It had been two weeks since that night at the bar. She still hadn't mentioned the pregnancy to him. She didn't want to deal with her emotions. So she buried herself in her work and successfully distracted herself from her feelings towards Daniel. The Monday following her night out, she had received a text from him. It told her he would be there in twenty minutes and for her to wear the outfit he gave her the night prior.
She knew the text wasn't meant for her. Surprisingly, having the proof in her hands, didn't hurt as much as she thought it would. She had a feeling that he realized his mistake. He was acting extra cautious around her the next day. She couldn't deal with it, so she went on as if she never saw the message. The idea that he wasn't caught seemed to relax him.
She had spoken to Kat many times of course. She sought her advice on whether it was right for her to keep the pregnancy from him, despite the growing distance between them. She agreed that he had a right to know, but she felt that this shouldn't be what keeps them together. She still loved him and wanted to try to get through to him again. She just wanted to be sure that they were staying for the right reason.
And then, there were those green eyes that she seemed to be picturing more and more lately. She didn't know what it was about the blonde, but she attributed it to her loneliness seeking attention. For that reason, she refrained from giving in and visiting the bar again. However, after two weeks of focusing on nothing but work, she was getting a little stir crazy. She knew Kat was on a date with Fredrick tonight, so she opted for something else that always calmed her.
She decided to drive to the beach for an evening stroll. Once she was close to the sand, she removed her heels and took in the feeling of the sand between her toes. She loved the beach. She didn't care much for it when it was crowded, but in the evening when it was near empty, it was a great escape.
She had walked about a quarter mile when she saw a jogger coming in her direction. Not really in the mood for pleasantries, she took to watching the waves glide over her feet as the jogger passed by. Her plans were quickly spoiled, however, by the sound of a familiar voice.
"Nice night for a stroll... Or a jog." The runner was slightly out of breath. Regina whipped her head around and couldn't believe her luck. For a moment, she just stood there looking into those green eyes, unable to speak.
"And...You don't remember me..." the blonde stated with a slight disappointment in her voice. Regina finally shook herself out of it.
"Um, yes... Of course. The bartender." Emma sighed in relief at this and smiled.
"Emma." She officially introduced herself.
"Regina." She introduced herself as well.
"Regina... I like it." Emma continued to smile at the brunette. "So, do you come here often?" She winced at how much it sounded like a cheesy pick-up line. "For walks, I mean." She tried to recover. "It's just, I live a couple houses down from here and I would've remembered seeing you before. Then again, I usually take my runs in the morning and I am totally rambling... Sorry." Regina smiled at the sheepish look on the blonde's face.
"No, I don't get the chance to come as often as I would like." Regina replied. Emma nodded at the response.
"Well, I was actually on my way back to the house for dinner. Would you like to join me?" Emma noticed the way Regina shifted uncomfortably. "Just a friendly dinner. Not a date or anything. I mean, I find you very attractive, obviously, but I know you're going through a lot right now and I would never take advantage of that. I just thought, maybe I could do something nice for you, maybe put a smile on your face. You have a beautiful smile... Which I'm sure you already knew that. So, yea, I'm just gonna stop talking now..." Emma finally took a breath, hoping her cheeks weren't as flushed as they felt.
"Sure." Regina replied against her better judgment.
"Yeah?" Emma asked. Regina nodded. She found the blonde's awkwardness adorable.
"Okay. Let's go then." Emma grabbed Regina's shoes and led the way down the beach to her home.
Emma told her to make herself at home while she took a quick shower. When she came back out, she found Regina making herself at home in the kitchen. She stood in the doorway and watched the brunette work as if she had been cooking here for years.
"I was supposed to be cooking for you..." Emma said. Regina jumped slightly.
"Sorry, I hope you don't mind. I actually love to cook and you did admit to having no idea of what to make." Regina explained as she started prepping ingredients on the counter.
"True, but I was supposed to be doing something nice for you." Emma pouted adorably.
"Having someone around to cook for, would be a very nice change. You could help me." Regina offered.
"I guess." Emma sighed dramatically.
"Good, you can cut the potatoes for me." she instructed with a smile. "And put that lip away before I bite it." The words were out of her mouth before she had a chance to stop herself.
"Is that a promise?" Emma teased back playfully, pout still in place. Before she knew it, Regina stepped to her and, true to her word, claimed her lip between her teeth. Emma gasped as the teeth were used to pull her lip in between plump red ones. She groaned when the brunette beauty began to suck on her lower lip. She couldn't resist any longer. She leaned in further to claim those beautiful lips. Regina moaned and allowed Emma to deepen the kiss. They broke apart when they needed air.
"I'm sorry. I shouldn't have done that." Regina was trying to process what had just happened. She gave in to temptation way too easily. "I should go..." She began to walk out of the kitchen.
"Don't." Emma gently grabbed Regina's hand to stop her. "Please stay. I meant what I said. I don't want to take advantage of you and I won't take that as an invitation to try to go further. You call the shots." Emma bit her lip as she waited for Regina to respond.
"I should really stay away from you." Regina replied softly, still a bit out of breath from that amazing kiss. Emma smiled.
"Okay, then we'll stay on opposite sides of the kitchen, eat on opposite sides of the table, and sit on opposite sides of the couch when we watch a movie later. Regina chuckled softly and returned to her spot in the kitchen.
The plan worked flawlessly, until it was time to watch a movie. Regina picked a side of the couch and sat down while Emma popped in a movie. Emma sat down on the opposite side and the separation lasted for about five minutes before Regina made her way across the couch and curled into the blonde.
"I just...miss being able to do this." Regina explained.
"Okay." Emma nodded her understanding. She wrapped her arm around the brunette and sometime later during the movie, they both fell asleep curled up on the couch together.
Now I've got you in my space
I won't let go of you
Got you shackled in my embrace
I'm latching onto you