The Chance Encounter

part eight

Emma’s POV

It’s 8pm, 1 hour before their meeting. Emma is standing in front of her mirror trying to figure out which outfit looks best. Should I wear a black button vest over white button up shirt? She thinks to herself.

“Hey Kiddo, what are you up to here?” asks her dad.

“Just the person I needed. Should I wear the vest over my button up shirt or not?”

“Well, that depends. What are your plans?”

“We’re going to go for a horse ride towards the lake, then just sit and talk.”

“No vest, Sweetheart. It’s too formal.”

“Thanks, Dad.”

“Mary, come look at our daughter. She’s all grown up.”

“Dad, I’m twenty eight years old. I’m already grown up.”

“You look beautiful, Em. You should hurry up though, dinner is almost done.”

“Okay, Mom. Let me just finish cleaning up my shoes, and I’ll be right there.”

Emma finishes eating dinner and is ready to make her way to Regina.

“Alright, bye Mom and Dad. I’m taking Cookie with me.

“Remember to be the respectful woman we raised you to be.” says Dad.

“Always am.” I say with a bright smile.

I make it to the clearing with roughly 15 minutes to spare before Regina gets here. I begin spreading a blanket at the edge of the river. I set up my candle holders so we can light a few candles for when she gets here. I put out my wine glasses, and I have a nice bottle of wine sitting in the ice bucket for us to share. I packed some crackers with cheese slices for us to snack on while we drink our wine, and grapes to pair it with as well. I hope she likes it.

It’s been about 45 minutes now and Regina hasn’t shown up. I’m starting to panic internally. What if she changed her mind about wanting to see me. Maybe she didn’t like me anymore. Cora did double up on the guards around the castle, maybe it's harder for her to get away. “Ugh, why am I so nervous about this? Why is it bothering me so much? It’s not like it's a date anyway. We’re just friends.” I say into the dark night.