Regina doesn't know when this thing started, but she comes home one evening and Emma Swan is already there, curled up on her couch, blonde hair sprawled out. She knows - no, she feels, they've been here before. She is on the couch next to Emma in no time. She even forgets to take off her shoes or her coat. She opens her arms to collect Emma, but Emma is already in her embrace and quiet sobs start to pour from her.
Regina just sits there, hugs her, brushes her hair, and says sweet nothings. "I'll be here," she says over and over again until Emma believes her.
Regina knows Emma; according to Emma, she is the only one who knows her deepest secrets. The broken, lonely child still lives in Emma, and sometimes that child needs reassurance that she won't be alone ever again.
It was a day like today when Regina promised Emma that she'd be there for her. "I'll be here, Emma. I'll always be here for you. If I go, you'll come with me." And Emma nodded, putting all of her trust in her son's other mother. Emma knew she would go with Regina wherever she wanted to go. 'Here' was the concept. 'Here' meant Regina's arms, her steady heartbeat, and the moving of her chest with every breath. Emma clutched more tightly to Regina.
When Emma stopped crying, they stayed like that for a few minutes. Emma pulled away to look at the brunette whose arms became her home. Regina pushed a stray lock of her hair behind her ear. "Do you want to stay for dinner?" And Emma smiles and nods because this is the deal. This is everything she dreamt of having.
Emma sits down on one of the stools in the kitchen and watches Regina chopping, stirring, and whipping something up. To Emma, it looks like she's dancing. Regina looks so effortless in the kitchen. Some people think cooking is the easiest thing in the world, but Emma knows it's not. She cooks, but it won't ever be at Regina's level, and Emma doesn't think anyone can be at Regina's level except Regina. The hell with Michelin chefs, this house is the place where she ate all of her best meals.
While she continued watching Regina, a thought came into her head. She wondered what it would be like to dance with Regina. Emma is not a dancer but she can manage her steps, she can lead a dance but also, she is sure Regina is trained. Of course, she is trained, she was a princess and then a queen. She must have attended hundreds of balls. Emma sighs.
Emma doesn't realize there is food in front of her. She is so mesmerized by Regina's movements, that she forgets she is hungry. Regina nudges her, and Emma smiles. They eat together, it's all smiles and laughs. Regina looks so relaxed like this. Emma likes this version of Regina. It's been 17 years since they've met. They have been through a lot since then, and Emma loves this Regina, so carefree and happy.
They clean the kitchen together. When everything is put away, Regina turns to her. "I'll go change, and you can decide if you want to play a game or watch a movie. Grab a wine, I'll be here," Regina reassures and ascends the stairs to her room.
She comes back wearing a pair of leggings and an oversized T-shirt. If Emma told anyone she saw Regina in these clothes, no one would believe her, but this is a part of Regina that only Emma and Henry know.
Emma readied the den. Their game is set up, glasses of wine poured, and some snacks that Regina keeps at the house for Emma are on the table. They sit down on the floor side by side, their knees touching, controllers in hand, and Emma presses 'play'.
It's never a fair match with 'Evil Queen'. Emma laughs at Regina's name on the screen, but Emma changes hers to 'Savior'. They're stubborn and they like challenging each other, but now it's only when they're playing video games. They play and drink and laugh. There is so much laughter when they're together. They both think their mixed-up laughter is the sweetest sound they've ever heard.
Maybe it's the wine, maybe it's because it's Friday and they're tired, but they fell asleep on the floor, their backs to the couch, Regina's head on Emma's shoulder and Emma's head on Regina's. It's calm, it's safe, it's relaxing.
Emma woke up to a fairly bright room. They didn't plan to fall asleep on the floor, but it's not the first time, and Emma doubts it will be the last.
"Regina," Emma says, and shakes Regina gently.
"Nooo," Regina murmurs, and buries her head in the crook of Emma's neck.
"You'll be sore tomorrow."
"Don't care," Regina adds, her tone low and muffled within Emma's hair, and holds Emma in place. Emma can't do anything. She tries to pull the blanket from the back of the couch without disturbing Regina further. When she gets it, she wraps it around themselves. With a flick of her wrist, the lights are out. This is her favorite place.
When they get up, of course their necks and backs are killing them. It's a reminder that 50-year-olds should sleep in a proper bed. When Regina goes to shower, Emma is on breakfast duty. She scrambles some eggs and makes waffles because no matter what Regina says, she knows Regina loves them.
When their meal is ready, Emma goes to the guest room – her room. Her clothes are there, as is her body wash and shampoo and the room is no longer white. It's blue and green, and Emma loves it. She changes out of her clothes, putting her dirty clothes in a laundry basket in the bathroom. She no longer hears the shower running which means Regina is also getting dressed. As she steps into the corridor, Regina closes her door. She is wearing shorts and a clean T-shirt, just like Emma.
It's the weekend and they don't have to go to work or have somewhere to be. Henry is living with his fiancée. Snow and David are mostly residing on the farm. Even Zelena found someone to call her family. Regina and Emma are by themselves, but they're happy. They've each other and that's a forever promise.
Sometimes, Regina thinks about why they never crossed that bridge. They have had tons of opportunities but never once had they done anything more than give each other a hug or a kiss on the cheek. This feels highly domestic. They're eating the breakfast Emma made, and Regina loves the waffles Emma made because she can't make them this good. She knows Emma made them just for her.
She thinks about all the little and big things that have happened over the years and the things they have done for each other. Whether it has been making waffles or swallowing a dark curse, Regina is appreciated and, she promises again – silently – that she'll always be there for Emma.
"What do you want to do today?" Regina asks. Suddenly, she doesn't want to be alone today. She wants to spend the day with Emma, to do whatever she wants.
"Oh, do I get to decide?" Emma exclaims and chuckles, and Regina wants this to be their every day. It feels so normal and she feels so much happiness when she is with Emma; she wants this forever.
"Yes, you can decide." Regina smiles and takes another bite from her waffle. There is chocolate sauce on it because Emma poured it on and said, 'You're old now, you can eat whatever you want' like Emma hasn't been eating whatever she wanted for years. But Regina is glad that Emma does it for her.
"We can spend the day at home. I have a puzzle to do, and we can watch a movie after we finish," Emma says, and then it's decided.
After breakfast, they take a walk to Emma's house. The town is used to seeing them together. They make small talk while walking and greet the citizens they see.
When they get to Emma's house, Emma makes them hot chocolate. She opens up a puzzle. It's the view of beautiful London. They start separating pieces. Borders are in a bowl and the others are separated by their color. When they finish the border, Regina gets up, puts on some music, and makes fresh coffee. They sit on opposite sides of the table. In five hours, the house is filled with laughter, and there is a completed puzzle of the Venice landscape. They glue the puzzle and they're done; now they just have to wait until they can frame it.
Instead of lunch, Emma drags Regina to get ice cream against her weak objections. They end up getting cups. Regina buys one scoop of chocolate and one scoop of caramel while Emma ends up mixing everything. They walk to the beach and take a quiet stroll. It's February, no one is here. It's too cold to be here and it's stupid to be eating ice cream, but Emma is with her and, when she shivers, there is an arm around her. It's too easy to throw caution to the wind and be with Emma.
How many years has it been? She thinks. It's been too many. If they'd made another child the day Emma came to town, they would have raised another fully-grown adult. It's been too much time, it has been too many years. They're old now, and Regina wants to forget what-ifs and kiss Emma senseless. She knew she was going to fall in love with that blonde who claimed to be her son's birth mother, and she did. Where this self-destruction comes from, she doesn't even know anymore. Whatever her feelings are, Emma is her best friend, her co-parent and her partner in crime. Whatever happens, they'll be here for each other.
They go back to Emma's apartment for dinner and the promised movie. Regina likes it here. It's a two-bedroom apartment and one of those bedrooms is Regina's. That fact brings a smile to her face every time she remembers. It's cozier than the mansion, it's always warm and smells like vanilla. She always expected Emma to be a messy person, but she was so wrong. Emma's house is always clean and tidy, and Regina loves that fact about her.
It's Emma's day and her house, and Emma decides to make fettuccine Alfredo. Regina just watches her in the kitchen. Emma struggles a bit and she is not following a recipe, but in her own way, it's beautiful and smooth, and she owns it. Regina likes that about her. She has thought about it before, this affection she feels towards the other woman, but it's too easy to love Emma Swan.
Regina sets the table in the middle of the living room and chooses a movie. They both love a good arthouse movie and love to argue about it afterwards even more. Regina decides on 'Portrait De La Jeune Fille En Feu'. They eat in front of the TV and don't talk at all until the end of the movie. They end up in a heated argument. They've been sharing some wine and that just adds to the heat, but then a phone rings and they both stop. Regina finds her cell deep in her bag. She hadn't even looked at her phone all day. Now, Henry is video calling.
"Mom!" Henry exclaims. He sees Emma. "Moms!" he shouts louder. "I want you to meet someone." And they don't understand what's going on, but they hear shuffling on Henry's side, and then the camera focuses on a room filled with toys and books and whatever a child could need. It's a beautifully decorated room. But they focus on only one thing, a beautiful girl, roughly two years old, sleeping in the arms of Henry's fiancée, Ivy. She waves to them, meaning hello, from the rocking chair she sits with their granddaughter.
They make 'aww' noises because they know what this means. Henry informed them after they got engaged that they also applied to adopt. There were a lot of reasons for their decision but the most effective one was both his and Emma's story. "Hello beautiful girl," Regina says to a pair of brown eyes now looking in their direction. Their heart is filled with love and joy, seeing their first grandchild. Emma reaches for Regina's hand and, from the corner of her eye, she can see Regina has tears rolling down her face.
"Meet Lucy." And they're both crying now. Regina's hands are shaking so Emma grabs the phone. Regina's head on her shoulder. They watch their grandchild go back to sleep in her mother's arms, and Ivy hums a lullaby to her. It's too beautiful, they can't speak. They're too happy. Henry sees them and smiles, and he says, "I'm a dad now." He is more than happy and it shines like a light from him. "Go back to your evening, Grandmas," Henry says, and the screen goes black.
They're still holding the phone. They're in shock, and they're grandmas. They can't believe it happened so fast.
Emma is the first one to come back to her senses. She throws the phone to the couch and turns to Regina. She grabs her at the waist and lifts her up, spinning her around, shouting, "We're grandmas." There is no one in the world they would rather be sharing this moment with.
First, they shop. They search online and are buying everything they see because their grandchild definitely deserves the world, according to them. While they're coming down from their high, they start to realize that they're old women now. Grandmas are old, but Emma is only 45 years old. She has white hair, but it mixes well with her blonde hair. Regina still doesn't look a day older than 37, and Emma wonders what kind of magic that is.
"How do you look the same since I came into the town?"
"I have magic, dear," Regina says. She is absently brushing Emma's hair and she is still adding things to the cart. Emma is sure that's the 16th horse plushie Regina's buying but Emma doesn't know the count of swan and duck plushies she had added.
"Is that why you, Zelena and Mal all look so young?"
"Yes, do you want me to teach you?" Emma nods, and they spend the next two hours working on magic. In the end, they're tired. Regina doesn't bother to go to her house and she sleeps in the guest bedroom. It's hers, who are we kidding?
Sunday is spent with the Charmings, and they both go to their house unwillingly, but they're family. They have to be there.
On Monday, Regina gets a text from Emma asking if she wants to go out of town on Thursday to shop for a dress. Regina also realizes Thursday is February 14th. She says yes. It won't be the first time she spends Valentine's Day with Emma and they can make a day of it.
When Thursday arrives, they take half of the day off and leave town in the Mercedes. They fill each other in on the latest gossip and spend the rest of the trip listening to the radio, enjoying each other's company.
In just over two hours, they're in front of a store. It's more for Regina than Emma. Regina is already running around and finding dresses she wants to try. Emma is… well, she's Emma-ing. It's her son's wedding, she can't go in her jeans. (She is also scared that if she tries, her ass will have burn marks.) She asks for a few dresses that she likes. If anything, Regina has to approve of the dress more than herself. She goes to the dressing room. Regina emerges from her own dressing room in an emerald dress and she smiles when she sees Emma.
"Too much Zelena?" She makes a face while adding that it's hideous, but she looks gorgeous.
"Well, she did say she'll wear something green," Emma says. "But you look beautiful." Regina smiles but turns around to try another dress. Emma tries the first dress she liked more than others. It's navy and shorter than necessary. It's not going to happen, but Regina calls for her and she gets out to show it.
Regina's eyes are drawn first to her legs. Emma watches as Regina's eyes trail up, and her pupils are blown more than normal. Emma smirks and knows what's going on.
Not that they don't talk about who they see but they don't see anyone anymore. After Hook called off the wedding and left Storybrooke, Emma needed to take a breath for three years. Then she briefly dated Lily for a while, but it was all casual. It came to an end when Lily became jealous of Regina, and Emma didn't blame her. Regina always comes first for Emma and, whoever she dates, she knows she's not going to love them as much as she loves Regina.
In this time frame, she knows Regina saw other people, too. Nurse Ratched was the most memorable one, but Regina reassured her it was only physical and that they've known each other since their time in the Enchanted Forest. Emma was a little jealous of her, but she couldn't say anything. She doesn't know when they stopped seeing each other.
It's common knowledge that Emma and Regina spend so much time together. Sometimes, little whispers of gossip about them rise, but they don't do anything. Whatever they say, Regina and Emma won't talk about those things. It's a silent agreement. They're sure that each other's feelings are about more than a friendship, more than a sense of family, but they won't talk about it because it won't do them any good.
But now, Regina is looking at her with hungry eyes, and all Emma wants to do is kiss her and be fucked by her in this too-short dress. They would make a good show for anyone watching them.
"It's too short, but I love the color," Regina says when she finally meets Emma's eyes.
"Yeah, I thought the same." Emma takes in what Regina is wearing; it's a silver long dress and, somehow, she knows it's wrong.
They try on other dresses. Emma finishes her pile before Regina, and waits for her. She hates all of them until the last one Regina tries on. It's red, and it suits her olive skin perfectly. The fabric hugs Regina's curves in all the right places. It's long, but the slit goes all the way up her right leg. Emma's mouth is dry all of a sudden, and Regina notices the feedback she is getting from the blonde.
"So, this one?" Regina asks.
"Y-yes," Emma says quietly. She has no idea how she is going to stand next to Regina in that outfit. Regina turns back and returns wearing her own clothes. The red dress is on her arms. She hands it to the salesperson and asks for them to wrap it up.
They go to another store, but this is just for Emma and, after the fifth dress she tries on in this store, she has had enough.
"I'm done. I don't have to look for a dress, whatever I wear I'm gonna look like I'm wearing a sack. Why would I bother?" she says, and throws herself to the couch Regina is sitting on.
"Why do you think that? You're beautiful, we just haven't found something to suit your style."
"Regina, I'll be standing next to you. What I wear doesn't matter."
"It matters; I want my date to look hot as hell, too," Regina says, and kisses her cheek. Emma is sure her cheeks are pink. "Maybe we're doing this all wrong. You can wear a suit or a jumpsuit. I think it will flatter you better and you'll feel relaxed. What do you think?"
"That's a good idea! Yeah, let's look at those."
Regina brings them to another store. Emma is surprised by Regina's knowledge about the city, but she doesn't question it. This place is bigger than the last, and it has a lot of options. They only look at the suits and jumpsuits and, when Emma starts trying things on, it's better than before.
There is one that she had liked since she had seen it on the hanger. It's a dark-teal jumpsuit. It's simple, but it looks elegant. She shows it to Regina, and it is met with her approval. They buy it and finally, another big thing is checked off their list for the wedding.
"Dinner?" Regina asks.
"Yes, I know a little place nearby."
"Maybe some other time, we have reservations."
"Where?" Emma asks, baffled. It's Valentine's Day, and Regina made reservations for them. It's not the first time they're spending this day together, but it's the first time they're spending the day outside.
"It's a surprise." She smiles, but she is glad that they're not taking the car. That means Regina didn't plan somewhere super fancy. They walk a little bit with their bags in hand. Everywhere is too pink for Emma's taste, but she feels lucky. For the first time in 45 years, she gets to spend this day with a loved one.
It's an upscale place, but her jeans are not a problem. It's crowded, but when they're sitting at their table, it doesn't feel suffocating. They're sitting side by side, and Emma only has eyes for Regina.
The meal is delicious. Dessert is even better. But it's Regina; Emma would eat garbage if her company were Regina's. Two hours later, spent in both laughter and love, Emma feels like she is in heaven. They decide to spend a bit of time in the city as no one there knows them. They walk by the seaside and talk about nothing. They sit down on one of the empty benches and watch the ocean and lovers walking by, hand in hand, passing them. Regina's head is on Emma's shoulder, and Emma's arm is draped over her. It's peaceful, it's safe and they don't want this feeling to end.
Then Regina looks at her, her hand on Emma's cheek. They look at each other's eyes, and they see only the love they hold for one another. Regina licks her lips, and maybe she wants to do it. And, just maybe, Emma wants to allow it.
They're so close now, their eyes: closed. They can feel their breath on each other's lips, then Emma's phone rings and the moment has passed; worse, it's Snow. The moment is dead.
Snow had been trying to reach them, repeatedly, but the service on their phones was spotty. A power outage had hit Storybrooke around the moment they crossed over the town line. Neither Emma nor Regina could do anything about it except return to their car.
Emma drives like a crazy person, as fast as she can. The electricians in the town are unable to do enough. Emma parks them at the front of the building.
"How are we doing this?" Emma asks after they talked to the electricians who are in charge.
"Give me your hand." Emma extends her hand to Regina, and Regina firmly holds her. Regina's brows furrow, and Emma watches her intently. She's mesmerized by Regina and is focused on the job. Magic flows freely between is deep in the feeling of their magic. There is white and red magic blasting from their hands. Their combined magic is more beautiful and powerful than any other magic.
After some time, the town's power returns, well, enough for it at least. They go to the car without breaking their contact. Magic between them is still buzzing, it warms them in the cold.
While Emma drives the car, there is a call from David. Regina answers the call. "What is it, David?"
"It's Snow." His voice is shaking, "She was at school. I can't reach her. I'm going there now." Regina hangs up the phone as purple smoke engulfs them both and they're outside of school. They get out of the car and run toward the school. Regina finds Snow in the principal's office, sleeping on the desk, on top of a pile of papers.
Emma can't believe her eyes when Regina runs to Snow and lifts her to her arms before Emma can object. With the last of her energy, Regina transports them to the hospital. She sees Nurse Ratched and tells her, "She's pregnant," before she faints, too.
Emma is next to Regina in the next few moments, and without a thought, she lifts her up and puts her in the car. She knows this is because of the overuse of magic. Regina needs to rest; that's the only way to get her back to normal. And a little magic boost will help.
Regina is lying on her bed, and Emma's hand is in her hand. Magic is flowing between them, and their locked hands are shining. When Emma realizes she too is almost drained, she changes to her pajamas. Regina is still limp and she decides to change her clothes, too. Her magic replenishes faster than Regina's; it's always been that way. She crawls next to Regina and holds her hand under the duvet.
She thinks about a few hours back. They were so close. So close to taking the next step, but it was gone again. They can't happen. They know it, and again, the universe has stopped them. She has to confine herself to this. They can share their lives as friends if that's what this means. She looks at the brunette, still sleeping, and she is okay with it, even with these little things. She won't part their hands, but she gets closer and she sleeps with Regina's scent overtaking her body.
Everything goes back to its original place in a few days. The school is closed. The weather is colder than before; maybe it's about today. Regina had always felt colder on this day, but this time her phone said it was freezing cold. But she doesn't care. She wears all black and goes to the flower shop. She buys a few bouquets of daisies and goes to her first destination for the day.
Every year, she forgets something about him. The pain subsides. She never forgets his eyes, and that particular thought brings a smile to her face. She lays down daisies on top of the coffin. It brings her peace now.
"I'm okay. Henry adopted a daughter, Lucy. She's so beautiful. We have yet to meet, but Emma and I bought her lots of presents." She sits down on the floor. "I'll teach her how to ride someday. She is going to be so loved, Daniel." She looks at the sky even though she can't see it, but she knows there are still stars out, the first sunlight is just on the corner. "And I'm okay. Emma is keeping me safe, and I guess I'm also keeping her safe, too. Life is easier with her. I promise I'll make myself happy, Daniel. Wherever you are, be happy too. You deserve that more than anyone." There is a tear rolling down on her cheek, and she leaves a kiss on the coffin and leaves the mausoleum.
There is blonde hair and a blue snow jacket and blue beanie in sight when she gets out. Emma just opens her arms, and Regina falls into them. "I'll be here," Emma says, and they hug until they're in the car. Emma drives to Granny's; it's early, so there is no one there yet. Granny and Ruby are just opening up. Ruby serves them a coffee. While they're waiting for their breakfast, they talk about the upcoming wedding, the problems with the school, and power outages, generally.
Emma leaves Regina at her office and reminds her to call her if she feels down. She wraps her arms around Regina again. Regina needs this more than anything today. She sits down at her desk and just dives in, full-on work mode.
Before she has to leave, Snow pays a visit. She is the last person Regina wants to see today. They sit down on the couch in her office. Regina brings her a cup of tea.
"I wanted to say thank you."
"Anyone would do that," Regina says, and smiles at Snow.
"Emma told me you fainted after. You didn't need to do that, Regina."
"No, I want this one to fall in love with me too." Regina looks at Snow's still flat belly and they chuckle. "Is everything okay?" Regina asks worriedly.
"Yes, I was scared, but it's okay. David and Emma know now." She smiles. Regina knows that. Emma was pissed about it enough. "I just came here to say thanks for saving me." It's a stabbing to her heart, and she knows where to go after this.
Snow leaves, and Regina transports herself to Emma's apartment. She sits down on the couch and starts crying on a pillow. It smells like Emma, and she wears Emma's cardigan. She needs to feel Emma after this day. She cries out everything.
She wakes up on the couch. It's dark. Her back is hurting. Great. She checks her phone. It's 2 am and Emma isn't at home, she realizes. She calls her cell and it goes straight to voicemail. She calls the station, but that's no use either. She gets up and runs to the door. The station is very close to Emma's apartment. It's the middle of the night. She is still wearing her clothes from the day and Emma's cardigan. She wears the snow boots she left on the weekend and grabs one of Emma's winter jackets.
She hates that her magic doesn't work. She can't work her magic whenever something is up with Emma. She is panicking, and she is running to the station. David stops her when she wants to get into the building.
"The doors are locked, power's out, and Emma is not responding," David says and holds her, but she is too angry right now. She shakes David off. She's pissed at him. She's pissed at Snow for telling her secret. She is pissed at David for not knowing why Emma is not responding. She is pissed at them for putting their daughter in a wardrobe and shipping her off to Maine. She is pissed at herself for making them do it.
Emma is not responding because Regina knows she's under her desk because there is no light and she's scared. She knows Emma is silently crying, and all of her demons are back. She frantically checks the windows to see something, to see Emma. She shouts and yells at the workers who are trying to open the doors. Why are the doors locked in the first place?
A bolt of magic goes through her fingers without her control and breaks the window. Regina doesn't think anymore. There is only one thing on her mind: saving Emma. She gets in through the window, and she conjures a fireball in her hand. She goes to Emma's office and opens the door.
"Emma."
She whispers, but it's still loud in a silent office. She kneels down under the table and sees the scared woman. "Emma," she says louder, and holds her hand. Emma is not responding, but this is not the first time Regina has seen her in this state. She pulls Emma to herself and holds her. She is brushing her hair and kissing the top of her head. Emma looks at her finally but doesn't talk. It's okay; Regina knows the deal. They spend half an hour like that. Emma listens to Regina's heartbeat mixing with her voice, and Regina sings to her. She reminds her.
"I'll be here, Emma."
David finds them in that position, and Emma is ready to leave the station now. She gets up with the help of David and Regina. She holds onto Regina's hand tightly. After it's confirmed she is fine physically, she asks Regina to walk with her back home.
When they're in front of the house, Regina lets go. She is crying, sobbing and shaking. This time, Emma holds her until she's calm. No one is awake at this hour. It's almost morning. It's quiet; they're alone.
"I thought I lost you too," Regina says between cries. "I can't lose you too, Emma." She continues to cry, and Emma cries with her. When they stop, they look at each other. Emma brushes her fingers to clean Regina's face.
"I love you, Regina," Emma blurts out after years of holding it in. Regina smiles. "I don't want to lose you. I don't care anymore. I want to spend my life with you. I love you. I love you. I love you."
"I love you too, Emma." And she closes the distance between them. With the first sunlight, Storybrooke shakes with rainbow light.
They kiss again. Emma lifts Regina up and carries her to her house. Emma sits down on the couch with Regina on her lap. And she is kissing her. They have to kiss to make up for all their lost years.
"I'll be here," Emma whispers, and Regina whispers back between kisses,
"I'll be here."