In the time they had spent in the Enchanted Forest, Regina still pictured Henry as a little boy. It didn't matter to her that he had put on more weight than was healthy, or that his movements were slower, he would always be her son. Since his wife had died, he lived alone in a small cottage outside the castle grounds. He refused to take the crown which is why his mothers, now in their eighties, were still ruling the kingdom. His daughter wouldn't consider living in the castle either. She wanted to raise her children the way she was raised, and it was too awkward for her patients to get past the guards to visit her. Regina held out hope for her grandson. He was only three but reminded her of Emma and Henry. She just had to be patient.
"How's mum?"
"Doing OK."
"What about her memory? Kaley mentioned she wanted to do some tests…"
Regina shrugged. "We're getting old. We've done so much that we can't expect to remember everything."
"You seem to be coping even better than I am." Henry pointed out, sounding a little suspicious.
"Old habits die hard. My mother raised me to hide any weaknesses." Then, feeling bad for lying, added. "I have to stay strong for your mother."
It was a low blow, worthy of the person she used to be. She hadn't wanted to hurt Henry, but she wasn't ready to tell him the truth and hoped she would never have to. She quickly changed the subject.
"How are you doing? Don't you get lonely here on your own?"
"Kaley brings little Henry around when she can and the neighbours visit."
Their talk turned to people they knew and people they only mentioned to each other from their past. The visits had become a regular weekly event. In turn, Henry would travel up once a week to speak to Emma at the castle and once a month Kaley visited with little Henry so they could all spend the day together as a family.