"Look at you all dressed up!" smiled Ruby from behind the counter when Emma walked into the diner, the flowers she had brought held in a death grip. "And not a bit of red leather in sight!"
By this point the blonde was sporting an almost permanent blush. "Do I look okay?" she asked quietly, stepping up for inspection. It was all nice and well being told by Mary Margaret how charming she looked, but the woman wore pink knitted cardigans and things with frills on. Emma would much rather trust Ruby's judgement.
"You look damn good!" grinned Ruby. "She's going to love it!"
"Is she here yet?"
Ruby rolled her eyes. "Are you kidding? Her Majesty has been here forever getting everything ready."
Emma frowned. "What? She said to meet her here at seven?" She wasn't late for her first proper date with Regina, was she?
"I know," smirked Ruby. "But you didn't think Regina Mills was just going to pay for your burger and fries and call that a date, did you?" She shook her head, laughing. "Oh no! She does something, she does it right." Ruby stepped out from behind the counter. "If you'd like to follow me, Madame, I shall show you where you'll be dining tonight."
The blonde awkwardly followed Ruby through to one of the back rooms, her mouth dropping open as the taller girl stepped aside and gestured to their destination. Regina really had gone to town. The centre of the room had been cleared, a single table, set perfectly for two, candles and all, now the sole furniture. And standing centre stage, looking too beautiful for words in a figure hugging black dress, was a blushing Regina Mills, a shy smile playing across her red lips.
"Hi," she managed as Ruby all but shoved her into the room, her voice barely above a whisper.
"Hi," replied Regina, just as shyly. The older girl stepped around the table, where she had been fussing with the settings prior to Emma's arrival.
"Oh, uh, these are for you!" said Emma, thrusting out the bunch of flowers.
Regina couldn't help but chuckle at the Emma's nerves. While her own had melted away at the sight of the blonde standing in the doorway, Emma's seemed to be increasing with every step she took. "Thank you," she smiled softly as she accepted them, letting their fingers brush. "They're beautiful," she said, lifting them to her nose to sniff them. "But not as much as you," she added, knowing it was rather cheesy, but allowing herself the luxury, seeing as it was only the two of them. "Would you mind if I go and put them in some water?"
"No! No, of course not!" blurted Emma.
Regina started towards the door, but halted after only a few steps, turning back to her girlfriend. "Emma?" Green eyes full of fear flew to meet her own. "It's only me," she said softly. "I might be wearing a slightly nicer dress than usual, but it's still just me. And back here, it's just us. You don't need to be nervous."
Emma sighed, shaking her head. "I don't want to be, but I am."
Regina moved to place the flowers on the table she had set, before coming to stand in front of her girlfriend. Taking clammy, pale hands in her own, she brought them around her waist, before allowing her own to settle around Emma's neck, brushing the beautiful curls there. "See, just us. No different than any other time."
The blonde managed a shy smile. "I just don't want to say or do something wrong. You've made this so amazing, I'm scared I'm going to screw it all up."
It was Regina's turn to sigh. She hadn't meant to make Emma feel nervous, or out of place. She had only want to make an effort. "Remember what I said earlier at the batting cage? That you could have come here exactly as you were then and I would still be the happiest girl in Storybrooke?"
Emma nodded.
"Well I meant it. I still do," she added, leaning their foreheads together. "Not that I don't appreciate the effort you've gone to," she smirked. "But all I want, is you." She leant in to claim the kiss she had been denied at the batting cage earlier, feeling Emma relax into her as lips moved against lips. Pulling back, she smiled at the blonde before her. Her Emma once more, slightly slouched posture, crooked smile and all. "Now, can I go and put those beautiful flowers in some water without worrying that I'm going to come back and find you collapsed on the floor?"