Is It Too Late? - Swan Queen AU

Chapter 11

Author's Note: 

Hey, so I finished another future chapter today, so I decided to go ahead and post this one! A sappy flashback that gives me all the feels. Emma and Ruby finally have a sit down, wow. I'm super excited about this story, and the readers are what keep me going. I was thinking about starting a Deleted Scenes type of work for this story. Different things I don't use would be there, and I would place context around it. Let me know what you think, if it's a great idea or the worst. Thanks for reading!! 

Regina lifted her phone, chewing on her bottom lip. The number that had appeared in her 'Recents' category in her phone app was staring back at her. Deep breath in — out. Inhale — exhale.

Regina Mills: This is Regina, if you didn't remember, I just wanted to thank you for being there for Henry earlier. He truly does love you. I can't thank you enough for being a friend to my son.

Emma Swan: it's no problem, Gina. I love him. He's the sweetest kid I've ever met. You did a fantastic job with raising him. By the way, his middle name... my father would be very happy for you to have continued on his family name.

Regina Mills: I named him after the two most influential men in my life.

Emma Swan: It's an honor, honestly.

Emma Swan: ... He told me.

Regina Mills: I figured. Don't tell a soul, please. It's not that big of a deal. I'm handling it.

Emma Swan: you've been 'handling it' for the past 12 years. Regina, let someone help you.

Regina pressed on the space for her to reply, but exited out from the texting application. Her body sank further into the bubble bath, leaving just her mouth and above sticking out from the bubbles. "Let someone help," She scoffed, "like I can't handle it by myself."

"She and I were in the back and she stood up while going down the road, her face just lit up as the air pushed her hair back and the smile on her face, wow... breathtaking. I heard her laugh and she spread her arms out wide, just taking on the world. That's when I knew I loved her more than anything." Emma had said, telling Henry of Emma's side of the love story. Regina smiled at the memory of seeing Henry meet her eyes, but choosing not to stop the blonde. He knew Regina needed to hear those words. The entire topic actually, was what the brunette heard. Her head rested against the lip of the large bath, eyes closed. "Emma Swan..." the two words, a name, but just not any name, fell from her lips, feeling like velvet as the air flowed. It was growing late into the night, but Regina continued to soak away her worry as she devised. Too long had she sat back and let life happen to her. She no longer wanted to be the woman who lay on her back and let life bulldoze over her. Emma had always brought out some sort of rebellious quality within the woman, and she felt that same buzz fill her veins as she made her decision - just as it had in high school.

Storybrooke - The bed of David's old pick up

Regina was sitting in the back with Emma, listening to the radio flow from the side windows that were open and the small back window. Mary Margaret and David were talking and singing, and the two in the back had been talking. They grew quiet for some time, and the radio was turned up louder. A song started to play and the beat caused a smile to erupt on the brunette's face. She took a deep breath and stood up, sure to hold on to the roof of the cab to the truck. After her feet were planted, she straightened her back, and the wind in her hair felt so beautiful - like she was flying - like she was free. All Regina had ever wanted was to be free, like the birds that could fly anywhere they wanted. Her wind was pushed back and moving in the wind as the truck sped down the abandoned roads. With one more deep breath, Regina let go of the cab, found her balance and lifted her arms out beside her, waving them in the wind with the beat of the music. She laughed, the feeling was too good to be true, she thought. This moment was when Regina knew all she needed in life were her three friends by her side, supporting her in everything. Her brown eyes drifted down onto a pair of green orbs staring up at her with such fascination, such love, and it caused the already uncontrollable smile to stretch even further. They held their gaze for a few moments, and Emma stood next to her, one arm behind Regina, reaching to hold onto the hood. Together they stood, letting the wind pull away their worries as the lyrics of the songs were belted out in laughing voices.