8Emma opened her eyes and glanced at the clock on the bedside table, seeing it was barely past 10pm. Though she didn't feel guilty about having turned in fairly early, considering everything she and Regina had done. After a long scrub down in the shower, where they did so many pleasurable things to one another it should be illegal, they made it to Regina's bed before promptly falling asleep.
She looked over at Regina, seeing she was fast asleep. Almost absentmindedly Emma traced her fingers lightly over the woman's bare shoulder. I could never get tired of touching her, she thought with a grin. She really is the most beautiful person ever. She's also much kinder then she gives herself credit for. The way she took care of me today. Though that could be chalked up to wanting to get me better just so she could torture then ravage me.
Emma frowned as she truly thought about the events of the day. While on the surface it seemed Regina was just playing a part to throw Emma off, it seemed less likely the more she thought about it. Regina had gone above and beyond in caring for Emma. If she had simply wanted Emma better before doing a striptease she could have just left Emma to sleep it off. But instead she went out of her way to care for her. She held her hair back when she threw up, she made her breakfast and lunch so she's feel better, she drew her a bath. Those wasn't things you did for someone unless you really cared about them. And not just in a lustful 'I want to turn you on and then fuck your brains out' kind of way. It was almost as if Regina truly…
Emma snapped out of her thoughts as her stomach gurgled. "Regina," she whispered as she shook her shoulder. "Regina. I'm hungry."
"If that's a euphemism for you wanting to have sex, you'll have to wait until morning," Regina groaned sleepily.
"Not that," Emma said, blushing at exactly what Regina was implying she meant. "I never had dinner. Can you make me something?"
"There's plenty of food in the fridge. I'm sure you're capable of making something yourself."
"But you're a much better cook then me."
"I just made you two meals. You can take this one."
"Come on," she said playfully as she kissed Regina's shoulder and gave her the best 'puppy dog face' she could muster. She thought she might be pushing it. But given the smile that threatened to form on Regina's face, she guessed she was winning her over.
"Fine," she huffed, having been swayed by how adorable the blond was being. "But don't get used to this."
"Sure," Emma said disbelievingly. She leaned in and kissed Regina on the lips. Regina kissed her back, applying more pressure as she slid her tongue into Emma's mouth. Just then a rush of warmth flowed through the two of them as the air around them seemed to shimmer and glow. Emma pulled back, gasping at the sensation of affection coursing through her. It was almost if they had just-
"I should go make something," Regina suddenly said.
"Regina, wait. Didn't you feel that?"
"I'm hungry myself. I'm going to make something to eat," Regina said as she jumped out of bed and left the room, in her haste not even bothering to put on any clothes. Emma lay there dumbfounded, trying to make sense over what had just happened. She knew she had felt something just then when they kissed. It almost seemed like it was true love's kiss. She's my true love? Emma thought, running the words through her head and realizing it didn't sound that farfetched at all.
Emma got out of bed and went to the kitchen, where Regina was bent over looking in the refrigerator. She tried to ignore the arousing sight before her as she loudly cleared her throat. "Regina, we need to talk." She waited a moment before yelling, "Regina!"
"What!" she replied as she closed the fridge and turned around.
"Okay first off, can you please put something on. I can't think when you're not wearing anything."
"You're one to talk," Regina said as her eyes roamed over Emma's equally naked body.
Seriously. Did we cast a spell that turned us into horny teenagers? "Regina, what happened when we just kissed?"
"It was a good kiss, that's all."
"You know it was more than that. I think it was true love's kiss."
Regina let out a manic laugh over that before stopping at seeing the hurt look on Emma's face. "True love's kiss? Come on."
"Why is that so hard to believe? Clearly we have feelings for each other. We clearly are attracted to one another. We spend all of our time together and tell each other everything. I really think that was-"
"Stop!" Regina yelled, cutting Emma off. "Don't say it."
"What's your problem!" Emma yelled, hurt and angry over Regina's reaction. "Why are you so upset about this?"
"Because it's preposterous," Regina declared, speaking with more venom in her voice then she'd displayed in a while. "The Evil Queen and the daughter of Snow White true loves? It's absurd Miss. Swan."
"Don't you dare Miss. Swan me," Emma hissed in anger. "Not now. Not after everything we're been through!"
"Stop screeching! You're acting like an overgrown child! A simple stubborn child!"
"You fucking bitch!" Emma screamed, rage coursing through her. "You're an uptight, egotistical, know it all who can't stand even the thought of possibly being wrong about anything. And despite everything I still love you. And I know you love me. Sex isn't nearly that good if there aren't any feelings behind it. Not to mention everything we've been through together. Oh, and the fact that we just shared a fucking magical kiss! So why the hell are you so determined to-"
"Because I'm afraid!" Regina cried out.
"What?" Emma asked, shocked at what she just heard.
"I'm afraid," Regina repeated softly, her anger replaced with fear and vulnerability as her walls finally came crashing down. She sank to the floor, hugging her knees as her body shook uncontrollably. Emma sat next to her, lightly touching her shoulder. While Regina flinched at the initial contact, she didn't remove Emma's hand from her body. After several long moments Regina finally looked at Emma, sniffing loudly as tears ran down her face. "You're right, okay. I'm in love with you. I have been for a long time. But I'm afraid to be in love with you."
"Why?" Emma asked, even though she had an inkling as to what the reason was.
"Because every time I open my heart to someone it ends in tragedy. First my mother killing Daniel. Then Robin dying to protect me from Hades. Those who love me end up dying. And just the thought of anything happening to you is too terrible to imagine. That's why I'm terrified to love you. Especially if we really are supposed to be true loves."
Emma nodded her head, taking hold of Regina's hand as she looked deep into her eyes. "I get it. I know what it's like to continually have relationships end tragically. I literally went to the underworld to bring back Hook and that wasn't even enough to save him. But that's not nearly as bad as I'd feel if I lost you. I'm terrified over the thought of losing you. I've been falling for you for a while, and I never said anything because I was afraid you wouldn't feel the same way and I'd lose my best friend. But we both know what we feel for one another is way beyond friendship. I'm sick of being with you and not holding you, or kissing you, or doing all the hundreds of little things couples do. And after what just happened, this is about as real as it gets."
Regina trembled slightly at Emma's words, believing them but still hesitant at fully going for it. "I'm not good at loving people."
"Bullshit," Emma said lightly. "You have one of the biggest hearts of anyone I know, darkness and all. Being able to love was never your problem. You're just not good at losing love."
"Exactly," she said tearfully. "When Daniel died I became a monster who destroyed countless lives. And as much as I loved him, it's nothing compared to what I feel for you. And if this doesn't work or anything ever happened to you…I'm terrified about what I'd become if I lost you."
"Regina, look at me. You're not that person anymore. You're fought like hell and have become the amazing good woman you were always meant to be. I can't predict what will happen in the future. And if anything ever happened to you I'd be devastated beyond anything. But I love you too much to let fear dictate my life. I've run for too much of my life, and I don't want to run away from this. I want us to be together. And I know that's what you want to."
Before Regina could say anything Emma gently took hold of her and began kissing every part of the woman's face. Her lips moved over Regina's cheeks, nose, forehead, eyelids, and chin before focusing on her lips. Regina sighed into Emma's mouth as she kissed her back. While there was no literal magic this time, both women felt a warm tingly sensation of love flowing throughout their bodies.
"We're really doing this," Regina breathlessly stated.
"Yes we are," Emma moaned.
"What about Henry?" Regina nervously asked as she pulled back. "What do we tell him?"
"That we love each other," Emma simply replied. "He's not a little kid anymore. And he wants us to be happy. Even if he's weirded out at first he'll accept it. I'm more wondering how my parents will take this?"
"We can always play then the message so they can know the depth of your attraction," Regina said, a hint of the 'evil queen' entering her voice.
"Don't you dare," Emma said seriously.
"Relax. I'm not that cruel. The only ones I want knowing about that message are the two of us."
"Good. I can barely handle you having heard all of that."
"Never regret leaving that message. It led us to finally being together."
Emma pressed herself against Regina as she leaned in to kiss her again, when she realized they were both naked and sitting on the kitchen floor. "We should probably go back upstairs."
With a wave of her hand Regina transported then back to her room, with both women landing on the bed in a puff of purple smoke. They laughed before resuming kissing and stroking each other's bodies, knowing there would be many nights in their future of making each other happy.
And it would never have been possible if not for one inappropriate voicemail.
The End