[Chapter 7]
Regina sighed. It was a long day at the office. She worked long hours, but the Mayor liked her. He told her she was efficient and hard-working and gave her a raise for it. But all she wanted now was some of the leftover chicken tortilla soup and to check on Emma. As she neared her apartment, she heard Emma laugh. She must have let herself in and was watching TV. But as Regina opened the door, she saw the real reason.
"...And there was a chunk of hair hidden behind the sofa. Her mother was furious!"
"Papi?" Regina dropped her purse and ran the short distance to her father's seat.
"Mi corazon." Regina embraced her father.
"Are you okay? What happened?" Regina asked.
"I'm fine. I just need this cast for a while." he assured her, patting his leg.
"I'm so glad you're here. I missed you."
"Your dad was just telling me of the time when you cut your own hair." Emma grinned. Regina tried to frown, she really did, but she was much too happy.
"Mija, your friend here is so charming. I can see why you like her." Henry smiled.
"Uh..." Regina looked to Emma.
"He knows." Emma said. Regina visibly relaxed. This was perfect. Her father and her girlfriend were getting along, there was a baby on the way, her life was better than she could have ever hoped for.
"Now, tell me, what have you been up to all this time?" Henry said. Regina told him everything, from meeting Emma, to getting a job in Town Hall, to Emma's baby shower. She talked as she cooked, suddenly energized enough to make them all a hot dinner that wasn't re-heated leftovers. Over dinner, Henry praised her cooking skills and told her how proud he was of her for mastering a new skill. Emma watched them interact. She couldn't take her eyes off Regina. She looked so happy. Happier than she'd ever seen her. Henry asked Emma questions, too: about her life, about her dreams. Emma revealed she wanted to work with Graham once things have settled down after the baby was born. She even hinted that maybe someday she would want to go through the training to become a police officer in the city.
Dessert of leftover cookies from the baby shower with milk was shared before Regina helped her father to the couch - Regina would need to get a bed in there soon for him. Or work on finding a house for them all. Regina readied herself for bed and laid down in her own bed. There was so much to do in the future.
"Ohhhh..." Emma moaned. "Right there." Regina rubbed her hands into Emma's back. Emma was sitting in front of Regina as she massaged her sore muscles. Regina had read up on ways to relieve some of Emma's pain as the day of the baby's birth got closer. It soon became a nightly ritual. They ate dinner together, then they had dessert and sometimes watched a movie, or whatever was on TV, then Henry went to bed, and Regina gave Emma a massage before going back to her own apartment. Unless Emma decided she needed more attention, then she'd sleep in Regina's bed. Like tonight.
"Shhhh." Regina hushed. "Or my father might think we're doing something other than relieving your back pain." Regina smirked.
"I've heard him snore. He won't hear anything." Emma commented.
"You'd be surprised." Regina said. "I couldn't do anything at night without one of my parents catching me. Though I preferred when my father caught me. He'd sit with me and we'd share some pan and leche before he sent me off to bed."
"Once I was in a home with ten other kids." Emma whispered. "The place hardly ever had any food, so the older kids and I snuck out to find some food. We split up to hit two differnt stores and hid the food in our jackets, but we were caught. The police took us home, but when they saw there was no food, they sent us all back to the group home. But before we left, they shared a box of donuts with us."
"How old were you?" Regina asked with concern in her voice.
"Ten."
"Were all your homes like that?" Regina asked. "Are there not laws to prevent inadequate people from taking in a child, much less ten, if they can't afford it?"
"They get paid to take us in, but most of the time, they use the money to buy booze and drugs, instead of food for us." Emma shrugged in her non-chalant way, as if it were no big deal. "Besides, not all of them were like that. There were some good homes, but they didn't last very long." Regina kissed Emma's shoulder.
"I'm sorry."
"Don't be. It's in the past." Emma said. "Besides, if it was all rainbows and unicorns, I'd never have been here. I'd probably be in college." Emma said college as if it were a bad thing, but with obvious jest.
"Yes, God forbid you became a lawyer." Regina smirked. Emma laid down and wiggled about, trying to get comfy. Regina laid beside her, tucking a stray blonde hair behind her love's ear and wrapping her arms around her. They laid there together in silence. Emma played with the strap of Regina's nightgown, pulling it down her shoulder and peppering the soft skin with kisses. This was their relationship so far, late-night cuddles, soft kisses, and curious touches. Regina hadn't turned off the light, yet, so she could see Emma's chest and cheeks were flushed and there was a subtle wiggling of her hips. Emma's eyes were glued to the neckline of Regina's nightgown and Regina knew what Emma was feeling. She'd known feeling aroused was a possibility with the pregnancy hormones rushing through Emma's body, but they hadn't gotten to that stage in their relationship.
Regina had no idea how it could happen between two women. The only exprience she had was with her late husband and that hadn't been a very pleasant experience. But she wanted to help Emma.
"Emma." Regina whispered. "Do you..." Regina bit her lip. She had no idea how to ask how to do this. "Do you want me to touch you?" Emma's lust-blown eyes met Regina's and in that gaze, Regina felt a warmth pooling between her legs.
"I thought you didn't want your dad to hear?" Emma smirked. Regina frowned. That's right. Her father was downstairs. It would be wrong to do this with him just twenty feet away. Emma sensed Regina's thoughts and whispered, "We can go to my room." Regina's heart was pounding now. Was she really going to do this?
The answer was yes. The two women slipped out of the apartment and into Emma's. As soon as the door closed, Emma latched her lips to Regina's. All insecurities of her lack of skill melted away as Regina got lost in Emma - her lips, her skin, her hair... Before long, they were kneeling on Emma's bed. There, Regina hesitated. Emma, intuitive as always, sensed her fears and took charge. Emma pulled off her sports bra and sat there in only her leggings. Regina couldn't tear her eyes away. Emma was so beautiful. Emma guided Regina's hands to her breasts and Regina began to gently massage them, making Emma moan. Regina kissed along Emma's jaw, down to her neck, and over the tops of her breasts. Emma's hands clenched the silk of Regina's nightgown and slipped it over Regina's head. Emma paid special attention to Regina's breasts, which made her eyes flutter closed.
"This was supposed to be about you." Regina breathed.
"Doesn't mean I can't make you feel good, too." Emma said around Regina's nipple. Emma moved back up to Regina's mouth. Whatever else they were still wearing was quickly pulled off and Regina mirrored what Emma did to her. She had no idea this could feel so good. Emma's lips and hands made Regina's skin feel like it was on fire. Regina followed Emma's lead as their fingers moved from hair, to skin, to between silky folds. They began to pant and moan and brought each other to climax. The two of them collapsed onto the mattress beside each other. When Regina finally caught her breath, she let out a small giggle, then another, until both of them were laughing.
"That was so amazing." Regina commented. "That actually felt good."
"He really hurt you, didn't he?" Emma asked.
"Apparently, he had no idea what he was doing. Not like you." Regina smiled. Emma grinned back at her. The two snuggled up together, naked as the day they were born, and fell fast asleep.
The morning sun streamed in the window. It warmed Regina's bare skin as she slowly remembered where she was. Emma's apartment after the most amazing night she'd ever had. But now she should get dressed so she could make breakfast for her father and her... lover? They hadn't discussed titles on their relationship, but lover sounded nice. Regina looked over to Emma's side of the bed and saw she was gone. Perhaps she woke up earlier? Regina collected her disgarded clothing from the night before and folded them. She decided to borrow something of Emma's to wear for a while: a cotton t-shirt and jeans. She went over to her own apartment, only to find it empty and in complete disarray. Her heart sped up and it felt like it would thump out of her chest. She double-checked every inch of the apartment for a sign of Emma or her father, or even a note saying they went out, but there was nothing. Nothing, except for a letter on the floor. It was written in Spanish:
What pleasant company you keep, Senora. If you do not want to find them dead in the forest, you will meet me at this town's preposterously-named Troll Bridge at midnight. Come alone.
Regina was shaking. Someone had taken the only two people she had in the world and was holding them hostage. The note said not to bring anyone, but it never said anything about telling someone.
Regina ran barefoot across Storybrooke, gaining quite a few stares along the way, to Mr. Gold's shop. She burst in with a frightened look on her face.
"They found me." Regina handed over the note. "They have my father and Emma. What do we do?" Mr. Gold took the letter and examined it.
"You don't do anything. Let me take care of this, Your Majesty. I'll call in the right people to take care of this."
"You expect me to do nothing?! They have the people I love! I can't just sit around and wait for things to get better!" Regina shouted.
"You cannot go running out to the ones trying to kill you, dearie. Your country needs you. Let us do this. They'll bring your loved ones back safely."
Emma had woken up earlier than she usually did. Memories of the night before flooded back into her mind, making her grin. She watched her girlfriend sleep for a while, watching her chest move as she breathed. Regina looked so beautiful, especially when she was asleep. She looked so young and peaceful. She didn't want to leave the bed, but a faint crash from next door got her dressing fast. What if that was Henry? What if he was hurt? Emma walked into the apartment, only to get knocked out the second she walked through the door.
When Emma came to, she was sitting with her arms tied behind her back with a sack over her head. Her head hurt, along with her back and her stomach. The pain didn't feel too different from the contractions she usually felt lately, so she figured nobody hurt her baby.
"Emma?" A voice whispered behind her.
"Henry?" Emma whispered back. "What's going on?"
"It seems they found us. We can't let them find my daughter." Henry whispered.
Emma listened to the sounds around her. It sounded like there were at least four other people in the room. Two of them were talking in Spanish, but from the few words she could understand - thanks to Regina - it was a casual conversation. Nothing that could help them.
She wasn't sure what time it was, but it was definitely way past breakfast. Her stomach was growling and it felt like baby Henry was throwing a fit inside her for missing a meal. Henry must have heard because he spoke up.
"Can the girl get some food? I understand your anger towards me, but she is innocent and, as you can see, pregnant." He was yelled at to shut up, but Emma was taken to a small room, where she was handcuffed to a chair in the corner and given a cold burger from some fast food place. While she ate, Emma tried to think of a game plan. How was she going to get out of this?
By noon, Regina was a nervous wreck. She'd been pacing all morning and now, she was sure she wore a ditch through the floor. She was worried sick for her family. When she'd lost her husband and step-child to the rebels, she felt some sadness, but she hadn't loved them. She felt more like their property than their family. But now they have her father and her girlfriend, and Regina desperately wanted nothing more than to run after them and make sure they're safe. The agents Mr. Gold called were searching the apartment and looking for other clues. In an attempt to calm down, Regina locked herself in her room. Suddenly, she remembered something. She searched her bag and found her father's letter. She had forgotten it in the wake of being hurried to another country and meeting Emma and the soon-to-come baby. She opened the letter and read.
My dearest Regina,
I know I haven't always been there for you to protect you from your mother's agenda and your husband's ignorance. And with all this turmoil and grief here, I hope you can find a new life in this new land. I know you love your country, but maybe it's time to hand over the reins, not to your precious Rocinante - I'll find a way to send him to you once you get settled - but to let this country choose who they want to rule. I hope you can stay there and find love once again. Let your heart heal and start a family - and hopefully give me grandchildren.
I love you more than anything and I hope to join you soon.
All my love, Your father
Regina choked out a sob. She missed them so much. She couldn't just let the rebels take them. Around eleven that night, a few hours after she claimed she was retiring, Regina climbed out the window and took off in the direction of the Toll Bridge.
Regina walked as slowly and as silently as possible on the trail that led to the bridge. She had no idea what would happen, but her only goal was to save her family. She left the ransom note on her bed, in hopes that someone would find it and come with help, but how long that would take, she had no idea. She was tense as she walked the trail. Every sound made by distant animals and the wind made her jump, but she regained her calm fascade as she neared the meeting place. The rebel leader, Santiago, was flanked by two men, each with a very large gun and holding someone with a sack over their head and their hands tied behind their back. One was obviously pregnant and in pain.
"Señora, how nice of you to come. I hope you didn't bring any of those American soldiers with you." Santiago greeted.
"No. I came alone, but it's only a matter of time before they realize where I am. You have me now, so let them go. They are innocent civilians, and have nothing to do with this." Regina said.
"They are my leverage to get what I want." Saniago answered.
"What is it that you want?" Regina asked.
"I want all those selfish, ignorant royals gone. Under your husband's rule, I had to sit by and watch everyone I loved die. Your people are starving, yet you lounge in that castle, with full bellies and no care for anyone below you." Santiago growled.
"I was never told of this. I was only told the people were suffering because of your destruction." Regina said. "Besides, I never got a say in what was happening. I was only allowed to look pretty and babysit the princess. Had I known, I would have done anything I could to fix the problem."
"But you didn't. And now, I will fix the problem." Santiago looked to his men, who pointed their guns at Regina. Regina's heartbeat quickened and she took a step back.
"Don't you dare!" A voie cried out in the night. Regina looked back to see Mr. Gold coming towards them, gun in hand. Santiago saw this and laughed.
"What fine company you keep, Señora. A pregnant woman, an old man, and a cripple." He and his men laughed cruelly at them, which made Mr. Gold sneer at them.
"You will let those two go, Santiago!" Mr. Gold demanded, in a much more fierce voice than Regina could make. She couldn't keep her eyes off Emma, who was now trying to keep from crying out in pain.
"Or what? You'll swing your cane at me?" Santiago chuckled. His merriment at Gold's expense was cut short when his two goons dropped dead. American Army men rose upfrom the tall grass and behind trees. They were surrounded. Emma sensed the change and called out to Regina. Regina ran over to her love. Santiago, desperate and knowing he was going to be caught grabbed one of his deceased goons' guns and shot at Regina. The army men swarmed them - some tackling Santiago to the ground, others to free the captives, and some to aid Regina.
The hood was removed from Emma's head and she screamed the second she saw Regina laying bloodied on the ground.
"Regina!" Emma dropped to her knees beside her love. "Regina! Regina, please wake up! I can't do this without you!"
"Emma." Regina mumbled. Her hand weakly reached in Emma's direction. Emma grabbed her hand and they held onto each other until an ambulance came down the road to take them to the hospital.