Counting Stars: Chapter 6
Emma was still sitting in the living area in a state of complete shock. The past day and a half has felt like a dream. Regina had just kissed her. She could still feel the other woman's lips on hers. It felt so good. It had been so long.
All of the feelings that this one kiss caused were overwhelming. It evoked so many emotions in the blonde. It reminded her of their first kiss.
Flashback
It was a slow day at Any Given Sundae. The weather had been horrible all week, leading to an empty shop. Emma had just arrived from school. She is getting ready to start her shift.
Her mother comes our from the backroom with her coat on. Upon seeing her daughter she smiles. "Oh good you're here. I have to drive out of town to run an errand. Do you think that you and Regina can run the shop till I get back?"
Emma who is busy putting on her work shirt replies. "Sure, it's dead out there. I doubt any one will show up. The weather is pretty bad."
Ingrid nods her head in agreement. "Yeah it is. Well I should be back in about three hours. Regina should be here any minute. The mayor called and said that she would be late."
This surprises Emma. Regina had never been late before. "Did she say why?"
The older blondee shakes her head. "Nope. There really isn't any reason for her to come in today with the shop being empty, but I don't want Cora to know that the shop isn't doing so well. Anyway, I have to run. If I'm not back before closing, just lock up okay." Emma nods and her mother leaves.
The blonde is trying to busy herself when she hears the sound of a car. She looks up and sees the mayor's car exiting the parking lot. Regina enters the shop and walks right past Emma, heading straight towards the back room. Both girls had become best friends and it was odd for Regina to not acknowledge the blondee.
Emma makes her way to the back and sees that Regina is in the bathroom. She decides to wait for her to come out. She is waiting for a short while, when the other girl emerges. Her face is swollen. She has been crying.
The blonde is immediately concerned and rushes towards Regina. She had fallen for the brunette and did not like the fact that she was sad.
"What's wrong, why were you crying?" She questions.
Regina has her back to her. She is unbuttoning her school uniform shirt. She attends a private school a couple of towns away. Emma looks in the other direction to give her some privacy.
"Don't worry about it Emma, I'm fine." Regina replies dismissively while pulling her work shirt over her head.
Emma scoffs. "Yeah because people cry for no reason at all. I'm not stupid Regina. So now tell me the truth. What's wrong?"
Regina shakes her head, but tears begin to fall down her olive toned cheeks. Emma hears her crying again and walks over and hugs her from behind.
"Hey it's okay. Tell me what's wrong." She says trying to comfort the brunette.
Regina does not pull away from the embrace; enjoying the feeling of Emma's arms around her. It is scary how being in the blondee's embrace seems to make her feel better.
She is afraid to admit that she likes Emma as more than a friend. She wipes her face before speaking.
"It's my mother. She is upset with me because I got a bad grade on my math test. I tried so hard to pass the test and I did with a B-."
Emma wishes that she could get that grade on her math tests. She was crap in the subject. However, she knows that anything less than an A is unacceptable in the Mills household.
"What did she say?" The blonde questions, already knowing the answer.
Regina feeling that she has gotten her emotions in check, turns to face the other girl pulling away from the hug. "The usual. That I was a worthless piece of shit." She says while looking down at the ground.
Emma is upset. Cora had a history of being verbally abusive to her daughter. She suspected that the other woman was physically abusive as well but couldn't confirm. She hated how the mayor would bring down Regina's confidence.
"Don't listen to your mother. You know that you are smart. It will blow over." The blondee states reassuringly.
Regina quickly shakes her head. "She called my school and had me removed from the drama club. She said that it was obvious that I was wasting my time with the club and not fully applying myself to my studies." Fresh tears begin to rim her eyes.
Emma inhales sharply. She knows how important the drama club was to Regina. The brunette had expressed on many occasions her desire to become an actress.
"That is horrible. I'm sorry." Is the blondees only reply.
Regina is now sobbing. "I'm so fucking stupid. All I needed to do was get an A on that stupid test and I couldn't even do that. She's right, I am worthless."
Emma shakes her head and walks up to Regina. She lifts up the brunette's chin. She wants to have eye contact with her.
"You aren't worthless Regina. You mean something to me. I know that I don't matter much bu-"
Her sentence is cut off with Regina's lips. Her lips taste salty from her tears. The blondee is shocked by the kiss but kisses back after a moment.
it is over quickly. Regina pulls back and presses her forehead against Emma's.
Speaking quietly she says, "great, now I have another reason for her to hate me."
End Flashback
The sound of pots clanking together brings Emma back to the present. She stands up and makes her way to the kItchen. She has to speak with Regina and make some sense of this.
Upon entering, she sees that the brunette has her back to her. She sighs because she doesn't even know how to approach this situation. The kiss that they have just shared changes everything.
Emma clears her throat, but Regina doesn't turn around.
"Regina." She tries, but there is still no response.
"The least you can do is turn around and talk to me after that." Emma says with a hint of anger in her voice.
Regina turns with tears in her eyes.
The anger vanishes from Emma's mind. The sight of the crying brunette is too much. She walks over to her and hugs her tightly. Regina hugs back. After several long moments, Regina pulls away.
"I'm sorry Emma. I shouldn't have kissed you. I know that you want to only be friends. I was just so happy because you and Henry are moving in."
Emma steps back to create some distance between the both of them. She does not really know how to respond. She did say that she only wanted a friendship from the other woman, but was that what she really wanted?
"Look you were happy, let's not make a big deal about it." She tries to dismiss the situation.
Regina shakes her head. "That's the thing Emma, it's a big deal to me. I care about you so much. I still love you."
There it is. There is no denying it now. Emma is not able to feign sleep this time.
"Don't say that." She responds quietly.
Regina sighs. "Why not?"
"It makes it real." Emma says not making eye contact.
"Emma what we have has always been real. It does not matter how much time has passed. I have never stopped loving you, and you have never stopped loving me." Regina says forcefully.
Before Emma can respond, she continues. "I know that I fucked up everything. Trust me there is not a day that goes by where I don't forget that. You walking into the diner yesterday was fate. I want so badly for there to be an us. I know that I hurt you. I will do everything to right all of my wrongs. I want to be with you."
Emma shakes her head. "I can't. I can't do this with you again. I don't want to get hurt. This was a mistake."
Regina walks to the blonde and grabs her hands surprised that the other woman doesn't pull away.
"I'm not asking you to be with me right now. I'm just telling you what I want. I am willing to wait as long as it takes and if it never happens then I will still be your friend."
Emma looks up and makes eye contact with Regina. She sees so much love in the other woman's eyes. She loves Regina, but it is hard to let go of the past.
She has so many things to consider, and it wasn't just her anymore; she has Henry.
The little boy had grown attached to Regina in the short time that he has spent with her. What if they did try to get back together and it didn't work. She would have to separate them. She has so many things that she needs to consider.
"I need time." Is her only response.
Regina smiles. It's not a solid no. "I will give you all of the time that you need. I promise nothing will change between us. I don't want you to feel uncomfortable around me. I really am truly happy about you and Henry staying with me."
Emma returns the brunette's smile but has so many thoughts swimming in her head. The biggest one right now is wanting to kiss Regina again. So she does.
She catches the other woman by surprise, but she quickly responds. They are kissing for only a moment, when the lights in the apartment begin to flicker before going completely out.
Emma pulls back and rests their foreheads together.
She knows that her actions just contradicted her previous request and that nothing has been truly resolved, but she wanted, no needed to feel Regina's lips pressed against hers once more. She smiles before speaking.
"I don't believe in fairytales, but I would say that, that was true loves kiss." Both women begin to laugh.
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The apartment was in complete darkness. Emma was standing in front of the fuse box while Regina shined her phone's flashlight over the box. All talk had been placed on hold. It appears that the weather had knocked out the power.
They had been standing in front of the box for the past twenty minutes. "I don't know why you are wasting your time Miss Swan. It's not like you have any idea about what you are doing." Regina states in a frustrated tone. Her arms hurt from holding the phone up in the air.
"Don't you remember back in the shop when we lost power during that storm. I fixed it. I know what I'm doing." Emma states in an equally frustrated tone.
"Oh I remember alright. You fixed the power because you electrocuted yourself. I think that I was able to see your entire skeletal system." Regina recalls laughing at the memory.
Emma looks at the brunette but is only able to see her outline. "You think you are really funny don't you?"
A knock on the door startles the both of them. Emma puts her fingers to her lips, not sure if Regina is able to see the action. She grabs the flashlight from the other woman and tip toes over to the side of the bed.
She picks up a baseball bat that Regina keeps for protection. They have just lost power and are in a horrible area. She was not taking any chances.
There is another knock on the door. This time more forcefully. Emma makes her way towards the door. The light of the phone briefly shines on Regina, who has grabbed a broom as her source of defense. Emma does not have time to question the other woman's poor weapon choice.
She hears what sounds like two men speaking to one another. One of them appears to have a British accent.
She is next to the door when one of them speaks up.
"Regina, it's me David. Are you there?"
Regina goes to open the door but Emma blocks her path whispering "no."
The brunette responds through the closed door. "David yes we are here. Did you lose power as well?"
David responds quickly. "Yeah we did, storm must have knocked it out. We just came down to see if we were the only ones."
Regina looks through the peephole and sees that David is holding a lantern. He is accompanied by Killian and a female who she recognizes as his roommate Lily.
She drops the broom and pushes Emma aside, opening the door. They both step out into the hallway. Emma still has the bat.
The three neighbors each have a light source illuminating the hallway a bit.
Killian sees Emma and is immediately taken by her beauty. "Hello love, I do not believe that we have met before. My name is Killian Jones, and you are?" He uses his flashlight to shine it on the blondee and sees the baseball bat. He audibly gulps and shifts to stand somewhat behind David.
Emma is in no mood to deal with these people but replies. "Emma, I just moved in with Regina."
Lily who has been quiet the entire time speaks up. "How do you know Regina?. I've never seen you before." She gives Emma a once over and likes what she sees.
Regina notices the look, and does not like it in the least. Turning to Emma she speaks before the blondee can respond. "Emma is my girlfriend."
Emma is shocked but does not let it show. Regina must not like the other woman.
Lily smiles not deterred by Regina's statement. "I'm Lily. I live in 4B with Killian. I guess we will be seeing a lot of each other then." She says in a seductive tone.
Emma is shocked by the audacity of this woman. She is able to feel the tension and knows that Regina is upset. She feels a hand on her stomach. It's Regina's.
"Baby we should head back inside so that you can check the fuse box." The brunette says while glaring at Lily. She wants to put an end to this conversation.
There is an awkward tension in the hallway for several moments before David speaks up. "Well, we'll be heading beck. If you two need anything then you know where to find us." He turns to leave with a scared Killian on his heels.
Lily licks her lips and gives one last glance at Emma before turning to head up the stairs. "See you around Emma."
Regina grabs Emma by the arm and forcefully pushes her into the apartment. Once inside she closes the door. She is pissed.
They slowly make their way to the living area and sit down. The brunette is silent for a moment before she erupts.
"That skanky whore!"
Emma laughs at the comment. "Someone's jealous." She says in a sing-song voice.
"I'm not jealous." Regina exclaims. The lights flickering on briefly before going back out as she says this.
Emma feels the hairs on the back of her neck rise. "Okay that was creepy as fuck. Are you sure that you aren't a witch." All that she gets in response is a grunt.
"I don't like that bitch." Regina states in an icy tone.
Emma has never seen the brunette like this. She likes it. "That is an understatement. By the way when did I become your girlfriend?"
Before Regina can respond, there is another knock on the door. The brunette stands and grabs the baseball bat. "If that's her. I will break her fucking legs."
She walks to the door and yanks it open without questioning who is there. She is met with Mary Margaret who has a flash light pointed at the door and jumps six feet into the air at the sight of an angry Regina' with a baseball bat.
Regina is upset and in no mood for the school teacher. However, she remembers that the other woman did help them earlier today.
"Mary Margaret, how may I help you?" She questions in a forced polite tone.
Mary Margaret who has calmed slightly responds. "I heard that your power is out as well. I just came by to offer some candles. I don't know if you have some already.
Regina thinks that the other woman is extremely nosy and was most likely standing by her door listening to everyone in the hallway a minute ago. She doesn't have any candles, so she will let it slide.
"How thoughtful of you. I actually don't have any." She takes the candles from Mary Margaret. "I would stay and chat, but I have to get back inside. Thanks for these."
She steps back and closes the door. Leaving the other woman in the hallway.
Once back in the living room she hands Emma the candles. "Mary Margaret dropped these off." Emma is able to tell that Regina is still worked up.
"So do you want me to try to mess with the fuse box?" The blondee questions.
Regina sighs. "No Miss Swan. I would rather you stay far away from the fuse box, lest you electrocute yourself once again.
Emma scoffs. "If I remember correctly you said just outside and I quote, baby we should head inside so that you can check the fuse box." She states triumphantly.
There is complete silence for a moment before the blonde hears.
"You have lost your bear claws privileges"
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Regina and Emma were currently sitting in the living area of their apartment. "Their apartment;" it's crazy how two words could bring such joy to the brunette's heart.
The power had not come back yet. They were currently sitting by candlelight eating dinner. Regina was able to whip up a quick cold pasta salad. Lasagna was out of the question, much to Emma's dismay.
The brunette had calmed down considerably since the earlier situation with Lily. She thought that it would be romantic to have dinner with candles surrounding them. Instead, she is watching Emma devour her dinner. The blonde has not spoken one word, as she shovels food into her mouth.
Regina understands that the other woman is hungry, as they had not eaten all day, but this was down right disgusting. Finally Emma sets down her plate.
"Did you even breathe?" The brunette questions in an irritated tone.
Emma who is leaning back in her chair, gently rubbing her stomach smiles. "That was so good. Is there any seconds? Honestly, she is full, but wants to mess with the other woman. It works.
Regina scoffs. "I just watched you eat like a pig for ten minutes. Even if there are seconds you will not be having any."
Emma smiles enjoying the brunette's reaction. She decides to change the subject. "So, now that Henry and I are living here, I think that we should discuss a couple of things."
Regina a little surprised by the change of subject motions for Emma to continue.
"I don't want to be living here without contributing anything. I mean, I know that I can't give you anything now but in the near future."
The brunette nods. She knows that it is a huge undertaking to support a family of three on her income.
"Well what do you have in mind? We have Henry."
Emma likes how the other woman has taken her son into consideration. She treats him as if he was her own.
Emma shrugs her shoulders. "Well Henry is turning four in two weeks. I was thinking that maybe I could enroll him in preschool. It would free up my mornings. Maybe I could find something."
Regina thinks for a moment. She now knows that Henry's birthday is quickly approaching. They will have to do something special for him. In regards to enrolling him in school, she knows just the person.
"You could speak to Mary Margaret about that. She should be able to help us. On another note, you need a cell phone. All that we have is mine."
Emma shakes her head not liking the idea of adding extra expenses. "That will cost too much. I'll be fine."
Regina gets up to gather their dinner plates. "Emma don't be ridiculous. I will have my phone on me. How will a prospective employer get in contact with you. More importantly, if Henry will be attending school you will need to be available at all times." She says while walking towards the kitchen.
Upon returning she continues. "I will add you to my plan. It shouldn't be too much more expensive."
Emma leans forward with her head in her hands. "I feel like such a loser."
The brunette moves her chair in front of the other woman. She pulls the blondee's hands away from her face.
"You aren't a loser. We will make this work I promise. It will just take a bit of time, you'll see."
Emma looks into Regina's eyes. "You think so?" She questions timidly.
The brunette quickly nods. "I know so."
Emma smiles and looks at Regina in the candle light. She looks beautiful.
"You're beautiful." Emma blurts out.
Regina blushes. "Yeah well you are not too hard on the eyes either Miss Swan."
The blonde is finding it difficult to stick with only being friends with the other woman. In the quiet setting with only candles illuminating Regina's features all that she can think about is kissing her.
"I want to kiss you so badly right now." She admits quietly.
Regina smiles and leans in and kisses Emma. She knows that they have to discuss what all of this means, but right now all that she cares about is this moment.
The moment is unfortunately broken when Henry begins to cry. Both women pull away. Regina looks deep into Emma's eyes. "You said that you need time, and I will give you it, but you can't keep on kissing me like this. I don't think that I can handle it"
Emma nods but remains quiet. They stare at each other for a moment longer before Henry cries our once more. Both women head over to him.
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Regina thought that working a long shift at a busy diner was hard. She was wrong. Taking care of a sick child was harder.
It was five in the morning and neither woman had slept. The power had come back around midnight.
Henry who had woken up the night before was no longer responding to the medicine. Both women were at their wit's end. He would have to go to the emergency room.
Regina was rocking the little boy who had just calmed down from a recent crying episode. Emma was in the bathroom cleaning out the garbage can.
The blonde emerges from the bathroom. She yawns, she is so tired.
"Emma we should take his temperature." The brunette says while placing a hand to Henry's forehead. "He feels warm."
Emma grabs the thermometer and places it under Henry's tongue. After some time it beeps. She looks at the reading and her eyes nearly bulge out of her skull.
"102.3"
Regina inhales sharply. "We need to get him to the hospital. I will get dressed and go ask David to take us."
Emma nods knowing that they don't have any other choice. She goes to the drawer that Regina had set aside for them and takes out clothing for the both of them. She takes Henry from the other woman and begins to dress him.
Regina quickly gets up and dresses. Once dressed she leaves the apartment and heads upstairs.
She finds apartment 4B and rings the doorbell. She hates the fact that she is disturbing them, well mostly David. She could care less about the pirate or that bitch.
She waits a moment and is about to ring the bell again when the door opens. It's David. He looks wide awake.
" David I'm sorry to disturb you. Did I wake you?"
He shakes his head in the negative."No you're fine. I'm an early riser because of my job. Is everything alright?"
"Henry, Emma's son needs to go to the hospital. You are the only person who has a car that I know. Can you take us?" Regina hopefully questions.
David grabs his coat off of a hook and steps out closing the apartment door. "I'll go dig out my car. I will come get you guys when we can go." He doesn't wait for a response and flies down the stairs.
Regina follows him and goes back into her apartment. Both Emma and Henry are ready to go. The blondee has a look of deep concern on her face. Henry had been sick in the past, but never like this.
"David is digging out his car from the snow we should be able to leave soon."
The blonde's opinion of the man had changed. He was a good guy.
The brunette grabs her cell phone off of the charger and puts on her coat. She is just as worried as Emma, however she does not let it show.
They sit in the living area for several minutes when there is a knock on the door. They quickly get up and leave.
Once in the vestibule of the building. Regina double checks on Henry, making sure that he is covered completely. She looks at Emma and puts on the hat that the blondee had forgotten on her head.
David opens the door and leads the way to the truck. It is still snowing and extremely windy. He opens the truck door and Regina hops in. Once inside Emma hands Henry to her. She grabs him and gets him settled. Emma and David both climb in.
Thankfully, David had turned on the heat as soon as he came outside so the truck was warm. He begins to drive to the nearest emergency room. The ride is silent apart from Henry crying.
Due to all of the major roads being closed it takes about a half an hour to reach the hospital. Once there the women exit the truck. Emma walks to the entrance but not before thanking David.
The kind man gives Regina his phone number and tells the brunette to call once they were ready to be picked up. He then drives off.
Regina makes her way to the emergency room entrance. The waiting area is empty. The brunette looks around and sees that Emma is in triage with Henry.
She sits in a chair, prepared for a long wait. After about ten minutes Emma and Henry exit the room. The nurse is leading them to the back.
Emma turns to Regina and motions for her to follow. The nurse sees this and speaks.
"I'm sorry it's family only. You will have to wait here."
The blonde doesn't miss a beat and responds. "She is Henry's other mother. She is family."
The nurse immediately apologizes and leads them to the back missing the myriad of emotions that wash over Regina's face.
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The women are in the hospital for several hours. They find out that Henry did in fact have an ear infection caused by his cold. He also had a stomach virus. The doctors prescribed antibiotics as well as cough medicine.
David had picked up the trio and drove them to the pharmacy. He and Regina were currently waiting in the car. Emma and a slightly better Henry were inside filling the prescriptions.
The radio was on a low volume. David has a pensive look on his face. He turns to look at the brunette.
"So at the pharmacy yesterday you said that Emma was your friend, but then later on you told Lily that Emma was your girlfriend. Why is that?"
Regina who had been dozing off sits up abruptly upon hearing the question.
"It's complicated." She responds not sure if she wants to give any further information.
David nods his head understanding the woman's hesitancy to discuss the topic, but decides to add one last thing.
"For what it's worth. I think that she is crazy about you. I see the way that she looks at you. Well that and the fact that she doesn't like me."
Regina snorts at the last comment. "Emma is not a very trusting individual. Trust me after this morning she likes you. You are a good man."
David smiles at the compliment. "So I'm glad that I was able to get to know you this weekend. I hope that we can be friends. I don't have many."
Regina nods her head in agreement. "I also don't have many friends. I would like that very much."
David is quiet for a moment before questioning. "Is Mary Margaret one of your friends?"
The brunette smirks. She saw the look between David and Mary Margaret the other day. "I wouldn't exactly call her a friend. We have been next door neighbours for five years. Why?"
David replies quickly "I was just asking."
Regina laughs. "Cut the crap David. You know why you asked."
The man laughs knowing that he is caught. "Okay, okay, you got me. I think that she is cute."
The brunette is unable to understand how anyone could find the school teacher cute, but she guesses that everyone has their preference.
"Well I'll tell you what, since you were so helpful this weekend; I will speak to Mary Margaret on your behalf."
David's eyes light up. "That would be great."
They fall into comfortable silence, listening to the radio. The snow had stopped while they were in the hospital. The radio news reporter announces that all roads are now open.
David begins to speak. "I guess that means that I can go home now."
Regina decides to poke a little fun at the man. "Yes I bet it will be nice to change clothes too."
David let's out a deep laugh. Regina joins in.
"Don't become a stranger David."
He smiles at her before responding. "I hang out at your building quiet frequently. I'm actually really good friends with Killian."
The brunette rolls her eyes at the mention of the other man's name. David notices.
"You don't like him don't you?"
Regina nods. "He is always hitting on me."
David nods knowing full well about Killian's antics. "Well you won't have to worry about that anymore."
The brunette stares at him waiting for him to continue.
"Emma scared the shit out of him last night with the baseball bat."
Both of them erupt into a fit of laughter.
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David dropped the trio off before heading home. It had been decided that today would be a lazy day in the apartment.
Once the trio had made it upstairs, they quickly changed into comfortable clothing.
Regina prepared a quick breakfast for them. They were currently eating in the living area as Henry watched cartoons.
They still had not told him about Emma's decision to move in. Emma waited until a commercial break before she spoke.
"So kid, how do you feel about living here?"
Henry whips his head in his mother's direction. "Here with Gina?" He questions with excitement.
Emma nods her head. "Yep, here with Gina." She says while making eye contact with Regina and winking at her.
Henry jumps up and runs to his mother and hugs her tightly. He then crawls into Regina's lap and hugs her just as tightly. He pulls back and begins to speak.
"I got my wish."
Emma has no idea what her son is talking about. "What wish bub?"
Henry quickly responds. "A home."
He yawns and gets comfortable in Regina's lap. The days events taking a toll on him.
Regina and Emma are overcome with emotion and have tears in their eyes. Emma was happy that she finally had a place that she and Henry could call home. Regina was happy that she was able to provide a home for them.
Home. She had lived in this small studio apartment for five years and not once did it ever feel like home. Now with the addition of the Swans, she felt complete.
Emma stands up and picks up a now sleeping Henry and carries him to bed. She lays him down and decides to get in as well. She is extremely tired.
Regina cleans up their breakfast and begins to clean the dishes when she hears Emma.
"Regina come to bed. I'll take care of the dishes later."
She turns off the faucet and makes her way to bed. Emma is in bed holding the blanket up waiting for the brunette.
Regina slips under the covers in front of the blondee. She is half asleep when she feels Emma drape her arm around her stomach.
She sighs contently and snuggles further into the other woman. This is what home feels like.
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Okay. The winter storm is over and now the true story can begin. Please Review