In progress

Chapter 14

Emma walked down the quiet streets of Storybrooke, her thoughts swirling with memories of the night she'd spent with Regina. The kiss, the shared meal, and the intimate conversations – it was all she could think about. She knew she should focus on other things, like her new job at Granny's or her upcoming college applications, but the thought of Regina lingered, like a pleasant melody that wouldn't leave her mind.

It had been a few days since their date, but Emma regretted not asking for Regina's phone number before she left. It was an oversight that now seemed glaringly obvious, leaving her with no direct way to contact the older woman. She considered several options, but each seemed awkward or overreaching. She could go to Regina's house, but that felt too forward. Of course, there was the option of showing up at Regina's house, but Emma thought that would make her look desperate – she was though, but Regina didn't have to know just how desperate Emma actually was to see the older woman again.

As she walked past Granny's Diner, she saw her friends, Ruby and Belle, inside, laughing over milkshakes. Emma thought about joining them but hesitated. What would she say if they asked where she'd been lately? She couldn't reveal the truth about Regina, at least not yet. Her friendship with Ruby and Belle was important to her, but so was her burgeoning relationship with Regina, and she didn't want to jeopardize either.

Emma continued down Main Street, her hands shoved into her jacket pockets. The air was crisp, and a slight breeze ruffled her hair. The town felt peaceful, but inside her mind, she was anything but at ease. She couldn't stop replaying every moment she had shared with Regina, wondering what the older woman was doing, if she was thinking about her too.

As Emma turned a corner, she saw the classic black Benz she had seen in Regina's driveway. The blonde contemplated to keep walking, but something made Emma stop in her tracks as she watched the brunette exit the store with what seemed like heavy bags of groceries.

Regina had almost made it to the black Benz as a handle on one of the bags gave out, causing her groceries to plummet to the ground in a chorus of noises. "Great, just great" Regina grumbled to no one but herself. As she placed the intact bag in the trunk of her car, she sighed as she started to pick up the dropped groceries scattering the parking lot.

Emma's eyes widened as she saw the groceries fall from the broken bag, scattering across the parking lot. Regina's obvious frustration made Emma's heart ache a little. Despite her reluctance to approach the brunette for fear of looking too eager, Emma couldn't just stand by and watch her struggle. She took a deep breath, steeling herself against the nerves that fluttered in her stomach, and approached the parking lot.

Regina was crouched down, gathering the fallen items, her expression a mix of annoyance and resignation. Emma hesitated for a moment, then knelt beside her, picking up a few cans that had rolled a bit farther from the car. Regina looked up, surprised to see the blonde there. For a moment, Emma thought she saw a flash of relief in Regina's eyes.

"Need some help?" Emma asked, offering a small smile.

Regina straightened, brushing a strand of hair behind her ear, her regal composure returning. "Emma, what a surprise. I didn't expect to see you here."

"I was just passing by," Emma replied, carefully placing the cans in the intact bag. "Saw you needed a hand."

Regina nodded, a slight smile tugging at the corners of her lips. "Thank you. I was having one of those days."

"Yeah, I know what that's like," Emma said, feeling her anxiety ease as Regina's demeanor softened.

As they picked up the last of the scattered groceries, Emma couldn't help but notice the tension in Regina's shoulders easing. It was a subtle shift, but it was there. Once the groceries were back in the trunk, Regina sighed in relief.