Emma and I walked through the crowds of people in California Adventure. She lead the way, pulling me close behind her. She obviously knew where she was going and then a thought occurred to me. "Hey Emma, have you been here before?" I asked. Emma stopped and looked at me, pulling her bottom lip between her teeth. "I came here four years ago for a fun trip that one of my foster moms planned for me. She was the only one of the foster moms I had that actually cared for me. One day she asked me if she could adopt me. I of course said yes, but that was before she went all crazy and pushed me in front of a car and saying I needed to use my magic to save myself." She explained. "Oh." I said slightly surprised that her almost mother knew about magic. We continued walking and finally we were in Cars land. I've never seen the movies, but this whole little town of what Emma calls Radiator Springs is so cool. It's like walking right into an animated movie. I looked around in awe, Emma no longer pulling me but now walking by my side, our fingers still tangled together. "Pretty cool huh?" Emma asked with a smile and I nodded. "I've never seen anything like it, I mean it all looks so real!" I said. Emma giggled. We walked around the small town, admiring all the details. The Cozy Cone motel had a different snack shop in each cone, the V8 gas station was a diner... And then we got to the end of the road and I looked up at the huge mountain in front of me. "You ready to go on the ride?" Emma asked. I smiled with a nod, and she lead us over to the line, which luckily wasn't very long. "We lucked out. The last time I was here, I had to wait three hours to get on this ride." She said and I chuckled. "Must be fun then." I said. "Oh it is. And don't worry, I promise there isn't anything scary about this ride." She said with a smile and gave my hand a light squeeze. After a few more minutes of standing in line, we were finally climbing into funny looking cars that had facial features. Emma and I sat up in the front of the car, while another couple sat in the back. The lap bar went down over our laps, but this time, I didn't push it down any further than Emma did, because I trusted her, that this ride wasn't crazy like Space Mountain. Emma smiled at me and gently grabbed my hand which was resting on my thigh. "Let's promise not to grab the handle bars at all." She said with a smirk. I hesitated for a moment before agreeing to Emma's promise. She didn't let go of my hand which I didn't mind and the ride started to move. All the animatronics were so cool and according to Emma, we were going through different scenes in the movie. The ride was slow and fun. Emma's favorite part was when the huge angry combine chased us, and I have to admit I enjoyed that too. Then we entered a room where these smaller cars shined up our car and then a mirror appeared to show us. Right before we left the room, one of the cars said "now it's on to the race. Good luck." And I turned my head to look at Emma nervously. She smiled at me and gave my hand a reassuring squeeze. "It will be fine I promise." She said and her smile and reassurance helped me relax. After a minute, we were side by side with another car and before I knew it, we were speeding down the race track racing against the car that was next to us. I had to admit it was fun. You could see all of radiator springs below. Emma threw up her hands, pulling my hand that was still in hers up too. I smiled and threw my other arm up in the air and when the last bit of the ride ended with three huge dips, Emma and I screamed childishly, our arms still in the air. When the ride finally ended, we were both laughing. "I have to admit, that was a lot of fun!" I said as we got out of our car. "See, I told ya!" She said nudging my arm with her elbow teasingly. We walked hand in hand out of Cars Land together and slowly walked around the rest of the park. "See any other rides that interest you?" She asked me. I scanned the park and caught sight of a large bear shaped mountain perturbing out from the center of the park. My curiosity got the best of me and I pulled Emma towards it and to the entrance of the ride. Emma looked at me with a goofy grin, her eyes full of excitement. "Your finally getting into the spirit of this whole roller coaster thing." She said "come on let's go, before you change your mind, this one is one of my favorite rides." She added and pulled me into the line. Once we were finally on the last leg of the ride, I noticed the people who were coming off the ride soaked. I glared at Emma who smirked back at me. "You said you wanted to go on this ride, there's no backing out now." I groaned playfully, and then it was our turn to go out onto the spinning wood platform and climb into one of the huge tube things. The seats were already soaked with water, which I hated, but I did choose this ride and there's no backing out now. Emma and I sat next together, and we buckled the straps over our chest while the other 6 people got in. Once we were all buckled, we were already beginning to go up the huge mountain. The chains that were pulling us along making loud clunking noises. When we finally reached the top the chained conveyor belt pushed us into the water. "We aren't on tracks are we." I said concerned. Emma gave me a devilish smirk. "Nope, it's just like a real river raft ride, you have no idea which direction your going to end up facing." She said playfully. I put my hands on the white circular handle bar in front of us, as everyone else did the same. Emma placing her hand on top of mine. The next thing I knew, we were spinning down the side of the mountain, water splashing in our faces, which I had to admit felt good after being under the hot California sun all day. By the time the ride was over, Emma and I were both completely soaked because on the last drop we were facing backwards which meant we got drenched. We got out of the ride and went to the huge driers after I grabbed my purse from the cubby. After drying off, I looked at the time. "We should probably get something to eat since we haven't had breakfast yet and it's already almost 3pm" I said and Emma's eyes went wide. "It's 3 o'clock already?" Emma asked in surprise and I nodded. We walked around and found a food shack not too far away from the bear ride. Emma and I shared a soft pretzel with cheese. It wasn't exactly food, more like a snack, but I'm guessing Emma didn't want to eat much since she didn't want to be barfing on the next ride we went on. We sat on a bench and ate the pretzel quietly before throwing the paper the now consumed pretzel was in. I grabbed Emma's hand and we lazily walked around the park, trying to decide which ride to go on, and that's when she got an evil smirk on her face before dragging me off in some unknown direction. When she finally stopped, I looked at the sign for the ride we were about to enter the line for. A worried look came over my face, but Emma pulled me into the line before I had much time to think.
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I knew that if I told Regina what ride we were going on next, she would have freaked out and totally chickened out. I stopped in front of the line entrance so she could have at least some warning about what ride this was. She got a worried look on her face and she looked at me but I pulled her into the line so she wouldn't have much time to think about how scary this ride could possibly be. We were seated next to each other of course and we buckled up the nylon straps before pulling the chest bar over our heads. Regina looked at me nervously, but I gave her a reassuring smile and the next thing I knew we were blasting up the tracks of the coaster. I looked at Regina who had a terrified look on her face and I laughed. As the coaster's momentum built up and the faster we went, the louder everyone's screams became, but Regina was too terrified and although her mouth was open, nothing came out. When the ride finally stopped, Regina was shaking, and a few tears stained her cheeks. I picked her up out of her seat bridal style, knowing there was no possible way she would be able to walk down the ramp by herself. I carefully grabbed her bag out of the cubby, and carried her down the ramp and set her down on a bench in front of the ride. She hadn't said a word to me, and I'm scared she's mad at me. I sit down next to her and pull her still trembling body close to mine. "I'm so so sorry." I whispered over and over in her ear. After a few minutes, she wrapped her arms around me, before sitting up. "It's okay Emma, just please, never again." She said and I smiled, happy that she wasn't angry with me. I nodded and threw my arms around my neck. "Why don't we just walk around the park for a while and not go on any rides. Maybe look in a couple gift shops?" I suggested, and Regina's beautiful smile reappeared on her face. I stood up and offered my hand to her. She took it gratefully and I pulled her up off the bench. We walked around the lake and back towards the entrance of the park, since that's where the best gift shops were although, we ended up going to the candy store instead and ended up getting a giant Mickey Mouse shaped lollipop for the both of us. "Save that for later dear, we have dinner reservations in a half an hour." Regina said looking down at the time on her phone. I nodded and handed her the lollipop so she could put it in her purse. We sat down on a bench together, watching all the little kids and their parents roan and run around excitedly. I smiled at the kids, they were adorable, and I guess I've always sort of wanted kids, but I'd never be a good enough mother. "Do you want kids?" Regina asked and that's when I noticed her staring happily at me. I shrugged. "I guess, I mean yeah, I'd love kids, but I'm just not the motherly type." I said. We were silent for a few minutes before Regina spoke again. "I'm sure you'd make a fine mother someday Emma." She said kindly and gently placed her hand on my knee. I sighed and rested my head on her shoulder. "Yeah, maybe someday." I mumbled and we continued to watch the world go bye in silence. "Alright dear, I don't know about you but I'm starving and the restaurant I picked for your birthday dinner is said to be one of the best places to eat here." She said with a smile getting up from the bench and putting her purse over her shoulder. I got up and walked next to each other. Surprisingly, the restaurant was right across the small street from us. I looked up at the sign above the building which read 'the Carthay Circle." Regina held the door open and gestured me to walk in. I stepped inside, noticing how elegant it was and suddenly feeling very underdressed. We walked up to the waitress and she smiled at us. "Reservations for Mills." Regina said politely. "Yes, follow me." The waitress said. She lead us up a very nice wooden staircase which opened up to a second floor of very fancy decor and nicely set tables with pristine white table cloths. We arrived at a small table just set up for the two of us and Regina and I took our seats across from each other. "My name is Jenny, I'll be your waitress tonight." She said handing us the menus. "If there is anything I can do for you, just let me know." She said with a smile before walking away. I looked around the restaurant, and noticing that other than us, there was just one other family eating at this somewhat early hour. "Wow Regina, I think this is the fanciest restaurant I've ever been to." I said in awe at my surroundings. Regina giggled. "Get used to it dear, we only have two places to eat in Storybrooke, a Diner and a Restaurant similar to this one, and Diner's don't exactly make the best location for a romantic date night." She said with a smile and I blushed and giggled at her statement, but not exactly picking up on the hint. I picked up the menu and looked through it and immediately spotting what I wanted and put the menu back down. After another minute, the waitress returned to take are food and drink orders. "I'll have the bleu cheese burger with fries and a Dr. Pepper please." I said with a smile. Out if the corner of my eye I could see Regina roll her eyes playfully at my childish order. "I'll have Duck, fries as well with champagne please." She said also with a smile and handing the waitress the menu. "Wow, a burger, what a surprise." Regina said playfully. "Hey it's my birthday!" I pouted. Regina gently nudged my leg with her foot and glared at me playfully. "Your such a child Emma." She said. "Well maybe you just need to let your inner child out." I said with a smirk. she raised an eyebrow at me and crossed her arms over her chest. "Inner child? I think I've unleashed enough of that for today." She said with a grin. I rolled my eyes and took a sip of the Dr. Pepper the waitress had just set down in front of me. We don't say much until our food comes, both of us just enjoying the others company. The second my burger is placed down in front of me, I pick it up and bite into it hungrily. Regina chuckles as she picks up her fork and knife and began digging into her own meal. The fries were different from any other fries I've ever eaten and from what the waiter told me, in France, they double fry the potatoes and that's how real french fries are supposed to be made, but all the fast food places only fry them once. They were the best fries I've ever eaten, and judging by the look on Regina's face, I think she could agree with me on that.

After an amazing dinner with the best food I've ever eaten, it was beginning to get dark outside. "I have one more birthday surprise for you." Regina said with a grin. She brought two tickets from out of her purse and handed them to me. "Oh my gosh! The world of color show! I so wanted to see this the last time I was here!" I said excitedly. Regina giggled and grabbed my hand and we walked over to the lake where the show would be once it got dark.
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I know Emma and I aren't actually dating, but the way this whole day has gone with the holding hands, the hugging, the playfulness, it almost feels like we are.

You've only known each other for barely 48 hours! Regina what the hell are you thinking! You can't actually have fallen for her so quickly!

But I did. I sighed at my current predicament. We both of course knew that we had both "been" with other women before, but it was just for the sex. But this time, it just felt different. Almost like we had this secret connection with each other, and maybe that's because of the whole fairytale thing, but whatever it is, I'm happy. Happier than I had ever been with Daniel or anyone else. I took a deep breath and rested my head on Emma's shoulder. "What's on your mind?" Emma asked my quietly as we watched the sun sink behind the tall building of the California Grand Hotel. I sighed, not exactly sure how to word it. "These last couple of days have made me happier than any of the days I ever spent with Daniel." I said with a smile. Emma turned to face me and I lifted my head off her shoulder and looked directly into her beautiful aqua eyes. "And you Regina, have made me happier than I have ever been in my entire life. For the first time I can actually trust someone and just be myself without you judging me. You've done more for me than everyone else I've ever met combined. You didn't have to do all of this, I would have been happy just to spend time with you doing nothing at all, but you did this for me because you care, and that is the best birthday present I could ever receive." She said with a huge smile, and I realized I had tears falling onto my cheeks as she said those words, those genuine selfless words that I've never heard before. Emma wiped away my tears and kissed my forehead gently. "I never want to lose this, lose you." Emma said quietly and a blush spread across her face and she looked down in embarrassment. "And I D to want to lose you either Emma." I said sincerely. She looked up into my eyes, tears beginning to appear in hers. Right at that moment, we heard a loud noise, and the next thing I knew, huge colorful spouts of water were shooting up from the lake, and off in the corner, a mist of water shot up, obscuring the view of the hotel behind it, then images began to be projected up onto the water, and different characters started singing and dancing and the shoots of the water moved in time to the music. "Wow!" Emma gasped at the sight before us. I had to admit, I was not expecting it to be this amazing. Emma rested her head on my shoulder and I rested my head on top of hers and we watched the water show in silence until all the water had dropped back into the lake, and the colorful lights disappeared. "Wow Regina, thank you, this has been, by far, the best birthday present ever." She said happily as we made our way towards the exit as the park was closing. I squeezed her hand gently and smiled at her. "Of course dear, you deserved it." She smiled back at me before returning her gaze to the sidewalk in front of her.

How could such a sweet beautiful girl like Emma never had found a home?
If I had met her sooner when she was younger, I would have adopted her myself, but now... Now?

I sighed deep in thought as we made our way to the taxi cab. "Regina is something bothering you?" Emma stopped walking and turned towards me. "No dear, I'm fine." I sighed knowing I had no reason to hide anything from the blonde. "Don't you dare lie to me." Emma said sternly, and I smiled, because she used another quote from the blind side. I took a deep breath and looked at the ground. Emma grabbed both of my hands with hers, one inside of the other. "Hey." Emma said quietly. I looked up to meet her eyes which were full of concern, and something that I hadn't seen in a really long time in anyone else's eyes. Love. I smiled weakly at her and she returned the smile. "Now, tell me what's bothering you Regina." She said calmly. "I'm conflicted." I answered and Emma looked at me confused. "About what?" She asked. "You." I said just barely audible. "Me?" Emma looked at me still confused. I bit my lip and nodded. "But why me? I thought we were having a good time." Emma said sadly. "And we are Emma, it's just..." I took in a deep breath and closed my eyes. "I just don't know what to do about...us, I mean I know we only met a couple of days ago but I've never felt so open so carefree around anyone else before and being around you, being with you it just feels-" "right." Emma cuts me off with a smile. I nodded, my gaze locked on hers. Her smile grew even bigger, her eyes full of love. She slowly closed the gap between us and wrapped her arms around my neck. I didn't know what to do, so I just stood completely still. Emma giggled, and brought her arms down from around my neck and gently grabbed my hands and placed them on her hips. "It's okay Regina." She said with a very reassuring smile. I smiled back, still not knowing what to do, but feeling a little bit more comfortable about our current situation. She wrapped her arms around me once more and took a few steps forward so that her body was flush with mine. "Thank you for the best birthday present ever, Regina." Emma said sweetly, before slowly closing the small remaining gap between us. Her lips lightly brushed against mine, and it sent shivers right down my spine. I couldn't take it anymore, I needed her. I closed my eyes and gently pushed my lips onto hers. It was just a slow, tongueless kiss. Her plump pink lips were soft and warm on mine, and I had to do everything I could to keep myself from moaning. It was slow and passionate and totally different from any of the other kisses I've shared with so many others. Our lips seemed to mold together perfectly and the feeling of her lips on mine was electrifying. I slowly opened my eyes and pulled away, needing to fill my hungry lungs with air. My hands were still on her hips, her arms resting on my shoulders while her fingers twirled a lock of my hair between them. I closed my eyes and leaned my forehead on hers. "Happy birthday Em." I said not meaning to call her Em. She smiled up at me when she heard the nickname and whispered a quiet thanks before we began walking hand in hand once more to a cab that just happened to be waiting on the curb for us.