I really didn't mean to leave you hanging after updating this story with 4th chapter but life got in the way. My beta RonisGirlSQ did an amazing job again. I can't thank her enough for her help.
This story is much better with you on board, trust me, Roni.
Enjoy reading, my friends. I hope you will enjoy this chapter. In one of the reviews you asked for more Regina's POV so you shall get it. Next chapter will be entirely from her point of view. Are you excited? I am. I already wrote the 6th chapter, it just needs some changes and then Roni will go through it to make it even more shiny for you. I loved getting under doctor Mills' skin to see the whole story from her perspective. You have a lot to look forward to, believe me. Xoxo.
Emma arrived home, quietly unlocking the door and walking through. She didn't want to wake her parents up. David, her dad, worked as a car mechanic and usually finished his shift late in the evening. She wanted him to get as much sleep as he could get before he had to go back to work the next day. Their car service was one of the busiest in Boston. Mary, Emma's mother, worked as a teacher. She had a weak spot for little kids which made it easier to choose what grade to teach. Emma leaned against the closed door to give herself some time to adjust to being home. Boston was a very alive city even at this hour. After a whole day of using her ears as the basic orientation tool she felt tired of hearing all the noise. Sounds were the first meeting points between her and the world but what was too much was too much and Emma needed a quiet moment from time to time.
The only down side of her job at the radio station was the late nights. She would wrap up and call herself a taxi to take her home. Mary offered to come pick her up every night but Emma couldn't accept that. Her sleeping pattern has already been messed up and she wouldn't want to mess up her mother's. Blindness is an obstacle but Emma learned how to live with it pretty well. She tried to be as independent as she could. She relied on what she heard and what she felt. She didn't like the walking cane but when she had to get somewhere, there was no other way of doing it. This night wasn't any different. Monday evenings belonged to music and Emma really enjoyed talking about one of her most favourite bands, Of Monsters And Men. She even played a few songs to give people a taste of the kind of music the band made. Then she talked about the lyrics and what they made her feel. As much as she loved music, she couldn't wait for the next day when the episode of her radio show would be all about books. Her listeners had no idea about her being blind, she has never mentioned it on the show. Why should she, right? If she couldn't find a book written in Braille, she would listen to an audio book instead.
A trip to the library was her plan for Tuesday. In order to prepare for her next show she needed to grab the audiobook of 'The Picture Of Dorian Gray', the book she wanted to talk about tonight. Pushing all these thoughts aside for now she went to her room to change into her Pj's and to take a shower. Tiredness was slowly taking over her body. Sleep was very much needed. Her last thought belonged to Regina Mills. One day ended and more days of this torture of not seeing her doctor were to follow. Not letting go of the Regina Mills image in her mind Emma set her alarm clock for 8:00am and within a few minutes she fell asleep.
"Good morning," Emma greets her parents as she joins them at the table for breakfast.
"Morning, Sunshine," David answered already finished with his meal. Standing up he walked to his daughter and kissed her forehead.
"Your mom told me about the interesting doctor you visited yesterday," David teased. He walked to the hallway to grab his things and get ready for work.
Emma's eyes followed him only by hearing his footsteps. She smiled and formed the words as a form of defense. "Well, Mom is exaggerating," Emma smiled intuitively moving her gaze to where she sensed her mother was sitting. Mary winked at David letting him know that she was not.
"Next time I will be the one to accompany you to the doc's appointment," David said while walking back to the table to give Mary and Emma a kiss.
"You are curious, aren't you?" Emma teased back. She loved playing games with her father. They enjoyed teasing each other in a loving way.
"And you think I would let you go alone? This doctor is quite something," Mary said to join the game of teasing.
"Mom!" Emma protested. The way Mary talked about Regina was pretty revealing. Hearing her mother saying that Regina Mills was a beautiful woman made Emma feel more anxious. There were moments when she wished she could see but none of them were as strong as this particular one. She couldn't believe her own feelings right now. She felt jealous. Jealous of her mother for being able to see.
"Sorry, Ems, no more spoilers. Soon you will see with your own eyes," Mary apologized not giving up the teasing. Saying goodbye to David, Mary started to clean the table leaving Emma to finish her meal.
"Will you take me to the city centre?" Emma asked chewing on her toast. Her hand searched for the cup of tea Mary always prepared for her every morning. Finally getting a hang of it she took a sip of the hot liquid. Closing her eyes she enjoyed the sweet taste. Blueberry tea, her favourite.
"Sure," her mom answered while washing the dishes. Mary was already prepared to leave the house having all her things packed in her purse. She looked at her daughter realizing that Emma was also ready to leave. Dressed in black trousers, white blouse and her red leather jacket she was for sure going to impress not just one pair of eyes. Mary knew that Emma wasn't interested in making a good impression on anybody else than her doc Regina. She smiled at her own thoughts. When she thought about the whole situation, neither her nor Emma knew if Regina was straight or gay or if she was married or single. If she recalled right from the last meeting there was no wedding ring on Regina's fingers. Mary smiled and looked at her daughter who was enjoying her tea with such delight. There was still hope and being Emma's mother she wished only the best for her daughter.
"Are you going to the library?" Mary asked making sure she knew where Emma wanted to be dropped off.
"Yeah, work stuff," Emma answered. Getting up from the chair she collected her plate and the cup. She carefully went to the sink to wash the dishes so they could finally leave the house.
"How long will you stay here?" Mary asked Emma when she stopped in front of the Boston main library. Checking her watch she waited for Emma to give her the time frame.
"I am not sure. I can call you when I am finished," Emma answered. Taking her bag from the back seat she stepped out of the car. Mary handed her the white stick and Emma was set to go.
"Ok, call me. I will pick you up on my way from work," Mary suggested. Emma nodded and started towards the library building. Mary watched her daughter step through the door and then headed off knowing that Emma was safe.
Emma's first visit was on the audiobook level of the building. Standing right next to the counter she waited for her turn to ask the librarian for the CD. Emma didn't like wasting time so while she was waiting her mind was already working on a schedule for her evening radio show. She was completely lost in her thoughts when a very familiar scent reached her nostrils, a perfume she has known from somewhere. She inhaled deeply few times to fill her nose with the scent. Closing her eyes she went back in her memories to find out why it felt so familiar, so pleasant. No way! It can't be her! she thought realizing that the scent was becoming stronger and that someone was coming towards her.
"Emma?" a husky voice reached Emma's ears and it felt amazing hearing her name come from the approaching person.
"Doctor Mills?" Emma asks turning her body in the direction of the voice. She was having a hard time believing that she would be that fortunate to meet Regina outside the doctor's office. Emma smiled and waited for the other woman to reach her. Emma's body started shaking and a panic attack was just a few steps away from her, lurking. She really was not ready to meet Regina here, today. A hand landed on her shoulder. Regina had experience with blind people and knew that a simple touch made them feel safer when meeting someone.
"What brings you here?" Regina asked feeling Emma's nervousness. Trying to ease the tension the blonde woman felt.
"I just needed to pick something up for my show," Emma blurted out not realizing what she was saying.
"Your show?" Regina asked, curiosity present in her voice.
Damn! Emma scolded herself internally. It was very easy to speak with Regina. Letting all her guards down revealing more details about herself than usual. Knowing she owed Regina an explanation now that she said it, she continues tentatively. "I work as a radio host and today's episode is about books," Emma revealed her job to the doctor.
"Interesting," Regina said, making a note to herself to look for Emma's show this evening. She didn't want to interrogate Emma about her radio program, but her eagerness to get to know the blonde more was starting to show. "When will it be broadcasting?" She asks. Hoping in vain that her tone doesn't give away her hopefulness.
"The show starts at 9pm," Emma answered.
Not wanting to put Emma under pressure of knowing that she would be listening to her Regina changed the topic. "Well then good luck with your show. It was nice meeting you here, Emma. I am afraid I have to go now. And don't worry about the CT scan. I spoke with the head doctor at the nuclear unit and he will let me know as soon as he can. I will see you on Monday next week, at the latest?" She reassured Emma about the appointment as she squeezed her shoulder.
"Thank you, doc. See you on Monday," Emma answered putting her hand above the doctor's returning the squeeze. Inhaling the perfume for the last time Emma listened to Regina's footsteps while she was walking towards the elevator. Her heart didn't want to let her go but her mind was the reasonable part telling her not to push it. She will meet her again. Soon. Instead of being sad that Regina left Emma was grateful for this moment, for this meeting, even though it was so brief.
Every single second spent in Regina's presence was a gem for Emma. And if she had to collect all these little gems one by one and turn them into a beautiful necklace then so be it. She would do it.
The only thing she feared the most was that her feelings were not reciprocated.
TBC
