When I woke up the next morning I was truly happy for once. "So how'd last night go? I'm guessing well since you're humming." Jefferson watched me as I poured a large cup of coffee. I turned and sat on the counter.
"It was a good night. We got along great. Didn't fight, swapped stories, and she liked my cooking." Jefferson rested his cheek in his hand.
"Tis true love." His voice was light and playful. I watched him over the rim of my cup. "So did y'all.."
"No!" I almost choked on my coffee. "We didn't sleep together! Or even kiss. It was still a nice night though." I paused and started to swing my legs like a kid. "I mean…I would've liked a goodnight kiss but I'm happy with what did happen." Jefferson just watched me.
"You really do love her don't you?" His voice was serious now. I didn't answer but I could feel my cheeks redden. "You do!" He jumped over the back of the couch and came in the kitchen. "What are you going to do now?"
"I don't know. Secretly send her flowers and thank her for last night." I looked at Jefferson sheepishly.
"God you are such a romantic. Now that you're stealing Regina I'm going after Graham." I frowned and looked over at Jefferson confused.
"What?" Why is he trying to steal Graham?
"Are you serious?" Jefferson raised an eyebrow at me. "You've never read the gaydar coming from that man. That manly man in uniform that fits him so well? Mmmm I could just.."
"Shut up! Shut up now!" I raised my hand and blocked his face. "I don't need that in my head. I'd rather just keep the picture of Regina in that blue dress from last night in my head." I hopped off the counter and headed for the bathroom. "I'm getting ready and then you're calling the florist and tell them to send a dozen roses to the Mayor's office and have the card say 'you cook next time?'"
"And what makes you think I'll do that?" Jefferson crossed his arms as I passed.
"Because if you don't and I don't win Regina over, then you won't get Graham."
Around lunch time I decided to go by the Mayor's office and get my badge back. As I walked up the owner of the flower shop walked out of Regina's office. I suddenly became very nervous and hesitated at the door. When I heard a chuckle I decided it was safe enough to knock. "Come in." I walked in timidly and Regina looked up at me. "Ah. Miss. Swan, how are you today?" Oh Jesus. She's really happy. I hope that's because of my flowers.
"I'm good. A secret admirer?" I pointed to the flowers as I took a seat. She looked from the flowers to me.
"Indeed it seems so. They didn't sign the card but the note gives it away." She carried the vase over to a table beside the window. "From what the card says, it seems they want another date." I fidgeted with my hands.
"What would your answer be? If you don't mind my asking." Regina was quiet as she looked me over.
"What did you come here for Miss. Swan?" My stomach sank. Damn, why did I think I'd have a second date with her? Who am I kidding? She just wanted to make the best of a business deal we made. She wouldn't actually want someone like me.
"I came to get my badge." My voice was small. I wanted to get out of here as soon as possible. Regina rummaged through her desk and then walked around towards me.
"Yes, here you go Miss. Swan." When I reached for my badge she leaned in so she could whisper in my ear. "Friday at seven. My place and don't be late." I froze and just stared when she leaned back. "Now, don't you have work to do?" I smiled.
"I do indeed. And yes I won't be late."
"I hope I'm not interrupting anything." We looked over and there stood Graham. Oh shit. There stood my new boss and the man who I'm competing against for Regina's love and attention.
"You're not. Miss. Swan was just leaving." I looked back at Regina with a nod. As I ran out the door and back to the station, I pulled out my phone and dialed Jefferson's number. Answer damn it.
"Hey! Guess what? I have another date! This Friday at seven. Yeah I know! Well I better go. I'm back at the station. I'll explain more later." When Graham got back to the station he seemed normal. I didn't bring attention to myself as he walked in and went back to work. Graham and I didn't say a word to each other until it was time to leave. Even then it was just the simple 'have a goodnight. See you tomorrow' stuff. As I drove from the station to my place I saw Henry walking down the sidewalk. "Henry!" I slowed to a stop as he walked towards the car.
"Hey Emma, how are you?" He came to the car and leaned in the window.
"What are you doing walking alone? Oh and I'm great." I gave him a big smile. "Especially since I've got my job back and your mom doesn't hate me." His face brightened up.
"I knew she didn't hate you! I'm just walking home from Dr. Hopper's." I thought a moment and then gave him a nod.
"Hop in and I'll give you a ride." Henry climbed in the car and placed his book between us.
"So how did it go? Mom seemed really happy this morning. And I know she didn't get in until after midnight." I looked over at him shocked and confused. "I was still awake when she came to check in on me. She thought I was asleep."
"You sneaky little sucker." He chuckled. "Well it went well and I'm coming for dinner this Friday." I bit my tongue as soon as the words came out of my mouth. I didn't want to tell him about his mother's personal life unless she wants him to know. "But don't tell her I told you."
"I won't. Your secret is safe with me. I'm glad it's starting to work out for the two of you." We fell quiet. "But what are you going to do about Graham?" My stomach fell. I didn't forget about him but I didn't want to think about him either.
"I don't know. That's up to your mom. She is dating him after all." Before Henry could say another word we pulled into his driveway. "Not another word about any of this okay?"
"Deal." Before Henry got out he looked back at me. "Aren't you going to come in? You'll get to see my Mom." Damn this kid was going to use that against me.
"I wasn't planning on it…but I'll walk to you the door." We walked to the door and I knocked. It didn't take long for it to open and Regina see me.
"Oh Miss. Swan...you're here…with my son." There was that awkward pause. "Is everything alright?"
"Yeah everything is fine. I was driving home and saw him walking so I gave him a ride. How are you?" My hands were stuffed in my pockets and I felt like such a dork around their crush. Henry just stood there watching us. I'm sure he was trying to not laugh at me.
"I'm fine. Would you like to come in for a few?" I smiled and Henry rushed in.
"I'd love to." Henry headed up the stars with his schoolbag. "He's a really good kid. You've raised him well." Regina handed me a small glass of cider.
"Thank you Emma. As I told you I've had him since he was 3 weeks old. We've had our ups and downs but I love him like my own." I sipped on the cider as I listened. "I don't cook dinner for another hour, would you like to see something?"
"And you've raised him very well. Of course I'd love to." I followed her into the den and over to the bookshelf. "You have a very lovely home Regina." She looked back at me when we stopped.
"Thank you Emma. This," she picked up a molding with both hands and presented it to me. "Is what Henry and I had made when he was five." The molding was big enough to have her right hand print and his left hand print. Around the side it said 'for my mommy.' It was so adorable and I could tell it meant a lot to Regina.
"That's adorable." I looked on the shelf where she got it and saw a picture of her and Henry. She looked beautiful and it was a wonderful picture of them. I guess my eyes lingered too long before Regina got my attention by clearing her throat. "I didn't do it!" after realizing what I said, I looked over sheepishly. Regina had a confused yet slightly amused look on her face. "Every time I'm in trouble with you you've always cleared your throat beforehand. Well except for once." Once again, I rubbed my cheek subconsciously where she slapped it.
"I do apologize for slapping you." She set the molding back on its stand and went to take a seat on the small vintage couch. "That day and a few before it had been rather irritating and after your comment I just snapped." She was truly sorry. I could tell it was taking a lot for her to admit she was wrong.
"I was out of line for saying that. I mean, who am I to judge whether or not he's pleasing you the way you need. Though, I do know from what you said last night that he doesn't treat you right." She locked eyes with me and I knew I better finish my point quickly. "Because he should open doors, pull out chairs, excreta for a woman like yourself. You deserve to be treated like a Queen." Henry's book flashed across my mind. 'You're the white knight who's going to give the Evil Queen her happy ending.' "I should shut up before I make an even bigger fool of myself." I headed towards the door but Regina grabbed my wrist.
"Emma, wait." I didn't move a muscle. She let go of my wrist and walked to face me. "You're right; he doesn't treat me like you do." She paused. "Did, I mean. He doesn't hold doors open, or helps me out of a car, though yours is much lower to the ground versus the crosier, and he doesn't seem genuinely interested in the stories I told him. You do all of those things and listen and hold onto every word I say." I loosened up and let her speak. "I don't know what I'm getting at here but this is new to me. I've never had a woman interested in me before." I snorted and raised an eyebrow in debate. "Okay one that I gave a chance to." I smiled. I'm the first woman she ever gave a chance to. "Are you going to say anything? A snarky comment anything?" I chuckled and shifted my weight to the other foot.
"You have no idea how much what you just said to me means. I feel honored that I'm the first woman you ever gave a chance to. Even if it was out of a bet, but, you wanted a second date so that's my…I'm confusing myself so I'll get to the point." She chuckled and it calmed me. "If you give me the chance I can be your knight and treat you like the Queen you are." We just watched each other for a moment before I leaned in slowly. I placed a soft kiss on her red lips and felt like I was a feather. Her perfume filled my senses, her touch made my body buzz, and I loved it. When she didn't pull back and started to kiss me deeper I rested my hands on her hips. After a few minutes I pulled back and leaned my forehead against hers to whisper. "We better stop before we go too far. Henry's outside the door listening to us."
The color drained from Regina's face quickly and her eyes grew wide. "You're joking." I shook my head with a smile. She walked over quickly and tapped on the door about Henry's ear height.
"Ow!"Regina opened the door and there he was with a cup. She looked back at me shocked.
"The cup trick every time." I crossed my arms. "Kid, if you're going to sneak around listening in on other people's conversations don't make noise." He smiled sheepishly.
"Do I even want to know how you know that trick so well?" Regina looked from Henry to me.
"A lot of people did that when they were a kid." I raised my hands in mock surrender. "I promise I haven't done that since I was like…ten." Regina smirked and raised an eyebrow. "Okay fifteen." She rolled her eyes with a smile.
"Of course you did."