troubled teachers

Chapter 27

They decided not to make a big announcement about their relationship in front of the entire staff. Instead, when Emma and Regina arrived on Monday morning they simply walked into the school hand in hand. And when Regina left to patrol the playground, Emma kissed her gently on the lips in front of everyone in the staffroom. The news spread from there and both women were pleasantly surprised with the response. In the twenty-first century it shouldn't have been a big deal, two women being in a relationship, and at Storybrooke Secondary School, it wasn't. Several colleagues came up and congratulated them, saying they made a wonderful couple. Even Sebastian approached Emma and told her he was happy for her.

The students, too, were just as accepting. Some of the louder, more confident class members asked Emma or Regina if it was true that they were together but when these rumours were confirmed, the students reacted only positively before settling down to do their work.

By the time Emma and Regina met up at lunch time, both were smiling broadly at how well everyone had responded to their news. They supposed they shouldn't be surprised as Ruby and Elsa's relationship status had been public ever since the New Year and neither woman had been subjected to derogatory comments. But it still pleased them to know that their colleagues and their students were happy for them.

"Are you meeting Archie this afternoon?" Emma asked as she tucked into a healthy portion of lasagne, the one food Ruby's grandmother could actually cook well.

"Yes," Regina nodded. "What a fun free period that will be. Luckily I'm up-to-date on my lesson plans so at least I won't have to work tonight."

"Are you going to tell him about, you know," Emma said, gesturing to Regina's stomach.

"Yes," the brunette said. "I know it's early on but I have to talk to someone about it."

"You can talk to me," Emma said.

"I know that," Regina nodded. "But you're dealing with the same emotions I am when it comes to this baby. You need to be thinking about yourself just as much as I am thinking about myself and I don't think it would be fair to burden you with my internal conflicts too."

"I'm dealing ok," Emma replied.

"Have you thought any more about coming to see Archie with me?" Regina asked.

"No," Emma said.

"No you haven't thought about it or no you won't come?"

"The former," Emma replied. "I've been thinking about you, not me. I'll get around to that later."

Regina sighed and leaned over the table to grasp Emma's hand. "Emma, this isn't all about me. You've always had to be the strong one in this relationship. I know I can always rely on you for anything and I don't know how I would have made it through the past few months without you. But I also know you need support in this too. I might be the one carrying this baby but my pregnancy will impact us both. You don't have to be strong all the time, dear. We can lean on each other."

"I … I don't want you to deal with all my shit too," Emma shrugged.

"That's what couples do," Regina reminded the blonde gently. "Deal with each other's problems as a team. Together."

"Ok," Emma said, her voice quiet.

"Ok what?"

"I'll go to see Archie but … is it ok if I go on my own? At least at first."