A soft alarm started to pull her from her slumber and she felt something tickling her nose that caused her to blink away sleep. Frizzy blonde curls and a pressure on her chest where the other woman's head was, Emma Swan asleep essentially on top of her. Regina ran her fingers through the soft golden waves and chuckled when there was a mumble of "Five more minutes." from a still sleeping Bostonian who nuzzled further into the silk nightgown and, in doing so, her breast.
"I think you might want to wake up, Miss Swan. You have to go get Henry and take him to school. Not to mention I haven't had anyone attached to my chest like this since my infant son." Regina smirked and had to fight the urge to laugh out loud when the blonde came to, moving away from where she had been snuggled with wide eyes.
Emma blushed and tried to stammer out an apology only to be silenced by the mayor's fingers on her lips. "You can't be held responsible for the actions of sleeping Emma but I'm glad to know they make excellent stand ins for a pillow." Another smirk that caused the blush on pale cheeks to darken by a few shades and made them look so enticing that she couldn't help but lean over to kiss one. "I think you're the same color as my apples right now, Em-ma and just as sweet."
Turning her head Emma caught Regina's lips with her own, kissing her for a proper good morning and then pulled away with a little laugh. "I'm sorry I kind of felt you up in my sleep. I warned you that I cuddle but I didn't see that coming," She slid out of the bed and stretched before looking over at the gorgeous woman still wrapped in the blankets "Am I running late to fetch the prince for his busy day of lessons?"
Regina shook her head, stretching her arms over her head with a satisfied groan as something clicked in her spine. "No, you have plenty of time to pick Henry up and get a little tour of the school before he has to learn the importance of avian care or something equally as mundane from Miss Blanchard," She rolled her eyes before watching the lanky blonde disappear into the bathroom "Refrain from spitting all over the place this morning!" She teased and rolled over to bury her face into the pillow that Emma had opted not to use.
She felt herself drift back into sleep and was roused by a familiar scent filling the room, opening her eyes to a now fully dressed Emma holding a mug full of coffee. "I figured your day wouldn't really begin until you've had your elixir of life. I've gotta run to get the kid but I'm gonna be locked out once you go to work." Regina sat up with yet another stretch, surprised at herself for falling back asleep, before taking the offered mug only to be shocked when Emma had made it just the way she liked it.
Regina set the mug on her nightstand and got out of bed to move over to the blonde, straightening her leather jacket with both hands only to pull her forward and kiss her. Emma's eyebrows shot up but she returned the kiss, her hands sliding around a silk clad body. When they broke apart she was about to ask what the kiss was for but it seemed Regina was a mind reader in addition to being a mayor and a queen. "A thank you for my coffee and kissing you has a stimulating affect all it's own," She smirked and then released the hold on the red leather "After you've had a tour and dropped Henry off come to the mayoral office, I'll give you a key. But you need to hurry, Miss Swan. We Mills are never late and I don't want Henry to start now."
Emma smiled at the prospect of getting to see Regina in her element at work and she gave a half salute "As you command, your highness. I shall see to it the young prince won't be tardy," The responding chuckle from the Mayor made her beam, watching the woman grab her mug and move over to sit at her vanity "Keep the waves in your hair, they make you look gorgeous Madam Mayor." She brushed a hand along Regina's shoulders on her way out of the room.
"See you soon, dear!" Regina called after her and started the task of getting ready for work while enjoying her coffee. She went through the steps of getting dressed without even thinking as she put on earrings followed by a silk blue blouse, black pants, and a black jacket. Waking up with Emma in her arms left her with a smile on her face and in a fantastic mood, she was even humming as she slipped into a pair of heels and started down the stairs to place her empty mug in the sink. Her humming only continued as she drove to work and she greeted her assistant with a smile.
"Good morning, Kathryn. Isn't it lovely outside today?" The blonde gaped and hurried after the Mayor, not used to getting more then a quick hello from her employer. "How is your husband, Frederick?" Once again she couldn't stop the shock that covered her face, she had never been asked about her personal life before but she recovered with a grin.
"He's doing well, Mayor Mills. Thank you for asking. I believe Sheriff Nolan wanted to see you at some point today and Mr. Gold stopped by half an hour ago with a package for you. It was quite bizarre and he refused to leave it with me, saying it was for your hands only. I told him to come back. Is there anything else you need?" The blonde set down a stack of papers that required Regina's attention.
"That'll be all, thank you Kathryn." Regina shook her head, pulling her readers from her purse and started on the stack waiting for her approval or veto, swinging her foot to the music she had stuck in her head.
Emma had managed to pick up Henry, get them both a to go cup of hot chocolate, and make sure he wasn't late. They were currently touring the school together, her arm around Henry's shoulder as she drank her cocoa and grinned while he enthusiastically told her about the birdhouses his class had made. She tried not to snicker as she realized Regina's words from earlier were ringing true, avian care. "You've been smiling all morning, Swansky. What's going on?" Henry interrupted her thoughts of waking up with the mayor, making her blush and bring her attention on the little brunette who was watching her with curious brown eyes.
"Can't I just be happy to hang out with the coolest kid in Storybrooke? Sheesh Henry," She deflected and squeezed his shoulder before looking over to see a familiar woman with short hair "Hey, Miss Blanchard is here. Let's go over and say good morning. Besides your mom might gather all the residents of the kingdom to witness my execution if you're late." Emma followed a chuckling Henry into the classroom and shot a smile over to Mary Margaret.
"Emma, how nice to see you. Good morning Henry," He waved before tossing his empty to go cup into the trash and putting his backpack down on a desk "I guess you're bringing your best friend for show and tell?" She teased and there was a roll of brown eyes that resembled Regina so much that it made Emma smirk, he was certainly his mother's spitting image at times.
Mary Margaret opened a few windows and then turned back to the pair whom were now chatting softly with one another, something about a comic book still being owed and when a second date would be. Her eyebrows shot up as she pieced together that Emma was dating Regina, a slight win to Belle for guessing that one. "Alright kid, learn something and maybe we'll revisit this comic book topic. I'll see you around Ms. Blanchard- I mean, Mary Margaret." Emma waved and started out of the room only to be stopped by Henry hurrying over to give her a hug.
"Are you and Mom picking me up?" He asked and she hugged him back, smiling fondly as she brushed her fingers through soft brown locks. Emma would never tire of the way he showed her affection at the drop of a hat, not to mention both Mills gave fantastic hugs. She pulled back to nod at him before nudging him back towards his desk and watched as Henry settled in while more kids started to file into the classroom. Emma gave him one final wave before starting down the hallway, it was a strange feeling having Henry depend on her and want her to be such an integral part of his life but she found it wasn't as scary as she suspected it would be, rather it came naturally.
As she got into the bug she took one last look at the school, at one of the open windows where she could just make out Mary Margaret starting to speak to the other children and she couldn't help but smile as she pictured the young boy who wanted to call her ma. Maybe it wouldn't be the weirdest thing. Emma brought the car to life as another person slid into her mind, a different set of brown eyes and a dazzling smile. She had a mayor to meet with.
Regina had been so wrapped up in the proposal she was reading and her own humming that she didn't hear the knocking at her door until it swung open, clicking approaching her desk. She looked up, over the readers that had slid down on her nose and frowned as the visitor was not a gorgeous blonde woman but rather Mr. Gold, his cane the source of the tapping sound on her floor and a plain brown box under one of his arms. "Hello Gold, Kathryn mentioned you have something ever so urgent to discuss with me in regards to that," She pointed with the pen in her hand at the package he was carrying "What is it?" Her eyes narrowed skeptically, taking the glasses off and leaning back in her chair.
Gold was wearing his smile that always came across as too much sneer and not enough sincerity; he was capable of making Regina's skin crawl with just a simple please or dearie. "Well, dearie," There it was, she attempted to suppress the shudder that came when he used the nickname "I got this from a mutual acquaintance of ours and she gave me strict instructions for this delivery. For your eyes only, post haste." He set the box right on the papers that had been in her hands just a few moments prior with his cologne invading her senses as he leaned forward, his palms on her desk.
Arching an eyebrow she stood up, pushing her chair back with her legs as she rose to her full height and put her knuckles on the wooden desk. "You and I have no mutual acquaintances, Gold. In fact I wouldn't even regard you as one of mine, nor would I suggest we share the type of comradery for you to put your claws all over my desk. I'll ask you once more. What is it?" She didn't want him interrupting her lovely morning and the tedious papers she was half focused on, the other half of her mind preoccupied by a certain stunning woman snuggled against her.
The sneer hadn't left Gold's face in fact it seemed to grow but he did take a step back, one hand on the top of his cane as he waved the other in an almost dismissive manner. "Like I said, dearie, I'm only the delivery boy not the sender. If you want to find out what it is, you'll have to open it." She wore an unimpressed expression and placed a hand on the top of the package only to set it on the floor beside her desk, sitting back down.
"If that's all Robert you know your way out. Don't get your cane caught in the door as you leave," Regina put her readers back on and lifted up the same paper she'd been reading before his intrusion "Next time make an appointment, dearie." She added before signaling to the door, growing irritated when he didn't move rather just standing in front of her desk with both hands on the top of his cane. She raised her eyes in a slow deliberate fashion and arched a sculpted eyebrow at his presence remaining in her office after she had already dismissed him.
Gold was not someone she relished being in the company of and she let out a huff of annoyance, about to tell him where she thought he could go when he spoke again. "I almost forgot this particular sender wanted me to relay a message as well. She said that you might want to prepare for her arrival soon and that she's looking forward to seeing you after so many years. Now if you'd please be so kind, open the box Regina." He turned and finally started out the door but not before throwing another remark over his shoulder. "Although we both know kindness isn't your strong suit what with you being the evil queen and all." As he reached for the door it opened and caused him to take a step back, Emma frowning the moment she came face to face with him.
"Good morning, Miss Swan. Nice to see you still remain in Storybrooke. Do you have plans to become a permanent fixture in this town?" Her frown deepened and she attempted to step around him, not wanting to look at his sneer any longer only for him to hold up his cane and block her path to the Mayor. "I would advise against it, dearie. People who stay close to Regina for too long don't fair well. If I were you I'd-"
"It's a damn good thing you are NOT me, Gold. You're also lucky I left my sword in the bug or you'd have a half a cane right now. Maybe even lose the hand holding it, how do you think you'd look with a hook?" His responding snicker only increased the feeling of being on edge and she narrowed her eyes, not privy to where the joke had been, before pushing past him to walk over to the desk.
Gold left without another remark and blue green eyes flashed with concern as they landed on Regina. "What the hell did the crocodile man want?" The black haired woman walked around her desk to close the door Gold hadn't bothered to shut on his exit before shaking her head as she walked back.
"He delivered something, called me the evil queen again, and saturated the air with his arrogant attitude. He constantly acts as though there is some secret only he is aware of," She stopped in front of Emma and flashed a small smile "However I have much more pleasant company in my office now and I would rather focus my attention on that. How was your tour with Henry?" Regina fought the strong urge to reach out and pull Emma into a kiss, forcing herself to return to her chair and lace her hands together in her lap.
Emma couldn't help but grin at seeing the Mayor behind her desk on her "throne" where she oversaw the politics of running a kingdom. This was Regina in all her power and she looked incredible in her black pantsuit with a silk blouse that had a few of the buttons undone just enough to show off the hint of cleavage, blushing a bit when she remembered how she woke up nuzzled into that glorious chest. "Miss Swan? I do believe I asked you a question." It caused her to blink out of her thoughts and blush a bit harder, fidgeting with the sleeve of her leather jacket.
"I uh what did.. Oh right the tour! It was good, I also saw the bird house he built in class so I guess you were correct in assuming Mary Margaret's been teaching him avian care. Kind of a good thing now that you both have a Swan in your lives," She hoped her lame pun would bring a smile to the other woman's face and she sat in the chair across from her desk "This kind of feels like when I'd get sent to the principal's office in school. Guess it would be a little different since you'd be the Spanish teacher huh?" Emma tilted her head to the side and smiled when the mocha-skinned goddess slipped back on readers. Damn she looked fantastic in them.
Regina couldn't stop the smile that appeared at the pun as she was signing her name to the proposal she'd reread a dozen times, setting it off to the side for Kathryn to collect later. She leaned back in her chair and eyed the woman sitting across from her "I assume you were a bad girl in school if you're so familiar with the prospect of going to the principal's office? When did you graduate from delinquent to knight? Quite a change of pace if you ask me."
Emma chuckled and shrugged "I guess I turned things around after I got arrested," Regina's eyebrows shot up at the thought "It was a shitty situation with an ex, he was fencing stolen watches and I got wrapped up in it because I thought I was in love. Foolish and naive like the teenager I was I took the fall and he disappeared when I was still in custody. I can tell you that it didn't help with my abandonment issues and it made it pretty fucking hard to trust people." She was frowning by the end of her summary, not intending to relive the terrible time she had with Neal.
Regina had been momentarily concerned at finding out Emma had an arrest record but it was placated a bit when she realized that the Bostonian wasn't the true perpetrator rather an unfortunate bystander caught in the cross fire. "I imagine so, someone you cared for betrayed you and left you to deal with the consequences. I would like to offer you a courtesy someone extended to me, do you want me to kick his ass?"
The serious look on Regina's face paired with her deadpan delivery of the question had Emma laughing but she couldn't help feeling touched over the suggestion. "I would bet Tallahassee on you winning that fight, Madam Mayor. Neal would probably never be able to get the high heel markings off his ass but he's not worth scuffing your Jimmy Choos on." "These are Prada, dear," Regina corrected swiftly "And I would gladly buy another pair after decimating that pathetic excuse for a man."
Emma put a hand on her chest in mock flattery "All of that just for little old me? My how you flatter a woman, Ms. Mills. Careful or I'll have to assume that you are infatuated with me." She teased, her eyes full of mirth as Regina rolled a pair of chocolate orbs in response and looked exactly like her son had earlier.
"I'm under the impression you were infatuated with your sleeping arrangement this morning, Em-ma. Is that something I should brace myself for in the future? Waking up to you on my chest?" A blush rose to her cheeks again and she couldn't make eye contact at the reminder but she smiled at the way Regina was looking forward to them potentially being in bed together again. She wasn't sure that sleeping alone would be as restful or enjoyable.
Emma chuckled "I'll make sure we don't end up in such a compromising position again, your highness." There was that signature smirk on Regina and she watched as the Mayor got up to saunter around the desk, setting her hands on the arm rests of the chair as she leaned forward. Emma's eyes went wide and she stared at the Mayor as the gorgeous woman effectively trapped her.
Regina's smirk grew at the cute dear in the headlights look on the blonde's face "We wouldn't want to do anything like that, would we Miss Swan?" She reached up to run her finger along her jaw but it only brought her attention to Emma's pink lips "I have been preoccupied by thoughts of my favorite knight all morning and there's just something I have to do." She took a firm yet gentle hold of her chin and brought their lips together, finally giving into the desire to claim those pink lips for herself.
Emma felt the familiar surge of electricity that came along with kissing Regina and she reached out, weaving her fingers into dark tresses as she swiped her tongue over an apple red bottom lip. Regina pulled back with a gasp and saw the smug smile Emma was now sporting. "Sorry, it was too damn tempting not to. I probably should be a bit more reserved since we're in your office. Like you said we wouldn't want to do anything compromising, would we?"
Regina's responding smirk was borderline wicked, she wasn't accustomed to being one upped at her own game and she intended to pay the woman back. "Well played, dear. Perhaps you aren't such a valiant knight after all, there might still be some bad girl left in you yet," She moved away and grabbed a spare key to the mansion "I believe you came here for this, not to smudge my lipstick." She handed it to Emma, returning to the chair on the other side of the desk.
"I think you still look presentable, Madam Mayor. Imagine if I'd bit it instead but that's your move isn't it?" She winked at the other woman, pocketing the house key before standing up when she remembered something "All flirting aside for a minute, what did Gold deliver? You never told me."
Regina realized she still had the package beside her desk and picked it up, inspecting the plain box as she did. "If I hadn't been so distracted by something delicious I may have opened it already," She shot Emma a look as the woman leaned closer to look at the item now laying on her desk "It's odd that it doesn't have any postage markings, I can only assume Gold was given it directly. By a mutual acquaintance or so he claims." She pulled the letter opener from the top drawer and sliced into the tape while Emma looked on with curiosity.
"I didn't think you and Gold would have any friends in common-" "We don't, dear. I have just one "friend" but she happens to be someone I'm dating who wouldn't feel the need to send me something through Robert Gold." Emma beamed when Regina said they were dating and had to fight the urge to kiss her yet again but her smile faded when she saw the terror stricken expression on Regina's face as she opened the box.
Pulling out an opulent hand mirror she dropped back into her chair, staring at her reflection in horror. It didn't need a note, as she knew in an instant who it belonged to and what was meant by its appearance in her life again. "Who is it from, Regina?" Emma asked softly, causing her to look away from the mirror with wide eyes. Regina swallowed and lowered the looking glass "It's from my mother," Her voice was broken and just above a whisper as she clutched the handle tight, remembering what Gold had said when he delivered it "And she's coming to Storybrooke."