A/N - Hope you enjoy! More little Emma ahead!
Previously...
"I did good, huh?" Emma smiled, puffing up at the praise.
"Yes, sweet one. So well that I think ice-cream for dessert after dinner is in order." The queen relaxed some realizing that little Emma had missed the implied meaning behind Mary-Margret's words in the classroom and the dismissive nature of the woman. She wondered how big Emma was coping with it, but knew now was not time to ask.
"Promise?" Emma snuggled into her keeper as the first bell sounded.
"I promise. Also, how would you like to start your swimming lessons at the Rec Center today after school?"
A beaming smile answered.
The next few days went by smoothly with both sides of Emma sharing equal time being present. She loved her swimming lessons at the Rec Center taught by the little mermaid herself. Regina had taken her on Tuesday and again Wednesday after school. Being active seemed to be helping her keep a handle on her temper. Between swimming and riding her bike, now training wheel free, she was looking forward to a quiet afternoon at Town Hall when she was picked up after school.
She sighed and kicked the ball back to Gabe, who passed it to another little girl who had chosen to play with them at recess. Some bigger kids were watching them across the way on the playground and big Emma did not like the way they were looking at Gabe. Their ball was taken by one of the third grade boys, she recognized as a friend of Neal's.
"Hey! Give it back." Emma shouted as the group that started to walk away with Gabe's ball. One she knew he had gotten for Christmas and didn't mind sharing with his friends, of which these boys were not.
"Emma, it's ok. I'll get it back later." Gabe ran after the blonde who had stopped at the heels of the boys.
The boy who had the ball, Jason McFee, spun to face them and shoved Gabe. "If it isn't Gabe the babe."
Emma stepped in front of her friend. "Give the ball back. It's not yours."
Another voice Emma recognized joined them. "Jason, I've got my soccer ball. Let them have theirs back." Neal held his up for his friend to see.
To Emma's surprise Jason tossed the ball hard at Gabe, who fell back on the grass. She helped him up and turned towards the bully with a clenched fist.
"You're the Mayor's kid right?"
Emma lifted her chin meeting narrowed eyes. "Yeah… So?"
"Is it true what they say about your Mom?"
Emerald eyes burned, both sets of them, but it was all little Emma who asked. "Who is they?"
Jason tilted his head toward Neal. "His mom."
"Dude! Shut up. Leave them alone." Neal pulled on his friend's arm knowing the boy too well.
Little Emma took the bait. "What did Ms. Blanchard say?"
"That she's a royal bitch and that you will be just like her when you grow up."
Emma saw red; on the dirt, on her fist, and dripping down Jason's nose. One good punch put the bully on his back and she pounced on him as she heard a whistle blowing. She had been busy trying to shove dirt in his mouth when she was pulled off and lifted away.
Numb with adrenaline, she followed a teacher she didn't know to the principal's office as the other took Jason to the nurse. Gabe and Neal followed. Each child was interviewed, but Emma refused to speak to anyone. Her hand was cleaned, but didn't require a bandage. A half hour later she was right where her big half had been several weeks prior across the desk from Ms. Rose with Regina at her side who listened as the principal recounted what the teachers and children had told her.
"Emma, is that what happened?" Regina turned fully to the little girl who had yet to say a word since she arrived.
Shoulders shrugged, but not in defiance.
"You need to use your words and talk to me so I can understand your side. Talk to Mama please."
"I hit him." Little green eyes found brown. "He said mean stuff and I got mad. He tried to hurt Gabe and took his ball. Neal told him to stop, but I made him stop instead."
"What did he say?"
"He asked if it was true what other people say and I asked what people and he said what Ms. Blanchard says and I said what does she say and he said she called you a name and that I would be just like you when I growed up." Huffing and blowing her hair off her face, she crossed arms.
Regina blinked, trying to follow the child's scrambled explanation. "So you hit him when he told you what he had heard Ms. Blanchard say about you and I?"
Emma nodded.
Royal eyes sparked at the idea of the self entitled princess saying anything of the kind when children could overhear loose lipped comments. While she understood why Emma reacted as she did, the girl had seriously hurt another child. Even if the boy did deserve to be rebuked for his part, that was not Emma's responsibility. This situation would need delicate hands.
Regina turned back to Ms. Rose. "If I recall there is a no bullying policy and an employee reprimand process regarding appropriate actions while on campus, yes?" She already knew the answer, because she helped write them, but she wanted to be sure of some follow through on the school's part for the other two people involved.
"Yes, Madame Mayor." Ms. Rose was sympathetic and upset that her employee's words had been the cause of the fight between the children. "Jason will receive a consequence and I will be speaking at length with Ms. Blanchard as well and if the conversation Jason heard took place on school campus, she will be written up. But because Emma was physical, she is suspended for the rest of the day."
Emma paled and uncrossed her arms. "But he was the one who started it Ms. Rose!"
"I realize that Emma and he's in trouble for that. It was not your place to punch him and violence of any kind results in suspension, normally that is for two days, but this is your first time and I know he provoked you. We will see you tomorrow, but not for the rest of the day." Ms. Rose explained and turned back to the Mayor. "I had Mrs. Gold gather the rest of her work from today and homework. It's in her backpack."
"Thank you for being lenient. I will be discussing this much further with her at home. Come along Emma." Regina stood with the yellow backpack in one hand and held out the other, which the child reluctantly took. "What do you say to Ms. Rose?"
"I'm sorry for fighting."
Ms. Rose offered a smile. "Thank you Emma. We will try again tomorrow."
The girl was led out of the building to the Benz and they carried on as they often did after school by driving to Town Hall, as there were still a few more hours before Regina could sign off for the day. She set Emma up with a snack, school work, and a kiss before going to her desk. After an hour Emma dropped her pencil and wandered over to the big desk where the Queen was busy typing.
"What'cha doing?"
Fingers stilled over the keyboard as attention was given fully to the girl. "I'm working on balancing the town's treasury report. The school needs funding for a few projects and I'm trying to find them some money to help with that. How is your homework coming along?"
"I'm almost done." Emma ran a hand along the edge of the desk, testing the sharpness. "Mama?"
"Yes, baby?"
"Are you mad at me?"
"Come here. I was going to wait until we got home to talk, but if you are ready now we can start." Regina settled the girl on her lap. "I'm not mad at you. I don't like your behavior, especially since our last few discussions on making good choices and my expectations of you. What did I tell you about mistreating others and hurting them back when you get angry?"
"Not to, but I had to Mama."
"You are a good friend to Gabe and I understand you being upset by him being hurt. I also understand your anger at what was said about us. However, you had other options available to you other than choosing to fight." Regina empathized and was proud that Emma stood up for what she believed in, but she knew from previous conversations with adult Emma in their other life that this instinct to run head first into situations was one on their list to work on taming.
"I was 'fending us all! Jason deserved it for what he said."
A hand cupped a chin. "That was not for you to decide, little miss swan. His words were wrong, but so were your actions and because of your choice you are suspended and in trouble with me." Regina could see the child was confused at that. "Is there a reason you thought you would not be?"
"I was 'fending Gabe and you and me. He hurt us." Emma simply repeated her earlier statement.
"I understand why you see it that way and yes, his words hurt your feelings, but that did not give you the right to hurt him back. There are a number of other things you could have done to express yourself and gotten help, like telling him how his words affected you or going to get an adult. You seriously hurt him Emma. We are lucky his nose isn't broken."
"His nose hurt my hand." Her face wrinkled at the memory of blood and she felt the back of her right hand kissed.
"Better?" Regina rubbed little knuckles.
A small nod. "I wish his nose was broken."
Regina sighed. "That's enough. He was wrong and I'm sure his parents will correct him, just as I will you when we get home."
Green eyes welled, threatening tears. "But Mama…"
"Do not 'but Mama' me. I know you think you were in the right and you can have your feelings, but your actions were not acceptable and are mine to correct." Regina was matter of fact as she lifted the child off her lap. "Go wrap up your homework please."
"I don't waaaannntt a spankinnnngg." Emma moaned.
Regina nodded. "Of course you don't. We will talk more about it at home. Go finish up." She sent Emma off with a pat to the plaid skirt.
Emma sourly dragged herself back to the table and finished the math worksheet. The Mayor helped her though the flash cards and she was instructed to put everything away in the backpack. Regina prepped her own belongings as her cell phone rang. She answered and listened as Emma watched from across the room. Her eyes found the child's as she hung up.
"That was Ms. Rose. She said that Jason heard Ms. Blanchard's comment about us on school grounds. That means that Ms. Blanchard is in some trouble with your principal." She kept her face unbiased, while inside she was smiling that there was some justice in their day. "I thought you would like to know."
Emma gave a small smile, eyes hopeful. "Does that mean I'm not in trouble with you?"
"It doesn't work like that sweet one." The Queen got her keys and tied the sash on her jacket.
"I wish it did."
"I'm sure you do. Get your coat on. It's time to go home."
Traffic was light and they turned onto Mifflin Street sooner than the girl would have liked. She put away her things once inside and waited for instructions.
"Go into the study and find your corner. I want you to spend some time thinking about your actions on the playground today. I'm right behind you."
Emma pouted. "I don't need the corner."
"That statement is exactly why you do, young lady. Go on." Regina hung up her coat and followed the girl into the study a minute later. Satisfied Emma followed instructions; she seated herself on the sofa nearby using the time to think through her next step. Before the spell had taken place she and Emma had discussed different options for handling certain situations and she drew on that memory as she waited for the child's time out to end.
Flashback… about 2 years ago
It was a morning where Emma awoke in the guestroom of the mansion. It was a Saturday and one she and Regina planned to continue working on details for the spell. The ingredients were coming together and they were about half way ready. She stretched lazily and threw off the covers, noticing for the first time a glass of water and two Tylenol resting on a napkin of the night stand.
'That's why my mouth feels like sandpaper.' She thought recalling the one too many glasses of cider she'd consumed last night and rubbed hands briskly across her face.
Downing the tablets and the full glass of water she crossed the room and the hall to the bathroom, a hot shower calling her name. A half hour later, dressed in clean skinny jeans and a red T-shirt from the stash of clothes she kept in the drawer of the dresser for such occasions, she found Regina in the kitchen plating breakfast. Her mouth watered as a steaming cup of coffee was placed in her hand.
"Thanks for this and for the hangover cure you left upstairs."
"You are welcome, but don't get used to it. Last night was a treat I won't allow often." Recalling the celebratory nature of the gathering they'd attended and how Emma has asked to indulge a bit under her watchful eye. "How many would you like?" A perfectly manicured finger pointed to the still crackling turkey bacon.
"Are you gonna to have any?" Emma found a perch on the stool by the counter.
"One piece."
"Then I will take the rest."
Regina plated the bacon while smiling knowingly, along with a few pieces of toast. Once her own plate was prepared she sat alongside the blonde. After a few minutes she pulled the notebook over from where she'd been reviewing it earlier while she cooked. The perfectionist in her found it hard to ignore the spelling and grammatical errors from the Savior's slanted handwriting. Emma was by far intelligent, mostly well spoken and observant so the lack of basic writing skills was a bit of a concern. She knew some about Emma's schooling, but wondered where along the line the young Emma had fallen through the cracks. Focusing on the present moment, she placed it between them and tapped the top of the page.
"You were a little vague with this entry and I want to review it with you to make sure I understand everything."
"Ok." Emma said around the food in her mouth, catching the raised brow, she swallowed before continuing. "What do you want to know?"
"You mentioned here you want both sides of you to be held accountable using whatever methods I see fit. We touched briefly on my views about discipline in our other discussions and I don't think you realize what you are asking."
Emma took a longer sip of coffee than she had liquid in the mug, finally swallowing hard. "I know what I'm asking for Regina. It's just embarrassing to put it on paper."
"Then let's talk about it now."
"Right now?" Emma's cheeks turned pink.
"This is as good a time as any."
"Will you start?"
"Sure." Regina took up the reins as usual, pointing again to the notebook where she'd asked Emma to define two words, which the blonde had given the same definition. "Discipline and punishment are two different things. Discipline is for teaching about self control, about what behaviors are and are not ok. The emphasis is on teaching. I will be in a role of teaching your little side to behave and your big side, as you adjust to the new order of things. This will be a daily occurrence with things like rules, procedures, and routines. It will involve a lot of talking, redirecting and my modeling what I expect of you."
"I thought they were the same thing. What about punishment then?" Again Emma felt her face heat up.
"Punishment would be reserved for things you know better than to do. Things you have already been taught that we discussed, or your adult half has already learned. Examples of this would be lying, being unsafe or deliberately mistreating people, including yourself." Regina paused to that soak in as she took a delicate bite of toast.
"Sssssoooooo, can we add a few things to that?" Emma pondered over what she was about to say. "I want to stop cussing and running from my problems. Also, I tend to go head first into everything I do. I want to learn to stop and think about all my options before making a decision.
"Your hero complex?" Full lips teased gently.
Green eyes sparkled back. "So not a complex."
"We can work on those things. Though, you will not like it at the time."
"I know, but it will be worth it." Bacon crunching between teeth brought distraction.
"What kind of punishments would act as a deterrent for you? I imagine this will be more applicable for your big side in the beginning until your little self gains more confidence. Keep in mind you said you wanted equality for both sides of you, so please think this through. We want to avoid triggers."
"Can I just make a list?" She hated writing, but that would be a welcome relief because right now she felt like she was sitting in a sauna.
"You had that option yesterday when I asked you to write about it and here we are discussing it instead."
"Reginnnaaa." Rolling green eyes found her empty plate. "It's hard."
"I know, but you asked me for this and we are going to do this right to the best of our ability. Tell me what you need please."
"I need you to be patient, but don't let me walk all over you. I'll be pissed and stubborn as all hell and I'll push all your buttons. Start small, like time outs. Just don't leave me there forever."
The Queen nodded, expecting nothing less. "What else?"
"Natural consequences when possible, like if I break something have me fix it or pick it up, like the boot mark on the door that one time. You made me clean it up." Pale hands played with the hem of a t-shirt. "I do well when things are predicable and I need to know you will do what you say you will do. You're really good at that anyway." She offered up a small smile.
"All of those things are very doable."
"Then we are done talking about it. Sweet, let's watch a movie." Emma moved to get off the stool but found her arm caught gently.
"We are not done just yet, sit please."
A sigh, but compliance followed.
"How do you feel about spanking?"
Emma scrunched her eyes shut. "You know how I feel about it Regina."
"I'm referring to the context of how it would apply to the parent child relationship we will have. I need to know if that is an appropriate option or not."
"It is, just keep it simple, predictable and only with your hand. Talk to me about why and hold me after. Don't do it angry, not that you would." She glanced apologetically at the Queen and continued. "I will toe the line no matter where you put it, that's just how I am, but once I know where it is I'll feel safe."
"I admit I was worried that it might be something that had been used on you negatively while you were in foster care and I don't want to do anything that would further hurt you or reverse what we are trying to accomplish."
"It wasn't. I was slapped, starved, sent away or locked up somewhere. My little half won't know the difference and my adult half will hate it, 'cause I won't know we talked about it, but she'll need it."
Regina stood and took their plates around to the sink. "Anything else I should know?"
"Don't make me a promise you can't keep." Emma knew that went without saying, but she wanted to hear the Queen's usual answer.
"I never do."
A mischievous smile. "I know."
Regina opened her eyes feeling sure of her choice.
"Come here to me Emma."
The child looked over her shoulder and sighed at the adult eyes resting on her. She pulled slow feet along over to the Queen who moved to stand the child between her knees so they could have eye contact.
"Why are we here, sweet one?"
"Cause of Jason." A lower lip stuck out. Emma had hoped being cute might help her case. She was wrong.
"Do you need another six minutes?"
"Nooooo." Emma dropped the pout and squirmed. "Here 'cause I didn't make a good choice."
"That is correct. I am not happy with your actions today little miss swan. Punching Jason was not a good choice on your part. We do not mistreat others, even if they mistreat us. We walk away, use our words appropriately or get help if our feelings are hurt." She paused as Emma shifted from foot to foot. "As I told you earlier, you may have your feelings, they are not wrong, but your actions were. Do you understand that difference?"
Emma nodded, dropping her eyes to the floor. Her chin was lifted gently and her teary eyes met brown.
"Tell Mama, so I know you understand."
"My feelings are ok, but not what I did with them."
"Good girl, you were listening." Regina leaned over and pressed a kiss to the child's forehead. Leaning back she continued. "You know your big half has been in trouble a few times with me, but you have not and I want to make sure you understand what to expect. In a minute I'm going to put you across my lap and lift your skirt. I am going to spank you with my hand and you can cry all you want. You may not reach back. When we are done I will hold you and we can talk more about your feelings. Do you understand?"
"Yes Mama." That voice was quiet and accepting. She was moved to her keeper's right side and lifted to rest over the firm lap. Her upper body was on the couch and her legs were left to dangle. A sniffle escaped as her skirt was lifted and she felt a palm rest against her behind.
"I love you Emma and I will not allow you to behave this way. You are capable of making better choices than you did today and I will help you see that." Her hand spoke next as Emma began to wiggle and cry. Taking her time with the usual dozen, she watched the child's breathing and body language closely. She did not spank to cause pain, Emma didn't need that. She needed loving accountability, reassurance, and a good cry; one she hadn't had since the incident at New Years.
As the last swat landed the hand stayed, soothing the slight sting as the child's crying slowed and she was righted in those arms to be held. Emma clung tightly to Regina red faced, snot running freely, having given herself over so completely that she forgot about her discomfort.
"I-I sssoorry Mama." She blew hard as a tissue was held to her nose.
"I know baby and you are all forgiven. Next time you feel like punching someone what will you do instead?"
"Use m-my words 'proprately and a-ask for help." She hiccupped and burrowed into the Queen's shoulder.
"That's my girl."
They sat together for a few minutes before Emma pulled back and big eyes found her keeper's. "Am I your girl, Gina?"
"Do you want to be?"
Lips rolled inward and eyes dropped avoiding that answer. "You made my butt hurt."
"I did and I think you needed the cry that came with it. Did that help?" Regina tucked hair behind a little ear and wiped at the last tear streak from a pale cheek.
Emma blushed at how well the Queen knew her. She'd been in hiding most the week and it took her little throwing a right hook and earning a correction to bring her fully back out. "It did. I feel… lighter."
"I have missed you this week and while you are present, I'd like to talk to you about your feelings since New Year's Eve and why you are having the need to run away inside yourself."
"I hate them right now. I know you don't like that word or my little using it, but it's what I feel."
Regina nodded, pulling Emma close. "I think from mini you, the word is a bit strong, given her limited experience with them. From you I understand it and I respect your feelings."
Emma dropped into Regina, grateful those arms were holding her as she broke through another wall or the wall broke her, she wasn't sure as more tears came. "You are the only one who does and I don't get it. They should have put me first, they should have held on to me with everything they had, not p-put me in t-that tree."
Regina closed her eyes as a wrenching cry ripped through Emma. "I know baby."
"They sent me away, Gina... They s-sent me a-away." She sobbed, limp with heartbreak. "They ALL sent me away." Raw, red, and torn she cried in the Queen's arms.
A coughing fit followed and Regina leaned Emma forward to relieve pressure on the girl's lungs. "Take a breath for me… That's it… Do you feel my hand?" She gently rubbed a circle over the child's heart and began humming, keeping the tune deep in her throat.
A nod and a strangled cough answered. Emma put her ear against her keeper's chest as the humming calmed the tears. She recognized the tune as one Regina often used when she was upset, but it buzzed richly against her ear as if whispering a secret. Finally, breathing became easier. Her face felt tight, mouth like cotton.
"Gina, promise me." A plea full of ache.
Regina stopped humming, lips meeting the top of Emma's damp curls. "What do you want me to promise you baby?"
"Don't send us away."
"I promise never, ever to send either of you away. We are a team."
Little Emma whispered between them. "The bestest team."
"We are. Here have some water for me." Regina conjured a bottle and uncapped it. "Small sips."
Emma carefully took a few swallows and fell back in exhaustion. The shakes set in from the intense crying she had done and she clung to the brunette. The bottle disappeared and she was carried upstairs into the bathroom. Regina set Emma on the mat and ran a warm shallow bath. Quick hands worked the tights and skirt off while Emma tried to help by unbuttoning the shirt, but fingers shook too much. She easily became frustrated and more tears threatened until the Queen took over.
"Thanks."
"Just relax and let me take care of you."
The last of the clothing came off and she lifted the girl into the tub. After a quick wash and rinse, Emma followed into the lavender room. Once in fresh PJs big eyes drooped and a yawn followed as they settled into the rocker. It was barely four PM, but Emma was beat.
"Sing to me please." Emma adored the humming, but wanted words to go with the mystery song she'd heard several times now. Both halves listened as tune left red lips.
'Baby mine, don't you cry.
Baby mine, dry your eyes.
Rest your head close to my heart.
Never to part, baby of mine.
Little one, when you play,
Pay no heed what they say.
Let your eyes sparkle and shine,
Never a tear, baby of mine.'
Emma's lips parted in awe. She had no idea Regina could sing. The words were simple, personal and felt like home. Tears of a different kind fell as the song continued to spiral around her heart.
'If they knew all about you,
They'd end up loving you, too.
All those same people who scold you,
What they'd give just for the right to hold you.
From your hair down to your little toes,
You're not much, goodness knows.
But, you're precious to me,
Sweet as can be, baby of mine.'
By the time the last words faded Emma was fast asleep, wet salt still on cheeks. Regina kissed them away and gently moved them to nest in the bed with the child resting against her. She watched a little chest rise and fall, finally breathing in peace. Exhaustion took her and together they left the waking world for a dreamless sleep.
Credit to for lyrics Ned Washington
A/N - I just finished writing the second to last scene of this story... Whirlwind to come, but I promise closure and a happy ending for all.
Next Time - Emma avoids school, a run in with the Sheriff, a scare at the pool and a permanent shift takes place. :-)