TAKE ME TO WONDERLAND
Chapter 24
"Regina, what are you doing?"
It was barely a whisper and Emma knew the answer anyway.
"I'm packing."
The brunette's voice was cold, unapproachable.
And it filled Emma with an emptiness she had never felt before.
She did not know how, but she had to make Regina see reason, because clearly the brunette was out of her mind.
"You know...our vacation is still some weeks away", Emma tried to joke, but her croaking voice made it sound rather pathetic.
"Please, leave."
Regina was busy stuffing clothes into a bag and avoided to look at Emma at all costs.
"Regina..."
"I said leave", The brunette's voice became a dangerous growl.
"Not before you talk to me", Emma insisted, but only earned a head shake from Regina, "There is nothing to talk about, Miss Swan."
"Then I at least need you to listen to me", the blonde tried again and Regina tensed, obviously considering it.
"I know what you are doing", Emma started, "You're trying to run away, because you think it's better for everyone...well, I have news for you, Regina. It's not."
At that the brunette turned around, her eyes sparkling wildly, "Leave me alone, Emma. You tried to save me...and you did. But now it's time to save yourself."
Blinking in confusion Emma took a step back, "What are you talking about? Wait...do you think this is better for me? That you can protect me from God knows what?"
"Of course I'm trying to protect you!" Regina yelled, "Can't you see? This...what you are trying to do for me...it will ruin you! Henry can change schools if it gets too bad...besides...he never had it easy...we never had any money and stuff...we'll go somewhere...we'll figure it out. But you...you could lose everything...and I won't let that happen. Not after everything you've done for me..."
The first tears were making their way down Regina's face, the walls she had built up to keep out the pain were cracking visibly.
Emma made a step towards her, but Regina backed away instantly, "Emma, please don't. You promised you won't do anything stupid...this is madness. You have to stop trying to save me...when it has become more than clear that I can't be saved."
"But we already did", Emma countered, refusing the urge to step forward again.
It was Regina's turn to be confused, "We? What are you talking about?"
"Mary Margaret, Ruby, Belle, Killain...Robin Locksley...even Gold...my parents...everyone helped. I won't lie...this article...caused some damage...mostly for you...and I'm so sorry about that...", Emma tried to explain.
"It's not your fault!" Regina hissed, "Nothing of this is your fault. Why do you even care?"
"Because..."
I love you.
It would be so easy to say, but she could not.
Emma wanted to, more than anything, but she knew it would ruin everything. It would make Regina run even faster.
"Because...we are family, remember? And we are friends. I was fully aware what it meant when I offered you this apartment. I knew what people might think if they ever found out who you were...but I don't care. Regina, all that matters to me is you...and Henry. Sure, I wish that asshole Glass would have never found out...not for my sake, but for yours...but what's done is done. We can deal with this...we've dealt with worse..."
"Your parents hate me", Regina fired back, but it sounded like a lame excuse and she knew it.
"In fact they don't", Emma countered and took a look at the clock, "And I can prove it to you."
The quizzical look on Regina's face was pricelss and in another situation Emma would have laughed out loud, but since she was fully aware that everything could blow up right in her face any second she went to the coffee table, grabbed the remote and turned on the TV instead, right in time for the news.
'Good evening, Boston. A news article by Sidney Glass caused a lot of turmoil this morning and an official statement from the Swan family reached us only minutes ago. We were asked to make it public before we turn to the world news by Roger Swan himself and we are gladly following his request since his family has done so much for our town.
"We were shocked to learn about Mister Glass and his article, especially since his conclusions are scandalous and false.
Regina Mills has been a former staff member of The Rabbit Hole, but has left the establishment months ago and is working in a completely different department now.
Emma's decision to work for Mister Gold has nothing to do with Miss Mills except for the fact that it has been Regina Mills, who introduced them to one another.
Emma's work speaks for itself as the success of last night has proven once again and we are proud of her, regardless of the engagements she takes.
Mister Gold hired her, because she is amazing at what she does and he has plans to change The Rabbit Holes' style, to turn it into a decent establishment.
Our daughter and Miss Mills are neighbours, but they are also close friends and as such Emma considers Regina and her son family.
We would greatly appreciate it if the public would respect our privacy.
Roger, Christine and Emma Swan"
The moderator dropped the piece of paper he had been reading from and nodded as another paper was handed to him.
'And we just got confirmation that Sidney Glass was fired, because according to the leading editor nobody had allowed Mister Glass to publish said article. Obviously he has hacked himself into the computer system and has made this decision on his own. We also got informed that the Swan family is considering to press charges against Mister Glass. We'll keep you posted on the matter, but now back to the world news.'
Without so much as a word Regina stepped into Emma's embrace, sobbing heavily, "I'm sorry for being such a bitch...but why? Why are you still trying to safe me? To protect me?"
"Because, believe it or not, you deserve it."
It had taken Regina a while to calm down, but in the end Emma had managed to convince her that they would get over this obstacle as well as they had gotten over the others.
"But we have to tell Henry...we can't let him walk into this without notice."
"I know", Regina dropped her head in shame.
"He loves you. He'll be fine", Emma reassured, "I'd say you crash at my place tonight. Cleaning up your apartment can wait till tomorrow."
The brunette only nodded and they made their way back over to Emma's penthouse where everyone was waiting for them already.
"Mom, are you okay?" Henry looked at her, slightly concerned and Regina hugged him immediately.
Tamotsu, who had followed them silently, ran across the room and squeezed himself inbetween mother and son, happily wagging with his tail and Emma had to smile.
That dog definitely belonged to them.
"Kid, we need to talk to you about something", Emma announced carefully.
"I think that's our cue to go", David stated simply and everyone got up and ready to leave.
"Thanks, guys. You're the best...don't know what I'd do without you...", Emma smiled at everyone, "I'd love to invite you all to dinner next weekend...what do you say?"
Killian laughed out loud, "I think it's safe to say we're all in, love...as long as Regina cooks."
"Hey!" Emma chuckled, "I know she's a way better cook than me...but still."
"Yeah yeah..." Ruby mumbled, "Just because you've never poisoned anyone..."
"Ruby Lucas! You are my best friend...you're supposed to be on my side", Emma warned playfully and the leggy brunette giggled, "I am, Em...I am. Except for the cooking...then I'm definitely on Regina's side."
Once everyone was gone Emma and Regina sat down on the couch together with Henry and Tamotsu, who would not have left their side if they had forced him away, and explained to the boy what had happened earlier today.
He listened to every word carefully, nodded here and there as he followed Emma's explanation – and got more sad by the minute.
"Why did this Mister Glass do that?" he asked once Emma was done with her little speech.
"I would not say he is a bad guy, kid, but he saw a chance to make a move up the ladder in his career. Unfortunately people love to write about me and my family...because we have some money...and are known in this town. And he thought he could make a scandal out of your mom's past...", Emma dropped her head, feeling as guilty as it would get.
"Emma, this is not your fault. You had nothing to do with that article...and...you had nothing to do with my past...my job", Regina stated and squeezed the blonde's hand, "I'm actually surprised that nobody figured it out sooner. Who I am I mean..."
"You're Regina. You are my friend. And you are my family. That is who you are."
Emma's voice was so sincere, it took Regina's breath away.
How the blonde could see her with such innocence, even though she knew about her past, about everything she had done – it would forever stay a mystery to her.
"Emma is right. And I don't care what people say...because you have done nothing wrong, you are not a bad person. Or some villain. You are my mom. You're the best mom and I love you", Henry announced and jumped into Regina's lap to hug her close.
A single tear escaped her eyes.
A tear out of gratitude and love.
A tear she did not wipe away.
They sat in silence for a while before Emma added, "Henry, we don't say something bad will happen...just know that kids at school might say something. If anyone is mean...please, don't do anything stupid. Tell headmaster Hopper...or us, okay?"
The boy nodded his understanding and Emma felt so proud, because Henry had taken the news way better than expected.
And he had said the right things at the right times and he had truly meant them.
No, he would never become anything like his father.
The next few days were hectic for Emma once again, but she had to admit that she enjoyed working with Mary Margaret although she had her doubts in the beginning.
Working with friends was always complicated, especially if one was the boss and the other "only" an employee, but the pixie haired woman seemed to enjoy herself and having her there made Emma's life a lot easier.
Two clients had cancelled their requests, because of her engagement with Gold and the article in the newspaper, but to Emma's surprise she had gained at least three potential new clients as well.
People who admired her for her backbone and for standing up for the people she cared about – so in the end her job for Gold could turn out like a blessing in disguise.
But new engagements and new clients meant more meetings, more planning and a lot more work.
And less sleep.
That was why Mary Margaret had suggested to reschedule the dinner Emma had promised their friends for the next week, because the blonde clearly needed a break.
Regina had experienced a rather hard start of her work week, because her colleagues had, as predicted, thrown the news right into her face.
Till Killian had overheard it and had told them that he would not have any of it.
He had barked around for almost half an hour, defending Regina and Emma as well, had told his staff that not everybody was born lucky.
He had also fired two people by the end of the day, because he had enough of their bullshit.
That day Regina had learned that Killian had worked one or two dirty jobs himself when he had been younger – before he had made a career.
Knowing that made it easier for her to understand why he would defend and support her like he had done.
But learning that Killian had things in his closet he was not proud of made her feel understood as well and that was something she truly appreciated, because most people simply had no idea how it felt.
Archie had shown up at Emma's apartment on Wednesday evening to inform them that some of the parents had not been too happy about the news, but that the kids had behaved better than expected except for a few stupid comments, but Henry had taken them in stride.
Obviously Marian Locksley had talked some sense into the upset parents – being part of the school council definitely had its perks.
She had spoken on Regina's behalf and the brunette realised that she would have to call and thank her.
Which she had in the end.
And it had led to a play date for their sons.
Emma had invited Mary Margaret to lunch on Friday and now that they were sitting at the small Chinese place they both had always enjoyed since they had found it years ago the pixie haired woman was smiling brightly, "I really love working for you, Em. I finally understand why you always wanted a career of your own instead of...you know...throwing your family's money out of the window with both hands."
"Yeah, as stressful as it can be...it gives me a purpose", Emma agreed, "But you could do much better than being my..."
"Maybe. But I truly enjoy it. It's enough for me. At least for now...if, one day, I become more ambitious...I'll let you know."
Emma smiled, "Fine by me."
"So, uhm..." Mary Margaret seemed shy all of a sudden, "David and I...we thought...uh...that maybe Henry could stay with us this weekend...would give you and Regina some time to relax...not that Henry would be a burden or something..."
"I know what you mean. And it might be a good idea for Henry...to get out of this whole mess for a bit", Emma nodded.
"So, you think Regina might allow it?"
"I'll talk to her and let you know."
Regina had not been too thrilled to let her son go, but she had understood Emma's arguments and had agreed that it would be a nice change for Henry, especially since he adored David so much.
Once Mary Margaret and her fiance had shown up the boy had been overjoyed to hear the news, but he had promised to call before he would got to bed every day.
Tamotsu had paced the room, obviously unsure whether he should go with Henry or stay with Emma and Regina, causing everyone to laugh.
It was quite an adorable sight.
In the end the dog had left with Mary Margaret, David and Henry.
Emma and Regina spent their weekend together, but mostly in silence.
They sat on the balcony or in the living room, reading books, enjoying the quiet, finding solace in the knowledge that their presence was enough to make the other relax.
That no words were needed for comfort, that the silence never became uncomfortable.
Sure, they talked during their meals, mostly about Henry and about their upcoming trip.
They had come to a silent agreement not to mention the whole madness of the last few days, because they had enough of all the drama.
Going to bed early and getting a decent amount of sleep had worked its magic on both women as well and nobody had questioned why Regina had slept in the guest room when she could have stayed at her own place as well.
When Henry returned Sunday afternoon Emma and Regina felt a lot better and were in higher spirits than they had been lately.
What a little rest and silence could do.
Tamotsu almost knocked them over in his excitement, but neither woman found it in her to scold the dog, because they had missed him too.
"Thanks for letting Henry stay with us", Mary Margaret announced and gave Regina a shy smile, earning a nod of approval from the brunette.
"When do you expect me at work tomorrow, Em? Eight?" the pixie haired woman turned to face Emma and Regina raised an eyebrow in confusion.
"Uh...I think eight thirty will be fine", the blonde replied and smiled uncomfortably.
"See you tomorrow then...have a nice evening."
Mary Margaret hugged her quickly, squeezed Henry's cheek and petted Tamotsu's head for a moment, debatting whether she should offer her hand to Regina, but thought better of it.
She knew that Regina was not one for physical contact and after the week the brunette had had Mary Margaret had no intention of putting more pressure on Regina.
So she simply smiled and left.
And so the weeks passed by with a lot of work, a hilarious dinner and evening with friends and an awkward encounter with Emma's parents where Roger Swan had explained to Regina that he still did not trust her, but that he would do anything to protect Emma and even Henry, because he was only a kid.
But he had also told her that he was aware that this debacle with Sidney Glass had not been her fault, because the noisy reporter was known for taking it a step too far all the time.
And that it had been his great pleasure to have him fired, that it had been about time.
It had been hard for Regina to settle back into her routine none-the-less, because people were talking behind her backs wherever she showed up and she knew it.
She had not been comfortable for a while, but Killian had been there every step of the way – shielding her, protecting and supporting her.
Almost like the big brother she never had, but always dreamed of.
And Emma and Henry had done everything to distract her, to show her that everything would be fine eventually.
Thanks to Archie Hopper and Marian Locksley the damage had not gotten too big at school and Henry had only faced one bigger encounter with a fellow student, but the Regina's son had stood his ground and had defended his mother like a lion.
Like he always had.
And so time had went by and May had come.
Since Henry was such a good student Archie had agreed to allow him the week off for their vacation - Henry had definitely earned it.
That was why everyone was packing for real this time – ready for another adventure in their family history.
Destination: Turtle Bay, Hawaii.