By the time they reached the docks, Regina was truly beginning to despair. It seemed as though Emma really was just going to drag her around the town on her arm. It wasn't quite the date she had been hoping for, but it was time with Emma nonetheless. Letting out a sigh, she allowed herself to lean a little closer to the blonde. There was no one around to see them, anyway.
She straightened back up however, when they turned around the corner of one of the warehouses that made up the docks. There, under a string of fairy lights, sat Emma's bug, facing out towards the beach. She turned to the blushing blonde.
"Surprise?" said Emma, the most adorably shy smile on her face. "I don't have anywhere fancy to take you, and I can't cook either, but I do have some place that is mine. Even if it is a tin can on wheels," she added, using one of Regina's favourite expressions for her car. "I figured we'd be safe down here, seeing as it's only ever busy for the boats in the morning, and you said before, your mom can never stand the smell of the canning place, so she'd never even think of coming here."
Allowing Emma to lead her to the car, Regina found tears gathering in her eyes. The whole car had been strung with fairy lights, music streaming softly from the radio. And in front of the car, lit in the beam of the headlights, was one of benches set along the docks. Only unlike the other benches along the length of the dock, this one was thoughtfully covered with a blanket.
"You hate it, don't you?" sighed Emma, seeing her tears. Not even the pint sized picnic she had stashed in the bug was going to save her now. "I bet you had imagined this big amazing date, and I drag you to the docks to sit in my car." She squeaked in surprise as strong hands suddenly framed her face, and lips crashed against her own.
"I love it," grinned Regina, pulling back. "It's so...you!"
"You're not just saying that, are you?" asked Emma.
"Do I say things I don't mean?" asked Regina, eyebrow raised.
The blonde grinned. The brunette didn't waste her breathe appeasing people. "Well Miss Mills, if you would like to take a seat." She waited until the older girl was perched on the edge of the bench before reaching into the bug for her carefully packed picnic. It had all been carefully planned and made by her own fair hands (albeit under the supervision of Mary Margaret, and then Granny for a few of the elements). Returning to Regina, she shakily starting to unpack her small rucksack. "I know I can't cook as good as you, but I tried," she said as she began to remove the lids from the Tupperware containers that had also been provided by Mary Margaret. "And I promise, even if you don't like it, it is all edible, and at least won't kill you. M&M and Granny have assured me of that."
Regina's smile grew as each new lid was removed. Spread out in front of her, were small portions of all her favourites, from the chicken salad at Grannies, to tiny brown sugar and apple tarts. "You made all of this?"
Emma nodded, blushing under the older girl's gaze.
"And you try to tell me you're not romantic," smirked Regina, reaching over to cup the blonde's cheek, before leaning in for a sweet kiss.
"I think that's the best picnic I've ever eaten," said Regina as Emma finally cleared up the numerous containers. "I enjoyed every single little bit of it."
"You know you don't have to say things like that just to be nice, right?" said the blonde as she repacked with much less care than she had previously.
"I thought we agreed that's not something I do," smirked Regina.
Emma smiled, zipping up the rucksack. "I hoped you'd like it. I tried to make your favourites."
The brunette nodded. "I know. I'll have to thank Granny for helping you."
"More like saving me," mumbled the blonde. "I almost set her kitchen on fire."
Regina tried not to laugh, but found she just couldn't help it. "Oh Emma. I don't think I've ever laughed so much than since I met you."
"Oh well, so glad I can amuse your majesty," huffed Emma, moving to throw the rucksack into the back seat of her car. She squeaked in surprise when she turned and found herself pinned against the cold metal, Regina's lips against her own.
"You're much more than an amusement," breathed the older girl.
Emma smiled against red lips. "I'm glad." She took a few calming breaths, letting her arms wrap around Regina's waist. She could take this further. She wanted to take it further, right there in the back seat, but she had sworn to play by Regina's rules, take it at her pace. "I should probably tell you now, Ruby agreed to come and pick you up just before eleven." It was both practical information and a way to lift the mood. "As much as I'd like to, I can hardly give you a ride home," shrugged the blonde.
At this, Regina's smirk returned. "That might not be the case for much longer."
Emma frowned. "What, you gonna magic up an engine?"
"I might," smiled the older girl. She quickly glanced at her watch. There was time. "Walk with me?" She nodded towards the empty beach.
Intrigued, Emma nodded, always content to follow where the brunette led.