Poison & Wine

Chapter 23

Emma wiped the smudged lipstick off of her lips and looked at her mom. "Actually we're both already late for work-"

"So you have enough time to fornicate in my house, but suddenly pressed for time when I want to talk?" Snow challenged, crossing her arms.

The mayor let out an ill-advised chuckle. She found it hilarious that her former stepdaughter was lecturing her on fornicating with her girlfriend. What kind of parallel universe was she in? "I'm sorry." She cleared her throat when she saw the confused expressions on the blonde and her mother. "But you have to admit that this whole situation is rather humorous."

"How?" The sheriff questioned, adjusting on the bed so both her and the former queen were sitting next to each other.

Regina turned to the schoolteacher. "Snow, the relationship you and I have has always been complicated at best, but you lecturing me about my sex life? That's something I never saw coming." She laughed.

Mary Margaret agreed. "And your sex life involving my daughter is something I never saw coming." She glared.

"And both of you discussing my sex life with each other isn't something I want so can we go?" Emma asked, cringing at the thought of her mother knowing anything about her sex life.

The pixie haired woman shook her head. "No. I'm not here to discuss what the two of your do… in the bedroom." She cleared her throat in discomfort. "I want to talk about the fact that you're true loves."

Emma rubbed her face, groaning lightly. "Can we not?" The savior asked. The whole true love thing was still kind of an unspoken subject between her and Regina. Since neither of them had said 'I love you' it felt strange to bring up the fact that they were fated for each other.

"Yeah, I don't see how our true love has anything to do with you." The mayor agreed with her girlfriend.

Snow looked between the couple. "My former enemy and my daughter are destined to be together!" She stressed. "You think that doesn't involve me?"

Green eyes rolled. "Explain to me how you're involved."

"You're my daughter, Emma! And Regina was my stepmother!" The teacher cringed.

"Please. Let's not be dramatic. Regina was forced to marry your father when she was seventeen! I'd hardly call her your mother." The sheriff argued.

Regina sensed her girlfriend was getting irritated so she tangled their fingers together. "Calm down, dear." The former queen instructed. "Snow, as much as I enjoy your disbelief of our relationship, I'm sure you wanted to talk for a reason? I suggest you explain it quickly before I leave."

Mary Margaret nodded. "You're right, Regina. I don't mean to personally attack you whatsoever. Please don't mistake me. I'm just… conflicted about the situation. Imagine if Henry was fated to be with somebody who tried to kill you on multiple occasions? Imagine that same person casted a curse that kept you from raising him."

"Mom-" Emma was fired up and ready to explode but her girlfriend interrupted.

"Honey, stop." She told the savior. "You've defended me enough for one day. Snow, first off, the fact that I'm Emma's true love and likewise doesn't have any bearings on our relationship and I'd appreciate it if you stopped mentioning it. Secondly, if you're here to try and make me 'realize' that I should regret casting the curse, you're wasting your time. I cannot and will not regret it."

"I'm here to make amends with you both, but what you just said? About not being able regret your actions? That's what I don't get." Mary Margaret said. "You're dating my daughter, you claim to care about her-"

"I do care about her!" The mayor exclaimed, taking offense. "I care about her deeply."

Snow White went on. "Your curse caused her so much pain and you don't even regret it. How can you say you care about her so fiercely and yet feel nothing about ruining her upbringing?"

It was killing Emma to stay quiet. She wanted nothing more than to yell at her mother but she knew her true love would have her head if she spoke up. "Don't twist my words, Snow. I said I don't regret the curse, but the pain she went through? The childhood she had to live? It kills me that she had to suffer that way. But I can't regret my actions because they brought me Henry and frankly, they brought me Emma as well."

"I just don't understand how you can't regret everything you've done on any level whatsoever." The teacher furrowed her eyebrows. "You took her away from her parents, away from this wonderful life she could have had-

Regina shook her head, cutting the woman off. "You're not getting it. Do you honestly think there was any scenario where you, Charming and Emma would have lived happily ever after in the Enchanted forest? No. Our feud started long before I cast the curse, Snow. And imagine where your life would be if I didn't want you dead all those years ago? Charming would be married to Abigail. You'd probably have married Prince Eric or some other chump who was actually born into royalty instead of your adopted shepherd. Emma wouldn't exist." The humor and irony was priceless. Emma was slightly disgusted that her conception would likely not have happened, had it not been for girlfriend. "You'd be some spoiled princess instead of the strong woman you've become. David would be in a loveless marriage. And knowing everything you know today, would you want that life over the life you have now?" She asked. When the teacher didn't respond, Regina went on. "Exactly. You're not only asking me to regret the curse, you're asking me to regret everything that brought me to my true love."

Mary Margaret sat there, letting the information sink in. She supposed that the former Evil Queen made a point. Snow was rather spoiled as a child and if it weren't for her father's death and the bounty on her head, she wouldn't be who she was today. She wouldn't have met David. Her daughter would cease to exist. Henry too. They wouldn't all be in this world where people weren't defined by their social status and free to marry whomever they chose.

How different would her life be if she didn't spill Regina's secret as a young child? What if she had never met the brunette? She would probably be stuck in a loveless marriage, like most royalty was subjected to. She wouldn't know of such things like true love. After all Regina was the first one to tell her of true love and she hated herself back then for ruining it for her former stepmother.

Now, there they were. Snow sitting across from her beautiful daughter and the mayor, eyes focused on their tangled fingers. When she had seen the couple engaging in the physical act of love, she had only thought of Regina as the Evil Queen instead of the person she knew they woman to be. But the way Regina was with Emma… it was bewildering. There was a certain sparkle in her eye that Snow recognized was from when her former stepmother talked about Daniel all those years ago.

Everything about her relationship with Regina had always been complicated and throwing dating her daughter into the mix just made everything even stickier. But that was just it; Regina wasn't just dating Emma. They were true loves. They shared the same bond that her and Charming shared with each other. That was what she was struggling with. She knew how powerful and overwhelming the feeling of true love was. She couldn't imagine being with anyone but David. Sure, they hated each other at first. They drove each other crazy, actually, but-

That's when it hit her. She didn't understand how it had taken her so long to realize it. She remembered as well as anyone how much Emma and the mayor didn't mix when the blonde first arrived to town. The pair were constantly in a power play back then. After a while though, after the curse was broken and truths came out, they worked together flawlessly. It was just like her and Charming. And she realized that if their relationship was just like her and David's then her disapproval wouldn't do anything but tear her farther away from her daughter.

"I won't ask you to regret the past." The teacher told Regina.

The mayor offered a polite smile. "Thank you."

She cleared her throat. "I would like to revisit our truce." The woman said. "I wasn't myself the last time we spoke. I was processing."

"And now that you've had time to process?" Emma asked her mother, stroking the back of her girlfriend's hand to reassure her that she wasn't going anywhere. "Because I love you mom. I want you to be apart of my life. I want to be able to come to you for advice of what to do when I do something stupid to piss off Regina." She joked to lighten the mood. "But I can't do that if you're not on board."

Regina cleared her throat and looked at the younger woman. "Let's not give ultimatums, dear. She's your mother. Regardless of how she feels about us being together, she's going to be apart of your life."

Green eyes rolled. "No, of course. I'm just saying that I would like her to be supportive."

"Well of course you would. What kind of person would want their parent to disapprove of who they're dating?" Brown eyes did their own roll.

Emma laughed. "A teenager seeking attention?" She shrugged.

"That's the most ridiculous thing-"

Mary Margaret cleared her throat to get the women's attention. When she received it she spoke, "I can't say I'm ready to start planning the wedding or anything-"

Regina scoffed. "You and me both." The sheriff furrowed her eyebrows curiously at the former queen.

"But I want to accept your relationship. I will accept it." The pixie haired woman corrected herself. "It will just be a process."

"I'll accept that. Just- No more jabs at Regina's past." Emma bargained, moving her hand to stroke her lover's back. "I mean it, mom. Just let the past be what it is."

Snow couldn't bite her tongue. She had to say something. "I will. I'm just… concerned." She confessed. "You and Regina both have rough pasts. You both have trust issues. Emma, I know you have commitment issues. You can both be so closed off and put up these walls-"

"You don't think that we've thought about all of this?" Emma questioned her mother. "Trust me, we're both painfully aware of how ignorant we are in relationships."

Regina nodded her agreement. "It's true. For example, it seems Miss Swan finds it appropriate to keep mementos from ex-girlfriends." She gave the blonde a haughty look.

The sheriff rolled her eyes. "And Your Majesty over here has issues with jealousy."

After a mild and offended gasp the mayor said, "I am not jealous that you kept things from your common whores. I just think that they must have meant more to you then you led on if you're keeping gifts they gave you."

"My God. You don't realize that's jealousy. Do you?" The savior chuckled before turning towards her mother is. "Look, I know this relationship isn't going to be easy all the time, but… I'm not just fighting for a relationship. I'm fighting for my family." She admitted to the teacher and glanced at her girlfriend with a small grin.

The former queen smiled back at the blonde. "I think the same way."

Mary Margaret felt uncomfortable to see the pair talking of such intimate matters, but she had to admit it warmed her heart a tad. "That's an admirable way of seeing things." She told them. "I promise I'll be supportive." She vowed. "In fact, why don't all of us and David go out to dinner sometime?"

"Baby steps, Mom." Emma chuckled with a shake of her head. "Baby steps."

A week had passed since Emma and Regina talked to Snow White. Things were improving between the women and the town was barely staring at mayor and sheriff anymore.

Overall things were good so when Emma walked into the mayor's office, stack of late paperwork in hand, she wasn't shocked to find the older woman beam at her the second their eyes locked.

"Morning crazy girl." The savior smirked. She had just placed the stack of papers on the marble desk when her giddy true love walked around her desk and kissed her deeply. The blonde wasn't stupid enough to try and stop it so she just gripped thin hips and tangled their tongues together. When they pulled out of the kiss they were both breathless and grinning ear to ear. "I'm not complaining at all or anything but what was that?" She was use to tender kisses in the brunette's office, but nothing so forceful.

Regina was cheerful. "I started my period this morning."

A blonde eyebrow rose in confusion at the information. "Uh… yay?" She wasn't sure how to react.

As if realizing her error, the mayor shook her head. Her smile was still in place. "I haven't had a period since before I… took away my ability to have children." She explained.

Green eyes widened in wonder as a grin overtook her. "Yeah?" Her tone was hopefully. "Baby, that's amazing!" She wrapped her arms around the older woman and squeezed her tight. Regina hugged her back with enthusiasm before pulling away. "So does that mean you can…"

The mayor shrugged, but her smile remained. "I don't know. It means something though. I'll make an appointment with Whale to check everything out, but if it means what I think it means then we seriously have to get your magic in check."

Emma's lip curled up in displeasure. "My magic is fine." She disagreed.

"You set my headboard on fire three days ago." Regina scoffed.

"I'm paying for it!" The sheriff exclaimed.

Regina rolled her eyes playfully. "Yes, I'm aware. But my point is that your magic is much stronger than we first thought. You might accidently knock me up with all that uncontrolled magic flowing through you."

The savior laughed. "What would the town folks say? We already have one illegitimate child." She joked. "Speaking of the little bastard, are the team uniforms in yet?"

"Not yet. They should be in before the game next weekend." The brunette said. "Oh! That reminds me though; do you remember when you asked for the updated equipment in the Sheriff's Station?" Emma nodded. "Well, the town budget is in and I think we'll be able to make it happen."

The blonde wiggled her eyebrows. "I get all the special treatment because I'm sleeping with the mayor. Right?"

"Whatever gets you to clean out the gutters at the mansion this weekend." Regina smiled sweetly and pecked soft lips.

Emma groaned. "Oh yeah. I agreed to that. Didn't I?"

The mayor nodded. "Afraid so, dear."

"Next time you want me to do something, wear clothes. Because being naked is just not fair." The sheriff complained. She went in for another kiss and the second they came in contact her phone started ringing. She grumbled and dug in her back pocket. "Sheriff Swan?" She answered. Regina started peppering teasing kisses along her neck.

"Swan, you need to get to the station. Like now."

Smooth lips against her lips made it difficult to concentrate. "Is it urgent?"

"There's a box of puppies here."

While that was strange, it wasn't necessarily urgent. Emma tilted her head back to giver her girlfriend more room. When she felt a slick tongue along the column of her throat she bit her lip to keep from moaning. "Keep an eye on them until I get there, Hook and I'll take them to the animal shelter." It was right in town and while they didn't have any puppies, they had a slim selection of grown dogs. Puppies would do them some good.

"No, Swan. You don't get it. Ruby found them in the woods last night- it being a full moon and all. They're half wolf, love."

Killian suddenly had a little bit more of her attention. "What?" She asked and the mayor must have noticed the change in tone because she stopped her teasing and looked into worried green eyes. "How do you know? Are they Ruby's?" How weird would that be?

The pirate laughed over the line. "Don't be ridiculous. I said they're part wolf, not part werewolf. It seems Red can tell by their scent what kind of breed they are. Why am I explaining this to you over the phone? Just stop banging the mayor and get over here."

Emma rolled her eyes. "I'll be there in five." She said before hanging up.

Brown concerned eyes looked at the sheriff. "What's happened?"

"Something about part wolf puppies." She told the brunette.

"What?" Regina asked.

The savior shrugged. "Lord knows. I'll text you all the information when you have it." She kissed her softly.

"See you after work, Sheriff." The mayor winked happily.

When Emma got to the station she saw Hook loving on one of the grey puppies inside the grungy cardboard box that sat on his desk.

"How old are they?" She asked him, looking inside the box. The two pups still inside the containment were light grey and a darker grey. Their eyes were barely opened and they were so tiny. "Oh my God. They're so little." She put her baby voice on and grabbed the one who kept trying to walk forward even though the box was clearly in his way.

Killian was enjoying his puppy when spoke, "No idea."

Emma petted the thick coat of fur and kissed its head. "They're adorable. Why didn't Ruby take them to the vet? Why bring them here?"

"Dr. Walt puts down wolf or dog mutts." The pirate explained. "But I don't know how you could put this adorable face down.

The savior chuckled at her best friend and rolled her eyes. "I see you've finally found the one for you." She looked at the one she was holding and traded that one for the dark colored one. "Where's Ruby at?"

Hook rubbed the baby's belly. "She went to see if she missed any last night. I told her to come back once she was done looking."

"I literally don't know how to handle this." She chuckled to herself as the puppy/wolf licked her chin.

"We could take them to the shelter." The brunette suggested.

Emma gave him a look. "You mean the same shelter where Dr. Walt volunteers? Why does he put them down?"

"Apparently they can be aggressive." The pirate explained.

The savior pouted softly at the tiny little innocent animals. Then she thought back to Mr. Zimmer. He was looking for a puppy for his kids. Of course he couldn't take all five, but he would be able to take one or two off of her hands. "We need to figure out how little they are." She commented. "If they can eat solid food then maybe we could hang posters and give them away."

Hook didn't seem impressed. "You want to give them to people who visit Dr. Walt for their vet needs?"

"He doesn't kill people's pets. He just kills the puppies. A lot of vet places have policies about that stuff. I dated this girl who worked as a vet assistant and she had like four cats because if she didn't take them then they'd be put down. Something about weight. If they weighed less than a certain amount, they killed them."

Killian was appalled. "That's about the most cruel thing I've ever heard."

A blonde eyebrow rose. "Really? The guy who was hired by the Evil Queen to kill her own mother and later worked for said mother has never heard anything more cruel then someone humanly putting an animal down?"

The pirate raised the puppy in front of his face. "Look how innocent?" He whines. "How could you hurt that poor face?"

Emma was laughing when they heard the station door open. The paired looked and waited until Ruby came into view, tears in her eyes. Both the sheriff and the pirate put their respective puppies in the box and walked towards her. "Are you okay?" The blonde asked.

"What happened love?" Hook questioned.

The waitress wiped at her eyes. "I think- I think I killed their mom."

Emma hugged the poor werewolf. She had kindly apologized to both the sheriff and Regina for butting into their relationship. While the mayor was still not her biggest fan, the blonde had always enjoyed her company. "It's okay."

Killian lightly rubbed her arm. "Why do you think you killed her?"

Red pulled away from the savior and spoke through her tears, "I was looking through the woods for more of them and I saw this wolf. She was slaughtered." She cried.

"Hey, it's okay." Emma assured her. "If you did to do it, it was an accident."

The waitress huffed. "Tell that to them. They have nowhere to go and now they're orphans."

The blonde shook her head. "No they aren't." She said quickly. "They're going to stay with me until I can find homes for them. I'll take good care of them." She vowed.

Ruby started to calm down a little, but she was weary. "Really?"

Emma nodded. "Of course. I couldn't leave those adorable little things to fend for themselves."

"Hell no!" Regina exclaimed as Emma carried the box of puppies into the mansion.

The sheriff gave her a nervous grin as she carried the brown cardboard into the family room where Henry was playing video games.

Since the couple talked to Snow last week, Emma had been staying at the loft again and tonight was no different but she spent most afternoons with her girlfriend and son at the mayor's house. "They leave with me. Don't worry." She assured her.

Regina followed her lover into the living room and huffed out her displeasure. "I don't want them here at all. They're wild animals."

A blonde eyebrow rose. "I thought you loved dogs?"

"Dog, yes. Weird wolves disguised as dogs? Not so much."

Henry paused his game with a gasp and looked in the box. There lied three puppies. Two were a lighter grey and one was a darker grey. "No way! Are these yours?"

"They better not be." Regina said firmly, crossing her arms.

Emma rolled her eyes and picked up the dark grey one. "I'm puppy sitting until I can find good homes for them. Thankfully they can eat solid food." She strutted towards her disapproving true love and held the pup out to her. "Take him."

The mayor shook her head. "No way. That's how you get attached."

"I'm not keeping them, Regina." She reiterated. "Just hold him for a minute. Amuse me."

Regina reluctantly grabbed the dark grey puppy from the savior and looked into the bluish green eyes of the wolf. "He's… cute."

The sheriff smiled and glanced back at her son who was loving on both of the light grey puppies. "How do you like them, kid?"

"I want them!" He laughed as the two puppies licked his face.

"Have you told your mother about them yet?" The older woman asked.

Emma shook her head. "I figure it'll be a nice surprise when I get back to the loft. I don't think it'll be a big deal though. I'm only going to keep them until I find homes for them."

Regina smiled when the dark puppy licked her nose. "And what if you can't? Find homes for them?"

The younger woman shrugged. "I'll cross that bridge when I come to it. But Mr. Zimmer is in the market for a puppy. I'll talk to him about these little guys and girl."

"Have you named them?" Henry asked, letting the two lighter ones crawl on him.

The mayor raised an eyebrow when her girlfriend looked sheepish. "What'd you name them, Miss Swan?"

Emma cleared her throat and pointed to the dark one the brunette was holding. "That's Chief. Henry has Boss and Penny. Killian named the girl." She chuckled. "Wuss."

"Boss is my favorite." Henry beamed.

"There will be no favorites." Regina stated firmly. "Put the puppies away and go wash up for dinner." She kissed Chief's fur before handing him back to the younger woman. "Put him away and go wash up."

Emma smirked at the brunette. "I saw that glint in your eye, Madam Mayor. You like him." She waved the puppy around before plopping him with his siblings. "You're in love." The woman teased before escaping into the powder room to clean her hands.

Regina sighed after the door shut to the bathroom. "Yes I am." She confessed softly. "With you."

So, Snow is trying to be cool with them. It's a start right? Can you guess how the whole puppy situation is going to work out? Lol. A love confession is coming up. It might be in the next chapter, maybe not. However, a double date is for sure happening next chapter & I'll give you a spoiler. It's with Hook and Tinkerbelle. :P I doubt you'll see Neal next chapter, but he will be dealt with. You'll also get to see Mr. Gold soon. He hasn't been in this story because he hasn't been needed but you'll see him in a couple chapters or so. New post will be Tuesday. Review please! Until next time!