Last Thing You'll Do

Chapter 13

Meeting Heidi and Oscar had gone well. Emma had listened to Henry's instructions about feeding them with an opening hand. Regina had entered the stables to Emma's squeal of "But her nose is so soft". After that Oscar's nose was also tested for its softness. Emma had been a little uncertain when that very same nose was nudged against her to see if she also had a mint for him as well. Rocket had given a very wide birth, almost as wide as Emma's eyes had gone when Charming had rode him passed them all.

She had to bite back a grin at Emma's wide eyed expression as she had mounted Oscar in one swift movement. She could not fight back the audible chortle however when the steed nudged Emma again. The blonde did not jump the second time but stroked the animal's nose once more. She nevertheless gave Regina look of mock disgust when Oscar snorted in her direction and received an eye roll in return.

Regina walked the steed out of the stables while Emma helped carry Henry's equipment. It always felt good to feel the beast's muscles move beneath her, as the slight breeze danced in her hair. Ever since she was a child and she had first mounted Rocinante being on the back of a horse felt freeing. It felt right. Even on her darkest days as Queen being on the back of such a magnificent animal made the world, her world, make sense; and today was no exception.

She watched as Emma walked across to them in the paddock having dump Henry's gear near the other mounting block and Charming. Emma's movements slowed as she got closer to the pair and she eyed the horse as if it was about to attack her. While Regina understood Emma's hesitance she couldn't help but smirk at the blonde's expression, it was as if she was seeing a lion rather than a horse. "You don't have to do this you know" Regina offered as gentle and empathetic as she could without letting the full humour of the situation into her tone. She couldn't help but wonder how she and Emma would be acting right now if Emma was well. Would Emma simply have stayed at home or be keeping her mother company by the stable doors? Was Emma doing this because she felt it was something she had to, and Regina was letting her because of it? Riding with Emma was no hardship, and it was something that Regina had wanted to share with her since she'd first mounted Oscar two months ago. However Regina didn't want Emma to think she had to, not for her.

"Yes I do. I will not having our son call me a chicken" Emma exclaimed actually sounding rather annoyed at their son and Regina was hit by curiosity at what the mother and son had been discussing in the stable.

"Okay" Regina folded easily. Emma often had this effect on her. The Evil Queen had gone soft and most of the time she didn't find it within herself to care all that much. She had everything she could want, reputation meant very little to her now. She turned the steed so he came to stand next to the mounting block, she watched as Emma stepped on upon it, using Oscar's shoulder to steady herself. The blond looked determined but the former Queen could still see a trace of trepidation in the green eyes.

"I also want to ride with you" Emma said flashing a toothy smile that melted her heart. She'd be lying if she denied the flutter in her chest and simply smiled back, words escaping her. She had wanted to share riding with Emma and here she was about to do just that. If only everything in life were that easy. There were so many things she wanted to share with the other woman and knew she never would; and so with all her heart she was treasuring every little thing she could.

"Not that foot" Regina says firmly when she sees Emma lift her right foot. A disgruntled face is all she gets from Emma. All beautiful smiles were gone now, and it was almost just as endearing. "Lead with your left foot. If you start with your right you'll have problems when you get up" Regina explained ignoring Emma's deep sigh and eye roll.

Emma scowled but did as she was told. She would have told Emma to lever herself using the front of the saddle but Regina found it was just as easy to guide her via a firm hand to the blonde's waist. "Lean forward" Regina instructed as Emma became level with her. Regina was surprised Emma didn't make a remark about her looking at her backside which was in fact being thrust into her as Emma followed her instructions. "Swing your leg over, over his head" Regina continued resisting the urge to chuckle when Emma's upper body became flush with her own. Thankfully Oscar had his head lowered so Emma's boot didn't clip him as her other leg moved to the other side.