A Night We'll Never Remember

Chapter 10

Over the next few days Regina and I spent some time together. We walked the boardwalk, did some shopping and had dinner with Kat and her new husband Fred. At the end of the week Regina told me that she was leaving the next morning to go back to Storybrooke. She said she still hadn't heard anything from her lawyer yet so apparently we are still married and we are both still wearing our rings. I believe deep down we both really want to be together but there are so many things that could make that impossible. That next morning I drove her to the airport. We held hands as we walked through the airport. "I'm really gonna miss you Regina". I say to her as we reach her gate.  "I'll miss you too Emma but we can still talk and text. Plus you came home 3 days from now".  "Yeah I know but I've pretty much seen you everyday for a week. It just won't be the same without you here".  She smiles and puts her arms around my neck. "I'll miss you just as much".   "Regina can I ask you something before you leave?"   "Sure go for it".   "What's gonna happen when we both get back home?  Do we pretend nothing ever happened here between us, or can we secretly meet and spend time together?  I'm not trying to push you into anything I just don't want to do the wrong thing".   "Well for now I suggest that we refrain from holding each other like this in public". She says with a little laugh and I smile. "But to answer your question I say we play things out as they happen. We know I could lose my job if the university finds out but there is no harm in us talking in public every now and then".  "Ok that I can deal with. One more question. Have you decided what you will do when you hear from your lawyer?  Do we get an annulment or a divorce once he figures out what we need?"  She doesn't look me in the eyes. "Honestly Emma I haven't thought about that. Maybe you can come over to my place and we can talk when I hear from him".  "Ok Regina that sounds fine". We hear the boarding call for her flight and we hug each other tight. "I guess I have to go".   "Yeah seems like it. I'll text you when I get back".  "Ok dear I promise I will".  We kiss each other and smile. "Enjoy your flight".  She smiles and gives me another kiss before she slowly walks away. I stand there and watch her walk off. I feel terrible because I know when I get home this will change and I'm almost positive that it won't be for the better.
As soon as our car passed the Welcome to Storybrooke sign I pulled out my phone and sent Regina a text. "Hey just wanted to let you know I just crossed the town line. I've missed you. I hope I can see you soon".  I can assume she saw my text because I seems like she's typing something in response because I see the little bubbles on my iPhone. They stop and start again but then they stop and I don't receive anything in return. Damn it. I don't text her again until the day before classes were supposed to start back up.  "Hey just wanted to check in. I haven't heard anything from you since we said goodbye at the airport in Atlantic City. I hope you are doing well. I'm just wondering if I should speak with someone about transferring out of your classes or if I should just show up to the class".  The text I get back is. "I'll see you in class Miss Swan please don't be late".   I don't send anything back I just get everything ready for the next morning.  I wake up the next morning and I'm more nervous than I've ever been. When I got home I moved my wedding ring to the opposite hand and my parents never asked anything about it. I left it there on the ring finger of my right hand instead of my left hand. I was to nervous to eat breakfast before I left for the first day back of classes. I just grabbed a few granola bars and a water then I left. I got there early so I just sat in my car and tried to calm down before my first class with, well my wife I guess I could say, only to myself that is. A few minutes before my first class was scheduled to begin I walked into Regina's room. She was sitting there at her desk. I walked up to her and said.  "Good morning Miss Mills. I hope you were able to enjoy the spring break".   "Hello Miss Swan. Yes thank you it was very nice. Nice to see you here on time".  Just then more people started to come into the room so I just took my seat. Regina went over a few things that we had learned before spring break and then told us what we would be doing for the rest of the year, then she let us read a few chapters of the latest book we had to dissect. I really do need to transfer out of these classes. Ruby was right I only took them for her. I do want to be a deputy like my dad one day but I also don't want to not see Regina a few times a week. I don't know what's going on with her. She knew I was back in town and she never answered my text. The least she could have said was 'I'm glad your back safely', but I got nothing. My first class ended and I had a little free time so I went to study a few things. When my last class with Regina came around I really didn't want to go but I had to. Ruby sat next to me as usual and she asked quietly. "So how are things going with the Mrs?"   "I have no idea Ruby she won't even look at me".   "I'm sorry Ems. I'm sure she's just scared to get in trouble".   "Yeah I know but this silence sucks".  When the class ends, Regina makes sure she gives us our assignments and as everyone starts to leave I hear. "Miss Swan could you please stay for a moment?"   "Yes ma'am".  I look over at Ruby and she shrugs her shoulders and says. "Sorry Ems. I hope it's not that bad. I'll see you at Granny's later?"    "Yeah ok".  She leaves along with everyone else and then it's just Regina and I in the room.  "Thank you for staying Emma. I'm sorry I haven't contacted you after you got back, I guess I really didn't know what to say".  "It's ok. I can understand. This thing between us is difficult".   "Yes it is".  She walks over to where I'm sitting and sits at the desk next to me. "I heard from my lawyer a few days ago and he sent me some papers to sign to end our marriage, then once those papers are filed we have to go through a 90 day probationary period just in case either one of us changes our minds and if we don't have any objections we can be legally divorced".  I just want to cry and scream out no please don't do this but I can't, so I just nod.  "Ok Miss Mills I will do anything you feel is necessary. I only want you to be happy". She doesn't cry but I can see her eyes water up. "Thank you Emma". She gets up and walks to her desk. She sits down and I decide to gather all my things and go to her desk. She pulls out a folder from her bag and pulls out the papers. "You can read these over if you like before you sign them. I read them the other night and it's just a simple disillusion of marriage".   I shake my head no and say. "It's fine Regina I trust you. If this is what you want I'll give it to you".  She looks sad but she shows me where to sign and I do. I don't want this but I want her to be happy.  "Ok I guess that's it. Thank you Emma".  She picks up her bag again and pulls out a box. "Here take these please".   I take the box and open it and it's her engagement ring and wedding ring.  I put the cover back on and put it on the desk.  I'm kinda pissed now so I say. "No. Absolutely not. I will not take these back. You can do whatever you want with them. I gave these to you because I wanted you to have them. Throw them in the garbage or the ocean or wherever you want but I will never take them back".  I grab my bag and say. "Goodbye Miss Mills".  I stormed out of the room and I didn't see her again until she contacts me 2 months later.