A/N: Thank you all for being here, as always. I know you will love this chapter as it is a Robin-free one and strictly SwanQueen, so I shall keep this note short and end it with Happy Reading! :) Stay tuned for more! Reviews are appreciated.
Chapter 10: Romance Blooms
"Kathryn, I can't see!" Regina blindly followed Kathryn's guidance, reaching up to feel her hands over her eyes.
"Hold on, we're almost there." Kathryn carefully guided her up a set of stairs. "Watch your step. One more."
"Where are you taking me?" She smiled, despite her fear of being misled into the unknown by Kathryn.
"You'll see… now, keep your eyes shut. Do not open them until I say you can." Kathryn hesitantly removed her hands from Regina's eyes, watching her to make sure she kept her eyes closed. "Are your eyes closed?" She asked, even though she can clearly see that Regina's eyes were in fact closed.
"Yes." Said Regina, keeping her eyes closed.
"Are you sure?"
"I'm positive."
"How many fingers am I holding up?" Kathryn held up three fingers before Regina.
"Kathryn! You're going to make me late to meet Emma! Now, come on!"
"Oh, alright, alright…" Kathryn turned her back on Regina, confident that she would keep her eyes closed and inserted a key into a lock.
Regina could hear the clicking of a lock, followed by the sound of a door opening. She waited, eager to see what her friend wanted her to see.
"Alright, I'm gonna grab your arm," Kathryn carefully cupped Regina's elbow, guiding her into the room. "There's an open there, watch out."
"Oh," Regina's foot tapped along something that clanked. It moved but it didn't really sound like she had knocked anything over.
"It's okay. Come on," Kathryn centers Regina right in the middle of the room.
"Can I open my eyes now?" Regina asks after hearing the door close behind them. Eager to get this surprise over with.
Kathryn takes a step back, grinning from ear to ear. "Alright. Now you can open them." She said.
Once Regina carefully opened her eyes, adjusting to the dim lighting in the room, her eyes blinked in awe of the sight of another room. It was an apartment only it was smaller, more like a studio than an actual living-in bedroom.
"Do you like it?" Kathryn asked, eagerly.
"What is this place?" Regina asked, looking up at the large window that became the ceiling to the room. She noticed a canvas along a corner, and a television mounted along a wall with enough space for a shelf that had already been filled with books. On the other side there was a desk with sketchbook after sketchbook, filled to the brim.
"It's an art studio! Yours to be exact." Kathryn grinned.
That's when Regina opened up one of the sketchbooks along the desk and noticed it was in fact one of her own. Everything in here was hers, except for the television along the wall. That was new. "Mine?" She turned to Kathryn.
Kathryn nods. "That's right. Your dad helped me bring some of your stuff over here. Just what you mostly use when you're home drawing and painting. And I bought you a new TV along with a new paint set. The one in your room was becoming a little dry."
Regina scoffed out a laugh, her eyes taking in the comfort of the room.
"Of course, you can decorate it however you want. It's yours. And I figured, you know," Kathryn moved across the room, along an empty spot. "Right here, we could fit one of those pull out couches, maybe? So if you ever want to be away from home- get away from your mother and your sister- you can always crash here."
"My father helped you?" Regina grinned.
"Yeah, well, he said you don't get enough work done while you're at home, which I believe, given how intense Cora is." Kathryn rolls her eyes.
Regina laughed a little, her head dipped up to study the glass ceiling once more. "This place is incredible, Kathryn!" She grinned.
"I knew you would love it," Kathryn beamed. "I'm nothing if not your best friend. I know the lighting from the sun that enters here will provide wonders for your artistic visions." She waves her hands dramatically in front of the empty 24x36 sketchbook that rests along the easel that was once in Regina's bedroom. "The landlord here told me about it since I moved in, and it's right above my apartment, which means… I can stop by anytime and keep an eye on it for you whenever you can't be here."
"I absolutely love it. And I will pay you back every penny." Regina promised.
Kathryn brushed a hand, "Please, you don't owe me anything. Think of it as a late birthday present. And…" she grins. "This place could be good for you to bring your mystery girl in here. Things seem to be going smoothly with her, huh?" She teases, poking Regina's side with the tip of her nail.
Regina slaps Kathryn's hand away, her smile reaching her eyes. "They are still in motion."
"So… is she like… your girlfriend?"
Regina thought about it for a moment. "Well… not officially, but-"
A scoff escaped Kathryn's throat, "Then what are you waiting for, Regina? To have some other girl come in and sweep her off her feet?" Her hand lands along her waist.
"Emma's not like that." She shook her head.
"Regina, they are like that." Kathryn's shoulders slumped. "Remember my last boyfriend, Gary? He swore that I was the only one, and then he left for an entire year, came back with some floozy wearing a ring on her finger! While I'm still here waiting on Mr. Right to come along!"
"Emma is not Gary, Kathryn." Regina glared. "And I know for a fact that if she were seeing or remotely interested in someone else, she wouldn't be courting me."
"Do people still use the word courting?" Kathryn's head tilts.
"I gotta go," Regina glanced down at her watch. "I promised Emma I would meet her tonight." She pulled her into the tightest hug. "Thank you so much. For everything." She smiled. "This place is amazing."
"You're welcome." Kathryn smiled. "Please be safe, wherever you're going."
"Alright."
"And you tell Emma that if she so much as puts your life in danger, she will have to answer to me." Kathryn warned.
Regina chuckled, pulling open the door. She blows her a kiss. "You're the best."
"Tell me something I don't know. Oh, hey! Don't forget these," Kathryn tosses the key and spare key of the small studio/apartment in Regina's direction, watching her catch them in mid-air. They wave goodbye to one another before the shuts for good.
"This is where you live?" Regina asks, staring up at the white apartment complex from inside her car.
"Yep. This is home." Emma glances up at the rundown building. "I know it looks bad, but it's a really safe neighborhood. I promise."
"Do I get to meet your father, too?"
Emma shifted in the passenger seat, "Let's wait and see how you do with Mary Margaret first. It's not you- believe me- I just… I wouldn't want to overwhelm you."
"Understood." Now that she knew she wouldn't be meeting Emma's father, Regina thought her heart would calm down its crazed beating, but on the contrary. Meeting anyone that Emma considered important in her life made her heart nervous.
"Ready?" Emma should be asking herself that question. Because even if Regina appeared to be ready and willing to meet whoever she wanted to introduce her to, Emma was dying inside. She made sure to discreetly wipe her hand along her jeans before taking Regina's hand as she walked her up the concrete pathway, inside a patio door, crossing a few apartments before beginning to climb one of the stairs, all the way up to the third floor.
Regina looked around the apartment complex, taking in the quiet. The most she could hear was a dark barking in the distance. Suddenly, she overlooked her appearance, wondering if the top and jeans she chose to wear tonight would be enough to impress one of Emma's dear friends.
"Are you okay?" Emma stopped just outside of Mary Margaret's door, noticing a worried look over Regina.
"Mhm," Regina nods, worried that her hand was profoundly sweating as she held onto Emma's. "I just… I feel like maybe I should have worn something a little different."
"What are you talking about?"
"Well, you know…" Regina shifted uncomfortably. "Something a little less… rundown. No offense."
Emma smiled, "None taken. But I know for a fact that Mary Margaret will think you're beautiful just the way you are."
"Oh, really? What makes you say that?"
"Because I think you're beautiful." Said Emma, her gaze meeting Regina's while she stands but an inch apart. She brushes back a strand of loose hair from Regina's ponytail and that sends chills down the brunette's spine.
"Okay, but I warn you. These are not my best clothes." Regina smiles.
Emma chuckled, "Gina, you could be wearing a rundown sack of potatoes for all I care, and you would still be the most beautiful woman to touch the earth."
Emma's words always seemed to have a way of pulling at Regina's heart strings. She couldn't help but look down at her lips as they stood so close to one another. The night had gone so quiet around them that she could hear her breathing become a little hitched. And as Emma's head dipped a little closer, so did Regina's. After all, how could she not possibly reward Emma with a kiss they have both been wanting after saying such sweet things? But whatever was about to happen next was stopped at the sudden sight of the door to apartment 4C pulling open.
"Emma!" Mary Margaret beamed, pulling Emma directly into her arms for a hug. "I thought I heard voices out here!"
"Hey, Mary Margaret," Emma smiled, turning to Regina. "This is-"
"No," the older woman held up a hand. "Don't tell me. I know this is Regina. Of course, you are!" She surprised Regina by pulling her in for an abrupt hug. "I would know you anywhere with the way Emma constantly raves about you."
Regina's brows raise as she looks at the blush along Emma's cheeks. "Rave? Really?" She grins, her chin resting on Mary Margaret's shoulder.
"Alright, Mary Margaret," Emma grabs onto the older woman's shoulder, pulling her away from Regina. "Let her go, will you?"
"Come on in, you two! Don't be shy! Let's have dinner."
"Oh, would you mind if I used your bathroom first, please?" Regina asked.
"Of course, it's down the hall there," she points to the only hall, "last door to your left."
"Thank you." Regina's eyes look to Emma before she heads down the hallway.
"Oh, my God," Mary Margaret whispered, grabbing onto Emma's arm with a strong grip as she dragged her into the kitchen. "The heavens really opened up for you with her, huh?" She nods her head toward the hallway.
Emma smiled, "I know. She's beautiful."
"Beautiful? Emma, the word beautiful doesn't exist here. She's gorgeous." Mary Margaret cranes her neck to make sure the coast is still clear. "You will introduce her to your father, won't you?"
"Yes," Emma nods. "I will. But I wanted to bring her to you first. So, is everything ready?"
"Everything is set, and as for prying ears, don't you worry, I took care of them." She pats Emma's shoulder.
Emma chuckled, "Oh, I would watch your back from Ruby. Trust me, she doesn't know when to quit." She looks down at the platter that Mary Margaret holds in her hands, instantly taking it.
"Thank you. Just put it anywhere on the table. I'll get the cake." Mary Margret moves to open the fridge and withdraws a chocolate cake.
"Anything I can do to help?" Regina enters the kitchen sporting a grin.
"How thoughtful of you, Regina. May I call you, Regina?"
"As long as I may call you Mary Margaret."
"That's my name to anyone who loves my Emma as much as I love her," Mary Margaret pulled Emma in for a hug with one arm, wrapping it along her waist. It made Regina smile, especially seeing that blush settle crimson along Emma's cheeks again.
"You may." Regina gave a curt nod.
"Fantastic. Then, Regina, could you grab the wine bottle from the fridge for me, please? Bring it right over here." She nods toward the breakfast table. And Regina is quick to open the fridge and reach for the wine bottle, taking a seat next to Emma.
After dinner, Regina settled for only one sliver of cake, stating that if she had anything else she would pop like a balloon and she was sure the button along her jeans would fly off in the process. Emma however, happily didn't turn down a second piece. Of course that forced her to have to sit there while Mary Margaret played twenty questions with Regina.
"This one is my favorite," Regina happily showed off pictures stored safely in her phone of some of her drawings.
"Oh, wow…" Mary Margaret took Regina's phone into her possession to get a closer look. "Emma, have you seen how detailed these are?"
Emma grinned, her eyes remaining on Regina's blush. "I've seen them." She said.
"These are amazing! You are truly talented."
"Thank you. You can swipe to see more." Said Regina.
Mary Margaret swiped her thumb along the screen, stopping at the drawing of Emma that Regina had drawn from the day they met on the bus. Her eyes grew as wide as her smile, "Oh, Emma, look!" She flashed the picture in Emma's direction. "It's you!"
Regina shared a laugh with Emma from across the table.
"Oh, this has to be another one of your favorites, I'm sure." Mary Margaret elbowed Regina's arm, playfully.
But Regina's eyes remained on Emma, her tone soft as she said, "Definitely one of my favorites."
Emma's smile could blind Regina from how much it grew at the sound of her words. Would she be sitting next to her again, she would have taken her by the hand and given it a squeeze underneath the table.
In that moment, Mary Margaret's eyes danced from Emma to Regina, taking note of the look in their eyes. "Alright," she sat back. "I think I have kept you two here enough, listening to me rant on and interrogate Regina about her life. Why don't you two, go on up while I clean all this up?" She smiled.
Regina's brows raised to her hairline as she turned to Emma with a quizzical look. "Up where?" Her heart stopped at the mere sight of Emma's grin.
Ruby could hear noise coming from within the kitchen of Mary Margaret's apartment as she sneaked in, using the spare key she kept above the door frame. She carefully moved along the living room, slithered into the kitchen but not before making sure that the woman was busying herself in there first. Once she peeked, she was relieved to see that Mary Margaret was head deep within her fridge, organizing everything to where every single item would fit. That's the green light Ruby needed to sprint past Mary Margaret and take the door that would lead her up the stairs to the roof.
"Ruby Lucas, you get back here right now."
Ruby halted at the woman's firm tone of voice. She rotated on the balls of her feet, eyes wide as she could still see her head deep into the fridge. "How the hell do you do that?"
"You're in my home," Mary Margaret smiles triumphantly as she stands upright. "I know every noise this place makes and the patter of feet aren't within its rhythm."
Ruby groaned, "Come on, Mary Margaret, I just want to take a closer-look-see, just get a good look at this girl and I'll be on my way."
"There is no way to see anything without being spotted up there. You'll be wasting your time. But now that you insist on being here, why don't you go on into the storage closet and grab a tin can of beans for me." She points to the door. "Second shelf from the top."
"Beans?" Ruby's shoulders slumped, "Mary Margaret, be serious-"
"Ruby. Listen to me very carefully." Mary Margaret's head tilts. "Go into the storage closet, and grab the tin can from the second shelf from the top." She sighs, shaking her head at the confused look on Ruby's face. "I said you couldn't see anything from up there. I didn't say you couldn't hear anything." She nods, pointing her eyes along the closet door.
Ruby's brow cocks up, a smirk manifesting slowly along her lips. "You didn't!" She runs over to the storage closet, pulling open the door with Mary Margaret right on her tail. Her hand lifts up, reaching for the first tin can of beans she sees.
"Not that one! Other one." Said Mary Margaret.
Ruby reaches for the next one, frowning as she sees a string attached to its end. "Really?" She mocked, holding the can in front of the older woman.
"What?"
"Not too conspicuous, huh?" Ruby smirked.
Mary Margaret gave a glare, "Excuse me, but a walkie-talkie would have been too obvious. Enough talking, and listen!"
"Okay-okay," Ruby pulled on the can a little more, holding it as close as she could manage to them. Automatically, Emma's voice came through, echoing within the closet.
"So, what do you think?" Asked Emma, standing along the roof of the apartment complex. "It's not a drive-in, but it's outdoors. So it comes close, I guess. With the only difference being that we're not in a car."
"Emma," Regina smiled, her eyes taking in the brightness of the light bulbs that hung along the wall where the couch was. Everything was set up beautifully. "This is ten times better than any drive-in."
Emma smiles, "So, you like it?" She looks down to the feeling of Regina's hands slipping right into her palms. Their fingers automatically lock in place.
"I love it. You really didn't have to trouble yourself in doing all of this for me." Regina looked around, taking it all in once more.
"Well, I'm afraid I can't take all the credit. I had a little help." Emma shrugged.
"You know something, you're right," Regina smiles. "Mary Margaret is an exceptional woman-" Inside the storage closet, Mary Margaret beams while Ruby nods in approval as they continue to listen in. "She seems to really care for you a lot."
"I care a lot about her. She's an old soul, very wise. I've come to learn a lot from her."
Ruby sighed, cupping the mouth of the can with her hand while she whispered over her shoulder at Mary Margaret. "If they just sat down to watch whatever movie Emma picked, we could hear them better."
"Would you like to sit?" Emma motioned for the couch along the wall, following Regina close behind, moving over to the projector again to start the film.
Ruby turns to Mary Margaret, "Do you think she heard me?" She whispered.
"So, what will we be watching this evening?" Regina smiled.
"Don't know. I'll be as surprised as you, since Mary Margaret chose the title." Emma's smile mirrored as she joined Regina along the couch. The projector whirring behind her.
"What'd you choose?" Ruby whispered, listening for the film. She turns to Mary Margaret as soon as she picked up the intro to- "Titanic… Seriously?"
"What's wrong with that? It's a forbidden romance." Mary Margaret shrugs.
"Yeah, and Jack dies by freezing to death all because the woman he loved couldn't share a damn door."
"A tragic love story is always good for bringing people together." Said Mary Margaret, taking the can from Ruby and listening in.
It must have been true, because somewhere along twenty minutes into the film, Regina had already cuddled up to Emma's side, her head nestled along her shoulder. Their hands joined together as one.
"Gina…" Emma lifted her head from resting at the top of Regina's to look at her. "Thank you for coming out here for me. And for meeting someone very important in my life."
Regina's eyes lock onto Emma's, "You're welcome. I wouldn't have done it for anyone else. I must admit, it was also relieving to know that you weren't crushing on your neighbor."
Emma's grin widened as she chuckled. "I'll take that as a positive sign that you really like me."
Regina's smile matched Emma's, "I like you very much."
"I like you too, Gina. So much." Her eyes looked down at Regina's lips while she allowed her thumb to caress along the bottom one again. "If I could tell you how much you occupy my thoughts, it would be never ending."
Regina reaches up to wrap her own fingers along Emma's wrist, dropping her hand away from her lips. "You occupy my thoughts, too. Everyday. I think it's safe to say that whenever I'm not with you, I'm thinking about you."
Emma can't help but brush her thumb along the blush that settles on one of Regina's cheeks. "So, now that we're in agreement on occupying each other's thoughts. I feel even more strongly to ask you this next question." She braced herself, steadying her breathing. "Regina, would you-?"
"Yes!" Regina's eyes lit up just as bright as her smile.
"You don't even know what I'm going to ask you," Emma grinned.
"You want me to be your girlfriend. The reason I know this is because I want you to be mine as well and, if you want me to be honest, I was thinking about asking you that very question myself after tonight." She delights in hearing Emma chuckle as a response, and seeing her eyes light up. "So, yes. Besides, I like the idea of you telling the world you have a girlfriend who would gladly murder any other girl who dares look your way."
Emma laughs.
"Don't laugh!" Regina chuckles, smacking Emma's arm playfully. "I'm serious! I'll warn you, I will compete with any girl that dares to try and conquer your heart."
Emma shakes her head. "You won't ever have to compete over a heart that's already yours."
Mary Margaret dabbed away a tear she felt along the corner of her eye. Ruby groans, pulling the can closer to her mouth and gripping it with both hands like a microphone. "Oh, just kiss already!" She shouts into it, feeling it being ripped by her hands by the woman behind her. They both pulled so hard, the tin can beside a table that had been placed beside the couch tumbled over, clanking along the floor.
Emma glared at the dancing can along the floor. "Mary Margaret," she spat through her teeth. "Excuse me just a minute," she told Regina, standing to her feet and bending down to pick up the can, following the long string with her eyes before she brought the other end up to her lips. "You there, too, Ruby?" Her voice echoed into the hollow space.
Regina stifled a laugh, covering her mouth with a single hand.
"Nice going. Now, you see what you did?" Mary Margaret placed her hands along her hips, glaring accusingly at Ruby.
"Hi, Em." Ruby spoke deafeatingly into her can. "Please don't be mad. If you want to be mad at someone, be mad at me, not Mary Margaret. I was the one who gave her the stupid idea."
Emma chuckled, shaking her head and keeping her voice very serious. "As impressed as I am at both of you for being able to pull this off with what I can only assume is an excessively large piece of string- Regina and I will bid you a goodnight." She turns to Regina who is standing behind her now.
"Okay," Mary Margaret spoke next. "You two drive carefully. It was nice meeting you, Regina."
"Nice meeting you, Mary Margaret." Said Regina, filled with amusement. "I hope to see you again soon."
"Anytime! Come by whenever you want."
Regina couldn't stop laughing even as she stopped her car right outside the gate of her house.
"I'm really sorry about that. I don't know what got into them." Said Emma, unable to help her own laugh from escaping her.
"It's quite alright," Regina chuckled. "I found it entertaining. Mary Margaret is a joy to be around."
"I'll introduce you to Ruby sometime. When I've forgiven her for that crazy tin can idea." Emma chuckled.
"I'd love to meet her once you've forgiven her." Regina smiled. "Which brings me to my question. How would you feel about meeting one of my friends? My best friend. Not now, obviously, but… maybe within the next couple of days."
"I'd like that, if she's okay with you dating someone who currently has no means for financial stability."
Regina laughed, "Kathryn won't care about that, Emma. I promise. She'll like you just as much as I like you."
Emma looks up from their joined hands, a twinkle in her eye that Regina could get lost in. "I like you, too." She said honestly, leaning in along with Regina along the car seats. Their lips slightly brushed until a ringing cell phone forced them to pull away.
Regina groaned, feeling like an idiot for not turning off her phone. "Sorry," she murmured. Looking down at her screen, she sighed at the name flashing. "I'm sorry, I have to answer. It's my dad."
"It's okay," Emma smiled, sitting back in the passenger seat.
"Hi, daddy," Regina looked over at Emma, feeling a blush coming on. "Yes, it's me. I'm outside. No, don't worry. I was just… looking for my phone, I thought I lost it. Good thing you called me." She turned back to Emma, mouthing a heartfelt, 'sorry' over to her. "Okay. Bye."
"Everything alright?" Emma asked.
"Yeah. Story of my life. I have a little fun, and my mother raises the alarm about a strange vehicle parked by the house." She rolls her eyes, which glare toward the house. She swears she can see a figure standing by one of the windows. Thank God for tall hedges that make it harder to see out near the gates. "Don't worry, they can't see past the gates." She says, picking up on Emma's nervousness.
"I guess this means you have to go." Said Emma.
Regina frowned, "Unfortunately. But, there's always tomorrow?" Her eyes light up with hope at seeing Emma again soon. Now more than ever.
"Tomorrow," Emma muttered. "I can't tomorrow. I have to work over at Graham's."
"Oh."
"But, I'll call you after I'm done."
That idea made Regina smile, "I'll be waiting. Until tomorrow."
"Until tomorrow." Emma smiled, exiting out of the passenger side to pull open the driver's side for Regina. "I'll wait here until you get safely inside."
"You know, one of these days, you're going to have to let me drive you home, Emma. It's dangerous for you to be walking out at night."
Emma's hand found Regina's, their fingers intertwining. "Okay. Next time, you can drive me home." She promised.
"Good. Because I won't accept no for an answer." Regina grinned.
"I won't fight you. And… I really hope you won't fight me on this."
"On what?" Regina's eyes locked intensely onto Emma's, feeling her body tower over her. Her eyelids slowly closed as soon as Emma's lips finally touched hers. Her arms lazily moved along Emma's shoulders, encouraging Emma to pull her body a little closer.
To feel Regina's lips melt along with her own made Emma's heart melt down to her feet. Her hands remained still along Regina's waist, too afraid to move. But as Regina only intensified their kiss, Emma's fingers kneaded along the fabric of her jeans.
Regina felt Emma pull away, her chest heaving equally as Regina's was. Regina had been kissed before, but never like this. "Wow," she breathed.
"Yeah. Wow." Emma smiled, attempting to catch a breath. "Is it too soon to admit that I've been wanting to do that for a while now?"
Regina chuckled, "No. I've been wanting to kiss you, too."
"And?" Emma waited, her heart still thumping inside of her chest after their kiss.
"It was worth the wait." Regina grinned, pressing her lips along Emma's again.
Just as Regina pulled away, Emma kissed her again. "I'll call you tomorrow."
"Okay." Regina's cheeks hurt from how much she was grinning as she watched Emma walk away. "Tomorrow."
"Tomorrow." Emma waves, walking further alongside the road with a pep in her step.