A/N: here it is guys… I hope you enjoy it!
Chapter 17
How You Get The Girl (Ryan Adams)
The subtle warm glow of yet another morning washed Regina's olive skin with an amazing glow; her cheek rested on her arm while the slumbering brunette's free hand laid on top of Emma's loosely. For the past few weeks this had become her routine, leaving the younger woman's side only to shower, barely eat or see over Jackals needs.
The sound of the voice calling her back into the waking world made her skin crawl and soon the brunette jolted awake; after looking around disoriented for a few seconds, she realized the unwanted culprit was none other than Belle.
Regina's face contorted into pure annoyance she had absolutely no intentions of hiding.
"What the hell are you doing here?"
The brunette stood up defiantly approaching the mahogany haired woman.
Belle took a couple of steps back and raised both hands in midair "I come in peace…"
Regina's nostrils flared as she crossed her arms.
"Just… hear me out"
It wasn't easy for the older woman to share breathing space with the one person who had repeatedly not only sabotaged Emma's life but also made it a short lived life mission to tear them apart. Regina sported her most aggravated expression while arching her perfect brow boldly.
"Well?"
"I know you hate me… and to be completely frank I don't exactly like you"
"And you thought I'd be interested in hearing this because…?"
"What I'm trying to say is that… regardless of our differences and the unfortunate circumstances; we both care about her"
Regina laughed sarcastically and scoffed "You are unbelievable" The sardonic tone in the brunette's voice turned dead serious and mildly threatening rather quickly.
"Look little girl… I don't know what you expected by coming here and sharing your ridiculous attempt at an apology, which worry not… I do not want or need, however the last thing Emma needs right now is to be disturbed so I will ask you nicely… leave… now"
It sounded like no joke; and even though Belle truly seemed genuinely apologetic Regina wasn't in the mental state to deal with unwanted drama.
"I didn't come looking for your forgiveness… I guess I am simply looking for hers"
"Well Belle; your moronic menace of a brother made sure that would not happen; at least not today because as you can see Emma is in a comma… Ignited of course by you and your equally useless 'husband' apparently… going off on a slaughtering rampage felt like the appropriate approach… so if you think about it this is actually all your fault!" Regina walked closer and closer to the younger woman intimidatingly; every smooth and imposing step made Belle feel doubtful of her safety, if she were to linger around much longer. "And I stand by my words to you… back off, or so help me I will make you suffer"
The brunette's words shook and stung the woman with no regression; making her bright blue eyes swell with tears, in reality Belle was a manipulative little bitch however she was no match for the absolute woman facing her fiercely.
Belle looked smaller and smaller by the second; guilt had been eating at her for days and Regina had just jammed her fingers deeply into those sore wounds.
"I guess you're right… and I um should leave" The Ex swallowed hard
The older woman stood her ground sustaining her glare.
"I know if someone can overcome this it's Emma so… When she wakes up… don't make the same mistake I made" An obviously defeated Belle turned around and left the room.
Regina took a deep breath and walked back to the blonde, she observed every steady rise and fall of Emma's chest; in a twisted way the machines surrounding her made it feel as if half of the younger woman was gone; turning her into some kind of cyborg who battled juxtaposed to the fragile and endlessly precious humanity that clung desperately to life... an internal fight only she could lose or win in seemingly absolute silence.
Feeling useless and helpless was not something the brunette was used to however it was a reality she had been left with, no glowing exit doors in sight… she had to endure it and try to become a better version of herself.
Two months later…
Spring had arrived and routines had become more and more accentuated as the days seemed to pass without forgiveness. Regina and Mary Margaret were far from being friends; however they had slowly grown into civil acquaintances that were united by a common denominator… Emma.
Just like every single night that slowly passed, Regina had spent it next to the blonde; however this midmorning belonged to Mary Margaret.
Regina had briefly gone back to Lily's house for a renewing shower and a chance to feed Jackal. The brunette dropped her designer purse on a nearby couch and dragged herself into the house with courage.
It was still difficult for Regina to breathe in the familiar soft scent that brought back invasive memories; reason why she almost never stayed longer than necessary.
This morning she found herself catching up with Emma's correspondence; the brunette signed a hand full of checks and placed them inside crisp envelopes. With a deep and long breath Regina finished the task and buried her face in her hands. After running her fingers though her silk black hair; the woman turned her attention to the noble golden retriever faithfully watching her.
A few seconds passed and Jackal barked at his new beautiful human.
"I have to admit that you are as irritatingly adorable as she is" The brunette finished with a smile placing a gentle hand on his head and ruffled his blonde mane.
Looking into his selfless eyes was easy; it gave the brunette a sense of normalcy and hope; she knew how much he meant to Emma and remained as a fully aware part of her still claiming its space on earth.
Back at the hospital Mary Margaret waltzed around Emma's room as she spoke freely. Each week the pixie haired woman would devotedly bring a fresh batch of flowers to somehow make the room feel cozier and today was no different. As she casually groomed the buds; Mary Margaret told Emma of her latest ladies club meeting.
"The budget we have is incredibly small for the amount of things these naïve women are proposing… I mean you can only stretch a dollar so far, and it's not like out benefactors are being of much help either"
The brunette chatted and moved on to the window, opening the blinds to fully allow sunlight to enter the room. Emma had always found her mother's meetings with the society utterly boring and would try to run as far away as she could whenever Mary Margaret held them at their house when she was younger; to the blonde it felt like absolute torture.
While the short haired brunette tidied up the small sofa and its pillows Emma's finger twitched lightly.
Completely unaware Mary Margaret continued her incessant and obviously miraculous obnoxious blabbing about her favorite charity group and her equally dull friends.
"You should really listen to Marsha Benson and her ridiculous proposals… as always thinking she can save the entire world with the funds equivalent to a lemonade stand fund raiser"
Emma furrowed her brows as she bathed in internal misery; she felt as if her ears were beginning to bleed and unfortunately she could simply not outer a word.
The blonde shifted in the crisp white bed as every cell of her body began to wake with her. Mary Margaret casually turned to her daughter and noticed her moving as her gorgeous emerald eyes fluttered open.
The brunette's eyes widened and a genuine smile took over her face as she rushed to her daughter's side "Oh my God Emma you're awake sweetheart"
The blonde was far too disoriented to take notice of the unusual term of endearment; she looked at her mother and just as the brunette noticed Emma wanted to speak; she quickly placed a gentle hand on her arm, wide green eyes showed a small hint of panic and Mary Margaret spoke.
"Emma don't try to talk… its ok, you have a tube in your throat that was helping you breathe, everything is fine, just stay calm ok?"
The blonde felt lost wondering who this loving woman was and what the hell she had done with her usually bitter mother. She began to relax as she saw equally green eyes glow with a mix of fresh tears and shades of emotion the woman had never seen in them before.
Mary Margaret ran to the door and began to call for a doctor or nurse while Emma looked around the room and then up to the ceiling, wondering what the hell had happened.
The blonde turned her head as a woman in a nurse uniform rushed into the room followed by a man sporting a lab coat; every sensation rushing through her body felt almost brand new and obsolete at the same time, brand new because somehow she felt like she had been sleeping and disconnected from the world for three days straight and obsolete because her entire backside hurt and so did her heart, Regina had walked away from her… she tied a memory to the sensation and just like that came the mental vomit of information packed with her bashing and every detail surrounding it.
The man hurried to her side and looked at the machines surrounding the newly awakened woman "Hello Miss Swan, I'm Dr. Carter… I am actually not your assigned specialist, but he is being called in as we speak… in the meantime I am going to remove that uncomfortable tube from your throat okay?"
The blonde listened attentively and nodded; allowing the man to do what he deemed necessary to eradicate the source of the most unyielding discomfort she had felt in her entire life.
The man maneuvered over the blonde skillfully as Mary Margaret and the nurse watched; the pixie haired woman clasped her hands together and focused intently on her daughter and what was being done to her.
A few seconds later the man removed the remaining part of the tube and Emma began to cough intensely; the blonde sat up and gripped on the white sheets as her lungs began to settle.
Being watched like the latest art exhibit by a couple of strangers was anything but ideal for the blonde; however she knew there was no other way around it besides simply waiting for them to do their job and leave.
Mary Margaret smiled and took Emma's hand affectionately as soon as she could squeeze a chance; the blonde quickly looked down and furrowed her brows.
"Oh no… Regina" The brunette said as realization hit her and Emma's eyes gleamed as she searched for her mother's "She doesn't know you're awake, I should call her"
The blonde's bewilderment remained plastered on her face as she opened her mouth to speak but found her voice breaking; she cleared her throat and tried again "Regina? What do you mean you have to call her? I don't understand…"
Both women watched as the doctor left the room and the nurse started to remove the IVs still attached to the blonde.
"She's here Emma… she's been here by your side all this time, she just left about an hour ago to take a shower"
The woman's heart began to pound against her chest and that obsolete feeling inside her began to fade as the words her mother spoke began to sink in.
While Mary Margaret drew her cellphone from her purse, Emma shook her head "Mom… wait"
The older woman looked up from the device and into her daughter's eyes with wonder.
"I look like shit… I…" Emma said as she looked at herself and all the traces of glue on her arms; not to mention the unflattering robe.
Her mother smiled and squeezed the blonde's hand again "You look beautiful Emma…"
The moment was surreal and almost anticlimactic… though this was everything Emma ever wanted as a child; she was still incredibly confused by her mother's sudden change, however it didn't feel like the time was appropriate to talk about it.
Honoring her daughter's request, the brunette turned to look for the small bag they had brought faithfully hoping Emma would wake up. The blonde could not get over the insanely strange sensation of witnessing her mother behaving nicely towards her even less acting like an actual caring and loving mother.
"So how long was I out?" Emma asked and Mary Margaret turned her attention from the bag to the questioning woman.
Back at Lily's house; Regina had just finished getting neatly dressed as usual. Still gorgeous as ever however the current situation seemed to have changed the brunette… making her seem softer somehow; the arduous schedules she had been dealing with like a true fighter had begun to show on her appearance, the woman would barely eat and therefore had lost some weight.
Soft and shiny black hair fell over her face as the selflessly alluring woman buttoned her impeccable pants.
The vibrating sound of her phone on the night stand announced the arrival of a new text message. Regina turned her attention to the device and picked it up, as soon as the screen revealed the black bold letters her heart came to life again, a breath was caught on her throat as she smiled brightly 'Emma is awake'
The brunette quickly picked up her purse and walked off.
After a much desired shower Emma looked at herself in the mirror of the small bathroom; she noticed the small bruises in her hands and arms… mere traces left by the constant pinching and poking she had been enduring for the last two months. The blonde turned her head to the side and noticed the well-hidden small patch of newly grown hair right under her long mane, the woman's finger tips found their way to it and caressed the fully healed area gently, she was grateful it was on the back and that it could be easily disguised but more than anything she was glad to be alive and breathing.
Emma closed her eyes as a sudden flash of memory attacked her.
Right behind her lids; she could barely see her brother's eyes… then the chilling sound that was followed by excruciating pain and darkness.
She quickly shook the memory off and continued getting dressed.
Meanwhile Regina rushed through the hospital hallways; adrenaline and pure excitement ran through her veins. This was the moment she had been humbly begging for; the brunette had disarmed herself and learned a great deal about openness and appreciation, while Emma was in a coma she knew the moment she allowed anger to take over, everything would feel lost and Emma was far too precious to give up on.
The blonde was now fully dressed and sitting on the bed waiting for the specialist to return with the tests he had run on her and hopefully allow her to go home; the sound of Mary Margaret's voice almost a blur as her eyes were fixed on the lint of the white sheets, when suddenly that delicious perfume hit her hard, Emma looked up and standing on the door was Regina.
Regina and her amazing dark eyes filled with tears; contrasting with that amazing life giving smile.
The blonde was now beaming; she blinked softly and tried to stand when she felt Regina's body collide with hers. The brunette looped her arms around Emma's neck and back holding her tightly while the blonde's eyes reddened, Regina's released thick warm tears of absolute joy.
Finding solace in the older woman's neck was like coming back home
"You came back…" Emma said with a hoarse voice and every cell in Regina's being stopped running on auto pilot, this brand new chance was real and she would never again let her go.
"I never left" The older woman whispered still locked in their intimate embrace.
The neurologist entered the room and cleared his throat apologetically "I am sorry to interrupt"
Both women parted from the affectionate touch however Emma kept her hand entwined with the brunette's.
"We have your results back Miss Swan"
Regina took a deep breath and collected herself as she straightened her clothes; Emma nodded and listened to the man who was now reading down the chart in his hands.
"I am pleased to say that everything came back completely normal" The man tried to find his words in a brief moment of disbelief and scientific stubbornness "It is actually quite rare given to the nature of the trauma you received and also the amount of time you were unconscious… I believe this gave your body the chance to heal fantastically well"
Mary Margaret smiled genuinely as she stood silently in the back; Emma grinned and nodded as Regina squeezed her hand.
"There were no discrepancies in the physical tests I performed earlier, however I'd like for you to come see me in three days; the psychological damage should be latent and the next few days might be filled with memories and sensations that are not so pleasant"
Emma knew exactly what the man spoke of as she had gotten a glimpse of the unwanted side effects of getting your head broken in two.
"I understand you reside in Seattle"
"Yes Sir I do…"
The man nodded coolly "Very well, I'll refer you to a colleague of mine over there… she is one of the best psychologists in the west coast"
Emma nodded and smiled "Thank you"
"On the contrary it is my pleasure… Well, the nurse will be back in with some paper work you'll need to sign and other than that you are free to go… please do not hesitate to call me or come in if anything feels out of the ordinary"
Mary Margaret spoke "Thank you Dr."
The man nodded pleasantly and walked out of the room.
The silence in the room was brief as Emma quickly broke the ice after taking a deep breath and looking around "So… I really got my ass kicked didn't I?"
Regina rolled her eyes and Mary Margaret chimed in "Emma!"
"What?" The blonde asked casually as she shrugged
The trio had finally left the hospital, Mary Margaret tagged along and accompanied Emma and Regina to Lily's house; simply trying to make the transition easy for her daughter. The brunette opened the door and walked in followed by the blonde and her mother.
Emma's heart suddenly sank as she remembered her grandmother, her warming happiness lingered in the air and for that Emma felt grateful, it helped the woman find comfort in the fact that she would have to learn to live without her from now on… so choosing to reminisce on Lily with a smile felt like the only way the woman would have wanted to be remembered.
Regina knew that Emma was strong and would not show a different side of her current emotions while Mary Margaret was around, she also felt the friction radiating from Emma, rightfully so as the brunette also knew her mother's new attitude was far from normal to the blonde who had missed much.
"I will go find Jackal" Regina said and Emma smiled "I left him outside enjoying the fantastic weather"
The brunette squeezed the blonde's hand "I'll be back" She finished with a wink and left mother and daughter alone.
Emma went for her signature move whenever she felt awkwardness make an appearance; burying her hands in the pockets of her jeans she looked down.
Oddly enough both women spoke in unison.
"Mom"
"Emma"
Mary Margaret looked into the blonde's eyes and reached for one of the hidden hands, Emma's eyes followed her mother's move and even though she had no idea how to react, she allowed the pixie haired woman to take the limb.
"I should go first" Mary Margaret said with a smile as her eyes filled with tears.
Emma's lip curled up.
"I had been impatiently waiting for you to wake up… because I knew you would" The woman began to cry and the blonde's brows furrowed with empathy.
"Mom… its ok you don't have to do this"
"Yes Emma I must… I know there is absolutely no excuse for what I've made you go through, I feel horribly guilty and ashamed of my behavior… you didn't deserve my bitterness and you didn't deserve the life I gave you" The brunette finished in whispers as she tried to control herself.
Emma's green eyes mirrored her mother's in color and emotion; the blonde's orbs welled up with tears she did not try to hold back.
"For weeks while I watched you lay there and all I could do was ask her over and over for another chance to give you what I never did… another chance to try to at least be half the mother she always was…"
Emma looked down and as tears fell down her cheeks; she quickly wiped them off while chewing on her lip.
"But more than anything I wanted to tell you how sorry I am for everything and hope you can someday find it in your heart to forgive me Emma"
The blonde looked up and into equally green eyes; as she opened her mouth to speak, Mary Margaret stopped her.
Perhaps the woman was afraid of hearing a negative response; or more accurately… she knew her daughter's selfless nature would grant her exactly what she wanted however, it wouldn't be fair.
Mary Margaret was willing to work for it and show Emma these words were not empty.
"You don't have to say anything, just please allow me to be part of your life from now on"
Emma smiled and nodded.
The pixie haired woman gently broke the touch and just as their fingers brushed apart Emma blinked with tear soaked lashes, the intensity of receiving everything she ever wished for in a matter of seconds was overwhelming, but more than anything else being able to see honesty in her mother's eyes gave her the confidence of truly being able to believe that the woman didn't hate her, perhaps this was the start of a different chapter in their lives in which Emma would for the first time learn to understand that the woman who gave her life actually loved her.
Time could be defined as the indefinite continued progress of existence and events in the past, present, and future regarded as a whole. A few minutes had passed and the blonde had spent the entirety of those realizing that the way we measured life and every vivid edge of it was simply a waste… we wasted hours, minutes, seconds, days, weeks… even years; chasing after and hoping for something to make our lives feel complete, simply keeping too much in silence or outing the loudest words pain had to offer; when in truth existence could be as simple as the moment she had just shared with a lifelong loved enemy, life was a gift and time was nothing but a joke that laughed at oir faces giving us all an expiration date… a deadline to enjoy life in bliss or live it in absolute misery. Either being always our choice.
The blonde was brought back into the moment by her beloved golden retriever who approached her with a bouquet of licks and barking serenade.
Regina laughed as she watched them; Emma twisted her lips and expressed her current state of sweetness overload as she petted Jackal and ruffled his soft mane.
"I missed you too buddy… but let's admit that you had the hottest doggy sitter in existence"
Regina leaned on the wall with arms crossed; simply enjoying the sight with a smile on her face.
Emma looked up and saw brown eyes gleam like never before; the happiness shining through Regina was spellbinding. The blonde stood and walked towards the older woman.
The brunette's eyes followed the taller woman until they were mere inches apart. They looked into each other and their wanting lips collided in a gentle and meaningful kiss.
Regina deepened the kiss and Emma moaned into it as she felt her knees falter. The blonde lingered with closed eyes even after the brunette broke the kiss with a gentle caress on the taller woman's cheek.
"Why did you stop?" Emma asked softly.
Regina looked down and then back up into green eyes "Because you just got out of the hospital…"
"So? You're not going to break me"
In that instant Emma's stomach decided to join the conversation.
Regina raised a brow as she continued to smile "Hungry?"
Before the slightly taller woman could answer, the brunette shook her head "Why even bother to ask? Of course you are"
Emma smiled and so did Regina.
The brunette took the blonde's hand and led her to the kitchen where she would prepare one of her favorite meals; giving Emma a small taste of the happiness that was ahead for them.
Back in the heat of Seattle's early evening traffic, Ruby honked the horn of her car with emphasis and passion; a few seconds later the woman rolled the window down and poked her head out "Move it assholes! I have a place to get to!"
The loud mouthed woman settled back on her seat and huffed impatiently "Fucking ball-less goody two shoes" the woman said to herself and then screamed out the window yet again "Ever heard of breaking the rules you idiots?! I'm gonna miss my flight!" She finished and buried her hand on the horn yet again, a blonde kid inside the car next to her opened his mouth as his mother quickly rolled the windows of their car up mortified.
While Ruby tried her best to get to Vancouver, Emma and Regina had spent the majority of the day simply enjoying each other and talking; after a delicious meal they had found their way up to Emma's bed, the same one that witnessed every intimate instant shred by them as they unknowingly fell in love.
And here they were yet again, after a sharp and not so smooth fast-forward, they laid facing each other. Minutes passed by with the flow of a perfect chord progression, Emma's head rested on her arm while Regina had settled for the comfortable pillow.
There was a question the blonde had been meaning to ask yet continued to put back, Regina saw the shift in the younger woman's eyes and knitted her brows together.
"What is it Emma?"
"When I um… was at the hospital… did Killian stop by?
"He was there that night… though he never returned after Ruby gave him a piece of her mind"
The blonde lowered her head and Regina took the younger woman's hand "I'm sorry Emma" The brunette finished with heartfelt empathy and brushed her thumb on soft skin.
The older woman placed those same fingers under the blonde's chin and searched for green eyes "But… I am so happy to have you back"
It was incredibly refreshing and exhilarating for Emma to see this side of Regina; the keeper of the tallest fortress had finally torn those walls down completely. Looking into dark eyes, the younger woman could see a few grey clouds lingering, however sunshine seemed to be making its way through her lover's soul.
"Emma… there's something I need you to know"
"Tell me"
"That night… my return to you had nothing to do with what happened"
Emma smiled softly and blinked; while Regina caressed her cheek as she pierced green eyes with unshakable raw honesty.
"I need you to know that"
Those simple words meant so much to the blonde; in all honesty she hadn't had any time to think about the motives of Regina's return, however this admission gifted her with a kind of peace that glued her perfect puzzle together… life was far from faultless yet in this very moment all she could feel was pure appreciation.
The older woman felt like she could finally relax and allow her body to let go; the last two months had taken a toll on her. Emma's nearness had always had a calming effect on the woman's spirit; as her darkly manicured fingers twitched lightly, her onyx orbs opened and closed with the slowest of motions.
"Maybe we should sleep a little before Ruby arrives" Regina let out softly trying to lure Emma into a nap.
The blonde smiled and brought her hand to brunette's head and gently stroke soft dark locks of hair. "I don't think I'll be wanting to sleep for a while"
Regina closed her eyes and Emma continued to look at her just as she had the night she realized she was falling in love with the brunette "But you do just that… I'm not going anywhere" The blonde whispered mesmerized by the moment.
An hour had passed and Regina began to shift in the warmth of the familiar bed. Every scent and sensation invited the woman back into the waking world, with fluttering eyes she realized something was amiss and she suddenly wanted to vomit. Had it all been a dream?
The brunette tried hard to remember and focus on the side of reality she had left behind only an hour ago; her racing heart began to settle back into its regular rhythm as her ears caught the sound of water falling and crashing on cold porcelain.
The woman stood from the bed and peeled the blouse off her body and over her head. Once Regina entered the bathroom; every single step she took brought her closer to the figure behind foggy and clear glass.
Emma felt the presence behind her; guided by the unmistakable scent of Regina's perfume, she turned and saw the brunette standing there completely naked.
Completely bare and facing each other; the blonde got to see that stunning olive body she remembered perfectly well, only now the woman looked slightly thinner. Regina on the other hand stood before the woman she had been guarding over for the last couple of months. Emma also looked slimmer; as the brunette walked closer to the taller woman, she brushed her fingers over bruised arms gently.
The touch ended with both hands cupping Emma's face. Regina's eyes darkened with lust as the blonde placed her hands on her hips and glided smoothly onto her lower back.
In an instant; Regina had been straddled. Emma took the brunette's hands pushing both arms up and against cool tiled wall, the feeling of hard peaks gliding against her skin made the pressure between the blondes hips intensify.
As water cascaded down their bodies; both women allowed their thirst for one another to coax their lips closer and closer, Regina opened her mouth sensually invading the blonde's with her intoxicating tongue. Emma allowed the older woman to consume her with abandon, unable to help herself Regina bit and pulled the blonde's bottom lip, immediately soothing it with an anesthetic and slow lick.
Emma began to nozzle on her favorite spot… the older woman's throbbing pulse point and she placed her hand behind Regina's knee, bring it up as she bucked her hips forward; causing a provoking friction between their heating axis.
Regina looked into Emma's eyes and pushed two fingers in with no anticipation, making the blonde gasp and whimper.
A salacious grin overtook Regina's face as she turned their bodies and pushed the blonde against the now mildly warm wall she had been pinned to before.
Emma began to shiver as the brunette slowly began to fall to her knees, leaving behind nothing but ardent thrill on every inch of the younger woman's skin. Once she reached her desired spot; the brunette covered the swollen bud with her enticing mouth making Emma moan and throw her head back against the wet wall. The blonde placed her hand on the back of Regina's head and pushing the woman deeper into her own wet unquenched desire.
The three day deadline the doctor had given her had passed; Emma woke up early and quietly. The woman wrote a quick note for Regina and walked out of the room in stealth mode. After waking Ruby up, both women left the house.
The plan was to get her appointment with the neurologist over quickly in order to have enough time to execute her plan.
A couple of hours later, Regina woke up finding herself in bed naked and completely alone; she noticed the small note on Emma's pillow and took it.
'I'll try to get out of my appointment as soon as I can, We've put all the luggage in your car. Please meet me at the cemetery at ten xo ps: Don't forget Jackal!'
Regina smiled and figured the blonde wanted to stop by her grandmother's resting place before they left to Seattle, so she got ready and left with the blonde canine.
The brunette drove through the empty streets of the evergreen resting grounds; the morning was fresh and stunning, the soft breeze blowing against the newly sprouted leaves of those signature tall trees.
Just as the woman found the correct location, she noticed Emma was standing by her grandmother's tomb, long blonde hair flowing along the wind.
Emma 's neck was covered by the zipped up leather jacket she wore. The blonde felt a gentle touch on her back and turned to see Regina standing next to her with a small smile.
"I was just saying goodbye" Emma said and looked down at the name engraved on granite.
Regina looked down and paid her respects to the loving woman she had grown to care for so deeply. She took the blonde's hand and entwined their fingers together.
"Are you ready to go home?" Regina asked.
Emma grinned and nodded "I am but before we go, there's something I wanted to show you"
The brunette drew her head back and furrowed her brows with curiosity "Alright"
The blonde guided Regina back to her motorcycle and the older woman rolled her eyes. "Please don't tell me you want me to ride that thing all the way back to Seattle"
Emma smiled and reached for a full face black helmet, equally cool as hers. She maintained the grin and offered the riding piece to the woman before her.
Regina smiled and understood the meaning of the seemingly insignificant gift; Emma was a loner, a creature that rode alone and that's how she had always managed to keep everyone who tried to get close at bay, little things like not owning a decent extra helmet kept her in check and reminded her that there was no space in her life for anyone else but Jackal. This meant much and the older woman acknowledged the gesture for what it truly meant.
Regina took the helmet and smiled "Thank you"
Emma looked at her as she narrowed her eyes, shielding them from the small rays of sunlight hitting her, there was a serene energy surrounding them... as if no words were needed however Regina had been holding a promise in her tongue for far too long.
The brunette smiled and captured soft pink lips with her crimson red ones; seconds later they parted gently.
"I love you Emma Swan"
Emma grinned and pulled her into another brief kiss that was broken with a gentle bite on delicious red lips "And I love you Regina Mills"
The brunette gave the blonde a flawless smile and squinted her eyes as she turned to face the sun and her classy Mercedes.
"I have a question… how the hell do you expect us to pull this off?" Regina asked and looked at her Mercedes neatly parked by them. Jackal sat in the back seat with the window of course completely rolled down.
The golden retriever barked at the blue eyed brunette approaching the vehicle "Hey Regina do you trust me enough to hand me your keys?" Ruby asked from a distance and continued to walk confidently
The older woman raised a brow that quickly softened leaving way for a genuine smile "They are in the ignition" Regina shouted.
"Alright… see you guys in Seattle" The blonde's best friend entered the car and turned the engine on.
Emma reached for her helmet "Let's go home" She finished and expertly tucked her hair into the helmet. Regina followed and did the same.
After the engine of Emma's Ducati began to roar; Regina looped her arms around the blonde's waist and just like that… they were gone.
Gone riding through the streets that soon became gigantic green lush trees; Ruby followed as she drove Regina's Mercedes with an adorable dog peeking his head through the window. They rode together, just like they had done that second day.
The end.
A/N: I can't believe it's over… Thank you so much to all of you amazing people who took the time to fall in love with this story alongside me… it was an amazing ride, you guys rock! For those wondering where Regina's grandfather is, look out for the epilogue! Please give me a review! I'd love to know how you felt about the ending.