Chapter Text
Emma Marie swan mills loved married life. After far too many years of countless, pointless relationships, arguments and denials of any feelings towards each other, besides either hatred of friendship, the pair had finally stopped ignoring their gut and now the swan mills family were truly living out their happily ever after together, with their son at 108 Mifflin street. Their perfect family home. Emma was sheriff. Which, admittedly wasn’t such a strenuous job but she enjoyed it, and of course the occasional free bear claws from ruby made it worth her while. Regina, being her usual regal self, was mayor and Henry was in high school. Now being fully content with his life as he had his family together.
After the two had admitted true love and finally decided to screw everything else and be together, everything seemed to be calm and safe in storybrooke (which was certainly a first) but nobody was complaining. All was well, and even though the pair seemed to have everything they could ever possibly want, the past six months caused Emma to be doubtful. Regina had lost an assistant and was far too picky to even try and choose a new one that she trusted to be up to the same standard and was capable of doing everything she required as the queen of the realms. She was stuck doing everything at the office.
So, more hours at the office equals fewer hours spent at home. Which her wife truly detested. It didn’t stay off this way of course, at first they made it work, Regina would work later than usual but always made sure to be home by the time Henry was off to bed so that he and Emma could relax together and watch a movie before falling asleep in each other’s arms. Emma would bring takeout to Regina's office on her lunch so they could eat grilled cheese and salad together like old times. However, in more recent months this had worsened. Emma started getting calls from Regina being home even later... these eventually turned to short texts. then escalated to calling up and canceling lunches. She would be gone before Emma could wake up and kiss her good morning, and wound the return until Emma had got sick of waiting up so she ended up going to bed without her. but today.. today pushed Emma over the edge.
The soulmates’ five year wedding anniversary fell on July the fifth and Emma felt ecstatic. She had a warmth in her tummy that made her think, regardless of this distance that had been sitting between them, Regina would make it all better today. And even just that one day of pure bliss with the love of her life would allow her to handle the rest of things that got thrown at her. Therefore, Emma let it slide that Regina never mentioned it when they woke, assuming there would be surprise plans in the afternoon or evening. A call to inform her of reservations never came, so Emma arranged something on her own and simply called Regina to ensure she would be home in time. Not Rowling her why as she assumed Regina already knew and would stay true to her guarantee of finishing work at 6. She had promised she’d be home on time.
So Emma laid out vanilla and cinnamon candles, scattered rose petals along almost every inch of their floor, even ran a bubble bath with Regina’s classic lavender scent, she bought Regina’s favorite champagne and even played classy music Regina loved. Also paired with an extremely sexy but very uncomfortable outfit Emma wore for her especially. Cooking Regina's famous lasagne for 7. She waited... and waited and.. yes.. waited. Leaning against the counter, then moving to the dining table, then eventually her back tired so she relaxed on the couch, nursing a glass of wine. What felt like a boulder of anticipation weighed down on her stomach as she watched the seconds on the clock tick by. Until eventually... midnight rolled around. a small, stray tear escaped down the blondes cheek.... she knew. So she blew out the candles, turned off the music, poured away the wine. And put a robe over an outfit she felt ridiculous in but would have worn for her wife. Just as she fell to her knees and began to gather the rose petals into a trash bag with tears spilling down her cheeks. She heard the door, click.