The Queen's Knight In Shining Overalls

Chapter 18

The next morning Emma wakes up to cabinets be slammed closed. It hurts to open her eyes but she does. She blinks a few times and sees a redhead moving around the kitchen. She knows it's Zelena. "Oh. Good morning asshole. It's nice to see you slept comfortable last night. I hope every bone in you body hurts today after the way you've hurt me sister".  "Hello Zelena. It's lovely to see you too". Emma moves a bit and her neck hurts. Her legs are stiff and she needs a good back cracking. She slowly stands up. "Oh. Fuck. Everything hurts".   "Good".  "Zelena come on. I really don't need this right now".  "Oh. Like I needed to get a call at 9 o'clock at night from my sister crying. Emma you really hurt her". Emma sits at one of the island chairs. "Zelena. I don't know what to do. I really wanted to buy her that diamond engagement ring, so I did. It's beautiful Zelena. It was almost 3 thousand dollars. Took most of my savings, but I wanted her to have it. She flat out said no. I don't know what to do. Does that mean you doesn't want to get married anymore? Was she just saying no to the ring or to me?  I love her so much".  "She loves you to Emma".  "Then why is it so hard for her to accept this from me?"   "I love my sister, but she's always been like this. She never thought she deserved a gift. Has she ever told you about our parents?"  "Hardly anything. I figured it was a touchy subject so I let it go, I just thought she'd tell me when she was ready".  "My sister may never be ready. Our mother made us both feel worthless. She never gave us praise. If we came in 2nd on something she would say something like 'Oh not good enough for 1st'. She was always so bitter. She's dead now, but her memories live on. I bet she told you she loved the ring, but she couldn't accept it". Emma looks down and nods. "Yup. That's my sis. Never wanting anything unless she got it herself, because that's what we had to do".  "Zelena. What am I gonna do. I love her. I want a future with her. I want to be there for our baby".  "Baby? What baby?"  "She didn't tell you. Damn. We found out the other day. I wanted to get married before the baby came. I know it maybe old fashioned, but I want her to be my wife, and I want us to have this baby together".  "Emma. Let me talk to her ok. This could be pregnancy hormones along with the damage from our mother. I think I can get through to her".  "Ok thank you Zelena. For everything".  "No problem. Just don't fuck up again or I'll find a way to turn you into a flying monkey". Emma laughs a little, but she knows Zelena is serious. Zelena leaves the room and Emma makes herself a cup of coffee. Zelena walks in and sees her sister sleeping in what looks like a very uncomfortable position on the couch. Zelena sits next to her and shakes her arm a little. "Regina, Regina. Wake up dear".  Regina moves her head. "Hmm. Emma?"  "No dear sister it's me".  "Oh Zelena. Where is Emma, has she left?"  She asks as tears fill her eyes. "No Regina, she's in the kitchen".  "What do I have to do to get her stay? I love her so much. I don't want to lose her".  "Regina why did you say no to her? Is this really about a ring? Did you ever want to marry her?"  "Zelena what kind of questions are those? you know how much I love Emma".  "Then why are you making such a big deal over a ring?"  "Do you how much that cost her?"  "Yes I do. She told me. Are you worried about her not having enough money for you in the future?"  "I'm not thinking about me Zelena. It's Emma's money and she shouldn't be spending it all on me".  "Ok Regina let me ask you this. If You saw something that you know Emma would love and it costs just as much as that ring, would you get that item because you can't wait to see the look in her eyes when she sees it".  "Of course I would. I would get her anything she wanted?"  "Then why is it so hard for you to let her do the same for you?"  "It's the money Zelena. I know I have enough money from mother and daddy to last for a very long time, plus I own my company so I can afford to buy things like that for her. Sure Emma has a few thousand in her savings, but it's still paycheck to paycheck for her".  "Regina if this is an issue now it will always be. Money problems can ruin the best relationships and right now your relationship is hanging by a thread". Zelena's words bring tears to Regina's eyes. "What do I do Zelena?"  "You have two have to talk this out and hopefully come to some conclusion. Both of you are a mess over this and you both are so damn stubborn it's driving me bloody mad. So Regina what will it take for you to accept the ring that Emma bought you?"  "It's such a beautiful ring Zelena. I do absolutely love it, but knowing she spent so much on it bothers me".  "Ok. I think we need Emma in here for this conversation so maybe we can work this out. Is it ok if I go get her?"  "Yes. Could I also have some tea?"  "What do I look like a waitress? I'll have Emma make it". Zelena walks back into the kitchen. She sees Emma with her head down on the island and she's snoring. Zelena being the lovely witch she is claps her hands loudly. "Lets a get a move on blondie". Emma lifts her head quickly. "What? What's going on?"  "It's time for you to talk to my sister, so let's go. Oh and she wants some tea. I guess I'll have some as well. So make it and meet us in the living room please". Emma nods and quickly starts the water. A few minutes later the teas are done. She takes a deep breath and walks into the living room. When she sees Regina her heart brakes and melts at the same time. She puts the cups down on the coffee table and takes a seat on the chair across from the couch.  Zelena is the first one to speak. "So the big issue we have here is money".  "Zelena". Regina immediately says in defense. "Oh shut it sis. This needs to be talked out now or this relationship is as good as over". Regina nods. "So like I said money is the issue. Regina is having trouble with you spending a lot of money on her. How can we come to a happy medium in this situation, Emma do you have any ideas?"  Emma just shrugs. "Oh good lord this is going to be the hardest thing I've ever done isn't it?  What if you both split the rings 50/50?"  Regina nods and says. "I'd be ok with that". Emma on the other hand says. "No". "Oh dear god. Why blondie?"  "I bought that engagement ring for her and I will not let her pay even one dollar for it".  Zelena says. "I wish it wasn't 9 o'clock in the morning right now cause I could so use a martini. Ok. Regina are you willing to let Emma pay for the engagement ring if you both split the cost of the wedding bands?"  Regina thinks a moment. "I guess that would be ok". "Good. Emma?"  "Fine". "Ok great. Now we are getting somewhere. So now let's talk about the future. If money is an issue now it always will be. So how can we make this work ladies?"  Regina decides its time to speak to Emma. "Emma, my love. I'm so sorry for everything we've been fighting about it's really so ridiculous if you think about it. I'm just I'm concerned that you will spend all of your money on things I don't need even though I will love them, but maybe before either one of us makes a big purchase we can talk about it first. Maybe set some ground rules. And I guess everything else we can just split. Does that seems ok?"  "Ya. I guess it would be ok". Emma says. "Regina why don't you ever let me give you money for this home we live in?"  "My love. This is already paid for. My daddy bought this many years ago. He left it to me when he died. You already buy food for us and toiletries we need. You always do most of the shopping. So you provide probably more than I do for our home". Regina smiles which makes Emma smile. Zelena joins back in. "Ok. So is this argument over, are you two ok now?"  They both smile and say at the same time. "I think so". It makes them both laugh. "Bloody hell you two are so made for each other it's almost disgusting. So may I go back to my life life now or do you still require my assistance?" Regina stands and goes to hug her sister. "Thank you Zelena, for everything you've done, it means so much to the both of us". Emma stands next to Regina and nods. "Thanks Z".  "Yes. Your welcome. I'll be getting my things and leaving now. Unless you two have something else I have to fix". Zelena turns and walks away to go upstairs. "Are we really ok my love?  Please say we are". Emma wraps her arms around her waist and says. "Ya babe. I'm sorry I couldn't talk to you. I was really hurt hearing you say no and I just shut down. I wish I could promise you that it wouldn't happen again, but I need time to let things settle in and then hopefully I can talk about it. Are you ok with that?"  "Yes sweetheart. I am. Just promise if you ever leave like you did last night, you will always come home and sleep here so we can talk about it later". "Yes baby that I can promise you. I love you so much Regina". "And I love you Emma". They both give each other a passionate kiss. "Oh god. Please at least wait till I leave the house to go hod wild on each other. Goodbye loves. Regina you owe me dinner soon. Ciao". Zelena leaves and it's just Emma and Regina once again. "My love. I'm so tired and I know you must be as well. Can we please go to bed?"  "Oh yes please babe, but not till I do one thing". Emma reaches down to the coffee table and picks up a ring box. "Regina will you now please take this ring?"  "Yes Emma. Yes I will". She takes the ring out of the box and places it on Regina's finger. "Oh Emma. It's really so beautiful. Thank you so much my love". They kiss and hold hands as they head towards the stairs to get some much needed rest.