Chapter 2
When I got home in the evening, I flopped down on my bed and sighed in contentment. A perfect day spent with Regina.
I didn't know when Regina would text me back. I got a second phone with a separate number since Regina asked for my number. But as I was working out for the evening I heard my second phone go off.
Regina- Hey, It's Mayor Mills. I know this is silly, but did you send me roses today? I thought I'd take a chance and send you a text.
Me- Yes, I did. Hello, I hope I didn't alarm you.
Regina- Well, thank you. They were lovely. You didn't, by the way.
Me- You are very welcome. So, what is your intention with this?
Regina- Better question, what's yours?
Me- Fair enough, me first.. I hope to win your heart, Regina.
Regina- … I don't know how to respond to that.
Me- I'm not expecting you to fall for me right away, darling. I just… I hope to be worth your time. And, eventually, I hope to tell you who I am and take you on a date.
Regina- Let's hope you're not crazy.
Me- I promise, I'm not. But don't take my word for it, let me show you in time.
For two excruciating minutes I watched the typing bubbles appear, disappear, then reappear. I groaned, and put my head in my hands. This wasn't going as well as I had hoped.
Regina- All right, I'll let you try. Can I ask you a few questions about yourself?
Me- Of course! Fire away!
Regina- Are you a man or a woman?
Me- I'm female… Is that a dealbreaker?
Regina- No, it actually explains a lot. I don't know any men in Storybrooke that would've acted like this.
Me- … Thanks?
Regina- You're welcome. Next question. How old are you?
Me- I'm in my twenties. Again, dealbreaker?
Regina- Concerning. Not necessarily a dealbreaker.
Me- Concerning?
Regina- The age gap… but if we can make it work I'm not opposed.
Me- Regina, I promise, this isn't some fetish. You are genuinely the most beautiful woman I have ever laid my eyes on, and I intend to treat you like my Queen.
Regina- Well, that's sweet.
Me- This is around the time I would eat dinner. It's too bad I can't take you out to dinner.
Regina- I wouldn't be able to, anyhow. My son…
Me- I wouldn't be opposed to bringing him along if need be :)
Regina- Wouldn't that kill the mood?
Me- Any date with you would be perfect, even if Henry were present.
Regina- You are too sweet.
Me- Oh, I'm sorry, dear, I can tone it down if you'd like.
Regina- No, no, no! I meant that in a good way!
Me- Then I can continue ;)
Regina- You know, to be honest, I thought you were my assistant. The day after she comes into town, I get a secret admirer? But she brought me roses of my own, (yellow ones, friend zoned) and the numer isn't hers.
Me- Are you disappointed that I'm not her?
Regina- No.
I had been eating dinner while I texted her, and when I finished and washed my dishes, I went to my room and grabbed my pajamas.
Me- So, beautiful, can I ask YOU something?
Regina- Sure
Me- Do you have a significant other, currently?
Regina- Of course not, or I wouldn't be texting you.
Me- True, but more importantly, are you willing to make room for me if I win you over?
Again, excruciating silence as I changed into pajamas and washed my face, then slid between the sheets of my- for the first time- lonely bed.
Regina- Yes.
Such a simple response, but it had me squealing in delight.
Me- Well, as much as I would love to chat you up all night, I know you need your sleep, and I'd hate to be the reason that you are sleepy at work tomorrow.
Regina- You're right, I should get to sleep. Goodnight, mystery girl.
Me- Sleep well, Regina. I'll send more flowers tomorrow.
I sighed in contentment, set my phone on my nightstand, and curled up in bed. Tonight, I slept like a baby.
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The next morning, after my morning routine, and after I had uploaded a reaction video for the day, unwilling to give my fans the satisfaction of knowing more about Regina, I stopped off to get Regina more flowers. This time, I got her lilies. When I walked into her office, she was focused on whatever was on her phone, so I set the bouquet down on her desk in front of her.
"Good morning, Mayor Mills," her eyes snapped up and gasped at the lilies. "Your mystery man has sent you more flowers."
"Actually, it's my mystery woman," She smiled, and sniffed at the flowers again. "These are so beautiful."
"Since you know her gender, I'm assuming you texted her last night," pretending to be excited is pretty easy when you're already excited, "How did it go?"
"Oh, it was all right," she sighed and I was upset that I didn't give her enough, "She was so sweet and adoring and, I mean, the whole time I was just…" she sighed in contentment.
"Then why only 'all right'?" I brought her tea.
"Thank you, dear," she took a sip. "It's just… I want to know who she is. What if I never find out?"
"Maybe she's just waiting to get you to fall for her first," I reasoned. "She's probably just shy."
She read the note attached to the flowers, then held it to her chest and smiled with her eyes closed. "Is it completely ridiculous that I'm so into her already?"
"Not at all," I assured her, "She's very sweet. If there's chemistry, don't deny it just because it hasn't been long."
"She looked at her phone and gasped. "She sent me a song. It's called Turning Page. Should I listen?"
"If it's not explicit, play it," I told her,
She did, and I watched her carefully as she listened. She leaned back against her chair dreamily. "This girl is… well, for one, she's very forward."
"Is that bad?" my heart raced.
"It's… refreshing, actually," She straightened up in her chair. "We need to get some work done, though. What's on the agenda for today?"
Working with Regina was amazing. The work itself was incredibly boring, I'm basically a calendar app with legs, but being with Regina all day made it worth it. Then, in the evening, I would work out, shower, then text Regina while I ate dinner and until bed.
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One night, I was editing a video for youtube when my phone rang. I debated answering for a moment, but at the last second decided to answer.
"Dad?" I continued editing the last few bits, refusing to pause my life. "What do you want?"
"Hello, sweetie, I'm doing well, thanks for asking," he chuckled while I huffed. "I can't just say hi?"
"With you, there's always something," I finished editing and saved the video. "What is it this time?"
"We have social media down here, too, you know," He scolded me. "I wanna know where you are. From the pictures I've seen, you could be in Sherwood Forest for all I know."
"Oh, yeah, Dad, I'm just chillin' with Robin and his Merry Men," I said sarcastically, Uploading my video of the day for my channel. "I moved to Maine."
"Maine? I thought you'd prefer a bigger city," he said.
"I wanted to find myself a small town," I walked away from my laptop to my kitchen. Nothing good in the fridge. "I hate having people show up to my house every day."
"Well, I'd like to know where you are, if you won't just stop throwing your tantrum and come home," he sighed, "Besides, you know you could get rid of those stalkers with a wave of your hand."
"I don't want to hurt my fans, that's stupid," I said "And I'm in Storybrooke, but you'd better not follow me."
"Storybrooke?" He seemed alarmed. "How did you get there?"
"I… drove…?" I'd have to go to Granny's, I didn't have anything good to eat.
"You're more powerful than I thought," He mused. "Just breaking through a Dark Curse like that."
"Wait. There's a curse on Storybrooke? The curse?" I almost dropped my phone.
"Yes," He said. "You didn't recognize anyone? From the Enchanted Forest?"
Understanding dawned on me. "So, everyone I know here…"
"Isn't themselves," he confirmed. "And the Dark One is there. If you weren't your father's daughter, I would be worried."
"I think I can handle that little imp," I smiled to myself, picturing everything I'd do to him if he ever laid his hands on my Regina, then took a deep breath. I couldn't go dark. I wasn't my father. "But I won't need to. He's heavily sedated."
"You're a month or two from the date the prophesied curse breaking day," He warned. "You might think it's a quiet little town now, but when they wake up, it's going to be a bloodbath."
"I'll make sure to get out of here when that happens," I assured him.
"You're always welcome to come back down here," He pressed.
"Dad, I have no interest in going down to that hellhole," I rolled my eyes and got my purse together. "I gotta go, Dad. I need to eat dinner."
"All right, just be careful," He said.
"I always am," I hung up. I wasn't going to do the I love you dance today.
Me: Hey, honey. Nothing good in the fridge. Headed to Granny's, and I have an idea. Wanna go out on a date with me?
Regina: Wouldn't that blow your cover?
Me: Not necessarily. We both go to Granny's, have a seat, I could be anyone.
Regina: But Henry…
Me: Bring him along. I won't be sitting with you. I'm paying. What do you say?
Regina: Yes.
Me: See you at 6.
Regina: I'll… I won't see you, see you but… I'll be there.
I jumped up to get dressed and made up. I put on a blood red A- line dress that ended just above my knees. Over it, I added a cropped leather jacket. Black stilettos, black pearl necklace, matching earrings, and, of course, my second phone.
I arrived at Granny's at 5:55, and settled at the counter. I informed Ruby that I would be paying Regina's check, and that she was not to know it was me, and then ordered the Lasagna and sweet tea. I couldn't afford to drink tonight.
Regina walked in at exactly six o'clock in a Royal blue dress. She hung her coat on the rack, and led Henry to her usual spot, on the other side of the counter from me. Perfect. I had the best view of her. Now I just needed a way to not make it too obvious that I was here for her.
Luckily, Dr. Whale walked into the diner before Regina got a chance to look around for me.
"Dr. Whale!" I waved to him. "How are you?"
"I'm well, and yourself?" he sat down between me and Regina.
"Great. I couldn't find anything at home I wanted, so I thought I'd head here,"
"No date?" he seemed shocked.
"Sort of?" I replied.
"What do you mean?" He smiled, clearly thinking I meant him.
"I've been texting the woman I'm in love with for a couple months now anonymously," I explained. "We're on a date now, but she doesn't know who I am."
"Then why are you letting me sit here?" He asked.
"If she sees me sitting all by myself, she might figure it out," I peek over his shoulder, where Regina was looking around Granny's with a frown, then she got out her phone.
"So let me get this straight," he rolled his eyes and smiled. "You want me to sit here and pretend we're on a date?"
"Please?" I smiled back. "I'll pay."
"All right," he rolled his eyes, and called over Ruby to order.
"Thank you," I whispered, then went back to watching Regina.
Regina: No one's sitting by themselves. Are you standing me up?
Me: Of course not, I got someone to sit with me. You think I'd make it that easy for you? Also, you look lovely in Royal Blue.
Regina: You're not on a date, are you? I'm a jealous type.
Me: Don't worry, honey. He's fully aware that it's not a date.
She smiled to herself, and then her food arrived. She held her fork in one hand and her phone in the other. I tried to eat and watch her at the same time.
Regina: This is hands down the weirdest date I've ever been on.
Me: Sorry, I just… I can't risk you finding out and being disappointed.
Regina: I understand. But… you've already caught my attention. I already like you. Much more than I care to admit. Why still hide?
Me: Your mind could change.
Regina: I'm not so sure it can.
I watched her as I finished my meal. She was almost done.
Me: Are we doing dessert tonight?
Regina: Yes, then I need to get Henry to bed.
Me: I wish we could do more. I'd give anything to be brave enough to walk you home.
Regina: Someday, you will be. And on that day, I will be waiting.
The rest of dessert passed quietly, and I couldn't stop myself.
Me: I love you, Regina. Have a good night.
Regina: I will, thank you.
I could see the wild grin on her face, and I paid the check. I walked out with Whale at my heels.
"How did it go?" He asked when we reached my car.
I leaned against the door and sighed. "It was perfect."
"I'm glad," And he suddenly got very close to me. "Don't hit me. She's coming out."
"Not on a first date," I said and lightly pushed him away. "I had fun, Whale. Thanks for coming out with me tonight."
"Maddie!" Regina walked over as Whale walked away. "Were you on a date with Whale?"
"Oh, no," I said. "He walked in and I struck up a conversation."
She looked like she was onto me. "Just like that?"
"I had to go to the hospital earlier this week," I explained. Not a lie, I did go in for a checkup. "We were just talking about that then got sidetracked. I was hoping to spend the night alone for some quiet time."
"Are you all right?" she asked in shock. Even though it probably wasn't anything more than professional, my heart soared at her concern.
"Oh, yes, I just pulled a muscle a while back. It makes dancing complicated, but I'm good to go now," I smiled. "Out with your son?"
"No," she smiled. "Mystery girl was in there somewhere. We went out on a date."
"Oh, that's amazing Regina!" I grabbed her hands. "How did it go?"
"I think it went well?" She sighed. "The most ridiculous date ever."
"I'm sorry," I said quietly. "Soon, you'll figure out who she is and you can have a real date."
"It wasn't that bad," she said. "It was just weird not getting to see her."
It was very cold out, and I could see Henry was itching to get home. I looked around and didn't see her car. They walked here. "Hey, do you guys want a ride home?" I offered. "It's super cold."
Regina smiled warmly at me. "That would be great, thank you."
We piled in the car and I drove to her mansion, which was on the same street as mine. "I hope we didn't delay your trip home too much," Regina said when I pulled up to her door.
"Oh, no," I laughed. "My house is just five doors down."
"Oh really?" Her eyebrows shot up. "Well, goodnight then."
"Goodnight Regina. Goodnight, Henry." I smiled and drove home.
I fell onto my bed with a contented sigh. I got a few texts from my dad while I was gone about returning home, avoiding Gold and his apprentice, but I couldn't be bothered with that now. I just went on a date with Regina Mills. My dad could wait.