Thank you all for support for this story. I must apologize for the delay. I felt completely stuck with this story, uncertain how to move forward. Writer's block, I guess :) Finally, this week, the story poured out of me. I couldn't stop writing, so I have a few (maybe, 4) new chapters for you. I plan to upload Chapters 5 and, hopefully, 6 tonight. Check back soon lovely readers! Enjoy this chapter! There is lots of Mommy Regina and Charlie bonding ahead.
They were apart once again. Neither woman could sleep that night.
All Regina could do is worry. Emma is in trouble, I need to get her out of it. How do I help her? The entire night had passed; the only solution she came up with is to try to give Emma a happy life when they are together.
Emma also couldn't sleep that night; she hated lying next to Chris. She didn't feel safe enough to let her guard down and sleep, even if he wasn't touching her. Just his presence made her uncomfortable.
Finally, morning came. The sun saved Emma once again. Now the blonde woman understands why some cultures worship the sun. Just a few hours and then I'll be free, she thinks, for a little while. Careful not to wake her sleeping husband, Emma slips into her running attire and out of the house. This is her favorite part of the day, when it is just her, the birds, the sunrise, and the road. She is energized by the oxygen filling her lungs as her heart-rate speeds up. Then, she is joined on her run by thoughts of Regina. This is another favorite of hers, on these runs over the past few years she has felt Regina with her every time. She carries Regina's spirit with her always.
Now is the part that saddens her, she has to return home. Emma feels that familiar sense of dread that fills her core as she approaches the house where she is a prisoner. She opens the door and doesn't have a chance to catch her breath before Chris is demanding her attention.
"Did you have a good run?"
"Uh, yeah. Yeah, it was a great run." Emma says as she stretches.
"Morning, Mommy!" Charlie gets up from her seat on the couch and runs to hug her mother.
"Morning, kid." Not desiring to drench her daughter with sweat, Emma kisses the top of her little girl's head.
"She said she just wanted some cereal this morning so I was happy to oblige," Chris says to Emma, as she walks around the kitchen counter to fill a glass of water.
"Oh, good," Emma responds before taking a drink.
"Hey, Em, I've got to head out a little early today." She received a gift. "There's so much I need to get done before my double shift. Plus, I need to hit the gym. It's been several days and I'm starting to get flabby."
At that Charlie begins to giggle to herself.
Noticing this, Chris turns his attention to Charlie, "You think that's funny?"
"You said flabby," Charlie continues to giggle.
"Well, I will be flabby if I don't work out."
"Go work out," Charlie commands. She is a natural monarch, just like her brunette mother.
"Yes, ma'am."
"I'm a queen, Daddy."
"My apologies, your Majesty."
"So, what are you two planning for today?" Chris made it a point to always know his wife's every move. He wasn't worried about her having an affair. He just liked the feeling of having control over her.
"It's really beautiful outside; I thought I'd take Charlie to the park."
"Yay!" Charlie didn't need to hear the entire conversation and, quite honestly, she didn't care. But, every now and then she picks up on key words. 'Park,' is one of them.
Chris states his observation. "I think she likes that idea."
"I also thought I'd take her out for i-c-e-c-r-e-a-m."
"Well, you girls have a good day."
Chris moves in to capture his wife's lips. He forces his tongue inside Emma's mouth so deeply, she almost chokes.
I hate when he does this. How much longer is this going to continue. Doesn't he notice that I don't like it? Emma braces herself against the kitchen counter.
Chris, ignorant or uncaring moves his hands to grope her over her zipped-up-to-her-neck hoodie as he presses his himself against her leg.
After what felt like an eternity to Emma, Chris finally stops his assault, "Alright, let's not get me too worked up or I'll never leave."
I'm so glad that's over. Emma can breathe now that she is no longer being smothered.
"Bye munchkin'. I'll see you tomorrow." He leans over the back of the couch and kisses the little girl on top of her head.
"Bye, Daddy!" Charlie snaps out of her cartoon haze and waves.
After hearing Chris close the door behind him and taking a few deep breathes to center herself, Emma announces, "Hey, kid, I'm gonna take a shower. Can you be a good girl until I get out?"
"Uh, hu."
"I have a surprise for you."
"What is it?"
"You have to wait until I'm out of the shower."
"Hurry, Mommy!"
Emma muses that she could get used to this feeling of absolute bliss as she walks down the hall to the master bathroom. Chris is gone; she has a few hours of freedom.
She turns on the water, gets out of her sweat-soaked running attire, and begins to un-wrap the lovingly bandaged wound on her left bicep.
What the..? Where the hell did it go?! Did I dream this? Am I dreaming now? I mean, I'm happy…of course I'm dreaming. If I'm dreaming, then…no...no. "No!" Emma scrambles to find her misplaced cell. Once located, Emma speed dials Regina.
Regina is sitting in her hotel room enjoying her morning coffee as she reads the classified section of the local newspaper. She wasn't expecting to hear from Emma this early, but she is delighted to see the blonde's beautiful, smiling face appear on her caller ID. Of course it was an old picture, Emma rarely ever smiles anymore. Her skin has also changed significantly. But, the saddest part for Regina is the missing light behind Emma's eyes. She longs for the day when she sees that light again; when life returns to Emma Swan.
"Good morning, my love."
Regina?!
The surprised tone in Emma's voice is unnerving to the older woman. She automatically switches to panic mode. "Emma? What's wrong?"
"Regina," Emma says with relief as she softly begins to cry.
"My darling, what's the matter?" Regina attempts to soothe with her voice.
"You're really here?"
"What?" Regina is not quite sure that she understands the question.
"Am I dreaming?"
Regina gets it now. She has recently been feeling the same way. After being without her for so many years, it's still hard to believe that Emma is a part of her life again. "Oh, sweetheart, I'm here. I'm real. You're not dreaming."
"I love you." Regina can tell, by just listening to her girlfriend that she is starting to feel better.
"I love you so much, Emma. Are you alright?"
"It's gone!"
"What? What's gone?"
"The cut's gone!"
"Are you sure?" What the hell?
"It's not there. I just checked. Did you heal me?"
"Emma, you know I can't use magic outside of Storybrooke."
"Have you tried?"
"Well, no. But, there's no point trying. Magic doesn't exist in New Jersey."
"Regina, I'm serious. Magic is the only explanation."
"I just don't know how that's even possible. This is a world without magic."
"Well, whatever happened, I'm relieved that it's gone."
"So am I."
"I couldn't wait to tell you." There is a brief pause before Emma asks, "You're still coming over, right?"
"Of, course. Does three o'clock still work for you?"
"Actually, Chris already left. Would you mind picking us up a little earlier?"
"I would be happy to." The brunette smiles contentedly. "Whenever you'd like, I will be there."
"Would you be able to come around noon?"
"Absolutely."
"I can't wait to see you."
"I can't wait to see you."
"I haven't told Charlie yet."
"Well, don't ruin the surprise."
"I make no promises."
"I'll see you soon. Give my baby girl a kiss for me."
"I will. I love you."
"I love you too."
########
"Come on, Charlie; let's get your coat on. Regina's here to pick us up."
"'Gina!"
"Are you excited?"
"Yes!"
Emma bends down to Charlie's level. "Do you know what the best part is?" "Regina is taking us out for ice-cream."
"Ice-cream!"
She picks up her adorable child, lifts her with ease, swings her around, and kisses her face. "You are the best kid in the whole world!"
"I know," Charlie says laughing.
With the familiar butterflies dancing in her stomach, the brunette gets out of her black Mercedes as Emma and Charlie emerge from the house. The blonde woman brightens at the sight of her gorgeous girlfriend. "There she is. Go say 'hi' to Regina."
"'Gina!" The excited little girl runs to Regina. This time, Regina is not hesitant about scooping her precious angel into her arms.
"Hi pretty girl!"
Emma comes striding up to Regina's side and says, "I spoiled the surprise. I told her about the i-c-e-c-r-e-a-m."
"Ice-cream!"
A thoroughly confused Regina inquires, "She can spell?"
"Uh, not exactly, she's just really loves ice-cream."
That answer suffices and Regina, once again, turns her attention the adorable child in her arms. "Are you ready for ice-cream, Charlie?"
"Yay!"
"I'll take that as a yes."
"Come on, kid, let's go."
########
Picking the tiny child up and positioning her on her hip as they peer into the ice-cream case, Regina asks, "What kind of ice-cream do you want, Charlie?
Charlie already knows exactly which flavor she will choose . "That one," she says as she points to a tub of strawberry ice-cream.
Regina turns to look at Emma for approval.
Emma nods sheepishly. "Pink's kinda her favorite color." Seeing the almost disgusted look this statement causes, Emma continues, "She must get it from my mother." That last comment earns Emma a small smile from the brunette.
"We'll take a kid sized cup of strawberry, one scoop of pistachio in a cup, and…" Regina turns to address Emma. "What would you like, love?"
"Oh, um…" She's not really used to having to make decisions for herself anymore. Chris usually controls her every move. "A hot fudge sundae?"
This time Emma does not have to remind her daughter to say 'thank you.' Her very grown-up three-year-old knows exactly what to say to the person who just bought her ice-cream. "Thank you 'Gina."
'You're welcome, sweetheart."
The proud mother follows her daughter's lead. "Thank you, Regina."
"You're very welcome, my love."
########
It is a perfect day for the park, they decided. There is not a cloud in the sky, and the temperature is a mild fifty-seven degrees. The path is nice and quiet, as there seems to be no one else around. Charlie, who is holding her blonde mother's hand, silently request for Regina to hold her free hand. Emma, noticing this, catches Regina's eye and smiles at her warmly. Regina can't help smiling to herself for the gratitude she feels at this moment. The three of them walk this way for a period of time. Every now and then, the two mothers pause to allow their three-year-old to swing between them. "One more time!" the small child requests more than once. The mothers happily grant their daughter's wishes. After walking for some time, they stop at a nearby playground where some other small children are playing under the protective watch of their mothers. Charlie, as if on automatic pilot, runs over to her favorite thing: the swing set.
"Come on, 'Gina," Charlie excitedly calls out.
Regina is overjoyed that Charlie desires to share with her one of her favorite activities. Once the small child is seated, Regina gently starts to push her little girl.
"Higher 'Gina," squeals a giggling Charlie. The laughter is contagious; Regina seems to be enjoying herself as much as her swinging child.
Emma could definitely get used to this. Of course, all she ever wanted was for her little girl to be happy. But, it thrills her even more when she sees how happy Regina is in this moment. She thinks to herself, I always want to make that woman smile as much as possible.
After a few minutes of swinging, Charlie suddenly becomes interested in two other children playing on the slide.
"Help me, 'Gina."
"Do you want to stop swinging?"
"Yes."
"I've got you sweetheart." Regina guides her precious daughter up the ladder to the landing before the slide.
Charlie looks back for reassurance before sliding. Regina comes around to the side of the slide where she stands waiting with open arms to catch her child.
"I'm right here Charlie."
"You catch me?"
"I'll catch you, I promise."
Once Charlie has bonded with the other children in the sand-box, Regina joins Emma on the bench. She routinely links her hand with Emma's. While continuing to watch their beloved child at play, Regina whispers to her girlfriend, "I love you."
Emma whispers back, "I love you too." Not caring that anyone else is around Emma rests her head on Regina's shoulder and melts into her side. One of the other children's mothers notices this and smiles kindly at the couple.
After several seconds, Regina breaks the silence. "I think I found a house."
Uncertain whether she heard correctly, Emma sits up to give Regina her undivided attention. "You found a house?"
"I found a house for sale that I really like. I looked at it this morning." Regina keeps close watch on Charlie as she continues to tell Emma her news.
"You're really staying?" Emma brightens.
"Of course, I'm staying. Where else would I go?"
Emma only pauses for a second to process what she has just heard. "Why are you so good to me?"
Regina turns her attention toward her girlfriend. The expression on the brunette's face communicates both confusion and concern. She responds, "You make it impossible for me to treat you any other way." She softens; smiles at Emma warmly and gently squeezes her hand.
Just then, the couple takes notice of one of the mothers rising to collect her daughter from the sandbox.
"Come on Hayley, it's time to go."
"Where is she going?" Charlie asks, concerned about the premature loss of her new friend.
"I have to take her home, sweetie. You'll see her again. Say bye-bye, Hayley."
"Bye," the younger girl waves to Charlie.
"Come play with me tomorrow, Hayley." The certainty in Charlie's tone is too adorable.
As the petite blonde woman, with Hayley resting on her hip, passes by the on-looking couple nestled on the bench, she addresses them, "You have a very sweet little girl."
"Thank you," Emma and Regina respond in unison.
"I hope we will see you here again sometime," the petite woman continues and smiles at the couple.
"We would love that." Only Regina responds this time, noticing Emma's sudden shyness.
"My name is Caroline."
"I'm Regina…and this is my wife, Emma." Emma surprises herself with her reaction to those words, 'my wife.' She feels herself blushing, which is not like her at all. Only Regina has the ability to turn a knight like Emma Swan into a fluffy kitten.
"And this is our daughter, Charlie," Emma adds, when Charlie comes running up to her blonde mother.
"Well, I really should be going. It was nice meeting all of you. Bye, Charlie."
"Bye." Charlie waves to Caroline and Hayley as they make their departure.
"Hey Charlie, how would you like to take ride to see Regina's new house?"
"Yeah"
Shit. Emma realizes too late that she never even asked Regina. "Can we see it?"
"Um, I think so. Let me just call my realtor." Regina rises from the bench and walks to an area close by where her signal is stronger.
Emma begins, "Did you have fun Charlie?"
Charlie nods in response. "'Gina played with me."
This makes Emma smile and she responds to Charlie with enthusiasm. "I saw. She did play with you. Do you like Regina?"
Charlie responds sincerely, but shyly, "I love 'Gina."
This melts the blonde woman's heart. For once, she believes this might be possible. They could be a family. She could leave Chris without hurting Charlie.
Just then Regina returns. "It's all set. We can see the house at four o'clock."