Chapter 2
Longer update! I'm so happy my fiction is being read, and seemingly enjoyed! Apologies in advanced for mistakes, after typing all of this editing seems overrated.
Emma approached a long drive leading way to the mass oasis of grass. Enchanted Riding Academy, she rolled the name around in her head before deciding it was fitting. Henry had his head poking out of the window, positively, well, enchanted by the place. Once they neared the center of the property she spotted an arena decorated with jump standards and fancy poles. A young girl dashed around expertly on a pony that looked to be a match made in Heaven. Emma and Henry parked adjacent to another car and walked slowly towards the ring, as not to spook the horse. The girl head towards a jump that couldn't be more than 2 feet tall, and cleared it giving her pony a pat.
"Heels down, Grace." The girl followed in suit immediately but allowed her heels to rise up after a moment. "Heels, dear, I will not stand by as you ride like a commoner!"
Emma hadn't noticed the woman, who was hidden behind a tall standard, until she moved to grab a large whip off the ground. Emma soon found herself as enchanted by the woman as Henry had been by the horses. Dark hair bounced as she righted herself, and fell back into place on her shoulders. Her attire of high waisted breeches, a white polo, and knee high leather boots hugged her figure in all the right places. The woman gave the girl more directions, but Emma could only hear the rich sound of her voice. Emma's trance was broken by Henry who was pulling her towards the ring, towards her. Panic swelled inside of her as she realized that she was going to have to talk to this woman, time's like these she wished Henry were the adult. The came to a stop near the opening to the arena, Emma watched nervously as the trainer opened and closed the gate. She smiled as she came to a stop in front of the pair.
"Hello," She said, brightly. "I am Regina Mills." Emma's mouth went dry at the sound of her name.
"Uh.." She began, not quite able to form words yet. "I'm Emma.. Swan." She replied breathlessly, and extended her hand to Regina.
Henry looked at his mother, waiting for his introduction, but he noticed she was acting strange. "And I'm Henry." He replied, his voice making Emma wince. Had she seriously forgotten he was there?
"A pleasure." Regina answers them. "What brings you here, Miss Swan."
"Well, we just moved in next door, and Henry saw your horses. We thought we'd come check it out and see if he could take lessons, or whatever horse things." She replied with a nervous laugh.
Regina's smile met her own, making Emma blush. "Welcome, to Storybrooke, as well as my home. If lessons are an interest to you we can schedule at day to meet." She answered.
"Thank you, and yes that would be great." Emma said, gaining enough confidence to act normal.
"Then, follow me." Regina began to walk away.
Emma couldn't help but stare at the brunette's backside as she sashayed her way to an office within a large and regal stable. Emma averted her eye's to Henry who was enjoying touching the noses of all horses who peered out into the aisle. This made Emma slightly nervous, but she decided it was best to stay quiet, given her tendency to say the wrong thing.
They filed into a nicely sized room with white walls, barely visible under hundreds of awards and equine photographs. Regina motioned for them to sit in a pair of black leather chairs, which were identical to the one she lowered herself in, facing her. She pushed her sunglasses back so that they, as well as bangs, were out of her way. This is when Emma finally was allowed to appreciate the full extent of her beauty. To her dismay she let out a small gasp and shifted uncomfortably, hoping no one noticed. No such luck, the woman across from her gave her a smirk that could have meant Thanks, but I'm way out of your league or not bad yourself. Emma didn't get the chance to read too far into it when Regina spoke again.
"So, Henry, dear," She began, giving Henry a warm smile. "Have you ever ridden a horse before?" She was regarded with a vigorous shaking of brown curls. "Well, let's see what we can do about that. What kind of schedule are you working, Miss Swan?" She asked.
"Well, I won't be able to start my job until September, so we're free all summer." She replied cooly.
"Excellent. Your line of work?" She asked politely. Normally, Emma would be put off by such a question, but with Regina, she'd tell her her bra size if she'd only ask.
"I'm filling in as Sheriff." She answered, seeing a slight change in Regina's expression
"Ah, yes." She replied tightly, her sudden distance made Emma slightly uncomfortable. Emma wanted to press, but she didn't think this woman would be as willing as she. Emma could already tell her walls were sky-high. Regina cleared her throat, causing Emma to snap her head up, a little too fast. "Well, Henry, I have openings Wednesdays and Saturdays, which would you prefer?"
Henry sat and tried to conjure up a confused face. "Why not both?" He suggested casually as possible. Emma and Regina both let out a laugh at his excitement. "Please, Mom?" He asked, giving her a pleading face, as if it were still convincing.
"Okay," Emma let out, looking at Regina. "If that's okay for you."
"Yes, dear, that's perfect." She replied, writing down something in her planner. "Is 6 good?"
"As long as it's six in the afternoon." Emma answered, hoping it was.
Regina laughed again, triggering a blush in the blonde. "Yes, Miss Swan, in the evening. But I can do mornings, if you prefer." She said with a small wink. Emma was taken back by the gesture and was at a loss of words for too long, for it to go unnoticed.
"Mom? Why are you acting so weird?" Henry asked giving her a concerned look.
"What?" Emma's tone wavered. This isn't happening. "No, no. I'm good. Six, afternoon, it's all good." She blurted out the phrase and stood as abruptly as she spoke.
"Come with me, I'll show Henry the horse he will be assigned, then I'll see you to your car." Regina said finally, with a small sign of a blush. Emma took it as a win, and followed behind the two brunettes. Instead of a left they made way to the right, where two equally regal, but noticeably smaller stables lay. They followed a path to the barn on the right. Once inside, Emma noticed that this barn only housed the smaller equines. The young girl who had been riding before, stepped out of a stall with the name "Bunny" engraved into a plate. When the girl saw Regina her posture went rigid and her facial expression did the same. Damn, Emma thought when she saw how outwardly afraid the girl was of the brunette. Regina noticed the girl as well, and smirked at the reaction she caused in her. Damn, Emma repeated.
"Remarkable ride today, Grace. You and Bunny improve each time I work with you." Regina gave the girl a pat on the shoulder and a sincere smile. But the girl remained rigid and nervous.
"Thank, you Miss Mills." Grace replied shyly, and quickly left the confines of the barn.
"That girl," Emma began and let out a small laugh. "She was so scared of you."
Regina knowingly smirked, her trademark, Emma noticed. "I will admit to being strict, only due to the fact that when I see potential, I want to make sure is is taken full advantage of. And young Grace, already quite extraordinary in her skills, can be so much better. So yes, she does fear me now, but she will grow to appreciate my ways." Regina's eye sparkled as se spoke with passion. Passion for bringing out the best in young riders.
"You're pretty amazing. I'm sure I'd be scared shitless of you,too. So, it's a good thing I get to stay on your good side, and on the ground." She laughed. Again. And Regina smiled brightly.
They stopped in front of a stall with the name "Patch" engraved into a plate similar to the one housing Bunny. Regina opened the door to the stall and went out the back door within. When she returned she had, not a pony, but a horse in tow. Emma was taken back by the horse who towered over her and even more so over Henry.
"Something wrong?" She asked Emma, confused.
"No," Emma let out a breath she didn't realize she was holding. "He's just big, I was expecting a pony, since, they're all ponies." She finished with a gesturing hand around the barn.
"Oh, he may be big, but he is the slowest and laziest horse around." She said. "Henry, this is Patch."
"He's so cute." Henry said, surprisingly quiet. "And I get to ride him?" He asked, more excited the second time around.
"Yes, dear. I'm sure you and Patch are going to be two peas in a pod." She replied, surprising Emma with the use of a phrase she seemed superior to. After Henry and Patch were acquainted Regina led patch back into his stall and closed it tight. The horse wasted no time trotting back to the pasture, likely to graze.
The trio wordlessly made their way back to the bug, which was now alone in the dirt. Emma found her keys and unlocked the door. She turned to Regina.
"Thank for this, Ms. Mills." She said as politely as she could muster.
"Anytime, Miss Swan, but you can call me Regina." She replied, catching another blush. "Only my students call me Miss Mills." She added.
"Well, thank you," She hesitated. " Regina." The name poured out of her mouth smooth as steel.
"See you, tomorrow, Emma." The sound of her first name danced around her mind and tingled in her belly.
"Tomorrow?" Emma asked through her haze.
"Wednesday, dear. Henry's first lesson." She replied with a small smile.
"Oh, shit, yeah!" Emma let out, flustered. "Oh, I'm sorry." She said reprimanding herself.
"It's quite alright." Regina smirked. Again. "Until tomorrow. Enjoy the remainder of the day."
"Thanks, uh, you do the same." She said as the brunette turned and headed towards her house, a large white estate fit for a queen. Fit for her, Emma said to herself as she got in the car to find Henry already inside.
"Took you long enough, Mom." He said smiling. "Thanks for taking me."
"No problem, kid. How about we go get lunch?" She suggested, her stomach grumbling at the idea.
"Yeah!" He exclaimed.
It didn't take long to conclude that Granny's Diner was the hub of the town. It was surprisingly full for such a small town. Mostly teens trying to pass the time until school starts in a couple of months. Emma chose a booth at the back, away from unfamiliar faces. A waitress wearing just enough clothing to be legal made her way over to them. Her red streaked hair completed her outfit.
"Hi, I'm Ruby," She said genuinely. "Anything to drink?"
"I'll have water, please." Emma gave her order.
"Chocolate milkshake please and thanks." Henry asked quickly before his mother had a say in it.
"Cool. Hey you're new here!" Ruby exclaimed.
"Yeah, just moved in right outside of town." Emma smiled softly.
"Over by the academy?" This girl was nosy.
"Yeah, how'd you-" Emma began suspiciously.
"Small town, new's travels fast. Faster here than elsewhere. I have to do rounds, but if you ever need a tour guide, you know where to find me! I'll get your drinks." Ruby said though halfway through her sentence she began walking away. Emma already knew she and the girl would get along great.
"So what are you getting?" Emma asked Henry, who studied the menu intently.
"A burger sounds good, but I always get burgers." He said placing his menu down.
"Old habits die hard." She answered. "I'm getting a burger." She closed the menu and waited for Ruby's return.
"You're right. Burgers for us!" Henry mimicked her actions. Ruby returned shortly to take meal orders, and was back again with meals in no time. Emma and Henry bit into juicy burgers also in sync,and moaned in response.
"I know I say this a lot, but this time it's different. This is the best burger ever." Emma said between bites. Henry nodded in agreement to wrapped up in his own food to make more acknowledgment than so. The two ate in a comfortable silence, ignoring all the other customers. Burgers finished, mother and son sit back and relish in the full glory of satisfaction from the meal. Just as they ordered dessert, a familiar face made it's way under the bell. Emma choked on her water as she noticed Regina in all her glory. Henry laughed at his mom then turned to see what had her in a fuss. He saw Regina and waved her over before Emma could compose herself.
"Lovely to see you two again." The woman said and sat next to Henry as he patted the space beside him.
Water still dribbled down her chin as Regina sat across from her. Her face turned red in the heat of the moment. She dried herself and sat upright regaining normal color. "Hey!" Emma finally said. "What are you doing here?" She already hit herself in the face for the question.
"Well, Miss Swan, what do people usually do in diners?" Regina retorted sarcastically.
"Most of them get food, but I just didn't think you were one for the unhealthy side of life."
"You would be correct in that assumption. I actually am here for Granny. I provide her with apples, since my tree produces nothing but the best." Emma looked down to where the brunette was holding a large basket containing dozens of large red apples. "Honey-crisp." Regina adds, noticing her fallen gaze.
"Very nice of you. I'm sure they're delicious." She replied locking eyes with the woman across from her. Just as Regina opened her mouth to reply Ruby showed up and served dessert.
"Here you go, guys." She said kindly, her smile dissipating when she saw Regina. "Madame Mayor." She nodded then walked away.
"You're the mayor?" Henry yelped his reaction identical to Emma's.
"I thought you knew?" She said confusingly looking between the two.
"No," Emma let out a sigh that could've been a laugh. "But that does make you a bit more intimidating."
Regina stood and looked down on the two. "This doesn't change my feelings towards you Miss Swan, or Henry." She smiled tightly and took a step back.
"You can call me Emma, like, that would be less uncomfortable."
"Well, Emma, I think Miss Swan rolls off the tongue nicely. Nothing personal." She said with a signature smirk. "Until tomorrow, again." She added sauntering to the kitchen. Emma now noticed that breeches and a polo were replaced by an equally form fitting pantsuit and painfully high heels. All probably cost more than Emma's rent, individually. Emma couldn't decide which Regina she liked more, but she had plenty of time to find out.
After an eventful enough day, Henry had tuckered out on the couch around 9, leaving Emma to carry him to bed. After doing such she went back to the couch where she watched a cartoon that was extremely inappropriate, for about 5 hours. She saw it was nearly two a.m. and was pissed at herself for staying up so late. Again. She promised herself to do better tomorrow and took a quick rinse before settling into bed. She managed to drift off for almost two hours. But she wasn't feeling tired enough, so she lay for another hour when she decided it was too warm in her room. She opened a window and admired all the open space it shielded her from. She glanced towards Regina's house and saw that someone was riding in the ring. This rider was taller and far more experienced than young Grace. The figure rode a larger than life horse that could have been light brown, but Emma couldn't tell due to distance and lack of light. She watched as the rider moved one with the horse, they quickly made way over all the jumps, some nearing the height of the bordering fence. Emma was entranced by the rider, she'd wondered if it was Regina, which it likely was, but other's boarded horses there so it could really be anyone. No, Emma knew exactly who was owning the ring, for it was the very woman who haunted her dreams and made it impossible to sleep.
"I've only met you, and I already know you're going to be the death of me." Emma chastised, half to herself for getting to attached and half to Regina for being irresistible.
Regina had been tossing and turning since her first attempts to fall under the spell of sleep at around 11. It was now four in the morning and she hadn't gotten a lick of which. Though she didn't want to accept it yet, she knew why this was happening to her. Enough of this foolishness, Regina finally threw herself out of bed and dressed herself. She zipped her boots and went to saddle Rocinante who awaited her patiently, as he did every morning, though this time was the earliest. After a generous groom, she went to the tack room to decide which saddle suited her mood. She was feeling sore and tired she she went with hr favorite M. Toulouse close contact. She gazed at the saddle upon her horse, who she's had for ten years, and remembered when they would compete. The memories pushed a tear out of their way, and she wiped it the cause aside.
Ever since she was a small girl, horses had been her greatest comfort. Riding was the only thing Mother allowed her to do that she actually enjoyed. She could recall every moment that occurred in the saddle, since they were her favorite. She allowed herself to become a unit with the animal, which helped her escape her life and join in his as an extension of each other. She and Rocinante had the best of bonds, unwavering trust in and out of the saddle. She was grateful to the horse everyday for being her only friend and anchor for the past ten years. She thought of her love for the animal and she brought him up to a collected canter, giving him way to extend not long after. She decided after a few laps to head for the centered cross-rails, then the oxer, and finally finishing with a triple gymnastic that always proved difficult. She smiled and repeated her course a few times until she felt her steed slow at a loss for stamina. She went to walk laps and noticed a light coming from a window of a neighboring house. She saw a figure in the window, watching her. She smiled as she knew it to be none other than..
"Emma Swan." Regina exhaled as she felt her heart flutter at the thought of Emma watching her. Regina knew the second she met the blonde that she had made the woman nervous. At first she thought it due to her being the mayor, no one took too kindly to her. Soon after she realized that Emma was blushing, and Regina thought of the possibilities of Miss Swan being attracted to her. Their unexpected run in at Granny's proved the latter, and had Regina thinking, the feeling might be mutual.
I may have gone overboard... Hope it was appreciated! i had fun writing this one, clearly. Reviews and fun stuff makes me dance happily! Until next time.
