So sorry for the wait on the update, life is absolutely insane right now! But please enjoy this chapter and always review! Some turmoil is coming up in a the next few chapters but I promise happy endings all around
After they ate dinner, enjoying the meal Emma had cooked, Emma opened up the last container of hot food. On a large plate sat two hot pieces of chocolate lava cake, and two slices of apple pie. Emma dragged vanilla ice cream from the cooler and put a scoop on each plate. Regina could feel her mouth watering at the site.
"Emma, this is amazing. I haven't had a dinner like this in well… as long as I can remember really." Regina moaned as she took her first bite of the sweet dessert. Emma beamed a brilliant smile at Regina.
"Only the best for the love of my life," she said, reaching across the table to grab Regina's hand. "Honestly Regina, I would do this every day for the rest of my life just to see the look on your face. I love you so much and I never thought I would say that again. It's been a scary journey for me. I told myself I wouldn't let myself fall like that again but I've never felt this way about anyone, ever. You are a truly amazing person Regina Mills."
Tears were streaming down Regina's face by the time Emma was done speaking. Regina's heart was swelling in her chest as the words I love you repeated in her head. "I love you too Emma Swan." Leaving her unfinished dessert on the table, Regina stood and walked to Emma's seat before sitting in her lap and kissing her deeply. "I love you, I love you, I love you," she exclaimed laying tiny kisses on Emma's lips in between each statement.
After one long kiss, Regina pulled away blushing brightly and beaming at Emma. "So, what's Phase II?" A smirk broke out across Emma's face.
"Well you have to get up first," Emma joked. After Regina reluctantly removed herself from Emma's lap with a playful roll of her eyes, Emma took her hand and guided her to the white tent off to the side. "It will probably be hard in that dress, but get comfy and I'll be right back," she said. Regina snuggled down under a couple of blankets and propped her head up on a pillow. She sighed happily thinking about the night they had already had. When Emma came back, Regina was laying contently with her eyes shut listening to the sounds of nature around her.
"I sure hope you haven't fallen asleep on me yet Gina," Emma teased. Regina slowly opened her eyes and looked up with a bright smile on her face.
"Never, Em," she emphasized the Em, jabbing at Emma's shortened name for her, Gina. She glanced behind Emma to see the white screen lit up with movie commercials running.
"Sorry," Emma said as she plopped down next to Regina. "We have to watch the commercials but I'm sure I can find a way to pass the time." She grinned devilishly as her hand found its way under the blanket and on to Regina's hips. Regina giggled and snuggled up into Emma's side.
"And what exactly are we watching Emma?"
"Well," Emma turned her face away suddenly a bit nervous for her choice in movies. "The first night we met, you let me into your home for cider and a movie. I thought tonight we could watch the sequel to that movie. Arguably not as good as the first, Pitch Perfect 2."
Regina's eyes widened. That first night felt incredibly far away and she didn't think Emma was one to remember small details of those nights. "Emma, that's perfect. I love the second one almost as much as I love the first." Emma breathed a sigh of relief.
When the commercials were over, Emma pressed play and laid back, resting her head on Regina's chest. Once again, Regina mouthed the words to the movie lines and the songs, laughing wildly at the funny parts, which is pretty much the entire movie. When the movie was over, Emma stood up and shut off the projector. It was nearly midnight now and Emma still had one phase left to her date. While the movie was playing, Ruby had graciously picked up a horse from the stables and brought him to a nearby tree and left him with some food until Emma was ready for him. She took Regina's hands and helped her up from the air mattress hugging her and kissing her deeply before guiding her back out of the tent. Regina gasped when she saw the horse.
"Welcome to Phase III Regina," Emma said as she walked them towards the large animal. "Henry told me how much you love horses and how you haven't ridden in a long time. Although I am no rider, I figured a stroll to the top of the hill to watch the meteor shower tonight, might be the perfect way to end this date." She watched Regina's face light up and turned just in time to receive another kiss from Regina.
"This is perfect Emma," she whispered, guided Emma to the horse and swinging herself onto it. She struggled a bit with the tight fitting dress she was wearing, the bottom of the dress riding up significantly exposing her toned thighs and soft skin. If anyone were watching from the front, they most definitely would have gotten quite the few up the front of Regina's skirt. Emma, with absolutely zero grace, hopped up onto the horse and instantly grabbed onto Regina for dear life. She wrapped her arms around Regina's waist and rested her chin on Regina's shoulder. She sighed happily as she allowed Regina to take the reigns, literally, and guide them to the top of Storybrooke's highest hill where Emma had set up the final phase of the night.
At the top of the hill, a giant bean bag with a couple of blankets was set up, a small table off to the right with chocolate covered strawberries and two thermoses filled with hot chocolate, Regina's with a splash of caramel, Emma's with a dash of cinnamon. Regina's eyes sparkled brighter than the stars at the moment. She blinked back tears as she allowed the overwhelming feeling of love surround her. She picked up the thermos labeled Gina, chuckling, and fixed herself a plate of strawberries while Emma did the same. They both giggled as they fell into the giant bean bag.
"Emma, I am in awe of you. I think I fall in love with you more and more every day. Thank you for tonight, it's been absolutely amazing." Regina laced her fingers with Emma's playing gently with their hands.
"I've been falling in love with you since the moment you stood on my doorstep and pretended not to notice my stuttering and blatant staring at your beauty. You're an amazing woman Regina and I have fallen so deeply in love with you and Henry. I've never had this before but I'd be happy having this forever." Emma squeezed Regina's hand just a bit and left a lingering kiss on her cheek. They ate in silence and drank the hot chocolate just enjoying being in each other's company. Emma tucked them into the blankets and leaned her head against Regina's shoulder. Soon after, the meteor shower began. It was something Regina had never seen before and she watched with wide eyes full of wonder and joy. Emma watched Regina's emotions play out across her face wondering if she'd ever get sick of this woman. She knew she wouldn't. And she knew what she wanted to do.
After dropping the horse off at the stables, Emma drove Regina home. Standing at the front door, Regina turned the key and breathed a sigh of pleasure as Emma wrapped her arms around her from behind, resting her chin on Regina's shoulder and peppering her neck with tiny kisses.
"Please tell me you'll join me for a night cap dear," Regina hummed.
"How could I say no?" Emma asked, following Regina into the house and closing and locking the door behind her. Regina led the way to the study and poured them each a glass of her famous apple cider. She turned on the iHome and set Pandora to a Love playlist.
"I don't know how to thank you for all of this Emma," Regina exclaimed.
"Don't thank me, dance with me." Emma grabbed both of their glasses and set them on the mantel before grabbing Regina in her arms and swaying loosely. Regina's hearty laugh filled the air and Emma felt her heart swell in her chest. She swung Regina in circles, smiling brightly as the music played in the background.
Regina began to sing in her ear softly as the perfect song filled the air. "My heart beats like a drum, a guitar string to the strum, a beautiful song to be sung. She's got blue eyes deep like the sea, that roll back when she's laughing at me. She rises up like the tide, the moment her lips meet mine."
The chorus continued to play as Regina led Emma up the stairs and peeled off their clothes. They made passionate love and fell asleep with smiles on their faces, happy just to hold each other as they slept through the night.
We may only have tonight
But till the morning sun you're mine, all mine
Play the music low and sway to the rhythm of love
Thanks for reading!