CHAPTER THREE

The conversation over dinner was light and happy, Regina spoke about her son whilst Mellie listened, Mellie spoke about Karen and Teddy but didn't say that much, she was mostly captivated by Regina's words and voice. She didn't realize she how beautiful someone could make words sound until she listened to Regina talk about her son in such a beautiful way. The passion and love Regina had for Henry, inspired Mellie.

After dinner, Regina and Mellie picked a movie to watch, Mellie didn't remember the last time she sat and watched something that didn't involve the news. They spent the next two hours watching "The Blindside." It was secretly one of Regina's favorites, not many people knew that. Mellie had never seen it but she enjoyed it; she didn't say a word throughout the whole movie.

After the movie, Mellie retired to bed for the night, she headed to bed with a swift 'goodnight' to Regina; it had been a long day. Mellie got into bed wearing a silky nightgown that Regina had given her to wear, she lay and thought about how much she was starting to like it here and how much she liked being in Regina's company. Mellie felt like Regina was her first real friend, could you call them friends yet? Mellie liked to think so. Before she knew it, she was happily sound asleep.

Regina pottered about down stairs for a little while, she had a quick glass of wine as she cleaned up a bit before she called Henry to say 'goodnight.' Regina headed to bed not long after.


The next morning Mellie woke up and without thinking about where she was she walked to the toilet without even getting changed but as she stepped outside her room, Regina stepped out of hers at the exact same time, Regina was already dressed impeccably as usual, hair and make-up perfectly applied. Mellie's bedhead was bigger than her usual hair and crazy-wild, mascara staining under her eyes from where she didn't remove her eye-make up before she went to bed. Mellie yawned as she walked out the room and Regina just paused in her tracks and starred at Mellie. Mellie realized she wasn't in her own home anymore and wasn't just walking to the private en-suite bathroom where only her and Fitz were allowed to go. She saw Regina and starred before realizing what she was wearing and what she probably looked like.

"Shit, fuck, this is awkward, I'm just going to- I'm just gonna," Mellie pointed behind over her shoulder towards the bedroom before awkwardly walking backwards, her face getting redder and redder, no amount of make-up would hide the humiliation in her cheeks, Regina just kept starring, it was like Mellie had cast a spell over her.

When Mellie shut the bedroom door, she leaned against the door and sighed, 'well done, melody, well done.' She cringed.

Regina was still stood in the same spot; she hadn't seen someone look so beautiful looking the way Mellie looked. Her hair bigger than the Eiffel Tower and a make-up stained face yet she still looked perfect in Regina's eyes, Regina felt a strange sensation in her stomach, she hadn't felt since she first met Daniel. She quickly snapped out of it when her phone started ringing. She ran to the phone and tried to move the thoughts she had seconds ago to the back of her mind.

Mellie got changed back into her sweats and shirt that Regina gave her yesterday; she put her hair into a ponytail and wiped her eyes using a wipe she found in her bag. She walked out her room and headed to the toilet. Then she brushed her teeth and headed downstairs.

"Hey, I'm so sorry about earlier, talk about awkward." Mellie said laughing, trying to get rid of any awkwardness that lurked in the air.

"It's quite alright, dear." Regina said, joining in laughing, their laughs together created such a beautiful sound, they harmonized almost perfectly. "Your dress will be ready shortly." Regina said. Mellie simply smiled. "What are you doing today?" Regina asked.

"I'm not sure, I should look for a place to live." Mellie said; Regina didn't bother to hide the disappointment on her face when Mellie said she was thinking of leaving.

"Oh okay?" Regina said more like a question than a statement, before she continued, "You can stay here as long as you want, remember?" Regina cringed at the desperation in her voice and Mellie didn't miss it.

"Are you sure? You really don't mind?" Mellie said, emphasizing the word 'really' she didn't want Regina feeling obliged to have her stay because of who she was. She began feeling regrettably bad for suggesting the idea after seeing the look on Regina's voice.

"Not at all, I enjoy the company." Regina replied, Mellie smiled a toothy grin, she was overly happy when Regina said she enjoyed her company but she didn't have a clue in hell as to why.

"Thank-you, I really like it here." Mellie said, looking around. Regina smiled.

"Consider it home, then." Regina said, cringing even more at what she said, how did Mellie Grant make her feel this way?

"Home?" Mellie said looking at Regina to make sure she heard correctly. Regina nodded, not knowing how this was making Mellie feel. "Okay, I like the sound of that." Mellie said, also cringing at her words. Regina smiled as she gathered her papers to take with her, instantly putting Mellie at ease, all awkwardness and cringing gone in an instant.

"Good, dear. I have to head into work for a meeting, I'll only be about an hour and I can come back if you want to do something?" Regina said, pausing before she left the kitchen.

"I need to go shopping for clothes, where can I go?" Mellie said. "Although, I'm getting quite attached to these sweats." She laughed, looking down and holding a leg out. She felt like she was a teenager again. Carefree and happy, and she was learning to really like it.

"They suit you!" Regina laughed, "I'll take you to the place I go when I come back, help yourself to whatever you want. I'll see you soon." Regina said as she walked out the door.

Instantly, Mellie felt a sense of sadness as Regina left she didn't want her to go at all. Mellie stood confused at her sudden burst of sadness. Before shaking her head and heading for a shower.


After Mellie's shower she got dressed and done her hair for the first time since she could remember, she no longer had a personal hairdresser and make-up artist, 'being First Lady sure had its perks', she thought to herself. In true Melody Grant fashion her hair was as big as it possibly could be.

She headed downstairs into the kitchen, she had about half an hour/twenty minutes before Regina came back, she decided she had enough time to make some food, she was starving. She began looking in Regina's cupboards, raiding about before she found some pancake mix.

Mellie found the pan and the oil for the pancakes and turned the cooker on, she didn't have a clue what she was doing, she didn't have to cook one single meal in the last eight years and she hadn't seen a cooker like this before but she was a smart lady, surely she could figure it out, right?

She set the pan on the hob and stood patiently waiting on the oil heating up before she leaned over to pour in the pancake mix. She stood, waiting on it forming into something rather than a blob but nothing seemed to be happen so she turned the heat up a "little" bit.

She forgot to get a spatula so she started raiding about Regina's drawers again but before she knew it there was black smoke coming from the pan. "Shit, fuck." Mellie said, before running back to the pan and taking it off the hob, her white liquid blob now almost black. The smoke alarm went off and wouldn't stop. She ran to the back door and opened it to let some smoke out as Regina walked in.

"What's all the noise? Mellie, where's this smoke coming from?" Regina said as she ran through her foyer and into the kitchen, heels clicking against the stone floor.

"Hey Regina," Mellie said, over nicely and very suspiciously. "Good meeting?" She said, completely ignoring Regina's glares because her house now smelt like burnt food, if you could call it food.

"The meeting was fine, thank-you. More importantly WHAT HAVE YOU DONE TO MY KITCHEN?" Regina shouted playfully when she realized there was no damage except an awful smell which could be easily sorted.

"I tried to cook a pancake and well this happened…" Mellie said holding up the pan and showing Regina what happened, she had the most innocent look on her face.

"That is NO pancake, dear." Regina said taking the pan from Mellie and laughing ever so evilly, sending shivers down Mellie's spine. Mellie smiled as she turned around so she didn't think Regina couldn't see, she didn't know what spell this woman had cast over her but she sure liked it. "What are you smiling at? You nearly burnt down my kitchen?" Regina said creeping up behind Mellie who was now complete and utterly bright red.

"Nothing," She replied, walking to the other side of the kitchen.

"Isn't the First Lady supposed to know how to cook?" Regina said, looking over her shoulder at Mellie who was now sitting on the table.

"Want to know a secret?" Mellie said gaining Regina's full attention. Regina nodded like an over eager child. "That's what chefs are for." Mellie winked and smiled.

"Chefs? Mellie… when was the last time you cooked…?" Regina said looking at her, seriously.

"Eight or so years ago, I think?" Mellie laughed.

"If I knew that I wouldn't have said help yourself to anything, before I give you a cooking course… STICK TO THE CEREAL!" Regina laughed causing Mellie to join in.

"Okay, now that I can do," Mellie said, holding her hand up for a high five, she hadn't felt this playful in years. She felt like a completely different woman.

"I'm not going to high five you because you can cook cereal." Regina said as she put the dishes in the dishwasher. Mellie pouted her bottom lip and started fake sniffing. "Okay, don't cry." Regina said leaning over and high-fiving Mellie's hand, Mellie who was now sitting smiling like an idiot felt like she never wanted the moment to end. Regina looked over her shoulder and smiled. Regina loved seeing Mellie smile, especially when she knew it was real.

"What are you going to do about the rest of the smoke and the smell? I am sorry by the way." Mellie said, looking seriously at Regina.

"Just watch." Regina said simply before closing the dishwasher. She held her hand up and flicked her wrist, suddenly all the smoke was gone and the house smelt amazing. Regina smiled triumphantly before taking a deep breath. "Ahh, it's never smelt better." Regina winked.

"We still haven't spoken about the fact you seem to have magic powers." Mellie said, raising an eyebrow.

"What do you want to know?" Regina said, sitting down next to her, looking at her seriously with a vague smile on her face.

"A lot, but I'm really hungry right now." Mellie said, pouting again, she liked how this seemed to get her what she wanted when it came to Regina, who found Mellie extra-adorable.

"Let's go to Grannys!" Regina said, "I can introduce to everyone; I cancelled all my meetings today so we can go shopping also," Regina continued.

"You cancelled your meetings? Why would you do that?" Mellie said, looking a mix between angry and confused. As a political woman Mellie knew to never cancel a meeting unless something was important, it didn't make you look good to other political parties.

"Why wouldn't I? I made time so we could go shopping; you need new clothes and another secret? You're much better company than the man I had a meeting with later." Regina said nudging Mellie with her elbow as she walked past.

"You made time for me?" Mellie said, looking like her crush had just exclaimed her love for her. Regina paused in her tracks and turned to face Mellie. "You made time… for me?" Mellie repeated, she looked straight towards Regina. Mellie didn't smile, her mouth was slightly open and her eyes were wide and vulnerable, in that moment her eyes were doing all the talking.

"Of course, come on, let's go!" Regina smiled, dismissing the look on Mellie's face, Regina held her hand out to help Mellie of the seat, Mellie stuttered something Regina didn't catch, but Mellie held her hand out placing it in Regina's as Regina pulled her up before letting go.

"Thank you, Regina." Mellie said her eyes still wide and vulnerable.

"What for, dear?" Regina replied she could see some strange emotion through Mellie's eyes like a puppy that had opened its eye's for the first time.

"For these last twenty-four hours. Thank you for everything." Mellie replied. "Thank you." She repeated, she couldn't remember the last time she actually felt this thankful, this loved, this cared for, and she never wanted to let it go.

"I haven't actually done anything, dear." Regina said, looking confused.

"You have done so much you wouldn't understand." Mellie smiled and walked past heading to grab her coat. Regina smiled; she knew exactly what Mellie was talking about and Regina knew exactly what she had done for Mellie. She had never seen someone's eyes and behavior change so much in such a short period of time. She hadn't even scratched the surface on getting to know Mellie Grant and this, this excited her.


"So this is your front garden, huh?" Mellie laughed looking at Regina, "It's pretty." Mellie said as Regina laughed.

Regina was telling Mellie where every place is and who owned what. Mellie was intrigued. She listened deeply to everything Regina had to say, taking it all in. "You alright, dear?" Regina asked.

"Yes." Mellie said smiling, "It's nice here." Regina smiled.

"Hey Emma," Regina shouted motioning Emma to come over and say hey.

"Hey Regina," Emma said, "Oh my god, you're the First Lady. It's nice to meet you. "

"Former…" Regina and Mellie said at the exact same time looking at each other, smiling with a slight chuckle. Emma just looked on at them, turning her head to the side, analyzing the behavior between the two women.

"Oh, right, but still, it's nice to meet you, I'm Emma." Emma said holding her hand out to shake Mellie's, Mellie politely returned the gesture, if there was something she hated other than Fitz, it was shaking peoples hand, but she wanted to get to know these people because they were Regina's people and she would happily shake their hands if that's what it took.

"Oh, you're Regina's son's other mom, right?" Mellie said, smiling happily that she could put a name to a face now.

"Um, yeah, that's me." Emma said, shocked that Regina had actually mentioned her and slightly dreaded what else Regina had said about her. "What you doing here?" Emma said, before realizing how awful that sounded. "That didn't come out right, sorry." Emma continued before looking at her awkwardly.

"Typical Miss Swan, right there. Oh, how I've missed her!" Regina said sarcastically. Emma rolled her eyes. Mellie looked at the two of them, when she saw the way Emma looked at Regina, Mellie quickly cut in.

"I'm STAYING at Regina's." Mellie said over proudly, emphasizing the fact she was staying with Regina in her house. She was shocked at the emotion that came over her when she was Regina talking to another person. She smiled awkwardly at Regina before composing herself and becoming the confident lady she always pretended she was before looking at Emma, Regina noticed how Mellie's smile changed from the way she looked at Regina to the way she looked at Emma. Regina liked it. Emma completely ignored the tone in which Mellie just spoke in.

"I might have guessed the Evil Queen would know the First Lady!" Emma said, nonchalantly, laughing slightly. Mellie looked at Regina, confused at what Emma had just said.

"FOOORMER." Regina said, holding the O out for a long time, getting her point over, loud and clear, leaving Mellie even more confused whilst Emma laughed. "Tell her Henry, we'll be over later, get back to work sheriff." Regina continued. Mellie stared on watching Regina's every move and facial expression, she felt some sort of anger growing in her stomach.

"Yes, your majesty." Emma laughed before looking at Mellie, "I'll see you later, yeah?" Mellie nodded with the biggest bitchiest smile on her face, Regina noticed it loud and clear. Emma smiled innocently before walking away.

"She's a handful huh?" Mellie said looking at Regina as they began to walk, Regina looked behind her to see if there was any traffic coming but Mellie instantly thought Regina was watching Emma walk away, there was a sense of… jealousy, taking over Mellie's body. Mellie didn't know why she suddenly felt jealous and angry, 'Regina was simply talking to her son's other mother, yeah that doesn't sound any better' Mellie thought.

"Yeah but she's alright, I suppose." Regina said, smiling at Mellie, Mellie went silent for the remaining duration of the walk.


Once they entered Granny's there was a lot more people in than the first time Mellie was in here, Regina felt like everyone was staring but she was pretty sure it wasn't her they were staring at.

"Regina, they're staring." Mellie whispered, the first time she had spoken since they left Emma Swan, She normally wouldn't be bothered by people staring as it was in the job description but for some strange reason she wanted to fit in.

"I know it's okay." Regina whispered back putting her hand on Mellie's arm for a brief second; Mellie instantly felt a sense of security when she felt Regina's hand touch her arm. Regina smiled and Mellie nodded.

They walked up to the counter as Ruby came over. "Oh my god, you're that crazy First Lady!" Ruby exclaimed, loudly causing everyone to turn and stare at Mellie with a little whispering and pointing too. "Yeah, I saw the papers; you sat next to a grave eating chip's for months, without getting dressed, wow, I wish I didn't have to get dressed! So are you like still crazy?" Ruby said not at all filtering.

Regina looked at Mellie, then glared deeply and scarily at Ruby who knew at that point to shut her mouth or else. Mellie smiled at Regina, which shocked Regina completely. Mellie took a deep breath.

"Ruby…!" Regina said before Mellie looked at her, she put her hand on Regina's arm, causing Regina to look at her and stop what she was saying

"I got this." Mellie said quietly, Regina smiled waiting for it, this was the side of Mellie she was desperate to see. "I am not at all crazy, crazy would be like I murdered someone, my son WAS murdered by a crazy person, I was not at all, in any shape or form crazy. I was simply a grieving mother, who wanted to be close to her son." Mellie said, anger growing in her face, she had waited so long to shout at someone. She turned to face everyone else who was whispering and pointing. "And to everyone in here who overheard or read what was said in the press, I would like to repeat again, I AM NOT CRAZY. When you have lost your son or your child and know what it's like to feel that pain, you come back to me and call me crazy, are we clear?" Mellie said, looking at Ruby who was now scared half to death. Regina was looking at Mellie like a proud parent. Ruby nodded. "Good."

Regina was in shock at how feisty this woman could actually be. "You still want to eat in here?" Regina said looking at Mellie, who was taking another deep breath and Regina, could see she was attempting to hide any emotion she possibly could. Mellie nodded. "Okay, I'll have my usual and Mrs Grant will have pancakes, that's what you wanted, right?" Regina said looking at Mellie trying so hard to get conversation out of her. Mellie just nodded.

They walked over to the booth together, they sat down opposite each other and Regina looked at Mellie, she put her hand over Mellie's on the table and whispered, "I'm proud of you," Regina knew how good it felt to be told that so she figured it was something Mellie needed to here at the minute. As soon as Regina said she was proud of Mellie a single tear left Mellie's right eye and slowly made its way down her face, she didn't want to hide any emotion from Regina, just everyone else.

"Thank you," Mellie smiled. "Does everyone think I'm crazy?" Mellie asked wiping her face not realising Regina hadn't moved her hand at all.

"Honestly? I don't know, Mellie. I know you're not, but if it makes you feel better everyone deep down still thinks I'm evil because I done some bad things." Regina admitted, causing Mellie's eyes to widen.

"What did you do?" Mellie asked.

"We'll be here all day if I started, we can talk about it tonight when we talk about the magic ok?" Regina smiled.

"Do you want to go and get very drunk?" Mellie said. Regina finally moved her hand; Mellie felt a sense of loss as soon as the touch moved.

"Don't we need to go get you clothes?" Regina said, turning her head to the side slightly.

"Ugh, yes." Mellie said, she had completely forgot she had to go shopping.

"After we shop, we get drunk, how is that for a deal?" Regina said, looking at Mellie, who was now smiling.

"DEAL."