AUTHOR'S NOTE:This is narrated by a 6 year old Henry (so it's obviously a flashback). Just a reminder. Regina Mills is running for Mayor of Storybrooke for the first time.

"Stand still," Henry's mommy commanded as she tried to fix his bright blue bow tie.

"My collar's itchy." The six-year-old complained.

"You know how important this interview is to me. Every detail must be perfect, including your outfit."

"Why?" He moaned.

"Because your outfit is an extension of yourself, and no one will respect you if you can't dress nicely."

She made him sit still on the fancy couch that had been cleaned especially for this moment. The TV people came in and set up their equipment. It all looked really complicated and unnecessary. Then the interview guy started talking.

"I'm Hart Archer (Sproing!), here with our newest mayoral candidate, Regina Mills and…" he paused, looking at Henry and then Regina.

"My son Henry." Henry's mommy finished.

"…and her son Henry. I really like the color scheme you have going there, by the way. Lovely shade of blue."

"Thank-you, Hart."

Henry mumbled something about his pants. His mommy placed her arm around his shoulder and smiled for the camera. Then she started talking about leadership and family
values and community and a bunch of other things that didn't really mean anything to Henry. He tried to smile and act interested like she told him, but it was just so boring. He tried to see how far he could stick his tongue out, just to see if he could touch his nose like his friend Auggie. He couldn't. His mommy's grip tightened around his shoulder, her fancy nails poking his skin and telling him to stop. He did.

"So, Mrs. Mills-" the man started.

"Actually, it's just Ms. Mills." Henry's mommy corrected.

"Really?"

"After I win the election, it will be Mayor Mills."

"Already that confident, eh?"

Then they started talking about the virtues of confidence and preparedness as opposed to blind faith or insecurity, most of which he toned out. A few moments later, everyone was looking at him, expecting him to answer a question that he didn't hear. He looked around nervously.

"What was that, Mr. Archer?" he asked as politely as he could.

"I asked if you wanted to leave. You look really bored and it's really just your mom that I want to talk to."

Henry glanced at his mommy and nodded. She released her grip and he got up, leaving the room. He was about to climb up the stairs when he paused. They couldn't see him, but he could still hear them, and they were talking about him.

"I have a few questions for you, and I wasn't sure how comfortable you would be discussing some matters in front of your son."

"I have nothing to hide," his mommy responded quickly.

"Good. Now, Mills. That's an interesting name. Did you keep your husband's name after the divorce or-"

"I'm not divorced. No." She brushed hair away from her face. "Actually I was never married.

"Oh." The man raised his eyebrows at this. "And how did you family feel about your distasteful relations with the boy's father?"

"I never had any interactions with Henry's birth father, distasteful or otherwise. I just adopted him."

Why is Mommy lying to the man? Henry wondered. Then he realized the truth. She wasn't lying. He really was adopted. He ran up the stairs as quietly as he could and slammed his face into his pillow.
After the interview was over, she came looking for him.

"Henry?" She called.

He didn't answer, but she still found him.

"Honey, what's wrong?" she placed a hand on her shoulder, but he pulled away.

"You don't have to pretend to care about me. The camera's off."

"Henry, what are you talking about? Why wouldn't I care about you, huh? I'm your mother."

"No you're not." He sniffed, wiping his nose with his jacket sleeve. He could see her tense at the action, wanting to preserve the cleanness of his clothes. "You lied to me."

"You heard," she realized as she handed him a couple tissues.

"How could you never tell me?" Henry demanded.

"I didn't want to make a big deal about things. I've loved you since you were born. I just wasn't the one who gave birth to you. But I am still your mother, legally, emotionally, legitimately, and in my heart."

She hugged him, and he hugged her back, but from that day forward, Henry always wondered what other secrets she had kept from him. Henry was never entirely sure when she was being honest with him.