Ok so Chapter 2. First I just wanted to say thanks for the follows and favs already. It was strangely overwhelming (and very nice!) to wake up the next morning and already have like 5 people following the story. Very cool, and I hope I don't disappoint you guys! Anyways…say hello to Regina!
Chapter 2
The day was not going well for Regina Mills.
First, she overslept. Which never happens, being a stickler for time and schedules, she never forgot to set her alarm.
Until today that is…
Second, Henry couldn't find his backpack.
"Where did you put it after you did you homework last night?" said a very frazzled Madame Mayor, who was stiffly standing in the doorway to her son's bedroom tapping a very impatient foot rapidly.
"Umm…well, I thought I put it in here." Henry replied in a nervous voice, looking around his room. He dropped down to floor and lifted the side of his comforter to look under the bed.
"Oh Henry, why would it be under the bed? Do you make a habit of stowing things under there?" the frustration in Regina's voice was rising rapidly. Her lips drew together in a thin line, eyes narrowing at her son's crouched form.
"Uh, I dunno. Just checking everywhere. I'm going to look downstairs, maybe I left it in the living room." Henry stood up quickly and darted around his mother heading down the stairs. A low growl started in Regina's throat. Then she sighed leaning against the doorframe.
"The one time I forget the alarm, the one time!"
"I FOUND IT!" Henry's voice echoed up through the foyer.
When Regina finally reached her office she had two messages waiting already. "Great, that's just great, barely 9am and I'm already behind schedule. The morning passed in one long surreal, stressful blur. When she looked back up at the clock it was lunchtime. Finally caught up, Regina made her way to Granny's for lunch. It was a beautiful day and Regina was doing her best to soak up what she could.
Despite the town's general acceptance of the Former Evil Queen, she still felt a little odd in everyone's presence. Pausing before the door of diner, she sucks in a deep breath and straightens her skirt. Walking through the door the bell jingles louder than it seems it should. Regina glances around the diner, but very few people look up besides Granny Lucas and Ruby. Ruby walks along the counter to stand in front of her.
"Your booth is free near the back. Your usual I presume?"
"Yes, thank you Miss Lucas." Regina can't help but feel surprised by the girl's kindness towards her every time she comes in. Mhmm she is a waitress it is her job to be friendly you are over thinking it. Ruby gives a small chuckle at that.
"Please Regina, call me Ruby. I insist." A bell dings, and she winks and gives the Mayor a small smile, before turning away to grab the food. Regina smiles back without meaning too, before shaking her head and heading back towards her booth. She no longer sits at this booth because it is in the back and she is less likely to be bothered. She had rather grown to like it, considering it offered her a good view of the whole place and she could observe everyone without it really looking like she was. It wasn't like anyone was outright rude or mean to her anymore, besides a drunken Leroy or really a sober Leroy, but even he kept himself in check for the most part. Mostly because, as Regina suspected but didn't have proof cause Emma denied it, Ruby would tell Emma. And the next time Emma picked up Leroy for public intoxication, she would throw him in the drunk tank without cleaning him up first, instead of letting him sleep it off in one of the cells. Emma had taken to doing little things like that ever since they got back from Neverland.
Regina's food arrived shortly, and she rather enjoyed her peaceful lunch after the chaos the morning had been. I'm so glad its Friday and Henry has plans ahh cider and book night. The thought of a relaxing night caused a content grin to show on Regina's face. Of course no one was paying attention to the Former Queen, except Ruby, who just smiled and went back to polishing the silverware.
Regina's afternoon was passing much more slowly than the morning had, and by three, she was seriously starting to consider trying out the paper ball game she had walked in on Emma playing at the Sheriff's station. She eyed a stray piece of paper on her desk, and with a huff grabs at it, balling it up in her hand. Part of her winced at the blatant waste, but her boredom won over in the end. The trash can wasn't far maybe four or so feet. Hmph if Emma can do so can I. Just as she was launching the ball her phone beeped loudly, distracting her. The ball landed a foot the right of the basket.
"Damn." She glares at her phone for a moment before picking it up and reading the message. As she reads her face brightens considerably though.
"Hey, so I just talked to Ruby and apparently Belle found something "super cool" working at Gold's today, wouldn't tell me exactly what it is tho. Ya anyways she wants to have a girl's night tonight. Wanna go?"
Smirking at the Sheriff's ever eloquent manner of speaking she quickly tapped out a reply.
"Miss Lucas invited me? And working in Mr. Gold's shop I would imagine Belle finds a great deal of "super cool" stuff." Regina stared at her phone for a few seconds, Emma usually messaged back rather quickly. Not one to disappoint Emma's return message beeped less than a minute later.
"Yes, Regina she invited you. Which reminds me…she also invited Snow…just to give you a heads up. I know you guys get along a lot better now, but I figure you'd still like the heads up."
Regina had to admit the idea of the Sheriff thinking about her and her feeling on the matter made her stomach squeeze in a way that wasn't all that uncomfortable, she smiled briefly tapping a reply out as she did.
"Well thank you. I assure you I will be on my best behavior, just for your mother Sheriff."
Beep.
"Haha so wait that means you'll come right? Good! There will be alcohol (of course), maybe you should bring some of that apple cider? ;)"
That got a chuckle out of Regina.
"Hmmm I'm not sure that's wise dear, unless we do not want to remember what happens tonight?"
Beep.
"Oh ya…good point. That stuff is so strong it should be illegal lol."
"Well there were no alcohol content restrictions in the Enchanted Forest so it has not been an issue until now."
Beep.
"I suppose not. So Ruby says come around about 8. Want to walk there together?"
Regina stared at that message for a moment, eyes widening slightly, her stomach squeezing a bit again. Ignoring the feeling she tapped out her reply and set the phone back down.
Across town Emma was kicking herself. Jeezes why did I say that? Want to walk there together? She stared at her phone intently waiting for the return message with a slight ball of dread settling down in her stomach. After what felt like an eternity, the phone beeped. Reaching out Emma noticed her hand was shaking a bit. Pull yourself together it's not that big of a deal she probably just dismissed it anyways.
"That will work for me. I will see you just before 8pm."
Emma didn't even bother trying to stop the grin that was spreading across her face. She took the crumpled piece of paper on her desk and tosses it towards the wastebasket, a perfect toss. Ha! Nothing but net! She couldn't help but think maybe it was going to be a good night.