CHAPTER

The next morning I wake up and look at the clock. Agh I have to have breakfast with the Queen. I mutter to myself climbing out of bed and getting dressed.

I shower and change before driving down town and parking in front of the diner. I walk inside and look around for Regina. When I don't see her I walk over to the counter.

"Hey Natalie, or should I say Phoenix." She says and I groan "so that's going around now?" I say and she smiles.

"Well you saved over half of the town." she smirks and I rub my head. "Red help me out, don't keep spreading it around." I say and she get s twinkle in her eyes.

"What's in it for me?" I level a glare on her. "Um you owe me a favor or to, or should I say you owe the Phoenix a favor." I say and she growls.

"Don't forget about the time I saved you from those hunters." I say and she nods. "Ok fine." I smile brightly and take the coffee out of her hand.

"So why are you here so early?" she asks leaning on the counter.

"I'm meeting someone." I say and she raises an eyebrow. "Regina?" she asks and I look back over at her. "Yeah."

"Why have you been around her so much lately?" she asks and I groan looking into my cup. "She is my mother." I mutter under my breath and she squeals jumping up and covering her mouth.

"No way-…" she starts but I slap my hand over her mouth as everyone looks over at us. Regina lets the door close behind her as she watches us.

I am now sitting on the counter. I slowly move my hand off her mouth. "Are you going to be quiet?" I ask and she nods so I move my hand away.

"Natalie?" Regina's voice asks behind me and I turn around. She is watching me with raised eyebrows. "Why are you on the counter?" she asks and I shrug "Red and I are just talking."

"On the counter?" she asks and I shrug again. "Well you know-… yeah" I say and she shakes her head. "I'm going to sit back there; I'll let you finish your counter talk." She says and I sigh as she walks away.

"Do not say a word to anyone, we will talk later." I spin around and glare at Red who has her mouth hanging open. "Red?" I repeat and she nods.

"Good, I don't need this getting out." I say sliding off the counter and walking over to the back booth where Regina is.

Regina smiles when I come over. "Hey sweetheart." I force a smile as I sit down a crossed from her. "You drink coffee?" she asks eyeing my cup.

"Like I breathe air" I say and she chuckles.

A moment later Red walks up. "I see you got your act together." I say to her with a raised eyebrow. She shoots me a glare and I smirk.

She opens her mouth to say something snide to me. "Ah… ah… Remember that time, with the Phoenix. Who let you stay with them for a month?" I ask and she sighs before hanging her head.

"Good, now I need at least two more of these." I say raising my coffee. "It's too early for this." I whine and Red nods before looking at Regina.

"Whatever the special is today." She says and Red nods before looking at me one more time and walking away.

"So you helped Red?" Regina asks and I nod taking a long sip of coffee. "Do you like to ride?" she asks and I sit my cup down.

"Yeah"

She stares at me but the look on her face shows that she is a million miles away. "Regina?" I ask and she shakes her head.

"I'm sorry you have your fathers eyes, you remind me of him so much." She says and I furrow my eyebrows realizing I know nothing about him.

"Tell me about him?" I ask and she smiles retreating to another world again.

"He was the stable boy at my parent's castle. We fell in love but I knew my parents would never agree. We planned on running away together. My mother found out and she ripped his heart out in front of me."

I flinch at the fact of his untimely death. "I found out I was pregnant after that. I was so happy to have something of him, to remind me of our love. And that's what you do, every time I see you I see him." she says and I shift uncomfortably.

The rest of breakfast goes pretty easily. When we get out to the parking lot Regina walks over to my car with me.

"I know it's really soon but I was wondering if I could hug you?" she asks boldly before shifting and showing her nervously.

I bit my lip and try to think of an excuse. "I guess if that's what you want." I say and she steps closer to me not breaking eye contact.

She slowly pulls me into her arms. My body tingles at her close proximity. She holds me tight and I can hear her heart beating.

Finally she pulls away and wipes the tears from her face. "Thank you" she says and I nod before moving to my car.