Regina headed for her home immediately after she had taken the book from the shop. It had her name on it. There was something obviously magic about it. She concluded something was wrong.
The book was some sort of magic and the book was in Gold's shop. That could only mean Rumple was awake. He was awake and he knew. He wanted the curse to end. He was going to ruin it all. Emma was the savior and she was Snow's daughter. She would break the curse.
Emma would break her curse.
She had come to that three days ago. Three days ago, she skipped out on showing any more of the town to Emma and though she was suddenly very cautious of the blonde, she trusted her to get Henry home safely.
Emma did just that and questioned where Regina disappeared to but got a mumbled answer in return.
Things were quieter for three days. Emma worried and Regina gave simple assurances, avoiding any unnecessary touches. The blonde went about her own routine. She took the job of getting Henry up in the morning and getting him a bath every night for three days. Two days of the trio Emma went out and spent more time with Mary Margaret.
The walls were shrinking in on Regina. Sometimes it felt like they literally were. Ever since she held that book her hands wouldn't be still for anything. They trembled often and became more noticeable the more she thought about everything falling apart. Twice did she cut her fingers while trying to make dinner.
Last night was much the same.
Today as she stood in the foyer watching Emma leave out as Johanna came in, she knew living like this, in fear would only drive her mad. It would only drive Emma away and as much as she knew she should have tried to get rid of the younger woman, she didn't want to. She…she felt deeply for the adorable blonde who loved Gameboys and smiled brightly every moment she spent in her son's presence.
She let Emma leave, reluctantly taking a hug from the woman at the last second before Emma left. To go see Mary Margaret. Snow. She wanted to refuse. Lock Emma away in the mansion. Make the younger woman stay because that's why Regina did this in the first place. She wanted someone. She was desperate to want someone and for them to want her in return.
Emma and Henry were supposed to fill the void in her chest. She felt lonely without them. She was lonely and now it would become much worse if she was now looking over her shoulder, expecting Emma to kill her in her sleep to save everyone in town from the Evil Queen.
There were nightmares now too. Emma had come into her room and smothered her with a pillow once. The other nightmare was of being tied to her apple tree and Emma taking her head off with a sword.
She had to do something about this immediately. Scaring Emma away was not an option.
A hand clasped her shoulder and she was careful not to seem startled. Johanna's calm voice came close to her ear.
"Regina, are you alright, dear?" The woman quietly asked.
Regina still stared at the front door, refusing to look away. "I'm fine. I'm going out for a bit." She said. Johanna frowned, watching her slip into her coat. "I'll be back soon."
"But…I thought we were planning Emma's party?"
"We will. I just need to go out."
"Well, alright." Johanna relented seeing as this was the current mood of the mayor lately. A little despondent. Sometimes also a bit more biting than she had seen since Emma came to town. "Should I expect you in time for lunch?"
"Yes, of course." Regina absently answered and walked into the living room to plant a kiss on Henry's head as he played with his toys. He looked up at her and gave a big smile before quickly going back to his little figures.
Johanna watched worriedly as Regina escaped out the door.
"So, I hear it's someone's birthday coming up." Mary Margaret grinned over the rim of her drink. Emma looked up from her plate in surprise.
"You know my birthday?" She asked with a frown.
"Well, yeah. There's been some talk about it."
"How? I don't know a lot of people."
Well, she knew plenty of people now. It was just that only Regina knew her birthdate and according to most people she talked to, they all said Regina didn't have any friends. Someone mentioned a woman named Kathryn but she hadn't actually laid eyes on the woman in the few days she's been out of the mansion.
Mary Margaret looked at her with a guilty expression. She leaned forward and Emma followed, though she knew there wasn't much of a secret they were about to share. "Ruby overheard Regina talking about it last week."
"Why did you have to whisper that?" Emma asked.
"Because Ruby hears everything."
"I do." Ruby agreed and the two women jumped apart. "I just heard this conversation, too."
"So, you know about my birthday?"
"Yes, I do."
"What did she say?"
"Can't tell you."
"What? Why?" Emma frowned and Ruby sighed, rolling her eyes.
"I hear everything. It's not always a secret. I'm not skilled in espionage."
"She caught you?" Mary Margaret asked worriedly.
"Yeah. So I promised to keep the secret. Sorry, Em."
"It's okay, I guess. I guess that means…it's a surprise then." Mary Margaret and Ruby nodded eagerly, seeming very excited at the idea.
Emma wasn't too sure how she felt about surprises. Especially, now where she was booted on one leg and had a still healing arm. If it was an unpleasant surprise she wouldn't be able to get away fast enough. A surprise party, though? She was sure she never had one of those before. The thought actually made her a bit excited to see what her friend had planned.
"Honestly, I've held off asking…" Ruby started and Mary Margaret groaned, shaking her head. Emma pulled out of her thoughts to look between them. "Seriously, Emma, how the hell did you manage to become friends with Regina Mills? Friends enough to throw you a surprise party for your birthday?"
"Car accident." Emma admitted sheepishly. The two brunette's didn't seem the least bit surprised considering her current injuries from her most recent car related incident. "I rear ended her."
"And you're still alive?" Ruby questioned.
"You became friends?" Mary Margaret questioned at the same time.
Emma shrugged. "That's what she told me, at least. Maybe it was much worst than that and she's trying to protect me. But…"
"That would explain why she was always leaving town so often." Ruby said.
"She was?"
"Yeah. Of course, we never knew why because she never talked to us but now we know why. It was to see you."
"That's really sweet of her to come visit you like that." Emma gave a small smile to the woman across from her. "You must be very important to her, Emma. She's been much less severe since you arrived in town."
"Yeah, she says hi to me now everywhere I see her."
"I find it hard to believe that Regina doesn't have at least a few friends. I can't imagine what it must have been like before Henry came along. She doesn't have family here either…" Emma sighed.
"Well, she's got you and Henry now and..." Mary Margaret looked between her and Ruby. "Maybe we could really meet her too? Ruby and I would love to be friends as well."
"Really?" The blonde asked in surprise. "You'd do that?"
"Why, not…Regina is hot…I'm sure there's some kink in there somewhere to discover." Ruby smirked.
"Ruby." Mary Margaret hissed.
"I'm not wrong." She argued.
Emma hoped she wasn't blushing. She really wasn't wrong.
Sitting against wall, Regina thought about that book. It had her name on it when it appeared in Gold's shop. Last time she laid eyes on it, she was shoving it into the bottom drawer of her desk at Town Hall and pushed several folders and stacks of papers over it. It was enough that with time, she could forget its existence.
What wasn't so easy to forget was Emma. Emma, who was Snow White's daughter and the savior. Emma who would break her curse. But Emma made her happy and that's all this curse was for. To be happy.
As much as she should've wanted to get rid of Emma, should've been ruthless and ran her out of town, she couldn't. Couldn't stomach the thought of hurting Emma like that. It was worse knowing that outside of this town, Emma would've had no one to take care of her. No one to…love her.
Regina knew that feeling and it wasn't something she could wish upon Emma Swan.
No, getting rid of her wasn't an option. She needed Emma. So, there was only one other thing to do.
She stood from the cold floor and made her way deeper into her vault. Her mind was made up. Collecting ingredients from around the room, she settled on something that would work for everyone.
She would forget.
Forget the resemblance between Emma and Mary Margaret and never notice it again. She would forget Emma was the savior. Forget all her problems and worries because she wasn't going to push Emma away because of this. That woman with the dorky glasses and beautiful blonde hair was a part of her happiness along with her son.
Regina dropped and poured ingredients into the chalice in front of her until the potion was complete. A fog poured over the rim and with a breath of encouragement, she drunk the potion.
Her body tingled and her eyes turned a fluorescent purple, wiping her memories of Emma and Snow and Emma the savior and every little thing that plagued her with uncertainty. It all vanished as her eyes turned brown once again.
Regina released a breath and then frowned. She held the chalice up to look at it and then glanced around her.
"What the hell am I doing here?" She questioned the empty air. "Hm."
Deciding it wasn't important, Regina set the chalice down and left.
Without a worry.
Johanna was busy knitting while Henry played with his toy cars. She startled when the front door opened and closed quickly. Regina appeared, smiling broadly at the sight of Henry. The two year old beamed up at her, springing up from his toys and throwing himself into her.
Regina caught him and hugged him close. "I love you so much, Henry." She said muffled in his hair. He pulled back with mischievous and bright, toothy grin and pressed his palms into her cheeks. In response, she kissed his nose causing him to giggle.
Johanna smiled softly at the scene but couldn't help wondering if something was going on with Regina. She had been off for days and now she was the happiest anyone has probably ever seen her.
"Regina?" The younger woman turned to her, holding on tightly to Henry tightly as he played with her hair. "Are you feeling okay?"
"Yes." Regina sighed contently. "I think am. I suppose this is just a good day."
Just then the front door opened again, this time getting closed a bit slower than when Regina came through. It clicked closed and a key hit the ground. A curse was muttered shortly after, making it obvious it was Emma.
Regina put Henry down on his feet and he curiously moved towards the hallway to see who had arrived. His mother followed and was the first to see Emma cautiously reaching for the key below her. Regina quickly moved to retrieve it and held Emma's shoulder to prevent the younger woman from falling over. The last thing either of them wanted was another visit to Whale.
"Ma!" Henry cheered and mindfully hugged Emma's uninjured leg.
The blonde smiled down at him, touching her fingers to his hair. "Hey, kiddo." She looked to Regina noticing the content look on her face. "What's up? Why's everyone smiling?"
"No reason." Regina smiled bigger. "We're just happy to see you."
"So, you're okay?" Emma asked.
"Of course. I'm great."
"Good." She nodded.
What Ruby had said about Regina had her a little unsettled. Ruby really wasn't wrong. Regina was beyond beautiful and on top of that she was gay too? It was a dream come true for someone like her but Regina was her friend...and she was hoping her cheeks were turning red in front of the brunette.
She cleared her throat and shifted on her feet. "You've been kind of out of it lately. It's good to see you smile, Regina."
"Do you need any help?" Regina called.
"I'm fine, Regina." Emma chuckled as she closed the car door. She bent down in the window to inspect Regina's creased brow.
"Dr. Hopper's office is up a flight of stairs. I don't want you to get hurt."
"I appreciate you worrying about me but I promise you I'll be just fine." She assured. "Besides, if something happens, it'll be your fault for making me come here in the first place."
"Why?" Regina frowned.
"Because I don't need therapy. Shrinks are for wackos."
"Emma, you were in a terrible accident. One that I didn't think you would make it out of." The blonde sighed, giving Regina a sympathetic look. "You have nightmares and it's not just about the accident. You never got the support you needed…including from me, when you gave up your child. You should've had someone there to tell you that you did the right thing because you did."
Emma's eyes were glossy and she let out a breath with a chuckle. "Regina, don't go getting all emotional on me. Especially, when I can't have alcohol yet."
"My apologies. I just don't want these things to haunt you. And maybe this could help with your memory."
"Alright, fine. I'm going, aren't I?" Emma gave her soft smile. "I'll see you later."
"Later." Regina nodded. After this session with Archie, Emma was going to have lunch with Ruby somewhere in town. She waved back at Emma before the blonde disappeared into the building. She waited for a minute or two, hoping not to hear any sounds of Emma tumbling down the steps.
Her phone started ringing in her purse and she reached in to retrieve the device. Without checking the number, she answered, again hoping it wasn't Dr. Hopper calling about Emma hurting herself.
"Hello?"
"Good afternoon, Madame Mayor." Graham's voice greeted to her relief.
"Oh. Afternoon, Sheriff." She frowned. "Why are you calling?"
"I have some news for you. I think you'll be happy with it."
"Good news? What is it?"
"Emma's car. It's fixed."
"It is? I thought it was difficult to-"
"Let's just say that the bill will be massive. So maybe sit down before you open it, Mayor Mills."
"The money is no problem." Regina said. "It's really finished?"
"It is." Graham said.
"I…that's actually quite convenient. I'd like to give it back to Emma for her birthday. If you would please inform Billy that if needed please give her car a new paint job…and put a bow on it."
"A bow?" Graham skeptically asked.
Regina instantly became annoyed. "Yes. A big, bright red bow. And it needs to be ready by Saturday afternoon."
"I'll let him know then. I'm sure he can make the deadline."
"Graham." Regina rolled her eyes and fought off her natural distaste for everything. "You're invited to attend if you like."
"I don't know Emma very well."
"I'm sure she wouldn't mind. You're still welcome to come."
Regina eyed the newspaper sitting in front of Emma as she sat Henry in his high chair. He immediately grabbed for the cup of juice waiting for him. She kissed his head and tilted her head over at Emma as her eyes stayed glued to the newspaper with her glasses perched on her nose, a highlighter in her hand and her Gameboy off to the side.
"What are you doing?" Regina asked, coming to stand beside her.
"Job searching." Emma distractedly mumbled back.
"Job searching?" She asked as if that was the most absurd thing she'd ever heard. Emma looked up at her with a questioning frown. "Why are you looking for a job? You're injured."
"I won't be injured forever, Regina, and I can't be bumming here forever either. I have to get a job…you know, get on my feet." Emma shrugged and broke their eye contact. "I can't stay here forever."
"Oh, well…" Regina suddenly looked conflicted and sheepish. "I…"
"Regina, I love you guys but I really can't stay here forever."
"Right. I knew that." Emma followed with her eyes, hearing shuffling and clattering plates. Not even a second later, Regina was coming back with three plates skillfully balanced in her hands. Although maybe it didn't count that Henry's car theme plate wasn't a normal size.
She put one in front of Emma and then cautiously sat down Henry's plate before she took a seat at the table.
"It has nothing to do with you, Regina." Emma assured. "You're my friend and I've enjoyed every moment here with you and Henry but I have to go at some point. Plus, I can promise you I'll be here often because…I can't cook to save my life. I'll be raiding your fridge at odd hours. I'll sneak in to steal Henry…come by just to bother you every moment I get."
"Of course." Regina nodded, picking at the fruit on her plate.
"Well, you're not convinced." Emma sighed pushing the newspaper away. "If it makes you feel better, I don't think it'll be happening very soon. I'm thinking maybe like after the year is over. Good?"
"It's alright, I suppose."
"You pouting is literally Oscar worthy."
"I am not pouting." Regina huffed. "But anyway, you have no business looking for a job. It's stressful and your birthday is tomorrow so put that away."
Emma smirked and pushed the newspaper even further away before taking a bite of the breakfast that got better every morning. When she moved out she definitely planned on coming back to the Mills mansion often for food. But maybe not just that.