"Hi 'Gina," a little voice shouts. She waves with her free hand to the brunette sitting in a back booth, her mother holding her right as she is being guided through the un-crowded restaurant.
The familiar butterflies begin dancing wildly in Regina's stomach. Regina has to admit that she is growing fond of the butterflies and wonders if she will always feel this way every time she sees the gorgeous blonde enter a room. Rising and waving, Regina greets the pair, "Hi Charlie!"
Charlie immediately runs over to Regina and wraps her arms around the brunette's legs.
Sensing Regina's unease at the sudden rush of emotions, Emma intervenes. "Whoa, easy there kid."
"I want to sit next to 'Gina," Charlie announces as she happily climbs into the booth.
"I would love to sit next to you Charlie," Regina says as she seats herself beside the excited child.
Emma silently settles into her seat directly across from Regina.
"Charlie, I got you a coloring page and some crayons," Regina says happily, as she hands the media to the three-year-old.
"Yay," the little girl exclaims.
Emma addresses her daughter, "Say thank you to Regina."
"Thank you, 'Gina," the little girl says as she excitedly begins to color.
Sensing that something is amiss with Emma, who is avoiding eye contact, Regina attempts to keep the tone light for the sake of their child. "So, how are you ladies this evening?"
"Mommy was crying," Charlie announces.
This news causes Regina to feel as if she has just been punched in the stomach. She looks at Emma with pleading eyes, but Emma is doing her best to avoid eye contact by busing herself with Charlie.
"Charlie, what did I tell you about fibbing? I was not crying, I had something in my eye."
Not buying it for one second, Regina attempts to get the blonde's attention, "Emma?"
Snapping up with the most pained smile on her face and tears welling behind her eyes, Emma asks, "So how are you, Regina?"
This tactic catches Regina off guard. She can only assume that Emma is putting on this front to protect their child. So, she plays along. Although the brunette feels she could burst into tears at any moment, she would do anything for her Emma. "I'm fine. I'm very glad that you two could join me for dinner." The concern never leaves Regina's face as she searches for some answers from the blonde, who looks as if she is about to lose all poise at any minute.
"I want French fries, Mommy," Charlie announces.
"Just like your mother," Regina adds, smiling warmly at the woman seated across from her.
At that, Emma leaps up from the table and runs to the Ladies Room.
Regina instinctively rises to race after her; simultaneously the realization hits that she can't leave Charlie alone. She turns to look at the little girl and registers the concern in the child's face.
A worried Charlie asks, "What's wrong with Mommy?"
Regina is determined to ease her baby girl's mind. She sits back down next to Charlie and speaking softly, she says, "I don't know sweetheart, but I'm going to make sure she's okay. Can you be a good girl and stay here until I come back? I just have to check on your mom."
Charlie nods her understanding.
Regina searches the restaurant desperately for someone to sit with Charlie until she and Emma return. "Excuse me," Regina manages to get the attention of a young waitress. The former queen rises, gracefully walks over to the girl, and continues in a hushed tone, "My girlfriend is sick, she's in the Ladies Room and I need to see if she's alright. Would you be able to watch my daughter for a few minutes until I come back?"
"Of course," the young waitress eagerly responds.
Regina inquires, "What's your name?"
"Ashley."
Regina silently communicates to Ashley to follow her to the table where Charlie is seated. "Charlie, this is Ashley, she's going to sit with you until Mommy and I come back."
"Okay," Charlie says as she continues to color.
Regina can hear crying from one of the stalls, the sound of which causes the brunette to feel as if she is being ripped in half. She nervously calls out, "Emma?"
"Regina? Where's Charlie?"
"She's fine darling." Regina tries very hard to easy her girlfriend's mind. "I asked a waitress to sit with her until we come back."
Crying louder this time, Emma blurts out, "Regina, I can't do this!"
The brunette can't help the fact that she is now in tears and desperate for contact with the woman she loves. She pleads, "Emma, please come out here and talk to me."
The stall door slowly opens to reveal a tear streaked face, as Emma steps out. Regina rushes to her girlfriend, taking her face in her hands and attempting to wipe away the tears with her thumbs. Emma instinctively grasps onto Regina's wrists and leans into her lover's touch.
"Oh, sweetheart…what happened?"
Emma finally looks up and calmly states, "You. I love you Regina."
The brunette brightens, but is clearly confused. "And, I love you."
The mood shifts. "Regina, I can't tell Chris about us."
Regina lets go of Emma's face and searches the floor for some imaginary object. The realization soaks in. "You're not leaving him."
A wave of terror breaks over the blonde as she realizes how her last statement sounded and the definite damage that it caused. "Regina, no, that's not what I said. I want to be with you more than anything!" She realizes there is no way to tell Regina the truth, without having to admit everything that's happened within the last four years. So, she decides to lie, "But I don't want to hurt Chris. He was there for me when no one else was and this is going to break his heart."
A grief-stricken Regina continues to push the issue. "What about Charlie? She's my child."
"She doesn't know that. How are we going to explain this to a three-year-old?" There is a moment of silence; neither woman knows what to say next. "Regina…I don't…I don't think I can leave my husband."
Completely numb at this point, Regina calmly states, "I think I should go."
Emma attempts to repair the damage, "No, Regina, please…"
An emotionless Regina interrupts, "You two stay and have dinner. Our daughter wants French fries."
After Regina exits the Ladies Room, Emma whispers, "I'm sorry."
Regina walks over to the booth where Charlie and Ashley are seated. The sight of the two girls giggling together sends another surge of emotion through Regina.
Ashley rises to a stand at attention when she sees Regina approaching the table.
"Thank you for watching her." Regina says without making eye contact, as she casually takes a crisp fifty dollar bill out of her purse and hands it to Ashley.
Humbly accepting the cash, Ashley replies, "It was my pleasure." Then, noticing something is off, Ashley inquires, "Are you alright?"
Regina knows that she really needs to get out of there, and fast. She takes a chance, "Would you mind staying with her for a few more minutes? Her mother will be back shortly."
"I don't mind. You have a very sweet little girl."
A nod is all that Regina can manage. She hurries out of the restaurant, before losing all composure, as she attempts to wipe away and hide the tears that cannot be stopped.
Emma exits the Ladies Room, just in time to see Regina depart. She walks over to her booth. Ashley remains standing in her current position, too concerned with the well being of the woman who just left the restaurant.
"Thank you for watching her," Emma addresses the waitress.
"It was really no trouble. Your daughter is such a sweetheart. Anytime you and your wife need a babysitter, I'm available. That's the easiest fifty bucks I ever made." Emma can't control her eyebrows which have now joined her hairline. Regina's generosity shouldn't come as a surprise, that woman has done so much to redeem herself. Ashley continues, "May I ask you something?"
"Uh, sure."
"Is your wife alright? She seemed pretty upset."
"I think I may need to take you up on that offer to babysit sooner rather than later."
Ashley smiles warmly, "I understand." She continues, "I'm supposed to work until close tonight. That usually means that I'm out of here around ten. But, we're really slow right now, so I'll see if someone can cover for me."
"You'd be okay with babysitting tonight?"
"I would be happy to."
"You're a life saver, thank you. I'll write down my address and phone number for you before we leave."
"Sounds like a plan."
A sudden realization hits Emma, how in the heck is she going to be able to afford this babysitter. She's going to expect, no less than, fifty bucks an hour. Son-of-a-bitch, Emma thinks to herself.
She is quickly snapped back to the present by an inquisitive three-year-old. "Is 'Gina coming back?"
"I don't think so, kid."
"Why? Did you make her sad?"
"Yeah, kid, I made her very sad. I screwed up."
"Tell her you're sorry."
"I'll try, kid. Thanks for the advice."
"You're welcome, Mommy. I like 'Gina."
"I like her too." The blonde smiles, lost in fond thoughts of her Regina.
########
Later that night, after leaving Charlie with Ashley, Emma heads to Regina's hotel. When she reaches Regina's room, she can hear crying from the other side of the door. Filled with guilt from being the cause of her girlfriend's current breakdown, Emma timidly knocks.
The crying stops and Emma can hear Regina approaching the door, as those damn butterflies start dancing in her stomach. The brunette looks like she's been through the wringer; it's obvious that she's been crying for hours. Her faces is flushed, her eyes are puffy and bloodshot. But, to Emma, Regina is still the most beautiful woman she has ever laid eyes on.
"Baby," Emma whispers as she takes Regina's face in her hands. Regina instinctively leans into Emma's caress. "I am so sorry," Emma articulates, making certain to emphasize those last two words. Fresh tears begin to flow from the blonde's eyes as she is desperate for her girlfriend's forgiveness. It breaks Emma's heart that Regina won't meet her eyes. So, the blonde tries a different tactic, she kisses the woman who drives her crazy in the best way possible.
Regina tries to resist for two seconds, but immediately allows herself to be comforted by her girlfriend's deepening kiss. The former queen wishes, with all her soul, they could stay like this forever…lost in each other's breath. Just minutes ago, Regina felt like she was dying, but now she feels alive. Emma Swan makes her feel alive. It's obvious how alive both women feel at this moment as frantic hands work quickly on each other's clothing. They are careful not to separate their lips for more than a second at a time as they do this.
Suddenly, Emma cries out in pain when Regina attempts to remove the blonde's top.
Regina notices Emma's now bleeding bicep and gasps, "Emma…what happened?!"
Emma had completely forgotten what she had done this morning. Unexpectedly, she is brought back to that moment of utter despair, standing in the shower. She shrinks into herself and begins apologizing for fear that she is about to be reprimanded. She pleads, "I'm sorry."
Regina watches as the strongest woman she has ever known crumbles in front of her.
Crying hysterically, she can barely get the words out, "I'm so sorry."
"Oh, Emma." Regina can barely breathe as she swiftly realizes what Emma means. She gently wraps her arms around the trembling blonde, careful not to touch the laceration on her left bicep.
Emma continues to cry harder as she allows herself to fall apart in her lover's arms.
With fresh tears in her eyes, Regina hesitantly asks, "Sweetheart…did you…?"
Emma nods and cries louder.
Regina registers that the girl is now shaking violently, she is crying so hard. Desperate to sooth her obviously tormented girlfriend, Regina whispers, "Alright. Shhhhh…it's going to be alright." Regina gently rocks her precious girl, who feels much smaller and so fragile in her arms. "Shhhh…I've got you my love. I'm here sweetheart. Everything's going to be alright." She waits until Emma calms substantially before she begins, gently, "Sweetheart, why did you do this?" Emma only continues to cry and grips Regina tighter. A desperate Regina implores, "Honey, please talk to me."
"Please forgive me."
Regina is stunned by this comment. "What? What is there to forgive?"
"Please don't leave me."
That statement cuts Regina deeply, as everything from Emma's past adds up. At that moment, Regina decides to accept responsibility for the past hurts of this beautiful woman's life and is determined to make things right. Taking Emma's face in her hands, she gazes into beautiful blue eyes and carefully and poignantly articulates, "My precious girl, I am NOT going anywhere. I love you Emma Swan…ALL of you. Nothing you do will EVER make me stop loving you."
Emma smiles slightly and whispers, "I love you so much."
Regina places a chaste kiss on her girlfriend's lips before continuing. "Let's get this cleaned up."
Emma nods.
Regina takes Emma's hand and leads her to the bathroom, where she attempts to halt the blood dripping from the open wound. She gently places a cold, wet washcloth over the laceration that pains her to observe. "Please, tell me what happened."
Emma hesitantly begins to rehash the events of the last twenty-four hours for Regina.
As Regina listens to Emma talk about her internal struggle that morning, the brunette can feel bile rising in her throat. She absolutely hates knowing that the love of her life felt so alone and as hopeless as she did this morning. As she listens to Emma, while holding the cold washcloth over her still bleeding wound, Regina takes time to notice something she hadn't paid much attention to in the past. The flower tattoo on the inside of Emma's left wrist is partially covering a deep scar.
Emma notices Regina's distraction and decides that it's time to tell Regina the story of that particular tattoo. "I was fifteen."
Regina snaps up to meet Emma's eyes, realizing she is caught.
"It's okay. It was a long time ago…but, the scars don't ever seem to fade."
Regina is unable to stop the tears welling in her eyes as she listens to Emma calmly talk about a very dark period in her life. The blonde seems to have such peace about that time now.
"I got the tattoo because it hurt me to always see that scar whenever I looked down. Now all I see is the flower. For me, it symbolizes strength. The only way that I was able to heal and move past that dark period in my life was to get this tattoo."
An emotional Regina, needing desperately to lighten the mood before she falls apart, jokes, "You might want to start thinking about your next tattoo."
"How do you think I'd look with a sleeve," Emma asks jokingly.
Regina has to admit that the joking is making her feel better, but she still can't pass up a chance to showcase her signature judge-y eyebrow lift.
Emma knows exactly what that look means and she has to admit that she has missed Regina's judging looks. She brightens and says playfully, "It was a joke, I wouldn't really do that."
Regina takes a deep breath to center herself before making an agonizing suggestion to the woman she loves. "Emma, this really needs stitches…we should get you to the hospital."
A panicked Emma jumps up from her seated position on the bathroom counter. "No, Regina please! Please don't make me go to the hospital." She begs and pleads, and starts falling apart all over again.
Regina struggles to soothe her hysterical girlfriend, "Okay, okay, shhhhh…it's alright." Regina gently embraces the beautiful woman and says to her calmingly, "We don't have to go the hospital. It's alright my love." Regina breaks the hug, saying, "I'll just run to the drug store and pick up some bandages and antiseptic."
Emma coyly nods her understanding. Then she brings up something that has been bothering her, and makes her sick to even ponder. "What am I going to tell Chris when he sees it?"
Regina almost loses the contents of her stomach. She inhales deeply, before responding, "We'll figure something out." Seeing how downhearted Emma is breaks the brunette's heart. "I promise…he won't ever know the truth." Regina gently lifts Emma's chin with her index finger, so Emma will look her in the eyes as she says, "It's alright Emma. Everything is going to be alright now. I'm here and I love you." The blonde smiles weakly, but it is obvious to Regina that these words are not sufficient to repair the shattered blonde. Regina really doesn't want to be okay with their current situation, but she decides to accept it for the sake of the woman who takes her breath away. "You don't have to tell Chris about us…ever. You don't have to worry about leaving him. I will still be here. There is nothing for me in Storybrooke anymore. My life is with you. You are my life Emma Swan. You are not alone anymore. We will face this together."
Whether she believes that she deserves it or not, Emma never felt more loved or accepted in her life than in that moment. She allows herself to bask in these feeling of peace and serenity that are washing over her. She chooses to believe in Regina and the truth behind her words of love. Emma then makes a promise to herself that she will never again hide her feelings from the woman who saved her life today.