CHAPTER 4: Clicking Your Heels Won't Send You Home
The rest of the day seemed to last forever, and Emma found herself constantly glancing at the clock on the wall. When she had explained that Henry would be coming over, David immediately called Snow, and before she knew it, there were plans for a family feast at her parent's. Although Emma wasn't exactly the type to be thrilled by a family dinner, she couldn't stop herself from smiling. She'd barely seen Henry since they'd been back, and she knew her parents missed him just as much. For once, maybe this family thing won't be so bad.
When it was time to pick Henry up, Emma nearly jumped out of her chair and fled the Sheriff's office, with just a quick wave goodbye to David, who reminded her to be on time for dinner.
Henry was ecstatic to see Emma. He immediately dropped his bags before running and flinging himself into her arms, hugging her tightly. Emma stumbled backwards slightly, forgetting just how big Henry was getting.
"Henry, go get your backpack. Then the afternoon is yours."
Henry immediately ran back to get his stuff before leaping into the passenger side of Emma's bug, hopping impatiently in the seat. Emma just grinned and shook her head before taking her position as the driver.
After some convincing from Henry and a promise to not say anything to Regina, the two stopped briefly at Granny's and picked up two ice creams to-go before heading toward the pier. It was the weekend, so Emma figured that the two could spend some quality time together instead of worrying about him completing his homework.
Despite all of the weather fluctuations lately, it was currently quite nice out. It was slightly overcast, but the clouds didn't threaten rain, and the sun was shining brightly. Their walk started with Henry babbling on about school and some new game that he wanted to get. After awhile, Henry grew quiet. They had long ago finished their ice cream, and the two found themselves sitting on the shore, near where Henry's castle used to be. He glanced back to the spot, Emma's eyes following suit, Henry immediately starting to look sad.
"Hey, kid. Do you remember the last time we were here? By your castle?" Emma asked.
Henry took just a second to think before replying with a smile. "Yeah. You told me why you gave me away. You wanted to give me my best chance."
Emma nodded her head. "Yeah. I did. I knew I couldn't give you the life you deserved, and it was the hardest decision I'd ever made. But it was the right decision. And look at all that you grew up with, all that you have."
Henry shrugged his shoulders, looking down at the sand. "I know. I love you all. And I love it here. It's just sometimes…I wish we weren't always separated. I mean besides like in Neverland. Even now, we're back home, and I haven't seen you or grandma and grandpa. And you know, Mom's all alone dealing with everything too. And I know she won't say anything, but I know she's hurting. And I know you guys hate each other, bu-"
"We don't hate each other," Emma immediately cut Henry off, thinking about the other night. "Listen, Henry. I know this can't be easy, but we're trying. I promise we are. We've all missed you so much, and we're so happy you're back kid. Just try and be patient with us."
Emma wrapped her arm around Henry, her heart breaking. She had no idea what to say to him to make him feel better. She held him close and kissed the top of his head before pulling back to ask a nagging question.
"Henry, how do you know your mom's upset?"
Shrugging, he replied, "I hear her at night. She cries every night before she goes to bed. She used to do that a lot when I was younger and then when you first came to town. She thinks I'm already asleep, but I'm usually still awake."
Emma stared in amazement at Henry and his observation skills that never ceased to amaze her.
"Henry, how about I make you a deal."
Henry immediately lifted his gaze from the sand, awaiting Emma's proposition.
"I'll talk to your mom, and we'll work on spending more time as a family and fighting less. But I need you to try and be patient. Things aren't going to change overnight. Okay?"
Henry thought about it for a minute, apparently observing Emma for any signs of a lie. Upon seeing none, he grinned and nodded encouragingly.
"C'mon. We're gonna be late for dinner. Your grandma's gonna kill us."
"What do you mean 'us,'" Henry smirked mischievously, reminding Emma all too much of Regina.
Emma was about to retaliate when she felt something wet fall onto her nose. Looking up, she saw that the sky had darkened slightly and a light rain was starting to come down. The two immediately ran back to Emma's bug, laughing as the rain came down on them.
(x)
An hour later, Henry, Emma and the Charmings were gathered around the dinner table, just finishing eating. Emma had been thoroughly blamed for the pair being late as well as ruining Henry's appetite by buying him ice cream (which was clearly untrue as he finished every last bite). Snow had cooked a large ham, sweet potatoes, a vegetable casserole, stuffed mushrooms and, of course, biscuits. It was, quite literally, a feast. Of course, there were no complaints from anyone; it was all delicious. Snow had even prepared a pumpkin pie (never apple) for dessert.
After they finished, Emma volunteered herself for clean-up duty while Henry suckered David into sword fighting with him (which resulted in swift warnings from both Emma and Snow to be careful).
The two women remained quiet as they washed the dishes, watching their boys play. However, Emma couldn't stop replaying her conversation with Henry from earlier that day. She felt guilty. She wanted to be able to give him everything he wanted.
"Emma, what's wrong?"
Emma turned to face a concerned Snow. She sighed and shrugged her shoulders before putting down the plate she'd been drying.
"It's Henry. He's just…I know that he wants this big happy family, but I don't know how to give that to him."
A look of hurt crossed Snow's face, making Emma quickly backtrack.
"I mean, no I meant just…look. I never really knew what family was like…growing up. I just…don't know how to give him what he wants."
Emma swallowed a lump in her throat. She hated talking about her childhood, especially with her parents.
Snow seemed to be struggling with her own emotions as well, guilt written all over her face. She rested her hand on Emma's and squeezed gently, drawing Emma's gaze to her.
"I'm sorry that you don't know how to be a part of a family. I wish more than anything that we could have showed you that growing up. But we, me and Charming, we will show you now. It's not too late! We can be a family! Us, you, Henry."
The shining optimism on Snow's face almost made Emma believe her. Almost. She smiled nevertheless and squeezed her mom's hand in appreciation.
"Anyways…I've gotta get Henry back. Regina's probably anxiously waiting."
"It wouldn't kill her to have a little patience. It's not like we ever get to see Henry. She has him all the time!"
"Mary-Margaret. Henry is her son. She raised him. She is just as much his family as we are."
If not more.
The guilty thought shot through Emma's mind. She'd been having similar thoughts of self-doubt ever since Neverland. Ever since Regina…
"I know, Emma. It's just…hard," Snow whispered, interrupting Emma's thoughts. "Anyways, why don't you head out. And here, take some pie for Regina."
"Umm…I'm not so sure Regina is really going to want…"
"No, she probably won't. But Henry will."
Winking, Snow wrapped up pie for "Regina" (and an extra slice for Emma). Emma thanked both her parents and forced a protesting Henry out of the house with a promise that they would all do something together again soon.
(x)
Henry protested leaving up until about two minutes into the short drive home, when he fell asleep. Emma merely smiled. He looked peaceful, and he was, finally, safe; he was back home with his moms. 'When did I start referring to me and Regina as Henry's moms?' Her eyes narrowed slightly, creasing with concern as she glanced at Henry. Was it true? Was Regina really crying herself to sleep? The thought made Emma's stomach curdle with sadness, anger and anxiety.
By the time they'd reached Regina's, Emma felt like a worried mess, especially knowing that her and Regina needed to talk about…previous events as Emma liked to refer to their kiss. She paused for a moment in the driveway, just staring at the front door. Shaking off her nerves as best as possible, she went around to the passenger side and picked Henry up and carried him.
She didn't even have to wait to ring the doorbell. Regina threw open the door with a cross look on her face (probably because they were late). But her face softened at her sleeping son in Emma's arms, and she smiled just slightly.
"Why don't you take him upstairs, Ms. Swan."
Emma carried Henry the rest of the way to his bedroom. He wasn't that heavy, but he had gotten big, and Emma was glad to be able to rest him down on the bed. She tucked him in, kissing his forehead, and was about to leave when he sleepily whispered.
"Emma, don't forget to talk to my mom."
"I won't kid. Now go to bed."
Henry didn't need telling twice. He immediately fell back asleep. When Emma turned around, she was met with a confused and angry-looking Regina.
Regina silently moved past Emma, kissed her son goodnight and then head back downstairs to the drawing room, Emma following behind her.
She poured the two of them some of her hard apple cider, and when she handed Emma her glass, she was struck with a flashback to the night on the ship when similar events had taken place. Emma seemed to be having similar thoughts as she quickly took the glass, her face blushing as she took a sip.
They stood there, silently sipping their drinks, both trying to gather the courage to speak what was on their mind.
"Well, it's getting late," Regina began. "I didn't find anything useful, so there's not much to discuss. Goo-"
"Nothing to discuss?" Emma blurted out in disbelief. "Regina, you and I both know there is plenty to talk about. We…I mean…"
Emma's hand started massaging her neck nervously as she shuffled around. Regina stiffened at the use of the word "we" but said nothing.
"Regina…Henry. He…well, he said…what he wanted me to talk you about was…he, uh, he knows…or he…he hears you at night. Crying…"
Emma trailed off looking up at Regina. The brief look of fear before her mask slipped in place told Emma that she'd hit the nail on the head.
"It's time for you to leave, Ms. Swan," Regina replied stiffly.
"Regina, please-"
"Ms. Swan. This isn't any of your concern. I have no intention of discussing my personal life with you."
"Oh, but you're okay with shoving your tongue down my throat."
Both women blushed furiously, Regina more than Emma.
"I - that was…a drunken mistake…"
Regina avoided looking at Emma at all costs. Emma on the other hand, did everything she could to grab the woman's attention.
"Regina…why?"
"Goodnight Ms. Swan." Regina headed toward the stairs, but Emma grabbed her arm and spun her back around close to her.
"Why?"
"Like I told you Ms. Swan, it was a drunken mistake."
"So you didn't like it?"
Emma was fiercely staring into her eyes, awaiting an answer that Regina was too afraid to voice. She had spent the last three days replaying the moment in her head, and the more she thought about it, the more she knew that she more than just liked it; she craved it.
"Don't."
"Why? You're the one who kissed ime/i, remember?"
"Well, I didn't hear you complaining!"
"How could I when you had me pinned between you and the table!"
"Well if you had such a problem with it, then why are you still here?"
Their faces had drawn closer together during their spat until they were an inch or two apart. Their breath tangled together as fiery eyes battled each other for dominance, both flicking towards the other woman's lips.
This time, it was Emma who made the first move, her lips crushing down upon Regina's. It was a fierce, passionate kiss, angrier than their first. Their tongues dueled for dominance as Emma slowly started backing Regina against the nearby wall, a dull "thud" sounding when her back hit it.
Regina released a low moan that she'd been trying to hold back, and Emma grinned into the kiss as she moved down her jawline, then her neck, before finally settling on the space between her collarbone, her tongue darting out to soothe the sensitive skin. Regina had thrown her head back, thoroughly enjoying the attention until Emma's hands snaked under her shirt to tickle the bottom of her ribcage.
Immediately, her frame went rigid and the reality of the situation came crashing down upon Regina. She tightly grasped Emma's arms and pushed her back as hard as possible, making the blonde stumble backwards, confused.
"Wha-"
"I told you Ms. Swan. It is late. You need to go home."
Without another word of explanation, Regina spun around and hurried up the stairs, the sound of a door shutting and lock clicking the only goodbye Emma received.