A/N: I couldn't find the date of Regina Mills' birthday anywhere so I've used Lana's for the sake of this chapter (15th July). Also, Regina's release from prison will be in the next chapter. I felt it warranted more space. This chapter is 99% fluff. I figured you guys might want something light hearted for the weekend!
P.S. Don't forget you can tweet me your thoughts, feedback or just generally say hi at SwanQueenUKFF - I love getting to know all you lovely readers!
July
"I told you, I don't want a fuss."
"But you're turning 25. We have to have a party. You're an entire quarter of a century old," Emma protested, plopping herself down on the edge of Regina's bed. It was a week before the brunette's birthday and the younger woman had asked what Regina wanted to do. Apparently nothing.
"Urgh, don't remind me!" Regina implored. "25 years of my life and I've spent three of them in prison. I have nothing to show for my time on earth so far. No job, no qualifications beyond high school. What exactly do I have to celebrate?"
"Just because you don't have a degree, doesn't mean you're not successful or you won't be successful," Emma said gently. "I never even graduated high school so what hope is there for me if you've given up."
"The only thing I've ever been good at is dealing drugs," Regina replied, lying down on her bed and looking at her pregnant girlfriend perched next to her. "I'm not going down that road again."
"No, you're going down the road of training racehorses. You don't need a degree in that, you need experience and skill. Both of which you have in abundance … apparently."
"Oh I have both," Regina assured. "I have the skills. But who will trust me? Who will allow me to train their horses or buy ones I've bred? My family is high profile enough that my arrest made the news. No one is going to want their prized steed associated with an ex-con."
"If you're as good as you say you are, will it really matter?" Emma asked.
"The name is tarnished. To be honest, I'm not quite sure why my mother wanted me back at the family stables. The only reason that's still running is because she hired new trainers without the Mills surname."
"Then don't use your surname," Emma shrugged.
"Oh really? And what name do you propose I use?" Regina asked with a sigh.
"Swan."
There was a long pause. "Are you asking me to marry you, Emma," Regina asked in a whisper, despite the bunk being deserted.
"No," Emma replied. "I'm just suggesting you use my name for the purpose of the business. I mean, we're family now, right? Marriage, that will come later. If you want," she added quickly.
"I … Can I think about it?" Regina asked.
"Of course," Emma replied, smiling softly. "In the meantime, what sort of party do you want and who do you want to be there?"
"I don't want anything, really. I just want to spend it with you," Regina said. "I'm not exactly a birthday person."
"Who doesn't like birthdays?" Emma asked.
"Me."
"Can I ask why?" Emma pressed, sensing there was something Regina wasn't telling her.
Regina sighed and sat up, swinging her legs around so she was sitting beside Emma. "My father," she began. "He died three days before my eighteenth birthday. I've not celebrated one since."
"I'm so sorry, Regina," Emma said, snaking her hand into Regina's. "I didn't mean to push you. I didn't know. We don't have to do anything."
"It's sweet that you want to," Regina said, wiping a few tears away before turning to look at Emma. "I'd just rather ignore it in the hope that the memories of my father stay away too."
"Doesn't Booth say it's better to talk about traumatic experiences than to pretend they never happened?" Emma asked.
"How about we take it one trauma at a time?"
"Then why don't you tell me about a good memory of your father," Emma suggested. "I want to know about your childhood Regina, and not just the shitty things your mother did to you."
Regina nodded slowly. "We used to hack together. Go out for rides in the countryside," she explained when Emma frowned. "Every weekend Daddy and I would put aside a couple of hours and saddle up the horses. It would just be the two of us, exploring the woods surrounding the stables. The horses we rode were all ex-racers and they would always compete with each other when we cantered or galloped. It's not like we couldn't stop them if we wanted, but there's something exhilarating about feeling this powerful animal explode underneath you. As soon as we'd nudge their sides, every fibre of their bodies would tense and suddenly you'd be flying along, wind in your hair and the thundering of hooves filling your ears. Daddy always let me win. Just as we reached the brow of the hill or a gate, he'd pull back. It took me years to work out he did that."
Regina paused, a wistful expression on her face as she remembered those days riding through the woods. "Sometimes we'd take a picnic too. There was a small brook at the bottom of the hill and we'd tie the horses to a tree and eat our lunch beside the water. I felt so safe when I was with him. I told him everything. Whenever I had a problem at school or with my mother, I'd go to Daddy and he'd make everything ok again. He was the first person I came out to and he accepted it immediately. He loved Danielle too and supported our relationship from the moment I confided in him. The day he died, I felt like I was completely alone in the world for the first time."
"He sounds like a wonderful father," Emma murmured. "He clearly loved you and treasured you more than anything in the world. I can't imagine what his death did to you. But you're not alone, Regina. Not any more."
"I know," Regina smiled weakly. "Thank you."
Emma tapped her fingers impatiently against the telephone booth as she waited for the automated message to end.
"Hey Swan," Lily said. "Wasn't expecting to hear from you."
"Hi Lils," Emma replied. "How are you doing?"
"Can't complain, you?"
"I could complain about many things but mostly I'm good thanks," she said, running a hand over her belly as she spoke.
"Glad to hear that. What do you need?" Lily asked, knowing there was a reason behind her former friend's phone call.
"Another favour," Emma said. "Sorry," she added.
"No problem, what is it?" Lily asked.
"I need you to buy something and send it to the prison."
"Is this something that could get me in trouble?" Lily asked.
"Not at all," Emma assured. "It's a present, for my girlfriend."
There was a pause. "Sure," Lily replied. "What do you want me to buy?"
"Come with me," Regina said as she walked up to Emma on Saturday morning.
"Why?" Emma asked, getting to her feet anyway, leaving her half eaten breakfast and following her girlfriend from the dining hall.
"We have a visitor today."
"We?" Emma frowned. "Who?"
"A real estate agent," Regina said as the couple made their way towards the visitation area. "I was thinking about what you said during our conversation on Wednesday, I made some calls. I realised I do want to set up some stables and I thought I'd get a head start on looking for properties now. I want your opinion too."
"What good is my opinion going to be when looking at stables? I've never even been to a yard."
"Well I thought since you and the baby will be living there too, you'd want some input in where Swan's Stables is located and the living arrangements."
"Swan's Stables?" Emma asked, stopping dead in her tracks.
Regina turned and smiled at her stunned girlfriend. "I was also considering what you said about using your name."
Emma stood stock still before launching herself at Regina and kissing her hard.
"I love you," she said as they broke apart.
"I love you too, Emma," Regina smiled. "Now shall we go and see what this agent has to show us?"
Emma nodded and the two walked down the corridor.
It was easy to spot the real estate agent. His suit was too expensive and his eyes darted around too nervously to be a regular in the prison's visitation area.
"Good morning Mr Hopper. I'm Regina Mills," she smiled, holding out her hand for the man to shake. He did so tentatively, scanning Regina and Emma trying to gauge his new clients. "This is Emma Swan," she added, gesturing to Emma as the two women sat down opposite Hopper.
"Nice to meet you both," Hopper said, his voice a little shaky. "So you're interested in purchasing some stables?"
"Yes," Regina confirmed. "The site will need an onsite residence too and at least 30 acres of land, as I told you earlier in the week."
Hopper nodded and reached down into a briefcase. "I have some properties to show you here. All of them meet the specifications you requested over the phone. Their prices range from $200,000 to $1,000,000," he explained as he spread the papers over the table.
"Jesus!" Emma exclaimed. Regina placed a hand on the blonde's knee.
"Money's not a problem," Regina said quickly. "Are all of these properties available for a quick sale?"
"Yes," Hopper confirmed. "No chains on any of them."
"Great," Regina said as she flicked through the papers.
Emma scanned the print too but it meant very little to her.
"Regina, what am I meant to be looking for?" she asked.
"Just take a look at the houses. Leave all the details about the stables to me. If you see a house you really like, I can always rebuild the stable area to my standards anyway."
"We're really doing this?" Emma whispered, looking directly into brown, loving eyes.
"We're really doing this," Regina confirmed, squeezing Emma's knee where her hand still rested, before turning back to the papers in front of her.
Regina mumbled something indistinct and curled up tighter under her blankets. Emma smiled and placed another light kiss against Regina's neck. The brunette stirred again, her face scrunching up in confusion, her sleepy brain trying to register the sensation.
"Wake up birthday girl," Emma whispered hotly before teasing Regina's ear lobe with her tongue.
A small groan escaped as teeth nibbled on the flesh.
"Emma?" Regina asked, sleepy and disoriented as she gradually opened her eyes.
"Morning babe," Emma said softly, placing a kiss to Regina's lips this time as brown orbs opened further.
"What time is it?" Regina asked, glancing at Arendelle II who was still fast asleep.
"Just after six," Emma replied.
"You woke me up at six am on a Wednesday?" Regina grumbled, shuffling backwards in her bed and gesturing for the blonde to slip under her covers too. "Why?"
"Because," Emma said as she eagerly lay down and cuddled up to the sleepy woman beside her, "I don't want to waste a single second of your birthday."
"My birthday?" Regina repeated, slowly. "Shit, I forgot."
"You really don't celebrate your birthday do you," Emma remarked.
"No, I told you," Regina said, frowning slightly.
"I wanted to make this year special. I hoped, hope, I can make it a good memory instead of a bad one," Emma explained, tightening her arms around Regina and pulling the brunette against her.
"You're sweet Emma," Regina sighed, leaning forwards to kiss her girlfriend. "But can we start the celebrations with another hour or so of sleep?"
"Sure, I'm sorry for waking you," Emma said dejectedly, loosening her hold and starting to sit up.
"Erm, I didn't say you have to leave," Regina replied, reaching up to pull Emma back down.
"You sure?" the blonde asked, glancing at the still sleeping bunkmate.
"What's she going to do?" Regina said. "I get out of here in less than two weeks."
"Don't remind me," Emma said, nestling into Regina's side, her pregnant belly preventing her from getting as close as she would like.
"Sorry," Regina murmured, resting her cheek against the top of Emma's head as she closed her eyes once more.
"Where's Emma?" Regina asked as she walked into the blonde's bunk after dinner later that day.
"She'll be here in a minute," replied Red who was sitting on her bed alongside Snow and French. Boyd was sitting on Emma's bed and after a moment's hesitation, Regina sat beside her.
"What's she got planned?" she asked, as she waited for her girlfriend.
"We're sworn to secrecy," Boyd said firmly.
"Happy birthday by the way Regina," Snow said.
"Thanks," the brunette replied. "Did Emma say how long-"
"Happy birthday to you." Regina's head whipped towards the archway as the sound of singing reached her ears. In entrance to the bunk stood Emma, smiling widely and carrying a huge cake, topped with lit candles. Regina's jaw dropped.
"Happy birthday to you." The other women had joined in too. "Happy birthday dear Regina. Happy birthday to you."
As she was singing, Emma moved to stand in front of the awestruck brunette, the candlelight flickering across her face. The blonde thought Regina had never looked more beautiful.
"Happy birthday," she said. "Make a wish."
Regina eyed the proffered cake thoughtfully and after a moment's hesitation she closed her eyes and blew out the candles.
The women in the bunk clapped and cheered as Emma placed the cake on her cabinet and returned to kiss Regina soundly on the mouth. The brunette's hands snaked around Emma's neck, pulling her closer as she deepened the kiss.
"Alright, get a room!" Red teased after a few moments.
Emma pulled back, turning to glare at her bunkmate before settling beside Regina.
"Happy birthday," said Boyd with French and Red mimicking the expression moments later.
"Cake?" Emma asked, pulling a plastic knife, several forks and some plates from inside her cabinet.
Regina grinned broadly as she stood to cut everyone a slice.
"This is amazing!" the brunette moaned as she tasted the cake.
"Thanks," Emma replied.
"Did you make it?" Regina asked, surprised.
"Yeah," the blonde nodded.
"So that's why I was left alone all afternoon?" Boyd grumbled. "You were making a cake for your girlfriend?"
"A cake you're now enjoying," Emma pointed out and Boyd nodded in acceptance of this fact.
"Thank you, Emma," Regina said, leaning to place a soft kiss on Emma's lips. "This is the best birthday I've had in years.
"Do I smell smoke inmates?" came a voice from the door. All six women looked up suddenly to see Officer Nolan stood in the doorway, hands on his hips and a frown on his face.
"I can explain-," Emma began but Snow stood up and walked quickly to the officer.
"It was my idea," Snow said. "I got the candles. I'm sorry Officer Nolan."
A curious expression passed over the man's face before he stepped back. "Please come with me Blanchard."
Snow nodded and slipped out into the corridor.
"What did she do that for?" Regina asked.
Red smirked into her cake as she took another mouthful. "She'll be ok."
Emma raised an eyebrow. "Is there sometime I don't know?" she asked.
Red paused before replying. "Let's just say Snow has a way of making problems with Nolan disappear." French snorted at the reply and both Emma and Regina looked at each other in confusion but decided not to press further.
"That was delicious Emma, thank you," Regina said as she put her plate down and dabbed her lips with a napkin.
"You ready for your present?" the blonde asked.
Regina nodded, an expression that could only be described as lovestruck on her face.
Emma smiled and glanced at French who dug around in her pocket before pulling out the key to the library.
"Thanks," Emma grinned, standing and taking the key before turning and holding out her hand for Regina.
Once they were in the library with the door firmly locked behind them, Emma found herself pressed against the wall, Regina's lips hungry against her own.
"Hold up," she breathed, pushing Regina away slightly. "We'll get to that but first, I wanted to give you your main present."
Regina nodded and allowed herself to be led to the comfy chairs, chairs the couple had frequently used for sex over the past six weeks. Emma sat down in one, Regina the other, and the blonde slipped her hand into her pocket, pulling out a small jewellery box.
"What's this?" the brunette asked as Emma placed the box on the table and slid it over to Regina.
"Open it and find out," Emma said.
Taking a deep breath, Regina prised the box open and looked inside. She gasped as she saw the pendent lying against the plush red velvet. A simple silver swan embedded in a circular disc.
Emma held her breath as she waited for her girlfriend to meet her gaze. When Regina looked up, her eyes glistened with unshed tears.
"It's beautiful, Emma. Thank you," Regina said as she ran her fingertips over the metal.
"You like it?" Emma asked.
"I love it. I love you," Regina added as she lifted the necklace from the box.
"Let me," Emma said as she stood and moved behind the brunette to fasten the clasp. Circling back around, she smiled as she saw the swan resting against her girlfriend's chest. "Now you won't forget about me when you leave."
Regina tutted and stood up too, snaking her arms around Emma's waist. "I could never forget you, Emma," Regina murmured, her breath tickling Emma's lips.
"Good," the blonde replied. "And I hope you'll never forget what's about to happen."
Regina raised her eyebrow as Emma backed her into the chair once more before straddling her lap and melding their lips together.