Emma glanced over at Regina and was unable to keep the smile off of her face. They were over on the west side of town assisting with clean up efforts. Regina was wearing a pair of jeans and a shirt and jacket that were anything but what Regina would normally wear. Still, it didn't seem to matter what Regina wore, she looked good in it.
Yesterday – despite everyone asking or conjecturing about when Regina would use her magic again to make the waters recede – was a good day. They had worked on cleaning the cleared areas and at the end of the day there was another warm meal waiting courtesy of Granny. That night as they got into bed, Emma immediately curled up next to Regina who didn't protest, didn't say they shouldn't be that close and most importantly she hadn't mentioned Robin.
Today was also going well. By implementing Regina's plan the work was going smoothly and getting done quicker. It wasn't being handled as an every man for themselves type of operation. It didn't matter if it was your house or not, if it was your work crew you were there helping the resident of it. It kept everything from being done piecemeal.
There were crews for cleaning, crews for disposal and crews for refreshments to keep everyone fed and hydrated.
Regina was working on a cleaning crew while Emma was on disposal. It meant that most every time Emma picked something up she got to see Regina in action.
And true to her word, Regina wasn't using magic.
Even Henry was there working alongside his mothers.
It all contributed to Emma thinking about a future where this was the norm – well not the flood, but her being with Regina and Henry.
She had been brought to Storybrooke to bring back everyone's happy endings and she realized that included hers and Regina's.
"Miss Swan, don't you think you could move a little faster," Regina said. Emma had been daydreaming and hadn't even noticed Regina approach.
"Everyone's entitled to a break."
"Yes but you seem to take one every time you come to pick up something."
"Well in my defense I may have been admiring the view a bit," Emma said looking around to make sure no one was within earshot. "Those jeans. Wow."
"Miss Swan."
"Sorry," Emma said, although she was anything but sorry. She gave Regina her best grin and then picked up a load to take to the dumpster. A quick turn of her head showed she wasn't the only one who liked to do some sightseeing as she saw Regina quickly turn around and go back into the building she was cleaning.
Yes, she thought, today is a good day.
…
Today sucked, Emma thought. After starting off so well, here she was lying on an uncomfortable bed in the guest room at Regina's. Granny's had been cleared and allowed to be occupied again so Ruby and Granny went home along with Tink who rented her room from Granny. That meant room was now available at Regina's so Emma didn't have to share a room with Regina, a fact that her mother had pointed out to her a little too gleefully for her taste.
Yes she should be happy that some people were allowed to return to their homes, but she hadn't really thought about what that would mean for her sleeping arrangement with Regina. There was no way with her parents in the house that she could continue to sleep in Regina's bed.
She had thought about using her magic to teleport into the room after everyone was asleep, but when she suggested it to Regina she got shot down.
"Don't even think about it," Regina said. "First of all, what are you going to do if your parents or Henry decide they need to speak to you and find you gone? Secondly, we have some major magic to perform tomorrow evening and I won't have you anything but at the top of your game, which means no messing with magic tonight. I'm quite sure you will survive in my guest bedroom."
The conversation had taken place in Regina's office late in the day. It was also when she learned that Robin would be back tomorrow. He had called and let Regina know that they had all the supplies and would be rolling in the next day sometime in the afternoon. She didn't want to be around to see Robin hug or kiss Regina.
She tried to rein in these feelings she had about Robin, but it wasn't easy. He wasn't a bad guy and under other circumstances she might actually like him, but she couldn't find it in herself to like him now. Even as the Dark One, in one of her more darker moods, she had been annoyed by him and had thought about ending him right then and there. It wasn't until after the curse had lifted and she began to realize the extent of her feelings for Regina that she knew that impulse to destroy Robin had come from her jealousy.
He had what she wanted, and she had wanted to end him because of it.
She felt bad even now thinking about it because she knew as the Dark One she had the power to do it. She also knew that if she had Regina would not have forgiven her for it, nor would she have continued to help her break the curse.
When Regina told her Robin was coming back she had asked her what that meant exactly.
"I told you, I don't want to be with Robin like that, but I need to handle it as I see fit. There is a lot going on tomorrow with the return of the others with the supplies and you and I using our magic so if you think I am going to unceremoniously dump him the moment he steps across the border then you are wrong."
"I didn't say that," Emma said. "I just want some reassurance that this isn't one-sided, what's been going on between us I mean."
She saw Regina's expression soften. "It's not one-sided, but you also need to be patient. Even when I speak with Robin, it doesn't mean you get a free pass back to my bed. If we are going to see each other – date each other – I think we have a lot to talk about first, including what this means for Henry and how to tell him. Then there is the matter of my sister returning to town."
"I noticed you didn't mention her earlier."
"I told Robin she and Vincent could stay at my place. With Granny and Ruby gone I've got room, but I haven't really thought about what that means to have her under my roof."
"Do you think she will try something?"
"I don't know. She has been living out in the world with Vincent, away from magic, away from me, who has been the source of her anger and jealousy. I guess the best I can hope for is that she is willing to at least let go of her wish to destroy me," Regina said.
"Well I plan on keeping an eye on her just in case."
"Thank you," Regina said. "I do want it to work out for her here if this is where she chooses to stay. I've given up on wishing her ill-will so keep an eye on her, but don't do anything to make her uncomfortable."
"I won't," Emma said. "Now are you sure there is nothing I can do about these sleeping arrangements?"
The answer was still no and so here she was wide awake wishing she was in the master bedroom holding onto Regina.
Yep, she thought, this day sucks.
…
It was late in the afternoon – nearly 5 p.m. – when Regina got the call that the trucks would be there soon. She went out to the barrier, Emma insisting on being there as well. Emma had said it was because she wanted to make sure Regina was rested enough to lower the barrier and do the magic they planned for later that evening, but Regina knew while that might be part of it, Emma was there to observe her and Robin.
As the trucks came into view Regina lowered the barrier and stepped aside as the caravan came through. Once they were all on that side she raised the barrier once more, giving Emma a small smile to let her know all was fine.
She walked up to the lead truck in time for Robin to get out and hold the door open for Zelena who handed Vincent down to him. Zelena was out of the truck a moment later taking Vincent back into her arms.
"Welcome back," she said to him. "Thank you again for taking on this task." She turned to Zelena. "I was sorry to hear about your own place being flooded. You and Vincent are welcome to stay as long as you want."
Zelena didn't say anything just nodded to her and Regina looked once more at Robin.
"You said Granny's was open again, does she have room available?" Robin asked.
"I believe so," Regina said, knowing that was his way of saying that Zelena would not be staying with her.
"Vincent is tired, it would probably be best if they got situated," he said.
"There is plenty of help for the trucks, why you don't you get them settled in."
"Ok."
Regina looked once more at Zelena and Vincent who was practically asleep in his mother's arms and turned to go back to her own car. She was intercepted by Emma.
"You ok?"
"Yes," she said. "Zelena and Vincent are going to stay at Granny's. Robin will get them settled. I will speak to Granny later about paying for the accommodations until Zelena gets back on her feet."
"You don't have to do that."
"I know, but I want to."
The trucks got moving again to the shelter where they would unload. Regina stood there watching them go. It was awkward seeing Robin like that, not just because Zelena was there, but because she knew for sure that he was not the one she wanted to be with. And it scared her that she could be so certain about that.
She told Emma she would meet her 8:30 p.m. at the arranged spot for their magic and she got into her car and drove back into town. She went to her office where she laid down on the cot that was still in there. Lowering the barrier had weakened her a little, but nothing like what she had experienced when she used fire on the water. She set her alarm to wake her assuming nothing else did in the meantime and she closed her eyes to dream of better days.
…
Her nap only lasted 40 minutes but Regina did feel better for having taken it. Even with Emma's assistance, she figured tonight's magic would drain her enough that she would sleep well. It wouldn't be like it was before, but she knew she would need to rest afterward. She hadn't slept well the night before and she couldn't help but wonder if that was because she had gotten used to Emma being in bed with her – even in the short amount of time they had been doubling up.
She stayed in her office until it was time to meet Emma. She told herself it was because she had work to get done but she knew she stayed there because she wasn't ready to face Robin. Emma had texted her a little while ago to make sure she was ok, and she assured her she was and would see her in a little bit.
They had decided to do the magic on the highest building left that was free for them to get on top of but also next to the flood waters. She drove over to it and was surprised when she saw several cars parked on the sides of the road leading up a road closed sign they had put there earlier to discourage cars from getting too close to the clean up areas. She was waved through and slowed as she began to see all the people.
It was if the whole town was there to watch. She parked her car behind Emma's sheriff's cruiser and got out to applauding and cheers. Emma quickly came up to her.
"What is all of this?" Regina asked.
"Word got around and people wanted to watch," she said. "Should I send them away, tell them we can't do this with an audience?"
Regina looked around at all the faces, many of whom she knew were living in the shelter and whose homes were still there in the flood waters.
"No, it's fine."
They walked through the crowds of well-wishers and got to the building where the fire department was set up to keep people back and to let them inside. Robin was standing there at the door.
"Hi," he said.
"Hi," she replied. "Did Zelena and Vincent get settled in?"
"Yes," he said. "I heard about this, thought I would come and lend my support."
She saw such kindness in his face, and she wanted so much not to be the one to end this, but she knew it was on her shoulders. "I would like that," she said. "Come on."
Emma had gone up ahead and if she was surprised Robin came up with her, she didn't give any indication of it. Charming and Snow were up there as well as Henry, who wished them luck. Telling the others to stay back, Regina walked with Emma to the edge of the building and looked down on the water.
"Do you remember my instructions?" Regina asked.
"Yes. Are you sure you are up for this?"
Regina looked back at those who were up on the roof. Her eyes went from Robin to Henry. "Yes, I am sure."
"Ok," Emma said. She looked over at Regina who made eye contact with her. "Before we do this, I just wanted to say thank you. Thanks for everything you've done, from giving Henry a great home to putting up with my mother in your house, and most of all for not giving up on me when others have. You brought me back from the darkness and for that I will always be grateful."
The heart-felt sentiment was more than Regina expected and she didn't know how to react so she said nothing. Instead she turned to the water once more. "Give me your hand."
"What?" Emma said.
This hadn't been part of the instructions she gave Emma, but while Regina couldn't say anything about what Emma had just said to her, she wanted Emma to know in some way what it meant.
"Give me your hand," she repeated.
Emma held at her hand and Regina intertwined her fingers with hers. "On three," she said. "One, two, three."
The magic ripped from Regina's hands with more power than she had ever wielded before. It shocked her so much she almost stopped, but she quickly got it under control. She kept her eyes on the water and refused to look over at Emma. She was afraid if she did, her magic would falter. She had to trust that Emma was doing what she was supposed to be doing and from the corner of her eye at least she could make out the light of fire that Emma was producing.
From the ground level, people could see the glow of the fires and they cheered, but Regina was oblivious to all of that. She kept all of her concentration on the magic. She let herself get lost in it – her only connection beyond the magic was the hand she held in her own. When she felt a tug on that hand and felt Emma's hands release from hers, she let go of the magic and turned to see Emma was leaning over, her hands on her knees.
"Are you ok?" she asked quickly.
Emma nodded yes, but didn't stand up immediately. When she did, she stared directly into Regina's eyes. "I'm ok."
"I love you."
The words were out of Regina's mouth before she even knew she had said them. And from the look on Emma's face, it was clear she too was stunned.
"Are you alright?"
Regina turned to see Snow and Charming hurrying toward Emma. "Yeah, I'm fine," she said as they reached her.
"Moms you did it."
Both women peered over the edge where Henry was also looking. Although it was dark out, they could see the street below them.
"We did it," Emma said.
Regina was about to say something when she felt a hand on her arm. She turned to see Robin there. "Are you feeling ok?" he asked.
"Yes," she said. "Although I think it would be best if Emma and I retire for the evening."
"I'll drive you," he said.
"Yes," Charming said. "You should probably rest up for tomorrow. Just think in a few days or a week we will all be out of the mansion and in our own homes."
Regina felt sad and she averted her eyes from the rest of them. "Come on Henry, let's go home."
They all went downstairs and the moment they hit the sidewalk every one was cheering for them. Regina looked at Emma once more before Robin directed her to her car. He opened the door to the passenger side for her and she gave automatic responses to anyone who said anything to her on the way there. Getting into the seat, she buckled up and leaned her head against the head rest and closed her eyes.
"Are you sure you are ok?" Robin asked as he started up the car.
"I'm fine," she said.
Her mind was screaming that she was anything but fine. She had just told Emma she loved her.