A/N: Hey, so I know I have a lot of unfinished work, but I haven't felt inspired by them lately. I have however been inspired by something else, so here is a start. I really do hope you like it and apologise in advance if chapters take a while. (I have a lot going on! :-/).
Rain lashed onto the little yellow bug's windshield as Emma Swan leaned uncomfortably forward and squinted as she peered through the dots on her windshield that were reflecting every tiny bit of light the evening had left to offer. From what she could see she was in the middle of nowhere and she was beginning to question if her destination even existed, especially after she had been driving now almost continuously for three days. Staring ahead and struggling to see with the impending darkness and lack of street lighting, Emma pressed on, knowing she must almost be there now. Eventually as she continued straight ahead, either side of the road became lined with pine trees. The further she drove down the stretch, which seemed to go on forever, the darker it got. Night had well and truly set in, glancing at the clock on her dash she saw the time was an hour to midnight. Her eyes then happened to catch her gas gauge and she focused on it, the needle was right in the red, and she realised she must be running on fumes.
"Just great" she uttered to herself as she finally crawled passed the town welcome sign.
With absolutely nothing in sight, no residential or corporate looking properties, Emma began to feel that all she would ever see was forest. Beginning to worry but at the same time feeling relieved she had made it to where she had intended to get to, the blonde pushed the bug for its last bit of juice. Emma just reached the top of Main Street as the little yellow car began to labour. She begged it to just go a little further, desperate not to breakdown right in the middle of the road but she was out of luck. It had nothing more to give her and she just managed to pull over as close to the sidewalk as she could before it conked out all together. Letting out a huge sigh she leant forward on her arms and placed her head against them. This was just what she needed, nowhere to go, empty tank with no station to be seen and no money as she had spent her last dollars on the gas to get there. Lifting her head again she took a look around, everywhere was of course shut up as it was heading for midnight. She came to the conclusion that tonight would be one spent in the car.
Looking over to the passenger seat, which held her most precious cargo she peered in round the hood of the carrier at her month old baby boy. A small smile graced her lips as she checked on him sound asleep, as he had been now for the last few hours of their journey. Reaching for her bag she pulled out a blanket and placed it over the car seat and tucked it in best she could over Henry's fleece blanket to keep him warm. She prayed it would be a warmer night than their last, but now being further north of the vast country she suspected that was unlikely. Sighing again she looked around outside through the raindrop stained window, any indication of where it was that she had come to stop would be of use. A spark from the telephone cables overhead suddenly made her flinch and in the flicker of light she saw the sign for Main Street. Scrambling in her pocket she pulled out a scruffy looking piece of paper and opened it up quickly looking for the address information she had been sent. It was of no use, the address matched nothing within sight.
Knowing she was going to need help finding the place, Emma decided she could do nothing more tonight. Locking her car doors from the inside to protect them and checking on Henry one last time, she snuggled back in her seat and zipped up her own jacket. Keeping herself at enough of an angle to see her son, she rested her head and smiled as she watched him sleeping without a care in the world, knowing that for her it was going to be a long night.
Outside the rain had gone from lashing down to hammering on the roof, bonnet and windshield of the bug noisily as the wind picked up and howled through every tiny gap. Unable to get any real rest, the blonde just dozed and rested her eyes. There was only five hours until dawn and hopefully would be some signs of life from this sleepy looking little town come morning.
Emma awoke to a damp day, rain still drizzled and heavily too as she looked out onto the small town that was now under a grey sky. It looked as sleepy as it had done upon her arrival. She reached across, looking in on her baby boy who was just beginning to stir. A small smile crept across her lips as she watched him adoringly.
"Good morning Henry" she whispered as she reached in and stroked his little cheek as he yawned waking up.
It was a few moments later that he began to whimper. Emma knew that could only mean a few things, firstly he probably needed a change and secondly he was hungry, and then there was always the possibility he just wanted a cuddle but that was unlikely. Henry was not a morning baby until he had had his milk and a clean diaper. Sighing as his cries increased in volume, to the point they could be heard outside her vehicle, Emma reached over, unbuckled him and lifted him out gingerly and with such care. He was so tiny and delicate and she was such a nervous mother, only young and inexperienced with no one to turn to for advice, she was very unsure if she was getting it all right.
"Ok kid, are you hungry or do you need a….." Emma said softly as she lifted his bottom a little to her nose.
"Oh kid!" smelling that he needed a change and seeing his nappy was bulging. Clearly from those two bottles he polished off the night before.
Needing to lay him flat but not wanting to have to get out in the rain to enter the back seat, Emma just needlessly held him there as she tried to think. Her only idea was to put him back in his baby seat, unclip it and spin it round. Emma made that simple task look difficult and then had the struggle of changing his diaper. It was by way of a miracle, with Henry's squirming, that she didn't get it everywhere, however her whole car now smelt. Sighing heavily once more Emma redressed her baby boy, fastening his vest and then his romper suit.
"Is that better kid? Yeah" she smiled at him as he only whimpered now.
It was time to tackle his second request, food. Having been unsuccessful in getting Henry bonded with her breast and frustrated from the one unpleasant experience when he was first born, Emma had opted to bottle feed, but that presented her problems in her current predicament. Homeless and broke meant she was unable to provided sterilised water for such a means, and meant she relied heavily on local diners and rest stops for help. Of course for a young girl with a young baby most places had been more than willing to help and accommodate her request, then again equally as many had not, especially as she wasn't buying anything.
Peering out of the window she saw that the little diner just down the street was being opened up. Talking softly to Henry she fastened him into his seat and covered him with a blanket. Then taking his baby bag and him she hurried out of the car and with swift work hurried up to the diner and in the door, by which time she was soaked through.
"Good Morning" came a young voice from behind the counter of the empty diner.
Emma smiled at the young, pretty woman and headed over leaving puddles upon the floor in her wake. She was extremely nervous and little Henry was still lightly whimpering at her side.
"Umm good morning, I was wondering if you could help me out?" Emma nervously babbled out in a quiet tone.
"Sure, what can I get you?" the young lady at the counter nodded and smiled welcomingly, as she summed up the young girl stood in the diner doorway.
Anxiously Emma went to answer, to announce that she didn't have money for anything and that she actually wanted real help. Swallowing nervously Emma moved closer to the counter and nervously popped Henry's seat down on the floor. Smiling awkwardly at the dark haired waitress, Emma opened up the baby bag and from it pulled out an empty bottle that had her last scoops of formula already deposited into the bottom. A little surprised the waitress looked at her and made a small 'oh' sound before she stated the obvious.
"You have a baby?"
Emma nodded and meekly explained that she just needed a little boiled water for his morning feed. Handing the bottle over the counter as the kind waitress obliged, the blonde breathed a sigh of relief. Then quickly she shoved her hand in her pocket knowing she had a little change and examined it, whilst glancing at the menu to see if she could scrape enough at least for a cocoa. She was out of luck. She hadn't enough, not even a dollar to her name.
"Anything else, a coffee maybe?" the waitress asked with a smile as she placed the bottle on the counter and drank in the strangers sleepy disposition.
"I only have enough for the water" Emma stated offering the brunette the handful of change she had and apologising as she hoped it was enough.
A little v formed on the waitress' brow as she looked at Emma. It was a very unusual situation and concern immediately struck her that perhaps the girl was homeless. She was a very caring woman and quickly dismissed the offer of the money, advising it wouldn't be necessary.
"Please take a seat and I will get you a cocoa on the house?" the waitress offered.
This shocked Emma. She was not accustomed with such generosity.
"T…Thank Y…you" she stuttered out in her surprised state and took the hot bottle from the counter.
Then picking up Henry as the waitress turned to the hot drinks machine behind the counter, Emma carried him across to one of the booths on the far side of the little diner and slid into the seat. She pulled down his little blanket to expose him to his surroundings and saw that he was dozing a little. His cute little face and rosy cheeks bought a brief smile to her face.
"Don't worry Henry, people seem nice here" she whispered to him and kissed his head.
"So…" stated the waitress as she slid in the seat opposite, "I am intrigued, you are new here, we don't get new people and how come you have no money?" she blurted out as she pushed the cocoa close to Emma.
Stuttering, Emma looked up from her son and across the table at the young lady who had just questioned her. She had no words. She had no idea how to explain she had just finished a stint in juvey, with early release for good behaviour and because of her situation. Swallowing hard her eyes tearing up she looked across at the woman.
"Oh, please don't cry. I am just a little nosy. My name is Ruby by the way, is there anything I can do?" the waitress babbled out.
"Umm, errr well I have no where to stay and I could use a job. Any suggestions?" Emma finally said something, all be it shyly.
The waitress' face erupted in a smile, a glance of her bright white teeth showing in a flash. Emma looked at her bemused.
"Well you can stay here, we have bed and breakfast and you can work here, in the diner to pay for board and have a little money for yourself?" Ruby rushed to tell her.
Stunned Emma didn't know what to say. It was a most gracious offer and she doubted she would get anything better. With a small smile and a nod she quickly agreed and thanked her newest acquaintance.
"Well that is settled then. Are you hungry? You must be, I will get you some breakfast!" she exclaimed without waiting for confirmation and darted off as quickly as she had appeared.
Emma smiled and turned to Henry. Unbuckling him she lifted him out and into her arms as she watched him. She was so nervous holding him, tensing as she did and unsure of every little squirm and wriggle.
"See Henry, things are already looking up for us kid" she whispered as she nervously offered him his bottle.
Taking it in his little mouth he sucked hard and guzzled it down. He was starving. Sighing gently Emma watched him. So she had solved one problem, but she still had no money. This was his last bottle, his last bit of food and she had no money for any more. She had maybe a couple of hours until he would be starving again, so it was time to think fast and come up with a plan.
"I guessed pancakes, syrup and bacon" ruby declared as she sat down again opposite the blonde.
Emma thanked her and gave her another smile. She was indeed most kind.
"Do you know where I could get some more of this stuff?" she asked Ruby tapping lightly on Henry's bottle.
Ruby answered straightforwardly, as would anyone, that there was a local shop just down the road that should have any essentials such as milk, diapers and wipes. Emma nodded but seemed distracted. Ruby saw right through it remembering the embarrassing moment they had shared over the counter with Emma's fistful of change.
"You don't have the money do you?" she declared quietly so as not to embarrass the blonde, as Leroy marched in, and to the counter, where an older lady had just appeared.
Emma shook her head, bowing it.
Ruby sighed. "Ok, I tell you what, eat up and then you can mop and clean for me for a few hours, I'll pay you for that and then you can get what you need for…." She gestured towards Henry not knowing his name.
"Henry" Emma announced and Ruby smiled.
The blonde was so relieved. This had been the best morning she had had in a long time. The best in fact since she was first handed Henry after he was born. Smiling she watched him polish off the last of his bottle and placed him back into his seat. She then proceeded to devour her breakfast, eager to get started earning some cash.
A few hours later, Emma had wiped the counter down, swept all the floors, cleaned all the tables and scrubbed the toilets. Perching on a stool at the counter, she slumped upon it, thoroughly exhausted. Ruby finished serving her customer, and then with a small smirk approached Emma. The blonde was clearly tired, however Ruby couldn't help making a 'sleepy head' remark cheekily. Turning, the brunette popped open the cash register draw, grabbing ten dollars before slamming it again, to make sure it was closed, she turned back and handed it to Emma.
"Off you go, get what you need" Ruby stated as she shoved the bills into Emma's palm.
"Then get back here, I will rustle you up a free lunch and we'll get you settled with a room. Ok?" Ruby finished with a sweet smile.
"Order up, Ruby" Granny called from the hatch as Emma smiled and slipped off of the stool.
The blonde wandered around to where Henry was in his seat behind the counter and grabbed him up, as Ruby disappeared to a table to serve the order. Smiling at Henry, Emma grabbed her jacket and hurried out of the diner. Outside, beating hot sunshine, illuminated bright blue sky, dotted with the odd perfect white cloud. Emma's smile changed, to a beam, things really were looking up, and she had a feeling, a feeling that today was going to be a good one. Carrying Henry securely by her side, she wandered down Main Street in search of the shop.
When Emma returned to the diner, with one bag of shopping, it was much busier than when she left. Ruby shot her a quick smile from behind the counter, and Emma headed that way. It was as if the whole town was there for lunch, the blonde thought to herself. Ruby smiled at her in between serving and managed to grab Granny's attention, long enough, to ask her to show Emma through to the inn part of their establishment.
"This way" Granny hurriedly rushed out and headed out through the back of the diner.
Grabbing all her things, Emma followed the older woman out to a reception area. There the woman grabbed a room key and asked her name. Smiling sweetly, feeling a little awkward, Emma stated her full name. Scribbling, the older woman wrote the details in the book, and then when she finally stopped and looked at Emma properly, not only did she notice how young the girl looked, she also noticed the baby at her side.
"I apologise dear, it's just a very busy day. This way, I will show you your room and please ask if you need anything" Granny explained as she began to lead the way upstairs.
Emma thanked her and followed her up a narrow small stairway, slightly rickety and old, but then the whole building was that way. Walking the length of a corridor, they finally came to a stop outside a room. Granny left her there, to return to Ruby and help out with the rush. Emma let herself into the room and closed the door. It was spacious, a big double bed, dresser and even its own little bathroom. Putting Henry's carrier on the bed, she took a look around and sighed gently, feeling only happy. Henry was fast asleep, settled from the swaying of his carrier as they had walked. Lifting him out, the blonde couldn't resist a cuddle. As she did, he began to stir, and despite her nervousness she had with him, he snuggled in against her. Smiling a little and cuddling him, Emma grabbed the room key, shoved it in her pocket and placed him back in his carrier before she headed out, back downstairs with him.
Entering the still bustling diner, Emma made her way over to a little booth in the corner and slipped in. Carefully, she placed his carrier onto the leather seat space next to her and smiled in at him as she stroked his chin. Looking up and round she then searched for Ruby's familiar face, hoping to get her attention. But Ruby was deep in conversation, resting her elbows on the counter as she leaned in close, with a young man, who seemed to be smiling at her in such awe. Swallowing a little, feeling strange at seeing that sight, Emma quickly diverted her gaze. Looking around she drank in all the people, who she was clearly invisible to, however someone caught her eye as they entered; just as they caught everyone else's. Emma stared.
Suited and booted, a very gorgeous, dark haired woman. Her presence in a room very noticeable, as for a second, upon her entrance, she had had everybody's attention. That was until she had looked around slowly, and they had all quickly diverted their gaze. Unlike a certain blonde, who was now finding herself on the receiving end, of a not overly pleasant glare, through slightly narrowed eyes. It felt like forever before the woman broke her gaze, and Emma watched, her eyes following her as she walked towards the counter with complete confidence and an air of authority about her.
"Ruby" snapped the brunette, to get the waitress' attention.
Looking straight up, Ruby jumped to attention.
"Ms Mills, how can I, what can I get you?" she quickly blurted out.
"The blonde, behind me, far booth, who is she?" the woman demanded.
Ruby gazed quickly, she had an idea, but she wanted to be sure it was the young woman she had made welcome that very morning, before she confirmed as such. Because, usually when the mayor of the town demanded to know whom someone was, it wasn't without serious reason. Stuttering at first, Ruby started with a name, and then told her everything she knew so far about the visiting stranger. The mayor drank in the information with no emotion to show Ruby, or give her a clue as to whether this pleased, or displeased her.
"Lunch Ruby, for two, over there, that booth. Make it quick." She snapped to the waitress and then turned on her heel effortlessly.
"And Ruby, don't forget my coffee" she shot back over her shoulder, without even a glance.
Emma had taken her eyes off of Ms Mills at this point, and was looking through a menu as the woman approached her. The blonde had failed to notice, until the mayor was towered over her and looking down at her. A small clearing of her throat was all that was needed to make her presence known. Emma's head slowly tilted up, her eyes meeting the sparkle of the woman's immediately.
"No need to order, its taken care of. My name is Regina Mills and this, this is my town" she stated calmly, with a pinch of sass and in hushed tones as she slipped herself down opposite the blonde.
Emma swallowed hard, taken aback by the brunette's abruptness and confidence.
"Well, Emma? That is correct isn't it?" Regina questioned as she kept eye contact with the blonde.
"What brings you to my town?" she questioned further.
Emma just stuttered in reply.
There was no further time to question, as Ruby arrived carrying a salmon salad for the mayor and the same for Emma. Placing the plates down, Ruby glanced at the blonde, just to check she seemed all right. Regina was quite a presence to be in and as she knew herself from past experience, it could be a very overwhelming experience. Regina quickly excused the waitress, waiting until she was gone and out of earshot before trying a different approach.
"You have a child?" she stated.
It earned her a nod.
Regina drew in a deep; I am slightly irritated by your silence, breath and sat back against the booth. She needed something more. The stranger intrigued her, and gave her a funny feeling, not that she would admit it, deep in her core. She wanted to know more. She just had to.
"Where are you staying?" she asked.
"Here" Emma eventually muttered.
"How old are you?" Regina asked. She could tell Emma was young she just needed clarification.
Emma looked up quickly from the salad that she didn't particularly like, and was picking at. The question had caught her a little by surprise. Regina was very nosy she thought.
"I'm….I am eighteen" the blonde stuttered again. Regina made her nervous and she didn't want to keep her waiting.
With a small smile, Regina eyed her up and down. Eighteen. Well it could be only just. And she was staying at the diner. So she knew two things, but not what had brought the blonde to town nor if she had family, friends, a home somewhere else?
"Family?" she questioned sharply.
"Not that I know of" Emma fired back with animosity.
She had fire. Regina liked that. So family was a sore point with the girl. Well Regina still wanted to know, and suddenly she knew how to get the answers she sought.
"Come to mine this evening" Regina smiled as sweetly as she could.
Emma's draw dropped a little as if she was about to make excuses.
"108 Mifflin Street dear, seven sharp, bring little one" she instructed as she sleekly removed herself from the booth seating. Dropping some bills onto the table to pay for the food, she turned away and started to saunter away.
"Don't be late dear" she called back without a glance.
And with that, she was gone.
