It is late and much too far for Regina to even attempt to drive home. Besides, she isn't reckless. She knows from her many years of experience in the medial field that tonight is going to be a busy night for hospitals due to one too many accidents on the roads from drunk drivers.
One of the perks of living on the cape before is she knows all the local inns in the area that would still be open and offering rooms. It doesn't take long for her to check in. Walking into the small room she kicks off her heels and leans back on the bed. Her hair fans out over the comforter and her eyes gaze up to the ceiling.
A single tear slips from her right eye that she causally cleans away with the back of her left hand. She desperately, more than anything in fact, wishes that she was with Emma... and Henry. For her entire life she was always so lonely.
She isn't particularly close to her parents. She is infamous for chasing away all the men in her life. Graham is the only male suitor that stuck around. Poor guy is like a gnat that won't get the hint sometimes and will keep coming back.
Point was, today was the first day she felt... alive. She, for once, is not only liked by someone, but she also likes them in return. The worst part is she can't have Emma. She doesn't call her. Sure, it is rash and maybe there is some reasonable explanation.
Regina turns over on her side and feels the boxy object cutting into her side that she had given Emma and Henry. She had yet to turn it on and look at the pictures. Part of her wants to throw the memory card away and forget the tiny family she had grown to love, but no matter how much she wants to do that her heart feels compelled not to.
A few more tears roll down Regina's face before she finally sits up and deeply exhales all the air out of her lungs. She turns on the camera and goes to the memory to look at what is left for her.
About two hours later she is in a mess of tears and all she can do is laugh at the cute video of Henry saying hello to her. The kid is very intuitive for his age, that is for sure.
There is a picture of Emma that is completely candid that Henry obviously snapped, the blurriness gave the kid away. Emma's hair was highlighted by the sunset. She was laughing, presumably at Henry, and looked so beautiful. Regina assumed that she would be, but God she was breathtakingly beautiful.
Everything about the videos and pictures that she spent hours flipping through makes her feel important to someone. It makes her feel important to Emma.
She was by no means obligated to take on the small project with the camera, but she did, and she opened herself up along with Henry. That means everything in the world to Regina. For once in her life, she feels like she has a place. Her place is with them. But the most agonizing thing about this budding romance is they weren't real. At least, not in this reality, or better yet, continuum.
The only peace Regina can find within herself is that, despite being separated by time from Emma, she still exists. The worse thing would be if she didn't exist at all.
The camera is proof that this woman, and her son, are real. They are somewhere out there and one day she knows she will find them. With that peace of mind, she drifts off, seeing their smiling faces in the forefront of her mind.
Regina is sitting in the break room drinking coffee looking off into space. It is not a surprise she is thinking about Emma. The previous week she had some of the pictures printed. It feels more real to her to have something tangible of Emma and Henry. One her bedside nightstand she has a picture of the two eating messy hot dogs. Their faces were priceless, and it felt so real, as if she was the one behind the camera laughing at their silly antics.
Another picture she keeps in her coat pocket while she works. It gives her a sense of warmth to have her closest to her and, more importantly, it gives her hope that she will find Emma.
While Regina concentrates on committing the image to her memory her phone begins to go off. She looks at the number and does not recognize it. She feels her body heat up. Her thoughts immediately go to Emma. She had her number from the fourth of July. Better late than never...
Regina lets the phone ring a few times and finally answers, "Hello?"
"Hey! I am in town tonight for a meeting. Can I take you to dinner?" It is not Emma. Regina feels her heart sink. It, of course, was Graham. She purposely deleted his number. Suddenly Regina recalls that Emma had seen her with him. Why this revelation upset her was curious. Regina realizes she had let Graham listen to her breathing for too long. Truth be told, she really should get out more and see more people besides her sick patients. Kathryn was the only person she really talked to at work.
The thing is, Regina's mind obsessed over Emma, so how was it even possible to carry on a conversation with her if she couldn't be honest with her. She, if she could, would scream at the top of her lungs that she liked Emma. That, however, would make her blonde friend think she was crazy. I mean how exactly do you tell someone that you like someone who seems promising, except for the small fact that they live in the past? See, crazy. Regina's thoughts are cut short from the heavy breathing on the other end of the line.
"Yeah. When? I work till 8 tonight."
Regina is not used to, at least anymore, being escorted around by anyone. Graham does his gentlemanly duties by opening doors and letting her walk first. Once in the restaurant he asks for a table for two. The hostess looks at him quizzically before asking, "Sir what is the reservation under?"
Finally, that is when he realizes that he isn't getting a table. "I don't have one. Can we wait?"
"Sorry tables are booked for a few months now. I can book you a reservation for October 1st at 8 or 11:30?"
Regina can't hide her smirk. She wants to laugh, but that would have been uncalled for and, more importantly, rude. A few blocks away the duo make their way out of a pizza joint. Regina feels bad for the poor guy, he honestly thought he could just walk right into one of the best restaurants in the city and think he could get a table.
"Look don't feel bad. It is one of the best restaurants. Its the gesture that matters."
The tall, dark-haired man scratches his head and looks up at the night sky. "That is not what is really bothering me." He sighs and then laughs at his own awkwardness.
"I didn't do this right."
Graham is clearly upset and uncomfortable. The fidgeting gives him away. He was stretching once second and next running his bear hands through his short hair.
Regina just looks at him. She knows what he means. "This was not a business trip, was it?" She knows the answer before he gets the words out of his mouth. Graham always did things like this. Get his hopes up and think that things would just swing his way. Throughout their entire relationship he was so presumptuous.
Instead of an answer he simply shakes his head and cowardly looks down at his feet. Without making eye contact he says, "I just thought you'd see me if it was no big deal. A coffee date, but coffee turned into me inviting you to dinner. Then dinner turned into this. Quick pizza and then…"
"So, this is some sort of an ambush."
"I guess."
"Graham, didn't you learn the first time."
"Pardon?"
"Back when we were in a relationship you always were ten steps ahead. You had what people call a 5-year plan all mapped out. I was still in school, and you already had your eye on real estate. I'd come visit you on the weekend to escape school and the city and you had the neighborhood over to meet me. All I wanted was to relax and to just catch a second to breathe. You were just ready to get married and... and... claim me like some prize."
She is cut off, "I loved you, Regina. I wanted to show you off to everyone to let them know how lucky of a guy I was. You were always something else. Well let me tell you, at least I respected you enough, Regina, to not make out with someone else. I don't care if it was a woman. I would never hurt you like that."
Regina almost falls over in surprise. "What are you talking about? I don't even really recall that night. In case you have forgotten you threw a huge party and there was liquor. I drank it..." She is cut off by an obviously heated Graham.
"Liquor is not an excuse. I don't care if you were caught up in a moment. That was supposed to be me. In case you have forgotten, let me remind you. We broke off our engagement shortly after that because you were unsure about us."
"First, Graham, I never made out with someone, I did kiss her. Perhaps if you had taken a step back and realized that you were suffocating me, that charming woman wouldn't have seemed so appealing. Second, the engagement ended because I couldn't let the relationship we had continue because it wasn't meant to be."
Graham holds up his hands. "I didn't mean to come here to bring up the past. I don't want to fight. I just… Regina. I don't believe we were just not meant to be. Part of me is still curious, if you didn't leave when you did… if…"
He is cut off, "Don't." Regina knows her tone is harsh and with a slight struggle she continues with a gentler approach, "Leaving was one of the hardest decisions I have made. Our engagement was based on a good idea. I liked the idea more than I liked what we became."
Graham nods, "Yeah. I probably should not have called. Dinner seemed like a good idea tonight. I guess I've just missed you."
Regina doesn't respond. She looks down and then pulls out her phone and calls a cab. "I better get going. Thanks for the pizza, Graham."
"Maybe next time we can get just coffee. I just want to still be a part of your life, Regina."
Regina smiles, her heart hurts for him. Here is this gorgeous and successful man willing to give her the world here and now and it is the last thing she wants.
Emma was out at the diner with Henry eating outside in the perfect fall weather. Not too hot, not to cold. It was the perfect medium. Lady was sitting next to them as they shared an ice cream sundae. Henry looked down just in time to catch Lady's leash, but the dog had other intentions as she ran barking at a cat. The leash slipped through his small hands leaving a small, red rash.
"Henry go inside and sit with Granny!" Emma ran after their dog. It was a good thing she was in shape. She kept running. "Damn dog," Emma cursed. Finally, she noticed someone had grabbed the dogs leash.
"I take it that this runaway is yours?" The guy was gentle on the eyes. He seemed familiar. Emma was usually spot on with her memory and her brain was itching to recall his face, but it was failing her.
Emma nodded, "Yeah she got away from my son and I. Thanks for stopping her."
"Don't sweat it. I should get a dog like her for my girlfriend. She loves dogs like this." He petted the dog's head.
A few minutes had passed, and Emma started to feel strange standing in the man's front yard. She went to turn to leave but noticed the boxes. Looking down at Lady, who now was sprawled out on to the ground, and back to the man who helped catch her, she said, "I can help you with that." She tied Lady's leash around a small tree for safe measure. Though she knew Lady reached her maximum capacity for her workout for the day, she wasn't taking any chances. All it took was a stupid squirrel or some damn cat.
The guy turned to her and handed her a box. She looked down at its open top and noticed all the liquor. "Whoa must be having a celebration?"
He laughed, "Yeah I am."
Emma asked, "So what do you do, if you don't mind me asking?"
He started, "I work in real estate. I have a few places I have invested in. One by the lake, Chicago, and in the city. I moved here not too long ago. My girlfriend liked the lake setting. Unfortunately, we didn't luck out directly on the lake. How about you what do you do? How long have you been here?"
"Well, I am the sheriff. I have lived here off and on my entire life. I went to school in the city as a teen and then moved back her after I had my son."
Emma set the box down and glanced around at the place, "This looks really cozy."
"Thanks. I like it, but my girlfriend, like I said, likes the lake, so if you know of any places with a view let me know." He reached into his pocket, "Take my card just in case. I am hoping to surprise her with a house after she finishes medical school. This place is nice, but its only temporary till I find her the perfect place for us to call home and settle down in."
"Oh, she's in Medical school?"
"Yes, she comes down on the weekends. This party is for her tonight…. Hey, why don't you stop by. It starts at 9."
Emma began to piece together all the information and realized this wasn't some random guy, this was the same guy she saw with Regina at the bus station in Boston all those months ago.
"Emma." She said, "My name is Emma. I think I failed to tell you thought when I was introducing myself." She reached out her hand to the guy in front of her. He met her halfway and shook her hand.
"I'm Graham. Look I have a lot to do before she gets here. I hope to see you tonight!"
Emma took her cue and left. She untied Lady from the man's tree and headed back to the diner. She had kept Henry waiting for about 20 minutes.
Entering the diner, she heard her small son running up to her, "Mom did you catch Lady?"
Emma gave her eager son a smile and said, "Of course? I would never let her get lost again! She's outside. Want to go home and watch some cartoons together? Maybe play monopoly?"
"Yessss! Can I be the dog? You always get the dog! I am going to win free parking too!"
Emma smiled and approached the older woman, "Hey do you think in about 6 hours I could have you watch him? I want to go somewhere at 9ish?"
"Of course! I don't mind. Henry will be asleep by then anyways. I can catch up on some soap operas while I finish my new scarf for winter. It's going to take me a long time to make. I am making one of those hip infinity scarves with wool. The pattern is easy, but god, Emma, I have gorilla hands."
Emma tried to stop the laughter, but the entire time she tired to contain her laughter, the more it was difficult to hold it in. "Did I just hear you correctly? Gorilla hands? What is that? Who has those?" Laughing some more, Emma pointed to the door and motioned that she was leaving, "I can't handle you right now. I am literally still thinking that one over… 'gorilla hands'" Emma air quoted that last bit and left laughing to herself some more. "Love you Granny. See you at 9!"
Emma circled the block 4 times before she finally decided to park her bug. She turned off the engine and reclined back into the seat that was well worn. Emma had one hand on the steering wheel and her left arm propped on the side of her window, her hand on her head. Emma could here laughter coming from three houses away.
That last thought gave Emma butterflies. Regina, at least past Regina, was three houses away. Emma sighed; she knew she had decision to make. If she were to go into that house, she could change things for Regina now.
She looked down at her keys and placed her right hand on them about to crank her engine back up when a harsh knock on her widow startled her. Emma looked up and saw the man she had helped earlier in the day.
"Graham, Jesus you just scared the crap out of me!"
"Looks like you were about to leave. I saw you sitting out here and thought I would come over. Regina will be here in 15 minutes. I have to set a few more things up."
"Okay give me 5 minutes I will be right in." Emma smiled. The guy was friendly enough. He certainly was making it much harder to envy.
Emma watched him walk back into the house and finally leaned her head against the steering wheel, "Come on Swan get your shit together."
It wasn't like Graham was still actively in Regina's life. That she knew, but Emma also understood they were in engaged at some point before Regina broke it off. That made Emma jealous.
Stepping out of the car, Emma looked down at her skin-tight jeans and straightened her red jacket and proceeded towards the house.
Emma could admit, Graham certainly knew how to throw a party. Speakers were set around the house with pure pop on max volume. Beer coolers set up around the house, snack bowls, and streamers all around.
The lights were out, and the music was cut off. Graham had everyone hidden right before the door opened slowly.
"Graham?"
Everyone shot out from their hiding places and yelled surprise! Regina's face paled, and her mouth dropped open. Graham was standing right in front her. Emma could just barely see over his shoulder enough to notice that Regina was probably not into any surprises.
"Hi babe, I just wanted to surprise you. Everyday is so wonderful with you in it. You truly are one of a kind and I can never tell you enough how much I adore you. I am the luckiest man."
Graham dropped to one knee and popped open a Tiffany's box. Emma saw enough to know that the ring was worth more than she could ever afford. The only thing keeping her sane at this point was knowing that Regina broke off their engagement.
Regina looked terrified. Her skin went pale. Her eyes grew wide. Most woman normally scream, or cry, but Regina was not most women.
A low stuttered response come from Regina, "Yes." As painful as it was to hear, Emma knew it was okay. Regina told her.
Later that night she had about 4 beers and found some liquid courage to finally go up to Regina and talk to her. She, thankfully, was alone on the back porch.
"Hey." Emma knew she sounded super lame.
The woman had long dark hair and bangs and turned towards Emma and equally as lame replied, "Hey."
Emma saw how closed off the other woman looked.
"So, I guess a congratulations is in order. Let's see that ring?"
Regina reached out her hand that Emma grasped. Emma looked down at the presumably 2 carat diamond, but all Emma could concentrate on was how warm and soft Regina's hand was.
"It's beautiful." Emma smiled, "Just like you."
Regina's left eyebrow arched. A smirk finally made its way across her face.
"I'm Emma, by the way, I live here on the Cape. I met Graham earlier today. He sort of played hero and rescued my dog that got loose. Anyways… Less about me. Tell me about yourself. I heard that you are a doctor."