Chapter 13: Not So Happy, Yet Much Happier
Rowan lay sprawled out on her sofa, Nox stretched out on her chest, exhausted from her first day of work. Who knew that having a real job could be so tiring? She had changed into a pair of white cut-off shorts, and a charcoal gray, off the shoulder , long sleeve top. Arabella was in the kitchen, doing who knows what—Rowan never paid much attention to what her twin did—while Rowan stroked Nox, silently telling him about her day. She never liked to talk out loud to Nox when anyone else was around, especially Arabella, since she tended to think Rowan was crazy. When she lived in Upper Darby, she always talked to Nox, since she had no one else around to tell her she was being weird or crazy. Now, however, she had to resort to silently talking to him, and because of their strong bond, never doubted the he could hear her thoughts.
Nox calmly stared at her, his eyes half lidded, as he purred, and laid on her chest. Regina is really nice, she told him silently. I like her. It's weird because I've never had anyone pay attention to me before. But, she is, for some reason. She's even going to teach me how to cook, which my own mother never even took the time to teach me how to do. It seems crazy, but, Regina makes me feel…I don't know…calm? I keep thinking back to that dream I had. Is there some kind of connection, or am I just crazy? Rowan put one of her arms behind her head, and watched Nox. His tail was swishing back and forth, and he had started to kneed her chest. Her son Henry said something about fairytale characters and a curse. The weird thing is, when he said 'curse', an alarm seemed to go off in my head. Then, he said his mom was the evil queen, and I've been having those dreams about a queen with Regina's face. None of this can be connected, right? It's too farfetched…isn't it? Nox's purring was stronger, and he seemed to be staring through her, his eyes no longer half-lidded. Why do I get the feeling that you know way more about this than I do? She petted his head, and he leaned into her hand. She smiled. DO you know more about this? Blink once for 'yes' and twice for 'no.' She watched Nox slowly close his eyes, and then open them, and continued to stare at her. Rowan stopped petting him, and felt her heart start to race. Did he really just….But she was pulled out of her thoughts by Arabella.
"Rowan!"
"Jeeze, what?" she asked, looking around Nox and at her twin, who was standing in the kitchen, and staring at her, annoyed. "What? What the fuck is your problem?"
"I've been trying to get your attention for the past ten minutes, and you've been off in some kind of wonderland," she said, crossing her arms.
Rowan sighed and rolled her eyes. "I'm sorry," she said, even though she wasn't. "I'm just tired from work today. What do you need?"
"I don't 'need' anything," Arabella snapped. "I was trying to tell you that we're going over to Emma's and Mary Margaret's for dinner in a few hours."
"We?" Rowan asked.
"Yes, 'we.' It's about time you socialized a bit more, and it would be rude if I went and you just stayed here."
"They're your friends," Rowan told her.
"Yes, but they're our neighbors," Arabella said. "Besides, I've gone through all this trouble to bake an apple pie."
Rowan sat up. "I told you that I wanted to use those apples for a still life!"
"There's still a few left in the basket."
"I wanted to paint ALL of them in the basket. Couldn't you have just waited?"
"Rowan, you are being ridiculous. Obviously the mayor brought them over so we could enjoy them. Apples are meant to be eaten."
Rowan set Nox down, and climbed off the sofa. "Those were my apples! She brought them over for me, not you!"
Arabella rolled her eyes. "Now you just sound selfish. They were obviously for the both of us."
"She doesn't even like you!" Rowan shouted. She was so mad at her twin. Arabella never seemed to consider Rowan's feelings, in any situation. Still, Rowan couldn't help but wonder why she was so angry at her twin. She kept thinking back to that dream, and something kept gnawing at the back of her mind. She couldn't help but feel that her anger towards her twin was completely justified.
"Yes, Rowan, I've realized that the mayor doesn't like me, though I still have no idea why," Arabella said.
"Well, it's about time the tables were turned," Rowan said.
"What is that supposed to mean?"
"It means, that it's about time someone paid attention to me, and treated me like I was worth something, and treated you like shit."
"I'm glad that makes you feel good," Arabella said, her hands on her hips.
"Yeah, it does," Rowan told her, and sat back down on the sofa, picking up Nox and placing him in her lap. He stretched up, placing his paws on her chest, and head bumped her face, sensing her distress, and trying to calm her. She scratched him under his chin, and kissed the top of his head. She closed her eyes, and took a deep breath, trying to calm herself. The mayor's face popped into her mind, and Rowan felt herself start to calm down, a smile starting to creep onto her face.
"What are you smiling about?" an exasperated Arabella asked.
"I'm thinking about bunny rabbits," Rowan said, sarcastically.
"Right. Look, fighting isn't going to get us anywhere. Let's just forget our differences for a while, and go and eat at Emma's and Mary Margaret's."
"Fine, whatever," Rowan said, leaning back into the sofa. The last thing she wanted to do was eat dinner with the three of them, but she didn't have the energy to put up a fight. Surprisingly, she wished she was back at work and with Regina. Just suck it up for a couple of hours.
Arabella and Rowan stood outside of Emma and Mary Margaret's apartment, Arabella holding the apple pie she had just baked. "You couldn't have put some shoes on?" Arabella asked.
"We're just going across the hall," Rowan said with a shrug.
"Usually, people wear shoes when they go over to someone's house for dinner."
"I never would have known that if you hadn't told me," Rowan said, looking at her twin's white lace camisole, floral ruffled skirt, and white sparkly flats. Arabella let out an exasperated sigh.
"And did you have to bring Nox with you?" she asked, looking at her twin who was holding Nox, who looked about as happy as Rowan was.
"Either I have Nox with me, or I don't do this," Rowan told her. "You might want to knock on the door. You're pie is getting cold."
Arabella sighed again, and knocked on the door. They didn't have to wait long before Mary Margaret opened the door.
"Hi, girls!" It's good to see you! Come in," she said cheerfully, stepping aside to let them in.
"I baked you a pie," Arabella said, holding out the pie.
"Oh wow, thank you. This'll be nice to have for dessert," Mary Margaret said.
"Did you, um, forget your shoes?" Emma said, who was leaning against the kitchen counter, sipping a glass of wine.
"Yeah, I did," Rowan said. "Sometimes I forget my clothes, too."
"Rowan!" Arabella exclaimed. "I'm sorry, that's not true at all. Rowan was just too stubborn and lazy to put on shoes. Her theory is that because we're just going across the hall, she doesn't need shoes."
Mary Margaret shrugged. "Well, whatever makes you more comfortable. I won't hold it against you." She smiled warmly as she set the pie on the kitchen counter. "Have a seat, and Emma and I will serve the food." Arabella enthusiastically went over, and sat down at their small round dining room table. Rowan took her time going over to the table, and tentatively sat down, readjusting Nox onto her lap. Emma and Mary Margaret served them their food, and then sat down at the table with their plates.
"So, Arabella, what did you think of your first day?" Mary Margaret asked.
"Oh, I loved it. All of the kids were so sweet. Especially Henry, he's so clever. It was cute how he was wondering what fairytale character I was."
Rowan cocked an eyebrow as she slowly ate her food. Hmmm, so Henry was asking Ara the same thing he asked me…
"He is really into those fairytales," Mary Margaret said.
"But, does he really think everyone in Storybrooke is a fairytale character?" Arabella asked. Rowan said nothing, but continued to watch the three of them as she slowly ate her dinner.
"Yeah, he does," Emma said with a sigh. "He thinks I'm some kind of savior that's going to break the curse that this town is supposedly under."
Rowan's eyebrows went up, and she paused in eating, though no one seemed to notice this. The words "savior" and "curse" were making alarm bells go off in Rowan's mind, though she wasn't sure why. The back of her neck started to tingle, and something gnawed at the back of her mind again. She felt Nox start to grow agitated, his tale swishing back and forth, his paws kneeding her legs, and he was making sounds that sounded like small growls. Rowan started to pet him to try to alleviate any tension he was feeling, though she kept eating, and played it off like his growling was nothing unusual.
"Is Nox okay?" Arabella asked.
"Yeah, he's just feeling kind of crabby," Rowan said, as though it was nothing unusual. It really wasn't unusual for Nox to be crabby, especially around people he didn't like, but Rowan didn't like his growling. She couldn't remember him ever doing that before, and was bothered by the fact that he was so agitated.
"Okay…" Arabella said, obviously not satisfied with Rowan's explanation, but deciding not to push it any farther. "So, Emma, why does he think you're the savior?"
Emma shrugged. "I don't know. I'm his mom, so maybe he wants to believe I'm some kind of hero."
Rowan completely stopped eating, and set down her fork. "Regina is his mother." She said this with a glare at Emma.
"Well, Emma gave birth to him, so she's also his mother," Mary Margaret said.
"But, you obviously didn't want him," Rowan said, still glaring at Emma. Nox's tail was still swishing back and forth, and he was still growling.
"At the time, no I didn't want him. But, he's in my life now, and I want to get to know him."
"Was it an open adoption?" Rowan asked. She was growing increasingly angry and agitated.
"No," Emma told her, almost hesitantly. "It was a closed adoption."
"Do you not know the terms of a closed adoption?"
"Yeah, I do," Emma said, starting to grow defensive. "But he came and found me."
"I see," Rowan said, and then looked at Mary Margaret. "This wouldn't happen to have anything to do with a certain book of fairytales that you gave him, now would it?" Rowan's voice was deadly calm, though she felt herself growing infuriated.
"I'm afraid so," Mary Margaret said, and Rowan could tell that Mary Margaret was growing nervous. You should be nervous, Mary Margaret, Rowan thought, wanting to reach across the table and strangle her. She started to think of ways of harming all of them, all the while staring at Mary Margaret, expressionless, and watched Mary Margaret's eyes widen. Rowan almost smiled maliciously, but was pulled out of her thoughts when Emma spoke up.
"How much has Regina told you? Emma asked her.
Rowan cut her eyes to Emma, and glared hard at her. "Why? Trying to find ways to antagonize her?" Rowan asked, feeling her hand clench into a fist.
"Madame Mayor does that well enough on her own," Emma said, starting to glare back at Rowan. Nox hissed loudly, and everyone but Rowan jumped.
"Just because you and Mary Margaret hate her doesn't mean I have to!" Rowan said, almost in a snarl. "I don't know what the hell your problem is, but the mayor has been nothing but kind and gracious to me."
"That's because she's probably using you! She uses everyone in this town!" Emma was surprised when Rowan stood up, and threw a glass of water in her face.
Rowan bent down, and looked into Emma's eyes. "Maybe you need to learn some respect." Nox hissed at Emma again, and swiped at her with his paw.
Rowan straightened herself, turned around, and stomped towards the door, livid. She heard Arabella stand up.
"Rowan!" her twin shouted. Rowan made no attempt to acknowledge her twin as she opened the door, and slammed it shut behind her.
Rowan got out into the hallway and exhaled. She never remembered being that angry before, and wondered why her anger had gotten so out of control. She paced back and forth, trying to calm herself as she held Nox. What the hell is wrong with me? She never remembered being so confrontational, but when it came to the mayor, Rowan grew almost protective. I don't get this. I don't get any of this. And why was Nox so ridiculously crabby? And, earlier, when he blinked once….
She was still pacing, when she heard the clicking of high heels coming closer and closer.
"Rowan, I was just coming to see you," she heard Regina Mills say. Rowan stopped pacing, and turned to look at Regina, her mood starting to improve. "Are you alright, dear?" Regina looked Rowan up and down, noticing the anger and aggravation in her eyes, and her bare feet. Why was she pacing in the hall, barefoot? If this has anything to do with Arabella, I'll…
"I'm fine," Rowan told her, obviously fibbing. Rowan was looking at the man next to Regina, and back at Regina. Ah, she doesn't want to say anything with someone else around.
"Rowan, this is Sydney Glass," she said, gesturing to the man standing next to her. "He works for the Daily Mirror."
Rowan looked at the dark skinned man, who was almost hidden behind the stack of boxes he had in his arms.
"Ah, so you're Regina's new assistant. I'd shake your hand, but mine are full," she heard him say from behind the boxes. His voice sounded oddly familiar to her, and she didn't know why.
"It's okay, I don't really like shaking hands anyway," Rowan said. "So, um, are the boxes for me?"
"Yes, they are, dear. They're your new business wardrobe."
"Oh! Wow, that was quick. Okay, let me unlock the door." She fished her key out of her back pocket, and unlocked her apartment door. She stepped inside, and set Nox down, who immediately rubbed against Regina's legs, purring, before he ran to his cat tree, and climbed to the top level of it. "I guess you can put the boxes on the sofa."
Sydney carefully walked over to the sofa, and set the boxes down. When he straightened, and Rowan saw his face, her eyes widened slightly. Why does he look familiar? I swear I've seen his face somewhere. But, where? She thought, though she chose not to say anything.
"Thank you, Sydney. That'll be all," Regina said, patting him on the shoulder.
"Right. It was nice meeting you," Sydney said, and Rowan watched him leave, Regina closing the door behind him.
"Well, why don't you open the boxes," Regina said, smiling.
"Ok," Rowan said, going over to the boxes. She looked at them, almost hesitant to open them. I don't think anyone has ever given me new clothes before, Rowan thought, as something gnawed at the back of her mind again. She went to open one of the boxes, her fingers skimming over the smooth white surface, when she stopped, hesitating. She heard Regina come up behind her.
"Well? Go ahead, open them," she said.
"I-I will, I'm just…"
"What, dear?" Regina asked, starting to grow concerned.
"I'm just having a bit of déjà vu," Rowan told her, her brow furrowed. Her back was still to Regina, and she didn't see the smile grow on Regina's face.
"Well, that's perfectly normal. Everyone experiences déjà vu every once in a while," Regina said, still grinning. She must be remembering when I gave her her first set of riding clothes!
"Yeah, yeah, you're right," Rowan said, shaking her head, and trying to snap herself out of this feeling of déjà vu. She opened the first box, and held up the clothes.
"Oh, Regina, these are really nice!"
Only the best for you, dear. "Why don't you try them on?" Regina said, coming up next to her. "Put on a little fashion show," she teased, pinching Rowan's arm.
"Ow! Hey!" Rowan exclaimed, and Regina caught a hint of laughter in her voice. "Okay, okay, don't be so demanding. Jeeze," Rowan joked, as she gathered up some of the boxes, and took them into her room, secretly happy that someone was being nice to her. She went into her room, shutting the door behind her. As she changed, she thought about Regina's playful pinch. If anyone else had done that, my first reaction would have been to hit them…hard. Pinching was never something done playfully, at least not to Rowan. She remembered how her mother had sometimes pinched her, hard, to get her attention, or to merely make a point, always succeeding in bringing tears to Rowan's eyes. Rowan paused in the middle of dressing.
Something was odd about that memory. It almost didn't seem like her memory, although that was impossible. Green skin…floated through her mind.
Snap out of it! You can't keep Regina waiting.
Regina sat perched on the arm of the sofa, waiting for Rowan to come out. She was happy that Rowan was having déjà vu moments. We're getting somewhere! She thought, her stomach flip-flopping. But, at the same time, she was bothered by how she found Rowan in the hallway, pacing, barefoot, and obviously agitated. She had always felt protective towards the girl, and she wanted to strangle whoever had upset her.
Nox jumped up onto the back of the sofa, and Regina couldn't resist petting him. "It's been far too long, my little feline friend," she whispered to him, as he leaned into her hand, and started to purr. She had missed his warm body, his sleek black fur with the faint spots, and especially the vibrating of his purr, which always managed to bring comfort to both her and Elphaba.
She heard Rowan's door open, and then click shut, and she quickly pulled her hand away from Nox, who ended up looking slightly offended. If she sees me being so friendly to Nox, and vice versa, it might scare her.
Rowan came out into the living room, and once again, Regina was breathless. She really is such a beautiful girl. The outfit that Rowan was wearing was a light tan pants suit with a black silk blouse, and black peep-toe pumps.
"I really like this one," Rowan said, turning around and posing a bit.
"I really like it, too," Regina said, with a smile. She watched Rowan faulter, and stare off into the distance. "What's the matter, dear?"
Rowan looked down at her outfit. "For some reason, I'm having déjà vu again. Like I've modeled clothes for you before, even though that's impossible…"
She's remembering again! "Déjà vu is such a funny thing, isn't it? I wouldn't let it trouble you, though," she said with a shrug. "So, how does it fit?" she asked, changing the subject.
"It fits great! You got my measurements right. It's like you're psychic or something," Rowan said jokingly, looking slyly at Regina.
Regina simply smiled, not saying anything. "Why don't you try on another outfit?" she suggested, changing the subject once again.
"Ok! I'll be back," Rowan told her, and as she left, Regina noticed a slight spring in her step.
She's so happy having someone pay attention to her, and treat her like she's someone special, Regina thought. She doesn't understand how much I love her, how much I've missed her. Regina felt herself starting to get emotional, and had to stuff those emotions down into the depths of her soul again. She wasn't used to feeling such strong emotions, and for the past ten years, had only felt such a strong amount of love for her son, Henry. Now, though, she had two people that she loved deeply, and she wasn't sure how to navigate that.
Just as Regina got her emotions under control, and had her stoic mask back on, Rowan came out. She was wearing a black blazer, a black pencil skirt with a small slit in the back, and an emerald green silk blouse, with pointed toe high heels.
"Oh, Rowan, that looks lovely on you. The emerald green is definitely your color," she said, hiding the fact that she had picked that particular shade of green in hopes of triggering some memory in Rowan. Emerald green like the Emerald City of Oz. And maybe wearing a green blouse will help her remember the color her skin used to be. Regina could tell that the color of the blouse was indeed triggering something for Rowan, as Rowan played with the fabric of the blouse, staring down at it. Yes, that's it, remember! Regina willed her. She could see Rowan struggling and decided to prompt her.
"Do you not like the outfit, dear? You seem conflicted about something."
"No, actually, I love this outfit, and I love the color of the blouse, it's just…"
"Just what?"
"I don't know," Rowan said, her brow furrowed. "Something about the color is…bothering me. I mean, I really do love this shade of green, and it looks gorgeous with the black, it's just…I don't know. Maybe I'm just not used to wearing such a bright color. That sounds silly, doesn't it?"
"No, of course not. It's a change for you, as are the suits. You'll get used to them, though." The color IS triggering something, that's why she's so bothered by it!
"You're probably right," Rowan said.
"Well, let's see another outfit," Regina said.
"I'm not a doll!" Rowan burst out with, scowling. Her fists were clenched at her sides, and in that moment, she was very much Elphaba. Regina had to keep herself from smiling. "I'm not a doll" is the exact same thing that Elphaba had burst out with, when Regina had given her a new, much more elaborate wardrobe, and had her model the dresses. By the third or fourth dress, Elphaba had grown tired of modeling, and had scowled at the queen, with her fists clenched, the same way Rowan was looking at her now. And, of course, Regina was just as amused by it now as she was back then.
"I-I'm sorry," Rowan said, hanging her head in shame, her fists unclenching. "That was out of line. I'm really sorry."
Regina could tell that Rowan genuinely was sorry. Oh, Rowan, I wasn't offended by your outburst then, and I'm not offended by it now. Regina stood up, and walked over to Rowan, placing her hand under Rowan's chin, and lifting her chin up, so that Rowan was looking at her. "I'm not mad, dear," she told her, almost tenderly. I just want you to remember.
"You should be, though. That was really rude of me," Rowan told her.
"No, dear, you are anything but rude. You've had quite a long day, and I can tell you're tired," she told her, as she ran her fingers through Rowan's hair, smoothing it back from her face. She saw a mixture of love and confusion flash across Rowan's eyes, and Regina smiled warmly at her. It's a shame how you've been starved for love and attention for so many years. "How about I help you put your new clothes away?" she proposed, and watched Rowan nod, a rare grin breaking across her face.
Regina stood in front of Rowan's open closet door, and cocked an eyebrow, amused. "You certainly do like black, don't you?" she teased, as she looked from Rowan's dark clothes, to her dark shoes, which consisted of mostly boots—all of them high heeled—a pair of black Converse, a pair of black lace-up Vans, and two pairs of moccasins—one black and one gray.
"Yeah, although I do wear various shades of gray," she told her with a laugh. Rowan had changed back into the white shorts and charcoal gray top she was wearing earlier, and was now sitting Indian style on her bed, with Nox in her lap. "Arabella always nags me about the lack of color in my wardrobe."
"Well, she would know about color," Regina said, sarcastically, as she started hanging up Rowan's new business clothes. If Arabella keeps teasing and nagging Rowan, I'm going to have to do something about it. She was annoying as Glinda, and she's annoying now. "But, black is considered a power color, both in business and in politics. It's also a very chic and sophisticated color. So, just think of yourself as being far more sophisticated than your twin," Regina said, shooting Rowan a very mischievous grin, as she bent over to pick up the next outfit out of the box. She watched Rowan grin, and she felt her heart fill with warmth. "So, if I may ask, why were you pacing barefoot in the hallway, earlier?" Regina asked.
"Oh. Well, Arabella sort of roped me into having dinner with her and Mary Margaret and Emma. And, well, they got onto the subject of Henry, and Emma said something about Henry thinking she's some kind of savior, and how she's his mother. And, that's when I started to get pissed, because you're his mother, not her. I mean, she gave birth to him, but she didn't even want him, and she hasn't been in his life until now. And, then she tried to convince me that you were using me, and I just snapped, and threw a glass of water in her face and left."
Regina stopped hanging the clothes up, and turned to look at Rowan. "You threw a glass of water in Sheriff Swan's face?"
"Well, she deserved it!" Rowan said defensively. She watched the corners of Regina's mouth twitch, and saw amusement in her eyes. "You know you think that's funny. Don't deny it!"
Regina turned back to the closet, and continued hanging the clothes up. She didn't let Rowan see the grin spread across her face. "I don't condone throwing things at the sheriff, liquid or solid," she said, trying to keep her voice neutral.
"Well, someone has to," she heard Rowan mumble, and felt herself grinning again. She finished putting Rowan's new clothes away, and walked over to Rowan's bed.
"That doesn't explain why you were barefoot. Did you throw your shoes at her, too?" she teased.
"Oh, no. I just didn't feel like wearing any shoes," Rowan told her sheepishly.
"My, you really are an artist," she teased again. She watched Rowan blush, a grin spreading across the girl's face. "You know, this mattress on the floor just won't do. You need a bedframe. I'll look into getting you one." She felt something like maternal instinct bubbling up inside her. Where is that coming from? Did that happen when I was with Elphaba? She's not a child, she's 25. Why am I have that feeling? Regina pondered this. Maybe it's just because I've always been so protective towards her.
"No! You've done enough for me already," Rowan said, staring up at Regina.
"I insist. You need a proper bed, dear," Regina said. She watched Rowan look confused.
"Why are you doing this?" Rowan asked her. Because I love you! Regina wanted to tell her, but she couldn't. Rowan watched Regina open her mouth, wanting to say something, when they both heard the apartment door slam.
"Rowan!" they heard Arabella shout.
"Fuck," Rowan said, and set Nox down, getting up and going into the living room. She saw her twin glaring at her, livid.
"What is wrong with you?!" Arabella shouted when Rowan was standing in front of her. "You can't act civilized for two seconds?!"
Rowan didn't respond, and instead just scowled at Arabella.
"Answer me!" Arabella shouted at her. "Or, are you just too stupid and inconsiderate to—" she was cut off when the mayor appeared in front of her, standing protectively in front of Rowan as she glared down at Arabella, staring daggers at the blonde.
"M-Mayor Mills, I-I…"
"You shouldn't stutter, Miss Jones. It makes you sound stupid." She said this with venom in her voice. Arabella was, for once, speechless. She opened and closed her mouth, and finally attempted to respond, but the mayor cut her off again.
"Don't speak," Regina snapped. "I would appreciate it if you didn't speak to my assistant in that way. Rowan is far from stupid, and she has been nothing but civilized all day. As for being inconsiderate, well, according to my own observations, you, my dear, are the one who is inconsiderate." She watched Arabella attempt to say something again, but Regina put her finger up. "I'm not finished." She stepped closer to Arabella. "You WILL leave Rowan alone for the rest of the night. If I hear otherwise, I will make the rest of your week a nightmare. Have I made myself clear?"
"Crystal clear," Arabella said, swallowing. Regina smirked at the slight tremble in Arabella's voice.
"Good." She turned to Rowan. "Would you walk with me out to my car, dear?"
"Sure," Rowan said, and they left the apartment, Regina's arm protectively around Rowan's shoulder, with Nox in tow.
Regina, Rowan, and Nox stood outside of Rowan's apartment complex.
"I'm sorry that happened, dear," Regina told her.
Rowan shrugged. "I'm used to it."
"That doesn't mean you deserve to be spoken to that way," Regina told her, and watched Rowan look at the ground. Oh Rowan…please don't believe that you deserve to be spoken to that way. In fairytale land, Regina had made a habit of trying to make Elphaba feel like she wasn't worthless, that she didn't deserve to be treated badly. Of course, as Rowan, she wouldn't remember that, but Regina would make sure that she gained her confidence back. You're the Wicked Witch of the West, or, at least you were, once upon a time. You don't remember how powerful and magnificent you were. She wanted to step forward, and wrap her arms around Rowan, but her feet remained rooted to the spot.
"How about I teach you how to bake tomorrow?" Regina proposed. "I'll make dinner, and then we can bake something. Nox is more than welcome to join us," she said, with a warm smile at Nox, who slowly closed and then opened his eyes, and made a happy sound, somewhere in between a purr and a meow.
"Ok! That sounds good!" Rowan said, smiling, genuinely happy. Regina smiled back at her.
"Good. We'll start with something simple, maybe baking cookies."
"No!" Rowan exclaimed, and Regina was taken aback for a second. "I'm not five! Give me a challenge, like, like, a cake or something."
Regina couldn't help but laugh. "Oh, Rowan, you're so ambitious. A cake might be a bit too much too soon." Regina thought about it. "How about an apple turnover?"
Rowan considered this. "What about an apple pie? Arabella baked one today, and I want to show her that I can do what she can do," Rowan said stubbornly.
"We'll see," Regina said, highly amused by how ambitious and determined Rowan was.
"Or both! How about both?" Rowan asked, her eyes sparkling with ambition.
Regina laughed again. "I don't think we can bake both in one night. But, I will show you how to bake one of them. Maybe the apple pie if you are that insistent."
"Ok, cool!" Rowan said, a genuine grin spreading across her face. Wow, am I really this happy? Is there something wrong with me?
Regina chuckled a bit. "Well, I really should be going. I'll see you tomorrow. Take care. And, remember, if Arabella upsets you, don't hesitate to call me," she told her. "I'll get in my car, and come and get you, if I have to. I promise."
"You don't have to," Rowan said with a shrug.
"I know. But, I will," Regina said. They stood there staring at each other. Regina wanted to step forward, take her in her arms, and hug her. But, she knew that doing so, this soon, would scare Rowan, and she might want nothing more to do with her. All Regina wanted to do was hug her, and maybe give her a kiss, either on her forehead or cheek, just a kiss goodnight, and it was killing her not to be able to do that yet. She could see Rowan was struggling with something, and wondered if perhaps Rowan was struggling with the same thing she was. Perhaps Rowan wanted to give her a hug, too.
"Well, good night, Regina," Rowan finally said.
"Good night, Rowan," Regina said, and her heart broke a little bit, even though she knew she would see her tomorrow. She felt Nox brush against her legs, and watched Rowan turn and leave, Nox padding after her. She felt tears begin to sting her eyes, and felt her throat tighten. She swallowed back her emotions, and was thankful that it was dark out.
"Rowan," she called out. She watched Rowan turn and look at her, her long dark hair swinging around.
"Do try to wear shoes more often, dear," she said, with a small teasing smile on her lips. She watched Rowan grin and nod, her eyes showing laughter. Then, she watched as both Rowan and Nox walked into the apartment building.
Regina stood there for a moment longer, closing her eyes, and breathed deeply, trying to get her turbulent emotions under control, before turning, and getting into her car.
(Author's Note: So, this chapter took me a while to post because I've been busy, and sick. And, it was REALLY long. But, here it is. I LOVED writing this chapter, and I hope you enjoyed reading it. And, after watching the season premiere, I think this story will be so much more significant, especially with the direction I'm going to go in with it. Anyway, review, review, and happy reading. P.S. I listened to "Almost Lover" by A Fine Frenzy when writing the last portion of this chapter. And, while they're not lovers, I thought the lyrics described Regina's feelings towards Rowan really well. Not really in the lover aspect, but just love. And, "Gravity" by Sara Bareilles really felt like how Rowan was feeling.)