This Love

Four

I woke up and yawned as my phone rang. I answered it, my eyes still closed. "Hello?" "Em? Are you okay?" "Just tired. Why?" "Well... it's nine am and you have a class full of students.." I sat up immediately as she said that. Shit. "Fuck. Okay. I'm on my way." "Hey. It's okay. I don't have a class right now so I'm good to watch them. Just.. drive safe okay?" "I will. Thank you." I said and hung up. Fuck. I was up most of the night talking to henry, proving that I was okay. I don't mind. I just... now I'm gonna get in trouble at work. I quickly got dressed and put my hair up before leaving.

I rushed into my classroom and Regina smiled at me. "Sorry I'm late guys, I overslept." I mumbled as I walked to my desk. "It's okay Ms. Swan, so did I." A kid said and I chuckled. "Okay. Thank you Ms. Mills." I said and she smiled, nodding gently. "I already started them on the warm up." She said and i nodded. Before I could thank her again, a kid cleared his throat. "Ms. Swan? Did you get hit in the neck? You have a massive bruise." He said, my face paling. Fuck. I forgot. Regina blushed a little and a few kids chuckled. "That's a massive hickey, not a bruise man." Someone said and i blushed. "Now, Ms. Swan doesn't call you out on your hickies does she?" Mrs. Mills asked and I turned to see her at the door. She smiled at me and i blushed deeply. "It's your classes turn for yearbook pictures." She said and i nodded. "I'll walk them down." She said and i bit my lip as they all left the room with her. I closed my eyes. "Should I apologize now?" She asked and I hummed. "No. You can get away with it since you covered for me." I said and she chuckled. "I didn't think it would turn out so big.. or so noticeable." She said and I hummed. "Don't worry. I'll get my revenge." I said and she chuckled. "Why don't you come spend the night? I miss you in my bed." She said softly and i nodded. She pecked my lips and smiled softly.

——

When the end of the day rolled around, i was exhausted. I was sitting at my desk with my head in my hands. This was the longest day of my life. "Good afternoon Emma. Do you have a moment to talk?" I heard Mrs. Mills asked and i looked up quickly, nodding at the older brunette. She smiled at me and stepped in, closing my door behind me. "I understand my grandson kept you up most of the night?" She asked and i nodded. "I'm really sorry about this morning. I set my alarm. It wasn't enough apparently." I said and she smiled. "Don't worry dear. It happens to everyone now and again. That's not what I wanted to talk about." She said and i nodded a little. She hummed. "My daughter is quite.. fond of you. I understand it's not any of my business. But.. please don't hurt my baby. I'd hate to have to ruin your life." She said and i blushed deeply, shaking my head. "I could never hurt her. I've been so in love with her for so long. It would kill me." I said, then froze as I realized what I said. "I... don't tell her. I.. i don't want to rush what we have." I said and she smiled softly at me. "Calm down. I won't tell her. Welcome to the family." She said and i blushed, smiling a little. My classroom door opened and I looked at it to see Regina. She looked confused. "Mom?" She asked and Mrs. Mills smiled at her. "Hello. I was just leaving. You and your girlfriend should come to family dinner this week." She said and Regina looked even more confused, then she looked at me. I blushed. "Try and talk her into it Emma. Goodbye girls." She said and quickly left. "What'd you tell her?" She asked curiously and i looked at her, frowning. "Why'd you immediately assume it was me?" I asked and she came over, squatting by my desk chair. She's still taller. Of course. She hugged me and i buried my face in her neck. Fuck I could fall asleep here. "I'm sorry. She's super invested in all of my siblings and my love life. I should've warned you." She said and i shrugged. "It's okay. It's nice." I said and she hummed, kissing my head. "Why don't you ride with me? You're practically falling asleep." She said and i nodded. That was probably for the best. I got up, grabbing my work bag and she hummed. She grabbed my hand and we left. She already had her stuff. "So what're your thoughts on family dinner?" She asked and i shrugged. "I've never had a family dinner. I'm fine with going. I just might be a little awkward." I said and she nodded. "Well my mom already approves of you. My older brother and sister will probably pick on you just to see if you're serious. If dates run off after they pick on them, I know they're not right for me. Robyn, my sisters daughter, is a little older than Henry. She'll love you. And my dad would've loved you. You're everything he ever wanted for me." She said and i blushed deeply. He died in my junior year. "Well I hope I'm everything you could ever want." I said and she hummed, holding my hand. "And why is that, darling?" She asked and i smiled. "I.. really like you. And I want to be with you for a long long time. You talked about wanting a mommy for Henry and I want to be that for him. I want to love and spoil that little boy more than I could ever imagine. He makes me want a family. So much." I said, then realized what I was saying. Oh no. She wrapped her arm around me and kissed my head. "I'd love for you to be his mommy and I'd love for you to be part of our family."