Emma's fingers gently brushed over a variety of soft, colorful fabrics. The green flecks in her eyes flickered under the harsh lighting in the Bass Pro Shop as her fingers lingered on one particular red flannel top.
"Why don't you try on a few of these sweaters too?" August said catching Emma's attention. She looked up just in time as he tossed a bunch of sweaters into her arms distracting her from the flannel she was eyeing.
"Dude, it's nine in the morning, I'm not awake enough for you to just up and throw stuff at me," Emma said a little too snarkily.
"Well then, sorry Princess CrankyPants Emma," August said mocking her. "You should also pick out some of those flannels. They look warm. The red one would like nice on you."
Emma was still in disbelief over how cold it was going to be in Maine. The fact that she also didn't even own any sweater weather clothing was problematic.
"How in the hell is it only twenty-five degrees? Like, where does Regina live, the North Pole with Santa and a bunch of his elves?" Emma snapped, a little frustrated. That morning was a huge wake-up call when she suddenly realized how unprepared she was for the drastic weather change. Which, wasn't exactly conducive to her schedule and needing to have already been packed and ready to go.
"Close, but, uhm, you do realize that you have a plane to catch in several hours. You need to get your ass into that dressing room and pick out some things to take with you." August tried to rush his friend.
Emma rolled her eyes. She knew Maine was cold, but not so cold that her wardrobe needed a total revamping. The coldest it had ever gotten in Orlando was around fifty degrees. But, then there was that one freak snow storm they had a few years back where Florida was in a state of emergency over some snow flurries. It was ridiculous. People were stranded on highways as if Armageddon was happening.
"I don't have a jacket, snow boots, or anything. I had no idea that I would need anything like this. I feel like I'm going to Antarctica, not New England." Emma practically huffed as she grabbed a few flannels off the rack she was standing in front of.
"Funny that you mention that. I read online that it can actually reach temperatures colder than parts of Antarctica."
The blood drained from Emma's fair face making her even more pale if that was even remotely possible. "You can't be serious."
Emma suddenly envisioned herself standing in a field of snow with penguins and polar bears. While she knew that thought was a bit dramatic, she still felt like she was traveling somewhere foreign. Well, she was, to a degree.
"Dead serious. What are you going to do if Regina can't move to Florida?"
"Die of Hypothermia, obviously." Emma said.
August smiled. He finally caught Emma admitting that she would move. "Oh? So you'd move there?"
"I didn't say those words exactly."
"But you implied it."
"No, August, what I said was that I would die from Hypothermia. As in, if she's not in my bed to warm me up, I'll die from being cold." She added with a wink.
"Smooth, but not smooth enough to weasel your way out of it. If you truly feel strongly about Regina, don't let the year round winter temperatures keep you away."
"Shut up," Emma said in an annoyed tone. She turned to the dressing room and started trying on the different sweaters. The topic of her moving was a serious one; one she wasn't sure if she was ready for. Her entire life was rooted in the Sunshine State, her parents, her friends, and her job. That said, she wasn't sure how much longer she could keep up with the long distance. And deep down, Emma knew, she'd give up the life she knew for Regina to be closer.
Emma pulled her tank top up and over her head and looked down. "What the shit is this?" She asked in a hushed voice to herself. Instantly, she rolled her eyes and asked, "What the hell did you pick out, I feel like a mountain man."
Emma stepped out of the dressing room holding the hem of the sweater out to look down at the abstract pattern, which was an eye sore.
August, the asshole that he normally was, threw his head back in laughter. "Oh, that's brilliant. I was just trying to see if you'd actually put it on. Hey, Ems, 1994 called and they want that sweater back."
At that moment, Emma Swan resembled Grumpy Cat. "You think you're just so hysterical. Why don't you make yourself useful and find me a decent coat? I'm literally running out of time." She said a little anxious about the strict time constraints that she was under.
Wasting no time, she turned and slammed the door to the dressing room behind her. Four flannels and two sweaters later, she stood outside of the dressing room regarding her friend who held up one coat option.
"Two hundred dollars?" She practically shrieked as she dropped the price tag, which dangled from the coat sleeve. "How the hell does this jacket cost that much?" She said. She had never purchased a winter coat before because there clearly wasn't a need. "What is it made of? Gold?"
August raised his eyebrows in understanding. "It's made of goose feathers, but it's the warmest coat they have in the store. I think you should splurge, or you'll freeze, we can't have you become a swan ice sculpture, now can we?"
Emma pouted. "Why can't Regina live in like SoCal. Maine already sounds awful right now."
"There's a brightside." August reminded her.
"Yeah, Regina's the brightside."
"So the coat and whatever that is in the basket you're holding?" August pointed to the basket in Emma's hands that she had packed full with a mound of sweaters and flannels.
"Yeah, but I need to try that one before I buy it." Emma pointed at the feather down coat as she sat her shopping basket down on the floor.
August held it open for her as she slid each arm into the sleeves. To Emma's shock, it was rather warm, almost too warm to be wearing in the store. When she turned to face a floor length mirror she felt like a kid in a ski suit with her arms poking out from her sides.
"Oh, no, no, no, I'm not buying this. I will just have to make my red leather jacket. I look ridiculous."
"No you don't, it looks fine."
"Are you trying to get me to try on humiliating and unflattering clothing for any particular reason? Because this is awful. I feel like Randy from A Christmas Story, with the exception of this being black, not red." Emma started to laugh. "Shit, I can't even breathe in this, help me out, would ya?"
August's shit eating grin turned a bit more serious when he said, "I really don't think that red leather jacket of yours will be warm enough, though."
"It's fine, I'll be fine," Emma reassured her friend. She knew that she'd need to layer her clothing. "It's only twenty-five degrees, how bad could it really be?" Emma had no clue what she was in for.
"Alright, being all fearless I can see. Let's remember this when you come home praising the Sun Gods for the warm weather."
"I think I will survive." Emma tried to be confident. "So do you think I need snow boots or something?"
"Well, unless you plan to fall on your ass most of the trip, getting some boots with a good grip wouldn't hurt."
"Right. Good idea." Emma laughed nervously, she was severely out of her element and it was painfully obvious.
"Okay, so two times a day, put out a cup of cat food by the window. Weezy will just pop up and eat whenever he's hungry."
"Emma." August tried to interrupt his friend.
"Sometimes he won't eat it, so you need to grab one of the cans of wet food under the sink. If that doesn't work, then there are some of his Greenie cat treats that are, uhm, good for his fur." She said, rushing around the apartment grabbing different things to put in her tote bag.
"Emma." August tried again, his eyes following her around the room.
"But, you know, I think he'll be fine. He likes a lot of water too, so there's the Brita filter in the fridge, just pour some of that into the metal water dish that's next to his food bowl."
Finally able to interject, August said, "Do you realize how crazy you sound?" He grabbed both of her shoulders and held his frantic friend still. The last time she had left town for a few days was years ago. "Weezy isn't even your cat. He belongs to some neighbor, who I am sure feeds him too."
"You don't know that." Emma said, annoyed and a little deflated. Having someone remind her that Weezy wasn't even her own cat always upset her.
"Weezy isn't the smallest cat in the hood. That guy has a little pudge to him. His fat belly sways when he runs." August laughed. "You need to stop worrying yourself so much. I'll take care of him, even though he hates me."
"Yeah, well I would too if I were him. You nearly broke his tail."
"How many times must we go over this, I didn't mean to step on his tail. It was an accident."
"Yeah, an accident. I had to take him to the vet because he was dragging it for days and wouldn't let me touch it."
"And he was fine all along. The vet just said it was tender, not broken. That cat was pulling at your heartstrings." August defended himself. His friend, on the other hand, wasn't buying it. "Look, everything will be fine. I'll hold the fort down and take care of him, even though I know he's secretly plotting my own demise."
Emma took a deep breath in and huffed it out. "Okay. If anything bad happens while I'm away, there's a list of numbers, the vet I take him to and such on the fridge."
"So basically, you co-parent this cat. You're like the epitome of a crazy cat lady." August snorted.
"What are you going to do if you end up moving to Maine?"
Emma froze. She had never thought about that before. "I don't know. I, I, he's-"
"Emma, you can't take him with you. He belongs to someone." He said, seriously.
"I can't even think about this right now. We need to head to the airport and somehow nothing is even packed." She said as she started sectioning off her make up into clear plastic bags.
"Sheesh, you really never travel much, do you?" August scratched his head. "What can I do?"
"I need to have the tags taken off all the new clothes I bought, folded, and stacked into my carry on over there in the corner." Emma pointed out as she started to scramble to grab miscellaneous things to group together.
"These are cute." August pointed out as held up a pair of Emma's white Calvin Klein female boxer briefs.
"Ew dude, put my underwear down." She snatched it from his hands.
August stood with his hands up in mock surrender. "Hey, easy there bulldog, I was just saying they were cute."
Emma rolled her eyes as she started packing things together.
"So, do you often wear Calvin Klein?"
"Oh, get off it." Emma snapped. "Let's talk about something else."
"Okay, how about, are you ready to meet Regina's ex?"
Emma shrugged, "I mean, Regina told me it wasn't that big of a deal. Kat was one of her oldest friends and they dated for a little while. Supposedly, they just lacked chemistry in the bedroom together."
"Interesting, well you guys seem to have hit it off in that department, so-" He was cut off.
"So, there's not much to it." Emma finished his sentence for him, effectively ending that conversation.
"I sense some jealousy," He said, tentatively.
"Nope, not sure why you would feel that this is a jealousy-free zone." Emma motioned to herself.
"If you say so. I want the full run down after you guys have dinner together."
"I'm sure there will be nothing more to tell than that she's a delightful person."
"Did you, Emma Swan, just refer to someone as delightful?"
"Well, it's nice to know that you are hanging on my words. Don't read too far into it. I'm just saying that I'm sure it will all be okay and that Kat will be fine. Regina wouldn't still be friends with her if she wasn't."
"Fine. I still think there's more to this Kat, but I could be wrong." August said as he flipped over Emma's carry on bag and started stacking her clothes inside. "Has Regina ever given you a tour of her house, you know while you guys have been on video?"
"Nope. I mean I've seen inside her room and a few other rooms. But, she's not walked me around to give me a tour, or anything."
"I wonder how big it is? Like, she's pretty well off seeing that she's owned her own business and is a mayor. Just think, after that money is in her bank account from SMC, she's going to be fully loaded."
"Regina is already fully loaded without all that money. I'd love her if she lived in a trailer park all the same."
"Yeah, she's quite the package. You're lucky. She's an incredible woman."
"Yeah, I am. She's everything I ever wanted." Emma agreed as she started packing things in her luggage. "I'm excited to be visiting her, despite the cold temperatures."
"You'll be fine. You'll adjust in no time."
"I sure hope so, or it will be miserable outside."
"Just bundle up," He said.
Emma started to check her mental checklist, "I think that's everything."
"Are you sure? Because I think you may want this." August held up her red leather jacket.
"Shit, I almost forgot it." Emma grabbed it from her friends hands and shoved it into her tote bag. "Thanks! We should probably get ready and go. The flight takes off in less than two hours."
"Yeah, here hand me that bag. I'll carry it out to my car." Emma zipped up her carry on and set it down on the floor for August to pick up.
"Seriously, thanks for speeding over earlier and taking me shopping. Also for taking me to the airport, it saves me some money in not having my car parked there for a few days."
"Don't sweat it. You know I do whatever I can to help you out. You're basically family." August said as he popped the handle to the bag up and started to roll it out of her room. "Do you need anything else? Why don't you do a quick walk through and then come meet me at the car?"
"Yeah, sounds good," Emma said. She pulled her phone out of her back pocket and sent a quick text to Regina.
Okay, all packed and ready to head out. Excited to see you soon, assuming I survive the flight.
Emma had a fear of flying. Flying was, well, one thing she avoided at all cost. Hell, if she could she'd drive to Maine. Regina's assistant, Jeff, was pretty insistent that she'll be fine. He found her a fabulous deal, or so he claimed, that was in first class. Which meant free drinks.
Oh stop. I fly all the time. It's perfectly safe, you're not dying. Just order a few beers, they will help loosen you up a little.
While Emma knew, logically, it was one of the safer modes of transportation, it still didn't make her feel any bit better. This year in aviation wasn't the best. Regina reassured her the night before that for every in flight accident, small or large, amounted to safer aviation in the long term. Yet still, Emma swallowed back the knot of fear back in her throat. No matter how safe it is, she still felt uneasy.
What if I get drunk and the plane goes down?
Emma sent that last text with a slight smile on her face. She knew she was being ridiculous, pulling Regina's leg even.
Then you better have some inflight wifi so you can message me one last time before you die.
She didn't expect that to be Regina's response. Playing the little game they were playing, she sent back a question.
What would that last message say?
Emma raised her own eyebrow at her question. She wondered if Regina would be ballsy enough to answer.
You know what it would say.
Emma smiled. Her heart swelled knowing that Regina knew. It was hard to deny how much Emma loved Regina. Especially after their last weekend together. Only time would tell if she was going to be able to restrain herself from keeping those three little words, I love you, quiet.
It wasn't that she didn't want to say them. She just wanted them to count. They held so much meaning, they weren't meant to be thrown around mindlessly. Regina was worth more to her than that. She deserved to have them told to her in a special way.
I'll text you once I land. See you soon beautiful.
Emma checked her room one last time and then walked out of her front door and locked it behind her.
Two drinks in, the lack of food and the elevation meant that Emma was completely wasted. The worst part, they hadn't even made it over ten thousand feet. She'd all too eagerly ordered two drinks before take off even happened, a perk for the first class passengers.
"I meannn, she's the most beautiful woman everrrr." Emma slurred, with a goofy smile on her face. "She's sassy too." She laughed to the man next to her who was in an expensive business suit. He was completely stiff and attempting to pretend to read The New York Times. The standoffish energy he was giving off had completely gone unnoticed by Emma, who idly slumped over the armrest of their joined seats gushing out her heart. Nothing about this was normal.
"You gotta family? What's your Christmas plans." Emma asked, trying to figure out the guy next to her.
"I'm Jewish." The man said, a matter-of-factly. Again, Emma didn't pick up on his tone of voice and the trace of annoyance it carried.
"That's'cool. I dunno any Jewish people in Florid-da." Emma pressed the call button on her seat.
"I think ima getta meal." Patience was never a virtue Emma had while drunk that is. Like a five-year-old, she kept hitting the call button. The dinging sound above to notify the flight attendant kept going off making the man next to her roll his eyes.
"Can you stop?" He asked.
"Oh, sorry, I didn't think it was workin'," Emma said, cheerfully. That cheerful look, however, seemed to have faded to realization when she noticed the angry scowl on the man's face. And just as the passenger next to her went to comment on her behavior, the flight attendant appeared.
"Ma'am, what can I do for you?" The pretty and tall flight attendant asked.
Thrown off guard a little Emma tried to steer her shaky focus back to why she called the woman in the first place. "I would like." Emma licked her lips as she pulled out the menu and studied her options a little cross-eyed. "The uhm, I would like the chicken dinner." She pointed. "Withhh some wad-der." She added, blushfully as she became more self-aware. Emma knew she'd had a little too much to drink.
Normally, she would just brain vomit her feelings all over the place. Now she just felt the pressure in the cabin and it made her head feel like it was in a fishbowl, effectively making her slur her words a little more than she ever did. This was like college bad. You know when you see what your limits were by drinking as much as you could, effectively forgetting everything and especially what the said limit was.
Feeling a bit hesitant to talk to the guy next to her, she pulled out her phone and turned on her music. She slipped her ear buds into her ears and turned on Matt and Kim.
After a few minutes, a tray of less than desirable food was sat in front of her. The chicken was dry and the roasted potatoes were disgustingly hard. Not that Emma was in any position to complain, she'd already tested her limits while on that flight. There was no need for her to cause anymore commotion.
Keeping to herself, she ate the prison-like food and then grabbed her neck pillow, falling into a deep sleep, which took little to no time to claim her.
The jerking of the plane as the wheels touched down sent Emma flying out of her seat, arms flailing about as she realized where she was. To her shock, the guy was no longer sitting next to her. In fact, when she looked around he wasn't even in first class anymore. She twisted her head to look back into the economy class to see he was, in fact, a few seats behind her, his head down looking at his phone.
"Sheesh. Didn't think I was that bad." Emma said to herself. Little did she know, while she was sleeping off her drunken state, she snored like a grizzly bear making her unbearable to be near.
Stretching out her arms Emma yawned. It was late afternoon, which still gave her enough time to spend part of the day with Regina, doing whatever she had planned; hopefully her. She stood and grabbed her tote bag and reached in the overhead bin for her carry-on. Her eyes caught those of the man who initially was seated next to her. A trail of goosebumps covered her skin in an instant response. She couldn't tell if it was his icy glare or the breeze that circulated throughout the plane from the doors opening that brought on the goosebumps.
She followed the passengers off the plane and it was when the gap of the outside air hit her skin that she knew she was in for it. "Oh my god. Why did you have to live in Maine." Emma said to herself in regards to her girlfriend.
She pulled out her phone and shot a quick text to Regina.
Babe, it's freaking cold. I'll be in the baggage claim area shortly to meet you.
Unlike Regina, Emma shot her girlfriend a text letting her know she had safely arrived. She then laughed and shot a second follow-up message.
By the way, may have had a total Bridesmaids moment on the plane, so if people are staring, that would be why. Don't worry, I slept off my alcohol.
A few minutes had passed before a message came through and her phone buzzed.
What am I going to go with you? Just parked the car, I'm in the waiting area at baggage claim.
Emma smiled. By that time, she was turning down the last hallway before baggage claim. Her heart was beating faster, but not in the 'nervous' kind of way, more so in the 'excited can't wait for what's next' kind of way.
When the sliding doors opened, Emma saw Regina, in a full on black business suit and a heavy long pea coat, pacing the walkway.
Emma walked up closer to where Regina, who had yet to notice her, was.
"Regina?" She interrupted the other woman's focus.
The raven haired woman instantly stopped and turned. Her eyes were greeted with Emma's kind anticipating ones.
"You look stunning, as usual." Emma complimented.
"Thanks, how was the flight? Seems that you survived it." Regina said in response.
"Regina cut the crap." Emma smirked and closed the distance between them. She used her pea coat as leverage to pull her closer into her arms. Their lips crashed together albeit it was sweet and short.
When Emma pulled away, she said, "I think we've moved beyond simple pleasantries, don't you?"
"I think you're right." Regina agreed as she leaned into Emma's warmth a little more.
"Why do I get the feeling that you're you nervous?" Emma asked, picking up on the fact that Regina was pacing and then now seemed sort-of standoffish.
"I don't get nervous." Regina frowned.
"Oh, is that so? Well, if it makes you feel any better, it's just me. No pressure or anything."
Emma had no idea if Regina was acting like this because this was the first time she was there and Regina wanted everything to go smoothly. Or if her demeanor was just work related.
"Emma, I'm fine." Regina insisted as she pulled Emma into a tight hug. "Now, can we please get you and your luggage in my car? I'd like to get you home and hear all about this flight of yours."
Emma blushed. "'Bout that, see that guy over there?" Emma pointed to the carousel where her fellow flight passengers flocked to. "The one in the suit and receding hair line?"
"Yeah, why?" Regina squinted to see the man.
"He hates me. Even changed his seat."
"You're kidding." Regina laughed. "Do I even want to know what you did?"
"Regina?" Emma said as she looked at her girlfriend, changing subjects.
"Hm?"
Emma reached her hand into Regina's and tugged her a little closer. "Thank you for having me here. I really missed you this past week. It's getting harder going without you for a few days at a time, you know. Sorry that I chickened out of, the uhm, you know… phone." Emma looked around and in a hushed whisper said, "Sex."
Regina bit her bottom lip seductively. "There's no pressure. We don't have to do anything you're not ready for. That said, you think you can handle Kat tonight?"
"If I could manage that flight, I'm sure I can handle your friend/ex. Of course, I expect sexual favors afterward. You know, to calm my nerves."
Regina laughed. "We'll have to see about that. Something tells me you're getting lucky regardless, though." Regina leaned forward and kissed Emma's lips again. "Let's get going, she's not coming over untill later this evening, but I want to give you a tour of the home and steal away some time with you."
"Well, I'm cool as a cucumber, don't worry about me," Emma said, anxiously grabbing the handle to her bag.
"Emma, please refrain from calling yourself a cucumber."
"Right, I have no idea why I said that. I guess I'm slightly nervous."
"Don't be. It's going to be just fine."
"If you say so," Emma said as she held Regina's hand in her own. They walked out of the airport, which when they did every swear word imaginable came out of Emma's mouth as the cold air blistered her skin. She felt like her body iced over instantly. The air became trapped in her lungs and she gasped out for oxygen as if she was keeling over.
"Jesus, Regina. What the hell. I can't even. It's too cold. It feels like a meat locker out here." She coughed. "I think... I'm dying."
"Don't be ridiculous." Regina laughed as she held tightly to Emma's hand. "We'll be in the car soon. I have heated seats, you'll be fine."
Regina wasn't kidding about her heated seats. While Emma knew Regina drove a black Mercedes, she didn't think it was going to be a two-door coupe sports car, fully loaded.
If this was telling of her wealth, Emma could only imagine what her house would look like.
"The house is just up the street. I have a fireplace I can sit you in front of to warm up. I also have a red pea coat you can borrow while you're here. It's wool, it will keep you warmer than that red leather jacket of yours."
Emma looked ahead to see a row of houses in her vantage point. She laughed to herself,
"Please tell me that house right there isn't yours." Emma pointed to the largest house on the block.
"Okay," Regina said with her eyebrows raised just a little. "Then I won't."
"Shit, Regina, you're kidding me?"
"What?" She said biting her lip, which Emma could tell was a sign of nervousness.
"Are you nervous that I would judge you when I found out how well off you were?"
"I didn't say that," Regina said as she turned her blinker on and turned into her driveway. They waited for her garage to open before Emma spoke again. "Regina, is that how you feel?"
When the car was pulled fully into the garage, Emma waited for Regina to put the car into park. "I may have felt a little nervous. I can say that it wasn't easy for me. Dating. I had a fear that people only liked me for my money."
Emma nodded. She sighed to herself, "You know that I never even knew you were this well off. I mean, after the SMC deal that is. It doesn't change how I feel about you. I think you're incredibly fortunate and you should know that I would never date you for your money or anything like that. I care only about you." Emma said tucking a piece of Regina's hair behind her ear. "Now, I'm excited to be given a grand tour of your beautiful home," Emma said.
She unfastened her seat belt, leaned closer into Regina and kissed her cheek. "Yes. Let's get you warmed up." She said.
Regina nodded in response.
The pair entered through the garage and into the kitchen, which already had Emma floored. It was nearly the size of her entire apartment.
Trying to not make a big deal out of it Emma aimlessly followed Regina from room to room as she showed Emma around.
By the time they did their first lap around the first floor, it had dawned on Emma that there was something missing. "Regina, where's your Christmas tree?"
"Oh, I don't have one. I don't need one since we're going to be spending it with my family." Regina said, nonchalantly.
"What? You're crazy. You need a tree. It's the holidays. Besides, I'm going to be here for a few days. Let's go pick out a tree to decorate together!" Emma said, cheerfully.
"I haven't had my own tree in years," Regina said, realizing her own words. "You really want to get one with me?" She asked, dumbfounded.
It was beyond Emma as to why it would be so hard to believe that she would want to share something as simple as decorating a Christmas tree together. That said, Emma was still learning things about Regina and was bound to discover more about the other woman over the next few days.
Emma pulled her girlfriend into her arms. "I would love to get a Christmas tree with you, just as long as we can have some fun underneath it later." Emma winked. She kissed Regina on her nose and then turned her around in her arms so that Regina's back was against the front of Emma. Strong, but loving arms wrapped around Regina's petite waist.
Emma pointed out a spot in Regina's study where she thought it looked open enough for a tree to be placed. "How about we put it right there, right by your fireplace. It would look so perfectly placed." Emma held Regina closer into her body. "And the fire, it will also keep us warm later while we lay under our first Christmas tree together."
"Our first, huh? That's presumptuous of you."
Emma's lips traveled down the column of Regina's neck. She whispered out, "You know it's true."
It wasn't fathomable in Emma's mind to not share many more holidays with Regina. She knew deep down in her heart and in her soul that this was it. Emma would move oceans and travel lifetime upon lifetimes to be with the woman in her arms. She was going to be her forever, she knew it with all her being.
And it wasn't like Regina would deny it either, she only hummed in response, completely content in Emma's arms. Her eyes were fully closed as Emma's lips wandered down the soft olive skin of her neck. "I missed you, I missed this," Emma said, in between her kisses.
"I missed you too." Regina agreed as she allowed Emma to hold her closer, leaving traces of her lips against her flesh.
The room grew darker around them, the sun had started to fully set. Snowflakes were falling outside the windows. It wasn't what Emma had expected; the snow, it was serene. It was like a blanket against the Earth, deafening the sounds of everyday life. It was blissfully romantic.
Emma turned Regina around in her arms. Her hands gently wove through Regina's dark and thick hair. Her eyes studied Regina's. Neither one of them willing to look away. The air thickened around them, and if one listened hard enough, they would have heard their hearts beat in unison.
"Regina, I..." Emma caught herself. While everything felt right, Emma still couldn't bring herself to say I love you. Not yet at least. It was hard to choke back the words that begged to be said, especially when they teased Regina, whose lips broke out into a smile.
While Regina was hanging on her words, Emma quickly said, "I, just want you to know how special you are to me." It wasn't a lie, but it was the best she could do.
Regina's smile didn't once falter. Instead she just leaned closer into Emma kissing her cheek, which Emma revealed in. This moment may not have been the I love you moment, but it still was one taken right out of a Nora Roberts like novel.
"Let's go get our tree," Regina said.
Emma smiled as warmth buzzed through her body for the first time since she'd been in Maine. "Well you know, I can chop it down and strap it to the top of that little car of yours. Don't worry, I'll be careful and not scrape the paint." Emma said with a grin.
"Better not scrape that paint. You'd be in so much trouble." Regina's dark eyes turned darker, full of lust. Her delicious pink tongue slipped out from her lips, licking them seductively.
"Trouble, you say..." Emma said, her hands exploring the surface of Regina's body. Regina moaned from Emma's touch, effectively melting away any resolve she had.
Emma laughed. "You have no idea how sexy you are, do you?"
"Maybe later I can show you how sexy I can really be."
"Oh? Like is it even possible for you to get any more sexy? You're already breathtaking." Emma said, tucking a tendril of hair behind Regina's ear.
"I think there are a few tricks up my sleeve still." Regina said, sensually "But, that will have to wait. We should get going, Kat will be here before we know it."
Emma nodded and followed Regina out of the study and into her front foyer by her coat closet.
"You can borrow this pea coat, it will keep you warm. We should go get you something you like more later tomorrow. I would hate for you to be cold."
"This is fine Regina, I don't need anything else. Besides, it's kind of cute wearing your girlfriends clothing." Emma put on the red pea coat. "It even smells just like you." Emma closed her eyes and took in the delicious scent. "So that tree? Ready to go get it? We need to remember to have someone take our picture."
"Oh, good idea. There's a place off the interstate that has a bunch of trees."
"Lead the way." Emma motioned.
The pair got back into the tiny sports car and drove back in the direction they had initially come from. It was strange to Emma how much had changed between them and how fast. All Emma knew was that now that she was in Maine, she never wanted to leave. Perhaps this is what August meant by u-hauling. No matter, this was where Emma was supposed to be. Right here in Maine with Regina, despite the snow, which she had already taken a liking to.