A/N: A little later than I wanted to post it due to a lot of heavy rain, but here it is! And if I do say so myself, this chapter has one hell of a cliffhanger lol. I will try my best to post another update tomorrow, as the rest of the week I will not be posting until the weekend approaches again due to a busy schedule at work. But stay tuned! I promise to try my best for tomorrow. Happy reading! :)
Chapter 26: Returning Home
Emma's heavy eyelids fluttered open the following morning, her head throbbing as she weakly sat up along the couch. She took in the sight of a freshly served glass of orange juice and a plate of spinach omelet's with extra spinach just as she liked them, served and ready to eat. Without hesitance, she reached for the glass of cold orange juice that was calling her name and gulped it down.
"Ah, you're awake. Good. I heard you were quite a sob fest last night." Mary Margaret stood nearby, her apron slightly smeared with whatever storm she had cooking up in the kitchen.
Emma's frown deepened. Her head throbbed as she slowly shook her head in disappointment.
"No, no, take that look of disappointment off your face, Emma. Graham didn't have to tell me anything."
"Now, you're going to say that you've always known how to read me?" Emma placed empty glass down along the coaster on the table.
"Like an open book," Mary Margaret reached for the plate of omelets and perched along the coffee table, handing the plate to Emma. "And do you want to know what I think?"
"No, but you're going to tell me anyway." Emma stabbed her fork along the piece of omelet she sliced and popped into her mouth.
"I think that neither you or Regina are going to feel any better about this whole situation until you sit down and you talk things out with her." Her brow lifted as she was met with a glare from Emma's eyes. "Don't look at me like that. You heard me right. You two need to sit down and just talk things out. It's the only way to fix this."
"Fix what, exactly?" Emma's chewing stops.
"You know what, Emma."
"There is nothing to fix, Mary Margaret."
"Really? Well, your state last night would beg to differ." Said Mary Margaret.
"You said I needed to close that chapter in my life. Last night, I did. I stayed for that reason, to see with my own eyes if Regina was truly happy with the choice she made."
"And?"
"And, nothing." Emma reaches for the plate of breakfast, stabbing another piece with her fork. She sighed as she could feel Mary Margaret's stare burn holes right through her, forcing her to set down her plate along the table again. "She's happy. So, there is nothing to talk about between her and I."
"Do you really believe that?" Mary Margaret urged.
"Yes, why are you so persistent in us talking about the past that's been buried for four years?" Emma shot up from the couch, ignoring the room spin, pacing the room until she's facing the older woman again.
Mary Margaret waits patiently, knowing there was more.
"There was a moment…" Emma sighed, pinching the bridge of her nose. "Just a moment where I thought that maybe Regina would give me some type of signal. A look- anything- that would give away any sign that she wasn't happy. But that's not what happened last, Mary Margaret. That's not what happened at all."
"What did happen last night, Emma?" Mary Margaret patted her hand softly along her couch, watching as Emma took back her seat before her.
Emma hunched over, reaching for the back of her neck with her hands before she gave up and in a sigh and faced Mary Margaret again. "She's happy with him. I saw it with my own eyes. They danced, they smiled, and I am not about to come in between that."
"Maybe you only saw what you wanted to see, Emma. You know, your anger can talk through you sometimes when you let it-"
"I have every right to be angry, Mary Margaret." Emma's frown deepened. "Every right. Regina is the only woman I've ever truly loved and she-" she runs her hands along her face in frustration, not so much over her headache but over this damn heart ache that she was determined to keep to herself. "She threw it all away. You were there. You remember that day, don't you?"
"I remember very well, Emma." Mary Margaret frowned. She would never forget the look of hurt and betrayal behind Emma's eyes. "But, no matter what, I still think that you need to give her a chance to explain. Sometimes your stubbornness can get in the way of things, too."
"And there you go, making it about me again," Emma shoots up from the couch again, standing with her hands on her hips. "You're talking as if this is all my fault. I know you decided to be friends with Regina even after I was gone, but please, Mary Margaret, I could use just a little bit of support here."
"I am supporting you, Emma." Mary Margaret stands, placing a single hand along Emma's shoulder. "I'm supporting you both. Whether you want to believe it or not, Regina has been hurt just as much as you have. Now, do you want to know what that night showed me? That you two have a lot more to talk about than you both think."
Emma rolled her eyes. "Talking to Regina would just ruin things, Mary Margaret. Don't you get it?"
"Emma, I get that you are hurting, too. You've been hurting for four years, just like Regina, but you really need to hear her out. Give her a chance-"
"To what? To hurt me more?" Emma shook her head. "No, Mary Margaret. I'm done listening to her lies. And last night was me closing the book on Regina Locksley."
"You aren't even halfway done with that novel, Emma," Mary Margaret crossed her arms over her chest. "You may think you are, but you're not. And you'll never be done because you continue to judge that book by its cover."
"This isn't about Regina." Emma retorts. "My being here isn't about Regina. Not anymore. Last night was eye-opening for me, and given that Regina clearly has moved on, I want to do the same. I want to focus on what I need to focus on and nothing more. I want to do what I'm good at and show Regina what she missed out on."
"I thought you said this wasn't about Regina?" Mary Margaret's brow furrowed.
"It's not," Emma assured. "And I'm going to prove that."
"How?" Mary Margaret's eyes narrowed.
"By working, and by showing Robin Locksley that he isn't as better as he thinks he is." There's a proud smug look on Emma's face that Mary Margaret wasn't sure how to feel about.
"Thank you, Sidney." Emma grabbed onto the door handle from inside of her Lexus. She had stopped by her house that morning for a quick shower and a change of clothes into a pair of black pressed pants, her high-ankle leather boots, a white buttoned up shirt, tucked into the waistline & her black suit jacket to match. Her hair loose and hanging over her shoulders.
"My pleasure, Ms. Emma." Sidney smiled.
"Um, Sidney, about my behavior last night-" Emma frowned. She wasn't mean to Sidney due to her intoxication but she felt embarrassed enough that he had to see her that way at some point.
"Say no more, Ms. We've all been there." Said Sidney.
That made Emma smile, she reached over for the man's shoulder to give it a squeeze. "Thank you." She said, reaching for her briefcase and exiting out of the car.
"Good morning, Ms. Swan." Sheryl gawked in surprise. "I thought you would be on your way to New York by now. Not that we don't enjoy having you here." She flushed slightly.
Emma smiled, "Good morning, Sheryl. It's good to see you, too. Please, get Mrs. Page on the phone for me, pass her through my office."
"Yes, ma'am." Sheryl picked up her receiving end, her fingers quickly dialing the number to Mal's office by heart.
Not a minute after Emma entered her office, her phone rings and she is quick to pick up her desk phone, pressing line one. "Mal?"
"Emma! You're still in Boston? What time is your flight?"
"Yeah, I, uh…" Emma takes her usual seat behind her desk. "There's been a slight change in plan, Mal."
"Oh? Due tell."
"Well. I was sort of thinking of staying here for a while, run things and see how Mr. Locksley likes to do business."
"Stay in Boston? Are you sure, Emma?"
"Absolutely. You know I never make a decision without thinking twice about it, and I hate to be the one to tell you this Mal, but I don't trust Robin Locksley's ways."
"I couldn't agree with you more. I've known the Locksley's for a while now, and you have to be careful around Robin, Emma. He'll stab you in the back if it's facing him and he sees the opportunity to do so."
"Exactly. Which is why I wish to stay. The last thing I need is for him to stab you in the back through me. I need to keep a close eye on him, show him that no one messes with Page and Swan Industries." Of course, Emma left out the part that she would get a little revenge for herself from the man that Regina now loved.
"Alright, Emma. It looks like you are ready to spread your wings after all."
Emma nods even if Mal isn't in the room. "You prepared me for this, remember? I won't fail you. I will give it my all here, and when the contract is all done, so will my life here in Boston."
Emma didn't have to see Mal to know that she was proudly smiling right now. She could hear it in her voice. "The duckling becomes the Swan. How long are you thinking about staying?"
"I'm not sure yet. But, you'll be the first to know when I return home to New York."
"Emma. You are home. You never truly left Boston."
"This is business, Mal." Said Emma.
"It's all business, Emma. And I'm proud of you for stepping up to this. I knew you were the right candidate for the job that would finally help me knock Robin Locksley off his high horse."
The corner of Emma's lip lifted, "I'll speak to you soon, Mal. And thanks for everything."
"Don't thank me yet. I'll let you know when the time comes for that. Take care of yourself out there."
"You, too." As Emma hung up the phone, picking up again and pressing the button that would transfer her call to the front desk. "Sheryl, please, would you call Samuel Locksley and let him know I am on my way over. I'll be there in twenty minutes."
"Yes, ma'am."
Emma stood from behind her desk. She was met with Sidney just outside of her building where she mounted the back passenger seat of her Lexus before instructing him where to drive.
"Ms. Swan," Samuel shook Emma's hand as she entered his office. "I'm surprised to see you here. To my understanding you were flying back to New York."
"I was," Emma smiled. "But, after learning so much more about your company, Mr. Locksley, I've decided that the best thing for me to do is to relocate here in Boston. Just until our contract is up. If I am going to take great part in being out there with you in the mines, I like to see those surroundings for myself, make sure that everything is up to speed and running well."
Samuel's grin widened, needless to say, impressed. "Well, welcome! I like where your head is at, Ms. Swan. I like it a lot. I'll be happy to have my secretary clear out an office on this floor for you. I know you have your own office in Mal's location here in Boston, but I'd like to see for myself if you are as good as Mal said you are."
"Trust me, Mr. Locksley. I'm better." Said Emma.
Samuel chuckled, shaking her hand again with delight. "Well, then, this calls for a celebration, indeed! And I won't take no for an answer this time. Brunch at my son's place, tomorrow at one. Well, it's more his wife's and her family's but they live there. It's a little celebratory brunch for their anniversary they like to do. Anyway, will you join us, Ms. Swan?"
Lunch at Mills' estate? The house that Emma- unknowingly to Regina's parents- sneaked into so many times before, where she will now walk through the front door, giving Emma the chance to see the never ending fear on Cora's face along with Regina's. As well as Robin's surprise when he finds out that she is staying after all.
"I wouldn't miss it for the world, Mr. Locksley." Emma shook the man's hand firmly, delivering a smile of her own. "I accept your invitation."
"Excellent! I will forward you the address." Samuel takes out his phone and quickly types in the address. An address that Emma already knew and remembered too well. "We'll see you tomorrow."
"Tomorrow." Emma nods, her smile slowly erasing from her lips as the man disappears into one of the marbled hallways. Quickly she reaches for her phone and dials a number.
"Well, this is a surprise!" Lily's voice beams through the other end. "Have you arrived yet? Because I'm in your apartment and I'm cooking up your favorite-"
"Never mind that, Lily. Although, you really shouldn't have gone through all that trouble." Emma stares out of the massive office windows, looking down onto the busy city below.
"It was no trouble at all, Em. I made my own spaghetti sauce that I hope you'll love."
"Lily…" Emma breathes in. "I'm not going back to New York. At least not yet."
"What? What do you mean you're not coming back?"
"I want to stay in Boston for some time. Work directly from here with these people, see how they move about in the mines and all that. I have a feeling they aren't very responsible when it comes to safety measures and you know me- I'm nothing if not responsible."
"Emma. Did my mother put you up to this decision?"
Emma smiled a little, "No. Mal had nothing to do with this. I made this decision on my own, and I think it's the right one. See it as a way of… closing a chapter in my life."
"Way to be optimistic about it, Em, but I see it as a way of being apart. I thought I was your friend."
"You are my friend, Lily. You know I care a lot about you."
"Well, what about your apartment? What's going to happen to all of your belongings here? Are you thinking of buying a house over there? What's your plan?"
Emma blinked, "I don't know yet. Maybe. For now I'll be staying with my dad. Besides, I've been so busy since I arrived here, him and I could really use some bonding time. I've told you how important he is to me."
"Of course." Lily sighs.
"Lily, please, don't be sad. We'll see each other again." Emma promised. "This is just something I have to do."
Lily moved along Emma's apartment, picking up a single photograph Emma kept framed and along her bookshelf of them together. She smiled at the sight of it, how happy they looked together, out on the job site. "I know, I know. Work, work, work. Hey, maybe I'll surprise you and show up to Boston one day."
Emma smiled, "I'll hold you to that. And you're always welcome to come and visit me. I'll be very happy to see you."
"I just might take you up on that invitation, then, Ms. Swan."
"Listen. I called you because I wanted to ask for a huge favor." Said Emma.
"Name it."
"Go into my office space and you'll see a 24x36 frame along the floor. I never got around to hanging it. Could you mail it over to me for it to arrive tomorrow morning to an address I'm going to text you, please? Be careful with it."
"Sure, Em. I'll mail it right now and send you the tracking information when I'm done."
"Thanks, Lily. You're a lifesaver." Emma smiled.
"Yeah, yeah. If you miss me, you know my address." The line clicks as it ends their call.
Regina awoke from falling asleep that evening. She couldn't get Emma out of her mind since she saw her in that ballroom. Her eyes fell along the 36x24 drawing she had drawn out of pure memory. Even in the drawing, she couldn't help but notice how different her eyes had seemed, so she changed them into the eyes that she always remembered.
A cool breeze of wind came in through the opened sliding window that led into their backyard, capturing Regina's attention immediately. Strange. Regina couldn't recall her leaving the window open. Her brows furrowed as she moved along the bedroom, reaching for the cool handle of the window when her eyes captured the sight of someone standing right in the middle of the lawn.
"Emma?" She murmured, seeing Emma stand as still as a statue, staring right at her. Except this time, she was dressed casually in a pair of jeans and a sky blue dress shirt, tucked into her waistline. Her hair loose, cascading over her shoulders. Casual but still elegant.
Regina looked around her room before daring to step out into the yard. Her eyes looked around, through the rest of the visible windows, hoping to see no sign of her mother or her father. Emma stood there, staring, not a care in the world of who saw her. Regina didn't waste time running the rest of the way until she caught up with her. "Emma? What are you doing here? Someone could see you." She looked back to her house, giving it another once over.
"Why'd you do it, Regina?" Emma asked, her deep frown marked into the thinnest line along her lips. "Why marry Robin Locksley?"
Regina's eyes automatically watered as they looked up at Emma. "Because I didn't have a choice."
"We always have a choice. You just chose differently."
"No," Regina shakes her head. "No, Emma, I- you have to understand. I can explain everything, but not here."
"You lied and betrayed me. There's nothing to explain." Said Emma in the most frosted voice Regina had ever heard. Quite like at the party.
"Emma, please," Regina's breath hitches from the cold breeze that surrounded them. "I love you. I never stopped loving you, you have to believe me."
"You have to understand. I don't love you anymore." Said Emma, a darkness taking over her eyes. "I can't love someone who only laughed at me and lied to me."
"Emma, please! I didn't-" Regina shut her eyes for only a moment. She gasped as they fluttered open only to discover that Emma was no longer standing before her. She was alone. "Emma?" She called out, time and time again, getting no answer.
Regina gasped herself awake, her eyes falling onto the large drawing of Emma that rested along her bed. It was wet with some of her tears that had sprung free while she was in her sleeping state. Her chest heaved with heavy breaths. It was a dream… "Just a dream…" Regina breathed, shutting her eyes momentarily. The stone-cold look in Emma's eyes and facial expression playing in her mind all over again.
This was killing her. She couldn't go through life knowing that Emma, who once loved her, actually stopped loving her. And that all she felt now was nothing but hatred for her. That just couldn't be true.
"Looking sharp! Got a date?" David teased as Emma entered the living room, dressed in a pair of tight jeans and a sky blue dress shirt, tucked into her waistline. Only her hair was pulled back into a casual ponytail, and her sleeves were rolled up along her forearms. But she made sure to cover up her tattoo with her watch. The last thing she needed was for Regina to see it.
Emma scoffed, "Brunch." She clarified.
"Brunch, huh? Anyone I know?" David took a sip of his coffee.
"It's a business brunch, dad," she rolls her eyes, walking along the kitchen and serving herself a cup of coffee. "It's not a date."
"Well, maybe it's time for you to get out there, you know? Start dating again. You haven't dated since…" His voice grew quiet as he earned a glare from Emma. "Well, you know."
"I don't need to date, dad. I'm fine." Emma sips her coffee calmly.
David sets down his morning paper, a smile stretched across his lips as he asks, "So, you've decided to stay?" He continues as Emma nods. "Any idea of where you'll live?"
Emma shrugs, "Don't know yet. I haven't exactly been looking right now, but I was hoping- if it was okay with you- I could stay here for a few days just until I find some roots of my own." She really needed to start thinking of buying a house of her own. It wouldn't be a bad idea.
"You know you can stay here as long as you want, Emma. This is your home. It will always be your home." David smiled.
"Thanks, dad." Emma returned his smile. "I gotta run, or I'll be late. I have to stop at Graham's first." She said as she glanced down at her watch, rushing toward the door.
"Hey," David called out. "I'm really happy you decided to stay. Whatever the reason."
"Me, too." Emma gave one last smile, shutting the door on her way out. "Sidney," her brows furrowed as she noticed him waiting by the car for her, instead of inside the car as he usually did when he left the motor running. "What's going on?" She asked.
"Ms. Emma," Sidney smiled. "Someone's here to see you."
"Who?"
Sidney reached for the back passenger door handle, pulling the door open and revealing a pair of legs, dressed in blue jeans and a light brown leather jacket that could only belong to- "Lily?" Emma's lips parted as did her eyes.
Lily chuckled, "You said you'd be happy to see me, but I gotta tell you- you don't look very happy to see me, Em."
Emma smiled, quickly climbing into the passenger seat of the car just as Lily scoots over. "I am. I'm just… surprised that you decided to visit so quickly. That's all. When did you arrive?"
"Early this morning. Only you would make me hop on a plane so early in the morning to come here and see you." Lily teases. "Oh, and before you ask, I brought what you asked for. It's in the trunk. Don't worry," she raised her hands before Emma could protest. "I was very careful with it. I know you told me to have it delivered to your friend's house, but I wanted to bring it to you myself." She grinned.
Emma felt herself forcing a bit of a smile, "Well, it certainly is a nice surprise. I'm sure Mal didn't like this spontaneous trip of yours one bit."
"She's used to it by now," Lily waved a dismissive hand. "So, where are you off to looking nice and dressed up?" Her eyes take a moment to drink in the sight of Emma. A sight she had really missed.
"Have you heard of Robin Locksley?" Emma asked, seeing Lily nod. "Well, his father is our new partner and he invited me to an anniversary brunch at his daughter-in-law's home."
"An anniversary brunch? Sounds like fun! Do you need a plus-one?" Lily grinned.
Emma chuckled, "You would come with me to an anniversary brunch?"
"Sure! Why not?" Lily shrugs. "I don't know this city well, and it's not like I have friends here- except for you. What else am I going to do?"
"But you hate those types of parties, Lily. You didn't even attend your own cousin's wedding because you said it was too outdoorsy."
"Emma. My cousin has been married more times than I count on my ten fingers. Besides, she didn't miss me one bit." She continued, linking her arm along Emma's happily as she chuckled. "Come on, let me be your plus-one. It's bad luck to show without a plus-one to events, you know? Besides, as half owner and representative of Swan and Page Industries, I should attend."
Emma was really hoping to go alone for what she had planned, but what the hell. Lily being here could help her push her nerves down to the pit of her stomach. "Alright, you're right. You can be my plus-one."
Lily clapped excitedly, "I knew you'd say yes! Sidney, did you hear? She said yes." She grins in the view of the rear view mirror.
"That's very good news, Ms. Page," Sidney smiles, driving along.
"Everything set?" Cora grins at the feast that awaited them. "Oh, everything looks lovely, Samuel! Don't you think so, Regina?" She turns to her daughter.
"Everything is wonderful," Regina smiles at her father-in-law.
"Why is there an extra setting?" Robin frowned, looking over at his father.
"I took the liberty of inviting a special guest." Said Samuel, looking over at Cora and Henry. "I hope you all don't mind."
"A special guest? Who might that be, Samuel?" Cora's eyes narrowed.
"You'll see," Samuel smiles happily, glancing down at her watch. "She should be arriving any minute."
"She?" Robin's eyes narrowed.
"This is the house?" Lily asks, looking up at the entire estate through the window as Sidney drove right in through the open gate.
"That's it." Emma frowns up at the familiar house.
"Wow. These people really do think big of themselves, huh?"
Emma chuckled, "You don't know the half of it," she murmured. "I got the door, Sidney."
"Yes, Ms." Sidney nods, staying put inside the driver's seat while Emma exits, and holds open the door for Lily on the other side of the car, but not before leaning against the driver window and giving Sidney a few short instructions.
Lily watched as Sidney nodded before driving off. Her eyes narrowed as Emma walked up to her. "What were you two being so secretive about?"
"You'll see," Emma smiled, motioning to the house. "Shall we?"
Lily happily linked her arm along Emma's as she followed her forward. Emma looked up at the house again, remembering how many times she would sneak inside to Regina's bedroom. How many times she promised Regina that one day she would be marching her way in through the front door to ask for her hand in marriage.
"Are you okay?" Lily asked as they stepped up to the front door.
"Yeah," Emma nods, bringing up her forefinger to ring the doorbell.
The doorbell rang all along the house catching everyone's attention. "Well," Zelena breathed. "We finally get to see who this mystery guest is." She murmured over to Regina.
"Ah! She's here!" Samuel grins, welcoming Emma with practically open arms. "Ms. Swan! Welcome! Everyone, we all remember, Ms. Emma Swan?"
Cora's face grew instantly pale, her eyes wide. Robin's face turned to stone, displaying no sign of happiness at all- unlike his father. But what captured Emma's attention the most was the surprised look on Regina's face once again. Only it wasn't much of a shock that Emma hadn't flown back to New York. If she was being honest, she was happy about that. But what didn't make her happy and something Kathryn quickly took notice of was that she brought a companion. Linked to her arm.
"Henry, you remember, Ms. Swan?" Samuel introduced them again.
"Of course, yes! Ms. Swan." Henry happily shook her hand. "How are you?"
"Fine, sir. This is Lilith Page," Emma introduced her.
"Lily," Lily corrected, shaking the man's hand. "Hi, Mr. Mills. It's a pleasure to meet you."
"The pleasure is all mine," Henry smiled.
"Lilith Page…" Samuel scratched his chin in thought. "Any relations to-?"
Mallorie Page?" Lily grinned proudly. "Yes. She's my mother."
"Well, how wonderful!"
"My, my," Robin murmurs next to Regina for her to hear. "Looks like our peasant princess does have that ounce of great taste after all." He chuckled. "She certainly doesn't hide it, does she?"
"No, she certainly doesn't." Regina seethes under her breath, her eyes glaring over at Emma. Did Emma really have to get all casually dressed up like that?
"And this is my son, Robin Locksley," Samuel introduced.
"Ms. Lilith Page," Robin took Lily's hand, placing a delicate kiss along the back. "Such an honor to have you in our home."
"Thank you. Well, your home is really beautiful." Lily smiled.
"Thank you." Robin smiled, until his eyes met with Emma's. "Ms. Swan," he nods without extending his hand to her.
"Mr. Locksley," Emma extends her hand, chuckling as Robin neglects to shake it. Her eyes then move over to Regina, who doesn't look at all happy with this surprise visit. "Mrs. Locksley." She said, almost in that same chilled voice like Regina's dream. No. Not a dream. A nightmare.
"Ms. Swan," Regina extends her hand. It takes Emma a moment but she willingly shakes it, feeling that old electric current run up her arm that it made every hair along her body stand to attention.
Lily observes the two a moment, their joined hands which never parted, until she cleared her throat and clung along Emma's arm again. "Emma. Aren't you going to introduce me to Mrs. Locksley?"
"Right, of course," Emma gave Lily her best smile. "This is Regina Locksley. Mrs. Locksley, meet-"
"Lilith Page," Regina interjects, shaking the other woman's hand and putting on her best fake smile toward Lily. "I know who you are. It certainly is a surprise to have you here. Ms. Swan didn't mention you were her plus-one." Her eyes glare directly at Emma's.
"Well, to be fair, she didn't know," Lily chuckled, holding more onto Emma's arm. Regina's eyes glared down at just how possessively Lily's fingers clung to Emma's shirt. And she didn't like it. Not one bit. "She just sprung the news on me that she's decided to stay in Boston, so I decided to relocate here."
Robin's jaw clenched as he stared directly at Emma. "Oh, you're staying?"
"For a while," Emma nods, not taking her eyes off of Robin's.
"I almost jumped for joy when I heard the news myself!" Samuel gushes, oblivious to the look of horror on Cora's face. A look Zelena took quick notice in. As well as the angry look on her sister's face.
"So, you're also… living here?" Regina's brow lifts as she turns to Lily.
"If this is where Emma wants to be," Lily shrugs, too happily for Regina's liking. "I mean, honestly, look at her," she reaches to clasp Emma's jaw along her fingers. An action that sets fire to Regina's insides. Especially after they both smile at one another. "How could you ever leave someone as great as Emma? I mean you would have to be crazy to do such a thing, right?"
Regina forced a half smile that didn't quite reach her eyes, "Right," she murmured. Glaring right up at Emma, who's green eyes looked her way in silence.
Cora finally cleared her throat, deciding to cut some of the tension, or probably making it worse. "Well, let's all eat! Shall we?" She forced a smile.
"Please, I'm starving." Lily smiled over at Emma, who smiled back.
"We'll need an extra setting, if you don't mind," Emma asked one of the maids that came along with drinks.
Kathryn cleared her throat, leaning into her best friend along the table as she watched her reach for her champagne glass and take an enormous drink. "Will you stop glaring at her like that? You're going to make it obvious in front of Robin."
"Make what obvious?" Regina's brows furrowed.
Kathryn glared, "Regina, please. It's painfully obvious that you are so jealous of this Lily character."
"I am not." Regina scoffed, taking another sip.
"Really? Okay." Kathryn looks at the now empty glass that Regina sets down. "Is that why you just finished your champagne glass in two gulps? Or why you won't stop throwing daggers directly at that girl with your eyes?"
"Don't start, Kathryn," Regina glares directly at Emma this time from across the table. Of course, they had to be seated right across from her. Her eyes couldn't help but watch just how casually Lily reached for Emma's hand along the top of the table. "Did you see that? Who does she think she is grabbing her hand like that?" She whispered to Kathryn.
"Cool it, Regina," Kathryn warned, catching not only Cora's, but Robin's eyes staring at them now.
"Are you alright, Regina?" Robin asked, leaning into his wife. An action Emma took notice of from across the table.
All Regina could do was nod, "I'm fine." She lied, focusing on her salad fork as the salads were brought out.
"Let's see if our peasant princess knows her way around forks." Robin suppressed a smirk, waiting for Emma's reaction at the sight of several forks set up to her right side.
Lily watched her, too, clearing her throat to capture her attention as she whispered, "Just remember to work your way out."
Emma nodded with confidence, giving Lily another smile before she picked up her salad fork, remembering which one to use. Robin frowned at this, hiding his displeasure behind a sip from his glass of champagne.
"So, Ms. Page," Samuel smiled directly at Lily. "How is your mother? You know, I haven't seen her in years, but I'm sure she is just as beautiful as ever."
Lily chuckled, "Thank you, Mr. Locksley. She's holding her own. If you know my mother, you know she's pretty tough and determined. Just like Emma here." She turns to Emma, flashing her brightest smile.
Regina cleared her throat, purposefully letting her fork drop to clank loudly along her plate. "I'm sorry, excuse me," she said, once she noticed everyone's eyes turn in her direction.
"Regina," Cora murmured.
"I'm fine," Regina assured, reaching for a drink of water.
"Are you sure?" Emma asked, taking Regina by surprise, even with that cold front to her voice. "You don't look well, Mrs. Locksley."
"I'm fine." Regina seethed, her eyes glaring over at Emma.
"Oh," Cora chuckled, holding up her glass of champagne. "It's probably just exhaustion, you know, after all, Robin and her have been trying to bring an addition to the family."
While Regina's reaction was to slurp her water, Kathryn's eyes grew wide as did Zelena's, while Robin smirked triumphantly as if that entire lie were true. As for Emma, her eyes found Regina's, questioning everything with just a single stare.
"Mother," Regina gulped, placing a hand on her chest. "That's not true." She smiled nervously, throwing a quick glance in Emma's direction. A glance that Lily quickly took notice of.
"Now, Regina," Robin reached for Regina's hand, giving it a squeeze to keep it in place. He smiled, "Don't be so modest. We should share the news, after all, it's perfectly natural to want to start a family."
"I don't want to start a family and we aren't trying to have anything, Robin." Regina glared at him this time, even if he frowned.
"Well, I think it's wonderful." Lily smiled. "Why shouldn't they start a family? They are both young and obviously so in love. Wouldn't you agree, Emma?"
Emma remains silent for a moment, her eyes never leaving Regina's. "Sure. So in love."
Regina couldn't take this farce anymore. She needed a breather. "Excuse me," she said, abruptly standing from the table.
"Regina," Cora called out.
"Regina," Robin followed, standing from the table only to feel his father's hand grab onto his forearm.
"Son," Samuel said. "Let her be. She's probably going to the bathroom. She'll be back." He smiled.
"Speaking of bathrooms," Emma wiped at her mouth with the napkin along her lap. "I've been inspired. I'm afraid I need to go, too."
"Regina always uses the one by her bedroom, so you can use the bottom bathroom. It's just along the hallway as you exit the living room." Henry informed her.
"Thank you. Excuse me." Emma gave a single nod, marching right inside the house that she knew all-too-well.
Robin's eyes narrowed as she watched her carefully, but his attention was soon captured by Lily who soon engraved him into a conversation.
Regina sighed, shutting the cool water off from the bathroom sink. Her eyes closed for a moment as she attempted to shut her brain off but failed. All she could think of was Emma. All she could see was Emma. Emma with… Lily. How ironic. When Emma promised to love her and only her, and now she shows up with Lily, clung to her arm like a tick to a dog. Kathryn was right. She needed to calm down. She needed to act more discreetly around Emma. Especially now that she was thinking about staying in Boston. As if life couldn't be torturous enough already.
"Calm down, Regina," she murmured to herself, looking through the glass mirror strictly at her own reflection. "Emma's moved on. Clearly. And she has every right, too. She has every right." Even she didn't believe those words to herself, leaving her to sigh at the memory of just how good looking Emma has only become more as she's aged. "I am so screwed." She murmured, reaching for the door handle and swinging the door open.
Her eyes were wide at no other than the sight of Emma Swan herself, standing tall with those beautiful, but dark emerald eyes staring down at her. Her lips thinned into a thin line that only displayed her own anger toward Regina. Both women frozen before one another, entering a staring contents that neither wanted to lose.