A/N: Here is your longest chapter.
Grammatical Errors are mine.
If you want to watch the video from I just mentioned in this chapter: Beethoven Moonlight Sonata - Tiffany Poon. You can watch it from Youtube. It was amazing. For Beethoven - Fur Elise too.
Warning: The Charmings and Regina's Hearty Conversation and a little kiss (F/F).
Enjoy it.
Chapter 10: Stay or Leave
In a gray bedroom, the window was brightening in the room, the brunette woman in bed snuggled her blanket and heard the footsteps in the hallways. It woke her up, and Regina sighed but still laying down for a while. She looked away at the window; her thoughts appeared in her mind and took a silence in her bedroom. Most of the time, the brunette woman desired to stay with the blonde woman since she found out that Emma surely loved her with her heart. She couldn't imagine if she switches the roles with her and would know what it felt like.
Regina frowned, heard the footsteps in the hallway, looked away at the door then waited. In few minutes later, no one comes in her bedroom, and she decided to get up. She went to get changed in the bathroom and strode out from the room to pack her clothes in the bag. She looked around in her bedroom and made sure that she didn't miss anything. Until, she was relieved with her packing, but she was disappointed in herself because she didn't want to leave Emma and go back to Storybrooke. The brunette woman looked up at the wall and wondered how the tour look like in a month. She was sure that her son loved to stay with her for a month and have fun in their trip to many cities on the tour.
She put her thoughts away, grabbed her bag and left the bedroom on her way to the foyer. Finally, she arrived in the foyer and dropped her luggage in the corner with other bags then strode back to the dining hall. Regina waved her hand to everyone who were huddled up in the table and sat down on the seat then ate her breakfast in silence. She listened to Ruby and Snow's conversation about the bands. Henry was diving in the music business with Emma. Regina looked at everyone and knew her answer for Henry's sake. She sighed and spoke in a light tone to receive her attention from everyone included Emma.
"Who wants to stay here to be with Emma for her tour?"
"I am leaving," Ruby said.
"Me too. My diner won't take care of it alone, and my customers would starve." Granny mused.
"I promised Ruby that I help her out with deputy business," David replied.
"I have a lot of plans for the school year and take care of Neal." Snow retorted while grinning.
"I stay here with Ma," Henry spoke lightly. Emma was pleased to hear everyone's replies except Regina.
"Ok, I just wanted to know who is going or not." Regina continued. Everyone nodded and went to eat their breakfast twice. The blonde woman knew that Regina need some time to think about leaving or not. Henry went to chat with Emma about the cities they would travel in a month's time. They were excited about having adventures together during the day before the concerts' night with the fans. They smiled at each other and decided to retreat to their bedroom to get ready for the day. Snow fed Neal while she was smiling at Ruby and Granny, who were helping David to clean up on the table. Once, the trio left the dining hall; the pixie cut woman looked away at Regina, who was in her thoughts and spoke lightly.
"I know you don't want to leave here and look over Henry. I understood. But, are you sure that you want to leave and leave Henry to Emma for a month? Emma told me that they would drive to Portland after Boston's concert."
"Will they be okay without me? Is Emma coming back?"
"What do you mean?"
"Emma isn't coming back to Storybrooke and stay there as Sheriff."
"Oh, Regina. I know that you miss her. Hold on."
Regina was confused when she looked away at her and saw David coming to get Neal out of Snow's hands then watched them walking away and took a glance at the pixie cut woman.
"Now, Emma is different than we saw her last time. Her life is here. I can't force to get her back to Storybrooke. We can't do anything. Let her have her decisions." Snow replied. Regina understood and nodded.
"Alright, we have to go with Emma for our July 4th celebration today. I always wanted to see what it feel like in 4th of July for the celebration of America's birthday."
"all right."
"You have to wear red, blue and white clothes." Snow retorted while she was studying on the brunette woman's clothes. Regina looked down at her clothes and found herself in a casual black wear then rolled her eyes. They got up and left to find their bags to get changed in a red, blue and white clothes.
Emma finally left with her friends and family to the arena for the 4th of July celebration. They mingled with the band, and Ruby was flirting with one of Emma's band mate. Granny rolled her eyes and cuddled up with Neal while Snow and David were taking the pictures of the arena with them. Henry was learning to play guitar with Nicholas for a while. Regina was sitting in the audience, talking with some producers from the record label and watched her family and friends to mingle with others. Emma was with Henry, discussed with Nicholas about the activities in the cities and knew that her band mate is keen with the cities' events because Nicholas grew up in the army base. Until the arena was full of the people, Regina finally left to catch up with everybody in the backstage and waited for the lecturer to come on the stage.
The band went to fill their positions, Emma put her in-ear monitors and winked at Henry, who was grinning. The blonde woman took a microphone with her, watched the band who were taking their time to get ready for their song, 'Let The Music Set You Free'. She heard the announcer calling her name. She strode out on the stage, wore her blue jeans and t-shirt that says, 'America is Freedom,' and smiled widely.
The music began, the fans bobbing their heads, and Emma looked away at her family and friends who were in the backstage watching her. The blonde woman looked around to the band who were hitting the notes and winked at them then turned away to face the audience. The sky was still blue with sunny reflecting in their eyes, and Emma danced in the small steps like a cowgirl while she was clapping in rhythm. The first verse came out in the blonde woman's mouth.
Every morning, I turn on a radio and
let the music set you free
Close your eyes and
let the song take you away
Let's beat over and over again
The fans were screaming, Henry lit up at hearing that song and danced with Ruby. Granny bobbed her head with Neal. David and Snow swayed their hips. It left Regina who was dumbfounded when she heard that song before. Emma looked away at Henry and Ruby then beckoned them to the stage. They lit up at Emma's gesture, went on the stage with her and danced in a twirl. The blonde woman laughed and announced.
"This boy is my son, Henry. The lady is my best friend, Ruby. Please welcome them."
They waved their hands to the fans who applauded and continued to dance while Emma sang the second verse. Thomas hit the cymbals while bobbing his head. Yolanda and Jenny swayed their hips out on the sideway and went 'o' in their vocals.
I see you dancing on this floor
Move your hips and let me hear you clap
twice and start it over again
Close your eyes and
let the music set you free
Snow and David went on the stage to Henry and Ruby. Emma smiled at them and continued to talk about them. They smiled widely at their daughter but knew that they were in same age.
"This is Mary Margaret and David, my parents. Yep, I found them when I was in town. Don't worry, we are okay with each other. Please welcome them". The fans clapped in rhythms. Snow went dancing with her best friend, Ruby, who was twirling her. David and Henry did their robot dance. The band laughed. Granny giggled and whispered into Neal's ear to indicate his parents on the stage. Regina felt carefree while she watched them dance on the stage. The blonde woman twirled herself while she sang the third verse.
Don't let it get you down
You just dance away and
scream whatever you want to be
Let this one be your desire
Let the music set you free
Emma bobbed her head, beckoned her son to stand beside her and kissed his forehead. Ruby swayed her hips with Snow. David clapped his hands in rhythms with the audience. The band changed their tune into a up-tempo. The fans were screaming her name for a while. Granny walked to the stage and held Neal in her arms then waved her hand to the fans. The blonde woman introduced her to the audience.
"This is Granny Lucas! Ruby's grandmother and my beloved friend! She makes the best food in the world and this is my baby brother, Neal!."
The audience clapped and whooped. The oldest woman pointed to Emma and smiled widely. The blonde woman bobbed her head and gave thumbs up. Leah went up to Snow and Ruby then played her solo piece on the violin. Henry looked away at his blonde mother and grinned. The fourth verse came out. Emma and her son sang in that verse. Regina was surprised.
Whenever the song comes up on the radio
you don't care if it is a sad or happy song
You dance away as long as you live
Close your eyes and
let the song take you away
Nicholas strode to Henry's spot and played his piece. The brunette boy lit up and bobbed his head. Emma laughed. David did a little dance, Snow and Ruby were exclaiming at him and Granny burst into laughter. Leah finished her piece and walked back to her position. Regina was shocked that she was walking to the stage. Snow, David, Henry, Ruby, and Granny were silent and stopped their things then looked at her. The brunette woman smiled sheepishly. Emma rolled her eyes, walked to her and kissed her cheek then introduced her to the audience.
"This beautiful lady is Regina Mills, my son's adoptive mother, and my friend."
The fans were screaming, and Regina waved her hand while she merely giggled at the blonde woman's kiss on her cheek. Henry whooped and went to hug his mother. Ruby shrugged and strode to Nicholas then flirted with him. Emma laughed at the brunette waitress' flirting and sang the fifth verse.
I hear you screaming loud
and dancing wildly
Move your hips and let me hear you clap
Twice and start it over again
Let the music set you free
The music almost ended. Regina was dancing with her son and laughed. Granny swayed a little with Neal. Snow and David took the pictures with the fans and smiled widely. The audience raised their arms to wave back and forth. Emma winked at the brunette woman and sang the last verse.
Come on, sing along with me
Close your eyes and
Let the music set you free
Let this one be your desire
Let the music set you free
Finally, the song ended with the screaming fans. The blonde woman waved her hand then shooed her family and friends to get off on the stage and left it. The band finished with a bang. The lecturer continued to introduce other groups. Regina went to her son and decided to have a discussion in privately. Others went to watch the bands and clapped with the fans.
Regina and Henry walked in the hallway to Emma's dressing room, entered the room after closing the door and sat down on the couch. The brunette boy leaned back on the sofa and looked at his brunette mother. She fidgeted her hand and sighed deeply then continued.
"Are you sure that you want to stay with Emma for a tour?"
"Yes, I wanted because I didn't see her for one year. Can it count to make it up for our rekindle relationship as mother and son?" Henry spoke in a neutral tone.
"It counts. I knew that you evidently missed her much as I do." The brunette woman sighed and mused.
"I know. Our Emma Swan. Remember?" He shook his head, laughed and continued.
"Yes, Our Emma Swan." They laughed, and the silence took over again. Regina looked down at her hands and thought about leaving. Henry knew what his mother wanted to stay because of Emma and spoke lightly.
"Why not you stay?"
"I don't know if Emma let me stay on tour with you." Regina shrugged and continued.
"Don't assume or ask her for her permission. You make your decision." He tilted his head and spoke in a serious tone.
"What if I ruin our friendship like I did before?" The brunette woman shook her head and asked with a worried tone.
"No, you won't. You have a second chance. I know you love her much since she left town. This time, it's your turn to get her and realize yourself that you have to be patient with her because she had the pain before. Don't forget that you have to earn her forgiveness. But I think that you need to forgive yourself too and move forward to be happy and enjoy your time with Emma and me on tour. I can't wait to spend our time with her for the first time in the old days in Storybrooke. Remember the Miner's Fair?" Henry mused with a serious tone. The brunette woman laughed, ruffled the brunette locks of her son and continued.
"I remembered that day in Miner's Fair. It was a great time. What about it? By the way, you've matured to be a man. Am I lucky mother to raise you?" She smirked with a raised eyebrow.
"Well, you raised me in my whole life and taught me to be smart. But I have some genes from Ma. Don't you forget?" Henry gave a glare look and spoke in a serious tone.
"Yes, of course." The brunette woman rolled her eyes and muttered under her breath.
"Back to the point, when you looked away at the rides, and Emma looked at you for a while until you looked back then she looked away. I knew that she desired to be with you from the beginning." Henry shook his head while speaking in a sad tone.
"Oh, I didn't pay attention." Regina stuttered the words and went shocked.
"Of course, you both were not. I figured it out since before she left town. So, why do you want to leave and go back to Storybrooke then ignore your feeling?"
"Henry –" Regina tried to stop him but Henry went to continue with his serious tone.
"No. Let me finish that."
"Ok." The brunette woman nodded and said.
"You have to stay and see how your new friendship with Emma develops through the month of the tour. If it's going to work correctly, then you push yourself to ask her out on a date."
"Why me?" The brunette woman indicated herself with her index finger with the straight look.
"Because you didn't pay attention to her at all." He threw his hands in air and spoke in a sarcasm tone.
"Like how?" Regina went confused and stuttered her words.
"Flowers? Valentine's Day Card? Lunch Date?" Henry counted the list on his fingers and made a point. Regina went dumbfound and spoke in a neutral tone.
"Oh my god. Emma said that too to me in our private conversation few days ago."
"It explained a lot," Henry muttered under his breath while he was looking away in the mirror.
"How did I get blinded over Emma's actions?" Regina stared at him while speaking in a light tone. The brunette boy frowned, gently touched on her hand and rubbed his thumb on the back of palm then continued.
"You were paying attention to Robin Hood, Forest Fart." Henry muttered under his breath and unfortunately, his brunette mother heard it.
"Hey! He was my soul mate!" Regina yelled.
"No." He emphasized his confirmation in a serious tone.
"What?" The brunette woman narrowed her eyes and asked.
"No. He was your forced true love. Did you believe that the fairy dust could find you a true love? It was supposed to be not at all. Tinkerbell corrupted it because she stole it. That's why she lost her wings. Look at Snow and Prince Charming? They fought each other but in together at the beginning like you both did when I was dragging to you and came home. After few months, you and Emma finally got along like The Charmings. Was it similar to you?"
"Please don't compare me to these idiots." Regina pointed out on her defense. Henry laughed and spoke in a teasing to serious tone in 2 seconds flat.
"Well, too bad. I just did. Ok, Did Robin save you from the beginning? Like Fire, Portal in Jefferson's Hat, Wraith and other disasters?"
"No. He never did." The brunette woman shook her head, sighed and spoke in a worried tone.
"Actions speak louder than the words. It's a True Love." Henry emphasized the words and finally preached it with a bang.
"Actions speak louder than the words," Regina repeated the words and finally understood why Emma saved her since the beginnings and never missed the save. The brunette woman smiled at him and nodded then continued.
"I understood."
"Understood what?" He tilted his head and asked.
"I meant, Emma always was there all times to save me. She's been my savior." Regina rolled her eyes and explained right away.
"Yes, she is always yours. No one takes her title away." Henry tsked his finger and spoke in a serious tone.
"True." The brunette woman nodded and said.
"So, will you stay with her?" Henry asked with his curiosity.
"I think that I do need a long vacation. I've been working for after 30 years as a mayor."
"Yes, you need a long one. I'm glad that you changed your mind." He nodded and spoke in an amused tone. Regina laughed and continued.
"I'm glad too. But don't get your high hopes. We have to wait and see what happened to our new friendship."
"Don't worry. You will be okay. So, let's go back to them and I don't want to miss Emma's other song." Henry acknowledged his gentle tone.
"Ok, let us find her before she continues to sing." Regina replied.
They smiled, got up and walked out from the dressing room to meet others in the VIP area to watch the bands. Emma looked away at them and smiled widely. Henry waved his hand while retreating with his brunette mother on their way. Until, they arrived, greeted them again and watched the last band on the stage. Regina looked away at the blonde woman and nodded to the backstage. She nodded and whispered into her mother's ear then left with Regina to the backstage.
Reaching to the backstage, Emma looked away at her band who were rehearsing their song and went into a corner near the stage then nodded at Regina. The brunette woman looked away around in the area and sighed deeply. She turned away at Emma and continued.
"I've been making a decision. It's difficult for me to do that, but it was getting easier since I had the conversation with our son. To his begging and whining, I decided to stay with you and our son. Is it alright with you?"
"It's your decision. I can't force you to leave or stay. It's been yours to make it. But, I'm glad that you are staying with me. So how long will you stay?"
"A month."
"Wonderful."
"Indeed, dear. But in a month's time, I wanted to rekindle our friendship and earn your forgiveness as long as I'm on tour with you."
"To be honest, I wanted same and I'll be a judge to observe our friendship. Let's get it slow and we can do it together."
"I would like to prefer it much and thank you."
"No, Thank you for understanding my wishes."
"You are mostly welcome. I guess that you are on the stage in few minutes so break a leg."
"Watch out for the music video while I am singing. I am sure that it would remind you of our last friendship in Storybrooke." Emma smiled and kissed on her cheek then left with her band. Regina furrowed her brows, looked away at the blonde woman who was chatting with Nicholas and left the backstage to meet everybody in the audience. The brunette woman informed Charmings-Lucas about staying with Henry for a month with Emma on tour. Others nodded their approval. She smiled at them and looked away at the announcer to introduce Emma Swan on the stage. Hearing the fans' screaming, Regina looked away at them and gave a glare look to silence them. Henry laughed while he saw his brunette mother and tugged her to turn around to watch Emma.
The blonde woman strode out on the stage, waved in a happy mood and had her guitar with her. The stage manager brought a black stool on the center stage. She gave him thanks, positioned herself on the seat and started to talk in an excited tone.
"I just got a great news for you all. I bet that you are looking forward to seeing a new music video today. It finally released at this moment. I know that you wanted to sing along with me. Let's sing it with me. I promised you that this music video was an excellent work that I worked with several people. I'm thanking my record label, band, and producers. Most to you, our fans!" The blonde woman clapped along and went back to position her hands on the guitar then winked at Regina and continued again.
"This song is called, 'We Used To Be.' Let's start with the music video! Enjoy it."
The music started. The band finally began to rhyme in the notes and Emma strummed the guitar along as the big screen started to show the music video. The audience clapped when they saw the video on the screen.
In the music video, Emma was walking in the empty grounds at the carnival fair in her barefoot. She wore a short V-neck emerald flowy dress with a diamond belt on her waist. Her hair was in buns, and she had a diamond wings earrings. The makeup was smoky eyes and a nude lipstick. The blonde woman held her silver heels in her right hand. She looked away at the empty rides while walking on the ground and singing the first verse. On the stage, Emma sang along in a soft tone.
Sometimes, I dream so bigger
Didn't think it's risky to take anything
Oh I feel like I've been dancing for years
It came out alright, but we still remember
These good times we had
In the scene, it transitioned into a carousel. Emma sat in the carriage, and her clothes were same. The merry-go-round spun slowly. The blonde woman crossed her legs, looked away at the sky while she was riding in the carriage. She sang the second verse as the carousel took her away for a spin.
We keep turning around like merry-go-round
Stars are shining like your eyes
Sometimes, we talked everything and laughed together
We keep reaching out like
We used to be.
In the video, the scene transitioned to the new scene where Emma was sitting on the bench and watched the two girls standing by the fence. The girls were 12 years old; one was the blonde, and other was the brunette. They held the hands and laughed then looked away at the carousel. The blonde woman smiled at her memory and sang the third verse.
Sometimes, everything fades away
Couldn't find a perfect gift
I felt so ashamed but looked up at you
Everything stays same, but time was fast
It came out alright, but we still remember
These bad times we had
The pictures came out on the screen. Regina gaped in awe when she saw the photo of her and Emma in Miner's Fair few years ago. Henry smiled at the memory. Ruby and Snow held their tears. David cooed Neal and didn't pay attention. Granny wiped her tears and sniffled. In the screen, Emma was smiling at Regina with her loving gaze and Regina was laughing while she was closing her eyes. They were in the carriage on the carousel. Of course, Henry snapped the photo of the ladies in the carousel. On the stage, Emma closed her eyes and strummed on her guitar. In the screen, the video appeared on the scene where the blonde woman walked among the stone horses on the carousel and sang the fourth verse.
But we keep searching and discover
Something we haven't had in our life
We keep reaching out like we used to be
Sometimes, I see you in a beautiful dress
I smiled away and fell in love with you
The screen showed Emma in the emerald dress, stood by the fence and watched the girls laughing on the carousel. The lights were flickering around in the carousel. The blonde woman smiled and sang the fifth verse. On the stage, the blonde woman opened her eyes and connected with the caramel eyes she used to know back in town.
Everything changed and time is fast
Stars are shining like your eyes
Sometimes, we cried and held hands together
We keep reaching out like we used to be
Oh hmmm we used to be ohhh
Finally, the screen showed the blonde woman walking on the ground to the exit and every ride started to vanish after Emma passed them. Lastly, it left two little girls who were laughing together on the carousel, and they faded away. The blonde woman finally left the place, and the sign was put up on the Carnival banner, 'The Carnival is Closed.' Until, the screen showed the faded away black.
Emma finished her strumming on the guitar and smiled widely. The fans clapped. Regina was in awe. Henry applauded. Granny and Ruby shouted in whoops. Snow, Neal, and David bounced up and down in their excitement. The blonde woman finally left on the stage to meet her family and friends and informed them to have lunch together. Others smiled widely.
Until they reached the nearest restaurant next to the arena, Emma informed the waitress to have a private dining and led them to their table. They sat around in the circle table and chatted about their experiences in Nashville. Finally, they ordered their meal and waited. Henry asked his blonde mother about how they travel through the cities and Emma told him that she use her private jet to fly over to the cities. Regina was pale when she heard the private jet and flying at the same time. Henry looked away at his brunette mother and told Emma about no experiences in the planes. The blonde woman softened her looks and informed them that she would be there beside them in the private jet, and only three people included three working attendees in her plane. Others went relieved that Emma would be there for them no matter what.
While they chatted about the cities, their food delivered, and they ate in silence. There were a lot of laughter, talking and discussing that they could do in the restaurant to entertain themselves before going ahead to the arena for the 4th of July celebration. David and Emma paid their lunch and took them back to the arena. Snow, Granny, Neal, Henry, David, Ruby and Regina went back to the VIP arena and looked around to see the fans in the dark with their glow lights. Emma was in her dressing room for a while.
In the arena, the people in the audience clapped in rhythms while the bands took over on the stage to celebrate the red, blue and white. Henry snapped the photos with his brunette mother while they sang aloud with the bands. It was taking a long time until it's time for Emma to come out on the stage and sing the song, '4th of July'. Snow checked her watch and found out it was 7 pm. Granny already went back to the dressing room with Neal and rested on the couch then watched on the television. The show was on live. Others waited for the blonde woman on the stage until the announcer finally introduced her and applauded.
Emma and her band went out on the stage and positioned themselves on the spots. The blonde woman was sitting on the piano bench and looked away at the band mates who were starting to make music. The fans went screaming and clapped along. In the VIP area, Ruby and Henry threw their fists in the air and screamed. Regina and Snow laughed at them then looked away at the blonde woman. David was filming her and bobbed his head. The song started to tune up in the up-tempo and rock ballad. Emma went to wiggle her fingers on the piano keys, and Nicholas went to strum his acoustic guitar together. The screen showed the lyrics of the song Emma wrote for 4th of July. She sang the first verse.
Red, Blue and Stripes
Freedom is the oxygen of the soul
It's the fourth of July
Flags are flying high and
Fireworks are lighting upon the sky
The audience clapped in rhythms. Regina loved the sound of the claps and bobbed her head. Henry shook his head and sang aloud with Ruby. David was turning around to film on the audience and found out that the girls who were looking away at the camera and shouted, 'Emma Swan is awesome!' then chuckled. Snow swayed a little with a glowing light. Emma smiled, played her fingers through the keys and tilted her head to look away at the audience then sang the second verse.
Come on, drive your pick up truck to here
And bring our beers
We dance to our freedom and soul
We clink our drinks and raises upon the sky
It's the fourth of July.
The audience saluted their drinks upon the sky and shouted. The blonde woman smiled away. Jenny clapped in rhythms. Leah went to play her piece with Nicholas for a while. The cowboys and cowgirls came out on the stage and danced in the 'Good Time' Style of Alan Jackson. Emma bobbed her head while wiggling through the black and white keys and singing the third verse.
We wear the red, blue and white
And walk on our cowboy boots
Stomp on our way to you
Freedom is the oxygen of the soul
It's the fourth of July
Regina widened her eyes at the cowboys and cowgirls in awe. Henry and Ruby mimicked the steps from the dancers and failed little. Snow and David laughed hard while they watched her grandson struggling the dance. Emma noticed them too but paid attention to her band mate, Thomas, who was hitting the cymbals. The blonde woman sang in the fourth verse.
Come on Stomp your feet and
Shout like you mean it
Raise your beers and salute your good men and women
Red, Blue and Stripes
Fly the flag high and salute our beers
The audience hailed their drinks and shouted like they meant it to give their thanks to the veterans. Henry pretended to salute his water bottle. Ruby looked around to find her drink but forgot it to salute it. Regina raised her eyebrow at Emma about beers in the lyrics then shook her head. The blonde woman saw Regina's look and shrugged then played a little bit on the piano and continued fifth verse.
It's the fourth of July
Freedom is the oxygen of the soul
You stand here and shout like you mean it
Stomp your feet on the path
Dance away and go wild
The dancers stomped on their boots and clapped in rhythms. The brunette boy mimicked his steps, and Regina smiled at her son. Ruby made sure that she filmed every detail of the cowgirl's dance steps. David rolled his eyes at the brunette waitress and paid attention to Henry's dance steps. Snow bobbed her head while she was watching the blonde woman. Emma smiled and tilted her head to the audience then sang in the sixth verse.
It's the fourth of July
Red, Blue and Stripes
Raise your beers and salute your good men and women
Flags are flying high
Fireworks are lighting upon the sky
The audience looked up at the sky where the fireworks banged with colors then cheered loudly. Regina, Snow, David, and Henry looked up at the colors in the night sky. Emma bobbed her head while looking at her fingers on the piano. Ruby filmed everyone's reactions to the fireworks and chuckled. The seventh verse came out.
It's the fourth of July
Drive your pick up truck
Stomp on your feet and shout like you mean it
It's the fourth of July
We dance to our freedom and souls
The brunette boy clapped loudly. Ruby smiled at him while she heard the bangs on the sky. Regina was in awe when she watched the fireworks. Snow and David cheered. Emma was enjoying her time while playing the music with her band then continued to sing in the eighth verse.
It's the fourth of July
Red, Blue and Stripes
Flags are flying high
Fireworks are lighting upon the sky
Stomp on your feet and shout like you mean it
The dancers continued to dance in a loop and twist then do their thing. Nicholas went upon to play a solo piece. Thomas focused on his drums beats. Leah sang 'o' with Yolanda and Jenny. The brunette woman loved the part when the fireworks came out upon the sky and realized that the fourth of July celebration was amazing. She decided to put in the agenda when she got back to Storybrooke after the tour with Emma and Henry. The blonde woman tilted her head to the audience and sang on ninth verse while wiggling the keys.
It's the fourth of July
Oh yeah Let's shout to our good men and women
Flags are flying high
Fireworks are lighting upon the sky
It's the fourth of July!
The audience whooped to cheer in the rhythms. Nicholas and Leah bobbed their heads while they played each other's tunes. Thomas grunted while he beat the cymbals. Emma flourished her wrist while playing on the piano. They knew that it was going to end the music with a bang. It was the last verse that the blonde woman sang.
Oh yeah! Oh yeah!
Happy Fourth of July!
The fireworks finally boomed out from the empty parking lot to show the colors in the sky. Regina, David, Snow, Henry and Ruby cheered and embraced together while they watched the show of the fireworks. The confetti blasted out from the stage to cover the audience. The fans applauded aloud. Emma got up and waved happily. The music finally ended. It was their last act to close the show tonight.
After the arena, they went back to the lakefront estate; Snow and David decided to retire in the living room with Neal. Granny told Emma that she wanted to cook dinner for everyone since they got tired from the 4th of July. The blonde woman approved it and left to her bedroom. It left Ruby, Regina and Henry who were in the living room and played the Scrabble on the coffee table. They chatted about the bands from the arena and liked songs. Until, Snow and David decided to take Regina out on the porch and have a private conversation before the dinner. The pixie cut woman cleared her throat and spoke lightly.
"Ruby, do you mind to watch over Neal while David and I have a private conversation with Regina?"
"Sure. No problem." Ruby retorted. Regina froze and slowly looked up at Snow's look then found out that they were serious about it and got up. David gestured her to go outside and wait. The pixie cut woman handed her son to Ruby's hands and kissed two boys' forehead then walked out with her husband. Emma finally went downstairs after getting showered and dressed up in a comfortable clothes. The blonde woman walked into the lounge and saw Ruby, Neal and Henry then spoke in a concerned tone.
"Did I leave Regina, Snow and David back in the arena?"
"No. Hilarious. They are outside and have a private conversation." Henry replied while looking up at his blonde mother who was standing beside him. Ruby bounced Neal on her lap and cooed. Granny went into the lounge and asked Emma about the spices she couldn't find in the kitchen. The blonde woman retreated with the oldest woman in the kitchen and showed her the spices in the bottom corner cabinet and twisted inside to reveal the spices. They laughed and talked about the inventive cabinet then helped her out to cook the chicken breast in Alfredo sauce with angel hair.
Meanwhile, Regina sat down on the porch swing with Snow and David were standing back on the columns. The pixie cut woman smiled at her with her generosity. The brunette woman was confused with The Charmings' looks and went uncomfortable to shift her position. The blonde man crossed his arms over his chest and spoke lightly.
"I know that you are not comfortable with us at all but we had to do is grilling you with our questions."
"Right, it's about our daughter, Regina. We are talking about her." Snow said.
"Oh. What about her?" Regina replied.
"As Emma's father, what are your intentions of doing to our daughter?"
"Ah. The father's speech is here. But I have no intentions to harm your daughter. And I know that Emma has changed since she left the town. I regretted that I did it to her since that day." The brunette woman spoke in a sad tone while David was softening his looks at her and knew that Regina was hurt.
"Do you remember that I told you on that day after Emma left and before I gave you letters?" The pixie cut woman acknowledged her motherly tone. Regina nodded and mused in a sad tone while she was looking away at the scenery in front of her.
"Yes. I remember. What about it?"
"I wished that you and Emma are together, but you made your choice to be with Robin. The part was that I gave you my blessings to be with her, but I saw you in the different way. I just knew that you would recognize yourself that you didn't love Robin anymore because it is a vivid imagination to be falling in love with a person that you wanted for your rest of life. I know that you don't want me to compare David and me to your relationship with Emma." Snow retorted.
"She is right. What have you seen in Robin? What have you seen in Emma? I am not going to fuss with you in a stupid fight. So, what did you see in Daniel to them?" David said.
"Robin was a safe person but Emma was a risky one. I understood that Daniel was a similar to both, but Robin is for the looks. Emma is the only one who has Daniel's everything. Wisdom, Quirks, Unexpected, and Carefree." Regina answered him while she looked at him. Snow smiled and spoke lightly.
"David and I had no chance to raise Emma as our daughter since our Enchanted Forest. We didn't regret it and even your curse. We see her as our independent girl who makes her decisions. She was similar to your Daniel. I know that I was a little girl and watched you being a carefree girl. I have wanted to see you like that girl in Enchanted Forest. I know that you lost her spirit. But I want you to try to be that girl and show how you love Emma with your heart." The pixie cut woman gently touched Regina's hand and rubbed her thumb on the back of the palm. David smiled at Snow's wisdom.
"I thought that you both hated me because I did it, but I'm shocked that you said it all." Regina retorted.
"We already forgave you a long time ago. We regretted to harm you but now, we saw you as a wonderful lady who adopted our grandson and took care of him in your care. We're proud of you because you have done it for Emma's sake. Now, we promised that we won't meddle through Emma's life since she left town." The blonde man acknowledged his fatherly tone and smiled widely.
"Thank you, Dad, Mom and Regina." Emma acknowledged her presence when she walked out from the front door to reveal herself in the porch. Others whisked to look away at her with her tears.
"Did you hear every word?" Snow asked. The blonde woman wiped her tears and nodded. David immediately strode to her and embraced her. Regina gave a small smile and looked away at Snow then continued.
"I won't harm your daughter. I promise you that I will protect my family no matter what. I still love her, but I have my patience to ask her out on a date."
"Remember that we gave you our blessings? Use it when the time is right." The pixie cut woman replied and winked at her then got up. Emma smiled and opened her arms for her mother to hug together. David smiled and nodded then entered the foyer to meet Henry, Ruby and Neal in the dining hall after receiving Emma's information. Snow kissed her cheek and left to find others in the dining room. It left Regina and Emma on the porch, and the silence took over. The blonde woman walked to the porch swing and sat on it then continued.
"Thank you for every word you said. I appreciated it."
"You are welcome, Emma. I meant it."
"I know."
"So, dinner is here?" Regina asked while she was feeling hungry.
"Yes, but I have to do something right now before we go in for our dinner with everyone." Emma nodded and spoke in a serious tone. The brunette woman was surprised that she wanted a talk with her then asked.
"What is it?"
"I love you too. You earned my forgiveness. I hope you understand." The blonde woman smiled and continued.
"What? I felt like that I haven't earned it yet." Regina shook her head violently and mused.
"No. Your words are showing patience, but your actions speak louder. I can see that you wanted me to be yours." Emma sighed and gently held the brunette woman's hand then replied.
"But can we wait longer? I don't want to ruin our new friendship."
"You are lucky at this time. I can wait. Until, you are ready." Emma smiled and leaned to kiss on her plump red lips with a chaste one then got up and left to have dinner. It left Regina in awe and touched her lips then smiled widely and looked away at the scenery. In her thoughts, she knew that Emma is more than everything she searched in her life. She was sure that Henry was right about the actions than words. She sighed and got up then left to find everyone in the dining hall.
In the dining room, they chatted about Emma's music, lyrics and life in Nashville. They laughed at Emma's auditions and messed up one of her songs in the rehearsals before they arrived in Nashville to see her. Granny was pleased that they loved the food. Snow looked away at Regina and spoke lightly.
"David and I will stay at your mansion if you don't mind. So, we will send you and Henry for the clothes in the mail. Is it all right with you?"
"It's fine. You better not ruin my study office." Regina pointed out to David, and the blonde man smiled sheepishly. Snow gasped in shock and smacked his head. Others laughed.
"I assumed that you didn't want to go back to Storybrooke," Ruby asked Emma. The blonde woman smiled and nodded then continued.
"Storybrooke is not my home anymore. I knew that I lived there for five years, but I have no intentions to go back there again. I decided to live here and have my music career to be a success. I like it here."
"Me too! Unless, if you and Mom arrange the living arrangements during the school year." Henry replied.
"Oh, you are senior this year?" Emma asked.
"No, Junior." He retorted.
"Ok. Let your moms have a conversation other time. Don't get your high hopes."
"Your ma is right. We will have that one soon. Don't worry. You better eat your vegetables." Regina gave a look at him and said in a motherly tone. Henry rolled his eyes and ate the vegetables. Granny laughed at him. Other shook their head while eating their pasta.
They finished their dinner, and most of them moved to their bedroom to get sleep for early morning drive. Henry and Regina went to clean up on the table and strode to the kitchen to wash the dishes, pots, and utensils. Emma retreated to the music room and strode to the piano. The blonde woman sat down on the piano bench and remembered her childhood with the musical family. Her foster mother taught her how to play Beethoven Moonlight Sonata. Her fingers started to tingle on the black and white keys. She stepped on the damper pedal to make the sounds through the house.
Snow and David finally laid Neal and found out that he fell asleep while Emma was playing the classical music. They rested on the bed and heard the beautiful sounds. Ruby was still awake and stared at the wall. Granny read the book while humming the notes. Regina and Henry stopped washing and looked at each other then heard the beautiful sound from the piano. For them, they were shocked that Emma has been playing beautifully on the piano. The Mills continued to wash the dishes and finished them in 10 minutes.
Regina and Henry walked to the music room and stood in the doorway. The brunette woman watched the blonde woman closing her eyes while playing her fingers on the piano in a slow tempo. She was in awe and staring at Emma's beautiful figure. Henry went slack-jawed while he heard the perfect notes on the piano and never miss one mistake. In two minutes later, Emma went to hit the keys with her fast fingers, and others went dumbfounded in awe.
The sounds started to spread the music thoroughly their ears. The blonde woman was pleased that she did it. For a while, Regina and Henry stood longer then watched Emma finishing her song in ten minutes later. Until, the blonde woman opened her eyes and smiled widely. She ended it with a bang. Hearing Regina and Henry's claps, she looked away at them and smiled broadly.
"You do play beautifully, Ma!" Henry replied.
"Thank you, kid."
"How did you learn how to play it?" Regina asked.
"When I was 15, my foster mother taught me and that's how I learned about the classical music before I started to do other genres."
"Do you play any types?" The brunette boy asked with his curiosity.
"I can play rock, country, pop and hip-hop. But I prefer to play country and classical."
"Why?" Henry replied.
"Because Classical is my favorite and country is my passion. My foster family was raising in Georgia and always heard the best country music."
"Oh." Henry nodded.
"Yes. My foster mom grew up in Pigeon Forge, TN and went to get married with her man who was from Virginia. They raised their two biological children in Georgia and took me to be in their care for five years until I became 16. My foster dad died, and she couldn't afford to foster me anymore, so we decided to bid farewell then I moved to Boston to the group home. When I was 17, I ran away, and you knew the events from now on." Emma explained.
"I think it's time for us to go bed. It's past midnight." Regina answered. Henry groaned. Emma laughed, got up and walked to push her son away to the bedroom. The brunette woman smiled and kissed on the blonde woman's lips then retreated to her room. The brunette boy smirked and fisted in the air when he saw the kiss between both ladies and ran to his room. It left Emma in awe and smiled away while she was retreating to her bedroom. They finally fell asleep in few minutes later.
In the morning, everyone woke up, got changed and went to the kitchen to grab some breakfast. Henry, Emma, and Ruby chatted about the cities that they would travel and take adventures around during their stays. Granny asked Henry to take photos for them. He nodded and went to eat scrambled eggs. Regina, Snow, and David discussed Storybrooke. The brunette woman informed Snow to ask Belle to take over as an interim mayor for a month. They approved it. They discussed further on their plans to get Storybrooke to be active on the map and others.
Snow and David told their grandson to stay in touch with them while Henry travels with his moms. He nodded and kissed their cheeks. After the breakfast, they hugged each other and kissed Regina, Henry and Emma on their cheeks. They finally bid their farewell. Neal cooed. The brunette woman tossed SUV keys to David and informed Snow about the scroll in the bag. They nodded and went to get in SUV. It left Granny, Ruby and Neal to bid them farewell with tears. Emma gestured them to get in the SUV and closed the door then winked at her father who was laughing.
Finally, The Swan-Mills family watched the SUV leaving on the driveway. The blonde woman smiled and told her son to hang out with her at the stables. He nodded excitedly and ran back to the lakefront estate. The ladies laughed and walked inside the mansion to wash the dishes in the kitchen. The brunette woman cleaned up on the kitchen counter and went to help Emma to dry the dishes and put on the rack. The brunette boy ran back from his bedroom and wore the blue jeans and a white t-shirt with converse shoes. The blonde woman laughed when she saw her son wearing the shoes and shook her head. Regina hid her snicker and smirked.
Emma went to her bedroom and found the cowboy boots in her wardrobe and left to find her son in the kitchen with Regina. She handed it to him and spoke lightly.
"It was supposed to be your birthday gift from me last year."
"Thank you Ma." The brunette boy said while putting his boots on and stood up like a superman. Regina laughed and gestured him to go outside. Henry kissed on Emma's cheek and ran outside. The ladies scolded him and shook their head while laughing. The brunette woman told her that she went back to change the clothes and Emma nodded then kissed on the plump red lips and winked. The blonde woman strode outside from the back door to the stables. Regina shook her head and blushed slightly.
After getting changed in the gray bedroom, Regina touched her lips and went giddy after a kiss with Emma. She paced her walk to the stables from the mansion and saw Emma sitting on the three rails round wood fences. Henry rode the black beauty horse freely. The brunette woman climbed on the fence and brought her right leg to cross over and sat down on the rail then continued.
"It's beautiful."
"It is. Henry seemed to enjoy riding Mystic." The blonde woman smiled at Henry's riding and spoke lightly.
"Mystic?" Regina went confused and asked.
"The black beauty horse." Emma pointed to Henry and continued.
"Oh! That horse. Wow. What about a white stallion? I saw him." Regina replied. Emma laughed and shook her head then corrected Regina's pronouns and continued.
"Both horses are SHE. The white horse is Winter."
"Oh. What are their breeds?" The brunette woman nodded and asked with her curiosity.
"Andalusian." The blonde woman retorted.
"What?" Regina knitted her brows and looked away at her then continued.
"They are Andalusian, the Pure Spanish horses. Do you want to ride Winter?" Emma pointed to the horses and spoke in a cheerful tone.
"Wow. Sure." Emma nodded and jumped down then extended Regina's hand to lead to the stables. The ladies went to Winter's pen, and the blonde woman gave the apple to her. Regina arched her eyebrow at Emma. The blonde woman shrugged and continued.
"Winter loves to eat an apple."
"I see."
Winter neighed, walked to Emma and ate an apple. They laughed; Regina went to get a saddle and watched Emma walking with Winter outside. The brunette woman smiled and walked to them. Henry steered Mystic to the stables to meet his moms. Emma put the saddle on Winter's back and tied it then nodded at Regina, who was ready to mount on it. The blonde woman smiled up at her and cooed Winter then walked back to the rail fence and sat down. Mystic and Winter ran freely. The Mills laughed while riding them. Emma whooped and clapped then went back to the stables. She decided to reveal her third horse, the gold Andalusian, and her name was Rustic Sunrise.
The blonde woman grinned, fed her horse apple then grabbed her saddle on the horse and mounted it. She kissed on the mare then went hyah. It revealed to Regina and Henry who were walking back to the stables, but it was too far for them to reach it. Until, The Mills went slack-jawed when they saw the gold horse riding freely, and Emma was riding her. Regina watched Emma laughing and spoke in a dumbfound tone.
"Is Emma riding a gold horse?"
"Yes, mom." He nodded without breaking his eye contact with Emma.
"What? How?"
"I don't have no idea. Let's catch up with her." Henry spoke while he watched the gold horse running through the field.
"Race?" Regina asked her son, and the brunette boy grinned ear to ear then clicked his tongue and rode faster to reach Emma.
"Hey!" The brunette woman yelled at her son who was laughing and kicked her boots to ride in the fast pace. Emma shook her head while she stopped to let them catch up with her.
Until, Henry arrived to be next to his blonde mom and heard his brunette mom's horse coming closer then looked away with his grin. Regina shook her head and walked upon to Emma's spot to be in front of her. The blonde woman gestured them to ride at a walking pace and others nodded. Regina steered left and let Rustic Sunrise walk beside her in the middle between The Mills. The brunette boy cleared her throat and spoke lightly.
"How come didn't you tell us that you have the third horse?"
"I hid her away from you and others. August brought Rustic Sunrise yesterday. Now, you see that you both are riding on Mystic and Winter, and they are mine. I bought them with my money."
"Cool! Which is the one that you named them?" He said.
"Henry, you are riding on Mystic. Regina is on Winter. So, this horse is Rustic Sunrise."
"Ah. So, they are he?"
"No, Henry, all the horses are SHE," Regina emphasized the word. Emma laughed. Henry rolled his eyes and continued to ride longer with his moms then heard the brunette woman's voice.
"How did you ride the horse beautifully? Owning these horses?"
"I was raising in Texas with my foster family. They were the owners of the ranch farm. My oldest foster brother taught me, and he was the professional rodeo rider. I think that I was ten years old."
"How did you start to build the beautiful stables?" Regina retorted while playing with the horse's hair.
"When I got my first album released on that day, and I continued to work in the stables with August," Emma replied.
"Horses?" Henry asked.
"After few months of building the stables, I was between in the interviews and recording songs. I bought two horses on my own. August brought Rustic Sunrise then it became mine now."
Emma looked between the Mills and smiled at both brunettes. She looked away at the grass field and sighed then continued.
"I remembered when I was young and I rode all over the grass field with my old horse. I felt free. You know the feeling?"
"Yes, I do. I had Rocinante when I was young." Regina replied. Other looked away at her and smiled.
"Why not to use our time to ride our horses until the lunch time?" Henry asked. The ladies nodded and rushed their horses freely. He smiled away and rode Mystic away to catch up with his moms.
After riding the horses and tugging them to their pens, Emma, Henry and Regina walked back to the mansion and decided to have lunch but they heard the knock on the door. Henry told them that he would get it, and the blonde woman thanked him. The brunette boy went to answer the front door and found August and Teresa then lit up. Others waved their hands and came in then followed him to the kitchen. Emma was surprised to see her best friends and embraced them tightly. Regina was flaring her jealousy when she saw Teresa rubbing on the blonde woman's back.
"We have a great news!" Teresa said. Emma lit up and waited. The black-haired woman smiled and showed her diamond engagement ring on her left hand. The blonde woman held her mouth with her hand and screamed.
"You are getting married!" Emma replied. Other winced at her high voice. August nodded and laughed. The blonde woman went lunging over at him and held him tightly. Teresa laughed and wiped her tears then spoke lightly.
"Yes, we are getting married. But I wanted to ask you a question."
"What is it?"
"Will you be honored to be August's best woman?" The black-haired woman said.
"Yes! Yes! Of course! I will be honored!" Emma retorted. August exclaimed his surprise. Henry laughed at his blonde mom's excitement. Regina smiled. Teresa clapped lightly.
August was relieved and decided to take them out to the lunch together. Others nodded. They decided to go to the Thai Place, and the brunette man knew Emma's private dining then called the reservation. When they arrived at Thai Place, and the waitress led them to the private dining without nosy paparazzi. They sat down at the circle table.
For a while, they took the silence to study on the menu and decided to order their drinks first. Henry talked with August about the Thai dish and decided to have a mild spicy food with chicken and white rice. After the server had arrived with their drinks, he waited for the people to order their meal and spoke with a question about spicy and which rice. Until, they finished with their menu and Regina decided to open the conversation with Teresa. Emma held her breath. Henry was not paying attention and looked away at the environment. August arched his eyebrows.
"How did you meet Emma?" Regina sweetly asked. The black-haired woman smirked and played all along. The blonde woman rolled her eyes and looked away at her.
"I met her through my fiancé in New York. Well, she lived with me for few days before I met August."
"Oh. I don't know. How did you meet August?"
"I met him while Emma introduced him to me and we fell in love after."
"How sweet," Regina spoke while her jealousy began to burn. Teresa rolled her eyes and spoke lightly.
"Emma and I are like sisters but not like lovers. Regina, I can see your jealousy from here and don't worry. I'm heterosexual."
"Yeah, I don't like Teresa at all in the beginning, but she was a nice lady to offer me to stay at her apartment. I can't deny it." Emma spoke.
"Yeah, Emma and I met in New York after bumping into each other in the coffee shop and caught up until I had no place to stay, and she took me to Teresa's home. I met her after the introductions, and I asked her out on the date on the same night. Emma was out to work some bail bonds." August said. Henry raised his eyebrows. Emma smiled. Teresa rubbed her fiancé's hand and smiled. Regina went to press her jealously out and took a liking on August and Teresa. The brunette woman was relieved and smiled widely. Others went in a sigh of relief then laughed.
"August, how did you get in the foster care like Ma?" Henry asked.
"No surprise at this time. I'm Marco's son."
"Wait a minute, Marco Geppetto?" Regina asked.
"Yes."
"You are Pinocchio!" Henry exclaimed excitedly. Emma nodded. August grinned widely. The server finally served their lunch, and they went to dug their spicy food. They chatted with August about his foster care and Emma interrupted with funny stories about their childhood in the group homes in Boston. They laughed and talked about Regina and Henry's life in Storybrooke. Emma was pleased that Regina took a liking to Teresa and knew they had their tensions since she arrived to see her in person.
After the lunch time was over, they bid farewell and congratulated August and Teresa's engagement. They parted their ways and Emma decided to take Regina and Henry to the warehouse. The blonde woman told them about the tour buses and stage designs. Others nodded and went with a flow. They finally arrived at the warehouse and met the stage construction head manager to discuss the stage design. Regina went in awe when she saw the beautiful stage design.
Henry found Nicholas on the stage and went to play the guitar with him for a while. Emma informed Regina that she had to go with her producers to discuss the songs. The brunette woman nodded and went with Henry then took a look around on the stage.
The concert set design was phenomenal. The white drapes were everywhere. The two set of phantoms on the levels. The grand ramp was in the middle. The indoor LED display was sized enormous as the stage of the width. The lights were blue, yellow, red and white. On the stage floor, there were the piano and acoustic/bass guitars. The first platform was the low level, and there were the microphones for the backup singers on the left side and violin on the right side. The second platform was the high level for the drums and steel guitar. It was a beautiful view of the stage design. It was simple and contemporary.
Regina loved the stage concept, and it suited Emma's personality to be sweet and simple. She was looking forward to seeing the full concert with Henry on tour. Until, she heard the producers and Emma walking to them and looked away at them with her smile. They nodded at her, and Emma decided to get huddled with her band to discuss songs together. Henry tugged Regina back to the seats in the audience and watched the band and Emma rehearse their songs. All they did was to test the stage if it fitted with the lighting design and concept looks on the stage. Regina noticed the producers and the technicians in the control room to monitor the lights and time frame for every song.
For Henry's perspective during his stay with two moms in Nashville, it went great, and he enjoyed his time with both of the ladies. But he realized that he wished Regina would stay for Emma in Storybrooke and won't let the blonde woman leave town without them. Also, he knew that it is a different story because Emma hasn't been blunt about her feelings toward Regina since Robin was there with his brunette mother. He sighed while he was in his deep thoughts and sat down beside his brunette mother. Until, the brunette boy dozed off when he heard his favorite song, 'A Good Life', and sang along. Regina looked away at him and smiled. It was their favorite song to hear Emma sing 'A Good Life'.
Several hours later, Emma finished with her rehearsals and went to take Regina and Henry then bid their farewells. They left the warehouse to get back to the lakefront estate. Regina was silent and in her deep thoughts. Henry talked with his blonde mother about the tour and what to do around in the tour bus while on their travels.
After few minutes later, they finally arrived at the blonde woman's home. Emma asked her son to cook dinner with her help and Henry was pleased to help her out then ran out to the kitchen. The blonde woman looked away at Regina, who was staring at the window for longer and shook her shoulder then continued.
"Regina, we are here."
"Oh! How did I stay here?" The brunette woman stuttered her words, and Emma laughed then continued.
"Few minutes. Henry is in the kitchen. You can go explore in my mansion for a while. I will call you when the dinner is ready."
"Sure, thanks." Regina gave a small smile and nodded.
"No problem," Emma replied. The ladies smiled at each other, got out of the car and strode inside the mansion. Regal was there with Melissa. Emma whistled for her dog to jump on her and petted her then gave her thanks to her personal assistant. Finally, Melissa left the place to get home with her family. It left the blonde woman to walk back to the kitchen, and Henry was waiting for her then saw Regal and patted his thighs to call her. Regal lit up when she saw her best friend and went on him. Emma laughed and gathered ingredients for the burgers and curly fries.
Regina closed the front door after seeing Melissa leave the place and strode to explore thoroughly in the mansion. She saw the photo-shoots in the frames on the walls. But she found four unique photos in the music room. She briskly walked to the spot which the pictures of Emma on the walls. In the first picture of the blonde woman, she was wearing the white lace top with the blue jeans. Her hair was the princess curl, and makeup was simple nude with dramatic effect mascara. Emma was lying on the sofa on her left side and rested her left elbow. She put her right forearm on the couch. Her left hand was loosing in an 'S' shape. She was looking at the camera with her straight face. The light was reflecting in her emerald eyes.
The brunette woman was in awe when she saw the breathtaking photo of Emma. She moved on to the second photo; it was the beautiful photo of the blonde woman in a big loose knit sweater. Her hair was in buns and her nude makeup with a pink lipgloss. She wasn't looking at the camera and looked away in the bottom right corner. She was crouching down in cross legs and rested her left hand on her knee. She rested her chin on the left hand. The light was bright and nude.
The third photo was free-spirited. Emma was wearing the gold sequin short dress with the sweetheart neckline. Her eyes were closed while she was laughing. Her left hand was holding the microphone and her another hand was palmed on her right cheek. She stood in the camera and let her free spirited. Her hair was flowing freely while she let her blonde curls down.
Lastly, Regina looked at the last photo; it was very reserved, and Emma looked beautiful in the white lace dress like 'A Good Life' music video. But it was nighttime. The blonde woman was sitting on the sand while her white lace dress spread easily on the ground. The thirty electric candles were in the circle around Emma. The blonde woman was looking over her shoulder at the camera with her smirk face. Regina never sees that photo before, and she was absorbing the beauty of the blonde woman in the four photos.
Until, the brunette woman strode away from the photos to the piano and sat down on the piano keys. She focused on the black and white keys and caressed a light touch on the piano. Regina didn't realize that she was still playing on the piano and heard the music. It was Beethoven's Fur Elise. She smiled while wiggling her fingers and remembered her piano lessons back in her mansion before adopting her son.
Emma finished with cooking dinner with Henry and informed him to set up on the table in the dining hall. He nodded and brought food to the table and gathered the plates and utensils to the dining room. The blonde woman walked away from the kitchen to search for Regina, but she heard the music from the music room and followed the sounds. Reaching to the location, she saw Regina playing the piano and stood in the doorway then watched her in a breathtaking moment. In few minutes later, Regina finished playing on the piano and stayed still until she whisked to hear Emma's claps. She was blushing and spoke lightly.
"Is the dinner ready?"
"Yes, Regina. Let's go eat before Henry gets starved to death." The brunette woman laughed while getting up from the piano bench and left along with Emma on their way to the dining room. They arrived when they saw Henry's smile and went to get their seats. Regina arched her eyebrows at the burgers and fries then looked away at the guilty looks of Emma and Henry. She shook her head and went to gather a burger to build it. Other went in a sigh of relief. They ate dinner in silence while Henry chatted about the cities and adventures he wanted to go while they are on the tour. The ladies were pleased with their son's plans during the day when Emma is working in the rehearsals. They approved it all the way.
When the dinner was over, Henry decided to clean up on the table and went to wash the dishes in the kitchen. The ladies decided to retire in the living room, and the brunette woman wondered about the tour. They heard their son's footsteps coming to the living room and greeted him with a good night. He informed them that he retreated to his bedroom to get some sleep and kissed his moms' cheek then left the living room to his bedroom. It left the silence to take over the ladies' words for a while until Regina decided to open the conversation about the tour in the cities. Emma looked away at her with a smile.
"What can we do on tour?"
"We can do our adventures with our son during the day on my off-days. If I am working in the rehearsals, you can come with me if you like to sit and listen to the songs. Or, you can go with Henry on your adventures around in the cities and take the photos. That's how we can do on the tour. Unless, you like to hang out with my band and crew, and it's fine." The blonde woman spoke in a light tone.
"Great. How many cities in a month of the tour?"
"It would be 11 cities in one month. But we will have double nights in the same city, and it would be in Portland, Maine." Emma explained right away while she figured it out on the schedule of the tour. Regina raised her eyebrows and asked with curiosity.
"Oh. When can we arrive there in Portland?"
"At the end of a month." The blonde woman replied.
"It sounds good." The brunette woman mused.
"Yeah. Any questions?"
"No. I have no questions further." Regina flicked her wrist while nodding.
"Ha. Hilarious. You got it from Law & Order." Emma pointed out while merely giggling.
"Oh, TV show. Yes, dear." The brunette woman said.
They laughed then took a silence between them. They remembered the kiss and smiled at each other while looking at each other in the loving gaze. They were sure that they can hold it off until they see how their friendship developed in a month. Until, the blonde woman decided to get some sleep and Regina agreed.
They retreated to their bedroom and bid them goodnight then entered the bedroom at the same time. It left Regina smiling while she was getting changed in her nightwear and tucking herself into the bed. She looked up at the ceiling while she was lying down on the bed. In her thoughts, it was reeling around in a good way, and she giggled at the kiss with Emma. Until, the brunette woman finally fell asleep.
In her mind, she knew that it was worth more than everything to stay with Emma and look forward to spending her time with her little family. Family is all she desired to be with Emma and Henry. She had her smile on her face and didn't know that Emma had her smile on her face too.
A/N: Next Chapter: The Ellen Degeneres' Show!
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