Okay, yes, I am a terrible person for making you wait so freakin long for an update! I made this one super long because of my absence. Sorry!
Please Review!
Sleep was always a fickle thing with Regina. Years of stress and abuse by her mother made her a light sleeper, and added years of abuse from Leopold made her stay awake endless nights on end. Lack of sleep made her fragile and weak. Regina would collapse on any day, but because she was home all the time no one knew. It was how she lost her job years ago. She collapsed at work and Leopold very strongly advised her to quit, arguing that the stress of work and raising a 4 year old were too much for her to handle. It had been 7 years since then and Regina came to the conclusion that she wasn't out of work for stress; sleepless night proved that. No, Regina was out of work to be dependent on Leopold, so she wouldn't have an excuse to leave him. No matter, Regina was going to do so. She made that promise to Henry and she was damn well going to keep it.
So in her manor, Regina found herself walking aimlessly around the foyer in small circles in the open space. She had done this countless times before; learning it was a good way to lull baby Henry to sleep and herself at times. Unfortunately in Regina's sleepy state she tripped over Henry's shoe, not seeing it because her eyes were half closed and landed unceremoniously with a loud splat onto the tile floor.
Leopold came crashing down the stairs, holding out an umbrella. Evidently, her fall was loud enough to wake him. Regina quickly jumped up, despite the newly forming bruise she could feel on her thigh. In Leopold's sleep deprived state, he slowly lowered his umbrella, walking over and putting an arm around Regina, who stiffened at the touch. "Sorry, my fairest, I thought you were a burglar. I've got to keep my family safe." He chuckled, indicating to the umbrella.
Regina pressed her lips together and gave a slight nod, trying to pull away from Leopold. However his grip was strong, stronger than was needed. She couldn't help to repress a shudder of terror that swept through her. Leopold always made fear pulse throughout her body.
Feeling his grip loosen, Regina shuffled away, settling at the base of her stairs. "You know what, I am suddenly very tired. I think I am going to go to bed. Goodnight.. er honey." She turned to leave the foyer when Leopold caught her wrist, gripping it in a bruising hold.
"Why must you be so distant from me, Regina? I am trying to make amends with you and yet you insist on giving me the cold shoulder. Why must you pull away?"
Regina gave him a shallow shrug, trying to hide the wince of pain as he gripped her wrist tighter. "I'm just tired, that's all."
"Tired of what?"
"Just tired. I've had a long day." She tried to maneuver her hand and was thankful when Leopold released it. But he only did so, so he could grab her by her shoulders and turn her towards him. Regina could feel his strong fingertips push into her shoulders.
"What do you mean long day? Baby, you don't work. You sit here at home all day. Were you out with that Swan woman? If she breaks up our family ill—"
"You'll what, Leopold? Hurt her?" Regina scoffed, "If you so much as lay a hand on her head, I swear Leopold—"
Leopold stopped her short by shaking her violently, "You cannot do anything, sweetie," He said through gritted teeth. "I control you. You are mine!" He flung Regina up three stairs and watched her stumble against them. "Henry will be up in a few minutes. I suggest you get ready and then you will take the boy to school, and then, you and I, will have a chat."
Regina cowered against the stairs. She could already feel places where new bruises were beginning to form. She was so powerless, feeble against him. She uttered a simple sentence. "Yes Leopold."
Emma was in a bright and cheery mood as she sipped her hot chocolate enthusiastically.
"Well don't you look chipper." Commented Mary Margaret
Emma shrugged, "I feel like I'm actually doing something right for once in my life." MM quirked her head. Emma continued, "There have been times when I could've stood up for someone in an abusive relationship before. There were times I could have stood up for myself. But I didn't. Now I am. It feels right."
MM smiled, "What time are you meeting Regina?"
"At 3, when she comes to pick up Henry."
"You think Henry should be going with you guys?"
"What do you mean?"
"He's a kid. Should he be going into a courts office with you guys? I mean I know he wants to help but.. you, know... He's still a kid."
Emma considered this for a moment. "Yeah… He is. But.. He is also quite the mature boy for his age. I dunno, i guess, I'll just ask Regina." Emma glanced up at the clock, snickering behind her hot coco, "God, MM, are you going to ever be on time to your third period?"
"Oh dear!" MM said before snatching up her coffee and running comically out the door. Emma smirked as she began writing the assignment on the board.
Emma's third period began pooling in from the door and Emma watched over all the heads, smiling when she saw that one brown haired boy.
"Well, good morning class!" Emma started with her usual greeting to the students. It was returned with the usual mumbles and grumbles of a noncommittal 'morning'. Emma furrowed her eyebrows, "Really kids? I'm like way older than you and even I have more energy than most of you." Emma shook her head, "Whatever! So! For today, I'll be assigning you a project to be completed over the next few weeks. It will be due on the Wednesday before spring break."
Gretel raised her hands, "Can we work with a partner?"
Emma nodded her head, "I was just getting to that. You guys will have partners but I will be assigning them." Emma rolled her eyes at the hand that shot up, "Yes, August?"
"Miss S, why do we have assigned partners? I can't just do it with my buddies here?"
Emma shook her head, "No, you cannot. I've assigned the partners based on how your writing skills complement one another. August, you will be working with Grace."
Grace's green eyes panicked as she said, "No! No, please Miss Swan! August is rude and smells like old dirty wooden blocks." August stuck his tongue out at her.
"Sorry Grace, you're stuck with him." Emma bent closer so only Grace and the people around them could hear, "Maybe you can convince him to wear deodorant." She whispered as everyone around them giggled.
Emma continued with assigning people off, "… And last but not least John Darling and Henry White. You two will be partners." John shot a sweet smile at Henry who gave back a shy skimpish quirk of his mouth. Oh dear, this shall be interesting.
Grace raised her hand, "So what is the assignment, Miss Swan?"
Emma smiled, "Since these past week or so we have been talking about magical worlds and alternative universes your assignment is to pull together each of your ideas about a hero or villain who comes from whatever distant world. You must explain their life there and come up with an idea of how they magically got pushed into this new life here in Storybrooke. The assignment should be about 8 to 10 pages long. Complete with pictures!"
The kids groaned,"8 pages long, Miss S. Are you trying to kill us?!" Shouted August.
"Hey!" Emma shouted over the displeasure of her students. , "This is why I gave you all a partner, I could make you do this by yourselves!"
"Nononnono" came the collective response.
"Then get started kids! You have 3 weeks before spring break, I suggest you start now." She turned to her C.D. player, "Music?" All kids nodded in yes. Emma switched it on and picked a C.D. that most of the students liked. She listened as the first few bars of music played.
I don't mind letting you down easy
But just give it time
If it don't hurt now then just wait, just wait a while
You're not the big fish in the pond no more
You are what they're feeding on
So what are you gonna do when the world don't orbit around you?
So what are you gonna do when the world don't orbit around you?
Emma watched all the kids work from her seat. She was glad to see that Henry had actually insinuated a conversation with John. The boy was now talking adamantly about whatever fairy tale he had come through his mind. Emma smiled. It was so interestingly weird how attached Emma had got to him over the past week and a half.
Ain't it fun living in the real world
Ain't it good being all alone
Where you're from
You might be the one who's running things
Well, you can ring anybody's bell to get what you want
You see, it's easy to ignore a trouble
When you're living in a bubble
Emma started going over the plan in her head on what her and Regina would do after school. They would go and file a report, it will be easier with Leopold's previous charges and then they would get a court date. And maybe possibly lunch afterward. And then the park, cause Henry loves it there. Or the beach cause Regina likes it there.
So what are you gonna do when the world don't orbit around you?
So what are you gonna do when nobody wants to fool with you?
Emma was slightly swaying to the music. She really didn't mind Paramore, it was what a lot of the kids wanted when she asked what kind of music they preferred. She had to say though, that this was her favorite song off the album.
Ain't it fun living in the real world
Ain't it good being all alone
Ain't it good to be on your own
Ain't it fun you can't count on no one
Ain't it good to be on your own
Ain't it fun you can't count on no one
Ain't it fun living in the real world
Emma was startled, violently when the door suddenly barged open.
Don't go crying to your mama 'cause you're on your own in the real world
Don't go crying to your mama 'cause you're on your own in the real world
Emma snapped her head towards the door, her body moving faster than her mind to put herself between the children and whatever threat was about to come through that door.
"Emma Swan! How dare you even attempt to mess with my family!" Roared a booming voice.
Emma stared in shock before she realized who the voice belonged to. "Shit!" Emma cursed out loud before she realized she even did it, "Leopold, what the hell are you doing here?! You need to leave now!" Emma made a shooing motion for the children to go back behind her, the kids scrambled to the nearest wall.
Leopold chuckled, "Oh I need to leave? Not without my son, I won't." He took a step forward, "You, sweetie, are a little home wrecker. Do you take pride in ruining people's families?"
"Leopold do not take another step towards me. I am going to call the cops on you."
He sighed. Emma could smell the faint aroma of boos as the air wafted through her nose. Leopold let out a chuckle, a devilish chuckled. He gestured to the kids who all winced with fear, "Did you tear up these families as well, dear? Hnmm.. Gretel, child. Have you no parents?"
Gretel scrunched her face. She was braver than the rest of the kids. She took a step forward, "What do you know of my life."
"Gretel you don't have to speak to him!" Emma turned on Leopold, "You leave these kids alone; your fight is with me!" Emma flung her fist towards the man, trying to push him out the door. "Leopold you need to leave now!"
"Why are you trying to wreck my family?" He screamed at Emma.
"I'm not trying to wreck it you are! You monster!" Came an exasperated voice from the door. Regina had burst through, evidently after running after Leopold. She bent double over, attempting to catch her breath. When she did, she turned on Leopold, summoning whatever strength she had. "I told you to leave this alone!" She screamed. "I told you that this was happening and there was nothing you could do! I am done with you, Leopold! Now stop acting like the childish oaf you are. I have called the police and they will be here any moment." True to her statement, Emma could here a police siren in the distance.
Regina had never felt more power in her life from when she said those few sentences. It had Leopold almost falling to his knees; however he regained his hot-tempered self.
Leopold shook his hands in exasperation, "Do you know how hard I've actually worked for this family?!" He turned on Regina, who unfortunately couldn't hide the stumble in her step. "Do you know all the things I had to do to get you into this fancy lifestyle?! Do you know how many fucking strings had to pull and let snap to get the fucking boy out from foster homes and into your arms because you do not have the ability to produce a child."
"Wait… what…?" Came Henry's small voice from the back of the room. He took a step towards Leopold. "F-Foster home?" His brown eyes searched his mothers and then Emma's and even Leopold's back and forth. "I'm… I'm adopted..?"
Emma's face fell as she stared at Henry, who looked like his entire life has been a lie. Leopold however sneered at the boy, taking a few steps towards him until he was cut off by Emma shoving her elbow into his chest, "Don't you dare fucking touch him!" Emma was beyond caring if any of the kids heard her cuss.
Leopold shot a glare at her as he fiercely grabbed at the small blonde's shoulders and pinched at them, until Emma's knees went weak with pain. However all he did was sneer at Henry. "Yes, boy. You are adopted. You were filthy scum born to a rotten jail bird in a detention facility out in Arizona. You were an accident that we had the misfortune of taking in."
Emma screamed, mortified at what Leopold had just revealed to the boy. Her knee shot out and struck the man right in the groin and as he was falling Emma shoved him into the nearest desk. Emma was surprised by the force of which he hit the table that he was still conscious. She shot a glance at Regina as she tore off her own scarf, tying Leopold's hands behind his back.
Regina had an absolute look of horror on her face. Mother and son stared intensely at each other before Henry uttered a small question. "I-Is it true."
Regina only burst into tears, never quite answering Henry's question.
Emma wanted so badly to sink to the floor and just lie there. Finding out you're adopted was a pretty heavy thing and right now the air felt thick and hardly breathable. Emma was thankful when only seconds later emergency personnel burst through the door. Emma shot Regina a wary smile, trying to calm Regina's frazzled state, but to no avail. Sheriff Graham pulled a very uncooperative Leopold from the classroom and Regina continued to just stare at her son, as if the world around her was falling apart.
Paramedics came in to assess any damages to the children but none were found. Finally they checked Emma and Regina. Emma had only a few bruises on her shoulders and hands from where she hit and shoved Leopold out of the way. However Regina had multiple bruises, obviously from earlier in the day and a fractured wrist. Regina constantly shoved them off, the paramedics interfering with her attempts at speaking with the boy.
"Henry… Henry please, look at me honey." The 12 year, merely cast his eyes away from his mother. The paramedics began pulling Regina from the room. "No, I need to talk to my son."
"Ma'am you are seriously injured, you need to come with us." The man put his hand on her shoulder as she immediately shrugged it away.
"The, hell, I am not leaving without talking to my son!"
"Ma'am, you're going to do more harm to your wrist if you don't comply. Please, your son can wait."
Emma watched the struggle between Regina and the paramedic. Though Regina hid it very well, Emma could tell by every small wince she made that her wrist and other various parts of her body were seriously injured. With sad eyes Emma walked up to Regina, settling her hands lightly on top of her shoulders. The touch seemed to cease Regina's struggling and Emma whispered into the dark tresses, "I'll bring Henry over after school. Don't worry, it'll be okay." Regina stared at Emma and then glanced behind the woman at her son, tears welling up in her eyes. Emma furrowed her brows, "It'll be okay.." She reiterated. Regina paused and then gave a slight nod and let herself be led out of the room, feeling anger bubble inside her as soon as Emma's hands left her shoulder.
Emma turned back to her class, which were all still cramped on the opposite wall of the room. An uncomfortable silence settled between the class room before August had the nerve to say, "So Miss Swan is a bad ass and Henry is adopted, look what I learned in class today."
The children let out nervous giggles and Henry bolted past Emma and out the door.
"August!" Emma seethed through her teeth, "Detention for the next month with Principal Gold!"
The bell rang and Emma bolted out the door after Henry. The kid was fast but Emma followed whatever snatches of his coat tails she could see as he bounded down hallways and around corners.
"Henry…" Emma yelled, exasperated as she caught the back of his jacket and spun him into her. He was nearly out a side door when she caught him.
Emma's green eyes were met with fury filled hazel ones. "Let me go!" Henry yelled.
"Henry, you can't stay mad forever. And you were bound to know at some point."
"Yeah, well I can be mad right now!" He struggled against Emma but he was no match against her strength. When he stop struggling and his breathing returned to a normal calm state, Emma finally released him and sat back on her haunches so she could be eye level with him.
"Look, kid. I know that was not the most pleasant way to find out you're adopted but why give your mom the cold shoulder back there?"
Henry shook his head. "I just…"
"Why, kid?"
"I don't know! Like you said, it wasn't the most pleasant way to find out I was adopted! To find out that you came from a 'jail bird from Arizona'" Henry put air quotes around Leopold's words, "from an abusive father who you never ever loved and then to sit there as your 'mother' –or so you thought mother- just sat there and didn't say anything. I'm not a kid anymore, and if she loves me as much as she says, I should've been told!"
"Henry, just because Regina is not your birth mom, doesn't mean she loves you any less!"
"I'm not saying she doesn't love me, I'm saying that I had to find out from a drunken monster rather than from the one who I call mother. Not to mention that my birth could have possibly happened in a jail c—"
Henry's words were cut off by a sudden shift in Emma's facial features. Emma just stared open mouth at the boy with complete and utter shock on her face. No… Emma thought, that… that can't be true…
"Miss Swan?" Henry's voice sounded like a million miles away. "Emma…?"
Emma raised a dubious hand and placed a thumb and a forefinger on Henry's chin, studying his face, turning it from side to side. No… It can't be. Even if… No… The sound of the school bell had pulled Emma from her thoughts. She shook her head to clear her thought but it only made them jumble together more. God she wished her mind worked like an etch-a-sketch. What matters is Regina for now. Emma thought, I'll deal with this later.
"C'mon Henry." She held out her hand feeling a sense of happiness as the boy took it.
"Where're we going?"
"To your mother."
Henry jerked his hand back. "No…"
Emma sighed, "Henry…" She bent down at him again, "She's your mother. She may not be your birth mother but she is your mother nonetheless. She has nurtured you and cared for you, which is something that your birth mother couldn't do for you. You need to be with her."
"What about your classes?"
"I'll text MM to cover them."
"But.."
"Henry.." Emma warned. "We're going."
Regina was walking out of the hospital angrily as she was bombarded by a tight grip around her waist. Her immediate reaction was pain, due to the slight bruising in her right side of her body but then warmth as the realization of her son hugging her flooded through her. She glanced back at Emma who stood there smiling. Thank you, Regina mouthed as she beckoned Emma into the hug as well. Emma merely put an arm lightly on Regina's back, seeing the pain the boy had cause when he hugged her, and let the woman's head duck onto her shoulder. Regina sighed contentedly and looked up at Emma, who was now mere inches away from her. "Let's go get that court date." She said with a grin.
City hall was never much of a busy place. Storybrooke was a rather peaceful town and maybe one or two clients a year showed up for a case. Three or more if it was a particularly rough year. So it didn't take long for Regina to get a court date. It was scheduled for three days' time and those were possibly the least stressful days Regina has ever felt in her life.
Henry and her spent it at Emma's apartment. Regina not ready to venture back into her own home. Emma greatly welcomed them in, both her and Regina enjoying being in each other's company.
They were sitting at the table, a place where Emma hadn't sat for dinner in a long time, or all even; the emptiness of the table had seemed just depressing when she sat there alone.
She took a bite of lasagna, a dish that Regina offered to make. "Regina… This is honestly the best meal I have ever had in my entire life. I didn't even know i had half these ingredients in my apartment." She took another forkful of her food.
Regina smiled, "Thank you, dear. I'm glad you like it. It's been quite some time since I've made this dish. It's Henry's favorite." She ruffled her son's hair as he took a forkful as big as Emma's. Emma paused momentarily, seeing the parallel between her and the boy. Regina, noticing the sudden shift in Emma's face asked, "Is there something wrong?"
Emma turned toward Regina, quickly masking herself, "Uh.. no. Everything is great. What else is in this? There's something that gives it a kick."
"Red pepper flakes. It's a quirk of mine; you don't mind it, do you?"
Emma shook her head earnestly, "No, no, I don't. I like the kick."
After the three were finished with their meal, Regina made a move for the plates, "No, no, I got it, it's fine." Emma said, placing a hand over Regina's. "You've already made an awesome dinner. I can't let you do dishes as well." Emma nodded over to Henry who was checking out her game's.
"Whoa, you have Halo. Can I play it?" He called out.
Emma smirked at the kid, "Unm, kid, that's kinda a violent game. Ask your mom."
"But mom, wouldn't let me get it in the first place."
"Then I guess you know your answer." Emma smiled at Regina. "I have a bunch of movies over there, if you want to pick something out. We could watch one?"
Regina looked over at the disarray of scattered movie cases and quirked her eyebrow. Emma shrugged, "My house is not the most organized place, sorry about the clutter."
"The clutter is no matter. It gives the place a livelier look. Something my mansion has been without."
Emma tilted her head. A flicker of sadness passed through the brown eyes before they were masked again by a muddy veil. Regina was such an interesting person. She constantly reminded Emma of how much a person could hide under all the rigid stares and stoic attitudes. To the outside Regina could seem like the most vindictive person ever but underneath she was so breakable, so frail. Emma didn't know what haunted Regina's past, but she intended to make sure the demons were silenced once again. Everyone needs a friend. And Regina needed one now more than ever.