The wrong swan

10

It had been 2 weeks since the women had their conversation, both acting as if it never happened and continuing to have hate sex. Today was a strange one though, Regina hadn't seen Emma all day. Usually she couldn't get rid of the blonde, always around, but not today. She sat at the dining table to see only John, no Emma. He smiled and kissed her cheek softly, holding his wife's hand.

"Is Emma not joining us" Regina asked, seeing the chef bring two plates out for them.

"Not today, she won't be leaving her room today" John replied, starting to tuck into his meal.

"How come" Regina asked with a worried look, knowing the blonde always hated staying in her room all day.

"It's the anniversary of her mother's death. Every year, she comes here and just sits in her room all day" John explained softly, knowing he tries not to think about it.

"Oh god, I'm sorry" Regina said in a soft tone, aware the man cared about his dead wife.

She remembered a day, during their trip, when Emma choose to do nothing and just hid in her bed all day. Her heart broke as she wished she knew this on that day. John just gave a small smile before continuing his meal. Regina just thought about that day, how Emma wouldn't even speak to her.

"Are you not eating, Regina" John asked, pulling her from her thoughts to look at him.

"Sorry, I was just thinking" Regina said with a fake giggle, using her fork to pick up her food.

"Well eat up" John encouraged with a chuckle, putting his food into his mouth. The couple sat and ate their meal together, making small conversation but not much. John walked to the door with a smile, looking over his shoulder to see the brunette. "You want to watch a movie with me? I'm going to the theatre room to watch fast and furious"

"Not really my type of movie but thank you anyway. I'm going to head upstairs and relax a bit before bed" Regina replied with a smile at the offer the man made.

"I'll see you later" John said, chuckling a little as he kissed her head softly.

Regina headed upstairs and to her wardrobe, walking towards her pyjama section. She slipped into a silk grey set before taking her makeup off and brushing her hair out. She done her usual night care routine and left her wardrobe room. As Regina headed towards her room, she walked past Emma's bedroom door. She stopped and looked at it, hesitating before knocking on the door.

"Emma" Regina softly said, leaning close to the door in order to hear.

"Go away, Regina" Emma sternly said, hiding the crack in her voice easily.

"Em, come on" Regina sighed in a gentle tone, knowing the blonde doesn't do well on her own. It went silent. Emma didn't know how to reply to what the woman said, still thinking about it. "Buttercup" Regina softly said, using the nickname she always called the blonde.

"Fine, come in" Emma sighed in annoyance, knowing she was a sucker for that name. Regina opened the door and stepped in, gently closing it behind her. As she looked at Emma, she saw the messy state she was in the bed. Big, red, puffy eyes, pink shaded cheeks and a her nose just a little red. "Is this what you want to see, me in this state" Emma asked with a cracked voice, trying not to cry once again.

Regina had rarely ever seen Emma cry, she wasn't much of a crier. To see her like this, hurt the woman's heart. Regina walked over to the bed and sat on the edge, lying beside her with her arm out. Emma just looked confused at her.

"Come on, hug me" Regina said with a small smile, gesturing for the blonde to cuddle up to her.

Emma still just looked confused but moved closer to the woman, resting her head on her chest. The pair cuddled together and held each other tight. Regina brushed her hand through the blonde locks to help sooth her. Emma just closed her eyes and let a few tears fall every now and then, liking that she had someone on this day for once. Regina could hear as Emma's mouth opened to speak but no words ever came out, just silence. She leaned down and kissed the blondes head, continuing to stroke her hair.

"Why are you doing this" Emma asked with a sniffle, not bothering to look up at her.

"Your dad told me about today. I remember when we were away and you wouldn't talk to me that day, I didn't want you to be alone" Regina softly replied, knowing she doesn't hate the woman enough to leave her alone.

"Thank you" Emma said with a cracked voice, making it obvious she was starting to cry again.

As Regina was stroking the blondes hair, she moved her hand down to brush her cheek. Emma was shocked by the feeling of Regina's hand on her face, remembering the way she use to caress her cheek when they were together. Emma kept going to speak once again but stopping herself each time.

"You can talk, I won't say anything" Regina softly suggested, knowing the blonde was overthinking this.

"I just" Emma started, hesitating as she knew this was the first time she was going to talk about this. She let another tear fall out her eye as she thought about her mother, feeling her heart hurting. "I just miss her so much"

"I know, that's ok" Regina whispered softly, placing another soft kiss on the woman's head.

"She would've accepted me, her best friend, Carl, was gay" Emma said with a small smile, knowing the woman would have supported her. She had never spoken of her mother to anyone, it hurt her too much to. She knew Regina was there to listen and just be there for her, she could tell her anything. "The reason dad doesn't... mum went to a gay club for Carl and he decided to drive them both home drunk. He survived, she didn't"

"I'm so sorry" Regina whispered softly, knowing she wants nothing more than to be accepted.

Regina looked down at her a little surprised, not expecting the blonde to say what happened. She just continued brushed her cheek and hold her close, her other arm stroking the side of her hip under her top. She then felt Emma move a little and look up at her, both locking sad eyes. The blonde sat up more and leaned into kiss the other woman, deepening straight away. It was slow and gentle for once, not rough with hatred. Neither of them had kissed like this since Paris, it was the kiss they had been longing for since the breakup. As they pulled away, Regina just looked at her shocked.

"Thank you for being here" Emma softly said, cuddling back into the woman's chest.

Regina was unsure on what to say or do, she didn't expect that. She just held the woman close again and choose to say nothing. Emma closed her eyes and just thought of her mother, thinking how much she misses her.