AN: Hey everyone! Here's our third update! This one's a little different though – it's the first of our flashback chapters that explain our new characters of Anna and Mia – how they met our Storybrooke characters and how they moved from where they lived before. The flashbacks are out of order but done in a way that it will either explain the chapters before or the chapters still ahead – much like in the show! Some of the flashbacks will look familiar as they'll be scenes from season 6 just mixed up a bit. In this one in particular centres around the episodes "Wish You Were Here" and "Tougher Than The Rest" and a little of "Murder Most Fowl", just a little different with the addition of Anna's and Mia's stories. Also, some Kelly Clarkson lyrics make an appearance as well. Hope you enjoy – and please let us know what you think!
Chapter 3
Wish You Were Here
Anna's hands shook as she held on to the wood of the door outside of Regina's office. She'd followed the Mayor across town after dropping Mia and baby Neal (who she'd been helping Snow and Charming with since the curse the Evil Queen put on them) off with the Sisters at the church. Regina told her to stay at her house where she'd put up a protection spell but Anna was just too worried – it seemed like her friend was going to do something stupid and she was worried about her. She'd watched Regina storm in the office where the Evil Queen was holding Aladdin hostage – closing the door behind her. This was where Anna was kind of at a stand—still, unsure of what to do. She could hear voices from within:
Someone gasped. "Having fun in my office?" That was Regina! She sounded . . . disgusted?
Now someone was chuckling. "Well, as a matter of fact, I was about to!" Hmm . . . sounded like Regina but it was a bit too – maniacal and cheerful. Eh . . . the Evil Queen. A mumble . . . but Anna couldn't make it out. Just the tone in the Evil Queen's voice though . . . yuck.
"I'm not here for your perversions. I'm here to get Emma back." Now that was the Mayor – quick and to the point. And yay! She was going to save Emma! Sure, Anna wasn't on the best of terms with the blonde right now . . . but that didn't mean she'd wi-nope not using that word! She didn't want any harm to come to Emma.
"Oh, well, good luck with that. You're not getting a hold of this lamp." The Evil Queen shot Regina down, but Anna knew her friend could do it! What was it Snow and David were always talking about? Right, hope. "But even if you did, you can't undo wishes."
"Sadly true." Oh . . . that was Aladdin. Did that mean he was okay? Anna hadn't spent much time with him or Jasmine but she hoped Regina could help him out of this.
"Now take a seat! Have a drink." The Evil Queen was sounding a lot like she was going to break out in song! Anna knew she wouldn't but since Anna was a singer and was obsessed with musicals . . . yeah that would be amazing. "And give thanks where thanks is due."
"What the hell are you talking about?" Anna recognized the sass in Regina's voice. If she wasn't so worried about her friend, she could actually grab a bag of popcorn and enjoy this little audio show.
"Be a dear and mix another, hmm?" Another? What? Anna raised an eyebrow, confused. …And then she heard footsteps and then shortly after than something that sounded like ice in a glass. Oh . . . another drink! Didn't Zelena tell them the Evil Queen seemed to always be drinking those weird red cocktails?
"Don't forget, I know you better than anyone, Regina." The Evil Queen laughed – Anna thought she was going to hurl. Yeah right! Sure they had the same memories and they were essentially the same person but hell if the Evil Queen knew her other half at all! "I am you. And there was a time when all you wanted was to tear Snow and Charming apart and kick Emma Swan out of your town so that way you could have Henry and now Anna and Mia all to yourself. And I just did both."
There was that evil laugh – ugh, it sent shivers down Anna's spine just listening to it. She was glad she wasn't around when her friend was like this all the time. The mention of Mia and herself terrified Anna to death – what did the Evil Queen want with her daughter and her?
Oh boy . . . the young woman didn't know what to do. This conversation was getting intense. What did the Evil Queen have up her ridiculously oversized sleeves? Whatever it was – what if Regina couldn't handle it on her own?!
Anna felt her breath quicken and her pulse race. Her friend could be in danger and she knew there was nothing she could do to help her. What to do, what to do . . .Quietly, the young woman pulled her cellphone out of her back pocket. Silently scrolling through her contacts, she sent a text message to David: Regina is in trouble at her office, need backup.
Not a minute later she got a reply: Already on my way, hold tight — wait for me.
"A toast. To you. To me. To us."
Anna held her breath – what was Regina going to do? She heard a noise through the door – but it wasn't the sound of two glasses clinking together. It sounded like . . . glass on wood? Did Regina put the glass down?
A soft sigh was released just loud enough to go through the door. "That's why you'll never be happy. You've won, and you can't even admit it. If you could, you'd see that victory feels luxurious!"
Anna rolled her eyes . . . it was good to know that the Regina who was her friend didn't have such cheesy dialogue in her everyday speech. Honestly . . . was she like this back then? Oy vey.
"Yes, I may not be able to get a hold of that genie lamp, but you're right. We are the same person, which means you're not the only master of the lamp." Oh no . . . Regina! What was she going to do!?
"No." The Evil Queen?
"Yes!" Oh this was Aladdin – he approved of this plan?!
"Genie of the lamp . . ." Regina started. Anna held her breath, fear and panic taking over. ". . . I wish to be sent to the same place as Emma Swan."
This time is was Anna's turn to gasp.
"NO!" A voice that must have been the Evil Queen shouted.
"Your wish is my command, Master." Aladdin spoke quickly and immediately – it sounded different from his regular voice.
Anna tensed. She heard some kind of sound like a vacuum maybe? Oh boy this was not good at all! That sounded like magic! Panic flooded through her again but this time it mixed with adrenaline. Without thinking, Anna pushed the door open and burst inside – she had to see if Regina was okay! Her eyes scrambled around the room . . . the Evil Queen and Aladdin were here . . . oh god where the hell was Regina!? "What did you do!?" Anna screamed.
For her part, as frantic and angry as she looked the Evil Queen regarded Anna with amusement but the young woman was too worried about her friend. Aladdin stood idly in the background. "Oh look . . . it's Regina's little pet project."
Anna ignored the remark. "Where's Regina?! What did you do?! Why do you have to be so cruel to her! As you said she is you . . . where is she?!"
"Come now, little mouse . . . I didn't do anything to her, she did it to herself." The Evil Queen lilted.
Even in her fury, Anna wondered why the Evil Queen hadn't done anything to hurt her yet – well, other than with her words. The calm in the alter ego of Regina's words was actually starting to freak her out. Oh god . . . was Regina now stuck in the same place as Emma? But how would they get back with the both of them there? What would Henry and the Charming's and Hook and Zelena do? What if they never got them back?
Oh god . . . what was Anna going to do? She'd have to tell Mia she'd never see Regina or Emma again . . . this would be worse than when Nancy died!
The sound of metal screeching broke her from her panic attack. "Anna! Get out of here!"
"David!" There was that evil laugh again. "I thought I smelled earnestness."
Anna stood frozen between the Evil Queen and Emma's father. She was still freaking out about Regina disappearing. Tears ran out of her eyes and her heart beat frantically.
"Anna!" Two strong hands shook her shoulders. She blinked and found David right in front of her. "Anna go, please! This isn't your fight. Neither Regina or Emma would want you to risk leaving Mia without her mother for them – now go! Be with your daughter and my son. Hook and Jasmine are at the sheriff's station!"
Anna snapped out of it long enough to process what he'd said before she ran out of the room crying, plagued with thoughts of if she'd ever see Regina again or even have the chance to reconcile with Emma...
"Anna."
The young woman in question jolted awake with a startle, sitting up from where she'd been laying down on a brown couch. She realized her arms were tight around something . . . a body. Looking down, her eyes widened. She had a sleeping Mia in her arms. She tightened her hold of her child protectively. "What the . . ."
It took a few seconds for the young woman to remember where she was. Looking around revealed an office with bright yellow walls, a red rug and a brown coffee table.
"It's alright – you're both okay." The same voice that woke her up with her name spoke again – it was Storybrooke's resident psychiatrist, Dr. Archibald "Archie" Hopper.
"Archie? What am I . . ." Still half—asleep and slightly groggy, Anna couldn't break through the confusion.
"We were in a session, remember? You fell asleep." The doctor shifted to the edge of the chair he was sitting on, regarding his patient with concern.
Mia shifted restlessly in her sleep, snuggling further into her mother's chest. Her daughter could probably sense how stressed and worried Anna was.
"We were?" Anna was still having trouble remembering.
"Yes." Dr. Hopper nodded. "It's been a few days since Regina and Emma disappeared – you were telling me how worried you are about them. Something about . . ." He reached over to grab a small notebook off the table beside him. Peering over his glasses, he nodded. "Yes, I believe it was something about Emma disappearing and then your confrontation with the Evil Queen after Regina disappeared bringing up memories of when you were younger and Emma abandoned you."
Anna's dream – her memory of the last time she'd seen Regina – flashed in her mind again. "I . . ." She gently moved Mia to the other side of her lap. "I . . ." Her lip trembled. "It's just Regina's been the closest thing I've had to a friend in . . . in like ever. Even closer than I ever was with Emma. And with the issues between Emma and I . . ."
"You said you wanted to try to resolve those issues." Archie commented.
"Yes." Anna said without hesitation. "She really hurt me. She knew what I'd been through with my parents abandoning me when I was little and going through all those foster homes – especially since she'd sorta had the same kind of bad experiences!" Her voice raised a little but she quickly stopped – she didn't want to wake Mia. "And then she just shows up again that night of her birthday and tries to lecture me about my life choices, ugh!"
"Surely asking you to move here when you reunited in New York was a step towards something better for the two of you. True, it's not the greatest . . ." Archie trailed off.
"She's been ignoring me since I got here! She always has this excuse and that. I get that she's the "Saviour" or whatever but geez . . . Yeah I wanted to talk to her! Her birthday is coming up . . . actually I think it was yesterday. Wait, is today the 22nd or 23rd of October? Anyway . . . yeah I was going to take her out for drinks or buy her a gift or something to get her attention but then she had to go and get "wished" over to wherever she is — figures!" Anna crinkled her nose, letting out a frustrated breath. The doctor opened his mouth to say something but Anna cut him off. "But anyways I can't talk about Emma right now. It's Regina who's been the real friend to me since I got here. She showed me around the town, told me that magic was real and shared the history of this place and all of you with me. She even let Mia and me move in to her place so that Mia could have her own room and we wouldn't have to be in that crowded loft anymore with the Charming's!"
"I was just going to say that perhaps missing out on your chance for that resolution is what is bringing up these traumatic memories." Archie suggested. Anna breathed deeply, rocking Mia up and down a little bit. "You came to Storybrooke so that both Mia and yourself would be surrounded by friends . . . perhaps even a new family. Emma – even though things are strained between the two of you – and now Regina are at the centre of that – the two that you are closest with, am I right?"
"Pretty much, yeah." Anna drawled.
"And now both Emma and Regina are, in essence, missing and possibly never returning." Archie paused. The very thought shot through Anna like a bullet . . . never seeing either of them again? No . . . she couldn't handle that. "Now I, personally, have seen both of those two fight with every breath to reunite with the ones they love and I don't believe that this will be any different."
"If they don't come back . . . especially Regina . . ." Anna trailed off. She looked down at Mia, asleep in her lap. The toddler was sucking on her thumb – a habit Anna was trying to break her out of but wasn't having any luck. She thought of how close Regina and Mia were and how much Regina meant to Anna herself . . . if Regina wasn't in Storybrooke . . .
"Anna, are you okay?" Dr. Hopper asked her.
Anna leaned down to kiss the top of Mia's head before looking up at the doctor. "I don't think I can stay if Regina's not here . . ."
The loud collision of metal clashing from the open window startled both Anna and Dr. Hopper. Holding on tight to Mia, Anna hurried over to find the source of the noise.
"Please, be careful!" Archie warned, quickly following after her.
She peered out of the window, wide eyes taking in the scene in the dark streets below her. A cloaked figure raising a sword over another figure with familiar blonde hair . . . Emma!? What the . . .Her eyes darted around the two, finding that Hook, David, Henry, Mr. Gold, Belle, and two others . . . was that Regina!? . . . and an unfamiliar man stood frozen around them. And all of them were somehow glowing . . . magic? Why weren't they helping Emma? Why were they just standing there? And this figure . . . hadn't the others mentioned it was somehow Belle and Mr. Gold's son?
"It's Regina!" Anna whispered loudly to Dr. Hopper. "And Emma too! Here take Mia I need to go help them!"
"Anna, no!" Archie did indeed take Mia into his arms but he rushed over to the door of his office, blocking Anna from leaving.
"Move out of the way! Please!" Anna insisted.
"I can't do that, I'm afraid. Not only is it not safe for you down there — for either of us, I was asked to keep you out of harm's way — to protect you." Archie told her.
"But . . ." Anna wanted to fight it but knew he was right. Besides, she couldn't leave Mia. She took her daughter back from the doctor, rocking the still sleeping toddler in her arms.
The two adults went back to the window where it seemed the cloaked figure — what was his name, Gideon? — had the upper hand. Resigned to staying out of danger, Anna could only watch in horror as Emma shrunk back away from the cloaked figure. Emma's hand was shaking again . . . oh boy this was not good! The others were still frozen — Emma was on her own. If this Gideon or whatever killed Emma then what would he do with the others?
"Ready to die, Saviour?" Gideon had a really smug look on his face that made Anna cringe. In fact, she was fairly certain she'd seen that same smirk on Mr. Gold . . . she really didn't like either of them.
His words didn't seem to rattle Emma at al. "I am fated to die, and I will die." Anna's heart jumped up to her throat. Suddenly there was light bursting from Emma's shaky hand right at Gideon. "But not today!"
Anna just couldn't watch this anymore. She thrusted Mia gently back into Archie's arms and ran her way out of the office before the poor doctor even knew what was happening. She hurried down the stairs and out the door and down the street where the action was . . .only to find that the action was all done. So it would appear that Emma won then?
Well, this was awkward.
Gideon was gone — and Gold and Belle were walking away. Most everyone else was rushing up to Emma for reunion hugs. Wait, not everyone — Regina and the mystery man with her stood off to the side.
"Regina!" Anna shouted, her lungs burning from the exertion. She was so happy that her friend was okay! She ran forward, her arms raised. "You came back!"
At the sound of Anna's voice, the Mayor turned her head and started running to meet her as the two of them met head—on into a strange sort of half—hug. Or that's what it seemed like to Anna. "
Anna! Oh, I am so relieved that you're okay!"
Anna felt the Mayor's arms start to wrap around her and she panicked, her first instinct to flee. Just as she was about to pull away, she felt the Mayor's grip tighten around her, the warmth of Regina starting to settle in. A part of Anna wanted to allow it. She'd missed her so much in the days that she'd been gone. She vaguely recalled Emma telling her something in that heated night in Portland . . . what was it again? That you didn't know you had a home until you missed it?
In that moment, as much as Anna's heart wanted to embrace the hug — Regina — her mind and her body just weren't having any part of it. She pulled away again, breaking out of the Mayor's hold. She caught a glimpse of a pained expression on Regina's face — confusion? She couldn't quite make it out. She stepped back a couple of feet to give herself space — whatever that was wasn't sitting well with her. Despite the small crowd around her, Anna's mind enclosed itself deep inside herself.
The sudden realization that someone was staring at her, however, jolted her. She blinked, finding Emma standing right in front of her. This was the closest they'd been for weeks. "I'm glad you're okay." Anna blurted, panic overtaking her limb functions as she engaged her estranged friend in what felt like an obligatory two—second hug. They broke apart quickly, Emma pulling Henry into her arms and Anna standing in the background watching.
The mysterious man that Regina had shown up with joined in closer to the group. Anna just noticed then that he held a bow and had a canister of arrows on his back. But what . . . "Captain Hook? Well, you were certainly a little more spry in your younger days!" The arrow man chuckled.
Hook's eyebrows scrunched. "Robin!?" Anna had an internal jaw—drop moment. Robin Hood? As in Regina's deceased soulmate?!
Emma let out a sigh, shaking her head. "Well, not really Robin. Sort of."
"That doesn't make any sense at all!" Anna blurted. She'd meant to say that in her head . . .
Regina walked up and stood with Anna at her side. "It's an alternate reality. Copies of everyone. I . . . I brought him back."
Hook scoffed, rolling his eyes. "'Alternate reality'? 'Not—not spry? What happened to you? What happened to me?"
"Try to sound a little less pathetic." Anna's mouth burst out again. What was wrong with her?
Hook just gave her a look, though, and everyone moved on. "It's okay." Emma assured him. "It's all going to be fine. "We're just . . ." The blonde launched herself between Hook and Henry, wrapping her arms around their necks. "We're just going to switch to water." Anna could swear she heard a slight chortle from Regina — not that it made sense to her.
"What, for drinking?" Hook's voice actually cracked a little. Emma sighed out a "Yeah" and sank deeper into hugging him.
Anna could only wish to be that comfortable with someone like Emma, Regina and the others. Well, other than Mia . . . but that didn't count — Mia was her child. She looked away from the group, the softest of smiles barely touching just the corner of her lips when she saw little Mia wobbling the few inches from Archie's grasp to where Regina held out her arms in wait.
"'Gina!" Mia's little squeak broke and knitted back together Anna's heart all at once. Regina lifted the tiny girl anxiously, showering her with kisses. Mia squealed with laughter, eating up the attention. Even locked in her mind, Anna enjoyed watching the interaction between the Mayor and the tiny girl.
"What do you say, Mia—bean? Should we go home?" Regina blew a raspberry on Mia's cheek, making the little girl giggle even more.
The group went their separate ways then — the Charming's to pick up baby Neal and go home, Emma and Hook to their place, and Regina was left with Anna and Mia — and figuring out what to do with Robin. Henry promised to come see his other mom the next day and hugged her before running after with Emma and Hook.
With a wave of Regina's hand, the four of them appeared in Regina's living room. Mia, too excited with everything, tried to get out of bedtime but between Regina and her mommy the little girl was outnumbered. Robin watched awkwardly in the background while Regina and Anna tried to convince the girl to go to bed. Soon enough, Mia had run around enough that she'd fallen asleep in Regina's lap. Regina hugged the little girl tight, kissing her goodnight before gently passing her to Anna to be taken upstairs to bed.
As Anna ascended the stairs with Mia, Regina turned to Robin and showed him to her study where he'd be sleeping. He didn't really say much other than questions about this realm. In some ways it hurt to leave him in there — even though he really wasn't *her* Robin. Her Robin had always slept in her room, in her bed with her. But now . . . she didn't know what to do anymore about all this.
Regina plopped down onto the living room couch and let out a long breath, the feeling of exhaustion settling in. Her time in the Wish Realm had been nothing short of easy. Really, though, she was still processing all of it. Had she done the right thing by bringing this Robin here? Could they possibly have something together like she'd had with her Robin? Was he even the same man as *her* Robin?
Anna walked in, dressed in pyjamas with a blue character all over it — it looked like an alien. What had Anna called it? Stitch? Regina really had no clue. Anna was also carrying two mugs — one that looked to be hot cocoa and the other tea. "Mia went down without any struggles tonight. It's a miracle, I know. I really think she missed you — and she's not the only one. I thought after the — events you've dealt with you may need something to help relax a little."
Regina smiled, taking the mug of tea from Anna. "Thank you."
Anna sipped her cocoa and took a seat in the recliner beside her. Regina shook her head.
"What?!" Anna scrunched her nose.
"Do you have any idea how much sugar is in one cup of cocoa?" Regina felt her insides rot just thinking about it.
Anna rolled her eyes and took another sip, slurping loudly as she did so."So may I address the elephant in the room?"
Regina raised an eyebrow, swallowing a sip of her tea.
"Is that man really Robin?"Anna's head tilted curiously. "I thought you said he was — gone."
Regina let out a sad sigh. "It's, well . . ." She scrunched her forehead. "Well, it's complicated."
Anna huffed a breath. What wasn't complicated in this town? The younger woman put her mug down on the coffee table in front of her. She crossed her knees under her lap and leaned forward. "How did you find him?"
Regina sighed. "I sort of just ran into him, I guess. Things there are strange . . . almost similar — but not. The whole place was based on an off—handed wish Emma made but she hadn't intended for it to be granted. That wish was to never be the Saviour so . . . she wasn't. I knew he wasn't the same Robin, but I just had to know, in a world where he'd never meet me, if his life was better off for it. I'm still not sure . . . but I have to try. While I was off with Robin, Emma went to find us a way home — a portal made from a magical tree. We all went through it, and here we are. We weren't even sure he'd be allowed to cross."
Anna listened intently. "You mean like the wardrobe Emma came through?" Emma and Regina had briefly told her that story when she'd arrived.
Regina nodded, chuckling. "I still can't believe it even worked."
"Well that must mean something…" Anna shrugged.
Regina still wasn't so sure. She wasn't so sure about any of it. Anna sat patiently, taking another sip of cocoa. If only she could explain it to the young woman . . . she didn't even know how to explain it to herself.
"So… what was it like over there?" Anna's voice was soft.
Regina sighed, letting out a wide yawn. Anna watched her yawn in disbelief. This woman looked bone tired — exhausted, in need of a bed and possibly a sandwich . . . and yet, all Anna could think of was that this woman still looked as classy, regal, and refined as she always did.
Regina took a sip of her tea and rested her elbow on the back of the couch, her chin on her hands. Her mind was lost in the wish realm again even as she sat there visiting with Anna. She, herself, hadn't had any place in that realm and yet it had affected her so. She yawned again, all these thoughts of wishes and alternate realities making her even more exhausted. She could see the wonder in Anna's eyes however and reached for her hand, giving it a squeeze. "Anna, honey, would it be okay if we had this conversation tomorrow after a good night's sleep?"
"Oh… yeah…." Anna faltered. "Yeah, okay."
Regina smiled and gave her hand another squeeze before getting up and heading for the stairs. She was just so tired — and not just physically either. She wanted to stay up to visit with Anna . . . just . . . it had been too long of a day.
"Regina?" Anna's voice called from the living room.
Regina stopped where she stood about halfway up the stairs and turned. "Yes, Anna?"
A grin broke out on Anna's face from ear to ear. "I'm *really* glad you're home."
Regina's smile was just as wide. "Me too."
When Anna awoke the following morning, she had the strangest feeling in her gut that it wasn't going to be a great day. Really, though, the thought of it was stupid. Today should be a good day — Regina and Emma were back! All was well in the world, or if not well then slightly better . . .
She turned over — noticing from the clock that it was still really early — and glanced at the baby monitor she kept on her bedside, listening for signs of Mia being awake. Sure, Mia wasn't exactly a baby anymore but Anna liked being able to hear her daughter if she was hurting or crying or needed something. Mia shouldn't have to wait forever for her mommy to come to her aid if something happened. When Anna had been younger in the foster homes before she met Emma — there had been no one who cared enough to tend to her needs. If she needed to be changed or she had another nightmare . . . No. There was no reason Mia should have to suffer the same way. Anna loved her daughter and would gladly wake up at all hours of the morning to tend to her.
She continued to listen to the monitor, moving closer to the side of the bed. Why couldn't she hear anything? Usually Mia snored liked the dead. And if she was awake, Anna's little girl wasn't talking or babbling or anything. Anna instantly launched herself out of the bed and down the hall the short distance to Mia's room — nearly tripping on her Stitch pyjama bottoms as she did so. Breathless, she pushed open Mia's slightly open door and burst in the room — Mia was nowhere to be found!
Anna instantly went into panic—mode. Nothing else in the room seemed out of place — just Mia. Tears leaked from Anna's eyes. "M—Mia . . ." She called, barely able to get anything out when her voice cracked. Where the hell could she be? Did somebody take her?! It was then that her eyes caught sight of a picture frame peaking out from between Mia's sheets. She walked over to the bed, picking it up. In the photo was Mia — with Regina.
Letting out a deep sigh, Anna wiped the tears from her eyes. Hugging the picture frame to her chest, she made her way down the hall away from her room and around the corner towards the master bedroom of the mansion. Sniffling, she turned the handle and pushed open the door. Quietly she walked inside, poking her head around to where the bed was. There, in the bed were two human shaped lumps — one larger and one smaller. Grinning, Anna went further into the room, the sound of snoring filling her ears. Anna would recognize that tiny human snoring sound anywhere — Mia.
Both nestled deep under the covers Mia was fast asleep burrowed into Regina's side, her little arms wrapped around the older woman's middle. Regina, as well, had her arms wrapped around the little one tightly. Both wore content smiles that tugged at Anna's heartstrings. Anna sniffled again, smiling herself.
Mia began stirring in her sleep, scrunching her nose. Once the child began to move, Regina instantly released her hold on her. Mia tossed and turned, becoming restless. Frowning, Anna stepped forward beside the bed. She gently gathered her sleepy little girl in her arms and made her way down the hall. One quick stop to grab Mr. Fluffington before she headed downstairs to the kitchen. She stopped in front of the pack and play setup in the corner of the room, bending to gently lay Mia down.
"No pack pen!" Mia grumbled, still half asleep. The girl clutched her stuffed puppy and hugged it tight. "Gina!"
"Mia, you were about two seconds away from kicking her in the ribs." Anna chuckled. Mia stared blankly at her mother, not even hardly awake yet. Anna sighed. "You can take a nap down here in the kitchen while Mommy makes everyone some breakfast, okay? 'Gina's' had quite the long couple of days so we're going to let her sleep in." Mia's eyes fluttered closed again and it wasn't long before she was out like a light.
Anna leaned over to place a kiss on her daughter's forehead before setting about to start breakfast. She turned on some music — not as loud as usual, but enough. Not even forty—five minutes later, Mia was wide awake and running around like a wild banshee. They were in a Kelly Clarkson dance marathon with no end in sight. Anna had finished making breakfast — omelettes, bacon, and French toast, and had it warming in the oven. She was trying to keep Mia quiet as they danced around but her daughter was just too anxious for 'Gina' to wake up.
About a half hour later, Regina finally made her way down the stairs — already dressed in a sleek black dress with a gold belt. Mia met the Mayor halfway down the stairs, clutching onto her legs. "Gina, Gina, Gina!" Mia jumped around, pulling at Regina's arms.
"Mia, be careful!" Anna scolded her. "You're going to make both of you trip on the stairs!"
"It's fine, Anna, really." Regina assured her. Anna merely sighed. When they got to the main floor, Regina picked Mia up and held her on her hip. "Mia—bean, did I feel a live teddy bear in my bed this morning? Were you that teddy bear!?" Mia giggled. "I bet that means I was right, huh?" Regina tickled her tummy and Mia giggled more.
"Yeah, sorry Regina — I woke up and found she'd gotten up in the middle of the night by herself and went in by you." Anna apologized.
"Anna, I wasn't mad. I just thought that would have been scary for you not knowing where she was right away." Regina adjusted Mia on her hip. Anna didn't say anything. They walked into the kitchen together where Regina immediately sniffed the air, smiling. "Oh my sweet Anna, you made breakfast too?"
"Couldn't sleep." Anna shrugged.
"You always have something different playing when I walk in here. What's this now?"Regina spun around a little with Mia, both of them laughing — and Mia was singing along a little with the words.
"Kelly Clarkson! She won like the biggest TV talent show ever!" Anna laughed excitedly. "This song is called "My Life Would Suck Without You."
Regina continued to dance around with Mia but looked confused about what Anna told her. Anna shook her head. "I have so much to teach you."
"Well I like it. It's fun." Regina turned to Mia, rubbing their noses together. Mia laughed hysterically, wrapping her arms around Regina's neck. "Mia, your mommy is so thoughtful — did you know that? She made us all breakfast even though she didn't have to."Anna blushed, leaning into the island counter. "And Gina would just love to stay here and have a nice, sit—down breakfast with her favourite girls….but unfortunately Mayor Regina's got some work to do."
Anna's smile faded. "You're going into the office today?"
"Kind of." Regina sighed. She walked over to the table where Mia's special booster chair was — they couldn't call it a high chair because Mia insisted that was only for babies like Neal and Robyn and Mia wasn't a baby anymore. So "special booster chair" it was. Mia started to get fussy when Regina sat her down, immediately wanting back up in the Mayor's arms. "Sorry, bean, but Gina has to go be a grown—up. I promise we'll play later okay?" Mia crossed her arms, pouting.
"Is everything okay?" Anna asked, slightly worried.
"As fine as it can be, I suppose, when your look—a—like is a snake, there's a new villain in town, and there's a man sleeping in your study who looks like your dead soul mate." Regina sighed. Anna shrugged. "Speaking of, you haven't seen Robin up and about yet have you?"
"No, it's just been Mia and I while I was making breakfast." Anna told her. She'd actually forgotten that he was there. Good thing she made enough food . . .
"Yes, and you are an absolute doll for making us all breakfast. Seriously!" Regina hugged her briefly. "I will definitely have some of that for lunch later, it smells *so* good! Or, maybe dinner . . . I'm really not sure how long I'll be out today."
Once again, Anna deflated a little bit. Regina would be gone all day?! But she'd just gotten back from that wish place! She was going to work already!?
"It's just, it's Robin's first day here in this realm and I'd like to make sure he's okay with everything. He already seemed a little unnerved last night by all the differences so it could be a long day of just trying to teach him basic things." Regina let out a breath.
"*That's* what you're doing all day?" Anna spit out, a little pissed off."You said you had Mayor stuff to do!"
"Well yes," Regina raised an eyebrow. "I'm the one that brought him here and as Mayor it's my job to make sure he acclimates." A loud alarm sounded through the house, coming from the study. "Oh boy . . . Henry's study—time alarm that he never remembers to turn off . . . Robin won't know how to shut it off. Oh, right . . . I was going to grab him some fresh clothes to put on . . ." Regina leaned over to kiss Mia on the top of her head. "Thanks again for breakfast Anna . . . you really are a sweetheart!"
Regina left the room leaving Anna standing there annoyed and a little hurt. This was not at all how she'd seen today playing out. She *knew* she'd had a bad feeling when she woke up.
"Mommy!" Mia was crying in her chair. "I hungry!"
Anna let out a sigh, going about to make Mia a plate. The radio started playing Kelly Clarkson's song "Breakaway." Anna, unable to stomach the lyrics she usually belted out — turned it off. They were memorized in her head, though, so she couldn't get them off her mind:
Dreamin' of a could be
and if I'd end up happy
I would pray.
Tryin' hard to reach out
But when I tried to speak out
Felt like no one could hear me
Wanted to belong here
But something felt so wrong here...
"Mommy!" Mia's insistence broke her from her thoughts. Yep . . . it definitely wasn't going to be a good day.
Regina carried the pile of clothes — *her* Robin's clothes — into the study where the new Robin was staying. It had actually been difficult — opening that box of his belongings she'd packed up when they came back from New York. But as she was known for, she composed herself and went back to the task at hand. She opened the study door — Henry's alarm was still ringing loudly. She found Robin already up and dressed in the clothes he'd had on yesterday. "You're up."
Robin poked at the alarm clock. "Hard to sleep when that demon box keeps screaming at me. Also, that little girl runs like a boar — and her screeching is horrendous!"
Regina chuckled softly. "Oh. That's called an alarm clock. — Sorry. —" She turned off the alarm. "and . . . Mia's always a little over—hyper in the morning." She held up the clothes. "Anyway I, um brought you some clean clothes." She picked up a touch of her Robin's scent from the fabric and her heart constricted a little in her chest.
"Thank you." Robin mumbled, taking claim of the pile.
"Okay, then." Regina let out a deep sigh. Her eyes went down to the floor. "Um, I'll let you change." Unable to handle the situation anymore — being around this Robin was more painful than she thought it would be — she quickly left the room. She went straight upstairs, sniffling and wiping her tears away, avoiding Anna and Mia — they shouldn't have to see her like this. When she made it to her room, however, a quick look at her phone revealed a text message from Snow — the other woman was awake now while David slept. She was caught up on what happened while she was asleep, and wanted to talk. Regina texted back to meet at her house in fifteen minutes for coffee.
After a good ten minute cry, a thorough face washing, and a makeup touch up she made her way back downstairs. She found Robin looking through things in the house — she hoped he wasn't stealing anything. But Anna and Mia were gone. Then she remembered — Mia had a playdate with Ella's daughter Alexandra coming up, it must have been today. The look of disappointment that morning on Anna's face when Regina told her she had to leave . . . well, it had nearly broken Regina's heart. The Mayor closed her eyes for a moment, sighing. Was she doomed to always fail the ones she loved?
The sound of the doorbell interrupted her thoughts — leave it to Snow to ruin a moment. Oh well, Regina *had* invited her there. Releasing a breath, the Mayor went to let Snow in and then led her to the dining room. While Snow sat, Regina went to get her step—daughter a cup of coffee and herself a cup of tea. She detoured to check on Robin quick before settling down to sit across from Snow.
Immediately, Snow was on her with one question after another. "Regina, what were you thinking? How could you bring him here?"
Regina shrugged. "You weren't there. He was miserable in his world, and he wanted a fresh start, and I'm just trying to help him. And . . ." She trailed off. "He was Robin . . . I didn't really think about it."
Snow took a drink of her coffee. "But you don't know *who* he is. Looking like Robin Hood doesn't make him the same person. Trust me, I once kissed David's twin. World of difference." Snow shuddered.
"We've barely even talked." Regina stared down at her tea. All of this was just so much to handle — and they'd had enough to deal with already.
"Well, there's some things you should probably tell him." Snow suggested. "Like, for example he has a daughter."
Regina tensed, the thought of her baby niece never knowing her father stinging. "It's *not* his daughter."
Snow nodded. "Exactly my point they're different people."
"But there could be a part of him in there." Regina couldn't even convince herself with that statement. "He was able to cross into the real world. That has to mean something." She was fishing and she knew it. Snow could probably tell too.
"Regina, I want this to work out for you." Snow told her sadly. "You deserve this — I'm just worried."
"Yeah. Me too." Regina agreed. The day that Snow White was worried about the "Evil" Queen was a day to be worried for sure.
"Regina!?" A familiar voice sing—songed as Snow and Regina heard the front door burst open. Moments later Anna was skipping into the room shaking her keys and Tinker Belle keychain, coming up behind Regina's chair and wrapping an arm around her. Regina held tight to her mug so it wouldn't spill. "Oh crap, sorry…. Oh, hey Snow!"
"Hello, Anna! How are you today?" Snow smiled at her.
"I'm okay, I guess. I just dropped Mia off at Ashley's — Alexandra wanted to play with her." Anna told her, looking around. "So . . . what's going?"
"Snow and I are having a chat." Regina took a drink of her tea. "She's been asleep for awhile and wanted to catch up."
"But . . ." Anna faltered. "You said you had Mayor stuff to do!"
"Anna, what is with you today?!" Regina raised her voice a little. She set down her mug and scrunched her face in confusion. Why was Anna acting this way? The young woman had been fine the night before when she'd come back from the wish land. Anna started mumbling something grumpily about a movie — not that Regina could catch much of what she said.
"Regina!" Robin called from the other room. "I have some questions about this Storybook . . ."
Anna sighed, rolling her eyes. "You know what? Never mind." The young woman huffed, pulling her earbuds and iPod out of her pocket. "I'm going to go for a walk until Mia's done with her playdate." The girl turned on her heels.
"Anna, please — be careful! There's still dangers out in Storybrooke right now . . ."
"Yeah, yeah . . ." . . . . and Anna was gone, slamming the door behind her. Regina sighed, rolling her own eyes and rubbing her temples. She could feel the beginnings of a headache . . . She really didn't know what was up with that girl lately.
"What was *that*?" Snow asked.
Regina only shrugged. She really didn't have any answers and even though her mind was spinning in all different directions . . . all of them were of Robin. She needed to tend to him and figure out what she was going to do.
A few days later, that feeling Anna had about not being a good day never went away. Things were not good in the Mills Mansion . . . not good at all. The situation with Robin was throwing everything off—balance. All of Regina's time was spent on dealing with the circus freak show that was this version of Robin that wasn't the real one. Every time Anna attempted to talk to Regina, there was just another "Robin crisis." Anna thought they could take Mia to the mini petting zoo the next town over was putting on — Regina had to help Robin figure out the washing machine. Anna asked Regina if she wanted to go out to lunch on a day when Mia's daycare class was having a field trip at the library — Regina had something or other to do with Robin again. At this point, Anna stopped paying attention to all the stupid things Regina had to help him with. Now a few days later, Regina was gone again chasing after Robin — but of course! He apparently found the Storybrooke version of his life long enemy . . . Anna thought it was just stupid — to her it seemed like he was just itching for a fight.
What really pissed Anna off the most however was that Regina had practically ignored Mia's request to play earlier that morning. Mia really wanted to play dolls with Regina but the Mayor had "Robin stuff" to do. Mia had been in Anna's arms, bawling her eyes out, begging her "Gina" to play with her. When Regina left, the crying only got worse. The more Mia cried . . . the angrier Anna got.
When Henry showed up, his weekend done at Emma's, Anna immediately handed a cranky Mia over to him saying she'd back as soon as she could. Henry was frozen on the spot with the toddler in his arms as Anna left the house in a hurry, pulling her phone out. She pulled up the app she'd recently added — a GPS tracker. Just because she didn't have magic powers or potions like everyone else in town, didn't mean she lacked a few magic weapons of the real world. Regina was horrible with technology and had no clue that Anna put a tracker on her phone.
Anna followed the tracker through town . . . to Regina's magical "vault" as she called it. Just as she got there, she saw Regina go in . . . followed closely behind by Robin. Anna's anger grew — what help could Robin possibly need in *there* that was more important than pleasing a young child? Anna's purpose of finding Regina was to give her a piece of her mind. Sure Regina had shoved her to the side for a while now and it was more so getting annoying rather than anything else. But pushing Mia aside was Anna's last straw. She could still hear Mia's sobs echoing in her head as she she snuck through the door, not wanting to be seen or heard.
Anna couldn't really see anything as she descended the stairs — but she could hear voices. She didn't understand it — maybe there was a vent or something?
"My hand's really not that bad." Anna almost threw up in her mouth at that voice — Robin. What was he talking about? What did he do, punch someone? Geez . . .
"I didn't bring you here for that." Anna heard Regina say. "We need to talk. Were you really going to kill Nottingham?" Of course he was, Regina . . . Anna thought to herself, rolling her eyes.
"Wait, you're not judging me for that, are you?" Robin accused. "You told me it was your curse that created this place. I mean bloody hell, look around. I mean, wh—what's in these?"
Anna scrunched her face, not liking what Robin just said. She *so* wanted to see Regina's reaction to his bullcrap! If anything, Robin was the one being judgmental. Anna tiptoed her way forward, following the voices down a hallway to the room where the voices grew louder. She peeked her head through the door. Regina was waving her hands at the wall of drawers as Robin rolled his eyes.
"Uh The hearts of my enemies, but, I—" Regina faltered.
"Oh. And this? This looks nasty enough." Robin picked up an antique looking box.
Regina's eyes widened and she rushed over to take the box away from Robin and put it away inside a large chest. "Oh, no, don't touch it! It's powerful." She sighed. Anna realized then just how sad Regina looked."Yes, I know I sound like a hypocrite. But I have changed." Anna thought about what little she'd heard about Regina's past. Regina held her hand out and took Robin's injured one, waving her other hand over it. A purple glow illuminated over Robin's hand, taking the bruising away. "Which is why I have to tell you something." Regina let out a deep breath. Was she going to tell him about the other Robin? That explained the sad face — whenever Regina talked about Robin she always got really sad. "The other Robin, he had a child. Well, two, actually . . ." Regina paused. Robin looked absolutely horrified. ". . . but only one is here — an infant daughter. But, I mean, she's not yours. N—Not really." Even from a distance, Anna could see the tears gathering in the corners of Regina's eyes.
"Does the mother know that? Who even is the mother? You?" Robin rattled off.
When Robin said the word "mother", Anna noticed that Regina cringed painfully. "My sister. It's complicated." Regina sighed deeply. It was really hurting Regina to talk about this — that Regina wished she was baby Robyn's mother. But it hadn't taken Anna long to figure that out once she'd moved to town and gotten the gist of what happened. Anna knew she didn't know the whole story but she knew Zelena being the mother of Robin's baby couldn't be a very pleasant tale.
"Apparently, everything here is complicated." Robin shook his hands in defeat. "Did you bring me here just to drop me in the middle of this mess?"
Hurt spread across Regina's features. Anna's jaw dropped — what an insensitive thing to say! Couldn't he tell that what he was saying was hurting her?! Anna could see it and she wasn't even part of the conversation.
"I hoped I could be a part of a fresh start. Your fresh start." Regina's voice cracked as her eyes dropped to the floor.
"And maybe one of your own, too?" Robin suggested. Well duh! Anna thought. Was the real Robin as dense as this one?!
"Maybe." Regina chuckled. "I don't know, I think if we give ourselves a chance maybe your being here could be a good thing." Regina and Robin were staring at each other intently. Wait a minute . . . Anna had watched enough soap operas to know what was going to happen next . . .
Sure enough, Robin leaned his head forward and Regina did the same . . . their lips met in one of the most awkward kisses Anna had ever seen. A tear fell down Anna's face as she watched — she could only see Regina's face and she looked so . . . broken. Anna didn't have a lot of experience kissing, but she was pretty sure it wasn't supposed to make a person sad. Their lips parted — finally — and both stepped back from each other. Anna held her hand over her mouth so she wouldn't make any noise. There was an even more awkward silence that followed.
"Well, then. How about I show you more of the town?" Regina cleared her throat, her voice rougher than usual. Anna could tell from the back of his head that Robin nodded. He started walking toward the door. Anna panicked, backing up to hide behind a statue. Robin rushed out of the vault past her, not even catching her in the corner of his eye. Anna waited for Regina to leave too, but after a moment of no other moment, Anna poked her head back in the vault. Regina was still frozen where she stood inside. She had a hand on her mouth and the other on her stomach. Tears fell from the Mayor's face and a soft sob escaped her lips.
Anna felt absolutely *gutted*. She could tell before that Regina was a little down about all this, but . . . her heart was aching for her friend.
Regina conjured a tissue, wiping her eyes and made the tissue disappear. The Mayor moved to walk out and Anna quickly and quietly hid again. Once Regina was gone, Anna moved from her hiding spot and collapsed in a heap on the ground. Guilt washed over her like a tidal wave.
She'd been so angry with Regina for focusing all her time on Robin . . . she hadn't realized what Regina was risking in trying to connect with the alternate version of the man she loved. The kiss she just witnessed was beyond disturbing to watch — she could only imagine how horrible it felt for the two of them.
It had been clear from Regina's despair though that she'd *truly* loved her Robin so much . . . and that broke Anna's heart all the more. Her and her stupid "pay attention to me" attitude the last week . . . Grow up, Anna — she scolded herself. She was still mad about Regina blowing Mia off, sure . . . but now at least she understood.
She was still sprawled on the ground of the vault — she should probably get back to relieve Henry of Mia's tantrums before he cracked.
On the walk back to the mansion, Anna started to think about how she could maybe do something to make up for her attitude and cheer Regina up. She wasn't really coming up with anything though. Mia was still in a rotten mood when she got back — poor Henry was at his wit's end trying to soothe the toddler. Regina hadn't returned either. Anna had watched her leave the vault — so where was she now? Henry told her not to worry, that his mother was probably just going through something and she'd come back soon enough. Anna wasn't convinced. She thanked Henry for watching Mia, apologizing for being gone so long.
Mia was a sweaty, crying mess so Anna quickly gave her a bath and changed her clothes. Together, they picked out a blue denim dress with a white butterfly in the middle, and white sleeves that had tiny coloured butterflies on it. This was one of the many outfits Regina had bought for Mia since they'd moved to Storybrooke. They matched the dress with a pair of dark blue tights and little black boats. The little girl finally calmed down enough so she wasn't crying anymore, but Anna could tell that she was still upset. Not even watching Frozen could cheer the little girl up.
"Mia—Bean, what do you say we go to Granny's for some hot cocoa?" Anna knelt down on the floor in front of the couch where Mia slumped against the arm, holding on to Mr. Fluffington. Mia lay her head down, her bottom lip still trembling from crying earlier. "Would you like that?"
"Yeah . . ." Mia nodded, hugging the stuffed dog tighter.
Anna's heart melted — she hated seeing her baby girl so upset. She leaned forward and kissed the top of her head — and a kiss for Mr. Fluffington too because Mia insisted he was sad too. Rising to her feet, Anna went to shut the movie off. She helped Mia put on her little red jacket and put one on herself. Grabbing her purse and her keys, the two were out the door.
Soon enough they were walking into Granny's Diner. Anna headed for one of the booths but Mia — currently in her one of big girl stages — insisted on sitting at the bar. Anna propped her daughter up on the high stool and took a seat beside her. Mia set Mr. Fluffington on counter in front of her.
Ruby walked out of the back room and smiled when she saw them, coming up to stand in front of them behind the bar. "Hey you two! What can I get you?"
Anna smiled back, she hadn't seen Ruby much since she'd come to Storybrooke. "Just two hot chocolates please, Ruby. It's good to see you!"
"Aww Anna, you're always so sweet! Cinnamon, I would presume?" Ruby smirked.
"Duh!" Anna and Mia giggled together.
Ruby winked. "You got it."
Anna nodded, chuckling. "So what are you doing back in Storybrooke? I thought I heard Regina say something about you living in Oz for a while with Dorothy."
"Guess I got homesick," Ruby shrugged. "Besides, I worry about Granny sometimes. She's an old dog but I still worry about her living by herself — especially with all the crazy stuff that happens in this town. And Dorothy's been busy in Oz — sometimes I feel like I'm in her way."
Anna still couldn't believe Ruby and Granny were wolves — that was one of the things that had blown her mind the most with all this fairytale stuff. Little Red Riding Hood *was* the wolf . . . talk about a mind twister! HA! Twister. Anna laughed in her head.
Ruby eyed the stuffed dog on the counter, cooing. "Mia, that is such a cute little pup — a pitbull right? Those pups are so adorable — and such loyal dogs. What's his name?"
"Mr. Fluffington." Mia mumbled, still upset. Ruby glanced at Anna who shrugged. The little girl wasn't really paying attention to them or to the stuffed animal. It was then that Anna noticed Mia was staring at the booth they always sat in when they came there with Regina.
Granny poked her head out from the kitchen, eyeing the little girl as she handed her granddaughter two steaming mugs. "Be careful on that bar stool, little one! It's a long way down if you fall!"
Ruby rolled her eyes, meeting Granny to take the mugs."She's fine Granny! Anna knows how to take care of her daughter!" Ruby returned to where Anna and Mia were with the cocoas, setting them down on the bar. "Don't mind her." Ruby rested her elbows in front of Mia. "Why so glum chum?"
Mia didn't respond — still staring at the empty booth.
Anna rested her hand on Mia's shoulder. "Mia, honey, Ruby is talking to you."
Mia sighed, laying her little head on the bar. "I miss Gina."
Anna's heart sank. Ruby stood up and gave Anna a confused look. Anna released a breath. "Regina's been a little busy lately with Robin being back. Or...fake Robin." She explained.
Ruby nodded in understanding. "I'll get some extra whip cream."
Anna searched through her purse to find something that might cheer Mia up — and get her focus off of that booth. She found a package of old crayons, most of them broken but she was in a bind. "Hey Ruby! You wouldn't happen to have a scrap piece of paper would you?"
"I've got the back of a kids menu?" Ruby shrugged, grabbing it and putting it on the bar in front of them.
"That's perfect." Anna set the crayons by the paper. "Why don't you draw Regina a picture? We can give it to her later and you can tell her how much you missed her. I'm sure she'd really like that." Anna told her daughter. Mia lightened a little and began to draw. Anna smiled, happy that Mia seemed content for the moment.
The bell on the door chimed and Anna turned her head to find Snow struggling to get into the door with a stroller and Neal crying on her hip.
She hopped off her stool, hurrying over to the pixie hair cut princess."Need some help there?"
"Anna!" Snow huffed, out of breath. "Could you take Neal?"
"Of course! Hey little buddy!" Anna took the baby boy in her arms and kissed his cheeks "Looks who's here Mia!" Still lost in her funk, Mia continued to draw. "You look a little frazzled, Snow."
Snow's mouth frowned quizzically. "If that means exhausted and overwhelmed then yes… I'm a little frazzled."
"Go grab a booth. I'll bring the kids over." Snow nodded, wheeling the stroller over to the nearest booth — thankfully not the one Mia had been staring at. Anna held Neal with one arm and helped Mia down from her bar stool. Mia carried Mr. Fluffington, her crayons, and paper over to the booth and sat down next to Snow. Anna brought their mugs over one at a time and then sat down herself, bouncing baby Neal on her knees.
"Mia, sweetie! How are you? I heard you had a playdate with Alexandra earlier in the week." Snow gushed, fawning over the toddler.
Mia shrugged and continued to colour.
"Is everything okay?" Snow frowned, turning to Anna.
Anna didn't really want to talk about it. She shrugged instead, changing the subject. "Yeah. How about you? How's everything going?" She smoothed Neal's tiny bit of hair, careful of his head.
Snow shrugged herself. "It's. . . .going. A little hectic. I miss David."
"I can't imagine how hard that must be." Anna's heart went out to her — when she'd heard about what the Evil Queen did to them, the curse where only one of them could be awake at a time, she'd felt really bad. She still couldn't believe Regina at one point had been that Evil! To Anna, she was the kindest (and also the most frustrating) lady she'd ever met.
Snow frowned but smiled all the same, shrugging. "We've been through far worse."
Anna nodded and cleared her throat. She was curious but almost too afraid to ask . . . "And uh… how's Emma? She doing okay after what happened with Gideon?"
"You guys still haven't talked?!" Snow balked. Anna shook her head. Snow sighed. "She's… dealing with it surprisingly well."
Anna nodded, diffusing the tension by turning her head to make faces at Neal. The baby giggled, chewing on his fingers.
Snow smiled softly. "Everything will work out, you know. Give it some time."
Anna scoffed — there was that infamous Snow—White—hope—speech. "There's been plenty of time. Besides it's fine. At least this guy likes me!" Anna's nose got a wet sloppy kiss from baby Neal. Anna scrunched her face and wiped it off with her sleeve. "Thanks, buddy. At least one of the Charming siblings thinks I'm great."
Snow giggled. She turned to the toddler beside her, leaning down. "Mia, you're awfully quiet." Mia shuffled to the end of the seat, burying her head in her drawing as she coloured. Snow turned to Anna, raising her eyebrow. "You sure everything's okay?"
Anna looked up."Yeah. We're fine." Mia sighed loudly. Anna rolled her eyes — traitor.
Snow shook her head. "No, something is wrong I can tell."
"Nothing is wrong." Anna bounced Neal on her knee, ignoring his mother.
Snow narrowed her eyes. "Talk to me Anna or I take the baby away."
Anna huffed, her knee still. "You wouldn't . . ."
"Try me."
Anna sighed and sucked in a breath."It's Regina…she—"
"She don't wanna pway wiff me!" Mia cut her off, tossing her crayons across the booth's table.
"I'm sure that's not true." Snow gasped, shaking her head.
Anna sighed, catching a crayon just before it rolled off the table's edge."She's been so preoccupied with Robin lately — and I get it, I really do — sort of, but it's . . . it's been hard. Especially on Mia."
Snow opened her mouth to say something but stopped. Then she nodded. "Regina . . . tends to get caught up in herself sometimes. She's going through some tough things right now — you just have to have some patience. Please don't give up on her." Anna stayed quiet… her attention back on the infant blowing bubbles with his lips. "I've seen how Regina is with you and Mia — she cares about you two so much. She'll come around, I know she will. Just give it some time — and keep trying."
Anna sniffled a little, snuggling with baby Neal. As adorable as her big girl was, Anna missed when she'd been as small as Snow's little one. Snow's words, though, got her back to thinking about what she'd wanted to do earlier — find a way to cheer Regina up. But what could she — a human in a fairy tale world — possibly have to offer? Snow was chatting on about something cute that Neal had done but Anna was lost in her head. Then she heard the clinking of ceramic plates from the kitchen. Perfect!
Anna and Mia finished their hot cocoas, paid for their drinks, and bid Snow and Neal goodbye. By the time they got home, it was almost pitch black outside. Anna made Mia some dinner and while the girl ate, Anna cleaned up a little around the house. After dinner, she helped Mia change into her pyjamas — Cookie Monster ones tonight — and then their bedtime routine began. Lullaby bedtime story with the guitar, teeth brushed, more story—time, and then their goodnight kisses and hugs. When Mia was finally asleep, Anna grabbed the portable monitor and headed down the hall to her room to change into her own pyjamas. After that she headed back down the stairs.
She'd thought Regina would be back by now, but there was no sign of the Mayor or Robin anywhere on the main floor. Sighing, Anna borrowed Henry's laptop from his room and settled on the couch under a blanket — the monitor on the coffee table in front of her. She turned on a movie channel on the tv but didn't really pay attention to it. It was "Miss Peregrine's Home for Peculiar Children" and she'd seen it a million times already.
Once settled, she went about researching the idea she'd gotten at the diner. She'd take Regina to the one place that had (usually) made her feel better when she was a kid — the smash room.
Now she just had to find if it was even still there, if it was still open, and she had to remember how to get there.
Regina settled into the chair at Snow's breakfast bar, sighing deeply. After that horrid kiss with Robin, she'd disappeared to her office unable to face anyone the rest of the day. She spent most of the night crying, her face buried deep in the pillow on her couch. She didn't remember what time she fell asleep, but she'd woken up sometime during the night. Her phone revealed a text from Snow — who was awake again after being asleep since Regina had seen her earlier in the day — inviting her for late night tea. Regina quickly ran a brush through her hair, fixed her makeup, and headed over to the loft.
"So, you talked to Robin? How did it go? Did you tell him about the baby?" Snow tinkered with the teapot.
Regina nodded, breathing slowly. Her voice was hoarse from all the crying. "I did. And, well we sort of fought about it, and then there was a kiss." She paused — Snow's eyes were wide. ". . . and it was nothing. It was like kissing a *photograph*. Like it isn't him." She scoffed, shivering as she remembered just how horrible the kiss was — how devastated it had made her feel, like losing Robin all over again. "It just isn't, and you were right." She looked down.
Snow sighed, shaking her head. "I'm sorry. I didn't want to be right." She poured the tea into two mugs.
"Well, it's not your fault. It's mine." Regina assured her. "I just wanted to believe. I mean there *has* to be a reason he made it through that portal, right? And if I'm not the reason, then what is?" She really wanted to know the reason. Why else would she have run into him in that realm?
"The way I see it, he made it through the portal because he has something it recognized as real. Maybe it's not about there being a reason why. Maybe it's just who he is." Snow told her.
"Well, he's certainly not *my* Robin Hood. So who is he, and what does he want?" Regina sighed. "If he's not here for me . . . then who?"
"Who knows?" Snow shrugged, taking a sip of her tea. "There was another reason I wanted to talk to you though, too." Regina looked up from her own mug. "I ran into someone at Granny's earlier, before David and I swapped again. Or rather, two someones."
"Who?" Regina took another sip.
"A particularly sad young woman with dark hair and blue eyes and an even more upset little girl with blond hair and similar features . . . ring any bells?" Snow sighed.
"Anna and Mia? *My* Anna and Mia?!" Regina nearly choked on her tea. "What do you mean? Why were they upset?"
"Really, Regina . . . you have no idea . . ." Snow raised her borrow, rolling her eyes.
"Snow, don't play around with me! What's going on?" Regina scrunched her nose, practically snarling.
Snow sighed. "They were upset about *you,* Regina!" The Mayor tensed. "I'm being serious with you. Anna said something about you spending a lot of time with Robin? And you wouldn't play with Mia?" Regina instantly felt a tug in her heart, guilt washing through her. "Mia was absolutely beside herself. Not even Granny's cocoa with cinnamon could cheer her up. And Anna seemed really hurt — not to mention unhappy that her little girl was hurting too."
"I . . ." Regina faltered. If only she'd known, she could have — No, she had known she'd just selfishly chosen to ignore it because she was too wrapped up in Robin. Who was the villain now . . . She rolled her eyes — how could she be so stupid!? "I hadn't meant too . . ." a groan escaped her lips as she covered her face with her hand. "Anna must hate me right now."
"Regina, those two couldn't hate you if they tried." Snow shook her head. "Now you two just have to fix it, that's all."
Regina sighed. She did have some more to figure out with Robin but . . . "I may have an idea how to start doing that."
Anna yawned, stretching her sore muscles after she'd fallen asleep on the couch in Regina's living room. She was definitely getting too old to sleep on the couch — ouch! Never again . . . she vowed as she stood up — still stretching — her earbuds falling to the floor, connected to her iPod that was still on the couch. She vaguely remembered putting a bud in to listen to music at some point. Henry's laptop lay on the coffee table next to the baby monitor — she didn't remember closing it or putting it on the table. Hmm.
Rubbing her eyes, she glanced at the large grandfather clock in the corner of the room — it was after eight in the morning. Had Regina never come home? She picked her earbuds off the floor — she could barely hear Lindsey Stirling's "Shatter Me" blasting out of the tiny buds. She turned off her iPod and put it on top of the table.
She made her way upstairs to check on Mia — surprised the toddler hadn't already woken her up through the monitor. Mia wasn't allowed to go down the stairs by herself — they were too high and too long and Mia too small . . . less chance of something bad happening. Anna found that Mia was still asleep. It wasn't surprising — it had been a long tiresome day the day before.
She picked Mia up, grabbed Mr. Fluffington, and headed downstairs. Placing Mia in the pack—n—play they left in the living room, Anna went to the kitchen to grab a cup of coffee.
The night before, she'd found that the smash room was indeed still open — she'd internally jumped up for joy at that. From there she just had to find the directions. She'd started but got distracting listening to music. At some point she must have put the laptop down and fallen asleep.
Back in the living room, she opened the laptop and clicked back on the webpage she'd previously been scrolling through. Anna was just writing down the directions to the smash room when the front door opened and Regina walked in. She let out a breath, trying to will the anger she'd felt down. A fight wouldn't do either of them any good right now.
Regina looked up at Anna and smiled as she entered into the room, "Hey you." Anna could tell the older woman had been crying.
Anna let out a soft smile too. "Hey."
"Sorry about yesterday . . ." The Mayor took a seat on the couch beside her. "I shouldn't have upset you or Mia like that. I could see that something was up with you but I left anyway." Regina inwardly rolled her eyes. "I've been so caught up with the Robin stuff . . . I forgot about my two favourite girls." Anna swallowed, unsure of what to say. "But I have an idea! I have a few more things to do with Robin yet but then I thought we could have lunch at my office."
Anna tensed — remembering her interaction with the "Evil" Queen in that office just after Regina had disappeared to that weird wish—land. That had messed her up for days and she hadn't been back there since.
"You haven't seen my office yet and besides, I'm bringing wine. You love wine! Come on, Snow said she would watch Mia for you." Regina smiled brightly as she told her. "I really want to make this up to you — I've been a terrible friend."
Anna didn't know what to do. She still wasn't happy about the last week — the Mia part especially — but she swore she'd jump at the chance to hang out with her friend again if the woman ever came to her senses and realized this Robin wasn't worth her time. Even though the Mayor was smiling, Anna could still see how sad she was. But how did she know that Regina wouldn't break her promise again?
But there was food and wine and Regina time . . . ugh….decisions, decisions…
She let out a deep breath, looking up at the anxious Mayor. "Okay, I'll do it." Regina smiled more broadly than before. "But woman, you better not be lyin' about that wine . . ."
Regina let out a laugh. "I have to head out again but tomorrow at noon. My office. You and me." Anna felt the Mayor's hand wrap around hers, giving it a squeeze before rising to her feet and heading out into the hallway. "Oh and Anna?"
Anna looked up from her hands, where the address she'd written down was still folded neatly. "You'd better be there."
Anna smiled. "Wouldn't miss it."
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