(weeping sounds)
Every morning this week, Regina has woke to the sound of weeping. It should be her, but it's not. She's tired of hearing it. No one deserves to cry more than herself. If only she could figure out who it is, or where they are, or why she hears it. Is it just a reminder of her eternal misery? Is it a hallucination?
The truth is, it's not even losing Robin that broke her heart, while that was hard enough, it will be ok someday. Fairy Magic never lies, and that gives comfort to Regina. After all, what would she have done had it been Daniel that was brought back? No, Robin just needs to sort it out, and she agrees that he needs to take a little time. What really hurt, is that just when she finally thinks that damn family is going to be her family forever, and things were finally starting to come together, BAM, no siree. Damn Emma for being her mother's daughter. Damn Snow for always getting what she wants. Damn Charming for telling her that True Love is something you have to fight for. Having Robin was so perfect, but his feelings had never been tested. Thank you Swan, for the test. Or not. Oh, Robin.
At least one good thing came of Hook and Swan's jaunt into the past. Something there convinced Emma to stay in Storybrooke, and Henry asked to stay with her every other week. Henry is the only thing that kept her from obliterating the Charmings that night. Henry makes being good worth it. Speaking of Henry, better get him up and off to school.
"Henry, are you up?"
"Yeah, I am", Henry said opening his door. "Mom, can we talk?"
"Of course, my prince, what is it?" The look of worry on Henry's face was making Regina slightly edgy.
"Well, it's just… You know that I love you, right? Because if you are having a hard time with the whole 'Robin thing', I can stay here more often. I am worried about you."
Regina paled. "Henry, I would love for you to just stay with me, but I know you love Emma too, and I want you to be happy and be where you want to be. And, just so you know, I really am ok with the 'Robin thing', as you so eloquently put it. I believe in Fairy Magic and Tinkerbell showed me long, long ago that Robin is my destiny, so it will work out when the time is right. So if you want to stay, you are welcome to stay, but you need to work it out with Emma and please don't worry about me. And, don't stay because of a sense of duty to me, or pity. Promise?"
Henry gave her this look that said he wasn't buying it. "Yeah, ok, but if you are fine with it, why do I keep hearing you cry in the morning?" He crossed his arms on his chest, as if challenging her.
"You hear that, too? I was beginning to think I was losing my mind! I'm so relieved. I swear, my prince, I swear it's not me."
Regina's tension at the incessant crying was almost completely gone at hearing Henry confess he also hears it, and the relief was evident on her face. However, this just confused Henry. He had been quite certain it was his mom bawling every morning, missing the man she loved. The look on Henry's face just made Regina chuckle.
"Hurry down, I'm going to make your breakfast", she told him and then walked off.
Now that he thinks about it, his mom didn't have any telltale signs of crying. No puffy, red, dripping nose, nor the bloodshot eyes, not even tear streaks on her face. Then again, she could always just magic those away, couldn't she? Maybe she really is happy enough, he thought. He put the thoughts out of his mind, and finished getting ready and headed down to breakfast.