Not alone anymore

Chapter 25

When I walk into the house I hear Regina and her sister arguing. I put down my bag in the foyer and follow the voices into the kitchen. They are shouting back and forth at each other. Luckily they weren't fighting about me. I try to get them to stop so I yell out. "HEY. HEY". They stop and look over at me. "What the hell is going on in here?"   "Zelena is being such a bitch right now. First she wanted to help out with dinner, then she had the nerve to say everything that I was doing was wrong".  "It was Regina. Your not even following our grandmother's recipe".  "I added to it and I".  Regina started shouting again so I tried to stopped them, thankfully Regina stopped yelling.  "Alright what is this really all about?  Regina are you still angry with Zelena because of what she said to me?"  She didn't answer me, she just folded her arms across her chest. They are both so stubborn. "Ok ladies let's take a deep breath and see if we can work something out".  I walk over and rub Regina's back. "So what are you trying to make here?"  "It's our grandmother's secret family pasta sauce.  Zelena doesn't like that I'm trying to add to it".  "Regina Nonna had the best recipe, you can't just change it".   "I'm starting a new tradition. Deal with it".  I see something about to happen between them so I speak up quickly. "Alright calm down both of you. Regina what did you add to the sauce?"   "Just some sausage, and freako here goes crazy".  And boom more arguing.  "Ok stop.  I'm getting tired of this shit. There is nothing wrong with sausage being added to the sauce. Zelena if you don't want it then don't eat it. Is there anything else that needs to be done now?"   They both look at each other and say no at the same time.  "Good. Now either try to work together or just wrap up the sauce and we'll freeze it and try it another time and then we can go out to eat. What's it gonna be?"   Zelena says. "Let's go out to eat".  "Absolutely not. I've worked on this sauce all afternoon while your lazy ass laid in bed Zelena. Emma and I will eat this and you can go piss off. Isn't that what you Brits say now?"   "Damn it Regina I...".  I cut them both off again. Shit I'm kinda glad I didn't have any siblings. "STOP. We are now all going out to have dinner at Granny's and if either one of you don't like it we can all go our separate ways. How about that?"  The sisters give each other an evil look then agree to have dinner at Granny's.  Thank goodness because I'm so exhausted from getting up early, going to work and then having to come home to referee these two.  "I'm going up to take a shower. You two play nice".  I look at the stubborn sisters and just leave the kitchen. After I shower and get dressed I find them in the living room arguing over the tv show their watching. "Oh god what is happening with you guys?  Your driving me fucking crazy". Zelena says. "She started it".  "Like hell I did it was all you".  "SHUT UP!!!  I yell.  "I can't fucking listen to this anymore. I going to Granny's for dinner. You two are on your own. Try not to burn the god damn house down while I'm gone".  I turn around and stomp out of the living room. I grab my keys by the door and make sure I slam the door on my way out.  I get to Granny's and have a seat at the counter. Ruby comes over and asks. "What's going on with you this week Ems? Two days in a row you came in here after you leave from your shift."   "I had to get out of the house. Regina and her sister and fighting like little kids and I can't deal with that shit right now".  "That bad huh?"   "You have no idea. They're just yelling back and forth. I was home for about 45 minutes and as soon as I walked in I could hear them shouting. I finally got them to calm down and I went to shower. When I get back they are fighting again and I just blew up and left to come here for some dinner and hopefully some peace and quiet".  "Well here's a menu. Want something to drink?"    "Just a ginger ale please".  "Sure thing".  I look over the menu and I'm hungry but don't really feel like eating. So I just got something light. "What's it gonna be Em?"  "I'll have the chicken Caesar wrap with a little extra dressing and instead of fries can and I please have a bag of chips?"   "Wow no greasy food they must have really thrown you though a loop".   "Definitely something like that".  "Ok well I'll go put your order in".  I smile and nod as she walks into the kitchen. I just sit in silence till she comes back with my sandwich. "Here ya go. What kind of chips do you want?"   "We still have the BBQ?"   She looks over at the rack and nods. "Ok. I'll take those please".  She gets the bag and gives to me. "Enjoy Emma ".  "Thanks".  Halfway through my wrap I hear the bell ring on the main door. I look over and see Regina and Zelena walking in. I just think to myself. Oh god what now?   They both walk over to me and Regina says. "Emma we are really sorry. Would you like to sit with us?"   "No thanks I'll almost finished here. Maybe if you two behave I'll join you some coffee or something after". Regina looks disappointed but I'm just not in the mood right now to deal with more shit. They go sit in a booth and I go back to eating my dinner.  When I'm done Ruby takes my plate and asks how everything was.  "It was really good Rubes thanks".   "You want something else?"   "No thanks maybe in a little bit. I'll take the tab please".  She takes the paper from her order book and puts it down on the counter. "Hey Rubes how have the sisters been acting over there?"   "They seem ok. They were even having a civil conversation the last time I was over there".   "Good because I can't take anymore of them fighting".  She laughs a bit a walks into the kitchen. I put money on the counter and turn around to look at the Mills girls. They seem ok so I decide to go over and check on them. Regina looks up and smiles at me. "Hello dear would you like to sit down?"   "You two behaving?"   "So far yes".  "Then I guess I can sit for a little while".  I sit and Ruby comes over to collect the dirty dishes and ask if they want anything else.  They both order a piece of Granny's apple pie and I got a large chocolate shake to go.  Ruby goes to get all that and Regina asks.  "Emma your leaving?"  "Not just yet but you know I always take it home. If I drink it to fast I get those unbelievable brain freezes and I hate those".  She gives me a smile and seems relieved. I sit there for a while longer and we all actually had a nice and calm conversation and then we all leave the diner at the same time. "Emma may I drive home with you?"   Regina asks in a soft voice. "Sure babe. I'd like that".  Zelena drives Regina's car and we all head back home. When we get there Zelena goes upstairs and Regina goes into the kitchen. I just stand in the foyer because I'm not sure what to do. I end up going into the kitchen to see what Regina is up to. There is a glass of wine on the island and I see she started cooking her grandmother's pasta sauce again. "Babe what are you doing?"   "I'm finishing the sauce dear. I'll keep some in the refrigerator for us and then I'll freeze the rest in the chest in the garage".  I sit on the stool at the end of the island and I watch her work and even though I know she's finishing the sauce out of spite I know she really loves cooking, she always has.  I love watching her in the kitchen. I know she loves teaching but I really think she missed her true calling to be a chef.  I have a big smile on my face as she's doing her thing. I'll admit it's a little bit more of a turn on so I didn't hear Regina start talking to me. She walks over and waves a hand in front of my face which breaks me from my thoughts. "Oh sorry babe. What were you saying?"  She laughs at me and says. " I was wondering why you had a weird smile on your face".    "Oh I was just watching you cook and I see how much you love it. It's really beautiful. Your really beautiful Regina".  She seems to blush a bit and it's really adorable. She walks over and gives me a kiss then she goes to stir the sauce. She adds a few spices and stirs it again.  "Hey babe".  "Yes my love".  "If you don't have any plans for tomorrow night I was wondering if you'd like to do out with me. Sorta like a date".   "Emma are you asking me out?"   "Yup. So do ya wanna?"   She smiles and says. "I would love to sweetheart. When should I be ready?"   "How about 7 o'clock?"  "Sounds wonderful my love. I can't wait. I always love being with you".   "Same here babe".  She walks over and kisses me.  We hold each other tight and then she goes back to the sauce. Once it's finished she puts some in a bowl for us then leaves the rest in the pot to cool before she puts it in the container.  So as we wait we go watch one of our favorite shows, Dexter. I swear if I had a different conscience I would so try to be like him. We watched about 4 hour long episodes and decided to head off to bed. We shut everything off then went into the kitchen to put the rest of her grandmother's sauce in a container to freeze. It was finally cool enough to freeze so I went to put it out in the chest in the garage. We make sure everything is turned off, locked up and all our lights are off then we go to upstairs to our bedroom.  We change and then go into the bathroom to brush our teeth, wash our faces and then go get into bed.  We kiss and shut off the lights on our nightstands. As we are snuggling together she lifts her head off my chest and says. "Emma we really need to talk".   "Babe can this wait till tomorrow?  I'm so tired".   "It could but it would be better if we talk now".  I reach over and turn on the light that's on my nightstand.  We both sit up against the headboard so we can talk. "Ok babe, what would you like to talk about?"  "I thought you said you didn't get a loan".   "Yes. Granny talked me out of the bank loan".  "When I was gathering your dirty clothes from your work bag earlier I saw a file and written on it was. 'Loan agreement'.  I know I shouldn't have but I read the papers and saw the check. You got a loan from Granny?"    "Shit. Yeah I did Regina. You know how much it means to me that I find something nice for our wedding and I also want to contribute. I won't let you pay for everything while I just sit there. I'd feel like an asshole. This is my responsibility to".  "Did you just say you won't let me?"  "I didn't mean it like that. I'm just saying that it's supposed to be our wedding and to me that means we both pay for it".   "And what happens if I say that maybe it's my wedding gift to you that I pay for it".  "I'd say that doesn't work for me".  "Damn it Emma".  "Regina just please let me do this?  I don't care how much. It doesn't even have to be an equal half I just need to feel like I'm helping with this. Please babe?"   "Ok Emma I'm sure we can work something out once we decide what we will be doing".  "Thanks babe".  We kiss and then shut the lights off and snuggle back under the covers.  A few minutes later I hear Regina say.  "Emma I'd like you to give Granny back that check".