"Does my mom owe me a comic book?" Henry asked when they'd pulled away from Mifflin Street, tapping his hands on his backpack in time with the soft music playing from the radio. He was looking out the passenger window but Emma could tell he was sporting the same smug smile from when he'd walked in on them holding hands. She reached over to nudge his shoulder and chuckled, she was happy that the kid was supportive of them dating.
"Yeah, she owes you a comic. I expect she'll pay up after our date," She stopped at the stop sign and checked traffic "I'm really glad you're alright with your mom going out with me. I was worried you might be weirded out by your friend having a romantic meal with your mother." Emma drove forward, deciding to take Henry with her on an errand before taking him to the Tillman/Zimmer house.
Henry turned to Emma with a confused expression on his face "My mom likes you, Emma, and I know you like her so why would it be weird? Besides if things go well I get two moms out of it, that's a win-win for the results of operation Swan Queen in my opinion." He grinned at the prospect of two mothers, it sounded ideal and his mom wouldn't be lonely anymore.
"Swan Queen? Is that what you're calling us? Huh, I like it," She smirked at the kid's operation name before resting her arm on the door and her head on her fist "Two moms? So Regina would be mom, obviously, and I would be?" It was a little scary, the idea of being a mother when she had never even thought about it before but it brought her back to flashes of her dream and being a member of the Mills clan. Maybe it wasn't so scary at all.
"You'd be Ma, it's already in your name and I'm too old to be calling you mommy. But you'd have to adopt me after you marry my mom." Emma's eyes went wide at that, adoption and marrying Regina? She pictured the other woman in a wedding dress but then remembered her past, the previous engagement she had and how it might leave her wary to attempt another.
She cleared her throat and tossed him a weak smile "One thing at a time, kid. We haven't even gone out on a date yet and you're already starting the registry for wedding gifts," She turned into a parking spot "But you can help me pick up something I need, assuming you can keep this between us." Emma held out her pinky towards him "Pinky promise to keep any specifics of this covert quest between the knight and the prince only." He locked his pinky around hers and nodded before getting out of the car.
Emma shut her door and followed Henry into the flower shop, not excited about the possibility of Moe French bad mouthing the Mayor again but hoping with her son being present he'd watch himself. "Hey Mr. French, I'm here to pick up some more flowers." She called into the empty store; once again Moe wasn't there to greet his customers at the door. Henry started looking around before remembering something.
"You just bought Mom and I roses yesterday Swansky, why are you getting more?" He looked around at the various bouquets on display, wondering what they were doing. Emma winked over at Henry and made the motion that her lips were sealed, he may have been her partner in crime but he wasn't going to get all of the details. She reached over to the dark pink roses, running her fingers along the petals before realizing that there was still no response from anyone else in the shop.
"Moe, where are you at?" She yelled and rang the bell on the counter a few times, getting agitated that the shop owner could only be bothered to slander his public official and not do his job. A familiar brunette emerged from the back room and gave a wave, Belle.
"My dad's off doing a delivery so I closed up the library for a little while to help him. What can I get for you, knight? Or is it the prince picking up some flowers?" She folded her arms on the counter and looked at the pair who seemed attached at the hip, although Regina wasn't at her spot on Emma's arm.
Emma moved over to the counter and dropped her voice to a low volume "I need two dozen roses delivered, one in the dark pink and the other in white. To this place," She grabbed one of the business cards, flipping it over to write a location on the back and sliding it to Belle "I'd like the card sent to the mayoral mansion though. I can pay extra since this is a strange request." Blue eyes the size of saucers as she read the back of the card a few times, not believing where the flowers were supposed to go.
The blonde chewed on her bottom lip, clicking the pen against the counter, as there was still no response from the librarian. Was there something preventing the florist from doing the delivery or was it wanting the card delivered to a different place. "I-I don't see why not. You said one dozen of each color? And you want them delivered now?" Emma nodded and the Australian grabbed a small card for her to fill out, curious as to why the Mayor would be receiving it.
She filled out the card, grateful that Henry was preoccupied by looking around the shop, before handing it to Belle and then doing the same with her credit card. She signed for the flowers and smiled over at Belle "Thank you, Belle. It means a lot to me and probably a lot more to Regina. We'll see you around the kingdom." Emma waved and led Henry out of the store, going through her mental checklist for the errands.
Flowers, check. Reservations were up next followed by her plans for dessert but first there was the matter of getting Henry to his sleepover. She pulled open the passenger door for him and tilted her head when he stood there, not moving to get into the car yet but staring at something behind her. Emma turned to look, seeing the library and the clock tower. "What's up, kid? It's one forty three. Are we running late?"
Henry shook his head slowly but didn't take his eyes off the clock tower, he seemed to be in a sort of daze. "That's never moved my whole life. It's been 8:15 in Storybrooke for as long as anyone can remember. Now you're here and the clock is working again, Emma that has to be a sign. You're changing things." His brown eyes finally locked with Emma's and she saw something in them, it was indescribable but left her feeling like there was a weight in her chest.
Emma blinked a few times and reached over to squeeze his shoulder "C'mon Henry, let's get you over to Nicholas and Ava's house." She deflected but stored the information in the back of her mind to ask about later, maybe someone had gotten around to fixing the old clock and it just coincided with her trip. Henry got into the Volkswagen but looked at the clock through the windshield, like if he stopped staring at it the hands would snap back to 8:15.
She got into the car and followed Henry's instructions to the Tillman/Zimmer household, dropping him off with a hug and the promise of picking him up first thing in the morning so he could show her the school before his classes started. "Maybe even get some hot cocoa from Granny's to go? Be good kid." He hugged her again before taking his bags and going inside with two kids, Nicholas and Ava she figured, and then she started off on the last touches needed for the date.
-
Letting out a soft huff of annoyance brown eyes scanned the multiple options laid out on her bed, she'd already talked herself out of pantsuits- "It's a date not a meeting!"- and was left to choose between skirts or dresses, all in shades of black or white or a combination of the two. "This would be so much easier if I had any clue what is running through that pretty blonde head of hers." Regina mumbled to herself, arms crossed over her chest. There wasn't enough for her to make an informed decision and she cursed Emma's need to be so secretive about their first date.
She rubbed her hands against her face and momentarily admitted defeat, leaving her bedroom and looking into Emma's. Regina had brought the bags from the living room up as well as setting the baby blanket on one of the pillows, if Emma needed it to sleep it seemed like the most fitting place to put it. Shutting the door she made her way down the stairs, not used to the silence that came with being home alone on a Sunday afternoon. Thankfully it didn't last long, the front door opening with a familiar face.
"Honey, I'm home." Emma smiled and Regina had to admit the words had a hell of a nice ring to them, if she wasn't careful she could get used to hearing that. "Henry is safely at his destination and I told him I'd take him to school in the morning." She joined the mayor in the foyer with a grocery bag on her arm, turning to keep it hidden from prying eyes.
"What do you have there, dear? Something for this date I know nothing about? Honestly Em-ma, you have to give me some hint. I don't like not knowing and I haven't the slightest clue what to dress for." Emma chuckled and shook her head; it wasn't going to be easy keeping things a secret from Regina it seemed.
She started into the kitchen and put the bag in the fridge, not bothering to take the contents out as it would ruin the surprise and she just hoped that the other woman wouldn't be tempted to peek. "Wear whatever you'd like and we're going out to have dinner. I made reservations at a great place here in town and then we're going to have dessert at the best place in all of Storybrooke. You'll see."
Regina let out another huff at the vague answers, now only knowing they'd be eating at two different locations for some reason. She was about to probe Emma for more answers when there was a knock at the door causing her to narrow her eyes at the blonde who was attempting to look innocent. "The last time I didn't know who was behind that door it turned out to be a headache in human form. What are you up to, Swan?" A shrug was her only answer and Regina rolled her eyes before opening the door.
"Hello Mayor Mills. Here you are. Usually we don't just deliver the card but my daughter told me these were special circumstances. I also wanted to let you know the flowers are exactly where they were asked to be placed." It was Moe French holding out an envelope to her and she tossed a look over her shoulder, seeing blue green eyes peeking around the corner before disappearing after being caught eavesdropping. She took the envelope and wished him a good day, shutting the door and opening it up as she walked back to the perpetrator.
"You know you might just be his most loyal customer at this point. I already have red roses, Em-ma so there was no need to get me… more…" She trailed off as she finally read what the card had written on it, looking at Emma in disbelief. "You sent two dozen roses to my family mausoleum? For my father?" Regina felt tears pricking the corners of her eyes as she stood in front of the other woman who now wore a sheepish smile.
"I remember you telling me once that you like to take him fresh flowers the last Sunday of every month and I had to thank him. If it wasn't for Henry Mills I wouldn't be able to go out on a date with the most amazing woman I've ever met and I also wouldn't have the best best friend anyone could ask for. I hope it's alright? I don't want to overstep but I just-" She stopped short when the Mayor rushed forward to hug her, wrapping her arms around Emma and sniffling as she held onto her "Felt like I owed him that much." Emma finished softly and wrapped one arm around Regina's lower back while her other hand stroked raven hair.
Regina didn't like to cry in front of anyone but Emma and her sweet damn gesture was making that impossible, clinging onto her and letting out a soft sob. "Thank you. No one has ever done something like this and it means so much to me." Emma nodded and pulled away from the embrace to brush the tears off Regina's cheeks, giving her a small smile.
"Like I said, I had to say thank you. Now do you want a cup of coffee or anything? We have a little bit of time to relax before your date with the headache in human form." Emma teased but her smile only grew when Regina reached up to kiss her cheek, a feather light brush of lips against her that left the skin tingling and flushed. The Mayor started into the kitchen, deciding that one more cup of coffee did sound enjoyable but she stopped to put the card on the fridge, reading it again.
'Two-dozen roses for you, Henry Mills. I wish I was able to tell you what an amazing woman your daughter is and what an incredible boy you have for a grandson. I hope I have your blessing to take Regina out on a date, I promise I will be a perfect "gentleman" and treat her like the queen you raised her to be. Thank you, for Regina and Henry. - Emma Swan.'
She adjusted the card and fought the urge to cry yet again, it was the sweetest thing she had ever read and she knew her father would have agreed to let Emma take her out. They'd probably get along well in fact. Emma started a new pot of coffee and pressed her fingers against her cheek, she could still feel lips against it and she wanted to commit the feeling to her memory. "Do you want a cup of hot chocolate Miss Swan?" The question pulled her out of her thoughts and she shook her head in the negative, reaching to get a mug before seeing an apple shaped one.
"Is there anything you don't have related to apples?" She turned the mug and smiled at the words painted onto it- best mom ever. "A mother's day present from Henry?" Emma guessed, pulling it down from the shelf to fill it with the dark liquid that the Latina seemed to survive on.
Regina smiled and nodded "A few years ago. He gave me the mug and a box of chocolates. It's one of my favorites," She took the offered mug and put a little sugar in it "Thank you Em-ma. For the coffee and again for the flowers. I can guarantee you would get my father's approval." She drank the coffee and leaned against the counter, looking at the note on the fridge.
Emma was happy that gesture was well received and that her father would have been happy with the two of them dating. "I think I should start getting ready soon. I've got plans with a beautiful woman," She turned to smirk over at the Mayor "Despite the fact that she's called me nothing more than a headache I think she'll have a good time with me. Maybe I should bring pain pills just in case?" Regina pushed her playfully before following her upstairs.
"Your bags are in your room as is your blanket. If you need to use the bathroom while you're getting ready let me know. Where are we eating, Em-ma? If you don't tell me I might wear a gown just to spite the dress code." Emma shook her head and disappeared into her room, shutting the door behind her and hearing a groan in response. "Be grateful I don't have any Halloween costumes in my closet or you'd be going out to dinner with a rum soaked pirate!" She yelled through the door before going into her own room.
Once the door was shut she was left drinking her coffee over the various options still laid out on her bed, walking around the choices with a critical eye. Skirts and blouses were ruled out and by the time she had finished her coffee she had narrowed it between two options. A black dress that had a slit up the thigh and also showed off generous amounts of cleavage or a white one that dipped in the back. Regina contemplated flipping a coin before grabbing the white one to return to her closet; black was the far better color regardless.
She walked into her bathroom to curl her hair and truly begin the task of getting ready. There was make up to do, hair to make perfect, perfume to decide upon as well as heels and jewelry to pick. Getting ready for a date in the past had been putting on riding gear, her thoughts flashed to the last date she had and she nearly burnt her ear with the curling iron when she heard her mother's voice in her head. 'This is foolish Regina! Love is weakness! You can't be with someone so common! What would your father say?' Taking a few deep breaths she looked at herself in the mirror, half of her hair done while the other remained untouched, and shook her head.
"You're wrong. Daddy would have loved Emma, they would probably play music together and she would make him laugh just like she does for Henry and myself. You're wrong and I'm not listening to you anymore. Love ISN'T weakness, it takes strength Mother and that's something you will never understand." As she spoke the voice grew softer and softer, the yelling in her mind disappearing entirely. Regina took a few more breaths to calm down before finishing her hair. Cora Mills words from the past would not ruin her present.
After her hair, came make up and the signature red lipstick. She undressed, putting the jeans and shirt from her day into the hamper, and turned to the black dress. "You better knock Emma's socks off." She told the dress before slipping into it, managing the zipper with the same ease as any of the others but she couldn't help hearing Emma's words. 'You must be some kind of super woman to zip these things up by yourself.'
Chuckling she looked herself over in the vanity mirror, feeling quite pleased with the way she looked. The last touches were putting on a pair of dangling earrings, sprays of perfume, and slipping into black heels before she was finished. "I've still got it." She winked at her reflection before picking up both the empty coffee mug and her purse on the way out of her room.
Now she just had to wait for Emma to join her and finally clue her in to exactly what their date entailed.