*note: I went with Lana's birthstone.
"I'll fix up the balcony for you two, so you can have a little alone time later tonight"
"Assuming she says yes…"
"Emma" Ruby shot her a look, "really? C'mon. She loves you."
"Doesn't necessarily mean she's ready to get married" Emma pointed out to her friend. Ruby only shook her head.
"Don't be silly. Now tell me, how do you want me to set this place up?" She gestured at the space around her.
They were standing out on Emma's balcony. Emma had the small box in her pocket, tucked away safely. She kept checking every other minute, just to make sure it was still there.
They had strolled through countless shops, jewellers and antique stores. Diamond engagement rings everywhere- Emma didn't like any of them.
The rings felt too perfect, too cold, too shiny or too simple- none of them sat right with her.
She had to find something special for Regina. Something elegant and beautiful- just like her.
She had found it at last, at a vintage store on the other side of the city.
"Rubies are precious, ma'am, some consider it the king of gemstones. A ruby signifies passion, desire, courage and emotion. It's a stunner, really." the shopkeeper commented as Emma had examined the ring. Three circular stones- the dark red one in the middle and a diamond on either side- were embedded on the golden band.
Emma fell in love with the ring as she held it before her eyes.
Passion. Desire. Courage. Emotion.
They were definitely the words she would use to describe her Regina.
She knew it was the right ring. She couldn't wait to see it on that beautiful hand.
Emma realized that Ruby was still waiting for her answer. She thought for a moment.
If she says yes, we should have a little celebration, just the two of us…
"Mattress. Blanket. Roses. Wine. That's all I can think of right now" Emma spoke up. Ruby nodded.
"Alright, you go prepare. I got this"
"But I wanna help!" Emma protested as Ruby nearly pushed her back into the apartment.
"Em, grab the ring and head over to the Mills' place. Now" she ordered.
"Ruby…" Emma struggled with her words. She didn't know how to tell her best friend, how to make her understand the thoughts that were clouding her head, making her doubt every decision. Luckily, she didn't need to explain anything.
Ruby stepped closer and gathered her in a tight hug.
"She will say yes, Em. You know it in your heart."
Emma sighed into her shoulder.
She's right.
"Now go, Emma!"
Mr. Mills sat across from her, eyeing her curiously. Beside him, Henry kept glancing from one adult face to the other, amused.
Emma made sure Regina was at the shop before coming in to visit Mr. Mills and Henry.
"Mr. Mills, your daughter and I, we've been in love for quite some time now, almost a year. We've been through so much together; we've grown to love each other more and more each day. She makes me happy, happier than I've ever been in my entire life. I plan on asking her, tonight actually, if she would like to marry me.
Her voice didn't shake when she spoke those words. She was sure. There was nothing in the world she wanted more than to marry Regina Mills.
"I wanted to ask you first, your and Henry's approval means everything to Regina."
"I only want my daughter's happiness, Ms. Swan" Mr. Mills spoke after a while, "ever since you've come into her life, she has changed dramatically. For the better of course. If she agrees to marry you then I have nothing against it. If you're her happiness Ms. Swan, then I will gladly welcome you into our family"
He gave her a fatherly smiled and reached for her hands.
"Regina has told me everything that happened while I was away. I can't thank you enough, for looking after my family, for saving her."
"She's my entire world." Emma mumbled, looking away from those wise brown eyes, "I can't imagine losing her…ever…I almost did that night…"
"But you didn't. You were there for her when she needed you the most"
Emma nodded, "I was. And I hope to do the same for the rest of my life."
"Good luck with your proposal" he winked, patting the back of her hands.
"So…you and mom are gonna get married?"
Both Emma and Mr. Mills turned at the sound of Henry's voice. The boy hadn't spoken a single word while they were talking.
Emma walked over to sit beside Henry.
"I want to marry her. I haven't asked her yet"
"Oh. I hope she wants to marry you too"
"You do?"
Henry shrugged, "That way we'll get to live with you. I love your place! Do I have to call you… 'mom' from now on?"
"Woah kid" Emma laughed, "Let me ask your mom first then we'll see. Speaking of which…I need your help…both of yours actually"
Emma quickly told them about her plan and how they could help her. By the time she finished, Henry's face was gleaming with excitement.
"Operation…Mirrors!"
"Huh?" Emma stared at him, confused.
"This is going to be our secret mission! And since it's going to be at the shop, that's what I'm calling the operation." He ran into his room. Emma looked at Mr. Mills who only shrugged.
Henry returned with a pair of walkie-talkies.
"Here" he handed one over to Emma, "this is how we'll communicate. Once our mission is over you can move forward for the main part, proposing mom."
Emma smiled, Henry was so excited. She tucked the device into her belt.
"Operation Mirrors is now in motion. C'mon grandpa!"
Henry rushed to get the grown-ups out of the house.
"Hi, mom!"
Regina looked up from the book she was reading. Henry was standing at the door with her father.
"Henry! What are you guys doing here?"
"Oh I left my…wallet…in the backroom…last night" Mr. Mills spoke, clearing his throat. He slipped into the back room as Henry walked up to her at the front desk.
"So mom how long are you gonna be here tonight?"
"…why?" Regina arched her eyebrow suspiciously at her ten-going on to eleven- year old son.
"No reason!" Henry shrugged.
"Uh-huh. If you think you can stay up late watching cartoons, young man then-
"Ok done! Henry, let's go!" Mr. Mills walked out of the back room.
"Done what? I thought you went to look for your wallet?" Regina asked.
"Yeah…I'm done…looking for my wallet. Haha. Found it!" her father smiled. Within moments they were gone.
"Strange." Regina shrugged, going back to her book.
The walkie-talkie buzzed against Emma's pant.
"Emma, what's your status?" Henry's voice came out of the device. Emma chuckled but spoke solemnly.
"Almost done, Henry!"
"Ok. Hurry. We're waiting outside the shop. Mom is still at the front, don't think she'd be heading to the back room anytime soon."
"Roger that!"
Emma did one last stroke with Henry's brush. The red paint swept over the glass.
The message was clear. Emma finished with a question mark.
"Alright Henry, I'm done! Distract again, while I get out of the back door."
"Ok!"
Emma heard the distant ringing of the store's bell.
"Henry, what happened now?"
"Sorry mom left my jacket on the stool!"
Emma took the chance to head over towards the backdoor. It screeched open and she slipped out. She took out the keys Mr. Mills left for her at the back room and locked the door from outside.
"Henry, I'm out of the store."
"Alright! Operation Mirrors stage one accomplished! Grandpa and I are heading back home. Now the next part's all you. Good luck with mom Emma!"
"Thanks, kid. Over and out!"
Alright, Emma. It's now or never.
Emma quickly ran her hand through her hair and brushed the front of her shirt.
She made her way towards the entrance of the shop.
Regina heard the little bell jingle again.
"Henry what is it now- oh…Emma! Hi!"
Emma walked up to her and leaned over the desk for a kiss.
"Where have you been all day? I tried calling you…" Regina breathed as their kiss broke.
"Sorry…phone was off…" Emma shrugged.
"Oh."
"I broke my mirror."
"You what?!" Regina gasped, "Emma…it was a piece of art…how?!"
"Meh. You know how clumsy I am…"
"Yes. I do know." Regina glared at the woman in front of her. Emma nervously ran her hand through her blonde curls.
She seems…a bit off…is something bothering her…?
"So…uh…I was hoping to...er…get another one from you" Emma smiled awkwardly.
"Uh-huh." Regina shot her a dirty look. She walked around her desk to stand in front of Emma.
"What if I refuse to sell another one?"
"C'mon now. I'm your regular customer…" Emma wrapped her arm around her waist and pulled her closer.
"At this rate, if you keep breaking mirrors and buying then breaking again, I won't have a business to run anymore" Regina laughed as Emma nuzzled at her neck.
"Please…baby? Honey? Sweet-heart?"
"Flattery will get you nowhere" Regina chuckled, slapping Emma's face away playfully.
"Please…baby please?" Emma pouted then planted kisses on her cheeks.
"Alright, alright." Regina rolled her eyes as Emma smiled triumphantly, "you know the drill."
She made her way towards the back room and Emma followed.
"Same collection I presume? The Fairytale Land?" Regina walked over to the corner where the mirrors were arranged, leaning against the shelf, in wrapped individually in tall brown boxes.
"Yeah. The same one."
"Do you want another huge one or a small one since clearly you can't keep your limbs in check" Regina smirked, Emma stuck her tongue out.
"Fine, woman. Just take out the first one and I'll see if I like it" her girlfriend shrugged.
Regina opened the top and started to pull out the mirror.
"Honestly, Emma, I don't know how you manage to-…oh my god!"
Oh god. Oh my god. She…she…oh…
Marry me?
Regina gasped as her eyes took in the words written across the glass. They were painted in red.
She turned around, her heart pounding within her chest.
"Emma…what…oh!"
Emma was down on one knee before her, holding some thing up. A ring.
Regina's heart raced on as she gaped at the small object.
Oh god…oh god...is this really happening…
"I met you right here, in this shop, in this room for the very first time…" Emma sighed, smiling a little, "I came in, looking for a mirror. I found you instead…. The love of my life…"
Regina swallowed hard, blinking away her tears as Emma continued.
"I can't imagine my life without you, Regina. So marry me. Marry me and I will spend the rest of my days making you happy. Marry me, so I can fall asleep beside you every night, listening to your soft breathing and to the sound of your heartbeat…."
Oh god Emma…you wonderful…you perfect…sweet…human being…I can't believe this…
"…Marry me so I can wake you up every morning, with kisses and whispers. Marry me so I can sing to you when you're upset. I'll be there for you, whenever you need me, ready with my love and my all. Marry me so we can be together. Forever. I love you with all my heart, Regina. So will you marry me?"
"Yes! God, yes!" She blurted out, sobbing despite her best efforts. Emma took a deep breath and slowly slipped the ring onto her finger.
Regina threw her arms around Emma as she stood up.
"I love you so much" Emma whispered, lifting her off the floor, "And I promise to love you for the rest of my life." Regina laughed through her tears as she felt Emma spin her around.
"I love you too Emma. Beyond anything. I want you with me for a lifetime. I love you." Regina sighed as Emma slowly brought her down to her feet.
She locked her arms around Emma's neck and kissed her hard on her lips.
*note: I think I'm going to end this story in next 3-4 chapters. There'll be the wedding and then maybe two more chapters…maybe… I hope I'm not disappointing you folks too much! You've all been so kind to me. Let me know what you thought of this one!:)