a/n: I didn't want to leave you in suspense for too long. So here's the next chapter. I hope you'll think it's worth the cliff-hanger of the last one.
I really do hope that you like it and look forward to your feedback.
Thanks again for reading and your support. It's unbelievable!
"Happy New Year!"
The bar filled with exuberant shouts and cheers as everyone celebrated the beginning of 2013. The television displayed the New Year's fireworks from Times Square, and champagne corks flew in all directions. But Emma blocked it all out. All she could focus on was the woman sat opposite her whose eyes were shrouded with uncertainty and confusion. The blonde waited for a response. Any response would do. Well, if she was honest with herself, she knew that was a lie. But she would take it over the baffled look she was receiving.
Emma let out a sigh at the lack of reply and regarded the other woman a moment longer before speaking. "It's fine. Don't worry, I get it," she replied dejectedly, shoulders hunched and mouth turned down at the corners. "Forget I mentioned anything." The blonde shook her head at her own stupidity. She had never been the type of person who wore their heart on their sleeve. This was why - rejection hurt. But at least, she'd tried. Surely that was better than never knowing how the other woman felt. She could tell herself that anyway. Emma hung her head and took in a shaky breath.
She sensed Regina shift closer to her side, but Emma didn't budge. The gentle touch of her fingers beneath her chin raised Emma's head; she had no choice but to meet the other woman's gaze. Emma tried her best to give to her a smile. However, she couldn't hide the sadness and longing that it was tinged with, her eyes betraying her conflicting emotions. With a sigh, she attempted to turn away to hide her vulnerability. Emma didn't like feeling this exposed. Regina placed her hand on Emma's cheek, preventing her from breaking their connection.
Instead, the blonde scrunched up her eyes and took a deep breath; looking at Regina was too hard for her right now. Emma's mind was raging with an internal conflict. She knew she shouldn't have listened to Paul. He was hardly an expert on these things. What did he know about women? She should have just pined quietly over the brunette, and they could have lived in a blissful state of ignorance forever after. But no, she had to go and open her big mouth and get all emotional. Sure, she felt disappointed and humiliated at the rejection, but she would get over that - eventually. That wasn't the biggest issue. It was the thought of losing the other woman from her life altogether that had Emma feeling so glum. Would this unwanted knowledge drive her away for good? At least, Regina hadn't abandoned her yet. That was some consolation to Emma; maybe they could just forget it ever happened and stay friends. Emma could live with that - she'd have to.
"Emma, look at me," Regina commanded firmly, distracting the blonde from her spiralling thoughts. Emma reluctantly opened her eyes to find the woman looking back at her with sincerity. In a much softer tone, she added. "I didn't hear you over the noise. Please, tell me what you said. I want to hear it." They looked at one another for a moment. The blonde considered what the woman said. Maybe it was just a misunderstanding. Regina didn't seem to be lying about not hearing her. She could give her the benefit of the doubt. She nodded slightly, more to reassure herself than the other woman. But Regina smiled gratefully regardless.
Feeling herself become more and more optimistic as the seconds passed, Emma internally debated her next step. As far as she was concerned, she had two choices. She could waffle her way through another declaration - probably messing it up in the process. Because now that Regina looked at her with such a genuine warmth, her face just inches from her own. Her brown eyes wide and vulnerable, so much so that it was almost as if Emma could see straight through them and into her soul. Eyes that were so enchanting, Emma didn't think she could bring herself to look away ever again. A caring hand lain softly on her face, with a thumb rubbing reassuring, yet distracting circles over her cheek; leaving a searing tingle in its wake. Now that she was entranced by everything that was Regina, Emma didn't think the words she needed to convey would be able to form anymore.
Instead, she went with option two. She would show her how she felt. As the saying goes, actions speak louder than words. And Emma had ever been much of a wordsmith.
Without giving herself another moment to reconsider, Emma lunged forward and crashed their lips together.
It didn't take long for Regina to respond once Emma's soft lips met her own. She closed her eyes and cupped the back of her head, lacing her fingers through blonde hair. She pulled the woman impossibly closer. This time, she wouldn't let her run away. She wouldn't allow her to feel unwanted. Regina kissed Emma with a need that surprised herself. A quiet groan escaping her lips, which was engulfed by the buzz of the room. Regina knew that being with Emma, kissing her, felt right. It felt real. It felt inevitable.
After a few moments, the pair slowly pulled apart. Both women breathed heavily as they looked deeply into each other's eyes. Their foreheads still resting against one another.
"Yeah, uh, that was pretty much what I said," Emma informed the other women with a slowly unfurling smile.
Regina, who was still finding her bearings with the sudden onslaught of emotions she felt, replied huskily. "Oh, I see, well it was worth repeating."
Emma grinned even wider at the response. "Was it really?" She asked, her confidence growing at the sight of the now slightly flustered woman.
"Absolutely," the brunette said with a smirk.
"You know, we should probably repeat it again; I think I might have missed some things out."
"In that case, we must. It may have been something important."
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Paul had spent the last few minutes making out with the hot guy who was stood near to him in the crowd as the New Year arrived. He had taken a punt on kissing whichever man set his gaydar off loudest and was within arms-length. It had turned out to be a safe bet in the end. Well, the guy hadn't punched him as the clock struck midnight, at least. So, Paul figured his gay intuition was still in full working order.
When the celebrations had begun to die down, he headed back towards his table with his new friend and a bottle of free bubbly (If people were going to leave a perfectly good bottle of champagne laying around, they were just begging for it to get taken). He hadn't planned on going back to see Emma and Regina, but his curiosity had gotten the better of him. If the blonde hadn't gotten her act together tonight he'd be having words with her. Actually, he should probably be encouraging Regina more too. He made a mental note to pay the woman a visit that week.
Paul continued his stream of thought as he made his way through the crowd. He stopped dead in his tracks with an audible gasp as he caught sight of the two women in question in once another's embrace. The shock quickly wore away to be replaced with delight. Overcome with joy, he let out a very unmanly squeal and hugged Fabio, or was it, Lorenzo? Whatever-his-name-was.
"Isn't it beautiful?" He exclaimed as he gestured over at the table, where Emma and Regina were passionately locking lips. "Two hot women, finally getting their shit together and making out like a pair of teenagers. And all because of me," he let out a sigh as he mentally congratulated himself. Would it be too much for him to give himself a standing ovation for his good work? No, he didn't think it would. "Come on, let me introduce you."
"They look a little busy," Whatever-his-name-was said in a British accent. Paul liked it. Tall, hot, dark and British - this guy was getting better by the second. If he had a set of rock hard abs, he would be the full package.
Paul shrugged and made his way over to the table regardless. "They'll need to come up for air eventually."
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"What the fuck, Paul? How long have you been standing there gawking at us?" Emma said with outrage and a hint of embarrassment after she'd managed to tear herself apart from Regina.
"Long enough," Paul replied with a smirk. It had been less than a minute since he'd arrived at the table, but that was more than enough woman-on-woman kissing to last him a lifetime. Nevertheless, he was feeling in good spirits and believed a toast was in order to mark the momentous achievement. "I think this calls for some Champers, ladies," Paul stated as he filled four empty glasses and passed them around the group. He held his own aloft and puffed out his chest. With a proud smile, he remained standing while he looked meaningfully at each woman in turn. Holding the lapel of his blazer and clearing his throat he announced, "To me - long may my eternal wisdom and awesomeness continue."
He received three confound expressions in response to his heartfelt toast. Nevertheless, he forcibly clinked his glass with the others which were held aloft, despite those sat at the table making no effort to do so.
"Why exactly are we toasting you?" Regina queried, taking a sip of her Champagne anyway.
The young man rolled his eyes at the need to explain himself. "Becau-ause without me, you two wouldn't have been swapping saliva tonight. Or, let's face it, probably ever." He said with a self-righteous huff as he sat down next to his hottie, and looked on unamused.
"You don't know that" Emma retorted indignantly. Paul refused to respond to that. It was an insult to his intelligence, and self-imposed status as her gay best friend and life-coach. He just raised a sceptical eyebrow and pursed his lips. Giving Emma his patented 'Bitch, please' face as he looked her up and down. She got the message loud and clear. He sipped on his free Champagne ignoring her narrowed eyes. It tasted all the sweeter when he was right. Emma huffed and folded her arms, before conceding. "Fine, you have a point." Paul gave her a 'Tell me something new' shrug in lieu of a verbal reply.
Regina eyed the pair with a hint of a frown and questioning eyes. "I'm not following," She said to Paul.
He leant across the table and took her hand in his own, addressing her as seriously as he could muster. "Regina, my sweet, delicate, burgeoning gay flower," he began. The brunette rolled her eyes and let out a quick haughty laugh at the moniker. Paul continued unfazed. "Do you really think that our Emma would have had the balls to tell you how she felt without a bit of not-so-gentle persuasion?" Regina tilted her head as she pondered her answer. Before she had the chance to vocalise it, she was cut off by the young man. "To answer that for you. No, she would not."
Emma, who had sunk further down in her seat with her arms still folded across her chest, responded petulantly to the insinuation, "I might have."
"Really?" Paul asked cynically. He thought the notion was laughable. So he had a chuckle to himself as he finished the dregs of his champagne.
Emma sighed as she fidgeted with something on the table, not able to look anyone in the eye as she answered. "Maybe at some point," she said without any conviction, "eventually."
He placed his empty glass on the table and with a condescending smile, he responded. "You tell yourself that, babes."
The group sat in silence for a while. Paul stared at his new British beau; purposefully ignoring Emma, who was glowering at him from across the table.
"You two make a lovely couple," Whatever-his-name-was said brightly, breaking the tension that followed the exchange. It was enough to bring Emma out of her sulk. Both women looked lovingly at one another, before smiling at the man.
"Thanks," the blonde responded. "Sorry, I didn't catch your name."
"It's Boris," he replied in his deep, eloquent voice.
The man struck up a conversation with the women while Paul sat quietly contemplating. Hmm…so it's Boris then - that's disappointing. Why did I think he was called Fabio or Lorenzo? Boris doesn't suit someone so attractive. It should be something more exotic. He looks much more like a Fabio. Yeah, I'm gonna call him Fabio.
"Me and Fabio are gonna head off and leave you two lovebirds to your canoodling," the young man interjected, cutting the group off mid-conversation. Boris looked up in confusion as Paul stood. But he grabbed the baffled man and pulled him to his feet to clarify that he was indeed referring to him. "Night, ladies. Don't do anything I wouldn't do." He said with a smirk as he blew them a kiss and turned to leave. Stopping after a few paces, he held up his hand and turned back to face the women. "Actually, screw that." With a wink, Paul added in a lower, more suggestive tone. "Do all the things I wouldn't do."
Once Paul sauntered out of the bar, cackling all the way, Regina went to the bathroom to re-do her make-up and straighten up her somewhat tousled appearance. Emma, meanwhile, sent a text Mable to inform her that they would be heading home soon. She was less concerned about how she looked at that moment. The blonde grabbed the rest of the champagne to take with them for the taxi ride home; she wasn't going to leave a half full bottle of bubbly waste. When Regina made a reappearance looking as flawless as ever, the two women headed outside into the cool night to hail a cab.
The cab ride home was one filled with easy conversation and laughter. Maybe it was the alcohol they shared straight from the bottle, or perhaps it was finally acknowledging what they felt for one another. Whatever it was, any sign of awkwardness or discomfort in one another presence was absent. And any tension that once existed when they were alone or in a confined space together was now gone. More progress - they drank to that.
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The two women entered the apartment building side by side, continuing their conversation from the journey over. Their hands brushing one another as they walked down the hall toward the elevator. Emma pressed the button to call it to their floor and looked over at the woman next to her with a bright smile.
"I had a good time tonight."
"So did I," Regina replied, reflecting a smile of her own back at the other woman.
Emma stepped a little closer and gazed into contented brown eyes, which she left only briefly to look at plump red lips. "We should do it again soon."
"I agree."
The blonde bit her lip for a moment, before continuing, "Maybe just me and you, next time?" She asked with more confidence than she had displayed when making the suggestion a little earlier that night.
"Sounds perfect," Regina answered, smile widening even further.
"Okay, good," Emma said now staring at the other woman's mouth again. Had she mentioned that Regina had a beautiful smile?
"Emma?" The brunette said, bringing Emma's focus back to her amused eyes.
"Yeah?"
"I think this is the part where you're supposed to kiss me."
"And why can't you kiss me, huh?"
Regina rolled her eyes at the woman. "Are you really going to - " Emma cut her off with her mouth. They almost fell into the elevator once the doors opened. Their lips only parting long enough for Emma to press the button to take them to her floor.
xxxxxxx
As the elevator came to a stop, the two women reluctantly parted from one another's embrace and tried to put together their considerably dishevelled appearances. Emma's messy bun was even messier as half her hair had now fallen out of it. Regina's skintight dress had risen up her thighs from where the blonde had lifted her against the elevator wall. As they scrambled in vain to make themselves appear more respectable, neither noticed the doors opening to reveal an elderly woman standing on the other side of them.
"Hello, Lovelies. You two have good timing; I was just heading down to check on Ginger. Did you know that dog in 214 has gone and got her pregnant? Poor thing is due in a couple of weeks." Mable rambled as Emma and Regina stood rigid and wide-eyed. They chanced a quick glance at one another and thought they'd got away undetected. Emma let out a relieved breath as she thought of the rather compromising position they almost gotten caught in. Oblivious to the shock the women felt at her unexpected appearance, Mable stepped inside with them and added. "Henry's still up by the way. He wanted to watch the fireworks on the TV, so I let him stay up late. But when we got your message, he decided he wouldn't go to bed until you got home," the woman shook her head with a fond smile. "I tried my best, but that son of your's can be as stubborn as a mule when he gets an idea in his head."
Emma nodded slack-jawed, not really taking in what the woman was saying. It took her a few moments longer to come to her senses and step out into the corridor. "''Kay, well, thanks again, Mable," She said with a quick smile at the elderly woman. She decided to vacate the scene as quickly as possible. Regina was a grown woman. She could cope on her own for one elevator ride. And it would be suspicious if Regina got out with her. The blonde ventured a look over her shoulder at the woman who still hadn't moved from her spot since the elevator doors had opened. Emma gave her an apologetic smile which went unanswered. "I should probably go."
"Emma, dear?" Mable said drawing Emma's attention back to her.
"Yu-huh?"
"You'd better wipe Regina's lipstick from around your mouth before you see Henry," Mable said matter of factly and without any hesitation. It caused Emma's eyebrow's to shoot up her forehead, and a gasp of surprise to escape her lips. She had no words. Instead, she wiped her hand across her mouth and looked uncomfortably from Mable to Regina, whose eyes had widened further in shock. She looked like she was about to either throw up or murder Emma. It was hard to tell at that point in time. "Goodnight, Lovely. And a Happy New Year to you." The elderly woman added with a knowing smile as the elevator door closed on the gobsmacked blonde.
Mable now turned her attention to the brunette who was busy attempting to straighten her dress and her tousled hair. "Do you mind if we go to the ground floor first, dear? It's late and I'm shattered." Regina shook her head and pressed the button for the elderly woman. She was still feeling dumbstruck by the sudden appearance and keen observational skills of the almost Ninety-year-old. "When you get to my age, making it past ten o'clock is an achievement." Mable quipped with a laugh.
The brunette couldn't bring herself to look at the woman; so she looked straight ahead instead. It wasn't that she was ashamed of her and Emma. It was more the indignity of getting caught in such a position. She had gotten carried away with herself tonight. She was not the sort of woman who displayed her affections so publicly. It was inappropriate and she would not allow it to happen again. That kind of behaviour wasn't fit for a Queen, but she wasn't a Queen anymore was she?
"You have a nice evening, lovely?" Mable queried, acting totally oblivious the younger woman's evident discomfort. Regina hummed her reply; she thought her words may betray her unease at this moment.
"Good, good. I hope my Paulie didn't get himself into any trouble. I know how he can be." Regina didn't answer. She just stood rigidly facing the elevator door, willing it to open soon. Had this elevator become slower since yesterday?
"So, you and Emma-"
"What about us?" Regina snapped. She had found her voice now. She didn't know what the elderly landlady was going to insinuate about them, but she was ready to lash out at whatever derogatory or disapproving comment, she was going say.
"It's about damn time," Mable said with a nod and a smile as she patted Regina encouragingly on the shoulder. The brunette stared back in shock. She hadn't expected that remark from the woman. First there was Paul's reaction and apparent role in their potential courtship, and now Mable's assured response to them. Had she and Emma really been that obvious with their affections for one another?
As Regina mused to herself, she didn't even notice the elevator come to a halt and Mable leaving through the now open door. She remained motionless and lost in contemplation.
The elderly woman gave the stunned woman a warm smile and gently said. "G'Night, dear."
Regina didn't have the capacity to respond. It wasn't until Mable got back inside and pressed the button marked 8, did she blink herself back to awareness and whisper, "Goodnight."