Shared Pain

Chapter 22

An alarm blared through the room, waking both Emma and Regina up at the same time.

Emma looked at her nightstand and turned off the alarm she'd set the previous day.

"Oh, Gosh, what time is it?" Regina asked with her eyes closed. Emma chuckled softly and yawned.

"Time to wake up. Come on," she said and wanted to actually get out of bed, but her tiredness took over.

"Why do we have to wake up? I assume that when Ruby got you this room, she didn't make you come home early to take care of the kids," Regina grumbled, but Emma stretched her limbs and groaned softly.

She looked at the brunette beside her who looked so adorably stunning, even in the morning.

"But I still have to go to work," Emma said, but scooted closer to Regina. "I did love last night."

Regina opened her eyes slowly and looked into the sparkly green ones.

"Me too," she whispered and kissed Emma tenderly. "That was our first time," she added proudly.

"And hopefully not the last," Emma said smugly and winked. "But I really gotta get dressed now. I can't jeopardize my job. It's already going to be much harder making ends meet without Killian's incomes and without a job I'll be totally hopeless."

"I'll always help you," Regina said as Emma got out of bed and started gathering her clothes.

"That's not necessary. You're without a job now too, so you need to focus on yourself."

Regina swallowed and nodded slowly. "Emma, I applied for a job opening at the new clothing store."

Emma immediately looked at Regina and cocked her head. "The one Killian ruined?"

"Yes," Regina softly replied and sat up straight in bed.

"Gina, that's great!" Emma exclaimed and sat down on the bed next to Regina. "Why do you look so surprised?"

"I don't know, I figured you wouldn't approve as that shop is what ruined Killian," she muttered and shrugged.

Emma intertwined her fingers with Regina's and squeezed the brunette's hand curtly.

"That shop isn't what ruined Killian. He was rotten all along, I just never saw it. I hope you get the job."

Regina smiled briefly and inhaled deeply. "Yeah, me too."

Emma pecked her cheek before she got up again and continued dressing herself up. "I gotta go home to get my work clothes before I go to work," Emma muttered.

"You still have a good hour left before you have to be there," Regina replied as she herself stepped out of bed too.

"But if I'm one minute late it'll cost me my job and you and I both know that's the last thing I need right now."

Regina nodded. She hoped Emma wasn't going to break down because of all the pressure that was put on her now.

The blonde had to take care of three kids, with one source of income. And even though Regina wanted to help, she knew Emma was hard to convince when it was about money and helping out.

They'd both dressed up before they paid for the room.

"I actually have to take care of some things, but I'll see you later?" Regina asked and Emma nodded confused as she watched the woman walk away.

Regina peeked over her shoulder and briefly waved at Emma, who still looked confused at the brunette. She continued walking to the new shop and inhaled deeply before she walked inside.