A/N: Hello my dears! I hope you enjoyed that wonderful episode Sunday night. In case you haven't heard... SwanQueen is Endgame!
I apologize for the delay in getting this new chapter posted. I have been sick and very busy with school. I hope to post the next installment by Saturday so, yay for that.
As always, thank you all for your comments, reviews, and messages. I also thank those of you who have shared this story with others on Twitter and Tumblr. It makes me feel like going on with it. So... leave me another. ;)
I hope you will enjoy this chapter as much as Jenn did when she was reading it for me. Ha!
"Mayor Mills?" Barbara's voice sounded irritated on the phone.
"Yes, Barbara. What is it?" Regina was equally irritated. She was not in the mood to be disturbed after her lunch with Emma.
"Mrs. Nolan and her son are here to see you. I told her you were busy this afternoon but—"
"Yes, yes… send them in." Regina interrupted. She hadn't planned on seeing Snow today but she did need to talk to her.
"Very well." With that Barbara was gone. Regina pressed the speaker button, ensuring the connection was indeed severed.
Lunch with Emma had been nice. There had been a moment when the brunette was sure she had detected jealousy in Emma but the longer they were there, working on the reports and talking about the least personal subjects they could, the less confident Regina felt. She had been typing away on a report of her own for about an hour now and really should be happy for an interruption but she knew the conversation she was about to have with Snow was not going to be well received.
"Wa-gina!" Regina looked up at the squealed sound of her name. Neal came barreling toward her with a look of unhindered joy on his face. No matter what had happened between her and all the other Charming family members, this little guy adored her and wasn't shy in showing it.
"Hey buddy!" Regina cried back with equal joy and scooped the small boy into her lap and spun her chair around a few times, much to the boy's delight. He laughed and smiled and hugged her tight. He reminded her so much of Henry at that age. Of course Henry had a dark mop of hair where Neal's was nearly white it was so blonde, but other things were like her little boy.
Henry, like Neal, had been full of life, excited about everything and curious to a fault. He was constantly getting into things, and she could barely take her eyes off him once he had learned to walk. He had an innocence about him that always made the mother bear rise up in her. She wanted to love him, to protect him from the world, to be sure he never lost that look of wonder in his eyes. Ironic, it had been her of all people who had been the one to wound him first.
Two fat hands on her cheeks brought her back to reality. "Wagina, you gots a cookie for me?"
Regina smiled into bright green eyes. I bet this is what Emma was like at this age too. Still is. "A cookie?! Now, what makes you think I've got a cookie?" Regina exaggerated her expressions and teased him about his request.
The hands on her cheeks patted her face lightly and a serious look came over his face. "A-cause you always gots cookies in dere." Neal pointed toward the bottom drawer of her desk.
"In there?" Regina asked, her brown eyes wide with wonder.
"Uh-huh. You always gots cookies in dere. And I be good so I get one or five of cookies." Neal replaced his pointing hand on her face in an effort to force her to look at him.
"Well, what do I get for sharing my super special cookies with you?" Regina grinned at the boy and whispered quietly.
Before she could prepare herself, Neal launched forward kissing her in the mouth. His arms flew around her neck and squeezed her tight. "All da hugs and kisses, Gina. All da hugs and kisses!"
Regina accepted his affection and tickled his sides until he was squealing with delight and begging her to stop. Small children were so innocent, so trusting. Something in her always changed with them. She felt free to give her love and safe to accept theirs in return. It was never forced. It couldn't be coerced. It was genuine and had no ulterior motive. Neal wanted a cookie but he loved her whether he got one or not.
When children got older, they learned to behave more and more like adults. They used love as a weapon even if they were unaware of it. Henry had done the same. By the time he was ten, it was as if he had forgotten all the nightmares she had scared away, all the boo-boos she had kissed, all the times she'd baked cookies for him and hidden them in her bottom desk drawer.
Thank goodness that hadn't lasted. She finally felt like they were back on track. Henry was the only thing she had ever gotten right and his return to affectionate and caring with her had been healing to her in dark moments.
"Ok, ok. What about mama? Should we ask mama if you can have a cookie?"
"Or five of cookies, Wagina." Neal said seriously before he looked over at his mother as did Regina, hoping to gain her permission.
"I think two cookies is more than enough, Neal." Snow smiled at the sight of her cherub faced boy cradled in Regina's lap. She wondered if this was the Regina that Emma spent all her time with. If it was, Snow could see why her daughter would love Regina back. This was the Regina young Snow had loved so dearly as well. So much had happened, so many hurts, but that gentle, young woman still appeared when she held Neal or when she teased with Henry or when she looked at Emma and thought no one else could see.
Rather than be disappointed at only two cookies, Neal opened his eyes impossibly wider and cried with glee, "Two cookies, Wagina! I can has two cookies!" The boy slid from her lap and stood patiently by the desk.
Regina pulled open the bottom drawer and there was a small container with chocolate chip cookies, peanut butter cookies, oatmeal raisin cookies. She kept them for Neal, for Henry and for Emma. Truth be told she kept them for herself too. She might eat Brussels sprouts at Granny's but she liked a cookie every now and then.
Neal studied the container a moment and selected a chocolate chip one and an oatmeal one. He smiled up at Regina then and whispered, "Wagina gets a cookie too. And mama."
Snow declined a cookie, but Regina pulled out a peanut butter one and replaced the lid, closing the drawer. The boy made an attempt to climb back in Regina's lap but his mother intervened.
"Neal honey, why don't you take your cookies and your bag and go sit over on the couch so Mama can talk to Regina?"
The boy frowned and looked at Regina. "But, I sit wif Wagina," he whined.
Regina's heart clenched. How was it possible for him to look so much like Henry begging for his way? She reached down and pulled him into her lap. "Well, Regina needs to talk to Mama about something for just a minute." She smiled and cupped her hand to his ear, so only the two of them knew what she said next. "Go play like Mama says and I will get us another cookie before you leave."
Neal pulled back and shook his head in manic agreement. Just before he slipped from her lap, Neal flung his arms around her neck again, a cookie in each fist and hugged her. Then he was off, in his own world, playing on the rug with a truck.
"I read once that the most precious jewels a woman can have around her neck are the arms of her children," Snow said sweetly, smiling at her son as he loudly crashed his truck into the leg of the sofa.
"Well, having raised a son of my own, I can say that is an accurate statement, dear." Regina took a bite of her cookie and laid it aside. The fun was over. "So, what brings you by today, Snow?"
Snow smiled, blissfully unaware that Regina was about to lower the boom. "Oh, no reason really. We went by the bakery today to drop off some of Emma's ideas for cake flavors. You are coming to that cake thing Wednesday, right?"
Regina nodded her agreement.
"So, while we were out I figured I would bring my son by to see his most favorite person in the world. What is it with you and my children?" Snow smiled again, making eye contact with Regina. The pixie-haired brunette had a twinkle in her eyes that Regina would have missed if she wasn't aware that Snow was meddling in her life.
Again.
"And what do you mean by that, Snow?" Regina smiled brightly.
Snow returned her smile and shrugged innocently. "Oh, nothing really. Just that my son and my daughter seem to both be very fond of you."
"Fond of me?" Butter wouldn't melt in Regina's mouth.
"Yes, fond of you. Well, Neal obviously adores you… and Emma—she isn't as demonstrative as Neal I suppose but she really cares for you too." Snow leveled a gaze then at Regina, trying to subtly hint at her deeper meaning. If Regina hadn't already known about Snow being in league with Henry, she may have been shocked by Snow's openness.
"Cares for me?" Regina smiled again. She was ready to lay her cards on the table and Snow couldn't see it coming. "I thought you told my son your daughter loved me even if she didn't realize it yet."
Snow gasped and a hand flew up of its own will and pulled nervously at her pearl necklace. "What?"
Regina dropped her friendly veneer and frowned at the woman across from her. She kept her voice low, aware of Neal playing a few feet away. "Cut the crap, princess. Henry told me you have been helping him parent trap us. Honestly Snow, don't you ever learn to mind your own business?"
"Regina, I… I never…" Regina glared at Snow and she began again. "So, he told you, huh?"
Regina rolled her eyes. "Yes, he told me. What were you thinking? Don't you realize—"
"I was thinking that you love—" Snow looked toward her son and lowered her voice to a whisper. "I was thinking you love Emma and I know she loves you back. That needs a chance to grow and flourish. I just wanted to help it along. Is it so wrong that—"
"Idiot!" Regina cried.
"Idiot!" Neal mocked, grinning around the arm of the sofa at Regina and his mother. "You not uh-post to say dat, Wagina."
"You're right, dear. I am sorry. I shouldn't say idiot. Now, play and let me talk to Mama. Remember our secret?" The boy grinned as he remembered his promised third cookie and went back to his playing.
"If it makes me an idiot to want to see my daughter happy…. to see you happy… well, then I am an idiot." Snow huffed and crossed her arms.
"What makes you an idiot, Snow White, is that in your haste to make something happen that will never happen you forgot to consider the effect that the failure of your little operation was going to have on my son. Did you even think for a moment how he will feel when things don't work out between Emma and me, because they won't? He was fine with my refusal to press the issue and now you have gone in with your—" Regina lowered her voice again. It was no less threatening, perhaps even more so in a whisper. "with your damn hope speeches and gotten his expectations up. And now, what? He's going to be let down."
Snow sat a moment, just looking at Regina and a very out of place smile spread across her face. "Oh, no. That's not gonna work, Regina. You can't put this off on Henry being 'let down.' You are upset because you are afraid. But what are you scared of?"
Regina felt a tear in her chest. When had she gotten so easy to read? How was it she couldn't intimidate Snow White on her own turf? "I… am not scared of anything." She glared at Snow again with all the arrogance she could muster.
Snow laughed right in her face.
"Oh, you are scared alright. That was the most perfect 'I'll die before I tell Snow White I'm scared' face I have ever seen. Regina. We've known each other far too long for you to try that nonsense with me. Is it because you think people won't approve? Is that what has you so worried?"
"I am not scared!" Regina's voice rose and her hand slammed down on the top of her desk.
Neal's face peeped around the sofa again and his eyes were wide. "Whasa matter, Gina?"
"Nothing, sweetheart. Regina is fine. Why don't you go out and see if Miss Barbara has something for you to draw with?" Snow shooed the boy out the door and gave an apologetic smile to the woman as Neal tugged on her jacket.
"Regina, I don't care what you say or how loud you say it. I know you love Emma and I know you are scared about it. And that is ok. But you can't allow fear to rule you. Do you think David and I would be together if we lived under the rule of fear? No. And you can't let fear decide for you about this."
Regina gave a dry laugh. "I'm sorry dear, but you are assuming Emma wants to be with me. You and Idiot #2 had the power of true love pushing you along. Yes, dammit, I love Emma. But she doesn't love me. She loves the one handed wonder and is going to marry him in two months' time. Surely you have heard about the wedding she's been planning."
Snow waved her hand dismissively. "You forget David was engaged to Kathryn—he was married to Kathryn—but we didn't let that stop us."
"Snow, I have already tangled with a married couple. I will not lower myself to that ever again. And I know you can't be proud that you did either." Regina stood and walked to the window. Pushing back the sheer curtain, her eyes fell on her apple tree. The memory of Emma enraged and wild, cutting a branch from the tree filled her mind. I hadn't been challenged in years before that day. Regina knew she was being challenged again and her confrontation with Snow was being turned on her.
"No, you are right. I am not proud. I'm ashamed of how we behaved. And I know you regret how everything happened with Robin. Even though it wasn't really Marian, it still wasn't the right thing to do back when you thought it was her. My point is, Emma isn't married to Killian… yet. She may well be in a few short weeks though if you don't do something about it."
Regina turned and looked at Snow is shock. "If I..? If I don't do something?! Why the hell is it up to me to do something about it? And again, you keep assuming she has feelings for me. She's engaged to be married because she loves him… not me. There is nothing I can do to change that."
"Oh, but you are wrong. She does love you, more than you realize. More than even she realizes. She just doesn't know it yet. I don't know, maybe she doesn't think her father and I would accept the relationship. Maybe she thinks we are like people in this realm and think romantic love is about men and women and nothing else. But what I do know is, since Henry first mentioned this to me, I've been thinking a lot about the way she talks about you, the way she looks at you, the way she acts when you are near her… She loves you Regina. And I have been helping Henry because I don't want to see love and happiness slip through your fingers again. I want you both to be happy. That is all we were trying to do." Snow looked down at her hands in her lap. This was not the afternoon she had expected with her son and the Mayor.
Regina stood looking at Snow for a long time, thinking about what she had said. She sat heavily in her seat at the desk and continued to search Snow's face. The woman was annoying. She was incorrigible. But she meant what she was saying. She really did just want her and Emma to be happy.
Regina hit the button on her phone and buzzed Barbara's desk. "Please send Neal back in, Barbara. And thank you for entertaining him."
Barbara grunted into the phone and disconnected the line. In a moment, the door opened and Neal came bounding in, a paper in his hand where he had scribbled a picture with a blue ink pen. He shoved the picture toward his mother. "I drawed it for you."
"Thank you, sweetheart. Now, go play with your truck. We will go home in just a minute." Snow clutched his drawing in her hand and nudged him toward the sitting area.
Regina clasped her hands in a very professional manner on her desk. "Snow, I will take under advisement the things you have shared with me today. However, I must ask you to stop meddling in my private affairs and especially stop including my son in your antics. I will not stand for it. If anything ever develops between Emma and I, well… that is up to the two of us alone. So please, stop. Just let this go."
Snow saw the professional stance, heard the cool and distant tone, but she also saw the sad pleading in Regina's eyes. This was more serious than even Henry had led her to believe. Regina's feelings clearly ran deeper than she had first thought. "But Regina—"
"No buts, Snow. Please. Let this thing go."
Snow frowned. She had no choice. "Ok. But only with the understanding that I think you are wrong and making a terrible decision right now. She does love you. You are going to regret resisting my help."
Snow stood before Regina could respond and picked up her son's toys. "Come along, Neal. We need to get home and start supper before Daddy gets there."
Neal jumped to his feet and ran to the door. "Daddy and Emma? I get to see Daddy and Emma?"
"No," Snow began, looking at Regina. "Emma will be with Killian tonight. So it's just you, me and Daddy."
Neal frowned. His face still held traces of his cookies.
"Now, tell Regina bye and thank her for the cookies." Snow reached up and pried his fingers from the door knob.
In a waddling run, chubby legs carried Neal to Regina once more and she leaned down to hug him from her chair. "Bye Wagina! Thanks for my cookies. I wuv you!" He kissed her again, right in the mouth.
"I love you too, buddy." Regina patted his head and slipped a peanut butter cookie into his hand with a wink.
Effervescent joy flooded his face. "I was good, Mama! I got another cookie!"
"I see you did." Snow opened the door and the boy dashed on ahead. "Bye Regina. Please think about what I said."
"I'll think about it." Regina offered with a dismissive wave and Snow was gone.
How does she always wind up in the middle of my love life?
~ (SQ) ~
"So then we make a mad dash for the alley, Emma clutching those Pop-Tarts to her like they are solid gold. We laughed so much. I mean, yeah, it didn't end well and she basically hated me after that but, we did have fun for a minute." Lily laughed at the memory, smiling across the booth at Regina.
"Isn't life funny?" Maleficent patted her daughter's hand. "Even though I know the story and I've heard it before, I still find it delightful that you two girls found each other somehow back then."
"I suppose you can't fight fate." Lily shrugged and snatched up a stray fry on her mother's plate.
"Indeed. I have tried more than I care to admit but fate or destiny… it always comes back to its original plan no matter what you do." Mal said quietly.
A silence fell over the three women as they all considered Mal's words. Regina couldn't help but wonder what fate had in store for her. She hoped it would be happiness but she would settle for anything that didn't cause her anymore heartache.
Lily was the first to break free from the melancholy moment. She stood and stretched her arms wide and rolled her shoulders. Ruby noticed and smiled at her. Lily winked flirtatiously and offered a crooked grin. "Excuse me a moment, ladies. I'll be right back."
The two older women watched Lily slip through the door toward the bed and breakfast's little sitting room. Neither missed Ruby slipping off her apron and heading off after her.
"What's that about?" Regina asked, cocking her head to the side in thought.
"I don't know. I think they met up at the Rabbit Hole last weekend and I guess they hit it off. I was lead to believe they were friends but—"
"But that looks like more than friends." Regina chuckled and Mal joined in.
The blonde shrugged. "Like mother, like daughter I suppose. Although, a wolf and a dragon seems like an unusual combination."
Regina laughed outright then. "I'd say so. But I imagine they could… what was it you said? Burn the world down?"
Mal wrinkled her nose. "That's my kid you're talking about, little queen. Careful."
Regina smiled brightly. "I'm sorry. I couldn't resist. But you have to admit that two shape-shifters can understand each other and that counts for something. Don't we all just want to be understood?"
Maleficent's smile turned sad for a moment as she studied her friend. "Yes, I guess we do. Does… does Emma understand you?"
Just the mention of her name and Regina's playful joy vanished. Clearing her throat, the brunette smoothed her napkin in her lap and looked anywhere but at her friend. "Yes. I think she does. And I understand her. But friends can do that as well as lovers, dear."
"I'm sorry, Regina. I shouldn't have mentioned her. I just care and I think you need to talk to her. Especially if she understands. If she understands everything you have done and been, she will surely understand love." Mal reached out a hand to the mayor.
Tears filled Regina's eyes. "I know you mean well, Mal. I know you do. But I just can't risk this. Thank you for caring though. It means a lot." Regina reached out her own hand and clasped Maleficent's.
Just then, the bell over the door tinkled and in stepped the sheriff, her pirate fiancé behind her. Before Regina could register the blonde's entrance, Emma's eyes found her as if by some magnetic pull. A smile filled Emma's face until her eyes fell to the joined hands on the table top.
Regina saw only the frown and missed the emotional transition all together. She quickly pulled her hand free from Mal's and smiled her brightest smile at Emma. The blonde only nodded in return and pulled Hook's arms tightly around her waist as they headed to the front table.
"What's wrong?" Mal said, looking around puzzled. She had been witness to a hurricane of change in her friend's eyes but had no idea the genesis of the emotion. Seeing Emma, practically in Hook's lap, laughing far too loud, Mal turned back to Regina. "Oh. I see."
"Yeah." Regina said, her hands balling into fists as she scooted toward the edge of the seat.
"Wait, are you going? Regina, wait. You can't run out of here every time you see Emma with him. How are you ever going to stand beside her in the wedding if you can't even sit in a diner with them?"
Regina knew Maleficent was right. She couldn't keep running out of this diner. It was getting to be cliché. She'd dash out, Emma would follow and nothing ever seemed to be resolved. So tonight, she would stay put. You can do this.
"You're right. I will stay. I have every right to be here. I will simply have to ignore them." Regina slid back into the booth and took a long drink from her water glass.
"Good girl." Mal reached out and took Regina's hand again. Regina frowned at the action. "If she doesn't love you, then she won't care if I show you some affection."
Regina smirked. "Oh no. We are not playing that game, you old dragon. I don't need to try to make her jealous. That isn't nice."
Mal opened her eyes wide in mock innocence. "Why whatever do you mean, Miss Mills? Are you suggesting I am trying to make Emma jealous deliberately?"
Regina shook her head, but made no move to withdraw her hand. She chanced a glance at Emma. Green eyes blazed as they bore a hole into the two ladies across the room. Well, that is interesting.
Regina laughed then, loudly and placed her free hand on top of the ones joined on the table.
"Change your mind, my queen?" Mal chuckled quietly.
"Oh, shut up and help me here." Regina's face was still smiling, despite her words.
Mal laughed then and added her free hand to the pile, stroking the back of Regina's fingers tenderly. "What's she doing now?"
Regina cocked her head, sending a message to anyone watching that she was completely engaged in her conversation with Mal, but her eyes flitted over to Emma. The blonde was now actually sitting in Hook's lap and staring Regina down, laughter spilling from her as well.
"Well, if I didn't know any better, I'd say she is on the verge of dry-humping the leather clad buffoon… or else she's about to come over and murder you." Regina giggled genuinely this time. Was Emma actually jealous?
Knowing from this angle that her long legs could clearly be seen by the blonde, Regina eased her foot free of one shoe and slowly brushed it against Mal's bare leg.
"Whoa! Warn a girl first, Regina." Maleficent had to make her body remain still. The unexpected contact startled her. "Also, smooth. You are such a bad girl."
"Oh, you have no idea." Regina winked at Mal, suddenly feeling very flirtatious and confident. It had been a long time since she felt jealousy over her and it felt good.
The brunette eased her leg along Mal's again and glanced back to Emma. The blonde was not looking at them. She was kissing the pirate. Deeply, passionately and certainly not in a way meant for public view.
"Shit. I think I went too far. She's kissing him." Regina frowned. Emma, as if sensing Regina's eyes on her broke the kiss, leaving a bewildered Hook clamoring for more.
Then it happened. Across the room, people all around, the sounds of glasses clinking, forks scraping against plates and music faintly playing, Emma's stormy green eyes locked hard on Regina's deep brown. Regina was expecting anger, jealousy, perhaps even desire to be there in the blonde's gaze. But what she saw made her gasp.
It was hurt.
Regina saw hurt and the shiny glaze of tears staring at her. Her own eyes began to fill with tears in response. She hadn't meant to hurt Emma. But why should her flirtation hurt her? Please tell me what you want.
Regina started to stand. She felt a drawing pull in her stomach, something bringing her to her feet and across the room without her permission. "Emma?"
Before she made it halfway across the room however, Emma and Hook both disappeared in a swirl of blue smoke. She was gone.
What did I just do?
~ (SQ) ~
"Bloody hell, Swan! You shouldn't do that without warning me." Hook found himself sitting on the creaking planks of the dock near his ship, Emma still in his lap.
"I'm sorry. I just didn't want to be there anymore." Emma stood and offered Killian a hand up.
"It is of little consequence why you did it, love. But you can't just poof me places anytime you like." Hook looked around, realizing their location. "Besides, after those kisses, I'd have been happy to bring us here."
The pirate stepped closer and tried to pull Emma to him.
"I'm sure. But, I've gotta go, Kil. I don't feel so good." Emma turned and started toward dry land.
Hook reached out and caught her wrist, the motion jerking her to a standstill. "Like hell. You owe me an explanation, Swan. What are you about?"
Emma snatched her hand back. "Would you mind not grabbing me like that? I don't want to explain bruises to my father. Again. Jesus, Killian. I don't feel good. I think I'm coming down with something. Don't take it so personally."
"So, this has nothing to do with her royal bitchiness holding hands and making nice with the dragon lady?" Hook cocked an eyebrow.
"What? No. This isn't about Regina." Emma started walking toward land again. She really felt like she might vomit. "Can it be a good sign that we need marital counseling and we aren't even married yet?"
"Emma, wait." Hook's hand was gentler now on her arm. His voice was soft. "I'm sorry, love. I shouldn't be jealous. You just don't see the way she looks at you."
"No, but I saw the way she was looking at Mal and that was all the evidence I need to tell me you are wrong about her being in love with me. Not that I needed to be convinced." Emma hugged the man and kissed his cheek lightly. "I honestly don't feel well. I'm not lying or faking or whatever. Please, just kiss me goodnight and I will call you in the morning, ok?"
Killian looked long into Emma's face and finally shook his head in agreement. He leaned in and kissed her gently. "If you say there is nothing between you then, I believe you. I love you, Emma."
"I know. And there is nothing going on between us. We are just friends… who happen to share a son." Emma forced a smile and winked at the pirate. "Good night."
"G'night love."
Killian watched Emma walk along the dock toward the street. She had left her car at Granny's when she poofed them to the ship. She could say there was nothing going on, but he knew better. And he had no intention of letting Regina take Emma away from him.
Emma walked along the dock, feeling Hook's eyes on her. She hadn't told him, but she had tried to transport them into the ship. Her emotions were out of control though and she had missed by quite a space. Good thing I hit a solid surface or we would both be swimming to shore.
Emma made her way toward home, deciding to just leave the bug parked at Granny's. She wasn't lying to Killian when she said she was sick. Something hadn't been right since she had returned from Boston. Maybe she was getting a cold. No time for that, though. Tomorrow was the big day. Cake tasting. And a cold would make that nearly impossible.
Emma drew her coat tighter about her. It was cold out tonight, the sky clear above. What was Regina doing with Mal tonight? She said they were just friends but that didn't look like just friends.
Emma kicked an imaginary stone along the sidewalk. She wanted Regina to be happy. That was the only thing she knew for sure anymore. Henry and Regina deserved to be loved and safe and happy. Was it so wrong that she wanted to be the one to give that to them?
Emma shook the thoughts from her mind. Could she actually be in love with Regina? She loved Killian. She really did. But it didn't feel like the way she loved Regina. I do love her. But which one was the love that would last? Which one was the love that meant forever together and babies and bills and happiness even in bad times?
Emma was beginning to think the answer wasn't what she had thought it was. But if Regina was with Maleficent now, she didn't want to mess that up for her. She needed time to think. Time to sort through her feelings.
Making her way past the loft after all, Emma eased into the front seat of the bug and fired up the engine. Through the front window of Granny's she could see Regina's booth was empty. She must have left. With Maleficent, no doubt.
Emma pulled away from the curb and headed toward the lake. She needed somewhere quiet to think things through. If she was going to marry Killian, she had to be sure that was what was best, what she wanted. A warning bell sounded in the back of her mind. If you have to ask…
Emma pressed the gas and sped along the dark street. She just needed to think.
~ (SQ) ~
Regina stood on the sidewalk outside Granny's and watched the tail lights of the bug fade in the night. She had headed home from the diner after Emma's magical exit but had come back with the intention of going to the loft and maybe even the Jolly Roger in search of Emma. They needed to talk.
The brunette arrived back to the diner just in time to see Emma pull away from the curb. She wondered if she should go after her.
Give her some space. Maybe she just needs time to think.
Regina disappeared in a cloud of purple. Tomorrow they would taste cakes and pick one for Emma's wedding.
Why is this so complicated?
~ (SQ) ~
Snow White stood outside the Cake My Day Bakery and took a deep breath. Emma hadn't come in last night until it was nearly daylight outside. She had been sniffling and clearing her throat ever sense.
The mother in Snow worried and fussed and insisted that Emma stay in bed. Cake tasting or not, her daughter's health should come first. But Emma had refused. She was going to taste the damn cakes today. Snow hadn't appreciated Emma's tone or her language but she had learned long ago not to push her when she was in a mood.
Now, waiting outside the bakery, Snow could see Regina already inside. The brunette looked tired. Snow wondered if something was up between them. But after her talk with Regina on Monday, Snow had worked hard to keep her end of the bargain. No more meddling.
When she had told Henry that their as yet unnamed operation was coming to a premature end, he had protested.
"Gram! We can't just quit! This isn't how operations work."
"I know Henry. But, we should never have started this. Your mom was pretty upset about it. And after a lifetime of being on her most hated list, I'm in no hurry to get back on it." Snow smiled at him but he saw through her.
"Sure. Whatever. I know you better. I know her better. But I get it. If you want out, then fine. I'll figure something else out." Snow could see the wheels already turning in Henry's mind.
"Henry, no. I think Regina is right. She and Emma are grown women. This isn't something either of us should be meddling in. I don't want them to be unhappy but that isn't up to me. I think we need to let this go."
"But Gram—"
"Henry. I know. I really do. But I think we have done enough. We have to just have faith that if they are meant to be together, they will be. Wouldn't it be better to know later on that if they got together and were happy that it was because they figured it out and not because we manipulated the situation?" Snow hoped her grandson would understand.
"Manipulated? I never thought of it like that. Is that what we are doing?" Henry looked crestfallen.
"Well, sort of. Yes. And I think both of your mom's have had enough of being tricked, mislead and told what to do. Don't you?"
Henry was quiet a moment. He pulled absentmindedly on the ends of his scarf. "You're right. They should get to choose this on their own. Thanks, Gram. For your help and for the wake-up call. I need to back off."
Snow had hugged him then and they had agreed to monitor the situation but to be merely observers. No more meddling.
"Snow? Are you coming in?" Regina was holding the door to the bakery open for her.
"Oh, yes. Thanks Regina. Is Emma here yet?" Snow stepped into the warm and inviting bakery. It smelled of bread and yeast and spice cake. There was a warmth in the air that made Snow smile.
"Not yet. But we aren't supposed to start for another few minutes." Regina sat down at a table and eyed Snow carefully. She tried to sound casual when she asked, "So, uh… how is she today?"
Snow shrugged. "Ok, I guess. She didn't come home until late last night and she seems to be coming down with something although she refused to stay home."
"Is she alright? Is she sick? What's wrong?" Regina felt a wave of panic.
"Calm down, Regina. I think it's a cold. If you are going to insist you don't love my daughter, you may want to get that little freak-out under control." Snow smiled at Regina and looked every bit the mischievous sprite Regina remembered from life in the castle.
"I can care about her being sick, can't I?" Regina raised her shoulders and breathed heavily out through her nose as they dropped.
"Is the bride running late today? Should I go ahead and set out some samples?" Ginger, the owner of the bakery interrupted their conversation.
"She's here." Emma called as she stumbled in the door. "Go ahead with the samples, Ginger."
Pulling out a seat between Regina and her mother, Emma sat heavily down. "Sorry I'm—achoo—late. I got caught up on some paperwork for that battle axe I work for."
"Emma! You sound terrible. Paperwork could wait." Regina handed the blonde a tissue.
"Thanks. But you don't know my boss. She's a real piece of work. I might get called to her office if my paperwork isn't perfect. Once, she made me stay late on a Friday to fix it. A Friday!" Emma tried to laugh at her own remarks but the laugh quickly morphed into a cough.
Regina's hand flew instinctively to Emma's back and began patting lightly and drawing soothing circles as the blonde coughed into her elbow. "Your boss sounds like a real bitch."
"Oh, she is." Emma wheezed between coughs.
"Emma. Maybe we should reschedule this. You clearly are too sick to be out." Snow stepped to the counter to call back Ginger.
"No, mom. I'm fine. Let's just get this over with." Emma smiled weakly. "See. I'm ok."
As if to prove she was fine, Emma sat up straight and gave Snow two thumbs up. Regina and Snow shared a worried look but ultimately gave in. Ginger was coming out with a tray with several cake choices.
"Alright. Here are the ones I would recommend, Emma. This is red velvet with cream cheese icing. This one is white chocolate and raspberry. It is very popular right now." Ginger motioned to each small cake as she went on. "This is my personal favorite, coconut and lime. It is so light. And of course we have your standard chocolate cake, vanilla cake and almond flavored."
Snow oohed and aahed at each offering and Regina pretended to be interested but her eyes seldom strayed from Emma. The blonde was trying hard to remain interested but it was clear she would rather be laying down on this table than eating from it.
"You ladies have a taste of these. I have one more to get you. It is delicious!" Ginger disappeared into the back as Snow cut into each tasting cake.
"Oh! This coconut is wonderful, Emma!" Snow smiled and tried to ignore the weakness in her daughter's face. She clearly should be home in bed.
Regina picked at the slices Snow sat before her but couldn't focus. "Emma? Are you sure you don't want to just go home? We can box these cakes up and taste them later."
"I'm fine Regina. I don't feel like doing this later, ok? Just eat the damn cake." Regina withdrew her hand. It had been a long time since Emma talked to her like this.
"Whatever."
"Here we go. Pink Champagne. This cake uses champagne instead of water in the batter and it is remarkably light and airy. I think you'll love it, Emma." Ginger sat down the last cake in front of the bride-to-be.
Emma reached a hand up to wipe her forehead. She was feeling a little warm. She tried to shake herself out of her jacket so she could cool off. She just wanted to taste these cakes and go back to the station. She could lay down in one of the cells and be away from the concerned looks of her mother and her… Regina.
"Emma? Honey are you alright? You don't look good." Snow's voice sounded a million miles away.
"Emma?" Regina's voice joined in. "Emma!"
Emma felt something hard and cold against her face.
"Oh my god! Regina, do something!" Emma could hear her mother's voice fading out.
"Hold on, my darling. I've got you."
Emma felt a surge of magic surround her before everything went black.