Is It Too Late? - Swan Queen AU

Chapter 18

A/N: So, honestly, this isn't my favorite chapter, but it works! I hope you guys enjoy, and I am so very sorry for the long wait for this chapter. The next few should come quicker due to the end of the volleyball season. Thanks! Tell me what you think. 

A warmth was beneath Regina's body, a very hot warmth actually. She felt her hand gripped into the bare skin of a smooth hip and her face pressed just below a pair of round breasts. The scent of sweet vanilla filled her nostrils and pulled a smile on her face. Emma. The scent and the feel of the body was so distinctively Emma - it felt like home. The blonde moved a bit beneath Regina, so she tilted her head up to look at the mess of blonde curls draped all over the pillow and in Emma's face. A soft chuckle escaped her lips as she watched the morning light highlight breathtaking features. She was so in love with this woman, still after all of these years, and she realized just how much she had been missing out on in her loveless marriage with Leopold.

A groan and the squinting of green eyes revealed Emma's consciousness, and was it adorable. "Mm... morning, Gina." Emma began stretching and Regina watched as the blonde settled back down below her. The movement sent a shot of pain through her ribs, and she tensed up, trying not to let it show.

Her head moved to the woman's shoulder and her eyes grazed over the planes of Emma's face. "Good morning, Emma."

"Good morning." She grunted in response, her arms pulling the body closer to her. The two had fallen asleep in the hammock multiple times together, and had cuddled, but something about this felt like so much more. Emma had remained cautious over the course of her time back in Storybrooke of Regina's marriage. The two laid like that for a few more minutes, just taking in the moment. The brunette let out slow breaths, shifting a little to ease the pain in her side.

"I have to go in today to pick up some paperwork, but I'll have David come and sit at the house just to be safe. I'm not going to take any chances with you or Henry." Those piercing green eyes seared into Regina's own whisky colored ones. The sleep that had previously clouded Emma's eyes had dissipated, and she now thought much more clearly. Although, her voice was still groggy and it sent a small smile to place itself over Regina's lips.

This was it. This was what it felt like to be truly cared for and loved. It had been over a decade in which Regina felt as if someone actually gave a damn about her. Warmth spread from the depths of her heart and flooded her entire body. Love. This was love. It managed to numb the throbbing occuring in her cheek and ribs.

"Thank you, Emma. Be safe going in to town, okay? Are you sure it'll be okay?"

Emma nodded and her right arm slid from its position behind Regina's back and found itself up by her head. Soft fingers traveled through the slightly knotted dark locks. Her hands held the woman close to her.

This was good. It was safe. They were safe.

"I should probably get up before Henry tries to make his own breakfast. He's tried it before. It was a mess. You, however, can stay and enjoy the warmth." Emma presses her lips to the top of Regina's head and they untangled from one another.

Emma was up and she smiled down at the woman curled up in the masses of thick duvet. "I'll be back in a few to change, so I can run to the sheriff's department and back." Even with a black eye and busted, swollen cheek bone, Regina was still glowing.

Finally, Emma was downstairs where she caught the young boy pouring chocolate chips into the pancake batter.

She started chuckling which, in turn, scared the boy and he turned to look at who had caught him. "Mom, I swe- Oh, hey, Emma."