A/N: I had a couple of interruptions, but I am happy to be able to bring you two updates for tonight! :) I was so eager to get to these chapters once again, and my writing skills didn't disappoint. (At least I hope not lol) I loved hoping into the mind of Emma for these two chapters and just imagine what she could possibly be feeling. I hope you all will, too. Happy reading and Happy weekend, everyone! Stay tuned or more!

Chapter 24: Emma

She said yes. I don't know why, but ever since asking Regina out to dinner last night, I couldn't stop smiling. I don't know what was going on last night between us, or at the Orchard while I was playing the piano and we sat so close to one another, but something was definitely happening. All I knew was, I wanted to spend more time with Regina. I was enjoying our time together and I wanted more of it.

Our previous conversation from last night still rang in my head. She liked women? I wondered if Chief Irons knew about this. But then again, I didn't want to know. Did Audrey? Obviously not, or she would have told me. Of course, it's not like it's my business. I'm pretty private myself, just like Regina had every right to be. Although I was grateful that unlike the beginning, Regina seemed to trust me enough to have told me this.

I smile as I am searching places for dinner on my phone around Boston and stumble upon a little corner restaurant, looking very intimate, called Blue Moon. This was perfect. Regina would love it here, and the reviews seem good. Of course reviews could also be deceiving but I wouldn't choose a sucky place to take Regina out for dinner on our first- wait- was it a date?

Of course it was. But not a romantic date. This wasn't what it was at all. Although this little restaurant proved to be pretty romantic. But so what? Regina never gets to go out at all, and with Chief Irons gone, I made myself a promise to show Regina a good time, just like she did when we went out to the Orchard again and she allowed me to take pictures of everything. I chuckle as I recall her freaking out because I took her picture on two occasions. She looked so beautiful and carefree, I couldn't help myself.

Regina was in fact beautiful and I couldn't stop admitting that fact to myself since last night. Well, since I arrived here, really. Regina's beauty was just one of those things that stared at you right in the eyes and you couldn't turn away from it. I liked seeing her smile, seeing her happy for once. It was a huge change from when I first met her and she seemed guarded and frightened.

Well, tonight would be different. I would show Regina that she didn't have to be guarded around me, much less frightened. This is why I went with a romantic setting. Romantic settings always tended to be quiet and calm, and they had an outdoor area where we could sit and eat away from the crowd. It was perfect.

I tap on the phone number of the restaurant and I make the call. The line rings once before her voice comes in from the other end. "Blue Moon. This is Stacy." Stacy's voice sounded friendly.

"Hi, Stacy. I was wondering if I still had time to make a reservation for dinner tonight?" I speak loud and clear. I feel my heart beating faster by the minute, waiting with anticipation. My fingers cross as I wait.

"You sure do!" I smile as I hear Stacy's chipper voice. "What time would you like to make that reservation for?"

What time? The later the time, the more intimate the setting. "Do you have availability for nine o'clock?" I ask.

"Nine o'clock…" I can almost picture Stacy running her finger along the list of reservations. "We sure do! What's the name on that reservation?"

"Swan." I smile. "Emma Swan. I'll be bringing a plus one."

"Alright, Ms. Swan, you are reserved for nine, plus one."

"Oh- before I forget. Could I request to be seated somewhere along the patio?" I anxiously wait.

"Of course! I am booking that as we speak."

"Thank you so much."

"You're welcome. We'll see you tonight!" The line clicks and I am a bundle of nerves. Reserving us a spot at this little corner restaurant was only the first of many for Regina. I would make sure of that. I look down at my phone as it pings and I read an incoming message from my mom asking me if I knew where she had left her sewing kit.

I dial her, and I hear the line ring twice before her out of breath voice voice picks up on the other end. "Emma, thank God! Do you-"

"Did you check your top drawer in your bedroom?" I quickly say. I hear shuffling on the other end and I know she's rushing back in there.

"I looked but- oh! You're right! I found it." I smile and shake my head. "God, I thought I'd lost it. I have to sew on the pocket to one of David's shirts. He wants us to go out for dinner tonight."

"Fancy." I said. What are the odds that Regina and I would be having dinner tonight as well?

"Anyway, I didn't mean to interrupt your morning with Audrey."

"No, uh, you didn't." I twirl a loose string from the hem of my shirt around my finger and pull it. "Audrey's actually gone for a couple of days."

"Gone? What do you mean gone?"

"Well, her dad wanted to take her on a trip for a couple of days. Just the two of them." I said.

"Without you?" I roll my eyes at the concerned tone in my mom's voice.

"Mom, it's fine. I don't mind being here. Besides, I'm going out later."

"Won't you get bored?"

"No. I've been having a nice time, actually. Audrey's mom has been keeping me company." The corner of my lips tilt upward.

"Well, just be careful, Emma. And wear your blue jacket I bought for you. It brings out the color in your eyes." I hear her smile.

"I will. Say hi to David for me."

"I will. I love you, sweetheart."

"I love you, too, mom." I hang up the call and head into the closet. I turn to my red leather jacket, which lays along the bed before I look at my blue leather jacket. A gift from my mom on my last birthday. Hm. Maybe the blue jacket would be a nice change. Maybe Regina would like to have some ice cream with me. I smile because ice cream sounded like it would hit the right spot right now. "Sorry old friend." I say to my red leather jacket as I reach for my blue one and put it on, one sleeve at a time.

As I'm heading down the hallway, I run into Sidney who was making his way up the stairs. "Oh, hey, Sidney."

"Good morning, Ms. Emma." Sidney smiles brightly at me. "No breakfast this morning?"

"No, thank you." I shake my head. "I'm craving for something sweet and cold this morning." I smile and Sidney looks at me quizzically. "Is-"

"Ms. Regina is in the library." Sidney smiles at me knowingly.

"Thanks." I make my way down the first step.

"Ms. Emma," I stop as Sidney calls to me. "I wanted to say that I greatly appreciate you keeping Ms. Regina company. I honestly haven't seen her smile like that in a long time."

My heart flutters and that produces another smile from the corners of my lips. "Regina deserves to smile. She has that kind of smile that could light up a room."

Sidney smiles. "Indeed she does."

I follow my path down the stairs as Sidney and I say our goodbyes, and I follow into the library. I stop at the sight of Regina, sitting by the window. She's holding a book open along her lap but doesn't look quite engraved in it as I can see she is more lost in her thoughts. Suddenly Regina scoffs, places her book down and stands from her chair.

"Is the book that bad?" I see Regina jump a little to the sound of my voice and sudden appearance as I walk into the library and toward her. I look down at the book she holds in her hands and reach for it, helping myself to a closer look at the cover. I turn it around to read the summary on the back. It captures my attention. "Sounds interesting." I handed the book back to Regina.

"It is," Regina nods. "I've been highly enjoying it. You could read it once I'm finished, if you'd like. I'm sure Belle won't mind."

"I'd like that." I smile and look deeply into her eyes. I can't look away. "Listen, I was actually looking for you."

"For me?" Her brow rises and I nod.

"I was wondering if you'd like to join me for some ice cream."

"Ice cream?" I give her another nod. "Now?" I can see her fighting back a smile and it is the most beautiful thing.

"Yes, now." I grin and tuck my hands inside my pockets. Why not have ice cream now? It was a beautiful morning, and I wanted to give Regina ice cream. "Only if you want to, I mean- you don't have to, I just thought it'd be nice-"

"I'd love to."

Regina's answer jump starts my heart and my smile grows. "Awesome." I feel my phone vibrate in my pocket and pull it out. Audrey was calling me. "Sorry, I gotta," I flash the phone to Regina and give her my best apologetic look.

She waves me off, making me understand that it was fine.

"I'll meet you outside." Regina smiles at me and I walk toward the front doors, answering the call as I step outside. "Hey, Audrey. How's the trip?"

"It's an absolute dream, Em! I wish you were here." Audrey beamed.

I smile. "I'm glad you are having a great time."

"We are going skiing in a little while, but I wanted to call you to say I'm thinking about you, and that I love you."

"Me, too." That was a little lie. It wasn't that I didn't think about Audrey at all while she was gone, but I found myself not missing her as much as I thought I would. "Have fun, but be careful skiing. I want you back in one piece."

Audrey chuckles, "Of course I'll be careful. I'll see you soon. I'll try calling you tonight, okay?"

"I'll be waiting."

"Bye. I love you."

"Alright, talk to you later. I love you, too." My eyes see Regina stepping off the three steps as I end the call and put away my phone. My heart beats faster at the sight of Regina, and I smile. "Ready?"

Regina nods, but doesn't say anything. I can tell ever since walking in on her in the library that she was clearly fighting against something. I would make sure to clear her mind of whatever was troubling her.

I hold out my car keys, "I'll drive." I walk over to my rusty, trusty yellow bug and part open the passenger door. It gives off a loud creak, because of course my car- always with a mind of its own- chooses to embarrass me in front of Regina. My cheeks grow pink as I watch Regina's brow lift questionably. "Don't let it fool you. It runs perfectly and it's filled with gas, so it won't leave us stranded anywhere."

Regina hesitantly climbs into the passenger seat of my car, and of course my car decides to creak loudly as I shut the door. I hurry over to the driver's side and as I climb right in, I catch a small smile wanting to form along Regina's lips. I almost want to reach over to attempt to caress the scar along her upper lip, but instead I shake it off. I do however smile, turn my key in the ignition and back out of the driveway.

I knew Regina was excited to be able to go out again, and I couldn't be more excited than I already was, too.

I had no idea where I was driving to when I took off, but I decided that a walk along the park would go well with our ice cream. I remember a vendor from the time I came with Audrey. We didn't have ice cream, then. Regina asked for a strawberry ice cream cone, while I went for a chocolate flavored one. After a debate of who would pay, I ended up winning and treating her. We took a stroll through the park, side by side and I couldn't be more delighted.

"I thought Audrey would have shown you the park already?" Regina's head tilts quizzically after I had confessed that I didn't have a chance to see it well enough on my last visit.

"We came, but we didn't see much of it that day." I help myself to a taste of my ice cream cone.

"I don't understand," Regina looks at me quizzically and my cheeks turn pink. Why did I decide to reveal that little detail to Regina about Audrey and I, I had no fucking clue. And I felt more embarrassed by it as soon as the realization struck Regina as her eyes grew wide and her cheeks were redder than mine. "Oh!"

I take a bite out of my cone, hearing it crunch along my mouth, hoping the coolness of my ice cream would help with the blush that settled along my cheeks. I bite the inside of my cheek purposely, scolding myself for being such an idiot. The last thing Regina needed to know was the intimate details of her daughter's love life. And truth be told, I didn't want to talk about Audrey. I wanted for Regina to enjoy this beautiful morning without a wave of awkwardness hanging around us like a curtain.

"I never realized Audrey to be the type to- in the park!" She looked absolutely horrified at the idea, I couldn't help but chuckle but I scolded myself again for that. Regina had been so carefree these past couple of days, and our friendship had grown so quickly that I felt comfortable enough around her to have let that little piece of information slip out of my mouth. I had honestly forgotten that I was talking to Audrey's mom. "I'm sorry-" She shakes her head. "I don't mean to pry, it's just…"

"It's alright. It's my fault." I shake my head, hoping to move past this embarrassing moment for us both. "I don't know why that came out in conversation, I mean we're supposed to be having a nice time. Not talking about…" I trail off as I can't find the right words to excuse myself.

"I am having a nice time." Regina says to me with a small smile that instantly calms me.

I smile back and the curtain around us seems to vanish, once again leading us to enjoy our walk as we pass along an open space. I can hear laughter and exchange conversations from others around us. I lead us over toward a water fountain, where only two others- a couple- are sitting along the other side. It was big enough for us to sit on the opposite side, and we do. Regina joins me, and as she's sitting beside me with that twinkle in her eye, the water cascading just behind her, I wish I had brought my camera with me to capture this moment.

I look over at the man and woman, and I notice each of them have their guitars, a guitar case opened along the floor, two pairs of microphones set up before them. "How's your ice cream?" I ask Regina, giving her all of my attention.

Regina looks at me with that winkle in her eye and a kid-like smile that I can't help to find absolutely endearing. "It's very good. I haven't had ice cream in a long time. Thank you."

"Yeah, I can see that," I chuckle, and I take notice of the pink smear of ice cream stuck along the corner of Regina's lip. "You have, uh, little…" I point to the corner of my own lip.

"Oh," Regina picks up a napkin she had placed aside and wipes the wrong side of her mouth, licking it before she looks at me again. "Gone?"

"No, it's," I chuckle again. "It's still very much there." I couldn't stop staring. To be honest, the smeared ice cream wasn't what fascinated me but the way Regina's tongue would poke out of her lips to try and wipe it away, missing in every attempt. I had to admit, it was a little sexy.

"Is it gone?" Regina asks, leaning into me.

"Here, let me," I take my own napkin and gently begin wiping away the smudge of ice cream from the corner of her mouth. My eyes look down to the scar on her upper lip, unable to help themselves. The scar was sexier up close.

"What are you looking at?" Regina asks, waking me from my trance.

I didn't even notice that I had dropped my hand a few seconds ago as I continued to stare. "Nothing," I scoot back, putting a little distance between us as I blink. "It's gone now." I feel a slight blush wanting to creep up my cheeks.

"Thank you." Regina gives me a warm smile and I smile back. What the hell was up with me, checking her out like that? I couldn't understand myself lately, but then again, I didn't want to. I just knew I wanted to continue to enjoy Regina's company, and our time here at the park.

My attention turns back to the couple, who begin playing the familiar tune of Dido's Thank You. The female sings in a low and suitable range.

"I didn't think you owned another jacket but the red one." Regina's voice brings my attention back to her.

"My mom thought I needed a change." I smile as I look down at my jacket before looking back up to Regina. "I don't wear it much."

"You should. You look very nice in it." I am surprised by Regina's compliment, and by the look of surprise behind her eyes.

"I'll keep that in mind." I smile and turn back to the couple who are singing in unison now.

I finish the last bit of my ice cream and allow my legs to stretch out as I hold myself up with my hands along the fountain. I feel my body relax and allow my mind to escape for a moment to the sound of the cascading water and the voices that sing flawlessly around us. I wonder for a moment if Regina would dance with me if I asked her. It would give her a chance to experience a slow dance, given that we couldn't dance one that night at the club. I could tell from the look in her eyes that she was rather disappointed about it. And truth be told, so was I.

The sound of splashing makes me turn toward Regina, who is gathering water along her hand from the fountain. "Is everything okay?" I ask, seeing her shake off the water, a few drops glistening along her skin.

"Ice cream melted on my hand." Regina gives me a shy smile as her cheeks turn pink. She shakes her hand again before drying off the remaining drops with an extra napkin. "This is a nice song." She nods toward the two musicians. "I'd never heard it before."

My smile widens, "It's one of my mom's favorite songs. No matter how bad her mood is, this song can always find a way to calm her."

"I can see why," She smiles and we enjoy the music for a moment before she says, "David must love dancing with her."

Another smile erupts from me. "Yeah. Limp and all, he is still a hell of a dancer."

My mom sure got the pick of the litter with David.

"Limp?" Regina's brow wrinkles.

"He served in the military," I brush back a strand of hair that tickles my face. "Long ago, he suffered an injury. He was discharged." Regina and I remain silent for another moment as I look over to the musicians, I then turn back to Regina. "Do you want to dance?" I asked, clearly taking Regina by surprise by my request. I wasn't going to miss out on the chance. I mean, how could I? There was live music playing, we were here. Why not add some dancing to the moment?

Regina's cheeks quickly turned pink. "Dance? To this?" She shakes her head. "Oh, no- here?"

"Yeah, it's real easy," I stand to my feet and hold a hand before Regina, offering her to take it. "Come on."

"Out of the question." Regina refused. "No, I'm not dancing here."

"Why not?" I shrug.

"I just can't." She glared at me to the best of her abilities, but that only made me smile. She was shy, and I knew that, I liked that about her, in fact. But most of all, I could see Regina was scared. But one thing I would teach Regina, is that she would never have to fear me. As my smile widens, I am quick but careful to take her by the hand and force her to stand.

"Emma- no-" She protested but I was persistent when I wanted to be. And right now, I wanted to dance with her. Yes, I feared that she would yank her hand away, but I am thankful when she didn't. It gave me a chance to pull her close to me, and this time I didn't hesitate.

"It's okay, look down," I whisper softly, so that she would know nothing bad would happen. I wait patiently until Regina looks down to find her feet and mine at close proximity. Of course, she lets out a huff first, which I have to keep myself from laughing at. "Place your feet on top of mine." I said.

Regina's eyes look at me in shock.

"It's okay," I chuckle and nod. I look down to see Regina's own feet hesitantly move. She steps on my right foot, followed by my left. Surprisingly, she was light. Not that I expected her to be ridiculously heavy. "That's it, now-"

"I can't," Regina quickly backs away, climbing off my feet. "I'll hurt you."

"No, no, come on. I'll be fine." Without a second thought, I reach out to carefully place my hand along Regina's waistline and I pull her into me again. I am surprised she didn't react by slapping me again. I hear a small gasp escape past her lips, and I lose every ounce of breath I own as our eyes locked. "See? I'm fine." I breathe out. I reach for Regina's other hand and place it along my shoulder before I go back to her waistline and begin to lead our way into a slow dance.

Regina's smile matches mine as we dance. Her body, which had stiffened as I had pulled her in, was now loose and relaxed. I'd be lying if I didn't say that I felt at peace in that moment. And seeing Regina smile as I continue to carry her through the dance, it was everything. I was overcome with a feeling deep down along my stomach that I had never felt before. Her waist fit perfectly and delicately along my hand, and her hand that rested within mine was the softest thing I had had the privilege to touch. Our proximity was so close that I could pick up a whiff of her perfume, which made my head spin.

I have danced plenty, but never with someone like Regina. And I'll admit that this dance was one of the best I have had in my entire life.

"Penny for your thoughts?" I ask in a soft tone of voice, clearly drawing Regina out of the very thoughts that lingered inside her mind.

"I'm just… Hoping… I don't crush your toes." Her words are slow and well pronounced, as if she were in the same daze I now found myself in as I looked into her eyes.

I chuckle, "I wouldn't worry about that. I had a wicked frostbite when I was a kid after falling in through a frozen lake. I practically can't feel you standing on my toes."

Regina's eyes go wide. "Really?" I can't help but smirk as she falls right into my joke, and I watch as Regina's face relaxes once again and I laugh. "Oh, my- you're joking!"

"Yeah, I am- I'm sorry." I manage to say through my laughter. "I never had frostbite. I just wanted to ease your mind." I smile as Regina fights against her own smile, and this time my voice turns a little serious, "You always seem to have a lot on your mind, I think it's fair for you to have a moment's peace."

"My mind hasn't been clearer since you arrived at my doorstep." She whispered to me, and our eyes locked with one another again. There was so much behind her eyes, such beauty, I wanted to uncover it all.

My eyes broke contact with hers as they looked down to her lips. They were plump and well shaped. Audrey had her dad's lips. It was as if Regina had reserved that just for herself, which honestly, I was glad. Regina was a woman that definitely had a lot on her mind, and lately so have I. My mind has been out of control ever since I arrived here and was introduced to her, and my protective instincts kicked in overdrive, even more so after I learned of her shitty situation. What was happening to me? Because I knew that what I was feeling right now, what I started feeling since the moment our hands joined together in that hand shake upon our first meeting, was far more than just a protective instinct.

Slowly, and without fair warning, I pull Regina in to embrace her in a hug. I hear a gasp escape her, but after another moment, her hands land along my back, splayed out as she embraces me back. I keep up with our dance as we embrace one another, and my stomach flips along with my heart. My eyes close as I take in the moment. That's when I knew, if one thing was for certain, was that I never wanted this moment with Regina to end.

How anyone could want to cause her harm, I had no clue. Because if I didn't realize it then, I realize now that Regina was such a wonder. And as I held her in my arms again, I realized just how much I had missed doing so. I only wish the song would go on playing for ages, so that we wouldn't have to stop living in this moment. So that I could continue holding her in my arms as if she were something fragile that could break at any moment. But I wouldn't let her break.

Just like my mom, when she was dealing with my father's abuse, the same need I felt to protect her, I felt it for Regina. Only something else was bubbling inside of me for Regina.

As the night approaches, I find myself getting ready. I settled for a pair of dress pants, a white button up shirt that my mom had me bring along- thank you, mom- and of course, I would wear my blue leather jacket, given that Regina liked it so much. I caught it by the hem near my breast and I brought it up to my nostrils and inhaled. It smelled like her. A small smile quirks up at the corner of my lip. Suddenly, my stomach started doing flips as a bundle of nerves settled in there. Why was I nervous? I never got nervous on a dinner date. Wait, date? I shake my head.

I mean, it was a date between friends, sure. But this was not a romantic date. Although, our dancing today in the park had been a pretty romantic setting. I chuckle at the memory.

I look at myself over in the mirror and my eyes look over to a picture of Audrey and me on our outing to the park. We lied along the grass, Audrey's hands cupped along my face as we smiled up at the camera.

I smile at the picture, but a wave of something I can't quite figure out hits me. I shake my head, because I don't have time to figure out whatever this was right now. Right now, what mattered was to show Regina a good time. And I would show her a good time.

If only I could swallow down the knot of nerves that settled in my stomach, I would be fully ready. It's not a date. I continued to repeat to myself. Why would it be? I was sure Regina didn't see that way either. Why would she?

I adjust my jacket more to my body before exiting the room. I walk down the hallway and follow along the staircase, my thumb dancing nervously along the railing. I look down at my watch to check the time, which we were good in. I wait for Regina at the bottom of the stairs, patiently and, why deny it? A little eager.

My purpose for tonight, just like it was this morning, and I was happy I had succeeded, was to show Regina a good time. To see her smile. Because I couldn't deny that I loved her smile. I recall, as I wait, what I had told Sidney about Regina's smile having the ability to light up a room. But I was wrong. It didn't just light up a room. Regina's smile could light up the entire world.

I look up the stairs, and what I see is enough to stop my existence.