First and foremost, I want thank everyone who is here from the 3rd version of this fanfic and announce that I have posted the first chapter to a sequel. Thank you everyone, who read the 3rd person and loved every minute of it, as I hope you will love it again behind the eyes of our beloved SQ. This Emma chapter was beyond my favorites, thus far and I am happy to share it with you. I am working on another update, but just in case I am prevented from posing it tonight, here is this one to hold you through.
Lastly, I want to inform anyone reading this version for the first time. READ THE 3RD. PERSON FIRST. And to anyone who has it in their mind to ask if they can translate this work as well as my other SQ stories- my answer is NO. YOU MAY NOT. This story means a lot to me and I would greatly appreciate it if you leave me stories alone and not translate them or share them with other fandoms. My stories are MINE and MINE ALONE. :) Happy reading!
Next chapter will be prolonged and split into 2 parts.
Chapter 27: Emma
Regina comes back into the dining room after having excused herself. Sidney is behind her, ready to pick up her plate, when she interjects and tells him she is feeling a lot better, proceeding to explain to Audrey about a sudden headache that had creeped up on her. But I knew better. This was the first time that the look behind Regina's eyes made the most sense to me. She was jealous. Of Audrey. She didn't have to say it out loud for me to know what jealousy looked like on a woman. I knew it all too well. Especially when it dawned on me that I was feeling that all too familiar jealous streak when we were at the Orchard, and I kept seeing her with stable boy.
I couldn't lie to myself anymore. I liked Regina. And the more I admitted that to myself, the more I deemed it to be true. But how? When did it happen? Suddenly, I can hear David's words play inside my head, and my mother's as they both carried the same opinion on the feeling that blooms within your heart and life when you come face to face with your first love.
'It's like you're walking along blindfolded to what's around you, until that true love comes along and removes that blindfold without so much as a warning. The world shines in an all new light, so bright, it blinds you.'
Well, I had been blind.
Until that unexpected kiss with Regina uncovered everything.
Kissing Regina had been like waking up from a centuries old sleep. Kissing Regina had stopped my heart and set it in motion all at once, like a defibrillator only stronger. My heart felt as if it could explode inside my chest. I almost thought it had.
I decided then and there that this would be the first secret I would keep from Audrey and possibly take to my grave. Keeping it a sacred, wonderful and forbidden secret between Regina and I.
Regina said it was best to forget that kiss ever happened. But, there was one problem with that request of hers. I didn't want to forget it. I couldn't move past it and much less pretend like it never happened. That kiss, our lips pressing together and dancing together, just the way we had previously danced before it happened, played in my mind like a scene from a movie on loop. Rewinding back and back again to that favorite moment you could never tire yourself out of watching over and over.
It's true, I may be younger than Regina, but I wasn't born yesterday.
I wasn't stupid either to not have felt like something was happening between us. The fact that I didn't read too much into it, or was too blind to see it then was something completely different. But in the end, Regina had kissed me, and I had responded. Because I wanted to. Because ever since wiping that smear of strawberry ice cream from the corner of her mouth after Regina failed to catch it, I'll admit to wondering what it would be like to kiss her. For the briefest of moments. But it had crossed my mind.
I know! I know… What the hell is wrong with you, Emma? That's what you're probably wondering right now, right? Well, let me be the first person to tell you that shit happens. I'm not agreeing here that cheating is okay- it's not. Nor did I ever see myself as the type of person to do such a thing. But what's an innocent kiss between Regina and I? It was a spur-of-the-moment action that had only affected us profoundly. It wasn't like we took our kiss to the next level. That is something that I can guarantee you- I would never push for. Unless Regina wanted to.
Let me clarify… I would only go for more if and when Regina wanted, but only after finishing things off with Audrey. Making me single and free to do so.
Of course there is that huge elephant-in-the-room fact that Regina is Audrey's mom. Yikes. Okay, that may be a little cringey, even for me right now, but was I the first one to find an older woman attractive? Definitely not. And I promise you that wouldn't be the last. And Regina… She was extremely attractive.
It was one kiss. A kiss that Audrey didn't need to know about. Not when Regina was already freaking out about it as much as she was.
As Regina and I exchange a look from across the table as Regina, Audrey and I continue having breakfast together, I can see everything behind her eyes so much clearer. Every question that I ever had regarding how her eyes sparkled every single time she saw me- answered. She liked me!
Did I like her, too?
I wouldn't have willingly kissed her had I not liked her.
Was I sad that Audrey had returned so quickly and without warning?
A little. But I was also happy. Again, I did love Audrey, but I never lied to myself in reminding me that I didn't love her as much as I thought I did. Yes, I liked Audrey a lot, I liked being with her and the things we did together as a couple. But, the blindfold had come off once Regina's lips touched mine, and that made me realize that this isn't what I wanted anymore. Audrey isn't who I wanted anymore.
I felt it loud and clear, like needles poking my body upon Audrey's arrival, and even more so once Regina had kissed me.
Was I an asshole for realizing this so late into my relationship with Audrey? I'll be the first to agree with that. Yes, I was an asshole. But I never said I was perfect. Like Regina once said during our days alone in this house. 'Nobody's perfect. No even you.' And how right she was.
Again, I loved Audrey. Just not as strongly as I thought I did. I mean, when you loved someone, truly loved someone with your whole heart and every beating it gave out for that person, you could visualize a future with them, right? You wouldn't hesitate to say yes to moving in together, like I had done with Audrey. You wouldn't be feeling a ping of guilt for having said yes to the idea of moving in together. And most importantly, you could visualize more than a future, like your entire life alongside that person, until your hair turned gray and wrinkles covered every inch of your skin.
I had admitted it to myself before. I didn't see myself moving further with Audrey. And I don't really think she saw herself moving any further with me.
Of course, I also thought that eventually Audrey and I would just spontaneously end our relationship upon realizing that out of a mutual decision. Not because I liked someone else and that someone else just happened to be no other than her own mom. Suddenly, the image of Regina flashing her wedding ring at me, followed by her words: 'Because I am- like it or not- a married woman, and that's how the story goes.' As well as: 'My daughter's feelings are at stake.' flashed before my eyes and mind.
I was well aware that Audrey's feelings were at stake, but for fuck sake's- so were Regina's own feelings! And so were mine! Because yes, I had developed feelings for Regina. Sew me! But that was the truth. Somewhere along the way- possibly since the first moment we were introduced to each other, and our hands came together in a handshake- my feelings around Audrey had been like a thousand piece unsolved puzzle that no matter how hard I tried, I could not piece together. Because there was that one missing piece that no matter how hard you looked, you could never find it, leaving the puzzle an incomplete picture.
Give me a break. Until you find yourself in my situation- you can't judge me.
Audrey had me wrapped up in a hug again, and as I looked into Regina's eyes, seeing all of her pain uncovered before me as she gave me a sad little smile, trying to be supportive and a good mother, so much it killed her. I parted away from our hug. "How was your flight back?" I ask, trying to focus a little more on Audrey at the moment and a little less on my jumbled thoughts.
"Oh, a little exhausting, but good otherwise." Said Audrey, scooting her chair to be a little closer to the table, reaching for a plate and serving herself some breakfast. "I'm starving, that's for certain," she chuckles, totally oblivious to the tension that had suddenly built up around Regina and myself as we share another silent glance across the table. I'm not shy and don't hold back to deliver a small smile Regina's way. "How was your time here?" Audrey pulls me back to attention.
I take a sip from my coffee to hide the blush that threatens to settle on my cheeks and give a nod. "Good."
"Yeah?" Audrey's head tilts. "You didn't get bored at all?"
"Who would get bored here, really?" I smile, reaching for a strip of bacon from my plate. Audrey playfully bends down and takes a bite out of the breakfast strip.
"Yeah, I can see you didn't miss me at all." She chuckles, chewing on the piece of snatched bacon.
"What do you mean?" I frown. "Of course, I missed you. Why wouldn't I miss you?" I drape my arm closest to her along the back of her chair, resting it lazily.
Audrey lets out a laugh that eases my mind at that moment. She brings her hand up to place it along my cheek in a caressing manner, and I suddenly become a little uncomfortable at the display of affection before Regina. I can see her frowning out of the corner of my eye. "I'm kidding, babe, come on. You think I know you've missed me?" Audrey asks, and I can do nothing but chuckle. As I chuckle, my tension returns, draping over my body as Audrey leans in to press her lips to mine in a quick kiss.
I couldn't just push Audrey away without a care in the world and prevent her from kissing me. Especially not when she thought everything was fine, when it really wasn't. Not anymore.
Give me some credit. I might be an asshole, but I wasn't a monster.
I did, however, worry about how much this was killing Regina. And I hated myself for that. Especially when I was the one causing her this pain.
"I did." I murmured along Audrey's lips, feeling her land another kiss, followed by another to mine.
"Yeah?" Audrey smiled happily along my lips. Telling her what happened was going to be harder than I thought it would be. How would she react if she knew I had shared a kiss with none other than her mom? Shit. Not even I would react calmly with such a news.
I fought through the wave of guilt that hit me like a tidal wave caused by the storm forming inside of my chest. "Very much." I reply, and I feel Audrey's thumb wipe away some of her leftover lip gloss that smeared along my lips.
Suddenly, I could feel the difference between Audrey and Regina.
Fuck me. I was in way over my head!
We hear Regina clear her throat, the pain visible in her words as she says, "H- how was Colorado, dear? Tell me all about it." She doesn't look at me, but at Audrey.
"Oh, well, Colorado is a dream!" Audrey beams. She goes on telling both Regina and I all about her trip. And the restaurants her father took her to, and how happy he had been there with her. Leopold "happy." Hard to believe when the man hardly cracks a smile.
The heaviness continued to weigh around us- Regina and I- that is, until breakfast was over and done with and I helped Audrey with her luggage upstairs. I could see the worried and saddened look on Regina's face as Audrey took me by the hand and had me accompany her upstairs into her bedroom. That sadness behind her eyes weighed heavy in my heart that I almost wanted to send Audrey upstairs on her own. But I couldn't do that without raising an alarm that something eye-opening had happened between Regina and I.
That would only break Regina more and I didn't want to be the cause of that.
"Oh! It feels so great to be back!" Audrey enters her bedroom with an exhausted smile on her face, but otherwise happy to be back. I follow in behind her, setting her suitcase aside.
I wish I could tell you I joined in her enthusiasm in being back home, but I couldn't. Not when my mind was on Regina, who, currently found herself downstairs, possibly wondering what was going on with Audrey and I, up here. When all I could think about was about my shared kiss with Regina. Did she really want to forget it happened? Because I didn't. I couldn't forget it. Not when it lived rent free in my mind and along my lips, which I'll admit, still burned from the absence of it.
"Em?" Audrey is looking over her shoulder, right at me, calling me. I'm not sure how long she had been calling me for. Hopefully not too long.
"Hm?" I snap to attention. "I'm sorry," I shake my head. "I'm here." I lied, being more there than here.
"Are you?" Audrey asks.
No. I was back at that little corner restaurant with Regina. "Yes, of course I am." I step further into Audrey's bedroom, luggage in hand, and walk into the walk-in closet to leave it there.
Here's the truth, Audrey. Truth is I invited your mom out to dinner; one we didn't even get to finish. Truth is, we shared a dance. Two dances, to be exact. I shared ice cream with her and took a trip to the one place that meant the world to her. Truth is… We kissed, and that kiss became my awakening to my own feelings I had for your mom that I never imagined I could feel for anyone.
I play every single word in my head, over and over as I walk out of the closet to stand before Audrey. Just do it. "Actually, Audrey-" I urge myself to tell Audrey the truth, because she deserved the God-honest-truth. "No."
"No?" A frown formed along Audrey's brow. That type of frown that appears when she doesn't understand anything that's happening.
And why should she? Things didn't make sense anymore. For her at least. To me… Things were clearer than ever.
"No," I shake my head. "I'm far from okay."
"What's going on? You know you can tell me anything, right?" Audrey takes me by the hands and I give hers a gentle squeeze.
"I know." I nodded with barely a smile along my lips. "That's- that's why I think it's important that I talk to you about something. Something that happened while you were… While you were gone."
"Okay? What? Did- did you… Did you see a woman naked or something?" Audrey chuckled and I give out a nervous chuckle of my own.
I wanted to tell her. More than anything, I wanted to step up and tell her then and there that things had changed and would never be the same again. Because I felt it in my heart that they wouldn't. But in the moment that I was going to open my mouth, determined to unfold my truth before Audrey, Regina's face came into my mind, ending all determination.
I wasn't cowering out. Okay, maybe a little, at the moment, but I was also weighing the gravity of the situation if it were to unfold now. My mom always said that it was best to be upfront about your feelings, and sometimes the time and place presented itself immediately. Yet sometimes, you have to wait for the right moment and the right words to come to mind before doing so. Sometimes, it wasn't so wise to unravel everything in one go just yet.
Well right now, my gut feeling in the pit of my stomach was telling me to wait. That this moment wasn't the right moment to reveal everything. But if not now when? I searched for an answer I did not get. But weighing my options quickly in my head, and knowing Audrey like I do, I knew that no matter what, she would not take the news well. And chaos would really unfold once Leopold came back and that was the last thing I wanted for Regina.
I made myself a promise over Regina. That Leopold would never hurt her again. And I was determined to keep that promise. I needed to keep Regina safe, especially once the truth came out.
Our kiss may have been a one time thing, and it possibly would never happen again, which pained me to think of. But as much as Regina tried to deny that something had bloomed between us that neither of us expected to bloom, I knew she couldn't go on like that forever. Because I couldn't go on like that forever. Not after that kiss.
"Uh… I-" I wet my lips as they become dry and blurt out the only thing that comes into my mind. "Yes!" I breathed out, smiling nervously, not really knowing where I was going with this anymore. "It's embarrassing, really, because…" What I said next even shocked me. "I- it was your… Mom."
Regina was going to kill me.
Just with this lie alone, my heart was already beating twice as fast.
Audrey grinned as her eyes grew wide. "Emma-"
"It was an accident! I wanted to show her some of my pictures, and I was looking for her, and found her… When she… Was coming out of her shower." I clear my throat as I swallow down a dry lump that hurts my throat. Because leave it to my idiotic and slightly dirty mind in the moment of my fib to attempt to picture Regina naked.
I feel an urge settle between my legs that I immediately shut down.
I dug my own hole with that one.
But I had already told the lie, I couldn't stop now. "I- I turned away. I didn't see anything, I swear!"
"Is that all?" Audrey's rich laughter filled the room as her hand rested along my bicep. "Baby, that's nothing."
"So, you're- you're not mad?" My brow furrows. Of course, I knew Audrey wouldn't be mad, had I really walked in on Regina naked. After all, I wasn't the first girlfriend known to man to have walked in on someone else's mom or dad naked.
"Why should I be mad about that? Things like that happen, Em. Same thing happened to me while in High School, only it was my best friend at the time. That's actually what made me realize I liked girls." Audrey chuckles, and I smile a little more. I knew about this story before. Audrey had told me about it the first night we met at one of August's parties. Boy, if August could see me now, he would never let me live this down. "I bet my mother was so embarrassed, though." Her fingers caress along my hair.
"Oh, she was." I nod, remembering how deep red the flush along Regina's cheeks had been after we kissed. Had it been under different circumstances, I would have told her how beautiful I thought she looked.
Audrey pressed her lips against mine, humming in delight before pulling away. "Don't worry about it. And you don't have to be scared to tell me these things, okay?" She chuckled, "It's not like you kissed her or anything." She said, moving along into the walk-in closet.
I was such a fucking coward. I close my eyes as I shake my head and draw in three small, slow and steady breaths. Probably the last three breaths I would ever be allowed to take if my not-so-small fib reached Regina's ears.
"By the way, you are going to absolutely love what I bought you while I was looking around some shops in Colorado." Audrey's voice came from the closet.
I walk over to the closet and lean against the door frame. Audrey is bent over, going through her luggage. "Do I get to know what it is now?" I ask.
Audrey smirked over her shoulder before walking to where I was, her lips pressing along mine a kiss. "Soon." There was promise in her voice. Whatever she got me, I could tell it excited her beyond measure, making me wonder all the more what it could possibly be and hoping she didn't spend a lot of money on it.
I glance down at my watch with attempted humor. "Okay, it's soon." I smirk, feeling some of the tension along my shoulders vanish.
"Nice try, but not that soon." Audrey chuckles, pushing me out of the way from the door frame, scurrying past me.
"What's the big mystery?" I grin, feeling Audrey's arms wrap along my waist as they pull me in once I turn to face her.
"No mystery. I just want it to be what it is. A surprise." Audrey brushes back a strand of my blonde hair, tucking it behind my ear. "You know, tomorrow is June, which means your birthday will be soon."
Ah, my birthday… Now it made sense. This made me think that whatever this surprise was, Audrey had spent a ridiculous amount of money in. I cringed a little, not liking the idea of it. It's not that I hated celebrating my birthday. I just didn't like it being turned into this huge deal. And unfortunately- Audrey liked making a huge deal about my birth-day. For the first one we spent together, she surprised me with an all paid trip to a resort that was too fancy. 'Till this day, I still don't know how much that was worth.
I'm all for surprise trips as much as the next person. But that's the type of gifts you give when you've been dating for at least a year or two.
I roll my eyes but not in an annoying type of way. "Right… My birthday." Clearly, Audrey was already cooking up a plan for that day.
"Right," Audrey grinned. The tip of her finger ran along the bridge of my nose, tickling me. "So, you'll just have to wait and see what it is I got you. But, I promise you, it'll be worth the wait."
"Okay." I nod, not fighting her on it. "I guess I have no choice but to wait."
"Afraid so." Audrey sighed, walking back into her closet. "God, I feel exhausted. I think I'm going to jump into the shower."
"Who wouldn't be after a four hour flight?" I chuckle and I catch sight of Audrey's smirk. I know that smirk all too well.
"Tell me about it. Would you care to join me in the shower?" Audrey's voice is seductively low. Her arms pull me in tighter with no intention of letting me go.
"Tempting," I grin, feeling something constrict inside of me for Audrey. "I thought you were exhausted?" I chuckle.
"Well, yeah, but I've missed you more." Her lips press to mine and this time I don't respond. An action Audrey quickly takes notice of as her head jerks back. "Do you not want to?" She's surprised, and frankly so am I.
Under different circumstances, I wouldn't have hesitated to say yes. But things changed in the span of a few short days. All I can see is Regina's sad eyes staring back at me.
"It's not that I don't want to, of course I do. I just rather you rest, because," I think fast. "Well, you know how us showering together always ends, and then for sure you'll be even more exhausted."
Audrey chuckled and her thumb softly stroked along my cheekbone. "That is very true. You're right. I should just shower and rest first. We have all day, right?"
I smile, happy that Audrey's attempt was left at that. "That's right." I break free from her hold and begin walking backward toward the door. I needed to talk to Regina.
"Hey, I was thinking, once I'm well rested and all. Want to go dancing?"
"You have missed me, haven't you?" I say with humor and Audrey laughs. "Dancing it is." I couldn't deny her that. Also there was that wave of hope that Audrey would want to invite Regina along, which I was counting on it. I gave a small wave as I held the door open.
"See you later," Audrey waves back, a grin stretched out so far it reached her eyes.
As the door shuts, I lean against the door and shut my eyes for a minute. I hated lying to her, but my gut feeling told me I needed to talk to Regina first. We needed to talk about what happened, as much as Regina tried to avoid it. With that in mind, I march downstairs, and I am relieved once I see Regina walking by, toward the bottom of the staircase.
"She's going to sleep for a bit and shower later." I explain to her, searching her eyes for some answers.
Regina nods. Her lips are pressed into a thin line, a grim thin line. This was eating her up inside just like it was eating me. I could see it. "Well, excuse me, I think I'll head upstairs and finish that book."
"Regina-" I step before Regina's path, blocking her way up the stairs. My hand is positioned against the railing where there is the most space, in case she tries to break through. The last thing I wanted was to make her feel towered over, but I couldn't let this go. And she needed to know that I wanted that kiss, too. I look over her shoulder for signs of Sidney, keeping my voice down to a whisper. "Look, I don't want things to be awkward between us because of what happened."
"Nothing happened. Nothing." Regina's tone was just as grim as her stare. That cut me deep, I didn't realize it could hurt this much. "Please, don't bring this up again."
But just as determined as Regina is to climb up these stairs, I am just as determined to block her path. "No, Regina, please, we have to talk about this because it did happen."
Regina's eyes look down toward my hand. They are wide. As are mine once I realized that I had been gripping tightly onto her arm without any recognition as to when I had reached for it. I didn't mean to frighten her or fill her with any type of concern, which I can already see I was failing at that. I just wanted to talk. I wanted to ease this eagerness that lingered inside of my chest and threatened to rip out of it. I wanted Regina to hear what I had to say. She needed to know that my feelings, however long it took for them to be exposed, were mutual.
It wasn't a one-way street anymore.
"I'm sorry." I whisper, immediately releasing my hold on Regina's arm. My eyes lock with Regina's and I am practically pleading her to hear me out. Even if it was just for a short second. "I didn't mean to do that, I just- I really think it's important that we talk about this."
"Emma." Chocolate eyes become lost behind closed eyelids until they re-open, they are intimately locked into mine. "Try to understand. Please. I can't do this." Her voice sounds so fragile, I can swear it breaks. "What should be important to you is my daughter. Nothing more. Please do that. For me."
'For me.' How could I deny her that? I realized then and there that I would never deny Regina of anything. Not when she deserved everything. My eyes stung and I realized it's because I wanted to cry. But I wouldn't cry. I couldn't. Not here. Not now.
I see the same pain I was beginning to feel flash before me, reflected in Regina's hurt brown eyes. I almost wanted to reach out and touch her. Caress her cheek with the back of my hand, stroke her hair ever so softly, but I don't. Instead, Regina brushes past me as she heads up the stairs, while I remain rooted to the ground, looking up at her as she disappears along the second floor. Doesn't even bother to look back at me.
Could this have meant that Regina didn't want to feel what I knew she felt for me? I tried not to think about that. Instead, I focus on our shared kiss, savoring it, feeling hungry from its withdrawal. I decided that if I was ever going to feel the luxury of and be lucky enough to kiss Regina again, I needed to be patient.
It just so happened that patience was my specialty.
I'm wearing one of my black tank tops underneath my blue jacket again. In case Regina joins us in dancing tonight. It was her favorite jacket, after all. I can hear Audrey and Regina exchanging a few words as I enter the living room. Where Regina is positioned along the couch with the book on her lap. "Hey," I smile at Audrey. "You ready?"
"I was born ready." Audrey replies and turns to Regina. "Mom- do you want to come? Like last time."
My eyes quickly move to Regina. I give my best pleading look as she looks momentarily up at me, but I am disappointed when Regina says- "Oh, no," she quickly shook her head, her eyes on me again. "You two go ahead. I'm sure you would rather be alone tonight."
A frown takes over my lips and what very little hope I felt dissipated.
"Mom, I don't want you staying here alone, it's not healthy for you." Audrey frowns next.
Listen to her, Regina. Please, come. I beg in silence, hoping Regina would be able to decode my message to her. But she doesn't. Or if she does, she hides her knowledge of it very well.
Regina chuckles, "Audrey, I'm not alone. Sidney will be here. Don't you trouble yourself over that." She says to Audrey.
"It's no trouble for you to join us." I speak up, hoping Regina could read my signals loud and clear.
But she is so stubborn tonight, she doesn't give in.
"Yeah, mom, come with us. I saw you that night dancing," Audrey smirked, and I noticed the slight blush that settled along Regina's cheeks. It's adorable. "You were having a blast. I loved seeing you that happy."
So did I. I say in silence, my eyes never leaving Regina's, even when she wasn't looking at me. Was she ignoring me on purpose? Is that where we are at now?
"I appreciate that, dear, but not tonight. Maybe the next time you two go dancing, I'll tag along." My gaze is nothing short of disappointment and I know Regina can clearly see it. "You two need to be alone. Go. Have fun. Dance all night." Regina allowed herself to chuckle, but I knew she was trying to hide whatever she was feeling right now.
"Well, okay, whatever you feel like doing." Said Audrey, ready to begin our night. "Oh! My purse, I left it in the room. Hang on." She rushes upstairs.
"Hurry up." I turn to Regina who's nose is still stuck within the pages of another book. She doesn't look up at me. "Gina-" I call out, and Regina quickly interjects.
"Aren't you wearing very little to go out dancing, Ms. Swan?" Regina murmurs just behind her book.
I purposely look down to my choice of clothes for the evening. My usual tight jeans, black tank top and my blue leather jacket to finish, or as I've baptized it Regina's favorite. "I don't think so. Besides, dancing makes you get a little hot under the collar." I said, hearing a low chuckle escape her as she continues to hide behind her book. "Wait a second," I continue, even if Regina doesn't look at me. "Are you jealous?" I whisper, leaning in a little.
The thought of Regina jealous over Audrey was not only a bit humorous (for some part), but it was indication that I meant something to her, too. Jealousy looked good on Regina. Her jaw structure clenched so tight it made her jaw set into a perfect line. And I wasn't even sure if she was aware of doing this, but as her legs were straightened out along the couch, her toes curled.
"Don't be ridiculous, Ms. Swan." Regina looked at me this time, her line of sight grim and spurring with clear signs of jealousy that, I won't lie, made me happy. "Why would I be jealous of my own daughter?" She asked, not wanting to admit her jealousy.
"I don't know. Why would that be?" I ask. But I didn't get an answer as Audrey marched right in after, purse in hand.
"Sorry, I swear I have to tie it to my wrist." She grins, turning to her mother for the last time tonight. "Mom, are you sure you don't want to tag along?"
I cross my fingers of my hand that's tucked inside my pocket.
But, Regina refuses with a shake of her head. "I'm fine, dear. Really."
"Alright," Audrey breathes defeatingly before leaning down and placing a wet kiss along her mother's cheek. "We'll be back later."
"Be careful." Said Regina, her nose stuck behind her book again.
"We will. Come on, Em." Audrey yanks on my arm and forces my feet to move as we head toward the front doors.
I look over as I am being dragged away, and I catch sight of Regina's eyes looking my way before Audrey and I are out the door. I pull the door open for Audrey to hop in the passenger seat of my car, because it's the humane thing to do, before I climb into the driver's seat. My eyes notice the curtain to the living room shifts, and I see Regina's silhouette move along from the window before driving off for the night.