'You don't have to show me because I already see you.'
Regina read the note and her eyes filled with unbidden tears. She held her hand up to her mouth as she examined the pink flowers on the freshly delivered Gladiolus. Regina sat and stared at the note again, feeling touched and surprised at the significant gesture. Gladiolus symbolized strength of character and faithfulness. She took a shallow breath and wondered is that really how Emma saw her?
Her mind flashed back to the night before when she and Emma's conversation turned from the usual drinking topics of town gossip and idle chat to something more serious and deep. For all Regina wanted to open up to share her thoughts and fears she found she was frozen and unable to make sense of her troubling and conflicting feelings.
She managed to look directly into sympathetic deep green eyes and tell Emma that she couldn't show herself just yet. The old pain kept her silent and still, hiding behind the barrier of her emotional walls like a scar.
Emma was patient and so understanding in a way that felt like easy, open and new for the pair. Before she left she wrapped Regina in a tight embrace, and pressed a lingering kiss to her cheek. The memory relaxed Regina and caused her stomach to flutter strangely. She smiled to herself at the other woman's thoughtfulness and bravery.
From Emma's simple gift and heartfelt emotions, Regina realized there was one certain and rather spectacular feeling that consumed her like fire: she was no longer afraid of her heart.
She knew just how to respond.
….
When Emma returned from lunch she stopped in her tracks when she noticed the Gardenia in full bloom sitting on her desk. She shook her head and mumbled, knowing exactly who the beautiful white flower was from, "Really? Even giving flowers is a competition with you," but she was gleeful and eager to read the note that accompanied the gift:
"Thank you for the gladiolus, and I see you too- sometimes I see you more than you see yourself."
Emma sat down at her desk, feeling slightly dizzy. She knew Regina would understand the symbolism of the flower, but Emma didn't know what the significance of the Gardenia was. She was almost scared to find out. She picked up her phone and fired off a text to Storybrooke's resident flower expert: her mom.
'What do Gardenias stand for?"
A few minutes later, Emma's received a reply. 'Gardenias? Oooh, emojiface they indicate secret love and symbolize purity and sweetness.'
Emma slumped in her chair and her eyes widened in realization, "secret love?" She swallowed and ignored the second text from her nosy mother:
'Did you get one from someone? Emmmmaaaa! emojiscream Who is it from?'
A warm thrill coursed through her as a smelled the sweet scent of the gardenia, her lips brushed against the soft petals and sudden realization hit her with the force of a body slam. Fantasies formed rapidly in her mind's eye: some carnal desires and some joyful and loving. She was overwhelmed and turned inside out, but she was better.
She wasn't afraid of love- not anymore. Emma stood from her desk and grabbed her keys. Her heart pounded and her lungs filled with air and something lighter than air- something purer.
She thought of Regina.
She knew exactly how to respond.