Three weeks later
Emma held her phone in her hands as she sat on the edge of her couch. She had been having this nearly nightly debate for a week now on whether to make the call.
She felt silly because while Regina had told her to call anytime if she wanted to come into the restaurant and eat. She also didn't know if that was just Regina's way of being nice.
The same day Regina had visited her in the hospital Emma had used her phone to google Regina Mills only to find out that she was no mere chef. The woman owned that restaurant and was apparently highly regarded in food circles. There was a feature story on her in the New York Times two years ago that gave her a lot of the information on Regina.
Emma also found out that Regina had been married.
It shouldn't matter, she thought. It shouldn't matter that Regina had been married.
But Emma also knew that was a big reason she hadn't called. It was stupid, she knew. She had met the woman under an extreme situation so it was natural that she would feel some sort of weird connection to her. When Regina had come to see her in the hospital she had gotten an even better look at the brunette and beautiful didn't seem the right word for it.
For a moment in that hospital room she felt – she didn't know what she felt but it had felt good.
Then she had to start looking into who this woman was and Emma knew "out of her league" didn't even begin to describe it.
Yet Regina hadn't seemed stuck up or anything like that. She seemed like someone who would be comfortable getting a cup of coffee with a person and chatting easily about any number of topics.
And her son, well Henry was cute.
Emma finally decided to dial the restaurant number, figuring she would get the hostess who wouldn't know what she was talking about because Regina probably forgot to tell anyone and that would be the end of it.
A woman answered the phone and Emma hesitated before giving her name and telling her she was calling about a reservation. She was almost immediately put on hold. Yep, Emma thought, definitely has no idea what I am talking about.
"Emma?"
She almost dropped the phone when she heard Regina's voice on the line.
"Um, yeah, it's me," Emma said feeling like an awkward idiot.
"I am glad you finally called," Regina said. "I had left instructions with all the hosts and hostesses to let me know if you did."
"Sorry, it's taken so long. I've been busy."
"It's ok. Henry only asks me like every day when you two are going to have your date."
Emma laughed, "that is why I am calling."
"Are you free this weekend, or are you out catching bad guys?"
"I think I can put the bad guys on hold for a night."
"Good. How about Saturday night at 5 p.m.? I don't want Henry up too late."
"That sounds perfect. I can meet him there."
"He'll be delighted. Be prepared for him to ask about 100 questions."
"I think I can handle it, so I guess I will see you then."
"Bye."
"Bye."
Emma put the phone down, feeling better that Regina had not only remembered but she apparently had made it a priority. Now she needed to figure out what to wear on a date with a kid.
Regina gave instructions for a table for Emma and Henry as soon as she got off the phone. While the restaurant mostly catered to those with reservations, like other establishments, hers always kept extra tables open for special guests or the occasional celebrity.
She was happy Emma had called. She hadn't been lying when she said Henry had asked about her and when they were going to go on their date. Plus she was also looking forward to seeing Emma again.
That night everything had gone so quickly. All she really knew about Emma at the time was that she was very brave and very beautiful. When she and Henry had gone to visit her in the hospital Regina had felt like there was a connection between them, especially when Emma had been so gracious toward Henry.
She figured it was only a reaction to how things had been with Stephen and his rejection of Henry that made what Emma said that more impactful to her.
Stephen. There was a mess that wasn't going to go away too quickly. She had a good idea that Stephen knew about what had happened to her at the restaurant and she was hurt that he hadn't bothered to ask how she was doing or how Henry was doing. She was again left wondering what had gone so wrong between them.
Henry hadn't gone to see Stephen since and Stephen hadn't said a word about it. She had spoken to Katherine about her legal options and felt even more depressed that not only could she go forward with rescinding Stephen's rights as the adopted father, if Stephen didn't protest it was a fairly simple matter. Regina would have Henry and Stephen wouldn't have to pay support of any kind. It would truly sever their last connection to each other.
Regina had mixed feelings about it and she didn't want to jump into it until she gave Henry some real time to think about what it would mean. In the end, it was his choice not hers – at least that is way she viewed it.
Henry would be so excited when she got home and told him that Emma had finally called. She hoped Emma didn't find it to awkward to sit there with Henry. She figured if things looked like they were going bad, she could always join them for a bit.
Emma entered the restaurant more nervous this time around than she had when she actually meeting a criminal there. She gave her name at the front and was escorted back to a table where Henry was already sitting. He beamed a huge smile at her which she returned.
"Hey kid," she said as she sat down opposite of him.
"Hi," he said.
"Your mom around?" Emma asked, taking a quick glance around the room.
"She's in the kitchen," he said. "I am sure she will be out as soon as someone tells her that you are here."
"How is she? And you, how are both of you since that incident?"
"We're good," he said. "What about you, did your stab wound heal?"
"It did."
"Does that happen a lot, getting hurt I mean?"
"No. I've gotten a few scrapes but nothing too serious. I shouldn't even have met that guy here. I didn't intend to put you or your mom in danger."
"It was exciting, but mom says I shouldn't say that because people could have gotten hurt for real."
"Thankfully no one did."
Emma looked up to see Regina approaching the table. The brunette was smiling at her, and Emma smiled back.
"I am glad you made it," Regina said standing next to the table.
"I wouldn't miss it."
"Order whatever you like. It's completely on the house. Appetizer, main course, dessert, even a to-go order if you want."
"I might take you up on that dessert, but for now I will probably just order a main course."
"Are you going to be our chef tonight?" Henry asked his mom.
"Yes."
"You don't have to do that for me," Emma said quickly. "I am sure you are busy enough running this place."
"It runs well whether I am here or not, besides I love to cook. If I didn't I wouldn't be here. So let your server know what you want."
Regina disappeared toward the front and their server gave them two menus. Emma had to study hers for quite a while before deciding. Henry only looked at his for a few moments. When the server came back to get their orders Henry told him to "just tell my mom I'd like my usual."
"What's your usual?" Emma asked him.
"You'll see."
Once their orders were placed Emma was subjected to question after question from Henry.
"You should become a cop," Emma said after a while. "You would do well in interrogations."
"Have you ever seen an interrogation?" he asked excitedly causing her to laugh.
When their food arrived Emma gave a quizzical look at Henry's plate.
"A grilled cheese and fries?" she asked.
Henry shrugged, "Growing up mom would cook a lot of different kinds of food. She used to try out dishes at home before trying them at a restaurant. I just thought that is what it was like for people – their moms cooking a bunch of stuff. Then when I went to school I discovered grilled cheese. I remember I came home and was telling her all about the gooey cheese and she wasn't impressed. But she spent like two days perfecting a grilled cheese sandwich for me. I really like it but she won't let me have them very often so when I am here, she let's me have grilled cheese."
"Your mom obviously loves you very much."
She looked down at her plate and then took her first bite. "God, that's good," she said conscious that she hadn't actually stopped chewing when she said it.
"My mom is really good."
"Really good doesn't come close kid."
"She will be really glad you like it."
"Who wouldn't?"
"My dad probably," he said. "He didn't like it that mom is a chef."
Emma knew better than to ask but she couldn't help herself. "Why is that?"
"I don't know. He always complained that since she owned this place she shouldn't be working in the kitchen and was always lecturing her about maintaining an image."
"She said she loves to cook so being a chef is probably the best thing for her."
"Yeah," Henry said taking a bite of his sandwich.
They tried eating without talking while food was in their mouth and at one point Emma looked up and saw Regina standing off to the side watching them. Emma smiled at her and got one of those smiles in return.
As their plates were being cleared Regina approached them again. "How was the food?"
"Excellent," Emma said. "My compliments to the chef."
Regina smiled once more and Emma thought she caught a slight blush highlighting her cheeks.
"Will you be getting any dessert this evening?"
"No, I am full."
"In that case, I at least insist on sending dessert home with you."
"That's really not necessary."
"Miss Swan, this is my place, you don't really get to argue,"
When she got yet another smile from Regina, Emma knew there was no way she was going to argue against anything this woman said.
"I will put an order in for you, my choice," Regina said as she began to step away.
"You could come back and join us for a bit if you have time," Emma said.
"Ok,"
Regina returned a few minutes later and took a seat next to Henry. They talked even after Emma's dessert was brought out to go. Emma found Regina very easy to talk to and it wasn't until she realized they had been talking for an hour that Emma regretfully said something about leaving.
"I probably should be getting Henry home," Regina said.
"Thanks for dinner, and Henry, you were the perfect date."
"I had a lot of fun," Henry said.
The two women were standing now and Emma felt awkward. "Well I am glad again that you weren't hurt and I really appreciate the invite to dinner."
"You are most welcome," Regina said.
They exchanged good byes and Emma left the restaurant, grabbing a cab to get home. She entered her apartment and felt alone. It hit her hard as she thought about how nice it was to sit with Henry and then Regina. Now she was alone and her small connection to their world was over.
