A/N: Thank you. You encouraged me to continue with this story. Here is your Chapter 2.
Chapter 2: 24 Roses
On next day, Emma was having her off day at work and decided to have her day with Neal all day in the park. She smiled. In her thoughts, she was planning something special for Regina Mills with 24 roses on her porch at 6pm. It made her focus on the tasks while she heard the footsteps on the stairs and turned around to see Neal standing like a sleepy kid.
While Neal was sitting on the stool, Emma was cooking their favorite breakfast for a day and asked him to go out with her all day. He agreed to the plans and ate his breakfast until they were ready to go out for the park. They left her place and strode to the flower shop to see Belle. Neal jumped up and down then waved his hand to her. Belle appeared on the counter and cut thorns on the roses then looked up at Emma and Neal. She said hello to them.
Emma: Hi Belle.
Neal: HI!
Belle: (giggles) Hello Emma and Neal. You're so handsome today.
Neal: Thank you! You're pretty. They laughed at Neal's attempted flirting and he turned to be 10 years old couple weeks ago.
Belle: My, you are cute. Anyway what brings you to here?
Emma: (Arching her eyebrow and chuckles) I am planning to pay 24 blue roses this time at the moment to Madame Mayor at 6pm. Included a note from me again.
Belle: Blue roses? How romantic do you have in your sleeve? (Winks)
Emma: (Shaking her head) I am a hopeless romantic. I just saw her last night and she had a generous smile that I have been seen. Be quiet between you and me.
Neal: EmBear, I wanna play in the park! Please.
Emma: (looking down at Neal) We will be right soon.
Belle: I got your blue roses and it will be $25. Here is your blank note.
Emma: Thank you Belle, you are lifesaver. (Writing on the note) Now, I am done. Again, deliver those roses with the note at 6pm.
Belle: I will. Take care of yourself and nice seeing you, Neal!
Neal: Bye Belle!
Emma: Oh! Belle, I will be back tomorrow before the shop closes. As usual.
Belle: Ok, See you then.
Emma: Bye.
They left the flower shop, walked toward the park and played soccer ball against each other for couple hours. They were exhausted and sweaty. The sun came down and Emma told him to go back to her place, get ready for dinner with her parents and they ran in the race toward her place.
But, one person who was watching Emma and Neal from the beginning in the flower shop to her place. It was Regina. They didn't know that she was standing there in the corner against a tree, had her smile and finally, she left to do her duty as a mayor.
Emma got dressed and walked with Neal on their way to pass on Main Street then turned to Mifflin Street and passed through the mayoral manor. Finally they arrived at the corner on the crossover between Mifflin Street and Enchanted Street. Her parents, opened the door to let them come in and had dinner together.
While the night was shimmering through the town, the cars were passing through and the people were walking around in the town. The silence was paused. Emma was drifting somewhere in her thoughts. She wondered if Regina liked the roses that she delivered it to her house. Sometimes, she wished that she can face her fears to tell her that she love her but it's too soon for her. Until Mary Margaret shouted in her ear and she was startled by hearing her mother's voice.
MM: Are you all right? You seemed to drift somewhere in your mind.
Emma: Yeah, I am good. Many thoughts.
MM: What about it?
Emma: Nothing but just stuffs that's all. She hoped that her mother dropped out on that conversation.
MM: Ok, honey. I am going to tell you that you have to go because it already is late.
Emma: Oh! It's already 2 hours since I was here. Ha.
MM: Yeah it seemed long. Anyway, good night honey and I love you. Let me know if you need anything
Emma: Yeah mom, sure I will. Love you.
Emma finally left her parents' house and strode through on the Mifflin Street. She was in her thoughts while she had her long walk to her apartment. But she didn't hear Regina's voice to call her name. She just walked away then finally, she got home safety.
Few minutes earlier, Regina walked around in her office and looked up at the window then she saw Emma walking on her sidewalk. She ran to the front door and got out. Regina yelled her name until it failed. She watched her on her sight and sighed loudly then went inside and decided to have her night to end it.
In her bedroom, she walked into the bathroom to take a shower then got dressed in her pajamas. She walked to her bed and tucked herself in. Regina smiled at the flowers, 24 blue roses on her nightstand. She picked up the note and read it until she fell asleep.
The note: Thank you for being yourself to open up. I am glad that you are back on your feet as a mayor and my boss. The blue roses are my favorite. Do you know that the blue roses are not real blue. It's the white roses with food coloring, blue. It worked as the blue roses. Again, it's real for you because you're generous and beautiful. –ES
A/N: Roses are Red. You are still mine. Lovelies.