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If someone, had told Regina, in her days as the Evil Queen. That, she would be standing in the saviours kitchen, whilst waiting, to go to her enemies apartment for dinner. She would have laughed in their face, and even scoffed at such a ridiculous notion.
However, here she was, doing exactly that, and she wouldn't change it for the world.
"MOMMY, CAN I TAKE MY CRAFTY THINGS TO GRANDMA'S" She hears, Emma's daughter Hope, shout from the girls bedroom, and she smiles at this.
Emma, had always referred to Hope's art supplies, as 'crafty things' which Hope, had picked up on, and now calls them the same.
"YEAH KIDDO, BUT WE HAVE TO GET YOU INTO YOUR DRESS FIRST" Emma then replies seriously. Before, letting out a long sigh, as she knows, Hope won't make this easy for her.
Regina meanwhile, takes a step towards the fridge. Where, she looks at the collection of magnets that Emma had collected over the years. She notices that most of them are wonky.
Typical Emma, Regina thinks to herself in amusement, whilst reaching out, and straightening them.
However, when she touches the one Killian had put on the fridge, she frowns.
Its a silly, beer bottle shaped magnet.
One, that the blonde must be fond of. Otherwise, Emma would have got rid of it, when Killian had left. Like, she had got rid of everything else of his.
That damn pirate. He didn't know how lucky he was, Regina thinks to herself, for the hundredth time. The man had everything, and just left without a word. Just a note, which Emma hadn't shown anyone.
She then, takes a deep breath, whilst looking towards a new photo, that Emma had put upon the fridge.
It catches her attention, as it is a photo of her, Emma and Hope together, at the Charming's apartment.
It makes her smile, and she is touched, that Emma would have a photo of the three of them, on her fridge.
"MOMMY, I DON'T LIKE IT" Hope then shouts out, and Regina smirks, because she just knows, that it is the pale pink dress, that Snow had brought Hope to wear today.
Regina then, continues to nose around Emma's kitchen, whilst she waits, and looks over the few items upon the countertop.
Mug, sweet wrapper, phone charger and an envelope, with the words 'New Years Resolutions' written upon it.
Regina raises an eyebrow at this. Before, looking towards the doorway, to make sure no one is coming.
She's curious, and taps her fingers upon the counter top. Whilst contemplating, on what to do.
Maybe, I can help her achieve some of her goals, Regina tries to reason with herself. Even though, she knows she shouldn't be prying.
However, Temptation finally wins her over, and she quickly grabs the envelope, and begins to take the paper out of it...
1. Be a better mom to my kids. Call Henry more often.
She's already a great mother, Regina thinks to herself.
2. Get back into shape.
Regina scoffs at this one, and thinks, that woman, is in perfect shape.
3. Move house. I don't feel comfortable here, never have!
Regina, raises an eyebrow at this one. Before thinking, that can be arranged.
4. Take a vocation, far away from this crazy town. Maybe Regina will come.
Regina smiles at this.
5. Tell mom, I took her favourite bird jumper, when I was drunk, and burned it. She keeps asking me, where that hideous jumper could be. When I know, it is in jumper heaven. I also don't regret what I did.
Oh Emma, you wonderful human being, Regina then thinks to herself, with a wide smile upon her face.
6. Ask Regina, if she would be Hopes legal guardian, if something were to happen to me.
Regina's mouth, drops open at this one. She moves her free hand to her stomach, and is touched, that Emma would want this. But, she also can't comprehend a world without Emma.
7. Find some dirt on that Falkner guy. His creepy as hell, and has a thing for Regina. I don't like it!
Regina sighs at this one. She knows, Emma doesn't like the guy. She doesn't much like him herself, but Emma seems to have a major dislike. And her words here, seemed like she was jealous. Which was crazy, because why would Emma be jealous!
Regina, then moves to the final resolution.
8. Ask Regina out. I should have asked her years ago but the fear of rejection keeps stopping me..
Regina's heart skips a beat at this one and she reads, and re-reads it over and over again, with wide disbelieving eyes.
She had thought, that her own feelings for Emma were one sided. Especially, after Emma had married Killian.
However, she is brought out of her musing. When, she hears Emma shout "READY TO GO" and she quickly, puts the note back into the envelope, with shaking hands.
"BE RIGHT THERE" she shouts back shakily, as she tries to compose herself. Before joining Emma and Hope at the front door.
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An hour later, Regina is standing in the middle of the charming's apartment, with a glass of wine in hand, and staring into space.
"Hey, what's going on with you Gina? ever since, we left my place you've been acting weird" Emma asks her, as she comes to stand next to Regina.
Regina then blinks, and looks at Emma's concerned face. Before, quickly looking away, and taking a sip of her wine.
"I'm fine" she eventually says, but its far from the truth.
All, she can think about, is what Emma had wrote, and she wants to confront the blonde about it. But then, Emma will know, that she has read the blondes private wishes, and it wont end well.
"Somethings bothering you" Emma pushes again, because she knows when Regina is lying, and she is worried, that she has done something to upset Regina.
"Its nothing important" Regina then lies, and is saved from further interrogation, as Hope pulls on her dress, and she looks down at the girl.
"Gina" Hope, smiles brightly up at her.
"Hello, my little Hope" she answers, in a soft loving voice. It melts Emma' heart.
"Come draw with me" the girl asks brightly, and Regina smiles at her.
"I'd love too" she replies softly, and Hope takes her hand, pulling her towards the table.
Emma meanwhile, leans against the wall, and watches. As Regina, sits next to hope, to help her with her drawings.
"Here Gina, you can help me attach the hair?" Hope asks, whilst handing her strands of dark brown felt material.
"Of course, sweetheart" Regina smiles, whilst attaching the few strands of felt, to the head, that is drawn upon the paper.
"And who is this supposed to be?" Regina then asks softly, and Hope chuckles.
"Its you, silly" she then answers, in a serious duh voice, and Emma smirks.
"Now, we need the glitter" Hope, then says happily, whilst picking up a pot of purple glitter.
This makes Emma grimace. As she knows, Hope tends to get glitter everywhere.
Hope, then begins to spread the purple glitter, all around picture Regina.
"Perfect" she then says proudly, as she looks down at her masterpiece. Whilst Regina just looks at it, whilst thinking, is that how she see's me?
"What do you think Gina?" Hope then asks, whilst looking to Regina, with wide hopeful eyes. Hoping Regina will like it.
"It it perfect, Just like you" Regina replies softly, and bops the girl on the nose. Which makes Hope's face light up, and she throws herself into Regina's arms. Giving the woman, a tight hug.
Emma, can't help but melt, into a puddle of goo, at the sight. Before, thinking about how wonderful Regina is with Hope, and how her daughter adores Regina. And, how she herself adores Regina so much.
And she must, be looking at Reginar like a love sick puppy, because Regina is now looking over at her, with a raised eyebrow. Emma, then begins to blush, whilst giving a little bashful smile. Which, causes Regina to roll her eyes playfully.
It wasn't long, before, they all sat round the table to eat, and Regina had to admit, that snows cooking wasn't that bad.
The conversation was light, and Regina kept sneaking glances at Emma. Who was trying very hard, to get Hope to eat her vegetables, and to her credit, was succeeding.
"Will you be heading down to the new years countdown tonight?" David then asks Regina, who was busy staring at Emma.
She then blinks, and snaps her head towards him.
"Oh, I don't think so" she replies simply. "I don't, partially feel like a repeat of last year" she added with a pointed look.
"Yeah, it was a little too rowdy last year" David agrees.
"Why what happened?" Emma asks curiously, she had been too sick to go, and Killian had not long left.
"Where do I start" Regina huffed out, and the charming's chuckled.
"What?" Emma asks again, confused at the shared looks, between her parents and Regina.
"Lets just say, a brawl broke out" Snow explained, and added "Regina, ended up punching Falkner in the face, and gave him a black eye"
Emma gapes at Regina.
"Why didn't you tell me this?" she then asks, and Regina sighs.
"You had a lot on your plate Emma, and it wasn't important"
"Must of been important, if your punching him in the face" Emma retorts.
"The man was drunk" she replies seriously, and adds "He thought, it was appropriate to forcefully kiss me, and then grope me without my permission"
Emma clenches her jaw at this. Her hand, forming a fist in her lap.
"If he was here right now, I'd give him another black eye, for touching my Regina. I can't believe, you didn't tell me this" She then blurts out, whilst fuming, and everyone's eyes widen.
"What?" she then asks, when she see's that everyone is looking at her. She hadn't realized, that she had said "My Regina" out loud.
"Oh nothing sweetheart. You know, Regina can handle herself" her mother then says, whilst giving David a knowing look.
"Yeah, um, I know she can" she pets out a breath, and feels a little embarrassed at her outburst. "I just, would of liked to know at the time" Emma, then mutters, whilst looking down..
"Who would like some desert?" her mother then asks, changing the subject, which Emma is grateful for.
"Sure" she replies casually, whilst trying to act normal. Before she glances over to Regina. Who is looking at her, with a wide smile upon her face.
Damn. Why does she have to be so beautiful, Emma thinks to herself with a sigh.
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It is just before 9pm, when Regina goes to get coat to head home, and Emma follows her.
"Hey, um, I was going to go with my parents to this countdown thing. But.." Emma trails off, whilst tucking some loose hair behind her ear, and looking shyly down at the floor.
Regina, turns and smiles at Emma's bashfulness.
"You don't want to go?" she then says softly, whilst knowing, that's what Emma wanted to say.
"Yeah" the blonde looks back up, meeting Regina's gaze. Before adding "I kind of, don't want to be alone either. I was wondering..." she trails off again, and Regina felt a warmth in her chest.
"If you could come back to mine?" she finishes the blondes sentence.
"Only if that's okay with you. I understand, if you don't want any company. Its fine if.." she pauses, when she feels Regina's hand on her arm.
"I would love, for you and Hope to come back to mine, and see the new year in. It is no trouble at all" she gives Emma a adoring look, which makes the blonde go weak at the knees.
"Great. I mean, I'll just go tell my parents what's happening, and get Hope" she then rambles, with reddening cheeks and steps back, whilst Regina gives her a nod in agreement and smiles.
It doesn't take long, for the three of them to get back to Regina's. Where Emma gets Hope settled in the guest bedroom, and Regina pours two glasses of wine.
She then, places the glasses upon the table in the lounge. Before, going to turn the tv on, to find the channel that does the countdown to midnight.
"Hey" she then hears Emma say, from behind her, and she turns to see the blonde, leaning against the door frame with a small smile.
"Hey yourself" Regina replies back, with a smirk and adds "Is Hope okay?"
"Yeah, I think the excitement of the day, has finally caught up with her. She, pretty much fell asleep, as soon as her head hit the pillow"
Regina smiles.
"She seemed to enjoy herself today. Even, if she didn't like what she was wearing" she then remarks, with a smirk, whilst walking back to the table, to pick up the two glasses.
"Oh, don't remind me" Emma sighs, "I had to promise her ice cream, if she wore it, just for today"
Regina chuckles at this, whilst shaking her head in amusement.
"She's got you wrapped round her little finger" She then says, whilst holding out a glass for Emma to take, and the blonde steps towards her and takes it.
"Thanks, and I think that applies to you too"
"Me?" Regina replies, with a mock expression of surprise, as she sits down and Emma smirks.
"Yeah, remember earlier? when it was, come play with me Gina, put the hair on Gina" she chuckles, and Regina smiles.
"You know, she also told me something interesting today. After your little art session" Emma then continues, as she sits next to Regina, and the brunette tilts her head.
"What was that?" she then asks, whilst bringing her glass to her lips, and watching Emma closely.
The blonde, leans back and smiles.
"She said, and I quote "Gina is the best. She sparkles like my glitter, and I like having her around. I don't want her to leave us, can she stay forever?"
Regina, feels a lump lodge her her throat, clearly touched, by what Hope had said.
"What did you say to that?" Regina then asks, whilst putting a hand to her heart.
Emma takes a deep breath.
"I said" she pauses for a moment, and licks her lips. Whilst her heart beats faster within her chest, as she looks into Regina's dark chocolate eyes.
"I said, Yeah kid, I want her around forever too"
Regina swallows thickly at this, and she looks down at her glass. She feels so incredibly lucky, to have Emma and Hope in her life.
"So, your stuck with us now Gina" Emma then says, in a teasing voice, and a nervous chuckle.
"There's worse people, I could be stuck with" Regina teases back.
"Yeah, like that Falkner guy" Emma says bitterly, her mood suddenly changing, and she takes a big gulp of her drink.
"Yes, you really dislike the man. Why is that again?" Regina asks amused.
Emma huffs.
"He's a creep. It wouldn't surprise me, if he had photo's of you all over his walls. I swear his obsessed with you"
Regina grimaces at that.
"I hope, that is not the case. He hasn't tried anything, since he tried to force himself on me"
"Well, make sure your never alone with the guy. Your my best friend Regina, and I don't know what I'd do, if something ever happened to you" Emma then tells her earnestly and Regina's heart melts.
Her mind, instantly goes back to what she had read earlier in the day. Remembering the list of resolutions, where Emma had put 'Ask Regina out'
"So, have made any new years resolutions, this year?" she then asks casually, and Emma blinks at this. Before looking down at her glass of wine, and biting her lip.
It takes her a long moment, before she replies.
"A few"
"Just a few?"
"Yeah"
"Care to share them with me?" Regina pushes again, she hopes that maybe Emma will confess, but then, maybe its not a good idea with her track record. She doesn't want to lose Emma.
"You know the usual, be a better mom to my kids. Maybe join a gym. That sort of thing" Emma then confesses, with a shrug.
"Well, that shouldn't be hard at all. As, your already a great mother, and your in great shape" Regina then states in a matter of fact voice, before downing the rest of her drink.
Emma smiles at the praise.
"You really think so?" she then asks softly.
"Yes, I do" Regina answers immediately, with so much sincerity, that Emma's heart swells.
"Maybe, I can help you with any other resolutions, that you may have?" Regina then asks a little eagerly, and Emma bites her lip.
"Well, I was thinking of having a proper holiday. Like away from town, and maybe...maybe you would like to come with me and Hope?" she then asks, and Regina's smile widens.
"I'd love too"
"Really?" Emma's eyes widen in surprise, and she stares at Regina in wonder.
"Yes" Regina chuckles.
"You'd drop everything? like, leave this town, to go up in flames. Because, we both know, that nobody can do your job?"
Regina now laughs out loud, and Emma can't help, but get a goofy grin on her face at the sight.
"I think, your being a little over dramatic dear" she then replies, with a smile, and Emma still can't believe it. The woman, hardly leaves this crazy town.
"So, you would risk it, just to go on a holiday with me and Hope?" Emma then asks again, to make sure she's hearing right and Regna melts.
"Yes dear, your both worth the risk" Regina then replies with sincerity. whilst looking down at her now empty glass.
She doesn't notice, the way Emma is now looking at her. With so much longing.
"I'm going to get a top up, do you want another?" she then asks Emma, who is looking up at her with wide eyes.
"Um, no, I'm good thanks" she fumbles out, and watches, as Regina stands up and leaves the room.
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It is another ten minutes, before Regina returns. Having composed herself.
"is everything okay? you took a while?" Emma asks, concerned.
"Everything's fine, dear."
Emma doesn't believe her, but her before she can question it, her phone chimes, and she digs it out of her pocket.
"It might be Henry, wishing us a happy new year" Emma says, with a smile, as she opens the message. But moments later, she's throwing her phone across the room.
Regina looks surprised, and then concerned.
She reaches out instantly, placing a hand upon the blondes back, as Emma puts her head in her hands.
"What's wrong?" she asks, whilst rubbing Emma's back in comfort.
"Killian" Emma huffs and Regina blinks.
"What about him?" she then asks.
"He just fucking messaged me" Emma then snaps, and Regina's heart drops.
"Why? what did he want?" she asks shakily. As far as she knew, he hadn't made contact with Emma since he left.
"To wish, me and Hope a happy new year. Can you believe it?" she says sarcastically and adds "We haven't even heard from him, since he left, and now, he decides to message that!" she spits angrily.
"I'm so sorry Emma"
"Its him, who should be sorry. For leaving Hope like that"
"He left you both Emma" Regina frowns and Emma sighs. Whilst leaning back slightly, and putting a hand through her hair.
"I don't care, about him leaving me" she replies seriously, and Regina blinks in confusion.
"You don't?" she then asks, whilst staring at Emma.
"No. I was more upset for Hope" Emma answers truthfully, and looks sideways at Regina.
"Oh" Regina doesn't know what to say to that. She had thought, that Emma was devasted at the time.
"I was never in love with him" Emma then confesses. "I just, wanted to make my parents proud of me for once, and he kept chasing after me. I thought, this was the best I was going to get, and what I really wanted, was impossible to have"
Regina frowns, and moves her hand to Emma's knee.
"Nothing is impossible Emma" she then tells the blonde "Me and you, proved that many times in a crisis, and you deserve all the happiness in the world."
A tear falls down Emma's cheek, and she quickly wipes it away.
"Thankyou, it means a lot coming from you" she replies softly, and then takes the hand, that is on her knee, into her own and squeezes it..
"I want you to know, that even if he came back tomorrow, I would not get back with him" Emma then confesses.
"I'm glad to hear that, because you deserve so much better. But why, do you want me to know that?" she asks, and Emma looks her in the eye. Her heart beating faster within her chest.
Its now or never, Emma thinks to herself.
"Because, its always been you" Emma whispers out.
"Been me?"
"What my heart wanted. What I thought was impossible" Emma explains, and looks down sadly.
Regina's speechless.
"Killian would make remarks, about how I kept following you around, like a love sick puppy, when you were angry at me. He even said, what would your parents think, if they knew you had a little crush, on the Evil Queen?"
Regina's heart aches, and she brings Emma's hand to her mouth, and presses her lips to Emma's knuckles.
Emma's eyes widen at the action, and hope fills her chest. That Regina may feels the same.
"The thing is, he was wrong Regina. It it is not a little crush" Emma takes a deep breath, and adds "I am in love with you. Like, madly in love with you"
Regina chokes out a sob at this.
"Shit, are you okay?" Emma asks, in concern.
"Im fine. More than fine actually" Regina smiles widely at Emma, Who takes this as a positive.
She then leans forward, leaning her forehead against Regina's.
God, she hoped Regina wanted this. Hoped, Regina would not pull away from her.
And moments later, their lips met, with such softness and warmth, that both women began to tremble.
Emma then moans as Regina kisses her back eagerly. They pull each other closer, wrapping arms around each other whilst kissing passionately. They hold on to each other, not wanting to let go. But, the need for air becomes necessary, so much so that Regina has to pull back, to take a deep breath.
"Wow," Emma whispers in awe. Before, they hear people on the tv shouting "HAPPY NEW YEAR," and they both look at the tv briefly, before looking back to one another.
They stare at each other for a long moment, getting lost in each other's eyes. Whilst, feeling everything that they had kept hidden, and Regina reaches up, cupping Emma's cheek in her hand.
"Happy new year Emma, I love you too," she confesses, with so much feeling that Emma beams in happiness. "Come here," Emma then says softly, whilst leaning forward once more, and kissing the woman of her dreams. Whilst knowing, that this is her happy ending, and she is never going to let it go....