Surviving High School

Chapter 28

I walked down the stairs with my backpack placed firmly on my back. I turned to my mother, with a smile "I'm heading to Zelena now" I told her. My father nodded from his place beside her in the kitchen "have fun, honey. Oh, and don't forget this" he said holding up the small wrapped box from the counter. I smiled as I gently took it from him; it was Regina's Christmas present "thanks, dad" I squeaked happily.
     It was two days before Christmas and I'm staying at Regina's tonight, just the two of us.
I shot both of them a smile "bye! I'll see you both tomorrow" I yelled before quickly making my way out the door.

I knocked on the Mansion door and it was quick to open. I smiled as I was met by the familiar redhead "hey, Swan" she greeted me. I stepped into the house and took a deep breath, the scent of lasagne filled my nose. Zelena laughed "your girl is in the kitchen" she told me. I heard a familiar sultry chuckle and the sound of heels on the wooden floor coming closer to me "her girl, is right here" she husked. I smiled as the beautiful brunette came into my line of view. I smiled as I stepped forward and wrapped my arms around her waist. The older woman smiled and pressed her full, wrinkled lips against mine. I smiled at the feeling. We pulled apart and turned to face Zelena again. The redhead rolled her eyes playfully "and that's my cue to leave" she joked. I laughed at my friend "okay, I'll be back tomorrow at 10am. You two better be decent" she whispered shooting her sister a playful wink. Regina scowled "Zelena" the woman growled taking a step towards her. The girl giggled before quickly darting out the door.

I tangled Regina's fingers with mine causing her to turn to face me once again. The brunette smiled "hungry?" she asked me gently as she gently ran her fingers through my hair. I nodded "starving" I responded as she led me towards the kitchen.

I sat with my girlfriend curled up on my lap after we finished eating dinner. She smiled "so, what's the verdict on my lasagne?" the brunette asked softly. I ran my tongue across my lower lip remembering the taste from barely twenty minutes ago "absolutely amazing" I whispered before leaning in and capturing her lips in mine. The older woman gently wrapped her arms around my neck pulling me closer. I smiled against her touch as I ran my hands along the soft curves of her waist. Regina pulled back slowly "I have a Christmas present for you, it's in the kitchen" she whispered, her breath tickling my lips as she spoke. I smiled "yours is in my bag" I responded. She gently slipped off my lap and headed towards the kitchen. I grabbed my bag off the nearby armchair and pulled the small box out of it. I watched as the older woman emerged with a small box of her own and resumed her spot next to me on the couch. I pulled her legs up so they were resting across mine. I held the small box up in front of her nose. Regina giggled as she gently took it from me. She placed a gentle kiss on my temple before moving to open the box. It took a while for me to convince her to let me buy her a present because at first she was completely against it. We came to the agreement that each of us would buy each other one thing. She slowly opened the box and her eyes softened. The older woman smiled as she pulled the necklace out of the box "do you like it?" I asked nervously. The older woman laughed "yes, I love it, baby" she whispered placing a quick kiss on my cheek. She stared down at the necklace. It was just a simple silver, circular base with the carving of a Swan on it "look on the back" I told her. Regina slowly turned it over and her breathing hitched slightly. I smiled "I'm forever yours. E" was engraved on the back of it. I shifted slightly as I pulled her closer to me "you know, Swans only have one mate. Well, most of the time. Their partner makes them stronger, sometimes they can't even eat as much when they're not near them" I told her. The older woman stared at me in complete awe "thank you, Em" she whispered before pressing her lips gently against mine. I gently pulled back "no problem, Gina" I whispered.

I watched Regina carefully as she hesitantly handed me a small box of her own "your turn" she giggled. I smiled and placed a sweet kiss on her cheek.  I gently opened it to see a ring with a small, pink and brown gem in the centre. My breath caught in my throat "it's beautiful" I complimented. Regina smiled "I know that pink isn't really your colour" she mumbled as she gently took the ring from the box. The brunette gently took my right hand in hers "but when I found out the meaning of the stone, I couldn't resist" she whispered as she gently slipped the cool metal onto my ring finger. I smiled as I stared at the small, oval shaped gem "Morganite? Right?" I questioned raising an eyebrow. I was almost certain that's what it was. Regina's eyes widened slightly in surprise which I took as confirmation that I was correct. I couldn't help but smile "the stone of unconditional love" I mumbled softly as I threaded my fingers with hers and gave her hand a gentle squeeze. The older woman sat there in complete shock "I went through a phase when I was fourteen where I became obsessed with gems and their aura properties along with their meanings" I explained to the woman draped across my lap. Regina chuckled "just my luck, huh?" she mumbled, her voice barely audible as her gaze dropped from mine. I titled my head to the side slightly in confusion as I watched the woman in front of me "you okay, Gina?" I asked her softly. Her beautiful cocoa eyes slowly drifted up to meet mine once again. Regina nodded "yes, baby" she whispered as she fiddled with the ring on my finger. I wrapped my arms around her waist "tell me, Gina" I mumbled as I ran my fingers through her raven hair. The brunette let out a soft chuckle "you know me too well" she muttered. The older woman shifted slightly so that she was now straddling my waist. She gently wrapped her arms around my neck and threaded her fingers through my hair. Regina slowly leaned forward so her lips were barely inches from mine "I love you" she whispered, her breath tickling my lips as she spoke. A wide smile crossed my face "I love you too, Gina" I responded only seconds later. The brunette leaned the rest of the way in and her lips connected with mine. I wrapped my arms firmly around her waist holding her impossibly close to my front. Her teeth scraped lightly across my lower lip as she pulled away "I wanted to tell you with the meaning of the ring, but I guess this works just as well" she explained to me. I nodded slowly as I tucked a loose strand of her hair behind her ear "yeah" I mumbled in response.