A/N: Hey guys! So sorry about the delayed update, my computer decided to shat itself, and the times ive been able to use other computers i've needed to work on uni stuff. BUT i will try to update way more often and not leave it so long, almost at the end of the semester. Please dont give up on this, promise it will be worth it!
Her eyes were still red from crying and I did my best to ignore it. Despite my best efforts I couldn't stop the feeling of wanting to reach across and grab her hand to try and comfort her. I hated myself for thinking that, but the way her bottom lip kept trembling as she tried not to cry made my heart ache and the want to reach out to her got stronger. I don't know what it is about the woman that makes me act so unlike myself. I do not care about people. I do not sympathise or have empathy for anyone, especially not Emma Swan. Yet here I am having taken her into my home, consolidated her only moments earlier upstairs, and now once again wanting to make sure she is okay. Surely this is all Henry just getting into my head with him wanting me to help her so he can have her back. The thought had crossed my mind on more than one occasion to not help her. I would win, at least for a little while. There would be a barrier in Emma and Henry's life. They would no longer be able to communicate and it would take a lot longer for them to be able to talk again. But I couldn't do that. As much as I love the thought of Henry not being able to talk to her, I just can't let her suffer.
I look across the table again, hoping she has finally stopped crying. Her eyes are closed and she's breathing heavily.
"Miss Swan?" I ask cautiously, before silently berating myself for being so stupid as to think she could hear me. I reach my hand slowly across the table and place it gently on hers. She opens her eyes and looks at me. They are still red but the tears have dried and her lip no longer trembles.
"Ready?" I sign. She merely looks at me with a blank expression. I smile softly, lifting up the pen and paper and writing it down so she can see. She takes another deep breath before slowly nodding.
…
We'd been at it for three hours and I could see she was getting tired, but she refused to take a break. We should have had one an hour ago but when I tried to convince her to rest she just ignored me. The frustration was evident on her face but there was also so much determination in her eyes. She wanted to get this right, she needed to, and I understood that I did, but she needed a break… I needed a break.
We'd been doing this for two days now: practising. She was a fairly fast learner, although she had trouble with the precision sometimes, and actually remember which sign means what, though at times we were able to hold a conversation for a couple of minutes without fault.
I watched as she flicked her wrist and touched her fingers together going over again what we had just learned.
"Emma" I signed her name, reaching my hand across to grab her attention. I never use 'Miss Swan' when signing with her, everyone else calls her Emma and I don't want to confuse her anymore with unnecessary names. At my touch her eyes lift up and find my own. "You need to have a break." I sign, saying the words as I say them. I've found this technique is easier for her to understand, breaking each word as I say them.
"No." She says, returning her gaze to her hands and starting again. I reach out and touch her arm again and she raises her eyes to look at me, this time impatience shadowing her expression.
"You have to. You need to." I sign, trying to show empathy in my facial expressions. This time she merely ignores me and returns to her work. I stand up and she quickly glances at me, waiting for me to argue. "Fine." I sign, before turning and walking towards the kitchen. If Emma didn't want to take a break fine, but there was no way I was going to starve because of her stubbornness.
Walking to the kitchen I grab the cheese and bread and began making grilled cheese, despite my better judgement to let her starve I just couldn't do it; maybe I am getting soft. During the week I couldn't help but notice that grilled cheese happened to be a food Emma was very fond of, seeing as it was the only thing she had ever cooked herself while being here. Unless of course it is the only thing she knows how to cook… regardless she seemed to enjoy them, and would be the one food I may be able to tempt her with. After I had made more than enough for the two of us I walked back to where I had left Emma in the informal dining room. Placing the plate of sandwiches in the middles of the table I then left the room to get a glass of apple cider. It's early for it yes, but I really need a glass. Walking back to Emma I stopped at the doorway, watching her. She had stopped practising and instead was staring at the plate of grilled cheese, however as I made my way further into the room and she realised my presence, she immediately tore her eyes away from the food and continued working on her sign. I looked at her suspiciously, waiting for her to fold and ask for a piece, but instead she kept her eyes down, avoiding it. Slowly I picked up a piece and inspected the item. I can't say it has ever been something I have wanted to try; I've always gone for the more tasteful option. I lift it closer to my face and quickly glance over to Emma sitting across from me. Our eyes meet for a second before she quickly averts her gaze elsewhere. Finally, I bring the grilled cheese to my lips and bite, feeling the melted cheese ooze into my mouth and onto my tongue. I chew for a second, tasting it, revelling in its flavours. I can feel Emma is watching me now, but I don't meet her gaze this time. Instead I swallow and look at the sandwich, seemingly impressed, before taking another bite and letting out a low moan in satisfaction. I know she can't hear me, but my expression says it all.
"Really Regina? Grilled cheese?" I hear Emma ask astoundingly. I don't answer straight away, letting myself take another bite, it actually wasn't that bad. Once I had finished I looked over to her, she hadn't lost her gaze once while I finished the sandwich.
"Sorry, what?" I signed, refusing to use words this time. She sighed annoyingly, before trying to remember how to sign what she needed to say.
"Really Regina? .." She signs my name easily, I can't help but feel proud at that. "Umm…" She says aloud, then points to the plate, "Grilled cheese?" she says again, waving her arms around incredulously. We hadn't learnt that yet.
"Grilled," I say out loud while placing my left hand palm down and sliding my right underneath it as if my left were the grill. "Cheese." I finish, up turning my hands so my palms are now together with my right on top and swivelling it in my left palm. She copies my gesture.
"Yes, you like it?" she asks confused. I shrug my shoulders and pick up another piece, smirking slightly.
I eat another half and watch as she continues to subtly glance at the remaining food on the plate. Slowly I reach across the table and push the plate towards her. When she notices she shakes her head at me.
"Not hungry." She signs easily. I raise my eyebrows at her. "Really." She replies. I stare at her for a second before shrugging and standing up with the plate of food.
"Wait!" she yells, seeing me depart. I turn on my heel and wait for her to continue, trying to hide the satisfied smirk I feel wanting to appear. "What are you doing?" she asks. I simply stare at her, waiting. She stares back at me, confused at my lack reply, before rolling her eyes and sighing loudly. "What are you doing?" she signs this time.
"I'm full. Throwing this away." I watch the conflict flash over her features. She was stubborn, but it was obvious she wanted the grilled cheese. This time it's my turn to roll my eyes as she remains speechless, refusing to ask for that she already said no to not minutes ago. I place the plate back in front of her and can't hide my satisfaction when she quickly brings one up to her mouth. She notices my smirk as she finishes the first half.
"I mean, I don't want it to go to waste you know?" she says quickly, reaching for another piece. Once again I merely raise my eyebrows at her, waiting. "umm.. Thanks." She signs quickly, before redirecting her eyes once again. I take a sip of my cider, happy that I had finally gotten her to eat something, and wait for her to finish so we can get back to it.
Thanks always for reviews, hope you like it!