Hi everyone hope you like the story.

It is based in modern day.

Disclaimer: I do not own OUAT or its characters, or the song lyrics in this chapter.


Chapter 1

Regina Mills woke up at her normal 6:30am. Looking around she was met with the same feelings and thoughts she had for the past 8 years of this curse. 8 years she spent do the same boring thing day in day out. This was supposed to be her happy ending but instead she had created her own little hell. Don't get her wrong, the first few months were great seeing everyone in their new lives. Especially seeing Snow White without her true love and not even knowing he was the John Doe in the hospital that she was volunteering at.

Regina made her way downstairs as she did every morning, but this time she felt as though it was time for a change. She couldn't keep doing this same old thing for the rest of her life and/or eternity. She severely needed a change. Instead of going to Granny's for her usual apple pancakes, she decided her 'new' life was going to start today. She made herself an omelet and some toast. While she was deciding on what she was going to do to bring something new and exciting to her life. Since her curse had given her a good portion of knowledge about this world she thought her best option would be to foster or adopt a child.

As she finished up with washing the dishes she thought that a child would be much easier to deal with than a baby. And after all she had been a step-mother to Snow White for several years and technically she still was, but she didn't have a clue on how to raise a baby. With her mind made up she was going to drive to Augusta and see what she needed to do to become a foster mother. She called her secretary and told her that she would not be coming into work that day and to cancel all her appointments for the day and she set off leaving town.

After nearly a 2 hour drive she finally made it the Office of Child and Family Services(OCFS). Still sitting in her car, she wonders if she had really thought this through. She did just drive 2 hours on a whim and now she was questioning herself. "Come on Regina pull yourself together." She tells herself trying to work up the courage to get out of the car. "Do you really want to go home and spend god knows how long by yourself?... No." And with that Regina steps out of the car and walks inside.

After a few hours of filling out paperwork, having background checks, interviews and many other things. She was told that someone would be getting in contact with her to set up a home inspection and in the mean time she was given a list of classes and courses that needed to be completed. She didn't know that becoming a foster mother would be this much work and take such a long time. One of the ladies that she had spoken to that day said that even after the home inspection and completing the classes and becoming licensed that it still wasn't a guarantee that she would have a child placed with her right away. She knew that she still wanted to do this. This might be a way that she could find her happy ending, by helping a kid that really needs it. Even after all the evil she has done she couldn't bear the thought of having to spend all that time alone.

After about 10 minutes of driving Regina realized that she was extremely hungry. It had been a while since she had eaten breakfast. She pulls off at a small diner to grab some lunch. She goes in and sits at the counter and opens her menu. Just as she gets done placing her order she feels a tug on the sleeve of her jacket. Looking down she see a small girl with blond hair and bright green eyes looking back at her. "Do you have a quarter?" The little girl asks.

"Sure." Regina says digging in her purse and finds a quarter and hands it to the girl.

Smiling the girl takes the quarter. "Thanks" she says walking over to the jukebox near the door. A few moments later the song Life is a Highway by Tom Cochrane comes on. "This is my favorite song EVER!" the girl says while sitting in the seat next to Regina. "I'm Emma."

Regina smiles at Emma. "I'm Regina."

"Nice to meet you. Do you like this song?"

Regina listens to the chorus of the song. It was very catchy and did like it. "Yes, I think I do." She says laughing to herself.

Emma beamed up at Regina. I knew you would. It's a really good song. I know it is an old song because it came out in the 90's, but the original is the best."

Regina smiled at Emma again. "So where are your parents?"

Regina didn't miss the moment of fear that crossed the young girls face. "They're at work." Emma says nodding to herself.

"And is there no school today as well?" Regina asks raising an eyebrow.

"Um…What about this song?" Emma says and starts to sing along.

There ain't no load I can't hold

Road so rough, this I know

I'll be there when the light comes in

Just tell 'em we're survivors

"Okay, you don't have to answer my questions. Are you hungry?" Regina asks placing a hand on Emma's shoulder. Emma nods her head 'yes'. "So, what would you like to eat?" She says handing her a menu.

After Emma orders a bacon cheese burger and fries she seems to be calmer than before. And once the food arrives Emma nearly inhales her food. "Whoa, slow down there Speedy Gonzales." She tells the girl.

"Sorry… Who is Speedy Gonzales?" Emma asks with a quizzical look.

Regina smiles "You mean you have never heard of Speedy Gonzales?" Emma shakes her head 'no'. "Well let me tell you. He is the fastest mouse in all of Mexico."

Emma nods. "So, he is a cartoon?"

"Yes, he is in Looney Tunes."

"Like Bugs Bunny?"

"Yeah like Bugs Bunny." She confirms laughing slightly.

They finish up their meals while Regina tells Emma about all the Looney Tunes that she didn't know existed. When a lady comes in and notices Emma. "Emma! There you are. You know you can't run away from a placement just because you don't like it." The red headed woman tells the little girl.

Emma lowers her head in defeat. She was really hoping that this time would be different. She had heard about kids running away from a placement and not get caught the same day. This was her third attempt at this and she hoped that the next time she wouldn't get caught. "I know and I'm sorry. At least I didn't get far. And I met a friend. This is Regina and she has been telling me all about the Looney Tunes." Emma says smiling up at Regina. "And she bought me lunch."

The woman shakes her head. "Thank you." She says to Regina.

"No problem." She replies.

"Alright Emma, come on." The woman says extending her arm. "Let's get you back."

Emma jumps down off the bar stool with a sigh. Turning back to Regina she says. "I hope I see you again." And with a last wave she is out the door and getting into the back of the woman's car.

Regina pays her bill and gets back on the road. She had a long drive ahead of her. She turns on the radio to help pass the time and she hears that familiar guitar rift. Smiling to herself she realizes that she had had fun sitting there with that little girl and she secretly hoped that they would meet again. And with that she turns up the volume and starts singing along to the music.

Life is a highway

I wanna ride it all night long

If you're going my way

I wanna drive it all night long


Please let me know what you think and leave a review.

Also, I will try and post the next chapter soon. Hope you enjoyed it.

Thanks, sparklyunicornvomit