Blue Eyed Bandit
By LockedSoulsAM
A/n: Back before the holidays! I start my freshman year of college in January (yes I'm 19) so I'm trying to update as much as I can before that schedule gets hectic.
Enjoy =)
Chapter 13
Regina was almost sure there had to be a manual to parenting. She's read books on top of books since Emma came to live with her. Books on how to get your child to sleep through the night. A book on how to discipline your child. A book on how to listen. None of them seemed to tell her how to be a good parent. Just on how to parent. She quickly found out that those two were not the same.
Parenting wasn't mechanics and science. Though some would argue the whole nature vs. nurture thing. Of course while that held some truth, she was learning that parenting came more from experience. Regina tried her best to not end up like one of those mothers who neglected their children. If her own biological mother was anything to go by she hoped to never take that route.
The self doubt of being what Emma really needed play over and over again in her head. Her nerves were something that got to her when she let it. What if she gave Emma something she was allergic to? What if she didn't discipline her enough? What if she was spoiling her?
None of those questions could be answered by a single person. It does take a village to raise a child or at least they say it does. Emma was more well behaved than most children she had come across in her life time. Though her manners were sometimes to be expected of a five year old. She wasn't being spoiled but rather given the necessities she'd gone without for so long.
Those thoughts plagued Regina's mind when she didn't need them to.
Regina grew up as an only child. She didn't know what it was like to share rooms or basically share anything that you owned. Top that from being moved to multiple houses and Emma had a hard life. Regina wanted to make sure that she gave Emma that sense of stability while she could. Never mind the potential of Emma having to leave lurking in the background.
Starting with school and education. Emma was a bright and curious child. School would hopefully feed and sate her curiosity. Of course Regina would have to watch with a close eye what she was picking up. She'd read in a book that children were like sponges. It was becoming clearer to her every time she slipped up and said a curse word in front of Emma. Emma would giggle and tell Regina that bad words weren't nice to say. Regina would sigh and moan at being scolded by her five year old.
Today is the first day of the new school year. Emma's first day of first grade to be exact. Emma is not yet awake and Regina found it ironic. On the day the little girl was supposed to get up early she didn't. Her bed time was 8:30 and she'd fallen asleep without any protest; only a request for story time with her Momma. Regina happily obliged. Through the second page Emma was out like a light.
The night before they already picked out her outfit and what she was going to wear. Emma even got to choose her favorite clip on earrings. Not yet having her ears pierced. Something Regina hadn't decided on letting her have yet. No matter how much Emma begged her for it.
The joys of motherhood. Something Regina thought she would never experience. At least not so soon anyways.
As she got dressed that morning, she prided herself on being able to avoid Cora in the small town that only seemed to get smaller. Especially when most of her time was spent with Emma. It was weird to have the woman in town. For what... she didn't even know. Something in the back of her mind told her money but was that really it? It had to be but Cora sure as hell wasn't getting money from her.
Henry Mills had been a hardworking man and made his money honestly. When he died all of it went to Regina. All of his accounts were hers now except for one she was assuming had went to charity. But was the charity really Cora all along?
Shaking her head, Regina didn't have time to speculate on all of the things her father had done while he was alive. He was a good man in her memory and no one would ruin that for her.
Not today and not any day.
"Up and at em, Missy." Regina sat beside Emma and gently tried to coax her from dreamland. After making Emma breakfast it was finally time to wake her sleeping beauty. Regina may have been more excited for Emma than Emma actually was. It was almost 7 leaving them almost a whole hour before Emma was to arrive at school. Emma wouldn't be riding the school bus just yet this year. Regina didn't feel comfortable with it especially with Emma being so young.
Her fingers fluttered across Emma's face. Emma's brow furrowed and she whimpered but continued to try and sleep.
"Emma, it's time for school." Regina smiled as Emma blindly crawled into her lap and curled into her chest.
"No, I wanna stay here with you." Emma yawned and shivered. She nuzzled her nose against Regina's shoulder and tried to relax enough to fall back asleep. Regina didn't let her as she continued to rub her hands against Emma's back.
"I have pancakes ready for you." Regina teased. "There may also be grilled cheese and apple juice."
Emma peeked one eye open to peer up at Regina.
"You for real?"
"I don't know." Regina played coy. "I guess I'll let you sleep in while I go downstairs and eat it all."
Emma quickly slid from her lap and rushed out of the room. No one would be eating her grilled cheese. Not even her Momma.
"Emma, slow down before you fall down the stairs." Regina chuckled and turned off Emma's nightlight. She turned in the hallway to follow Emma.
"I'm already down!" Emma called back. Emma stepped into the dining area to see there was in fact grilled cheese and apple juice waiting for her. She climbed into her chair and sat patiently.
Regina took her own seat after catching up with Emma.
"What are you going to do all day when I'm at school?" Emma questioned with her mouth full of toast. Regina cringed at the lack of table manners Emma seemed to be using.
"Don't speak with your mouth full." Regina frowned. "I'm going to work and then I'm having lunch with Ingrid."
"Oh, I'm going to miss it." Emma pouted. "I wanna hang out with Ingrid."
"We can see her later after school if she doesn't get sick of me." Regina promised. "Deal?"
"Deal." Emma confirmed brushing her long hair out of her face. "Will it still be hot on the weekend? Can we go to the beach?"
All of her early morning haze seemed to be gone. The excitement of her first day of school finally bubbling at the surface.
"I'll have to see about that." Regina nodded. With it being the beginning of September the weather was still pretty nice out. Regina had a busy week ahead of her and she would have to try and make her schedule clear enough so that they could have a beach day.
Emma nodded happily. She knew Regina was going to say yes anyways.
"Hmm, I think I'd like to go brush my teeth now." Emma pushed away her plate. She ate all of her grilled cheese and even drank her juice. Now she was ready for the day to begin.
"You're excused." Regina began to clear the table. She took the remaining dishes to set into the dishwasher. She listened for Emma's familiar footsteps above her. It wasn't too hard to clear the table with just the two of them. Soon enough the kitchen was done and she was back upstairs.
Emma was still brushing her teeth when Regina entered her room. Regina passed the time by picking up a few of Emma's toys that were strewn every which way. A few Leggos and a random colored dinosaur here and there. Once all of Emma's toys were in the toy box, Regina decided to check inside of Emma's book bag to make sure she had all of her necessary supplies.
The backpack was hanging on Emma's doorknob of her closet. It was disgustingly bright green that Emma seemed to like all too much. My Little Pony adorned the front along with a bunch of stickers. Regina grabbed the bag expecting for it to be light but almost toppled over with how heavy it was. Her brows furrowed and she carried the bag over to Emma's bed. Which had yet to be made.
She unzipped the bag and surprise covered her face. The bag was filled to the brim with things they didn't pack together. One by one Regina emptied the bag so all its contents were scattered across the bed. Her eyes scanned over the mess and she sighed. Lots of canned ravioli, the kind where Emma could open it herself, cookies, a loaf of bread and socks Regina was sure she bought the other day. It was all stuff that Emma sure enough wasn't supposed to have in her backpack.
"Emma?" Regina stood tall. Her hands finding her hip as she gave the items another look.
"Yes Mommy?" Emma's childlike voice filtered through the hallway to Regina's ears. "I'm washing my face."
"Come here for a second." Regina didn't want to sound angry. That was the exact opposite of how she felt. A little confused, hurt maybe, but not angry.
Emma turned the tap off and quickly hung up her face towel just like Regina showed her. She couldn't quite decipher the tone of her mother's voice. But she decided that it must not be good. Emma dragged her feet and took her sweet time getting to her room. Regina was sitting on her bed, all of her contents from her backpack next to her. Emma's eyes widened, panic flooding her chest,clasping her hands together she stepped inside the room.
"Did I do something bad?"She asked curiously. She'd been caught. Technically this was also that wasn't good.
"No, Emma, no." Regina quickly assured her. "Come." She patted the spot on her lap. "Sit and talk to me."
Emma eyed the items once again before taking her spot. Regina figured they might be a little late for school depending on how this talk went.
"Emma, why do you have these things in your bag?"
Emma bowed her head trying to avoid eye contact. A slim finger stopped her,gently forcing her to lift her head, eye contact was frowned and though she wanted to burst into tears she didn't. Regina was really going to be angry now.
"I need it." She decided on. Simple and straight to the point.
"Why do you need it?" Regina could see Emma's fight or flight mode turn on almost instantly. Emma was tense in her lap and Regina took a deep breath. Emma should be anything but nervous right now. "You're only going to school."
"What if you don't pick me up?" Emma voiced her concern. "or what if I get lost? Or what if somebody takes me from my class? Then I'll be hungry."
Regina understood the fear behind these words. Emma had been abandoned before. She'd gone hungry before. It wasn't irrational as Regina tried to be on Emma's level of thinking.
"Emma, sweetie, I can assure you that I will be picking you up from school." Regina ran a hand along her back soothingly. "I also can assure you that your school feeds. You're even allowed to bring a snack, healthy of course, but you can bring one. As for getting lost, your teacher won't allow that to happen. You will be with her ninety percent of the day."
Emma calmed at her words but she wasn't yet satisfied.
"How about we come up with a password?" Regina suggested.
"Password?" Emma's face lit up.
"Something that you and I can use." Regina explained. "Or the people we trust can pick you up from school or any other place. If they don't know the password you don't go with them. No matter what. Only you, and I, your teacher and whomever is picking you up will know. Does that make you feel better?"
"Can I choose?" Emma asked with excitement.
"Be my guest."
"I think I like..." Emma put a tiny finger to her chin and scrunched her nose. Deep in thought, she searched for the perfect password. Her gaze zeroed in on one of her favorite books. "I like Ugly Duckling!"
"Ugly Duckling it is." Regina agreed. "Remember you don't tell anyone the password. If they don't know it already you do not go with them. Understood?"
"Yes." Emma nodded her head. "Can I get dressed now?"
"Yes, after you get dressed, I want this bed made up and you downstairs 10 minutes." Regina stood. She would put all of Emma's items back where they belonged.
Emma hurriedly did what she was told. She scrambled around her room faster than she ever had. Her bed was no easy task as she made up the bed just like she was taught. Emma secretly loved doing it because it was all hers. Her stuffed animals were long forgotten, making her bed seem naked, especially when she was being timed she couldn't do it correctly.
After her bed was made, she slipped on the uniform her school required. A white button up with a navy blue skirt. She grabbed her backpack and ran downstairs where Regina was waiting in the foyer. Regina stood with Emma's shoes in her hand.
Emma sat on the steps and slipped each foot inside of her black Mary Jane's. Regina occupied her extra time by brushing Emma's mane so it wasn't so messy. They had twenty minutes to spare before the bell would ring at Emma's school.
"We are going to have a good day at school right?" Regina held Emma's hand as they walked to her black Mercedes.
"The best!" Emma chirped. Regina held the back door open and Emma slid in. After she was buckled Emma took her bag and held it in her lap.
"When school is over I'll be right to get you." Regina reminded her. She started the engine and chanced a glance back at Emma.
While traveling anywhere Emma always memorized the tops of the trees and some of the buildings. It was her way of remembering her way home if she ever got lost. It wasn't really needed now but she still liked to do it. There were trees with leaves that were starting to turn colors already. A billboard or two. A bunch of houses. Everything Emma knew was a sign that she was on her way home. Well in this case it's school.
They approached Storybrooke Elementary faster than they thought she would. Regina parked her car and unbuckled Emma from her seat. A bricked building with white awnings and steps taller than Emma stood in front of them. There were kids and their parents all around. In every inch of the premise there was a student. Some bigger than Emma by far. Emma looked around there was a playground a few feet back.
"This looks like the school from Matilda." Emma said aloud.
"It looks much better than Matilda." Regina smiled. The proud mayor shown through as she remembered the grant the education system received a while back.
Emma gripped Regina's hand tighter as the approached. Storybrooke Elementary sure was way bigger than she remembered. She definitely could get lost here.
Emma's first grade class was on the second floor. Mrs. Jergens was her teacher. A young woman with fiery red hair and green eyes to match. She was taller than Regina, everyone was taller than Regina, and her frame was a little thicker. Even though Emma's favorite color was yellow she quickly realized that green was becoming her second favorite.
"Hi,Emma." Mrs. Jergens greeted her. "I'm so happy you're here today."
"Hi." Emma looked up at her shyly.
"I love your shoes." Mrs. Jergens smiled at Emma. She could tell the young girl was nervous. As were all her students starting the first grade.
"Thank you."Emma looked down at her shoes. She could hear the children inside of the classroom already playing.
"Would you like to come inside?" Mrs. Jergens gestured to the classroom filled to the brim with chaos.
"Can I say bye to my mommy first?" Emma asked nervously. This entire summer it had been only her. Now she was about to be around several other kids her age. Mrs. Jergens nodded and stepped aside to greet other students.
Regina knelt down the best she could in a pants suit. She took Emma's hands in hers.
"You're gonna come back?" Emma bit her lip.
"Yes, Emma, I promise to come back."
"Password too?" Emma glanced over to her teacher.
"I will tell her the password." Regina assured her.
"Okay." Emma knew it was now time to go in the classroom.
"I love you." Regina left a kiss on her cheek.
"I love you too, Mommy." Emma fell into her arms.
Once Regina let go Emma was lead into her classroom. She was shown the cubby she shared with another little girl named Alice. Mrs. Jergens stepped back out to talk to Regina. Emma was informed that she could sit anywhere she felt comfortable.
"Emma?"
Emma knew that voice as she turned around to find Roland Locksley standing behind her. Her spirits immediately lifted as she found a familiar friend. His grin matched hers as her wore a similar uniform.
"Roland, you're in this class too?"
"Yep!"He beamed. "Come sit next to me."
Emma smiled and followed him to where there was an empty seat. The chairs were tiny enough for first graders. The classroom walls were decorated with everything you could imagine. Posters, artwork, pictures and Emma could spot an American flag in front of the room.
"Okay class, let's play a game." Mrs. Jergens took her spot in front of the classroom. She flickered the lights three times to get their attention. "This is called an icebreaker."
Emma settled into her seat. She didn't feel so nervous after all. Her teacher was easy going and was very pretty. It made her feel better. Gone was her fear of her mommy not coming back. Regina had promised her she would.
A little boy named Jeremy began to speak animatedly about his home. He was from a city called New York. He talked about skyscrapers and Broadway. Emma hadn't heard about that one before. He really piqued her interest when he talked about an underground train. That sounded really cool.
She was beginning to like this first grade thing.
"Hi, Regina, you have a few missed calls." Valerie handed her a folder when she stepped in front of her office. "Your meeting for two o'clock is canceled. If you need anything I'll be right out here."
"Thank you so much Valerie." Regina stood next to her desk. "Emma started her first day of school today. I think I was a bit more nervous than she was."
"It's to be expected." Valerie was very fond of Emma. Especially when the little girl softened up her normally hard ass boss. "I bet she misses you. But put it this way, when you pick her up she will be more than excited to jump into your arms."
"You're right." Regina sat at her desk. She probably had loads of paperwork to do. She had two meetings before lunch with Ingrid. Then her schedule was filled with more paperwork. "Can you send out these memos for me?"
"Of course." Valerie took the folder and looked back over to Regina. "I'm right outside if you need anything else."
Regina gave a curt nod and waited until the door was closed. She should really get started on work now. Just as she started up her computer she got a text.
With her glasses perched on her nose, she entered her password. Ingrid's name popped up and she couldn't help but smile.
Are we still on for lunch? -Ingrid
Regina tilted her head and typed back.
Of course! Is there any specific place you wanted to go?
Ingrid's reply came back just as fast.
"Your office would be fine. Chinese?"
"Yes please!" -Regina
"Great! See you then;)"
Regina did a double take as she was sure Ingrid was not winking at her. But then again they always did a little flirting over text. Regina took one last look at the text before setting her phone to vibrate. No more distractions until she got all of this paperwork done.
Hours passed and Regina's stomach growled signaling that it was time for food. Ingrid would be arriving any minute now and Regina was more than ready. She had just come from from a very long meeting where one of the execs tried to get a little mouthy. She had been able to put him in his place with less than a sentence.
She was boss here.
"Madam Mayor?" Valerie's voice filtered through the intercom. "There's a blonde woman here to see you. I don't recognize her but she says you're friends. Should I let her in?"
Usually Valerie would send them to one of the council members, like she was supposed to do with Cora, but Regina was forming a habit of taking unexpected guests.
"Let her in." Regina dismissed thinking that the woman could only be Ingrid.
It was a mere two minutes before the tall figure stood before her door.
"Good god, Regina." Mal stepped into her office. "I didn't expect you to be able to see me today."
"Maleficent." Regina's eyes widened. "Hi, what are you doing here?"
"I wanted to stop by and have a meeting with you." Mal shrugged. Regina didn't take the poised Mal to be so nervous. "I took Lily to school. I'm actually on lunch from work."
"You're working at the law firm?"Regina questioned. They did go to law school together. Regina hoped she was right in her assumptions.
"Seems like I almost work for you." Mal sat. "Though you always were a top."
Regina cringed. She always tried to forget her less than ideal relationship with Mal. Back then it was more about sex than anything else.
"Regina?" Ingrid stepped into the office. "Hi, your secretary let me in. Am I interrupting?"
Ingrid made eye contact with Mal before looking back to Regina. Mal narrowed her eyes as she tried to size Ingrid up. She was pretty and blonde she would give her that. Ingrid stood with the Chinese bags dangling from her hands.
"No, not at all." Regina helped Ingrid to bring the food to her desk. "Ingrid, this is my ex-… my ex best friend. My ex best friend Mal."
"Nice to meet you Mal." Ingrid chose to ignore Regina's stumble.
"I'm the ex alright." Mal mumbled. She stood to shake Ingrid's hand. "Regina, is this your girlfriend? She's very pretty."
Regina could see the wheels turning in Mal's head. Her mind quickly went back to the day she'd told Ingrid she was never with a woman. That was quite obviously a lie but it wasn't something she was proud of just yet. Not that it was anything to be ashamed of. It was the nature of her relationship with Mal that had her trying to erase her sexuality. This was becoming so complicated.
"Yes, she is." Regina found herself saying. Regina internally groaned and in that moment she wanted to bash her head into a brick wall. Why was she so nervous all of a sudden? Her ex and her current not so girlfriend in the same room? This was a recipe for disaster.
"Well, I guess I'll be going." Mal smirked. "It was nice catching up with you Regina. Ingrid."
If Regina could feel the cold shoulder she was sure that Ingrid could feel it too. Mal wasn't always someone nice to play with. Especially over something she felt was hers. Even after all these years, with this interaction, Regina could see where the conversation could have headed.
"Nice meeting you." Ingrid plastered on a genuine smile and waved to Mal.
Regina sank into her chair and plastered her hands to her face. Ingrid gave a look of amusement as she sat across from her.
"I'm so sorry." Regina peeked out from under her hands.
"She's more than just your ex best friend." Ingrid confirmed though she didn't seem angry. Ingrid waited for an answer all the while opening up her Chinese container. "She's very beautiful. I see the allure."
"I lied last time." Regina admitted. "Mal and I dated on and off for quite some time back in college. She helped me through my father's death. Most of the time we were toxic to each other so I lied about ever being with a woman. Our relationship was very...complicated."
"I understand." Ingrid grinned. "Although I would have liked a first date before knowing that I was your girlfriend."
"That- that was..." Regina's eyes widened.
"It's fine." Ingrid shrugged it off. "I quite like the title. It suits me."
Ingrid bit into her egg roll and laughed at the blush quickly adorning Regina's already tan cheeks.
"I was so caught off guard." Regina tried to apologize again. "If I had known she was coming."
"Hey, no harm no foul." Ingrid assured her. "I think I got a win here too. You called me your girlfriend." she teased.
"Stop." Regina groaned. "What are we in fourth grade?"
"I'm pretty sure fourth graders have more game than you." Ingrid just couldn't help herself now. She enjoyed seeing Regina less than put together.
"Okay, I was going to ask you on a date but it seems as though I should probably make a note asking whether you like me and have you check yes or no." Regina smoothed her hands against her pants leg.
"If that would make it easier for you." Ingrid laughed. "At least we already would know the answer."
"Dear god." Regina mumbled. She was still a little flustered by Mal coming in.
"So, did you and Mal ?" Ingrid raised her brows.
"I don't want to know the rest of the question that I would be more than embarrassed to answer." Regina held up a finger.
Ingrid laughed louder this time and Regina couldn't keep the smile from her face. She could thank Mal later for that impromptu session. That's of course if Mal didn't drop back in. Regina shook her head as Ingrid continued to laugh.
What a day.
"Mommy, I had so much fun with all of my friends." Emma walked down the steps after being picked up from school. "Can we go see Ingrid now?"
"I did promise." Regina tried to keep up with the bouncing Emma. Wasn't school supposed to tire her out?
"Let's go!" Emma raced the rest of the way to Regina's car.
They both noticed a woman sitting on the hood. Emma recognized her from the day with Ingrid.
"Didn't your mother teach you not to run through parking lots?" Cora questioned.
"We were five feet away from the car." Regina growled. "What are you doing at my daughter's school? I should have you arrested for stalking."
"No need for that dear." Cora shook her head. "I was already passing by when I saw you go into the school. I was waiting out here until you came. It seems you have been ignoring my invitations to dinner. "
"You would think after I said no the first time you would understand." Regina frowned. "What is it that you want from me? Money? You're not going to get it so I suggest you go back where you came from."
"Is that any way to treat your mother?" Cora was being insanely calm.
"Mommy?" Emma tugged on Regina's hands. "Can we go home?"
"Yes, baby, why don't you go ahead and get in the car."
Emma nodded and stepped around Cora. Just like Sydney she didn't like this woman. Once Emma was in the car, Regina turned back to Cora.
"She's cute." Cora commented. "Certainly not what I imagined but she's cute."
"Cora, what do you want?"
"I just want to talk."Cora reasserted. "Money was something I wanted at first. But now I want to get to know you. Every little girl should be allowed to know their mother. Including Emma."
"What is that supposed to mean?" Regina narrowed her eyes. "I quite literally do not want to know you. I suggest you stay away from my daughter and stay the hell away from me."
Regina side stepped her and got into the car without another word.
"You're going to need me Regina." Cora yelled after her. "Your father kept me away from you for too long!"
"Mommy?" Emma finally spoke up form the backseat as they pulled off. "Was that lady your mommy? I thought you didn't know her."
"I don't." Regina tried to keep her emotions in check. Cora put her on edge even showing up at Emma's school. "I want you to run and get help if you ever see her Emma. Is that clear?"
"Yes." Emma frowned. "Can we still go see Ingrid?"
"I don't think now is a good time sweetie." Regina changed her mind. It was time to figure out why the hell Cora was back after now. There was already too much going on with their lives without this woman adding creepiness to it.
A/n: Long Author's note you can skip if you'd like lol.
To my guests: Thanks for reading
Yes I'm aware the canon(live show) Emma Swan does not have blue eyes. Jennifer Morrison's eyes are a little hard to tell. In some pictures her eyes are pure green, then hazel and then on a rare occurrence I see blue (which my friends tell me is impossible lol)! But in this story Emma is 5 years old making her look like the younger actress that played her in the show aka McKenna Grace. McKenna has blue eyes and since she's my model I use her for my Emma and my own little head-canon is that Emma's eyes darken to green as she gets older. Which I also mentioned a few chapters back that her eyes change colors when she's upset.
Along with lots more drama, we are going to get to the bottom of why exactly Cora is trying so hard to sabotage Regina. I would love to hear your thoughts and theories.
See you next time and happy holidays.
-LSAM