The Other Swan Sister

Chapter 25

"So what do you even do here all day?" You ask as you prop your feet back up on the couch and make yourself comfortable.
Regina scoffs at your behaviour and raises her eyebrows at your comfort, but you see the smirk of enjoyment.
"Comfortable?"
"Very." You quip.
"Thank god I didn't offer you a job as my assistant."
"I swear this town is literally the quietest town in the world."
"Mm." Regina falters. "About that..."
"What is it?"
"That depends... are you ready for the explanation?"
Regina firmly places her paperwork down and perches on the end of her desk.
You sit up immediately.
"I think I'll need a drink for that." You laugh as you pick yourself up off the couch. "Besides, you promised me a date, Madame Mayor." You tease as you take a sip of her coffee.
"Hey!" She scowls with a cute smile. "I don't believe I promised anything. Especially not my coffee... but if you insist, I'll pick you up at 7."
"Oh, will you?" You tease back, your faces inches apart.
Regina leans forward and pecks your lips before slapping your ass.
"Yes. Now get out of my office. Some of us have work to do."
"Don't miss me too much." You quip as you sway your hips out the door.

"Hey, Mom! Wanna go shopping with me?"
"Oh-" your mother puts her book down and immediately gets up from the chair. "I'd love to honey! What for?"
"Uh- I'm kinda going on a date... I think." You stumble.
"With who? That's great!" She comes over and hugs you excitedly. You hold your breath for a moment. "Oh no."
"It's Regina."
Your mother tries for several moments to force a smile but you can tell it isn't coming.
"Okay."
"I understand your past together- well, at least I think I do. And I just want you to know that... I think she's the best person I've ever met. I don't wanna make you uncomfortable but she treats me so nicely and I think I could help her, I don't know- open up?" Your mother still pauses, so you continue. "It's just a date. We'll see what happens and she's gonna explain everything to me."
Your mother clasps your face in her hands lovingly and gives you a warm smile of reassurance.
"I trust you, Ivy. I trust that if someone truly is making you this happy then I'm willing to support you. And maybe you're right... maybe this will be just what Regina needs."
"I love you, Mom."
"I love you more, sweetheart."

"What about this one?" You open the curtain and strut out in an emerald green dress. It's satin material and drapes just below the knees.
"I like it."
You slump and roll your eyes at your mother.
"You've said that about all of them."
"I know. But you're beautiful! You could wear a trash bag and you'd look great."
"You have to say that, you're my mom. And I'm not gonna wear a trash bag so please, just help me decide." You giggle.
"I do not! Okay, do the next one."
You come out in an equally designed dress but in a red.
"I love it."
"Oh, we've moved on to 'love' now, have we?" You tease.
"No, I mean, I really like this one. I think this is the best."
"I love it too. I think this is it."

You arrive at home and curl your hair into soft, big waves to accentuate your face and apply the closest you can do to a perfect cat eye.
"Holy. Shit."
"What?!" You gasp as you turn to see Emma in the doorway of your bathroom.
"Where are you going?"
"I have a date."
"With REGINA?!"
"Shhhhh!!!! Emma! Dad doesn't know!" You scold and hit her with the hand your mascara wand is being held in.
"He's not home yet... wait- Mom does?!"
"Yes! I spoke to her today."
"Oh my god, what did she say?"
"Nothing much. Just that if I'm happy she's happy."
"Bullshit."
"Emma!"
"Oh, come on. You really think after all that's happened between those two, she'd be okay with her fucking her daughter?!"
"Emma! Shut the fuck up!" You roll your eyes at her, clearly exasperated.
"I'm sorry!" She defends quickly. "But Jesus Christ, I find that hard to believe."
"Well, she did."
"Okay."
"What?" You snap.
"Nothing."
"You are so infuriating."
"Wait till you start dating Regina, I'm sure she's worse."
"Get out."

"Dad? Can I talk to you?" You approach your father as he gets home from work and gives you a big hug.
You begin pouring a drink, gonna need this one.
"You look beautiful. Where are you heading off to? Do you need a ride?"
"Oh, no. It's okay, thanks. I've got it covered." You smile gently at your dad, the nerves are taking over. You take a big swig.
"What's wrong, honey?" He rubs your arm gently, softly frowning at your behaviour.
Another big swig.
"I'm going on a date."
"Oh, that's great! Did you think I'd be annoyed? You know, despite calling you my little girl, I'm sure I can allow you out with a boy by now." He giggles. Emma snorts across the room and your shoot her a glare.
You exhale heavily. "You can tell me what's bothering you." He urges.
"I don't think you're gonna like it." You laugh with no humour, taking another big swig.
"Try me."
"It's with Regina."
Silence.
Your dad crosses his arms across his chest and frowns in disbelief.
"What?"
"She's going on a date with Regina." Emma calls from the couch.
"Why?" He asks, completely taken aback.
You shift uncomfortably.
"She asked me..." you start weakly. "Look, dad, I know it's complicated and I know you have a not-so-great past with her. But, she treats me like there's nobody else in the world and I think it could be a great opportunity for her to finally open up and fix things between her and you and mom."
You take another big swig.
"Have you heard about this, honey?" He calls to MM in the kitchen.
"Yes, David. I've given my blessing."
"What? Why? You of all people know what Regina's like. She could honestly be doing this just to get back at us. Or it could be part of some elaborate plan."
"Dad." You frown at him.
Gross.
"I'm sorry, Ivy, but you don't know her like we do."
"Exactly!" Everyone frowns at you. "I don't know about her past or her relationship with any of you. I don't know what she's done or how people view her. All I see and all I get to judge of her is what I have learned on my own. And I see someone who regrets so many of their past choices. I see someone who wants to change and really feels so deeply. And someone who deserves happiness."
Silence spreads across the loft for a moment.
David opens his mouth to respond but gets cut off by the doorbell.
It's as if the sound rattled through each of their skulls.
"That'll be her." You state before walking over to open the door.