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Two weeks ago, Emma had started fearing for her relationship with Regina. She was able to get Daniel a job at the stables after talking with the owner and had hoped that with him being busy most of the day, her girlfriend wouldn't be able to see him as much.
Oh how wrong she was.
Despite their rocky, emotional start, Regina and Daniel had fallen into an easy pattern. Since she was no longer mayor and people refused to give her a job, she'd often spend her afternoons at the stables. She'd have lunch with her girlfriend nearly everyday first, but then she'd be off.
Conversation came easily for the queen and stable boy, like the 40 years had never happened, and Regina thought they were pulling off the friend thing quite well. But, truth was, Daniel was still very much in love with the queen and hoped, over time, he could win her love back.
It was a Thursday afternoon when Emma looked through the door of her office, sighing heavily. She understood that Regina had missed Daniel, but he was almost all she ever talked about anymore. Tonight, she made up her mind that she would disappear for a few hours after work…. no, she was leaving work now and disappearing. Standing up, she grabbed her jacket and keys and walked out closing her office door. "David, I'm leaving early. It should be a slow night, have a blast." Walking out of the station, she got in her yellow bug and drove off down the street.
That night, Emma and Regina were supposed to have dinner together. The brunette had made the sheriff's favorite and grabbed a bottle of wine. But Emma was running late and it began to worry the queen, who called and sent her a couple of texts. The blonde always let her know if she was going to be late.
Emma was gone until early morning. Walking into the house around 2:15 a.m., she turned, locked the door and started for the stairs only to stop. She heard Regina clear her throat. And looking over her shoulder, she sighed softly. "Morning..."
"Where the hell have you been?!" Regina asked in a harsh tone as she practically stomped toward the blonde. "I've been worried sick about you! You could've at least called!"
"Driving around." She simply said. "My cell died."
Regina huffed and crossed her arms. "Did you forget that we had dinner plans, Miss Swan?"
"Oh, yeah, I did honestly. Sorry." She yawned and started toward the staircase. "Coming to bed?"
"Yes, I think I will head to bed." Regina took a few long strides to place herself in front of Emma on the staircase. "My bed. You, Miss Swan, are not invited to it tonight. You can just park yourself on the couch if you wish to stay."
Staring at her for a moment, Emma just shook her head. "Screw it." Turning, the blonde headed for the front door.
"Don't forget to lock the door! I know your memory isn't quite what it used to be!" Regina called out, her voice taking on the sardonic tone she'd often use with the blonde before they were a couple.
Hearing that ticked Emma off and just out of spite, she left the front door wide open the moment she left the house and stormed down the walk way toward her bug.
Regina rolled her eyes and marched down the stairs, slamming the door, locking it, and heading up to bed.
Alone.
Sitting in her office the next day around lunch time, Emma listened to her stomach growl. Luckily, she let David do patrols around the town so he could pick something up. Reaching for her cell, Emma paused. Regina's heels sounded against the tile in the station.
The brunette was soon standing in front of Emma, no hint of a smile on her face but a bag in hand. "Since you're so forgetful, I figured I'd bring you food." She set the bag in front of Emma. "Otherwise I wasn't sure if you'd remember to eat or not."
"Thanks." Emma sighed and leaned against her chair. "I'm sorry I missed dinner last night. I just needed to drive and try to clear my mind."
Regina sighed and pulled a chair up to the desk, taking a seat and crossing her legs. "Why? What'd you need to clear your mind for?"
With a shake of her head, Emma really didn't want to share. "I… I just needed to get away from you raving about him all the time. I needed to clear my mind and try to not think about how... how you're still in love with Daniel."
Regina's mouth dropped open as she uncrossed her legs and sat forward. "I am not in love with him, Emma." She said forcefully. "I haven't seen him up and walking in nearly 40 years! Daniel wasn't once just my lover, he was my best friend. I'm sorry if I talk about him too much. It's just... well... I've missed him is all." She sighed and sat back again.
"I know but it just... It makes me feel... I know I'll never measure up to him no matter how hard I try."
Regina huffed and rubbed her forehead as though she had a headache. "Do you really think I'm comparing the two of you? I chose to be with you, Emma. I belong to you, not Daniel."
"Yeah, but for how long? You chose to be with me because he wasn't around. I'm just so scared."
"If I were still in love with him, don't you think I would've left by now? Dammit, Emma, I love you." Regina clamped her mouth shut immediately, not having wanted that bit of information to slip out just yet.
Not when they were like this.
Tears welled up in Emma's green eyes. "You love me?"
Regina's gaze softened as she nodded her head. "I do. Very much so."
Getting out of her chair, Emma walked around her desk and knelt in front of Regina's chair. "I love you, too."
The queen smiled and took Emma's hands in her own as she leaned forward to kiss the sheriff softly, closing her eyes tightly.
Emma kissed her back just as softly and lovingly; her hands squeezing Regina's. After a moment, she rested her forehead against hers. "I've been wanting to tell you for a while but things got in the way and I wasn't sure you felt the same." She spoke as she ran a hand over her brown hair.
Regina hummed contently and shook her head side to side slightly. "Well now you know. And that's all that matters." She kissed Emma again softly. "I love you and you love me. You have nothing to fear."
Emma pulled Regina up and sat her on the desk and stood between the queen's legs. "Mm, maybe you're right." She smiled then kissed the tip of her nose.
"I'm always right." Regina smirked.