Because I met you

14

"So um... does that mean you are together?" Emma bit her lip and nodded. What if they didn't approve? She held Regina's hand a little tighter and Regina squeezed her hand a few times softly in response.

Mary blinked. Yes, Regina and Emma were teacher and student, but so had David and she been. They'd gotten no acceptance at all and Mary knew how horrible that was. She understood her daughter and didn't surprise herself with the fact that she was okay with it. "Okay," she said. Regina and Emma snapped their heads towards her in surprise. "Okay? You're okay with it?" Emma asked. Mary smiled. "Yes. I mean, David and I were in the same boat as you guys are in now. How could I not approve?" David thought about that for a moment. It was true, Mary had been his substitute teacher and they were in a relationship while she was still his substitute. They were married now and had adopted a wonderful girl. Love was everywhere. "She's right," he said. "I approve of you two too." Regina and Emma smiled brightly at both their responses. "Thank you!" Emma said as she hugged her parents. "This means a lot to me."
They continued to chat and when Emma went to the toilet, Mary and David looked at Regina with slightly narrowed eyes. "What's... wrong?" Regina asked, a little nervous. "Does she make you happy?" Mary asked. Regina smiled softly and nodded. "She does, she really really does." "What are your intentions with our daughter?" David asked. "I want to make her happy, make her see her worth and make her feel loved, just like she deserves," Regina said. Mary and David looked at each other for a moment, nodded once and looked back at Regina with a smile. "Welcome to our family," David said. Regina smiled brightly, just as Emma walked in again. "Hi baby," she said softly as she sat down next to the brunette. Regina looked at her with an eyebrow slightly raised. "Baby?" she asked. Emma blushed. "Yeah, I thought it was a cute pet name. Do you like it or never again?" Regina smiled and kissed her nose. "It's a keeper," she whispered. Emma closed her eyes, smiled and blushed slightly at the kiss. Regina leaned her forehead against Emma's and Emma opened her eyes to stare lovingly in Regina's. Mary and David watched the interaction with a soft smile. "You really do make each other happy," David realized. Regina and Emma looked at him, a little startled and blushed, having momentarily forgotten that they had guests.

~

The next Monday, Emma went to school with a good feeling. She hadn't had any nightmares and she was still overjoyed that David and Mary accepted the relationship. She was early, again. Emma sighed. Her first period wasn't English anymore because of a changed schedule. Since she had nothing better to do, she went inside and started walking towards maths. When she got there, she was greeted by her maths teacher. "Good morning Emma," she said. "Hi," Emma greeted her. "How are you? Do you understand the subject?" her maths teacher asked. "I'm good, thanks. And yes, I understand everything," Emma replied. Belle walked into the classroom. "Bells!" Emma said as she walked towards the brunette and hugged her. "Hey Ems," Belle said softly. Emma frowned. "Are you alright?" she asked. Belle sighed. "You know that guy I like, right?" she asked. Emma nodded. Belle had told her about her crush on mr. Gold. "I saw him kiss someone else today," Belle continued. "Oh no Belle! I'm sorry," Emma said. "It was on the cheek, but still. It's okay, we would've never happened anyway," Belle said as she took a deep breath and put on a fake smile. "But that doesn't mean you can't be sad about it," Emma said gently. "...True," Belle said as she stopped fake smiling. "Let's just forget about it now and focus on the lesson. Just a few more lessons and hard studying and we're done with this school," she said.

~

It was friday, the 11th of may. Dorothy had arrived on tuesday at Granny's and Emma and Belle couldn't wait to meet her. They decided to go to Granny's on friday and meet her there, because they were quite busy with their studying for the exams.
Belle and Emma were in their last lesson of the day, chemistry. Belle had found out - don't ask me how - that the woman that mr. Gold had kissed was in fact his sister. As they sat in the classroom, Belle couldn't stop staring at him. Mr. Gold looked up and met her gaze. He smiled at her. She blushed, smiled quickly and looked away. Emma watched the whole thing with amusement. "That was subtle," she said sarcastically with an amused smile. "Oh shut up," Belle said. "You know," Emma said, "I think that perhaps he sees something in you too." "Really?" Belle asked, hopeful. "I really hope so for you," Emma said. "I hope so too," Belle sighed. "Belle?" mr. Gold asked. Belle's head snapped up, towards him. "Yes?" Mr. Gold motioned for her to come to his desk. Emma saw Belle walking towards it, mr. Gold whispered something and Belle nodded. Mr. Gold gave her a piece of paper and Belle smiled. She walked back towards her table and sat down next to Emma again. "What was that about?" Emma asked. "He offered to help me with chemistry and gave me his number for it," Belle said. "But you don't have any problems with this subject," Emma said confused. "I know, he also said if I ever need to talk about school stuff or need help with something else to just call or text him," Belle smiled. "Shit, Bells," Emma smirked, "I told you he likes you."

~

After their last class was over, Emma and Belle walked to Granny's. As they came in, Ruby rushed towards them and gave them a hug. When she pulled away again, she jumped up and down in joy. "Hello to you too Rubes," Emma laughed. "You're gonna meet Dor you're gonna see my amazing girlfriend," Ruby said excitedly. "We will, if you let us pass," Belle chuckled, "we're standing in the middle of the doorway." Ruby got out of the way and they walked further into the diner. Emma looked around, but didn't see Regina sitting there yet. She sighed softly. Regina probably had some more lessons. Before she could think about that however, Dorothy came in sight. She smiled at the three girls as they made their way over to the booth where she sat. "Hello!" Emma and Belle greeted Dorothy. "So nice to meet you in person," Emma said and she extended her hand. She wasn't scared of touch anymore and didn't flinch when a hand was extended to her. Dorothy gladly shook it and also shook Belle's. Ruby grabbed them all drinks as Emma and Belle sat down in front of Dorothy. "So what are your intentions with Ruby," Emma asked seriously. She didn't care that the two had already been dating for over two years. "Well, I want to make her happy and I want to care for her," Dorothy said, having expected this question. Emma eyed her suspiciously for a moment before she smiled and nodded. "She's not lying," she said to Belle. "How can you see that?" Belle asked. "It's just.... a superpower, I guess," Emma lied. Truthfully, she had learned to read people as they continued to lie to her throughout her entire life. "Cool," Belle said. Ruby came back with the drinks. "Here ya go," she said as she put the drinks down and sat next to her girlfriend. Dorothy, in return, put her arm around Ruby and kissed her temple.
They talked for a while, everytime Emma heard the bell she would look up, hoping to see Regina. She heard the bell again. 'Alright, this is the last time I'm gonna look,' she thought. She looked up and saw her girlfriend. 'Of course it's when I'm looking for the last time.' Regina caught her eye and smiled at her. Emma smiled back and kept staring as Regina sat down at the bar. Regina turned towards her again and discretely tapped her phone. Emma immediately grabbed her phone. 'Hey,' a text from Regina said. 'Hi!' she typed back. 'I'm going to the bathroom in a bit, follow me a minute after,' Regina sent. Emma looked up and smiled at Regina, letting her know she would. Regina ordered a drink and drank it, while Emma chatted with Ruby and kept her attention towards the bathroom. When she saw Regina go in there, she opened the time app on her phone and stared at it for a full minute. When the minute was over, she stood up. "Guys, I'm going to the bathroom, don't know how long I'll be," she said. "Is she here?" Belle asked, having noticed that Emma wasn't fully there with her mind. Emma nodded, understanding that Belle was talking about Regina. Then, she walked towards the bathroom. She opened the door and walked inside. She smiled upon seeing her girlfriend there, waiting for her. Regina pulled her in for a kiss. Emma hummed softly and kept her eyes closed as they pulled away, a smile forming on her lips. "Hey," she whispered. Regina chuckled. "Hi ducky." She pulled Emma in for a hug, it being one of their favourite things to do. Emma sighed deeply at the feeling of her girlfriend's arms around her. "Can we meet tomorrow or sunday?" she asked. "I think that will be possible, yes," Regina replied. "Tomorrow, three pm 'til, like, nine? I have some studying to do tomorrow," Emma said. "That is fine by me," Regina said. "Yours or mine?" "Mine? David and Mary wanted to see you some time again," Emma replied. "Okay." The bathroom door opened and Emma and Regina quickly pulled away. Belle walked in. Emma sighed in relief. "Gosh, Bells, you scared me there," she said as she pulled Regina in for a hug again. "Sorry," Belle smiled. "It's okay," Regina said. "Hey, you guys have been here for at least ten minutes, Rubes is starting to think that you're doing a lot more than just kissing and hugging," Belle said. "Ugh, Rubes and her dirty mind," Emma muttered. She pulled away from the hug and kissed Regina quickly. "I'll see you tomorrow Gina," she whispered against her girlfriend's lips. "Bye sweetie," Regina said softly as Emma exited the bathroom.
"Ems!" Ruby said as Emma and Belle sat down at the booth again. Dorothy had to get something from her car, so she wasn't next to Ruby. Emma slid in the booth in the empty spot next to her. "Did you two... have fun?" Ruby smirked. "We did, we kissed and hugged," Emma said, knowing what Ruby was talking about. "Only that?" Ruby still smirked. Emma sighed. "Yes Rubes, only that. Now drop it, please," she said as she got a little annoyed. "When will you two... you know?" Ruby continued. "I don't know, please drop it," Emma sighed. "Will it happen soon?" Ruby still wouldn't drop the subject. "No, Ruby, it won't. I don't even know if I can, after what those foster fathers did to me," Emma said, revealing her secrets. She trusted Belle and Ruby. She didn't have to say more for her two friends to understand her. "Shit Ems I'm sorry, I just wanted to tease you," Ruby apologized, feeling really bad. "I know, but just... when I ask you to drop it, please just drop the subject," Emma said. Ruby nodded. "Of course, yeah, I'm sorry." "It's okay, Rubes," Emma said as she grabbed Ruby's hand, showing that it was really okay. Ruby smiled and continued with another subject, understanding that Emma wouldn't want to be in the center of attention right now.