Henry was just five years old, all he knew was his mommy, Regina.
Everyday he woke up to kisses and a sweet smile, breakfast and a kiss goodbye as she went to work while he went to school.
When she picked him up, that was always the highlight of his day, running into her arms and getting a hug.
The weekends were always his favorite because he knew his mommy would be home all day and that meant spending time with her.
This saturday was a tad different though.
He woke up a few minutes earlier and quietly tiptoed into her room, slipping into bed with her and pulling her arm over him, cuddling next to her.
She opened one of her eyes to see her green-eyed son snuggled under her and she smiled, pulling him closer.
"Mommy?" He softly called out and she sighed happily.
"Yes my love?"
She opened both her eyes this time.
"What are gonna do today?"
Regina playfully tapped him on the nose, "I have something special planned for us. How does a picnic at the park sound?"
With a bright smile Henry sat up in the bed, "Really?!"
She nodded, "And we'll go apple picking as well."
She had him at picnic, he was so excited he ran to pick out his clothes although he still wasn't old enough to completely dress himself but he knew how to pick the right clothes.
Regina laughed to herself before getting up and standing in Henry's doorway, watching her baby boy so excited as he searched his perfect outfit.
As Henry laid his perfect outfit out on his bed, he turned to see his mother standing in the door, staring at him adoringly.
He slightly tilted his head, "What's wrong?"
She walked over and picked him up, kissing his forehead, "Nothing my little prince. You think you can get dressed by yourself today?"
He nodded, excitement all over his face.
She put him back down, "Good. I'll be downstairs when you get ready." She said as she left his room.
Henry quickly started getting dressed, he was eager to prove he was becoming a big boy.
He put his pants on first, taking his time as he buckled them and pulled his shirt over his head.
As he fixed his collar in the mirror, he smiled brightly, proud of himself.
He grabbed his shoes and ran downstairs to share this moment in history.
He noticed his mother standing in the kitchen fixing the picnic basket.
"Mommy look!" He exclaimed and she looked down at her son.
"You got dressed all by yourself! I'm so proud of you. You're getting to be a big boy, aren't you?" She tapped his nose as she smiled.
He giggled at her soft touch, "I am! Well, I'll be a big boy once I learn how to tie my shoes." His face dropped a bit.
Regina placed a hand on his shoulder, "How about later we sit down and mommy will teach you how to tie your shoes?"
He nodded in agreement, "Okay mommy. I'll go get my strap shoes."
He ran back upstairs and got his other shoes, knowing those were easier to use.
"Do I have to wear my hat?" He finished pulling the strap tightly on his shoe.
"Yes! Unless you want to catch a cold." She stated firmly with a 'you better do it or something bad will happen' look on her face.
He huffed and walked to the coat rack where his hat was and grabbed it, placing it in his pocket to use once they left the house.
"What time do we leave?" He asked as he stood at the door, waiting patiently.
Regina walked back into the living room with the basket in her hand, dressed and ready to go.
She smiled, "As soon as you put your jacket on then we can leave."
He quickly grabbed his jacket, it had slipped his mind that he hadn't put it on yet.
"Done." He exclaimed with a bright smile.
She walked over to him and ruffled his hair before grabbing her keys, "Let's go my little prince."
She took his hat out of his pocket and put it on his head.
His hand was in hers as they began walking to the Apple Orchard just a few blocks from their house.
As they were walking, Henry held tightly onto his mother's hand when he noticed a big dog ahead of them.
Regina immediately noticed something was wrong and looked down at Henry, "Sweetheart what's wrong?"
He looked up at her and then ahead.
She followed his eyes, "The dog? Are you scared of the dog?"
He slowly nodded and she stopped, "Oh honey it's okay. That's a big dog. Come here."
She picked him up in her arms and crossed the street, "There, you don't have to worry. The dog can't get you."
He flung his arms around her neck and sniffled a little, he was so small compared to the dog so it did frighten him.
"I love you mommy." He whispered as she let him down and kneeled to his height, grabbing both his hands, "I love you too Henry. And I'll always be here to protect you, never forget that. Okay?"
He nodded and a smile slowly formed on his lips.
She stood up straight and grabbed his hand again as they resumed walking.
When they finally arrived at the orchard, Henry's eyes widened with amazement.
So many trees, so many apples, he knew that he and his mother would have a wonderful time.
Regina let out a sigh of happiness, the whole day with her son, just how she liked it.
No paperwork, no calls, no conferences, just her, her son and apples.
Could life get any sweeter than this?
They walked around, trying to find the perfect spot to set up their picnic.
"Right there mommy, look." Henry pointed to a shady spot underneath a big tree filled with beautiful red apples.
"It's perfect." She grinned as she followed him to it.
Henry had always been so helpful so it wasn't a surprise when he began helping her lay the blanket on the ground and smoothen it out.
A butterfly started flying around them and landed on Henry's nose.
Regina giggled as she sat down on the blanket, grabbing a bottle of water from the basket.
Henry stayed perfectly still, admiring the beautiful butterfly.
He adored nature and his mother made sure he had an appreciation for all living things.
Finally the butterfly flew away and though he was sad to see it go, his mother pulled out one of his favorite things, an apple juice box.
He gasped playfully and happily took it, sitting down next to his mother underneath the tree.
"Thank you mommy." He sweetly said before indulging in the cold juice.
Cold apple juice was always his favorite, his mother knew it too.
It was how she would get him to take a nap as a toddler.
He would always resist taking a nap, as a matter of fact anytime he heard the word he would instantly tune up to cry.
So Regina had accidentally put a bottle of apple juice in the refrigerator and didn't have the time to fix another one so she gave him that bottle in hopes that it would soothe his tears.
Before now, he would cry himself to sleep and it hurt her heart to hear her son cry like that.
But once he began drinking that cold bottle, he stayed quiet the entire time and when he finished it he went right to sleep.
"Can I take an apple tree home?" He asked, raising his eyebrow.
She chuckled, "I'm sorry Henry but we can't take these trees, they don't belong to us. They belong to the city. But, if you like, we can plant some apple seeds when we get home and you can have your very own tree like mommy. Would you like that?"
His smile was all the conformation she needed.
He nodded as he continued sipping his juice, his mother running her hands through his hair.
The sun was hiding behind clouds, allowing a nice breeze to blow through the quiet little town.
After a nice snack Regina grabbed two empty baskets and handed Henry one.
"Now, before we start I want you to be very careful picking apples. Remember-"
Henry took his basket, "Remember don't pick apples with worms, I know."
Regina smiled, "Because the last thing you want to do is bite into an apple and see a worm. Or worse..."
Henry tilted his head, "Worse?"
Regina bent down, "Half a worm."
She moved her index finger like a worm while tickling Henry, who was in a fit of giggles.
"Eww!" He yelled out through the laughter.
"You can go pick your apples now. Only the beautiful ones."
She ruffled his hair and he looked up at her, "Beautiful like you, got it."
Before she could say anything he had ran off to start picking apples.
She kept her eyes on him as she picked some apples herself, careful to ignore the green apples and the red bruised ones.
Henry would only pick the shiniest, big red apples.
He was determined to pick ones that were as beautiful as his mother.
Once Regina filled her basket she walked over to Henry who was trying to reach the most perfect apple he had ever seen but it was just an inch too high.
It caused a small smirk to appear on her lips as she watched him, her little prince.
He was all she needed in this world to truly be happy.
Henry hand't noticed his mom standing behind him and he was determined to grab this last apple.
Regina, without being seen by Henry, was able to quietly lower the branch just enough so that Henry could jump up and grab the apple.
"Got it!" He exclaimed.
He looked around for his mother but didn't see her, "Mom?"
She walked up behind him, placing a hand on his head, "Yes?"
He jumped a little and turned around, holding his full basket up to show her what he had accomplished, "Look mommy, all beautiful red apples. And this," he held up the perfect apple.
"I want to plant it so that it'll grow beautiful apples in our backyard."
She admired the apple then gave him a smile, "We'll plant it when we get home then."
He nodded and softly yawned.
Regina looked at her watch, it was mid afternoon and Henry usually took a nap around this time.
"I think we should get home so I can bake us some apple pie. Would you like that?"
He rubbed his eyes, "Can I have apple juice too?"
She lightly chuckled, "Of course you can my little prince. Come on, let's go home. It's nap time for a certain sleepy head."
Henry yawned again, "But I'm not sleepy..."
She shook her head, "Ah, but you are, otherwise you wouldn't be yawning."
Regina took Henry's hand as they walked to the area where you pay for the apples.
The worker bagged them and handed them back to Regina, who put them in the picnic basket.
She glanced down at Henry who was still rubbing his eyes, the sweet sight caused her to grin.
She picked him up and as he rested his head on her shoulder, she lightly kissed him.
When she made her way home, she dropped the basket by the door and continued upstairs to put Henry to bed, kissing his forehead before going back downstairs to bake.
When Henry finishes his nap, there would be apple pie and apple juice waiting for him.
New story I plan on updating regularly along with the others now that summer has started. But please be patient with me, I do have other things to tend to in my life. Thanks for reading!