''A date?'' Kathryn asked, with eyes wide open, before bursting into a fit of laughters.
The moment Regina stepped into the clinic, the next morning, she dragged her blonde best friend inside her office, telling her all about the latest appointment with Dr. Hopper. She had managed to keep a straight face during most of Regina's ranting but when the brunette revealed what Archie had suggested for the couple, Kathryn couldn't keep it any longer.
''It's not funny!'' Regina huffed, as she sat in her chair, spinning around so as not to face the blonde.
''I'm sorry love, but it is! Did he really thought that the best way for your relationship to work is you two going on a date?'' Kathryn asked, still laughing with the absurdity of the whole thing, earning a glare from her best friend.
''What did you say when he proposed that?'' She continued, not bothered by the death glare thrown in her way.
''Ι laughed because I thought he was joking but when I realized he was dead serious I told him a simple no and stormed out of the office.'' Regina said, shrugging her shoulders.
''And what about Emma?''
''I don't know ,she didn't follow me right away. I was waiting for her outside and when she finally came out of the building, ten minutes later, she gave me her car keys and left.''
''What do you mean she left?''
''She left. I think she walked home. She still hasn't come to pick up her car. I tried to call her last night, after the appointment, but she never answered.'' Regina sighed ''God, this is so ridiculous! How am I supposed to go on a date with my wife?''
''Come on Regina, you used to go on dates with her all the time. It's not something new.'' Kathryn reasoned.
''Υeah but we hadn't been in a one since...'' She stopped to think when was the last time she and Emma had gone somewhere romantic, or when they spent some time alone. ''Oh my god, we haven't been in one since Ezra was born!'' Regina eyes were wide from the realisation, making Kathryn laugh once more.
''It's not like you haven't done it before. And it's with Emma, which means you guys won't have the awkwardness of the first date. She knows you, you know her, it's gonna be a piece of cake.
''Easy for you to say.'' Regina mumbled and at Kathryn's frown she elaborated ''A lot have happened since the last time. Kids, tons of fights, an adultery, an almost divorce.''
''That's exactly why you need to do this. Υou need to amend things between you two. She did something horrible, I agree, but she's not the first. I'm not saying that you should forgive her just yet, but give her a chance. I know that you want this.''
''Everyone seems to know what I want except for me.'' Regina sighed
''Deep down you know too babe .Anyway, I have an appointment in a few. I'll stop by later for lunch.''
Kathryn said at which Regina simply nodded, before putting her reading glasses on and starting with some paperwork to stop her mind for thinking about Hopper, his proposal and Emma.
It was a really lazy day at the firm and Emma was bored to death. Last night, after her appointment with Archie she hadn't managed to get enough sleep and now she had to pay the price for it. Truth be told, she had never expected from Archie to suggest something like that. No that she minded to go on a date with Regina. In fact, she'd love to. But she didn't know if Regina was feeling the same way. And that's why she had second thoughts. She saw how Regina stormed out of the office once she realized that Hopper wasn't kidding. If she were to ask for a date, Regina might react in the same way, hell even worse. Sighing, she stood up, grabbed her keys and her jacket and stormed out of her office.
''Hey Ariel, I'm gonna grab some lunch, I'll be back in an hour. Do you want me to bring you something?'' Emma informed and then asked the red-haired secretary.
''No, Mrs. Swan, I'm fine.'' Ariel replied, smiling at her boss. Emma simply nodded before leaving the firm.
Her first option was the diner across the street. Remembering though with whom she had spent the last few months there, she quickly dismissed the idea and decided to go somewhere else. Her second thought was Granny's diner. She hadn't seen her best friend since the wedding and that was the perfect opportunity. Deciding that this was indeed the best option, she stepped into the elevator pushing the button to the parking lot. Realizing that her car was still at Regina's she cursed lightly before going outside and taking a cab to Granny's.
Not ten minutes later, Emma arrived at her destination. The place was packed with people, as Granny's was a very popular diner not only in the neighborhood but in the whole city and that was why Granny was thinking of opening a second one, placing Ruby in charge there. Opening the door, the distinctive bell rang signaling her arrival. Ruby's eyes turned to see who the newcomer was, and when she realized it was her best friend, she quickly abandoned her tray and rug and rushed over to the blonde.
''Emma I missed you so much!'' The leggy brunette exclaimed, hugging her best friend tightly.
''I missed you too Rubes! Or should I better call you Mrs. French?'' Emma teased earning a slap on her forearm from Ruby.
''You know that we hyphenated our last names. And even if one of us did change her last name it would be Belle, cause you know Lucas is much better.'' Ruby joked making Emma laugh. At the same time, Ruby realized that they were still standing in front of the diner's front door so she guided Emma towards an empty booth.
''So tell me how was the honeymoon?'' Emma asked once she was seated, Ruby otping to sit opposite to her.
''Oh, it was amazing! We visited every big city there, you know Sydney, Melbourne, Adelaide, Belle was ecstatic to be back in her hometown and I was happy to see her being that carefree. We loved every minute of our trip and I'm totally thinking of going back one day.'' Ruby said with the a dreamy sigh as she remembered the two weeks she spent with her fiance, in Belle's hometown, Australia.
''I'm so happy for you guys!'' Emma said taking Ruby's hand in her own, squeezing it lightly.
''Oh and I'm so sorry we missed Bubbah's birthday.'' Ruby apologized, genuinenly sad for missing the boy's party.
''Hey don't worry, we're gonna repeat it for you guys.'' Εmma said making her best friend laugh.
''Anyway how are things with you and Regina?'' Ruby asked curiously but before she let Emma answer she added ''Last time I saw her it was at the wedding and she wasn't very well. I bump into her in the restroom and she was crying.'' Ruby admitted making Emma sigh.
''What had happened?''
''Long story short we made out in the closet next to your dressing rooms, she slapped me and then she left. Later, when we were dancing I asked for a second chance and she fled. I didn't see her after that .At Ezra's birthday we slightly made out, she wanted more, I stopped her and she kicked me out. And last night we had an appointment with Archie and he suggested we go out on a date.'' Emma said in one breath.
''Woah! I was only gone for two weeks. I leave you two alone for a while and everything changes. Before you continue, give me your order to place at Granny and then I'm all yours.'' Ruby said as she stood up, took her notepad and wrote Emma's order. After that she returned back to her seat asking Emma to describe thoroughly, whatever had happened in the last few weeks between her ad Regina at which Emma complied.
Thirty minutes and a lunch later Emma had finally made it to the point of the last night's appointment, asking Ruby for her opinion.
''So what do I do Rubes?Do I ask her out or not?''
''What's the worse that could happen if you ask her out?'' Ruby asked back.
''Best case scenario she will laugh at me and say no. Worst, she'll stop talking to me like she did after the incident at Ezra's party.'' Emma replied
''Well you're alive at both scenarios so I think you should take a shot.'' Ruby suggested
''What?Ruby no! I..'' But she was cut off by the brunette
''Come on Swan! Since when did you become such a pussy! Go fight for the woman you love!'' Ruby urged giving Emma a boost of confidence.
''You know what? You're right!I'm gonna ask Regina out on a date!'' And with that Emma rushed out of the diner.
Regina was in her office, doing some paperwork when Jefferson burst through the door.
''Jeff, what the hell?'' Regina yelled, clatching her chest as he had given her quite the scare.
''I'm sorry, but I was typing on the computer when the door opened but no one was in view. so, I stood up and I saw Ezra just walking towards me.''
''Ezra?My son, Ezra?What is he doing here?'' Regina asked standing up from her chair and exiting her office going towards the small waiting room where her son was waiting, dressed in a tux(?!). As he turned around to face her she noticed that he was holding a small bouquet of lilies along with an envelope. Crouching down to meet his eyes she asked him.
''Hey baby boy what are you doing here?''
The boy gave her the bouquet along with the envelope and walked away from her and the clinic.
''Ezra!'' She yelled clearly worried as she didn't know with whom the boy had come.
''Relax, he obviously didn't come alone.'' Kathryn said. She was standing at the entrance of the examination room and had come outside when she heard Jeff running towards Regina's office.
Regina just nodded and smell the lilies. They smelled divine. They were her favorites after all. Passing the bouquet to Kathryn so as to smell herself, she opened the envelope where a simple letter was inside .Opening the letter, she saw a simple sentence, neatly written.
Will you go on a date with me?
-E
Regina's heart was ready to burst. Raising her eyes from the letter she was met with a pair of green and brown ones looking back at her, smiling their signature Swan grin.
Emma had slipped inside the clinic without being noticed, balancing their son on her hip, also dressed in an elegant tux, similar to Ezra's one.
''So?'' Emma asked
''Did you really let Ezra come here by himself?'' Regina said instead, trying to scold her wife but the smile on her face was making it impossible.
''I was outside watching him like a hawk. Besides he knew what to do. We practised it on our way here. Anyway, what do you say Regina?Is it worth it wearing expensive suits in the middle of a very very warm day?'' Emma teased making Regina chuckle.
''Yes it was worth it and yes I will go on a date with you.''
It was Saturday evening and Regina was pacing, like a maniac, back and forth from her closet to the bedroom, as she was trying to find something to wear. Emma would be there in one hour and she had only showered and put her make-up on and she had still to do her hair and find the perfect outfit. Emma had texted her earlier this day saying that for where they were going she should dressed formally, so Regina had crossed off her list places like the cinema or the beach. She was also glad that Ruby would babysit the boys at Emma's apartment as that meant that they had the mansion to themselves after their date. She didn't know what to expect from Emma and she sure as hell she didn't want the other woman to do the walk of shame if they made it to that. Sighing in frustration, she entered the closet once again to look at her clothes .As she was discarding her dresses one by one, her eyes were caught by a red mid-thigh dress. It was one of her favorites and it hadn't been worn for ages. It also hugged her body in all the right places which would be definitely appreciated by her wife.
Without having realize it, an hour had passed and Regina was dressed in her elegant dress while drinking a glass of wine to ease her nerves. Emma was a bit late, something that made the brunette even more nervous. Last time Emma had asked her out on a date, was the day that Emma supposedly would take the big promotion. Things hadn't gone as planned since the date turned out into a huge fight between them. Regina this time prayed, to whatever gods might exist, that this date wouldn't end up like the last one. Drinking the rest of the wine in her glass, she was ready to pour another one when the doorbell changed her plans. Smoothing her dress from invisible wrinkles and puffing her hair a bit she opened the door to reveal her wife. Emma was dressed in a simple black suit along with her black pumps holding a simple red rose which quickly gave to Regina after their staring contest had finished.
''You look beautiful.'' Emma whispered not trusting her voice at this point.
''Thank you dear, you clean up quite well yourself .'' She said as she smelled the rose.
'Did the flower shop cut you out of roses?'' She teased as she move inside to grab her purse, Emma still waiitng outside.
''Huh?'' Emma asked confused.
''Only one rose.'' Regina simply said, closing the door beside her and walking next to Emma.
''Oh, yes that. Well I didn't want to turn our house into the Botanic Garden'' Emma joked earning a laugh from the brunette. Once in front of the passenger seat, at Emma's car, Emma opened the door for Regina to enter.
''And they say chivalry is dead nowadays.'' She teased, making Emma's cheeks turn pink.
''Well they do call my father charming so I guess I inherited the genes.'' Emma replied entering the car too.
''Where too?'' Regina asked curiously.
''Patience, love'' Emma winked at Regina before starting the car, leaving the mansion behind.
Αs Regina had predicted Emma had driven them to a really fancy restaurant, one she had never visited before. Exiting the car, with Emma's help, she raised an eyebrow in question towards the blonde.
''Nate suggested it .He had brought his new girlfriend, a couple night ago, here and he said it's the perfect place for dinner and dancing.'' Emma grinned at the brunette before giving her hand to her, who surprisingly accepted it, before entering the restaurant.
After giving her name to the receptionist, the couple were guided towards their table. Sitting in a way so as to face each other, it was Regina who broke the silence between them.
''So Nate has a new girlfriend?'' Regina asked, opting for a neutral topic to start the conversation.
''Oh yes ,she's an intern in our firm. And a really good one. He took a shine on her since the beginning and they really fit together.'' Emma replied as she played with the napkin in her lap.
''I'm so happy for him. Tell him that I want to meet her and they can come over any time the want.'' Regina said and Emma nodded.
''So how's Simba?'' Emma asked, remembering the cute canine she had brought as a gift to her son.
''Oh he's the devil itself'' Regina laughed and at Emma's furrowed brow she explained ''He won't stop running around the house, breaking stuff in his way. But he's really good. He loves the boys and often sleeps in their rooms ,much to my displeasure .I had a friend of mine to potty train him last week. He's not full into it but he'll get used. After you brought him home, I took him with me at the clinic and vaccinated him so he's clean now. He needs a couple more shots but that's for later.''
''What about you. Do you get along?''
''This first week he hated me because I was the one who did the shots to him. But now I'm warming up to him. Last night he slept in our bed.'' Regina admitted.
''You're kidding right?'' Emma said and when Regina shook her head she burst on laughing.
''Okay who are you and what have you done with my wife?'' Emma teased making Regina laugh.
''He was looking at me with those I eyes and I couldn't resist!'' Regina defended.
''That's why they called puppy dog eyes Regina.'' Emma mused.
''I also felt a bit lonely.'' Regina confessed, making Emma's heart break.
''I'm so sorry Regina.'' Emma apologised without knowing the reason of doing Regina didn't ask.
''It's okay but we better stay on first date topics. This is why we agreed to do it anyway.''
''You're right.'' Emma agreed and then continued ''So Mrs. Mills what do you like to do in your free time?'' Emma asked earning a chuckle from Regina.
''Well, let me see. When I have free time, I like go hiking ,playing the piano, watching movies or playing video games with my sons.''
''Video games?Are you a nerd Mrs Mills? Emma teased.
''Well my wife and sons are, so I picked up on their habits. But I must tell you I'm really good at it and two times champion at Pro Evolution Soccer championship, which my wife organises every year.''
''The first time was beginners luck'' Emma defended remembering all too well the humiliating score that Emma had lost from Regina.
''Whatever helps you sleep at night dear.'' Regina winked at Emma who blushed lightly under Regina's playful demeanor.
The dinner had contitnued in the same tone, with light conversation, questions asked from both parties ,amazing food and lots and lots of wine .It was a little while after nine when Emma suggested they leave to which Regina agreed. Emma offered to pay but Regina insisted on splitting it in half, to which Emma relented.
An hour later, after they had left the restaurant Regina and Emma were outside the mansion. Emma not wanting this date to end, had driven around for a while to buy some time with her wife. Regina had sensed the change of route but she didn't comment on it. She wanted this date to continue as much as Emma. However, it was getting late and there was no point in driving around the city. That's when Regina, saying that she was tired, made Emma drive her back to the house. So here they were standing outside the front door, Regina wearing Emma's jacket, due to the night chill, toying with her keys. The silence was for once awkward and both women tried to break it at the same time.
''Do you-''
''So I think-'' making both women laugh. Emma motioned Regina to speak first.
''Do you want to come inside?'' Regina asked without looking Emma in they eyes.
''I'd love too.'' Emma replied earning a smile from her wife.
Upon entering the household Regina guided them to the kitchen, retrieving the previous bottle of wine from the fridge and two glasses, pouring some to both of them, before passing the one to Emma.
Emma was playing with an apple from the bowl when she dropped it making both of them to bend, in order to lift it. As they were bending over, their heads bumped and as a result Emma felt back with Regina, who Emma used as a support, on top of her.
''Hi'' Emma whispered once she saw how close Regina was; only a breath away.
''Hi dear'' Regina said back before looking at Emma's lips then back at Emma's eyes.
''I wanna kiss you'' Emma admitted.
''What's stopping you?'' Regina asked and as a response Emma cupped her face and collided her lips with hers.
Emma's tongue was asking for entrance which Regina gladly gave opening her mouth, a moan escaping her lips when she felt Emma's hands cupping her ass.
''Bedroom'' Regina managed to say between kisses making Emma look at her in confusion.
''Do you really want us to have sex on the kitchen floor?'' Regina asked before standing up, helping Emma as well, at her feet.
''I wouldn't mind but whatever the Majesty wants.'' Emma winked and lifted Regina in her arms, making the brunette yelp in surprise.
Once inside the bedroom,Regina was quick to discard Emma's jacket, tie and shirt leaving her only in her slacks and bra. Emma in return had unzipped Regina's dress, letting it pool between Regina's feet and leaving her in black laced bra and matched thong. Pushing her back, Emma straddled her wife ,as she was leaving a kissing trail from the brunette's mouth to her jaw and then neck. Her one hand was playing with Regina's nipple, through the bra while the other was making circles at Regina's hip.
Her next stop was between Regina's thigh, toying with the miniscule piece of fabric that was preventing her from entering her wife. Regina closed her eyes, feeling more and more aroused with Emma's every touch. However, upon doing so her mind wandered, giving her images of her blonde wife entering, in the same way ,the other blonde. She snapped her eyes opened and she realised that Emma had removed her thong and was making her way down on her.
''Emma stop!'' Regina said, pushing the blonde away from her at the same time. The push was so strong that made Emma fall off the bed, as Regina moved closer to the headboard, bringing her knees close to her chest.
''Regina what happened?'' Emma asked worried as she stood up moving next to Regina but the brunette moved away from the bed, putting more space between them.
''No, don't come any closer.I...I can't do this Emma.'' Regina admitted, tears streaming down her face.
''Do what Regina?''
''This'' she said waving her hand between the two of them ''I'm not ready.''
''To have sex with me?It's okay we can do it at your own pace. I don't have problem with that and you know it.'' Emma soothed.
''Do I?You cheated on me because we didn't have sex Emma. How do I know that if we ever get back together you won't cheat on me again?''
''Because it was a mistake Regina and I hurt you. I don't wanna hurt you ever again.'' Emma whispered.
''I can't Emma. I thought I could, really, but every time we come this close my mind make these images of you and her together and all these feelings, this pain comes back''
''Let me help you Regina. Please don't shut me out.'' Emma implored.
''Emma I can't!'' Regina yelled and was ready to leave the room but Emma's hands on her wrists stopped her from doing so.
''Yes you can, you just have to trust me. Regina I'm here with you, I want you'' Emma said pushing Regina flash to her body, comforting the other woman ,whose sobs were breaking the silence.
''Emma I want you to go.'' Regina said between sobs, not meeting Emma's eyes
''No Regina don't do this to us. Let me stay here with you.''
''No, please go.'' Regina said defeated making Emma relent. With a kiss on her forehead, Emma gathered her clothes and walked out of the room, not before stopping in the doorframe to look back at Regina who had put on a robe, to cover her naked body.
''Regina'' Emma whispered in order to catch the brunette's attention.
''Hmm?''
''I love you.'' Emma simply said before leaving.