The Other Swan Sister

Chapter 12

"And this is your room." She politely nods as she opens the door, watching you walk into the beautiful room.
"Wow." You mutter as you take in a room fit for a princess. "It's beautiful." You turn back to Regina who's still gazing at you, and smile awkwardly. "Thank you."
She nods sharply again and clears her throat. Clearly she wants to say something but won't bring herself to spit it out.
"I'll just get some spare pyjamas for you to sleep in and towels for the bathroom."
"Okay." You watch her as she walks away before exploring the small features of the room.

There's a picture of her and Henry on the windowsill that makes your heart swell.
She really does love him.
"That was his 9th birthday." You hear a deep voice husk behind you. With a slight gasp you turn abruptly to face Regina, she smirks at your reaction. "I didn't mean to frighten you."
"No, it's fine." You smile back at her as you catch your breath. You turn back and pick up the photo frame, both of you looking down upon it fondly. "It's a really beautiful picture."
"Thank you." Regina almost whispers before you place it back carefully. "These are yours."
"Oh, thank you."
Silk pyjamas. Of course.
A moment of silence occurs as you look at the ground, Regina watches you collect your thoughts, as if she knows you're about to speak.
"I don't think Emma means any harm." You blurt out, suddenly making eye contact again.
Regina huffs lightly, as if she knew this conversation was coming at some point.
"Yes, well, I'm only trying to look out for Henry's best interests." Regina says with a firmness.
"I told her she's not being fair to you."
Regina looks shocked for a moment.
"You did?"
"Yes. You're his mother. Before anyone or anything else."
Regina's eyes glass over slightly as she takes in your words.
"Thank you." She nods before turning out the door.
Clearly she doesn't want you to see her emotions.
"Regina?" You call out softly. She turns slightly, still trying to hide her face a little. "She means well. Sometimes her emotions get the best of her and she acts on impulse. Go easy on her." You smirk slightly as you joke to the woman, knowing she can be a complete firecracker when she wants to be.
Regina let's out a short breathy laugh, finally looking back to your eyes.
"I make no promises." She smirks as she plays back.
You smile at her softness and watch her intently as she sways her hips out the door.

You hop out the shower and wrap one of the towels Regina brought in earlier around your body. Combing some coconut oil through your wet hair, you hear your phone start ringing from the other room.
It's Emma.
"What?" You ask, annoyed at your sister for calling this late.
"Jeez nice to speak to you too." She sarcastically retorts. "Mom keeps asking where you are."
"Oh." Shit. What do you say? "I had a few glasses of wine over dinner and Regina told me to stay in the guest room instead of driving home." You try to say it as casually as possible.
Emma doesn't respond for a while."What?" You bark down the phone impatiently.
"Nothing." Emma teases. "Hey, Mom, Dad! She's staying at Regina's house!"
"Emma! Stop!" You bark down the phone again, keeping your voice down as low as possible.
"What's her house like?"
"It's really nice. Are you surprised?"
"No, I guess not... Is she the big spoon or the little one?"
"Shut up, Emma! I'm going to bed now, I'll see you tomorrow. Okay? Bye." You immediately hang up before your big sister can tease you anymore.
You finish up in the bathroom and make your way back into the bedroom. God, it was a nice house. Staying in your underwear, you decide to keep the pyjamas folded up neatly on the chair. Regina's already done enough the last thing she needs is a pair of ruined silk pyjamas.
You crawl under the sheets and snuggle into the cloud of warmth. As you close your eyes your mind suddenly swarms with thoughts of Regina. It's replaying every moment of the kisses in the kitchen and every glance she gave you. You then begin to wonder what she's doing right now.
Asleep?
In the shower?
Is she thinking about you?
And she's just across the hall! God, what you would give to just crawl into her bed with her.
You keep your eyes glued shut for what feels like forever, desperately trying to fall asleep; nothing works. You glance over at the clock. 1:37.
Great.
You decide to get up and go to the bathroom and pluck your eyebrows or something to try and tire yourself out.
Tiptoeing across the landing you push the light switch slowly, beginning to rummage through the cupboard below the sink.

"Couldn't sleep?" You hear that familiar husky voice from the doorway.
"Regina!" Your eyes go wide. "I didn't mean to wake you."
You stand and suddenly remember you're in your underwear.
Great.
"You didn't wake me, dear." Regina smirks as she leans on the door frame.
Her eyes take in your body and you pretend not to notice.
"I guess you couldn't sleep either." You suggest quietly, careful not to wake Henry.
"Restlessness. It happens more often than you think." She shrugs it off before pushing herself off the doorframe. "I was just making some tea. Would you like some?"
"Uh- sure!" You smile politely and as you move you begin to feel the cold on your bare skin.
Regina notices you flinch and smirks with a sideways glance.
"Do you want a robe?" She teases.
"Yes. Please." You choke out, still a little embarrassed.

"So... care to indulge me as to what was keeping you up?" Regina peers at you as she holds her mug in both hands, leaning on the counter.
"Oh." You stutter, desperately trying not to blush. "My mind goes into overdrive sometimes."
You busy yourself with sipping the tea that's far too hot but you need a distraction.
"I see." Regina mutters out loud.
"Is this what you do? When you can't sleep?" You ask curiously, narrowing your eyes slightly at the beautiful brunette.
You notice her make up free face for a moment and suddenly can't stop staring.
"I make tea, sometimes. Other times I'll read."
"That's very wholesome." You softly chuckle to yourself, still admiring the brunette across from you.
"Wholesome?" She raises an eyebrow and her lips purse slightly.
For some reason it makes you smile more.
"Yeah. Pure. Who would have thought that the scary Mayor makes tea in her kitchen when she can't sleep."
She chuckles slightly with a turned up nose.
"Yes, well, there's nothing pure about this Mayor I can assure you that." She scoffs and you can't help but question if there was a hint of suggestiveness in her tone.
"I don't have a hard time believing that." You smirk as you take another sip of your tea.
Regina raises an eyebrow and smirks back at you.
"Is that so?"