Emma continued to sit there sobbing over the man who had the potential to be a great father. She wondered what it would have been like to have a dad see her off to prom. A dad who would sit back and watch the Red Sox game, or even a dad who would assume the role of a grandfather to her son, Henry. Emma sobbed for all the what if's that could have been a reality that she was robbed of.
If she learned one thing from her father it was that true love does exist. It was as if his soul was bound to her mother's. The moment she stopped living, he did too. Emma knew that love, true love, was worth waiting for. Even if you are 80 years old and you first meet the one. Having them, even in the shortest time frame given, is better than never having them at all. Love is a gift. It's not to be wasted and her father invested every ounce of his in her mother. Emma wanted just that, except she'd never stop loving Henry. He was her first love and she'd never abandon him.
A few days had passed and Emma worked herself thin setting up the arrangements for the funeral. She shook hundreds of hands and spoke to so many people that it was as if her body was on autopilot going through the motions. Her father was a well-known man. Best damn architect in New England and you could possibly get away with saying best on the East coast. He built the lake house as a rookie. A rookie. That's right. Most people aspire to be at that level at the end of their career, but not her father. It was his first creation and one of his bests. Emma always loved the house because it was the epitome of her father and mother. It was her dad's creation, but her mother's vision you see. It was home to Emma. It was the only place on Earth she could go where she felt a connection to her family.
Once when she was a little girl, in the kitchen her mother and her made Christmas cookies. Her father wasn't home from the city yet and the kitchen was a wreck. Flour was everywhere because of course Emma took a fist full of flour and yelled, "MOMMA?" and threw it straight in her face. Her mother laughed the most joyous laugh and swung flour at her young daughter. The two spent the evening baking and throwing food at each other. By the time her father got home the cookies were made, but the flour was everywhere. Emma smiled to herself and recalled what he said, "Home sweet home to see my two beautiful girls covered in flour."
There was also that one time she had a nightmare about the bogyman and her father gave her a flashlight. They tag teamed the house together with their flashlights like secret agent spies looking for it. By the end she no longer was afraid. He made something scary fun.
On Friday's they had movie nights. She begged to watch The Princess Bride every Friday. Her father of course let her win. Her mother wanted to scoop her eyeballs out with spoons if she had to endure that movie one more time.
Her father also taught her how to swim in the lake. She remembers her little orange floaties her mother forced her to wear for all too long. Her dad was insistent she recalled, "Mary Margaret, as much as I know you are concerned, it is best for Emma to learn how to swim sooner rather than later. Let me teach her. It will be fun. Trust me."
The lake house was full of memories: Story time, movie nights, baking, playing tag, or swimming in the lake. The lake house was the only connection she had with her parents.
Emma flipped through the memoir of her father titled, "The Life Works of David Swan." The inside cover was a photo of her father and her facing towards the lake house next to the mailbox. Her mother had just passed away when that picture was taken. Her father disappeared shortly after. Regina found the book earlier in the week. Her letter noted that it just came out in stores last year. An entire book on her father's work. The man worked every day of his life. At least there was proof that he was an architect genius if nothing else.
A few weeks passed. She inherited her father's money and his estate in Boston. She had to make many visits to the city to oversee some of the auctions of the unwanted antiques or paintings that she did not want. His house was too big for her and Henry. 5 rooms. 4 bathrooms. 2 great rooms. An office and much more. He did have a nice car that she left parked in his garage. Perhaps she will sell everything and save all of the money for Henry's college. Maybe buy the kid a nice car in 10 years.
Regina arrives at the lake house and pops her letter in to the mailbox to let Emma know she has arrived. Today they have a plan to have a picnic together overlooking the lake house while exchanging letters back and forth.
"I'm here."
"Good me too!"
"The drive took a little longer than expected. There was tons of traffic on i-95 south due to an accident. It was fatal. When I passed by the car they had one of the bodies covered. The entire front portion of the Ford Truck was smashed in and there was this tiny BMW that was barely recognizable. I just don't understand how people have not learned to drive safely. How many people have to die? I still am not over that accident that happened on Valentine's Day."
"Aw, I'm sorry Regina. I know you see a lot of this kind of stuff."
"I actually work in pediatrics mostly with children. I saw a lot of it when I was an intern. You are exposed to everything. The treated a little girl a few weeks ago from an accident. She had some minor contusions on her abdomen. Nothing beats Valentines. Probably the worst experience I have had as a doctor yet. The person was not even my patient."
"Did you ever find out about her family, or anything?"
"No, I didn't ask. Dr. Whale sent me home after I knocked all of the coffee supplies over. I was a mess"
"Well it's over now. I am sorry it happened. On the bright side, think of all the little humans you save every day." Emma smiled. "What did you bring to eat?"
"Boring food…Hummas and crackers, fruit, and chicken salad sandwiches. I for one have always had a pretty healthy diet. My mother did not let me have sugar as a child. When I wanted a snack I got apple slices. I loved apples so it was perfect. When I was 15 I went into a 7-Eleven and purchased a coke and a chocolate bar. I was so sick later that night. My body could not handle all of the sugar. It instantly rejected it. I eat chocolate every now and then now. I love dark chocolate with a glass of red wine.
"That is not at all boring. But whoa, your mom was a trooper for swearing away sugar. I said I would do that too. It lasted a month. I could only find specific things to feed Henry at Trader Joes, or Whole Foods. It got to be a bit much having to go into the city every single time I needed something."
"Dare I ask what you have?"
"Last nights pizza… Funny we speak of sugar and candy since I woke up and found m&ms on it from Henry last night. Kid should be a chef someday. This is his best creation yet."
"What are you doing feeding him candy and pizza together Emma Swan? You'll stunt his growth. Doctor's orders are to stop this immediately." Regina giggled.
"Are you yelling at me?"
"Not at all." Regina was still laughing.
"I feel like you are yelling at me."
"I'm simply questioning your dietary standards. Please don't bring Henry down with you poor choices in diet." Regina had a devilish grin now.
"YUM PIZZA. The m&m's add so much flavor."
"You disgust me. My body is in physical pain thinking of the two mixed together. How does that even work? M&Ms on a pizza?"
"Well you see…"
"Emma, it was a rhetorical question. You are incorrigible."
"Yeah, yeah, but I bet you love me regardless."
"Wouldn't you like to know?"
Emma found herself smiling widely at the last letter. She did love Regina.
Emma sighed. She had to ensure that in two years she found her. It only made sense to plan their first date now.
"Regina, will you go to dinner with me on Monday at 8 o'clock?"
Regina recalls back on New Year's when she never got Emma's call. It was heartbreaking.
"I would be delighted to have dinner with you, Emma."
The two exchange letters for an hour before Regina has to head into the city and go to work. She will have to work straight until 5 tomorrow. Regina gives Emma the restaurant in Boston that Graham took her to a while back and tells her she will see her at 8.
Emma rushed into the city early that Monday morning to reserve a table for two. The hostess who was tall, red headed, and had a butt chin looked at Emma like she was insane for booking out two years in advance. But there in the book she saw her name "Emma Swan, table for two 8 o'clock."
She was nervous. Except the worst part was she had to wait two years; two whole years before she could revel in the first date feelings. For Regina, however, tonight would be her night. She would finally meet her and they could finally be together.
It is 7:00 and Regina is running around her apartment, twenty outfits still laid out on her bed. Red, black, blue, even orange. She tries to recall when she even got the orange dress, or better yet, why. Obviously she has a problem with shopping. Her closet is filled to the rim perfectly with fine outfits. It's just that she needs the first date dress to be perfect. Finally Regina settles on a royal blue dress. She touches up her make-up. Her lips are blood red and her hair flips perfectly out to the side. She slips on her black heels and walks to the front of her loft over the creaking floor boards to the entrance to grab her black purse. She checks her appearance one last time in the mirror in the hallway, smooths the wrinkles from her dress, and heads for the restaurant.
Regina is 10 minutes early for the reservation. "I have a reservation under Regina Mills."
The hostess flips through the book. "Sorry, I don't have you in for a reservation. Is it under a different name?"
"Perhaps it's under Emma Swan?" Of course it was under Emma Swan. Why would she make the reservation under her name?
The tall red headed hostess immediately smiles and says, "Finally, she made this reservation two years ago. Right this way." Regina smiles. In Emma's time, she made the reservation just today.
Finally seated at the table, the peppy waitress tells Regina, "If you need anything I am Ariel, I hope you have an enjoyable evening," before bouncing back to the entrance of the restaurant.
The table is set for two, a rose in the center, and candlelit. The waitress comes by and drops off the menus and asks Regina her drink order.
She orders a house white and waits. She pictures Emma showing up in a dress, maybe? No jeans. Perhaps a skirt? No, no. She would be wearing a dress. What color though? She is blonde, so it was safe to assume she stays away from pastels. Maybe red, or green. Those are Christmas colors, Regina thinks. Emma was bold, perhaps she would be in black? No. Emma would be in jeans. Regina continues to imagine what Emma would be wearing. Every time the door opens Regina looks up. She is hopeful to see her blonde date.
Two glasses later Regina watches as other happy couples dined. She could be happy, she thinks. With Emma of course and Henry. She could live at the lake house again and live happily ever after, like a fairytale almost.
30 minutes later Regina starts to wonder if this is a mistake. She refreshes her make up in the restroom in hopes that when she returns Emma will be at the table and ready to tell her a story of why she was late. Maybe her car broke down, or Henry is sick.
Then, 2 more glasses and an hour later, she finally leaves. Emma is a no show.
She walks home hurt and angry. Where was Emma? She actually stood her up. Regina is devastated. She has no choice but to move on. She never gets a happy ending, so why should it start now? This is not a reality trading letters and never seeing each other. What kind of life is that?
The next day she goes to the mailbox early in the morning and drops a note in. It took every muscle in her body to put the flag up. She knows the moment that flag goes up everything will change for both her and Emma.
Emma could barely sleep. She was up all night watching late night episodes of I Love Lucy eating popcorn and drinking beer. She wondered what she was doing this very second with Regina. Were they still out in Boston walking around the city? Had they gone home together? Were they up late talking, soaking each other up? Or, well, maybe they were doing other things.
Emma's mind refused to stop. It was now 6 am and she was outside with Lady when the mailbox flag moved up.
She rushed over and read, "Emma, I hate to tell you this, but you did not show up last night. I waited for you. I waited 2 hours and you never came. I can't tell you how hard this is for me to do, but I think it is best that we move on."
Emma wrote back as quick as she could, "What do you mean I did not show up? Regina something must have happened. I would never stand you up without a reason. Please give me one more chance? I am so sorry."
"Emma, you don't understand. I can't wait. It already happened. It was stupid for me to not take in consideration of how much someone's life could change in two years. You could have found someone and moved on. You may not even live in Boston anymore. The point is, I can't expect you to wait two years and put your life on hold for me."
Emma was sobbing, "Please, I can wait. One more shot Regina? I could never just forget about you or move on. I would have at least showed up and told you I met someone else. I would have sent a note to the hostess that I moved. Something must have come up that caused me to be unable to come."
Regina holds on to Emma's letter. Her face is puffy from crying non-stop since the day before. "Yes, Emma, maybe you did meet someone else and maybe you are actually so happy living in the present that some dinner date you made two years ago did actually slip your mind. I think it is best that we stop living in a fantasy and get on with our present lives. It is what is best for me. It is what is best for you. It is even what is best for Henry."
"Are you saying what I think you are?"
"I am sorry Emma. Please don't try to find me. Don't write to me. Please just move on and find happiness with someone else." Regina knew she was crushing Emma's heart. That's what she does to people she dates. She crushes their hearts. This feels different though. As much as she was crushing Emma's heart, she's crushing her own.
Emma's face was wet with tears as she stood there hating herself. She wrote back one last time, "Please, Regina, don't go."
There was no response.
Regina reads the last letter. It takes all the will power she has to turn on her heels and walk back to her car and to not look back. She tells herself that Emma isn't really there right now. She's somewhere else and she's happy. With that in her mind she drives back to Boston away from the lake house.
Weeks passed and Emma wrote letter after letter to Regina hoping that she would respond. Eventually her mailbox was stuffed full and not one letter was answered.
Regina goes on with her day-to-day life as if Emma never existed. It is easier this way. It was easier to her to stop thinking of her. Smokers call this "stopping cold turkey." Most times they fail and fall back into old habits. But Regina, she will not she tells herself. It is for the greater good of her mind to leave Emma in her past where she frankly belongs.
That night she is at the Rabbit Hole with Kathryn, Dr. Whale and a few of the interns. Her favorite beer is apple cider. She could drink 10 easily and not feel tipsy. She tried every brand. The more local the beer, the better she determines.
She drunkenly plays pool with the interns, and knocks all the balls in. She calls the corner and wins the game with the magical black 8 ball, which she claims is her favorite. No one knows why, but she does.
Later that night she's dancing on the dance floor with Kathryn, "I really love this song!"
Kathryn smiled, "Yeah it's a really good one. I've never seen you dance before, Regina. You got some moves girl!"
Regina felt some pressure on her back from the person behind her and she falls into Kathryn's arms. She looks up at Kathryn and just like in slow motion she kisses her. Regina laughs, "Whoops. Thought you were another blonde for a second there."
Kathryn knew what was implying and didn't think much of her friend's actions. They were just friends after all.
Later that night when she finally makes it home she checks her cellphone and notices a voicemail. She almost put her phone on the charger, but it could be important. She opens up he voicemail and enters her password on her flip phone.
"You have one new message from, 872-983-2275, from 8:30 PM."
"Hey Regina, it's Graham. I know the last time I was up in Boston it was a total bust. I have a lot to make up for. Anyways, I have a meeting in the Back Bay, can you get dinner after?"
Regina is about to delete the message when she hears, "I promise it will be a better date. I know I need to make it up to you."
Regina listens some more, "Just, uh, give me a call if you are interested. I understand if you are not."
Regina feels bad for the guy. He is never going to get over her. Not in this lifetime. He was irritating, smart, and he put her best interests first. She considers her options and decides maybe for the sake of moving on from Emma she needs to take him up on the offer.
With that said, she kicks off her heels and falls into bed in her dress next to Lady and drunkenly falls asleep reeking of cheap beer and cigarettes.
Later that week Regina meets Graham at the same pizza place they ate at the last time. He looks sharp. He was always a catch. Beautiful hair, eyes, and smile. He had a cute accent as well. That always plays in his favor. He stands awkwardly against a light post on the street corner waiting for Regina to cross the street. He looks her up and down. She is always stunning. She could even wear a trash bag and pull it off.
"You know, I actually did not think you would show up Regina. I am shocked you are here."
Regina laughs. "Please, don't flatter yourself, Graham. Flattery doesn't suit you."
Graham smiles. This is his old Regina. "It's safe to assume that you just came for the free food huh?"
Regina smiles and says, "You would assume right. So tell me about your meeting here in Boston?"
She orders an all veggie slice of pizza with a water. Graham orders a BBQ chicken pizza with a Sam Adams Lager. Both so polar opposite.
"Well for starters, I did actually have a meeting. In fact I got offered a job by a firm here. I start next week. I will oversee special projects. I no longer will be in real estate. I am actually working for an architect firm. It's one of the best in the nation. I never thought I would be able to nail this job. I am going home tomorrow to oversee the packing of my things and I will be back. I will be living in Back Bay as well. It's really nice, but I got a month to month deal so it won't be permanent. I think you will like the style of it though. It's very modern with black and white contrasts. "
Regina is shocked, "So this is for real, you are back?"
"Yes this is for real." He smiles with BBQ pizza sauce all over his face. Regina causally wipes it off his face, "I can't have people see me out in public with an animal."
They leave the restaurant and he walks her to her apartment.
"I am very happy for you Graham. Your new position sounds like a real accomplishment. I know this is a dream come true for you."
"Seems like everything is finally falling into place like we always wanted"
He leans in and kisses her goodnight. Regina is surprised and a little caught off guard. Because really, how pretentious. But as quickly as she wants to run, this is where she needs to be and she needs to accept that. Regina looks at him and kisses him again. He is… familiar and easy to move on with. She has to forget Emma ever did exist in her life. It was for the better.