Chapter 9

Regina's POV

For some strange reason, I watch relief spread over Emma's face for a brief moment before her eyebrows furrow together.

"You… what?" her beautiful doe eyes stare at me, her head tilted to the side.

"Before you spend time with Henry tonight, I just want to tell you the whole story. Is that okay with you?"

"Of-of course," she stutters. "I want to know everything about you Regina."
I take her hands in mine and I kiss her knuckles gently. "You are the perfect girlfriend," I whisper. She only nods her head.

"Tell me your story."

I take a deep breath, suddenly feeling completely unprepared for this. She squeezes my hand gently.

"His name was Daniel. We were high school sweethearts, I guess you could say. He completely swept me off my feet. We were together all four years and I loved him more than anything in the world. My mother never knew, at least not to my knowledge. She didn't approve of him because he didn't come from a wealthy family. They had money, sure but not like my mother and not old money. Daniel and I spent the weekend in Florida the weekend of our last day of senior year, almost a month before graduation."

I can't help but to smile at the thought. We had so much fun in high school. "Anyways, it turned out we had a little too much fun and I got pregnant. I couldn't tell my mother, so I did my very best to hide it from her. Daniel was very supportive. We were going to go away for college where I would take care of Henry and Daniel would support us. After graduation, we moved up here, to this tiny little town, because it was close to the community college and it had a good school for our child."

Emma still hasn't said a word, but her hands are still in mine and her eyes haven't left mine, though I continue to glance away from her. I take a deep breath.

"I never thought about getting a job. Daniel said he would handle that; he just wanted me to focus on taking care of our child. I never even thought about going to college. Three months before I was set to give birth, Daniel and I…" I don't know if I can finish this story. I take a shaky breath feeling overwhelmed.

"Regina? Baby, what happened?" I realize tears are falling from my eyes and I rip my hand out of hers to wipe them away. She tugs my arm and pills me into her lap as she leans against the headboard. Her finger weave into my hair and she kisses the top of my head. "It's okay, baby. You don't need to tell me anymore." I shake my head. I will finish this story. Emma needs to know. She could change her mind about us.

"He came back home one night and I could tell he had been drinking. He came home drunk once before and I asked him not to do it again. He becomes very… unpleasant when he's drunk." I feel her arms tighten around me. "Anyways, he came in the door around one or two in the morning and burst into our bedroom. I was up waiting for him, of course, and I was angry. I asked him where he'd been and who he was with. He yelled and-"I lose control for a moment, allowing the tears to slide down my face before continuing, "I think you, uh, get the point." Emma's muscles beneath me have all gone rigid and I look up at her.

"He beat you?" I nod my head. "While you were six months pregnant?" I nod again. Her whole body is vibrating. "Why I ought to-"
"Emma! Please!" I turn to face her, "Please, it's not worth it. He isn't worth it."

"Regina!"

"Emma! I didn't tell you this to make you angry! I wanted you to understand. Please, please just let me finish." Her face flushes with anger, fist clenched tightly in her lap. She uncurls them and pulls me back in to her. I settle in again and take yet another deep breath.

"I'm sorry," she murmurs, her nose tucked into my hair. "Please finish."

"The next day I called Katherine and she drove from New York and picked me up. She was about to start college at NYU, but she dropped everything and came and got me. We packed up all my things while Daniel was at work and left before he could come back to the apartment. I stayed in New York with Katherine for a few months, sharing a tiny apartment. I was very lucky. My father left me some money that was given to me when I became eighteen. It allowed me to help Kat with the apartment and pay for the baby's needs. When Henry was born, I decided to stay in New York and go to college. I had to wait a semester before I got accepted to NYU with Kat, but my grades were phenomenal and the people at the admissions knew my father well. I went for my teaching certificate and now here I am."

"Why did you move back here?" she asks quietly.

"New York isn't really a good place to raise a child. They only park is Central Park and, I don't know, it didn't feel right for a child unlike this town. I had made a few friends in the dew months that Daniel and I had lived here. They said he had disappeared almost immediately after I left and nobody knew why. Sold the apartment and left, just like that. I got Henry enrolled in school and, my last year of college, I transferred here and went to the university to finish out my schooling."
"Regina… I had no idea." I nod my head.

"I know. Henry knows he has a dad because that's how he came to be, but he doesn't know anything else. I told him his father and I couldn't stay together. He doesn't ask many questions now, but I'm sure he will soon. The older he gets, the more concern I have, with no other parent in his life but me… I think it will come sooner than expected."
"You did an amazing thing, Regina." I blush. "You're my hero."
"Emma-"I turn to her again.
"Don't. Don't fight me. What you did was heroic. You left an abusive relationship, moved to another state, raised a child in an apartment with your best friend and no father… that's amazing." She kisses me. I'm relieved she's still here and that I told her.

"And you still want to stay with me?" she nods her head.

"I want to stay with you even more now, Gina." I beam. How did I get so lucky?

"Come on," I pat her knees, "we still have to get you to campus so you can change."

"I'm going to call Belle and let her know I'm going home for a bit."
I nod and allow her to get off the bed and she retrieved her phone. I slip on one of my silk robes and a pair of slippers. They aren't as warm as Emma, but they'll do."

"Hey, Gina." I turn to her.
"Hm?"

"That would make you twenty-eight?" I nod my head and so does she. That's it? A head nod? Almost ten years of age difference and all I get is a head nod? Teenagers these days. I'm telling you. I feel like all the weight of my secrets are lifted off my chest and it feels incredible.

When I slip into the bathroom to splash some cold water in my face, I hear Emma on the phone.

"Belle! I'm coming home in like an hour. I'm grabbing some fresh clothes so I can look, well, clothed." I hear a squeal on the other end of the phone. "Belle! Jeez, keep it down would you?" she's laughing heartily. "I know, I can't believe it either. This has been the best three days of my life." My heart warms. The best three days of her life? "Please, please behave yourself. No I don't care if you're in the room but behave! I don't want you to make her uncomfortable. No you cannot ask her if she's always been into younger women! Belle, you are infuriating!" I peek through the door and though she's yelling there's a big smile on her face. "I love you too. I'll be home soon." She hangs up and I open the door and walked into her arms. She's still naked and I don't think I'll ever get enough of it.

"And how is Belle?" she rolls her eyes.

"Don't pretend like you didn't hear, like, that whole conversation," she sticks her tongue at me and I giggle.

The car ride to the university is quiet. The radio station, per Emma's request, is set to Classical music.

"Since hearing you play, I've grown to appreciate the art of piano playing," and I couldn't help but blush when she said it.

Her fingers are laced tightly with mine and I focus on the feeling of her warm hand instead of the increasingly persistent thoughts of meeting her roommate and best friend, Belle.

"It'll be fine," her quiet voice interrupts my thoughts.

"I know."

"She's excited to meet you, you know?" I nod my head. "Gina," she pleads.

"I know Em. I know. I'm just nervous, that's all. Just like you were when you met Kat."
"Um, that was not nerves. That was like altering, heart stopping, and stomach knotting fear." I can't help the giggle that start to peep out of me. Soon it's full-fueled laughing and I can hardly keep the car in my lane. "Gina! Stop it!" Emma whines.

"I'm sorry, baby. I'm so sorry. That was just so funny. Where do you live baby?" we've pulled onto campus.

"Towers." I make my way to the back.

"Building?"

"X." There's a parking spot right in front so I slide in. when I put the car in park, I take a deep breath. She squeezes my hand and leans over so our faces were inches apart.

"Emma," I breathe. She kisses me softly, her hands cupping my face. When she pulls away from the kiss, she kisses my nose before getting out of the car. She walks to my side of the car, dressed in my running shorts and a sweater, and opened my door. We walk into the building together and she slows down as we approach a door at the end of the corridor.

"Here we are. Home sweet home." I realize I'm holding my breath as she puts in her key. She laces her fingers into mine and then the door is opening. "Belle! I'm home!"

A short brunette dressed in brown jeans and a flowing maroon top, hops off one of the beds in the room and approaches us, a smile on her face. I grip Emma's hadn harder.

"Welcome home, Emma." Her eyes glances to Emma and then right back at me.
"Belle, this is Regina. Regina. Belle." I release Emma's hand so I can shake belle's hand that she offers me. Firm grip.

"It's a pleasure to meet you, belle." I say genuinely. This is Emma's best friend. This is your girlfriend best friend. Do not fuck this up, Regina.

"Likewise, Regina. Are you alright if I call you Regina?" her Australian accent is enchanting.

"Yes of course. Any friend of Emma's may call me Regina. Especially her best." I glance at Emma who is beaming at me, a smile so big I feel like it must be hurting her.

"I'm going to freshen up. Can I leave you two alone while I go into the bathroom?" I glance at belle and we both nod our heads to Emma, who after kissing my cheek and giving me a gentle squeeze, grabs her clothes and toiletries from the closet and walks into the bathroom, shutting the door behind her.

Now I'm alone with the best friend. Shit.

"So, Regina, please have a seat," she points to the bed I presume to be Emma's. it's unmade and I internally roll my eyes, I sit on the edge and watch as Belle hops onto hers.

"What's your major, Belle?"

"English," she smiles.

"Oh yes, I remember Emma mentioning that during our date on Thursday."
"Yes. I hope to be a writer someday. I love books and I've always loved to read."
"That's lovely. Well if you ever need any help with anything, you're more than welcome to make use of Emma's English professor girlfriend."
"Girlfriend?" I freeze. "I didn't realize you guys had made it official."
I actually feel like I want to vomit. I can feel it rising in my throat.

"Belle, I-I'm sure she would have told you as soon as you guys were alone. I've kept her all wrapped up with me. It only happened a few hours ago, I don't know when she would have had the time. What was I thinking? She should have been the one to tell you." She's laughing as I ramble.

"Regina, I'm not upset. I'm glad. Now I can have my chat with you."

I'm finding it hard to swallow. The tiny brunette gets off her bed and walks over to me, her eyes never leaving mine. When she's about six inches from me, she stares and puts her hands on her lips.

"Your chat?"

"Yes. The best friend chat. The 'if you break her heart, I'll break your face chat'."

"That chat."

"Yes, that chat. She is my best friend in the whole world. I have known her since we were eight years old and I have witnessed some terrible things that happened to her. She has been broken by far too many people and I will not stand to watch it happen again. She likes you, Regina. Probably even love you. I've really no business telling you that, but I want you to be aware that she is not a toy. She is not a game. If you mess with her, the repercussions for you will not be pretty." It's almost comical having this small girl threaten me. Almost. The seriousness in her voice and her ferocity of her love for Emma reminds me that she isn't screwing around.

"Belle… I have the most honest intention towards Emma. I care for her very, very much. I want her to be in my life in as many in as many ways possible. She is amazing, beautiful, smart, funny, and I can't get enough of her. She isn't just sex to me or something to make me feel younger. If anything she makes me feel old." I chuckle. "The point is, this is the real deal for me. I'm serious about her." She looks satisfied with my answers and I breathe a sigh of relief. Maybe I just passed a hurdle.

We both turn our heads as Emma walks out of the bathroom in her own clothes. A pair of tight jeans and a black button down shirt. Goddamn. This women is mine.

"Emma… you look beautiful." She blushes and glances down at her feet.
"Seriously, Em. You look fantastic." Emma glances at Belle, causing me to look over. Her hand is over her heart and she's smiling.

"We better get going, Gina. We still have to start dinner for Henry and Katherine."
"I should call Kat and see how they are doing," she nods.

"It was really nice meeting you, Regina."
"Like wise, Belle. I'm sure I'll be seeing you soon." She smiles at me.

"I'm sure you will."

"Regina will drop me off tonight after dinner, okay?" Belle nods. Emma gives her a hug and then wraps her arm around my waist and leads me out the door and back to my car.

Emma and I are in the kitchen preparing dinner with a radio station set to pop hits playing quietly in the background. I am making lasagna and Emma is in charge of the vegetables. When we finish prepping the food, we start on making a cake.

"What did you and Belle talk about?" she asks casually. I blush at the memory.

"Oh you know, I asked her about her major and what not."

"And what not?" I glance over at her and her hands are on her hips and one eyebrow raised. I bite my lip, debating on whether or not I want to tell her the whole thing. "You're biting your lip," she comments. I nod. Suddenly she wraps her hands around my waist and her lips are attached to mine. It's been so long since we kissed last. Oh, Regina. What are you going to do come Monday? I can't finish that thought because Emma's tongue has invaded my mouth and her hands have slid into the back pockets of my jeans, massaging my ass roughly,

"Emma," I warn, "we have to behave. Katherine and Henry will be here any minute now." She groans and slide her hands out of my pockets.

"Now you got me all worried again. I just forgot about that." I chuckle.

"He's ten, Emma. If you play video games with him he's going to like you."

Just then I hear the front door rattle open and I know with absolute certainty that, that is my son.

"Mom, I'm home! Aunt Katherine is here too!" Emma takes a harsh breath and I kiss her cheek quickly.

"In the kitchen, baby! We have a guest!" I suddenly realize Emma and I haven't discussed what I would say to Henry. Shit. Before I can think too much about it, my little bundle of joy comes whirling into the kitchen, overnight bad still slung over his shoulder.

"Hi mom!" he hugs me tightly. I think he missed me. I light up at the thought.

"How was your sleep over?" he's still hugging me.

"Awesome! We watched like four movies and had a bunch of popcorn and we even had candy corn!"

"A very healthy diet," I grumble. They are always feeding him sweets over there. Katherine walks into the kitchen and ruffles Henry's hair before kissing my cheek
"Hi Gina, Emma." Emma nods at her.
"Who are you?" Henry asks. Emma's eyes pop open.

"I-I'm Emma."

"Henry, Emma is going to stay for dinner. Is that okay with you?" Please say yes. Please say yes. He eyes her for a moment.

"Do you like Mario Cart?" Emma smiles.
"Duhh. Who doesn't?" he smiles.

"Yeah she can stay."

"Go get washed up, we are going to get dinner in the oven soon. Lasagna sounds good?" he fist bumps.
"Yeah! Thanks mom. That's my favorite!" and then he's running out of the kitchen and I hear his feet pounding up the stairs.

"I missed him," I whisper. Emma puts her arms around my waist and brings me close to her.

"He's adorable." Katherine clears her throat and we both jump apart.

"Hi," she waves. "Henry and I had a great day, thanks for asking."

"Katherine, you are such a child." I stick my tongue out at her and we all giggle. This feels like a family.