A/N: Thank you all who keeps following, favoring and commenting on this story! :) This chapter has a bit of Emma and Ingrid at the beginning as you will see. But it is entirely revolved around Regina. If it doesn't stress you out in some way, then I haven't written it well lol I titled this chapter: Unexpected Surprises. Happy reading!
Ingrid held a postcard in her hand, fine cursive writing written on the blank area. Her hand shaking just a little at the familiar name on the postcard, followed by a new address. It was an address to a hotel in Boston. He was close. Only a couple of hours away. But how?
"I'm home."
Ingrid quickly hid the postcard in between today's newspaper at the sound of Emma's voice. She would be angry if she knew or worse. She would look for him. There was no way she could tell her.
She smiled as Emma peeked into the kitchen from the living room area, walking in with her cane in one hand & the other holding onto the strap of her backpack that hung over her shoulder.
"How was your day?" Ingrid asked, trying her best to act as normal as possible before her.
Emma sighed, dropping her backpack on the counter top, "It was fine. I have a lot of homework though."
"You look exhausted, Emma." Ingrid's shoulders slumped at the tired look on Emma's features. "You should try and get some sleep."
Emma sighed again, clearly exhausted, "I can't. I promised Marco I would help him with a new project he started on." She paused, "Are you okay?"
Ingrid smiled, "I'm fine. Why?"
"You just seem a little tense." Said Emma.
Ingrid shook her head, waving off the younger blonde's words as she stood from her seat by the counter, "I'm fine. Let me fix you something to eat at least, before you leave. I hate it when you leave without eating anything. It isn't good for you." She opened the fridge door as Emma looked at the newspaper on the counter.
"Is that today's newspaper?" Asked the soldier, ready to reach for it when Ingrid hurried, grabbing it off the counter before Emma could see it.
"Oh, no! It's an old one. I just forgot to throw it away." She chuckled, immediately tossing it into the trash can. "Why don't you go wash up while I finish up here?"
"How about we just go to Granny's? It seems to me like you need it." Emma offered, smiling warmly at Ingrid.
Ingrid smiled, quickly linking her arm around the younger blonde's and heading out the door, "That sounds even better. You can tell me all about school."
Kathryn groaned as she plopped on the couch next to the brunette, holding onto an ice pack on her head, while handing Regina two Advil for her splitting headache. Courtesy of a hangover.
"Ugh, remind me to never drink again."
Regina chuckled, her head feeling like a banging drum even with that small action, "You're the one who insisted on drinking last night, dear."
Kathryn's eyes were closed as her head rested on the head of the couch. The ice pack now placed right on her forehead, "Yes, well, next time I suggest shots, do me a favor and hit me over the head with a bottle."
Regina grinned, not being able to contain her laughter, as did Kathryn.
Suddenly a knock was heard at the door. A knock that caused both women's heads to drum along with what sounded like pounding at the front door. Both their heads looked up towards the door, even the ice pack on the blonde's head fell on her lap.
"Who the hell could that be at this time in the morning?" Asked Kathryn already annoyed with whoever might be behind their door.
"I'll go look." Regina stood from the couch with a tiny grunt as everything spun as she went for the front door, reaching for the knob. Her eyes bulged out of her head, instantly becoming sober in a matter of seconds. "Mother?" Her lips parted open in surprise.
"It's good to see you too, dear." Cora brushed it off, "Never mind, I realize I should have called or told you I was coming to stay with you for a couple of days." She welcomed herself in, as all Regina could do was follow her every movement. As well as the young girl following her mother's every movement like a lost puppy. She seemed to be around Regina's own age, maybe even a year or two younger. Brown hair, well kempt with her own clothes, not a uniform, thank goodness. By the looks of her she must be serving her mother. She always did like to keep servants around, even if her father was against it.
Kathryn shot up from the couch, instantly regretting it as everything, even her headache came back in an instant. Of course, she did her best to try and not show it in front of Regina's mother. She never knew Cora all that well, she only went by what Regina chose to share with her. And as far as first impressions go, she seemed like a woman who liked everything under her control.
"Kathy." Cora grinned, only knowing about her daughter's best friend by her name being mentioned to the brunette a few times. "It's good to finally put a face to the name."
"Mrs. Mills." Kathryn smirked through her hangover. Her eyes moved to Regina who stood behind her mother and the mystery girl beside her, taking notice as Regina mouthed out a word she couldn't quite put together right now. "How are you?"
"Oh, can't complain, dear. The flight was exhausting, but then again what flight isn't?"
"And, you're… staying here?" Kathryn looked over at Regina, as did her mother.
"Mother, I would love it if you stayed, but we don't exactly have enough room." Said Regina.
"Hm, well I can certainly see that, dear. Why must you insist on living halfway across the world in poverty is beyond me." Regina rolled her eyes as soon as Cora turned to face the girl beside her, "Oh, this is Ms. French. You'll be seeing a lot of her while I'm here, so anything you need, feel free to ask her."
"I'm sure we can manage, mother." Regina replied quickly, never fond of the idea of having people do things for her she could well do herself.
"That is very thoughtful, Mrs. Mills." Kathryn jumped in before Regina could have a chance to speak, "Why don't you take my room? Regina and I can share her bedroom." She reached for her luggage, "Here, I'll-"
"Oh, no, no, no." She waved her off, "I appreciate the help, dear but that's what Ms. French is for." Cora smiled, handing her luggage to Belle as she quickly took them from her. "Regina, dear, do your mother a favor and show Ms. French where Kathy's bedroom is, hm?"
Regina didn't speak, she simply moved her feet as she headed into the hallway, stopping midway as Cora spoke again to the young girl before she disappeared with her daughter.
"Oh, and Ms. French, do remember to place my things where they will easily be at my reach?" Cora nodded her way, "My daughter can show you a good place, I'm sure."
Kathryn grinned again as she was left alone with Cora, motioning towards the couch, "Please, have a seat. May I get you anything to drink? Eat? Is the temperature to your liking?"
Cora chuckled, "I'm perfectly fine, dear. You don't need to tend to me. That's what-"
"Ms. French is for, yes." Kathryn chuckled, "Forgive me. Habits of a nurse that are hard to break, I'm afraid. You understand."
"Of course." Cora nodded, pausing for a brief moment, "On second thought, I think I will accept that glass of water."
"Of course." Kathryn rushed towards the kitchen, quickly peeking into the hallway as she noticed Regina standing by her bedroom door now as she no doubtingly was observing Belle. Not that she didn't try to help her, far from it and Kathryn knew that. As Kathryn quickly rushed back into the living room with a glass of water, "Um, will you excuse me for just a second? Nature calls, you know." she chuckled, handing her the glass of water.
"Of course." Cora nodded as Kathryn rushed off into the small hallway, quickly dragging Regina into the bathroom with her as the brunette could do nothing to protest. "Oh, my God." She whispered as the door closed behind them.
Regina nodded, "I know."
"You weren't kidding about your mother…" Kathryn's blue eyes were wide from surprise, maybe even shock.
"I know." Regina continuously nodded.
"She is… and that poor girl, what she works for her? What is this, the 18th century?" Kathryn's arm extended out, gesturing towards the door.
"Kathryn. Breathe." Regina's voice was calm, her hands cupping the blonde's biceps. Inhaling deeply and slowly exhaling, "Better?"
Kathryn nodded, "I'm sorry, I just… wow. Thank God you are nothing like her honey, because I have to be honest with you, I don't think I could remain friends with you if you were."
Regina chuckled, "Good to know. Now, focus- listen to me." Her eyes locked on her friend's blue ones, as Kathryn nodded.
"I'm listening."
"You absolutely can not mention Emma near my mother. Nor that we have a relationship. Do you understand me?" Regina continued, even though Kathryn's nods of understanding, "At all. My mother is her own kind of special, alright? She won't even be able to process the idea of me being with someone else after Robin. Much less a woman."
"I got it. I won't say a word about her. Having her around for a couple of days is going to be…" She sighed, tilting her head as her brain searched for the correct word. "Actually, there's no word I can think of that describes it."
Regina chuckled, "Well, I know one thing. My mother is a cure for all hangovers. Now, let's go back outside or she'll wonder what's taking so long."
Kathryn nodded, "Right behind you."
As they both made their way back into the living room, they could clearly hear Cora's voice it sounded cheerier than ever. Surely enough, once they entered the living area, both women took a seat next to her as she was speaking on the phone. Cora held up one finger to Belle, stopping her in her tracks as the girl had come out of the kitchen to fix her a small snack for the evening.
"Yes, oh, I'm sure she will be delighted, dear. See you soon." She chuckled a rich sounding chuckle, "Good bye." She smiled at Belle as she took the plate with a few slices of cut up peaches, "Thank you, dear." Her eyes moved to her daughter who quickly moved to sit beside her, followed by Kathryn.
"My, whoever that was on the phone had you smiling with delight, Mrs. Mills. A secret admirer, dare I ask?" Kathryn winked, teasingly at the older woman as Regina threw a glare her way.
Cora chuckled, "You flatter me, dear, but no. That ship has long sailed." She delicately stabbed a peach with her fork as she placed it in her mouth, her eyes looking towards her daughter, "That was Robin Locksley."
Regina's eyes grew wide, "Robin?"
"Yes, dear." She wiped the corners of her mouth delicately with a napkin, placing the plate down on the coffee table as calm as ever.
"Mother…" Regina scoffed, her brows furrowed in question, "Why- or rather since when, may I ask have you been communicating with Robin?"
Cora waved off the questionable look on her daughter's face, "Oh, Regina, don't act so surprised, dear. Since when is it a bad thing for a mother to keep in contact with her favorite son-in-law?"
Regina glared, rolling her eyes in annoyance at the term son-in-law, "We just dated, mother. Robin and I were never-"
"Yes, yes, you were never married. I know, dear." She waved off her words again, "You chose to marry the other one. The soldier. What was his name?"
Regina's jaw tightened. Amazing. She was with Daniel for three straight years and her mother never learned his name. She calmed down as soon as she felt Kathryn's hand rest on her shoulder, drawing in a deep breath as she replied, "Daniel."
"Right." Cora stabbed away at another slice of peach, chewing away as she placed it in her mouth, wiping at the corners of her mouth again before continuing, "Honestly, dear. 'Till this day, I still don't have the faintest clue on what you could possibly have been thinking of marrying that man."
Regina closed her eyes, sighing, deciding to change the subject before she exploded, which was the last thing she wanted, "You have yet to answer my question."
"Oh, well," Cora shrugged, "We've been talking since you two broke up. Robin and I never lost contact." She chewed on another peach slice, swallowing it before she continued, "Anyway, I remembered he also lives here and it would be extremely rude of me not to alert him of my presence now, wouldn't it?"
It was Kathryn now who rolled her eyes as she looked down at the brunette beside her.
"I told him I was staying with you and he was absolutely delighted!" Cora grinned, "In fact, he was so delighted, he invited us to dinner tonight.
"That's fantastic, mother. I'm sure you and Ms. French will-"
"Oh, dear," Cora chuckled, "How flattering of you to think that Ms. French would be joining us. No, Regina. The poor girl always has her nose stuck in a book, she has no interest in going out to dinner. By us I meant Robin," She motioned to Kathryn, "Your friend Kathy here, you and myself."
"What?" Was all Regina could ask, her mouth literally dropping open.
Cora nodded, "He'll be picking us up at 6:30 tonight."
Regina blinked, as did Kathryn, "What?"
"Shit." Said Kathryn, leaving Cora speechless as she gave her a dirty look for her sudden choice of language.
Regina rubbed at her temples, still trying to phantom how all this was happening without an ounce under her control, "Mother." She made a sound that was a scoff mixed in with a disbelieved chuckle, "Need I remind you that Robin and I aren't exactly on speaking terms after our break up? It's been going on for years and I'd like to keep it that way."
"Yes, Robin did mention you being cold with him lately." Cora waved her words off again, "Honestly, Regina. Why must you hold onto grudges, dear? Why can't you just let bygones be bygones? 'Water under the bridge' as some people like to say. It's been years and poor Robin feels terrible. Besides," She paused, taking a sip of water as her eyes met her daughter's again, "He may be nothing to you anymore, but he is still the son of your father's dear friend Winston. Now, just for tonight. Be a dear and do this for your mother, hm?"
'Do this for your mother.' Regina knew those words well. It was a group of words that over the years had turned into Cora's personal greeting.
The brunette was already dreading this night that was sure to be long. Her phone date with Emma that they would have every night would have to wait for later and she detested that already. Even if Emma, bless her heart would understand as she typically did when unexpected things came up for her, she couldn't understand them herself. She didn't want to. She just wanted to relax on her day off and talk to the woman she dearly missed and loved the most in this world.
It wasn't wrong to say that dinner that night was uncomfortable for Regina. There she was forced into a dinner, along with poor Kathryn who stood by her side all night. There was no way she would leave her alone in this torment. Thank God she had her best friend here. Frankly, otherwise Regina would be considering jumping out of a window.
"I am so delighted to see you again, Robin." Cora smiled at the man who sat beside her, "I can't thank you enough for tonight's invitation."
"Well, I for one am delighted to be graced with the pleasure of your company, Cora." Robin placed his hand on top of Cora's. "It's really great seeing you."
Both Kathryn and Regina threw a glance at each other with a quick eye roll. Talk about kissing ass.
"And Regina as well." Robin smiled, looking over at the brunette as Regina only sipped on her wine silently. He looked back to Cora, "You can't imagine how hard it's been to get your daughter to accept a dinner invitation."
Cora chuckled, wiping the corners of her mouth with delicacy, "Well, maybe it has something to do with the fact that she will be moving back to Boston soon. My daughter has never been one for having a long distance relationship." She took a sip of her wine, "Maybe you should consider moving too. I'm sure if you would, Regina would gladly accept many dinner invitations. Isn't that right, dear?"
Regina looked at her mother with wide eyes, followed by Robin as the man's eyes were on her like magnets, expecting an answer.
"You know, I'm just about ready for dessert." Kathryn smiled, jumping in for her friend who could use a savior right about now. She was sure Regina was also wishing Emma could be here to get her out of here. "Gina, dessert?"
Regina smiled, nodding, "That sounds great."
"I think I'll pass on dessert." Said Robin, followed by Cora.
"Yes, that sounds too much for me right now." Cora's eyes looked over at Regina who was glancing at her phone from underneath the table as it rested on her lap. She had been doing that almost all night. "Is everything alright, dear?" Her brow raised as Regina finally looked her way, "Are you expecting someone else?"
"Oh, didn't she tell you, Cora?" Robin stepped in, his eyes moving towards the brunette as he brought his glass of wine near his lips, "Regina is seeing someone."
A clatter was heard as Kathryn's fork hit her plate, as she coughed, placing her hand on her chest. She cleared her throat as she took a sip of her wine, "I'm terribly sorry."
"Is that so?" Cora glanced Regina's way, not taking any notice in Kathryn's coughing fit, "Why ever didn't you say anything, dear?"
Regina shook her head, "Because, mother…" she looked over to Robin, "Robin's mistaken. I'm actually not seeing anyone." She threw a hard glare at the man as he raised a single brow.
"Well, that's not what I remember." Robin took a sip of his wine.
Regina grinned his way in a sarcastic manner, "Like you don't remember a lot of things lately. Like coming into our apartment and pushing Kathryn, almost hurting me."
Robin cleared his throat, his eyes looking over to Cora.
"Regina." Was all Cora could say.
"It's alright." Robin smiled, gaining his composure, "She's uh, she's right. I did make that mistake to which I've apologized for it. I am very ashamed to even look you in the eye right now Cora, you and Regina, and Kathryn as well." He paused as his eyes looked over to the brunette again, "I have to admit I wasn't in a good place at that time and I was a fool. Just as I was to ever agree to our breaking up."
Regina looked down at her hand as she felt Robin's heavy hand cup her own. She looked up to find him smiling. It was a smile that anyone else could believe was genuine but not her. She would never believe in his smiles ever again.
"I am a firm believer in second chances and I believe that I can win your heart over again. No matter the amount of time it takes."
"Did you hear him?" asked Kathryn, getting the brunette's bed ready as she hoped in right beside her best friend, speaking in a low tone of voice, mocking Robin's, 'I am a firm believer in second chances and I believe that I can win your heart over again. No matter the amount of time it takes.' She scoffed as Regina chuckled, "Clearly he had to steal that line from someone else. I swear, I thought I had seen a kiss ass before, but your ex clearly tops them all when it comes to impressing your mother."
Regina chuckled, typing away away on her phone, "Maybe he should marry her."
Kathryn chuckled, "They certainly would be a match made in heaven. Ugh, I can't wait until we are back home. You'll be free from Robin and finally will get to be with Emma." Her eyes moved towards the brunette's phone, "Why don't you call her?"
Regina shook her head, placing her phone beside her nightstand, "It's late. Besides we said our good night's already. I'll call her on our lunch break tomorrow. Thank God, we go back to work."
Kathryn turned in bed to lay on her side, looking at her best friend, "You haven't told her that we will be in Boston by next week, have you?"
Regina grinned. Just a few more days and she would be together with Emma for good this time. No more distance between them. "I want to surprise her. I know she dearly wants to drive all the way to the city to pick us from the airport but I'd rather make the drive to that small town of hers."
Kathryn smiled this time, "Look at you. Regina Mills a full on romantic, surprising the kid."
Regina turned to look at Kathryn, "She's not a child, Kathryn."
Kathryn chuckled, "I'll say… your moans were all I could hear on the night of your birthday, followed by hers, 'oh, Emma. Emma! Right there- oh, don't stop!'"
Kathryn laughed, covering her mouth as it was loud once Regina hit her on the face with her pillow. Despite her red cheeks, Regina couldn't help but laugh along. Their night ended with both friends settling into her bed. Regina was grateful for having a friend like Kathryn. Honestly, she could never have found a better best friend than her. Who in the world would be alright with having their best friend's mother over for a few days on a surprise visit? Who in the world would give up their own room just so their friend's mother wouldn't see every little gift she had received from the woman she loved? There was no one like Kathryn Midas.
As far as her bad luck once went, Regina Mills sure had become lucky. She became lucky in meeting Kathryn back in nursing school, grateful for the blonde sticking around for so many years and going through thick and thin with her. She was lucky the day a young soldier was brought into the hospital where she worked, grateful that after so much persistence by Emma she finally gave into her own feelings without a fear in the world.
And last but certainly not least, she was lucky to get the most wonderful news of all from her director at the hospital. Her service was done and would get to head back home sooner than she hoped for. All she could think about when drifting off into a deep sleep was the look on Emma's face once she saw her, standing before her in Storybrooke.