AU. Haven't written in ages, but I'm inspired. Just a little fic I thought up to bring on my favourite season.
"Henry!" Regina called from the base of the stairwell. "Emma's here!"
A bright, unsightly yellow bug had parked itself in the driveway of 108 Mifflin Street. Just as bright, if not possibly brighter, blonde waves peaked out of the driver's side door.
Regina watched with a tad amusement and curiosity as Emma struggled to balance herself by exiting her car and carrying a tray of what looked to be coffee. When she finally managed to successfully close the door of that death trap, she gave Regina a smiling wave and came up to the door.
"You seem to be in good spirits this morning Miss Swan." Regina remarked with a smirk, noting she was sporting a different leather jacket this morning, maroon as apposed to her signature cherry red.
"First day of fall Madam Mayor!" Emma piped back cheerfully, responding with a bit of cheek to their past ways of communicating with formal titles. "Just the best season of all."
Regina grinned. "I couldn't agree more."
"Of course you love fall."
"Well, naturally," Regina responded casually. "There's no better season for apple picking."
She watched as the Saviour smiling knowingly, and right before she could quip back, their son came barreling down the stairs.
"Hey mom!" Henry greeted happily, to neither of them in particular. "Whatchya got there?"
He motioned towards the tray of hot drinks being supported by the Sheriff's left hand.
"Oh, these are just some morning treats I picked up for you and your mom."
Regina's raised her eyebrows, not surprised by the Sheriff's generosity. "Henry is a tad too young for coffee, don't you think so dear?"
Emma laughed. "I brought him some hot chocolate, yours on the other hand has a bit more of a caffeine kick to it."
She handed Regina the cup, steam coming out of just the tiny slit at the top.
"That's quite kind of you Emma, thank you very much." Regina said with genuine gratitude. She couldn't remember the last time someone did something simply just nice for her.
"Hope it helps you get into that fall spirit." Emma added with a wink, a tendril of blonde falling over her right eye.
"Mom, come on! I'm going to be late!" Henry yelled from the passenger side of the bug. "Bye mom!"
Regina waved to him, and smiled a goodbye towards Emma as she watched her walk back down the driveway to their son. The brunette took a small, testing sip of the hot liquid. It was sickly sweet, but in a distinct way that she couldn't make reference to the taste. The flavour was almost a near perfect match to the outdoor chill that begun to filter through Storybrooke as Emma Swan was right - fall was indeed finally here. It wasn't cinnamon, no definitely not, but that wouldn't have surprised her as their son and his birth mother both had a penchant for the spice. She spent some time leaning against her expansive front door, pensively trying to put a name to the flavour. After some time though, she decided to simply enjoy it's tasty warmth, as she headed upstairs to clean Henry's room.
TBC