9:32pm
Regina put her hand on Emma's arm lightly to get her attention, as she was talking with her parents.
"Sorry to interrupt, but me and Henry are going to be heading home now." For a moment, Regina thought she saw sadness flash across Emma's features but Emma quickly forced a smile and nodded her head "thanks for coming."
Regina smiled and Henry grinned tiredly up at her. He had worn himself out hurrying around the diner all night.
Emma looked to him, "I'll see you soon you can show me those comics yeah?" He nodded and unconsciously stepped forward and hugged her round the waist for a brief moment and Emma, Regina, and her parent's stared in surprise.
"Night Henry," Emma muttered still surprised.
"Night," he smiled and as he and Regina motioned to leave. Emma stared after them and Mary Margaret said, "Henry must really like you."
"Yeah I think she does" she smiled softly.
The next day.
It was lunchtime when Emma said her goodbyes to her parents and headed back to Boston.
She had spoken to Regina on the phone in the morning and Henry wasn't feeling very well, so they forgo doing something and spent an hour talking on the phone to each other instead.
A week later
Emma was frustrated. She was getting nowhere in her recent case at work and her the boss was on her back about paperwork.
She usually wasn't so behind with it all, but her mind was preoccupied with thoughts of Regina stressing over the phone about Henry being unwell and her people at work pissing her off.
She decided she wanted to do something nice for Regina, so she looked up Storybrooke flower shop on her laptop and ordered a bouquet of flowers to be delivered to Regina at home.
She hoped it may cheer her up and make her smile. Emma loved her smile, it was as radiant as the sun she thought.
And that Saturday at 11am there was a knock on Regina's door.
"Who could that be this early," Regina thought, going to open her front door and was meet with a woman holding a bouquet of flowers.
Regina looked confused, she must have the wrong house, no one gives me flowers she thought.
"Hello, are you Regina mills?"
"Yes."
"I am Sarah, from the local florist and I am here to deliver these flowers to you," she held them out and Regina took them. She stared at them in surprise.
"There is a note inside...I will leave you to your day, thank you." She smiled and left quickly, leaving Regina rooted to the spot momentarily, before turning around and walking back into her house.
The bouquet was truly beautiful. A mixture of flowers and Regina wondered who would send her such a beautiful bouquet.
She then walked to the kitchen, placing them down on the unit and looking for the note.
A long moment later, she pulled a small white envelope out of the wrapping inside and opened it eagerly.
Dear Regina, I know things have been tough over the last week so I thought maybe these would cheer you up and I wanted to hopefully make you smile. Hope you like the flowers. Emma X
Regina gasped, rereading the message twice more before looking over the flowers and her heart swelled and filled with warmth.
She then reached for her phone and called Emma.
"Hey Regina," Emma said happily and Regina smiled widely at hearing Emma's voice.
"Hello dear, how are you?" She tried to sound natural.
"Um okay, I'm heading to the food store soon how are you?" She replied, wondering if Regina received her flowers yet. She thought that maybe she called to say she had got them but maybe not.
"I was feeling a bit tired actually," she stared at her flowers happily.
"And now?" Emma asked a little concerned.
"I'm happily looking at these wonderful flowers."
Emma's heart sped up.
"The flowers are beautiful, thank-you Emma," Regina said sincerely.
"You got them."
"Yes I did, five minutes ago."
"Cool," Emma replied casually ,but inside she was beaming that Regina liked them.
"I shall put them in a vase and put them where I shall see them."
Emma blushed and was thankful no one could see her. "Glad you like them."
They then spent another 40 minutes talking, before Regina had to go meet Kathryn with Henry.
7:02pm
Regina called Zelena, whilst standing in her kitchen.
"Hey sis, what has Emma done now?" Zelena huffed down the phone.
"Who says I'm going to talk about Emma" she snapped.
"Oh, really?"
Regina shook her head and smiled.
"She got me flowers"
Zelena perked up upon hearing those words.
"Ha, she's trying to woo you sis, what was the occasion?"
Regina scoffed.
"No occasion, just to make me smile apparently."
" Oh my God, that was her reason?"
"Yes."
"She likes you likes you sis."
"Don't be ridiculous, she's being friendly. She's kind to people." She ran a hand through her hair.
"I need to meet her, to see you both together because I can't believe there's not some bright spark going on there", Zelena said seriously.
Regina chuckled.
"I'm hoping she will come to the Christmas ball, but I doubt it."
"Oh yeah, the annual Christmas ball. I'll definitely come to that."
"I knew you would."
"Free food and drink, what's not to like."
"Hmm."
13th November
Emma was on the phone with her father, while walking around her apartment aimlessly.
"I've interviewed two guys already and their definitely not suitable. It's going to take me forever to find someone that is qualified for the job."
It was those words that stuck in Emma's brain for days to come . Until She sat at her desk one afternoon, watching her colleague talking about his family.
"I couldn't be without them really, they drive me crazy sometimes but when my wife gives me a back massage or my daughters happily going on about something, that is all the matters."
"Your kind of sappy," the other guy says and Emma looks to her phone and reads the message she received that morning from Regina.
Regina: Morning dear, just had my wake up coffee and taking Henry to school now. Hope you have a great day and try and stay out of trouble X
Emma's heart tugged in her chest. She had noticed this tug was getting stronger as each day passed and she really wanted to open her heart again, to trust again and not get hurt.
She keep thinking that this is too good to be true, why would this woman want her?! If she did want her in the first place, that is. Were the looks and the sweet compliments just her imagination?
She desperately wanted them mean more, she wanted to see Regina every day and Henry and even her parents.
She then saw Regina's radiant smile in her mind that was directed at her and she felt that fluttering, the love…her eyes that widened in wonder. She knew what she needed to do.
So she stood up and walked outside to calling her father.
"Emma?"
"Hey dad."
"Everything okay?"
"Yeah…well no."
"What's wrong?"
"Is that deputy position still available?"
"Yeah, as I said it will probably be open for a long time," he sighed.
"What about me? Could I apply?"
There was silence.
"Dad?"
"Are you serious?"
"Yes."
"I thought you were okay in Boston."
"I've realized okay isn't good enough."
"And you want to come here?"
"Yeah, I kinda like it there and you and mom are there."
"Regina's also here," he mumbled.
"What's that supposed to mean?" Emma snapped.
"Nothing, just that every time we speak on the phone lately, you always ask if I've seen her and if I have you always ask if did she looked okay and what was she doing," he chuckled and Emma gasped. Was she that blind? Had she really been that obvious!?
"Well we're friends and… um… can I apply for this job there or not?"
"It's yours if you want it Emma."
Emma raised an eyebrow. "Really?"
"Yes really.'"
Emma smiled to herself.
"Okay, well I'll set things in motion this end and let you know what's going on. Don't tell anyone yet."
"Okay."
"Cool, I better go."
"Bye Emma."
"Bye dad."
She then ended the call and walked back inside where she went into her boss's office and told him happily, "I'm giving my notice as of today sir."
He raised his eyebrows. "What is your reason?"
"I am moving to Storybrooke, to be with my family sir."
"I see," he pondered for a moment. "I guess there is no stopping you then."
"No sir."
He nodded. "I want it in writing and then you can give your notice."
"Yes sir."
He nodded again and Emma left. And once she left the building, she felt lighter and she was going straight home to write her letter of resignation.
The sooner she served her notice the sooner shed be able to see Regina and Henry, she thought to herself.
Regina however, was wishing the days away for the Christmas ball to come. She was hoping to see Emma there. As she walked down Main Street during her break, she bumped into David.
"Regina," he said.
"Hello David," she smirked.
"How are you?"
"Well and you?"
"Same."
"Have you found a deputy yet?" she asked seriously.
"I believe so."
"Good, I will look forward to meeting them."
He smiled at her, thinking, "ha you already do."
"I better be going," and she walked off, leaving David shaking his head amused.
December 17th
Emma was packed up and ready to leave her life in Boston behind. She had said her farewells the day before and now she was heading to Storybrooke for a new adventure. One she hoped would end happily.
And as she packed her last box into her car, she took a deep breath and took one last look around.
"Yeah, I'm doing the right thing," she muttered to herself and got in to the car, happily.
Moments later, her phone beeped.
Regina: are you coming to the Christmas ball on the 21st? You haven't gave me an answer yet! X
Emma chuckled. She figured Regina wanted her to be there with the constant messages, asking her if she was going but she was not sure how to answer yet. She wanted to surprise her.
Emma: works pretty busy, I don't know if I can X
Regina frowned at the message and was in a foul mood for the rest of that day.
She had brought a gown and everything, all in hope that Emma would be there and depending on how the evening went, she was going to tell her of her feelings for her. She also wanted to do it face to face, at this kind of romantic event.
Emma arrived at her parent's late that evening. She was engulfed by her mother.
"I can't believe you have come to live here, you can stay with us, as long as you like honey."
Emma nodded her head with a warm smile and they then proceeded to bring up her boxes, from the car.
"Is this it?" David asked, picking the last one down on the floor.
"Yeah, I don't have much really."
"I can see that" he replied with a smirk and glancing round at boxes on the floor.
Emma shook her head amusedly.
"Will you be going to the ball?" Emma suddenly asked.
"Yes of course, it's going to be wonderful. There's music, drinks, Christmas decorations, and according to Henry, his mother has brought the most amazing ball gown." Her mother replied.
Emma's face lit up. "I will look forward to seeing that."
"I think we all are," David chuckled.
Emma then, spent the next three days unpacking and getting everything in order. She also told her parents not to tell anyone that she was there yet but her mother nearly slipped up.
"I nearly told Ruby today," her mother sighed as she sat down at the dinning table. "Why can't we just tell people?" she asked.
"It's only till the ball mom, I want to surprise…" she stopped.
"Let me guess, Regina" David said.
"Is there something you're not telling us?" Her mother then asked suspiciously.
"No, I just want to see her shocked face and Henry's too" she chuckled and both her parents looked to one another, with a knowing look.
A while later, Emma sent Regina a text.
Emma: I'm sorry I can't be there Regina X
Minutes later, Regina replied back.
Regina: That is fine, I shall enjoy the night with Henry and Zelena X
Emma smirked.
Emma: that's good, I'll just be working and thinking of you all X
Regina: Thinking what exactly? X
Emma shook her head and replied.
Emma: I don;t know, maybe about how nice you look? X
Regina smiled widely.
Regina: Yes, you do that dear. X
The following evening , Regina arrived at the town hall early.
She wore her gown which was purple and black. It was a absolutely stunning dress and Henry was in a smart suit.
She spent the first hour greeting people, as they arrived. When suddenly, she noticed Mary Margaret and David walking towards her.
"Hello," she greeted politely.
"Hello Regina, I don't think I've seen you so dressed up before, you look lovely".
"Thank-you and so do you both."
They smiled at her.
"It's a shame Emma couldn't make it," Mary Margaret muttered.
This caused Regina's smile to fall and her mouth curled downwards.
"Yes, well maybe we shall see her soon," David added, seeing Regina look glum.
"I hope so," Regina replied and they both nodded.
Ten minutes later, Zelena turned up.
"The traffic was a total nightmare" she snapped and then noticed Regina's dress . "Wow look at you, Emma doesn't know what she's missing sis."
Regina rolled her eyes.
"You look nice too"
"Thanks" she patted down her all black tight dress and glanced around.
"I'm gonna go get a drink sis, Ill be right back" and she hurried off towards the alcohol table.
An hour later, the music was loud and the hall was full of dancing and chattering people.
Regina wondered round aimlessly, checking her phone every few minutes. A part of her still hoped Emma would turn up.
She suddenly felt a vibration in her hand, her phone alerting her to a new message.
Emma: hey how's the ball going? X
Regina sighed.
Regina: it is going great, would be better if you was here dear X
Emma: sorry I'm not, il see you soon though X
Regina: Okay, how is your evening going? X
Emma chuckled, she was actually outside the town hall in a plain red dress and heels.
Emma: well there's something I've been meaning to tell you and wanted to see if thing's worked out, before saying anything but I have fallen in love with someone and I'm going into town now to meet them and I am going to tell her. X
Regina walked to the nearest table and sat down, clearly upset and she felt as if her heart breaking.
Meanwhile outside, Emma felt arms engulfed her waist.
"Emma," Henry's voice shouted and she gasped. "Henry what you doing out here?"
"It was hot inside the hall."he released her and she turned to face him.
"Oh."
"Mom said you wasn't coming."
"I wanted to surprise you both." she replied happily.
"That's cool, mom's been sad that you said you wasn't coming," he bit his lip anxiously and Emma knelled down.
"I'm here now Henry and I have something to ask you," she cleared her throat nervously.
"Yeah?"
"How would you feel if I said I really like you mom"
"Duh," he said. "I know that already, she really likes you too, do you like me too?" He smiled and Emma's heart began to thud.
"Yes I like you too," she replied quietly and he smiled wider.
"You going to tell mom?" he asked.
"I hope so, but don't tell her I'm here yet, okay?"
"Okay" he looked down and a moment later, she received a text.
Regina: that's wonderful news. I'm happy for you.
Emma frowned, there was no kiss at the end.
She then stood up and walked into the hall with Henry who spotted Zelena and hurried off towards her.
Emma watched him briefly, before ducking her head and trying to go unseen, before finally noticing Regina sitting on a chair.
Emma froze, taking in the breathtakingly beautiful woman that was sat twenty feet away from her. She looked quite upset, as if she was going to cry and Emma felt an ache inside her chest.
She stared for another moment. Not taking any notice of the music or people walking by. She thought, does she love me like I love her? Then, she brought her phone up in her hand and texted Regina.
Emma: Thanks, Ive just arrived and she looks absolutely breathtaking. How can someone get more beautiful every time you see them? I better go over, Ill speak to you later X
She pressed send and then looked back up and waited for Regina to read the latest message.
And when she did, Emma slowly went over to her, coming from behind her and knelled down next to her.
Regina glanced sideways, upon feeling someone next to her and her eyes were glistening under the lights with a saddened expression upon her face, that suddenly turned to complete shock.
"Emma..."