It has been brought to my attention that parts of the story are difficult to understand or place together in regards to information given in past chapters, I understand this must be due to my long absence and perhaps many don't recall the back story… I have decided to revise these last two chapters and make them a bit more understandable without you guys having to go back and read the story from the beginning.
I Gave It All (Aquilo)
The contrast was like the engulfing feeling of momentary bliss; a seductive beauty that catches the soul through the eyes… only you can understand its unexplainable and addictive taste. Outside… the softness of a chilling winter covered the silent streets of Storybrooke; aesthetically breathtaking within its coldness, gently caressing the glass of Emma's window, while in its transparent reverse, melting drops of water rolled down the fogged crystal. The outside lights beautifully distorted of their form yet equally enthralling in their ardent colors.
Emma's knuckles clung to the white expensive sheets all blush almost completely drained from her hands; the blonde's soft skin soaked in sweat while her naked body thrust against Regina's with intensity. The intimate orgasm had taken over her spent form; the brunette arched her back magnificently while the woman only mere inches above her lips watched her as if she were the last spec of beauty left in the universe. Her pink flushed cheeks, both their chests heaving as they rode the internal waves of intense emotion looking into each other's eyes.
Regina's lip quivered lightly, her insides were being shaken; her walls slowly crumbling. It's insanely beautiful just how much beauty can be expressed by the vivid clarity of tact, smell, taste… and sight; the thousands of expressions that a scar adorning her mouth conveyed… how many eternities she saw within dark eyes; so much contained in their vulnerability.
Emma felt her broken heart being put back inside her chest. She understood just how much this meant; and how difficult it must have been for Regina to lick her wounds and allow herself the chance to feel past her bruised pride, the blonde knew that had the situation been reversed she simply didn't know what she would have done with herself… but Regina had chosen to believe in her and that meant everything.
Words would come later, a lot needed to be mended and a lot needed to be said; healing was best left to take life on its own… at its own pace, in its own time. Mouths would soon after vent but now they craved to be consumed.
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After Frankie had left, Emily found her way into the warmth of the mansion. The girl half blindly entered the foyer and turned around after gently closing the door; while taking a few steps forward she was met by a solid dark figure.
"Shit!"
"Emily Mills!"
The whispered scolding sound of the familiar voice echoed into the girl's ears.
"Grandma you scared me!" Emily whispered back to the still dark figure in front of her.
The teenager pulled her cell phone from her back pocket and swiped the screen, shining the light on Snow's face.
"Such a beautiful face and mind, but you didn't miss a step on your mother's dirty mouth" Snow offered as she contorted her face bothered by the sudden flashing brightness on her face.
Emily rolled her eyes.
"Sorry grandma, but you really scared me… I didn't think you'd be here still, I take it mom's not back yet"
Snow reached to the nearest wall and turned on the lights.
"No, but I figured she'd be back by now, Where were you so late sweetheart?"
The girl blushed lightly and shrugged "I just needed some air" The girl finished and shivered.
Snow noticed her tremble "Look at you Em… you must be freezing, come on let me make you some tea"
"Tea?" Emily furrowed her brows and smiled.
"Yes, Em tea"
"You're my grandmother, the supposedly cooler part of the genetic arrangement, aren't you supposed to offer me delicious and sugary treats like hot chocolate?
"Delicious and sugary I see, as well as equally health hindering" Snow said and smiled as she walked to the large kitchen fallowed by the teenager; the older woman turned to meet her granddaughter's dramatic puppy eyes.
"Come on grandma... who wants tea in the middle of the night?"
The older woman could not resist her granddaughter's plea and gave in.
"Alright, hot chocolate it is then"
Emily smiled and cocked her head to the side in realization "I suppose it would be totally pushing it to ask for an espresso then?" The girl wagered.
Snow shook her head and laughed. She was hit by a thought and immediately furrowed her brows an turned as she placed her hand on her hip; kitchen rag on the other "Em I am old… not stupid… and! You're far too young to put that stuff in your system, besides I am not suicidal, Regina would kill me"
Emily leaned on the counter as watched Snow gather the ingredients for the hot treat.
"Actually… you'd be surprised to know she let me have one this morning, made it herself and everything"
Snow's face contorted into a genuine surprise. "You're kidding!"
"Nope… swear on my cauldron" Em said as she raised her right hand.
Snow shook her head and laughed.
Both brunettes were startled by the sound of the front door closing.
"My mom must be back, Mom we're in the kitchen!" Emily said loudly.
"Shhhhh! Do you know how long it took me to finally get that child to fall asleep?!" Snow scolded in whispers.
Emily jumped from her spot as she saw the figure walk into the kitchen; Snow instantly smiled joyfully.
"Henry!" A static Emily ran into her big brother's strong arms. The tall handsome blonde wore jeans, a black t-shirt and a black leather jacket, his golden hair right on his shoulders.
He held his sister and lightly picked her up.
"Sweetheart!" Snow said excited.
Henry lingered in his hug with his little sister, and then gently parted as he realized his grandmother probably wanted to welcome him too; he held her lovingly.
"Aren't you supposed to be in Germany? When did you get back?" Emily asked.
"My plane landed into Boston a few of hours ago; mom called me last night and told me what had happened to Jack… How is he?"
"Sleeping upstairs and thankfully back to his chipper self dear… It was a big scare but he's fine" Snow replied.
Emily looked down to collect herself and quickly back up, the girl felt guilty about what had transpired with her baby brother.
Henry knew beforehand how the events unfolded and sensed the shift in his little sister's demeanor; he looked into her eyes and gave her a comforting smile.
"Hey… come here" Henry said genuinely as he took her in his arms yet again.
"I missed you midget" He let out a small laugh and Emily did too, Henry had a way to make the air feel easier to breathe. "Where's mom… ma?" The handsome blonde looked around.
"Actually, they're in the apartment… on what I hope was a successful 'date' " Emily added.
"Ah… how's that going?"
She rolled her eyes "Like I told you the other day on the phone… they were driving me insane with their crazy fighting… and mom oh my God she got so mean!"
While the siblings caught each other up in the recent events of their lives; Snow watched them in complete bliss. Emily had a few important things to share with her brother, mainly the details of what had transpired between their mothers; parts of it was delicate and not easy to talk about this would of course be shared later, in the comfort of their fraternal bond.
After their ardent hours together, both women took each passing second as it came… no rush; perhaps still swimming in their temporary high. They knew they needed to talk yet the day had been far too long and tomorrow would be a new chance. Emma more than gladly accepted her wife's invitation to take her home. The drive was relatively short, after few turns and stops they had now reached the mansion's driveway to find it full of familiar cars, including her eldest son's.
Regina's calmed demeanor immediately shifted into pure revelry. Her son was home.
Both women entered the kitchen in a rush with big smiles plastered on their faces; the only thing out of place was Regina's usually red lips, as they only wore a ghostly shade of the once crimson color. Emily smiled as she noticed her moms were holding hands. The small affection went unnoticed to everyone else but the girl… the touch was brief but it spoke of much, it spoke of hope. She smiled to herself.
"Henry!" Regina was the first one to rush into her oldest son's arms; the exquisite smile on her lips matched the gleam on her dark orbs.
"Mama" Henry said longingly as he held her tightly.
Regina broke the embrace and looked up to his face, her hands cradling it with care. "What are you doing here my love?"
Henry smiled and leaned over Regina's shoulder to kiss his blonde mother on the cheek "I took a flight after we spoke yesterday"
"What about your art show?" Emma asked.
"Family is far more important than a gallery show"
"Henry! You waited a year for that, I know how much that meant to you sweetheart, I told you Jack is fine" Regina said.
"No way mom; I wanted to be here with you guys…" He smiled lightly.
"Well you should be very glad you decided to come to the house first" Emma added.
Regina's eyes widened and immediately turned to give the blonde a death glare.
"Emma!" Both Regina and Snow scolded in unison.
"Nope!" Emily raised both hands and stood.
Henry blushed and scratched the back of his head as he smiled at his mother's awkward comment. "Ma…"
"What?! It's true kid you would have been scarred for life"
Regina rolled her eyes.
"Oh my God ma I love you guys making up and everything but please TMI" Emily said as she walked away blushing.
Henry let out a small laugh still blushing, he missed his family… and his blonde mother's sense of humor could not be amiss.
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The equally cold morning had arrived, Emily stood by her open locker as Frankie walked towards the other girl.
Emily smiled as she saw breathtaking eyes approach her; Frankie returned the sentiment. Emily blushed and momentarily hesitated while looking around and tip toed to reach the taller girl's cheek and placed a gentle kiss on it.
Frankie blushed and smiled not taking her blinding pale grayish green eyes from the other brunette.
"Awkwardly adorable… an adjective I never thought I'd use to describe you princess" Frankie joked.
Emily rolled her eyes and let out a small laugh "What? Adorable?"
"Not at all your highness… but I must admit…"
"Please do tell…" Emily said playfully
Frankie smiled and bit her bottom lip as she looked down and then back up
Emily raised her eyebrow and grinned expectantly.
"That I simply relish watching you get scared shitless over kissing my cheek in public"
Emily's eyes widened as she could not help but to laugh, the brunette punched Frankie's arm.
Frankie joined her in laughter as she caressed her own arm.
"I am not scared... shitless quoting your… oh so broad plethora of words, I'm just… private that's all" Emily finished.
"Em we've been best friends since we were blabbing and I've never seen you kiss anyone ever"
"I have too kissed… some…one" Emily bargained quickly.
Frankie continued to smile without taking her blinding eyes off of her.
Emily couldn't keep eye contact.
"Are you serious? Em you're one of the most confident people I know… you've never kissed anyone?"
Emily gave the taller girl a sarcastic smile "I think your memory doesn't serve you well… or have you forgotten where your tongue was last night?" Emily whispered as she collected a couple of books from her locker.
Frankie's mouth was agape "Em I was your first kiss?!"
Emily glared at the taller girl "I don't think that girl on the second floor heard you… besides what's the big deal, it's not like there's rule or deadline or something" She finished as her featured softened.
"I think my ego just hit the roof" Frankie admitted still in shock.
"Of your head? And by the way… pigs don't sweat"
"I'll pretend super hard that you didn't just call me stupid… but wait… what?"
"Exactly… last night you said I make you sweat like a pig… they don't have useful sweat glands"
Frankie's mouth still agape trying to fallow Emily.
"I think a fly just got in your mouth" Emily joked.
"I think somebody's jealous"
They both began to laugh at their incessant comebacks.
"We can do this all morning or go to class"
Just as Emily finished, the air shifted. Time seemed to stretch as they noticed the tall woman walking by them… her green eyes looked as cynical as the taste of agony, the redheaded woman grinned lopsidedly her piercing and menacing orbs never leaving Emily's brown ones; the brunette stood her ground and swallowed whatever small ounce of fear she may have felt. Frankie's eyes also fallowed the woman until she had passed her shoulder and was now completely out of her sight.
"Ugh… creepy bitch" Frankie let out "Why was she looking at you like that?"
Emily's brown eyes fallowed the figure over Frankie's shoulder until she was not in her view anymore.
"I don't know… But there's something weird about her"
"Pfff yeah everything" Frankie let out.
"No, I mean I don't know how to explain it… my blood boils when she's around me, I feel this cold sensations and at the same time this crazy fire"
"Maybe you have a crush on the crazy bitch" Frankie joked.
"Ha Ha." Emily said sarcastically "No I'm serious… I need to talk to my mom about this"
"What do you mean Em?" In a more serious note the other girl asked.
"The sensation in my stomach… I only feel that when I'm conjuring magic"
Frankie furrowed her brows as genuine concern hit her.
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The morning passed by with smooth ease, handsome Henry had his baby brother sitting on the back of his neck, his small legs hung carelessly over each shoulder while his infectious laugh made its way into Regina's ears, the woman sat on an empty table at the dinner waiting for her two boys.
Regina smiled brightly as Henry walked towards her an easily swung the boy into his arms.
Jack laughed freely "Heny don't let me fall please!"
Regina laughed and stood up as Henry leaned to kiss her cheek, Jack immediately held his arms out to her. The woman embraced him into her arms and then onto the both right next t her.
"Did you guys have fun?" Regina asked.
Jack was quick to provide her with an honest answer.
"Yeah! Heny got me ice cream and… and a lot of candy and two toys mama!"
"Oh he did… did he…" Regina smiled as she arched her brow and tuned to look at her oldest son, catching the blonde desperately making hushing signals at the youngster.
Henry swiped his hand over his neck and quickly stopped once Regina's orbs caught him in the act.
"Look at your big responsible brother loading you with sugar right before lunch" Regina offered sarcastically with a knowing yet forgiving smile.
"It was technically one piece of candy…" Henry tried. "Okay fine two… three pieces, three fat pieces of candy mom, I'm sorry but he's good! How do you say no to him seriously?"
Regina scuffed and let out a small laugh as she shook her head.
"A four year old bluntly manipulated a grown man into enabling him to fall into sugar comatose"
Henry offered his mom one of his charming smiles "Come on mom… it's not like it's going to kill him"
"Oh dear that's just fine, I simply cannot wait to watch you attempt to making him eat his meal"
"Ah… he will eat" the blonde pointed at the toddler "look he's got the menu and everything"
Regina turned to see her youngest son hold the menu upside down.
"You'll eat right buddy?" Henry tried.
Regina scratched her eyebrow lightly and smiled knowingly as she watched her oldest son's unknowing eyes travel from her gaze to the toddler's.
"I not really hungry Heny…"
Regina bit her lip and silently continued to smile giving the handsome blonde her best I told you so face.
"Alright fine… I'm the worst baby sitter"
Regina laughed.
In that instant Ruby walked to the table.
"And what will the worst baby sitter in the world want?" Ruby asked jokingly as she smiled to the young man.
Henry smiled and stood to hug and kiss the woman. "How are you Ruby?" and hey I never said in the world… don't add on to the title"
Ruby laughed "I am well Henry, what brings you to Storybrooke? I thought you were in Europe"
Regina nodded and gave a toothless smile; she hated how ardent gossip could be in such a small town.
"Yes, as a matter of fact I was, I arrived last night… I couldn't stay far from these guys for too long" he said politely.
"Well please enjoy yourself… What can I get you all?"
"I'll have the Cesar salad, dressing on the side and a glass of water please" Regina said and handed the menu to the woman.
Still with his backwards menu Jack piped in. "I want pancakes please"
"Oh no mister…" Regina gently intruded and took the menu from him and handed it to the other brunette. "Vegetable soup and fresh pineapple juice for him please" She finished.
Jack furrowed his brows and crossed his arms as he plummeted onto the seat giving them the biggest of all pouts.
"Aw buddy… don't be mad" Henry felt guilty and added sweetly. "I'll have the same as Jack please"
Jack looked up and around the two adults with a now diminished pout.
The woman took the last menu and walked away from the table.
Henry smiled "So how's everything with ma?"
Regina tried not to show a surplus of emotion, but the gleam in her eye gave her away, and quite frankly her son knew better.
"We are… okay, it will take me some time to feel one hundred percent comfortable again but I…" She looked down at her perfectly manicured hands and then back up "I believe there has to be more to this ordeal than what seemed to transpire, and I intend to find out" She took a deep breath "I just don't know where to start"
"If you need anything…" Henry tried honestly.
Regina nodded and gave her son a small appreciative smile "Thank you my love, but this is something I must do on my own"
Henry nodded and accepted his mother's answer.
"I don't want to be a mood killer but I might have to go back to Boston sooner than I thought"
"But sweetheart you just got here"
Regina kept her eyes on Henry and baby Jack who dragged the saltshaker around the table like a toy car.
"I know… I'm sorry mom, a friend of mine asked me to cover for him with a very important photo shoot, I owe him"
"When will you be leaving?"
"I should be heading out tomorrow afternoon, but I'll be back soon I promise"
Regina gave her son a loving understanding smile and placed her hand on his.
"I will hold you up to that my love"
"I give you my word mama, besides… I'm sure you'll need more of Henry Poppins now that Em's time will be monopolized"
"Ahhh… Frankie" Regina gathered.
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The school day had ended for the teenagers, Emily went through her phone as Frankie opened the laptop on the girl's bed; Finn curiously browsed through Emily's collection of eclectic objects and books on the shelf.
"Em you have the best taste I swear" Finn said as he eagerly engrossed himself looking at the brunette's possessions.
Frankie rolled her eyes.
Em caught the girl's expression and grinned as she continued to look through her phone for a good song to play.
"Ok dorky pants… you got the SD card?" Frankie asked they teen boy.
He reached in his pocket and gave the girl what she asked for.
Emily had waited long enough for her friend to finally show her the photos he had taken the day the high school was vandalized; this could simply be a dead end but she knew chances were the boy had caught something that could help her figure out the strange events surrounding that night. She was sure her mother had been set up, and watching her suffer in silence for weeks had given her more than enough motive to get to the bottom of everything.
"Finn, are you sure those are from the same night the school got vandalized?" Emily asked as she pressed play and music began to play on the background.
"Positive Em, ah! twister!" Finn exclaimed excitedly as he found the old game almost hidden behind some books.
"I haven't played that since I was 8" Emily added casually.
Frankie's striking eyes widened as she looked at the air book's screen.
"Finn you fucking perv!" The girl teasingly added as she let out a small laugh.
Emily immediately sat next to Frankie and curiously looked at that which had sprouted such reaction from the other girl.
"Oh no" Finn nervously added clueless of what they could be seeing… the boy knew there were no dirty photos in that card, he was confused but oh yes… very scared.
Emily's eyebrows furrowed as she saw a photo of both her mother's kissing in the middle of the night on school grounds.
"Tell me guys what is it…?" Finn was afraid to embarrass himself further by looking.
"It's my moms… kissing" Em said confused.
"Oh…" Finned pushed his black rimmed glasses' frame up, blushing and still very much trembling "That… well, Em I swear I wasn't spying on them or anything like that, I swear I swear"
Frankie rolled her eyes.
"It's ok Finn… I believe you" The girl said still puzzled by the photo.
The girl's mind was racing, how could this be… her brunette mother swore Emma off the morning after this had been taken; openly and ardently accusing her of cheating on her, while her blonde mother swore Regina was the last person she remembered being with… This proved Emma was right, yet it made absolutely no sense.
Emma had arrived to the seemingly empty mansion, no sign of her children or wife, the woman decided to go up the stairs.
Meanwhile in Emily's room Frankie coolly tried to bargain her way out of an undesired situation.
"No! I refuse to get sucked into this 5th grade twister dimension… no way no" Frankie tried.
On the dotted blanket already on the floor crisply displayed was Emily with one foot on green and two hands on yellow; Finn was behind her on an awkward position of his own.
"Come on Frankie! My arms are getting numb" Emily tried laughing.
"Well nobody told you to get on four Em no!"
Emily laughed "I am not on four… yet! See?" The girl shook the let she had on the air.
On the other side of the door Emma heard voices coming out of her daughter's bedroom and decided to walk to it.
"He's already on my back Frankie" Emily's voice echoed through the door and Emma froze.
"Move your leg Finn! I can't open wide enough if you're on the freaking way" Frankie's voice rang and Emma's eyebrow arched.
"What the fu…" The blonde mouthed confused as she leaned closer on the door.
"Now you're spying on our daughter?" The deep voice startled Emma.
The blonde woman sighed in relief and continued to listen "Shhh! I'm trying to listen"
"Ow! Frankie don't pull so hard!" Finn complained.
Regina furrowed her brows and joined Emma as she too placed her ear on the door.
"Ok Em… Just put your leg over my shoulder" Frankie instructed.
"Ahh… Ow!" Emily let out.
"Not like that Em… open wider, it's my turn I'm going in" Finn added.
Regina's eyes almost jumped out of her face, with a mortified expression the brunette reached over and pushed Emma aside, she quickly opened the door.
Both their faces a treat as they saw the three teenagers contorted over the twister blanket; they all turned their clueless faces.
"Hey guys" Emily said and smiled coolly.
Emma took a huge breath of relief and Regina's stunned face softened, the woman tried not to show what she was feeling at the expectancy of what lied behind the door before she dared to open it.
Emily stood up from her position with a flushed face. "I was waiting for you… moms… There's something I need to show you"
"Emma and Regina looked at each other still trying to get their blood pressure back to normal"
To be continued…
A/N: Aha! What did you guys think?! Please let me know if you enjoyed this chapter… I am so happy to be back Drop me a review!