Because I met you

18

TW for later on!

~~~

Emma smoothed down her shirt. She stood in front of Regina's door. It was four days before Regina's birthday and her family had arrived three days ago. Today, she would meet them for the first time and she would stay the night. Emma took a deep breath and knocked on the door. She was nervous. It took a few seconds before Regina opened the door with a big smile on her face. "Hey you," she greeted her. "Hi," Emma smiled. She got inside and kissed Regina softly. Regina put her arms around Emma and hugged her close, not ending the kiss. Emma put her hands on Regina's waist and pushed her away a little, softly, breaking the kiss. "I would love to continue this, but I don't want to keep your family waiting," she explained apologetically. Regina smiled and nodded. "You're right - come on in." She took Emma's hand and pulled her into the living room. Cora and Henry were sitting on the couch with a drink in their hands. As soon as they saw Emma and Regina, they put it down and stood up to properly greet Emma. "Hello dear! It's so nice to finally meet you in real life!" Cora said. "Thank you, it is so nice to meet you as well!" Emma said. "Great to finally meet the girlfriend!" Henry said. Emma looked at Regina. "I told them nothing," she said. "Oh please," Cora scoffed, "it's clear as day. The way you look at each other and how you held her hand - nothing just friendly about that." Emma chuckled. Regina just rolled her eyes as she smiled. "Where is Zee?" she asked. "In the kitchen," Henry answered. "Zelena," Regina called her sister, "Emma is here!" Zelena came walking out of the kitchen. "Hello Emma! It's great to meet you in real life!" she greeted Emma. Emma smiled. "You as well!" "Let me go get my boyfriend," Zelena said as she walked back into the kitchen to get her boyfriend. 'Wait what - boyfriend?' Emma thought. She didn't know this man, she didn't know there would be another man coming. Out of the kitchen, with Zelena next to him, walked a man. He had blond hair and green eyes, with a big nose and small lips. "Hello, pleased to meet you," the man said, "the name is Steve." "Emma," Emma smiled, but it was forced. Steve looked like George - foster father George. She stepped a little closer to Regina. Regina noticed that she was uncomfortable and quickly started talking. "Why don't we all take a seat?" Emma sat on the couch, next to Regina. Zelena sat between Steve and Emma and Cora and Henry on two comfortable chairs. They were talking together, but Emma was less talkative than normal. Regina noticed it and took her hand, offering some sort of comfort. Emma was happy with that and held onto her hand.

For dinner, they had decided to order chinese. It had just been delivered and Regina put it on the table. After everyone put some of the food on their plates, they started eating and talking. "So, what are you doing for work, Steve?" Regina asked. "Well, my uncle wanted me to follow him, but I would rather open my own café," Steve answered. "That sounds lovely! What did your uncle want you to do?" "He wanted me to become an office manager, just like him, but I am not into that. That is really something for a George," he joked. Emma stopped chewing. George. She swallowed her food. "Your uncle's name is George?" she asked quietly. Steve looked at her and nodded. 'There is a relative from George sitting across from me,' Emma thought. "Excuse me," she said as she got up and hurried out of the room. She walked into the toilet and locked the door. She splashed some water on her face. All the memories with George came back, clear as day. She sank to the ground and tried to breathe normally. There was a knock on the door. 'George?' Emma thought panickedly. "Everything okay in there?" 'Regina.' "Yes," Emma said, trying to sound convincing, but her voice was raspy. "Can you open the door?" Emma stood up, her legs shaking a bit. She unlocked the door and opened it. Regina stood there with concern written all over her face. "What happened? And don't tell me nothing happened, you are pale and I heard your irregular, panicked breathing." Emma looked down and bit her lip. "George was one of my foster fathers," she whispered. "Oh, sweetie," Regina said as she opened her arms, giving Emma the choice of accepting a hug or not. Emma accepted, she rested her head on Regina's shoulder while Regina kissed her on the head. They stood like that for a few moments, before Cora joined them. "Everything alright?" she asked kindly. "Yeah. Yeah, I'm alright," Emma said softly. She pulled away from the hug and took a deep breath. "Let's go." They walked back to the table and sat down. All eyes were on them, and Emma blushed under their gaze. "Sorry," she whispered. "Nothing to be sorry for," Steve said, "I'm sorry but do you know my uncle?" Emma shifted uncomfortably in her seat. "I guess that's one way of putting it." "How do you know him?" he asked. Emma bit her lip and looked at Regina, silently asking for help. "That's personal," Regina said. It was clear that Steve was not satisfied with that answer, but luckily he stopped asking questions about it. "So, how long have you two been dating?" Zelena asked, changing the subject. "Uhhhh," Emma said, scratching her neck. "Well?" Henry asked. "We um... 6 months," Regina said. "Regina was your teacher last year and you just graduated, right?" Zelena asked Emma. Emma nodded slowly. "So that means you two were dating when you were teacher and student," Henry said. Regina and Emma both blushed a little. "Oh well," Cora said, "as long as you didn't break any laws, I think it's okay." Henry nodded. "I agree." "I mean, love is love, right?" Zelena said. "True," Emma said. They finished eating and after clearing the table, they went back to sit on the couch. They played a few games, Emma staying close to Regina and as far from Steve as possible.