Whirlwind of trouble

28

We walk down the street, Elena running ahead with Emma and I in small talk. Henry, snow and David are already at the diner and said they would meet us there.

I gently brush my fingers against Emma's and it doesn't go un-noticed the way she pulls her hand back and flinches.

"Emma, baby what's wrong?" I coo softly, I turn my head to search for the answer in her eyes but for once I can't make out what she's thinking. "If you don't want to be with me in public can you just tell me?"

"It's not that at all Regina" Emma gasps as she looks deeply in my eyes. She looks down at my hand and takes it in hers before she lifts my hand to her lips and places a soft delicate kiss to the back of my hand. "I've just... never publicly been with anyone since ... since Neal"

"Emmy sweetie, you can move on from him. You can be happy" I lean over and press a kiss to her cheek. "I will never ever hurt you!"

"I know, I know you won't, I just hope Henry can adjust to me having a girlfriend" she hums, and I don't truly know if I should feel sorry for her or embarrassed for myself that she's more worried about what everyone else thinks. "I'm sorry, I'm just not a public romance person. I spent so long hiding my feelings and false love from people so it's different to show it. I love you Regina, more than words can even tell, it's just... it's new to me"

"I know I've been with another woman before but it wasn't this deeply. I love you Emma... a lot, and I understand your not the public romance person. I'm not asking for you to confirm your love for my by screaming it to the town, but ... just hold my hand, let me kiss my girlfriend without feeling ashamed of who's watching. Emma Swan, I love you with all my heart"

"I love you too Gina" she sways my hand between our bodies as we come to a stop outside the diner.

We peek through the window to see Henry and Emma's parents sat at a table in the diner. Elena runs inside eager to see Henry and his grandparents. She runs straight over to snow and David and gives them a big hug and it warms my heart to see how she is growing her family. She goes from a wonderful family, to none and I'm thrilled she is rebuilding this family. I've not given her a family. She's given me one.

Emma peers into my eyes and takes a step forward. She places one hand on my hip and the other on my cheek as she leans in dangerously close. Her nose brushes against mine and I feel her warm breath upon her lips.

I'm not entirely sure if this is to prove she isn't ashamed of dating me or if she wants to show everyone how much she loves and me and get it out the way, all questions can be answered later.

"Regina, I will never be ashamed to love you. To hold you. To kiss you. I love you" she whispers before connecting her lips with mine in a souring kiss. I close my eyes into the kiss and slowly snake my arms around her neck as I become so engrossed in this kiss. It feels as though it holds a lot more meaning.

My tongue dances with hers in a rhythm we have become accustomed to, until we hear whistling and howling coming from our dear friend Ruby.

"About time" she giggles.

We break the kiss and look to the doorway as Ruby holds the door open. Everyone is stood behind her, Snow, David, Henry, Granny, Belle, Gold, Tink, Katheryn, all of our dearest friends in storybrooke.

We take each other's hand and enter the diner. "It took you a while?" Ruby snickers as she bumps my shoulder.

"Took me a while to what?"

"Oh please Regina. We all knew you and Emma was sneaking around. You both became happy at the same time, you started to hang out a lot, we knew it wasn't long before you both put a label on your love" Ruby grins.

"Everyone knew you two was madly in love" Belle coos. Belle is always admiring the idea of romance and true love. She has fallen for mr.gold, a bizarre man that seems to be a decade older than Belle, but they're in love and they're happy. She brings out a different man in him. "I think we knew before you even knew" she giggles.

"Okay okay. Granny, can you come take our order" Emma groans, embarrassed from all the attention. She takes me hand and drags me to the table by the front window. Mary-Margaret, David, and the kids all join after.

Granny takes our order and quickly goes off to begin with our drinks and meal. Granny soon brings over the drinks and places them on the table, I begin to take a sip of my ice cold water.

Snow grins at me widely with love puppy eyes and I sense she had something to say. "When's the wedding?"

There it was. I almost spit out my drink but I manage to keep it in, however I almost choke myself in the process.

"Gosh..." I cough, clearing my throat. "Snow, We've only just said we love each other. Emma is my girlfriend but it will be a long while before I make her my wife."

"Okay... sorry... I'm just impatient, and I know you will all be so happy together. I can see what a lovely family this is going to be" she sing songs with adoration in her glossy eyes as she places her hand on her heart. "I just love seeing my baby happy in love"

"Mom..." Emma moans. "I'm a grown adult." Emma rolls her eyes but looks to her son. "Are you sure you're okay with Regina and I?"

"I'm happy for you both mom. Regina is awesome, and I'd be happy to gain a little sister" he grins as he nudges Elena who instantly throws her arms around Henry. "I've invited a guest... I hope you don't mind"

"Not at all... who is it...?" Emma asks softly.

He stands to his chair and heads over to the door, where a young brunette girl is standing, she looks a similar age to Henry. He takes her hand and brings her over to the table.

"Everyone. This is Violet, my girlfriend" he introduces and Emma's jaw immediately drops to the floor in shock. I look around at the awkwardness, David is practically spewing at the amount of love happening around the table. Maybe he feels the need to protect everyone and inspect everyone first, snow looks likes she's going to burst in happiness, Elena is looking at her pretty hair and smiling wider than ever, and Emma is shocked, whether it's because Henry never mentioned Violet or because we was so wrapped up in ourselves to notice he was seeing someone.

"Hello Violet" I offer out my hand and she shakes my hand. "I'm Regina, Emma's girlfriend" I introduce myself. "This is Snow and David, Henry's grandparents. And Elena is my daughter. Please get a chair, come join us" I offer with a smile and I see as it puts the girl at such ease.

She takes a chair and sits with us, and I nudge Emma to start a conversation, which she does. Asking how they know each other? How long they've been seeing each other? What she is studying in school? What she wants to do in college?

It's safe to say, after this family dinner, Violet felt a lot more comfortable with us all, and thanked us all for a lovely lunch.