Regina decided to meet with marrying several times during lunch hours at her house, after school hoping to catch up with old times or maybe hoping to hear tales of Emma's early upbringing, but Emma wanted nothing to do with her. she'd say hi and run off somewhere either with ruby or with belle, After a while Regina convinced herself that she wasn't going to see marry but rather to see Emma even if she didn't want to see her, she wanted to know everything about Emma in hope that she can get closer to her . It was the first time she came in contact with someone after Robin, she'd dreamed of the blonde beauty every chance she had, ever since she turned her away from her. Regina realized that Emma brought her to her knees, for a month now She would dream of the day she'd tell Emma the truth about her life, but every day remains the same, Emma wouldn't acknowledge her with her silent treatments and hostility toward belle. Poor Belle, she thought “she was just protecting me”
Regina knew that she was great at getting what she wanted from others, after all, she'd run a school and there were always eyes on her waiting for her downfall. If she ever made one miscalculated move, the people above her would hear about it and she would lose her job, and all that her father ever worked for. Emma wasn't one of her conquests, she was the child of her best friend and the only family she had that accepted her in her transition. She was so conflicted on doing the right thing that she decided to honor David's wishes to protect Emma the best that she could, the best way to do that was to turn her away from her. She knew there was a strong connection between them and maybe with time it would change or remained the same, she had so many questions that she couldn't answer so She decided to make Emma wait until it was time to love again, until she thought it was the right thing to do .with Emma she wanted to start over in life because she was changing her,
she wasn't even sure if Emma knew how to love but she could already feel that This was going to be hurtful to the both of them. she didn't want to hurt Emma, even if she wanted to be in Emma's life she had to go trough marry first. She wanted to reunite with her oldest friend and be accepted for the choice that she was about to make, she made a mistake with Robin but she wasn't about to make another with Emma. That night like any other nights, She cried her self to sleep into the next morning hoping that tomorrow will be a better day. She hoped as always, but every day was still the same, nothing changed. It was now graduation day, She past Emma several time during the day but Emma was ever so relentless. She came up with the idea that marries should plan that Emma would invite her friends over for dinner celebrating and afterward they could head out to a club leaving those young adults to be themselves. mary had to adjust to the idea that Emma enlisted to follow her father's footsteps into the army
“Hi principal mills”
Exclaimed Killian and Graham
“Hello principal mills”
Exclaimed belle but Emma shook her head in her direction Moving on with Belle and her new found friends, When they were far away from Regina's reach
“Would you guys stop kissing ass
Where out of her air ”
Belle never heard Emma spoke so strongly about Regina, she knew how difficult Regina could be but nevertheless she was still her sister. Frustrated she Replied
“What's your problem”
Emma didn't care how insensitive she was, she wanted Regina out of her hair. Ever since their encounter she was always at her house, watching movies, taking ruby and her mother's to girls night or girls trip, she gets that Regina was her mother's best friend but by now she was sick of it.emma moved closer to Belle's personal space
“Exactly what I said”
She came close to her hear leaning her hand on the wall in a whisper
“you don't like it
You know where the door is”
Killian and Graham watched the exchange intensified between the two. Killian bet to him that they were probably sleeping with each other because over the past few months those look that they were given each other now started.
Emma then pulled back slowly stopping near her cheeks, as if she was about to kiss her, but instead she pressed her lips together making a kissing sound. Frustrated belle pushed on her shoulder, pushing her away replying
“You're sick"
Emma nodded in Killian direction and August smiling
“ precious good girl here should Get a life ”
Emma replied with such distaste before continuing in her path, and Belle followed behind her pushing her against the wall
“What the hell”
Replied a stunned Emma at Belle's display but Belle didn't want to resolve Emma's tantrum with words any longer, she didn't bother to reply because she was at her boiling point. her fist was now making contact with Emma's face, seeing that her best friend was out of control Killian rushed to Belle's side pushing her away instantly while August rushed to Emma's side
“What the fuck is Wong with you”
Was all Emma could say struggling to break free from August, she has been in fights before but she never expected her new best friend to throw the first punch, and maybe just maybe she did go too far.
belle was always quick to pick up on someone intentions, between the four of them Killian and August had an idea that Belle knew how Emma felt about Regina. They also had no idea that Emma had a secret on belle as well, A few months back Emma's attitude changed, her flirtatious nature became a pressing matter between the group, they had to find her a love interest soon if they wanted to tame the beast.
Belle was closer to Emma, she knew what type of girl she was into, so she paired up with ruby in hope that Emma would finally be at peace with demons but nothing changed. Emma was relentless, nothing and no one was ever good enough for her and every chance she got she continuously attacked Regina in front of her friends. belle thought she hated authority figures by choice but she also knew that Emma was hidden something between them, she stops trying to resonate with Emma and became more protective of Regina. She was the little sister but no one knew of Regina's secrets except for the family, after Robin's debargo they were to keep it between them. Regina's family finally accepted her for who she was, Henry was now their pride and joy and the center of all their attention. When the Mills adopted belle, Regina was the sister that she could ever ask for, always protecting her from arms and encouraging her to do her best. belle felt truly happy for the first time in her life with the family she finally dreamed of, she vows to protect Regina with all her might.
Out of the living rooms, Regina and marry came rushing into the room
“Hey what's wrong”
Exclaimed Emma's mother
Killian let go of belle as August let go of Emma as well
“We're good “
Exclaimed Emma and belle at the same time
“We thought we heard you guys fighting”
Replied Regina trying to understand belle and her friends, Belle took Regina into a hug replying
“No, we're good"
Emma's mom wasn't sure if her daughter was telling the truth , because she noticed a bruise on Emma's cheeks.
“What happened to your face”
Marry slightly touched her daughter's cheek waiting in on an explanation when Belle spoke again
“Well we were playing and I said something stupid, she nudged me and I pushed back and she felt “
Belle looked in Emma's direction for help collaborating her story and Emma replied freely
“and whatever you heard was belle helping me up ”
Knowing Emma's temper, her story seemed unconvincing to her mother, she shook her head replaying what she heard in the next room when Emma took her into a hug
“I was pissed “
then she moved next to belle on Regina's side taking her into a hug
“but am fine”
That placed her mother at ease
“ well Dinner is served”
Exclaimed marry
They all made their way into the dining room to eat and nearly an hour later, No one engaged each other. No one seems to point out the fact of regina's drinking habits except for belle as usual. She was sitting next to Regina so when Regina reach for what seems to be her thenth glass of wine, she nudged her under the table with her leg causing a loud thud which causes Regina to wince in pain.with all eyes on her Belle quickly played it out as her fault replying
“Sorry moved my leg too fast”
Belle was the first to break the awkward silence in the room, followed by
“Dinner was amazing Thank you, Mrs. Nolan”
Then came in Graham and Killian praise of their dinner
“Thank you
Amazing”
“Thanks, mom
I'll help clean up before we go out”
Exclaimed Emma,
“Don't worry enjoy your night with your friends, we are going to take care of it
won't we Regina”
“Yes”
Replied Regina trying to stand up with droopy eyelids that she could barely keep open, she quickly realized that she was failing miserably.tonight was not one that she could control, because she was losing it. she was lost for a while, to be honest, but mostly with herself. She heard Emma backslashed to belle in the room earlier and it broke her. She finally had sometimes sitting in the same room as Emma in months But Emma had grown to hate her.
She Walked toward Emma picking up her plate when suddenly she stopped in her track dropping it alarming their guest.
“Marry am..I…”
Then she collapses on the floor near Emma
“Regina”
Belle and Emma exclaimed rushing to her side.
Marry never heard Emma so worried, let alone heard her daughter calling her best friend anything other than the principal. She quickly reassured her rushing to them on The floor exclaiming
“Help me pick her up to the living room”
Emma quickly picked up Regina's lower back sitting her up, while belle picked up her arm picking her up so marry could fully support her
“Let me help”
Exclaimed Emma getting Regina's arm placing it around her neck, now they were dragging Regina to the living room
“Oooft she's heavy for such a small lady”
Realizing Emma's statement, marry wasn't ready to tell Emma the truth about Regina nor wasn't she sure that Emma would pick up on it, so she panicked replying
“She’s passed out that's explainable”
Emma didn't realize what she said for her mother to come out as defensive of Regina, so she gently know her head reaching the couch, they played Regina gently on her back and Emma reach for a cushion lifting her head gently placing it underneath supporting her. Marry checked her watched seeing how late it was, the kids were supposed to go out after dinner but given Regina's current state, she decided to make any decisions that Regina would have done if she was in her state
“ it's getting late Belle do you want to go home or you can stay the night until she gets better”
“Can I wait a few minutes, if she doesn't get better I'll stay”
“Ok and what about you guys did you want me to drive you home”
Emma forgot that Killian and Graham were behind them, she was so focused on Regina's well being that nothing else mattered
“ Sorry Guys I can drive you”
“Killian lives a few blocks away and is not too far we can walk”
Replied Graham giving Emma a hug
“We don't ship out till a month, we have time"
“We what do you mean”
replied marry
Emma didn't plan on going to college instead she got into the military like her father, she was waiting on the best moment to tell her mother but now she was running out of time.
“Mom I'll be back”
Emma avoided her mothers question taking her friend's hand heading toward the door, once they were out. She squeezed Graham hands enough to break them
“You stupid fuck
I haven't told her, you can't keep a secret worth shit”
“Am sorry “
he quickly replied
Emma realizes that she had to stop running and eventually she had to tell her mother. she only had a month, she lost one parent, she wasn't about to lose another. Pinching the bridge of her nose
“Am sorry
go home am just frustrated”
“I'll see you later “
Exclaimed Killian
Emma went inside to her mother, as soon as she entered the house, her mother questioned
“What do you mean ship out?”
“Mom please let's not fight”
“Emma”
“Mom don't push it”
“What choice do I have you won't answer me”
Emma could hear the plea in her mother's voice but she didn't care, she didn't want to tell her not until tomorrow right now all she could think of was Regina. Thinking of Regina got her upset
“Fine mom why don't you go and ask ruby since you guys are so close with each other”
She was attacking her mother instead of channeling her anger into her drawing or the violent video games that her father purchased before his passing. Ruby was emmas coping mechanism along with God of war for the past couple of years, nowadays she was growing out of her old habits but she didn't mean to make her mother cry
“Emma”
Cried Her mother hurt by Emma's harsh words, with tears falling down her cheek, she knew she had feelings for Emma's friends but she didn't know what they were. She decided to keep it hidden for months but Emma was a clever girl, she couldn't lie to her any longer
“Emma am sorry”
“We're you sorry when you and dad locked me up because ruby was my everything and you are taking her away from me
What am I supposed to do”
“now Emma “
She moved closer to her
“ please tell me where you are going”
Emma took her into a hug
“Please mom I'll tell you tomorrow”
“Ok”
Belle watch the exchange between mother and daughter from afar replying
“You know you guys are not that bad"
They broke free from each other
“Well belle you can have the guest room with Regina or you can stay with Emma what do you think"
“Only if it's ok with you Emma”
She replied
“It's your house I wouldn't like to impose”
Emma moved closer to her placing her arm around her shoulder
“Of course you can stay with me”
Seeing that everything was settled between the girls marry moved closer to Regina
“Good I will need your help getting her upstairs”
They nodded to each other, then Emma and belle held Regina's harm, while her mother held her legs and they made their way upstairs, and once there they laid her gently on the bed.
“Emma you can show belle around, I'll get Regina ready”
“Ok”
They went into Emma's bedroom, Emma lent belle one of her nightgown and offered her one of her spared toothbrush. She took it and after getting ready, she sat on the bed
“Am sorry”
Pointing to her swollen cheeks, then continued
“For that”
“It's ok what are friends for”
“ really am sorry”
Emma sat next to her pulling the covers settling in
“Besides I deserved it for a while”
“Well am sorry”
“You said that already”
“I mean you love her and am sorry”
“Her”
Emma wasn't sure if the conversation changed from her to Regina so she decided to play it off
“You said her”
“Yeah Regina"
Emma was still playing confident, she blinks confuse at Belle's statement and belle replied
“ the gooey eyes that wouldn't stop for months
The light behind your eyes when she entered a room, You really want to play dumb right now”
Was Emma that easy to read, she tried covering her lie replying
“Belle whatever you think you saw, was out of respect
She is my mother's best friend”
“Stop playing around or Am going to slap you back into next Tuesday
She's my sister “
Well, there was no way out of this, belle was pushing Emma to acknowledge her feelings for Regina. She was backed into a corner with no were to run
“Emma don't lie to me, you lied to your mother and that wasn't cool, don't lie to yourself”
Belle was full steam ahead closer to Emma's personal space hoping to make her see reason when Emma admitted her feelings for Regina she couldn't believe her ear
“I do”
She heard coming from Emma
“What was that”
She replied
“I do and I don't know what to do, she's amazing, she wants commitment and maturity and am just a screw up”
“You guys are both idiots”
“Really am opening up to you and your making fun of me”
“She said the same thing about you”
“She talked about me”
“Oh yeah, she wouldn't shut up for months about how you changed, about how she thinks you hated her, am pretty sure she drinks herself to death tonight, you drove her to be an alcoholic, all because of you,
she wanted to tell you the truth you know”
“About her transition”
“Wait how did you….”
Belle wasn't sure how Emma knew of her sister's Transition, she tried hidden it for years, she shook her head instead of admitting the truth to Emma replying
“nope not meddling ever again, in fact, she's in the next room I say you make it up to her
You want her to know how you feel
Well just tell her and am going to sleep”
She pulled the cover further turning on her side,
“Am sorry belle”
“Ahh for what”
“For threatening to out your secret”
when they were fighting earlier, Emma almost slipped out that belle was sleeping with the superintendent of Mills high Mr. Gold. A few years back when gold took romantic advances toward Regina and she refused him, he threatened to either expose or fire her once he finds out of her transition. Belle didn't know what else to do to protect her family, she seduced him then later blackmailed him if he ever came near Regina again. She never stopped seeing him in the hope he wouldn't slip from his part of the deal, but now she was definitely falling for him. Emma Discovered the two kissing each other near the library one day. she was shocked but now she understood why Belle was always volunteering after school, now she knew why belle always wanted to stay later after they hang out. later that day she confronted her but Belle had nothing to say, and this went on for the rest of the year. belle realized that gold kept his job and so did Regina because Emma loved his sister, she was always waiting for the other shoe to drop because she didn't know if she should trust Emma. Until today, she never knew how trustworthy Emma was because of their friendship.
“Don't worry about it
I will do anything to protect Regina, I just didn't expect to fall in love with someone older than me”
“and am sorry for that”
“Thank you for not telling Regina”
“Eventually she will find out and shell be mad at me so you have to tell her “
Belle was so lost in thought that she froze, Emma places her hand on belle bringing her back to her senses
“soon”
She shook her head and Emma Emma understood, she then ran to her desk picking up a piece of paper writing Regina a quick letter and instead of signing it with her name, she decided to put her artful skill at work drawing a precious rose signing it
Yours truly….. the rebel
She went to Belle's side
Kissing her forehead
“I will be right back”
She walked in the hallway debating if she should knock but instead she turned the knob seeing that the door wasn't locked, she entered confidently seeing Regina laying on her side, she kissed her cheeks breathing in her essence
“sleep well beautiful”
Pulling back kneeling in front of her, she gently stroked her air, pulling the cover further
“You smell wonderful”
placing the letter on the night Stand with Regina's name in red, she whispered
“ I think I love you”
She couldn't help herself to place a soft kiss upon the luscious lips tempting her, not realizing that Regina's eyelids flustered, trying to open themselves, she pulled back once more studying her features
"God I love you Regina”
she hoped Regina didn't hear her, so she panicked exiting the room quickly joining belle across the hall.