Sorry about the long wait... Writer's block sucks and then on top of it having the entire story being erased from my computer was not fun either. So yeah I had a rough time writing this one. I have a plan on where I am going with it but I'm still working out all the kinks. I going to place my story into the time line of the TV show because after all he is affected by the curse too. I just have to find a way to do it.
I know that there has been a lot of Henry in these last few chapters but I felt that it was important for both of them to see Henry's interactions with his mother. There will be less of him in later but he is such a permanent part of her life that I had to include him. Don't worry though this is still a story about my favorite couple in Once Upon a Time.
So I fixed the mistakes I could find after rereading this chapter, I hope it helps. Sorry about re-uploading the entire page
Hope to update soon…
Once again I don't own anything or anyone.
I wish I could own Noah and Lana though.
They spotted Henry standing over the gate of one of the stables petting a young white horse. She could only smile at the way Henry was so mesmerized and happy being so close to an animal that she herself had grown to love at his age.
Walking up behind him Henry jumped off the front of the stall and turned to see his mother and Gabriel standing behind him mirroring the smile he had on his own face.
"It looks like this young one has taken a liking to you Henry." Gabriel said walking up to stand next to the young boy and reached out to place a soft tap against the side of the new addition to the stables.
"He really is very cool. I really do like him; there is just something about him." Henry said looking back to the horse.
"Well would you like to try and ride him?" Gabriel asked. Glanced at Regina as he asked Henry the question knowing that he should conform with her first before letting Henry on a horse.
Henry gave a small gasp of excitement and immediately turned and looked to his mother. Jumping up and down slightly. "Can I mom. PLEASE." Giving her the famous puppy dog eyes to boot.
A slight huff and chuckle at her son's eagerness, "Of course you can Henry that's part of the reason why I brought you here. There is something though you have to understand, you must lesson to Gabriel at all times. He knows a lot more about these animals than you do so what he says goes unless you get a direct order from me do you understand." Regina informed him in a stern manner knowing Henry's habit of not lessoning to anyone recently.
"Ok mom I got it." Henry answered his mother in almost a routine manner.
Turning his attention back to Gabriel. "Can you teach me how to ride now?"
"Well being able to truly ride a horse takes a lot of training but how about for now we just let you ride this one in the fenced in area used for training the horses, so you get the feeling of riding him."
" Ok." He wanted to be able to run and jump over hurdles and braches like a real prince but he knew better to push his luck at this stage of the game.
"Well since I am not needed here I am going to take Nightshade out for a little while. You too have a good time. Henry be careful and Mr. Stephenson."
Looking back to Regina he gave her a questionable glare confused on what to say as he let her continue.
"If you let my son get hurt I will personally have your head mounted on my wall." Regina glared at him like a mother protecting her son, only a second latter her faced softened and allowed a smile to grace her lips and he in turn laughed a little at her.
"Well I would never want anything to happen to the mayor's kid now would I?" Playing along with her little game.
Regina knew that Gabriel would never let anything happen to Henry, no matter if he was her son or not. He was the best trainer and stable hand in her old estate and knew Henry was in the best hands possible.
When Gabriel walked out of the stables into the gated area he already had Henry mounted on his new friend. He showed Henry all he needed to know about how to handle the reigns but he still kept a light hold on them so the horse wouldn't bolt on Henry.
Walking Henry around the area Gabriel caught Regina out of the corner of his eye coming out of the stables and guiding Nightshade into the jumping arena.
This should be interesting.
Careful not to let Henry's horse go to fast he could not stop from taking slight glances at Regina. She looked so powerful, graceful and beautiful all at the same time as she navigated through the course set out in front of her. Henry noticed this, he stared at Gabriel and rolled his eyes and shook his head at the man so hypnotized by his mother.
Who was this guy and why is he so drawn to her? Was it someone whose heart she stole or was it something else? He couldn't tell but he wanted to find out so badly.
"When can I learn how to do that?" He finally broke him out of his constant staring.
Looking up onto Henry's eyes he smiled at the eager little boy. "Well that takes years of training and mutual trust in both horse and owner. It is very dangerous if not done correctly. You will get there one day if you so choose. But for now let's just stick to the basics ok Henry."
He nodded a little. "Hey, do you like my mom, I mean really like her?" He had to ask, he was just too curious to hear his side of the story.
Not knowing what to say to a ten year old he kind of just went with his gut. "UMMMM, yes Henry I do. I know I only meet her a few days ago but I do like her. She is different than any other woman I have ever met here." He looked back to Regina finishing another round of the course.
Not knowing whether this was something his mother manipulated or not, he mumbles to himself. "Yeah that's because she's the Evil Queen."
"What was that Henry?"
Shocked he could hear him she shook his head, "Nothing."
Seeing the look on Henry's face gave the same confused look on Gabriel's face when Regina mentioned something of that nature to him in the stables earlier he cocked his head a little to take in what Henry just said. Choosing to put in the back of his mind for latter he shook it off.
"Alright now Henry I am going to let go. He can't go anywhere because of the fence. Just like I showed you lead him into a slow gallop."
Letting go Henry brought the horse around the area in a slow gallop but even then Henry felt like he was flying. Immediately forgetting what he said about his mother. He has a huge smile painted across his face that Gabriel could only reciprocate. He loved seeing someone ride a horse for the first time.
About an hour latter Gabriel brought Henry back into the stables not wanting to turn his legs into Jell-O after riding for almost a full hour and a half. Henry reluctantly came off the horse and allowed Gabriel to put him back into his stall.
"Alright kid lets go see how your mom is doing huh?"
"Ok"
Noticing her son and Gabriel approaching the arena Regina slowed Nightshade down and walked him to them with all the grace a fluidity she had long since forgotten when riding her horse.
"How was your ride dear?" Regina said to her son a bit out of breath looking from her son to the love of her life.
"I had fun. It felt like I was flying when I was on my own. I saw you over here jumping like a champ. I want to learn how to do that!" Henry exclaimed.
"We'll see sweetheart, it takes a long time to learn something like this. I trained for years before coming to this point. How about we just get you to a point of being able ride while the horse is in full gallop. I'm sure Gabriel only allowed you to get accustom to a slow trot right now." Taking her focus from her son to Gabriel.
"Of course Madam Mayor. I would never allow that on his first day here. It's far too dangerous to let him do that on his own."
Regina saw a pain of disappointment cross her sons face when only a moment ago she saw a light in his eyes she hadn't seen in a while. True Henry knew that he would not become a knight overnight but he though at least he would be able to do a few things not just walk around in an encaged area with a stable hand always at his side. She then thought up an idea that might bring back his excitement.
Noticing Regina about to dismount from her horse Gabriel extended his hand to her to help her down. Taking his hand to ease her way down she immediately felt the familiar felling of butterflies run through her system like they used to. Such a small gesture would not be noticed by anyone else but her and her Daniel when they were back in their land but it made her realize that most of his qualities were still intact from their old life except for his memories of his old life and memories of their love.
"Thank you Gabriel but you didn't have to."
"What type of gentleman would I be if I didn't help a lady off her horse?"
Regina felt a small blush creep onto her cheeks, holding back a wide smile she took a deep breath to steady herself, "Well thank you."
She let go of his hand instantly missing his touch, she knelt down to be at eye level with her son. She brought her hand under his chin so he was looking right at her. "Do you really want to feel what it's like to feel like you're flying?
" Yeah" He answered his mother with a sigh. She could not leave Henry like that, disappointed. She saw it in his eyes all the time now that she could not take it anymore. She stood up a reached her hands out for her son to take. He gave her a look of confusion wanting to know what she was up to, reluctantly taking her hands.
"Alright then well I'm just going to have to show you." She told him, and in one swift motion she hoisted him up onto the back her horse. He noticed that he was higher off the ground than his previous horse but he didn't care. She held onto the reins and walked up to Gabriel.
"I'm going to take him on a little ride. I'll be back." She said to him in almost a whisper. He gave her a quick kiss on the cheek allowing her some mother son time.
"Have fun you two." With that he walked back into the stables.
Once his mother led her horse outside beyond the arenas of the stables Henry noticed a slight change in his mother that he never saw before. She seemed carefree and hopeful. Almost like she was a different person, nothing like the uptight strict mother he was so used to seeing the past few years.
There was an entire open area behind the stables. The only thing that separated them from the horizon was the beginning of woods about a half a mile away perfect space for Regina to take her son on a little thrill ride.
"Alright Henry move up on the saddle."
Doing what his mother asked, beginning to realize what she had planned, he then felt her mount Nightshade and sat behind him.
"Now Henry hold the reins like Mr. Stephenson showed you."
Holding the reins with both hands but felt the right hand of his mother drape over his he began to bring the horse into a walk.
Regina brought her left hand under Henry and around his waist just of extra precaution she gently kicked her old friend into high gear allowing her son the thrill he wanted.
Pulling on Nightshades reins signaling him to slow down as they reached the opening into the stables after their little ride Henry so desperately craved, Regina saw Gabriel the minute she approached the stables. That smile that was so permanently painted on his face was enough to make her heart flutter. Daniel would always wait for her after her riding lessons back home and in this world he was no different, after seeing the pair coming back into the stables he approached them and brought his hand up to hold part of the horse's reins to guide him and his two riders back into the stables.
" So how was the ride Henry? Was it what you expected it to be?" Gabriel asked the young boy who had this face of pure shock plastered on his face.
"It was incredible! I can't believe how fast this baby can go, I really felt like I could fly. I had so much fun." Trying to focus and articulate an answer, still reeling from the experience that he just had with his mother.
Once they were outside Nightshade's stall he let go of the reins and offered his hand to Henry to help him down. He reluctantly took his hand not wanting to get down but new he had to. Once on the ground he felt the soreness in his legs and his body beginning to tire.
"But now legs hurt."
Gabriel gave a quick chuckle. "It looks like you're a little more than sore." Noticing Henry start to sigh in exhaustion from the past few hours finally get to him.
Dismounting off her horse she put her hand around Henry and smiled down at him before speaking to him. " Alright Henry I think that we both had enough riding for the day why don't you take the keys and get in the car and sit down and relax and I'll be there in ten minutes, I just want to make sure everything in order in here."
Sighing into her he just nodded and started to shuffle his feet out of the stables but just before he was out of Regina's and Gabriel's view she called back to him.
"Oh and Henry go say goodbye to your new horse over there." She said with a smile.
Henry's eyes went wide as his brain clicked to what his mother was implying. "Are you serious?"
"Of course, he's yours."
He suddenly could not control his excitement and found just enough energy stored in his little body to run full force into his mother's body almost knocking her over.
"Thank you so much mom, this is the best! I can't believe I get my own horse."
She had to hold back the tears in her eyes not wanting to cry in front of her son and Gabriel. She was not just crying out of joy but also sorrow. It felt like forever ago Henry was this excited and overjoyed with her due to the fact that he thought of her as the evil queen. Which he is completely right about but in this moment she only felt like his mother and he felt the same hugging her with everything he had.
"Alright dear now go say goodbye to your new steed and get in the car I will be with you shortly."
"Ok" He replied and moved as fast as his little legs could carry him.
Now that they were alone Regina turned her attention to the man next to her.
"Well, I have to admit today went better than expected." Regina said out loud with a heavy but freeing breath.
"Why would you say that? I can see that your son adores you Regina." Gabriel answered her fear that he saw written all over her face despite the heavy mask that Regina always kept on.
"Thank you but he has been becoming more distant lately and today was the first time in a long time that we spent this amount of quality time together without the constant reminder of his overactive imagination." Looking down remembering that retched book that he always carried around with him.
"What is this about, I've been hearing about this a little form each of you all day. Out with it Madam Mayor." Putting pressure in his voice just enough to be serious but carefree and light at the same time. He was trying to coax it out of her without becoming upset with him.
Giving him a huff and shaking her head she just gave him the simple answer the truth. "My son thinks I'm the evil queen from his fairytale book, because I am too strict. I do push him but only so he can excel in life, I don't think that makes me too mean or evil as he calls it but he is truly convinced and that's why he's been pulling away."
He saw her face drop even further at this confession so he did the only thing he could think of. He put his hands around her waist and pulled her in for a hug. He immediately felt her relax in his arms. He could not understand it but he felt like she belonged in his arms and would do anything to keep her there for just a little longer.
After a minute she pulled slightly away from him but not enough for him to let go, she just needed to see those blue eyes, the blue eyes she would get lost in and no matter what could make her feel better.
"Regina lesson to me that kid loves you I can see it. Don't doubt yourself as his mother….And the evil queen thing I wouldn't worry about. He's just going through a faze that every ked goes through."
"How can you be so sure?" Almost pleading him for an answer.
"Because I just do. You are not some evil queen from some fairytale. The woman in front of me is smart, beautiful, and the most loving mother I have ever seen. You would do anything for his happiness and I think that is pretty much evident today especially since you just gave him a horse. You knew that giving him that young stallion would put a glow in his eyes that only you get to see. Just give it time; he is always going to be your son."
She was stunned by his words to say the least. She could not form a reply she could only reach for his face with one hand and placed a light kiss on his lips. It was quick but it was enough for him to see it was so much more than that. It was a silent thank you for giving her words of advice and encouragement about her son she loved with everything she had.
"Thank you, Gabriel. For everything today." She sighed and nuzzled into his chest to hide just a bit longer in his arms.
"It's no problem at all Regina."
"Well I better get going; Henry is probably pasted out in the car by now."
Reluctantly pushing herself out of his hold and turning from him she was caught off guard when he grabbed her wrist and effectively turning her on her heels so she could facing him once more.
"Regina I was wondering if maybe you would like to go for a walk with me sometime and maybe go out to dinner."
Always the gentleman, Regina's eyes softened as she smiled up a t him. "I'd like that." Pulling her other hand into her pocket and pulling out a card she handed it to Gabriel. "Here is my number feel free to call anytime."
He took the card and placed it in his pocket and just as he was about to let her go he pulled her in for one last kiss of the day. It was a long goodbye kiss, one that was filled with gratitude compassion and care. Regina could not thank him enough for what he said to her but she conveyed it with this last kiss. When they finally pulled apart she left without a word knowing her Daniel would not just let her go without saying something as a farewell.
Right on que she heard him call out to her.
"Goodbye Regina, I'll talk to you soon."
Regina wanted to leave him with something to think about over the next day or two so she decided to rely on her quick wit and charm. "Of course you will dear you do have my number after all." She said in a sweat but seductive way.
With that she left him walking with a bit more of sway in her hips just because she felt him staring at her while she felt the stables.
"Oh boy I'm in trouble" Daniel whispered to himself as he saw her leave. Oh yeah he was defiantly whipped.