The week in the cabin seemed to pass quickly. If either one of them had had any concerns about their compatibility those fears were put to rest.
After packing up Regina decided to have a cup of coffee on the patio and take in the scenery one last time before they left. She held the warm cup in her hands, bundled up tightly in her dark jacket. She heard the door open behind her and turned to see Emma poking her head out.
"Everything okay?" she asked.
"Just enjoying the view."
"Hmm…well, I can look through the window from inside the warm cabin." She closed the door and Regina smiled. She found the cold invigorating and continued with enjoying her coffee, until it also started to get cold and went back inside.
She watched Emma for a moment as she zipped up her suitcase on the bed and then began hunting around for jacket.
"I think it's over on the couch," she added helpfully.
"Ugh, thank you. Pregnancy brain is already setting in. I hate being so damn forgetful." She shrugged her jacket on over her white sweater and turned to see Regina watching her. "What?"
"Nothing, I just…I had a good time this week. It's tough to leave."
Emma smiled. "We managed not to kill each other, the sex was good, we got through a few seasons of Game of Thrones…not bad I would say."
Regina graced her with a smile and picked up the suitcase on the bed. "Ready?"
Regina drove and Emma settled into the passenger seat, putting the seat back a little so she could relax. The sun was out and shining through the trees as they sped down the blacktop. She watched Regina out of the corner of her eye and thought about and found herself rubbing her thumb against her ring finger. Had she really agreed to get married? It was a lot to absorb. Things had happened so quickly. Had they moved too fast? Maybe they needed to slow things down a bit.
Regina looked over at her and gave her a smile. "You alright? You're quiet."
"Yea, I…" She swallowed and put her hand on her middle as she felt a flurry of movement. "I was just thinking about the marriage thing, you know, whether we're rushing…moving too fast." She sighed a little, relieved to have shared the thoughts that were bouncing around in her head.
The brunette sighed and reached over to squeeze her hand. "I don't want to rush you into anything, it just felt…it felt right, you know? I'm fine with whatever you decide."
Emma eyed her skeptically. "Are you? I told you in front of a crowd of people I would marry you."
"So? That wasn't my intention, it just turned out that way. It's our decision. If it's stressing you out then forget it. That was why I was thinking we just keep it small, do it at the courthouse. Those people will make a big event out if it given the chance, especially Snow. Or am I reading you all wrong? Do you want it to be a big thing?" She asked, casting her a worried look.
Emma knew Regina was trying hard to give her what she wanted, she could see the worry on her brow and the way she occasionally bit her lip.
"This isn't just about me. What do you want?"
"Definitely small. You know there are legal advantages to it to, you can adopt Henry."
"I though you weren't worried about that, being in Storybrooke and all."
"That was magic baby birth certificates. And, maybe we won't always be in Storybrooke." She gave her a little shrug. "You never know."
The comment made Emma feel suddenly anxious. She thought about moving away from the only real home she had ever known and she felt her palms sweat. Or Henry heading off to college.
"Do you want to…leave Storybrooke?" she asked quietly.
"No, it was just a thought. Just in case."
She shifted a bit in her seat. "She's busy again."
Regina settled her hand on Emma's belly as she drove. "A handful already," she smiled.
Mal watched the the convent through the cold windows of the car, a cup of coffee between her hands. Several people had come and gone already, and if she didn't know better she would think the mother superior was cashing in on some old debts. Ever since Blue had gotten out of the hospital the door traffic at the convent had increased and she decided it was time to take a look for herself. She had taken Lily out for an early morning breakfast and then parked the car on the street across from the convent.
"How much longer are we going to be on the stakeout?" Lily asked from the passenger seat.
"Not much longer, I just wanted to get an idea of who was coming and going over here. I don't trust that gnat for a second, but I want to make sure my concerns are justified before raising any fuss. Your buddy Emma is having the queen's child, we need to ensure her safety for that reason alone."
She snorted a bit at the 'your buddy' comment. "You really don't like her do you?"
"The Savior? I'm trying to warm up to her, the little queen is smitten obviously so I will do my best to play nice."
"Why is she still the queen to you? You don't owe her anything. I think she's a bit of a bitch honestly." Her mind was on the moment Regina had stolen her blood, and other interactions since had led her to believe Regina was no fan of hers either.
"I owe Regina quite a bit, actually. She's always been my cheerleader, even when I was not exactly in my own corner. Even during that bullshit with Gold. Let me tell you something dear; bitches make the world go round and get things done." Her gaze left the convent front door and settled on Lily for a moment. "Give her a chance. I'm willing to bet she probably saw you as a bit of a threat; a contender for Emma's affections." She suddenly laughed and slapped the steering wheel with mirth. "I bet that is exactly it, she treated you like an ex of the Savior's that had just popped up for a visit. Regina can be insecure."
"But they weren't even a…a…thing then."
"Not yet, she must have already been feeling warm and tingly for that silly blonde."
Lily smirked. "You're a blonde."
"I'm a dragon; different story."
"Ummm, ok. Sure."
An unexceptional inter office manilla envelope is what it looked like to an unknowing observer, however the whispers and excitement that seemed to follow it indicated it contained something far from unexceptional. It made its way from inboxes to desks as it gathered the required signatures. It rode up an elevator on a mail cart where it rolled towards a busy assistant who dropped what she was doing to take receipt of it with a sharp inhaled breath. She nodded to the clerk and proceeded to walk it into her boss's office.
"Mmmm'am?
The brunette looked away from her laptop and removed her dark rimmed glasses.
"Yes?" Regina asked.
"Your…your um…license is here." The young woman set the envelope down delicately on the desk.
"Good, thank you." She returned her eyes to the screen and was preparing to put her glasses back on when she saw her assistant seemed to be waiting anxiously for her to do something. She gave a little smirk and proceeded to open the envelope flap and withdraw the heavy paper inside. She held her cool demeanor even as her heart raced a little bit when she saw her own name and Emma Swan on the marriage license. She had to take a breathe to to replenish the oxygen that was suddenly missing from her lungs.
"So…when is it? I mean, have you set a date?"
"I don't know, does Friday sound good? We're just doing a justice of the peace type ceremony."
"At the court?"
"I guess."
"You could have it in the rotunda, under the dome, that would be really lovely. The light's good and…"
"That sounds like an excellent plan. Can you see about arrangements?"
"For Friday?"
"Sure, Friday."
The young woman practically hopped as she turned to leave and Regina smiled.
