Chapter 4

Returning to the mansion after helping her mother with the shopping as she managed to persuade the older woman to leave work at a reasonable time, Regina scoffs at the lack of food items in the fridge which prompted the shop. "Why don't you and daddy come to dinner tomorrow night? You're always working, it's about time you both shared a cooked meal in the same room. Plus it's Friday so you don't have to worry too much about staying late"

Turning towards her concerned daughter as she finally takes her jacket off, Cora smiles. "I'll speak with Henry about it when he gets home in the morning, but Regina you don't need to worry about us. You have enough people to look after as it is. Don't think I don't know about you looking after Robyn at least twice a week..really your sister needs to learn.."

Shrugging, the brunette chuckles at her mother's tone. "I don't mind. I love spending time with Robyn"

Smiling more at the mention of her granddaughter, the older brunette agrees. "Don't we all?"

"I sometimes wonder where she gets her innocence from because it certainly isn't Zelena"

"Who knows.."

Checking around the kitchen, Regina reaches for her bag. "Right I better go.."

"I'll call you tomorrow dear" planting a kiss on her daughter's cheek, Cora watches her disappear out of the kitchen.

Making her way towards the door, the brunette stop as her phone chimes. Digging inside her bag, she reads the message with a frown before dialling quickly as she heads out onto the porch. "Emma?"

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Curled up on the couch, staring blankly ahead in a daze, Emma briefly looks up as a mug is placed within her hands. Remaining quiet, she looks back down.

Letting out a silent breath, Regina removes her jacket and sits down beside the blonde, ensuring plenty of space between them before questioning. "Emma, what happened?"

Sniffling, the young woman clears her throat. "The..the woman you saw with me..in the store was my mom..the foster one I told you about. There was a mess up with the move and so they came earlier.."

"I thought that was a good thing? They seemed so excited to see you again.."

Wiping at her face furiously to prevent another onset of tears, Emma rests her mug onto the coffee table. "I..took your advice and told them..everything.."

Keeping her eyes trained on the blonde as she listens, the brunette frowns at the sadness of it all. "What did they say?"

"Surprisingly..they were fine with the whole jail situation..but..." Growing teary again, the blonde gulps. "..when I told them about the baby...I have never seen Mary Margaret so angry. She asked how I could do such a thing and that she couldn't even bare to look at me then left" turning to face her therapist, Emma's lip trembles. "I tried..I tried to tell them that I didn't want to give him up. It wasn't any easy decision but how could I let an innocent baby be brought up in jail..I know I only ended up serving half my sentence but I didn't know that at the time"

Resting a comforting hand on Emma's arm, Regina shuffles a little closer. "You did what you thought at that moment in time was right for your child. No one should blame you for that. As much as I hate what your parents have done, I do believe that they were in shock and I bet you that your mother will soon realise her mistake and that she should be supporting you through this"

"I don't think she will but it doesn't matter..I spent the first sixteen years of my life alone, what difference does it make now?"

"Emma, I've told you before, you're not alone. I will always be here to listen"

Sniggering, Emma exhales deeply. "You have to say that. It's your job.."

"It may be but I don't see it that way. I got into it because I want to help people and that doesn't mean whether your my client or not, I'm going to just abandon you half way" the brunette confesses honestly. Rubbing the blondes arm, she smiles. "You will get there and I am going to help you. I'm not saying that you're going to forget the fact that you have child because that will never leave you but I'm going to help you accept the choice you made"

"A choice that I regret..I wish he was here right now. I think about him every day..what he's little personality would be like..the colour of his eyes.."

"You don't know what he looks like?" Masking her surprise, Regina once again rubs the woman's arm as she shakes her head sadly.

"It was too difficult knowing I was giving him up so they took him straight away. The one thing I was adamant on was naming him.." Sighing in relief at finally getting it all out, Emma looks across tiredly. "Now you know"

"Well I certainly asked didn't I.." Chuckling a little, the therapist finally drops her hand. "You should get some rest, you look exhausted..if you want to we can talk more tomorrow.."

Nodding in agreement, the blonde attempts a smile. "Thank you..for coming. After what I said and how I treated you I'm surprised you didn't blacklist me and send me somewhere else.."

"Oh believe me dear, I've had to put up with much worse in my time..you're not the first person to give me the brush off and I dare say you won't be the last"

"It hurt though right? I mean I didn't imagine it..in the store you seemed hurt..."

Standing up from her seat, the brunette purses her lips. "Yes..it did..however that was through my own doing. Whether it is right or not, I've felt different with you, a deeper connection that to me felt more like a friendship than a professional point of view. I misread the situation" feeling embarrassed, Regina takes her jacket and bag.

Awkwardly fiddling with her hands, Emma admits. "I wouldn't mind...if..if you wanted to be friends..."

Peering down to the blonde, Regina raises an eyebrow.

"I mean..it's nice to have a friend..one that you can also talk to..." Trailing her eyes up to meet the brunette's, Emma gives a coy smile.

Smiling back, the brunette gestures towards the door. "I should go. Try and get some rest Emma"

"I will.."

Leaving the small apartment and down the flight of stairs, the therapist stops outside on the pavement and sighs, relieved that Emma finally responded but also sad for the woman who desperately needs her son.

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Hearing footsteps approach as she unlocks her office door, the brunette looks across to find a tired looking blonde making her way over with a coffee cup in hand.

"Hi.."

"You're early this morning dear. I would have thought you'd still be at home resting" pushing the door open, Regina steps aside to allow Emma access first before following on behind and opening the blinds.

"Yeah..sorry about this..I just needed to get out you know. I can come back later if you want?" Realising that she had overstepped the mark, the blonde looks apologetic.

Waving a hand, the brunette shakes her head. "No it's fine. I don't usually start appointments for another hour anyway.."

"Right.." Sitting herself upon the couch, Emma plays with her coffee cup while Regina removes her jacket to hang on the stand and sits at her desk. "I've given it a lot of thought as to what I want to do next.."

"Oh?" Swivelling her chair to face the blonde, the therapist scoots a little closer, abandoning any paperwork she was about to sort through.

Tapping her feet nervously, bumping her knees together, Emma nods. "About Henry.."

Rising from her chair, Regina takes in the blondes nervous state and approaches warily, taking the coffee cup from her hands before sitting beside her. Placing a hand to the woman's knee to stop her from moving, the brunette offers a smile. "Just take your time..and breathe.."

Taking a deep breath, the blonde looks directly at the woman to show that she is serious. "I want to get him-"

"Emma?"

Turning her attention towards the door where her name was called, Emma grows wide eyed as the door opens to reveal her mother.

"Emma, we need to talk"

Frowning, the blonde looks between the two brunette women. "How did you..." Glaring towards her therapist, Emma stands abruptly while pushing the woman's hand away. "You contacted her didn't you?!"

"No Emma, I wouldn't without your consent!" Also standing, Regina tries to prevent the blonde from leaving. "Emma listen to me. I wouldn't even know where to find your parents, how could I contact them? Why would I after what happened last night?"

Staring between the two, Mary Margaret questions her daughter. "How much did you tell her?"

"She knows everything"

"Exactly. There would be no way that I would contact your mother after what was said. You both need time to think this over before your relationship suffers completely" the therapist holds her hands out in a calming manner to get her point across.

"I just don't understand" the fellow brunette states as she glances briefly at Emma. "How could you give a child up? That is what I'm trying to get my head around..you suffered through the system Emma and now you've put your son through the same thing.."

"Why don't we all sit down?" Regina rationalises to the pair before the conversation gets any deeper.

Annoyed with the whole thing and her mother's blatant disregard for her feelings, Emma shakes her head. "Why don't you just cut the therapy crap! Stop trying to analyse me and I don't need your help with talking to my mother!"

Taken aback by the blondes raised voice, the brunette steps back. "I...ill give you a moment then.." Heading towards the door, Regina slips out to leave the two stubborn women to it.

Crossing her arms in a huff, the blonde sits back down on the couch. "I know you're mad...but it wasn't an easy decision if you can really call it one. I never wanted to give him up. He's my son and I wanted him with me, but I was in jail and if I knew I was going to be out sooner then I would have kept him. I just wanted stability for him and even a group home is better than a prison. You may see it as a mistake but it's one that I am trying to rectify..at first I didn't want to think about what I'd lost but after talking it through..all I want is to fix it..to have my baby boy home"

Feeling guilty over her reaction, Mary Margaret moves towards the couch and sits beside her daughter while staring out in front. "Then...that is what we'll do..bring him home"

Tilting her head to face her mother, Emma appears shocked. "I thought you'd be leaving.."

Shaking her head, the short haired woman takes hold of the blondes hands. "No. I might have been angry and I might not have understood but that doesn't mean I would just up and leave you when you need me"

Giving a watery smile, the blonde squeezes her hands back. "Thanks"

Pursing her lips, Mary Margaret eyes the door. "You know you really did a number on your therapist.."

"I know..."

"Did you want to.."

Standing before she loses her nerve, Emma sighs. "Yeah. I'll speak to her"

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Pacing outside the office with a concerned frown, Regina fiddles with her hands impatiently. It's one thing to not know what is going on as a therapist, that's all part of the challenge, but to have no access to her own office was another. Hearing their quiet voices clearly in conversation, the brunette looks outside the main door and into the street curiously while also being thankful for giving her receptionist a late start as the current situation would be rather embarrassing. Turning to see her office door open, the therapist hugs her arms at her elbows awkwardly as Mary Margaret steps out and offers a small, apologetic smile.

"It's sorted. Thank you for letting us use your office. Now I believe Emma would like to talk to you"

"You're welcome.." Giving a slight nod, Regina makes her way back to the office and closes the door. Taking a breath, she turns to face the blonde who is currently looking out the window. "I'm pleased to hear you talked things through..."

Peering over her shoulder, Emma bites her lip. "Yeah. About that...just now..I'm sorry I..had a go at you. I didn't mean to offend, your methods do work and help. I just lashed out because it all got to much"

Shrugging lightly, the brunette steps further into her office. "None taken. Did you want to continue with what you came here for or would you like to take a break?"

Sighing sadly at hearing the woman's professional tone, the young woman heads over towards the couch and sits down. "I want your help"