A/N: Please note that the rating has changed from "M" to "T". Thanks to everyone for reading and reviewing xx
Chapter Seven
Regina was the first to wake up because of the morning sun shining into her living room. She looked around to realize they had somehow ended up spooning on her couch. After she realized that her entire right side went numb, she slowly sat up. Emma was still fast asleep and Regina couldn't help but admire how cute she looked.
It only took about a minute for Emma to wake up. She was greeted with a pair of dark, brown eyes looking right into hers. Not expecting to have someone watching over her, she jumped. Regina's eyes grew wide in embarrassment at getting caught.
The brunette was too stunned to say anything so Emma laughed and graced her lips with a kiss.
"Good morning, Regina. How long have you been awake for?"
"Not long, I swear."
Emma laughed even harder. "Hey, I'm not judging you. But I am sorry for falling asleep on your couch. Especially without an invitation."
Regina shyly smiled, "You don't need an invitation, Emma. Plus, we just got our first sleepover out of the way. Even if it wasn't the most comfortable."
They continued to snuggle for a few more minutes, feeling oddly like an official couple.
"Do you have any plans for today?"
The blonde thought about it for a second before replying. Just gotta get some homework done. Why?"
"Want to get some breakfast and work on homework later? I have some brilliant ideas. Unless you're getting sick of me, of course, and would like some time to yourself."
"That sounds like the most perfect Sunday to me."
After a simple breakfast at a local cafe Regina suggested they go over tp Emma's place for a bit.
"Great idea. That way I can finally change and pick up my homework. I look like I'm doing the walk of shame."
Regina raised an eyebrow at her.
"I-I mean not that we slept together. Well, we did but we didn't, you know, have sex." Emma let out a sigh in frustration and her face turned bright red.
"No need to get so worked up, Em. I know what you mean." Regina lightened the mood with her cheery smile.
"I didn't mean to call you that," Regina quickly said referring to the nickname. "I am sorry if it bothered you."
The blonde thought about it for a second then smiled. "No, I like it. It's cute coming from you."
They took each other's hands and Regina revealed her intention in going to Emma's apartment.
"So I thought that maybe while we were at your place you could teach me something?"
"Oh yeah? And what's that?" Emma was definitely intrigued.
"Mario's Party."
"Hell yeah! And it's just 'Mario Party'"."
"Whatever."
The two women burst out in a fit of giggles.
"No, Regina. I promise you, Bowser isn't good."
"But that one time I landed on him he gave me 50 coins!"
Emma sighed. She had tried to explain this to the brunette twice already. Let's just say Mario Party wasn't one of Regina's strong suits so far.
"That happens maybe once every game. The odds of him giving you coins again are slim to none. So stop trying to go over to him. Aim for Toad instead; he'll give you a star if you have enough coins."
"Mmmkay," she rolled her eyes.
The next mini game came on and Emma kept inching closer to the television screen while her tongue poked out in concentration.
"No! God dammit!"
"Jeez, Em. It's just a game." Regina laughed at the blonde's frustration.
Emma shot the other girl a look. "Mario Party is not. Just. A. Game."
They held each other's gaze for a very serious minute before bursting out into a fit of giggles.
A warning popped up on the screen that there were only five rounds left.
"God, this game goes on forever," Regina sighed.
"No way! You just don't really know what you're doing, no offense," Emma teased. "We're only playing twenty rounds, I usually play the thirty or fifty."
The brunette gave her a flirtatious nudge, "You're such a child,".
"Yeah, but you like it," the blonde winked.
Every time Emma flirted with Regina she flushed like a ripe tomato.
They fell into a comfortable silence while the finished up their game.
Regina: Can I take you out on my winning date this Saturday if you're free?
Emma: Sounds great :) when and where?
Regina: I was thinking around noon? And I'll text you the address soon. I'll have to meet you there but I promise it will be worth it.
Emma: Hmm... you're not planning on killing me & burying me in the woods, are you?
Regina: If you keep it up, I just might ;)
Regina: Oh and dress warm, it's supposed to be chilly.
Emma: Can't wait.
*SATURDAY*
Regina was at their date location and had everything set up fifteen minutes before Emma was supposed to show up.
"Watch her show up late like she does for almost everything," she muttered under her breath.
She carefully went back over all the details in her head once more, making sure she didn't forget anything.
The brunette was pleasantly surprised when she saw Emma arrive right on time.
"You brought me to ride horses?"
"'Hey' to you too."
"Sorry, hi," the blonde gave her a kiss on the forehead and a smile.
"Riding horses is one of my favorite things to do and I'd like to share it with you."
"Okay then, I'm excited," she genuinely responded.
Regina taught Emma how to properly mount a horse and they took a very slow ride about half a mile away.
They reached their destination and Emma exclaimed at the amount of preparation Regina went through.
"Wow, Regina! This is beautiful. I haven't had a picnic in years."
Their picnic was complete with sandwiches, fruit, and a little bottle of wine on a blanket that the brunette had set up. Her heart was pounding with excitement and nerves.
They ate their lunch with comfortable conversation. It seemed as though every single day there was something new they learned about each other.
When they were finished, Regina took Emma's hand in hers and took a deep breath.
"Emma, I want to say how much I appreciate you giving me a second chance. You are one of the most caring and genuine people I have ever met. Every time I'm around you, you ground me and help me to strive to be a better person. Even before I knew you were my soul mate I felt drawn to you."
She closed her eyes for a second and took another deep breath.
"What I'm trying to get at is that I would love to continue to get to know you and experience life with you. Will you be my girlfriend, Emma Swan?"
Emma was taken aback and her eyes were welling up with tears.
"Wow, no one has ever made a speech like that for me before. That's just one of the many ways that I've come to learn that you really do care about me. I would be honored to be your girlfriend, Regina."
The brunette was relieved and Emma leaned in for a big kiss.
"You know, I've never actually asked someone to date me before, they've always asked me," Regina stated.
The blonde let out a soft giggle, "Well, you did perfect,".