A/N: So each chapter will be a day of the holiday with an epilogue at the end. The chapters seem to be getting longer. Writing this story is making me really want to go back to Florida.
My aim is to update at least once a week but hopefully sometimes twice. My wife is correcting my grammar and I think she may kill me if she has to do two in a week but we shall see how it goes.
Four months later they were sat on a plane waiting to take off. Luckily they were seated in a row of three so no one had to sit next to a random stranger. Henry called the window seat before they even arrived at the airport and Emma encouraged Regina to take the middle seat after seeing how apprehensive the brunette had become since they arrived at the airport. She was fidgety and had been pacing the lounge for the past hour, practically running onto the plane as soon as boarding was announced pushing a few people out of the way. Emma knew this was Regina being Regina, no way was she going to admit to being scared of flying. Instead she just pretended to be pissed at the waiting and 'idiots' around her.
Once they were in their seats Regina quickly fastened her seatbelt and took a deep breath.
"Henry, Fasten your seatbelt please" She ordered.
"But Mom we still have 20 minutes before we take off" He tried to argue back, but when he looked up at his Mom he saw that there would be no negotiations taking place on this occasion. So he smiled at her and fastened his seatbelt.
Emma saw the exchange and when Regina glanced towards her lap she quickly grabbed her seatbelt and fastened it, flashing a smile to the brunette. She was proud that she managed to complete the task before the blonde demanded she do so. Once her companions were fastened in Regina linked her clammy hands together on her lap, took a deep breath and looked ahead at the chair before her.
Henry popped in his earphones and Emma sat quietly not exactly sure what she should do. Should she speak to Regina and try to distract her? Should she ignore her completely? Should she just sit here on edge waiting impatiently, feeling completely useless until someone told her exactly what to do? Right, the last option it was.
Once the engines started, Regina began to fidget in her seat. Once the doors closed she began to take slow breaths. Once the airplane began to move towards the runway, she began to tap her foot and clench her jaw.
Emma tried to ignore it, but as they picked up speed she put her hand on Regina's knee. When the other woman looked at her, it was as if she slapped her across the face.
"You'll be ok" she tried.
"I know that Miss Swan I'm not an idiot!" Regina bit back.
Emma raised an eyebrow, removed her hand and grabbed the magazine from the back of the chair in front of her. She opened it, pretending to read a random article titled "Ten reasons why you should visit Hong Kong". For the next few minutes she tried her best to ignore the movements and the rapid breathing coming from the woman next to her.
Once they began to take off Regina looked at Emma for reassurance. Emma did not really know if it was a trick or not but she gave a gentle smile anyway and began to list all the things she was excited about doing on holiday. Regina did not really catch most of it but did make out some random words.
"Surprise….hotel…..massage….hot tub." The blonde confessed
"Hmm hmm… sounds nice" the brunette didn't really know what she was being told but appreciated the distraction.
"…And Henry and I can play video games in the arcade while we wait for you. Then we can all go for dinner."
"Wait for me?"
"Yes it's not really my thing" the blonde shrugged.
Regina should really have asked what she had just said but suddenly her ears started to hurt and she remembered that she was sat on an airplane about to fly 35000ft in the air. She rubbed her ears and looked over to Henry to make sure he was ok. He was engrossed in whatever he was listening to and did not seem even slightly concerned that they were getting higher and higher.
Emma took another risk and took Regina's hand in her own.
"Hey it's normal. It's just the air pressure. I was meant to bring some sweets but I forgot them, sorry"
"Sweets?"
"If you suck on the sweets during take-off, it stops the discomfort a little" Emma shrugged not knowing the scientific reason behind it.
"Ok" Regina squeezed Emma's hand as a silent thank you and then let it go, getting her book from her bag.
Emma managed 10 minutes silent before she got bored. "What are you reading?" Emma asked, almost childlike. She had not brought anything to keep herself occupied for the 4 hour flight.
Regina grinned wickedly and closed the book to show Emma the cover. The book was called "Snow White Must Die"
"Regina!" Emma warned, not entirely sure if she should be offended or amused.
"What, I didn't write it! I don't even know what it's about, but I thought it was rather 'Me'. I got it from the airport. I promise I will not show your mother and I will not take it back to Storybrooke"
"Oh my God, can you imagine the look on my poor mother's face, she'd be devastated"
Regina began to laugh and Emma joined her. Henry looked at them both suspiciously before going back to his music.
Before they knew it, it was time for landing. As soon as the announcement was made Regina put her book away and sat nervously again. Emma started to talk to her but Regina was not entirely sure what she was talking about. She thought maybe it was about the weather but either way she did not mind. She just listened to the blonde talk, not taking anything in but finding her voice relaxing and reassuring. Once the tires hit the run way Regina let out a breath she did not know she was holding in and let go of the hand she did not realise she had been clinging to.
"Sorry" she said sheepishly snatching her hand back. Emma just smiled at her, happy that she could be of some use to the older woman.
Once they got off the airplane they were through immigration quickly. They collected their luggage and went down to the parking garage to select their car. Emma had been in charge of sorting the car hire and Regina was not at all surprised when they walked past all the sensible family SUV's and to a yellow ford mustang convertible.
Emma and Henry's eyes lit up like kids in a candy store the moment they lay eyes on the car. Henry ran towards it while Emma admired it from a far.
"She's beautiful" The blonde declared.
"Excuse me?"
"Bumblebee"
"Bumblebee?... You mean the car?... You're naming our car bumblebee?" Regina asked with a mixture of confusion and amusement.
"I'm not naming her, she named herself"
"Oh, she did? Regina mocked.
"Yep, I can read people's minds remember"
"And the car told you that its name was bumblebee?" Emma looked at her completely offended that she would even question her superhero power "Of course it did dear" she added before the blonde could reply.
"She"
"What?"
"She not an It, She's a she."
"I call shot gun" Henry shouted interrupting them.
"Shotgun?" his mother questioned.
"It means Henrys in the front with me"
"Excuse me?"
"Well Madam Mayor your carriage awaits" Emma opened the door and pulled the seat forward, indicating for Regina to get in the back.
"You're joking right?" Regina really did not understand how Emma could possibly think that she would be sitting in the back but Henry helped out.
"Mom please sit in the back, This is Emma's baby there's no way she's not being the first one to drive it and I really want to sit in the front, Please Mom?" Identical sets of puppy dog eyes stared at her.
"Sometimes I hate your puppy dog genes" she said as she reluctantly climbed into the back. "Henry put your seatbelt on and you, you drive safely" She warned.
"Yes Mom "Henry and Emma reply in union. Regina simply rolled her eyes.
Thirty minutes later they were parked. Emma wished her 'baby' goodnight and they entered the hotel.
"Wow this is amazing and it smells so good" Henry declared.
"It really is and it really does" Regina agreed, her eyes roaming around the beautiful surrounding. The hotel was very elegant and grand. Henry knew her well.
Emma just looked around in awe. She couldn't believe not only was she at Disney World but she was staying in the most amazing hotel. You could even see the castle from outside. The whole thing really was like a childhood dream coming true. She got a little overwhelmed and a tear started to build in her eyes. Regina gave her a reassuring arm rub and a soft smile. "Thank you for inviting me" he brunette said sincerely.
"What?" Emma questioned.
"Thank you for including me in this vacation. I know it means a lot to you and it means a lot to me that you asked me to be here,"
"Thank you for being here, there's no one else I'd rather share this with than Henry and you" They looked at each other with a mutual understanding and respect. They were both happy to be experiencing this together with Henry.
"Moms come on" Henry called from the check in desk where he was eagerly awaiting his Mother's arrival.
"Hi I'm Tanya, Welcome to the Grand Floridian" the redheaded cheerful woman greeted them.
"Hi Tanya" Emma said excitedly, Regina just smiled.
They went over check in details and were given their room key and directions. Bell service was offered put Emma insisted that they would be fine. Did she not realise that she was vacationing with a former Queen. Regina let Emma carry both of their bags.
"I hope you enjoy your stay with us, if you need anything at all just press 1 from one of the phones in your room."
"Thank you Tanya" Regina replied as the other two had already started to depart without her "Oh Miss Mills, your massage is booked for 5.30pm. The spa is located in the building opposite from main entrance"
"My Massage? There must be some mistake I never booked a massage?" Regina asked with a puzzled expression. Tanya checked some details on her computer "Your, erm Miss Swan booked it two months ago?"
Regina looked completely shocked and Tanya started to panic "I'm sorry did I ruin the surprise? I'm really sorry Miss Mills"
"That's ok dear. Thank you" she departed with a smile.
Regina was shocked and touched that Emma had planned this for her. She did not get much time to ponder though as Henry shouted for her to hurry up "Mom come on I want to go swimming!"
They made their way to their room. Initially Regina had requested separate rooms but Henry presented his research and told her that it was not in the plans. They would be renting a two bedroom villa. Regina was assured that she would get her own bedroom and bathroom with Jacuzzi bath and king size bed. Emma would be sleeping in the second bedroom that also had its own bathroom. Henry was opting to stay in the Livingroom in-between each of the bedrooms on a sofa bed. That way he also got his own space, the kid was a genius. He got his own TV and unlimited snacks.
As they walked into the room the trio were gobsmacked. The main room was huge and had a huge open plan kitchen diner leading into a living room with 2 sofas and a chair. They all unpacked their suitcases. Well Henry and Regina did, Emma opened her case took out her swimwear for later and left the open, messy suitcase throw across the second bed in her bedroom.
Once unpacked they all found their way back into the living room.
"When can I go swimming?" Henry asked impatiently.
"Well honey your very sneaky, but very kind other mother , booked me into the spa in 45 minutes so maybe you two could go swim and I'll come meet you later?" she asked
"You remembered? I wasn't sure you heard on the plane" the blonde questioned.
"What, oh yes I remembered" she lied" It was really nice of you to do this Emma. I really do appreciate it. After spending 4 hours forced to breathe in recycled air on a cramped plane I think a nice massage sounds heavenly."
"I'm glad you are happy with it, I didn't know if I'd crossed a line or something" Emma confessed sheepishly.
"I must admit I was a little taken back, no one has ever done something like that for me before. I mean, no one's gone out of their way to make me happy, to plan something just for me" the older woman replied honestly and humbly.
"You deserve to be happy and if a little massage will do that for you then I'm up for it" the younger woman replied quickly without thinking.
Regina raised her eye brow questionably.
"I mean I'm happy to arrange a surprise massage for you if it makes you happy. Not that I would be doing the massaging, not that I wouldn't want to do that to you, I mean I would if that's what you… ok I think it's best I stop talking now" Emma face matched the colour of Regina lipstick.
"It's ok. I understood what you meant… before you tried to correct yourself."
"Good well good that's great… I'm just gonna go get my stuff ready for swimming, so yeah." The blonde scampered away into her bedroom.
Regina couldn't stop the smile that graced her lips. How could anyone be so adorable was beyond her. Adorable? that was new! Did she really think Emma Swan was adorable? From the other room as if on cue she heard a loud bang and an "Oh crap" Yep definitely adorable, an adorable idiot maybe.
Two hours later Regina was done with her massage and felt amazing. The massage was exactly what she needed. She did not think she had ever felt so light in her life. Life in Storybrooke and the Enchanted Forrest were completely forgotten. The only thing on her mind was enjoying this holiday with her son and his other mother.
His other mother. She was not really sure why she kept referring to her as that. It just sort of happened one day. After two years denying the blonde woman was ever going to be a mother to her son she just sort of accepted that Henry had another parent. She was also secretly happy that she had someone to share the experience with. To have someone who understood how happy it made her to see Henry get an A on a test or make a new friend. Emma got it, Emma and she had terrible childhoods and in turn it meant they both strived for the best childhood possible for Henry. Well the most normal childhood for Henry that they could manage.
For the next two weeks Henry would get to be a kid, a kid with two Moms who loved him to infinity, who wanted to give him the most amazing holiday of his lifetime.
With a massive grin and a super positive outlook Regina quickly changed into her bikini, threw on her robe and flip flops and made her way down to the pool. She saw Emma and Henry sat in the hot tub together their heads back, soaking up the sun.
"You can't stay here much longer, 10 minutes at a time tops?" Emma warned her son.
"But why?" he whined.
"I have no idea but I heard that women tell her son the same thing and she looked like a good Mom so we better go with it" she sighed.
"It's because children have a harder time regulating their body temperatures." Regina stated, making her presence known to them both of them. They both looked up at her and smiled.
"See a good Mom would know the answer" Emma said jokingly.
"You're a good Mother Emma" Regina stated matter of factly, not willing to get into a debate.
"You look great, I mean relaxed, you look relaxed" Emma mentally kicked herself, what was wrong with her.
"Thank you, I feel it. Thank you for arranging that, it was amazing, you should consider a massage before we leave"
"I don't like the idea of having a random stranger touching me. I mean its ok that you do, I know lots of people do, it's just not me."
"You get to keep your underpants on Emma, and you can have a blanket to cover you if you're that shy."
"You mean I'd have to take my bra off?... You took your bra off just now?" Emma's mind went immediately somewhere she knew she'd regret. Luckily before she had too long to think about a topless Regina, a grumpy Henry interrupted her day dreams.
"Gross, you two are disgusting; I'm going into the main pool." Henry declared as he quickly got out of the hot tub.
Regina laughed and kissed Henry on the head as he got out of the hot tub. She discarded her robe and stepped into the hot tub.
Emma's eyes immediately fell to Regina's nearly naked body and her mouth fell open as the took in the flesh on display before her. She quickly realised her slip and looked Regina directly in the face. What she wasn't aware of was that Regina did not notice because she was also too distracted by the blonde's current state of undress.
"I'm sorry I just didn't realise that's how it worked" Emma said a little embarrassed.
"It's fine, there's nothing sexual about it Emma" Regina stated matter of factly.
"I know I was just thinking about you lying there in just your panties. No I mean I was not doing that, I was just thinking I didn't want to sit there in my panties, not you in your panties, that wasn't what I was thinking at all."
Regina decided to let the blondes rambling and blush pass, seeing as though the younger woman had already got herself worked up and was clearly embarrassed.
"I never saw you as a prude Emma. In fact I saw you in your panties the second day we met" Emma didn't answer she just turned beet red and tried not to die.
"They do couples massages you know?"
"Oh, well that's…erm well"
"You don't have to be a couple couple, like together like that; just two people who want to have a massage together. Yes just two people who are friends can go for a massage."
Emma smiled and laughed a little.
"What's so funny?"
"You rambled. You, Miss perfectly eloquent word lady, rambled."
"Oh shut up" she said splashing water at the saviour "We should go get ready for dinner. "
"We should but this is nice" The younger woman closed her eyes and lay her head against the tub.
"I know" Regina agreed mimicking the blondes move.
"5 minutes?" Emma said hopefully.
"Very well".
Their five minutes turned to 20 until Henry interrupted their bliss to declare he was starving. They go back to the room, dress for dinner and eat in the hotel restaurant. After dinner they make their way outside towards a walkway where they settle in together to watch the fireworks from the Magic Kingdom.
There is music playing to go along with the firework display. The experience is incredible and they stand huddled together as the night air begins to chill. The music started up and the sky lights up with the most beautiful fireworks any of them had ever seen.
They watched the show unfold and all stood there for the full 15 minutes, mesmerised by the show across the river.
"And all our wishes
all our wishes
will come true"
As the final notes played out, both Emma and Regina looked at one another with tears in their eyes. They shared a silent smile of understanding. This vacation was going to be magical.
Regina didn't know what was coming over her. After months of dreading this holiday she suddenly felt like this was going to be an incredible two weeks. She thought Emma may be right; Disney World IS the most magical place on earth.
She was pretty sure that the amazing smells they pump into the hotel have some sort of drugs in that make her soft and mellow.