AN: Sorry for the short chapter. My mind hasn't been completely focused. I might not update as much, but I will try to write and post an update as soon as possible for me. For now, there's this.
I don't own the characters or OUAT.
All mistakes are mine.
"Mother, I'm going to take Emma outside and show her the tree." Regina led Emma into her backyard. The first thing she saw was the massive apple tree. 'That thing is huge. What have I gotten myself into?' The second thing she noticed was the fence separating the backyard from the woods.
"I didn't know that you lived so close to the woods, Regina."
"Sometimes, I forget because I grew up right next to it."
Emma walked up to the fence and touched it. 'This is old wood. I wonder how long it has been here. This should be replaced soon, anyway.'
Jarring Emma from her thoughts, Regina asked, "Em-ma, can you come back here, please?" Emma nodded and jogged back to her. "We have to discuss what's going to happen about the tree."
"Of course. So, what do I have to do?"
'Remember, Swan! Not too excited! Oh, what the hell. I can't stop myself from being excited near Regina.'
"First things first, do you know how to get here by yourself?" Emma thought about it and nodded, at which Regina continued, "Well, to help out, every morning and afternoon, you'll have to come over and water the tree. If-"
"Wait, every morning and afternoon? At what time?" Emma asked with wide eyes.
'Would I be able to do my run with David? Would I have to run without David? Does he have to start running alone again? How tired am I gonna be?'
Stopping her thoughts from going any farther, Regina said, "Emma, if you'd let me finish, I could explain all of that."
Emma looked down at the ground and muttered a small, "Sorry."
"It's ok. Just let me finish. So, every morning and afternoon, you'll come by water the tree. In the morning, you should come by around 6:30. We could walk to school together after. And if you want... you could come by after school and we could... possibly hang out?"
'Good, I can still go running.'
Emma looked up and smiled as she said, "I'd love to hang out with you. Doing homework at Granny's after school every day is getting kinda boring. I also think Ruby is getting tired of seeing me there every day. I should probably find that out..."
Emma got lost in her thoughts as Regina said, "Maybe you should, but not now. We're still discussing things."
"Of course. I will find out tomorrow because right now, I'm focusing on you."
Emma saw Regina look down, her hair falling in front of her face a little. 'Why is she looking away? She's usually so confident. What happened? Wait a second... is she? She is! She's blushing! Wait, what did I say that made her blush? Uh... OH! I said I was focusing on her. I didn't mean it like that... well, maybe I did. But I didn't know she'd take it that way. She's so adorable when she blushes. It actually suits her. The pink really brings out her lips, and especially that scar above her lip. How did she get it?' Emma saw Regina move her lips, but didn't understand what was being said. 'Wait, pay attention, Swan! Listen to Regina!'
"What?"
"Is something wrong, Miss Swan?"
'God, I like it when she calls me 'Miss Swan'.'
"Why are you being so formal, Miss Mills?"
'See, I can be just as sassy too.'
"Because you were just staring at me!"
"I was focusing."
"Clearly."
'Ok. I take it back. You can definitely be sassier than me.'
"But does the plan for the tree work for you?"
'What plan? Oh, the morning/afternoon thing.'
"Yes. I'll be here at 6:30, we'll leave together to go to school. After school, we'll walk here and... when do I leave?"
"Whatever time Mr. and Mrs. Nolan want you back at their apartment."
'You mean 'our' apartment. Oh, crap! I haven't told her yet, but focus.'
"So, whenever I want to leave?"
"You don't have a curfew?"
'I might now.'
"If I do, I didn't know it. And I doubt they'll add one if they know I'm with you."
'They both know that I have a crush on you. So does your mom. Oh, God. She heard Ruby, yesterday.'
"Emma!"
"What?"
"Are you ok? You look a little pale."
"I'm fine. I just remembered something that I need to tell you."
'Now seems like the perfect time.'
"What is it? Is it bad?" Regina asked nervously.
"No, no, no. No, it's good. Very good. I, uh..."
'Why am I nervous? It's Regina. She'd be happy for me.'
Taking a deep breath and closing her eyes, Emma rushed, "IgotadoptedbyMaryMargaretandDavidyesterday..."
"What?"
Taking another deep breath, Emma spoke slower, "I got adopted by Mary Margaret and David yesterday..."
"Really?" At Emma's nod, Regina took a little step closer and hugged her. She practically screamed in Emma's ear, "Congratulations!"
'That wasn't so bad. I don't know why I was so nervous.' Taking her third deep breath in just as many minutes, Emma was overwhelmed with the smell of apples. 'I can't tell if it's her I'm smelling or the air in general. It doesn't matter... it's all reminds of Regina...'
The hug lasted longer than any hug should have, but Emma couldn't have cared less.