Chapter 11
"Your cocoa's getting cold."
Ruby's voice broke Emma's momentary trance. They were sitting out on the apartment balcony, perched on the carpet with hot coco. Well, not so hot anymore.
The melted whipped cream had created soft white froth a marshmallow swirling slowly on top of the rich creamy chocolate. Emma didn't like marshmallow in her hot chocolate, but Ruby always put it in nonetheless. "Cause it looks interesting" she'd say, when Emma always picked up the white fluff and transferred it to her friend's cup instead. Emma did enjoy the sprinkled cinnamon.
It was their weekend routine- hot coco in the morning before driving to the downtown malls for shopping followed by lunch then heading off to the theatre for a movie together or to a party. This morning, however, Emma's mug sat untouched. She had completely forgotten her favourite drink. Her mind was elsewhere.
Regina.
Emma could hardly concentrate on anything anymore. Her mind kept drifting off to the woman who was finally letting her into her life.
It was difficult for her, Emma knew that much. She understood. Regina had every reason to be holding back. Doubting. She saw hesitation in those brown eyes every time she showed up at Regina's shop, asking for a lunch date, offering her a ride to the mall or to Henry's school to pick him up. She surprised Emma each time by accepting her advances, smiling at her, sometimes giving her a sweet kiss or a warm hug for her offers.
Things had certainly changed since their first date- Regina was more willing to spend time with her. She was less hesitant, more trusting, more open. Emma knew Regina was trying, really trying, to get past her insecurities. The woman was used to pushing everyone away. Her bruises are far too deep and painful to be forgotten so quickly. Emma didn't care. She would wait even if it took months. Years.
"Em, I've never seen you so hung up on a girl before" Ruby spoke softly.
"I've never had one like her before in my life" Emma sighed, finally looking at her friend's direction. Ruby smiled.
"Tell me 'bout her. What's she like?"
"Well, she's beautiful. She's witty, snarky, sarcastic. A real tease. Stubborn, god she's stubborn like you won't believe…and really…closed off…I just can't figure her out sometimes…no clue what she's thinking…" Emma trailed off.
She had her own set of insecurities. Of course Regina had no idea, she'd never talk about it, she would sound ridiculous. Ruby was her best friend, she had no problem talking to her.
"It's just… I know it's only been over a month but I feel like…like…she's… maybe not that into me" Emma mumbled
"Oh she's into you alright" Ruby muttered, "the way she was eyeing you that night I met her…damn…"
"What?"
"Nothing…" Ruby winked, trailing off pointedly.
Emma rolled her eyes and picked up her mug. They sat quietly for a while- Emma sipping her hot chocolate, Ruby looking out towards the city. From the 23rd floor, the view they had of Boston was beautiful. Emma could see dark clouds gathering over skyscrapers, the booming sound of thunder came from the horizon.
"I wrote about her last night" Emma mumbled, swirling the last bit of chocolate drink in her mug.
Ruby sat up excitedly, "really? Wanna read it to me?" Emma nodded and went to grab her little grey notebook.
She came back within seconds and settled down beside her friend before opening the page where she had fervently scribbled away last night.
…
After Emma finished, she closed the little book, avoiding her friend's eyes which, she could tell, were almost teary. Ruby pulled her into a tight hug.
"Emma…my god…that was…that's…beautiful" she sighed.
"Really?"
"Damn girl, you have to show it to her. If she hasn't fallen for you yet I bet on my life after she sees this she will lose her heart entirely" Ruby wiped a tear away.
Emma blushed a bright shade of red, "geez Ruby, thanks."
"You be good to her, Em" Ruby kissed her cheek, "She'll fall for you, just watch. No one can resist that beautiful soul of yours"
Gosh. Ruby was so poetic sometimes. Emma smiled at her friend's comment.
Emma's cell phone rang from inside her room. She pulled away from Ruby's embrace and walked inside to answer it.
Her heart fluttered as she saw the name on her caller ID.
Regina.
Regina was hunched over her cook book on the kitchen counter when her dad walked in.
"Are you sure, you don't want to come with us to Bill's?" he asked.
"I'm sure, dad. There's so much to do around the house. I've to clean Henry's room, I swear the boy lives like an animal" Regina handed her father two brown bags as she spoke. Both packed heavily with food and snacks. "I packed sandwiches for the road, cookies for Henry and apples for you"
"Thanks, my dear" he smiled, peeking inside the bag. He then walked over to the sink to fill out the water bottles.
"Henry! C'mon son, we gotta be at Bill's before the storm hits" he bellowed towards the hall. As though on cue, somewhere outside thunder rumbled loudly.
"I'm here, Granpa. let's go!" Henry happily skipped down the hallway towards the main door. Regina grabbed him to plant a kiss on his forehead. Then one on her father's cheek.
"Tell old Billy I'm expecting him here for Christmas. And dad, please keep an eye on Henry, especially when he's playing with that ridiculous dog"
"Ralph is so cute mom, he won't bite me or anything" Henry chipped in.
"Of course he won't dear" Regina smiled at her son but shot a warning look towards her father, who nodded solemnly.
Within minutes they were heading out the door with their overnight backpacks.
Regina was home alone.
She didn't know why she wanted to stay behind. They always went to Billy's every other weekend. Her dad's friend had a nice cottage away from the city, near the woods and a freshwater spring. Her father enjoyed fishing in the pond behind the cottage, Henry loved playing with Bill's four years old dog, Ralph. Regina found the place quite relaxing as well. She usually took a book with her while she kept an eye on her son, sometimes taking a walk into the woods.
She didn't want to go this time. She'd rather spend her time somewhere else, or rather, with someone else.
Emma.
I should just call her and tell her to come over.
But won't that be too forward?
Maybe she's busy…
Well I'm her girlfriend…
She's never called me her girlfriend
I haven't either
Should I call…what do I even say…?
I could just ask her to come over, for lunch…
No I need more time to prepare…dinner maybe?
Oh god…dinner?! Uhh…
Was she ready, to have Emma over for dinner in her house. Alone.
Too many thoughts clouded her head.
Emma staying late in the house, where there are beds…and couches…and chairs…and marble countertops…at night… with me...just us…alone…
Regina gulped. She grabbed a glass from the kitchen counter and filled it with cold water from her tap. She drank heavily as her throat was suddenly really dry.
Do I want it to happen?
Regina wondered to herself. Was she ready if things did go that way?
It's been too long…
She knew she longed for it- for the touch of another person, the feel of a body on top of her, below her, entering her, pleasuring her- she could barely remember last time she had enjoyed a lover's touch.
After Henry was born, she had gotten wasted a few times, gone home with strangers, neglected her baby boy. Her father had taken care of him while she had spiralled into a dark world. The pain in her heart was so overwhelming only the strongest of liquors could drown it, numb out her heart beat. She used men then, for sex, for games, for her entertainment. They were for her to control.
"I'm not looking for a fuck buddy, Regina"
Emma would be different, she knew that much. That woman would be loving her with her heart and soul, Regina knew she'd feel exactly the way she had once felt, years ago. Before the monster ruined her life. She knew she'd feel loved in Emma's arms, safe and happy like the way it felt every time she was with her.
There was a fear inside her, Regina sensed it. As much as she longed to be loved, to lose herself in Emma, she wasn't sure if she could take it. She wasn't ready to let go of the self control, the power she had obtained by pushing people away, rejecting and breaking their hearts, creating a cold exterior that no man could penetrate. Emma was relentless. Regina had pushed and pushed but that woman never faltered a step. Emma kept pushing back and now Regina didn't have much of a fight left in her.
How do you turn that person away who's so intent on loving you with all their heart?
Regina saw Emma almost every other week. Her heart fluttered at the sight of the ridiculous yellow car outside her shop's window. Her breath caught in her throat every time the blonde appeared before her with red roses, or just wearing a huge grin on her face offering to take her out.
Regina eyed the silver bracelet in her hand. A new addition to her accessories. It had a small heart with flames around it engraved on a rectangular metal plate. The chain held the metal in place and wrapped around her wrist. Emma had bought it for her the first time they went to the mall for lunch. Regina was eyeing it on the store's display when Emma walked up behind her.
"You like it?" she had asked.
"I've seen worse."
"So you really like it?" Emma smirked, knowingly. Regina rolled her eyes and had walked away towards the food court.
Emma had appeared moments later with a blue box, tied with a silver ribbon. She sat down in front of her and untied the box. Without uttering a single word, she simply took the silver bracelet out of the box and put it on Regina's wrist, closing the little hook and securing it in place.
"Yeah, you're making it look so much better than it really is" Emma had winked, then picked up her hand and gently kissed it.
Regina hadn't taken the bracelet off of her hand ever since.
I'll ask her to come over for dinner.
Decided, Regina went to look for her phone.
*note: Fluffy smut guaranteed on next chapter. Sorry for the delay! It's now 6 am in the morning and I've been writing since 1 am. Tired, but too many plots clouding my head. Excuse the mistakes! Thanks for all the lovely reviews and for sticking with this story so far. I love you all! Keep those reviews coming!
P.S. the words Emma wrote about Regina, you'll see them next chapter ;)