Chapter 4

Leaving the small loft, giving a sigh of relief as the door closes behind them, Regina looks towards the blonde stood beside her, sharing the same relieved expression. "So your parents know..our son knows..what exactly do we do now?"

Shrugging slightly as she thinks, Emma then frowns in concern. "The town? I mean, do we tell people? Or do we just act like we are together and hope that they just get it? I'm sure one display in front of leroy will have the town buzzing in minutes"

Raising an eyebrow in a challenging stare, the brunette scoffs. "Act like we are together? Emma I do hope you are not as blind as you have been because news flash, we are together"

"I know that!" Rolling her eyes, the blonde then gives a pout. "You know that I don't always make sense but you of all people should know what I mean and not tease me for it"

"Yes of course dear.." Smirking briefly, Regina leans forward and places a light kiss to the woman's lips, prompting the pout to disappear into a smile.

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As the two women decided to meet up after work, Regina locks up her office at 5 and bids her assistant goodbye before leaving the town hall. Strolling down Main Street she turns into granny's and up the porch steps. Pausing in realisation at what they are doing, the mayor swallows a lump and takes a deep breath before pulling hard at the door handle. Hearing the buzz of the diner fill her ears, she scans the establishment for the blonde she is to meet. Finding green eyes staring at her from the back booth, Regina smiles at the adorable grin that has overtook the woman's face.

Appearing in front of her and blocking her view, Ruby looks worried. "Madam mayor? Counter or table today?"

Blinking back into focus of the tall waitress stood before her, the fellow brunette wets her lips nervously. "I beg your pardon?"

Frowning even more confused at the regal woman's state, the young brunette waits for an answer. "Where would you like to sit? Counter or table?" Noticing that Regina has once again ignored her and has tilted her head to look past her, Ruby follows her eye line and raises an eyebrow at seeing Emma smiling over at the mayor. "Oh.."

"My sitting arrangements are covered. Thank you Miss Lucas" slipping past the waitress, Regina makes her way towards the occupied booth and slides in opposite the blonde.

"Hey you.."

"Hello dear.." Watching as Emma reaches across the table slowly to take her hand, the brunette briefly checks over her shoulder and around the diner. Linking their fingers together, prompting the sheriff to run her thumb across her knuckles, the mayor smiles nervously. "You're getting better at that. Shall we order?"

"Yes but.." Moving forward, the blonde stares directly at her. "First, you need to breath. It's going to be okay and if not, screw them"

"Ever the eloquent one" giving a teasing smirk, Regina then calms. "I know I shouldn't allow them to have the satisfaction of a negative response but if they do, this doesn't just affect me, the former evil queen but it affects you and Henry. I don't want anything to happen which would hurt either of you"

"It won't. Regina you have just spent the past few years redeeming yourself. The town will be fine. We have all moved on. I mean come on you're even friends with my mother"

"I guess. I just cannot have this relationship ruined last my others. Losing Daniel was one thing, but losing you and Henry would be a million times worse" looking pained, the mayor grips onto Emma's hand more tightly.

"We are always going to have some sort of bad turn up, it's kinda our thing but I've decided that I'm going to take my father's advice. He told me that we need to live in the moment. So I'm not going to live in fear of what could happen but live in the now. Us, as a family" dropping her spare hand on top of Regina's to hold between her hands, the blonde smiles reassuringly. Lifting her gaze towards the approaching waitress, Emma clears her throat. "Hey Ruby.."

Glancing between the two women, the tall waitress bites her lip to hide a grin. "Hey Ems..are you ready to order or are the rest of the charming clan coming? Or Henry maybe?"

Sharing a look of understanding with the brunette sat opposite, the sheriff loosely plays with her hand. "No. No one else. Just me and Regina for now. Henry will be joining us for dinner later.."

"Oh I see.." Staring down to their hands, Ruby smiles. "So..you and Regina..did you..did you want a sharing plate?" Trying to hold it together as she lets slip a giggle, the waitress then sniggers. "Milkshake with 2 straws?"

Growing wide eyed towards the waitress, Regina goes red.

"Ruby!" Glaring at her friend, Emma then laughs.

"You're not being very subtle guys" Ruby explains as she begins to jot their usual orders on a pad.

Shaking her head, the blonde responds. "We're not trying to be. We just want to be ourselves, which just so happens to be together"

"So you guys are dating now? I bet Henry is thrilled"

"Yes he is and so are my parents"

Nodding, Ruby then gestures towards the kitchen. "I'll go get your order" beginning to walk off, the waitress pauses and looks over once again. "It's a good thing you know. The two of you. You've managed to get your happy endings, and if you can, it gives us all hope" offering a genuine smile, Ruby walks into the kitchen.

Smiling in awe at the blonde woman in front of her, watching her friend leave with a thankful smile, the mayor tugs on her hand to gain her attention. "I know we're in public right now but would you mind if I kissed you?"

Giving a coy smile at being watched, the sheriff simply nods. Taking her permission, Regina shifts up off her seat and leans across the table, placing a light kiss to Emma's lips.

Briefly kissing back, the blonde freezes as a wolf whistle is heard. Pulling back as the brunette reclaims her seat, the pair look towards the counter at leroy grinning over at them.

Raising an eyebrow intrigued, the mayor questions. "Dear? That comment you made earlier..."

"Yeah.." Continuing to watch the dwarf who grabs his order bag and wink before heading to the door, Emma chuckles as she squeezes the mayor's hand. "Give it 10 minutes.."

Also chuckling, Regina shakes her head in disbelief. "Of course..."