Blue Eyed Bandit

By: LockedSoulsAM

A/n: One more update before I'm sucked into the oblivion that is college.

I rewrote this chapter maybe five different times because I didn't like where it was heading.

Enjoy =)

Chapter 14

Boxes. Piles and piles of boxes. Stacked high in the attic of her home. Regina didn't come up here too often and there were reasons why. Her father's things had been put up here after a fit of rage shortly after he died. She'd donated loads of his things and kept everything important. The only person who had ever cared for her for as long as she remembered was gone.

Now 8 years later here she was about to go through his things again. It almost felt like an invasion of his privacy. But it had to be done. She couldn't understand why Cora left those years ago. She could barely remember a time when Cora was ever there. Only being 5 years old at the time she could remember bits and pieces of her childhood.

She couldn't remember the little things about Cora. Like the way she smelled or the length of her hair. She couldn't remember how she looked or how she talked. As the years went by her memories of her mother became lost somewhere in the back of her mind.

There were never any pictures of them together or even Cora alone in their home. It was something that always bothered Regina. When she asked for answers from her father he would never give her any. Instead he would occupy her time with lessons. She would be spoiled with the finer things in life once her father became mayor. Her memory of Cora would dissipate but she would never forget the wanting and aching for a mother. But her main concern was with why she is back now?

With her hand on her hips, she uses the other hand to run through her hair. There was so much to look through and she didn't even know where to start.

She pushes a few boxes over and almost knocks down a pair of skis. Maybe she and Emma could come up here and clean one day.

Regina picks up a box to take with her on the carpet but her eyes catch something in the corner. It's old and worn and probably smaller than she remembered. Setting the box down on an old desk Regina goes to look at the suitcase. Her fingers trace over the leather. A few stickers of horses still scattered across the front and back.

She remembers this suitcase. It was one her parents bought for her when she was little. She used to carry it around everywhere with her when she could. It brought back more than just fond memories though. She remembers the day Cora left.

"Mommy, Mommy!" Regina's voice rang through the neighborhood as she pushed the gate leading to their home open with all of her strength. Her pigtails swung behind her in an almost comical manner with each stride she took. She pushed her feet harder against the pavement to get closer to the front door. Surely Cora was waiting inside for her. Regina quickly reached to twist the knob and she impatiently let out a huff when she found it to be locked.

She wiggled where she was standing and excitedly clapped when her nanny finally opened the door. She couldn't wait to tell her mother about her day at school. It was just like she did everyday. Her nanny would come pick her up and her mommy would be inside waiting for her. Usually Cora was getting ready for an event she and Henry would be attending. Other days she would be planning out play dates for Regina.

It was the last week of kindergarten and Regina made a picture for Cora to hang on their fridge. Cora was always so proud of her daughter's work and praised Regina whenever she could. Regina soaked up the attention with a smile and great pride to see her work hanging up.

"Mommy?" Regina's shrill voice echoed as she ran through the halls in search of the one person she couldn't wait to see. She checked each room on the first floor but Cora wasn't in either one. Regina found this odd but she didn't give up. Bailey, Regina's nanny, followed after her picking up her discarded jacket and hanging it on a hook. Regina would be fine for now so she could get started on making her a snack.

Once she figured Cora wasn't on the first floor, Regina moved upstairs to the next. After a lot of searching Regina didn't have much luck. Her spirits were low as she couldn't find either of her parents. She didn't feel as bad not seeing her daddy because sometimes he would work late, but Cora was always there when she got home.

"Where is Mommy?" She frowned before going to her own room. Before Regina reached the door she could hear voices inside. She immediately recognized them as her parents'. But why were they in her room?

"Cora, if you leave she stays."Regina stopped just short of pushing the door open.

"Henry don't do this." Cora pleaded with him. Regina could barely hear their muffled voices but she was even more confused by their topic of discussion. "She needs me. I want to take her with me. You're always busy with work and she needs a stable home. With both parents..."

"and you think tearing her from the only home she knows to go god knows where with you and that man is stable?" Henry's voice boomed in anger.

Regina frowned as she had never heard her daddy so angry before. He was always a soft spoken man and sometimes she thought he was a pushover. What Mommy said always goes...why not now?

"She will be in a good school." Cora didn't have any fight left in her at this point. "I'm unhappy here. I want to leave. I want Regina to come with me."

"You don't get to speak about being unhappy when I have been the one to take care of this family for years."Henry replied. "I have given you everything and so much more. I made a life for us here. You want to throw it all away for some man you met at a coffee shop."

Regina peeked her eyes through the crack. She could see Cora sitting on her bed. Her daddy was out of view but by the look on Cora's face neither of them were happy. Regina's eyes settled on her favorite burgundy suitcase with horse stickers adorned across almost every inch of it. She took it whenever they went on trips. Were they going on another trip?

"If you go...Regina stays."Henry spoke up. "I'm not going to let you ruin this family. You are making a choice right now. Either your daughter or that man. Choose wisely…."

Cora knew the implications behind his words. If she left she wouldn't get to see Regina for a while. Possibly never again. Henry wasn't an evil man but he was powerful and his image was everything to him. They had been high school sweethearts; while Cora was the poor girl from the south side of town, Henry was the rich kid of the mayor who drove a fancy car. He was never arrogant or conceited and they quickly fell in love. 8 years later here they were married with a little girl.

Henry was a successful lawyer and businessman. Intending to work his way up to politician he was always busy. Cora opted to stay home and take care of Regina. It all worked out fine.

For the past few years, Cora became unhappy. Henry was always working or traveling. Leaving her with Regina and the house that was too big for just two people. She started to go out more and one day she met Robert Gold. He was everything in a man that Henry had stopped being. She fell in love with Robert and planned to leave with him. Her only problem was leaving Regina.

She loved her daughter dearly. Regina was her world.

Henry would never let her go.

"Mommy? Daddy?" Regina finally let her presence be known. She slowly pushed open the bedroom door to two sets of eyes looking to her. "Are you fighting?"

"Regina, come here, come sit."Cora quickly wiped away her tears. She patted the seat next to her and put on a smile as Regina quickly came to sit.

"Are we leaving?"Regina asked. She turned to Henry who stood against the wall now. "Why are my bags packed?"

Henry raised a brow. He would let Cora explain on why she was tearing their family apart. She was the one to have an affair. She was the one who could break the news to their 5 year old daughter.

"Regina, Mommy-" Cora's voice broke. Closing her eyes, she counted to ten before speaking again. "Regina, I have to go."

"Go where?" Regina titled her head. She could feel the animosity between her parents along with their previous conversation. But her young mind couldn't quite grasp the situation. "Are you dying? Are you sick?"

"No, I'm not dying."Cora insisted. "I just have to leave for a while. I want you to behave for Bailey and do great in school. Go and do something great. I'll be..."

"Cora." Henry warned. He refused to let her lie to Regina. She wouldn't be back. He knew it.

"But why can't I go?" Regina questioned. "Daddy says I have to stay. Why can't I go?"

Cora tried to keep the frown from her face. Leaving her princess was the hardest thing she would ever have to do. Taking Regina's tiny hand in hers, she kissed her knuckles and smoothed down one of her pigtails.

"This is one of Mommy's special trips." Cora began. She couldn't bring herself to tell Regina the truth. "It's just for me baby. But I love you okay."

"How many sleeps until you come back?" Regina's brown eyes met with her own and Cora almost couldn't hold in the dam that was begging to break.

"I don't know if I'm coming back, p-princess."

"But why are you leaving me? Why are you leaving Daddy?" Regina bombarded her with questions. She really couldn't understand. "You said it's just a trip. I want to go with you. Please let me go."

Regina pleaded with her mother. Cora was becoming more upset by the minute before she pulled away. If she made this goodbye too long she would never leave.

Cora kissed the top of her head. Standing, she avoided Henry's gaze as she began to make her way out of the room.

"Daddy, make her stay!" Regina commanded. "Make her stay here with me." Her pigtails swung as she stomped her foot. Why wasn't he making her stay?

"Regina, I can't do that."Henry reached for her but instead Regina raced down the stairs after her mother. Regina reached the door of the mansion. Her tiny hands struggled with the knob before ripping it open. She was too late and all she could see was the back of Cora's head.

"Mommy, wait for me." Regina raced down the pathway. Her face was full of tears as she finally reached Cora.

"Regina, go back inside please." Cora stopped to turn to her.

"No, you have to stay here." Regina held onto her legs.

"Regina." Cora wanted to cry for what she was about to do. She could see Bailey approaching them. Silently pleading with the young girl, Bailey nodded in agreement. Cora picked her daughter up and held her close. Her hand rubbed soothingly along Regina's back. Just for a second she considered staying. She considered staying just so she could take away all of the pain her baby was feeling right now. But she couldn't. She was truly unhappy here and as hard as she tried to wait it out she couldn't anymore.

"Mommy, stay here." Regina cried into her neck. Her tiny arms holding her in a death grip.

Cora didn't speak as she let Regina settle. It would do neither of them any good to leave like this. It was something she'd been planning for months. She didn't plan for Henry to be home when she took Regina. But now she had to make a choice.

"Shh, my sweet girl." Cora whispered. "I'm here." They stood there for what felt like an eternity. Regina pleading with her mother over and over again before she finally fell asleep in her arms. Cora waited until she could feel Regina's breath even out. She handed her to Bailey and left a tiny kiss to her head. "Tell her I'm sorry and I love her."

Bailey nodded in understanding. She too didn't understand in full detail what was happening. But for now her only care was for Regina. The little brunette in her arms that was pleading for her mother to stay with them not too long ago.

Cora took one final look before walking away. Regina would be asleep for another hour before waking up and finding her mother she would never see again.

It felt like yesterday that all of this had happened. She had unconsciously pushed that day so far back and it felt painful to remember. How she begged and pleaded for Cora to stay. In the following weeks five year old Regina made herself sick. She remembered her father finally taking off of work to go on a vacation. It was like a domino effect as she remembered piece by piece what her childhood was like with Cora.

There wasn't much but it was enough for her to conclude now.

Opening the suitcase, Regina wasn't really expecting anything to be in there. But she's surprised when a few letters fall. Curiosity gets the best of her and she unfolds one of the letters. It's addressed to her father.

Her eyes scanned the letter and they landed on the signature of Cora Mills. There seemed to be about 5 letters there. As she read through them she began to understand a little more. Cora was asking for custody of Regina...looking at the date she may have been 8 years old at the time. The next letter she was 13,another letter aged 16. Regina read through them and soon the letters became addressed to her.

One caught her eye and she sat down to read it.

Dear Regina,

My beautiful princess. I have sent dozens of letters with no reply. One day I hope these get to you. I have tried to contact your father but he's adamant on me staying away. He says you're doing fine without me. I truly want to believe that. He could always give you way more than I ever could.

You probably hate me by now. It will be your 18th birthday soon. I don't even know what to say at this point to make my absence better in your eyes. Many times I have wanted to come back to you. I tried to come see you once. You looked so happy atop your horse. I think you called him Rocinante. It's such a beautiful name.

I hope you're doing well in your studies. I know you will be going off to college soon. Are you going into law like your father? or maybe Fashion?or teaching? Anything you do I want you to be successful. I know I made the biggest mistake of my life leaving you. I never grew up with much of anything and it would have been foolish to take you away from the only home you have ever known.

Maybe one day you will come and find me? I hope so. I miss you princess.

I love you more than words could ever explain.

This letter wasn't signed. Regina felt a surge of anger ignite within her. Had her father been purposely keeping these letters away from her? Did he feel guilty for not letting Cora back into her life? So many things she didn't know the answer to.

Henry Mills was the best father to his daughter. But Regina was now opening her eyes to see that maybe just maybe everything wasn't so black and white that she'd always grown up with.

She stuffed all of the letters back into the suitcase and carried it with her downstairs. She still have an hour until she was able to go and pick up Emma. That gave her plenty of time. With purpose she grabbed her keys and phone and she was out of the door.

Cora was startled to hear a knock at her door. Being at Granny's bed and breakfast wasn't the best way to spend her time in Storybrooke but she really didn't have a choice. With Henry's checks now being done with she didn't have much else.

"Regina?"Cora's look of surprised didn't go unnoticed.

"Why?" The mayor simply asked.

"I'm afraid I don't know what you're asking."

"Why didn't you try harder?" Regina held up the letters. "Why didn't you take me with you? Why didn't you visit? Why are you here now? Just why?"

"Why don't you come in." Cora gestured with a sense of calmness.

Regina clenched her jaw and stepped into the room.

"Sit down." Cora instructed and Regina almost snapped at her. All of her anger was seeming to slip away as she stood in front of Cora. This woman who looked so familiar now but yet was still a stranger. Her mother no less.

"Start talking."Regina sat and Cora took a seat next to her.

"I don't even know where to start." Cora frowned. Her usual shady facade was now gone. She didn't have anything to lose.

"How about the beginning? The part where you left?" Regina folded her arms looking more like a petulant teenager than the usual bossy Mayor of Storybrooke. "Or the part where you walked into town like some shady bitch? Or the part where you've basically been stalking my child."

Cora nodded. "It started when I was younger. In high school rather." She began. "My father was the only thing I had. He was very poor and worked hard for his money. He did the best for me he could. I met your father my senior year and it just so happened we went to the same school. He was smooth and cheeky. But he was also way too gentle and quiet. We fell in love."

Cora chuckled. "Or as in love two teenagers could be."

Regina only listened.

"We got married shortly after we graduated college." Cora reminisced. "I worked while he went to law school. We were as happy as can be. He graduated and we were doing so well. About a year later I found out I was pregnant with you. Our pride and joy we were so happy. We decided that I would stay home and take care of you while he worked his way up in the firm. With his father already being so powerful he was too."

Regina remained expressionless as she continued to listen to this story. Cora seemed so different than the woman she'd seen a few weeks ago.

"I enjoyed being home with you but sometimes it got lonely." Cora admitted. "You had a nanny and while most of the time you spent with me you still had her. I was only there for the parties and the events. I began to feel like I was the trophy wife. I didn't mind at first because I was finally not struggling. I was finally powerful."

"But, then I met Gold."

Regina raised a brow. The name didn't seem very familiar to her.

"He made me feel alive again." She smiled. "I didn't feel like a mother or a trophy wife anymore. I didn't feel the need for power or money. that's how I should have felt with your father. The affair went on for two years before I had finally had enough to leave. I wanted to take you with me but Henry wouldn't let me."

Regina looked down at her hands.

"He made me choose." Cora tried to explain. "He made me choose between you and Gold."

"So you chose Gold?" Regina concluded.

"It wasn't easy." Cora defended. "You were a little girl you would forget me. I had hoped not but you would. I sent letters and I signed the divorce papers and he would send money. He didn't want his image to be taken away or tainted. So he kept me quiet. To save him the embarrassment. I sent letters and I wanted to see you but no reply. Eventually I gave up figuring that you would be better off without me."

"But I wasn't." Regina wanted to say but she remained quiet.

"I guess you probably wondered why I was back in town?"

"Well, you did literally barge into my office." Regina muttered.

"I wanted to know you. I wanted to see you."Cora sighed. "Things got out hand when I came. I had other plans. I did a lot that I'm not proud of. But I would like to start over…." The if you let me hung in the air.

Regina tried to go over the new information but she couldn't seem to wrap her head around everything

"I don't know." Regina frowned. "You quite literally were a bitch to me the last few times you saw me. Now you're playing this sympathy card. I don't know about any of it. How do I know this isn't some scheme for money?"

"I don't want it anymore." Cora shook her head. "I see your relationship with your little girl.. with Emma. You're a great mother. I should have been that to you."

"Thank you for telling me all of this." Regina nodded. "But I have to go and pick up my daughter. I don't know if I will ever be okay with you. You quite literally popped back into my life. You were a bitch and you could still be lying for all I know. don't hold it against me for trying to protect my heart. I'm sure you at least thought about that before you left right?"

Regina stood and without another word exited the room. She didn't want Cora to see her so vulnerable. She didn't want to deal with any of this anymore. She just needed a break from everything.

As she sat inside of her car her phone began to ring. Angrily she picked up the phone and held it to her ear.

"I though I said.."

"Regina, this is August."

The next words made Regina's heart stop. She really couldn't register them as the only words she could hear were

"She...wants..Emma."

A/n: Don't hate me ! Some of Regina's backstory and why Cora left and came back to town.

Let me know what you think

-LSAM