For those of you- like myself- who have seen the film, you know that this entire chapter will make you swoon, and maybe cry a little. I do every single time I watch the film and I admit to shedding a few tears as I wrote this. I'm happy to deliver another update for today. I hope you enjoy it. Happy reading! :)
THIS STORY CONTAINS A MAJOR CHARACTER DEATH.
After making sure Regina was safely inside of her house, Emma worked up all of her courage and drove to the only church in town. That's where Regina's father would be, studying up this Sunday's reading. It wasn't wrong to say that Emma's heart had never beat faster in all of her life like it was right now. Her hands were sweaty as she entered the church, seeing Reverend Mills standing behind his podium, glasses perched along the tip of his nose. A glass of water beside him.
Who would have thought that Emma would be coming to church voluntarily, just to ask permission on Regina's behalf? She certainly didn't. Would she change the situation, however? No. She wouldn't.
Even if Reverend Mills intimidated Emma a little bit, she was here for the long run. Or until Regina didn't want to be with her anymore.
With that in mind, Emma mustered all of her courage she had to give in that moment and walked a little further toward the podium, eyes never leaving Reverend Mills. Her hands nervously run along her thighs to dry them off.
Her breathing stops entirely once Reverend Mills' eyes are on her, glaring from behind his glasses. "Can I help you?" He asks Emma.
"Uh, yes, sir." Emma nods, tucking her fidgeting hands inside of her pockets. "I, um…" She gulps down a swallow. "I'd like to ask for your permission to uh, take your daughter out to dinner on Saturday night."
Despite the surprise behind Henry Mills' eyes that Emma Swan was asking him for permission to date his daughter, he rapidly shook his head. "That's not possible."
Okay. Strike one. That's okay. Emma didn't expect for him to say yes on her first attempt. "With all due respect, sir…" Emma chose her next words carefully, "I ask you to reconsider."
Henry's eyes glare behind his glasses, "With all due respect, Ms. Swan. I've made my decision. And my answer is no." Emma frowns as the Reverend motions toward the door. "You can exit the way you entered."
Okay. Strike two. However, Emma wasn't done yet. "Listen, I'm sorry I haven't treated Regina the way I should have. She deserves more than that." She pauses, her eyes never leaving Regina's father. "And I know I'm not your favorite person, and that you probably think anyone else would be much better than me for your daughter- and you're right. But, I'm just asking you for the same thing that you teach us every day in church." Henry's eyes glare up in Emma's direction. "And that's faith."
To say the Reverend was surprised with the fact that Emma actually paid attention to mass every Sunday was an understatement. His forefinger tapped along the wooden podium rapidly as he sighed softly. "You are… Persistent, Ms. Swan, I'll give you that."
The corner of Emma's lip tilted just enough. She was proud of herself.
The Reverend removed his glasses and rubbed the bridge of his nose. "Say I say yes, and this date of yours goes well. Just what are your intentions with my daughter, Ms. Swan? And don't lie." He points at her using his glasses. "Do not forget you have made quite the reputation for yourself in this town and everyone knows about it. Including Regina."
Emma wets her lips and sighs softly, "I understand that, yes, sir. But, I promise you that my intentions with Regina are nothing but honest. Pure. Good."
"Good?" Reverend Mills sees a nod from Emma as he draws in a breath. He still didn't like this one bit. But, he had to admit to Emma being brave enough to come and face him herself. And he was well aware that Regina liked her. "You have to understand that Regina is everything to me. And if you so much step out of line with her-"
"I won't." Emma shakes her head, her eyes never leaving Henry's. "I give you my word, sir, that all I want is for Regina to be happy. To have new things to look forward to. If you allow this, I promise to bring her home at a decent hour, safe and unharmed. But if you don't… I also promise not to give up until you give your blessing."
Henry nods, his sudden scowl vanishing as he places back his glasses. "Very well. I'll grant you a date with my daughter." He doesn't need to look up from his bible to know Emma was smiling from ear to ear right now.
"Thank you. Thank you so much. I'll pick her up at six on Saturday." Said Emma, her heart feeling like it could burst at any moment.
"Ms. Swan." Henry calls out, his eyes on Emma as she turns back to face him. "You bring her home by ten. No question."
Emma gives a satisfactory nod. "Yes, sir. Ten O'Clock. Thank you." Her smile grows as she turns to leave. She fights the urge to drive over to Regina's house and give her the news herself. She was sure her father would do that for her. Now all Emma needed was to fight her impotence for Saturday to arrive.
Regina set the food along the table that evening, smiling as her father entered the kitchen.
The Reverend sighed as took a seat along their breakfast table. Regina noticed that he had been particularly quiet today, but didn't dare to ask what was wrong. While Henry, he took a quick sip of his soda. Eyes on Regina. "Ms. Swan came to see me today." He randomly announces, hearing Regina's fork clank along her plate.
"Did she?" Regina's brow furrows. "Whatever for?"
Henry clears his throat, stabbing a piece of his salad with his fork. "To ask my permission to take you on a date." He chuckles, shaking his head. Regina's wide-eyed stare going unnoticed. "I will say this, she doesn't take no for an answer."
"She asked you?" Regina fought the urge to smile at her father's nod. "And you said yes?"
"Do you not want to? If you don't want to-"
"No!" Regina quickly shook her head, a small smile tugging at the corners of her lips. "I mean, yes- I do want to. I'm just surprised that you allowed it in the first place."
"Well, Regina, it's no secret to me that you obviously like this girl. I can't possibly imagine why, but," Dad sighs deeply, shaking his head.
Regina stands from the table, rushing to her father, her arms wrapping around from behind him affectionately. Regina's father can't help but smile at this. "Thank you, daddy!" She beams, kissing his cheek.
"You're welcome." The Reverend's eyes follow Regina as she runs out of the room. "Where are you going?" He calls out.
"To figure out what I'm going to wear!" Said Regina, her feet thumping loudly as they rush up the stairs.
Henry's shoulders shake with a quiet laughter. He sighs and a sudden sadness takes over him. This date was not a good idea. But, he had to keep reminding himself that this is what Regina wanted. He only hoped this date wouldn't go past more.
Saturday came, and Emma was more than thrilled, hopping off the last two steps of her house, dressed in a pair of her best jeans, a white v-neck shirt, tucked into her waistline and her blue jacket to finish, which she had gotten back from Regina in school the other day. Her hair hangs loose along her shoulders.
"Looking sharp! Got a date?" Mom asked from the couch, looking over her shoulder.
"As a matter of fact, yeah. With Regina." Emma grins impossibly larger.
"Regina- Reverend Mills' daughter- Regina?"
"That'd be the one." Said Emma.
Mom removes her glasses and lifts a brow. "How did you manage to do that? Considering the Reverend's distaste to you."
Emma shrugs, grinning from ear to ear. "I talked to him. Asked him nicely and respectfully and he said yes."
Mom's both brows rose up to her hairline.
"I gotta go, I'm supposed to pick up Regina at six." Emma checks the time on her watch as she leans into her mother, placing a kiss along her cheek. "I'll be home later."
"Have fun, sweetheart. But-" Mom holds up a single digit. Her eyes glaring, "Not too much fun."
Emma rolls her eyes playfully, "Yes, ma'am." She shuts the door and jogs to her car.
Emma's heart danced wildly inside of her chest as she approached the front door to Regina's home. Even more as she knocked and waited. A smile spread widely along her lips once Regina opened the door. "Hey." Her eyes scanned Regina's appearance from head to toe.
"Hi." Regina smiles, her eyes bright.
"You look beautiful." Emma breathed, rubbing her sweaty palms along her thighs as discreetly as possible.
"Thank you." Regina's eyes scan over Emma's appearance in one quick motion. "So do you." Her cheeks turn pink as she grins.
"Oh," Emma's cheeks match the color of Regina's as she looks herself over. "Are you ready to go?" Her question goes unanswered as Emma's green eyes move to Regina's father, who is standing just behind his daughter. "Reverend." She nods respectfully.
"Ms. Swan." Henry nods with a scowl. "You do remember the curfew?"
"Yes, sir. Ten and no later." As Emma nods, Regina smiles at her father sweetly.
"Bye, daddy. And quit worrying. I'm in good hands." She smiles at Emma.
It filled Emma's heart with a thousand beats to know that Regina thought herself safe in her hands. That's how she wanted her to feel. Always.
Henry hummed before he placed a kiss on Regina's cheek. "Bye, sweetheart. I'll be waiting up."
Regina waves as she looks at Emma. "Ready?" She asks.
"Yeah. Let's go." Emma smiles, her hand hovering along Regina's back, wanting to land there, but quickly retracts it. Emma does however, open the passenger door, not only for Regina's father to see, but because it was the gallant thing to do. So she read in one of her mother's many books. And Emma wanted to do everything right with Regina. And for Regina.
Emma had booked a reservation at this little corner/outdoor restaurant with live music playing, and a small dance floor. She had enough money saved up to pay for it out of her own pocket. White Christmas lights were strung up along their heads, dangling like stars as they were ushered to their table.
"I can't believe you asked my father's permission." Regina smiled.
"Nothing to it, really." Said Emma, smiling along.
Their waiter handed them each their menus as he smiled, "May I start you off with some refreshments for the evening?"
Emma looked to Regina, allowing her to order first. "Sweet tea, please." Said Regina.
"Make that two." Emma smiles up at the waiter.
"Very good. I'll be back with your refreshments while you look over the menu." The waiter smiles, scattering away.
"Thank you." Regina gives off a smile, her eyes looking around, taking in the restaurant. "This restaurant is really nice. Are you sure this is okay?"
"Don't even worry about it, okay? You choose whatever you want." Emma smiles, seeing a matching smile come from Regina. "So…" Her eyes glance down at the menu. "What'll it be?"
"Hm," Regina hums, studying the menu. "I think the steak and vegetables with mashed potatoes sound pretty good."
"Yeah, that does sound pretty good." Emma grins. "Any dessert?"
Regina bites at her lower lip, and Emma can't look away from the way her teeth graze it. "Wouldn't that be too much?"
"Gina," Emma reaches out across the table, taking Regina's hand in hers. Her eyes locked on Regina's. "Nothing is ever too much for you."
Regina's heart explodes inside of her chest as she stares into Emma's eyes from across the table. From the way Emma is holding her hand. The feel of her skin against her own. How softly her thumb brushed along her knuckles.
"Here we are," Their waiter comes back, causing them to quickly part hands as he sets down their refreshments.
"Thank you very much." Regina smiles.
"Thanks." Said Emma.
"Will you be needing a couple more minutes or do you already know what you want?" The waiter smiles, ready with his pad and pen to write down their order.
Their course was excellent. Worth the price of the place. Emma was happy because she was with Regina, and Regina was happy. That's all that mattered tonight. And watching how happy Regina enjoyed a slice of chocolate cake was a bonus. It made Emma smile. So much that Regina's eyes looked up to her, her cheeks growing a shade of pink as she caught her looking.
"How was everything?" The waiter came by, offering to pick up their plates.
Regina passed her plate along with a smile. "Everything was really great. Thank you so much."
"Miss?" The waiter's hand moved along to Emma's plate.
"Yeah, I'm done, thank you." Emma passed him her plate.
"Let me know if you need anything else." The waiter nods and scurries off, giving them their privacy once again.
Emma sighs in content, her eyes on Regina, taking in how beautiful she looked in her floral white dress with purple flowers, her purple sweater, and her hair picked up in a neat ponytail.
Regina's eyes look over to three couples dancing along the dance floor. She smiles as Bittersweet Symphony begins playing, the singer's vocals filling the outdoors. She looks at Emma. "Would you like to dance?"
Panic sets in Emma's insides. "Um…" She would love to, except- "Sorry. I don't dance." If Emma so much as danced, this date would end sooner than ten PM.
"Me neither." Regina smiles shyly. "I mean, not usually in front of anyone."
"Well, no, I mean, I don't-" Emma shakes her head. "At all- as in I can't." She chuckles, a little embarrassed at herself.
Regina's head cocks to one side. "Everybody can dance."
If only that were true. But Emma couldn't carry a beat in her two left feet to save her life.
"Come on, you can't be that bad." Regina smiles, seeing the hesitance in Emma's gaze. "Please? For me?"
Great. It was then that Emma knew that she would do anything Regina ever desired. And if Regina wanted to dance, by God, Emma only prayed she wouldn't step on her feet.
"Come on." Regina stood up and held out her hand for Emma to take, waiting.
A tickling sensation settled inside of Emma's stomach, her intestines knotting tightly as she stood up, reaching for Regina's hand and following her to the dance floor. How did this go? Emma held onto Regina's right hand with her left, and delicately placed her right hand along Regina's waist. So far so good… Emma allowed Regina to lead and took a quick step with her right foot, a little too soon.
"Ow." Regina winced, feeling Emma step along her toes and jerking back.
Emma cringed, looking down at her stupid feet to make sure they didn't step on Regina again. "Sorry. I told you I was bad at this." She smiled apologetically.
Regina's smile comes out genuine and carefree. "It's okay. In fairness, you did warn me."
"Yes, I did." Emma's nerves calm just by looking at Regina's smile. She occasionally keeps looking down at her feet to make sure she's following Regina's lead well enough. "So…" Her eyes lock on Regina's. "What's number one on your list?"
Regina grins and shakes her head. Not ready to reveal herself fully just yet.
Emma could respect that. "Okay," she nods. "Well, number one on my list is getting out of Greenfield."
A hum escapes Regina's throat, "I don't think getting out is going to be a problem. It's more figuring out what you're going to do when you get there."
"What do you mean?"
Regina's eyes lock into Emma's. "I mean you can do anything."
For the first time in her life- right now- Emma felt like she could conquer the world with Regina by her side. "Do you want to get out of here? I'd really like to take you somewhere else."
"Where?" Regina's head tilted quizzically.
Regina learned that Emma could be just as secretive as her. Regina was all smiles, unable to hold back as Emma drove farther and farther, until there was nothing but the road ahead of them and a line of trees on both ends. And no matter how many times Regina would ask where she was being taken, Emma wouldn't budge.
"Okay," Emma unbuckles her seat belt, smiling at Regina. "We're here. Now get out of the car."
"Where are we, Emma?" Regina looks around as she exits the car, shutting the passenger door.
Emma rushes over to Regina's side, stretching out her hand and reaching for Regina's. "Come on. Hurry."
"Where are we going?" Regina chuckles, her feet trying to keep up as fast as they could with Emma's quick sprints. "Emma."
"Okay, alright- stand here," Emma points to the ground. "One foot there."
"Okay." Regina does as she's told, placing her left foot along the road.
"And one foot there." Emma points to another spot along the road.
"Okay." Regina settles her right foot, her eyes on Emma. "You're acting like a crazy person. What's going on?" A grin stretches along the corners of her lips.
"Okay, right now, you're straddling the state line." Emma explains.
Regina's brow furrows, "Okay?" She shakes her head, not understanding.
Emma steps aside, revealing a street sign that reads: Welcome to Vermont. "You're in two places at once."
Regina's eyes move from the sign directly into Emma's own eyes, her smile, it was so big that it became contagious to Regina, causing her to smile so big, it hurt not only her cheeks but her chest. Regina's laughter filled Emma's ears with the sweetest sound imaginable, and as unlike as it was of Regina to do. The brunette couldn't help it. She didn't hold back in throwing herself, leaping into Emma's arms, who held onto her so securely in an embrace, Emma spun Regina around in a full circle until her legs no longer touched the ground.
Emma had no intention of stopping there. She wanted to know Regina's entire list someday and see to it that everything she wanted came true. Starting with the first few ones she did know about.
After leaving the state line, Emma drove back into town, parking along the docks, overlooking the waterline. Emma always secretly thought it was quite a romantic spot. And Emma wanted a spot where her and Lily had never been to.
"I got something for you." Emma reached into her glove compartment, pulling out three slips of paper, a bottle of water and a small cotton ball.
"What is that?" Asks Regina.
Emma holds up the three slips of paper, revealing washable tattoos. Various options of them. "You wanted a tattoo. Tonight, we're giving you one." Emma smiles as Regina does. "So, which one do you want? A feather, butterfly, or a rose?"
Regina studies her options, looking up at Emma. "You chose."
Emma holds up the slip with various feathers. "Feather, then."
"Okay." Regina grins.
"Where do you want it?" Emma's voice is low as she asks this.
Regina ponders on that decision for a short minute, until she finally says, "Right here," Emma's gaze linger on Regina's bare shoulder as Regina slips down the shoulder of her sweater and sleeve of her dress. She points to her shoulder blade and Emma's heart vibrates inside of her chest.
"Okay." Emma wets her lips. She pulls on the clear paper along the strip and places the sticky part of the feather along Regina's shoulder blade. Using the bottle, she wets the cotton ball and gently rubs it along the back of the strip until it's soaked against Regina's skin. Emma is met with Regina's eyes and a special kind of glint in Regina's eye that she can't help but smile herself.
Emma blows on the strip and eventually pulls it off of Regina's skin, being met with a perfectly marked black feather along her shoulder blade. Regina's smile widens at how beautiful the washable tattoo actually looks on her. "Thank you," Regina whispers.
Then and there, looking into Regina's eyes, Emma craves to kiss her. All it would take was to lean in until their lips were brought together again. But she didn't want this night to end either. Emma's thumb softly strokes along Regina's soft skin, and she aches more than ever. Her heart is bursting, it hurts.
"Do you want to take a walk before I take you home?" Emma asks, exiting the car as Regina quietly nods. She reaches out, welcoming Regina to take her hand, which Regina does.
Now that Regina's father wasn't around to supervise, Emma wasn't as nervous to do so.
They walk along the dock, hearing a boat sound its horn off in the distance, and the waves of the water shore singing to the movement of the wind that brushed past them. Emma's eyes remained on Regina the entire time they walked. On how she always looked like she was deep in thought, even if she wasn't. On the satisfactory smile tugging at the corners of her lips. It was truly the most beautiful sight she had ever come to witness.
"How can you see places like this? And share moments like these and not believe?" Regina asks, breaking the silence.
Emma shrugs slowly, "You're lucky to be so sure."
Regina's hand slips out from Emma's as she walks up to the end of the dock, her eyes closing as she draws in a calm and deep breath. "It's like the wind," says Regina. "I can't see it, but I feel it."
A small smile forms along the corners of Emma's lips. "What do you feel?"
"I feel… Wonder… Beauty… Joy…" Regina sighs contently. "Love." She turns to face Emma. "I mean it's the center of everything, Emma."
Emma felt it. She felt that urge again that wasn't carnal, but a desire to feel Regina's lips on hers again. Her eyes looking down at Regina's lips. "I might kiss you." She whispers.
Regina's breath catches in the back of her throat, panic sets in her eyes. Nerves settle in her stomach. "I might be bad at it."
The corner of Emma's lip tilts upward, "That's not possible." Her hand captures the edge of Regina's jaw, and Emma welcomes herself to take that last step that closes the distance between them. Her eyes close once her lips are on Regina's. This kiss is slower and longer than the one shared up on stage. This was no act, but reality. And for the first time in her entire existence, Emma felt like she was where she belonged. With whom she belonged.
Kissing Regina made Emma feel everything Regina talked about. Even after their lips parted, Emma could feel it. Deep inside the center of her heart, beating faster and stronger. Everything Emma started feeling lately, making much more sense.
"Gina…" Emma breathed, her eyes locked on Regina's. "I love you."
Regina's eyes are wide, frightened, nervous as if she were fighting against something that Emma couldn't understand. It frightened Emma that she might've said the L word a little too soon. But why lie when it was God's honest truth? Emma was in love. For the first time in her life, she was honest to God, in love. All the more reason for her to grow nervous as to what Regina could possibly be thinking.
"Now… Would be the time to say something." Emma drew in a sharp breath, preparing for the worst, but keeping her faith.
Regina gulps. "I told you not to fall in love with me." Her voice comes out gentle.
"Does that mean that you don't-?" Emma's voice halts as she feels Regina's fingertips gently silence her. Fear sets in.
Regina's eyes turn glossy as they lock sternly into Emma's. "I've always loved you, Emma."
Fear gone, and relief setting in, the corners of Emma's lips stretch into the biggest smile imaginable. She feels with more liberty to lean in and capture Regina's lips in another gentle kiss, so gentle it makes Regina's own heart inflate inside of her chest. Emma parts away, but remains close to Regina, enough to place a loving kiss along the brunette's forehead.
"So, if I asked you to be my girlfriend… Would you?"
Regina's eyes met with Emma's again, a wide smile visible along her lips that is quick to match Emma's. And once again, both are wrapped in each other's embrace.