Chapter 8
Emma Swan released a contented sigh as she leaned back into the plump cushions of Mary Margaret's couch. Being sheriff of a small town meant that, on top of her normal duties, she was required to attend every public festival and all town meetings and since summer break had officially started a few weeks ago, the number of each seemed to have tripled. This was the first free day she'd had in over a week and her only plan was to kick back, eat a ton of junk food, and lose herself in some mindless television.
The blonde was a couple hours into a marathon of the World's Dumbest when a knock sounded. Grumbling under her breath, she hit the mute button and set the container of ice cream she was about to dig into on the coffee table before trudging across the room. She threw the door open ready to snap at whoever had dared disrupt her, but stopped short when she found Henry on the other side smiling up at her.
"Hey, Henry," she said genuinely glad to see him. "Come on in."
Confusion flitted across her light features when the boy made no move to enter and instead continued to stand there smile firmly fixed across his small face. Green eyes narrowed in suspicion as she crossed her arms over her chest and propped herself against the door frame.
"Ok, out with it. What do you want?"
"Do you want to go for a picnic in the park?" puppy dog eyes fluttered innocently.
Emma wasn't fooled for a second, but with her crazy schedule, she hadn't been able to spend a lot of time with him lately and was willing to risk whatever he actually had planned.
"Sure, kid. That sounds fun," she replied easily, but then thought of something.
"Wait. Is this ok with your mom?"
Today was Regina's day with Henry. They'd reached an agreement several months ago that Emma could see him whenever she wanted as long they asked for permission first and the Mayor retained Sundays for herself. Even now that they were on 'friendly' terms, the blonde wanted to make sure that she didn't overstep her bounds and lose all the progress she'd made with the other woman.
Henry's smile grew impossibly larger and the Sheriff only had a moment to wonder why before the subject of their discussion appeared around the edge of the door carrying a large wicker basket.
"It was my idea, actually," the low voice stated as chocolate brown eyes subtly raked over her body.
Emma cursed her fair complexion and the heat staining her cheeks as she shifted uncomfortably in the plaid boxers and ribbed undershirt she wore. Mary Margaret was out with David for the day and the blonde hadn't expected anyone else to drop by so there had been no reason to change out of her pajamas. Now, with Regina's gaze practically devouring her, she wished she had.
"Oh, okay," the inane response fell from her lips as she momentarily wandered off to all the things she could do if Henry wasn't standing next to them right now.
A pleased smile graced dark red lips and an elegant eyebrow quirked in amusement as Regina gave a discreet cough to bring the blonde back to the present. Emma snapped out of the dreamy haze she'd fallen in and quickly ushered them into the apartment ignoring the quiet chuckle that followed her as she went upstairs to change.
Soft sunlight dappled the dark earth as it filtered through verdant leaves slowly swaying in the gentle breeze. Emma Swan flopped down on the large checkered blanket they'd spread beneath the branches of a tall oak tree and breathed in the clean scents of the warm June day. Toned, pale legs stretched out from olive green cargo shorts while her dark grey tee provided little protection from the rough bark she rested against. She found that the mild discomfort was a small price to pay, however, for the view this position afforded her.
Regina Mills sat at the edge of the blanket, smooth legs encased in tan capris folded gracefully under her. A light blue Chambray shirt worn over a white tank top accented surprisingly strong arms and highlighted her naturally bronzed skin. The brunette had been letting her hair grow out and now the thick strands brushed against delicate shoulders as they fluttered in the wind.
Emma resisted the urge to run her hands through the dark locks and place a trail of kisses along the exposed column of soft flesh. Neither woman was comfortable with openly public displays of affection, especially since they had yet to tell Henry about their relationship or even define the status of said relationship. The blonde was content with their stolen kisses, clandestine meetings, and late night phone conversations... for now.
Henry's joyful shouting reached her ears and the blonde chuckled as she watched the young boy run around the small field with his arms raised in apparent victory. After a light lunch, she and Henry had been playfully kicking around a soccer ball until a group of kids came over to see if he wanted to join them in a quick game. Emma had welcomed the reprieve and gladly returned to their picnic spot while Henry was placed on a team. High-fives were now being exchanged amongst half the group leading Emma to assume he'd scored the first goal.
A shrill whistle sounded from her lips as she clapped and Regina let out her own call of praise and encouragement. The young boy turned to them with a proud smile and a quick wave before focusing back on the match.
"Would you like to join us for dinner tonight?" Regina asked never taking her eyes off Henry.
Cool water threatened to escape through her nose as Emma coughed and sputtered in surprise. Regina had never invited her to eat with them before and twice in one day had her a little worried for her life. Surely, this was one of the signs of the apocalypse.
When she was finally able to breathe again, she turned to slightly concerned brown eyes and squeaked out "Uh, ye... yeah. I'd like that."
"Good," the brunette said with a slight nod before turning her focus back on her son. "You can bring dessert."
Green eyes rolled good-naturedly as a companionable silence settled around them. Henry's pick up game finished less than half an hour later and they agreed to meet at the Mayor's house in a few hours before heading back to their respective dwellings to get ready.
Emma swung by the grocery store on her way home to grab the necessary ingredients for the dessert she planed to make. She wasn't one for baking really, but she didn't mind it so much if it was for a special occasion and this definitely fit the criteria.
Showered and dressed in black slacks and a white Oxford shirt, the Sheriff grabbed the dessert and headed out the door. With one quick stop on the way, she arrived right on time and eagerly made her way up the stone steps to ring the door bell.
Bouncing lightly on the balls of her feet, she tried to dispel some of the nervous energy that had built up since the park. It didn't make sense. She'd been here hundreds of times before and been in much more intimate situations with the Mayor. This really shouldn't have felt any different.
Don't even try kid yourself, Emma. You know exactly why this is different.
Before she could go down that road any further, the door opened and any hope of forming a coherent thought fled at the sight of the woman standing in front of her. Emma had always found Regina attractive, even if it had taken her awhile to admit that little fact, but this... nothing could compare to this.
Pearly white teeth shined from behind bright red lips while smoky brown eyes stared intently through softly feathered locks. In place of her usual power suit, a little black dress clung tightly to every delicious curve and its sweetheart neckline showed off an abundance of tantalizing flesh. Three inch stilettos that just screamed 'fuck me' completed the outfit.
"Like what you see, Sheriff?" the brunette purred.
Hungry green eyes slowly tracked back up to meet eyes so dark they were nearly black.
"Why yes, Madame Mayor," she husked as she unconsciously moved forward, "I definitely do."
She could play this game, had been for months now. Regina enjoyed catching her off guard, and often did, but sometimes she was able to turn the situation to her advantage. This looked to be one of those times as the blonde watched a light blush spread across tan skin.
In the back of her mind, however, Emma knew they wouldn't be alone for long and tried to reign in her desire before it got the better of her. Taking a couple of deep breaths to cool her over heated skin, she stepped back and put some much needed distance between them.
Clear headed now, she pulled the bouquet of white gardenias from behind her back and presented them to the clearly stunned Mayor.
"Thank you, Emma. They're lovely," she responded sincerely before breathing in their sweet fragrance.
"You're welcome, Regina," the blonde said shyly, pleased that her gift had been so gratefully received.
Conversation and laughter flowed easily amongst the trio and breathed new light into the normally oppressive formal dining room. Regina was, of course, an impeccable cook and everyone dug into their meals with gusto. A wicked grin graced full, pink lips briefly at the decadent moan the older woman released when she first bit into the red velvet white chocolate chip cookies Emma brought. They were a bitch to make but worth it for oh so many reasons.
"Alright, Henry. It's time to get ready for bed," Regina said as she began to clear the dishes from the table.
"Can Emma tuck me in?" he asked hopefully.
Regina shot a quick glance at the blonde who just shrugged before turning back to her son.
"Sure, I don't see why not."
"Awesome. Thanks mom," he said as he ran over to the brunette and threw his arms around her waist.
Grabbing Emma's hand he started pulling her quickly across the room.
"Come on, Emma. You can read me a bedtime story, too. I know just the one."
"Whoa, slow down, kid." She chuckled and brought them both to a stop before they made it through the doorway.
"Why don't you go upstairs and brush your teeth and everything while I help your mom clean the dishes, ok?"
"Ok," he responded before racing up the stairs.
"Henry, no running on the stairs," Regina immediately called out from the kitchen.
"Sorry, mom," the young boy responded as he rounded the corner to his room.
Emma shook her head in amusement as she gathered up the rest of the dishes before carrying them through to the kitchen. She rinsed the dirty dishes before placing them in the dishwasher while the brunette took care of the leftovers.
"Another glass of wine, Sheriff?" Regina asked after they finished their tasks.
"That would be great, thanks."
She was glad to see that the Mayor was in no apparent hurry to end their evening and welcomed the chance for some alone time with the other woman.
"You know," the blonde started as her lean frame rested against the granite countertops, "this might just be the best first date I've ever been on."
Brown eyes shot up from their study of the dark swirling liquid in surprise.
"You consider this a date?"
"A little unconventional with Henry acting as a chaperone and all," Emma said with a sly grin as she set her glass down before slowly making her way over to the brunette, "but, yes, I'd definitely call this a date. Wouldn't you?"
"I… I hadn't thought about it, honestly," Regina stuttered as she literally backed herself in to a corner.
"Well, let's look at all the evidence, shall we?" the blonde purred as she soaked in the warmth emanating from the soft body so close to her own.
"You invited me to join you and Henry not once, but twice in the same day. Then, I show up here bearing flowers and you are dressed to kill. You cooked an amazing dinner complete with candles and the previously mentioned flowers acting as the centerpiece. Let's not forget your wandering bare foot."
"Ah, let me finish," she said when the other woman started to interrupt.
"Finally, there is absolutely no way you are getting me to leave this house without a proper goodnight kiss."
Argument made, Emma closed the remaining distance between them and brought their lips together in a slow, gentle kiss before pulling back after just a few moments.
"Like I said, a date."
"Surely, you don't intend to leave when the evening is still so young?" desire laced the softly spoken words.
"Oh no, Madame Mayor, that was just a preview. You'll know when I'm saying 'goodnight'," she said before leaning back in for a more thorough exploration of the addictingly sweet mouth.
Henry still needed to be tucked in and the real world would come crashing back around them soon enough. But this moment, right here, was just for them and Emma planned to make the most of it while she could.
Pure exhaustion permeated every fiber of her being as green eyes absently stared into the glowing embers of the dying fire. Despite the late hour and massive headache building at the front of her skull, Emma was unable to sleep. During the day she was forced to put on a brave front for Henry while acting like everything was perfect for her parents when all she wanted to do was rant and rave at the unfairness of it all. Only the night offered her any solitude.
It felt like an eternity but only two days had passed since she'd last laid eyes on Regina. No, that wasn't right. The woman she had encountered was nothing like the Regina she remembered. The pale, black clad figure that had oozed anger and malevolence was truly the Evil Queen. Her Regina was no where to be found.
Every time she closed her eyes the hatred burning in familiar brown depths played across her mind and sent chills down her spine. Even her earliest encounters with the Mayor could not compare and while that terrified her on some level, it also made her more determined to succeed.
The woman Emma loved was buried beneath her former incarnation and there had to be a way to free her. She just wasn't looking in the right spot. None of the magical tomes she had searched through so far had been any help and she feared the court wizards would ask too many questions. But it was there, needling the back of her brain. If she could just put her finger on it.
The wooden door to her room burst open and the startled blonde quickly sat up as a short blur ran across the room and stopped right in front of her. Sparkling green eyes and a wide grin adorned the face inches from her own.
"I know who can help us!" Henry's voice squeaked in excitement.
"Yeah? Who's that, kid?" she asked unwilling to get her hopes up.
"Rumplestiltskin," was the proud response.
Emma looked at him in surprise. It could work, she thought, but she also realized he was missing one crucial factor.
Not wanting to devastate him completely, she spoke as gently as possible.
"Henry, that's a great idea, but we have no idea where he could be."
The young boy's grin never faltered as he responded, "Yes, we do."
"We do?" the blonde asked clearly confused.
He nodded vigorously, "Yup, don't you remember? Snow and Charming have him locked away in a magical cell somewhere. So all we have to do is get them to take us there."
Emma knew it wouldn't be that easy, but she also realized this could be their only chance. It looked like she was about to have another heartfelt conversation with her parents. Only this time, she was certain they were not going to like what she was had to say.
A/N: Just so you know, those cookies really do exist and they are probably the best cookies i have ever tasted. They are also seriously hard to make by hand but so completely worth it. As always, thank you for reading and all the comments you leave. I know I keep saying this, but i mean it every time, they truly make my day. It's terribly embarrassing how giddy I get in front of my coworkers reading your reviews.