I am incredibly sorry about the long wait in updates. Uni is kicking my ass between class, senior sem, and cheer, I've basically had no time to breathe. I'm not sure how often I'll be able to update but I've had more of an inspiration lately so hopefully the chapters will continue to pour out of me. That being said, this chapter is a little emotional, I may have rushed through it but hopefully not. As always, let me know what you think!
Over the next couple of months, Emma and Regina's relationship blossomed beyond what they ever imagined possible. Emma adored Henry as much as he adored her and Regina's heart swelled with every interaction. Emma left most of her belongings at Regina's house leaving her own next door to collect dust on the furniture. Snow's baby belly was growing like crazy; she was due any day now. Emma had learned to love her growing baby brother and Regina was equally infatuated. Neither of them could wait for the baby to arrive. One Sunday morning, the couple were folding up their newly purchased baby clothes into little gift bags to give to Snow after the birth. Regina looked at Emma with a big smile on her face.
"Emma?"
"Yes?"
"Move in with us," Regina answered. It wasn't a question, it was a statement. She wanted Emma to move in with them. She practically was moved in except for the formality and the empty house with Emma's name on it next door. Emma set down a onesie and grabbed both of Regina's hands.
"Are you sure?" Emma was so sure that she wanted to spend every waking moment with this woman, but after being betrayed by Lily, she was still apprehensive.
"Yes Emma," Regina replied. "I want you here every day. I want to fall asleep wrapped in your arms every night and wake up to your beautiful face every morning. Henry loves you as much as I love you and we would be honored if you lived here with us for real."
Tears had welled in Emma's eyes as Regina spoke. This is what she had wanted since she first told Regina she loved her. She had purposely been leaving her belongings around the mansion until practically nothing was left at her house next door.
"Yes Regina, yes!" Regina's teary smile was kissed away as Emma wrapped her arms around Regina, tangling her fingers in chocolate locks. This was everything Emma ever wanted and she knew now that she was ready to take that next step.
Two weeks later, Emma's house had been sold along with all of the old furniture minus a chair and all of Emma's kitchen belongings. She had officially moved into Regina's mansion, had a sparkling silver key hanging with the rest of her keys and half the closet to herself. In the breast pocket of her red leather jacket, a black velvet box holding a beautiful engagement ring sat safely waiting to make its new home on the slender finger of the stunning brunette.
Emma had already planned out exactly how she wanted to propose to Regina. All she needed now was a little help from Henry and Ruby. She heard soft feet padding down the steps towards the kitchen. "Hey Emma," Henry said sleepily.
"Hey kid," Emma responded. She placed a stack of chocolate pancakes in front of him and Henry quickly dove in. "So I need a favor," Emma said slowly. Henry lifted his eyebrow and nodded.
"You want to propose to Mom right?" Emma's jaw dropped open. Had she been that obvious? She hoped Regina hadn't noticed because that would ruin everything.
"Uh, yeah, I do," Emma stuttered. "How did you know?"
"I just figured it was coming and you've been extra hyper the last few days. So what do you need?" He finished his pancakes and rinsed his dish as Emma told him every detail and what exactly she needed from him. He gave her approval and high five before heading off to get ready for school.
Emma bounced excitedly around the kitchen until Henry was ready to be dropped off at school. Next stop, Granny's. She had a meeting with a leggy brunette with a crazy streak of red in her hair.
The bell above the diner door rang as Emma stepped threw, a glowing smile shining off her face. She headed straight for a seat at the mostly empty counter and waited for Ruby. Ruby walked over a few moments later, a steaming hot cup of cocoa with cinnamon in hand for Emma. Emma beamed up at Ruby accepting the gift as she always did.
"Hey Emma, kinda early to see you here isn't it?" Ruby asked. Emma shook her head.
"I guess it is pretty early for me but I wanted to get here before Regina does. I have to ask you a favor."
"You want to propose to Regina right?" Ruby laughed at Emma's gaping mouth.
"Oh my god, how does everyone know this?!" Emma's shrill panicked voice made Ruby's body shake with laughter.
"Emma, its so obvious that you're smitten. Besides, I saw you peeking at that ring in your pocket when you thought no one was looking the other night." Ruby patted Emma's hand when a frown came over Emma's face. "Don't worry, no one else saw it. But what do you need me to do? If it's anything like that first date you planned, I can assure you it is going to be amazing." Emma's face lit up when she thought back to that first date and how perfect it truly was. Everything had to go right for this proposal to top that and she really did have every detail planned out. Emma took a sip of her hot drink before filling Ruby in on everything she needed to know. Emma left the diner with a spring in her step and an ever-growing smile on her face.
The weekend came and Emma was more nervous than ever. She couldn't believe that she was hopefully going to be engaged to the woman of her dreams in a short twenty-four hours. She never imagined that she would be here, in the small town of Storybrooke living the most amazing life. Henry was staying at his friend's house until Saturday afternoon where he would have to come home and set up his part of the proposal. Ruby had already done her part and everything was waiting in the big fridge at Granny's where Regina would not be able to find it. Emma was taking Regina out for a nice dinner and a stay at an expensive hotel in the next town over. (A little getaway for the two of them before to kick off a weekend of sheer joy.) Emma was bouncing on her toes waiting for Regina to finish packing; Emma's bag was already sitting in the trunk of Regina's Mercedes.
"Emma my love," Regina said gently when she finally packed her things in the car. "I'm excited too but you have to calm down. You're going to pass out before the night's end if you keep going like that. And believe me, I have plans for you." Regina's husky voice sent chills down Emma's spine and she immediately settled back on her heels.
When they arrived at the hotel not even two hours later, the couple dropped onto the queen sized bed in the center of their suite. "We do have some time before dinner," Emma said, throwing Regina her brightest smile.
"You're right, we do," Regina responded. She rolled over straddling Emma's waist as Emma squealed in surprise. Regina dropped her lips to Emma's neck sucking hard on her pulse point as she unzipped the red leather jacket and pushed it off Emma's shoulders. She quickly removed the white tank top from Emma's torso along with her bra before shucking her own jacket, shirt and bra off. She immediately moaned at the skin-to-skin contact and felt her nipples grow hard. Her center was aching with arousal as Emma reached up to palm her breast, swiping her thumb back and forth across Regina's nipples. Regina pushed Emma's back down onto the bed and quickly rid her of her tight jeans before coming back to attack Emma's mouth with her own.
Emma was writhing underneath her, eager for Regina to touch her where she wanted her most. Regina took her time making her way down Emma's body, nipping and kissing every bit of skin she could find. When she finally reached the apex of Emma's thighs, she sighed blissfully and took a long swipe of her tongue up Emma's clothed center.
"Fuck Regina," Emma moaned. Her fingers reached down to tangle in Regina's hair. She bucked her hips as Regina sucked in a wet lip. "Please," she begged. Regina slid the wet fabric down Emma's legs and kissed her way achingly slow up back up Emma's legs. Regina and Emma both moaned as Regina's tongue entered Emma's hot center, lapping at every inch she could find. She guided two fingers into Emma gently, curling her fingers on every down stroke until Emma was crying out. Regina took that as her sign that Emma was close and latched on to her swollen clit. Emma screamed and bucked her hips erratically into Regina's face as she rode out her powerful orgasm.
Regina snuggled into Emma's side and kissed her neck gently, letting Emma recover. She hummed peacefully as she wrapped her arms around the love of her life. Emma suddenly flipped Regina onto her back, smiling brightly. "You are so amazing," Emma exclaimed, kissing Regina soundly. "My turn!" Regina yelped in delight as Emma made her way to rid Regina of her clothes.
After their little tryst in the hotel room, Emma and Regina had showered (together of course) and headed downstairs to have dinner in the hotel's infamous restaurant. They shared a bottle of expensive red wine and laughed at themselves over an incredible meal. Emma was growing anxious waiting for the next day to come when she could put a ring on Regina's empty left hand.
After dinner they found themselves seated in a booth near the bar, sipping on margaritas and flirting shamelessly. It was fun to pretend they had just met and had plans to take each other back to their prospective hotel rooms later that night. Emma put on her charm and Regina winked while slowly rubbing her foot up the inside of Emma's toned legs. Eventually all the flirting became too much and they made their way back up to the suite as quick as possible, throwing clothes in every direction, ready to ravish each other all night long.
Henry rushed to the front steps of the mansion and used the spare key to unlock the front door. Waving to his friend to show him he got in safely, he ran into the kitchen to start prepping for tonight. Emma had cooked (with a little help from Ruby), Mom's favorite meal. Really, it was a combination of all of Regina's favorite foods: salads, chips and queso (which she will never admit), steak with mashed potatoes and gravy, and a chocolate brownie cake with vanilla ice cream and hot fudge on top. Henry set up a table with two chairs, three candles in the center and big white bows wrapped around the back of their seats. He strung white Christmas lights through Regina's apple tree mimicking the trees from their first date. There was a projector set up again but they weren't watching a movie this time. There were no beanbag chairs or horses and Ruby was definitely not going to be present. Henry was going to be conveniently "helping" Snow with her baby bump, but he was actually going to be behind the scenes making sure everything went smoothly. And of course he wanted to watch Emma propose to his mom.
Henry smiled at the thought of having two moms. He already considered Emma to be his other mom and had almost slipped up in calling her Ma a few times. He would have to ask her tonight if that would be ok. All of his friends had two parents and he would love it more than anything. And he and Emma had so much in common, it was obviously meant to be.
Henry heard a car door open and he sprinted into the house and up the stairs as quickly as he could, hoping to be undetected by Regina and her super mom hearing. He heard voices murmuring downstairs and a smile split across his face. It was go time.
Regina sighed heavily as she dropped her bag onto the floor in the foyer. She placed her jacket on a hanger in the hall closet and waited for Emma to do the same. Their night at the hotel had been absolutely fantastic and she was looking forward to a night of relaxing with her two loves. Regina headed towards the stairs and Emma quickly grabbed her arm to stop her.
"When you get to the bedroom, put on the dress hanging from the closet door and meet me here," Emma gave no other instructions or hints as to what was going on as she headed into the study where she had put her own outfit, locking the door behind her.
Regina gaped at the door to the study for several moments before deciding to trust Emma and just head upstairs. When she entered the bedroom, Regina gasped at the sight of the red leather dress hanging on the closet door. It was the same red dress she had worn to their amazing first date. Emotions were welling inside Regina as she changed her clothes and sat on the bed to take a deep breath. Would this amazing woman ever stop surprising her? No, she didn't think so.
Emma, dressed impeccably in her fitted suit, smiled brightly as Regina descended the stairs looking as stunning as ever. Emma held the same blindfold in her hand as she had that night. She kissed Regina deeply before wrapping the cloth around her eyes and guiding her into the backyard.
"Wait just a minute," Emma said in Regina's ear before walking towards the table. She inspected all the food quickly and made sure the lights were all turned on. She checked the projector quickly and turned on soft music. "Ok, let's get this off of you," she said as she removed the blindfold from Regina's eyes. Tears were growing in her chocolate orbs as she took in the scene in front of her.
"Emma," Regina whispered. "What is all this for? It's beautiful." Emma led Regina to the table, pulling out her chair for her before rounding the table and sitting as well. She poured them both a glass of red wine and watched Regina giggle as a plate of tortilla chips and a bowl of queso was presented to her.
"You didn't think I only planned one night did you?" Emma discreetly patted her jacket pocket to triple check that the ring was still there. As they started to eat their appetizer, Emma felt her nerves growing. She needed to start up a conversation of some sort. "So, I was thinking that maybe next week we can take Henry to the aquarium again? I know we just went a few weeks ago but what can I say? We're both a little obsessed." She blushed a little at the admission but she wasn't embarrassed. She always loved the aquarium; sharks are her favorite.
"I'd love to Emma, maybe we can make it a weekend trip and check out that theme park on the boardwalk as well," Regina spoke casually but inside she was freaking out. There had to be a special meaning behind the recreation of their first date. She didn't want to say anything quite yet but she was definitely panicking inside. Just then, Henry, dressed in his Butler outfit, pushed the cart with their meal up next to the table.
"You're food milady's," he said, causing Regina and Emma to burst into laughter. He curtsied and kissed them both on the cheeks.
"Oh Henry! You look amazing my little prince," Regina exclaimed. She ruffled his hair smiling brightly as he quickly fixed it. "Thank you for the food sir," she said pretending to be just a customer in a restaurant. Henry stood still and waiting until Emma gave him a quick nod before he saluted and headed back inside. The women laughed again before starting to eat their meal. Emma planned to propose before dessert. She promised Henry he could get some of their cake.
"Emma," Regina looked at Emma through hooded eyes. "What's all this about? Not that I'm not loving every moment of this but… what are we doing here? Why is Henry dressed like the cutest butler to ever exist?"
"Well to be honest Regina, Henry volunteered to wear the outfit, I just asked for a little help" Emma said with a snort. At Regina's confused expression, Emma realized it was time. Screw the food, she thought. Nothing would taste as good as the word YES falling from Regina's mouth. She thought about what might happen if Regina said no, but quickly stopped herself. She opened her jacket and slipped the velvet box out of her pocket. Slipping off the chair onto her knee in front of Regina, Emma started speaking. At that moment, the projector started a slideshow of all the photos they had taken together during their time together.
"Regina, I know that we haven't known each other for very long, most couples wait years before doing this. But I have never felt this way about anyone, ever. No one has ever compared to you and the feelings you bring out in me. I smile all the time; I feel welcomed and loved everyday living with you. I have this amazing new family with you and Henry and I never want to let that go. You have broken through the walls I built after my last heartbreak. You tore through every barrier in my mind and my soul." She took a deep breath as she noted the flow of tears streaming from Regina's eyes. "You have made me the happiest woman in the world. I would not be half the person I am today without you. I want to spend everyday for the rest of my life making you feel the way you make me feel. I want to hold you every single night and wake up to your smile every morning until the day I die. You are the biggest light in my life and you have brought me so much joy. Henry is the sweetest kid that I have ever met and I would love nothing more than to watch him grow up into a miniature version of you. You are the love of my life Regina Marie Mills. Will you make me the luckiest woman in the world and marry me?" Tears were spilling down Emma's face now too as she took in the look of pure love and happiness on Regina's face.
"Emma Swan, nothing in the entire world would make me happier. You have swept me off my feet, fit right into the family and the open space in Henry's heart and mine. Yes, I will marry you! Yes, Emma, yes!" Regina held onto Emma's hand as she slipped the gorgeous ring onto her finger. Regina pulled Emma to her then, wrapping her arms around her neck and kissing her deeply. "I love you Emma Swan, I love you so much." She tasted a mix of hers and Emma's tears in her mouth, as she kissed her with everything she had.
"Henry, you can come out now," Emma yelled gently over Regina's shoulder as she refused to let go. Henry came sauntering out, holding a thick envelope in his hands. Reluctantly, Emma loosened her grip on Regina to turn towards Henry. "What's that kid?"
"Well Emma," Henry started. "I kind of have my own proposal to give." He fidgeted nervously as he looked at Emma. "You've been around for a long time now and you've been really cool." Both women giggled and smiled even brighter. "You've taken me to do so many fun things and you cook really good pancakes. And you make my mom happier than I've ever seen her. You became a second parent to me and I really like that. I'd be really honored if you adopted me so I could call you Ma." Emma broke down in sobs as she took Henry into her arms and squeezed tightly. She didn't speak for a while, just crying and holding Henry. He held on just as tightly, tears coming from his eyes now as well. Regina watched the scene in front of her, amazed at the incredible life she had now.
"Oh Henry, I would love to be your mother, if you really want me." Emma continued to cry but she grabbed Regina's hand and brought her down to join them. "I love you so very much and I want nothing more than to be a family, the three of us. I'm so honored Henry. Yes, I'll adopt you!" The three of them held each other tightly, tears of happiness streaming down their faces, leaving all the food ignored on the table. The slideshow continued to play in the background telling the tale of two mothers and their son.