A/N: Thank you all for the love you are giving this story just with the first chapter. I am glad you seem to be enjoying it as I am enjoying writing it for you all with my own add-on's and changes to fit our two favorite ladies. My day couldn't go without constant interruptions, so I am just posting the next chapter to this story. But, I will be writing more to have more (yes, on other stories as well) for you later tonight and tomorrow. Happy reading, all! :) And thank you for all the love and support. Especially for your patience.
Please, feel free to drop a review!
"Emma," Ingrid encounters Emma and Ruby along a hallway. "Would you please tidy up the park view suite? Ms. Emilia Clarke will be checking in shortly and has requested that specific suite."
"Yes, ma'am, right away." Emma nods.
"And when you're finished I need you to head on over to Mr. Robinson's room to deliver some fresh towels, and… Do be careful because he is recently single and so I've been told, he is on the hunt." Her eyes narrow.
As Ruby cringes, Emma nods. "Of course."
"Thank you." Ingrid smiles. "And if you happen to see Sidney, please tell him I'm looking for him."
"Yes, ma'am." Emma waits for Ingrid to walk away before she and Ruby head on over to the park view suite.
"So, Henry's big speech is today, huh?" Ruby grins, rolling her cart of supplies along the hallway.
"Yeah," Emma breathes. "If only he wasn't so nervous, poor kid. He was really counting on his dad to be there. I don't know how I'm going to break the news to him."
"Kids are so intuitive, Em. Especially yours." Ruby catches a smile bloom from Emma's lips as they stop in front of the room. She inserts a key card through the pad along the door before they step inside the room. "That kid will take one good look at you and he will just know that his father is a good for nothing pain in the-"
"Ruby." Emma glares, moving along the room to retrieve some clean bed sheets.
"I'm just saying," Ruby shrugs, reaching for her duster. "I don't know how he could have cheated on you. Who was it again?" Ruby tilts her head quizzically.
"His secretary." Emma replies, yanking the bed sheets off the mattress with a hard pull.
Ruby snorts, rolling her eyes, "What a dope."
"Yeah, well, that's life for you. All I seem to attract are dopes. That's why I'm single." Said Emma.
Ruby chuckles, "Yeah, that's why." She flinches at an incoming pillow that Emma tosses in her direction and tosses it back. "Hey, maybe what you need is a good woman. You know, see how the other side lives."
Emma chuckles, grinning from ear to ear. "I'm a woman, Ruby. I already know how that side lives."
"Come on, you know what I mean," Ruby glares over her shoulder. "I mean, find yourself a girlfriend. You gotta live a little, Em. And for the love of God, you gotta get laid."
"Please," Emma places the last pillow along the bedspread. "That is the last thing on my mind."
"Let me tell you something, Henry would want you to be happy. Even he thinks you should find yourself a girlfriend."
Emma's brow lifts, her hand placed along her hip in a fist. "And how would you know that?"
Ruby shrugs, "I told him you also liked women."
"Ruby!" Emma's eyes go wide. "I can't believe you would tell him that!"
"Oh, relax," Ruby brushes a hand along the air. "It's not the end of the world. Look, it was either he heard it from me, someone he trusts and deeply loves than at school where other kids could be ruthless little punks. Besides, he took it well. And look he idolizes the future Mayor of this city- Regina Mills, right? Do you honestly think that kid hasn't read all about that woman's open sexuality already? Henry's ten steps ahead of you."
"Candidate Mills! Ms. Mills, over here!" Reporters shouted in unison as they gathered around the limousine parked in front of the Hampton's Inn and Suites.
"Ms. Mills, what were your thoughts on Candidate's Belfrey's dinner at the Children's Hospital Charity event last Friday night?" A young reporter squeezed his recorder like he squeezed in his question throughout the crowd.
"Honestly, I thought the salmon was a little dry." Regina replies to her question with humor, hearing everyone share a laugh. She grins, "It's a joke."
"In the last few days Candidate Belfrey has managed to beat you by several points. Do you feel defeated in any way?" Another reporter asks, placing her microphone before Regina.
"Ah, I can assure you," Killian, Regina's personal assistant, dressed elegantly in an all black suit and tie steps in front of the cameras and reporters. His smile charismatic, "That those points won't affect Candidate Mills. As a matter of fact, I can tell you that she will in fact be the future Mayor of this city and a damn good one at that. You can quote me on that." He points to a female reporter.
"Ms. Mills!" Reporters gather closer to Regina, so close, Killian has to step in once again.
"That's enough questions for now, folks. Thank you." Killian steps in, extending his arms to keep the reporters from coming any closer.
"Thank you. Excuse me, please." Regina waves and smiles before gently pulling on a thick, black leash. "Come on, Pongo." A large dalmatian dog with the whitest coat and blackest spots follows the brunette happily into the hotel, tail wagging behind him.
"Emma! Thank God!" Rosey, another maid comes running down the hallway holding a large dog bed.
"What's the rush, Rosey?" Emma asks. "You're running so fast you're leaving a trail of fire behind you."
"I ran up here to give you this," she hands over the dog bed. "Ingrid's orders. Candidate Mills is bringing her very large dog with her. Can you-?"
"Say no more. Here," Emma hands a fresh pair of towels to Ruby. "You go deliver these to the pervert who will most likely be naked when you walk into the room, and I'll go deliver this to the Candidate's suite."
"Why do I always get stuck with the pervert?" Ruby's shoulders slump in defeat as she walks away.
"I'll take care of it, Rosey, thank you." Emma smiles, carrying the large bed down the hallway. Using her own card, she slides in through the slot on the door before entering.
The champagne and different types of cheeses and fruits had been brought in.
Emma lays the dog bed along the wooden floor where no one would step on or over it, fluffing it up when she hears a small crash coming from the bathroom, followed by a rattling. "Hello?" She calls out.
"Damn!" A voice comes from within the bathroom that makes Emma rush over.
"Mr. Glass? What happened?" Emma's eyes grow wide at the sight of a red stream of blood running down Sidney's hand. "Oh, my- here-" she quickly gathers up a towel to wrap Sidney's hand in.
"I'm all thumbs today." Sidney chuckles.
"Yeah, well, we all have those days, don't you worry." Emma looks down at the man's trembling hand. It had been trembling more than usual lately. "Will you be alright?" She asks.
"It's nothing." Sidney shakes his head, not wishing to talk about his illness. "It hasn't broken me yet."
Emma gives him a sad smile. She had an uncle who lived with Parkinson's once. She didn't see him much, but the times she did, he was always fun to be around; she remembered that much.
A pager goes off, drawing Sidney's attention away from the bottle of pills he spilled along the floor to reaching for the device that continued to alert him until he read the message from downstairs check-in desk. "Ms. Mills has just checked in." His eyes dart to Emma.
"Go, I'll clean this up." Emma nods, providing his arm with a gentle squeeze. Once Sidney walks out of the room, leaving her all alone, Emma bends down on her hands and knees and begins gathering up the shredded glass pieces from the floor.
The door to the suite opens, and Regina steps inside along with Killian, Pongo's trainer, and a bellboy carrying all of their luggage.
"Killian, let me see that paper, please." Regina holds out a hand to reach for the newspaper that Killian is determined not to let her see.
"Why do you need to see it for yourself, Regina? I just read it to you." Killian snatches back the newspaper. "Hey! No!" Killian attempts to snatch the newspaper from Pongo's grip as the canine's teeth grip tightly around it. "No! Give me that!"
"Pongo, no!" The trainer stood before Pongo. "Pongo, sit. Sit!"
"Candidate Mills," Sidney smiles, giving a friendly nod. "I am Sidney, the butler of this floor. Me and every member of our staff on this floor are at your service, if there's ever anything you need, ma'am. Please, don't hesitate to ask."
"Thank you, Sidney," Regina smiles.
"And may I say that it is truly a pleasure having you stay with us for the remainder of your election."
"Thank you. I'm sure we'll enjoy our stay. The room is magnificent." Said Regina.
Sidney smiles proudly, "That's all thanks to our cleaning staff, ma'am. I'll be sure to pass along your appreciative message to them. Excuse me, I'll leave you to settle in."
"Thank you, Sidney." Regina's eyes follow Sidney as he walks out before turning to Pongo. "Pongo, Pongo," she walks toward her dog and holds onto the other end of the newspaper. "Give it to me, Pongo. Let go." At her command, Pongo's teeth unclench from the newspaper, earning him a scratch behind the ears. "Good boy."
"Oh, yeah, her, he listens to." Killian mutters under his breath.
"Pongo, come." The trainer holds up a bright yellow ball and Pongo automatically moves, excited to play a game of fetch.
"Uh, Regina," Killian moves in the direction that Regina walks, catching up with her.
Regina holds the newspaper out and begins reading out loud, "Candidate Mills, now open with her sexuality, proposes to New York's latest hot model Cecilia Crawford and just shortly after dumps her while on the lookout for her latest victim." Killian cringes as Regina continues reading, "As far as political Candidates go, Regina Mills is far more ruthless than Snow White's Evil Queen."
Killian waits until Regina's eyes meet with his. "I'll tell you what we'll do, we'll sue them. And believe it or not, people love ruthless when it comes to politics. Especially for a Mayor. This will surely get you votes, I mean you dumping New York's latest hot model after being engaged- come on. That's the kind of stuff that will turn you into my idol."
"We weren't even engaged, Killian. She made that up." Regina tosses the newspaper along the coffee table. The scent of cinnamon hits her nostrils she can't help but sniff.
"So, she uses you for a little publicity- she was a nobody- what- what are you doing?" Asks Killian.
"Do you smell cinnamon?" Regina asks, taking another sniff. A small smile stretches at the corners of her lips.
Killian takes a whiff of the air, picking up on the scent. "Yeah, so?"
"It's quite nice. Don't you think so?" Regina smiles. "Cinnamon happens to be my favorite scent, so it's kind of a coincidence that's the scent they placed in here."
Killian's brow slightly lifts, "Coincidental- sure. You are a political figure, Regina. I'm sure by now everyone knows you love ice cream on Sunday's and long walks along the beach."
Regina holds out her hands to catch the yellow ball that is tossed her way. "Pongo," she smiles at her canine companion as he jumps on two high legs, excited over his ball. "Catch, go on!" She tosses the ball across the room, to which Pongo chases after. "Bring it here, boy."
Once more at her command, Pongo happily moves toward Regina, releasing his ball to her which Regina tosses once again.
"Now, Regina…"
"Come here, Pongo," Regina grins, petting and scratching Pongo along the top of his head. "Good boy! Yes." Her smile widens as she feels Pongo's long tongue brush wetly along her cheek. "Good boy."
Killian clears his throat, "Regina, could you leave the dog alone for a minute, please?"
"Go, go get it!" Regina tosses the ball across the room, watching as Pongo speeds after it.
"Regina." Killian says more sternly.
"I'm here, what?" Regina stands to her feet, her eyes on Killian.
"Now, remember, you have to meet with Jerry Livingston later today. No, if's, and's or but's."
Regina rolls her eyes. "Do I really have to, Killian? All the man does is talk about hunting. What do I know about hunting?"
"I don't like him very much either, but as your advisor I advise that you to do this. You should listen to me once in a while, you know- your father always did when he was Mayor."
"I listen to you. I'll be ready to meet with Livingston later today, okay? You have my word." Regina moves along the room, coming to a halt as soon as Killian follows close behind. The man could turn into her personal shadow sometimes, it was too suffocating.
"Where are you going?" Killian asks.
"Bathroom. Alone, if you don't mind." Said Regina, walking past Killian and closing the door to the bathroom. Releasing a sigh, Regina's hands begin to undo the single button and zipper to her well pressed black pants when her eyes fall on the perfect view of Emma's behind as she's kneeled along the floor.
"Oh, come on." Emma whispers, reaching further behind the sink for the last pill that rattled along the floor before popping it into its rightful bottle. Thank God these floors were thoroughly cleaned. "Got you." She muttered to herself as she sat upright with a victorious grin along her thin lips.
Regina blinks before she softly clears her throat to alert Emma of her presence. "Hello." She greets her with a small grin of her own.
"Oh!" Emma's eyes, which quickly turn away from Regina, are wide as she stands to her feet. Her cheeks turn a shade of crimson. "I am so, so sorry. I was just- I-" Emma's hands motion toward the floor. "I'll go now."
Regina's eyes follow Emma as she marches straight out of the door. "It's quite alright."
"I'm sorry. I'll give you some privacy." Emma places her hand to the side of her face, blocking her peripheral vision, but the first chance she gets she peeks, eyes glancing downward to the open zipper of Regina's pants. "Uh, bye." The corner of her lip tilts into a small smirk as she shuts the bathroom door.
"Bye." Regina blinks after a minute, confused about what just happened. Her grin simply growing.
"Excuse me." Emma says, marching directly past Killian who stares at her in disbelief. "Oh, my God," she whispers to herself, unable to help a grin of her own from erupting across her lips. Her heart wouldn't stop accelerating inside of her chest. She couldn't be more embarrassed with herself that the one person who almost pulls her pants down in front of her is none other than the future Mayor of New York.
Even Emma had to admit, quick glimpse and all, but Regina Mills was certainly a sight to see.
"That is the last time I go into that room for you just so he can flash me! Next time he needs fresh new towels, you are going in there." Ruby points to Emma's chest, quickly taking notice at the flush along her cheeks. "What the hell is wrong with you?" She asks.
"What? Nothing." Emma blinks, patting a hand along her hot cheek. "Come on, I have to hurry to clock out if I want to get to Henry's speech on time."
Ruby's brow lifts as she follows close behind Emma.
Killian is standing just outside the bathroom door when Regina exits. "Can you please not do that?" Regina says after jerking back at the sight of him.
"Who the hell was that?" Killian points to the direction of the door.
"Who?" Regina's brow slightly lifts as she looks toward the door.
"That maid that just came out of the bathroom. Was she in there with you?" Killian's eyes grow wide at the scandalous thought.
Regina's brow furrows, "I honestly don't know what you're talking about, Killian." She walks away, deciding to play oblivious to the fact that a beautiful girl almost caught her pulling her pants down.
Before Emma could clock out, she had one more room to visit. The park suite of Emilia Clarke. When she entered, she shared a smile with Glenn, one of the bellboys who brought all of her luggage up to her room, before she began to unpack one of Emilia's bags. Emilia rests along the bed while she is happily chatting on the phone about how her last engagement didn't work out. As a hotel maid, the stories Emma heard were to gossip over.
"...Of course he gives me the engagement ring of the century and then takes it back. I mean, I was dying! Literally!" Emilia pats her chest. "Yes!" Her blue eyes move toward Emma, who is hanging some of her overly expensive clothes along the closet. "Hang on, just a second, darling. Excuse me," she calls out to Emma. "Those need to be pressed, please."
Emma nods, hanging two of her power suits along the door.
"Alright, sorry, darling… Mhm…" Emilia's eyes avert to Emma once more, seeing her grab two of her blouses that hang along hangers. "Actually, let me call you back. Alright, kiss, kiss." She snaps her cellphone shut, neglecting it on the bed. "Excuse me. Again." She waves, even if Emma can see her. The woman was as beautiful as her pearly white smile.
"Yes, ma'am?" Emma walks out of the closet to stand in front of Emilia.
"Those two that you're holding need to be pressed as well. Would you mind?" Emilia points to her blouses that Emma is holding in her hand.
"Of course, I will just hand them over to concierge and-"
"Oh, but you see, darling," Emilia claps her hands together in a pleading manner. "I realize this isn't in your job description but could you be a dear and possibly take them yourself? I mean, after all, us girls have to stick together, don't we?" She chuckles. "And if I rely on your concierge, the message will just get lost in translation, won't it? Frankly, darling, you look like you know the difference between expensive brands and will handle them with care for me."
Slowly, and against her will- because who was she to say no to someone as rich and as beautiful as this woman- Emma nods. "Of course, I- I will deliver them for you." She forces a smile.
"Oh! You are such a porcelain doll, darling." Emilia quickly reaches for her purse, pulling out a twenty dollar bill. "Here," she presses the bill into Emma's palm. "Thank you so much."
"You're welcome." Emma quickly races down the hall and into an elevator. She doesn't stop until she reaches the tailoring and alterations section within the hotel grounds that by the time she stops before the desk, her lungs are begging her for a breath. "Frank! Frank!" She breathes out.
"Hey, Em! How's it going?" Frank's smile vanishes at Emma's breathless state. "You got asthma?"
"Very funny, listen-" Emma holds up the clothes in the air. "I need you to press these for the goddess in the park suite, alright? But please, please, please be careful with the white suit. Don't press it for too long, take pauses, okay?"
"Yeah, sure thing." Frank reaches for the clothes across the desk. "I'll make sure she gets them today."
"Great, thank you," Emma breathes. "Oh, and make sure you give them to Sidney, okay? Don't give them to anyone else."
"You got it, Em." Frank grins. He waves at Emma as she rushes off. "Say hi to Henry for me!"
"Will do! Thank you, Frank!"
