In a Anther Life
Henry opened the door to his mother's mansion on Miffin Street. He ran to her old study, she was not there, he searched the whole house for his mother, but he could not find her. He sat and waited for her to return for an hour, but she never came home. He went back the next day and the day after that. She was gone, no note, no goodbye, just gone.
He told everyone, but no one cared. Everyone was busy planning Emma's wedding. He never thought she would actually leave. The last word he said to her was later, that is it, later. All the fighting for him, all the changes she made, she even stopped her own mother for him. Then one day she was just gone. Charming and Snow laughed and joked about it. When he told Emma, she just patted him on the head and said, "She'll turn up, you know Regina. If it's not about her then she isn't happy." She never came back and no matter who he told, no one cared.
Henry shot up from bed breathing heavy and looking around the room. His breathing clamed, relieved he was safe. He got up and walked to his Mom's room. He quit telling her about the nightmares but after each one, he had to check and made sure she was still there. Visions from anther life still haunted him in his new one.
He opened the door, checking that his mother was still fast asleep, Mack wrapped in her arms. Relived, he was going to close the door and go to bed, but Regina lifted up the blanket and motioned for him to get in. He was 10, but felt 20; he knew he should just go back to his own bed but not tonight. He could not handle any more nightmares. He climbed in and snuggled into her side. This was the only way he ever slept anymore.
That morning Mack was reading a book, she got from Belle at the table as everyone was eating breakfast. Mack was fascinated by the pictures and was staring at Regina.
"Mom look," she pointed to a picture of the Evil Queen, "She looks like you huh."
"Yeah honey she does and Snow White looks like Mary Margret." Regina said bending down looking at the picture. She kissed Mack on the forehead and went back to getting ready for work.
"Everyone in town is in this book." Mack said flipping to a page where Ruby was walking in the forest.
"You know Fairy Tales are stupid right." Henry said rolling his eyes and slamming the book closed.
"No they're not; you're just a big meanie." Mack said pulling the book out of his grasp.
"They're not real and you want to know what else isn't real Santa…isn't…." His mother cut him off.
"Henry come here right now." Regina demanded, Henry rolled his eyes and got up. Regina whispered in his ear. "She is only 7, leave her alone."
"Mom, it's so stupid."
"Don't say that word, just let her have her stories ok, and be nice. Don't you dare tell her Santa Clause isn't real ether."
"Fine." When I believed in fairy tales she made me get therapy. Mack believes in that crap and she thinks it is so cute.
Regina dropped her children off at school and headed for work. As Regina was getting out of her car, a giant man snatched her from behind. He was six feet tall, wearing a dirty trench coat and smelled like cheap cigarettes and alcohol. He had his arm around her waist, and a knife to her throat. "Get in." he hissed into her ear. Before she could open her door, a woman with blonde cascading curls came charging at them a gun in her hand. The woman was clad in skinny jeans and a red leather jacket that fit her perfectly.
"Let her go," the woman said never taking her stunning green eyes off Regina.
"Never," He smiled, showing his disgusting yellow teeth. "She is my ticket outta this joint."
"The cops are coming, you are not getting away." Emma said slowly walking toward them.
"Don't come any closer." The man yelled and tightened his hold around Regina.
"Take me instead." The woman said sitting the gun down, she put her hands up and walked toward them. "I don't have anyone, what if she has a family." The man though for a second "Plus you could have a lot more fun with me." The man threw Regina to the ground and grabbed the blonde by her hair. Dragging her into his body and forcefully putting the blade to her throat. She responded quickly by slamming the back of her head into his face. Hitting his nose, he cried out in pain and it momentarily caused him to loosen his grip. She swiftly moved out of his hold. Then she punched him in the ribs. The man started swinging the knife wildly and sliced Emma's right arm. Then the man took off down the street.
"Are you ok," the blonde asked looking down at Regina
"Yeah," was all Regina could manage.
The blonde took off after him, "Good," She yelled back at the stunted brunette. She chased him to Main Street and then tacked him. The man pushed the blonde off of him and they both were on their feet in seconds. The man punched her in the face and she responded by kicking him in the stomach. He then kicked her knee, causing her leg to buckle and she collapsed to the ground. The man started kicking her in the ribs. Regina came up from behind him, punched him in the temple, and then kicked him in the groin. David and Graham got there just as the man went to his knees.
"Guess you're not the damsel in distress I thought you were." The blonde said looking up at Regina.
"I'd never been a good damsel in distress. I guess I have always been a hands on damsel." Regina was at her side assessing her wound. "Besides you make a terrible knight"
"I never claimed to be prince charming." The blonde said as Regina put her scarf around the gash on the blonde's arm making a makeshift bandage.
"I would never have taken you for a prince." Regina said looking down at the blonde's perfect body. The blonde woman tried to stand up but screamed out in pain the moment she tried to bare weight on her leg. Regina helped to lower back to the ground.
"I must have broken it when I fell." The blonde shrieked in pain.
"Well get you inside and get some X-Rays." Regina said and motioned for David to come over and he helped carrier inside. The woman's arm ended up needing 13 stiches, her kneecap was broken as well as the top of her tibia and fibula.
"I never properly thank you for saving my life." Regina said coming into the room after Dr. Whale had left.
"It's cool, no big deal."
"You really don't have any family."
"No I am not really the family type." The blonde said looking away trying not to stare at the beautiful woman standing in front of her.
"I didn't know there was a type."
"Well you're looking at it."
"What about friends."
"I am never in one place long enough for friends." she shrugged, "Hell I was planning on getting out of this town in a day or two now I can't even drive."
"Where are you staying?"
"I hear there is a nice B&B up the street; I guess I will check that out."
"You don't have anyone to take care of you."
"I can take care of myself, I been on my own since I was 15."
"You can't even walk."
"I will figured it out, I always do. I always somehow manage to land on my feet."
"You landed on your ass today."
"Thanks for so nicely reminding me."
"You are staying with me."
"Thanks, but I will pass."
"I am going to take care of you until your back on your feet. It's the least I can do, you saved my life."
"Listen lady, I don't need you or anyone else to take care of me. I am a big girl; I can take care of myself." The blonde said trying to move her pillow from behind her back to under her leg. The pillow fell to floor and the blonde huffed, she tried to get up to get it. When the blonde reached down, her good leg slipped and she started to fall. Regina was there in an instant and pushed her back onto the bed and put the pillow was under her leg. "You're going to fall, and break your other leg, just stay put." Then Regina gave her the same look she gave her children when she expected them to behave.
"I am not helpless."
"No clearly you are not, by your display today, but you are hurt."
"Don't worry about little old me."
"You are coming home with me."
"No, I don't need anyone to take care of me."
"I wasn't asking. I am taking care of you. Besides the hospital won't let you leave without someone with you to at least watch over you for a few days because of the pain meds you're on."
"Fine, a few days, but I don't even know your name, should I just call you Florence Nightingale."
"Regina Mills," Regina said putting her hand out to shake Emma's hand.
"Emma Swan, I feel like we have already done this."
"Like we meat somewhere before."
"You felt it too." Emma said surprised.
"The moment I looked into your eyes," Regina said blushing.
Henry sat outside school waiting for Mack. He saw his sister coming out of the building crying. He got up and ran toward her. "What's wrong?" Henry demanded.
"Nothing." Mack said in-between tears and started walking home. Henry followed her.
"Why are you crying and where is your book." Henry said grabbing Mack's arm and turning her to face him. Mack just pointed to one of the boys standing at the bus stop. Henry shook his head and walked over to the boy. No one picks on my little sister. Henry demanded the boy return the book, but the boy just laughed at him. For a moment, he forgot he was not the Dark One anymore and punched the kid in the face a few times. Inflicting a fat lip and black eye, the book was back in Mack's arms in no time and they were walking home.
"Mom doesn't like it when you fight."
"No one picks on my sister." Henry said opening the door to the apartment.
"Except you."
"Except me, it's my right as a big brother." He said looking down at her, and then he heard a voice from another life. He stood there in horror; the only person who could break this new curse and end his happily ever after was lying on the couch.
"What are you doing here?"