Chapter Text
Snow’s face scrunched as Emma inhaled a grilled cheese and bear claw, followed by a large gulp of the strawberry milkshake. Emma looked up from where she had been bent over the booth at Granny’s, “it’s been two weeks. Me and Regina have a deal in place.” Emma’s eyes sparkled with mischief, but her mother was oblivious to what that could mean.
“A deal? You have a deal about eating food?” Snow understood Regina’s need to get the entire family to eat healthy. Henry would spend the weekend with them at times and he would beg for a pop tart. Although, she did know Regina was a complete pushover when it came to her family, so it couldn’t be that bad.
“Well, if I only eat this crap once every two weeks I get something in return.” It was a win win as far as Emma was concerned. She didn’t miss them too much and having to wait made them that much better every time she would have her favourite treat.
Snow gave her a puzzled look, “what do you get in return?”
Emma bit down hard on her lip to keep from smirking. She gave a one shoulder shrug, “stuff,” she said simply. There was no way she would mention that ‘stuff’ meant ‘bedroom stuff.’ Emma doubted her mother needed to know how Regina would get on her knees and well…Emma shuddered, because even the image was hot.
“Do I want to know?” She gave a little chuckle, happy that her daughter was happy. But, she might have caught on and she shuddered for an entirely different reason. Emma laughed and waved her off. “You had a good weekend away? I still can’t believe it’s been a year.”
“It was amazing, mom. Gods, I love her,” she said, a twinkle in both eyes and a smile which spread so wide, “we spent most of the days on the beach, me and Henry played volleyball and we all swam in the sea and sunbathed and we went to an all you can eat on one of the nights and hmm the nights.” Emma’s mind floated away to the nights she had spent with Regina. They’d made love for hours.
“Let’s keep it appropriate for the audience.” Snow raised a brow, not wanting to know any more about her daughter’s sex life with her former step-mother.
Emma couldn’t help but laugh, choking on her milkshake in the process, “it was our anniversary. What do you think we were going to do?” Emma had been grateful Regina had thought to bring a little magic. Enough for a silencing spell for the two nights they had spent in the hotel. “But, anyway, yeah, it was an incredible weekend. Regina loved it. So did Henry. Neither of them had seen the sea before and I’m glad I got to give that to them.”
“I’m happy for you both.” Snow reached over and took a hold of Emma’s hand. She flinched then told herself to relax. Emma squeezed the hand back before pulling it free and tucking them under her knees. A flash of hurt shone threw her eyes and Emma did feel a miniscule of guilt. She had been trying, they both had. Emma still had issues with her mother and father, but they had been working hard to understand her and build their relationship back up.
“Thanks, mom. Erm…would you and dad want to come for dinner at the mansion sometime this week?” Perhaps it was time to extend another olive branch. Emma did feel her insides churn a little, but Snow beamed and nodded profusely.
“Of course. We would love to. Just let us know which evening and we’ll be there.” Emma relaxed at Snow’s smile, reminding herself she was wanted. It might have taken some unfortunate circumstances for them to get to know each other. Truly get to know each other, absence of titles and predestined fates. But they were getting there. Along with the heartfelt apology she had received with them eventually understanding and owning up to their mistakes. They were making progress. It was everything Emma had hoped for.
***
Emma leant against the door frame. Regina was on the couch, feet tucked to one side with a book open. She must’ve been into the story, for Emma stood there for a few minutes simply watching before Regina popped her head up. She smiled softly at Emma, aware that the times she spent with her parents could be exhausting. Sometimes they would go well, other times not so much, but even after the past year things continued to move slowly between them.
“Hey,” Emma said, one hand crossed over her body to create a pillow from where her head leant against the wall.
“Come here, my love.” Regina placed the bookmark inside the book and placed it to one side. Emma toddled over, an arm already lifted and waiting for Emma to snuggle into her side. “Are you okay?”
Emma kicked off her shoes, then bent her legs up whilst lying her head on Regina’s shoulder, “yeah, ‘m ‘kay,” she muttered, eyes closed and a long sigh pushed from her lungs.
“Do you need to talk?” Regina kissed her temple before laying her head against Emma’s.
“Not really. It was good. I told her how we had sex all weekend and her face scrunched up. I nearly spat my milkshake everywhere.” Emma’s shoulders shook from holding in her laughter. Taking a page out of Regina’s book had been more fun that she had anticipated.
“Imagine she knew what I’m planning to do to you later,” Regina said, voice dropping an octave enough to send a shiver through Emma’s spine. She squeezed her thighs together and Regina let out a throaty chuckle. “Later, my dear. Henry’s upstairs.”
Emma groaned, “you shouldn’t tease me. Have I ever mentioned how sexy you are?”
“Every day for the past year.” Perhaps not every day, but as they grew together and their relationship morphed, Emma started to express just how sexy she found the mayor.
Emma chuckled again, shifting so her head lay on Regina’s chest, one arm wrapped around her waist. Both legs curled up, so her knees rested on Regina’s lap and she responded by wrapping Emma up and holding her closer. “You’re the most beautiful woman I’ve ever laid eyes on.”
“As are you, my love-” she kissed Emma through her hair, “is something the matter? I thought you said it went well.” She liked Emma curling up on her, but at times it meant something was wrong. She didn’t much care for that part.
“Been thinkin’,” she muttered, eyes squeezed shut. Regina was so warm. So safe. She felt like home. The thought tugged a corner of Emma’s lips up. She took another moment to bask in the feeling, before readjusting herself. Sitting back up right, legs curled beneath her, she leaned her head on Regina’s shoulder.
“About what?” Emma continued to wiggle about. Regina chuckled at little, “come here, darling.” With both arms around Emma’s waist, she guided her backwards, so she was sat sideward on her lap. They both sighed when Emma’s forehead fell to Regina’s. “Talk to me.”
“It’s nothing bad. Well, I hope not. There’s no pressure-” she peeked her eyes open to find adoration oozing from chocolate brown. Shoulders relaxing, she gave Regina a feather light kiss before draping both arms around Regina’s neck and sitting up right, smile making her cheeks glow.
“Hi.”
“Hi.” With both hands already on Emma’s hips, she gave a gentle squeeze with a soft chuckle, “Emma, talk to me, darling. You’re babbling.”
“Would you ever marry me?” The colour drained from Regina’s face. Emma mentally berated herself and counted to ten before cupping Regina’s cheek. Understanding didn’t make it hurt any less. “It’s okay,” she soothed, thumb brushing the soft skin, “I can’t imagine everything you’ve been through. If you never want to-”
“Emma.” The dread lessoned with Emma around. She hadn’t delved much into her past, but throughout the year they’d begun to speak in depth over their past hurts, traumas, insecurities. That, however, was a subject very far out of reach.
“Regina.” Emma smiled. It was a sad sort of smile, one where you would tell the person you loved you were happy for them when they were with another. If they were happy then so were you. This smile was softer, yet more jaded and laced with understanding. Empathy even. “I know it must be difficult for you. It’s just-” she bit her lip, redness creeping up her neck, “the thought of you being my wife makes me all giddy.”
“Emma.”
Emma looked up again, smile filled with love and compassion. “You’re enough, Regina.”
“Emma,” she said again, though this time on a sigh, “it’s not that…it’s not you.” Those hands travelled up Emma’s back now and back down until Emma’s body started to sway. “After I…after the king died. I made a promise to myself that I would never marry another.” She swallowed hard, eyes filling with tears. “But-”
“Hey, Regina.” Emma kissed her trembling lips. She kept going until she tasted salt, letting their lips slide over each other’s. When Regina’s breath shuddered Emma pulled away and went back to cupping her cheek. “You’re enough. The idea of marriage used to terrify me. It still does, but you’re more important than any ring or ceremony.”
“I’m not saying no,” she whispered, eyes staring and falling into those she could fall into without any fear at all, “maybe one day, Emma, I’d break that promise for you. I have to admit you being my wife has a certain ring to it.”
“Yeah?” Emma ducked her head with a smirk, a fresh wave of butterflies hitting her stomach.
“Yes. Maybe.” Regina hated the uncertainty. She wanted to give this to Emma if that was what she desired, but scars were scars. Whether visible or entrenched in the depths of her mind.
“It wasn’t a proposal by the way, I was just asking. I promise there’s no pressure. It’s only been a year, I don’t think I’m ready for that. Not yet, anyway.” Regina snaked her arms around Emma and pulled until she lay on her chest. She ran fingers through her hair as Emma sighed, eyes closed and head resting on Regina’s shoulder.
“I know. Let me…let me get used to the idea and maybe…maybe-”
Emma turned her head so she faced Regina, smiling up at her. “I’ll leave the proposal up to you.”
“Excuse me?” Regina raised an eyebrow, certain she hadn’t heard Emma say that.
“Yeah, so, whenever you’re ready for more then you can bring it up. If it never comes up then it never comes up.” Emma cupped her palm in the crook of Regina’s neck and used her finger nails to trace soft patterns. “I want you. If you asked me in a day or in a year or in ten years, I’ll always want you. But I want you more than marriage, so if you never ask, you never ask.”
Regina shivered at the touch and pressed a kiss to Emma’s head. “I love you,” she muttered against it, filled to the brim with emotion. Emma had given her a gift, whether she was aware of it or not. Marriage filled her with all sorts of feelings that made her want to rip the world apart. Marriage with Emma…not so much.
If Emma were to ever propose and she said no, it could destroy Emma. Rear those feelings of being unwanted and unloved straight to the forefront of her mind. It was the last thing she ever wanted. If she said yes whilst she wasn’t ready, it would eat at her until she ruined what good they had built together. This way she had time to adjust and with the certainty Emma would one day say yes, she fully intended to work through her issues until they could marry.
Until she could take Emma as her wife.
“I love you, too.” Emma closed her eyes and sighed, snuggling into Regina. Arms tightened around her body and although she was twisted, she could’ve stayed there all night. “Oh,” she had completely forgotten about the little piece of information she probably should’ve talked to Regina about first, “I invited my mom and dad over for dinner.”
“You did?” Glad the talk of marriage was over for the time being, she kissed Emma again and let any hurt wash away, focusing instead on the body moulded against her own. With the way Emma took comfort from her. Knowing Emma had wanted to be with her and feeling it on a daily basis were two very different things. She thanked herself for not being an idiot and allowing Emma into her heart.
“Yup. I want my parents back, not weekly time slots where I get to see them. I think I’m almost ready for them to be in my life again. Soon…anyway. I thought I’d reach out.”
“I’m proud of you.” She toyed with Emma’s hair causing her to relax further and kissed her again, far too intoxicated with the one and only Emma Swan.
“You’re my favourite person in the world,” Emma muttered, succumbing to a daze. Her breathing began to even out and she figured a quick nap wouldn’t do any harm. Not if Regina was already planning to take her to bed and have her way with her that night. She was safe now. She didn’t have to worry about being alone when she next awoke.
Using one hand to rub her back, Regina shushed her and grabbed her book. Emma fell into a light sleep almost instantly. Regina simply watched her sleep for a drawn-out moment, thinking Emma’s words were exactly her own. Emma was everything and more.
With Emma still on her lap, she shuffled slightly to get more comfortable. It took another few minutes, but Regina dragged her gaze away and returned instead to the story she had been reading. She tilted her head to rest it against Emma’s, warm air brushing against her neck.
Then she smiled. Who would’ve thought the Evil Queen would’ve found happiness? In the saviour and their son, nonetheless. And maybe their story wasn’t perfect. It had started with loss and defeats and scars too big to share.
With them fighting and running and causing more damage that could be repaired.
But it was theirs.
They ended up exactly where they were meant to be.