A/N Okay, so maybe there will be one more chapter after this one and possibly an epilogue :) and wow 40 faves and over 100 followers, your all great thanks.
Wednesday.
Emma sat at her desk, head down and starring at one of the documents, from a file that was underneath it.
Ever since she had seen Regina with that man yesterday, she had felt sad, it was crazy she thought, she should be happy for her friend, but instead she found herself jealous and sad.
"Those documents won't sort themselves dear" a husked voice said, bringing her out of her self loathing.
"Huh?" she said looking up, meeting brown eyes and a wide smile.
Oh gods...
"I know its your last day Miss Swan, but that doesn't mean you can take it easy" Regina teased.
"I'm sorry, I will get right to it" she answered in a defeated voice. Which made Regina frown and tilt her head. The brunette was expecting a sarky comment back.
"Is everything okay Emma?" she asked.
"I'm fine" she didn't look at Regina and carried on working.
Regina blinked a few times, before stepping back. The blonde obviously wasn't in the mood for conversation. So she turned and went back to her office.
Once lunch time came, Regina stepped out of her office, determined to find out what was bothering Emma and make her feel better.
"Miss Swan, we are going to lunch" she said confidently.
Emma looked up to her.
"Are we?"
"Yes, we are going to the Diner and you can order all the grilled cheese you want, without me saying anything about it" she smirked.
Emma quirked an eyebrow.
"Really?"
"Yes, now lets go"
Emma smiled slightly and stood up to put her coat on and they left.
When they arrived at the Diner, both women ordered their usual and Regina knew something was defiantly bothering Emma. Her usual bright eyes and goofy grin were gone. She was quiet and barely looking at her.
"Have you been looking for another job dear?" Regina asked tentatively.
"Not really"
The blonde sighed and asked "So, where were you yesterday?" she kept her gaze to the couple at the table across the room.
"Oh. I was attending to personal business" she replied and unknowingly made things worse.
Yeah..personal business with your secret boyfriend...Emma thought bitterly and the rest of their lunch, then past in relative silence, with random questions and brief answers.
Back at the office, Emma felt bad for her behavior towards Regina over lunch and she went to her office.
"Emma..." Regina said curiously, upon seeing her door open and the blonde walking in.
"Hey..um I want to apologize for the way I've been today. You were right, I have a few things going on"
"That's okay Emma. We all have our off days. Is there anything I can do to help?" she swallowed and watched how Emma licked her lips.
Yeah dump your boyfriend and take a chance on me, Emma thought but replied with "No, I am sure I can cope somehow" she gave a small smile.
"Okay but you can talk to me Emma, if you want too"
"Thanks"
There was a pause, as both stared at one another and Regina began to notice Emma's brightness returning and she felt a fluttering and quickly glanced down at her desk.
"Um, I better go do my final tasks then" Emma muttered, as she turned and walked to the door.
"Thank you Emma" Regina then said and the blonde smiled, as she walked out the door and back to her desk.
2.55pm
Regina walked out of her office and to the blondes desk.
"Emma..."
"Yes Miss Mills" Emma lloked up at her.
"It's time for you to go and get Henry" she gave a small smile.
"Oh. I um, just need to put these away" she gestured to the papers on her desk.
"I can do that dear"
"Really?"
"Yes, I am capable of tidying up Miss Swan" she rolled her eyes and Emma stood up.
"I know...so this is it huh?" she frowned.
"Yes, it is and thank you for all your work Emma, I really appreciate everything you have done"
"Thanks Regina that means a lot" she smiled at her. "Were still see each right?" she added.
"Of course" Regina replied and picked up two pieces of paper that were on Emma's desk.
"Okay, well I better go get Henry"
"Tell him I said hello"
"I will" she put her coat on. "I will see you later" she added.
Regina nodded and looked down sadly, as she arranged the papers on the desk and Emma then left hesitantly, but hopeful that she still would see Regina again soon.
Sunday.
Regina had been working hard to push things through at work. While Emma had been looking for a job, looking after Henry and contemplating, whether to message or phone Regina and what to even talk about.
However it was Regina, who got in contact first.
She was at home, adding the final touches to her speech, when she picked her phone up and wrote out a message to Emma.
Regina: Hello Emma, how are you? I was wondering if you would be free for lunch tomorrow?
Emma was in the kitchen with her parents, when her phone beeped.
"Ma, you got a message" Henry shouted from the lounge and he picked her phone up. "It's from Regina" he added with a smile.
Emma spun her head towards him "What have I told you about reading my messages" she said, walking over to take the phone.
"I didn't read it, I just saw her name that's all" he replied.
Emma's parents looked to one another.
"Okay" Emma sighed, before looking to the message and then smiled.
"What is it?" Henry asked curiously.
"Nothing, she wants to know if I'm free for lunch tomorrow. That's all"
Her mother looked slightly confused.
"So, you meant it then when you said you was going to be friends with Regina?" her mother asked seriously.
"Yeah, she's not like her mother, mom" Emma replied firmly and messaged Regina back.
Monday 1.24pm at the Diner.
Regina sat patiently at the grey table, waiting for Emma to arrive. She had said to meet at 1.30, but arrived a little early.
She scanned the Diner, which was half full and noticed a young couple kissing. She rolled her eyes and then looked down and sighed.
She then thought about Emma. How would she take what she was going to do tomorrow, she wondered.
She hoped Emma would be happy and in her fantasy world, she imagined Emma running into her arms and thanking her and then kissing her passionately.
She rolled her eyes again, at herself.
"Regina.." a low voice said, making her look up.
"Emma..." she said back, in a whisper, as she took in the goofy smile and the bright green eyes. She held her breath and realized that she had missed the blonde more than realized.
Emma however sat opposite, never taking her gaze off brown eyes. The ones she had longed to look into, since last Wednesday.
"How are you?" Emma asked.
"Good and you?"
"Good" they smiled at each other.
"Hows Henry?" Regina then asked, resting her hands on the table.
"Good, actually he asked me this to give to you" she reached for her pocket and pulled out a sealed small envelope.
"He told me not to read it, otherwise he would never forgive me" she shrugged and handed it to Regina.
"Oh" the brunette replied, taking the envelope in her hands.
"Hi, what can I get you?" a waitress suddenly asked.
"Grilled cheese, hot chocolate, thanks" Emma told her happily and Regina blinked a few times at the envelope.
"And for you miss?"
Regina glanced up.
"Kale salad please"
"Thanks, Ill be right back"
Regina then proceeded to open the letter.
Hey Regina, I hope my mom hasn't read this. I just wanted to ask you if you could come to the park this weekend? Me and mom are going to have a picnic with grandma and grandpa. I'd like you too come. I am sure my mom would really like that too. Believe me.
And is it true you have a boyfriend? mom said she saw you kiss a guy outside work. She seemed pretty sad about it, me too. Anyway tell mom if you can come.
Regina gaped and she had to read it, over and over again.
Emma meanwhile leaned back and narrowed her eyes.
"What has he said?" Emma asked and she thought there is no way Henry would tell Regina about Emma having feelings for her, would he? Shit, maybe I should have read the note first.
"He has asked me, if I can come to the park with you this weekend" she replied and Emma thought phew!
"Oh, would you like to come?" she leaned forward.
"I..I wouldn't want to impose and I don't think your mother likes me every much"
Emma scoffed.
"She doesn't know you like I do, once she gets to know you, she'll like you plenty" she smiled.
"Do you want me to come?" Regina then asked, whilst starring at Emma.
"Only if you have no plans and you want to come and If so, me and Henry would be happy to have you there" she ducked her head and bit her lip.
"I have no plans" Regina replied and looked over the note once more.
She thinks I have a boyfriend, she thought. Emma seemed sad about it...he was too...does this mean...
"Great" Emma then said happily and broke Regina out of her thoughts. "Sunday 1pm, bring cake" she chuckled.
Regina shook her head amusedly and tucked the note away into her bag, for later inspection.
"So, hows work going, are you missing my talents?" Emma teased.
"What talents are those exactly?" Regina teased back.
The blonde leaned on the table.
"My ability to staple papers together, perfectly" Emma joked, whilst licking her lips and looking at full red ones.
Is she trying to flirt with me, Regina wondered and she leaned on the table also, so now they were inches apart.
"I have to say Miss Swan, your stapling is second to none" she looked to soft pink lips, then to green eyes and repeated the action.
Emma swallowed thickly, Fuck it's getting hot in here all of a sudden, she thought but then the waitress suddenly interrupted.
"Hot chocolate" she said casually and both women jumped back and blinked a couple of times.
"Thanks" Emma muttered, taking the drink in her Regina cleared her throat.
They then talked about random subjects whilst slightly teasing each other, until the time came to leave.
"I guess I will see you Saturday then" Emma said casually, as they stopped outside the Diner, before saying goodbye.
"You will. Your message me the exact details yes?"
"Of course" she smiled at Regina and tucked her hands into her pockets.
"There is actually one other thing I wanted to ask you"
"Whats that?" she tilted her head curiously.
"Will you watch the local news tomorrow at eleven thirty, in the morning?"
"Why?"
"I will be announcing the new hotel and I really need you to watch it" she pleaded.
"Oh, Why is that?"
"I..trust me" she took a breath.
"Okay" she narrowed her eyes slightly.
"I think you will be glad that you did, that's all I will say" she gave a small smile.
"Sure"
They stood for a moment in silence.
"I enjoyed Lunch" Emma then said quietly.
"Me too, even if I had to see you eat that grilled cheese" she scrunched her nose.
"You should try it sometime"
Regina scoffed and again there was a pause as both gazed at one another.
"I really should get back" Regina sighed.
"Okay, I see you Saturday Regina"
"Saturday" Regina replied and nodded slightly, before both hesitantly parted ways.
Tuesday 11.16am at the proposed Hotel site.
"Regina dear, you are sure you have everything down in the speech yes?"
Regina swallowed thickly.
"Yes mother, everything will be fine"
""Good, then I will just speak with the reporters and il be back" she smiled and headed off, leaving Regina with her father.
"Why do I have a feeling that you are hiding something sweetheart?" he asked.
Regina fiddled with her hands.
"Daddy, please don't be mad"
"Your worrying me now"
"I have found us another site for the Hotel. I couldn't let this go, a promise..I made to someone, someone I care about, to keep the center"
"I see..." he frowned.
"I have been busy, sorting everything do not worry. The other site is only a mile from here and is in just as good a place as this one"
"Okay, but you do know we will still own this land, the center. I don't think your mother will want anything to do with the center, sweetheart"
"I know. but mother will see it will be good for business. To be doing something good for the community and I will see too everything, she doesn't even have to step foot in there, if she doesn't want too"
"It will be to much for you, sweetheart"
Regina ran a hand through her hair.
"I will get the right people in and I will cut slightly back at the firm, that's if mother doesn't fire me"
"She wouldn't do that"
Suddenly the reporter intercepted "Were ready for you now, miss Mills"
Regina nodded and straightened her black blazer and walked to the small wooden stand, that had a big M in gold on the front. She took a moment to gaze over the two dozen people in front of her.
Meanwhile, Emma and her mother was at the apartment.
"I don't know why she wants you to watch this, its rubbing salt into the wound that's what this is" Emma's mother said seriously, as she sat waiting for the local news to begin.
Emma rolled her eyes.
"She told me I must watch it, but didn't say why exactly" she tilted her head, then walked to sit next to her mother as the intro began to play and they starred blankly at the tv screen and the reporter began to speak.
"This is such a shame" her mother muttered, shaking her head.
"Mom" Emma moaned, glancing to her then back to the screen.
"Now, I will hand you over to Regina Mills, the face of the Mills corporation, who will announce details for the new city development.
The camera switched to Regina, who was given a nod by the reporter.
She took a deep breath and thought, here goes...
I'd like to welcome everyone on this special day...to announce that a new Mills Corporation Hotel will be built within the city and will bring prestige to the neighborhood...and were very proud to be here...
She smiled.
My god, she's just as beautiful on screen, as she is in private, Emma thought and she licked her lips.
Unfornutaly, there is one fly in the ointment...you see, I gave my word to someone. That we wouldn't knock down this center behind me. (She swallowed thickly and looked to her mother, who looked totally confused)
You see, I like to live by my promises, otherwise who would trust someone who doesn't keep their promises...especially in my line of work.
"What is she doing" Cora muttered to Henry Sr, who was standing next to her.
"Let her finish honey" he told her and back at the apartment, Emma's mother and Emma were gaping at the screen, at what Regina was saying.
This center behind me, actually means a lot to many people. it is an archeological gem and should be land marked. Partly because people need a place to swim and to learn cpr...Although not at the same time.
She smiled and the crowd chuckled.
But mainly because this person, who is rather unique is...she is...rather like this building she loves so much. A little rough around the edges, but when you look closely...(she looked right into the camera to convey her sincerity) she's...absolutely beautiful and the only one of her kind.
Emma melted at the brunettes words and thought she was dreaming.
So we are going to keep the center and build the New Hotel on the industrial. Which is a mile away from this location...because, I gave my word to her and I want the community to enjoy the many things this center has to offer.
She cleared her throat.
And Finally, on one unrelated matter, to this woman, I want you to know...what you saw last week wasn't what you think it was.
Thank you.
She smiled and then stepped away from the stand to claps.
Meanwhile Emma was absolutely floored and her mother was shocked.
"Is there something you want to tell me Emma?" her mother said in surprise.
"I don't know..I mean...that was..." she starred at the screen and her mother turned to her and said "To be honest, I don't even know why your still even sitting here" she starred at Emma, who was still dazed and processing.
"Your right" Emma stood up. "What do I even say?" she said anxiously.
"Thank her, then tell her how you feel" her mother said seriously.
"You know how I feel?" Emma whispered.
Her mother sighed.
"It has been pretty obvious over the last few weeks, but I didn't want to acknowledge it because it was her..However what she's just done for you and said about you, on national TV, is a big deal and maybe I have misjudged her" she shifted in her seat.
Emma starred at her wide eyed.
"Now go" Her mother said, now standing up and shooing Emma out the door and as she headed to her car, she shook her head in disbelief and felt a new kind of happiness wash over her.
Thanks for reading.