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Muffled voices travel through Emma’s house from the living room to the kitchen. They’re a mix of excitement, seriousness, and laughter as Robin and Alice plan their upcoming bachelorette party with help from Zelena, Ruby, Dorothy, and Jacinda. Emma twists the top of the bottle on, balancing Hope on her hip, as she makes sure the formula is sealed safely inside its container with her free hand. She smiles at her daughter, who watches her mother eagerly as she picks up the bottle from the counter.
Seven-month-old Hope had apparently grown tired of the adults chatting and had started to fuss, so Emma had excused them a few minutes ago to make Hope a bottle. Now, she hands it to her infant daughter, shifting Hope on her hip as she walks back into her living room from the kitchen. Robin and Alice are sitting on the couch, while Zelena is sitting in the gray recliner across from them, and the other women are comfortably, cross-legged on the floor. Emma lowers herself into the rocking chair in the corner of the room, positioning Hope on her lap while she drinks contentedly from her bottle, her head resting against Emma’s chest. She strokes the baby’s fine hair as she rejoins the conversation.
“So, Aesop said we can have the bar for this Friday, but his one condition is that we have an experienced bartender behind the bar. He said he wants someone he can trust, who knows their way around,” Robin tells them, and suddenly everyone is silent.
“Anyone know any bartenders?” Alice wonders with a short, nervous laugh.
“I mean, I poured drinks at Granny’s,” Ruby offers with a smile. “But I’m not great at mixing them. People mostly came in for shots, a couple beers, or whiskey.”
“We were thinking of asking Aunt Regina,” Robin reveals hesitantly, her eyes shifting over to Emma’s, questioning and searching Emma’s for her feelings on the idea.
Emma’s eyes widen with the surprise she feels, but then she realizes Regina bartended as Roni in Hyperion Heights not too long ago, and she’s probably their only hope. Unless the girls change their minds and are willing to have Aesop as the only guy at their party. Though, he had seemed more than willing to take the night off when Regina had originally offered him a generous amount of money to rent the bar for the party.
“Think she’ll go for it?” Alice asks Emma from beside Robin.
“Mom did vote you as most likely to convince her,” Robin reveals, her eyes moving to Zelena, who earns a small glare from Emma.
“I—Why me? You’re her sister,” Emma points out gruffly, adjusting Hope against her more comfortably.
“And you’re her…whatever you two are at this point.” Zelena waves a hand through the air and eyes her with a subtle smirk. “She likes you better. She’ll just roll her eyes and tell me she’s retired.”
Emma shakes her head but she knows Zelena is probably right. Then, she softens, her gaze finding Robin’s again. “You should ask her. You know she’d do anything for you. You’re her niece.”
Robin shrugs. “I know. I just feel bad. She’s been working so much lately, and I think the party will be fun and a good distraction for her. But I don’t want her to feel like she has a job to do there, if she’s not up for it. She’ll be honest with you. We’ll talk to her after you have.”
“Oh, so you want me to soften her up to the idea, that way she doesn’t jump to the she’s retired excuse,” Emma understands her voice amused. “You know, Henry has a lot of pull...”
“Yeah, but you’re coming to the party. You can say you’ll be there for moral support,” Robin smiles, her stare hopeful and pleading.
Emma sighs, leaning back into the wooden rocker. “Fine,” she relents with a hint of a smile of her own. “I’ll talk to her. But I’m only asking once. And no blaming me, if she says no.”
Zelena rolls her eyes, standing up and walking over to Emma. “Please. When was the last time my sister didn’t do whatever you asked?”
Emma feels the heat rise into her cheeks, but she still manages to glare at Zelena.
“Which reminds me,” Zelena continues, perching herself on the arm of the rocker, a burp cloth already resting over her shoulder as she reaches down for Hope. “Come to Auntie Z,” she coos at the baby as Emma carefully hands her to the woman beside her. “How long since you signed the divorce papers?” Zelena continues, before lowering her voice and tilting her head, so it’s closer to Emma’s. “Might be time you two stopped undressing each other with your eyes and did it with your hands instead.”
“Might be time you minded your business,” Emma mutters back through clenched teeth, warning in her voice.
“My sister’s happily ever after is my business, and you’re both taking forever dancing around your feelings, when you could be dancing at bachelorette parties and weddings…and in each other’s bed.”
Zelena’s words are louder and no longer between them. Emma hears the silence and the snickers; sees the way Ruby covers her grinning mouth with her hand, while Jacinda forces her eyes to the floor, but even Henry’s wife is grinning.
“Zelena has a point, Em,” Ruby says, but her eyes are gentle and supportive.
“And I’m pretty sure Lucy is about to parent trap you two with help from both Henrys,” Jacinda informs her from where she’s sitting on the floor a few feet away.
“Wha--?” Emma feels a rushing wave of surprise prickle through her.
“See?” Zelena perks up beside her, gently rubbing Hope’s back. “Even your offspring and your offspring’s offspring are getting tired of waiting for the inevitable.”
“Have you two even talked about any of it since she’s been back?” Ruby wonders patiently, while Dorothy offers Emma a kind smile from beside her, while she plays with Ruby’s hair.
Emma rolls her eyes, realizing no one is about to drop the subject. She exhales leaning forward on her hands. “We’ve talked…enough. For now. It’s complicated. And we’re comfortable with things at the moment.”
“We’ve been back for like five months,” Robin reminds with a hint of exasperation. “Ya might want to revisit that convo. You two basically act like you’re married anyway.”
“Time’s ticking,” Alice chimes in with a grin pointing to the watch on her wrist.
“Not to mention, you both are long overdue for a good lay,” Zelena nudges her shoulder. “And I doubt either of you is looking for that elsewhere, so might as well put all that tension, post-pregnancy hormones, and years of yearning to some mind-blowing sex together.”
“Anyway,” Robin loudly interrupts the women, attempting to get the conversation back on track, which Emma is grateful for as she rubs her hands over her face. “Can you talk to Regina this afternoon?”
Emma clears her throat, glancing back up at them. “Yeah, I’ll head over to her office in a bit. Maybe try to get her to leave early, too, since she’s been determined to work these insane hours.”
“Thank you, thank you, thank you,” Robin stands up, and walks over to her, wrapping her arms around Emma in a hug as she sits forward in the chair.
“Of course,” Emma smiles as she returns the hug.
“Bring this little one with you. If anyone can get Regina to leave work early, it’s Hope. Right, Baby Girl?” Zelena shifts Hope into her lap, booping her nose, which has the baby giggling and smiling. “Convince your Regina she needs a break. And that she needs to unwind with your mum,” Zelena says suggestively, handing Hope back to Emma, who rolls her eyes in response.
Emma brings Hope’s stroller to a stop outside the door, pausing to take in the words written in two separate lines on the glass in front of her: Queen of All Realms. Mayor of Storybrooke. The door is a third of the way open and she knocks on it softly on, not waiting for Regina to give her permission to enter. She knows Regina undoubtedly picked up on the presence of her magic the second she entered the building, just as she could sense Regina’s magic as soon as she’d stepped through the doors downstairs; her own magic tingling and desperate to reach out to it. Emma also doesn’t hear any voices coming from the other woman’s office, only the rapid click of computer keys, so she knows all she’ll be interrupting is Regina’s typing on the keyboard in front of her. She pushes the door open further, and wheels Hope’s stroller in, before closing the door quietly behind her.
“Hey,” she greets softly, once she turns to face Regina with a small smile.
Regina continues typing for another moment, then looks up at Emma with a pleased but tired smile. “Hey,” she returns the greeting, her smile growing as she notices the stroller. “Naptime?”
Emma nods, wheeling the stroller towards Regina’s desk before taking a seat in one of the empty chairs in front of it. “She had a busy afternoon planning Auntie Robin and Auntie Alice’s bachelorette party, while Aunties Zelena, Ruby, Dorothy, and Jacinda fussed over her,” Emma tells her happily. “Fell asleep as soon as I put her in her carrier.”
“I’m glad she had a fun day. Being doted on like the princess she is,” Regina says with a playful smugness. “How’d the party planning go?”
“Mostly great,” Emma reveals but she knows her voice sounds a little unsure.
“Mostly?” Regina raises an eyebrow, leaning back in her chair.
“It’s part of the reason I’m here actually,” she tells her with a bit of hesitation.
“Oh, so you aren’t here to distract me and drag me out of here at exactly five o’clock?” Regina’s eyes are pointed but teasing as she smirks at Emma.
“Well, I figured having a legitimate reason to bother you at work would help with that part,” Emma returns with her own smirk.
“Since when do you need a reason to bother me?” Regina chuckles softly.
“I’m never trying to be intentionally annoying.” Emma rolls her eyes. “When you’re at work, anyway,” she clarifies somewhat bashfully, feeling the tinge of pink heating her cheeks.
“Could have fooled me,” Regina tosses back teasingly, but then her eyes become serious, and she looks at Emma intently. A moment passes before she softly confesses, “You know you’re never a bother.”
Emma feels her throat become tight as warmth spreads through her, and she manages a grateful smile. “Your past self would never believe you just admitted that,” Emma rasps out.
“Definitely not,” Regina laughs, and it makes Emma’s smile widen. “But you’re not. And not to flatter you, but I’ve come to find your annoying me at times, slightly endearing. I may have missed it.”
“Wow,” Emma shakes her head with a chuckle. “You might want to stop talking, if you don’t want to regret this conversation in the future.”
“Mm. Probably,” Regina hums, reclining back a little further and leaning her head against the top of her chair as she closes her eyes and massages her forehead. “So, what’s the other reason you came to see me?”
Emma exhales, the playfulness between them fading. “We have a small problem with the party.”
“Oh, great. What is it?” Regina wonders, her eyes still closed.
“Aesop is fine with us renting the bar for the night on Friday on one condition…” Emma answers tentatively.
“He remembers I’m paying for it and will imburse him more than fairly, right?” Regina raises an eyebrow, her eyes opening just enough for Emma to see the sharp look in them.
“He knows,” Emma assures her. “But he also doesn’t want to have to do a huge clean up and reorganize his bar the next day. So, he asked if the bartender could be someone who knows what they’re doing. And since Robin and Alice want it to be mostly women, and close friends and family only…”
“They have three days to find a bartender on the guestlist,” Regina concludes with a grimace, massaging her head again.
“Ruby said she’s fine pouring shots, whiskey…the basics,” Emma offers, trying to show there’s some solution, and that Regina doesn’t have to completely worry about worsening the headache Emma can tell she’s already fighting. “But mixed drinks and keeping everything organized and clean might be a problem.”
“They don’t know anyone else with bartending experience?”
Emma shifts in her chair at that, her fingers fidgeting in her lap. “They do,” Emma says hesitantly, her eyes lifting and coaxing Regina to look at her, which she does. And Emma sees the moment realization hits and Regina’s eyes widen, her lips parting. “Me?”
“They wanted me to speak to you first,” she hurries to say. “We all know you’d say yes to Robin without a second thought. But she wanted me to make sure you’d actually be up for it.”
Now, Regina’s sitting up, conflict and surprise in her eyes as she takes a minute to process it and think it over.
“Zelena said your cocktails are out of this world,” Emma offers the compliment persuasively.
“Of course they are,” Regina concurs smugly. “But it’s really Roni who knows her way around a bar. And it’s been almost a year! I’m the fucking Queen of All Realms! How am I supposed to go to a bachelorette party and be manning the bar, Emma?”
Emma’s forces herself not to chuckle at Regina’s expected tangent. She knows it’s serious and Regina’s questions are valid, but she can’t help but find her freak out a little bit amusing, especially when she’s looking at the pout her lips have settled into.
“Everyone will be having too good of a time to care. And it’ll come back to you,” Emma says as comfortingly and understandingly as possible. “It’s for your nieces.”
Regina pinches her nose. “I know,” she breathes out. “But how will anyone take me seriously as a leader if I’m stirring up drinks and pouring shots?”
Emma gives a small shrug. “It’ll show you can be laid back and fun? And who cares what people think? Roni wouldn’t. Hell, even you wouldn’t. Not if you really want to do it.”
Regina doesn’t say anything for a moment, then she nods. “True,” she exhales. “Everything just feels so intense right now.”
“I know,” Emma says honestly and with so much care. “You don’t have to do it. But—” she stops, thinking it over carefully.
“But?” Regina prompts, her eyes curious and waiting, wanting to hear what Emma has to say.
“You need a break. To have some fun. Let loose. And not think about work,” Emma offers with a smile.
Regina snorts lightly at that. “Because I’ll be bartending.”
“That’s gotta be more fun than paperwork. And you can make me a drink. Show me what I was missing,” Emma half-teases.
“Ah, so you are intrigued by the other version of me that you didn’t get to witness.”
Emma shrugs. “Can you blame me for being curious? I heard all about your curly hair, skintight jeans, grunge band t-shirts, innovative cocktails…”
“Too bad Zelena didn’t know to mention Roni’s very hidden tattoo,” Regina comments nonchalantly, a suggestive smirk dancing on her lips and in her eyes.
“Wha—?” Emma’s jaw drops at that, and she tries to focus on continuing to breathe and acting as casually as possible, even though the room suddenly feels warm.
Regina’s expression is pleased and amused, and Emma feels her heart fluttering even more at knowing Regina wanted to rile her up that way.
“She’s a part of me for life,” Regina says with a short laugh.
“Roni was confident. Never boring,” Regina muses, her smile becoming a bit wistful and maybe a little sad. “She’d be all for giving up this paperwork and dancing on the bar, pouring everyone shots.”
“She sounds like a good time,” Emma smiles, but she sees the conflict in Regina’s expression and reads the flicker of insecurity there. “But so are you.”
“Am I?”
“Different,” Emma offers simply. “But yeah, you are,” Emma says with tender sincerity. “And you make the best apple cider.”
Regina smiles at that, and Emma’s happy to see her words are helping.
“You don’t have to do it. But I know it’ll mean the world to them,” Emma adds. “And I’ll make sure you have fun.”
“Why does that scare me?”
“Shut up,” Emma huffs, but she feels herself grinning.
“Fine, I’ll tend the bar,” Regina concedes with an exhale after a long moment. “Who knows? Maybe that’ll get me out of any party games like bridal beer pong and pin the vibrator on the pussy.”
Emma’s eyes widen in shock. “Is that a real thing?”
“Rumor has it,” Regina says with a shrug of her shoulder. “Robin and Alice went shopping and my sister tagged along,” Regina reveals, and they both know she doesn’t need to say more than that. “The pieces that you stick on allegedly vibrate as well if you place them in the right spot.”
Emma scrunches her face at that. “Maybe I can get them to give me a job, too. I’m one of the only people who is an expert at taking photos with my phone.”
An amused expression appears on Regina’s face. “No games involving sex toys for you?”
“I didn’t say that,” Emma counters. “I’m all for games with sex toys…when sex is actually happening. Preferably, in a bed. With someone I want to be playing those games with.”
“I see,” Regina hums, her eyes intrigued and darker than they were a moment ago.
Hope gives a small whine, and both of their heads turn toward the stroller with concern. Emma stands up to check on her, and Regina follows suit, coming around the desk to stand next to her. She gazes down at Hope, then gently caresses the top of her head. The baby sighs softly in her sleep, nuzzling into Regina’s touch. Emma’s breath catches in her throat, the way it always does in moments like this.
“She misses you,” Emma tells her softly.
“I miss her, too,” Regina murmurs, stroking her head again. “And you,” Regina confesses in the smallest of whispers; another moment passing before she meets Emma’s gaze.
Emma sees the tiredness in Regina’s eyes, but also the warm emotion and tenderness that fills them. “You need a break.” She runs a hand along Regina’s arm, her black suit jacket shifting beneath the gentle motion.
“Mm,” Regina sighs, her eyes drifting shut.
“I can order us a pizza. Henry and I can make a salad. And you can relax on the couch, snuggling with Hope,” Emma offers, hoping Regina will accept.
“That does sound perfect,” Regina smiles, yet there’s a hesitancy in her expression. “But I really need to—”
“It’ll be here in the morning,” Emma interjects truthfully. “Come on. Auntie Zelena’s had more time with Hope the past two weeks than you. Hell, we’ve even seen Dorothy and Ruby more, and they need to travel out here from Oz. You’ve been down the street or five minutes away at all times, and we’ve seen you for like a couple minutes a day.”
“We had breakfast at Granny’s two days ago,” Regina points out.
“With the whole extended family,” Emma rolls her eyes. “And you were mostly talking to Lucy and my mother. So, not the same.”
Now, it’s Regina who rolls her eyes, but a knowing smile creeps onto her lips. “You want me to yourself.”
“I want you to rest. And not burn yourself out,” Emma replies caringly. “And yeah, sometimes I do want some one-on-one time with you. Or with you and our kids. Time goes fast…” Emma’s voice lowers, and a hint of emotion tugs at it, forcing her to clear her throat.
Regina reaches for Emma’s hand, both of them watching as she laces their fingers together. “Too fast,” she murmurs, meeting Emma’s eyes with so much emotion in her own. Emotions Emma can’t quite name, but she feels them just as deeply.
“Order the pizza while I pack up,” Regina instructs softly, and Emma feels happiness and relief swirl and swell within her. “Let our prince know you’re coming over, too, so he can finish his homework before you start playing video games.”
“Will do,” Emma nods, pulling out her phone, while Regina organizes a pile of papers and closes her laptop. “Last chance to change your mind about the bartending. I’m confirming with the girls now.”
Regina stops what she’s doing for a moment. “Tell them I said yes on one condition. They need to let you take the photos.”
Emma pushes the door open, before stepping into Aesop’s bar for the second time that day. She’d been there earlier to help set up and decorate for the bachelorette party. Now, as she walks in, she’s met with the liveliness of the bar: the chatter of the guests who have already started to arrive; the beat of the music that plays through the speakers; the smell of alcohol, perfumes, and food; and the warm glow of the lights over the wooden floors and décor. The sound of happy greetings and laughter bubble up from the women nearby as she shrugs off her black jacket and hangs it up, revealing the sleeveless red top she has tucked into her jeans. Her shirt is low-cut and clingy and flirty, and for tonight, she feels in touch with a version of herself she kind of forgot existed. A version that she had only recently begun to reacquaint herself with. The Emma Swan that felt bold, confident, and stunning. The side of her that was fierce, independent, and tried so hard to fight against her insecurities. The one who didn’t subdue herself easily. The one who never would have settled for less or begun to lose herself in a marriage she wasn’t sure she even genuinely wanted.
It’s also kind of nice not to be walking around with spit up on her clothes or her recent fashion accessories: the emergency pacifier worn around her finger like a ring or the emergency teething ring that’s become a bracelet. Not that she doesn’t love Hope and being her mom, but it’s nice to have her hair curled, make up on, and feeling like she may still be fun and attractive after all.
Once her jacket is securely hanging on one of the hangers on the coat rack near the door, she walks further into the bar, grinning as Robin waves her over with a huge smile. Alice is next to her, sipping what looks like a pink cosmo. The two brides-to-be are wearing white and looking beautiful and happy...and Emma finds their happiness contagious. And it also makes her wonder if she was ever in love at all? Because the way their joy and love for each other radiates off them seems to fill everyone else with that same glow. It’s similar to her parents, and Ruby and Dorothy, and Henry and Jacinda…hell, even Granny and Gepetto have a vibe like that. And though Emma is happy for them and grateful to be around that at times, she can’t deny something inside of her aches for it, too. Maybe even more so after getting her marriage so wrong.
“Long time no see!” They greet her with open arms, interrupting her thoughts, and bringing her in for a group hug.
“You both look amazing!” Emma compliments, slowly pulling away from their embrace. She looks over their white attire. Robin’s in a white vest and flowy dress pants, while Alice has on a sparkly, sleeveless blouse over white jeans.
“So do you,” Alice waves a hand towards her outfit.
“Newly divorced, mom’s night out looks good on you,” Robin nods in genuine agreement.
“Thanks,” Emma says appreciatively, though she feels the warmth of shyness that creeps up her neck from the comments and attention. “Feels weird. But nice, too.”
“I’m sure Lucy and the Henrys are taking great care of Hope,” Alice offers reassuringly, and Emma smiles.
“Yeah, they are.”
“And I’m sure someone here already can’t keep her eyes off of you,” Robin says mischievously, lowering her voice as she glances over her shoulder towards the bar.
Emma looks past her, and sees Regina holding two glasses, her eyes fixed on Emma. Her lips lift into a slow smile, her eyes dark, delighted…and something else that takes Emma’s breath away.
She smiles back at Regina, taking in the view of her green, satin button up and the tight hug of her dark jeans as she begins to move around to the front of the bar. She’s left her hair natural and curly, and Emma likes it. There’s something free and fun about it, but sexy and beautiful, too.
“I know my aunt’s gorgeous, but make sure to take some photos and videos of the rest of us, too.” Robin winks, bringing Emma’s attention back to her.
A small chuckle escapes Emma, and she forces herself not to look back in Regina’s direction, even though she can still sense the other woman’s eyes on her. “Don’t worry. I’m here to capture your special night,” she assures them.
“And we’re sure you’ll be as good at it as you are capturing the queen’s attention,” Alice says with a smile.
“And her heart,” Robin whispers, tilting her head toward Emma.
Emma feels herself blushing—something she needs to get used to, if everyone continues to insist on not minding their business. “You know, if I ask her out right now, you’ll probably lose your bartender and photographer,” Emma jokes.
“If you ask her out right now, it won’t matter, because we’ll no longer be celebrating our upcoming wedding, since we’ll be dead,” Robin teases back.
Emma swats her shoulder. “Shut up,” she laughs.
“Back for five months already,” Robin reminds again. "And she…you know how much she missed you.”
Emma’s smile fades into one more knowing and serious, and a little regretful. “Yeah, I know.”
“You missed her?” Alice asks.
Emma nods, clearing her throat. “Yeah.”
“As much as I’d miss this one under the same circumstances?” Alice jabs her thumb toward Robin.
Emma ponders it for a moment, remembering the ache of losing Regina. The emptiness of not having her there; of not seeing her. The feeling of it being so final, like she might not ever see her again. The same sick feeling she felt then bubbles up in the back of her throat. “I never want to lose her again,” Emma admits, the hint of a sad smile tugging at her lips.
“You won’t,” Robin reaches out and squeezes her arm. “If you two stop tip-toeing. But maybe after the party.”
Emma laughs then, swiping at the tear that escaped onto her cheek. “We’re supposed to be celebrating.”
“I mean we are. We can celebrate our love, while encouraging my future aunt and my favorite aunt to get their own shit and love story together. Seems like a perfect bachelorette party to me.”
“You really are her niece, you know that?”
Robin chuckles, “Yeah. And proud of it.”
Emma grins at that and squeezes her arm affectionately. “Let me go see how she’s doing,” Emma excuses herself, receiving nods from them.
“Your moral support has arrived!” Emma announces as she approaches Regina, who’s standing at the end of the bar.
“Took you long enough,” Regina snarks, nudging Emma’s side with her elbow.
“I was talking to your nieces,” Emma defends. “Can’t be rude to the brides-to-be, right?”
“In that case, I suppose you’re forgiven,” Regina acquiesces, but her eyes are dancing as they slowly move over Emma’s body, taking in every inch of her.
Emma feels her skin warm and tingle beneath Regina’s gaze, her throat becoming dry as she watches Regina’s eyes in their descent down her body and back up again. She doesn’t miss the hungry look in Regina’s eyes or the way her tongue subtly slips out to lick her lips.
“Been a while since I dressed up,” Emma breaks the silence, reading her mind.
“Mm,” Regina hums appreciatively, her eyes locked on Emma’s. “Not since I’ve been back.”
“The coronation…”
“You looked beautiful,” Regina says softly with a sincere smile. “But not—”
“Sexy?” Emma interjects with a small smirk.
“Don’t flatter yourself,” Regina rolls her eyes with a short laugh.
“I think your eyes already did that for me,” Emma calls her out, and sees the hint of pink blooming in Regina’s cheeks. After a moment, she tips her head towards Regina’s. “You look amazing, too, by the way,” she says low but honestly, taking a moment to breathe in the intoxicating, light floral scent of Regina’s perfume.
Regina smiles a bit smugly as Emma pulls back. “A little of Roni’s flare added to my own,” she winks, touching her curls.
“Well, I like it,” Emma says.
“Do you?” Regina raises a teasing eyebrow, but Emma picks up on the flicker of insecurity that passes through her eyes.
She nods, reassuringly. “But I also like when you’re in pajamas with no make up and a tiny, messy ponytail, so I may be biased.”
Regina rolls her eyes but Emma catches the affection in them.
“So,” Emma decides to change the topic. “How’s it going?”
Regina waves a dismissive hand through the air. “After how challenging my actual job is lately, I could do this in my sleep. It’s like Roni never left Hyperion Heights.”
“Guess that’s good news for the nieces.”
“Bad news for everyone else,” Regina tells her in a half-serious tone. “They may need to vote for someone else as the Queen of All Realms. I may go back to bartending full time.”
Emma shakes her head at that with a light laugh. “Darkest day in fairy tale history. But I’ll support you in your rediscovered career path.”
Regina raises a surprised eyebrow at that. “Because I’ll be able to spend less time at work and more time with all of you?”
“Because I want you to be happy. Whether that’s bartending, or overseeing all the realms, or deciding you want to stay at home taking care of our kids all day,” Emma tells her truthfully, and she sees the way Regina’s eyes soften and become a little glassy. “Not that I don’t selfishly want you to work less. I like when you’re not so stressed. And when you have some extra time to hang out.”
“Our kids?” Regina clears her throat, responding with a watery chuckle as her eyes flicker towards the floor, then back up to Emma’s. “I’m not sure either of our kids needs me to stay home with them all day.”
Emma’s feels her face fall as she realizes her mistake. “Sorry, I just—I meant, Henry still needs you when he gets home, and after Henry and Henry, and co-parenting…you're my kids’ mom and they love you. And Hope loves you. And you’re so good with her. And—“
Regina presses a finger to her lips, the tender touch silencing Emma immediately. “I know. You’ve just never verbally acknowledged that part before. And I never wanted to overstep—to assume—"
Emma reaches for the hand that Regina hasn’t pulled away from her yet, and entwines it with her own, squeezing it gently but firmly, not letting go. “You could never overstep,” she assures her, her gaze and expression unwavering. Then, gives a short laugh. “I’m the one assuming you’d want to co-parent another kid with me.”
“Of course, I would,” Regina manages in a whisper, and Emma sees the tears in her eyes and how much it means; how much she wants to.
“Regina, what are we—we need to talk—” but before she can say more, a spoon is clinking against a glass and interrupting them.
Regina tightens her hold on Emma’s hands for a long moment, nodding at her in understanding, and silently promises that their conversation isn’t over. Then, she’s slowly, reluctantly untangling their fingers and heading back behind the bar. Emma sucks in a deep breath, composing herself and taking a seat on the bar stool across from where Regina is, before she turns her attention to Robin and Alice.
The chattering in the bar finally rumbles into silence as Dorothy stops the music coming through the stereo. Alice helps Robin up onto one of the chairs, and everyone is focused on them as Robin begins to speak. “Thank you all for coming. It means so much to Alice and me that we could celebrate with all of you before the wedding. We just want everyone to have the best time tonight, so to start it off, we thought we’d get everyone comfy and tipsy with some body shots! So, grab your girlfriend…or your wife…or your best friend you don’t mind being a little gay with. Get their consent. And then, head on over to the bar. Regina and Ruby have tequila shots, limes, and tiny salt shakers all ready for you, so if you’re up for some alcohol, grab what you need and have fun! Thank you all again and let’s do this!”
The bar erupts into cheers as Robin holds securely onto Alice’s hand and climbs down from the chair. Ruby saunters over to them with a tray holding two shots, two limes, and salt.
“Brides first!” she announces with a grin and holds out the tray to the two women.
The bar quiets again in anticipation.
“You all really want a show,” Alice teases, her cheeks noticeably blushing.
“Your idea of an ice breaker is body shots, so yeah!” Tiana jokes back half-serious.
“I mean I’m related to Zelena and Regina, so shows are kind of my thing,” Robin shrugs with a wry smile. “C’mon.”
She pats the table in front of them, getting Alice to lay down on her back. She props herself up on her elbows though and watches Robin intently as she sprinkles the salt over her bare stomach. Then, she leans down and licks it up, seductive yet tastefully. Alice giggles, moving her fingers into Robin’s hair. Then, Robin takes the glass Alice has resting on her stomach and tosses her head back as she drinks the shot. Finally, she moves toward Alice’s head, biting the lime Alice is holding between her lips. She pulls it from Alice’s mouth with her teeth, and throws it over her shoulder. Then, she captures Alice’s lips in a deep kiss. The bar erupts into whistles and cheers; the two women pull apart laughing. And then, Alice licks salt from Robin’s palm and takes the shot sitting between the other woman’s breasts, before moving up to the lime in her mouth. They embrace once the lime is discarded.
Emma stops the video she’s been recording of the two of them, turning to look over at Regina, whose presence she can still feel behind her. “They’re cute,” Emma remarks with a smile that twists into a small smirk. “So, Your Majesty, did Roni do a lot of body shots? Seems like a fun way to get more tips and liven up the crowd.”
Without missing a beat, Regina sends her a smirk back. “Do you really want to hear about all the gorgeous women I had licking salt off of me?”
Emma tries to stop the images that quickly fill her mind as jealousy curls in her gut. “Never mind.” She shakes her head adamantly, “Forget I asked.”
“Jealous, Ms. Swan?” Regina leans toward her, and Emma feels the heat that courses through her as Regina continues to purposely rile her up.
“I have no right to be,” Emma says dismissively, but she can’t help the defeat and regret that betray themselves in her voice. She sees the way Regina falters at that as something concerned and serious fills her eyes, extinguishing the burning flirtatiousness within them.
This time it’s Regina who shakes her head. “You have no reason to be. Whether I’m cursed or not,” she says with so much unwavering sincerity and care that Emma’s breath catches in her throat.
“Still. Roni isn’t you,” Emma forces herself to say.
“No,” Regina breathes. “But our heart is the same. It…didn’t forget.”
Emma smiles and Regina smiles back, and they’re lost in each other’s eyes, until Ruby’s calling out to Regina for some help and the moment is broken. Guests swarm the bar in pairs, reaching for the full shot glasses and limes. It’s chaos and fun as giggles, clapping , and laughter fill the air. Emma turns around to watch couples lick salt off each other, then seductively drink from glasses, and bite into their limes. At the other end of the bar, she sees Dorothy licking Ruby‘s skin before she moves to take the shot from in between Ruby‘s breasts. Then, Emma shifts her gaze to Anna and Jacinda as they lick the salt from each other as platonically as possible, before pouring the shots into each other’s mouths simultaneously, while holding out a lime to each other with their free hands. Her gaze eventually lands on Tiana and Zelena, laughing loudly after Tiana almost spills the shot she’d lifted from Zelena’s cleavage with her lips, clearly trying to show off her skills.
“Looks like your sister’s having fun,” Emma observes as she swivels her stool toward Regina, now that things have settled down by the bar and everyone’s busy taking their shots.
Regina snorts at that, looking past Emma to watch Zelena throw her arms in the air victoriously, after finishing her shot of tequila and biting into the lime Tiana offered her. “Life of the party.”
“You’re doing great,” Emma compliments, after Regina hands a delicious looking cocktail to another guest. “I’ve heard a lot of people moaning at their first sips, calling them perfect, and Jasmine and Ariel could not get over how pretty they are.”
Regina smiles appreciatively, her shoulders and the crease in her brow that Emma noticed at the start of the night finally relaxing. “Thank you,” she exhales, and Emma can see it in her eyes and hear the deep appreciation in her tone that conveys how much it truly means. “Want one?”
“Sure! But if I can’t do my job as designated photographer and videographer, I’m blaming the hot bartender,” Emma teases, a hint of flirtation in her voice.
Regina’s eyes darken at that, a blush heating her cheeks in a way that mesmerizes Emma, until she sees the mischievous glint that flickers through her eyes. “I’ll let Ruby know, but I’m not sure Dorothy will be happy you think her wife’s hot,” Regina smirks.
Emma sends Regina a playful glare. “Not the bartender I was referring to.”
“On second thought, I think you’ve had too much to drink then,” Regina says with a serious look. “No cocktail for you.”
“Because I think you’re hot? I don’t think that’s really a secret…”
Regina shakes her head with a smile that’s almost too meek to be in character. “Because you said it out loud,” Regina tells her in a low voice.
“Well, I haven’t had a sip of alcohol yet,” Emma tells her truthfully. “So, now what?”
Regina’s quiet for a moment, her eyes searching Emma’s for something, as a million emotions seem to blend within them. “Now…” Regina breathes, pausing for a moment. “I make you a cocktail. What do you want?”
“Surprise me,” Emma says with a small shrug, following Regina’s lead away from their flirting. “I trust you.”
That makes Regina smile, and she seems to relax as she grabs a tall glass and the shaker, filling it with ice. “Going to make you one that’s irresistible,” she says tauntingly. “But it also won’t even come close to knocking you on your ass.”
“Sounds perfect already,” Emma smiles thankfully, but reaches out to place a hand on Regina’s wrist before she can continue making the drink. Regina’s eyes drop down focusing on it as Emma moves her thumb against her skin in a gentle caress. “I’m tired of being an idiot,” she tells Regina simply, when Regina’s eyes find hers again. “And I know you know I think you’re hot, so unless you don’t want me to, I’m going to finally say it.”
“Emma—“ Regina whispers, her eyes glassy, but Emma recognizes the hope and the want and the depth of the emotion in them.
“You’re also beautiful. And amazing. And…” Emma‘s eyes flicker down and back up as she lets out a watery chuckle. “So much more.”
Regina clears her throat with a laugh, swiping at the tear that escapes her eye. “If you keep going, you’re about to not get your drink and they’re about to lose their bartender,” she nods to the room in front of her.
“Better get shaking then,” Emma glances at the silver shaker that’s filled with ice in front of her. She watches intently as Regina gets to work adding what she needs to the mix. Then, she covering the silver cup and shaking it. Her movements are purposeful and fierce, yet graceful and instinctual, like she knows exactly what she’s doing and how to instinctively get the perfect balance of flavors in the drink.
She pours it into a slim but tall clear glass, adding a cherry on a toothpick and a purple flower for decoration. The drink has a red hue to it, but then, she waves her hand above it and it glows. She places it in front of Emma, and Emma is impressed and in awe of how stunning it is. Glittering stars, sparkle as they float in the drink like a snow globe.
“Roni’s recipe, my magic,” she says.
“Wow,” Emma breathes. “It’s almost too pretty to drink.”
Emma brings the glass to her lips, feeling the cold surface as they come into contact with it. Then, she takes a sip. It’s sweet with a hint of spice, and the mix of flavors blend perfectly. She feels the magic tingle and dance on her tongue, and it makes her a bit dizzy, but in a good way; a tipsy way. “Mmm, so good!”
“You like it?”
“One of the best drinks I’ve ever had. No wonder Zelena thought you should bartend.”
Emma takes another sip, moaning at the flavor and the way it warms her throat as she swallows.
“I don’t think everyone’s done their shots,” Robin sings as she approaches the two of them with her arm looped around Alice’s waist. She points at Regina. “You said you’d do one. The only drink you said you were allowed to have until you close up the bar later.”
“Because your mother insisted I channel Roni and have a little fun,” Regina points out.
“Yeah, but she’s right,” Robin insists, pushing one of the clean, empty shot glasses in front of her closer to the woman behind the bar. “And there are your salt and lime,” she waves her finger at the small salt shaker and pieces of lime Regina has on the counter in front of her.
“And who am I licking salt off of?” Regina wonders, her eyebrow lifting in question. “Your mother appears to have paired up with Tiana. Mal and Ursula seem cozy. And—”
Emma catches how Robin and Alice’s eyes roll in unison, and then they settle on her. She holds up her hands in protest. “No shots for me, if you want some more good photos tonight. I’m already trying one of Regina’s cocktails,” Emma points to the glass sitting beside her arm on the bar.
“That’s not stopping Aunt Regina from doing the shot,” Robin’s pointed gaze finds her aunt’s again. “Besides, you’d be in a pissy mood all night, if you had to watch her do it with anyone else.”
“I—” Emma stammers, her lips parted as she finds herself unable to form more words. Regina’s more composed but Emma can see a hint of pink in her cheeks as she tries not to laugh, and there’s something in her eyes that’s a mix of apology, hope, and an endearing amount of unusual shyness.
“Henry’s right, you two are impossible,” Robin rolls her eyes, and it’s so very like Regina.
“Fine.” Regina grabs the bottle of tequila in front of her and pours a generous amount into the glass Robin slid towards her. Then, she walks around the bar, stopping next to Emma. “You all want me to have more fun, so let’s do this,” she nods definitively, but Emma can tell she wants to enjoy it, too. “I’m not about to have Zelena pestering me all night because I didn’t do a body shot,” she adds, grimacing at the thought. “But I’m also not interested in prying eyes and everyone making a big deal about the Queen of All Realms doing body shots off the Savior, so you two are going to stand in front of us as strategically as possible.”
Robin and Alice sigh like they were expecting it, but then, their faces break into smiles and they giggle. They casually stand in front of Emma’s stool, blocking the view of the rest of the room as best as they can without seeming like they’re trying to hide something. The rest of the party guests would probably think all of the women are just having a serious conversation.
They allow Regina to move between them, so she’s directly in front of Emma, holding the salt shaker in her hand. The two women watch with excited anticipation, practically giddy that Regina’s about to do this…with Emma. All Emma can do is shake her head in amusement at them, because really, she can’t blame them when a part of her is as intrigued and excited about where this is going, even if it’s mostly in a different way. She never would have expected that Regina would agree to do a body shot with her, nor would she have thought it would happen before they talked about where their relationship was headed; before they ever actually kissed.
“You’re okay with this?” Regina levels her eyes and lowers her voice, so only Emma can hear as she steps between her legs, just tall enough in her heels, so that she’s the same height as Emma sitting on the stool.
Emma’s skin tingles at Regina’s closeness and she feels her whole body alight with anticipation. “Yeah, of course,” Emma confirms. “If you are.”
Regina smiles at that and it’s flirty and smug and so much more. And it has Emma forgetting they’re in a room full of people; that Robin and Alice are watching them, even if they’ve turned a little to allow them a bit of privacy.
She holds Emma’s gaze as she sprinkles the salt in the dip above her collar bone. There’s a final question in her eyes as she moves her hands to Emma’s shoulders, bracing herself, before she bends her head and Emma feels the warm heat of Regina’s tongue sliding along her skin. Goosebumps rise over her skin, every inch of her awake and burning with the sensation of Regina’s tongue moving against her. Her hands find Regina’s waist as the other woman surprises her, closing her lips over her skin, and sucking gently at the rise of her collarbone. Emma shivers and barely stifles the moan that rises in her throat, before she feels the way Regina’s lips smile against her, satisfied with her reaction.
Regina pulls back slowly, searching for the shot glass still resting on the bar behind Emma. The look in Regina’s eyes is uncertain as she silently questions Emma.
“Here,” Emma holds her hand out and Regina gives her the glass. She tucks it into the dip of her shirt, her breasts holding the cool glass in place. With a nod, she offers Regina her silent permission. The other woman bends her head, lifting the glass out of Emma’s cleavage, and tilts her head back, swallowing the liquid within it.
By the time she’s finished, Emma has the lime waiting between her lips. Now, Regina’s gaze is on fire, her eyes darker and more seductive. Their eyes are locked on each other as Regina’s head moves closer, towards Emma’s lips. Then, brown eyes are fluttering shut, before her teeth bite into the lime and she pulls it slowly, tauntingly from Emma’s mouth. “Not bad,” she hums as she tosses the lime over the bar and into the trash on the other side.
Emma’s hands are still on her hips as Regina gazes down at her once more, a small smile on her lips. They don’t say anything for a long moment, and Emma finds herself mesmerized by the warmth, desire, and deeper emotion in Regina’s eyes. And Emma feels so much longing, it aches desperately within her. And sure, she wants to kiss Regina and lose herself within her; to feel and learn every intimate part of her. But she also wants to stay like this. To hold her. To be held by her; by her eyes. Just them. Together.
“I have drinks to pour,” Regina rasps out in a hoarse voice, her palms finding Emma’s shoulders.
“My fault,” Emma breathes. “I helped convince you to bartend.”
“At least you can look forward to later,” Regina tells her, taking a step back, and beginning to put space between them.
“Later?”
“I owe you a body shot,” Regina grins, her eyes playful and taunting.
“But maybe take it to the back,” Robin suggests with a smirk, reminding the women that she and Alice are still there. “Or a bedroom. You two are gonna set this place on fire. Burning hotter than that tequila.”
Emma watches as Regina’s eyes widen, her skin flushing some more, but her eyes are molten and Emma knows exactly what she felt and exactly what she’s thinking. She forces herself to swallow, trying to keep thoughts of bedrooms and heated skin and tangled legs from filling her mind.
“Go do your thing,” she instructs Regina, nudging her hip with her hand because she suddenly doesn’t know how to not touch her.
“You two need to leave out the details about later and fire and needing a room when you tell Zelena about this,” Regina warns, her expression more intimidating as she focuses on Robin.
“I think she might assume but we won’t say a thing,” Robin promises with a coy smile at both of them.
“Thank you,” Regina says, relaxing, as she pulls Robin in for a side hug. “I’ll be back. Just need to go fix my make up,” Regina lets them know, as she lets go of Robin.
**
Two hours of eating, drinking, dancing and playing games passes by. Emma walks around mingling and capturing as many moments as she can. Her eyes move to the bar every now and then, seeing Regina and Ruby busy making drinks, while also keeping track of the guests who are close to having one too many. She also checks in with Regina every so often to make sure she’s still having fun, enjoying herself, and doesn’t need anything. As the party goes on, though, more and more people linger at the bar having short conversations as she makes their drinks, before they go back to dancing and hanging out elsewhere. Emma tries not to be creepy, and Regina catches her staring a few times, but she can’t help but be mesmerized by Regina’s exchanges with people, watching her laugh and enjoy herself, while she catches up with new and old acquaintances. Her happiness is contagious and the warmth of it spreads through Emma, too. This party couldn’t have come at a better time and seems like just what Regina needed to remember why she does what she does. The people whose lives she tries to make better with each decision she makes.
There’s a buffet of food set up along the wall that Emma visits, once most of the other guests have helped themselves. She sits at one of the round wooden tables with Snow, Lily, Mal, and Ursula, and they make small talk and catch each other up on what’s going on in their lives. Once she’s done, she returns to the buffet and makes a plate for Regina, filling it with salad, ziti, and blackened chicken.
“Time to eat,” Emma announces as she approaches the bar. No one’s there at the moment, and even Ruby is sitting with Dorothy, Zelena, and Tiana eating her own plate of food.
She sees the objection in Regina’s eyes and gives her a stern look in return. “Everyone’s eating or dancing. Time for the Queen Bartender to eat.”
Regina’s expression morphs into an affectionate, warm smile at that, and Emma gestures to the stool in front of her, Regina’s plate sitting on the bar in front of it.
“Thank you,” Regina murmurs gratefully as she walks around the bar and takes a seat.
“No passing out on my watch,” Emma says lightly, climbing onto the stool next to Regina’s. “Henry would kill me.”
“Which one?” Regina wonders as she puts a forkful of salad in her mouth.
“Both,” she winces imagining the betrayal in their eyes. “And Lucy. Hope would probably catch on and be passive aggressive, too. You have a whole army ready to defend you.”
“Lucky me,” Regina smiles, and Emma sees the fullness of being loved glowing in her eyes.
Their conversation ebbs and flows as Regina eats her food. Emma sits facing her, so she can still take photos from where she’s sitting. She also draws Regina’s attention to what’s happening around them, if something entertaining or cute happens.
“Thank you again,” Regina says when her plate is almost empty. “I needed that. It was delicious.”
“I’m glad,” Emma runs a hand over her back, and doesn’t think twice about the gesture, until she feels Regina relax against her touch. A part of her impulsively thinks to pull away, but instead, she starts rubbing small circles against the smooth fabric of Regina’s shirt, and the other woman rests her head in her hands, sighing with Emma’s soothing touch.
“I should get back to pouring drinks and organizing Aesop’s stock,” Regina mutters after a couple more minutes, but doesn’t move.
“You should,” Emma concurs as supportively as she can sound.
“You’re distracting me,” Regina grumbles with a tired smile.
“Sorry,” Emma apologizes, reluctantly pulling her hand away from Regina.
“Don’t be,” Regina says lowly, slowly sitting up. “If we weren’t here, I wouldn’t want you to stop.”
Emma smiles tenderly at that.
“Here I go,” Regina slides off the stool, smoothing out her clothes. “Bring me some cake later?” Regina requests.
Emma chuckles lightly. “I can do that.”
Regina reaches out, placing her hand on Emma’s arm. “Thank you,” she says, staying there for a moment.
But then, the music stops abruptly and Zelena’s asking for everyone’s attention. It causes them both to jump, and Regina’s hand falls away.
“Let’s get ready to conga!” Zelena shouts at the top of her lungs, and the conga music begins to play through the speakers. She puts her hands on Robin’s shoulders, guiding her daughter toward Alice, and then, the three of them begin to lead the line. They march around the room, collecting more and more people as they go. Emma and Regina watch as the dancing train of people moves around in unison, swerving through the room, making their way around tables and chairs and balloons. They parade past the two women, making their way back toward the dance floor. Person after person passes with their hands on the shoulders of the person in front of them; huge smiles covering their faces. By the time Emma and Regina can see the end of it, Dorothy is coaxing Ruby to join from where she’s standing a few stools away from them. She grabs on, not missing a beat.
“Come on, Ems!” she beckons with her hand. “Let’s go! Regina, you too!”
Emma and Regina look to each other with uncertainty, but then, a wry smile forms on Emma’s face and she’s hopping off her stool. “We’re in this together,” she says, grabbing for Regina’s hand before she can protest. She tugs Regina along, guiding her, so Regina catches up with Ruby and she can lay her hands on Ruby’s shoulders. Then, Emma places her hands on Regina’s. They continue doing the conga; the whole group making their way around the room one more time. Everyone’s smiling and laughing and conga-ing. Regina glances over her shoulder at Emma, and although she seems a little overwhelmed, she’s grinning.
“Told you I was going to make sure you have fun,” Emma speaks loudly, leaning forward toward Regina’s ear, so she can hear her over the music.
“I never doubted you for a minute,” Regina shouts back over her shoulder.
As they reach the dance floor again, the line has dispersed. As the song fades out, everyone applauds each other. The next song begins, the melody pumping through the stereo. There’s a collective moment of silence, before everyone recognizes the song and the whole group gets excited. Robin runs over and grabs Regina’s hand, obviously excited her aunt’s finally made it to the dance floor and unwilling to let her go. She starts to dance with her, reaching for Alice’s hand, too. Regina instinctively reaches for Emma’s, pulling her into their small dance circle. “We’re in this together,” Regina says, echoing Emma’s words from a little while ago.
“Always,” Emma agrees, and it holds the deep sincerity of a promise; a vow.
Regina smiles fondly, the look in her eyes deep and hopeful.
And then, they’re rejoining their moment with Robin and Alice, dancing to Girls Just Wanna Have Fun. Their bodies move with the upbeat song, jumping and swaying, as they join the whole party, singing the song at the top of their lungs.
It ends and the four of them continue holding hands as they catch their breaths and wait for the next song. It’s slower, though, and after hearing a few of the lyrics, Emma recognizes Christina Perri’s voice.
Alice and Robin smile, silently removing themselves from the circle, so they can slow dance with each other. Emma and Regina are left holding each other’s hands. Both of their gazes fall to their joined hands at the same time, and then, Regina’s eyes are lifting and searching Emma’s. She seems unsure and like she’s about to pull away, but Emma holds her hand more firmly. Then, she’s bringing Regina toward her, her other arm reaching out to settle on Regina’s waist and bring her close. The hint of panic and uncertainty in Regina’s eyes instantly fades as the tension leaves her body and she settles into Emma’s hold. They’re a little stiff at first, but then, whatever overthinking they’re doing stops and they sway naturally together. It doesn’t completely extinguish the millions of thoughts and questions that Emma can see playing out in Regina’s eyes, though. And she’d be lying if she said her mind wasn’t a rush of similar thoughts that are only being drowned out because the thought that she wants this overpower them.
“I told you,” she murmurs into the small space between them. “I’m tired of being an idiot. Of wasting more time. Of not giving us what we deserve.”
“And what’s that?” Regina wonders in a whisper.
“This,” Emma answers softly. “Us.”
“Emma—”
Emma shakes her head with a low chuckle. “Our timing has always sucked. I just want to get it right. With you. For once,” Emma confesses, her voice strained by her frustration. “Because I want you. To dance with you. To hold you. To make you happy.”
“You already do,” Regina assures here, and it’s breathy and as full of emotion as her glassy eyes. “I want that, too. You. I have for—a long time.”
“Since I brought Henry back home the first time?” Emma wonders but it’s mostly joking.
“Perhaps, not that long. Though, you did ignite something within me even then,” Regina admits lowly.
“Things were always intense,” Emma adds in agreement.
“I think they always will be,” Regina says truthfully.
“Yeah, well, that makes us, us,” Emma says fondly.
“Us.” Regina hums approvingly.
“Finally,” Emma breathes, resting her forehead against Regina’s.
They stay like that for two more songs. Their hearts beating in sync. Content.
The party winds down and guests begin to leave. And as one group heads out for their journey back home, another group follows their lead. Emma hears the cheerful goodbyes and well wishes to Robin and Alice. Friends and acquaintances say goodnight to her as well, as she helps Zelena and Jacinda clean up. “See you at the wedding,” becomes a popular exchange as smiles are offered and hugs are given. It’s not long until the bar has returned to the state they found it in earlier that day, and ready for Aesop to take over tomorrow. Decorations have been taken down, the trash taken out, and now it’s only Regina’s family that’s left and Ruby and Dorothy.
Empty bottle clink together as Ruby puts them into the recycling bag behind the bar. Regina finishes taking notes to leave Aesop on the stock still left at the bar, so he knows what to order and how much to charge her. Emma sidles up to the bar and Regina comes around to meet her. “You did it,” Emma places a hand on her lower back.
Regina smiles proudly. “It was worth it,” she nudges her head in the direction of Alice and Robin, who are each carrying tote bags and walking towards them.
“Thank you so much,” Robin opens her arms, and Regina pulls her in to the tightest hug. “You’re really okay closing up?” she asks after she begins to pull back from Regina’s hug.
“Of course,” Regina makes it clear it’s no big deal. Then, she’s pulling Alice in for a hug. “You girls go enjoy your night and get some rest.”
“You’ll make sure she gets home okay?” Robin asks Emma, who smiles as they hug each other.
“I will,” Emma promises. “We didn’t drive, so I think your aunt’s actually the designated poofer.”
Regina rolls her eyes at that. “You make it sound so ridiculous.”
Robin snorts lightly. “In that case, make sure Emma gets home okay and doesn’t poof to Narnia or something.”
“Not letting her out of my sight,” Regina vows, meeting Emma’s eyes, and there’s something determined and hungry in them, and Emma can feel what’s meant by her words. A shiver creeps up her spine, and her expression becomes serious as she feels the rush of desire run through her.
“I’ll call you tomorrow, Sis,” Zelena glides up to them, interrupting the moment; a large tote on her shoulder and the box holding leftover cake resting on her arm. She pulls Regina in for a side hug that Regina returns, taking a moment to hold her sister tight.
“Maybe let Regina call you, Mom,” Robin suggests, her eyes shifting from Regina to Emma knowingly, and Emma just shakes her head amusedly at Robin’s picking up on every little thing between Emma and Regina.
Zelena’s brow furrows and her smiling lips fall into a frown. “Why?” she wonders, puzzled. “Regina’s not going to sleep in.”
“Her not sleeping is kind of my point,” Robin comments, trying to get her mom to catch on.
“I—oh. Oh.” Her eyes widen, then fill with understanding as she comprehends what Robin’s trying to get at. She drops her arm from around Regina and glances from her to Emma and back again.
“Fucking finally!” Zelena says with relief.
“Hopefully that’s what happens,” Alice mutters with a smirk.
“Seriously,” Robin smiles at them again, and begins to lead Alice away.
“Call me,” Zelena levels her eyes at Regina. “With or without any details you may have.” Her gaze flicks over to Emma, then back to Regina. “Should have had this party ages ago if it was going to get you two to finally do it.”
Regina shakes her head. “Goodnight, Zelena,” she says purposefully, lightly shoving her sister towards the door. “Sorry,” Regina apologizes to Emma, a light blush in her cheeks as her smile falters, and worry and vulnerability mix in her eyes. “We—I don’t want you to feel like we have to. Just because they think we should—we are.”
Regina’s nervous ramble makes Emma smile and warmth floods her chest at how adorable Regina is in that moment and how much she cares; how much she considers her. She steps forward, resting her palm against Regina’s cheek, hoping her eyes tell Regina how much it means to her and how much she wants this. “I don’t want you to feel pressured either,” Emma offers gently. “Let’s just be us and see where it goes.”
Regina closes her eyes and nods against her hand, nuzzling it. “You’re making me want you more,” Regina whispers a moment later.
“Sorry, to interrupt but we’re going to go,” Ruby says, forcing them to pull apart. Emma sees the soft look in her eyes and the happiness that shines in them.
“Bye, Rubes,” Emma hugs her, and then, Dorothy. They hug Regina, too.
“I’ll lock the door behind us, since Robin said Regina’s poofing out of here.”
“Sounds good,” Emma nods, finding Regina’s hand beside her and lacing their fingers.
Once they’re gone, Emma sighs.
“Ready to go?” Regina wonders quietly.
Emma shakes her head. “Someone still owes me a body shot,” Emma reminds her with a smile.
“I appreciate that you waited until it was just us,” Regina returns the smile conspiratorially.
“After the first one, I was trying not to scandalize your subjects,” Emma smirks, and leads Regina to the side of the bar, so she can pour the tequila shot and grab a lime and a salt shaker.
Then, she nods her head for Regina to follow her.
“Where are we going?” Regina raises an eyebrow.
Emma sets the shot on one of the tables and holds out a hand, so she can help Regina onto it. “I’m doing this right,” Emma tells her. “Trust me.”
Regina looks skeptical, but then she turns her body so her legs are resting on the table. She reclines her upper body, leaning on her elbows. Emma instructs her to bend her legs, then she’s climbing onto the table in front of Regina, sitting on her knees. Regina eyes her skeptically, but Emma sees the hint of excited anticipation in her as well.
Emma moves up between Regina’s legs, hovering over her for a moment, and it takes everything in her not to kiss Regina the way she wants to. Instead, she leans her forehead against Regina’s, their eyes closing as their breaths mingle and they breathe each other in. Emma’s whole body tingles with Regina’s closeness and she feels Regina tremble beneath her.
“Emma.”
It’s a breath. A need. A plea. A hope. And a cry catches in the back of Emma’s throat at how desperately Regina longs for her; how much she wants her…and not just physically.
Emma pulls back, their eyes finding each other again. Then, she’s unbuttoning the lower buttons of Regina’s silky, green shirt. She sits up as she sprinkles the salt over the bare skin of Regina’s stomach, and then, she’s lowering her head and tasting Regina. Regina’s hand moves into her hair, tangling tautly in the waves of her hair. She hears a sharp intake of breath and feels the way Regina stiffens, then moans with the ecstasy of her ministrations. She licks the salt off her skin, hungrily and greedily, and she’s overwhelmed by the soothing smell of Regina and the warmth of her body. She licks a trail up her stomach, forcing the rest of the buttons open as she goes.
She’s only a little surprised when her nose rubs against the cool, shot glass that Regina conspicuously placed between her breasts. Emma raises her head, a smirk dancing on her lips that echoes the one on Regina’s. Regina’s eyes are so dark and full of lust, and Emma feels her body flush and tingle once more.
“God, you’re beautiful,” Emma exhales, taking in every inch of her. Her warm, loving eyes; her supple lips; her flushed, dewy skin; the black lace of her bra, the curve of her breasts. She bends her head then, dipping it down to her breasts and taking the glass of alcohol between her lips. She tilts it toward her and slowly does the shot. Then, she lifts the glass from Regina and places it on one of the chairs.
Her mouth descends on Regina again, kissing the soft skin of her breasts. Then, she presses an open mouth kiss over the material of Regina’s bra, feeling the swell of her puckered nipple beneath it. Regina’s head falls back and she whimpers at the sensation. And then, Emma does the same to the other breast. Her hand moving up to squeeze the other. A soft cry erupts from Regina and Emma smiles against her, pleased.
With a cocky grin she moves up to Regina’s face and stares deeply into her eyes. “No lime,” she murmurs. “Just you.”
And then, her lips are lowering to Regina’s and capturing them hungrily. The kiss is long and deep and filled with years of longing and desire and fire and a multitude of feelings. There’s passion and lust and adoration and hurt and ferocity and…most importantly, all consuming love. It gives and takes and heals as their lips move together over and over. They suck and taste and capture and uncapture. Their tongues tease and taunt and encourage each other. And Emma moans when Regina’s teeth tug at her bottom lip.
She pulls back then, holding Emma’s head so reverently, something inside of Emma aches with the love she sees reflected in Regina’s eyes.
“Home,” Regina breathes.
And in an instant, they’re in Regina’s room and on her bed. Lips meet, hands roam, and limbs tangle. Emma fingers release the clasp on Regina’s bra, and then, she’s pulling it off and taking one of Regina’s breasts into her mouth. Regina writhes beneath her, her back arching up.
“I need you,” she pants, desperately. “Naked.”
And with one wave of her hand, Emma’s clothes are gone. Everything stops as Regina stares up at her, taking in Emma’s body. Emma sees the way her breath catches in her throat and feels overwhelmed by the tenderness in Regina’s eyes. “You’re stunning,” Regina rasps.
Emma reaches for her hand and brings it to her mouth, placing a kiss on the inside of her palm.
Then, Regina’s pulling her down on top of her and kissing her and touching every inch of her. Their bodies press together, and Regina must get tired of her jeans still being between them, because suddenly Emma registers the feel of her skin, instead.
She tells Emma she needs more. And then, Emma’s lowering her mouth down her body and to her center. She sucks and licks and buries herself in Regina. She savors every taste; the warmth of her wet heat. She smiles at the slightly painful tugs of her hair, Regina’s soft mewls, the way she arches beneath her, trying to feel more and more of Emma’s tongue against her. Her hips rock lightly as Emma continues to bring her to her climax. And suddenly, Regina curses, tenses, and cries out her name on a strangled breath. Emma draws her orgasm out, replacing her tongue with her thumb, as she watches Regina chest and stomach rise and fall with the waves of pleasure coursing within her.
Eventually, Regina sinks back into the mattress and relaxes. Emma moves up to kiss her lips and Regina licks herself off of Emma’s mouth. And then, Emma’s placing a kiss to her shoulder and lying down beside her, her legs draped over Regina’s as she rests and arm over her and pulls her closer.
“That shouldn’t have taken us this long,” Regina comments.
“At least we finally came to our senses,” Emma chuckles.
“I need to—I want you. To taste you,” Regina murmurs. “To fuck you.”
“Mm,” Emma hums, playing with her fingers as she holds Regina’s gaze with hers. “I want you to, too.”
And then, Regina’s rolling on to Emma and they fall into each other again. Relishing in the touches and feeling of each other. The moment they’ve waited so long for. The person they’ve wanted and needed for so long. In every way.
And as Emma squirms beneath Regina and begs for more and loses herself in the rush of her climax, all she can think about is how lucky she is; they are. And how she’s never denying them of the happiness they deserve again.