When she entered the kitchen there was not a single clue left as to what Regina had been cooking, not a spot of flour or even a dish left out. The Mayor was excellent at covering her tracks which only made Emma grumble to herself as she continued to check every counter and she was about to open the fridge when a fake cough stopped her hand mid reach, turning to look at the person originating the sound.
Regina was leaning against the doorframe with a frown on red lips and she had changed since Emma saw her last, now wearing a midnight blue dress with a neckline to die for. It was cut in a v and displayed an ample amount of cleavage, which only drew blue green eyes in. "You wouldn't be sneaking around the kitchen to find out my evil plans would you? I don't want you snooping about, mi sol. You'll find out what I was doing in here soon enough," She moved off the door frame and disappeared "Come along, Swan. We have to go get our s- Henry." Regina faltered and nearly missed a step at her slip up, she had almost called Henry 'our son' and she couldn't believe it.
Emma wondered what the s was before she said Henry but shrugged it off, grabbing her keys and leading Regina out to the bug. She noticed the way her gorgeous companion was silent even as she held open the door for her and then joined her in the car. The look on her face was familiar and she turned the volume of her radio all the way down, refusing to pull away from the mansion just yet. "What's on your mind, mi reina? And don't say anything. For the following reasons. One it'll just set my super power off and secondly you've got that look that you get whenever you're thinking too hard."
Regina shook her head with a small smile "I wouldn't lie to you, super power or not. I almost called Henry our son and I have to admit that it felt right. Natural even. I have never shared the role of parent since Daniel passed away before… well, before he could be Henry's other parent," She looked over at the future deputy with a worried expression "It's wonderful to see how much my son loves you and that you feel the same way about him but I am concerned. If for some unforeseeable reason you and I decide to no longer see each other would you still be the same person towards Henry?"
Emma couldn't fathom a world where she wouldn't want to see Regina anymore and she shook her head quickly. "No, Regina. Even if you decided tomorrow that you can't stand me I would still be around, I'm in Henry's life for as long as he wants me to be. Whether that means just for now or until he's eighteen or until the day I die, I'm here for him. I'd do anything for that kid even die for him if it came to that. Now we have to go get OUR son," She smiled over at the Mayor and started to drive "You're right, that feels natural and I love it." Henry may not be biologically hers but that didn't stop her from loving him as if he were.
Reaching over to squeeze her knee she beamed at the blonde. "I love hearing you say it but I do hope there's no circumstances that ever occur where you'd have to die for Henry. I don't think he could handle it and I know for a fact that I wouldn't be able to," Regina removed her hand and set it back in her lap "Our date is going to take place in two separate locations if you can believe such a crazy idea. The first I have chosen due to the incredible view and because my son is under the impression that you've fixed it somehow. That's the most I'll tell you."
Emma felt grateful just to be given any information on the date even if it left her puzzled. Where in Storybrooke was there a fantastic view that she had fixed? She was still thinking about it when they pulled to a stop in front of Henry's school and got out of the car. A familiar beaming face hurried towards them and just the appearance of Henry made her push the date to the side, wrapping her arm around him as Regina did the same. "Hey kid, how was school? Learn anything interesting that you want to share?" Henry started explaining how they made ice cream in his science class that day when he abruptly changed topics.
"What's going on with the pirate ship in the docks? I heard one of the teachers talking about it. Is that what you guys are doing on your date? Mom's finally becoming a real pirate queen?" He leaned forward from the back of the car when Emma got into the driver's seat and his mother was in the passenger side, chuckling at her son's question. Henry was thinking of their Halloween costumes and she considered pulling the box out of the attic just to parade it around in front of this ship for her son.
Emma shook her head and turned to look at Henry. "Nah kid, your mom and I are not taking this date seaward even if she would make the most amazing pirate queen that ever lived. Also the most beautiful," She flashed a smile to the Mayor "We'll have to be a pirate family some other day, sail out and take over some island. Your mom and I get the rum though. Seatbelt on Henry." She turned the key in the ignition and drove.
Henry mumbled something about sharing as he settled into his spot in the back seat, pulling out some homework to get started right away. He wanted time to play a game with Emma before they left for their date and he knew he had to get a jump on his assignments for it to be a possibility.
After they arrived back at the mayoral mansion he did his work with Emma and his mother checking in on him from time to time, both offering assistance or correcting him when necessary and he nearly sped through the dinner of macaroni and cheese that Regina made just for him since she and Emma would be eating something else later on. "Can Emma play one game with me before Ashley gets here?" Henry asked after doing the dishes, his attempt at making sure his mother would agree.
"That's fine, my little prince but Ashley isn't going to be watching you tonight. Kathryn is coming over," Regina looked up from the book she was only half paying attention to while watching Emma out of the corner of her eye, her legs being the main focus as the skirt was distracting "Don't worry she can be just as much fun as Ashley, the only difference is the lack of an infant for you to play with but you're getting that out of the way now." She smirked over at Emma who fought the urge to give her an obscene gesture.
Henry shook his head and handed Emma a controller, booting up Diablo and grinning when his mother put aside her book to grab the red controller as well. The three of them taking on Diablo, going through several quests until the doorbell disrupted their search for the skeleton king. "Alright, kid. We'll pick this back up tomorrow and totally crush that king, after all we have a queen on our side and they are a LOT more powerful." Emma stretched and got up, stepping back into the heels she'd slipped out of at some point during their game. He stood up as well and gave her a hug, squeezing tight when she wrapped her arms around him in return.
"I hope you have a good date. Love you Emma." Henry squeezed one more time and let go to follow his mother who was heading for the door, letting Kathryn in and telling her the basics of where everything was located and to call if she needed anything. Emma pulled on her leather jacket and brushed her hair over her shoulders, pausing to wave at Kathryn as they passed by.
Regina hugged her son and kissed the top of his head "We won't be home until after you're asleep. Take a bath, be good for Kathryn, and go to bed at a reasonable time. Not with a comic book and a flashlight but actual sleep, Henry Daniel Mills. I love you." She brushed his hair back and grabbed her purse after he said he loved her too and turned to Kathryn to see if she wanted to watch a movie before he had to take a bath.
Emma shook her head "Hey, don't let him fall asleep on you, he's big on passing out after a movie starts," Henry stuck his tongue out at her and she chuckled "Love you, kid! See you in the morning." She headed outside with Regina in tow, pulling her keys out of her purse and unlocking the Mercedes-Benz before holding open the passenger door. Emma gave a half bow and got into the seat, not used to their roles being reversed even if she was in a skirt for once.
Regina slipped into the driver's seat and started the car up, surprising Emma when a familiar violinist came from the speakers. "You really got into Lindsay Sterling huh? Glad our musical baby gets her other mother's approval." Brown eyes rolled but there was a smile on her face as she started to drive them to stop number one. "Okay I've been trying really damn hard to figure out what I fixed around Storybrooke but I have no idea. Can I get another hint or are you going to keep me in the dark until we get there?"
Her smile widened and she mimed zipping her lips, tossing the invisible key over her shoulder before returning both hands to the wheel. Emma sighed and turned up the music a little, deciding to enjoy the violin over the silent treatment from her date. When they stopped in front of the library she turned the music off and looked at the building in confusion "I didn't do anything to the library. I've only been here twice, once with you and Henry to that event and then the next time when Henry and I got comic books." She got out of the passenger seat when Regina opened the door and took the offered hand, lacing their fingers together.
"This library is not what you've allegedly fixed, Em-ma and it just so happens to be the way up to that," Emma followed brown eyes upwards and saw the clock tower, the very same one that Henry claimed she caused to move again "Which is where we'll be having dinner tonight. I had to promise Belle we wouldn't touch a single book in the library just to get this location." Regina looked over at her date, wondering what she was thinking about.
Emma was still gazing up at the clock tower before turning to smile at Regina. "This is an incredible idea for a date. We're having dinner inside of a clock. I've never had anyone plan something so special and unique for me," She bit her bottom lip "Can we go inside? I'm dying to see the view." The Mayor tugged on her hand and led her inside, making sure to lock the door behind them so no one would get into the library before leading her date further up.
When they had rounded all of the stairs Emma was shocked to find a table right behind the clock face, with a picnic basket and the champagne Regina had said she put on the menu to celebrate Emma becoming the deputy. She let go of Regina's hand to walk over to the clock, placing her fingers on it and grinning. "Wow, this is amazing Regina," She turned around to find the raven haired woman was pulling a chair out for her "You are quite the romantic. I'm impressed." She sat down and placed a napkin over her lap, her smile only growing when her hair was brushed back over her ear and the Mayor whispered into it. "You have no idea what I'm capable of, Miss Swan."
Regina pulled back and started to pour two glasses of champagne, handing one to Emma and placing the other in front of the vacant seat across from her before moving over to a picnic basket and starting to remove the contents of it. Emma watched with curiosity as elements for dinner were set on her plate. Grilled chicken breast with lemon and thyme, rice, and a side salad. "Have I told you lately that I love your cooking, Regina? This looks fantastic. How did you manage to keep it hot?" She could see the steam coming from the rice and was shocked.
Sitting across from Emma once her own plate was full she shook her head "It's magic, Em-ma or have you forgotten that I have powers?" Regina smirked and raised her glass of champagne "To our new deputy. At the very least she's better looking then the sheriff." Emma chuckled and tapped her glass gently against Regina's before taking a drink, letting out a surprised hum at the delicious taste. Regina knew her way around wine, apple cider, and champagne.
Picking up her fork and knife she started to cut into the chicken. "So what do these powers entail? I only have my built in lie detector but you can keep food hot for a long period of time?" Emma asked with a smile, knowing that she had to have some kind of gift to keep the meal ready to eat. When she bit into the chicken she had to suppress a moan, it tasted fantastic and the lemon went perfectly with it.
Regina chuckled and started on her dinner as well "I have many talents, Deputy Swan. I can throw a wicked fireball, teleport, use locator spells, and I can even rip a heart out of someone's chest. I have a whole vault of them stored away somewhere in Storybrooke," She took a sip of her beverage before looking at the way Emma was biting her lip "You want to make obscene noises over your dinner right now don't you?" There was a sheepish smile and a nod in return but she refrained from doing just that as she ate.
"I want to see you teleport one day. The fireball would be pretty damn impressive too I can't lie. How did you get these gifts? Were they inherited or did you have to learn magic from some kind of teacher?" Emma laughed and drank some more of the champagne as she looked over at the clock beside them, watching the hand move with a smile on her face.
After finishing her bite of rice she shook her head "Inherited and some learned. My mother is quite the witch if you haven't heard," Emma rolled her eyes and mumbled that it was an understatement "But enough about my magic. I have a question I want to ask you, if you don't mind?" There was a nod of her head as she turned to give Regina her full attention. "Have you ever wanted to be a mother? You are so good with Henry and I have been wondering how you feel about children overall."
Emma tapped her finger against the champagne flute as she considered her answer for a few minutes. "I was pregnant once. It was with the guy who got me locked up but I lost the baby. I wasn't ready to be a mom then anyways, I was only eighteen after all but… I do want kids someday. Right now I have a pretty awesome kid in my life that has decided he would call me Ma if I adopt him," Regina's already shocked expression only grew the more Emma shared "He says I have to marry his mother first. So we'll see how that goes." She smiled and moved back to her chicken only to be stopped when there was a tan hand covering hers, looking back up at Regina.
"I'm sorry you lost the baby. I know that can't have been easy," She squeezed the pale hand she was holding and offered a small smile "As for Henry wanting to call you Ma, I have no problems with that but we might want to hold off on marriage until I'm positive I can live with you and your many childish habits. I appreciate my son proposing on my behalf." She rolled brown eyes and Emma laughed before taking her hand back so she could eat some more. Regina had to admit that the idea of getting married terrified her after what happened to her first fiancée but she shook off the thoughts of Daniel so she wouldn't get upset during their date.
When dinner was finished Regina cleared off both plates and set a new one in front of Emma with a smile "There's one more thing for you to enjoy before we move onto our next location and I'm sure you will be overjoyed when you see what I made for dessert," She placed a fried item in front of Emma before pulling out honey and cinnamon "Soppapillas. I left one at home for Henry with him promising not to ruin the surprise for you." There were wide blue eyes looking at the dessert and she beamed over at Regina as she refilled their glasses.
"You made dinner and dessert AND managed to keep both of them a secret? Wow, I am even more impressed. Thank you," She was eager to try her dessert but she waited until her date was seated again "This is amazing, Regina." Emma took a bite after adding honey and cinnamon, this time she couldn't stop the sound of pleasure when she was chewing on the fried treat. It was delicious and somehow topped dinner.
Regina smirked at the moan and nodded her head "I expected that this time and I am glad to hear you approve, Swan. Try not to get too carried away or we might not make it to our next destination," She took a few bites of her own dessert before drinking more of the champagne "Speaking of which, I hope you aren't adverse to small crowds." That peaked Emma's interest as she wiped her mouth off with the napkin, hoping she didn't have honey or cinnamon stuck on her face as she finished up the last of her champagne. She was about to ask what Regina meant exactly when the woman was looking at the time on the clock beside them, getting up and cleaning off the table before setting the picnic basket on it.
Emma stood up and grinned when a hand slipped into hers, leading her back down the stairs and out of the library. "Let me guess, this is going to be a secret until we get there? You've already done so much, mi reina, what else could you have planned?" She got into the passenger seat and watched as Regina only smiled in response before driving the Mercedes to a building she hadn't seen before. "The Rabbit Hole? Is this a bar?" She got out of the car and turned to the Mayor who was pulling something out of the backseat of the car. Her eyes going wide when she saw it was a guitar case and she turned to see a small sign on the door claiming there was an open mic night happening right now. "No way, Regina! I can't play in front of people, I was barely able to make it through that song for Henry."
Regina held the guitar case in one hand and used her other to cup Emma's cheek, brushing her thumb along it and trying to soothe the panicked expression away. "You're not playing in front of people, Em-ma. You are playing for me, you don't have to look at anyone else in there while you're performing," She moved to kiss her and smiled when she pulled back "Just me." Emma blinked and chewed on her bottom lip in worry, her eyes flicking over to the bar and then back to lock with Regina's again. There would normally be no way in hell that she would go play in front of drunks but it was hard to resist the magic of Regina Mills.
"Alright, alright but if I have to go in there and play in front of random citizens of Storybrooke you have to do something for me," Regina drew her hand back and arched her eyebrow "To be determined after we get a drink. I don't have to go up right when we get inside do I?" Relief washed over Emma when the Mayor shook her head and chuckled, telling her that she didn't have to perform the moment they got in and she held open the door for Regina. Sighing as she followed right after. What was this woman getting her into?