Chapter 3: What a Charming Dinner (not!)
"Hey," Emma said as Snow and David, leading toddler Neal by the hand, walked past Regina and entered the mansion.
"Emma? Oh, I…" Snow trailed off, looking confused between Regina and Emma. "I didn't know you'd be here."
"Henry and Vivian are upstairs," Emma said. "Vivian fell asleep after her last feeding, so we put her in the nursery."
Snow snapped her gaze to Regina. Emma bit her lip, watching her mother closely. Snow asked, "You have a nursery?"
"Remodeled a room," Regina said simply.
"I thought -"
Emma wiggled her fingers. "Little thing called magic."
"But here? I thought you had the apartment?"
"I do." She tried to keep it simple and hoped - oh there, the dinner timer. She grinned. Saved by the bell. "Dinner's ready."
Regina stepped back. "You can follow Emma to the dining room."
"Neal and I need to visit the bathroom," David said. "We're learning to wash our hands."
Smiling down at Neal, Regina pointed to a small anteroom bathroom just off the foyer. "In there."
David entered the small space with Neal and closed the door. They all heard the water starting a moment later.
"Snow?" Emma asked.
"You said Henry's here?"
"Yes." Emma went to the bottom of the stairs and called up, "Henry!"
"Emma!" Snow cautioned in a sharp whisper.
"Vivian sleeps like the dead. It's OK."
Henry came tromping down the stairs. "Hey, grandma!"
"Hello, Henry."
"Where're Gramps and Neal?"
"Right here," David announced as he opened the foyer bathroom and brought Neal forward with his other hand. "All cleaned up and hungry for dinner."
"Hey, Neal!" Henry gushed. "How's my best uncle?"
"He's your only uncle," Emma said. She shot a glance at Snow. "Right? I don't have any other surprise siblings?"
"He's the only uncle, unless Rumplestiltskin had other children," David said. He looked at Regina. "He didn't, did he?"
"How would I know?" Regina asked.
Emma covered her face. "Let's go." She pointed toward the dining room. "Get them seated and find out what they want to drink. I'm gonna help Regina in the kitchen."
The group split up. Emma heard Regina exhale as they crossed the kitchen threshold. "Sorry about that," Emma said.
"Nothing to apologize for. It's assumed that he was my teacher, and I should know these things."
"If I knew that sort of stuff about my teachers, it'd be TMI, y'know?"
"TMI?"
"Too much information. Besides, Gold never struck me as a man who shared more than was absolutely necessary."
"And often not even that," Regina added.
"Yeah."
Regina removed the small roast and red potatoes from the oven while Emma fetched the chilling apple pecan salad from the refrigerator. Henry appeared at the doorway with a request for lemonade from David, milk for Neal, and an iced tea for Snow. Regina nodded. Emma passed Henry the salad.
"They'll take it from you, kid," Emma said when he looked at the apple bits. He smiled and popped a bit of apple in his mouth with his fingers.
"Keep your fingers out of the food," Regina reminded. "There's tongs in the drawer."
"I know," Henry said. He rolled his eyes, fetched the tongs, then winked at Emma before he turned and walked out of the kitchen, holding aloft the salad in both hands humming a royal march. Emma laughed and marveled again at her child who chose the weirdest times to show off the sassy attitude he had learned from Regina.
She glanced over her shoulder to see Regina had seen the entire exchange. Her face was a study in conflicting emotions. She wanted, clearly, to be upset with her son's behavior - the reprimand about touching the food wasn't merely for show - but she was deeply touched by his mannerisms that left no doubt who raised him.
Emma smiled. "C'mon. I wanna eat before it's cold."
Regina walked through with a tray full of drink glasses ahead of Emma, who followed with the roast platter. She noted that David sat at one end of the table, Snow beside him, Neal in the next chair seated on pillows from the living room - Emma checked that Regina didn't seem bothered by that - Henry was on the side by David, leaving Regina and Emma to sit next to one another, Regina on the end.
Emma set the platter down on a trivet then realized her missed opportunity when Regina pulled out Emma's chair before seating herself.
Sheepishly she said, "Thanks," dropping into the chair and pulling it forward.
Regina nodded once when their eyes met briefly then started passing drinks from the tray before setting it on the sideboard.
"So, what's this meeting about?" Snow asked.
"Retiree provisions for city employees. George finally provided the numbers I asked for several weeks ago."
"Oh, well, of course we'll provide pensions."
Emma screwed up her face as Regina put down her fork, clearly ready to explain all the intricacies to Snow, before eating her meal. "It can wait until after we eat," Emma said quickly.
Snow looked at Emma then shook her head as if to clear it. "Of course. Of course. Sorry."
David finished a bite of the meal and complimented, "Excellent roast."
"Thank you," Regina said.
"Try the salad," Emma said then popped a forkful of it into her own mouth.
"What is it?" David asked, poking it curiously.
"Apple pecan."
Snow swallowed her bite of roast. "Wh-where are the...the pecans from?"
"The fresh market on Bunkle Street," Regina said.
"Oh." Snow put her fork in her salad bowl and speared a bit of lettuce and nut, catching a bit of apple in the process. Emma watched her throat move quickly just before she put the bite in her mouth.
Emma shook her head and shoveled more of the apple pecan salad into her own mouth.
A moment later, Snow said quietly, "It's very good, Regina."
"I'm glad you like it. It's Emma's favorite."
Emma smiled, tightly pinching her lips together to keep her full mouth from display. She quickly chewed and swallowed when Snow looked back down at her plate, picking up a bit of red potato.
David and Snow took turns offering tiny bits of roasted potato and almost infinitesimal bits of roast to Neal, who was clearly getting the gist of finger foods, but also clearly not equipped for biting into anything with any real texture.
Henry finished his first full plate quickly and served himself second helpings of everything. Snow seemed to relax after that, and the avoided salad was soon as gone as everything else.
Regina started to her feet almost as soon as the last platter was emptied. Emma stopped her hand against the table. "Sit for a few minutes."
"We did come together for a meeting," Regina said. "And Neal probably has an early bedtime."
"I can put him down wherever," David said. Regina side-eyed him as unhelpful. Clearly she wanted to be done with this meeting as quickly as possible.
That was something she could do something about. Emma stood. "Well then, I'll clean up, and Henry can entertain his uncle for a while. Should I bring coffee to the parlor?"
"My office," Regina said. To Snow's questioning expression she explained, "We'll need the computer."
Emma looked at the table clutter. Her mother and Regina alone in a room together was still not the best idea in the world. But how to get this cleaned up at the same time? She looked at Henry, who was already standing and brushing his hands off with his napkin. "Hey, kid. Would you watch your uncle while David helps your mom and grandmother with the numbers? I'm going to clear the dishes."
"Henry still has homework," Regina said. "Go on upstairs, Henry."
"But I -"
"Mom -"
"Go upstairs, Henry." Regina insisted. "Your schoolwork comes first. David, you can watch Neal in the parlor."
Emma frowned. "But shouldn't he be with Snow, in case-"
"I got it, Em." David hoisted Neal onto his shoulders. "We guys can entertain ourselves."
"But-" Emma put down the dishes. "I guess the dishes can wait."
"We can all help clear the dishes to the kitchen," Snow said, looking relieved at finding a way to be helpful.
"What about your meeting?"
"Regina?" Snow asked.
"Snow." Regina's eyes had narrowed when Emma met them. "Would you please go to the study? You'll find George's file on the desk. I'll be there in a few minutes with the coffee." She lifted dishes. "Emma, I'll help you in the kitchen." The woman's voice was tight enough to feel like a violin string about to snap.
Emma forced a smile. "All right."
When they were alone in the kitchen, Emma went quickly with her dishes to the sink, starting to run the water.
"What was that about?" Regina demanded.
"I was just trying to be helpful." Emma squeezed some dish soap and busied herself with her hands in the scalding hot water, hissing at the brief pain.
"First you try to foist Neal off on Henry so David can 'help us with the numbers'," she quoted Emma's words back at her, her tone dubious. "That man doesn't know the first thing about the city's numbers. That's Snow's job, and mine."
"I just thought -"
"You thought there needs to be a buffer between me and Snow. Afraid I'm going to harm your mother?" Regina spoke with disdain.
"No!" Emma retorted.
"No? Sounds like you don't trust me."
"I trust you!" Emma replied emphatically. "I don't trust her. She still doesn't like that I'm not with Hook."
"What does that have to do with anything?"
"I'm afraid," Emma said. "What she'll say to you."
"Say to me? About Hook?"
"You heard her at the door earlier. She's surprised I was even in your house. She's still suspicious of you. You saw her reaction to the salad. It's salad, for god's sake!"
Regina was quiet. Emma turned back to the dishes, hiding her hot face from Regina.
"You're afraid your mother will hurt me?" she finally asked, coming up alongside Emma on the left.
Emma risked a glance and saw Regina's hands partially curled on the counter. "Yeah." She pulled her hands from the water. "I know." She turned to Regina, leaning her hip against the sink edge. "I know you can take care of yourself, but-"
She looked down; Regina took her hands. "Yes, I can take care of myself," she assured. "And I'm here to tell you: it's fine. Your mother's suspicions have a basis in our history. I understand that."
"But you…"
"Have changed. I know. Your mother did eat the salad after all was said and done. I'd say there's hope." Regina's lips quirked a smile.
Emma couldn't help but respond to it. Regina's fingers were strongly massaging her hands. "You sure you'll be all right?"
"Come into the study-" Emma started to grab for a dish towel, but Regina continued gripping her hands. "When you finish with the dishes come to the study."
Regina turned toward the kitchen entrance. "Um," Emma stopped her at the threshold.
"What?"
"Coffee?"
Regina pushed the button on the coffeemaker. "Bring it with you."
Once Regina was gone, Emma turned back to the dishes, resolving to finish quickly. No matter what Regina said, she still didn't exactly believe everything would be fine. Snow was too eager to tell Emma her choice to raise Vivian without Hook made no sense.
As fate would have it, Vivian woke up just as Emma was prepping the coffee tray to take to the study. She started quickly with the tray to the study, meeting Regina coming down the stairs already carrying Vivian who was vigorously sucking on Regina's fingertip.
"I changed her diaper, but she's hungry," Regina said.
Following simply because Regina moved, Emma walked with Regina and Vivian to the study.
Snow turned around at the sound of their entry. "Regina, I don't appreciate -" She registered Vivian in Regina's arms "Oh!"
Regina traded Vivian to Emma for the tray of coffee. "Sorry, Vivian woke up."
"I thought Emma-"
"Emma had her hands full, as you could see." Regina brought the tray to the low table by the white sofa.
Emma sat down on the sofa, positioning Vivian and herself so that the baby girl was nursing within a matter of moments. The view seemed to startle Snow to silence. She sat in a nearby chair without a word; Regina put a coffee mug, prepared with cream and sugar, into the woman's hands then sat down next to Emma with her own cup.
"So, how are the numbers looking?" Emma asked when the silence stretched.
"Numbers?" Snow asked. "Oh, the retirement. It seems fair to me."
"I thought everyone should have something equitable for their years of service," Regina said. "This seems to be in line with that."
"It does," Snow added. "The city funds are healthy."
Regina settled back against the cushions as she sipped her coffee. Emma reached out and squeezed her thigh in support and pride. Emma knew Snow saw the motion, but her mother said nothing.
"I think we can keep this plan for a while," Regina said. "It will be quiet for a while after this first group retires."
"Twenty years at least," Snow said, and there was a caustic bite under the words.
Emma looked to Regina, her hand stilling on the woman's thigh.
After a moment, Regina said cautiously, "That's true."
"There aren't exactly a lot of people applying for job openings."
"So we'll have smaller government," Emma said. "Republicans would love us."
Snow was confused by the reference. "But Storybrooke is actually bigger now. The second curse brought more people over."
Regina nodded. "Yes."
Emma knew Snow had been the one to initiate the curse again to return Storybrooke. That she hadn't considered the consequences was, apparently, just beginning to dawn on her. Regina, however, had realized the situation quite some time ago.
Snow's face began revealing uncharacteristic worry, deepening lines around her mouth and eyes. "We need to train people," Snow said.
"The high school graduates another class this spring," Regina said.
"High school graduates can't run a town."
Emma listened and marveled as Regina gradually guided Snow to the only logical conclusion. "We're going to have to open up a college, or find some way to provide classes," Snow said finally.
"Maybe online?" Emma asked. She had taken a few during her wandering days.
"Even if it is just the internet, that would open Storybrooke to the world at large," Regina said, sounding neither worried nor sarcastic, just factual.
"We can't." Snow nodded sadly. "What if there are more people who hate magic, like Owen or Tamara?"
"You mean people who hate the Evil Queen," Regina said.
"Regina-" Emma started.
"Emma, it's all right. I've accepted what I did. I have Henry, and I meant what I said in Neverland. I don't have regrets. I am who I am because of the things I've done. They've given me what I have now."
Vivian fussed and Regina absently brushed her fingers over the baby's dark hair, quieting her.
Emma lifted Vivian to her shoulder and began burping her, exchanging smiles with Regina in the process. Regina turned back to Snow. "So we will deal with what comes. But we do what is necessary," she concluded.
Snow sat back in the chair, her wrists cast over the arms outward as if she was surrendering. "I guess so."
Regina dipped her head; she had been leveling her gaze at Snow steadily for the last several exchanges. Emma saw her exhale carefully. "I believe that is the last of the things we needed to discuss. It's late," she said. "You should probably get Neal and David home."
"Emma, I didn't see your car. If you need a ride, we can fit you, Henry and Vivian in the SUV?"
"I'm not leaving just yet," Emma said. She wanted to congratulate Regina on her brilliant handling of Snow. Maybe do a few other congratulatory things with her as well; watching the commanding woman so in her element was extremely arousing.
"Oh," Snow said. "All right." She stood and walked to the study door. Regina and Emma were still sitting together when she turned back. "Good night then."
"Good night, Snow."
Emma looked up from studying Regina's expression studying Vivian who was almost clapping her hands as Regina played with her fingers. "Good night… Mom."
Snow's lips smiled then pursed, but she said nothing, dipping her head once before letting herself out of the room.
Emma kissed Regina on the cheek once they were alone. "That was amazing."
Regina looked at Emma. "What?"
"The way you handled my mother. She really hadn't thought about any of that stuff."
"You forget, dear. I raised her for almost a decade."
Emma pulled her close for another kiss, this time on the lips. "I don't want to remember that. Makes us far too close."
"You don't want us to be close?" Regina said and her expression clearly told Emma she was feigning shock.
"Not like that. Not ever. But I can think of better ways to be close." She licked her lips against Regina's, and the woman obligingly opened to allow their tongues to caress. "Yeah," Emma said. "This is good." Vivian kicked her in the chest. "Oof. That's bad." She rubbed her sternum.
"I'll take the coffee tray to the kitchen. You put Vivian to sleep in the crib."
"So we're staying the night?"
Regina paused. "If you want to?" Her tone said she thought perhaps she had presumed too much.
Emma stood. "I want to," she said. Lifting Vivian, Emma said, "Say good night, Viv."
"Good night, sweetheart," Regina said, kissing the baby's head.
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