Chapter 11
Returning home after an eventful day at the zoo, Emma skips through the front door happily then turns towards the two women who are talking while Henry lets go of Maleficent's hand and runs through rather wobbly. "Gina, can we play before dinner?"
Looking over, Regina nods at her little tiger as the blonde insisted on having her face painted at the zoo. "You can play out here, I don't think my room can take much more"
"Okay!" Grinning, the small blonde takes the bags of toys from the gift shop and then leads Henry over to their usual corner to play.
"I guess I'd better be off" Maleficent smiles at the woman then touches her arm lightly. "Thank you for today dear. The children certainly enjoyed it"
"Yes they did..its nice to see them smile.." The brunette glances over to the young pair briefly then looks towards the blonde. "Why don't you stay? For dinner at least..it has been a long day"
"Someone is taking this new friendship thing seriously, but I will stay on one condition that I help?" The blonde smirks as Regina gives an eye roll.
"Fine.."
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Sitting down at the island, Regina smiles awkwardly towards the blonde while helping Henry into his seat. "I think I need to move..haven't even got a table"
Sniggering, Maleficent looks back at her. "At least you have somewhere to eat"
Having used the woman's arm for leverage, Emma sits beside her on the stool then looks towards her curiously while the brunette dishes up. "You got blonde hair like me. Can I play with your hair after dinner please?"
"Emma, I don't think Maleficent wants to be pulled about..we have played enough for today"
Pouting at Regina, the smaller blonde looks down with a mumble. "..still my birthday, you said I can do anything.."
Feeling guilty, the young teacher sighs. The older blonde reaches out for her arm but unintentionally gets her hand. "Its fine, I don't have anywhere else I need to be so she can if she wants.."
Nodding a little, Regina glances towards their hands then sits down beside the young boy who is trying to grasp at his bowl. Also noticing, Maleficent pulls away then turns towards Emma. "If you eat your dinner then maybe we can play.."
Grinning, the smaller blonde grabs her folk and shoves some food in her mouth quickly.
Feeding Henry, the brunette offers him a small spoon so he can try then frowns hearing a knock at the door. Biting her lip, Regina gives an apologetic look towards Maleficent then stands, moving Henry's bowl away to prevent any mess. The blonde smiles and moves stools so she can continue feeding the boy who is smacking his lips hungrily while grasping towards the bowl. Opening the door, the brunette prays that its not Daniel coming for the children already but goes wide eyed at the person in front of her. Gulping, the woman grips the doorframe. "..mother.."
"Hello, Regina" pushing past the young teacher, Cora raises an eyebrow upon entering at the trio sat eating dinner. "Oh..how..quaint.." Glancing back to her daughter, the older brunette clasps her hands together. "I just thought I would drop by to find out why Emma was not at school today. You know the rules Regina. It seems as though ever since you've taken in these..strays..your behaviour and judgement is appalling. Time off work, forgetting your duties and now dinner with a stranger." The older brunette looks towards Maleficent briefly with an unimpressed stare while the blonde glares back at her.
Completely embarrassed and hurt, Regina takes a breath. "She's not a stranger, she's my friend and as for my duties, right now they consist of caring for these children" looking towards the island, the brunette nods towards the girl. "Emma please take Henry through to the bedroom"
Watching momentarily, Maleficent lifts the boy and sets him down to take the smaller blonde's hand as Emma remains silent and does as she is told.
Scoffing, Cora shakes her head. "Regina, you don't have any friends, I mean why would you? You're just a disobedient girl who has no respect for others"
Hitching her breath, the young teacher watches as Maleficent stands and steps in front of her to face the older woman. "And what about you? You're just a bully. You are just jealous because she is doing a kind thing that any decent human being would! The only reason you treat her this way and put her down is because she is a million times better than you'll ever be and everyone knows it but are just to damn scared to do anything about it! Well you know what? I'm not scared of you, now if you don't mind, the children need to eat their dinner and you need to leave!" Circling the woman clearly angry, the blonde pulls the door open and gestures for her to go through it.
Cora raises an eyebrow then looks towards Regina who is staring at Maleficent in shock. "Very well..you will be back in school by Monday because these children are getting adopted"
Watching her mother leave, the brunette looks down, covering her face. Moving over quickly seeing that the woman is getting upset, the blonde wraps her arms around her and pulls the young teacher into a hug. Hugging back, Regina grips onto her shoulders with a sniffle. "I can't..do this..."
Moving back, Maleficent looks at her concerned. Biting on her lip, the brunette looks back as a tear falls. "I don't want..to lose them..they're mine.."
Reaching across and wiping away the tear, the blonde smiles. "Then adopt them.."
"But I can't..this was only suppose to be temporary and my place is not big enough..I have no money to move. My father left me some but...she took it.."
Stroking the woman's cheek, Maleficent smiles sadly. "I'll talk to Daniel, see what he can do"
Nodding a little, Regina quickly wraps an arm around the blonde's neck again for another hug. "I need her out of my life."
Chuckling while hugging back, the blonde squeezes her. "No disagreements here. Now why don't you go and get the children? I will sort out heating the dinner"
Pulling away, the brunette attempts a smile then stops the woman as she goes to head back to sort the dinner, taking her hand. "Thanks for being here..she can be a handful.."
Stroking her hand, Maleficent smiles. "Anytime.."
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After finally having a peaceful dinner, the two women make their way over to the living room with an excited Emma and sleepy Henry. Maleficent takes her place sitting on the floor against the couch while the smaller blonde climbs up behind her and leans up on her knees to play with the woman's hair. "Gina? Can you show me how you do your braid?"
Chuckling as she lays Henry down in the chair, Regina peers over. "I don't think Maleficent wants her hair to be braided Emma.." Tucking the boy up and insuring he cannot fall anywhere, the brunette sits beside him and next to the small blonde.
Frowning in confusion, Emma bites her lip as she begins to seperate the older blonde's hair. "But..that what friends do? Ruby done mine.."
Stroking the girl's blonde locks, Regina smiles. "I know, I had to deal with the consequences of very knotty hair!"
The girl giggles then stops what she is doing to give the brunette her best puppy eyes. "Please Gina.."
Looking unsure, the woman glances down towards the blonde sat against the couch. "Its up to Maleficent.."
Leaning forward, Emma tilts her head over the woman's shoulder with the same face. "Please Mallie..."
Laughing at the name she has been given, the blonde waves her hand. "Go for it"
Shuffling over on her knees so Regina has room, the small blonde grins in triumph then watches intently as the brunette begins to section the woman's hair, feeling slight embarrassed again. "See. Seperate into three then under one side and over the other covering the middle.."
"I try?" Emma looks up seriously then takes the strands of hair in her hands, braiding the rest with guidence from the young teacher. "Finished! You look like Gina"
Glancing over, Maleficent smiles. "I doubt that dear..she's a one off.."
Gulping, the brunette looks towards a sleeping Henry while going red. Launching forward again, the small blonde wraps her arms around the fellow blonde's neck from behind. "Mallie, I like you and this is the best birthday. I hope it same every year!"
Patting the girl's arm, the blonde chuckles. "I like you too Emma and your brother"
"And Gina?!"
Nodding, Maleficent looks towards the woman. "And Gina..I am also sure that you will get a birthday like this every year"
Regina nods. "I'll make sure of it"
A/N: hope you enjoyed! Next up Mal speaks to Daniel about Regina and the children..;)
