It was already eleven when Henry was woke up. He shook awake Emma and Neal. It's been too long since they had a good night sleep. They washed up and then went downstairs to the kitchen. Leroy and Astrid were sitting at the kitchen table drinking coffee. Regina's dog was barking.
"It's okay, Gravy," Astrid threw a dog bone at the dog and it ran away.
Henry opened the fridge and found some rice pudding. He grabbed a spoon and started eating.
"Hey, how is your sleep?" Leroy asked Emma and Neal.
"Good," Emma said, "Where are the others?"
"They are at work. Regina told me to take you for breakfast when you wake up, but I guess it's lunch now," Leroy brought them to his car and drove them to a café.
"The Evil Queen's Poison Apple, that's a welcoming name," Emma said sarcastically.
On contrary to its threatening name, there was a line up outside. Leroy skipped the line-up and brought them inside.
"Hey, look who is finally here," Millie said, "Sorry that the place is packed. Regina is upstairs with Lucy. Leroy, can you bring them up? We have a private table in the studio. I will get Britt or Tom bring you some food."
Leroy led his way. Regina met them at the stairway, "You are finally here!" She smiled at the group. Nothing could ruin her great day after a long weekend, not even Emma. "I will get you something." Regina went into the kitchen.
"So, this café is owned by my mom?" Henry asked. Leroy brought them into Millie's upstairs art studio.
"Yes, they have the best apple turnover in town," Leroy said, as Regina brought them juice, coffee, apple turnover and lasagna. Being a hungry teenager, Henry immediately stuffed food into his mouth. The taste was so familiar. He missed Regina's cooking.
"Enjoy. I have to go help Millie," Regina kissed Henry's forehead and exited the room.
The café was so busy; it was around three when Regina had time to come upstairs and check up on Henry and the group.
"How is my cooking?" Regina asked.
"Mama," The toddler heard her mother's voice. She woke up from her nap and started talking, "Lucy want water."
Astrid quickly attended to the young child before Regina could response. She brought Lucy from her toddler bed to the table and gave her some water to drink through a straw.
"I never see you as a dad guy, Leroy," Emma said, "What do you call her? Dwarfairy? Dairy?" She laughed.
"Oh no, Lucy is not our child," Astrid explained, "She is Regina's. I guess she is your sister then, Henry. Do you want to hold her?" Henry kindly declined. Astrid passed Lucy to Regina.
"Sister?" Henry asked.
"Yes, this is Lucia. She is two," Regina said, "Say hello to Henry, Emma and Neal."
"No," Lucy buried her face in Regina's chest.
Millie came into the studio. She walked right up to Regina and kissed her to mark the territory. "Regina, do you want to go to the park with Lucy or stay here with Henry?"
"Oh," Emma and Henry exclaimed in unison. Before that moment, they didn't know Regina and Millie were a couple and had a family.
"I will go," Regina said, "Henry, would you like to join me?"
"Sure," Henry stood up from the table and left the room with Regina, Millie and Lucy.
"So," Leroy put on his serious face, "Why are you here?"
"We are sick of the Enchanted Forest. We missed electricity, daily shower and flushing toilet," Neal said.
"Be honest with me," Leroy said, "I heard part of your fight last night."
Emma said, "Regina needs to return to the Enchanted Forest with us."
"No, she doesn't. She has a life here. We are not going to ruin everything," Neal said, "We can just stay in this world. Emma, stop trying to be a hero."
"We need her," Emma said, "She is the only one who can help."
"Who is the only one who can help?" Regina and Millie entered the room.
"Were you guys eavesdropping?" Emma asked.
"No," Regina said, "It's chill out and left Lucy's coat here. If you don't want us to be here, fine, we will just go."
"Regina, please stay and listen to us. We have a request for you," Emma proposed.
= To Be Continued =
Going to stop writing Once Upon A Time fan fiction for a while... cause I had the serious fucked up dream about Lana and her hubby Fred announcing they are expecting. So, I am going to stop writing for a while. I will still post the next 2 chapters. I have them 90% done already.
Moving to San Jose from Vancouver very soon. I will be back in late September~ (Peace Out with Evil Regal Sign - OF Sept 2, 2013)
