With Emma, Belle and Ruby gone, Mary Margaret went to retrieve the box Regina had dropped off a couple of days before, while Emma had been at training. She had been curious as to the contents, but the tape keeping the box firmly closed had prevented her from acting on her curiosity. Taking it up the stairs now, though, she had every intention of staying to find out what it contained.
Nudging open the door of Emma's room with her foot, she smirked to find Regina struggling to put on the new bed linens. "Here, let me help you."
"Thank you," the girl smiled gratefully.
"Why don't you leave me to do this and you do whatever you still have left to do?"
Regina nodded, happily handing over the rumpled bedding. She moved towards the box, peeling off the tape. Inside were a variety of items she had pulled together just to add a more homey feel to the blonde's room. A few photo frames she had found among her old things in the attic now held photos of Emma and herself, either together, or with the girls. An old radio had also been added to the box, along with a couple of old trinket boxes and an ornate mirror that had once hung above her desk in her room at home. Moving easily around the room, she placed the items where she thought best, aware of Mary Margaret's eyes on her.
"You know, it really is a shame about your mother," sighed the pixie haired woman. "You're so wonderful with Emma, it's a pity she can't see that."
Regina shrugged, not wanting to dwell on the subject as she cast her eyes around the now finished room, moving back to collect the final item from the box. This was the one item she had bought new. Had ordered specially, actually. She had gone to the woodworker in town, commissioning a jewellery box. The box itself was fairly simple, but it was the lid that set it apart. Carved into the polished wood, was an intricate design of a swan with its' wings spread. She wasn't quite sure why a jewellery box. Emma wasn't exactly a jewellery wearing girl, but somehow it just felt right.
"It's beautiful," said Mary Margaret, coming to look at the item closer.
"She won't think it's silly, will she?"
"I think she'll love it."
"Now I just know that's non alcoholic beer you have there," smiled Mary Margaret as Emma returned, beers in hand, followed by Ruby, Belle and the new addition of Katheryn. I'm going out to see David, so I'll see you girls later. And I better not come back to find the Sherriff has had to be called out to deal with you."
"You know that would never happen M&M," grinned Ruby. "We're far too angelic for that."
The pixie haired woman merely rolled her eyes before heading for the door. "There's money on the table for you girls to call for pizza."
"Thanks!" called Emma, smiling at the older woman as she slipped out of the house with a small wave. She turned on hearing a new voice call her name. "I'm all done if you want to come up and see."
"Maybe you should go up and make sure it's safe for us," laughed Katheryn. "We wouldn't want to walk in on something mean for your eyes only."
Rolling her eyes, and knowing full well there wouldn't be, Emma nonetheless took the stairs two at a time. Pushing open the door, she gasped at the sight that greeted her. Yes, she had helped to decorate, but seeing the finished article was something altogether different. The wall behind the bed was a deep red, the other walls a rich cream. The curtains, a deep burgundy, matched perfectly, as did the bedding, which was cream with a rich red abstract design. As her eyes took in the rest of the room, she noticed the other things Regina had added. The little touches. Moving towards her girlfriend, she wrapped her in a tight hug, tears in her eyes. "Thank you, for all of this."
Regina smiled, holding the blonde just as tightly. "My pleasure. So you like it?"
"Regina, I love it. I love you." Emma's eyes widened as she realised what she'd said.
The brunette, however, seemed to take it in her stride, if outer appearances were anything to go by, pulling back to place a sound kiss to pink lips. "I love you too." She smiled as Emma visibly relaxed as the sentiment was returned. She wished her own pounding heart would calm so quickly.
"Is it safe?" called Katheryn.
"Just what are you trying to imply?" smirked Regina as the blonde poked her head around the door.
"That I don't need the image of you two heavy petting burned into my retinas?"
Ruby shrugged, slipping past Katheryn to flop down on the newly made bed. "There are worse things in life," she grinned, gaining a slap on the thigh from Belle as she settled next to her.
"Your room is looking lovely, Emma," smiled the younger girl.
"I must admit, you did good, Regina," smiled Katheryn.
"You like it Ems?" asked Ruby, looking over to the blonde.
"Are you kidding, I love it!" she grinned. "It makes this place really feel like home."