A/N: Once again, I tried for two chapters, but it'll just be the one today. But tomorrow will come for another update which will also be in Regina's POV. :) Happy reading, all and I hope you all enjoy your Labor Day weekend!
If you haven't done so already, check out the third-person version to this story.
Chapter 44: Regina
"Are you sure it's okay to talk here?" Emma asks as we're pulling up to the Orchard house. Her eyes look around for any sign of Daniel, I assume.
I smile because Emma was being so careful. And even if I was thankful for that, I knew what she really wanted was to scream our relationship to the entire world. Her eyes had been shining ever since she arrived in front of the house and told me to look out my window. Just like she promised she would. Emma couldn't stop smiling and frankly, neither could I. I could also tell she was a bit nervous, as was I.
With my smile still stretched across my lips a little, I arched my eyebrow as I looked at her. "I never took you for being the nervous one, Emma." I said.
"I have my moments." Emma replied with that humor I had learned to love.
Emma's humor makes me chuckle without fail. "We'll be fine." I assured her, and I stared at her for a moment, unable to believe that here we were, sitting inside of her yellow bug, finally together. Her eyes looked at me with all the love in the world. "Tell me this isn't the wrong decision. Tell me this isn't just a-"
"A game?" Always knowing what I wanted to say, Emma finished my question, immediately shaking her head. "Never." Her body shifts over to me, as close as she could manage to be, which given the year of this vehicle, it was pretty close. Enough that her hand reached out without a struggle, her knuckles caressing my cheek. Her eyes locked onto mine.
"This just seems too good to be true." I said, reaching up to hold onto Emma's wrist, feeling the warmth of skin on skin contact. "I'm not used to something this good happening to me, or anything at all, Emma."
"Well, get used to it. Because nothing but good things are going to start happening for you from here on out, Gina." I wish I could describe the amount of security and promise Emma carried in her voice. It made me actually start to believe in every word she spoke, even if some part of me still wanted to fight against it for lack of fear, that one day, one of her promises would be broken. But if Emma's promises were anything like the softness of her touch as her thumb caressed a trail along my bottom lip, I would lean in head first into them, too.
We found ourselves leaning into one another, like magnets- the irony- until our lips brushed featherly against one another. Not in a kiss exactly, but in a well known sign of affection like we had experienced that night of the storm, inside of the kitchen of Leopold's house. The corners of my lips stretch into a small smile as I am finally leaning in with a kiss in mind. We hear my cell phone ring, and I can't help but groan a little in frustration as we immediately pull apart.
"I'm sorry." I reach for my phone, who on earth would call me n-? Audrey. My eyes grow, surprised to see Audrey's name flashing along my screen, followed by her picture. I'm surprised as if I wasn't expecting for her to call me soon. Of course, I knew she would, given that Emma had just ended their relationship about two hours ago.
Who else could Audrey turn to if not her mother? Leopold was never great in dealing with Audrey when she needed comforting.
My blood runs cold as my eyes lock into Emma's once more. "It's Audrey."
"Answer it." Said Emma.
My hand shook as I brought my thumb near the screen of my phone. It hovered on the call button, unwilling to answer the call. I shake my head, "No. What will I say to her?" I ask in sudden panic.
"She doesn't know you're the reason I broke things off," Said Emma, holding gently onto my arm for encouragement. She nods toward my phone as it rings again. "Answer it, or she'll just keep calling."
She was right about that. Plus, there was never a moment where Audrey didn't call that I wasn't there to answer her calls. She was my daughter. And even if I was the cause of this break-up between her and Emma, I was for and foremost, Audrey's mother.
My heart begins beating so fast as I finally answer Audrey's call. "Hello?" I spoke, hearing Audrey's sobs being the first response. My heart instantly breaks. "Audrey?" Her sobs come through a little more. My eyes land on Emma's as I wait for a response. "Sweetheart, what's wrong?" I ask.
After a few more sobs, Audrey finally cries out, "She ended things."
"What?" My eyes continue to remain on Emma. "Who ended things?" I asked, attempting to sound confused.
"Emma," Audrey sobbed, and my motherly heart broke all over again. No mother wanted to have their children cry, hear them heartbroken. It was the most difficult thing ever, especially after knowing that I was the reason for her broken heart. "We went out for coffee this morning, because she said she needed to talk to me about something important. And she just broke things off."
"Audrey, calm down." I said through more of her sobbing.
"How can you ask me to calm down when all this time I thought Emma loved me?"
"Sweetheart, relationships end all the time. Maybe Emma's just scared, something must have-"
"She loves someone else, mom! She told me so herself." Audrey cried, and my heart stopped as I could see, so did Emma's as our eyes met again. Audrey was crying so loud, I knew Emma could hear her.
My throat was in a knot that I had difficulty swallowing down. "Audrey-" My voice breaks as I overcome with emotion. I could see my own sadness, including Emma's mixed within her eyes.
"She didn't say who, but she told me she loves someone else. I don't understand. I thought things were great. Never mind the fact that she didn't want to marry me, I just-" Audrey sobs. "I feel so stupid!"
"You aren't stupid, Audrey. You aren't. You hear me?" I sniff, quickly wiping a tear of my own. What could I say to make her feel better? What could I do? "I'm sorry." I started with apologizing, even if she didn't know exactly what I was apologizing for. "I'm so, so sorry that this happened to you. I'm sorry I couldn't do anything to prevent-"
"I wish I could go back home. But Alex doesn't think I should drive out like this." Audrey interjects, and suddenly I am relieved to know that Audrey wasn't alone.
"Alex is with you?" I ask, wanting confirmation.
"Y- yeah, she- she said I could stay at her apartment so I won't be alone in my dorm. For as long as I needed." I hear her sigh. "Mom, should I just go talk to Emma? Maybe talking a little more, she will see she made a mistake?"
She was asking for my opinion, and as her mother I should give her one. "I don't think that'll be a good idea right now, Audrey." Once more, my eyes lock onto Emma's. Just having her here with me was all the support I needed right now to get through this. Just to think what poor Emma must have gone through doing her part. Now it was my turn to do mine.
And there was the fact that Emma and I were together now. Audrey talking to her would do no good, nor change Emma's mind because we both wanted what we had now.
"But maybe talking to her-" Of course, the meaning of space isn't something Audrey could ever understand when going through something that was beyond her control. She has always been that way, even as a little girl. Well, she will learn to let go today.
"Audrey." I say sternly, it even surprises Emma. She wasn't used to me being this authoritative and frankly, neither was I. "If Emma made this decision to end things with you, she must have a good reason."
I could hear Audrey chuckle then, "More like someone new." I could detect the anger in Audrey's voice.
"Sweetheart, listen to me." I try using a calm tone of voice this time, but the tremble within it betrays me. "I think right now, you should just let things sit for a while with Emma."
"But mom, she-"
"Don't argue with me, just listen." Until it doesn't. Something comes over me that I still can't explain. If Audrey didn't want to listen to reason or my advice, she would learn how to today. "What you need to do right now is take a moment. Breathe. Relax. Concentrate on school starting up next week, get everything ready and you never know…" My eyes lock onto Emma's once more as I say, "Perhaps Emma will call you and tell you she's made a mistake."
"You really think so?" I hear Audrey's voice release a breath of hope. One that unfortunately would be shattered in due time.
"Maybe," I nod, even if Audrey can't see me. "You never know, is what I mean." Emma and I exchange a knowing look.
"I'm sorry for calling you like this, mom. I just needed to talk to someone."
I swallow down another hard lump and attempt to find my voice. This was harder than I anticipated. "Of course, dear. I'm your mother. I'm always here for you." I hold my hand up before Emma as I can see she attempts to mouth something to me. I can't tell if she can see right through me again and feel my pain. "Listen, just take some time for yourself, collect your thoughts, try not to contact Emma. And when you are feeling up to it…" Another lump forms along my throat. "You can come and see me and we'll- we'll talk. Just call me in advance so I know to expect you."
"I would love that. Thanks, mom." I hardly smile.
"Everything will be alright, dear." I replied, feeling my heart ache more and more.
"I hope so."
"Let's not call it a promise, but it will. You just take a moment and let time decide for you, hm?"
"Okay. Thanks, mom. I love you."
My eyes closed as I swallowed back a sob, "I love you, too, dear." Once I finally hung up, I released a quivering sigh that made my bottom lip quiver from holding back a sob of my own.
"Gina-" Poor Emma attempts to embrace me, comfort me, let me know that she understands my pain. But I stop her by placing my hands before her. Because no one could understand my pain. Until they had a child of their own.
And right now, after hearing Audrey's broken heart over the phone, I didn't expect this betrayal to feel like this, knifing away at my own heart. I needed some space.
"Don't, just-" I shake my head and feel a single tear run down my cheek. "I'm sorry," My voice breaks as my eyes lock onto Emma's. None of this was Emma's fault, which is how I can imagine she must be feeling, putting all of the blame on herself. But I could use a small moment. "I'm sorry, Emma, I just- I need a minute." I attempt to make my way out of the car, forgetting that the door was a little difficult to open. Stubborn car, stubborn owner. After struggling for another small moment, I finally am able to open the door and I storm my way inside the house.
I pull open the screen door, followed by the main wooden door as I enter. Leaving only the wooden open and hearing the screen door shut behind me with a slam, I drop along one of the chairs near the breakfast table, rest my elbows on top and hide my face in my hands as I begin to sob.
I hear the faint footsteps coming up to the porch, followed by the creek belonging to the screen door, but I don't look up. "Come in and shut the outer door, please." I said, looking up at Emma, confirming that she was standing in between the door frame. "You'll let certain bugs in if you don't."
"Sorry," Emma instantly moves, like a child in trouble, allowing the screen door to shut, but instead of leaving it at that, she closes the inside door as well. It makes me think of Audrey when she was a little girl and would forget to shut both doors. The sight almost made me smile.
As Emma stands there, with her hands tucked inside of her pockets, shoulders slumped, not knowing what to do or say next. I finally allow myself to chuckle as I shake my head, "Take that guilty look off your face, Ms. Swan, and have a seat."
Emma moves toward me and pulls out the chair right next to me and joins me. I take that moment to rake my fingers through my hair, combing it over and massaging my scalp. My shoulders felt suddenly stiff.
"Do you want to know why I chose a feather for your bracelet?" Emma breaks the silence that surrounded us. I look into her eyes and it's like I don't have to say yes, because Emma could read me far better than anyone.
"Many people don't think about the things a feather could mean. A lot of them walk around the earth, and they never dare to stop and look at them." Emma looks down at my bracelet, appreciating it with her eyes before they find mine again. She scoots her chair a little closer until there's no more table left between us. "This isn't a religious thing, but, spiritually… Feathers can often symbolize protection, love, the reminder of your guardian angel watching over you, protecting you." I suddenly feel a small smile coming on as I continued to listen to Emma's story. "My mother used to finding feathers when I was a kid. She would have me help. 'Go get the biggest one you can find.' She'd say. And I would, and every single time since then, every single time we'd randomly spot a feather lying on the ground or falling from the sky, she would have me pick it up, and she'd say: 'This feather is to remind you that you are exactly where you're meant to be. It's a reminder that you are always being watched over, and protected, and that everything will be alright.'
I feel tears stream down that I quickly wipe away. I loved listening to Emma talk. No matter what she said. It surprisingly calmed me.
"From that moment on, even as I grew, anytime I find a feather I pick it up, and I say to myself that I am exactly where I'm meant to be, that everything will be alright." Emma pauses for a moment. "I don't know if it's just my mind playing tricks on me or, you know, they say the mind is a powerful tool. Maybe it's coincidence, but- the day I met Audrey and we were at that party, we eventually left it, and went outside for a bit of quiet. She goes back inside to refill our drinks, I stay there, and the next thing I see is a feather right by my feet." I smile a little more as Emma chuckles. "And on our way over here, once summer started, I found one that landed on my car. And while here, on a day at the park, another feather fell on me. So, you see… That to me told me that I was exactly where I needed to be. With you. Protecting you. Watching over you, and constantly letting you know that everything was going to be alright."
A single tear makes its way down Emma's cheek and I can't help myself to softly wipe it away. That's when Emma reached for my wrist, keeping my hand right where it was as I continued to caress her cheek. Next, Emma presses her lips to my wrist and I feel a gentle kiss along my skin that makes my heart stop.
"I gave this to you so if ever there is any doubt, when we're together, just know that you are exactly where you're meant to be. And whenever we are apart, any moment you feel like the world around you crumbles, just know that I'm a phone call away. Mind you, I'm far from a guardian angel, but," A small smile emerges from my lips, unable to help it. "God strike me down if I don't love you like I never imagined loving anyone, Regina."
How did Emma always say such amazing things that made me forget about everything else? I would probably never know, but then again I didn't want to know. All I could do was pull Emma in until our lips pressed together in a slow and tender kiss.
Apart from Emma, I have only kissed Leopold, and not by choice. But I didn't have to kiss a lot of mouths to know that every single time Emma kissed me… Time stood still. All of my troubles vanished. Any pain I felt inside of my heart or physically was gone. There was no one waiting for me at home. I wasn't some man's battered wife, or someone's mother. I was just Regina. A woman who was just discovering love and the feeling of what it was like to be loved, pumping through my veins like a shot of adrenaline. And to hear Emma say she loved me, much more see it in her sea-green eyes, shining every single time she looked at me. That was all I ever wanted.
As Emma deepened our kiss, but never ever rushed it, I could feel a familiar heat rush to my cheeks, followed by the softness of Emma's touch as she cupped my face, holding me there. Emma's ways of displaying and showing me affection were all new to me, but thrilling. So thrilling, I wondered if it was normal for my heart to accelerate as fast as it was right now. The butterflies in my stomach were flapping around so fast, it tickled, even in the most unexpected of places. A wave of chills traveled down my spine due to Emma's touch as her hand slowly traveled down my neck, shoulder, arm and forearm. A rush settled right in between my legs that I had never felt before.
Both our breaths began to quicken. I could feel Emma's warm breath brush against my lips followed by a warm, wet and soft caress flicking at my upper lip. It was so unexpected and so new that my reaction was to part from our kiss, my hands softly pushing Emma back by her shoulders.
"I'm sorry, what? What did I do?" Emma huffed, breathless as I was, her eyes were wide with concern over me. Amazing, wasn't it? Throughout everything, and Emma was worried about me. Her cheeks look adorably flustered, as much or probably more than my own.
I breathe out a chuckle as I shake my head. "Nothing." I said.
"What is it? Tell me. Did- Was I too fast? Did I do too much-?"
"No," I lift my hand and softly allow it to land against Emma's cheek as a sign of my affection for her. "It's not that." I assured her.
"Then, what is it?" Asks Emma, softly caressing my wrist.
My cheeks turn a shade of pink, probably making them look beet red considering my flush from earlier. "It's embarrassing, Emma."
Emma's smile is enough to tell me that no matter what we talked about, whatever was talked between us would stay between us. I trusted her. Emma was the complete opposite of Leopold, it was shockingly surprising. And if I was going to do this, accept having a secret relationship with Emma, in some sense of the word, overlooking the fidelity I swore to my dear husband, and overlooking Audrey's hurt feelings just to be with Emma, the least I could do was be honest with her about what I felt or feared. Besides, that is what actual couples did, wasn't it? And I owed Emma that.
"I promise not to laugh, whatever it is you want to tell me. And if you don't, that's fine, too." Emma assures me anyway that whatever I chose to do, either be open with her or not, she didn't mind.
Fighting through my embarrassment, I draw in a calm breath and finally say, "I just…" I think of a better way to express it. How do you begin telling someone that the feel of their tongue against your lip was a little too… Stimulating without actually telling them that it was that stimulating? I wasn't used to that action being so gentle and so sensual. "It's-" I look away from Emma's gentle eyes for a moment, feeling too embarrassed all over again. "Well, it's… That thing you do." I dare to look into Emma's puzzling but patient gaze again. "That thing you do when we kiss."
Emma's puzzling look finally relaxes and I know she understands me. "You mean when I want to use my tongue?" Emma's lips widen in a smile as I blush to her out loud question.
"I don't mean to discourage you from it, it's just," I nervously brush back a strand of hair behind my ear and shift my body in an uncomfortable manner. I wasn't used to being this open with anyone. Emma was my first and I hoped she would be my one and only. "Well, Leopold…" Once again, how to say this to Emma? I worry after mentioning Leopold's name, her face turns to stone right before me. "When he-" My brow furrows as I try to figure out the best way to explain things to Emma without going into so much horrific detail. "Well, you know that he has-" I groan and my voice loses itself as Emma kisses the corner of my mouth.
"Regina," Emma takes my hands into her own, her eyes locking into mine. "First off, I want to apologize. I guess that's just the way I kiss." She said, apologizing when she had no fault.
"It's not that I don't like it, Emma, it's just whenever Leopold would do it, his way wouldn't be so-" I try to explain, but Emma stops me by pressing her finger along my lips.
"You don't have to say anything. I know." Said Emma, moving her finger away from my lips, replacing it with her thumb which caresses along my bottom lip. That was enough to relax me. Anything Emma did was enough to relax me. "I can understand if this- me being gentle with you even while kissing- is totally new to you. Everything will be new to you, and that's okay."
This was proof. I was living in a fictional world and Emma was my fictional character come to life. It wasn't possible that Emma could be this understanding.
"How?" I shake my head, reaching up to hold onto Emma's wrist. "How is this okay? How are you okay with taking things so unbelievably slow? Especially when you've probably been with…" My cheeks turn crimson red as soon as I realize the turn of events this conversation has taken between Emma and I. I can't even dare myself to finish that question.
The smile that Emma gives me is enough to reassure me that whatever I wanted to ask her was okay. "Believe it or not, I've not been with a hundred women, Regina." She proceeds to tell me, "Yes, I do have experience." She draws in a breath. "But this is new to me, too. You're probably right in wondering how the hell am I okay with waiting until you are ready to take whatever step you want to take, when I've moved fast my whole life." She chuckles, and once again I can't help but smile a little. "You know, David always says to me, that love makes you do crazy things, but it also shows you when someone is worth everything."
Listening to Emma speak to me was like a therapy I never knew I needed in my life. It never fails to make me smile or feel relaxed. Feel like I didn't have a home to go back to.
"Well, you are worth everything, Regina. In the span of months, I've come to know you better than anyone, and I've seen how much you've had to suffer in the arms of someone who doesn't deserve you." As soon as I frown, Emma's thumb is there to caress the all familiar trail along my bottom lip. I loved her touch the more I felt it. "Well, understand this. Now that you're mine- because you are mine- I would never rush you into anything that you aren't ready for. I could wait a lifetime for you, and I will, if that's what it takes." Emma's smile grows as I smile again with such ease that it's all new to me. I wasn't used to smiling this much, but now that I was with Emma, I suppose it would do me good to get used to it. "As for kissing… That's just a force of habit, but… I'll try to be more careful next time. Unless you ask otherwise."
This could not be real.
"Is this how you are with every girl you've dated, Ms. Swan," I don't hold back my smile as I hear a chuckle escape Emma. "Because you are good. Be honest, that's how you get them to fall in love with you, isn't it?" I ask, adding to the calm atmosphere that finally surrounds us.
Emma shakes her head, keeping her smile spread against her lips. "No. I had my moments with every one of them, I won't deny that. But with you, Regina… Everything is so authentic. To be honest, I never even spoke to Audrey this way."
For a moment, that was a little hard to believe, but then I realized that I had been around both of them enough to hear exactly how Emma would express herself around Audrey. I must admit, I never heard her say the sweetest things to her either, not the way she said them to me. Thank God.
"How much time do you have until you have to go back home?" I ask, curious to know. I didn't wish to ruin this beautiful moment between Emma and I, but I wanted to do something for her, which brought me to my question.
We were both here to talk, and more so, enjoy our fresh, new relationship. And that's exactly what I wanted to do.
Emma shrugs, not looking to be in any hurry. "I can stay all day, if you ask me to." She grins.
I chuckle at her playfulness. "I'm serious, Emma."
"I am, too. You underestimate how happy you've made me today. I'm here to say." Her grin grows and her eyes sparkle.
I grin and shake my head, "Well, as lovely as it would be for you to stay, you do need to go back home, or your parents will wonder where you are. The last thing I need is for them to put your face on a milk carton. Besides, you do have school." I remind her.
"Which doesn't start for another week." Emma shrugs.
I glare this time, "But you forget, my husband does come home tonight- late- but he will want to see me asleep when he arrives."
Emma rolls her eyes and allows a frown to replace her smile. "Leopold." She murmurs.
"Yes." I frown, feeling free to take a strand of Emma's soft blonde hair and tuck it behind her ear. I could do that freely now, without hesitation. It felt heavenly. "But this morning Sidney did tell me that he will be leaving on another work trip soon to Seattle. Maybe then, you and I could plan something a little more temporary."
Like flicking a light switch, Emma's smile was back on. "Really?" Her eyes sparkled with such excitement and happiness, I never wanted to see it end.
I nod, "Really."
"Awesome." Emma's use of that word had become so childlike but endearing to me, I couldn't help but smile every time she used it. Smiling has become a part of my life now.
I can't hold back in placing a kiss along Emma's lips before I stand and straighten out any crease along my pencil skirt.
"Where are you going?" Asks Emma.
"I am going to pick some apples. I specifically remember saying I would make an apple pie for you to try." I smirk, suddenly feeling the urge to bake.
"So, this is that moment?" I hear Emma push both our chairs in before she's following me as I reach for a basket from inside a cabinet. "I'm finally going to have the pleasure of tasting one of your delicious pies that your father passed on to you?" There was an endearing excitement in Emma's voice.
"Would you hold this, please?" I hand the basket to Emma and reach over for the lever that Daniel usually leaves by the same tree. I use it to pick one apple after another off of the trees, placing them in the basket that Emma holds for me.
I listen to Emma inhale sharply and I smile, the scent of apples lingering in the air around us. It was always my favorite scent as well.
"Why do you pick them? Why not just use the ones on the floor?" Emma asks.
"Because," I am happy to begin explaining while I hold the lever to eye-level to inspect the apple I picked before placing it in the basket. "We'd have to check each one that's on the ground to see if they've gone bad or if they are just bruised. And that would take a little longer." I look up while reaching for another apple with the lever.
"Is that a bad thing? I mean, do these on the floor, compared to the ones on the trees taste different?" Emma asks.
I smirk as I drop another apple inside the basket. "Believe it or not, some studies have said that a bruised apple actually gives it a sweeter taste."
"Do you think that's true?" Emma asks as I remove my heels to be able to stand on my tippy-toes to reach for another apple.
"Possibly. When an apple is bruised, that area's cells tend to die, so-" I turn to Emma, who has an expression on her like a deer caught in headlights. "What's wrong?" I frown.
"No, nothing." She gives me her best smile. But something was certainly wrong. Especially with that guilty look on her face as if she had been caught red handed.
"Emma." I glare.
Emma's eyes avoid me at all cost, looking toward the house before she turns to me again, and as she does, I notice her cheeks turn pink. "I was just…" She shifts nervously on the balls of her feet. "I was just, uh," She clears her throat. "I couldn't help but notice something every time you reach for an apple, that's all."
"What is it?" I look myself over, not seeing anything out of the ordinary.
"It's not your clothes, it's," Emma scratches the back of her neck, followed by pulling on the neck of her shirt. "I'm sorry, I just couldn't help but notice your figure whenever you would, you know."
"My figure?" My head tilts quizzically. Had Emma been… admiring me?
"Yeah." Emma nods. "I'm sorry, just forget about it. I knew you wouldn't like it. It was an accident-"
"Emma." I smile, feeling surprisingly flattered. "Just a minute ago you bared your heart to me and said the most remarkable words I never imagined I would hear come from anyone. And now, you're all of a sudden, shy because you've appreciated my body?"
Emma's blush is as adorable as she is. "Yeah, well. To be fair, you're the first…" She pauses as if in thought. "Mature woman I've ever thought of as attractive in every sense of the way."
"Mature?" I arched my eyebrow and felt free to smirk. "Are you saying you aren't mature, Ms. Swan?" I try easing Emma's nerves with my attempt at poor humor.
"Pfft," however Emma takes it, seems to work. "I'm every bit as mature as the next person." She said, and my smirk grows once reality strikes Emma. "Oh, now you're laughing at me."
I chuckle, "A little. I just like proving how young you are." I said.
"Okay," Emma rolls her eyes. "I want to make one thing clear about us- together- as a couple now. I'm not going to be like Chief Irons. Ever. You have free reign in this relationship to do and go as you please. But I do ask that you please, stop with the age difference thing. Twenty-five, forty-one, they click. We click, Regina." My eyes lock onto Emma's as she's walking closer to me. Her hand comes up as the back of her knuckles caress the familiar trail along my cheek. "We've clicked ever since we were introduced."
I'm unable to prevent a smile from stretching across my lips at Emma's beautiful words. I've realized that Emma's way with words would never stop making me smile. Emma would never stop making me smile and feeling absolutely happy for the first time in years. So happy, I didn't regret my decision in accepting a relationship with her. So happy, I wanted to kiss her right.
"Do you want to try that again?" I ask Emma, smiling from ear to ear.
"Try what again?" Emma's head tilts, her brow furrows quizzically.
I stand a little closer to Emma and reach for her waist with my arm to pull her into me. Leaning in, Emma's smile once again matches mine as our lips join together in a kiss. The lever slips from my hand onto the grass, followed by the basket slipping from Emma's hand, along with all the apples I had picked. Soon, Emma's arms envelope me in, making me feel safe. Our kiss deepens.
As our kiss deepens, our lips move in sync until I feel the tip of Emma's tongue warmly brush along my lower lip. That was enough to take my breath away, but once Emma's tongue patiently slithered inside of my mouth, and I felt it dance around, brushing along with my own tongue, I'm surprised to hear a small moan escape me, traveling right out of my mouth and into Emma's.
I can't even begin to tell you what having Emma's tongue inside of my mouth made me feel.
Walking side by side with Emma through the grounds that I held dear to my heart had turned out better than any other day I had ever lived. I carried the apples we had picked up and placed inside the basket again as we headed back toward the house.
"Well, I guess we'll see if what you said about bruised apples being the most sweetest was right." Said Emma, smiling happily.
I chuckle, grinning from ear to ear. "Well, I can't entirely blame you for dropping them, I suppose."
"I can't say I blame you, I am after all a fantastic kisser." Emma replies smugly.
I scoff, stopping right in front of the house before I turn to face Emma. "Can't you ever act like an adult, Emma?" I ask.
"For some things, yeah." Emma takes a step forward, her arm pulling me by my waist. I usually hated when Leopold would perform that same action sometimes, but with Emma, I loved every minute of it. Then again, Emma never acted like a brute when we were together. She was the complete opposite of Leopold. As our lips are only an inch apart from one another, Emma's voice comes out in a low whisper as she says, "I can be as mature as you want me to be." My smile disappears as Emma's lips press to mine.
Kissing Emma never fails to surprise me, how more and more easier it was becoming to perform such an action that one man once made me despise. How addicting kissing Emma had become. The taste of her lips. Her tongue as it entered my mouth once again. How familiar our lips danced together in a wave of feelings that I felt for her and she felt for me.
"Regina?"
Emma and I startle apart to the sound of Daniel's familiar voice. His eyes are wide as he evidently witnessed our kiss, when he wasn't supposed to be here in the first place.
"Daniel!" I breathed out, feeling my heart accelerate in fear. "What are you doing here?" I ask.
Daniel blinks, "I forgot my gloves and I- I saw you and Emma walking toward the house. Imagine my surprise when I see what I see." His stance changes as his eyes shift toward Emma.
"Daniel, this isn't what it looks like." I say in panic.
"Oh, no? Because I thought she was with Audrey- your daughter- if I recall." Daniel's glare at me changes over to Emma, and Emma isn't shy about glaring right back at him.
In fact, Emma takes a step forward, ready and willing to speak up for us, but I prevent that from holding onto her shoulder, once again, something un-explainable coming over me. "Emma. Why don't you… Go wait inside the house for me? I'll be in in a minute." I nod, handing her the basket of apples to take with her. "Go on, it's alright." I assured her.
Emma doesn't like the idea of me handling this alone, yet still, she says, "As you wish. But I'll be right inside if you need me." As I smile, Emma quickly turns to Daniel to give him one last glare before heading inside of the house.
It's not until I hear the screen door snap shut that I turn back to Daniel with a frown thinned out along my lips. As I walk up to him, it isn't until I brush past him that I say, "Come with me. We need to talk." Immediately, I hear Daniel's footsteps following behind me.
It was true, Emma and I agreed to face this together and we would. But, if she was brave enough to do her part in breaking up with my daughter for us to exist. I was more than willing to do mine by facing Daniel with the truth to things for Emma and I to exist.