Okay! I've been meaning to get this one up, but my curiosity was piqued by Orange is the New Black.
Once again, this is a continuation from one of my SQW drabbles that's getting turned into a longer fic!
For those of you who haven't read it before, please enjoy!
Emma Swan kept staring at the closed door in front of her, the baby in her arms babbling incoherently, unaware of what was going on, just trying to play with his mother's hair.
This was her last option and they turned her down. She was truly alone, fresh out of the correctional facility, with a 3-month old child. She hadn't even given him a name yet.
She covered the child as best as she could while she made her way to the bug in the pouring rain. Where would she go? She couldn't very well raise a child on the back of her car. As she strapped the child into his seat, blubbering happily at his mother, she tried to figure out where she could go.
New York? Maybe the crazy city life might offer positive things to both of them. Though she had no idea how she'd fare with the violence. Emma went to the driver's side, setting herself down and pulling out the map from the passenger's side. They had been travelling for a little over a week now, first on a bus from Phoenix to the east, where her car had been safely stored for the past number of months, and now they were on the outskirts of Boston. Although Boston could offer them a nice life, Emma never really liked the place. It brought up bad memories from one of her foster families that she'd rather not have to relive every time she made her way downtown.
The blonde traced the path on the map to New York City, seeing where they had to go. Simple enough route, now it was time to go. She decided she'd at least visit, and then see where they could go. It could be their first vacation, she reasoned, though she had no idea how she'd pay for it. Well, she had found a stack of money hidden in the glove compartment of the car, a final parting gift from Neal she thought bitterly, and though she wouldn't feel one ounce of guilt from using it, she didn't want to blow it off all at once. She now had someone else to think of.
Emma looked in the rearview mirror at her child, a smile on her face. "Ready kid?"
The baby babbled happily in response, and Emma started the car, ready for a new life.
Darn the weather. Darn the rain and darn the idiot that had made these signs so damn confusing. She was pretty sure she was headed the wrong way, but the pouring rain and darkness did little to confirm or deny anything. She would just have to hope the next town had a hotel she could stop at, because with this rain she wasn't going anywhere.
Emma saw a sign looming closer, and tried to get a glimpse of what it said, but the rain was pounding too hard, so she just pressed ahead, her kid sleeping in the backseat, as she made her way into a small sleepy little town with a clock that didn't work.
As she came upon Main Street, Emma saw the glowing sign. "Granny's Bed and Breakfast huh?" she muttered as she read the sign. "Better than nothing I suppose."
Emma was tired from the drive and the storm, so right now all she wanted was a bed and a roof over her head. She parked her yellow bug at the miniature parking lot and got the sleeping baby out, making sure he was safely tucked into her jacket before she made her way out into the rain and headed inside the B&B
Her hair, held up in a ponytail, was drenched by the time she went inside, the rest of her clothes faring the same fate. As she looked up, she felt like she had grown an extra head as she faced a young woman and an old lady, who Emma supposed was Granny. The pair were looking at her strangely, and neither said a word of welcome.
Emma decided to take the first step. "Hi, is the B&B open?"
The younger woman with red streaks in her hair came back to her senses and flashed a smile. "Yeah! I'm Ruby, and this here's Granny. How long will you be needing a room?"
The blonde smiled in return at the introduction. "Emma. And just for a day, I didn't want to keep driving in the middle of the storm with my kid."
The two workers now saw that the newcomer had a baby in her arms, sleeping peacefully while having been spared from the brunt of the storm by his mother's jacket.
Granny smiled fondly. "That's quite alright, we'll get your room set up soon enough. Welcome to Storybrooke!'
Emma gave her a tired smile. "Thanks."
Regina was having a hell of a morning.
Her alarm clock, after 19 years of faithful service, didn't alert her this morning that she had to wake up, so she had to do her entire morning routine in a rush. What's worse was that she didn't even have time to prepare coffee, as her need to look presentable outbid her need for caffeine, not to mention she could get it at Granny's.
Of course all her effort had gone to waste as soon as she stepped outside into a rainstorm. In her hurry to get ready she hadn't even looked outside or even bothered to check the weather so she practically went outside blind. Her hair was now a mess, and her suit was drenched before she went back inside to get a jacket.
As if all of that wasn't enough, imagine her surprise when she enters the diner and finds a stranger. A stranger in Storybrooke. It had happened only once before and Regina did her best to forget that one time. The blonde sitting on the stool was chatting amiably with Ruby. Every now and then the blonde would glance up and to the side, as if checking for something.
Regina followed the blonde's sight as best as she could, and saw the loathed Mary Margaret playing with a baby. Wait, a baby? Could it be? Had Snow's child finally been found and had been cursed this entire time as well? The impromptu theory was squished after a few minutes when the waitress walked over to her.
"Morning Madam Mayor! Crazy weather huh?"
Regina nodded slightly, her attention focused on the strangers. After a beat, she pointed with her chin at the blonde, and asked, "Who is that?"
"Oh, that's Emma. She and her kid got lost in the storm and she's going to be staying here until the rain dies out."
So it was the stranger's child, interesting. "She's staying at the Inn?"
Ruby nodded. "Yes ma'am. Do you want your usual?"
"Yes, thank you, Ms. Lucas." The brunette sauntered over to where the now named blonde sat, staring fondly as her child interacted with the teacher.
Emma hadn't noticed the older woman make her way closer, so she nearly jumped out of her skin when she heard, "I don't believe we've met before."
As the blonde regained her composure, she did a quick once over of the brunette before she extended a hand and smiled. "I'm Emma. You are?"
"Regina Mills." She shook the other woman's hand and then as they let go, she glanced over at the child. "And he's yours?"
Emma nodded, not saying a word.
Seeing she wasn't going to get more information willingly, she prompted for the answer herself. "What's his name?"
The blonde faltered here. "Um- I haven't really come up with one yet. I know it's bad, he's 3 months old and still nameless, but I just don't know what to name him."
Regina tried to push the shock back. She decided to shift the topic a bit. "Are you staying here long?"
Emma shook her head. "Just until the storm dies out. Then heading back out again."
"Oh? Where to?"
"No idea, probably New York, I've always wanted to visit."
"So this is a trip then? Do you live up north?" Regina was beyond late to work by now, but she felt herself sitting down as she continued to speak to the mysterious stranger who had arrived. Plus, it wasn't as if she would be reprimanded by anyone, she was the Mayor after all. Everyone feared and respected her, as it should be. Though there were times where Regina wished the fear part wasn't as prominent.
Emma chuckled, shaking her head. "Nah, you could say I'm in transition currently. Trying to find a new home for me and my kid."
She was a single mother then. Regina felt a pang at thinking of the woman alone against the world trying to protect her child from the evils in the world. "Well, you could always stay here. It would certainly be safer for you and your child than New York."
The thought had crossed Emma's mind. What the other woman said certainly made sense. But- "There aren't any places for rent. I tried to look in this morning's paper, but from what I understand, everyone's been living in the same place for as long as anyone can remember."
Regina nodded absentmindedly. Before she could say anything, Mary Margaret made her way to where the two were sitting, handing the child back to her.
"It was really nice to meet the two of you, but now I have to go get ready for my class. I hope to see you again!" Mary Margaret waved to them, before saying a small hello to Regina, who sent a frigid response in return.
As soon as the door closed, Regina heard the blonde say something to her, but she didn't hear it. "I'm sorry dear, I didn't catch that."
"Do you want to meet my kid?" She turned her body so the little boy was now facing the brunette, "Hey kid, meet Regina."
The little baby mumbled happily and Regina gingerly took the small child into her arms. Seeing the baby reach out to grab her made her heart melt. An idea started forming in her mind. She had been looking for a child, and her house was too big just for her...perhaps she would accept.
"My house is big enough."
Emma was sure she heard wrong. Looking up from where she was watching her kid play around with Regina's hair, she made eye contact with the other woman. "What?"
"My house, it's too big for me by myself, and if you want, you could stay."
"Oh no," Regina braced herself for another round of disappointment. "I couldn't impose."
The brunette was surprised. She had been expecting something akin to disgust or even fear. The young woman, who Regina realized looked more like a teen than anything, was probably just unsure of her life now with a child and how to deal with everything. Certainly Regina was curious about how the young woman came to be in this situation, but wouldn't press now.
"Well, at the very least I insist you come by for dinner tonight." Regina wasn't sure what brought on this immense need to help the young woman. Was she only helping her for the child? Yes, that was definitely it. At the very least, it was what she told herself.
"I- thank you, we'd love that."
Regina smiled, and gave her the address to her house, with instructions on how to get there from the Diner. Emma accepted it graciously, and soon she parted the Diner, now with her order.
After Regina had left, Ruby came back to where Emma was sitting. "How did you do that?"
Emma looked confused at the brunette. "Do what?"
"You actually managed to get on the Mayor's good side, and she smiled at you!"
"Wait, I thought Mary Margaret was a teacher?"
"No! Regina Mills is the Mayor."
"Oh! Didn't realize." Emma shrugged, she didn't understand why this was a big deal.
Of course, Ruby answered her unspoken query for her. "She doesn't really like change. We think that's why no one ever comes here. She kinda rules with an iron fist."
Emma blanched. Well then, she had probably just made a fool of herself at least a dozen times with that small exchange.
Regina reminded herself that this was just a simple dinner, but a small part of her wanted to convince the blonde to stay here. She didn't fully understand why she wanted a child for her own, it wasn't as if she'd had stellar parenting at the hands of Cora, but regardless, she hoped that maybe a child would offer her some happiness and respite from the monotonous life in this small town.
As the doorbell rang, Regina made sure everything was prepared before going to answer the door.
Dinner had been pleasant. Small talk mostly. Emma had apologized for not knowing Regina was the mayor, but the brunette brushed it off, saying it wasn't of consequence, insisting she could call her Regina, no special title required.
There were some moments of silence, and some moments where Emma was just trying to get her kid to to eat. Regina had prepared a special meal for the child, something Emma greatly appreciated.
After dinner, they had retired to the study, where Emma held her sleeping child. Regina offered her something to drink, and Emma accepted some coffee, saying cider was too strong for her, plus she had to drive back to the Inn.
Regina kept her mouth shut. She didn't want to press, but companionship in the form of a child and a friend seemed like a welcome reprieve for the once Evil Queen.
After a few seconds of silence, Regina decided to breach a more personal topic. She had always been curious, demanding answers to puzzles, and the conundrum that was Emma was baffling her.
"Don't you have any family or friends that can help you?"
Regina thought Emma wouldn't answer, but was surprised when the blonde shook her head in the negative. Though the blonde didn't leave it at that.
"I know I must look like a terrible parent." She took a deep breath as she continued. "I won't be winning any parenting awards, but I just couldn't give him away. I promised myself I wouldn't. No matter the challenges and obstacles that were ahead, I'd power through for him."
Regina's heart ached for the blonde. She wished her own mother had been so devoted to her. She cleared her throat and then decided to persist once more. "Well, if you're willing to have a friend help, my offer still stands. As you can see I wasn't exaggerating about the size of my home, so living comfortably would not be a problem. I don't wish to pressure you, but I want you to know that this is an option for both you and your child."
"Regina, I couldn't afford to help you pay for this house-" Emma was sure she might have enough for some months, but who would hire an ex-convict single-mother in a small town? She'd be run out of there before they'd even consider accepting her.
"Nonsense, I do not require money."
Emma was sure there would be a catch. She had learnt the hard way that nothing in life was free, and no one ever was kind for the sake of it. "Then what would you want?"
Regina thought about it for a while. A slice of the truth wouldn't hurt perhaps. Her strong cider was making her tongue loose; she'd have to be careful or else more dangerous revelations might come through. "Companionship. I don't really have friends in this town, they all would rather think me first as a Mayor than a friend. And" here Regina could feel a small blush creeping up as she just kept talking, fueled by the cider. "For the past while, I've been curious as to what it would be like to have a child."
Emma just blinked at the brunette, surprised at the forwardness of the confession. She was even more surprised that her lying detector didn't ping at all. Maybe she could give a chance to the brunette. After all, it wasn't like she herself had an abundance of friends. Perhaps being able to have someone helping her wouldn't be so bad.
"Okay, deal. One condition though."
Regina nodded, hoping she could meet it.
"Can you help me name my kid?"
"Mommy! Movie!" Little Henry was pulling at her hair, as if pulling on it hard enough would get her to go where he wanted, sitting on her shoulders.
Emma chuckled, "I haven't forgotten Henry! Let's go pick out your movie. What kind do you want to watch?"
"Adwenture!"
"Adventure." Emma repeated, stressing on the V to teach Henry how to pronounce it properly. The little 4 year old only huffed in response. When they got to the movie section, Emma was disappointed to see a small selection of movies for children. Mainly only one movie: Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs.
Well, she supposed adventure did include the fairytale story, so she went to the front and rented it.
Henry, of course, wanted to watch it right when they got home, so Emma put him down on the couch, making himself comfortable as Emma tried to get the vhs tape in.
As soon as it was in, Emma rushed to the couch, nearly tackling the young boy in the process, getting both to laugh themselves silly, before the familiar intro song came on.
Regina, coming back from work, was exhausted. The never-ending pile of work seemed to claw at her, and she welcomed the reprieve of the end of the day, a chance to get to spend time with people she practically called family.
By the time she made her way inside the house, Regina could hear the distant sounds of a movie playing, followed by snippets of commentary by the bright young boy, and his mother's responses.
The two women had a wonderful companionship going as they shared the too-big house, and Emma, after much insistence, helped in her own way, whether it was to pay for the groceries, especially food for Henry, or even just helping to clean around the house.
The blonde was now town Sheriff in a surprising turn of events. Graham, the previous Sheriff, had at first been delighted to have a partner in crime, but he eventually realized that law enforcement just didn't suit him anymore, and was now doing some forest ranger/ living out in the wilderness thing that Regina barely understood.
Regina had also realized that her curse was weakening. She actually hadn't noticed it at first, but then her roommate had mentioned the clock in Main Street was working. The Mayor hadn't given it much thought, not noticing that the clock's movements, or lack thereof, were connected to everyone being frozen in time, but after four years, the changes were noticeable.
Perhaps it wasn't so obvious on the adults, but the children were growing up along with Henry, though it helped to keep the curse a secret, because she was sure the two other occupants of the house would notice if none of Henry's playmates aged.
Now, having put her outerwear away in the front closet, Regina was musing to herself as to what they could have for dinner when she heard some crying from Henry, and Emma trying to soothe him. Wanting to see if she could help, she made her way to the living room and saw Henry hiding behind a pillow and Emma trying to calm him down.
Trying to find the source of his fright, the brunette looked around the room, eyes landing on a familiar movie.
She could hardly stop the scoff that came out at seeing the movie loosely based on her and Snow White. Key word here was loosely, as she'd never have gone after the raven-haired woman for something so shallow as looks; really the nerve of whoever had made this atrocity.
But for now she had a child to comfort, and she made her way towards the Swan family.
"Come on Henry, she can't hurt you!" Emma was saying to Henry. Who was she talking about? "Plus, you'll see how the evil and mean queen is defeated! Good will win!"
Regina fell a pang of sadness. He was afraid of the Evil Queen.
Henry barely peeked out from behind his pillow shield, wide eyes staring at his mother. "Really?"
"Mhmm." Emma nodded.
"What if she comes here?" Naive Henry still believed story characters could come out of nowhere and harm him. Though in this case, Regina thought wryly, he was right. The subject of his fear was standing in that very room.
Emma smiled, seeing her child hiding behind his pillow again. "Don't worry, I'll protect you."
Henry peeked out again and saw Regina standing there. "'Gina!"
Emma turned and smiled as she saw the brunette, who made her way over to sit beside Henry.
"Will you also prote-cect me?"
Regina did a double take. She didn't know what to say. What could she say?
"Protect, Henry." Emma corrected him.
Regina felt Henry pulling on her shirt, waiting for an answer. She smiled at him as she nodded. "Of course Henry, I'll always protect you."
And that was that!
A little snippet in the new life of Emma, Henry, and Regina!
This story will mix back and forth in times, I mean, it won't be a catalogue of Henry's different life in Storybrooke, just the important parts that make this story.
I'll have the brand new chapter up in a few days!
Thanks as always for the support and reviews!