A/N: SO SORRY EVERYONE! This has literally been the worst year of my life. Enjoy this finally chapter and I'm sorry if it's bad. As of now, I will no longer be writing anymore SQ fiction. That may change in the future, but as of now, I just can't do it anymore. I'm sorry if I've let y'all down. Enjoy.
Emma awoke that morning around ten, feeling the worst she had felt in years. I can't believe I slept so long! I never sleep past eight! Her nose was pink and runny, her cheeks pale, with a high fever. "A-A-ACHOO!"
"Oh, Emma," Regina started as she handed her the tissue box. "I knew I should have told you and Henry to come in after an hour."
"It's okay Gina. Is Henry sick too?"
Regina had to bite back the smile she felt creeping up on her. She sounds so adorable. "No, he's okay. He's downstairs playing that Skyrim game you bought him." Emma smirked as Regina rolled her eyes. The brunette sat on the bed, leaning forward to feel her forehead. Emma was burning up, even though she was covered in a thick blanket and her hoodie. "Can I get you anything to eat? Breakfast? Lunch? Brunch?"
"I'd love some chicken noodle soup…or even tomato soup with grilled cheese." Emma responded weakly. "Just something warm for my throat."
"You got it." Regina stood to her feet, placing a soft kiss on top of Emma's head. She walked around to her side, opened her nightstand and handed Emma the TV remote. "As for now, here's the remote. I know you're not going anywhere other than this bed and the bathroom."
"You know me so well." Emma sniffed.
"Lunch should only take an hour, but if you need anything else, just text me." the brunette retorted in a professional tone as she walked towards the door. Too professional for Emma's liking.
"You got it babe." She smirked wickedly. Regina froze, but said nothing. Only turning slightly, quirking an eyebrow before exiting the bedroom. Victory! Emma thought as she flicked on the TV to find something to watch.
When Regina came back upstairs, Emma was bundled in another blanket watching Cops. She smirked as she entered the room with a tray of hot tomato soup, grilled cheese, a tall glass of orange juice, vapor rub and some Tylenol. When they made eye contact, those blue eyes lit up so fast, proceeding to sit up as fast as she could. "So, I decided to go with the grilled cheese option. However, you're getting chicken noodle for dinner. I'm making it in the crockpot from scratch. It's one of Henry's favorites during the winter." she placed the tray on her lap. "But first, medicine and vapor rub. We need to try to knock this cold out." She handed the blonde the two pills and her juice. She popped them in her mouth, chugging her drink. "Now the rub."
Emma groaned. "Do I have to? I'm freezing!"
"It'll help with the congestion, dear." she smiling sweetly. "Here, let me help you." She lifted Emma's sweatshirt, which exposed her bare chest. Perfect. Regina's eyes darkened a bit as she began to rub the thick gel onto her chest. Their eyes met, which intensified with each stroke.
Damn it woman! I can barley breathe enough as it is! Stop looking at me like that! "Do you have to look at me like that?"
"Hm? Oh!" Regina immediately retracted her hand. "Sorry. It's just that when I see your chest, I can't help myself." the brunette blushed as she bit her lip. "You're just…so sexy." her voice dropped an octave.
"You do realize that I am hella sick right?" Once more, Regina's cheeks burned brightly. "It's okay babe. If I wasn't so sick, I'd be attacking you right now." Emma wiggled her eyebrows, which caused Regina to smile.
"You're the sick one, I'm supposed to be making you smile and take care of you."
"You are, I just needed to see those pearly whites of yours."
"How is it that you're sick as a dog, and you can still be this ridiculous?"
"I'm a child at heart remember?"
They shared loving gazes for a moment, before Regina shook her head. "Eat before your lunch gets cold." she stood as she walked back to the door. "Text me if you need anything and get some rest." this time, her tone was much more sweetly.
As the hours went by, Regina sat downstairs monitoring dinner, as well as Henry's new obsession with his video game. He only paused the game to go to the bathroom and for a snack. She tried talking to him, but he paid her no mind. She then began reflecting on how happy she was that Emma was in her life. It felt so good…so right. It felt as if this was how it was supposed to be when she left that po-dunk town in Maine. Regina began reminiscing about high school and their little sexcapades. It was almost comical at how they went about hiding it. Looking back she was sure everyone knew they were an item. It was pretty obvious. Her thoughts made her stomach fill with butterflies; something she only felt when she was with Emma. When she showed up on her doorstep those few months ago, it changed her entire life. Henry loved her too, so much so that he whenever Emma wasn't around, all he would do was talk about her. She remembered when Henry told her that she should ask Emma to marry her. It would be the most logical thing…and she was very in love with her. That much was for certain and would never change.
All of Regina's contemplation made the minutes turn into another hour. Dinner was ready and she needed to check on Emma. She snuck up to the bedroom and cracked the door open. She found Emma sitting up watching an episode of Family Guy. When Emma noticed the door open, she turned her attention to Regina. The room was dark other than the T.V screen flashing through the scenes. Regina noticed Emma smile. "Hey! I almost thought you had forgotten about me." the blonde played.
Regina scoffed as she entered the room. "How are you feeling?" she sat down on the bed, next to Emma.
"Actually, I'm feeling a lot better. My throat still hurts and I still feel a little congested, but nowhere near as bad as I did this morning."
"Must be magic." Regina beamed.
"Your cooking must be magic." the two women chuckled for a moment before the room was filled with silence. "Hey, I have a question for you."
"Hm?"
"I'm not doing this now or anything, BUT I was wondering what your opinion was on getting married? Did you ever want that? Or are you one of those people who thinks getting married is a terrible idea and two people should stay together?" The question came out so fast all Regina could do was arch her eyebrow. "Just curious."
After a small giggle, the brunette responded. "Yes. I've always wanted to get married. The opportunity never arose…which I have always been fine with. Either way would work for me really…but yes…being married is a dream of mine."
Emma twiddled her thumbs for a moment as she looked around the room aloofly, she said; "Welll, I had to ask for future references."
"I think that hilarious because I was just thinking about that downstairs."
"Seriously?"
"Yes, seriously." Regina smiled. "I know I want to marry you. Hell, I think it's destiny…however, I want to do this right. I want to take our time before we go rushing into anything."
"Well obviously!" Emma chuckled.
"Love is like cooking a good recipe…it takes time. Or else it will be ruined."
"OH MY GOD! You would relate love to food!"
"You love food AND my cooking! It is the way to your heart after all."
"It also explains why I'm not that great of a cook. I want things done right away."
They both let out a hearty laugh as Regina pulled Emma into an embrace. "I love you so much Emma. I do hope you'll let me take care of you for the rest of our lives one day."
"Of course I would. I'd make you wear a sexy nurse's outfit." Regina glared at her. "But in all seriousness, I do love you Regina. I always have…even when I was in denial. You're the only one I can image spending the rest of my life with."
"Honestly…that's all I ever wanted." Regina kissed the top of Emma's head as they continued to embrace on another for a few more moments. It wasn't until Henry called out that he was starving and that dinner was ready that they had to pull away. Emma smiled at herself as they made their way down the stairs. This is home…this is how I want to spend the rest of my life.