Chapter 7

Considering the awkward tension to begin with, the rest of the evening seemed to slip into somewhat of a normality for the small family. Watching the blonde leave the mansion just after midnight, Regina lets out a deep sigh as she closes the front door and leans against its frame. Although she had spent the evening with a smile on her face, it wasn't real because deep down she felt a sense of loss and defeat. She couldn't sit how she would sometimes sit when they watch a film curled into Emma's side, nor could she pass subtle kisses every now and then when a boring bit arises while thinking that Henry was completely oblivious from his spot on the floor until the boy would blurt out in a joking manner that they should stop despite not turning around to face the embarrassed pair. Pushing herself off the wooden beam, the former Mayor does a check of the house before retiring to bed in which her son had done a few hours prior.

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Waking up to a clutter of noise downstairs, Emma opens her eyes with a squint remembering the fact that she was currently residing at the bed and breakfast at Granny's and that the noise was Granny herself preparing the diner to open. Inhaling deeply, the blonde mulls over last night's events with Regina and her son. Her son. She still doesn't know how to feel on that one but at the same time, she felt a sense of pride. Henry was a great kid after all. Biting her lip, the blonde tilts her head towards the pillow beside her and to the empty space as to which you could share with someone. Not just someone. Ever since last night, the former Queen had plagued the sheriff's thoughts and the possibility not of what might have been, but what could be. A family of her own after years of abandonment. The dinner last night was so normal and safe, the blonde couldn't help but smile at the new memory. Frowning momentarily as she ponders over her next move, Emma then grabs her phone off the nightstand and sends a message to Regina.

'Hi..it's Emma. Although you probably already know that as its my phone and given our..history..you probably already have my number so. God what am I saying? Sorry. I'm rambling..anyway, I just wanted to say thank you for last night..I actually enjoyed myself. I have to admit I was worried about how it would go but..Henry is great and..well...so are you..'

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Hearing her phone buzz from across the kitchen counter, Regina places her coffee down and grabs it to check who it could be. Gradually smiling at what she reads, the brunette side glances towards her son eating cereal at the other end.

"Mom..you really need to work on being subtle. You're grinning like a Cheshire Cat..let me guess its Ma?"

Giving a coy smile, the former Queen nods. "Yes..she's just being Emma that's all..nothing's changed or happened.." Looking back to her phone, the brunette quickly replies to the blonde.

'Are you flirting with me Miss Swan? And thank you for your compliment regarding our son. We both enjoyed your company for the evening, it makes a change being able to relax and not think about any of the town's people wanting to attack. We should arrange another night?'

Having clicked send, Regina then frowns at what she had just said realising the danger her son could be in if anyone were to attack the mansion again. "Henry...how about some proper breakfast at Granny's?"

Confused by the change of plans, Henry simply nods. "Sure..."

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Arriving at the diner, the former Queen suggested for her son to get a booth while she speaks with Granny for a moment. Returning shortly, the brunette sits opposite the boy as Ruby places their usual orders in front of them. Watching Henry as he tucks into his plate, Regina takes a deep breath. "Henry there is something I need to talk to you about..something that came to mind earlier while I was talking with Emma.."

"Okay, what is it?" Henry puts his folk down with a frown and looks across to his concerned mother.

"After last night..I..I have to admit that I feel even more determined to..solve the problem that your grandparents made..and that means working until I do. I won't be home as much to look after you and with me using magic, I dread to think what the town will want to do to me.." Sighing, the former Mayor clasps her hands together on the table and looks back to her son warily for his response. "Henry, you're going to stay with Granny for the time being..I don't want you hurt in anyway and so this is the only way to prevent it-"

"But mom-"

"No, Henry what if you are at home alone and someone decides to break in or do something that could put you in danger and I'm not there? Usually in these circumstances I would say to go and stay at the loft but you made it very clear you wanted your distance from your grandparents..besides, Emma is here too..I'm sure you can always speak with her if there are any problems. Please Henry, I need to do this otherwise we will just continue to start over with her and it'll never be the same again. We will never get our family back.." Pleading with the boy, the brunette looks sad. "I've lost too much in my life..that has tipped me over the edge which you know of..but if I lose you or Emma..I.." Shaking her head, the former Queen looks down with a mutter. "I don't know.."

"I'll stay here mom.." Henry replies while reaching for his mother's hand to comfort her. Squeezing the boys hand, Regina smiles slightly.

"Hey..mind if I join you two?"

Tilting her head towards the newcomer, the brunette nods, smiling more. "Of course you can Emma"

Intending to sit beside their son, the blonde freezes as the boy moves quickly. "I better go see Granny about which room I can have.."

Raising an eyebrow, the Sheriff waits until Henry has moved before sitting opposite Regina. "What was that about? Why is he asking for a room here?"

Biting her lip, the brunette looks at her. "I asked him to.." Trying not to look like a failure, the former Queen rubs her head. "I need to do some research that may take me some time and away from my responsibilities as a mother..I do not intend on Henry being alone so I asked Granny if she could look after him..I mean I don't want you to be offended that I haven't asked you I just, I thought maybe it would be too much.."

"Oh..yeah..I guess but I'm here anyway so..if it helps I'll keep my eye on him.." Emma turns to looks towards their son who is in conversation with the older woman at the counter. "Maybe..maybe I could help? With this..research?"

"I doubt it dear.." Appearing awkward, the former Mayor continues her explanation. "It's..about you..so.."

"Oh, right, memory..got it.." Glancing back to the brunette, the blonde watches her intently. "I could still help though? I mean I might be able to find something myself considering I'm the one experiencing this..problem.."

"Let me at least get started..maybe tomorrow?"

Trying not to look disappointed, Emma nods.

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Hiding herself away within her vault, Regina grits her teeth angrily before launching the book she was reading across the room, hitting the stone wall. "This is useless!"

"I don't think throwing the book will help..."

Looking towards the entrance, the brunette sighs. "I thought I told you tomorrow?"

"You did but when do I ever listen?" Hearing a small chuckle from the former Mayor, Emma smiles to herself and steps further inside the vault. "Besides I'm here to check on you..I may not remember much, but I do know that you haven't been yourself lately..so does Henry. I can't imagine how hard this is for you but..you have to at least look after yourself..for Henry. Which means that even though I know you want to work this out, you are going home..and starting again tomorrow. It's reaching midnight.."

"Emma I can't stop.."

"What is one nights rest gonna do? The problem will still be here in the morning and so will I.." The Sheriff explains. "Go home Regina"

Staring at the woman, Regina stands slowly in defeat and makes her way over intending to leave the vault until pausing at a hand taking hold of her arm. Hitching her breath, the former Mayor looks across to the Sheriff.

"You'll find a way. I believe you can do it.." Giving a small smile, Emma briefly strokes the woman's arm then pulls back.

"At the moment my way, involves killing your parents and I don't think you will want me to do that"

Hearing the seriousness in the brunette's voice, the blonde stares in wonder realising how much the woman has changed as she is willing to hold back on doing what she has wanted to do for years for her sake. "What about Henry's way?"

Eyes widening slightly at the woman remembering the comment from the previous evening, Regina shakes her head. "I already know it won't work. Forget it"

Following the brunette outside, Emma decides to leave the topic be. "Do you want me to walk you home?"

"I am quite capable Miss Swan thank you" towering her wall up, the former Queen responds rather coldly then walks on, leaving the blonde to watch after her sadly.

A/N: sorry for the tension! Maybe one more chapter then SwanQueen?