Chapter 12
The morning had started like the day before. Regina woke wrapped in the arms of Emma. She wished she could stay like that forever. The Mayor felt safe and warm and right now that is all she needed.
She took a quick shower and headed downstairs to the kitchen. She wanted to show her appreciation for all the Charmings had done for her by making them breakfast. She made the usual, eggs, bacon, pancakes and the coffee was already brewed.
David and Mary Margret were the first two up.
"Wow, what's all this," the shorter haired brunette asked?
"Breakfast, I thought you should have a break for the morning and let me handle it," the Mayor said with a smile.
David grabbed a cup and poured some coffee, "It smells amazing Regina."
Loud stomping came from the stairs as, Emma shouted, "Yeah well I'm going to beat you!"
"No you're not," the Mayor's son shouted back.
Suddenly both the Sheriff and their teenage son slid across the tile of the dining area.
"Ha, I beat you, I touched the counter first," Henry proclaimed.
"Yeah whatever kid, I let you win", Emma said rolling her eyes.
"Children, please," Regina scolded with her one hand on her hip and the other one holding a spatula
David chuckled as he sat down at the table opening his morning paper. Suddenly, Neal started crying from the other room. Mary Margret narrowed her eyes at the two culprits.
"Sorry mom," Emma replied.
"Sorry Grandma", Henry repeated.
Regina smiled at her son and his other mother. She was glad to see them laughing and having fun for once. It felt like such a long time ago, even though it really wasn't. Maybe they should attempt something fun, as a family.
Emma got a cup of coffee and joined everyone at the table, her mother had returned now holding baby Neal. Regina finished putting the last pancake on the platter and then joined the others.
Mary Margret cradled the baby in her arms and was now feeding him a bottle, "I'm kind of surprised to see you up so early Emma."
Emma glanced across the table at the mayor, "I got cold, so I figured I should probably get up anyways."
David watched the interaction closely. He smiled when he noticed the slight blush in the older woman cheeks. He was happy that they were at least bringing each other comfort.
"I'm glad you're up early Em," David said. "I wanted to go check out the old mines. Well the one's that haven't caved in, and see if we can get any leads on Robin."
"Yeah sure, at this point anything will help," Emma said before taking a bite of her pancakes.
"Can I come," Henry asked?
"No, you certainly may not," Regina said sternly. "I remember an incident with you and mines young man. I can't go through that again." She shot a very clear warning look towards Emma and David.
They both put their hands in the air, "Yes ma'am." Emma looked at Henry, "Besides you have school."
He just nodded, and finished his food. Afterwards, he went upstairs to get ready to go. Regina hated moments like this, but there was no way in hell she could chance something happening to him. She wasn't sure she could survive something like that again on top of what was already going on.
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Henry made it his 7th period class without incidents. He heard what the other kids were saying about his mom. Billy's dad said this and Bailey's mom said this. This town was full of gossiping, hypocrites.
Henry sat down at his desk and tried to keep his head down. He was so sick of everyone talking down about his mom. If they only knew half of what she'd done for this town, they would be ashamed.
"Hey, Mills, what did mommy fix you for lunch today," a boy named Jason mocked.
Henry ignored the him. He couldn't let this kid or anyone else ruin his plans. He would redeem his mother's name by himself.
The Queen's son raised his hand. The teacher glanced up, "Henry?"
"Can I go to the restroom", he asked.
"Sure, just don't doddle around," the man said.
Henry could hear Jason behind him, "What's the matter, do you need to go change your huggies."
The teacher slapped his hand down on the desk, "That's enough Jason Tanner."
Henry released a breath after he was clear of the classroom. He wasn't sure how much he would be able to stand. It wasn't the fact that some of the kids called him names, because he could over look that. It was the fact that some of them would actually bring up his mother. So far, no one had been stupid enough to disrespect her on what had happened, but God help them if they ever did.
Henry waited until the hall monitor passed, then ran for the doors. He had something very important to do, and the sooner the better. The teenager ran out the school and down the street.
There was no real secretive way to get to the town hall. But he would stay to the alleys and bushes as best he could.
Once he arrived at town hall. He scanned the streets. With the coast clear, he darted around back. Henry knew the bathroom window lock was broken, and it was just big enough for him to squeeze through.
After he was inside the darkened building he headed for the Mayor's office. His feet crunched through the glass and he swallowed the lump that was now in his throat. He didn't want to see the mess, because then he would only be able to think about what Robin might have done to his mom.
The teenage boy's eyes fell to the desk. The dried pool of blood was still in the center. Bile started to rise from his stomach, but he closed his eyes and forced it down. He rounded the desk, ignoring the other dried pool of blood on the floor and opened the Mayor's desk drawers. He ran his fingers over each folder name. He grabbed ones he came a crossed that he thought inportant. These were Church funds, summer camp funds and things like that. By the time he was done, his backpack was stuffed full. He may have to come back for more if he can get away from school again.
Suddenly, he heard keys jingling in the main lock, "Crap".
The teen took off in a dead run for the bathroom. He made it inside just as the main door opened. He couldn't get caught, he had to finish this. He jumped up onto the shelf and squeezed himself out of the window. He knocked a vase over in the process and it crashed to the bathroom floor.
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Emma jiggled the key in the lock. It didn't want to give. Just before she was about to give up, the lock turned and she pushed open the door. For a moment she thought she heard a shuffling sound, but then it was quiet.
Maybe she was hearing things, but then glass shattered in the bathroom. Emma pulled her gun and took off towards the sound. Opening the bathroom door, the blonde could see the vase on the floor. Letting her eyes trail up, she noticed the window was opened.
It was a very narrow window, so she was pretty sure it had to be kids. She didn't have the time or patience to deal with hooligans. She let Mary Margret talk her into bringing her here to help clean the place up as a surprise for the Regina.
"What was it," her mother asked, echoing through the bathroom, making Emma jump.
"What the hell is wrong with you? I do have a gun in my hand woman. You are supposed to wait outside until I tell you it's clear," the blonde hissed at her mother. She felt like she was suddenly on the set of some slap stick comedy show.
"Sorry. I didn't hear you shoot, so I figured it was clear," the brunette smiled then went towards the office.
The Sheriff holstered her gun and let her heart slow down. She joined her mother who was staring at the blood on the desk. Emma walked up beside her, "We don't have to do this now."
The brunette wiped a tear, "No, we do."
The blonde breathed in and said, "Okay, let's get to work."
"You never said who was in the bathroom," Snow said.
"That's because you scared me so bad it shocked my memory. It looks like it may have been some punk kids or something. There's no way a grown man could fit through that window," Emma explained.
The blonde walked around the desk and noticed one of the drawers was opened. Some files looked like they were missing. Emma was sure the drawer was closed both times she had been in here. Looking down at the pool of dried blood, the blonde shook her head. There was work to be done. She figured she would forget about the drawer for now, and bring it up to Regina later.
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Ruby untied her apron from her waist. She was really starting to hate this job. She was constantly over hearing other people's conversations. Most of them talked about doctor's appointments. Somerepeated what someone said at church, or just regular gossip.
Lately, people have been gossiping about Mayor Mills and the rumors of her attack. She was so sick of hearing these self-centered close minded morons' opinions. No wonder Regina cursed these people. It was all starting to make sense to her.
As she walked passed one of the miners, she heard the man say, "Yeah, I heard he did it to her on the desk in her office."
One younger guy said, "Wait I heard it was on the sofa, but then T.J. said it was on the conference table."
"Mind your own damn businesses! What happened to Regina Mill's does not concern any of you." She looked at every person in the diner. This caused Granny's head to pop up from out of the kitchen, "Stop talking about this like it is no big deal."
"What do you care? She's the Evil Queen. She's done horrible things to all of us. Do you not remember the curse," the miner glared back.
Ruby was losing her patience at a very fast pace. The bells on the diner door jingled, but she didn't turn around, "All of you need to get over yourselves. That curse was the best thing that could have happened to any of us."
Neither Ruby nor the miner noticed the surprised look on everyone's face at who had entered. Ruby continued, "Are you all not living in air-conditioned houses, that are heated in the winter. Do you not all have jobs that provide for your family? What about running water, electricity and indoor plumbing? Oh what about vaccinations? You are all selfish souls. I have lived twenty-seven years without the horrible memory of eating my boyfriend. I didn't live in fear of being hunted, or of getting a disease that our world was unable to cure. I lived a normal life for once."
The miner looked at Ruby and sneered, "It's not like the guy killed her, and she is still breathing. If I were him",
A low yet very audible growl rumbled from deep inside the waitress' chest. Her eyes began to glow and eerie yellow and she grabbed the man by the front of his shirt, "You would have what?"
The man's feet were dangling off of the ground as the werewolf held him in the air.
"Miss. Lucas, please," a soft hand touched her shoulder and she spun around dropping the man to the floor. To the waitress' surprise, Regina was standing there, with a soft smile. The wolf inside had not settled yet so her eye's still glowed, "Did you hear what he was about to say?"
"I did, but this isn't the answer Miss. Lucas. I tried the brute force thing before to make everyone do what I wanted. How did that turn out," she said.
Granny slowly walked towards them. Ruby could see the anger in the old woman's tear filled eyes. Maybe she had finally crossed that fine line with her grandmother. She closed her eyes and waited for the wraith of her Granny to be release on her.
As the old woman passed the mayor and the waitress, she put her finger in the man's face as he stood from the floor. "You get the hell out of here and take these idiot companions of yours with you." The men gathered their hard hat and slowly started to exit. Granny continued, "Do not even attempt to step foot back in this establishment. You lot could learn a thing or two from Regina Mills." She turned towards the rest of her patrons, "If any of you have agreed with anything they said, I suggest you leave. I will not have talk like that in my Diner. Regina Mills and her family are welcome here at any time free of gossip or ill will. You can deal with it or get out."
Ruby somewhat expected the entire Diner to stand up and walk out, but they didn't. Instead an old man with the brightest blue eyes stood up and removed his hat. "I would like to apologize, Madam Mayor on behalf of the people in here. I'm am truly sorry for what you went through and if there is anything I can do to help in any way, please don't hesitate to ask."
Suddenly other people began to stand up each saying "me too", or "that goes for us."
Ruby was shocked, and amazed. She turned and grabbed the mayor in tight hug, lifting her off her feet for a second and then she sat her back down.
The Diner door opened, and David walked in. A confused look crossed his face when he saw the three ladies crying and the entire diner was on their feet. "What did I miss?"
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Henry walked into the library and straight up to belle who sat behind the counter.
"Hey Henry", she turned and looked at the clock on the wall, "Did school let out early?"
"umm, something like that", he smiled, "I need to make some copies."
"All right, what would like to make copies of," the Aussie asked with a bit of energy?
Henry put his backpack up on the counter top, and unzipped it. "I need copies of all this," He pulled the files from the bag.
A slight gasp escaped the woman's mouth, as she took a folder and opened it up. She scanned the documents, and then looked up at Henry wide-eyed, "Where did you get these?"
"It doesn't matter, can you make copies or not?" Henry was starting to lose his nerve, and he did worry the woman might rat him out. He sighed, "Look they are files from my mom's desk. I am working on something very important and I need to get them back before anyone sees them gone."
The Aussie tilted her head, "I don't know Henry, the last time you asked for a favor, it wasn't good."
Henry leaned closer to the counter, "I know I did a very bad thing, but I promise this is way different. No one is going to get hurt. This is to help my mom and no one else is involved but me."
Belle opened another folder and glanced over its contents, her eyes grew wide, "Oh my God, you mean"
"Shhhhhh", the teenager hissed, "I don't want anyone to know yet."
The beauty smiled, "Okay, but you do know it is like 15 cents per copy, right?"
Henry said nothing as he stuck his hand in his pocket and whipped out a hundred dollar bill.
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"This is the one time I will admit that I am glad this place is made of marble," Mary Margret said.
The blood hadn't stained anything, so that was a plus. It still took a lot of elbow grease to get it all off the floor and the desk.
Other than the glass missing from the door and a few missing vases, the place looked new. Emma found herself hoping the mayor would be able to come back to work soon. She didn't want the mayor to feel afraid any more.
"Excuse me, Sheriff," an old man with intense blue eyes stood in the door way of the office. "I was wondering if I could offer my services."
Emma looked over at her mother then back to the man, "Unless you can fix glass, I think we are about wrapped up here."
He smiled, "As a matter of fact, that's my specialty," He yelled over his shoulder, "Stan! Luke!"
Two ginormous men appeared behind him, one with a measuring tape and one with pen and paper. Emma just watched them with a surprised expression. The one man read off the measurement while the other man wrote them down.
After the two men had finished, the old man pointed towards the restroom, "One more in there. Then I want you two to go around and check each window in this building."
Emma walked toward him, "Sir, I have no power to pay you for all this."
He smiled and waved his hand as he started towards the exit, "I was already paid."
Emma raised an eyebrow, "By whom?"
The man waved over his shoulder, "Mayor Mills." He disappeared outside, leaving the two younger with their instructions.
"I hope it doesn't take these guys long to get what they need. I have to go get Neal from daycare," Snow said.
"Here," the blonde said pulling her keys from her pocket. She passed them to the brunette, "I'll wait on these guys. I have Regina's keys to lock up."
"Are you sure? I mean I can have David come pick me up," Mary Margret smiled.
"No, go. If I need anything I'll call. Now go do what you need to do," she smiled back, with a kiss on her cheek from her mother, the other woman was gone.
Emma sat down in the office chair behind the desk. It was still uncomfortable to look at the marble desk top. She was so relieved to see the office like this. Why would Regina randomly hire a glass maker? That didn't make any sense. She hadn't mentioned anything about it to her.
The ring tone of her phone went off and she fished it out of her back pocket, "Yeah", she said as she swiped the screen.
"Miss Swan," came a very timid female voice from the other end.
Emma pulled the phone away from her ear to look at the screen, it was Henry's school, "This is her, I mean she."
"Hi, Miss. Swan, this is about your son, Henry", the woman said almost robotic.
For a brief moment, Emma felt like saying, 'I only have one son, and I know his name'. Instead she kept a pleasant tone, "What about my son, Henry?"
"Well, it seems he didn't show up for his last class today," the woman said in a small voice.
"What do you mean he didn't show up for his last class? Where was he," Emma asked confused?
The woman stuttered, "I-I'm n-not sure. His history teacher let him go to the bathroom during 7th period, and he never came back."
Emma bit her lower lip, "I'll have a talk with him this evening, thank you for calling."
She hung up the phone and slid it back into her pocket. She had to talk to Henry, before Regina found out. She would go postal if she knew their son was skipping school. Emma knew Henry was a good kid, so there had to be a damned good reason for him leaving.. The mayor didn't need the added stress, so the blonde would deal with this on her own.
Emma pulled her phone out of her pocket again. This time she texted her Henry, 'Why don't you come by the town hall, I need your help with a few things.'
Her phone vibrated in her hand a few seconds later, 'Sure, give me a little bit and I'll meet you there.'
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Regina sat on the roof of the apartment, staring over at the diner. It was still a couple of hundred yards away, but she could a see the diner sign. What had happened today? Why would the Lucas' stand up for her like that? It didn't make any sense.
She had worked for years, trying to build this town. Never once had she felt that she was given credit for anything she had accomplished. Especially after the curse broke.
She spent a large portion of her life, only ever loving three people. two of them were dead, Daniel and her father, and the third was her precious son. She stopped allowing anyone else to come near her or to ever know her. So many years were spent alone. As a matter of fact, her entire time in Storybrooke, she had never made a friend, until Emma. How pathetic was that?
The Mayor spent so much time hating people, including her own mother. Yet she continued to grow to become more and more like the woman she despised. She only ever wanted to be loved back. Those who had ever dared, had paid the ultimate price, or she loved those who didn't deserve it, like Robin.
"How are you doing," Snow's voice called through the afternoon air.
Regina turned in the lawn chair looked up at the woman with a soft smile, "Good, it's been a long day, though."
Mary Margret sat in the chair caddy-cornered from the one the mayor was in, "I heard. I just got off of the phone with Ruby."
"Ahh, I see," the older woman acknowledged.
"Why did she do that, Snow," the mayor asked looking across the sky?
"She's loyal, and has a good heart," the younger woman said.
Regina peered at her, "I have never done Ruby Lucas or her Grandmother any favors. They should hate me like everyone else."
"Maybe. Maybe not, but to some people, that curse of yours was a God send. Not to mention that her best friend is madly in love with you, so I guess it comes with the territory," Snow said with a smile.
"I don't know what she would have done if I hadn't stopped her. Her eyes were glowing and I think she was going to turn", Regina said with seriousness.
"Well then it is a good thing you stopped her." Mary Margret grinned, "Just so you know, werewolves can only change in a full moon. She can still lose her temper, though. Luckily for everyone, her human side was still intact."
"Why are people wanting to be nice to me all the sudden," Regina asked, standing up and walking over to the ledge?
Mary Margret stood, isfollowing. She sat facing the mayor, "Sometimes it takes a while for things to catch on. I mean you can't make a fire without first a spark, right?"
Regina looked at Snow, "That is certainly a different analogy. Did you come up with that one all by yourself," Regina asked sarcastically.
"Okay, fine, you want the truth? You spent all those years manipulating people. ou make them fear you, and you controled them. That's not how you gain respect. You have to earn it from a respectable and trust worthy person, and with each earned you gain more. You have Emma's trust, and respect. In return, you have earned Ruby's and Granny's. With Ruby and Granny defending you, it earned you a hand full of residents. The hardest part, is maintaining what you have gained," Snow explained.
"You sound like a Queen who is strategically planning an attack on a neighboring kingdom." Regina laughed, "But I see your point."
There was several moments of silence between the two woman. This friend thing the two of them had was new, and they were still trying to get a feel for it.
"I bought some stuff to make lasagna for dinner tonight. I thought maybe you could help me with your recipe," the younger woman said with a smile.
"Of course, I would love to," the Mayor said, "By the way, where are Emma and Henry?"
Snow looked at her watch, "Well Emma still had a few things to finish up when I left her, but I am not sure about Henry."
Regina pulled out her phone and texted her teenage son, 'Where are you at? School let out two hours ago?'
A few seconds later her phone beeped, 'I'm helping Emma with some stuff, but we will be home soon.'
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Henry hit send on his phone to send back the message to Regina. He was wondering what Emma could possibly need help with. He had so much to do and not much free time to do it. He walked up to the front of the town hall and saw a glass maker's truck. He looked at it questionably, as he entered the building.
The first thing he noticed was that the glass from the door was no longer on the floor. He stepped into the office. He was amazed that only a few short hours ago this place was a complete disaster. Now it looked as though nothing had even happened here. He was hoping the glass makers were only replacing broken glass, and not bathroom windows.
His birth mother sat behind the desk staring out the window, as he approached.
"How was school today," she asked.
The tone was unusual but he answered, "Fine, it was just like any other day."
"What did you do in last period," she asked turning to look at his face?
"Well, we," he was going to attempt to make up a lie, but unfortunately this was the wrong mother to try it on. "I didn't go."
Emma looked at him for a moment, and then asked, "Why not?"
"I had better things to do," he didn't express attitude it was more in a matter of fact kind of way.
"I don't think that answer will sit right with your other mother, so try again," Emma said leaning forward in the chair.
"You can't tell mom, please. She has enough things to think about, then worrying about me," Henry pleaded.
"I agree, and getting calls from the school saying you're skipping doesn't help. I don't keep secrets from your mom," Emma said narrowing her eyes.
"You kept it from her that you were in love with her", Henry said.
"I told her the truth, eventually. I have turned over a new leaf, and we are not talking about me, we're talking about you and school Henry. If you are having troubles at school, you need to tell us so we can fix it," she spit out.
Henry walked over to the now up right side up sofa and plopped down. His birth mother went to join him.
He looked up at her, "I have my troubles at school, but nothing I can't handle. That's not the reason I left today."
Emma looked at him confused, "Then why?"
The teenager shook his head, "I can't tell you. Please, it is a surprise. I'm going to help mom win over the people of the town."
The sheriff looked at her son, "Henry, if you can't tell me than I have to tell your mom. My job is to protect you and to keep you safe if you're in some kind of trouble."
Henry put his hand up, "I'm not in any trouble, I swear. And this isn't a magic thing. I swore I would never do anything that stupid again, but I can't tell you what I am doing, not yet, please Emma, trust me."
The blonde looked at the sincerity in her son's eyes, "Fine, but you do it after school, no more skipping. If your mom finds out I kept this from her she will kill me. I hope you realize that."
The boy jumped forward and hugged his birth mother, "Thank you, and mom wouldn't kill you, she loves you."