A/N: exciting news. There are finally some kisses which take place in a kitchen. It only took me 18 chapters to get here!
She was hovering, Regina realised. The unexpected turn of events which had transpired from the phone call with Emma meant that the brunette had walked back and forth from the living room to the kitchen six times in the past half an hour, just so she could be near the front door. She had managed to talk herself out of just sitting on the chair in the hall and waiting for the doorbell to ring.
Emma had said she would be twenty minutes. She was late. Had something happened? Had Emma changed her mind? Had there been an accident? Was this all a bad idea?
Before Regina had more time to analyse her turmoil of emotions, her cell vibrated.
I'm outside. Didn't want to ring the bell and wake Henry. E x
Smiling at the thoughtfulness, Regina stood from where she had been perched on the arm of the couch and hurried out to the hallway. Opening the front door, she couldn't help the smile which blossomed over her face at the sight of the blonde. And then she took in what the woman was wearing and gulped. Motorbike leathers. Regina didn't think she'd ever seen a sexier sight.
"Um, wow," she said, eyes glued to the tight material wrapped around Emma's body.
Emma smirked. She knew she looked good in her leathers and was pleased to see that even if Regina wasn't keen on climbing on the back of her bike any time soon, she at least appreciated the visual.
"You like?" Emma asked, holding her arms out wide.
"It seems I do," Regina said, eyes now locked with Emma's. "It's a new discovery, I'll admit."
"Leather fetish, duly noted," Emma grinned as Regina stepped back and invited the woman to enter her home. "Sorry I'm late. I had to take a quick shower because I realised I smelt like fish. An occupational hazard."
Regina laughed. "It's not a problem. Do you want to leave your overnight things here for now?"
Removing her backpack from her shoulders, Emma placed the bag on a chair before turning back to Regina who had closed the front door. Their eyes met once more, a beat passed, and then the two women were locked in a fierce embrace. Emma moaned into the kiss, feeling Regina's tongue prying her lips apart. Hands roamed over the cool leather, caressing and stroking with more confidence and more unadulterated desire than ever before.
"I missed you," Emma breathed when they broke apart, foreheads resting together.
"I missed you too," Regina replied, hands now resting on Emma's slender hips. "It's only been two days. Is that crazy?"
"If it is then we're both crazy," Emma pointed out. "I don't think I could have waited until Monday to see you again."
"Me neither," Regina said, pulling back and smiling up into the blonde's face. "And tonight, when everything went wrong with Henry, the only person I wanted to call was you."
"Tell me what happened," Emma encouraged.
"Would you like a glass of wine before we dive in?" Regina asked, ever the good hostess.
"Please," Emma nodded. She wasn't nervous exactly. True, her stomach had been doing somersaults on the ride over to Regina's mansion; a combination of anticipation and excitement. Because she knew that this evening was going to take their relationship to a new level. Irrespective of what happened, she was going to be staying the night. She didn't know, or even care, if that meant she would be sharing a bed with Regina or sleeping in a guest room. The fact that she had been invited in whatever capacity meant a lot to Emma.
Regina knew it was a significant step too. She hadn't expected it to happen so soon but she couldn't deny that she was just a little excited. But first, she decided, both women could do with some wine. She reached down to take Emma's hand. Fingers laced together, she led the blonde into the kitchen.
Emma marvelled at the beautiful home she was walking through. If Regina ever came to the apartment she shared with Ruby, Emma was going to be mortified. Artwork adorned the walls, every item of furniture was stylish and ornate and there wasn't a speck of dust to be seen. When she walked into the kitchen, her jaw dropped.
"Oh my god, this is amazing," she gasped, gazing around at the bespoke units, sleek black counter tops and a large island in the centre. Every appliance she could ever dream of was featured, from a juicer to a slow cooker to a large five ring stove taking centre stage against the back wall.
"Thank you," Regina smiled. "We did some advertisements for a kitchen design company a few years ago and they offered to fit this for me at a discounted price. It's just a shame that the only thing I get to cook in here is tomato sauce."
"And chicken," Emma pointed out, her fingertips now running lightly over the flawless marble surface.
"Well, perhaps," Regina shrugged.
Emma turned towards the woman who had retrieved a bottle of red wine but had stopped in the act of pouring out their glasses, remembering the setback that Henry had suffered earlier that evening.
"Hey," Emma said, crossing to where Regina stood and taking her hands in her own. "He'll get there, ok. It's a process. It'll take time. And yes, sometimes you'll have bad days but you and Henry are going to get through this. You're going to be cooking up all sorts of exciting dishes in here soon enough."
"You think so?"
"I know so," Emma said, leaning down to kiss Regina lightly.
The kiss was short but Regina chased the pale lips as Emma pulled away, needing to feel the blonde against her. Emma's hands flew to the counter against which Regina was leaning, steadying herself as the brunette clutched at her cheeks, deepening their embrace in an almost desperate way. Emma understood. She let Regina take what she needed, feel what she wanted. Emma wanted it too, in all fairness. But this evening wasn't about her own desire; it was about supporting Regina.
When they broke apart, Regina was breathing heavily. "I love kissing you," she murmured, eyes still closed, Emma's body pressed close to her own.
"Right back at you," Emma said, placing a final chaste kiss to the plump lips before stepping away. "And while I could kiss you all night, do you want to tell me about this evening with Henry first?"
Regina nodded and turned to finish pouring the wine. Handing one glass to Emma, she reached for the blonde's hand again and led the way into the living room.
"Actually, I should take these leathers off before I get comfortable. In fact, I won't be able to sit comfortably in them. Do you mind?"
"Not at all," Regina said. "Turn left out of this room and the bathroom is the second door on your right."
"I'm not naked underneath here," Emma pointed out.
Regina swallowed. "Right, but still, if you want privacy."
The blonde correctly deduced that the idea of her undressing in the middle of the living room would probably lead to the evening taking a different course. So she nodded and retreated into the hallway. Once in the bathroom, she peeled off her leathers, revealing the skinny jeans she was wearing beneath and a tight white tank top. Checking in the mirror that her hair wasn't suffering too much from its short time beneath her helmet, she returned to the living room.
Regina was curled up against the arm of the couch, cupping her wine with both hands. A flash of her future suddenly appeared in Emma's mind. She couldn't help the swell of excitement she felt in her heart at the thought.
"Come and sit," Regina said, holding out the blonde's wine. Emma obeyed at once. With the blonde beside her, she began to recount the evening's events.
As Emma listened, she sipped her drink and nodded her sympathy. She understood what Henry was going through. Eating new food, after having such a limited diet for so long was hard. She remembered how it felt to eat different food again; the taste, the flavours, the smell. And she had been seventeen, able to rationalise and understand the importance of eating different types of food. Henry was only six. He wasn't yet able to comprehend how important it was that his diet improve and diversify.
"It's a process," Emma said when Regina had finished. "You're going to have good days and bad days. It sounds like Henry felt blind-sided by the meal. Perhaps from now on you need to make sure he knows what to expect so that he can prepare himself, as it were. If he needs to be in control, having forewarning of what meal is going to be cooked gives him an opportunity to be involved in the decision making. He might have told you he didn't want chicken and capsicum together."
"So you're saying this is my fault?" Regina asked, defensive at the suggestion.
"Not at all," Emma reassured. "I'm saying that you can learn from this and move on. Both you and Henry are feeling your way forwards blindly but one of the most important things is that you communicate. He's only six but he has his own opinions and thoughts. He's aware of the world around him and what he likes and doesn't like."
"I always ask him what he wants for dinner," Regina said.
"Did you ask him tonight?"
"Yes, he said he wanted pasta and tomato sauce. I made him exactly what he wanted."
"With two added ingredients that weren't mentioned in the description," Emma pointed out. "Perhaps if you had said that you were going to add in the capsicum to the sauce and cook some chicken, he would have either agreed or told you that he didn't want one or the other."
"So it is my fault," Regina sighed, no longer accusatory but resigned to the fact. She drained her wine glass and placed it on the coffee table.
"No," Emma said. "It's no one's fault. It's just something the two of you are going to have to learn how to deal with in the future. It's a journey, right? There are always times when you're going to stray from the path or feel like you're going in circles or even backwards. But you'll make it. Henry will make it. Just, be patient, ok?"
Regina nodded and rubbed her hands over her face. She was suddenly exhausted. "You're right. I was expecting too much too soon. After he ate the chicken on Sunday evening, I just assumed that he would automatically eat it any time in the future. I guess it doesn't work like that. He did this with the capsicum as well, actually. Ate it without a problem one day and then refused to eat it the next time I served it. This isn't going to be plain sailing, is it?"
"I'm afraid not," Emma said, reaching out and patting Regina's thigh, trying to offer some comfort. "But it will get easier. Henry might be the one who has to make these decisions and choose to eat new foods but he has you beside him to help. He'll be just fine, I promise."
"You can't promise that."
"Perhaps not but can I promise to be here for you. For you and Henry, whatever happens, however long this takes."
Brown eyes scanned the earnest face before it. It was too fast, it was too soon, it was too much. They had only met a month earlier. And yet Regina saw no trace of hesitation in Emma's face. She meant it. She believed that she would be a part of Regina and Henry's lives as they travelled along this journey of recovery.
"I hope you are," Regina admitted quietly. "I'm not sure I could do this without you, to be honest."
"Of course you could," Emma said. "You're Henry's mother, you want what's best for him and you are going to help him through this. But you won't have to do it alone."
"I know I can and I will," Regina said. She had no doubt about that; not really. Not even after the evening's step backwards. "I will always be here for Henry. It's just that before I met you, I didn't have anyone who was able to support me. Kat and Zelena are great but they don't understand. Even before I'd dared to label what was going on with Henry, I didn't talk about it with them. I love them both but they can't relate, not the way that you can. You're the one person I can talk to about this, Emma."
"You can talk to me any time," the blonde said, now reaching to grasp Regina's hands in her own. "Whatever you need, whenever you need it, please call me."
"Even if you're at work?"
"I don't usually have my cell on me in the kitchen but I will always return your call as soon as I can. I just promise to look at the clock first next time."
"I'm glad you didn't," Regina replied. "I'm glad you called. And that you asked to come here tonight. I needed this. I needed to see you."
"Me too," Emma said. "And not just because I missed you but because I wanted to be here, to support you."
"You have no idea how much that means to me," Regina said, fingers squeezing Emma's, trying to relay the intense feelings swirling through her veins.
"It means a lot that you're willing to confide in me about something so personal," Emma replied. "I know you say that you can't talk to Zelena or Kat about this but the fact that you've chosen me to be your confidant makes me feel, well, special."
"You are special," Regina said, leaning forwards and kissing Emma. "Really special."
"I think you're incredible, Regina," the blonde said, shuffling closer so that her thigh was pressed against Regina's shin, curled delicately beneath her body. "And I know we came together because of Henry but I believe that we would have found one another either way. We have a connection, something I've not felt with anyone before. Do … do you feel it too?"
"Yes," Regina murmured, craning her neck to kiss Emma lightly once more. "Yes, I feel it."
The two women fell silent, content to just be with one another, taking the time to absorb what had been said, processing the revelations which had transpired. It was only Emma's yawn that broke the moment.
"You're tired," Regina remarked.
"A little," Emma admitted. "But if you want to talk more then I want to listen."
"No," Regina said. "I'm done talking. It's almost midnight and I have to be up in just over six hours."
Emma made a face. She was not a morning person. Thanks to her work at a restaurant which opened at eleven, she rarely had get up before nine. "What time do you leave for work?"
"I walk Henry to school at eight thirty," Regina said. "Then I come back and drive to the city. What about you?"
"I usually head in at about ten," Emma said. "But I can disappear before the kid wakes up tomorrow. I know you don't want him knowing about me yet."
"I'm not going to hide you, Emma," the brunette smiled. "I know what I said and I know this is new but I'd like to think you're going to be sticking around."
"If you'll allow me to," Emma smirked.
"I want you to," Regina said, kissing Emma once more. "And Henry already knows you exist. I don't have a problem with you meeting him again tomorrow morning. But if this is too fast, please tell me. I don't want you to feel uncomfortable or pressured into anything if you're not ready."
"Oh I'm ready," Emma said, eyes darkening slightly.
Regina bit her lip, heat coiling inside her at the look of desire which flickered over the beautiful features. "Um, yeah, about that. Where would you like to sleep?"
Emma's throat became suddenly dry. "What are my options?"
"I have guest bedrooms upstairs," Regina said. "I made one of them up with fresh sheets while I was waiting for you to arrive."
"A guest bedroom," Emma repeated. "Is that where you'd like me to sleep?"
"I've slept alone for over two years," Regina said quietly. "Aside from the occasional night when Henry has a nightmare and crawls in to sleep beside me, I'm not used to sharing my bed with someone else."
"The guest room is completely fine with me," Emma said at once.
"No, that's not what I'm saying," Regina replied hurriedly. "I'm not saying I want you to sleep in the guest room or that I don't want you to sleep in my bed."
Emma frowned slightly. "So, what are you saying? Just tell me, Regina. I'm not going to judge you or feel unwanted or pressured. I just want to know what's going on in your mind."
There was a short pause where Regina looked anywhere but at the blonde. But then she gathered her courage and locked her impassioned gaze on those striking emerald orbs. "Will you come to bed with me. I just want to be held. I … I miss the feel of someone's arms around me."
Emma's heart broke a little as she saw the suddenly loneliness and vulnerability of the brunette before her. She also felt intense anger at the woman who had dared to walk away from Regina and Henry. That anger, however, was soon replaced with a sense of humbleness as she realised what an honour it was to be asked to be the one to hold Regina once more.
"Of course," Emma replied. "Lead the way."
Their empty wine glasses left on the table, Regina stood and pulled Emma to her feet. Fingers still laced together, she led Emma out into the hallway where the blonde picked up her backpack, leaving her discarded leathers draped over the back of the chair. They then continued down to the room which had been transformed into a bedroom after Mal left. If Emma thought it was strange for the master bedroom to be on the ground floor, she said nothing.
"You know where the bathroom is," Regina said, gesturing to the corridor behind her. "There's a new toothbrush in the top drawer of the cabinet in there. I'm just going to check on Henry and do my teeth. I'll be five minutes."
"Ok," Emma said softly, looking around the tasteful room.
Regina disappeared and Emma unzipped her bag. She had packed two sets of pyjamas. In truth, she usually slept in a pair of sleep shorts and a ratty old t-shirt. But she had managed to dig out a slightly wrinkled black silk nightdress and a pair of plaid pyjamas which her foster parents had gifted her a few Christmases earlier. Not knowing the exact direction the night would take, Emma had wanted to have options. From the way Regina had spoken, it sounded like Emma would be there for comfort, not climaxes.
She stripped off her jeans and socks before pulling her tank top over her head. She unhooked her bra but decided to leave her panties on. A few seconds later, the plaid was in place. She picked up her discarded clothes and stuffed them back into her bag before heading for the corridor. The bathroom door was closed, however, so Emma assumed Regina was in there. She returned to the bedroom to wait her turn.
Should she sit? If so, where? On the bed? No, that was too presumptuous. There was a chair in front of the vanity, was that appropriate? No, too personal. That was where Regina kept all of her make up, creams and perfumes. So she was left with standing, awkwardly, at the end of the bed. No, that was weird too. Panicked, Emma looked around the room, desperate for somewhere she could place herself which would seem normal. As she was turning on the spot, however, Regina returned.
"What are you doing?" she asked, seeing Emma standing with her hands on her hips in the middle of the room.
Emma whipped around, looking like an animal caught in the headlights. "Um, I was … I was trying not to be awkward," she admitted.
Regina laughed softly. "You did a great job."
A flush rose up Emma's cheeks. "I'll just go and use the bathroom," she muttered, moving past Regina. But her progress was stopped by a hand encircling her wrist. She stood rooted to the spot, face still burning. Regina moved to stand in front of the blonde and lifted the drooped chin with her finger. Plump lips grazed against Emma's, a silent reassurance.
"I'll be waiting," she murmured, eyes flashing with desire.
Emma, dumbfounded, took a moment to resume her journey towards the bathroom. Regina watched her go before setting about getting herself dressed for bed. Taking her cue from Emma, she pulled on one of her more modest sleeping outfits. The cream silk of her pyjamas was cool against her skin as she pulled back the sheets and slid between them, waiting patiently for Emma to return.
It was true what she had said to Emma; she was used to sleeping alone. She had weaned Henry off spending the night in her bed in the months after Mal had left. While he joined her on occasion, in the event of a bad dream or a loud thunderstorm, for the most part, this was her space. Of course, Henry crawled in beside her every weekend morning but that was different. When it came to her nights, Regina was alone. Until now.
The door opened and Emma stepped back into the room. Regina smiled at her through the dim light, having turned off the main overhead bulb and switched her bedside lamp on instead. The book she was in the middle reading, however, remained closed that night, resting peacefully on the table beside her charging cell phone.
"Did you find the toothbrush?"
"Yes, thank you," Emma said, moving towards the unoccupied side of Regina's bed. Although the brunette hadn't needed to have a 'side' for over a year, she was accustomed to staying on the right of the bed and rarely woke up to discover she'd rolled to the space which used to be occupied by Mal.
That night, however, it was a different blonde who was pulling back the duvet. Emma's eyes met hers and she hesitated, sensing the emotional thoughts which were racing through Regina's brain.
"Are you sure?" Emma asked, not wanting to push the brunette too fast.
Instead of answering, Regina reached her hand out and pulled Emma, gently, onto the bed. Emma went willingly, sliding herself beneath the sheets and laying down on her back, head resting against the fluffy pillow. Regina's position mirrored hers, the brunette having returned her hands to the top of the duvet. Both women stared at the ceiling.
And then, quite suddenly, Regina rolled to her left and threw an arm over Emma's waist. Startled momentarily, Emma soon responded by curling her arm around Regina's shoulder, allowing the crux of the woman's neck to rest on her bicep. Regina smiled and craned her face up to look at Emma.
"Is this ok" she asked.
"More than," Emma reassured, her other arm crossing her body to land on Regina's hip, thumb softly stroking over the silk.
Regina smiled and accepted the kiss Emma dropped to her lips. She was expecting it to be hard to control her desire lying in the blonde's arms. And while she knew her attraction to the younger woman had in no way waned, it wasn't sexual gratification she craved. What she needed more than anything was to feel safe and supported. Emma was giving her that.
"Thank you for staying with me tonight," Regina murmured against Emma's lips before they kissed again.
"Of course," Emma said when they broke apart briefly. The kiss resumed but it was soft, unhurried, a promise silently exchanged between both women rather than a prelude to sex.
"Are you comfortable?" Emma asked when at last the kiss was broken and Regina's head rested on her shoulder, the heat of her breath ghosting over the blonde's breast even through her pyjamas.
"Yes, sort of," Regina replied.
"Sort of?"
"I have a confession," Regina said quietly.
"Go on," Emma encouraged.
"I can only get to sleep on my right side. I always sleep facing the opposite wall."
"Then why are you lying on your left side now?" Emma asked.
"Because I didn't want to turn my back on you," Regina said. "You've been so sweet and understanding and I didn't want to make you think I was being cold or distant. That's the last thing I ever want to be with you, Emma. I just can't sleep in any other position."
Emma couldn't help but smile at the adorable excuse. "Roll onto your right side," she murmured, removing her hand from Regina's hip so the brunette didn't feel like she was pulling away. Regina did as requested, her head now back on her own pillow, hands cushioning her cheek as they always did. And then she felt Emma shift. The blonde gently followed Regina to her side of the bed, moving her body slowly so it aligned perfectly with the older woman, moulding their curves to one another. With her right elbow bent, hand buried beneath the pillow, Emma slid her left arm over Regina's waist, pulling their bodies flush together. A sharp intake of breath was heard.
"Is this ok?" Emma whispered, her breath hot against Regina's neck.
"Perfect," Regina said, one hand reaching down to cover Emma's where it rested on her stomach, fingers naturally twined together. "Thank you."
"Thank you," Emma repeated. "Holding you like this is something I've dreamed of doing."
It was true. Although in her dreams she usually ended up spooning the brunette after a long night of passionate love making. But that could wait. She didn't want to push Regina and she knew now wasn't the time. She was more than content to be holding the beautiful woman in her arms, feeling the sinfully soft silk against her fingertips.
"Goodnight, Emma," Regina whispered after a short silence.
"Goodnight, Regina," Emma replied, unable to stop herself pressing a kiss to the nape of Regina's neck, breathing in the sweet, intoxicating smell of the woman whom, she was quite sure, she was falling hopelessly in love with.
A/N: we're getting there! I promise! Also, I can only sleep on my left side and do have to apologise to whomever I'm sharing a bed with when I turn my back on them.