Chapter Ten

XXXX

"Hey Pole Girl," Ruby greeted me as I walked into their kitchen. She poured me a cup of coffee.

"Ex pole girl," I said with a grin.

"You quit the biz?"

'I wasn't too far into it, but yes. Um, I was hoping to talk with you," I said hopeful.

"What's up, Chuck?" She nodded her head towards their couch. Before she moved though she pushed the coffee mug in my direction. I took it in my hands and brought it up to my face. It was too hot, but I smelled it.

"Smells good!"

She nodded with a smile and walked over to the couch. She sat first and then I sat. I nervously placed the mug on the coffee table. I sat back and looked over at her. She had brought her knees up to her chest and wrapped her arms around them. She still held her mug.

"Well, I was thinking about something and I wanted to get your input on it," I continued.

"Ok?"

"Would you be in a jam if I asked Emma to move in with me," I asked hopeful.

Ruby smiled brightly at me. "Wow! You're that serious about her?"

"We love each other and we both know it," I answered.

"Great! I'm happy for you both…Hmm, I think that I should be okay. With one condition…"

"Yes?" I asked.

"Treat her right," she said.

"Ruby, you don't have to worry about that. She protects me and I'll protect her, " I said, "Will you be alright here by yourself?"

"Um, yeah, I mean, like, I knew that Emma would find someone sooner or later. I never imagined it would be in a strip club! She hates those places."

"Between you and me, I never thought I'd meet anyone from there either. But Emma is…."

"Emma?!"

We looked at each other and just laughed.

The door opened and a very sleepy Emma walked out of her room. Her hair was disheveled. And her tee shirt rode up on her body revealing her boxer shorts which were not going the same way she was. The seam wasn't straight.

"Woo hoo…looking good Swan…looking good," Ruby said mockingly.

"Shut up," Emma shot back.

Ruby and I shared a look and a grin between us.

"What's the laughter about?"

"Regina was sharing some old 'office' stories…ya know the usual…who hooked up with who…who got something stuck and where…" Ruby fibbed. I smiled at her and then looked up at Emma with a sweet smile on my face.

"Um, eww, but okay. Are you coming back to bed?"

"No, I'm good," Ruby jokingly said.

"Not you…you," she said as she looked down at me.

"Absolutely," I said as I took a whiff of Emma's breath. "But could you do me, Ruby, and the city block a favor and brush your teeth?"

Ruby laughed hysterically.

"For you, I'll even gargle," Emma said with pride.

"You must rate, Regina!"

As Emma was turning around, she yelled, "Bitch!"

To which Ruby yelled, "Whore!"

I looked at Ruby again and we shared a smile. Then I got up and walked behind Emma back to her room.

As I was walking behind Emma, I heard, "You did it, Emma!"

XXXX

A few weeks later, I graduated from community college, with a degree in English and concentration in writing. I didn't need to walk on the field with the rest of my fellow students that May. I was perfectly satisfied with graduating early. After my parents came in to take us out to dinner, I stayed at Regina's place for the night.

We were snuggled on the floor, against the wall that looked outside to the falling snow.

"Hmm," she sighed.

I tightened my grip on her body. "What cha thinking about?"

"Oh nothing," she said lazily.

"That was a pretty big sigh to be nothing," I commented.

"Just thinking about how proud I am of you, Emma," she said and caressed my arms with her fingernails.

"Aww, shucks," I joked.

She sat up and turned to face me. She took my two hands into her own. We made eye contact and held it while she said, "No, Emma, I'm serious. I am so very proud of all that you've accomplished. I wish I was there with you throughout it all, but I am here now! I'm looking forward to reading first, second, or third drafts of your Great American novel! I love you immensely."

"I never doubted your sincerity, Regina. It's only community college…"

"Still college," she pointed out.

I shrugged my shoulders. "I did enjoy the time there."

"That's great!" she said and looked down at the carpet.

"Regina, you okay?"

She nodded her head, but didn't say anything.

"You sure? You're scaring me now," I said apprehensive.

"I'm trying to find the right words to tell you something," she answered.

I froze for a second. She's not breaking up with you? Calm down.

"Please tell me…"

"Emma, I love you," she said as she brought her head up to meet my eyes. I went to say something, but she put her hand up in the air. I kept quiet.

"I love having your love. I feel like I am finally not alone in this life. I haven't felt like that for many years. You know this so what I'm trying to say is…"

I looked at her lovingly and expectantly.

"Would you move in here with me? I want us to live together."

I blinked my eyes a few times out of the shock. She never turned her head away. She wore a bright smile on her face for the entire time that I was thinking about her offer.

I reached out my hand to caress her cheek. She relaxed into the embrace.

"Yes, I'd be honored to."

She looked up at me and saw the huge smile plastered on my face. We leaned forward at the same time and kissed passionately. She crawled over to sit on my lap. I wrapped my arms around her waist while we continued to kiss.

We made love afterwards. I can't describe it or explain it. When we made love, I don't know, it's just…magical…I knew what she needed and she knew what I needed.

After we were finished, Regina whispered, "Hey, Em?"

"Yeah," I said with a small yawn.

"I think you're my soulmate," she said, "Does that sound weird?"

"Absolutely not. I think you're mine. I love you so, so, so much! I hope you know that this is so real. And I take it very seriously."

"I know, Em, I know," Regina said and kissed me passionately.

XXXX

Weeks after that night, I helped Emma moved her belongings from her apartment with Ruby to our apartment.

"Hey, I'm gonna miss you," Emma said as she bear hugged her best friend as the last box was being carried out.

"This isn't forever, Emma. You're not dying, or anything," she said with a smirk.

"Emma, Ruby can hang out whenever she wants to. She's good people," I said with a smile.

"Hey, hey, you passed the test," Emma said impressed.

"You doubted me?"

"Nope…"

"Geez, I'm glad," Ruby joked back.

I just stared at the two of them.