AN: Thank you to everyone who has reviewed, liked and favored this story. I never would have thought it would get this popular! Please continue on with the reviews and I will try to post chapters every few days or at least once a week.

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Easy Reading!


What was she doing.

She walked with a grace that was taught from a young age and countless stern looks. She took what she wanted and what she wanted right now was to get to know this Ms. Swan. Something about this woman struck her, something unsettling almost. It was like she had awoken from a sleep she didn't know she was having.

She heard the mummers of Emma as she looked back down the hall and saw her talking to a very happy baby who seemed to hold on to every word. A smile graced her lips as she watched the interaction and laughed at the way the baby seemed to be responding to its mother. Another few steps and one left turn they were outside her makeshift office. She leaned forward and opened the wooden door.

"In here, "


The room opened up to a glass wall overlooking the entire city. A wooden desk and a few pictures were placed on it but what drew Emma the most was the old guitar and strap in the corner. Did Regina play? Maybe she would ask later but now she needed to get her groundings, and Henry was the way to do that. She sat down on the sofa and got Henry out of his seat. He babbled and babbled as Emma settled him on her lap and he looked around the office. Feeling eyes on her she looked up and saw Regina staring at the scene before her.

" So…. Coffee?" Emma said into the room. Her knee started bouncing as she waited for what was going to happen.

"Yes. Yes." Regina shook her head to clear her mind. She picked up her phone and Emma heard a murmur of commands and then the phone being placed back down. "It should be here in about five minutes, if that's okay?

"Yeah. Yeah, no problem"

"So tell me, Ms. Swan." Regina said as she walked across the room and took the chair across from Emma. She crossed her legs and leaned back into the chair. This woman before her was a mystery and she would find out who she was. "Tell me about you. What brought you here?"

Emma looked down and to Henry who seemed to make eyes for Regina as she looked on. A laugh escaped her as she thought of the last few months and how this all seemed like a dream.

"Do you want the short or long version"

"I have all day, Emma"


3 months ago

Rain seemed to drizzle down the car as she adjusted her seat to get comfortable. All she had to do was walk into the bar and sign her name on the bracket to enter the contest. This was a way out of this God forsaken down, and she didn't have a choice. She looked down to check her phone for the last time. Her mother had sent a picture of Henry sleeping with the words "Good Luck, Mommy". She smiled, a quick reply text to let her mom know she was fine and she placed the phone back in her pocket. She would make a better life for herself and him, she just needed to walk through the bar. And past dick face.

She through her trusty red leather jacket over her shoulders and exited the car. The rain seemed to be pouring now but that didn't place a damper on the smell of smoke and the band in the back ground. Maybe if she didn't make eye contact she could get past him without a word. Of course, that never happens.

"Look who has her body back" She heard the words before she felt them crawl over her skin. She went to walk past but his body seemed to be in the way of every way she tried to move. She looked up and a smile reached his lips.

"Move. Now." She said slowly.

" Or what, Emma. You gonna let me take you to your cars back seat like last time? You know you enjoyed it." He said in a whisper. His mouth was too close to her ear and she was feeling her stomach drop. A crowd was forming as his hands tried to wonder down to her hips and she shoved his chest back to remove herself.

"The only thing enjoyable about that was what came nine months later. Still waiting on those diapers by the way. You must have gotten lost between the hospital and here, Neal. Need some re directing?" She spat back. She watched his face drop as he took a step back and eye the mother of his child. His eyes roamed the few people watching as he shoved his hands into his pockets and took a step back.

"How is the little bastard? He shouted. He smiled at himself before he felt pain open his eyes as we went to walk away.

Emma didn't know what happened next. She saw red as she flew the three feet and slapped his face so hard she heard a few men gasp. Her nails dig into his face as blood drew to the surface. Neal went to raise his hand but was shoved off by a man twice his size. A hand was around her waist as as she was led into the bar and into a stool.

"Fuck you. Neal" she yelled across the bar. Faces turned as she spit the words with venom. Her whole body was shaking. This wasn't worth it, she would find another way. She went to get back up and a hand touched her shoulder to push her back into the stool. A sweet looking man with a charming smile handing her a form and a pin.

"Go ahead and sign up. You're our last person joining the competition, this thing needs to wrap up soon."

She filled the form out and handed it back to the back who wished her luck and lead her into the next room. Chairs and stools were filled and the band was rocking as a woman missed a few notes. The song ended and the woman walked off the stage with a frown. Emma knew that look, the look of two many drinks and disappointment. Emma offered the woman a smile as she heard her name being called.

It was all or nothing now.


"A few rounds later, I had won the golden ticket to make it in." Emma smiled. She looked up and saw Regina smiling at her. Emma had left the parts out about Neal, there was no need to bring that can of worms into the mix. This was a new life now, and she wouldn't let the past bring her down.

A knock on the door had Regina to her feet as she opened it an was handed two cups of coffee. The door closed again and Regina made her way back in. She handed Emma a cup of coffee and took her seat back down across from her. Henry was starting to get fussy after being ignored the last few minutes and Emma stared to bounce him again, however that didn't do the trick.

"What's the matter, little man" Emma whispered as his cries grew louder. She looked around and watched Regina take a sip of her coffee and place it back down. She walked over to her and held her hands out.

"May I try something, Dear?"

Emma blushed at the term of endearment and handed Henry to her.

"Don't be upset if he.." Her words were stopped short as she heard Regina start to hum and Henrys eyes grew wide. She rocked the little boy against her chest as he started to babble along as her deep voice washed into the room. Emma watched amazed as the song progressed. Henry did not like anyone but her to sooth him and this was a first. Regina walked around and a few moments later he was back to his bubbly self.

"I think we have another musician in our midst" Regina said. She looked on and watched Emma expression change from shocked to awed.

"He loves music" She whispered.

"And being the center of attention, I think" Regina laughed as Henry started blowing bubbles on her shoulder and she handed him back to Emma. Regina smiled and held on to the little boys hand as he smiled.

"So, how does it feel to have made the judges fight over you?" Regina questioned.

Regina wasn't sure how the hours had passed but soon Henry was fussy for food and Emma looked exhausted. The conversations had gone over her goals and dreams to what Regina was working on and with who. They both had opened up and laughed as they shared their time holding Henry and laughing. Emma couldn't help but feel comfortable as she watched the night unfold.

"I think it may be time for us to go" Emma said. She went to pick her bag up and Regina was right there throwing it over her shoulder. Emma's eyebrows knitted together as she placed Henry in the car seat and got him settled.

"I'll help walk you out"


The walk down the hall and into the parking garage was silent outside the click of Regina's heels and the small squeaks of a not so happy Henry. They reached their car and Regina watched as she buckled Henry's seat in and adjusted her seat back.

"Thank you for walking us" Emma replied. She reached her hand and went to grab the back when she felt a shock as she touched the others woman's arm. She reached back again and grabbed the bag and looked at the ground. For the first time in the evening, Emma was at a loss of words on what to say.

"Emma?" Regina questioned

"Today was lovely. I haven't felt this nice in such a long time. I think I just don't want to walk up from this dream if it is one." Emma looked back up and saw Regina smiling. She leaned back into the car and smiled back.

"I agree, Dear." Regina smiled and turned around. Then very quickly reached out and grabbed Emma into a quick hug then turned away. Emma was left stunned as she watched those long legs walk away. She shook her head before she got enough nerve to yell across the empty garage.

"Can I Have your number?" She realized how stupid she sounded. She was no one special and here she was asking for a mega producer's number like she had known the lady for months. Emma turned around to get in the car when she heard her phone go off. She buckled up and tried to hide her embarrassment as she unlocked her phone

"You already do-Regina" Emma looked up and saw Regina smile and wave before she walked back into the stadium and Emma released a breath she didn't know she was holding. Her face turned red as she placed the phone back down and turned the radio on. She stated the car and her phone went off again. Emma quickly looked down as she read the message and laughed.

"Red is a nice shade on you. Talk to you soon-Regina".

Emma shook her head and backed the car up. She never expected this day to be as good as it was and she thanked her lucky stars and what every deity was watching over her. A song started to play and she heard Henry's murmur along with the tune.

"Hold on little man" She said as she entered into the interstate. "We will be home soon"