"Mom! I'm home from school!" She yelled coming through the door. "Ma!"
"Hush Kenzie, I just put the baby to sleep." Emma said walking into the kitchen.
"Sorry. Thank you for taking care of her."
"No problem, kid. That's what grandparents are for."
"What's for dinner?"
"Pizza?"
"Ugh." The 16 year old girl scoffed. "Again?"
"What's wrong with pizza?" Emma asked a little offended.
"Nothing, mom. It's just..we should be eating more healthy. I can run to the store and get two Kale salads if you'd like."
"Eww. Gross. Kale is for old people."
"Exactly my point."
"Ugh! I'm not old!" Emma said crossing her arms.
"You're 46. That's old."
"Yeah? Well, I'm still hot."
"That you are. Too hot for your own good. You're 46 and you still look the same way you did when I was a newborn, which is really creepy. Almost as if you haven't aged a bit. But that's preposterous. Unless it's magic or something."
"Slow down there, kid. Magic isn't real. I just have good genes." Emma said winking at her daughter.
"Yeah, well, I hope I still look hot when I'm as old as you."
"I'm not old!"
"Whatever helps you sleep at night, mom. I'm going to get those kale salads. I'll be back in a jiffy." Mackenzie said grabbing her car keys. She ran out of the house again, leaving Emma and her granddaughter, Faith, alone once again.
She sat on the couch drinking her afternoon bottle of rootbeer when her phone rang. "Hello?" She said picking it up and putting it to her ear.
"Hey mom."
"Henry? Henry! Hey kid! I miss you so much."
"I miss you too."
"What's going on?"
"I'm just bored. I miss Mackenzie."
"She misses you too. And you're always welcome to come visit. You know that." Emma said crossing her legs and taking another swing of her rootbeer.
"I know. It's just- I haven't grown in 10 years. No one in Storybrooke has aged. I can't come visit looking exactly the same."
"I guess you're right."
"Of course I am."
"God, you sound like your mother. How is she doing these days?"
"She's umm-she's-she's okay." He said.
"You don't sound too convincing."
"She's fine."
"Is she...dating?"
"Umm, I-she-she.."
"Henry? What's going on?" Emma asked furrowing her eyebrows and sitting up.
"I'm not supposed to tell you this.."
"Spit it out, I can keep a secret."
"Robin came back a few years ago. 3 years to be exact. And he's not a good guy."
"Meaning?"
"You know what I mean." Henry said putting emphasis on the work know.
"Regina is an adult, she knows how to take care of herself."
"She's scared."
"Henry, I-"
"They're supposed to be getting married in 2 months. I- I need you too come back. She can't marry him."
"You want me to stop your mother's wedding?" Emma asked trying to comprehend.
"Yes."
"Absolutely not." Emma said.
"Please! There's nothing I can do, besides crush his heart, and I know you don't want me to do that." He said once again putting emphasis on the word know.
"Even if I wanted to I couldn't. You know the rule about crossing the town line."
"Seriously mom? That's your excuse?"
"I didn't have time to come up with a better one." Emma said closing her eyes.
"Please? Plus I miss you. So does Mary Margaret and David. And everyone else. Just come visit."
"And what do you suppose I say to your sister?"
"Try the truth."
"Not going to happen."
"I-I don't know mom. But get here as quick as you can."
Emma let out a long sigh before speaking back. "Fine. We'll see you tomorrow."
"Yes!" He screamed over the phone.
"Just to make things clear, I'm only coming to visit. I'm not ruining Regina's relationship."
"No need. Me and Makayla can handle that."
"Who's Makayla?" Emma asked.
"I-I have to go. Meet me at Granny's Diner at noon."
"Ok."
"Love you mom, bye."
"Love you too." She said before hanging up. Emma facepalmed herself. "I can't believe I let him talk me into this." She thought to herself.
"Who was that?" Makayla asked walking into Henry's room.
"One of mom's old friends."
"Friends? Mom has friends? Since when?" She laughed.
"Since before you were born."
"Funny."
"I wasn't joking." Henry said.
"Anyways, I just came to tell you that dinner is ready."
"What'd she cook?"
"Some sort of animal. It was Robin's idea."
"Of course it was."
"Yeah, I know. I can't stand his punk ass either."
"Watch your language!" Mom screamed from the kitchen.
Kayla and Henry just rolled their eyes. "I swear she has the ears of a bat." Henry said.
"Yeah. An old bat." Makayla said laughing.
"I beg your pardon? I am not old!" Regina screamed causing both of her kids to laugh.
"Okay, mom!" Henry said.
"Last one to the kitchen is on dish duty." Makyla said.
"No! That's not fair. You have magic, I don't."
"Oh stop pouting."
"Fine. I'll race you." Henry said smiling.
"Ready, set, go!"
Makayla poofed herself to the kitchen when she saw Henry already setting the table. "Not fair! Mom helped you!"
"Oh stop pouting." Henry said mocking his little sister.
"That's it." She said creating a fireball.
"No fireballs in the house, Makayla! It's not lady like."
"But he-"
"I don't care. Put it out and help set the table before Robin gets here. I don't need him being upset."
She rolled her eyes and put the fire away. "Fine. Whatever."
Ding dong.
Ding dong.
"I got it." Kayla said running to the front door. She swung it open hoping it was one of her friends from school. She frowned when it was Robin. "Gross." She said slamming the door back. She walked back into the kitchen and started setting the table again.
"Who was that at the door?" Regina asked.
"Your fiancé."
"Nice one, sis." Henry said highfiving her.
"What! He's gonna kill me." Regina said poofing him in.
"I'm so sorry Robin."
"It's fine. It's not your fault you gave birth to such an insolent child." He said giving Regina a kiss on the cheek.
"How was your day?" She asked carrying the food into the dining room.
"It was a rough day. I need something I can beat up." He said.
"You always have a bad day." Kayla said.
"Maybe it's because I have to deal with you everyday."
"Actually you don't. You're more than welcome to go back to the woods. Need me to poof you there?" She asked.
Robin clenched his jaw. "Regina, can I speak with you alone, upstairs?"
She swallowed and nodded her head, leaving the table. After a few seconds Robin stood up with his fist clenched. Before he could move Henry grabbed his wrist and got in face.
"My mom is not a punching bag."
Robin shoved him back some. "Your mother is whatever I want her to be."
"If you put your hands on her again I swear I will-"
"You will what?" Robin asked.
Makayla threw a fireball stopping it barely an inch away from Robin's penis.
He glared at the two children before jogging up the stairs two steps at a time. They both jumped when they heard the door slam shut.
"Makayla." Henry said.
"I did it earlier. The protection spell should last for another 6 hours."
"Great. And uhh- do you mind?"
"Not at all." She said. She flicked snapped her finger and a pepperoni pizza appeared on the table.
"Dig in." She said.
Sorry! I had to me Robin the bad guy.
