Hey you, wonderful readers! I'm finally back. We're not far along from the ending, so I can promise you the waiting is almost over… Thank you so much for your kind words, favs and follows. They helped me get my shit together – for real.
Also, quick question: I received a *G!P Emma prompt* from a guest. Would you like to read that? I'm open to swanqueen prompts, so feel free to contact me with ideas.
Have fun!
Chapter Twenty-three
It was around one in the morning when Regina whispered the final I love you and let Emma go. The brunette sleepily but adamantly prohibited her to escape through the window, and just told the Sheriff to climb down the stairs quietly.
When Emma finally reached the front door – celebrating her furtiveness much too soon – Cora called her out, making her bump ungraciously against a piece of furniture and almost knock over an expensive-looking ornament.
Her heart skipped a beat and she bit her tongue to avoid screaming, but Cora Mills did not miss the hissed Son of a bitch that Emma didn't manage to suppress.
"Elegant as always, dear."
"Jesus," the blonde gasped as the woman emerged from the shadows, wearing a purple robe and the same weird green gooey lotion on her face. "What was that for?"
"I came down for a glass of water and suddenly it sounded like a herd of cattle was coming downstairs along a fanfare band. Forgive me for checking, Miss Swan."
"Sorry," she grumbled, shrugging and reaching out for the door, when Cora called her out again.
"Emma?"
The blonde turned around. The woman looked oddly expectant, and she couldn't help smirking.
"She said yes," Emma rolled her eyes, faking impatience as she opened the door.
"Good," the woman said composedly.
"Do you wanna hug?" Emma asked with a tired sigh.
"Hug? You?" Cora snorted.
"Good," Emma grinned. "I really didn't want that snotty thing on my jacket. Bye, Cora."
"Have a good day, Sheriff," she said, unable to help a smile after the blonde left.
XXX
Henry frowned slightly when he saw Emma at the parking lot. He smiled at her, who smiled broadly in return. His mother didn't say anything about Emma picking him up from school that afternoon, but he didn't care; he enjoyed too much spending time with her to bother questioning.
"Hey, kid."
"My mom woke up with a huge smile today," he said as he passed his backpack to the blonde. "And with a sparkly ring on her finger."
Emma felt her chest warm up with the information, and she chuckled, scratching the back of her head. "Yeah, about that-"
She was engulfed into a tight hug as he threw his arms around her waist and squeezed her as much as his small frame allowed him to. She patted his head as she kneeled down in front of him. "You know, I'm dying for a milkshake right now," she said, holding back stupid tears that insisted on flooding her eyes whenever that wonderful boy did something like that.
"Awesome!" he grinned, but then he frowned suspiciously. "Is this going to be routine after you and mom get married?"
"I can't promise that, you know. Your mom would kill me if you get cavities," Emma said, pulling the front seat so he could climb on the back.
"Right," he rolled his eyes with a sigh. "Are you moving to our house or are we moving to yours?"
Emma slammed the door as she took the driver's seat, considering it for the first time.
"I don't know, kid. Why?"
"Grandma said this morning she was sending you the bill to fix our roof tiles. I thought you were buying the house on Mifflin Street."
Suppressing the laughter, Emma shook her head and drove to Granny's with Henry. When they entered the diner, most of the costumers turned their heads to them. Emma was sure half town already knew about their engagement, and for once she didn't care about the attention.
She placed a hand on Henry's shoulder, proudly.
Yeah, he's mine too.
XXX
When Emma got home with Henry later that day, after a stop at the pier to get corn dogs, she found all her friends waiting for them in front of her house. They were drinking beer, and the plastic table was set with barbecue items. She was about to scold them for the alcohol consuming in front of Henry, when Mary Margaret produced a soda can for him, pointing a pack of cans in the porch. There was also wine.
"What is this?" she asked as Ruby almost strangled her with one arm around her neck.
"A party for you guys, what do you think?" she chuckled. "You're finally getting married with the hottest woman in town and the love of your life, dude. We already called Katherine. She promised she'd cancel Regina's latest appointments and send her here."
Emma sighed, wondering if the Mayor would be too mad at her friends for the fuss. She hoped she didn't. She hugged Killian, noticing a faint trace of something stronger than beer on his breath, and then she smacked the back of his head.
"Quit the flask habit already, you're not a pirate," she hissed.
"Wait until you see the sailboat I just bought. It comes with an eye patch."
"What did you do to my bug?"
"Calm your tits, Swan. I'm still using it for my roadtrip."
"Well, then how did you buy a fucking boat?"
"I'm a wealthy pirate, Sheriff. I saved money all my life to buy Ruby a wedding ring," he said on tipsy undertone. "Well, it would be a waste of cash, see. My boat is awesome!"
He chuckled, and Emma hugged him strongly and ruffled his jet-black hair. She could only imagine the pain he felt, and she mused if Ruby Lucas was the reason why he drank so much rum. Next in hug line was Mary Margaret and her still-not-visible-baby-bump.
"I'm so happy for you, duckling!" she squeaked, and Emma chuckled against the shorter woman's shoulder, letting her friend smother her for a while. They had been through so much together… They grew up in that street, and they became awesome adults in the same neighborhood. Emma squeezed her a little tighter, ignoring the burn in her throat as she did so.
"I'm happy too, MM. Thank you," she said quietly, giving her belly a gentle pat. "Hurry up, kid. We want you at the party."
David was watching them all with a contemplative look. He was at the top step of her porch, leaning back against the wooden handrail with his hands in his pockets. He was smiling proudly at her, and immediately she heard her mother's voice inside her head.
That Nolan kid, he looks awfully like James. But your dad had better taste for haircuts…
David pulled Emma into a silent, tight hug. He was a year older than the rest of them, but he really did send out a wiser and protective aura-thing about himself, and that, Emma thought, was the closest to hugging her father that she could remember.
He was about to say something, when the black Mercedes parked in front of her house. Henry sprinted to the sidewalk to greet his mom, and the look of impatience on her face was quickly replaced by a smile once she caught sight of her son and the small get together at the Swans front lawn.
Henry took her by the hand and pulled her towards the small party. Emma turned with the brightest grin to greet her, but Mary Margaret got there first.
"Henry told me this morning, so I took the liberty to spread the news. I hope you don't mind."
For half a second Emma cringed, waiting for Regina to snap that MM was always incapable of shutting her trap to keep a secret, but the brunette merely grinned down at her.
"Thank you, MM. This looks lovely."
"Wait until Swan starts flipping burgers on the grill, Mills," Ruby pulled her to the alcohol table. "She looks hot doing that. Wine?"
"Sure, why not," Regina laughed with an eye roll.
She was hugged by Killian and then David, until she finally got to Emma.
"Hey you," the blonde waved awkwardly. "They surprised me too."
"They are amazing," Regina muttered, leaning closer. "Don't tell the buffoons I said that."
Emma chuckled nervously. Even Regina's attempt at humor was sexy, especially with the slight trace of wine on her breath. She swallowed hard, noticing that Regina just knew what she was doing, and she was about to scold her when Henry got in between the two women.
"Let's take pictures, c'mon! Emma doesn't have pictures with me!"
"You're right," Killian hurried inside the house and started to scramble through Emma's things noisily. "Here!" he waved the old camera.
"Give that to me, pirate," David snapped it from his hand. "Get together by the stairs, everyone," he commanded as he took a few steps back to angle and frame it correctly.
"What about you?" Ruby asked.
"I'm not in the original formation," he smiled, and just then they noticed he was trying to replicate the old picture Ingrid took of them by the stairs. "C'mon, big smile-"
Emma passed one arm around Regina's neck exactly like she did when she was younger. The other arm, back then trapped inside a cast, was now around a smiling Henry.
All in all, the impromptu celebration turned out just fine. Dorothy dropped by later, accompanied by a reluctant Katherine, who still eyed Ruby with resentment for punching her once in the middle of the street.
Emma felt her heart melt as she watched Regina interacting with them and Henry, easy going as she got her umpteenth refill of red wine.
She was smiling, proudly displaying her ring, telling them over and over the story of Emma showing up at her window in the middle of the night. Emma told them about being busted by Cora on her way out, which made Henry splatter soda through his nose.
Around ten, everyone was happy, tipsy, and on a full stomach. They helped Emma get the trash out and fix the dishes before they left.
"I'll put him to bed soon," Regina whispered in her ear, using Emma's shoulder for support. "You're welcome to show up later, Sheriff."
The blonde sobered up almost immediately as Regina's warm breath tingled her skin; it hit her hard on her lower belly, and she was pretty sure she was drooling as she watched the Mayor spin on her heels and walk away towards her car with Henry.
Sashaying her fucking hips away in that fucking tight black dress.
That ass.
Damn.
"I recommend a cold shower, boss."
Emma jumped as David approached her, carrying the last bag of garbage. MM kissed her on the cheek and waved at her husband, signaling she would wait for him on the cruiser.
"So. Our eldest child is getting married to Regina Mills."
The blonde chuckled, shoving her hands into the pockets of her jacket as she elbowed him playfully.
"I'm proud of you, Swan," he said, looking at her with those peaceful blue eyes.
"Thank you, Nolan."
"But I'm a little hurt you didn't invite me for a guitar duet. I thought we'd sing Hunting High and Low on her backyard."
"I think Cora would shoot us," Emma laughed, remembering that MM's dad flew out of the house, wearing pajamas, with a broom after them when David tried to propose to her the first time.
They had to run for five or six blocks with two guitars, a ring box and a flower bouquet.
"Or lock us in the dungeon," he chuckled. "Hey, have you found out yet if the rumors are true? About the torture basement?"
Emma almost choked. "David! I made up those rumors because I wanted to mess with Regina!"
"I can't believe my entire adolescence was a lie, Swan," he placed a hand on his heart, faking offense. "Well, I gotta go, stud. Remember… Cold shower on the soldier."
"How many times do I have to tell you I do not have a dick?"
"It would be really fun if you did. Night, boss."
Emma shook her head as she scoffed, but then she remembered what she wanted to ask him.
"Hey Nolan?"
"Yeah?" he spun on his heels when he was almost around the fence.
"Will you walk me… huh… down the aisle?" she muttered quietly, shoving her hands into her pockets again. "You see, I have no parents left to-Hey!" she yelped when he ran back to the porch and hugged her.
"I'll be honored, Swan," he said, pulling back to look at her. His eyes were drenched.
"You're such a pussy, man," she chuckled, feeling the nasal voice coming back full force as her eyes got drenched as well. She was wondering what the real ceremony would be like – a party sponsored by Kleenex, apparently.
"Fuck you, Swan."
"Have a good night, Deputy."
XXX
"I'll start a sex riot if you don't stop climbing my rooftop, Emma," Regina hissed, her words silenced by a heated kiss.
"Sounds like a freaking hot band name," Emma muttered, clashing her lips and tongue against the brunette's as she not so gently pushed her towards the bed, fidgeting with the zipper on the back of her dress. "And I seriously doubt you can hold back on me for too long," she added cockily when the black fabric slipped to the floor.
She had half expected a smack on the arm or an arrogant scoff, but instead she met a deep, contemplative look.
Emma frowned slightly. "'Gina, what-?"
"Have I mentioned how glad I am that you came back into my life in your cloud of smugness and your irritating smile?"
The blonde chuckled, holding both of her hands. "I'm still wondering who I should thank for sending you back to me, Mills."
Regina smiled with a low, husky chuckle, lowering her eyes to Emma's lips and claiming them again. She pulled the blonde by the collar of her shirt, gently swapping positions and pushing her down the bed.
"You have to promise me you'll stop climbing up here," Regina muttered, straddling the woman beneath her and leaning down for another slow-paced, deep kiss.
After a while, Emma broke the kiss to watch Regina work the buttons of her shirt. "And how do you suggest I do that, huh?"
"With a key," Regina breathed.
Emma had not expected that. She flipped them over so that she was on top, carefully placing her hands on each side of Regina's head. "What?" she whispered.
"My mother left me the house," the brunette shrugged. "She's moving out soon, and… You can come live with us."
The blonde stared down at her for a full minute, and when Regina started to worry about her silence, Emma finally spoke.
"Do you want me to… move in with you?"
"Well, I assumed we would all live together after the wedding, but-"
"No, I mean… You want me to move in here? At… 108. Mifflin Street."
"What? Is that so bad?"
Emma chuckled. "I used to spread rumors at school," she muttered awkwardly, propping her head in one elbow as she played distractedly with the lace on Regina's bra. "About your house being…"
"The Haunted Den of Cannibal Witches?"
"You remember that, huh?"
"Of course I do."
"You knew that was me?"
"Of course I knew it was you. Who else would come up with such an imbecile lie?"
Emma laughed. "Sorry. I was an idiot."
"Was?" Regina smirked.
"C'mon, I needed something to hide how I really felt about you, Mills!"
"Yeah?" the brunette asked quietly, a sparkle of curiosity in her beautiful brown eyes.
"Are you kidding me?" Emma scoffed. "You were supposed to be the smarter one… I worked hard to keep you from noticing all those years… Every time you passed by me on the hallways… I had the scent of your shampoo memorized. And I had to come up with jokes and… unflattering compliments, to keep insulting you as you went away, otherwise… Otherwise everyone would know. I couldn't stop looking at you as you walked, and the way you bit your lips when you were writing, or… Shit," the blonde grinned down at Regina, realizing she was babbling while that gorgeous woman lay half naked underneath her. "We should be fucking, right?"
"You are a barbarian, Emma Swan," Regina smacked her biceps, earning a shit eating grin that was all Emma.
"Oh really?" the blonde whispered, flipping her over so she was pressed against Regina's back. Emma leaned over so that her lips were an inch away from Regina's ear. "Wanna see something barbaric?"
The loud gasp and the hip buckle were enough proof that Emma hadn't killed the wild sex mood with sentimentalism from high school. She worked her bra clasp and removed her black thong unceremoniously. Regina felt warm anticipation building at the pit of her stomach, but then Emma stood up on her knees and the warmth was gone.
She chuckled upon hearing the rustling of clothes and bed creaking. A moan escaped her lips when Emma pressed her equally warm and naked body against her back, her arm sneaking under her waist and below.
Regina gasped at the soft touch of the tip of Emma's finger exactly at the wet, throbbing spot between her legs, and she groaned when Emma softly rubbed the entire length of a long finger between her slick folds, breathing heavily against the back of her neck.
The brunette spread her legs further apart – as much as she could with Emma's weight on top of her – and she heard that annoying, cocky chuckle near her ear. She looked back at Emma; the Sheriff was smirking, but there was something different in her green eyes.
She kept the rubbing movement, torturously and deliciously slow. Regina tried to hurry her by pressing her ass back against Emma, but she sustained the slow pace.
"Emma."
Emma grinned, pressing her breasts against Regina's shoulder blades, reaching out for her ear. She bit her earlobe softly. "I love it when you groan like that," she whispered, earning another one, louder this time.
"Emma, I'm serious," Regina hissed, rolling her hips against the blonde's hand for more friction.
"Me too…" she grinned, sliding one finger inside. Regina moaned against the pillow, and the muffled sound turned Emma on just enough so that she couldn't keep the gentle pace any longer.
Two hours later, they lay together, side by side, panting.
"That…" Regina breathed heavily. "That was probably your best performance so far."
Emma chuckled. "Just wait until I turn you into Mrs. Swan."
Regina scoffed, looking at the blonde with a smirk. "And what makes you think I'm taking your name? I have to carry the Mills forward."
"Oh my God, you're so lame, Regina," Emma laughed. "It's not like we're making babies together or anything. And Henry is already taking the name ahead."
"I wish we could make babies," Regina muttered, closing her eyes as she snuggled closer to Emma.
"They would look cute."
"They would."
"But they would look cuter if they were a bunch of dark haired Swans."
"They would be even cuter if they were all blonde and green eyed Mills."
"You do realize we're not having actual babies that look a bit like you and a bit like me, right? Unless I had a soldier. God, I wish I had a soldier."
"A soldier?" Regina chuckled.
"Yeah. My imaginary dick, whenever you walked into the room."
It took Regina about five minutes to stop laughing. Emma smiled at her; she loved that sound, and she loved to make Regina laugh.
The brunette twisted a blonde curl around her finger, looking serious again. "I adopted Henry, why can't we adopt other babies?"
Emma grinned. "We could, huh?"
"We could have a lot of Mills babies."
"Swan babies."
Regina sighed and Emma rolled her eyes.
"We'll need to discuss that before the wedding."
"Or we could all be Swans-"
Regina rolled on top of Emma and kissed her. "Shut up."
"If you think you can buy me with sex-"
"I know I can," Regina grinned broadly at the blonde.
"Shit. I hate it when you're right…"
"I'm always right, dear. Learn that if you want to marry me."
Emma chuckled. "I want to live here, with you, Henry and our dweeb kids. I don't care if you want to be always right, Regina Mills."
Regina sighed, feeling her heart melt inside her chest. "What about… Swan-Mills?"
"Oh, I like that," Emma propped her head on one elbow, sounding actually excited. "Half
dweebs-"
"-and half delinquents," Regina chuckled, leaning down to kiss her again.
