It had been a week since Emma had found the little boy with green eyes. A week since she had had a home cooked meal, or any decent meal at that. She had no luck in the job hunt and the shelter she was staying at told her she needed to find another because she was taking up to much space. That's exactly why Emma found herself standing in front of a payphone shoving quarters in and holding the worn out business card.
"Regina Mills." A familiar voice rang through the phone causing Emma to smile.
"Hey it's Emma Swan, do you remember me?" She asked warily hoping the other woman would.
"Of course dear, who would forget the woman that saved her son?" Emma could almost hear the smile in Regina's voice.
"I wouldn't say I saved him, maybe more playing a pawn to a really intense game of hide and seek." Regina chuckled at Emma, causing the blonde to grin wider. Man she loved that sound.
"So Emma to what do I owe the honor?" Regina asked, and Emma almost began to regret her decision.
"I was hoping I could invite myself over for another one of your amazing home cooked meals. Since last time nothing has quite been as good. If you don't think it's rude to ask myself over, that is?" Emma had absent mindedly begun kicking the ground with her boot.
"Of course Emma you are welcome at my house anytime. I'll have supper ready at six; do you want me to pick you up?" Regina asked and the sound of shuffling papers could be heard over the phone.
"No that's ok, I'll find a ride. Thanks again, I'll see you at six?" Emma was beaming.
"Six it is. See you then." The line ended and Emma squealed pumping a fist in the air. People passing by gave strange looks, but Emma was too high in the clouds to notice. She glanced down at her watch, she had exactly three hours to find a place to shower, change, and make her way to the mayoral mansion.
Emma stood on the porch shifting her weight from one foot to the other. She couldn't bring herself to ring the doorbell, she didn't know why, but suddenly she was nervous. Part of her wanted to turn around and run as fast as her legs would take her, but the better part of her gave her the courage to lift her arm and push the small white button. Little footsteps could be heard through the house as well as the sound of heals clicking towards the door.
Emma took a few steps back and closed her eyes. She heard the front door open, but couldn't bring herself to move.
"Emma?" A concerned voice asked, causing the blonde to pry her eyes open. "Why don't you come in?"
Emma took slow steps through the door her eyes never leaving Regina's. She slowly pulled her backpack off and set it against the wall.
"Emma!" came a squeal and the toddler ran into Emma's arms causing her to break eye contact with Regina.
"Hey Kid, what's happenin?" She said resting Henry on her hip. The boy giggled.
"Mommy can Emma and I play with my new racetrack before supper?" the boy looked at his mother and waited for her approval.
"Yes you may, but when I say it's time to clean up, it's time to clean up, understood?" The boy nodded frantically. "Alright I'll call you when it's ready, we are having a roast. I hope that's ok."
"It's better than what I've been eating lately." Emma said grinning and placing Henry down so he could lead her to his room.
An hour later Regina quietly made her way up the stairs to her son's room. Emma was on her hands and knee's pushing a small car along the track while Henry followed with his. She leaned up against the doorframe careful not to make noise and interrupt. There was something about the blonde that made her feel comfortable enough to let Henry be alone with her. Everyone knew Regina had a tendency to be slightly over protective, but with Emma it seemed to fit. Henry had gravitated to her even when he was lost, she knew there was something special about the woman, and she just didn't quite know what it was.
"Alright you two, time to wash up for supper." Regina said laughing at the identical jump the two made.
"But, mommy we are almost finished." Henry whined standing and stomping his little foot.
"What did I say about whining? I told you that when it was time to clean up it was time to clean up, now run along and wash your hands." Regina said sternly.
The boy set his toy down and hung his head as he walked out of the room. Emma stood, straightened her jeans out, and stretched. "Playing like that was a lot easier when I was littler." She joked following Regina down the stairs.
"You're really good with him; I can't get him to play like that with me if I tried." Regina said, and Emma caught the slight sadness in it.
"Well that's because you're such a girl." Emma said mimicking the voice of the four year old. When Regina arched an eyebrow the blonde lifted her hands in defense. "His words not mine."
Regina chuckled and walked into the kitchen. She handed Emma a stack of plates and grabbed silverware. Henry came running in and she knelt down to see him.
"Alright now your job is to make sure we all have a fork, ok Henry?" Regina said handing the silverware to him. He nodded and ran into the dining room. "And yours is to make sure we all have plates. I'll bring the drinks."
Emma walked into the dining room and her mouth watered and the sight of food on the table. Her stomach grumbled and she placed a plate by every fork. When she sat down Henry looked at her.
"Emma I can hear your tummy grumbling over here. It must really be hungry." He said with wide eyes. Regina chuckled when she walked in and placed a glass of water in front of everyone.
"Then what are we waiting for?" Regina said when she finally sat down. "Dig in."
Emma didn't hesitate she placed a few forkfuls of meat and veggies on her plate and then helped Henry with his. Regina's eyes never left the blonde, she studied her movements closely. Something about the blonde was off this time; she was eating faster than last week.
"Chew Emma, I don't want to have to take a trip to the ER tonight." Regina casually said, as she herself began to fill her plate.
Emma gulped her food down with a drink of water and said, "Sorry, it's just so good." She placed another forkful in her mouth and winked at Regina.
"It will taste the same no matter the speed you eat it, dear." Regina said taking a slow bite.
They ate the rest of the meal in silence. Emma could feel the other woman's eyes on her while she ate, but she shook it off. Occasionally Henry would bring up something that happened at school, or what new toy he wanted. Once the table was cleaned off and Henry had bounded back up the stairs to play with is race cars again; the two women were left in the quiet kitchen, Regina washing and Emma drying the dishes. Emma reached up to place a plate into the cabinet and Regina noticed a small tattoo in her hip. She moved over and absentmindedly pulled her shirt up.
"What's this?" She asked.
"Oh," Emma said looking down pulling her shirt higher, causing Regina to also notice two protruding rib bones. "Remember how I said I had a kid. This is for him. I always imagined him being my little duckling so I got a yellow duck with his birthday in it." Emma let Regina look a little longer before lowering her shirt, and returning to her job.
"That Henry's birthday, too" Regina said going back to her washing.
"Huh, that's funny. I never held my baby so I don't know what he looks like. I only know it's a he because the doctor told me." Emma shrugged unaware of the chocolate eyes staring at her.
"I guess it would have made your decision a lot harder if you had held him." Regina placed the final plate on the drying rack before pulling the plug on the sink. She dried her hands on her towel and made her way to wipe the counter off.
"Yea, I guess I never thought of it that way. You must think I'm a terrible person, now huh." Emma's tone softened and her head hung slightly.
"Not in the slightest." Regina said walking over to the blonde placing a hand on her shoulder.
Emma jumped at the contact and hurriedly moved away from the sink. "Thanks again for letting me intrude. I really enjoyed the meal, but I better get going." She made her way to the stair and called for Henry to say goodbye.
"Would you like a ride home? I'd gladly do that for you." Regina asked following Emma's frantic movements with her eyes. Henry came running down the stairs.
"No thank you I'll be fine." She knelt down to Henry's eye level. "Henry thank you so much for letting me play with you, I had a lot of fun."
"Do you have to go?" He asked sadly.
"Yep I still have to get up early and look for a job tomorrow. We will see each other soon, I'm sure of it." Emma stood and looked at Regina who smiled back at her. "Thanks again. I'll call you?"
"That would be great, good night Emma." Regina said placing a quick kiss on her cheek.
"Night." Emma said as she rushed out the door. Her legs moved quickly down the front side walk and took her to the nearest bus station. She didn't have money to go anywhere but at least it was out of sight. She pulled her backpack off and reached in for her jacket. When she unzipped it something caught her eye. She pulled out a small box, and opened it. Inside were granola bars and a few pieces of fruit. At the bottom was a note. She pulled it out and began to read it.
I thought you might need some snacks to hold you over for a while. I'm sure your job situation doesn't allow you to buy many groceries. I placed some money in the front pocket of your bag, just to help out. I knew you wouldn't accept it if I gave it to you, so this was my only option. This time don't wait a week to call.
Love,
Regina.
Emma shoved the note back in the box and zipped the backpack up. She turned it around so the front was facing her and unzipped the front pocket. She found the small envelope and pulled it out. When she opened it her eyes filled with tears, there were two fifties and a bus ticket. Emma gently put the envelope back and zipped the bag. For the first time in a long time she brought her knees to her chest and let herself cry. No one had been this nice to her in years; she couldn't help but feel her heart grow at the gesture.
Emma knew she would have to come clean to Regina, but her fear kept her from doing so.
AN: Thanks for all the reviews on the previous chapter! I am thinking of posting new chapters Mondays and Fridays! Thanks for reading! Keep me posted on what you guys think!