This is just one of my own. This is in a time before Roland and Penelope, when Henry was 5.


Emma and Regina walked through the door together, surprisingly they had gotten done with work around the same time. Their nanny, Ashley, approached them. Typically, she was smiling, excited to tell them about Henry's time with her after she picked him up from school. But today, she looked worried.

"Ashley? Is everything okay?" Regina asked.

"Henry's been very quiet all afternoon. He didn't want to have a snack or play. He said no to the park, beach, anything I offered. He even turned down watching his favorite movie. I tried asking what was wrong but he won't tell me."

Emma and Regina exchanged a look. This wasn't their son. He loved spending time with Ashley. Heck, he was even disappointed that his time with her had been cut short since he was in school. They quickly thanked her for drawing it to their attention and bid her goodbye. Henry didn't even run out for his goodbye hug and kiss…another sign.

They found him sitting on the floor, hugging his favorite teddy bear. Emma and Regina sat on either side of him, trying to look as happy as possible, hoping it'd rub off on him.

"Hey Squish," Regina said. "How was your day?" Henry shrugged. "You do anything fun?" Another shrug.

"What's going on, bub?" Emma asked, stroking his cheek. "You look so sad." He shook his head, pouting. "Mommy and I can't fix it if we don't know what's wrong. Did someone say something mean?" A nod. That got their muscles tightening a bit. "Something about me and Mommy?" She knew that if any of his classmates were saying anything, it was due to what their parents had to say. Not everyone was exactly okay with the sheriff and mayor being married. But that was meant with a quick head shake.

"Tell us what they said," Regina prodded.

Henry hugged his bear tighter. "They said I'm a dumpster baby. That my other mommy didn't want me and she left me alone, she didn't even find me a family. They said it was 'cause no one wants me. That you guys were gonna give me away too."

Regina's nostrils flared as Emma gathered their son into her arms, gently rocking him. Once again probably something kids had heard from their parents. Henry's story was no secret to the town, it had made the paper. The sheriff and mayor adopting a Safe Haven baby? Not exactly a scandal, but a happy story nonetheless. Of course, some people had nothing to do with their time and turned a beautiful story into something nasty.

"Squish that's not true," Emma whispered. "Your birth mommy left you at the station. Yes, she did leave you alone but she didn't do it because she didn't want you. She just wasn't ready to take care of you."

"But she didn't find me a family, she just left me."

"She was very scared. I know it's hard to understand, but you are wanted Henry. Mommy and I want you very much, you're our baby boy. Nothing could ever change that or make us give you away."

"Your mama's right," Regina finally found words, soothingly rubbing her son's back while her wife rocked him. "You are the best thing in our life. Those other kids are just jealous because you have two mommies that love you so much, because you were special and we chose you."

Henry sniffled. "Really?"

Regina nodded. "Really." She kissed the top of his head. "Which kids were saying this?"

"Laura and Frankie."

Well that made sense. Emma had just given Laura's father his third speeding ticket in the course of a month, which meant he had a court date and Frankie's father was the brother of Regina's opponent in the most recent election. The person had lost. Neither mother was surprised that they were being talked about negatively in either household. Those families didn't have to like them, but they sure as hell weren't allowed to raise little bullies that hurt their squish's feelings.

"How about we go to Granny's for dinner?" Regina offered. "You can get whatever you want and you can pick which pie we bring home." Henry nodded, still clinging to Emma. "Alright, how about you go get your coat and shoes? I'll help you tie them." The little boy nodded and left his mama's embrace heading into the other room. Before the mayor could say anything, Emma spoke.

"It's Ashley's day off tomorrow, I'm only working a half day so I can get to pick up early. I know for a fact that Laura and Frankie don't take the bus, so I should be able to have a chat with their parents."

"Chat? You should kick their asses…"

"They get a talk now. It happens again, I won't be so cordial."

They did manage to cheer Henry up with his favorite meal and some cherry pie. They knew though, that the days of food cheering him up wouldn't last very long. They couldn't stop all the bullies, but they could at least try.

The next afternoon, Emma arrived for drop off 10 minutes later. She saw Laura's dad, Simon and Frankie's dad, Thomas standing near each other, chatting politely. Emma walked right up to them. Frankie looked up, feigning a smile.

"Sheriff."

"I wouldn't be smiling if I were you," she said, her voice dark. That seemed to straighten him out, it wasn't Emma he had an issue with anyway. But, she could see that Simon was looking annoyed by her presence. "I will say, I don't care if people like me. I don't need the admiration of strangers."

"Good to know," Simon said, sarcastically.

"However, I do care when people say things to my son."

"We've never spoken with Henry."

"No, but your children have. Did either of you ever hear the expression, little pitchers have big ears?" They both caught on, realizing that their private conversations with their wives hadn't been so private after all. "You can hate me and my wife all you want, but you will not trash talk my son. He was not a dumpster baby and he was definitely wanted, for you to say any different is disgusting. He is a little boy! How would you feel if people made fun of your kids because one of them is the child of someone who can't follow speeding laws and the other is the nephew of a corrupt politician?" She raised an eyebrow, the two men were left speechless. "I thought so. Now, I'm willing to let this slide once. Children have no filters and they have to be taught kindness. You want to ruin your own kids? Go right ahead, I won't say anything, though I'm sure then in 15 years or so, it'll be them I'm writing tickets for. Still, not my business. But it becomes my business when your shitty parenting affects my kid. If either of them ever say another nasty word to him, this next chat won't be so cordial. Are we clear?"

The two men nodded, clearly knowing nothing they said could defend the actions of them or their children. Even though neither's opinion on the women had changed, they knew that as long as their kids shared a classroom with the son of the sheriff and mayor they had to be careful about what they heard. Emma smiled.

"Good to know," she said in a voice that mocked Simon's. A bell rang, signaling the end of the day. "Guess it's time to go pick up the kids! Have a great rest of your afternoon."

With that, she went into Henry's classroom and crouched down, opening her arms. Henry went running into them and she picked him up, hugging him tight. Her son may have had a rocky start in life, but never again would he be left alone and defenseless.


As always prompts are accepted, in the comments or message me on here or my Tumblr: swanfirecaptainswanfeels.