Chapter 4

4 years later

"Where are we mama?"

Emma glanced in her rear view mirror at the tiny questioning blonde swinging her legs excitedly against her car seat. Emma smiles automatically , something which she can't help but do whenever she looked to her daughter or heard her speak. "A place I used to know, somewhere that helped me figure out what I wanted in life"

The little girl giggled and pointed to herself. "Me!"
Emma chuckles checking the road and spotting the green 'Welcome to Storybrooke' sign before looking back at her mini me. "Yes baby, this was the same place I found out I was having you"

Trying to peer over the window, the girl looks in amazement at all the trees towering above in the woods situated at either side of the long deserted road. "Why come back mama?"

Emma bites her lip frowning having to think of an answer. "I guess..it just felt like the right time" Pulling up her bug, Emma exits her car and heads around the other side to the eagerly awaiting blonde in the back. Letting her out her sit, the girl jumps down and stands waiting for Emma to lock up before holding her hand up. Emma smiles yet again and takes her hand. "Come on Mia lets go get some pie they have the best ever"

Mia licks her lips and skips towards the diner without letting go of Emma's hand. Walking inside, Emma raises an eyebrow as the place has not changed a bit since her departure. Noticing a tall brunette behind the counter in the corner look her way at the door going, Emma waves smiling. Ruby looks over shocked then grins walking straight over to them now sitting in a booth.

"Emma! What are you doing here?!"

Despite only knowing each other a short period of time, Ruby leans down hugging her. Hugging back quick, Emma shrugs. "I..really I don't know. We were taking a break and I thought of here. This place really hasn't changed!"

Ruby shakes her head then looks opposite to Emma receiving the exact same smile from the small girl that her mother gave moments ago. "Hey cutie I'm Ruby"

Mia waves swinging her legs again. "I'm Mia! I'm 4!"

Emma bites her lip to stifle a laugh. "That she is and she wants to try some of your famous pie if you still do it?"

Ruby nods. "Of course we do! Come on Emma you of all people should know the mayor never likes change"

Emma looks taken back. "right of course..I take it Regina is still here?"

Ruby takes the menus off the table looking back frowning at her reaction. "Yes same house same job. What exactly happened with you too?"

Emma raises an eyebrow at the personal question. "Nothing she just helped me through a difficult time. Then I had this little monster!" Reaching across the table, Emma attacks Mia by tickling her causing the mini blonde to be in fits. Ruby smiles watching the scene then leaves to get their pie.

Walking up towards the big porch, Emma felt a little hand slip into hers from behind gripping slightly. Looking over her shoulder she smiles to reassure her daughter.

"It's a really big house mama"

Emma nods. "I know baby but it's a nice house okay?" Watching Mia nod, Emma turns to the door and knocks taking a breath. She felt awkward. Why she didn't know. When she had left the house 4 years previous, she hadn't said goodbye so much in the personal sense to the mayor but had left a note, meaning she was unsure of the brunettes reaction when she received it. Looking straight on, Emma watches as the big door opens revealing the mayor or in her case Regina. Having spotted the other women dressed with such authority, Mia slipped further behind her mom. Regina looks at Emma in a state of shock.

"Hey..." Smiling weakly, Emma also took in her appearance. Regina had definitely not changed. Still dressed in only the best, her dark glossy hair never out of place and then there it was. The action Emma had hoped for. A smile, slowly creeping across her face.

"Emma.."

Only being able to shove one hand into her pocket as the other is somewhat reassuring the little girl behind her clutching her leg. Emma bites her lip feeling awkward at standing in the intruding silence waiting for Regina to say something else.

Regina grips the side of the doorframe staring at her. "Your...here.."

"Yeah..I am. Kinda on a road trip and thought of here, nice little town...friendly mayor"

Smiling at her again, Emma feels a little grip on her hand and realizes Mia is still hiding. Looking down behind her, she pulls at the girls hand to bring her out. "It's okay..she's a friend"

Mia looks at her worried but walks back out looking upwards to the dark haired woman. Regina looks back at her at first wondering who she is then noticing the same green eyes and blonde hair as Emma. Who was she kidding the girl was definitely a mini Emma.

Emma having watched Regina's reaction rubs her neck. "..erm..this is Mia..she's.."

"Your daughter..." Regina finishes the sentence for her and looks between the pair. Emma nods while Mia gives a tiny wave. Watching the little girl, Regina approaches crouching to her level. Mia looks at her a little unsure while Regina smiles getting slightly lost looking at her reminding her so much of Emma. "Hello Mia, I'm Regina" holding her hand out in the hope that the girl will accept, Regina watches as Mia glances up to Emma who nods. Mia looks towards Regina again and takes her hand shaking it. "How about you and your mother come inside?"

Nodding with a smile, Mia lets go of Emma's hand to follow the brunette in shortly followed by her mom. Shutting the door, Emma looks around the house. "You really don't like change do you?"

Regina looks over to her to give an answer but just smiles instead. "Follow me"

Entering the kitchen, Regina pulls out three mugs wanting to include the young girl. While Mia tries her best attempt to climb up a stool, Emma watches Regina in amazement that even she doesn't realize what she is doing. It had been so long since she had seen the mayor she had to admit to herself it took her more by surprise than she had expected. Noticing her mother's gaze Mia lets out a tiny giggle causing Regina to turn around as Emma blinks a few times.

"Mama why are you staring at the lady?"

Emma looks to her daughter eyes widened mainly because she had been caught. "Mia I was not staring...I was just..seeing what she was making. What did she tell you? Her name is Regina okay?"

Mia nods still not convinced. Watching as Regina passes over the drinks, she drinks. "Chocolate!"

This announcement causes both women to laugh as they sit down. Seeing as Mia was far too occupied with her drink, Regina thought that now would be the best time to ask. "It all finally makes sense.." Seeing Emma look to her she continues. "The sickness you blamed on stress and the no drinking rule?"

Emma bites her lip. "sorry..."

Regina shakes her head trying to hold a laugh. "Sorry? Dear you do remember the celebratory council meeting don't you?"

Emma frowns a second then covers her mouth smiling. "Oh no.."

"Okay I have a confession, which taken into account should be acceptable considering you decided to drag me to a work do when I am still looking for somewhere to live" Emma looks profoundly worried at Regina who frowns having taken her inside to do. Emma bites her lip. "I..well..I still don't..feel all that great and would appreciate it if I didn't have to drink and I know it's this sophisticated place and it would look weird if the company in presence of the mayor doesn't partake but I really cannot drink"

Given the last part of the sentence, both Emma and Regina are approached by a council body handing both women a drink. Regina having listened to the entire reason and taken into account Emma's current face nods placing a hand on the blonde's wrist containing the drink. Emma looks over giving a sigh of relief before becoming astounded as Regina quickly knocks back her drink to take Emma's off her.

This continued throughout the night and Emma soon realized it wasn't the best of ideas considering Regina basically had double the amount of drinks and was well and truly on her way to being gone.
Looking around the hall, Emma frowned having no sight of the mayor. Rubbing her head thinking what if she had got so drunk she went off with someone and by tomorrow it would totally be her fault and she'd be kicked out, Emma knew she had to find her. Then there she was, sat at a table on her own. Bracing herself, she approaches Regina who now looks utterly bored. Tapping her shoulder, Regina looks to Emma. "I wondered where you..got too...thought you left..."

Taking in her slightly slurred speech, Emma just shakes her head taking her arm and wrapping it round her shoulder. "Let's get you home come on"

Emma starts laughing causing Regina to glare. "it is not funny Miss Swan..it was your fault"

Emma nods giving her a sorry look but gestures to Mia. "Yeah but come on totally worth it"

Regina can't help but lose her glare and smiling instead knowing what Emma meant, it was definitely worth it to have the hangover from hell to see that little face. Even if Mia was nothing to do with her, she was Emma's and Emma whether she would admit it or not meant something to her.

Mia having heard part the conversation frowns looking to Regina. "Why call mama a Swan?"

Regina looks to Emma smiling then to Mia. Leaning across the counter, Regina touches her hand. "Dear that is your mama's last name"

Emma nods. "Same as yours baby"

Mia looks between them. "Oh..have you got more mellows?" Having heard her mom clear her throat, she looks worried and looks to Regina. "Please?"

Regina bites her lip. "Sorry Mia I gave you the last.." Watching the young girl pout makes Regina think. Just like Emma.

Author's note: I know this chapter doesn't seem finished that's because I wrote a majorly long one and had to split it both are up! :)