A/N: Decision time for Emma. And smut. Because it's been ages since I've written some and Emma needs some lovin'. This chapter is NSFW.
"I'm sorry, what?"
"Regina has offered to buy HLS," Emma repeated to her shocked audience. "She's a millionaire, apparently, and when I told her Killian had people lined up to buy the restaurant, she suggested we buy it instead."
Ruby gawped at her best friend, the cup of coffee that she had made herself paused halfway between the table and her lips. It was the day after the brunette had dropped the bombshell in the guise of a generous offer on Emma. The moment the older woman had left that morning to drop Henry to school, Emma had phoned her best friend and told her to come over. She needed to talk the colossal, life-changing proposal through.
"A millionaire?" Ruby repeated.
Emma nodded. "Yeah. I mean, I knew she had money but I didn't realise she had millions lying around in a bank account waiting to buy her girlfriend's place of business."
"So, she'd be our boss?" Ruby asked.
"She says I'd be the boss," Emma admitted. "She basically said she'd be giving me the money and that it would be my business. Regina doesn't seem to want to be involved; she just doesn't want me to have to work for someone else, I think."
"So you'd be my boss?" Ruby confirmed.
"No, well, yes, I suppose so. I don't know. I didn't accept Regina's offer."
"Why not?" Ruby asked. "If Belle gave me millions of dollars to buy HLS, I'd sure as hell be taking it."
"Yeah, but you've known Belle for years. You're engaged," Emma pointed out. "I've known Regina for less than four months."
"You're living together, aren't you? I mean, you see your future as being with her."
"Of course. I can't imagine my life without Regina and Henry."
"Then what's the problem?" Ruby asked.
Emma bit her lip. To buy herself some time, she took a sip from the mug of tea Ruby had made her. The brunette, unlike their boss, had offered to help Emma in light of her bandaged hands.
"It's a lot of money, Rubes," she said at last. "I'm not sure I feel comfortable taking it from Regina."
"You're not taking it. She's offering," Ruby reasoned. "And she wouldn't offer if she didn't want to, nor if she couldn't afford it. I mean, look at this place." She gestured to the beautiful living room they were sat in. "The woman clearly has money to spare."
"But this isn't just a few hundred bucks. It's millions of dollars," Emma pointed out. "She's offering Killian more than this couple in New York. Do you know who they are, by the way?"
Ruby shook her head. "Nah, just some foodies apparently. They're obsessed with you though. The wife phoned the restaurant last week asking to speak to you and then the husband called a few days ago asking if you were back at work. It sounds like they want to buy you, not HLS."
"Yeah well, I'm not for sale," Emma remarked. A wolfish grin returned that statement. Emma rolled her eyes at Ruby's glee in her euphemistic statement. She just wanted so advice. "Rubes, please, what would you do?"
To be honest, Ruby didn't have an answer. It wasn't really a situation she had ever imagined happening but she tried to put herself in Emma's shoes.
"The offer is amazing, Ems," she reasoned. "What Regina could enable you to do would be incredible. You'd have your own restaurant and a profitable one at that. You'd be your own boss. You'd have complete control over the way the restaurant was developed. And from the sound of it, people want an Emma Swan restaurant."
"Yeah, Regina keeps saying that too. Apparently my name brings in the most conversions on their PPC campaigns."
"I don't know what that means but it sounds good so congratulations," Ruby said. "Emma, this is an amazing opportunity from where I'm sat. Why are you holding back? Is it the relationship?"
"No," Emma said at once. She had many doubts but none of them were about her and Regina and their love for one another. "No, it's not that."
"Then why are you hesitating?"
It was true. Emma was hesitating. Since Regina had made the offer the previous evening, Emma's mind had not stopped. She hadn't said anything to Regina about it but the proposal had not filled her with joy and excitement as she knew it should. Instead, she felt apprehension and fear and an impending sense that she was doomed to fail.
"Because I don't know the first thing about running a business," Emma said at last, voicing her biggest fear. "What if I fuck it up? I've never been much good at anything aside from cooking. I wasn't great at school. I was shit at maths. I've never studied business in my life. What if I take a thriving business and turn it all to shit and lose all of Regina's money? What if I'm a terrible boss and everyone quits and -?"
"Woah, Emma, calm down," Ruby said, seeing that her friend was getting agitated as her worried were finally vocalised. "That's not going to happen."
"You don't know that."
"Don't I? Ems, you and I practically run that place already. On a day to day basis, we are the bosses. Killian does fuck all and he pays an accountant to take care of finances. And you already are a boss in the kitchen. Your staff love you. I get phone calls most days asking if there are vacancies to train and work under the great Emma Swan. Seriously, you have nothing to worry about there. You'd be an incredible boss of the whole place, even me."
"I wouldn't be your boss," Emma said at once.
"If you owned the place you would be," Ruby pointed out. "But I'd like to think you know I can take care of the front of house without much supervision. Nothing has to change, really, if you think about it. You can hire a business manager to take care of that side of things. You can keep Killian's accountant on board. Regina already does the marketing for HLS. There's no reason you can't stay working in the kitchen exactly as you are now. The only real difference would be that you'd have to make a few bigger decisions and you'd be responsible for signing off on all that paperwork we already fill out and dump on Killian's desk. You can do this, Emma. I know you can."
Emma looked at her best friend, the woman gazing earnestly back at her. "You really believe that?"
"I do," Ruby nodded. "And if you need help, your girlfriend is a very successful business owner. I'm sure she'd help you out."
"Wanna know the truth?"
"Always."
"In an ideal world, I wouldn't be doing this alone. Regina and I would do it together. And not just because it's her money. I want her to be involved in the business. I wouldn't expect her to be there every day and I know she has her own company to run. But I think we'd work well as a team and I think she would be a real asset to the restaurant."
"Real asset, huh," Ruby smirked. "You're already talking like a business owner."
Emma smirked. "I learned that from Regina. She talks about her work sometimes. And she's so good at it. Did you know she has over eighty employees at that company? She and her mother built it from nothing. They've created something amazing. She's an incredible business woman. I'd be coming into an already established business and I still don't think I can do it. In fact, I know I can't do it. I can't do this without Regina by my side."
"You won't have to."
Emma whipped around and let out a little whimper as her broken ribs protested at the sudden movement. Ruby too had turned towards the sound of the voice.
"Regina. Why are you home?" Emma asked after a moment of silence.
"I left a portfolio here," Regina said, waving the large folder that was under her arm from the doorway where she still stood. "See, even incredible business women make mistakes."
Emma blushed. "How much did you hear?"
"Enough," Regina offered, a gentle smile on her face.
"Um, I'm gonna go," Ruby said after a moment.
"No, please stay. I'm sorry to interrupt. I was just going to collect this and head out but, well, I heard you two talking, so …" This time it was Regina's turn to blush as she admitted to eavesdropping. "But Ruby, you needn't leave. I'll go and you two can continue your conversation. Emma and I can talk later."
"Actually, I should head off to be honest. I'm going to be late for work. And you know me; always the good employee who's on time."
Emma couldn't help but chuckle as Ruby finished her coffee and got to her feet. The brunette whispered that she'd call Emma later when she bent down to hug her friend goodbye before bidding farewell to Regina on her way out. There was a moment of silence and then the front door closed. Regina was still standing at the edge of the room.
"Come here," Emma said, gesturing with one bandaged hand for the brunette to come and take a seat beside her.
Regina deposited the forgotten portfolio on the side table and made her way at once to her girlfriend. As soon as she sat down, Emma wrapped her arms around her, holding the woman tight against her. Regina hugged her back, burying her face in the soft blonde hair.
"So," Emma said when they broke apart.
"So," Regina nodded.
"I guess you got the gist of that conversation?"
"That you're completely normal because you're apprehensive about being a business owner? Yeah, Emma. I would have been surprised if you weren't nervous."
"It's not just the nerves," Emma admitted. "I mean, I'm terrified that I'll fail and that I won't be able to be a good boss and run a successful business. I'm a chef; what do I know about paying business tax and employee files and all of that other paperwork that I'm sure I'd have to do? But with all that aside, I also want to talk to you about the money. I can't just take it, Regina. That doesn't seem right."
"So you want me to come on as a silent partner?"
Emma shrugged. "Maybe. I don't know all of these business terms yet. Silent partner doesn't sound like you'd be very involved though."
"No, I wouldn't be. Do you want me to be more involved?"
"I want to be able to come to you for advice."
"You can always do that, sweetheart," Regina said, a hand coming to rest on Emma's cheek.
"Yeah, but I also want it to be known that the business is 'ours'. I mean, it will be your money but the profits will be ours. I'll do most of the day to day work but I think I'm going to need you for some of the business stuff. So, I guess, rather than a silent partner, can we just be partners?"
"In life and in business?"
Emma nodded, twisting her head to place a light kiss to Regina's palm. "Yes."
Leaning forwards, Regina captured Emma's lips in a tender kiss before she answered. "I'd like that."
A smile spread slowly over Emma's face and she leaned in to kiss her girlfriend, her partner, her business partner once more. Regina's hands snaked around the back of her neck as she moved closer on the couch. Emma rested her own bandaged hands lightly on Regina's waist. The hidden skin was still tender but it was getting better every day. Plus, the euphoria that the blonde could feel flowing through her veins eclipsed any discomfort caused by the pressure.
Before either of them knew it, Regina was on her back, Emma laying on top of her. Regina's hands ghosted up and down the blonde's spine, relishing in the feel of being back in her lover's arms.
"Emma, are you hurting yourself?" Regina asked as the blonde began to lay a trail of kisses down her neck to her heaving chest.
"No," Emma assured her. It was almost true. Her ribs had protested a little as she lay down on top of Regina but her surgery scar was fine. It had been almost three weeks since the accident and Emma's desires were more powerful now than the residual pain.
Regina seemed to accept the blonde's answer as she slid her palms down and grasped Emma's ass. She had wanted to do that every morning as she helped Emma pull on her pants, but she had resisted, not wanting to push the blonde to do anything she wasn't ready for. At the squeezing of her butt, however, Emma moaned, her teeth nibbling on Regina's collarbone where she was now laving her kisses.
"I've missed this," Regina gasped as Emma sat up and gestured for the brunette to undress her.
"Me too," Emma smiled. "I'm sorry."
"Don't be," Regina replied at once, pulling Emma's t-shirt over her head. "It wasn't your fault. I'm just glad you're getting better."
"Almost," Emma said, her bandaged hand now running over the scar on her exposed stomach.
Regina reached out too, caressing the area around the raised, puckered skin. "You're alive, Emma," she whispered. "That's all that matters."
Their lips crashed back together, Regina now fumbling her own blouse off. She hadn't even made it to the office before she realised she had forgotten the portfolio and was sure she would need to change again before she headed into work later. But she didn't care. Shedding her blouse, she reluctantly instructed Emma to climb off her while they both remove their pants. Emma reached out to pull Regina closer as soon as the woman was standing in front of her with just her underwear on. Pressing a firm kiss to the smooth, flat plane of Regina's stomach, Emma then peered up into the face above her.
Regina smiled down at her girlfriend, hand stroking over the scarf which adorned Emma's head. She then realised she wanted to run her fingers through Emma's beautiful hair.
"May I?" she asked, fingers moving to the knot she had tied earlier that morning.
Emma nodded. She didn't want to go outside with her large shaved patch still visible and obvious but this was Regina; this was different. The woman loved her for who she was, not what she looked like. The silk fell away and Regina's fingers at once wound their way into the freed locks. Emma couldn't hold back the moan as fingernails scraped against her scalp.
Their lips reconnected as Regina bent down. Emma leaned back against the couch, encouraging Regina to go with her. The brunette was hesitant to put any weight on her girlfriend so she lay down beside the younger woman. Emma complied to the silent request and twisted onto her side. It was probably a good idea; in that position, her ribs took no strain and nothing was pressing against her surgery scar.
As the heat built between them, Regina divested herself and then Emma of their bras. She knew Emma ached to touch her; the bandaged stubs not allowing enough skin contact for either of them. But Emma was inventive and ducked her head instead, latching onto a taut nipple with her lips and sucking it before flickering the tender nerves with her tongue.
Arching into the contact, Regina hooked her leg over Emma's hips, opening herself up eagerly. She didn't care if it appeared needy. She needed Emma. And, she realised, Emma needed her. Beyond the few million dollars she was offering the blonde, Emma needed Regina by her side as she set out on her new adventure for support as a lover, just as much as a business partner. Pushing her hips forwards, Regina ground her core lightly on Emma's own mound, both women's underwear rubbing against their heated sex.
With a final nibble and kiss to Regina's breast, Emma made her way down the couch. For the first time in almost three weeks, she wasn't concerned about not being able to use her fingers. She wanted to taste Regina.
Rolling onto her back and shifting up the couch, Regina let her thighs fall open as Emma manoeuvred herself between them. Emma paused for a moment, looking at Regina's underwear and then at her hands. But before Regina could reach down and help, the blonde took the lace in her teeth and began to tug the final scrap of material down Regina's legs.
It took longer than either woman expected and was far less elegant than movies and books made the move appear. Once the offending article of clothing had at last been wriggled from Regina's foot, Emma grinned sheepishly up from where she now knelt at the end of the couch. Regina chuckled and gestured for Emma to take her place once more. The blonde didn't need telling twice.
A throaty moan echoed through the room as Emma's mouth closed over Regina's sex. She wrapped her arms around the tensed thighs, anchoring herself closer as she shuffled to get more comfortable on her knees, ribs aching slightly at her bent posture. But she didn't care. It didn't matter. Not when she could feel Regina's hot flesh against her tongue.
She licked long, slow, steady lines through Regina's folder, laving her clit at the top every time before returning to her entrance and repeating the move. Regina's fingers threaded once more through her hair, breathless moans encouraging Emma to continue. Which she willingly did. She licked and licked, the skin getting slicker each time as Regina's arousal built. Emma dipped her tongue into her girlfriend, lapping at the musky essence which gathered there. She could feel the walls pulse and clench at the intrusion, desperate and wanton.
It didn't take long for Regina to be teetering on the edge. Since Emma had returned from the hospital, Regina hadn't had an orgasm. Emma knew that. And Emma could also sense that the brunette was close to exploding. She returned her attention to the sensitive bundle, redoubling her efforts with tight, fast circles around Regina's clit. Fingernails dug into her scalp, a silent plea for more. Emma caught the bud between her teeth, worrying it lightly before sucking, relentless in her quest to draw pleasure from the woman who was beginning to shake.
As Regina came, Emma's name fell from her lips. Without Henry in the house, there was no need to be quiet. Emma could feel her own underwear, which was still in place, dampen even further as Regina chanted her name. She raised her head, chin shining with Regina's pleasure, to watch the woman who lay above her, panting and breathless.
"Fucked you senseless?" Emma asked cockily after almost a minute of silence.
Regina batted her eyes open to see Emma still knelt between her legs. She smirked at the sight. "Not quite."
Sitting up, Regina pulled Emma towards her, their lips meeting in a messy kiss. Then Regina began to gently push Emma backwards, encouraging the blonde to lean against the arm of the couch.
"Is that ok?" she asked as she moved out of the way so Emma could straighten her bent legs.
"Yep," Emma nodded. And it was true. Even if her ribs were hurting, she could think or feel nothing except her desire for Regina. "Come here."
Regina went willingly, kissing Emma hard as she blindly fumbled Emma's underwear down her legs. Once the blonde had kicked the scrap of material free, Regina made her way back so she was lying on her stomach. Emma gulped at the sight. From her vantage point, she could not only see the beautiful face about to be buried in her sex but also the elegant curves of Regina's body; the defined muscles of her shoulders, the dip of her lower back, her ass swelling upwards before her slender legs stretched out. Emma's breath hitched.
That hitch turned into a mewl as Regina's fingers ran over her centre. Two tips traced through her folds, gathering wetness before they pushed inside. Regina's gaze flitted between the opening in Emma's body which was accepting her own and then up to the blonde's blissful expression.
Regina wanted to savour the moment, draw out Emma pleasure, take her time. But she also really wanted to make the blonde come. There was time for slow and sensual in the future. In that moment, she realised, she needed to feel the blonde crest against her lips.
It wasn't elegant or particularly romantic but it was passionate and intense and so full of feelings that neither woman cared. Emma arched her back as she came, her bandaged hands resting on Regina's shoulders as the woman feasted on her core. She rocked her hips in time to the three fingers now pumping in and out of her, Regina's tongue lashing against her clit until she saw stars.
And then it was over. Emma was lying flat on her back, Regina curled against her side, quiet, peaceful. Both were naked, not wanting to get dressed, content to just lie, bare, in one another's arms. The grandfather clock in the corner chimed eleven in the morning, interrupting their bliss.
"So I guess I'm late for work," Regina mused.
"Do you need to leave?" Emma asked, making no attempt to move so that her girlfriend, who was between her body and the couch back, could get out.
"No, I'll have lunch here with you and go in this afternoon. Besides, I think we have a contract to draw up."
"A sex contract?" Emma asked.
Regina chuckled. "You and your one track mind. No, Emma. A business contract. If we're going to be partners in the restaurant, we need to work out the details then I'll have my lawyer draw up a contract."
"Do you think we ought to ask Killian if he'll accept the offer first?"
"Why wouldn't he?" Regina asked. "We're willing to pay more than these New Yorkers even though I'm sure they wouldn't be offering him as much as they are if you refused to sign with them. We could probably get the whole place for less but I don't want to quibble over a few hundred thousand. I'd rather just close the deal and secure our future."
"A few hundred thousand," Emma repeated. "What is it like being rich?"
Regina chuckled. "I don't know any different, to be honest. All I know right now is that I am in a position to do something that helps you and I don't care what it costs me. What it costs us, I should say."
"Us?"
"Us," Regina nodded. "You and me, Emma. We're partners now."
A/N: for those of you who are wondering, this story will have 45 chapters. And there will be some time jumps.