Author's Note: Romeo and Juliet was always a favorite of mine and I figured Regina would probably read something being stuck in the time for so long, so I found this fitting. Words belongs to Shakespeare, I'm just borrowing them.


Piano, soccer and Shakespeare

"Again," said Regina tiredly, hearing Henry do the same mistake on the piano once more. The eight year old boy sighed; this piece was just so hard. His mother had taught him to play since the age of four, and some might say he was really good. His mother on the other hand wanted perfection.

"I don't want to play more, I want to go out and play," he complained.

"Just one more time, Henry, I know you can do it, you can play outside afterwards," she said, wondering if she was pushing him too hard.

"No, cause then you want to look over my homework and have me read another chapter in the book out loud," he said with a sigh. In his eyes there was not much time for fun and games.

"How about if you play and do it perfect you can go out to play while I look over your homework. And maybe if that is all good we can have dinner at the diner?" she suggested.

"Can I have a burger?" he asked excitedly.

"We'll see okay," she said and smiled at him. She rarely let him eat anything unhealthy.

He tried again, but failed, this time his mother didn't say anything. She just stood behind him, letting him try until he got it right. When he did, he turned to her saying, "Did you hear, I managed to get it right this time!"

"I heard, Henry, you did well, I'm very proud of you," she said and smiled at him. She really meant it.

"Can I go outside now, please," he said and smiled back at her.

"You can, just make sure to not get too dirty so you will have to change before we leave," she said. He nodded and ran off and she was left to check on his homework. His math homework seemed to be okay, as was English, history however had some errors, but she could ask him to take another look later. Regina walked over to the window and looked outside, seeing him playing with his ball, shooting it back and forth on the grass and running after it. She shook her head as she walked out to him, asking, "Mind if I join?"

"Mom, you cannot play soccer in skirt and heels," he said, shaking his head.

"I can assure you that I can," she said.

"Okay, but if you get dirty, you are putting the blame on yourself," he said, and passed her the ball.

"Of course," she said, passing it back to him, playing it back and forth over and over, shooting into and imaginary goal from time to time. It was then Regina got the brilliant idea of playing goalie and tried to block the ball, making him giggle. At least she was trying, even if it ended with her in the end falling over and getting mud and grass stains on her fancy outfit. She didn't seem to care though as she was laughing so hard.

"You're crazy," he said, laughing also, he hadn't had this much fun in ages. As it was not often she would allow herself to lose control like that.

"I love you too, Henry, so what do you say to two greasy burgers at the diner?" she asked, getting up.

"You're sure?" he asked her.

"I think it would be a perfect ending on our day, don't you?" she asked, looking at him.

"You know what would make it even better?" he asked her, as he followed her to the car.

"No what, you are not getting candy on a week day," she said in a serious tone.

"No, if we get back I can read for you from that book you love so much," he said and smiled at her.

"You can do that yes, but first we have to eat dinner," she said, clicking so the car doors opened and let him inside. He jumped in the passenger seat and turned on the radio, for once she let him, singing along with him, happy for a change.


That same night they were sitting curled up on the couch and he had her favorite book in his hands. She smiled at him as he read, "O blessed, blessed night! I am afeard. Being in night, all this is but a dream, Too flattering-sweet to be substantial." Juliet came out and said, "Three words, dear Romeo, and good night indeed. If that thy bent of love be honorable, Thy purpose marriage, send me word to-morrow, By one that I'll procure to come to thee, Where and what time thou wilt perform the rite; And all my fortunes at thy foot I'll lay And follow thee my lord throughout the world."

"Very good, Henry, your reading has improved since you last read that," Regina praised him. He smiled proudly at his mother, glad to finally have gotten it right as the words were a bit different than what he usually read. He still remembered how he didn't get the first time she read it due to the words, he had been barely four. He suspected her only to read those books to him at such early age to make him fall asleep. Then again he usually did to the sound of her voice, when he was tired at night, it made him feel calm.

Now he however seemed to have the same effect on her, her shoes kicked off and her feet was beneath her on the couch. She was working more now so they didn't spend all that much time together and he hated to say he had missed it. When they did she was usually demanding him to do this and that, like homework and chores.

"Shall I go on?" he asked her and she nodded and he said, "The nurse was calling on Juliet from inside, and she responded, "I come, anon. But if thou mean'st not well,
I do beseech thee.. Again the nurse would call her, and she would say to her Romeo, "By and by, I come: To cease thy suit, and leave me to my grief: To-morrow will I send." Romeo looked at her and answered, "So thrive my soul…" Juliet said, "A thousand times good night!"

Henry looked at his mommy; she seemed to be sound asleep. He closed the book and bent to kiss her forehead saying, "Goodnight, mom, I do hope you find your Romeo someday soon."

With that he walked up the stairs and to his bedroom to play some on his computer before he went to bed as well.


Thank you for reading, feedback is always appreciated :o)