Reset

“I care,” Emma said softly, “you should come to physical therapy with me this afternoon, see a professional.”

“Oh yes, because there’s a line to assist the Evil Queen,” Regina’s laugh was cut short by Emma squeezing a muscle knot.

“Well if you won’t get professional help then you’ll have to tell me when it gets this bad because I can’t believe you’re still able to turn your neck from side to side,” Emma muttered.

Regina moaned softly and lolled her head forward again in pleasure.

“Regina, promise me,” Emma said.

“Mm-hmm,” Regina said dismissively.

Emma paused her movements and Regina let out a disappointed sigh.

“Regina,” Emma took the brunette’s head and tilted it up so she could look straight down into Regina’s eyes, “promise me that when it’s this bad you’ll tell me.”

Regina looked up at Emma looking down at her intently with such warmth and kindness in her eyes and she simply nodded, “I promise.”

Grace bashed at a rattle toy that was hanging above her and giggled loudly and both women looked up in shock. Emma belatedly realised that she was still holding Regina’s shoulders and let go of the older woman as Regina stood up and approached Grace.

“Noisy,” Regina admonished her with a smile.

Grace looked up at her with a cheeky face and kicked at the rattle again and Emma came over to stand beside Regina, “Henry’s noisy too.. and I had nothing to do with this one.. so that must be down to you,” she smiled.

Regina looked at her and raised her eyebrow, “you have nothing to do with this one? I beg to disagree, you spend nearly as much time with her as I do.”

Emma nodded her agreement and then looked up at Regina to reply but the words got caught in her throat as they stared at each other. It was impossible to tell who moved first but suddenly Regina’s hand was tentatively in contact with Emma’s cheek and Emma’s hand found Regina’s hip and pulled her gently closer as they leaned closer and closed their eyes allowing their lips brushed together.

Regina’s eyes flew open at the same time that Emma’s did and they studied each other’s facial expression for any sign of rejection before simultaneously smiling and both leaning in to kiss again, this time a little longer and with a little more promise but still cautious and timid.

Small closed mouth kisses followed as they more firmly held each other with Regina’s hand threading its way into Emma’s hair and Emma’s hand rising to fit snugly on Regina’s side and hold her reassuringly.

They stopped kissing and rested their foreheads against each other with their eyes tightly closed so as not to break the moment.

A small beep from Emma’s watch sounded in the room and Emma jumped back and she looked at her watch to confirm that she was right, “I.. I have to go, I have my physical therapy appointment,” she looked at Regina with regret.

Regina nodded, “I.. I’ll be here when you get back,” she tried a brave smile but only managed half of one, “we’ll talk then,” she promised.

Emma nodded and looked from Regina to Grace and then around the room in confusion before nodding, “right, yes, okay.. I’ll.. I’ll see you soon..”

Grace gurgled and kicked the rattle again with a happy smile.

Chapter 73

Emma laid on the firm bed and sighed as Mark, her physical therapist, straightened her leg and held it firmly in position.

“Ow,” Emma complained.

“You’re not doing your home exercises,” Mark guessed.

“I’m doing some of them,” Emma complained, “ow!”

“Emma, you could be out of here in ten weeks if you attended all your sessions and followed your home plan but as it is now you’re putting too much pressure on your weak leg and pushing your recovery back rather than forward,” Mark told her as he lowered her leg back into its resting position.

“It hurts,” Emma grumbled.

Mark looked down at her with suspicion, “I’ve not known you very long but I don’t think you’re the kind of person who worries too much about something hurting. And.. I hate to do this to you but..” he sighed and leaned on the side of the bed, “if you don’t show some improvement I’m gonna have to tell Miss Mills the next time she calls.”

Emma opened her mouth in shock, “you told her I missed that session!”

“Damn right I did,” Mark laughed, “she’s the Evil Queen, she is much scarier than you are.”

“I have a gun,” Emma reminded him.

Mark raised an eyebrow and stared at her as he intonated, “Evil. Queen.”

“I could arrest you,” Emma pointed out.

“For helping you overcome a debilitating injury?” Mark laughed.

She narrowed her eyes at him, “you just watch your speed next time you’re driving through town.”

Mark laughed, “seriously though, take more of an interest in these sessions and your home exercises and we can get you mended and then you’ll never need to see me again,” he winked.

“Great,” Emma quipped, “are we done now?”

“Why the hurry today? Got a hot date?” Mark joked as he took her leg and bent it again and started to massage it through her leggings.

“No!” Emma denied and started to blush.

Mark paused and a big grin covered his face, “you do, you have a date!”