"You just better hope to Hell you didn't bring anything else back."
Emma Swan looks at me with such pain and guilt in her eyes, but even as a hero I cannot bring myself to relent in my anger even the tiniest bit. I hope she feels pain, although it can't even come close to the pain I am feeling. I look over once more toward the man I love embracing another woman. His wife. I should be the only woman he embraces; I am his true love, his soul mate. Yet fate, or the Charmings, seem dead set against me ever having my happy ever after. I can no longer stand to be in the same room as any of these people and make to leave.
"Wait, Regina. I didn't know." Emma grabs my arm to keep me from leaving. I swivel back on her with a sneer on my face.
"I believe you met the Evil Queen on your little adventure. If you wish to never be reacquainted with her I suggest you let go of my arm right now Ms. Swan." I don't care about the fear that flashes in everyone's eyes. All I want to do is go home where I can cry mine out over the loss of another love. Because with Marian back, why would Robin ever chose me?
I grab my purse from my seat and head out the door. In the fresh air I pause. It takes all of my strength not to either burn down the entire diner with everyone inside or burst into sobs. I take sad steps in the direction of my house when I hear the bell of the diner chime as the door opens.
"Hey Mom! Wait up!" I hear Henry yell as he rushes to catch up with me. I see his floppy brown hair bob as he comes to stand by my side. God how I missed him. "It ok if I stay with you tonight? I've kind of missed my old room." There are just too many emotions inside of me right now it's hard to handle. No wonder my mother ripped her own heart out so she wouldn't have to feel this much. My eyes start to water as I pull my son in for a hug.
"Of course it's ok sweetie. I wouldn't have it any other way."
We walk in silence back to the house. As happy as I am that Henry is with me, I can't help but reflect on how different the walk to home is from the walk from home earlier today. Then I had been with the man I love and his son. My second chance. Now I am with my son who was gone for a year, and I think maybe I can't have it all. For all the evil I have done, maybe I only get a little bit of happiness. But if I only ever have Henry, that will be enough for me.
I smile at him as I open the door to our home. As we enter he heads toward the kitchen immediately. "Shoes Henry! Take them off!" I yell as I bend over to remove my own.
"Sorry Mom, forget." He says as he toes them off and continues into the other room. I follow behind him shortly and see he is already grabbing a notepad and pen from one of the drawers.
"What are you doing?" I ask him. He can be so full of energy some times. It's odd to see him sitting down at the counter just like he used to, but now he is so much bigger. I feel like I have lost so much time. All to Emma Swan. I truly dislike that woman.
"I'm coming up with a plan. I feel like we should call it operation fox, or rabbit, or some woodland creature." I have no idea what he is talking about, but I am touched that he finally wants me in one of his crazy schemes.
I lean on the counter next to him and brush the hair that has fallen over his eyes as he bends over his paper. "And what exactly is this plan for, hmm?"
"For getting Robin Hood back." H states as if it is the most logical thing in the world. My heart clenches a little. I can't bear to think about him and what I've lost. I turn around and lean my back against the counter. "Although it's not like he has technically, officially left."
"Honey." I sigh and run my hand through my hair. "I don't think that will be possible. He has his wife back."
"Yeah, so? He thought she was dead for like thirty years. They may have nothing in common anymore."
"They have a son." A son that was just starting to get used to me. No chance of that happening anymore.
"That's great for Roland, but doesn't necessarily mean anything for Robin. It's like when my dad came back. Him and my mom could have gotten back together, but I'm like 94.25% sure she still would have ended up with the Captain. Some people are just meant to be together no matter what. And I saw the way you two were together, I think it's meant to be. I thought it was true love even before I had my memories and remembered true love even exist!"
I shake my head as tears once again come to my eyes. He has no idea how right he is as I think of the lion tattoo.
"But why would he want me. I'm the Evil Queen. The one who had his wife executed." He gets off of his stool to wrap his arms around me and lean his head on my shoulder. How did he get so big?
"The woman who gave me true love's kiss and broke the curse? The woman who used light magic to defeat the Wicked Witch, and save my uncle is not the Evil Queen. Her name is Regina and she is one of the most beautiful and special people I have ever known, and she deserves love just as much as anyone. That's you mom. And that's why Robin is going to pick you."
I hug him back hard and finally let the tears fall free. I don't know what I did to deserve him but I swear to never do anything to jeopardize our relationship. Even if that means not having Emma's head on a platter. I believe this shows how much I have grown as a person. The thought makes me laugh and I pull back from the hug.
"Well if that is the case, what do we need the plan for?" I ask. He just shrugs his shoulders.
" Let's just say I don't like leaving things to chance."