Snakes and Tales 7
Recap end of last chapter:
"Is it ok if I call you Mom, Regina?" Henry pulled out a blue envelope from his jacket pocket and held it out. "It's kinda stupid but I got you something… I guess now is as good a time as any."
The idea of getting her a card was touching in itself but when Regina read the words inside her eyes filled with tears.
Part 7
Regina was surprised when her pre-teen son looked down at his feet and shyly handed over a blue envelope. Her surprise was not at the thoughtfulness of the gesture though, as a child he often made her drawings and cards. She kept them all but everything disappeared with the new curse. She opened the envelope and slid the card out with a slight tremor in her hands.
The card had a powder-blue cartoon elephant on the front with the words 'Congratulations on your baby boy!' written in sparkly letters.
"Yeah, that's the closest card I could find," said Henry sheepishly.
Even though her son didn't remember her, he managed to give her a new keepsake to make up for everything she'd lost and more. When she'd brought Henry back from Boston Angels, nobody in Storybrooke noticed the small addition to the population. Not one person noticed that yet Regina's life had been turned upside down by a tiny little baby in a cap and onesie. Eventually the haze of the curse took care of everything and then, according to the citizens of Storybrooke, the Mayor had always had a child. For as long as they could remember.
Her desire to adopt had been granted blessedly fast. Too fast perhaps, because she hadn't been truly ready for it. It seemed one moment she had nothing but an empty void to ruminate over and the next moment she was a working single mother, tired from too many sleepless nights to count and barely able to concentrate on anything other than childrearing.
She'd had no friends or family to commemorate with, of course, and so there had been no baby shower, no naming ceremony or welcome party. In fact, the baby card in her hands given to her by her own son was actually the first time anyone had congratulated her on becoming a mother. Congratulations on your baby boy… Regina had waited over a decade for there to be someone else who was happy that she adopted a little angel.
Her son was glad that she adopted him.
Regina smiled tearily. "It's perfect. Thankyou, dar- Henry."
Emma was smiling her head off, obviously proud as punch of her son. She bumped her shoulder into his and teased him. "Hey, aren't you a charmer! I know where you get that from."
Regina arched an eyebrow at her. "Certainly not from you, dear."
"Whatever. I'll take that as permission to try harder to charm you then."
Henry interrupted their flirting to gesture at the card in Regina's hands as a prompt. "Did you open it?"
Regina opened the card. She would have recognised the handwriting anywhere, after years of checking her son's homework and school assignments. But it was the words that struck her. Wherever her heart physically was right now, it must have been glowing with pure love.
Dear Mom,
I'm glad we came back and found you. You said you loved me very much and I can tell you still do. I wish I could remember you. I bet you were a really great Mom.
Love Henry
Regina's eyes filled. I wasn't always... but I'm trying my best.
It was far too painful now. She couldn't help but reach out to gather her son in her arms. This time there would be no cordial handshake. This time Henry hugged her back.
Embracing her son after so long was surreal. A single year without him and without the hope of ever seeing him again had felt like eons. Finally holding him again made her feel as though she had found a reason to keep persevering. This was her heart's happiness right here. She hadn't realised how much love she could have for someone before holding her infant son for the first time. After twelve years she still felt the same way.
Sometimes it seemed like only yesterday that he came into her life cooing and crying. In a way, he would always be her baby boy.
Henry's card said he wished he could remember her. His missing memories were not all rosy though. In them there were times when they'd had a yelling match or when they'd spent time apart because nobody was certain as to whether the former Evil Queen was a threat.
He was a smart boy. He would know that his memories had good stuff and bad stuff as everyone's did. Yet he wished to know the truth no matter what it was.
"I love you, Henry," Regina whispered, finally able to tell him. The words couldn't express the depth of her feelings though, when her every waking moment she thought of him.
Regina drew back only far enough to place a kiss on his forehead. Without knowing what she was really doing, her power flared and overwhelmed her with its intensity.
The second her lips met his skin a pulse of light flashed between them. From where they stood the light split into colours and radiated outwards until it passed through every person in Storybrooke.
Emma gaped. "What was that!? Regina, how did you-"
Henry's eyes widened and unfocused as though he were deep in thought. After barely a second he blinked.
"Mom," he cried, looking at her with full recognition. "I remember! I love you too."
"You did it," said Emma, staring at Regina in shock. "That was True Love's kiss. You broke the curse."
Regina's initial instinct was disbelief, even though her memories of the missing year were now restored. "I don't understand. It was supposed to be you. You're the Savior."
"I guess there's a new hero in Storybrooke. This time it's you."
Henry grabbed her hand. "Mom, guess what!..."
For the boy it felt like a year since he had seen his mother and he had so much to tell her. He started chattering to her about anything and everything, things he had seen and done while living in New York, how he was doing in school and the friends he had made.
Even if she'd wanted to, Regina didn't have the heart to stop him. He remembered every moment of their history together and though they had been through some tough stuff, his first instinct was to run to her. Not away.
Henry looked back and forth between his mothers with a sly eye. "So… what was going on here just now? You guys looked pretty close. You're not fighting. Something is weird between you two."
"Emma is still being her usual irritating self," Regina deflected the confusing topic. "Now, Henry, it looks to me like you've been gone more than a year. You're growing up so fast. Look how tall you've become-"
"Mom."
"- and your voice is starting to roughen. It must be puberty-"
"Mom!" he complained, with an appeal to Emma. "Make her stop?"
Emma snorted. "Geez Regina. Whatever you do, don't mention the P word. You're embarrassing the kid."
"Oh, I didn't realise- "
Whatever apologies Regina was about to make they were cut off by the sound of screaming from nearby.
The hospital foyer became a frenzy of action. Security mobilised to direct the flow of people as they ran to the exits, away from the direction of the screaming. Flying monkeys were visible through the windows wreaking havoc outside. Obviously the creature they just defeated had not been the only one on the way.
Emma reached for Henry, sandwiching him between herself and Regina. She hoped that whatever magical power she possessed would be enough to protect them both.
"She's here," said Regina, scanning the whole area for any sign of her sister. The sorceress gestured to the fluffy toy monkey. "That was one of her minions."
"Zelena?" said Emma.
"I didn't know you had a sister, Mom," said Henry. "Why does she have flying monkeys? They look like the ones from the Oz chapters in my book."
"She's the Wicked Witch of the West."
"Really? Awesome!"
Emma sighed. "Kid, it's not awesome. She's trying to kill us."
"Oh, right. Why does she want Mary Margaret's baby?"
"She wants my life," said Regina in a droll tone. "My sister is jealous of me and apparently she wants to be an only child again. I imagine she's trying to make some sort of spell to erase my existence."
"She's not gonna succeed," said Emma firmly. "There's no way I'm going to let that happen, now that I've finally got you where I want you."
Regina looked at her pointedly. "And where is that exactly?"
"Er, y'know - you're good these days. You and I are- We have Henry- we're...whatever! I put a lot of work into your redemption and I'm not gonna see it all get undone."
"Yes, dear. God forbid that your efforts should be wasted."
"That's not the only reason! You have to exist. I like having you around. "
Regina admitted, "I suppose I've become attached to you too. You're like a tick. Under the skin and hard to get rid of."
"Gee thanks. Love you too," Emma said sarcastically, before realising exactly what words came out of her mouth.
Oh shit, Emma berated herself internally. I did not mean to say that! Not yet at least and not in such a flippant way. Oh god it's true, I do love her. But it's way too soon for freaking her out and ruining things with random declarations...
A minute later she was still cursing her own inability to keep her mouth shut, fearing that she'd said way too much. But when she saw the expression on the other woman's face her anxiety faded. She could never regret causing her to look at her like that.
Regina was staring at her like she'd invented the sun. Maybe all of the stars too.
"Hm-hm," a new voice was cleared nearby, belonging to a man. He was dressed in Limmerick green outdoorwear and carried a lethal-looking modern crossbow that was complete with laser sight and armed ready to fire.
"Milady?"
The two women snapped out of their staring contest. Robin Hood was waiting a few steps away, apparently having tried to get their attention for a minute or two. How much had he heard of their conversation? Emma wondered if Regina's "boyfriend" had heard her accidental confession just now. He could hardly have missed the obvious, the two of them looking at each other like lovers. Could she have ruined Regina's chance with this guy? It was a tough call as to whether she felt guilt or jealousy at the idea.
Emma saw Regina tuck a lock of hair behind her ear before greeting him. Her smile wasn't quite convincing and the tinge in her cheeks spoke volumes. "Robin."
"It's not safe for you here," said the infamous thief who supposedly robbed from the rich (like Regina in her youth) and gave to the poor (like Emma growing up). "Zelena overpowered my men and I at the Western entrance. She's headed to the Maternity floor right now."
"That witch can't get in there," said Regina. "I put up a protection spell that's impervious to blood magic. Let's hope it's enough to protect the Charmings."
"Then who is going to protect you? Zelena has defeated you before."
"I have to make sure she doesn't get to the baby."
Robin smiled. "Of course. You always did have the mothering instinct."
Their conversation was so stilted that it was awkward for Emma to observe. Henry kept quiet, but she wasn't certain how long she could let this go on. She barely knew Robin and it was not without jealousy that she realised that obviously Regina knew him a lot better than as an acquaintance. I thought they hadn't known each other long in Storybrooke though? How far has their relationship progressed, Emma wondered. Not that I have the right to ask her.
When Robin mentioned the curse breaking and the missing year, it seemed like something had happened between the couple. But what? A romance or something? Hopefully not a romance. Whatever it was, Regina looked like she didn't know what to make of him now, perhaps in her missing memories she hadn't fallen for him.
That's just wishful thinking! Emma chastised herself. You don't want there to have been anything between Regina and Robin in Fairytale Land because you want the chance to have her for yourself. You can't wish the competition away and nor should you.
I know. I just want her to be happy. Even if it's with him and it breaks my heart?
Her heart!
"Hey, it was you who lost Regina's heart wasn't it," Emma interrupted. It was clear to everyone who she was talking to.
"Pardon?" said Robin.
"What'd you do? Bury it under a few leaves and then give it up to Zelena the second she came for it?"
"It wasn't like that," Regina put in.
Emma kept her eyes locked on the other thief. "To answer your question about who's going to protect Regina, I am. I'm the Saviour and I'll be damned if her heart gets broken again. By anyone."
Robin glanced at one woman then the other. "Am I missing something here?"
"Nope." Emma lifted her chin. "I think what I said was pretty clear."
Henry piped up and offered his hand to shake. "Hi! I'm Henry. These are my Moms. Don't worry, they only pretend they don't like each other. They're actually really close."
"Robin of Locksley," he introduced himself, probably grateful for the interruption. "At your service. I've heard a lot about you, young man."
"We don't have time for this," Emma cut in impatiently. "Zelena. The baby is nearly here-"
"IT'S A BOY!"
Leroy and Archie came running amidst the crowd in the corridor towards the group who whirled around at the announcement. Mary Margaret's labour must finally be over and the newest Charming had entered the world at last. Snow White and her Prince had now completed their family with a son.
"I knew it," Regina said under her breath. Her words were sarcastic despite a small lift of the corners of her mouth.
"Awesome," said Henry. "I can't wait to meet my uncle and see my grandparents again."
"What about us?" said Leroy in his gruff voice. "The flying monkeys are attacking!"
Archie reached for Emma and pointed behind them. "That's not all. It's Zelena. She got through the Merry Men and Belle and the others. Go to your brother."
Emma sent Regina a questioning look and received a nod of affirmation. "Let's go. The rest of you guys get to safety."
Regina pushed Henry towards Archie. "Go with Dr Hopper. Hide in a closet, hide anywhere. You don't want to see this. It won't be pretty."
"But Mom-"
"No buts," said Emma and Regina in perfect unison.
Henry was pulled away by his friend and former psychologist, Archie. He didn't protest but he looked back at his parents the whole way until they disappeared from sight.
The two of them raced for the stairs.
Henry swung his hands in his jacket pocket as they hurried down the hospital corridor. "I missed you, Archie. Well, not really. I didn't remember then but now I do."
"I've missed you too, Henry," said Archie. "So has Pongo." The psychologist smiled in return at his former patient. He stopped at the door of an empty office that was far away from the action at the hospital. The room was empty so Archie gestured for his young friend to follow him inside. He shut the door behind them with a sigh of relief.
"I wish I could've stayed to help my Moms," said Henry with a sigh, throwing his newly lanky form into a chair.
Archie had gotten to know Henry very well over the years, and as a veteran of therapy, the young boy easily slipped back into talk mode. He took a seat next to his former patient and tried not to be too obvious about assessing his current wellbeing.
"I'm sure your mothers will do everything they can to protect the town. They will be better able to concentrate if they know that you're out of harm's way."
"Yeah, I know."
"You seem happier this year," Archie observed. A physical growth spurt wasn't the only change in the young boy over the time he'd been living in New York.
"Yeah," Henry nodded with a grin. "I think things are going to be great from now on. I can't wait til Emma and I move home to Storybrooke."
"Is that what your mother is planning to do after she defeats Zelena?"
"Why wouldn't she? We can't stay in New York knowing that our family is here. Last year we didn't know what we were missing. It was just the two of us and things were okay. But now we both remember. So we have to come back, for Mary Margaret and David and the new baby."
"I'm sure Emma will do what she thinks is best."
"That sounds like you think she wants to leave. You don't think she'd really want to go back to New York do you?"
"I don't know-"
"She can't! We belong here. I don't want to leave." Henry's face fell as he realised something. "It's going to be the same all over again isn't it."
"What do you mean?"
"My Moms. Regina isn't going to let Emma take me away. Emma won't let her near me if she thinks I'm in danger. I don't want them to fight anymore, Archie!"
"They've both been through a lot in the past two years. I hear they even worked together in Neverland to save you. I'm sure they understand each other better these days. You are the one who brought them together. Sometimes parents fight but it's important for you to know that it's not your fault."
"It is though." Henry contradicted. "They fight over me. That's all they ever fight about."
Archie had heard similar plaintives from other children that he'd worked with over the years. Particularly, children of divorced or separated parents. He knew how hard it was for a child to witness the breaking down of a relationship involving the people they loved and depended on for care. It could be a very stressful time for a child, and in this case Henry had an unusual family situation to cope with. It was common for children to apply guilt to themselves.
Ever since Emma Swan arrived in Storybrooke the kind psychologist had hoped that she and Henry's mother, the Mayor, could work things out for Henry's sake. Henry had always been a special boy with a heart of gold, though lonely and often mischievous.
"Perhaps they both think they're the only one who knows what's best for you," Archie suggested.
"They don't!" said Henry. "I'm twelve, nearly thirteen. I'm old enough to know where I want to live. I want to spend time with both of them."
"I know how important family is to you, Henry. You may not realise it, but it's also what drives both of your mothers. It doesn't matter how you all came to be connected, love is what will keep you together in future."
"I don't think it's always enough," said Henry sadly. "My Dad died. I didn't get much of a chance to be with him."
"I'm very sorry you had to lose him so soon after meeting him."
"He died a hero. I always believed it but I didn't get to tell him."
"How are you coping now that the curse is broken? It's a lot to take in all at once."
Henry shrugged and sank further into his chair. He eyed a medical demonstration model of the human heart that was sitting on the office desk. It looked nothing like a heart that had been magically removed. Last year it might have scared him, being reminded of his mother as the Evil Queen. She wasn't like that anymore. He'd only been ten and that had been hard to deal with. When he'd read the book and realised who she was it had felt like losing his mother completely... The memories of her felt like lies. But they had been the real truth all along.
The curse only just broke and his memories were back and he was glad about it. He never wanted to lose the memories of his Mom or Emma ever again. But the return of his memories also meant that he now knew what had happened to Neal.
"I went to the funeral but I didn't know who he was then," said Henry. "I just wish I'd gotten to see him in Storybrooke one last time. But I guess I'm lucky that I got to meet him at all last year. He helped us get home. I'm worried about Emma now."
"Why?"
"She loved my Dad a lot back then. She was dating a guy in New York but not anymore… I want her to be happy like that again. This morning we were at Mom's house, Mifflin Street I mean, for breakfast. I walked in on them and my Moms were really close. They were talking on the lounge. Kinda like, I dunno, I haven't seen them do that before. I don't know what to think."
If Archie had less composure his eyebrows would have shot up to his receding hairline. It sounded like Henry meant 'close' as in romantically. Could that really be Emma and Regina? Or was it just a child's wishful thinking and exaggerating a situation out of context?
"But if Emma likes Mom..." continued Henry. "Does Mom like her too? I think she is going out with Robin though, which is weird because isn't he supposed to love Maid Marian? What if Mom gets hurt? She might go evil again. I can't let that happen. She just needs to know she can find happiness again… and she could do that with Emma right? Then we could all have a happy ending."
"Well-"
"Archie!" Henry bolted upright with wide eyes. "That's a great idea! It could fix everything. Operation Cobra is back on. Here's what we're going to do..."
