It was humorous that she had gotten ready faster than the blonde but it gave her time to check in with her son, texting to see how his sleepover was going and what he had for lunch and dinner the answer was sandwiches and pizza. She was about to ask if he'd had a salad with the pizza or if it was just all the greasy Italian food when her son beat her to it.
'I had a salad with my pizza even though Ava said it was weird. We're gonna go play some games and then I'll make sure to text you before bed. No staying up late because I have school tomorrow. Have fun with Emma, Mom! I love you.'
Smiling she texted back that she loved him too before she heard the clicking of shoes on the floor, turning to look over and once again feeling like the world had slowed. Black heels and a black suit, a white dress shirt underneath the suit jacket and a black tie that had a swan tie clip attached to it. Blonde hair pulled into a ponytail and typically nude lips were now red. She was gaping at how good Emma looked and couldn't find her voice, wanting to compliment her but unable.
"You look gorgeous, Regina," Emma breathed, taking in the cut in the dress that exposed her tan thigh and the flattering neckline that drew her attention away from the thigh "I am the luckiest lady alive." Of course the pale woman didn't have trouble voicing her thoughts and it made Regina smile, walking over to adjust the tie that was a bit crooked.
Her fingers ran over the silver tie clip that had a swan on it, tapping her nail against the bird. "I have never seen anyone look so good in a suit before now, Miss Swan. You are very dashing this evening," She looked up into beautiful eyes lined with black "Maybe I'm the lucky one." Emma brushed her knuckles along Regina's bicep, the small gesture enough to cause goose bumps to appear and the feeling of electricity surge under her skin.
"Agree to disagree on whose the real winner here. I love your hair like this and your dress is… would mouthwatering be an unflattering term? Because that's what is coming to mind. It's going to be insanely difficult to focus on dinner, mi reina." Emma reached for Regina's hand, bringing it up to kiss the back of it before letting it go and taking a step back to give a low bow.
She would never tire of Emma's need to be a noble knight or the way her lips felt against her skin, the longing to have them against her own growing by the second. "I think you'll manage, Em-ma. After all I know how passionate you are about food, I have a feeling I'll be second in your list of priorities when there's dinner on the table." She turned to grab the purse from the dining room table only to have a hand on her arm preventing her, looking at pale fingers before up at the other woman.
"I can be passionate about much more then just food, Regina, and you'll always come first," She took a step closer and cupped Regina's cheek "I'll prove it to you. I will even refrain from making obscene sounds when I eat but I have a feeling it's only your cooking that can elicit those responses." Emma ran her thumb across Regina's cheekbone noticing the way chocolate eyes were flicking between her own and her lips.
Swallowing she pulled away from the touch, needing the distance to keep herself in check not to jump into strong arms and kiss her senseless. "We'll see if that's the case when we eat. Are you ready to go, my knight?" Regina grabbed her purse, slipping the strap of it over her shoulder before checking that her phone, wallet, and keys were in the bag. It was an unnecessary action, the items were there and she knew that to be the case, but it stopped her from staring at Emma's lips again. Perhaps she was the one who was going to struggle during their dinner.
Emma nodded and placed her hand on the small of Regina's back, causing yet another jolt of electricity up her spine, before leading her out of the mansion. She let go only long enough for the mayor to lock the door and her hand found its new designated resting spot once more. "I think you're going to enjoy the place I made reservations at. They don't require them typically but I explained this is a special occasion." She opened the passenger door of the bug and Regina smiled.
"When I take us out we're going in my Mercedes. I have a feeling it feels very unloved after today." She looked over at the car parked in her driveway but slid into the Volkswagen, it WAS Emma's date and she had no clue where they were driving to regardless. The Bostonian nodded her agreement, it would be Regina's date to plan, before going around to get into her seat and brought the bug to life.
"Where in Storybrooke do they not have reservations but do when you ask for them? Is this some kind of impossible riddle that I won't ever be able to solve?" Emma wore an impish grin but didn't respond focusing on the drive like it needed her full attention. "Remind me to keep you completely in the dark for our second date, Miss Swan. Payback will be swift." She huffed and looked out the passenger window until a hand on her knee drew her attention back. Squeezing gently the blonde tossed her a look as she added, "This will be well worth whatever payback you decide on."
The rest of the drive was silent but the hand remained on her knee for part of it, a thumb brushing over her skin in different patterns and causing her heart to race in response, she usually would snap about both hands on the wheel but it was too distracting. When the car finally came to a stop she blinked a few times, like her vision was failing her. "Are… are we at Granny's diner? You did not wear a suit to eat HERE, Em-ma Swan."
Emma chuckled when she helped Regina out of the car and led her away from the diner door, opening the bed and breakfast side instead and loving the confused expression on the mayor's face. She rang the bell at the counter with a wink to her date before turning as Granny Lucas appeared. "Here you go. It's all set up. Enjoy your stay." She handed her a key and then disappeared again.
"You got us a room? That's mighty presumptuous. What kind of queen do you take me for?" The blonde still refused to answer, her hand once again finding a home on her back and effectively silencing her for the moment as she was escorted to room number four. Regina opened her mouth to say something else about the brazen way Emma just assumed she'd be willing to go to bed with her but it snapped shut when the door opened. Inside there were many lit candles and a table with two chairs in the center, no bed in sight, and flower petals leading from the door to the table itself. Scarlet pimpernel petals to be exact.
"I take you for the type of queen who would prefer a more intimate dining experience, just the two of us. I would never be so crass as to expect you'd just hop into bed with me before I've even kissed you," Emma spoke softly and shut the door behind them "I even took the bed out of the equation entirely. That's a topic for another date." She moved to pull out a chair.
Regina was speechless as she sat down, her eyes taking in the numerous candles, the shades of blue and red petals on the floor, and the bottle of champagne chilling in a silver bucket full of ice. This was more then she could have expected and she looked over to her date as Emma sat down across from her, unbuttoning her suit jacket as she did. "This is…. Breathtaking. I can't believe you did all of this for me. I might be able to forgive you for not giving me any hints about this date." She donned her signature smirk and received a playful roll of blue green eyes in response.
Emma uncorked the champagne, careful not to send the top flying off at her date, and filled Regina's glass then her own. "I hope you'll find it in your heart to do more then just forgive, I'm banking on you even enjoying yourself," She raised her glass and Regina followed suit, tapping it against its partner "How about a toast to new beginnings?" She took a drink and then turned when the door opened, the waitress bringing in two plates.
"Hello Ashley, I should have suspected you'd be a part of this operation." Regina greeted the young blonde mother who only smiled and set each covered plate in front of the women, removing the domed tops to reveal two steaks, broccoli, and a baked potato. It looked appetizing and the smell was enough to draw Regina in, already impressed with the meal. Ashley left the two of them after making sure everything was okay.
"So we've already discussed most of the things people would talk about on a first date. I know about your childhood and you know about mine. We both know what we do for a living-" "You're the glamorous ruler, also known as Madam Mayor, of the kingdom of Storybrooke while I'm a knight/bailbonds woman in Boston." "You know I have a son so there's no running for the hills at finding out I'm a mother. You know my favorite color.. What's yours?" Regina started to cut into her steak and Emma followed her lead, doing the same to her own.
"Red. Close second is yellow but Tallahassee yellow. What's your favorite holiday? I know you and Henry celebrate all of them since I helped moved the boxes that said as much up to the attic." She took a bite of her steak and had to hand it to Granny Lucas; the woman knew how to whip up a fantastic meal. There was massive gratitude already owed for putting things together on such short notice but now there was also a delicious dinner to be appreciated.
Regina mulled over the question as she chewed on her broccoli, taking a sip of the champagne before she answered. "I love Christmas with Henry but my favorite would have to be Dias de los Muertos. Typically Henry and I go to my father's resting place and turn it into an explosion of color, lights, marigolds, and I tell him all of my favorite stories about him. Last year we made sugar skulls and pan de muerto- bread of the dead. Henry was insistent on an ofrenda complete with the guitar, a photo of my father and I, and his favorite dessert sopaipillas topped with honey and cinnamon. It's a wonderful celebration of my father's life." She watched as Emma seemed captivated by her response.
Emma had never celebrated the day of the dead, she didn't have anyone to remember after all, but the way Regina described it sounded amazing. Not to mention the sopaipillas were a dessert she was adamant on trying now. "That sounds fantastic, Regina. I'd love to see any pictures you have from it. I also might want to try those delicious sounding honey and cinnamon desserts one of these days." She moved onto her baked potato, putting some of the butter that was on the table onto it.
"I'll be sure to make you some; Henry is a big fan of them as well. I like to think he got that from his grandfather," Regina smiled and took another drink "If you could do something other then being a bailbonds person what would it be? And don't say a knight because you're already that as well." This time it was Emma who had to think on her answer, since it would have been knight if that wasn't taken off the table.
"I think I'd go into actual law enforcement. Maybe the military but more then likely something local, a cop or a sheriff or deputy. I got into bailbonds because I'm good at reading people and my super power helps to pinpoint when I'm being lied to like when someone says they just forgot about a court date or owing someone money. I also have a knack for finding people except for the two people that really made me get into it. My parents." Emma frowned for a brief moment, her fork raised halfway up with broccoli stabbed onto the prongs.
Regina felt her heart clench at the mention of the people who just cast Emma out before even getting to know what a wonderful person she was and she reached over to grab her free hand, squeezing it gently. "A wise woman once told me, and I'm paraphrasing here, fuck them. If they didn't realize the gift they were given when you were born then it's their loss. You are outstanding in so many ways, Em-ma. They don't know what they're missing." She gave a pale hand another squeeze before letting go.
Emma bit her bottom lip and shut her eyes for a minute, refusing to cry on their date and possibly risk eyeliner and mascara running down her face. "Thank you, Regina. You are right and if I'm being honest I stopped looking for them years ago. Now let's move onto to less of an emotional topic to something more physically painful," Regina arched an eyebrow at that but refrained from commenting, "If you could get that bird tattoo you want would you?" She finally ate the broccoli that had been waiting.
"Yes, I think I would if I can find the right artist to bring it to life. I would love to get something to represent my father and I couldn't think of anything better. What about you? Is there another tattoo that you would be interested in getting?" There was no lull in conversation with Emma, it just flowed so easily from one thing to the next without ever feeling forced and she was always enraptured by whatever she had to say.
A blonde ponytail bobbed as she nodded her head before answering. "Absolutely, I have a couple of ideas. Should I plan on date number three taking place in a tattoo shop?" Regina chuckled and shook her head no as she sipped her champagne "Okay, okay. More like date seven. We'll see how it goes but if you change your mind I am more then willing to be your tattoo buddy, you can even hold my hand through the pain and we can play games to keep your mind off it. If you weren't the Mayor of Storybrooke what do you think you'd want to do? Don't say be queen since you already are." She teased, turning the words back on her.
"A riding instructor. I'd work with horses even though it would be hard, at first, to be in stables again but I'd get through it. I love horses even to this day and I think it would be the best fit for me. If not that then maybe a teacher, a professor actually. Literature like the classics or something with art. There are also languages since I have been teaching two students Spanish and one of them is very promising, don't tell her though. She's already cocky enough." Regina flashed her patented smirk, pouring more champagne for the both of them as she thought about being something other then the Mayor. Her options were all desirable in their own way and it wouldn't be the worst thing if she ever had to make a career change.
Emma smiled when she was called cocky, giving half a shrug "If she's such a good student you should tell her so, she might just be hot for teacher. I think you'd be incredible as an instructor, a teacher, a professor- any or all of the above. However you'd have so many teachers' pets that you wouldn't know what to do with yourself. Just remember which is your favorite, it's the cocky Spanish student right?" She winked and took another drink before realizing they were both about finished with their dinners.
Regina came to same realization and found herself not ready for the date to end when she remembered they would be going somewhere else for dessert, to the best place in Storybrooke. "I suppose my relationship with this student isn't entirely ethical. A professor really shouldn't be infatuated with one of her pupils correct? I would probably have to transfer her to another course or risk losing my tenure. I'm already in trouble for going on a date with her and I do have plans for more then one. What would you do if you were faced with the moral dilemma of being hopelessly attracted to someone who is dashing, charismatic, and as noble as say a knight?" She swirled the champagne with a tilt of her head.
Emma's smile was so dazzling that it ran the risk of being blinding, sheer euphoria in her expression. Regina had just said she was infatuated and hopelessly attracted to her that made her ecstatic. "Well, this student is probably enamored with her professor, finding her intoxicating and irresistible. If I was this drop dead gorgeous professor I would understand having some hesitancy over a relationship but the student only has the best intentions. I imagine that she wants to win the heart of this professor, who I must reiterate is the most beautiful woman to ever grace the face of the Earth, and I think that student can't help but feel swept of her feet any time the professor even looks at her. You should transfer her since the student has no plans to stop going on dates."
It was Regina's turn to grin and she finished her drink as she nodded her head. "I have no intentions of stopping our dates either, Miss Swan. Although I must say I am dying to know where the best place for dessert in Storybrooke is." She dabbed at her mouth with her napkin before standing up, Emma doing the same and buttoning her suit jacket again. Regina watched as the blonde set to blowing out every single candle before leading her out of the room. As they walked down the hall she slid her hand into Emma's, lacing her fingers through pale ones.
Emma felt her heart race when Regina held her hand and she looked over at the Mayor, squeezing her hand a few times as if to make sure they were truly linked together. "I really love the place I'm taking you. I haven't seen all of Storybrooke but it is still my favorite area in the whole town." Now she was curious and tried to remember everywhere she had been with Emma. The library? The playground? Neither of the choices seemed like they'd be the right location. Regina was even more confused when the car returned back to the mansion and Emma used her keys to unlock the front door.
"Wait, where are we having dessert?" Emma held up a hand when the Mayor tried to follow her inside and told her to wait a minute, disappearing into the house only to return a minute later with the grocery bag and a blanket. "Em-ma what are you doing?" She asked but fell silent when the blonde laid the blanket out by her apple tree, placing the bag on it and then held her hands out as if revealing something.
"I told you it's my favorite place, your apple tree and your house. There's no where else in Storybrooke I would rather be then right here with you," Emma stepped out of her heels "It just so happens to be your favorite place as well I'm guessing." Regina slid her heels off and picked them up, she couldn't remember the last time she walked bare foot in grass let alone her own front yard but it was touching that this was where they were going to have dessert. When she reached the blanket Emma helped her sit down, the black haired woman folding her legs underneath herself and keeping her dress from sliding up.
Regina smiled as Emma joined her before taking strawberries, chocolate, and a bottle of wine from the bag. She chuckled at the paper cups that were stand ins for wine glasses but she had to admit, looking up at the apple tree above her, this was a wonderful idea. "You know I originally had this tree planted in front of the mayoral office but when it started to suffer from rot a few months ago I relocated it here, it was quite an endeavor and I was terrified I would lose it to transplant shock or the rot would take it," She shook her head at the thought, unable to part with her prized possession "It pulled through, grew stronger and the apples flourished. Now they are some of the best tasting malus pumila's in all of Storybrooke. This tree has survived multiple moves, from my father's estate to the mayoral office grounds and finally to it's home here and it also does happen to be my favorite place in all of Storybrooke, maybe even Maine as a whole."
Emma looked up at the tree while Regina spoke, in disbelief that the plant could be so resilient but then her gaze fell on the smiling Mayor and she realized where it drew it's strength from. "Your tree just follows your example, Madam Mayor. Think about your own journey, you've been relocated and have had to deal with rot in the form of your evil mother, the loss of your father and of… Daniel. You grew stronger from all of that and you flourished, had Henry, became a kickass mayor and mother, and now you are stronger then ever. Just like your tree." She poured some of the wine in the paper cups and held one out to her date.
At the mention of Daniel, Regina's expression fell but she took the cup and looked down into the red liquid. "When I would sneak away from whatever lessons or plans my mother had for me I'd meet Daniel in the stables or under… this tree. I have never forgiven my mother for pushing him away that night and I don't know if I ever could. Not to mention the fact that I've never dated anyone again until now," She brought her gaze up to lock eyes with Emma "I'm still afraid to truly open up, terrified in fact. My heart is bruised and has so many dark spots all over it. I care about you Em-ma and with the track I have with people I care about… I'm just scared." Her voice small as she shifted in her seat on the blanket, feeling uncomfortable with her own vulnerability.
Emma didn't say anything but moved her position, shifting to sit next to the other woman and wrapping an arm around her. Regina leaned into the hold and let out a shaking breath, her fingers almost crushing the paper cup in her grasp. "I want you to know that it is okay to be scared, Regina. It's okay to have a damaged heart, it doesn't make you any less of an amazing person," She ran her fingers along Regina's arm as she kept her close and spoke softly "I care about you too and you have to know I'm not going anywhere. I will be in your life for as long as you'll have me, I promise."
Regina closed her eyes and just allowed herself to be held, thinking over what Emma had said and promised. In the long run she knew that it would only end in tears, she was going to get too attached to Emma and find herself crushed when the woman returned to Boston despite that fact she couldn't stop herself from saying "Stay as long as you can, Em-ma." She wasn't sure if she meant physically in Storybrooke, just in her life or both but she did know one thing and it was a frightening fact. Regina could find herself falling blindly, madly, unequivocally in love with Emma Swan if she wasn't careful.