A/N: A new story! It's already finished, I'll try to post 1 to 2 chapters per week. Let me know what you think :-)

Emma checked her phone for the fifth time since she had arrived at the gates of Storybrooke Elementary. She would have sworn school ended at half past three, only to conclude she was, except for one other mom, the first parent to arrive. After checking her emails, she had quickly deducted this was one of those days school ended at three forty five, so she had another fifteen minutes to spare, which were creeping by excruciatingly slow.

With five more minutes to go, she noticed more and more parents arriving. Emma was very happy about that, because the other mom had been looking very creepy at her for the entire time. Now that there were more people, she felt less like she was about to be stalked and killed.

"First day?"

Emma looked up from her phone to find the person who seemed to be asking her a question. She noticed the brunette next to her and nodded.

"Is it that obvious?"

"There's only one person who's that early at the gates", the brunette said, nodding her head to the creepy mom, as Emma had decided to call her.

"Yeah, I thought they ended at three thirty today, and I was scared to be late on Henry's first day. She was here before me, though. That's really early. What's her deal anyway?"

"Nobody knows. But she's always first and rushes to be first at the classroom to collect her kid."

Emma just nodded, not really knowing where to go from there.

"So your kid is Henry? He must be in Roland's class. That's my son", the brunette seemed to ignore Emma's obvious awkwardness. "My name is Regina", she offered her hand, which Emma shook.

"Emma Swan", she introduced herself.

This I can do, she thought to herself.

"So when did Roland start?" she asked the other woman.

"Already in september. He must be a little older than your Henry. He loved it the minute he started school. How did Henry's first drop off go?"

"Rather good, I suppose. He's used to going to a nanny when I'm working, so aside from some nerves, he was fine. Eager to learn, that one."

"Wonderful", the brunette smiled. "Some of the kids have so much trouble adapting, it's very sad to see them cry every morning."

Emma nodded again and was about to ask another question, when they could hear the bell ring.

The gates opened and Creepy Mom was already inside before it had opened fully, as Regina had told her before.

"Do you know the procedure?" the brunette asked her.

"No, not really, but I figured, how hard can it be to get your own kid back?" Emma tried to joke.

"Not that difficult, I suppose", Regina smiled. "Follow me, I'll show you the way."

They followed the mob of parents inside. It was harder than Emma had expected, because they had to follow a certain path before they could get inside. Nothing to difficult though, so she probably would have figured it out by her own. Still, she was happy to have Regina there to lead her.

"Mommy!" she heard her little boy scream when he noticed her and a big smile broke out all across her face. His teacher had the biggest trouble to keep him inside the classroom and from storming out into her arms. She finally let him go when Emma entered the room; who noticed Regina had let her go in first

"Hey kid", she smiled, ruffling his hair. "How did it go?"

"Yes!" he answered, not very good with answering questions yet.

So in search for a real answer to her question, she picked him up and looked his teacher.

"He did really good, Mrs Swan", she provided, already used to first-time-parents.

"Miss", Emma corrected automatically.

"I'm sorry, Miss Swan. He joined in quite quickly and has already found a buddy to play with", she said, pointing at a little brunette boy standing close to them. Regina was helping him taking of his backpack.

"Looks like our boys are going to be the best of friends", the brunette smiled, gesturing at her son who was talking undisturbed about his day and his new friend.

"Looks like it", Emma smiled, and she could actually say she was happy about it. At least it isn't Creepy Mom's kid, she thought. Regina looks like a fun person to hang out with.

"I'll see you tomorrow, Roland. Bye Henry", the teacher said, ushering the kids and their moms out of the door.

"Bye Mrs Mary", Roland said.

Henry simply waved, but did so very enthusiastically.

"I'll see you tomorrow, Miss Swan", Regina said. "Bye Henry."

Again the enthusiast waving.

"Bye Regina, thank you for helping me collect my kid", Emma smiled. "Bye Roland."

The little boy's focus was already elsewhere, and Regina could only smile in apology before walking towards her car.

"Well, my big little prince", she said to her son, "since you're a big boy now, I think we'll have some ice cream for a snack, what do you think?"

Henry started screaming from excitement and bouncing up and down in her arms.

"I'll take that for a yes", she laughed and headed for her own car. "Let's get home then."

A little while later, Emma was watching her son eat his ice cream. The two - and a half! - year old was getting it everywhere, but she couldn't find it in herself to scold him for it. He was getting so big so quickly, she felt like time was flying by. It looked like yesterday when she was walking around with him on her arm, because he had this fase where he wouldn't sleep while lying down quietly. The hours of humming lullabies and cuddling him close would soon be just a memory, with her big boy almost big enough for a real bed. He was fully potty trained, only needed diapers at night, and could eat by himself. Very soon he wouldn't need her anymore.

Emma shook her head. He just had his first day of school, you idiot. He's not moving out yet, she thought.

And with that thought, she decided she'd just enjoy him trying to eat his ice cream, now that he was still her little boy.