Regina stood on the back patio, wrapping her arms tight around her as the cool night air picked up and leaves rustled across her feet. The sky was covered by gray clouds and the moon was struggling to shine through. She could smell the rain in the distance and knew a storm was quickly approaching. She knew she shouldn't bother trying to sleep now, Henry would only wake her up at the first clap of thunder. Regina was so lost in thought that when Robin wrapped his arms around her waist, she jumped.
"I didn't mean to startle you, love."
Regina mumbled something under her breath and then leaned back into his touch, grateful for the warmth he was currently supplying.
"It's quite chilly out here."
Regina nodded, "I think there's a storm coming. I knew if I went to bed that Henry would just wake me up anyway." She smiled at the mention of Henry. Henry who was at home and sound asleep in his bed; safe.
"You sleep best during the rain," Robin added as he too observed the sky.
Regina shrugged. "If I was still the Evil Queen, Henry wouldn't be sick right now." She pulled away from Robin and turned to face him. Her worry lines had increased over the past few months and Robin was just now noticing. "I would just rip the kidney right out of someone and give it to him." Her eyes seemed wild and unable to focus. "It's taking everything inside of me to not do that but, why shouldn't I?"
"For the same reasons you haven't already done so," Robin simply answered, "because that's not who you are. You know it isn't the right thing to do."
Regina chuckled and it almost sounded like a sob, "look where doing the right thing got me." The sky cracked with lightening and Regina turned away from Robin to watch.
When the storm seemed to grow at an alarming rate, Robin made the mistake of asking, "Regina, are you causing this storm?"
Regina turned around and Robin instantly regretted his words. The look of hurt that crossed her face made him feel ill. "I-"
Regina opened her mouth to say something but decided against it and instead stormed past him, into the house and straight into her bedroom, shutting the door behind her. She collapsed onto her bed, unable to hold it together any longer. She was crying for Henry, crying for all his pain she couldn't take away, crying for her past, crying because of Robin's words… She heard him enter the room, she hadn't locked it, but she didn't acknowledge him. She continued to cry until her head was throbbing. She felt the shift in the bed as Robin sat down next to her but she couldn't see through her blurred vision.
"It's not fair," she cried, "it's not fair. It's not fair."
"I'm sorry," Robin offered, he knew that she was not crying because of his words. What else was he to say?
It turns out Henry had not woken up during the storm that was still raging on outside but Regina had been unable to sleep, anticipating his sweet voice calling out for mom. The time alone with only the sound of the rain and thunder outside left her thoughts to swirl around in her head, fighting against each other to see which side would win. When she couldn't take it the quiet anymore she tiptoed out of the room and into the kitchen. She grabbed the kettle and filled it with water, placing it on the stove and turning it on high. Hopefully tea would do the trick of making her sleepy.
"Mom?"
Regina was startled and quickly turned around to see Henry standing in the doorway. She was by his side in a matter of seconds."Are you alright? Did I wake you?"
Henry shook his head, "I'm fine. I just heard the thunder. Why are you up?"
Regina couldn't help but smile. "Couldn't sleep," she simply answered, "would you like to try and eat something?"
Henry nodded and took a seat at the table while Regina rummaged through the fridge for something light and easy to eat. She settled on a few grapes and a few slices of apple, hoping his stomach could handle it. She passed him a plate and then sat down across from him.
"I hope the storm is gone by tomorrow," Henry commented as he popped a grape into his mouth. "I want us to spend the day together again."
"Did you have anything special in mind?"
Henry shook his head. "Maybe we could just spend time in the house."
"Maybe," Regina added, "but only if you get some more rest. It's really late." She looked to the digital clock above the stove and saw that it was the early hours of the morning and the storm was still raging on outside. It wasn't likely that the weather would be nice enough to do any outdoor activities but if Henry wanted to spend the day inside, she would make sure he had a grand time.
"Finished," Henry announced as he swallowed the last apple slice on his plate. He hopped off his chair and placed his bowl in the sink before making his way to Regina and wrapped his arms around her. She was shocked at first, not expecting the hug, but took a deep breath in and cherished the tight hug her little boy offered. "I love you."
"I love you too, Henry," Regina whispered, tears coating her eyes yet again. "Now let's get you back into bed. We have a fun day planned ahead of us tomorrow."
