixation waiting for a response while her other hand's finger tips slowly traveled up her inner thigh. A bit higher… darker… warmer… it was only a matter of time before Regina's slumber would begin to flirt with reality. Emma waited patiently; green eyes never leaving her lips. As soon as she found lace, Emma traced delicious lines with her finger on the fabric.
Regina's make up-less lips opened slightly… the erotic action hit Emma hard, she gasped as her heart slammed inside the walls of her chest. The blonde's lips leaned down closer and closer, the sound of her breathing igniting Regina's senses. The half unconscious woman spread her legs lightly and very subtly bucked her hips forward, her covered sex hitting the tip of Emma's digits.
Emma began to shake "Fuck…" She whispered endlessly turned on.
She swallowed hard as her eyes darkened.
There was no going back. If she had the balls to get this far, she was going to just jump the waters.
Whatever happened… She could take it, this woman was worth anything.
And everything.
She pushed the damp lace fabric to the side gently; her skilled fingers glided through Regina's wetness. Emma could smell the woman's arousal as her own was simply gripping to her very crux.
Regina moaned as her hips half unconsciously searched for other side of this addicting sensation.
Emma's lips agape… felt another imminent strike.
The blonde whimpered, her breathing became uneven. She suddenly saw less than half of those stunning dark eyes hooded under her lids.
"Emma…" Regina breathed out.
And just like that, the former queen jolted upwards into 3D. Her chest heaving erratically as her brown eyes searched the room, she ran her hand through dark locks.
She was completely alone.
Rapid breathing quickly became ache drawn in her face, it had been a dream and the loss of Emma was still latent. As her senses slowly arrived to their awakened state, they reminded her of the crude reality… that pain in her chest.
She wanted to cry…
The woman brought her hand to her chest and a thought invaded her head.
It seemed crazy, but she felt desperate.
She skillfully rammed her hand into her chest; letting out a moan as she grimaced valiantly sucking in the pain.
And pulled… out.
Regina let out the tears, as she watched the enchanted crimson red heart glow in her hands.
She closed her eyes in slight relief and inhaled deeply. Raw sadness was the story her face told.
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Sunday morning was in full force. Emma had truly enjoyed her weekend with her two children. They spent their last hours together sitting by each other in a relatively mild crowd of parents and students. The air was cold, yet the sun was shining beautifully.
"Thank you for coming with me…" Emily said as she searched the running track. Frankie would be competing today.
Emma smiled as she too searched through the scattered teenagers stretching. "Are you kidding I wouldn't miss it for the world, that kid had quite the running gene pool to draw from"
"Fanky!" Jack suddenly jumped from his seat and pointed. Both Emma and Emily spotted the girl. Em smiled as Frankie's eyes locked with hers from the short distance.
"Hi Fanky!" Jack yelled from the top of his lungs, Emma laughed yet Emily was too smitten to notice. Frankie waved and smiled at the toddler. Emma looped her arms around his torso as he stood between her legs and attentively watched as the race began.
After the queue all participants sprinted.
"Go Fanky go!" Jack screamed this time highly excited.
The girl ran stunningly, each muscle in her body engaged with the wind in resistance.
"Jesus! She's good!" Emma voiced enthralled in the race.
"She's amazing…" Emily said unconsciously.
Emma looked at her daughter and then back to the track. "Amazing huh?"
Emily looked at her mother and blushed. She too looked back to the track and changed the subject.
"So… have you thought of your first wooing gesture for mom?
Emma smiled catching on her daughter's avoidance.
"I don't know how successful our little plan is going to be, but… I do have something in mind"
The crowd began to cheer. Baby Jack jumped. "Awesome! Fanky won mama! You see?" Jack turned to in Emma's arms to face her.
Emily clapped with a smile from ear to ear. Emma clapped and observed her daughter. "Yes baby she totally did"
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Later that afternoon, both girls hang out in Emily's room back at the mansion.
Frankie looked through some potion bottles that rested on Emily's book shelf. The girl's piercing blue eyes examined one in the air.
"I can't believe I never saw these before… are they like real magic potions?" She asked curiously and amazed.
Emily sat casually on her bed a few books opened around her as she wrote on a notebook. She looked up.
"Yeah… they are real... and actually my mom gave them to me a few days ago, nothing major though… like for example the one you're holding could totally turn you into a frog… you know simple magic" She said jokingly.
Frankie's eyes widened as she grimaced and quickly placed it back on the wooden surface, she then wiped both hands on her jeans. Emily let out a small laugh and went back to her homework. Music played softly on the background.
"So Em… uhh.." The girl scratched her head then Emily looked up "Are you going to that stupid winter ball thing?"
"You mean the dance?"
"Yeah… that"
"I hadn't thought about it…" Em answered honestly then curiously furrowed her brows smiling "Why? Are you going?"
Frankie sat on the bed and placed both hands between her knees and shrugged. "You know I can't dance for shit Em…" She finished with a small laugh.
"True…" Em put her pen down and stood up, she held out her hands. Frankie looked at her and rolled her eyes shyly. Em grinned and raised an eye brow while she motioned with her hand.
Frankie laughed nervously and looked down. The girl stood and was a bit taller than Emily.
"Ok… hold my hand" Emily instructed.
Frankie quickly ran her palms down her tight jeans and complied. Emily then walked closer and took the girl's other hand and placed it on her own waist. The taller girl looked down at her chucks and then back right into Emily's brown eyes.
"Alright… now I'll move my feet… just fallow my rhythm"
Frankie nodded and quickly looked down again.
"Don't look at my feet" Emily said and laughed.
Frankie smiled and nodded again "Alright" they began to move. A few seconds later she stepped on Em's foot.
"Oops…" They both laughed…
"It's ok… just look at me"
"You might be toeless by the end of this Em…"
They continued to dance, after a few minutes Frankie began to catch on. She released Emily's and and placed her other hand on her waist too. Emily could feel her pulse pound inside her hears. The taller girl on the other hand could not take her eyes off Emily's enchanting dark orbs.
Emily unconsciously ran her hand up the other girl's arm and placed them around her neck.
Their smiles faded leaving an engrossed look on their faces. Frankie could feel Em's warmth, they could smell each other… things quickly taking a completely different turn. Emily's thumb slightly caressed the back of her neck and smiled looking up.
"See… it's not so hard…" She said softly and continued to smile; eyes locked with each other.
Frankie was a nervous wreck inside. A single second extended, and she allowed herself to feel in the most vivid, tactile way… her finger tips roamed slightly, moving the hem of Em's shirt. The other girl's olive skin suddenly burning her digits with no warning.
They were startled by Frankie's cell.
They broke apart.
The girl reached for her phone nervously and touched the screen. "Shit… it's my mom, I've gotta go" She said already regretting the action.
Em smiled and nodded.
Frankie fidgeted and hesitated, but walked gently towards Em and slowly placed a kiss on her cheek.
"I'll see you tomorrow…"
Em nodded still no words coming out.
"Call me later?" Frankie said as she walked towards the door.
"Sure…" Em managed.
After the girl had left, Em sat on the bed touching her cheek.
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Later that night, Emma gathered the courage to knock at her wife's door. The night was cold and the wind blew on the blonde's hair.
Regina opened.
The brunette looked into her hopeful green eyes and then noticed the rare purple rose in her hands.
Emma looked into her expressive brown eyes, but something was amiss.
"What are you doing?" Regina asked with ice in her voice.
Emma slightly flinched. It hurt.
"Regina I…" Emma tried.
"I'm not having this conversation with you Emma" The woman let out coldly.
"Regina please don't do this…" Emma said genuinely hurt.
"If you thought a ridiculous rose could get you anywhere… think again, good night Sheriff."
The flower didn't truly matter, Emma knew this… the token was merely a bridge, an excuse. She knew her wife, and even though she could still see emotion in Regina's eyes… something was definitely off.
The brunette closed the door on her face. Emma blinked and collected herself. She threw the rose on the ground and simply left.
As soon as Regina turned around, she saw Emily standing by the stairs with tears running down her face.
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Twenty minutes later, Emma received a call from her wife while she sat alone at a booth. Staring blankly at a cup of hot chocolate was the way she was concluding her night, or so she thought.
"Regina…" She answered hopeful.
"Is Emily with you?" Regina asked worriedly.
Emma straightened up "No… why? What happened?" The blonde asked matching her wife's state.
"We had an argument, she left and I have no idea where to… she's not answering her phone"
A few feet away, Frankie worked on some notes behind the counter, she fixed her eyes and ears on Emma. The girl knew something was wrong by the look on the woman's face.
"What happened Regina? I mean… why did she leave?" Emma asked obviously upset at the brunette.
"I'll explain later… please help me find her, your mom is on her way to stay with Jack" Emma could hear the remorse and worry in her voice.
"I'll be there in five minutes" Emma finished the call and stormed out of the diner.
Frankie grabbed her jacket and put it on.
"Where are you going?" Red asked.
"I'll tell you later mom"
"Frankie…" Red tried.
"Please… I'll be back soon I promise, don't worry ok? I'll be fine… I gotta go find Em" The lithe girl said and kissed her mother's cheek and left.
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While Emma and Regina drove around Storybrooke looking for their daughter, Frankie made her way to the figure shielded by the moonlight. Em sat on the small playground wooden castle by the waterside.
Tears ran down her face, no words were needed. Frankie climbed up the structure and quietly sat next to the broken girl… Em simply looked at her and continued to cry as she stared straight ahead into the calm cold water. Frankie looped her arm around her. Em leaned her head on the other girl's chest.
Silence.
Frankie kissed the top of her head and looked into the dark blue as well.
Ok! There it is chapter three… please tell me what you think! I'd love to know reviews do have a charm to them… ;)