A week later, and after a lot of resting, Emma had finally felt able enough to return to work. Her back was considerably better and after taking the green light from the doctor, and her wife, along with copious amounts of painkillers and some thorough massages from Ruby (since she wouldn't let Regina anywhere near her scratched back). The blonde woke earlier than usual so she could have a full breakfast and some time with her kids. Regina was once again beyond shocked with her wife's early wake up and teased her a little during breakfast. When they finished, Emma offered to drive Ezra to her mother as Regina had to attend the clinic, and after some last minute preparations and packing lunches the Swan-Mills family left the house.
Once at work, Emma made her way straight to her office, not bothering to stop and catch up with her colleagues who had been, to be fair, all very concerned about her health. Entering her office, she removed her coat and briefcase and hung them on the hook behind the door. After that she approached the desk and immediately buzzed her secretary and as she did so,she noticed a steamy mug full of coffee next to her computer. Praising her secretary for such a thoughtful gesture, she started with her work. She had tried her best to keep up with work from home but she had been confined to her bed for most of her time off. Her young sons would only play postman for so long, fetching paperwork for her, before they got fed up and collapsed in a pile of cuddles with her in bed. She knew that she would have to stay a little late today at the firm to catch up.
A few minutes after Emma was set up, the door opened revealing her red-haired secretary.
''Mrs. Swan it's really nice seeing you back here. How are you? Are you feeling better?'' Ariel asked, genuinely concerned about her boss's well-being.
''Good morning Ariel, it's nice to see you too. And I'm much better with all the resting last week. Thanks for asking.'' Emma smiled at her secretary.
''I'm glad you're all okay. What happened?''
''Uhm, do you remember those boxes with old cases that we had to move to the ''Archive'' room?. I didn't want you to do it by yourself so I lifted some of them.'' Emma lied.
''Oh right, I swear I thought I'd moved them all. I didn't mean to leave any for you because I know your back plays up sometimes." Ariel contemplated and Emma cursed herself for not remembering that detail. Of course Ariel wouldn't let her lift any of them.
"It was just one really.'' Emma lied again and felt bad for the other girl whose face turned a little red for her recklessness. But Emma was quick to reassure her that everything was fine.
''Don't feel bad though. It was my mistake not yours, I mustn't have remembered my 'manual handling' training! And Ι'm not mad. How could I be mad to the awesome-est secretary who brought me this divine coffee?'' Emma grinned raising the mug to make her point. At Ariel's confused face though she tilted her head and put the mug down.
''I didn't bring you coffee.'' Ariel said with a frown
''You didn't?'' Emma asked and Ariel answered with a shake of her head.
''Do you have any idea who might have left it?''
''No ma'am, I arrived at work only a few minutes before you. Must've been someone in earlier." Ariel reasoned and Emma nodded her head.
''Do you need anything else?'' Ariel asked after a few moments of silence.
''Uh, yes, we need to work on the Jackson case. I have to be in court on Friday and I need to make some last notes. And I wanted to officially invite you to the gala this Saturday. I'm sorry it's short notice but I'm sure you've heard about it around the office.'' Emma said.
''My husband is coming home after two years of deployment at Iran so I don't know whether he'll be in a mood for social events or not; I'll check and let you know. As for the Jackson case, I suggest we do it after lunch since you're booked pretty solidly with new client meetings all morning."
''Οh okay thanks for reminding me. You may go now.'' Emma dismissed Ariel who nodded and left the office.
After Ariel's revelation that she was not the one who brought the coffee Emma started thinking who it might have been. Not a lot of people knew how she drunk her coffee. Not that it was rocket science to figure it out, but still no-one had ever delivered perfect coffee to her desk before, well besides her secretary but only when Emma had asked. Her mind first went to her father and brother but after remembering that the first was at court and the latter wouldn't bother with something like that, it hit her: Jane! She was the only one with whom she was drinking coffee in the small kitchen and who had already demonstrated she memorized the way she drank her coffee. And of course it would be her. Emma stood up abruptly and left her office for the other blonde's.
Arriving outside of Jane's office she stormed in without bothering knocking the door first. Two heads snapped up at the sudden intrusion. Two pairs of blue and brown eyes were met with green ones. Killian Jones was close enough to the other blonde to be considered unprofessional and he didn't even move when he noticed Emma coming in.
Jealousy started crawling up her body but she didn't say anything, and Jane spoke first.
''Mrs. Swan I believe leaving from home today you forgot to take your manners with you.'' Jane said coolly and Jones chuckled at the other's woman sassy comment. Emma shot him a death glare, immediately silencing him and looked back at Jane.
''I had something important to discuss with you'' Emma replied sternly. Nothing could justify her bolting in in the other's woman office. Especially to Jones.
''I'm sure knocking the door and waiting for my permission wouldn't make it any less important.'' Jane sassed again and Emma's patience now was starting wearing thin. She wouldn't stay there letting the other woman making her look like dumb when also Jones was in the room.
''Seeing that Jones is here I'm sure I didn't interrupt anything important. Can we talk or not?'' she commented smugly. Jones was ready to reply but Jane put her hand to his arm, calming him. The gesture didn't go unnoticed by Emma whose patience had just flown out of the window, and she felt her hands clench by her sides.
''Mrs. Swan I will not let you speak to my employees like that. Unless you're going to stop making snide comments and insulting Mr. Jones I suggest you leave.'' Jane said in an authoritative tone. Emma wasn't ready to admit defeat just yet but seeing the other's woman glare she bit back any other remark she might had and without another word left the office.
''Good job Smith. That woman needs to be reminded of her position in this-'' Jones started but Jane cut him off.
''The same goes for you Mr. Jones. Mrs. Swan may be irascible but she is a good employee and I will not let you talk like that when she's not present. Now I believe we're finished. If you don't have anything else to add you may go.''
''No ma'am that would be all.'' He mumbled and was dismissed by Jane's arm which showed him the office door.
When Jones was out of her office, Jane let her head fall and sighed, letting out a breath she hadn't realised she was holding. She regretted speaking to Emma like that but it was the only way to ensure that Jones wouldn't suspect anything, and in truth Emma had been downright disrespectful. She sighed again and weighed her options. Should she go now to the blonde's office, with the fear of their encounter not ending well, or let the blonde cool off first. She decided that either way Emma would be mad at her so the argument was inevitable. She stood up, checked her appearance in the mirror and walked out of her office.
Emma was beyond angry when she returned to her office. Angry at herself for letting herself be jealous of that sleazy Jones. Angry at Jones who was hitting on Jane. And angry at Jane for noticing so but doing nothing. Instead she also protected him from Emma's jabbing comments. Also why did she even care when she saw them together? Jane was sort of her friend and a free woman to date whoever she wants. She was also the woman who Emma fucked mercilessly a week ago, cheating her wife in the process. Yes, she felt like the worst person in the world, but she couldn't calm her jealous feelings down. Her thoughts were interrupted by a faint knock on the door. With Emma's soft ''come in'' the door opened to reveal Jane who was looking rather determined to have whatever conversation comes up with Emma.
''Don't ever talk to me like that again. Especially in front of Jones'' was all that Emma said not looking Jane; instead she had averted her eyes looking now outside the window.
''I wouldn't have had to start if you didn't rudely storm into my office like that. What would have happened if I had a client with me? Or even Gold? How would you explain that? As far as they know we are still barely tolerating each other.''
''I wasn't thinking okay?'' Emma snapped ''I was just coming to thank you for the coffee and instead I find you with that man-whore Jones in a unprofessional position that if someone else was to come in your office you would have questions of your own to answer!''
''No Emma any other person would just think that I was helping him with his case, which is what I was doing by the way. You're just being paranoid Emma!'' Jane spat.
''Oh so you're helping him too? Exactly how many people here are you helping with their cases Miss Smith? Me, Nate, Jones, whoever else gives you that attention you crave?'' Emma barked.
''So you're back to calling me a whore? That's what I am when I'm helping someone with their case? Which by the way is a part of my job and certainly doesn't mean that I have slept with them!''
"Well it did with me.'' Emma countered and Jane slapped her with full-force. Emma stared at her. Both felt the seconds tick loudly between them before Emma turned and made her way towards the door, but instead of leaving she pushed it closed, and wordlessly clicked the lock.
''Don't you dare do that ever again.'' Emma hissed, turning to face Jane.
''You mean this?'' Jane slapped Emma again, with less force than the first one. Emma held still and her eyes met Jane's. Janes eyes had darkened from rage and, something else, lust? Emma's response was to grab Janes arms and pull her forcefully towards her, mouths meeting in a clumsy, passionate kiss. Emma lifted the other blonde from the floor and pushed her up against the nearest wall. The other woman's legs wrapped themselves around Emma's waist as she was moving her mouth to Jane's neck, her right hand opening her shirt to reveal more skin. Jane hissed at Emma's bites and lifted the other woman's chin, colliding her lips with hers. Emma had managed to unbutton Jane's shirt and scrappily tossed it aside. She then moved the blonde towards the couch where she let her gently. With quick moves she untied her tie and opened some buttons of her own shirt. She rose Jane's skirt higher to settle around her waist and tugging the other woman's thong aside, she entered her without pause earning a loud cry from the blonde which Emma quickly muffled with her own mouth. Jane had put her hands on Emma's back and was ready to scratch it when Emma removed them and pinned them above the blonde's head.
"Don't." Emma said and Jane bit her lip.
Emma had now moved her mouth to Jane's clothed breasts. She tugged the lace bra down, her lips ghosting the other woman's nipple.
''I don't want you to talk to that fucking bastard'' Emma growled before sucking said nipple.
''He charms you with his Irish accent and good looks just to have you at his beck and call." Emma continued not shifting her attention to the other nipple, her hand finding a quick rhythm inside Jane's wet folds.
''His only goal is to fuck you.'' Emma managed between ragged breaths, and Jane only managed a quick nod in reply since her climax was approaching and she couldn't form any coherent thoughts, never mind words. A few more seconds of Emma burying her fingers within her, and Jane came undone, her screams barely muffled by Emma's hand. When the blonde came down from her climax she managed a more coherent response.
''Give me some credit Emma. I'm smarter than that. I know what guys like Jones are after. That doesn't mean I cannot help him. I'm his supervisor and boss. And also what explanation should I give him if I stop talking to him. Because Emma Swan said so?''
''You wouldn't be the first to avoid him. He is known to hit on his colleagues. You can tell Gold that you don't want to supervise him anymore.'' Emma offered.
''Emma I'm still new at the firm. I need allies. Whoever wants my help I give it, no matter how much of an asshole he or she is'' She said looking pointedly at Emma who grinned .Jane climbed on Emma's lap and pressed her lips to Emma's ear.
''Besides, he's not the one I want to be fucked by.'' She whispered in a sultry voice and Emma felt a knowing pull at her gut. Jane moved her mouth to Emma's and kissed her slowly. The softness of the interaction surprised Emma a little. Jane's arm travelled southwards and was ready to unzip Emma's slacks when a grip on her wrist stopped her.
''I have a meeting in a few with new clients'' Emma explained and Jane nodding in understanding. She stood up and went to grab her shirt which was discarded on Emma's office floor. She started dressing herself when she noticed that Emma hadn't stood up yet. Instead she was staring blankly into nothing. Jane thought she was just exhausted and when she was ready she approached Emma again and kissed her on the lips, but Emma barely responded.
''I should go. If you finish early with the clients we can go to grab something for lunch.'' Jane offered at which Emma simply nodded. Fixing her smearing lipstick Jane unlocked the door and opened it coming face to face with Emma's secretary.
''Miss Smith!'' Ariel exclaimed and was ready to enter the room but Jane stopped her, since Emma was still only in her bra.
''Mrs. Benson, Mrs. Swan just left the office for her meeting with the new clients. I came to inform her about a new case but found no-one instead.''
''Uhm, okay.'' Ariel said a little confused. She would swear that she could smell her boss's perfume on the other woman but she let it slide. She instead bowed her head and walked towards her office. Jane let a sigh of relief and looked at Emma who silently thanked her. She gave her a small smirk and left Emma's office.
At lunch time, just as they had arranged Emma and Jane had gone to their favorite diner to grab a bite. The diner was empty considering the time of the day but that didn't bother any of the woman. Albeit they find somewhere to sit easier than they had expected. Sitting in their chairs they ordered their food; grilled cheese for Emma and a chicken salad for Jane, and they started teasing each flirting a little when a voice startled Emma.
''Emma?'' The voice asked and Emma turned her head to see whom that voice belonged to. Belle was standing beside her, a confused expression on her face.
''Belle!'' Emma exclaimed and stood up to greet the brunette. After exchanging a hug Emma asked
''What are you doing here?''
''A friend of mine just returned from Scotland and we arranged to meet here. What about you?''
''Well, you know where I work. I just came for lunch'' Emma admitted and a cough remembered her that she didn't come alone.
''Oh shit, right, Belle this is Jane Smith, my new colleague at work. Jane this is Belle French my best friend's fiancée.'' Both woman shook hands and after that the three of them staring at each other awkwardly.
''Right so, I should go. Merida will be by any minute now. Oh Ruby told me something about watching Colin and Ezra on Saturday night?''
''Ah yes. There's this gala that Regina wants us to attend and both my family and hers will be there and we didn't know where to leave the boys. Henry will be at a sleepover so we don't worry about him, so suggested you guys, unless you have plans?''
''Oh we had arranged to visit my parents but Ruby said that she prefers spending time with her nephews than my father. So nephews it is.'' Belle joked and Emma laughed.
''Thank you very much Belle. And if you change your mind about seeing your family just call us okay?''
''Okay Ems. See you on Saturday.'' Belle hugged her friend one last time and left the two blondes alone.
"Are all of your friends lesbians?'' Jane joked and Emma laughed.
''Ruby, her fiancée, was out way long before me. She and Belle are high school-sweethearts and still Regina and I were married before them.'' Emma admitted while popping a fry in her mouth off her plate which has just arrived.
''How come?'' Jane asked while mimicking the other blonde.
''They had broken up after high school, for five or six years. Belle was studying in France and Ruby got in another relationship. At mine and Regina's wedding the old flame rekindled but it was after another two years when they decided to give it another try.''
''That's good for them.'' Jane smiled.
''Yeah, I mean I can't imagine Ruby or Belle with anyone else but each other. They are like beauty and the beast, but you know, a lesbian version.''
"Beast?!" Jane asked confused.
"Oh right, yeah Ruby was a bit of a bad girl but Belle got her on the straight and narrow, so to speak. Magical transformation, you know? And cause Belle is called Belle." Emma explained, laughing. "We weren't very imaginative when we came up with these comparisons; and I think there was alcohol involved."
''What about you and Regina?'' Jane asked
''What about us?''
''You said that your friend and her fiancée are like Beauty and the Beast. What about your relationship with you wife? Which fairytale are you?'' Jane elaborated.
Emma faltered, feeling suddenly uncomfortable hearing Jane talking about her wife so casually.
''Uhm, we never really agreed on one.'' Emma replied honestly. ''I suppose if we were to be a fairytale couple it would be something new. The Regal Queen and her White Knight, or something like that.''
''Would it have a happy ending?'' Jane asked softly.
Emma starred at her, slightly shocked by the question.
''I want to believe that it will. But I guess I'll have to wait have to find out.'' Emma replied, and then fell silent, turning her attention to her food.
When Emma returned home she was met with loud music emanating from the house. She walked farther inside the house to find her wife bent over, her ass on full display gathering some of Ezra's toys from the floor. Emma seeing her wife's ass stretching against her tiny shorts she was wearing, abandoned her briefcase and coat on a nearby chair and put her hand's on Regina's butt, squeezing it a little. Regina moaned a little and before Emma could understand what happened she was on her back, lying on the carpet with Regina straddling her.
''Hi'' Emma squeaked and Regina laughed.
''Hi indeed dear.''' Regina said and bent to kissed her lips. She stood up and offered her hand to Emma so as to stand up. When they were both standing Emma asked.
''Where are the boys?''
''Ezra is still at your mother's, Henry is at basketball practice and Colin is upstairs, getting ready for you to take him to his tennis practice. Anyway I should get dressed. Can you pick up Ezra and Henry on your way back from dropping Colin to practice? I have already cooked so you don't need to worry about dinner.''
''Sure. And what about you Mrs. Mills? Where are your plans this evening?'' Emma inquired.
''Do you remember Mal? The one I told you about with her dog? She invited me and Kathryn for girl's night. Although Kathryn is still ill but we decided to go just the two of us.''
''And why I am I only hearing about this only now? I am only hearing about this now right?'' Emma asked concerned that Regina had in fact already told her and she'd just blanked.
''Yes sweetie, this is new. Mal only invited us this morning when she brought her dog for examination'' Regina simply said while making her way upstairs to get ready, Emma in tow who was very interested in the view.
''I should probably come with you'' Emma said. She remembered that Mal was a divorcee lesbian and very (!) friendly towards Regina.
''No you won't. I remember you promising the boys video games night or something like that along with Graham and Nate.''
''And you'll go, all alone, with her?''
''She doesn't bite Emma, relax'' Regina said as she rolled her eyes, moving towards the walk-in closet. She pulled down a black mid-thighed dress, one of Emma's favorites, and held it out for Emma to evaluate.
''You think you're going out with a lesbian, who has totally the hots for you, wearing that? Absolutely not.'' Emma said as she moved forwards and grabbed the dress from Regina's hands.
''Give it back'' Regina warned but Emma was already inside the closet. When she returned she was holding black slacks and a red turtleneck sweater.
''Emma stop being ridiculous and give me the dress back.''
''No, unless you agree I come with you.'' Emma pouted.
''You're impossible.'' Regina huffed and went to take the dress back from her. After fighting a little more and a few negotiations Emma let Regina wear the dress and Emma would drive her wife to the small bar, would meet the other woman and leave.
Emma had picked the boys up and was downstairs with Nate, Graham, Ezra and Henry already fulling engrossed, playing a game of pro evolution soccer, by the time Regina was ready. When Regina made her way downstairs, the time had evidently been worth it as they all stopped what they were doing and gawked at the woman who had just come in. Regina chuckled at their reaction and moved farther inside the room. She scooped Ezra up and kissed his nose.
''Alright Bubbah, mommy is going out. Be good for mama and uncle Nate and Graham?'' She asked the boy who nodded and wriggled himself out of Regina's hands.
''Shall we dear?'' she said to her wife who was still gawking at her.
"Let's.'' Emma smiled, stood up and went to get her car keys.
''Be good and I'd better not see popcorn all over the floor when I get back. Or anything else for that matter.'' She gave them a warning look and followed her wife outside.
Emma was already in the car when Regina opened the passenger's door and slide inside.
''If I see her gawking at you like we did, we're leaving'' Emma stated as she started the car.
''Embarrass me in front of her and no sex until all of the boys go to college.'' Regina warned and Emma huffed.
When they arrived outside the bar, Emma unbuckled her belt but Regina stopped her before opening the door.
''I love you Emma. Don't ever forget that.'' Regina whispered before kissing Emma.
''I love you too babe. And I'm sorry for acting like that. It's just that you are so beautiful and sometimes I like when everyone looks at you because I know that at the end of the day I'm the one who you come home with; but sometimes I'm afraid that you'll change your mind and see how fucked up I am and how much better you deserve.''
''After three sons and ten years of marriage you still think that's a possibility?'' Regina softly asked and Emma shrugged.
''You, Emma Swan are the biggest idiot I've ever met. And you are also completely, and only, my idiot.'' she tapped Emma's nose lightly and kissed her wife once again.
''Anyway we should go inside.'' When she saw that Emma wasn't moving she tilt her head in confusion.
''Nah, you go. I trust you. I'll just go home and play with our boys. When you want to leave, just call me to come and get you.''
''Okay love. I'll see you later.''
''Have fun babes.'' Emma said and after closing the passenger's door she left.