A Twist Of Fate

Chapter 21

I wake up the next morning and Regina isn't in bed. I go to the bathroom then I head downstairs. She's in the kitchen feeding Angie. "Morning". I say as I smile at them. "Morning Emma".  I get some orange juice out of the fridge and pour myself a glass then I go sit at the table. "Regina I'm really sorry about last night".   "It's ok Emma I understand. It's not a problem really".  "But it is Regina. I slept so crappy last night and I got to thinking. I have so many memories of Zelena in this house and though I cherish every one of them, I just don't think I'd be comfortable being intimate here. So I made a decision. I want to sell this house and move".  "Emma that's a big decision. Are you sure that's what you want to do?"   "In order for me to be able to move on with life I think it's something that I have to do. And I know you haven't said anything yet but now that I'm healed up you'll probably want to get back to your home soon. Not that I'm forcing you out or anything. I've really loved you being here. I'm sorry if I'm hurting you with what I'm trying say. I don't even know if what I'm saying is the right thing".  "It's ok Emma. I understand what you are saying and I'm not hurt. I actually hadn't thought of moving back to my house. I guess I was just comfortable here and we have a nice routine going. Have you thought about what kind of place you are looking for now?"   "I don't know yet. I first need to find someone to help me sell this house".  "My friend Kathryn is a realtor, if you'd like I could give her a call and see if she's available to help you".  "Really, you'd do that for me?"   "Of course sweetheart. Here finish feeding Angie and I'll go call her now?"  She hands me the oatmeal and kisses me then the baby's head and leaves the room. When she comes back she's on the phone.  "That's great Kat. Thank you so much. We'll see you this afternoon. Bye".  She ends the call and looks at me. "Good news Kat will be here around 1 o'clock to talk to you about some of your options".  "Thank you Regina".  A few hours later Kathryn came over and we sat in the living room and talked. She gave me a few options on ways to sell my house. When it came to what I was looking for I had no idea. I want this house and backyard for my daughter but I know that can't happen if I want any type of relationship. I told Kathryn to put the house up for sale, and she left me some options on available houses and apartments in the area. When Kathryn was ready to leave Regina and I thanked her for coming over and we walked her to the door as Angie played in her playpen. Regina could see the sorrow and the gloomy look I was trying not to show right now. We say goodbye to Kathryn at the door and walk back into the living room. "Emma what's wrong? You look so distraught about this whole thing. Do you really want to sell this house?"  "Honestly Regina. No I don't, but I won't be able to live my life while I can still feel Zelena here. She's everywhere Regina. What I'll miss besides your sister is the backyard and Angelica's swing set".  "Well Emma if you are concerned about that just have it moved over to my house. That way you could use it anytime you wanted".  "Really Regina?  I never even thought of that. Thank you. Angie loves that thing".  "It's no trouble at all". We give each other a kiss and then we talk about some of the living options Kat left for me. I didn't like anything. I don't care where I live, but I want the best for my little girl. We start going through the options again when Regina says to me. "Emma. I may be out of line asking this, but instead of you and Angie finding another place, what would you think about coming to live with me?"  I was a little shocked by the question but I liked it. "Regina. Do you really mean it?"  "Of course Emma. We've really been living together for over a month and I've been taking care of Angie for almost 2 months. I don't know if I could handle not being with the both of you all the time. I love waking up with you and taking care of Angie. I love how you and I snuggle together all the time. I think I would be so lost without all of that in my life every day. Please come live with me".  I leap forward and kiss her. I kiss her so much we lose our breaths. "Oh Regina if you truly mean this, yes I will absolutely live with you. I love you so much. I don't know if I could ever sleep without you again". We kiss some more.  "So we are doing this?"  She asks me. "You better believe it baby". We both laugh and kiss again.
For the next few days Regina and I talked a little more about Angie and I moving into her house. Neither one of us could come up with a reason not to move in together.  So we started to pack up. All the packing only took about a week and a half. One night I was having trouble sleeping so I went down to my Emma cave. Mostly everything was packed away and I realized that I was going to miss this room. I really enjoyed this room when we first moved in. About an hour or so later I heard someone walking down the stairs. Regina walked through the door and sat next to me. "Are you ok dear?"  I kiss her.  "Yes. I'm fine. I just wanted to come down here before we move to your place. I used to love come down here and relax after a long night of work. I used to play some music and some video games. It's somewhat sound proof so I new the music wouldn't wake Zelena".  "I know this is hard for you Emma and if you changed your mind and don't want to sell it it's ok".  "No. I haven't changed my mind. I'm just gonna miss it that's all. I had to convince Zelena that she had the whole house and I just wanted one room for Emma stuff".  Regina chuckled a bit. "And she agreed?"  "Yup. I may have changed her focus onto the nursery".  I said with a laugh.  "Smart move. You know, I have a finished basement. All I have in it right now are a few exercise machines, but if you want to have a new Emma cave down there I don't mind".  My mood instantly changed. "Really?"  She laughs. "I love how your face lights up like a child when your excited about something".  I stop smiling and become a little self-conscious. She sees the mood change in me. "Oh Emma. I so sorry. I meant nothing bad by that. I just think it's cute that's all. I hope your not upset".  "No I'm fine really. It's late. Let's get back to bed ok?"  We get up and head towards the stairs. I shut off the basement lights when we get up to the main floor. Then we walk up to the bedroom. I used the bathroom then I get in bed and Regina and I snuggle up. A few minutes later Regina apologizes to me again. "Babe. It's fine. I'm not upset".  "But you are. I know you Emma. Please tell me what's going on?"  I let out a sigh. I reach over and turn the light. "Can I sit up please?"  Regina moves and we both sit up against the headboard. "I'm not upset. Really I'm not. My mood changed because I felt a little self-conscious. Growing up in crappy foster homes I never had anything of my own. The first time I had my own anything was when I lived with the Nolan's. I guess I didn't want to seem like a child in front of you".   "Emma that's not what meant. I swear. I just thought the look on your face was so innocent and cute. That's all. I love you Emma. I would never want to intentionally hurt you".  "I know you don't want to hurt me. Im just being silly. I'm ok. I promise".  I give her a kiss. "Let's get some sleep Angie will be up early and we have to start moving some stuff over to your house". She gives me a kiss. "I think you mean our house dear". I smile and we kiss again. I turn off the light and we snuggle into each other and fall asleep.
The next morning at breakfast Regina asked me about Angie's birthday party. "Oh shit. I'm such a bad mom. With all the getting ready to move and packing I haven't even thought about where I'm going to have it now. I mean I was going to have it here but when we move that won't work.  Damn".  "Emma relax. We can have something at Granny's or I wouldn't mind having it at the house. Meaning our house now".  She says with a smile. "Really?"  "Of course. It's her first birthday we need to have a party".  "Thanks babe. It'll just be a small party. Just a few of our friends".  "And your parents".  "Yeah I guess my parents should be there".  "Yes they should. They are good grandparents to Angie".  "I know. I just don't want to get into anything with my mother".  "Well just try to focus on the positive Emma. Your daughter is almost 1".  I smile at that, and frown at the same time. "Emma I know this day comes with a lot of grief, I hope you will be able to celebrate Angie's birthday".  "Regina I promise you and Angie that my only thoughts during this party with be the happiness of my daughter, but I hope it's ok if at some point after she goes to bed that I need a few moments. I promise you that this doesn't mean I love you any less or that I love Zelena more. I just may need to deal with her first year gone for a little while. Please tell me you understand".  She takes hold of my hand. "I do understand. Just promise me you won't do anything stupid". I laugh. "That's the same promise you had me make when it was mine and Zelena's wedding anniversary. I promise you I won't do anything stupid". I lean over and kiss her. "Thank you".  Later that day a few movers with a small box truck picked up a few things that were ready to go over to Regina's. Regina took Angie to work with her today so she could put her in the daycare center that way I could deal with the movers. Moving is a big process so I'm taking all the time I need. I'm not trying to prolong this process but I just want to make sure everything is right and everything is all set up for when Angie and I move in. Regina already cleaned out the spare room near the master bedroom to be Angie's new nursery so the last thing to be moved will be her crib. After the first load was moved to Regina's I went over to the town hall. I sent Regina a text when I got there to tell her I was going to pick up Angie early and go have a late lunch. She sent a text back saying she had a free hour and would love to meet us for lunch. Granny's is closest to the town hall so I suggested that. She agreed and said she'd be there in 10 minutes. I held Angie as I walked into Granny's. It was just past the lunch rush time so it was a little quiet. Ruby set us up at a clean table and brought over a highchair. I strapped the baby in and looked over the menu for what I could get my daughter for lunch. It wasn't on the menu but I know Granny had some yogurt in the kitchen. So I got that a banana and some strawberries for her. I was waiting for Regina before I put my order in. She showed up a few minutes later. We ordered our lunch and talked about how the move went. While we were eating my parents came in and walked right over to our table. "Hey you guys. Nice to see you. How's everything going?"  My dad asked while my mom just looked at Regina and I.  "Everything is fine dad. Just having some lunch".  "That's great. Mind if we join you?"  I look and Regina and we both don't have an answer so my dad takes a seat next to me. My mother takes a seat at the far end of the table. We all finished lunch without an incident. Angie was tired and becoming cranky. "I think we need to get this little girl home". Regina says taking her out of the highchair. I agree and take money out of my wallet and leave it on the table and stand up. "Oh so you two are still living together?"  My mother asks. "Yes Mary Margaret we are and actually I'm selling my house and my daughter and I are moving in with Regina".   "Emma you can't be serious. Is this really a good idea. Your wife dies and you move in with her sister and start a relationship? How is Angelica supposed to feel when she gets older and realizes that her mother died giving birth to her and right after her other mother shacked up her her aunt?"  It was a good thing that Regina had the baby because I blew up and started yelling. "Are you fucking serious?  You know how hard it's been for me to start living again. I'm not shacking up with Regina. I'm just trying to live a life and take care of my daughter and I really don't think you need to be apart of that life. Next week we are having a first birthday party for her at mine and Regina's home. You and dad will be invited to that but after I don't care if I ever see you again". That was it.  Regina, me and my daughter walked out of Granny's.