A/N: As promised, here is the next chapter! And there will be much more posted on this story tomorrow as well. :) I'm sorry I couldn't post on Thursday. I was socially drained from work that I had to sleep it off. But I hope this chapter makes up for it as well as the others to come. Their relationship is progressing, which can only mean that their break-up is also approaching. Stay tuned for more, and please drop a review. That would be much appreciated.
On a quick note: No, you may not ask me to translate this (or any other of my stories) into any other language. Especially to use in other fandoms as your own.
Chapter 11: The Next Step
Two Weeks Later…
"Robin. Always a pleasure to see you." Cora happily grins, stepping out of his path. "Won't you come in?"
Robin enters the house, eyeing out the room and detecting the quiet.
"I'm sorry to inform you that Regina isn't here." Said Cora, shutting the door behind them.
"Where is she?" Robin asks, facing the woman directly.
"With Kathryn, last I heard."
"With Kathryn?"
"That's right."
Robin's blue eyes look around the room once more. "Are you certain?" He asks, glaring back at Cora.
"Well, yes. Who else would she be with?" Cora smiles. "They went to a concert. Why? I have no earthly idea. I could never stand those things. Too noisy for me, really."
The corner of Robin's lip barely lifts as his eyes remain focused on Cora, studying the truth in them.
"Would you like to wait for her? I'm sure she won't be long-"
"No." Is all Robin said before marching out of the door without any further explanation, slamming the door shut.
It wasn't front row, but it was a thrilling experience to see Coldplay live as they danced along to their song Green Eyes. For Regina, this was what it was like to be in the center of the universe. With Emma's arms wrapping her into an embrace as her back pressed against Emma's front. Hearing her sing to every word of lyrics that she obviously committed to memory. Regina couldn't help but sing along, tilting her head against Emma's chest until her eyes found Emma's. Her favorite pair of green. Her mouth moved along to the song before it pressed along Emma's lips in a kiss they equally shared in front of the whole world.
After the concert, they both hopped in Regina's car, and drove on their way to her house. But instead of going to her house, Emma noticed Regina took a back road, where there was nothing but forest. She stopped her car, along the side of the road, shutting off the engine, taking in the quiet.
"Why'd you stop here? Where are we?" Emma asked, looking around her surroundings. Everything was dark.
"I just didn't want to call it a night just yet. Figured that since you showed me your favorite place it was about time I'd show you mine." Regina grinned. Her eyes sparkling like diamonds latched into a black mine to Emma.
Emma couldn't help but smile, mirroring Regina's own. She looked over the road, seeing an opening of trees. Her head whipped back in Regina's direction at the sound of her voice.
"I like to run along this trail. It just brings me peace of mind. But what really captured my attention was that house," she points straight ahead.
As Emma faces the forest again, focusing her eyes to adjust to the darkness, she could clearly see a one floor house. Two giant windows from floor to roof stared at her in the distance. And as she looked closer, she could see lights were on.
"I like to come here, look at it. Trying to picture a life, living in a home of my own."
Emma slowly smiled as she looked back at Regina. "It's beautiful."
"It is. Of course, I could never afford it, but one could dream, right?" Regina smiled.
"Dreams do come true, Regina. If you want them bad enough." Said Emma.
To those words, Regina's smile grew, "Then you want to know what I dream?"
"Tell me."
"I dream of owning this house. Someday. With you."
"With me?" Emma's smile grew so much, her eyes sparkled.
"Of course, silly," her fingers toyed with a loose strand of Emma's hair, brushing it behind her ear. "If we're going to be together forever, we need a house of our own, don't we?"
"That's true." Emma turns to the sight of the house before looking back at Regina. "But Gina, it'll be a while before we can even own a house like this."
Regina's brow lifts, "Whatever happened to 'if you want dreams bad enough, they come true'?" She smiled as she heard a small laugh escape from the back of Emma's throat. "Emma, you sell yourself short too much. Don't. Because you have a brilliant mind, and I know you are going to become a great engineer, and someday, we will both be making enough money that we'll have our dream home all to ourselves. Maybe we'll struggle in the beginning, but so what? Everyone does." She smiles as Emma does. "But we can do this."
"You really think so, huh?" Emma asks through her smile.
Regina nods, "I know so," she brushes back another strand of blonde hair away. "Just like I know that if anyone can do this, it's you and I."
Emma slowly leans in, meeting Regina halfway into a kiss. Her hands cup the sides of Regina's face as if preventing her from losing her balance. A life with Regina sounded like perfection. And it was far more than the life Emma had pictured for herself one day. How long would it take? She didn't know. Neither of them did. But it was possible. There was no doubt about that.
A Month Later…
"My darling!" Henry extends his arms, embracing his daughter in a hug.
"I hope I'm not intruding on anything." Said Regina, smiling from ear to ear.
"Don't be ridiculous. You'd never intrude." He motions for one of the chairs at the end of the desk. "Have a seat." Unbuttoning his suit jacket, he sits. "What brings you all the way over here?"
"Well, I was hoping I could invite you to lunch." Said Regina. "We haven't enjoyed a lunch together in years."
Henry chuckled with delight. "That sounds perfect. Where would you like to go?"
"Anywhere you chose. But it's my treat."
"Your treat?" Henry's brows raise as he makes his way around his desk. "Well, how could I possibly refuse, then? But if you're buying, I'm driving." He points a thumb toward his chest.
"Deal." Regina chuckled.
They didn't go far. Henry would always choose to eat at Regina's favorite restaurant, Gilliano's, which happened to be a few blocks from the Locksley company, where he was now employed. They were seated immediately, and Regina would always settle for the salmon with rich vegetables and mash potatoes on the side. It was her favorite, above and beyond anything else they would serve here.
Henry cut through his medium rare steak, savoring the juicy, tender flavor as he chewed down on a piece.
"You really should cut down on the steak. Remember what your doctor said after that episode you had." Regina hated sounding like her mother who constantly reminded him of the same thing, but unlike her mother. Regina really worried about her father's health. Not his money.
"Please," Henry waved his knife, cutting through another piece. "Doctors don't know everything. All they want is for you to get sick so they can squeeze more money out of you. In fact, with this steak, they should be thanking me." He chuckled.
Regina glared at her father. She hated talking about death.
"Mm," he shakes his head. "Your mother deprives me enough of the pleasures of life already. After this steak," he lifts up the next piece stabbed through his fork, showing it to Regina. "It'll be fifty years after I can enjoy another."
Regina can't help but laugh as her father does, the sound vibrating in his throat that makes his double chin wobble. "Well, when you're right- you're right." She tells him.
"Of course I am. I'm always right." Answers Henry, stabbing an asparagus with the same fork.
They run on silent for a moment, where the only sound is the clanking of utensils against porcelain plates, and murmurs being spoken around them. Regina took the opportunity to take a sip of her red wine, savoring its flavor mixed with the rich flavor of her salmon.
"So," Henry broke the silence first. His eyes trained on his daughter. "Are you going to finally fess up and tell me what's been on your mind since you walked into my office today?"
Regina's chewing slowed until she was able to swallow. She swallowed so hard, it pained her chest. "Whatever do you mean?" She asked.
"Regina," Henry slightly lifted a brow. "You can't fool me. No matter how naive I may sometimes appear to be. I'm your father. Why, I know you like the palm of my hand," he places out his palm, feeling his daughter's hand cup it. His fingers tighten gently along it. "What is it? Is something troubling you? Did your mother say something to you again?"
"No." Regina assured him with a shake of the head.
"Zelena, then?" His eyes glared.
"No. They haven't said anything. I promise." Regina drew in a breath, exhaling it sharply. "I can't ever lie to you, can I?" She smiled nervously. Henry waited, and Regina drew in another breath as she finally said, "You're right. There has been something going on. Something… magnificent." Her smile grows. "So magnificent that I'm afraid of being so happy."
"I've noticed a certain glow about you lately," Henry's smile matches. "I would even dare to assume you've fallen in love." He chuckles, but instantly becomes serious just as Regina does. "Regina…" He tilts his head. "Are you in love?"
Was it love? Regina liked to think so. Even though she and Emma haven't technically said that three letter word to one another yet. But what was this feeling if not love? "I'd like to think so," Regina nodded. "In fact, that's why I've been so secretive lately. It's not that I've been wanting to hide this from you, daddy," she tightens her grip along her father's hand. "I certainly didn't mean to. That's why I am telling you now that for the past month, I've been seeing someone."
"Oh," Henry blinked, unable to look away from his daughter's eyes. He waited a beat before asking, "Well… may I get to know who this someone is?"
Regina smiled, her eyes sparkling. "Emma. And she's kind, and the most beautiful soul you'd ever meet. I can promise you that."
Henry's brows raise to his hairline. Not that he was surprised about Regina's preference, not since she revealed it to everyone. And unlike Cora, he didn't shut her out due to what Regina wanted and desired. "Well…" He just didn't know what to say. And he felt terrible for it.
"Daddy…" Regina frowned, outgrowing her smile. "Please, tell me you're okay with this?" It wasn't a question more than it was a small request. Her heart was slamming against her rib cage now more than ever. The last time she felt this way was when she came out to her mother.
Her father adjusted himself in his seat, his back hunched as he leaned in further, squeezing her hands in what Regina hoped could only be support. But before he could say anything, Regina jumped in.
"I can understand how this is different. To you. And to my mother. But, this is what I want. She makes me happy, and I think you've seen that lately. You said so yourself a few minutes ago. And nothing has to change." Regina breathes in, maintaining eye contact with her father through this entire speech that she had unprepared. "In fact, if I'm coming forward to you now, and telling you about her it's because I want you more than anyone to be okay with this relationship." She smiled nervously. "I want you to meet her."
Henry let out a long sigh, and Regina couldn't tell what it deciphered. Until his shoulders finally relaxed, and the fact that he never let go of her hand, that was enough sign that he would be accepting about this. "And this Emily-" he had to know.
"Emma." Regina was quick to correct him.
"Right, right, sorry," he nodded. "She… loves you, too?" His eyes narrow.
Regina's smile grew again, appearing more relieved. "I'd like to think so."
"You'd like to think so?" Henry's brow lifted.
"Well, we haven't exactly said it yet." Regina chuckled, feeling her father's hand give hers a gentle squeeze. "But, I have a feeling we aren't far along from that."
Henry hummed but said nothing. He waited to hear more because of course there was more. There was always more.
As if on cue, Regina finally said, "Kathryn's met her. And she really liked her."
"She did, huh?"
"Yes," Regina nods. "Which means you'll love her."
Finally, Henry chuckled, "It's no wonder Kathryn's been covering well for you these past couple of days. Your mother has bought every single cover story." He takes a sip of his wine.
"I'm not proud of that. But you know as well as I do that she will never understand. She has high hopes set on Robin," she rolls her eyes.
Henry frowns. "Now, Regina. I understand you hiding this girl. But, she becomes as important as you make her sound that she is, you will eventually have to tell your mother."
"I know. And I will. I just wanted you to be the first one to know her before I walked in with her into the wolf's den." She sees another understanding smile approach her father's lips. "So, will you meet her? Please?" She waits eagerly.
There's a pause before Henry says, "Sounds like things are getting pretty serious with this girl, then." He sighs, chuckling to himself. "If that's the case… when can I meet her?"
Regina throws herself into her father's embrace, hearing a laugh vibrate inside of his chest. She remains with her arms wrapped around him for another minute until she sits back down. "I'm seeing her later today. I'll talk to her about it, and we'll set up a day and time."
"Good. That'll give me time to prepare my fatherly speech." He chuckled.
"Dad," Regina glares. "Please, don't. It's not enough that she's shy, but she'll feel really uncomfortable."
"Come on, I'm only kidding. But it doesn't hurt to make sure she is going to take care of you. If she is in fact as serious about you as you seem to be of her." Henry warns.
"We are," Regina smiles. "We really are. And there's no doubt in my heart that you will like her."
"I'm sure I will."
"Who will we like, Henry?" Their heads look up to Robin standing right beside Henry. His eyes meet with Regina's even when she looks away. "Regina. You look radiant as always." His eyes look down at their half-eaten meals and glasses of red wine. "What's the celebration?"
"No celebration, Robin." Said Henry. "Regina just invited me to lunch. That's all."
"Well, you should be getting back," Robin looked down at his watch, lifting the sleeve of his white shirt. "Did you forget we have a meeting at one today?"
"Of course not. We were just finishing up." Henry looked to Regina as he began to withdraw his wallet from his back pocket.
Regina quickly held out a hand, "I got it. It's my treat, remember?" She smiles, fishing money out of her purse before setting it down along the table.
Henry stood, saying his goodbyes to Regina, placing a kiss along her cheek before turning back to Robin. "Shall we go?"
"I'll meet you there." Said Robin, turning back to Regina once he was positive Henry was out of sight. "May I?" He motioned to the now empty seat.
"Don't you have a meeting?" Regina reminded him.
Robin chuckled, welcoming himself to the seat, unbuttoning his black suit jacket. "They never have a meeting without me there. They can wait."
"I don't want to be the reason you are holding important things back."
His blue eyes lock onto Regina's. "Nothing will ever be more important than you, Regina."
Regina leans in to reach for her glass of wine, stopping as she brings it close to her lips. "I'm sorry I won't ever say the same." She takes a sip.
The corner of Robin's lip tilts as he leans further onto the seat. His eyes never faulted away from Regina. "I understand you feel that way because you haven't given yourself a chance to truly know me yet. But, once you do," he reaches out to take Regina's hand, holding it tight as he feels her trying to instantly pull away. "You will fall in love with me, Regina. And when that day comes, I shall be the happiest man alive."
Regina grins, leaning a little further. "If that day ever happens, Robin. That'll be the day that I will jump off the tallest balcony." She yanked her hand back, seeing how Robin's eyes darken before her. "You can bet on that."
Robin's eyes follow Regina as she stands. He doesn't turn around even as she's walking behind him as he says, "I'll bet you will love me someday, Regina. And I never make bets I don't win."
Regina looks at him over his shoulder before turning for good and walking out of the restaurant.
Whatever sour moment Regina had with Robin earlier had dissipated as she had spent the rest of her day with Emma, walking along the beach, hand in hand. Feeling the sand mold against their toes with each step.
"My skin is going to feel all sticky from all the sand, but it's worth it." Regina smiled.
"Is that what's troubling you? Well, I have a remedy for that," Emma smiled at Regina's shrieks as soon as she was lifted up off the ground and cradled into her arms.
"Emma! You're going to drop me!" Regina wiggled her legs, enveloping Emma's neck with her own arms for security.
Emma's eyes found Regina's. "I will never drop you." She said softly like a sealed promise.
"Ever?" Regina breathed.
Emma shook her head, "Ever. No matter what life throws at us, I will always be here to catch you. Pick you up when you fall down."
Regina pressed her lips along Emma's, welcoming their kiss. After another, after another until she said, "You promise?"
"I promise." Emma kissed her again, smiling after their gazes met. "You're it for me, Gina. I know I don't have much to offer you, but-" she hushed as she felt Regina's forefinger press along her lips.
"I've never cared about that, Emma. You know that better than anyone." Said Regina. "All I care about is you."
"I care about you, too. More than you'll ever know." Said Emma.
Regina kissed her. "Then meet my father. Please." She begs as soon as she sees the worry along Emma's eyes. "He really wants to meet you."
"He does?" Emma asks, setting Regina down on the sand again. A worry still lingering behind her eyes. "Even though I'm not as financially comfortable as you?"
"He won't care about that, Emma." Regina brushed a strand of hair behind Emma's ear. "All he cares about is that you make me happy. And you do. You make me so happy." Emma doesn't hold back a smile. "Come on, you've always said you want to meet my father, right?"
"I do want to meet him. But, I want to meet him when I have something to offer you. I want to walk through the front door of your house and officially ask for your hand. Don't you understand that?"
"And we'll do that." Regina promised. "But, I'd like to leave that surprise to my mother and my sister, to which I'm sure they will have a heart attack where they stand," she chuckles. "But, Emma, I really want you to meet him. It's about time you meet someone from my family, don't you think? Or he will really think the worst of you."
Emma grinned. "We can't have that, can we?"
"No." Regina chuckled, taking Emma's hands into her own. "And besides, I'd like to meet your father, too. I think we've both gone beyond that stage in our relationship, don't you think so? And if you want to marry me someday, my father will have to see that you are one-hundred percent serious about me."
"Okay," Said Emma as she smiled. "You're right. We are beyond that part in our relationship, and I do want us to move forward, and the only way to do that is if I meet your father. But after you meet mine."
Regina shrieked with delight, leaping into Emma's arms. Her legs wrapped around her waist so tight that Emma's feet took a couple of steps back along the sand. Their lips met in a passionate kiss.