A/N: So I'm a terrible person. That's all. Actually, I've just had a lot of things go south lately and I've been really busy, and though this chapter was 3/4 of the way finished last Sunday around midnight, I had school the next day and I wasn't going to make myself finish it that late at night. I hope you're all doing well, and I hope you all forgive me, though this chapter isn't as long as we would all like because I didn't want it cutting into the next.
Also, to the guest reviewers: I love hearing your thoughts! However, if they're going to be rude or angry, I ask that you either a)Post as a user so we can talk about whatever's bothering you in the story, or b)Realize that beyond this author's note your rude review is going to get no acknowledgement whatsoever. I do like to hear your thoughts, and I'm always up for constructive criticism, but if you're just reviewing to bash the story as a whole, and not offering a helpful solution as to how I can fix whatever's bothering you, I will start monitoring and deleting my guest reviews again.
Thank you all for taking the time to read this... Now, on with the show.
Regina leaned back in her chair and sighed. Online shopping was so impersonal. There was no way to know what she'd look like in any of this lingerie until she tried it on, and she'd barely have enough time between the delivery of the items and Emma's two week check-up to do so. She knew what her body looked like, and was confident enough that she would look alright in whatever outfit she chose, but she wanted so badly to surprise Emma with something perfect after she was healed.
The squeak of the aforementioned blonde's crutches on the stairs broke Regina from her thoughts. Quickly, she saved the websites she had open and closed out of the browser just as Emma hobbled into the room.
"I'm glad to see you're taking to your crutches, dear," Regina smiled at the woman who leaned against the doorframe.
The blonde in question snorted. "I'm only taking to them because I've taken to you, dear," she threw the brunette's favorite word back at her with a smirk. "And I would hardly call stumbling around with these devil sticks 'taking to them'."
Regina's laughter bubbled forth as she stood and walked to the blonde. When she reached the woman, she snatched a crutch out from under the blonde's arm, causing a moment of unbalance and panic.
"What the hell, Regina?" Emma asked, brows furrowed in confusion.
"I was thinking you can lean on one crutch and myself, instead of leaning on both." A blush crept up the olive-toned cheeks as Regina took in her actions and the brief moment of uncertain panic that followed. "Perhaps I didn't go about it in the best of ways, though."
"It's the thought that counts," the blonde laughed out, leaning down to place a kiss on the top of the older woman's head. "Now let's go get some food. I'm starving."
"I should've known," Regina giggled as the two hobbled down the hallway. "And here I was thinking you just woke up to come talk to me. You really just wanted food." The brunette shook her head, squeezing Emma's waist where her arm wrapped tightly around it.
"You're right, Reggie," Emma agreed. "I woke up for food. Hearing your sexy voice was just a really big bonus."
"You know I'd hit you if you weren't already injured, correct?"
"Well, then I would have to call Dr. Zambrano and tell her she was right all along," the blonde joked, though the look she received in return was less than a joking matter.
"At this point I am seriously considering letting you make your own food right now, Ms. Swan," Regina threatened, "or maybe I can let you fall just outside of the kitchen and let you stay there while I make myself something, and I'll come out and eat it in front of you."
"First off, babe," Emma stopped in the middle of the living room to raise a finger and point it at the brunette, "I see why they call you the evil queen at school. Secondly, you would never do those things because you love me too much and Henry would be pretty upset if you did."
"I don't see Henry anywhere in this house, dear," Regina said with a devilish smirk. "And since when do you call me babe?"
"Oh… well…" Emma stuttered over her sentence as Regina's smirk grew. Emma's little ramblings were adorable in the brunette's eyes, and she was in for a big one. "You see.. Okay, here's the thing, Reggie. I know babe doesn't seem like it would fit you, but you didn't like Reggie at first and now you don't mind it. And I can't just call you Regina all the time because that's what everyone else calls you. And I can't call you Reggie all the time, either, because it'll lose its touch, right? Right! And I guess it just kind of slipped out, but I liked it and it felt right. If you didn't like it, you can say so, but I think it works."
"Are you nearly finished, love?" At Emma's overexaggerated nod, Regina let out a giggle and helped the blonde sit at the kitchen's island. "Good, because we've made it to the kitchen, and I would hate for you to think I'm ignoring your excessive ramblings while I make you a meal."
"They're not excessive," the blonde whined. "I was just answering your question, though you have yet to answer mine at this point."
"And what question may that be?" The brunette's words came out as a mumble as she dug through the refrigerator in search of ingredients.
"Do you have a problem with me calling you 'babe'?"
The brunette took in a deep breath as she sat the ingredients out on the island in front of Emma. She thought for a second as she stared down at cheese she just pulled out. No one had called her babe before. Not even Daniel had dared such a silly name for her.
"It's…. different."
"That's not an answer to what I asked, Regina," the blonde pushed. "I just want to know I'm not making you uncomfortable with it," Emma reached across the space between them and took Regina's hand in hers, trying to solidify her words.
"It's not a bad different, I guess," Regina conceded. "It's just different. I've never been called that before. By anyone, honestly." the brunette watched as the other woman's face fell slightly before intertwining their fingers. "It's not a bad different, Emma. I wouldn't mind hearing it again, though I don't wish to hear it attached to every sentence."
The blonde beamed, "Awesome. That settles it, babe."
"Indeed it does."
Regina set about making their lunch, which to Emma's happiness was grilled cheese sandwiches. The brunette, however, was not so happy as she watched her girlfriend scarf down three sandwiches and still look at her expectantly.
"You honestly cannot tell me you need another one," Regina deadpanned.
"I guess not," the blonde huffed back, "but I was wondering if you could do something for me, oh sweet love of mine."
Regina blushed at the blonde's words, but tried to cover it with a scoff, "You can go back to calling me babe."
"Okay, babe," the blonde smirked in triumph, "I was wondering if you could grab my jacket. It's a little chilly in here today."
Regina leaned across the table and left a small peck on the corner of the blonde's lips, "Of course, babe."
Emma watched as the woman left the room, not even trying to tear her gaze from the beautiful behind of her girlfriend. Her girlfriend. It felt so good to call Regina hers. The woman was her everything. Her girlfriend, love, teacher, caretaker, and so much more. Maybe some day her wif-
"Here you are, dear. Freshly washed and dried as of this morning."
Regina's smooth voice broke the blonde out of her reverie and into reality. She accepted the coat with a thank you, but panicked as the brunette's words actually soaked in.
"You did what to it this morning?" the blonde tore the coat back off of her shoulders and started to dig through it, searching for what could have only been the letter Regina had found earlier.
The brunette smiled at the thought of Emma being so worked up over that list. The list that the blonde made specifically with her in mind. It was so cute and thoughtful, and Regina just couldn't bear to see the blonde so terrified any longer.
"Relax," the woman soothed as she walked towards the blonde. Turning the woman around to face her, the brunette leaned in and granted Emma the most passionate kiss she could. "I emptied all the pockets before I threw it in. That includes the top inside one off to the right."
The blonde stuck her hand in the pocket and pulled out the folded piece of paper. She looked up at Regina, a question blazing clearly in her eyes.
"I take it you read the list," Emma said, more of a statement than a question as her eyes searched the mocha ones before her. A little head nod was all she needed in answer before she dropped her eyes to the ground.
Regina's heart stopped. She felt the blonde's disappointment hit her like a truck. The fact that Emma wouldn't even look at her made it even worse.
"Look, Emma. I know I shouldn't have, but curiosity got the best of me, and I did," the brunette couldn't stand that Emma still wouldn't look at her, so she lightly grabbed the blonde's chin and brought it up until the woman was staring at her. "I know it was wrong and an invasion of privacy, but I'm so glad I did it. So glad, Emma. It was the most wonderful and loving and beautiful thing anyone has ever done for me," the brunette watched as Emma's face remained impassive. "I understand that understand that you're upset, but...well… thank you."
Regina relinquished her hold on the blonde's chin and watched as her head dropped again. She wasn't sure what to do, so she turned away, mumbling her apology as she went. Before she could get too far away a hand on her arm stopped her in her tracks.
"Do you mean it?" Emma mumbled from her seat, still not lifting her head.
Regina turned in her spot, a confused look on her face, "Do I mean what?"
"You liked it? I mean, you didn't find it too mushy or clingy or embarrassing?" The blonde finally lifted her head and smiled shyly at Regina.
"I didn't like it, Emma. I loved it. More than anything."
"Okay," the blonde ended the conversation with a small nod and a smile. "Now… do you think you can make me another sandwich? I'm starving."
Regina shook her head as she walked from the room. This woman...
"Hi. I got a delivery for a Miss Mills. Sign please." A man in a tan uniform shoved the little electronic device into Emma's hands.
"I actually don't know if I can," Emma said, furrowing her brows at the driver.
"Well this box says 'Regina Mills, 108 Mifflin Street.' That's this house, and that's you," the man seemed to get more agitated by the second.
"Actually, it's my girlfriend, but she didn't mention anything about any packages being delivered."
"Look, lady," the worker sighed. "I've got a wife in the hospital having a baby. This is my last stop of the day. I honestly don't care if you wanna take the box or not, but will you please just sign so I can get a move on?" the man practically begged.
"Yeah! Yeah, of course!" the blonde grabbed the pad and signed on the electronic line. "You're going to have to bring the box inside a bit, though. I can't really do much with these stupid things," the blonde waved her crutches around.
"I can do that," the man leaned down and grabbed the box. "Where do ya want it, ma'am."
"Right inside is fine," Emma led the man around the corner where he carefully set the box down and turned back to the door. "Good luck with the wife and kid!" she hollered after the man as he walked away, shouting back his thanks.
The blonde turned back into the house and closed the door behind her. She walked to the kitchen in search of Regina, and possibly something to open the box with. Spying the brunette already starting to make supper, she walked behind the woman and wrapped her arms around her.
"Special delivery for a Miss Mills," the blonde purred in her ear.
"You must think very highly of yourself, my dear," the brunette quipped back, a smirk held firmly on her facade.
Emma loosened her hold on the woman, leaning back in feigned horror, "Are you saying I'm not special? Well, then. I am hurt." One hand came to rest over the blonde's heart as the other one laid held firmly to her crutches.
"I'd say so if you're hobbling around on crutches, dear," Regina laughed softly and returned to her task. "Mother is going to drop Henry by in a few minutes. Do you think you can entertain him while I finish dinner?"
"I'd love to, but in the meantime, there was this lovely man at the door a few minutes ago. His said his wife was in the hospital about to have a baby-" the blonde started to explain before Regina broke in.
"And did you tell him we have no gynecologists in this house, or have you suddenly had a change in profession?"
"No, I haven't had a change in profession, Professor Sass. I did tell him, though, that I'd sign for his mysterious box he was delivering, so he could be on his merry way. Is that alright?"
"Of course it is, mi amor. I'm just not positive what I had being delivered." Regina racked her brain for answers, coming up with none.
"So I can go open it?" Emma asked with a mischievous grin, nabbing a small knife from the kitchen drawer.
Regina, still lost in thought, agreed absentmindedly. The only thing she had ordered recently was her surprise for Emma, but those weren't supposed to come for 4-7 days. She did the math quickly in her head. Without work, she was quickly losing track of what day it was. She ordered it on Sunday, and today was…. Friday!
"EMMA! DON'T OPEN THAT BOX!" she yelled, dropping her whisk into the stew she was concocting. She ran through the doorway and into the hall, happy to find Emma sitting next to a half-opened box with a shocked expression on her face.
"Is it a bomb?" She asked, her face going pale. "Did someone send you a bomb, and if I finish cutting this tape is it going to go off?"
"It's not a bomb, dear," Regina replied, happy that she had stopped Emma before the blonde discovered the box's contents. "It's a surprise. Though, hopefully, the effects will be explosive."
"You see," the blonde said, standing up from her position and grabbing her devil sticks, "that sentence combined with that smirk does nothing to put me at ease about the whole 'bomb' thing."
Regina's laugh was loud and full. "Oh, mi amor. No tienes idea." She grabbed the box and headed up the stairs to her favorite hiding spot.
The blonde called out behind her, "the Spanish that I can't understand is also NOT assuaging any worries, Reggie!"