Hey guys, thanks for the sweet reviews! Extra long chapter for you so I can have the next one be a Halloween one in time for the holiday...you have fun and surprises to look forward to...at Regina's Halloween Party :) Until then, enjoy chapter 14 with the end of the fair night!
Ruby and Kathryn watched this scene unfold from a reasonable distance. Both women were struck with pangs of heartache, seeing their two friends desperately want each other.
"God, they are a sight, aren't they?" Kathryn noted.
"It's as if they never broke up," Ruby added. "Honestly, I don't get why they can't just get over their shit and realize they were made for one another."
"Aye men to that, she-wolf," Kathryn said with a hint of affection in her voice. "All I know is Emma better hurry up before it's too late."
"Too late for what?" Ruby asked, her expression reflecting her utter confusion.
But before she could answer, Henry interrupted.
"You guys ready for more rides?"
Regina came over, placing a hand on her son's shoulders. "Dear, I think we ought to allow some time to digest. I don't want you to get sick."
Henry groaned, but Emma supported her ex's sentiment. "Yeah, kid, your mom's right." Regina raised her eyebrow at the sound of that. How often had she agreed with her in front of Henry? "Besides, let's go play some games, yeah?"
Henry took to the suggestion and plowed ahead with Blue. Emma and Regina walked side by side at a leisurely pace. Their shoulders would have been brushing if they were an inch closer.
"Why couldn't you be like that when we were…together?" Regina finally asked. Emma looked to her side and studied Regina's face. She caught a glimpse of the expression made before Regina hid it away. She looked disappointed.
"What do you mean?" Emma asked.
"You know what I mean," Regina answered, slapping her gently on the shoulder in an attempt to lighten her comment. "Supportive of my parental decisions."
"If you wanna go there," Emma began, with a grin on her face, "it's because everything was exactly the way you just phrased it." Regina was confused. "Supportive of your decisions—you never considered my input."
In previous years, Regina would have slipped into a defensive mode, protesting her claim that Henry was her son and she had been the one to care for him for ten years. But she was passed that. She knew, thanks to Emma's insistence, that this was just her fear coming out, and she had nothing real to fear. Nonetheless, they both knew that underneath the joking, the subject matter brought up painful memories.
"Let me make it up to you though," Emma joked, "I'll win you a prize."
Emma took three balls in her hand after handing over the money. She stared at the target. Focus, Swan—Emma thought. You need to win your lady a prize. She was never great at carnival games. They were rigged anyway, but still, they weren't her forte.
"You can do it, Ma!" Henry yelled.
"Go Em!" Ruby hollered.
Great guys—she thought—but what I need is some encouragement from the regal lady herself.
"Win me a damn teddy, Savior!"
Emma nearly lost her balance at the unexpected sound of Regina's voice calling. But it wasn't enough to knock her off her aim. Straight away, she hit the target.
"And we have a winner!" the attendant said. "Pick your prize."
Regina walked up and pointed to a small bear in the corner. Emma nodded and waited for the attendant to get it down.
"Anything for my…the queen," Emma said, blushing at her blunder. Regina smiled as she held the bear. She didn't seem to mind.
And neither of them noticed when Kathryn, Ruby and Henry were whispering amongst each other.
"Do you guys think it's going well?" Henry asked nervously.
"Are you kidding, pup?" Ruby asked as she ruffled his hair. "Emma looks like she wants to kiss your mom at any minute and your Mom looks as if she wouldn't slap her if she tried."
"I have to agree, Henry," Kathryn added, "sparks seem to be flying."
"But we need more!" Henry protested. "We need to be sure they get together!"
After scratching their heads for a moment, the wolf's eyes lit up. "I've got it," she grinned.
The three of them walked over to where Emma and Regina were still standing. Ruby rolled her eyes. Maybe Henry was right—the two of them were looking off in the distance, mesmerized by the lights and attractions, not saying a word to each other.
"Hey, there's another pretty tame ride that Regina may enjoy," she said to the pair.
"Oh yes?" Regina asked.
"Yeah," she said, pointing to a circular ride with sleighs as carts. "Flying Bobs are pretty gentle."
As they all walked over, Henry quickly pulled Ruby aside. "Make sure my Ma sits on the outside."
Ruby winked. "Gotcha."
As Emma and Regina headed up the stairs, Ruby distracted Emma, allowing Regina to enter their cart first. Kathryn suppressed her laughter as Henry and Ruby smiled. Ruby pulled down the safety bar in their cart.
"This is going to be good," she said as the ride began to start.
As the ride began to gain momentum, Regina started to panic a bit. This was not quite as tame as the last ride. She kept thinking the ride was going to break, sending her flying to her death.
"It's better if you close your eyes," Emma said, seeing Regina was beginning to feel nauseated.
"What?"
"If you close your eyes," Emma repeated, "it helps with the dizziness."
Regina nodded and let her lids shut gently. It did feel much calmer. It was soothing, almost. She felt as if she was being rocked to sleep. That was, until she felt her own weight shift against her will. Her body gradually flung itself into Emma's.
"Ahh make it stop!" she cried, gripping the metal bar in front of her, trying to gain control and leverage. But try as she may, she could not keep herself from falling into Emma.
Emma smiled, and responded only by lifting her arm, allowing Regina to secure herself against her chest and under the crook of her arm.
"Sshh," she hushed Regina, "it's okay. Don't worry, don't worry," she repeated, "I've got you."
Regina looked up from her lower position to see that Emma wasn't laughing, or mocking her. She was smiling sweetly. She hadn't seen that smile in a long time. She only saw it now and again, when she was reunited with her son after worrying about him. It was the face she got when she was being protective. Regina exhaled in a much awaited breath, and allowed herself to rest safely against Emma's toned body. In that moment, nothing else mattered—no one else existed. She allowed herself to open her eyes to the swirling lights. They bounced and glowed in the background and spun around Emma's head as they soared into the night. She slowly moved her hand up Emma's thin sweater, allowing the tips of her fingers to feel the soft merino wool as well as the shape of the flesh beneath it. Emma looked down to see Regina's hand resting on the center of her chest, carefully gripping the point of her v-neck collar line. She had missed this touch. It was the one Regina reserved for those rare occasions that she was scared. Only Emma knew what it meant. In that moment, she wished this ride would never stop.
As the ride slowed down, Regina didn't budge from her position. She was savoring every bit of the time it would be excusable for her to cling tightly to Emma. It was only when she saw Ruby step out of her cart that she quickly scrambled to an upright position, as if there moment hadn't happened.
The rest of the night was quiet between them. It went unnoticed by other members of the group, as their comments filled up the gap in conversation. But soon, Emma noticed the occasional yawns from her son and puppy. She was feeling a bit tired herself.
"What do you say we call it a night, guys?" she asked and was met with nods from everyone. They all walked to the car, leaving the sounds and lights of the fair far behind them.
The car was quite as well. They were all fairly sleepy. Ruby had her head tucked onto Kathryn's shoulder and they both came in and out of consciousness. Henry rested his head against the window, with Blue tuckered out on his lap. Regina, however, remained awake. She held her head to her hand, resting against the window as well. Every now and again, she'd glance over to Emma. But she hadn't spoken a word. Stop it—she told herself, when she found she was once again eyeing the blonde. She's taken. Hell, she's living with someone. It's only a matter of time, Regina, and then you'll have your heart broken again.
She jolted her body when she realized they had come to a stop, but it wasn't at her home. She looked over to Emma, questioning her silently.
"Sorry," Emma stammered out, "you don't mind that I'm taking them home first, do you?"
Regina shook her head. "No, that's fine."
Kathryn got out her keys as she and Ruby walked out. Regina was curious as to why both women were exiting the car. That was, until she saw their fingers laced.
Regina's jaw dropped a bit at her friend. Kathryn turned around to face her, and before Regina could say a word, she spoke. "I'll call you in the morning," she said, and before Regina could protest for an explanation, Kathryn ended it. "Goodnight, Regina," she said, and waved.
Emma chuckled as she watched them walk up the path to Kathryn's. "Who would have thought?" she said to Regina, "my best friend and your best friend…together."
"No!" Regina smacked Emma's thigh. "Impossible."
"Sure doesn't look that way to me," she laughed, mostly at how absurd Regina thought the relationship was. "Come on," she slapped her back on her leg, "let's get you home."
When they arrived to the home on Mifflin Street, Henry was fast asleep. Regina shook him to wake him up, but he groaned, as did the puppy on his lap.
"Henry," she persisted, "sweetheart, we're home. Come on."
Henry opened his eyes slowly and got out of the car. He handed off Blue to Emma and mumbled goodnight to both mothers. They watched him as he lazily climbed the stairs.
"He had a great time," Regina said to Emma. "Thanks for taking him."
"And what about you?" Emma asked, while scratching the pup's ears. "Did you enjoy the night?"
Regina tried hard to conceal her blushing cheeks. "I did," she said. Feeling a bit nervous, she cleared her throat. "Shouldn't you be heading home? Your girlfriend will be missing you."
"Actually," Emma said, looking into Regina's eyes, "she's staying over at a hotel near to the club they're playing at." She smiled. "She won't even be back until Monday."
They stood in silence for a moment. They both wanted to ask, but neither was ready to make the first move. Emma, feeling somewhat more sure of herself, finally spoke.
"I was thinking I could come in," she said, "for a drink?"
"Of course," Regina said, but then looked down at the sleeping puppy. "Oh, but he's not…he can't come in."
"Seriously?" Emma asked. "He's passed out!"
"He's a piss pot waiting to boil over."
"He's house trained."
"He'll shed on my carpet."
"Then let's take the drinks out back," Emma suggested.
Regina finally conceded and led the way inside.
They stood together in the study while Regina searched for a good bottle of wine. "Sorry I don't have any cider," she apologized, "I'm all out and the last batch I took to Kathryn's for a party."
"Wine's fine with me," she said, "you always do select the best ones."
Regina smiled at the compliment as she poured their glasses and carried them to the back porch. She rolled down her sleeves and went to put on a black cardigan. Emma watched her as she pulled the sweater over her button down shirt.
"You know, I really love that shirt," she said, sipping her wine.
Thank you, Kathryn. "And here, I thought my dresses were your favorite."
"Let's be real, Regina," Emma smiled. "I like all your clothes."
Regina laughed, as Emma nodded. "Seriously though, it's a good look for you." She moved over to grab the sleeve of the sweater and shirt. She gently pulled the shirt out of the sweater and rolled the sleeves up three quarters. "Kate does this thing with her shirts and sweaters, and I think it's pretty cool."
"Ah, I see," Regina said, "you like it because it reminds you of something your girlfriend would wear."
"No," Emma shook her head, "I like it because it's you wearing it."
Sensing the tension caused by her statement, Emma quickly stumbled to find words to clarify. "That's not what I meant," she said, only to see Regina's confusion grow. "I just…I dunno…I want you to know that when I spend time with you, it's because of you—," she paused, "not because you remind me of anyone else."
Regina nodded, fully understanding that Emma was trying to back out of something—what, she didn't know. "It's fine, dear." Feeling the somewhat awkward air, she tried to change the subject. "Speaking of your girlfriend," she let out, "where was she going this weekend?"
"New York," Emma said, after swallowing the wine in her mouth.
"Manhattan..?" Regina pronounced the city's name slowly, and with significance to each syllable, as if she were reading it out of a book for the first time.
Emma laughed at her innocence, not in jest, but rather as she found it to be sweet. "You've never been, have you?" she asked for clarification.
"No, but I've read about it," she sighed. Emma could detect in her voice that Regina longed to see the sights of this world.
"Reading about it is nothing," she began. "Imagine sky scrapers so high that well, they probably put the stature of your castle to shame."
Regina huffed, but nonetheless was intrigued. She listened intently as Emma went on about the delights of city life, endless nights, melting pots of humanity, and art and culture at your fingertips.
"So, is it just New York?" Regina asked, "Or where else have you been?"
"Well," Emma sighed, inhaling the night air, "lots of places really. I mean, between being fostered, my days of crime, and my job, I've been all over."
There was the slightest twinge of sadness on Regina's face as she thought about Emma in the foster care system. But Emma's excitement in describing the details of her vagabond lifestyle allowed her guilt to dissipate.
"Paris, now," Emma sighed with great love for the place, "it really is breathtaking."
"I've always wanted to go to Paris," Regina said. Emma responded by placing her hand on Regina's, startling her slightly.
"Here," Emma whispered. "Close your eyes." She put her hand gently to Regina's forehead as she let her eyelids shut. "The city lights sparkle, but nothing can hold a candle to the lights of the towel, leaning in the background. Walking by the rose colored marble of the Arc, smelling the wine and cream indulgent foods from the restaurants," Emma continued, lacing her fingers with Regina's. "A pair of lovers walking hand in hand."
Regina opens her eyes, gazing into Emma's with lust and longing.
"Fuck," Emma exclaimed, "All this talk of Paris makes me want a cigarette."
Regina raised her eyebrow in humorous disapproval as Emma pulled her pack from her jacket pocket. As she lit one, Regina clutched away the pack.
"What are these that they're so fucking appealing to your dim whited brain," she mocked, turning away from Emma who was desperately trying to get them back. "Kamel?!" she read. "What kind of idiot would inhale the toxins sold by a brand who can't even spell?"
Emma laughed. "The spelling is intentional," she said, with her cigarette in her mouth. But Regina's hands were quick, as she snatched that away too.
"Hey!" Emma cried. "I was smoking that!"
"I know, dear," Regina barked back, as stomped out the cigarette. "But I'd really prefer you don't get cancer."
Emma lunged at her, but she quickly snatched the pack and ran in the backyard.
"Oh," Emma hollered as she chased Regina, "so now you're worried about me?"
"No, dear!" she yelled back, "Just trying to curb an awful habit!"
Emma had her cornered as they each ducked around sides of the apple tree. Regina squealed at the imminent threat of being caught. "Ahh!" she cried in a high pitched, nervous wail. "Emma! Don't you dare!" She tried to sneak away, but Emma met her at each side.
"This is only for your own good!" she insisted.
But Emma arched her brow. "And so is this," she said, before pouncing.
They found themselves wresting on the ground, both trying to take hold of the cigarettes. Blue, alerted at the scenario, began barking. Laughter escaped them as they rolled on the ground. Emma stopped, landing on top of Regina, pinning her to the ground. She placed her hand on Regina's, the pack being the only thing between their skin. Regina arched her neck forward, stopping her laughter to stare into Emma's eyes. She moved her other hand to touch Emma's face. But she didn't have to move any further—Emma leaned in, still clutching her hand, but brushing the rim of her nose to Regina's. Slowly, their lips met. Gentle and soft at first, unsure of the reciprocation to be had—but once it was seen, the pack of cigarettes dropped to the grass, as both hands were needed to hold and touch one another.
Their lips crashed repeatedly, hungrily. Regina ran her fingers through Emma's hair, grasping the back of her head to pull her in closer. They began to tussle again, not with laughter, but moans of pleasure and need. Emma's hands moved quickly, rashly from cheeks, to breasts, to hips, needing Regina all at once.
Their kisses continued, fueled by moaning explosions of desire and lust. The only went by a nudge Regina felt from a cold, wet nose.
"Arf," the puppy yelped at her. The two women erupted with laughter.
"Jealous, much?" Emma teased.
Regina felt the ground near her side, and reached to grab a fallen apple. She tossed it for the pup. "Fetch," she cried, making Emma chuckle, "And no give backs! Your master is busy!" Once the dog had run to chase the apple, Regina wrapped her arm around the back of Emma's neck, pulling her in for more.
Neither knew or cared how much time was lost during their warm embraces. Emma only knew they began growing tired at the first lights of dawn. But they didn't move from the cool earth under Regina's apple tree. Instead, Regina rested her head against Emma's chest, comforted by the rise and fall.
Unsure if Emma was still awake, something compelled her to whisper to her. "How long will you love me?" Regina asked.
Emma heard the question. "As long as there are stars above you…and longer if I can."
Regina smiled at the warm peace she felt, safely wrapped in Emma's arms.
After dozing off for a few hours, Regina awoke to watch a sleeping Emma. She gently kissed her forehead and rose to get to the kitchen.
Warmth buzzed throughout her body as she made coffee for the two of them. She almost began singing, she felt so happy. But she sufficed for humming, merrily as she got down two mugs. She touched her neck, feeling the bruise of passion that Emma had left. Surely, her outfit today would include a scarf, though, if she was being honest, part of her wanted to wear the hickey proudly to display her love.
"I assume you still take your coffee the way you used to," Regina said, as she carried two mugs outside, "A touch of cream, cinnamon, and that ridiculous amount of sug—."
But before the word could escape her, she stopped, only seeing the slight imprint in the grass made by their two bodies. She looked around the yard for a sign of Blue, but there was nothing. She turned to the driveway, to see Emma's bug was gone.
Regina looked down at the mug of coffee with cinnamon. Before she allowed herself to inhale its sweet scent, she threw the mug and watched as it shattered against her tree.