A/N: I apologize to my lovely readers. I was in the process of moving back to Atlanta. Just finished this at my nice new writing setup, so I hope you enjoy. Again, thank you for sticking with me in this unexpected life transition.
Regina sits stiffly in the seat once accompanied by Henry whom has already retired to his room. She stirs the short straw in her cocktail and stares at a silent Emma.
"Are we going to sit in silence all night, Emma?" Regina asks with a sigh, trying to hide her nervousness. She takes a sip then, noticing her trembling hands, quickly places both hands on the glass.
"Perhaps," Emma mumbles avoiding eye contact with Regina.
"Personally, I feel we have gone long enough without speaking. I had grown rather accustomed to your voice and would like to hear more of it."
Emma slams back her glass of whiskey, even tonguing the ice cubes for every last drop, eliciting a giggle from Regina. Emma stops and slowly lowers the glass. "I haven't heard you laugh like that in what feels like years."
Regina bows her head to hide her blush. "I'm certain you are the only one to bring it out of me."
"I'd like to keep it that way."
"You would?" Regina's eyes shoot up, hopefully, to study Emma's face.
Emma shrugs. "I mean, I think. I don't know, Regina. I know that I love you, and I love being the only one that makes you giggle all cute and shit." Leaning back, Emma runs her hands through her hair.
"I love your hair," Regina nearly whispers, watching Emma's hair flowing down the back of the chair.
"Don't do that," Emma practically begs, sitting upright.
"Don't do what?"
"That," Emma gestures at Regina.
Regina looks down at herself then back at Emma. "You're going to have to be more specific than that, dear."
Emma narrows her eyes and groans. "Dammit, Regina. I can't do this. I was doing just fine before-"
"Were you really?" Regina challenges.
"Yes, really," Emma spits back. She stands up. "I need some air. Enjoy your drink." Turning back after a few steps, Emma points at the drinks on the table. "And you're paying."
Regina rolls her eyes and watches Emma trudge off. She takes a sip of her drink, sucks her teeth, and drops cash on the table before getting up to leave.
Brit quickly makes her way to the table before Regina can leave. "Can I get anything else for you, ma'am?"
Regina eyes Brit. "Yes. You can stop flirting with my wife." She pushes past Brit.
Jumping in front of Regina again, Brit asks, "Emma is your wife?"
"What? I meant…" Regina glances at the exit, Emma out of sight. She turns back to Brit with a smirk. "Yes, she is." She looks Brit up and down again. "And you are little more than a child, so leave Ms. Swan be."
Brit backs up a few steps. "I never meant any disrespect, ma'am. I apologize."
Regina flicks her hand and marches off, feeling momentarily victorious and only a tiny bit vindictive.
In her room, Regina sits in a chair and watches the waves crash against the empty beach in front of her.
Henry plops down next to her and pats her arm. "Things'll work out, Mom. You can't really be surprised that we took Ma off guard. Give her a few."
"A few what? Minutes, hours, days, years?" Regina huffs and crosses her arms, not pulling her eyes off of the beach.
"Just be patient, Mom," Henry stresses.
Regina rests her head on the chair and rubs her temples. "I'm doing my best, Henry. And before you ask, yes I will wait for your mother."
"Well, maybe you won't have to wait much longer," Henry says, getting up from his chair.
"Regina Mills, get your cute little ass out here right now!"
Jolting upright, Regina sees a very displeased Emma out on the beach in front of them with her hands on her hips.
Henry waves to Emma but stops when she glares at him. He quickly retreats with a 'good luck' to his mom.
Regina stands, straightens her clothes, and kicks off her shoes to meet Emma out on the beach.
Once Regina is in front of her, Emma narrows her eyes. "Wife?"
"I beg your pardon?"
"Don't bullshit me. You know what I'm talking about."
Regina clears her throat. "The term may have slipped out."
Emma rolls her eyes. "Sounds like you drove the point into the ground pretty fiercely."
It's Regina's turn to narrow her eyes at Emma. "Why, exactly, are you so concerned about what I said to that… girl?"
"I'm not. I just… You told her I was your wife."
"Which you are not, I understand; however, you seem upset that I merely suggested she stop her flirtatious behaviors with you."
"Suggested?" Emma challenges.
"My point stands, dear," Regina retorts.
Emma drops her hands from her sides. "Fine. Whatever. It doesn't matter."
Regina crosses her arms. "Unless you want to tell me about some detour with little miss waitress."
"Want to tell me about your actual detour with that fucking lawyer?"
Regina steps back and lowers her eyes. "I told her no, Emma. I realize that my emotions swayed with all of the confusion, but I never touched her."
Emma studies Regina's face. "And how are those emotions now?"
Regina looks back up at Emma and confidently says, "Not focused on Ms. Rogan."
Looking down at her feet, Emma kicks the sand, gathering her thoughts. "So who are they focused on?" she asks sheepishly.
Taking a step forward, Regina gathers her courage and gently raises Emma's chin with her fingers. "You, my love."
Emma surges forward, wrapping one arm around Regina's back, gripping Regina's hair with the other hand, and kisses Regina hard. Silent tears fall from each of their eyes as they lose themselves in the kiss. Regina runs her hands under Emma's beater, feeling her muscular back.
Suddenly, Emma breaks the kiss and pushes back.
"What's wrong?" Regina asks, confused at the sudden loss of contact. She reaches out for Emma and is hurt when Emma steps back.
"I'm sorry." Emma turns and sprints down the beach.
"Emma, stop. Please." Regina tries to follow, calling for Emma the whole way, but Emma is too fast for her. Instead, she collapses on the ground and buries her face in her knees, sobbing.