Alright guys, here it is! :) a new fanfic with a much longer first chapter for your enjoyment. As promised. I am currently also working on other ones, so please be patient with me for updates. I really do hope you love this chapter. It can seem a bit slow, since I have covered both of Emma and Regina's lives before they meet (and they do meet in this chapter), but, please trust me. Once they meet, I promise you a ride of nothing but angst filled with sweet and romantic moments as well between our two ladies. Once they marry, it all revolves around them. ;) Reviews are much appreciated!
It was the beginning of summer in the city of Chicago. The Mills family was one of the wealthiest in the whole city. Henry Mills was a well known crops distributor and businessman, he also happened to be a well respected officer back in the day. He retired from the force long ago, way before his two children were born. Regina and Jefferson Mills.
Unfortunately, his business took a huge downfall once a new distributor started having more success. It didn't help that Henry's crops weren't producing as they should have lately, but he was never a man to give up.
Now with his children full grown, he had hoped that Jefferson (being the only son) would take over the family business. No such luck. The guy only ambitioned money and pretty much gambled it all away, he was the apple of Cora's eye, since the woman ambitioned the same interests. As for Regina - she was her father's pride and joy. Regina didn't care at all about money. She didn't care if anyone was more or less wealthy than she was. All the brunette cared about was her father's happiness and well being since Henry's health wasn't at all well these days.
Her father was was Regina's biggest love. Him and Daniel. He worked in the stables as he tried to make as much money as he could, once that happened he wanted to go into law enforcement. That was his dream. Along with making Regina the happiest woman alive.
But, unfortunately she had to keep this relationship a secret. Especially from her mother and brother. So, she would sneak off to see him any chance she would get.
Regina found herself lost in a passionate kiss with Daniel, as they both spent their morning at the beach (this was their secret place). Daniel couldn't be happier when he had her in his arms. Regina would become his wife one day - of this he was sure.
As their kiss broke apart, Daniel kept her in his embrace, letting out a deep sigh of pure happiness. Both their foreheads pressed together.
"I love you so much, Regina." he murmured as a smile made it's way across his lips.
"I love you too. I can't stay any longer. I have to go." Regina replied with a sad tone.
All Daniel could do was hold on tighter to her as he shook his head, "No. Stay with me." he murmured.
This brought a smile to Regina's own lips, "Believe me, there's nothing I'd love more than to stay with you on this beach forever. But, I am as late as it is."
A deep sigh escaped the man's chest, "Fine. But, promise me that you'll be back later today."
"I don't think I can."
"Please? Just come for a little while. Please? Please?" the man pleaded as he placed small chaste kisses on the brunette's lips, causing her to burst into laughter.
He always had a cute way of convincing her.
"Alright. I'll see what excuse I can come up with." the brunette replied once the man stopped smothering her with kisses.
"I'll be here waiting for you. Eight O'Clock." the man said with the biggest smile ever plastered on his features.
Regina kissed his lips once again, "I'll be here. I promise."
She gave him one last kiss before she took off back to her house before her mother started to wonder why she was out so early in the morning.
She hated the fact that her mother had to be so nosey, let alone not allow her to feel free like the adult she was.
Back in the Mills manor, that's exactly what Cora and Henry Sr. were discussing at that very moment as well as the poor older man began to have one of his many coughing fits. Cora could never help to hear those coughs of his. She was hard on the man but deep down, she did have some feelings for him. He was always a good husband after all.
"Henry, for God's sake. I wish you would have gone to the doctor like I told you to." the woman voiced as her heels sounded as she made her way into the man's office in the house.
"I'm fine. I took my medication." he assured his wife with a hint of frustration in his voice.
Cora picked up quickly on his frustrated features as she asked bluntly, "We are still having problems, aren't we?"
The gray haired man simply nodded, no point in hiding their downfall, "I'm afraid so. But, don't worry, we'll manage."
Cora sighed, feeling frustrated herself now, "You said that last time, Henry."
Cora had been a poor woman in her time, way before she met Henry Mills. She had married the man for his money, but fell in love with him as he provided her with anything she wanted. Yes, Cora was greedy, and this is why she swore to herself that her children nor herself would ever suffer what she once did with poverty. Even if she had to marry Regina with the wealthiest man alive.
"Last time our produce didn't do so bad." the man voiced with a little enthusiasm.
"Yes, but we aren't producing like we used to." Cora reminded him. She loved reminding the man of his downfalls.
"Then, maybe you should consider pawning some of your jewelry if you want more money than what I can give you at the moment."
Henry was always known to be a sweet man, but when angry he said it like it was - even to his own wife.
Cora's eyes nearly bulged out of her head at the thought selling any of her precious goods.
"My jewelry?! Oh, don't be absurd!"
"I need all the help I can get from my family, Cora. Regina sold some of hers." Henry reminded her.
To this, Cora scoffed, "Yes, you're precious Regina. She doesn't have my taste in jewelry. She would sale her organs just to help."
It was in that moment, the man's features went from worrisome to anger at the words of his wife, "Yes, well that is more than I can say for your son."
And just as quickly Cora broke off in anger as well against her husband, "Jefferson has been working really hard to earn your trust. Don't start with this again."
Henry quickly shook his head, "You still treat him as if he were a baby! You can't see that he is the reason as to why we are the way that we are financially-"
"You treat Regina as if she were still a baby! She's a grown woman." Cora interrupted.
"Jefferson is a grown man! And all he does is gamble the very little money we have away!" shouted Henry.
Cora could practically see the vein pop out of his forehead. This is when she would know when to back down for now out of an argument. The very last thing she wanted was to be the cause of another heart attack for her husband. She had to be smart about this. So, as she walked behind the man's chair, she began to rub his shoulders, "Henry, calm down. I don't want you getting upset. You know what that does to your heart."
The man sighed while trying to relax, speaking calmly this time, "Well, where is Jefferson? I've been meaning to talk to him."
"He left early this morning." voiced Cora who was still behind him.
This quickly brought aggravation to Henry, "You see what I mean? He always does this!"
"Henry, calm down. He said he went to look for work."
Henry chuckled at his wife's spoken words, "I'm sure."
Jefferson was known to be lazy and not hard working at all. He wanted the so called easy life, it was never in his plans to have any type of job whatsoever.
Cora, like always challenged her husband then and there. She absolutely hated it when Henry spoke ill of her favorite son. Because - yes, Jefferson was Cora's favorite.
"What about Regina? I haven't seen her all morning. Do you wonder where she might be?"
Henry only rolled his eyes as his wife continued to speak with a smirk playing on her bright red lips.
"She better be here soon. Robin Locksley is coming back to Chicago later today, I think he may want something serious with her."
"I wish you would stop trying to marry her. Regina can make her own decisions." the man voiced.
"What Regina needs is a good man to take care of her."
Henry chuckled, "A rich man?"
The word rich earned an even bigger smirk from Cora, "Well. Why not? It wouldn't hurt for her to have some financials to look forward to. You can't deny that Robin Locksley is a fine young man. Well brought up. He has education, and above all - class. Who better for your darling girl?"
It was then, Henry nodded in agreement, "Yes, I will admit, he is a fine young man. He seems to really like Regina. I just want her happiness and Robin seems… to serious for her. Does Regina even love him?"
His last question earned an eye roll from Cora, "Who wouldn't love someone like Robin, darling?"
Around that same time, in the depths of a long dirt road, hours away from any town or city was a spacious ranch and piece of land. It's owner had always been James Nolan. He was an older looking man who had isolated himself from everyone. Even his own twin brother. No one knew where he lived, but everyone sure knew him. He was the richest man there was. Once upon a time ago, he was good at distributing crops. He's business was doing better than ever, he owned many companies in Chicago and owned a many properties.
But, unlike his brother, he wasn't a very fair man. He had grown bitter and angry at the world. He especially never treated any of his employees fairly. Years ago, he took it upon himself to hurt and rape a pixie haired brunette woman he had working for him. He knew she was the love of his brother's life and he just had to have what he's brother did. So he took it. In result to that assault, the woman gave birth to a beautiful baby girl she named Emma.
Unfortunately for that baby, she was soon separated from her mother as the woman was forced to leave and never come back.
She hated the thought of Emma staying under James's care, but she wanted Emma to have the best she could have. Mary Margaret had nothing to offer her baby.
Emma was brought up by James as another worker with very low pay around the ranch.. Now a beautiful young woman, she still served him - never knowing that the man was her real father. Nor did she ever know her mother.
Until that morning that James grew ill, he had decided to re-write his last will in testament, leaving Emma as the rightful owner to everything he owned. Which now meant, that the blonde woman would become a multi-billionaire in the blink of an eye.
As the man's shaky and weak hand gave what would be his last signature on to the piece of paper that was being held before him by his lawyer and a priest whom Emma knew very well.
In the end, as James was slowly being taken by the cancer that had consumed him; he knew he had hurt Emma so much throughout her entire life. It wasn't enough for him to sign a piece of paper and name her the new owner of everything that was once his. No. He needed to make things right for Emma. He wanted to die in piece.
The man spoke after a rough cough escaped his lungs, sounding incredibly weak, "I'm… I'm ready."
Father Gabriel leaned over him as he whispered reassuring words that everything would be okay.
"I haven't been… honest with-" cough "With Emma. I need to… speak with her." James murmured in a broken and exhausted state.
The priest quickly nodded as he assured him Emma would be in this very room with him, as he stepped out of the dying man's bedroom to a waiting Lily outside the door.
"How is he?" Lily asked him, but the man went straight to the point.
"Get Emma for me, will you?"
Lily's brows furrowed in question, "Emma?"
"Yes. He wishes to speak with her."
With that being said, the man went back into the room as a confused Lily went to find Emma who was stacking up hay bales in the horse stables, doing many of her many chores around the land.
An older man by the name of Robert, another worker that was under the orders of James walked in casually into the stables as his eyes landed on the blonde.
"Why do you insist in working in the stables?" the man asked.
"It's a good workout." the blonde shrugged as she continued her daily chore, her biceps nicely flexing with every heavy movement of each hay bale.
Robert chuckled at the blonde's response, "It's not exactly a job for a woman."
The man hated Emma and what she represented. She didn't speak of it around James, but she didn't hide her sexual preference around others either. And Robert didn't hide his hate towards her, as he was the one James had placed in charge to give everyone their daily chores and needed to supervise and help out where it was needed. But, the man was lazy and Emma knew that.
"I don't see you getting anything done." the blonde stated as she didn't break an ounce of concentration from work.
"What are you talking about? I get a lot done." said Robert earning an eye roll from Emma.
"Are you done? Some of us actually have work to do." replied Emma.
If there was one thing she hated, it was wasting time with this man.
"Yes. Best you get back to work."
As Robert was about to walk out of the stables, a breathless Lily came in running in, eyes finding Emma rather quickly, "Emma. Father Gabriel is asking for you inside the big house. It seems the boss wants to speak with you."
Emma's brows furrowed in confusion as her body stood in place, "Me? What for?"
"I'm not sure. I was told to get you." Lily shrugged.
Emma quickly stacked up the last hay bale as she thanked Lily while walking towards the exit, walking past Robert. Lily's eyes following Emma as she walked out, admiring every inch of the blonde's body as she bit down on her lower lip.
Lily grew up working there, same as Emma did, and ever since kids, they both became really good friends. The best of friends. Lily never hid her feelings from Emma as they grew up, even though to Emma; Lily was nothing more but a sister to her.
A smirked played on Robert's lips as he noticed how dumbfounded the look on Lily's face would get whenever she was around the young blonde.
"You like her, don't you?" the man asked her, earning another shrug from Lily.
"It's never been a secret."
Robert shook his head, "What do you see in her anyways? She's a nobody."
Lily walked out of the stables with an eye roll towards Robert as she quickly headed back into the house. She needed to know what was going on.
As James was overcoming another coughing fit, there was a soft knock at the door, as father Gabriel quickly reached for the knob as his eyes landed on the blonde he had also raised, "Emma. Come in." was all he said as he stepped away from the door frame, as Emma stepped inside the room.
Her green eyes soon fell on James's weak body as she spoke softly towards the priest, "How is he?"
Father Gabriel shook his head, "Not well. It's only a matter of time."
James quickly opened his eyes as he heard Emma's voice in the room.
"Emma…" came a weak whisper from the dying man.
Emma never felt love nor respect for this man, the only memories she ever had of him was him being extremely hard on her over every little thing. He would give her the lowest jobs out in the field, which Emma would always complete with flying colors. But, no matter how much of a hard worker the blonde was for him, the man never treated her fairly. She figured it was because he was a sexist macho who thought the same thing Robert did. Women had only one task in life. Provide pleasure. They weren't good enough to do what men did. They weren't as hard working.
Was what he would tell her.
Those words of his would always sound in Emma's head, ever since a small child. And, if the blonde dared to want to learn to read or write, with James catching her in the act - she would get whipped by him. And, I mean to the point that the skin on her back broke and drew blood.
But the blonde was smart enough to still sneak in some books. Thanks to Father Gabriel, Emma knew about education. She brought herself up well and there was a time she went off to medical school. Of course, James didn't let her finish, but Emma was a smart woman. She was a fighter.
The blonde then looked over to the priest as he nodded his head in approval as she took a few steps near the bed where James lied.
"Sir?" was all she spoke to the dying man in that moment. He paid well but he was never a good boss. As to why he wanted to speak with her - she had no idea.
Emma was taken by surprise as the man stretched out his hand towards her, urging her to take it, "Come. Come closer."
Emma looked over to the priest yet again, as the man quietly nodded his approval.
So, Emma took his hand in that moment and sat next to him on the bed as she listened to what he had to say.
"Emma…" cough "I know I wasn't always fair to you." James inhaled sharply as he continued, "I was… I've been holding in something that you should know."
No matter how much he hurt her, Emma had a kind heart.
She shook her head as she spoke in a quiet voice, "You shouldn't force yourself, sir."
But, there was no time. He needed to tell her his big kept secret. She had a right to know.
"Listen to me." the man's voice was cut short by another sharp inhale, "Father Gabriel knows about everything. I called my lawyer. I changed my will. Cough. I need you to know… that… as soon as I'm gone. Everything. Will be rightfully yours."
A lost look was spread across Emma's face, as she looked at the priest once again, then quickly back at James, "Sir?"
James gave Emma's hand a light squeeze as he spoke, "Emma. You. Cough. You are the rightful owner to everything I own. My money… this ranch… a house I own in Storybrooke. It's all yours. Cough. You are my daughter, Emma."
Emma's eyes instantly grew wide as she turned to father Gabriel once again, "What?"
Nod.
The blonde then looked back at David as her head shook in protest, yanking her hand instantly away from the man, standing to her feet. "No. No."
"I'm afraid it's true Emma." the priest brought himself to say.
"Emma… I want to apologize for everything. For the way I treated you. This is all yours now. I know I leave it in good hands."
That was all James managed to say before drawing his last breath as he passed before Emma's very eyes.
The blonde stood frozen. She wasn't so sure she was even breathing anymore. How could this beast of a man be her biological father? It didn't make any sense. At least not in this very moment where shock and anger started showing in her emerald green eyes as they turned a shade of dark green.
"His will will be handed over to you." the priest voiced, as Emma quickly shook her head.
"I don't want any of it. After all this time, this man who took me in, treating me like garbage ever since I can remember. And, now he wants my forgiveness?" the blonde's voice sounding angry now.
"In his last moments, he realized that what he did was wrong. He signed his name before his passing, it's done, Emma. Everything is yours. He's dead now, and he did the right thing."
Emma was always known to be hard headed when angry, and right now she needed to be alone. Alone and away from this place that James had enslaved her to. Without another word or even glance towards her dying father she marched right out of the bedroom, slamming the door on her way out. She didn't even hear Lily call after her as she rushed towards an old yellow bug and drove off into the distance.
It wasn't long before everyone found out about the news of James's passing. He was after all the richest man known around Chicago. Whom would now be Emma. She'd be richer than all the Mills family combined. In a matter of minutes, Emma had gone to being a nobody to someone well known now. Bad news does travel fast after all.
So fast, that even the Mills family had heard of the news, as Henry filled in Cora on everything he had heard.
"James Nolan dead?" Cora shockingly asked.
Henry nodded, "I was even more surprised to find out he has had a daughter working under him all this time."
"A daughter?" the woman's voice sounded more surprised to this bit of information as her eyes nearly popped out of her head. "Who's the mother?"
Henry shrugged, "No one knows. But he made sure to leave all of his fortune to her at the last minute."
"All of it?" Cora's eyebrow raised.
"All of it. May he rest in peace."
"Yes." Cora spoke quietly as her thoughts to all that money rushed to her head. She was never friends with James, but she knew him well. It was then she thought, maybe it wouldn't be a bad idea to get to know his sudden heir.
It was then that a pair of heavy footsteps were heard making their way down the stairs, as Henry's head turned to glance at his son, "Where are you going at this hour?"
"Out." was Jefferson's quick response as he stepped into the living room area.
"May I ask where? And don't tell me you are going to find work, because that excuse has been overused."
Jefferson scoffed, "Don't you trust me?"
"No." Henry was quick to reply.
"Henry." Cora called her husband's attention as she smiled brightly at her son, "You look very handsome, dear."
"Thank you, mother." Jefferson smiled at Cora as he glanced back at his father, "Now, I do apologize but I am running late."
As Jefferson began to make his way out of the room, Regina was just walking in flashing her bright smile towards her father.
"Good evening, daddy." said the brunette as she stretched out her arms, embracing her father in a warm hug.
Henry couldn't help but push all of his frustration aside to smile at his beautiful daughter, "Regina. You look beautiful."
"Yes. Too beautiful. Is there any special reason as to why, sis?" Jefferson voiced, earning a glare from Regina.
"No, Jefferson."
The young man just stood in place as he smuggly grinned at his older sister, knowing well something was up with her.
Regina couldn't help but roll her eyes, as she turned her attention back to her father, providing the man with another warm smile, "How are you feeling?"
"I'm fine, darling. It's nothing this old ticker can't handle. I don't want you worrying." Henry assured her.
And then, their bubble of happiness was soon gone as soon as Cora spoke.
"Regina. I do hope you wear that dress I bought you for when Robin Locksley arrives. He is very eager to see you again."
The brunette instantly grew annoyed at her mother's words. Cora has always been trying to pair Regina up with men she had no interest in, but to avoid having another confrontation with her mother in front of her father, she forced a smile and spoke back to her father, "I was wondering if I could have a word with you later on?"
"Of course, my love. Are you going out?" Henry asked.
"I made plans with Kathryn. I won't be out long, I promise." the brunette assured her father.
"I can go with her. It's dark out and you really shouldn't be out alone, sis." Jefferson offered, not because he cared, but just to bother her.
"I can handle myself, Jefferson." was all Regina told him.
"Well, since I am not needed…" Jefferson then leaned down to place a kiss on his mother's cheek as a smile played on his lips.
"Not too late, sweetheart." Cora warned him as Jefferson walked out without another word.
Soon after, Regina was making her way out of the door, leaving Cora furious at the man for ever giving her so much freedom. All she cared about, apart from wealth, was what would their friends say towards Regina's behavior.
Sure, Regina was lying. She really was going to see Daniel like she had promised him. But knowing how her mother would freak out about her seeing someone of "low class" she needed to lie. It was the only way she could be with him until they could figure out a way to be together forever.
Meanwhile, Emma had found herself arriving all the way to Chicago that same night as she pounded on hard on her best friend's apartment door.
A droopy eyed Graham slowly making his way up to the front door, wondering who could be banging at his door at this time of night.
"Alright, just a minute!" the man voiced, hoping that the lunatic on the other side of his door heard. His eyes went wide as he swung open his door, seeing an angry pair of green eyes. "Emma?"
"I'm sorry. I didn't know where else to go." her tone sad and desperate all at once.
To this Graham took notice, he didn't dare to turn her away. They both had been the greatest of friends ever since they met each other in Chicago.
He quickly stepped aside from the door frame as he motioned for her to step inside, "Come on in, Em." His eyes following the blonde as she stepped inside, "You look like you could use a drink." the man said as he closed the door.
Emma nodded, "Yeah."
As the blonde took a seat on the couch, Graham walked over to his mini bar area and served two glasses of scotch. "What's going on?" his brows furrowed, aware of the blonde's state of shock and anger.
"James passed away this afternoon."
"Your boss?" Graham asked in confirmation as the blonde quickly scoffed.
"Turns out he wasn't only my boss. He was my father."
Graham's eyes grew wider than before as he handed a drink to Emma, which she quickly took and drank down the soft liquor.
"Legit?" the man asked in shock.
"Apparently so. That's not all. At the last minute, with Father Gabriel as a witness, and his lawyer, he signed over all of his rights to me. Including all his money."
Now it was Graham who was in shock as he took a seat next to his friend.
"So… you went from working for him, all your life to becoming a billionaire…" he snapped his fingers, "Just like that?"
Emma looked over at Graham, quietly nodding.
"Shit." he replied, as he then smiled at the blonde, patting her shoulder gently, "Well, hey! Congratulations, Em!"
His gesture only earned him a hard, cold glare from the blonde as his smile quickly faded.
"You aren't happy?" he asked in utter confusion.
"Of course not!" Emma suddenly stood to her feet, "What kind of man raises you, making you feel less than nothing for years, to suddenly want my forgiveness, and gives it all to me on his deathbed? I mean, I grew hating the man! Why would I possibly want anything from him?!"
Graham quickly stood next to Emma, keeping his hand on her shoulder for support as the blonde woman was now seething with rage before him.
"Alright, calm down. I understand how you can be upset. But, Emma… he may have never told you, or treated you like his own. But, he gave in - in the end. That has to mean something, right?"
Emma's eyes grew a darker shade of green as she looked over at her friend, "It means nothing, Graham. No amount of money can take everything he ever did to me." she scoffed, "I mean, the man never loved me. Why should I forgive him?"
If anyone knew how to work himself around Emma's anger - it was Graham. In that moment, he calmly said, "Then, don't. That's your choice. But, he obviously left it all to you, he signed his will, so like it or not, it's yours. Think of it this way. In a way, this is payment for all the suffering he cost you. Take advantage of it."
The blonde only let out a deep sigh as she pinched the bridge of her nose in frustration.
"Who knows. Aren't you always telling me you dream of meeting the love of your life, and having a kid of your own? Maybe now with this, you can meet a nice girl, a girl with class even."
Graham always knew how to make her feel better with his wise words. Emma still hated the thought of owning anything that came from James, but the thought of having her own family, of being able to provide a good home and life to whoever the love of her life was didn't sound like a bad idea. Emma was always a big dreamer, and she did crave someone to love her, a family of her own. A place where she would finally feel wanted.
A small smile started to creep up on the blonde, "That does sound nice."
Graham couldn't help but smile at his victory, "You bet it does. Just, take it a day at a time. Maybe now, you can dress a little better, and get rid of that red leather jacket you have with you."
The blonde chuckled, "Not a chance."
"Em, if anyone deserves this it's you. So, you go back there tomorrow and take charge. Be better than him, bring order to things. I'll come with you! I've been meaning to take a vacation." Graham suggested his lifelong friend.
Emma's eyes soon were restored to their emerald green color. Graham was truly the bestest friend she could have hoped for. He always had her back.
"You'd really do that for me?" she asked with a more softer tone.
"But, of course. Someone has to give you a hand with things. I could be like your… financial adviser." the man's voice sounded excited about the idea.
Emma couldn't help but smile now as she wrapped an arm around his neck in a hug, "I really appreciate this, Graham. Right now, you are about the only one I can trust."
Graham responded to her hug as he wrapped his own arm around the blonde's form. He loved this girl to death, he knew everything she had suffered at the hands of James. Emma deserved some happiness for once in her life.
"Come on, get some rest. You can sleep in my bed, I'll sleep out here."
Emma quickly shook her head in response, "No, I… I think I'm going for a walk. Just to clear my head. Think about what awaits me tomorrow."
"As you wish. I'll leave a spare key out for you. No way are you driving back now."
"Thanks, Graham." replied Emma as she handed him her now empty glass and walked out of the front door, closing it behind her.
The beach always cleared Emma's head. It was a place where she could truly relax and think things through when she didn't know what to do. The sound of the waves hitting against the water, or the water dragging across the sand were just so soothing to her.
But, Emma couldn't help to feel angry once again as she thought back to those horrible memories of the way James would always beat her if he ever caught her doing things he wasn't pleased with. How could a father deny their own child this way and treat her like nothing? That's what raced through her head ever since this bomb was dropped on her.
She hated her own father. This couldn't make her a good person. Sometimes she didn't think she was for having all this going on inside her. But, no. She had to be a good person. Graham was right, she just had to take the bull by the horns and stand up to the situation. Things had to get better for her from here on out. They just had to.
In that moment as Emma watched out over the waves, she felt as a pair of arms wrapped around her frame. Her heart coming to a complete halt as brown eyes piercing eyes stared right into her own green ones in that very moment she turned to face the person who was holding on to her.
It was in that very moment that Emma had stopped breathing. Her eyes studying every detail of this gorgeous brunette woman standing before her, as both their lips parted in awe. The blonde didn't notice it until Regina spoke, that her arms were wrapped around the brunette's waist as well.
"I'm sorry. I was running over here and I thought…" Regina couldn't finish her sentence as Emma's own green eyes were captivating. She couldn't quite understand as to why this woman was making her stomach turn into knots and her heart to beat faster and faster.
"Are you alright?" Emma asked in almost a whisper.
"Yes." It was then that Regina shook herself off from the trance she had just found herself in, only to realize that she was still holding on this strange woman - quickly backing away, composing herself. "Thank you."
"You seem to be in a hurry. Are you here alone?" the blonde grew curious.
"I'm expecting someone." the brunette replied.
Emma's face soon fell in disappointment, "Boyfriend?"
Regina didn't know how to respond to that. It was true, she was expecting Daniel as they had planned to meet, but something in Emma's eyes - the way Emma looked at her made Regina feel the need to lie about it. Why should she tell a total stranger about something so personal anyway, right?
"No." the brunette quickly answered.
Emma couldn't help but smile as she felt she was in some sort of trance just by looking at this woman.
"I'm sorry. It's not my business. I just… I want to make sure you'll be okay here, all alone."
"Thank you, but I won't be alone for long." Regina quickly replied.
Emma looked harmless, but she didn't know her, and she couldn't risk her seeing her with Daniel. Her mother always had a way of finding out what she had been up to, she couldn't expose Daniel that way to some stranger just so her mother would find out later.
Emma began walking backwards slowly so her eyes would never leave Regina's, "Well, take care of yourself, then."
"Thank you. You too." replied the brunette as she now smiled at the blonde.
"Bye." was the last thing Emma said before walking away. Only now she was feeling better than ever. And it wasn't the beach that had done it, but this beautiful woman who had appeared out of nowhere to steal her heart right out of her chest. Because Regina didn't know this yet - but she was Emma Swan's happy ending. She was the woman she belonged to and from this moment forward Emma would anything in her power to know her more. This brunette was her true love. She had to see her again.
Emma couldn't help but dream of that same brunette woman as she slept over at Graham's for the night. She was the first face that came into her mind when she woke up the next morning as well. She would find her again. She was sure - but right now she had business to attend to back at James's ranch, or hers now. It was still so new and too wired for the blonde, but she was ready to face reality.
The drive back with Graham was quiet as Emma couldn't help but think of Regina. Why did this woman captivate her so much? Could this be what love feels like when it just hits you?
Graham shook her from her thoughts as he spoke, "You alright, Em? You've seemed distracted."
"Yeah. It's just… I may have met someone. Last night." replied Emma as she glanced over at Graham from time to time.
Her friend couldn't help but smile, "Yeah? Who is it?"
She shook her head as she murmured, "I don't know." She smiled as she saw Graham's questioning look, "I was at the beach, looking to clear my head from everything and… there she was. She looked like an angel."
Graham was surprised to see how her eyes lit up at the memory of whoever this woman was.
"Wow. You know, I've heard love can hit you hard, but I've never witnessed it myself, until now. I think this is the first time I've seen you smile since all this was dropped on you."
Emma's smile only grew wider at the man's words.
"So, what's her name?" asked Graham.
And then, Emma sighed. How could she forget to ask for her name?
"I don't know. It all happened so fast, I - I didn't ask."
"Then how will you find her? What's she like?" asked Graham.
It didn't take Emma even a second before she responded to his last question, "Brunette, about 5'5", she has these deep brown eyes, you can just get lost in them. She has a small scar on her upper lip."
Graham's eyes grew wide at the description, a chuckle escaping his chest as he knew exactly who Emma was describing. He shook his head, "Oh, Em."
"What?"
"Regina Mills. She's the daughter of Henry and Cora Mills. They used to be very good friends of you're - of James. I've actually met them. Her father is a distributor, his business hasn't been running well lately." the man informed her.
Emma immediately grew interested, "Did James ever help them?"
"He started too, but stopped. As you well know, James's business stopped running after he got ill, so, it's been at a loss. But, I'm sure with you in charge now, things will rise back up without a problem."
Emma couldn't but smile at her friend's support, "I'll try my very best."
Graham returned her smile, "You know I got your back, right? I ran James's financial and business. Besides, you and I have been good friends. What kind of friend would I be if I didn't help you out too?"
"Thank you, Graham." Emma murmured, feeling better about her running things now.
"I wouldn't miss this for the world. Emma Swan being the boss. I mean, you are the richest person ever now." a laughter escaping his chest.
Emma couldn't help but laugh at her friend's comment, "I don't know about that."
"Trust me, you are."
"Well, I may have all this money and own a ranch and James's house in Storybrooke, but I am not changing into one of those snobby rich people. I am and always will be Emma Swan."
Another smile creeping up at the man's lips, "But with a full on upgrade." he joked.