Prompt: Regina surprising Henry at school or somewhere when he thought she wasn't going to be back for awhile

A/N: Set in a version where Regina didn't withdraw from active duty after Henry's birth.

"Okay, class, it's time for assembly. Everyone line up and we can head down to the gym," Ms. Agra said.

Henry placed his books inside his desk before closing the lid. Standing, he moved to join the rest of his class, taking his place behind Nicholas Tillman on line. No one knew what the assembly was going to be about but there was an excitement in the air as all the children knew it meant time away from their desks and their books. Henry though couldn't get as excited as his classmates.

"Henry, are you okay?" Grace asked, standing next to him on the girl's line.

"Yeah," he said. "It's just been a while since I've talked with my mom and I miss her."

Ava, who stood behind Grace, frowned. "I thought you talked with her every Saturday."

"Usually but she couldn't call this past Saturday," Henry replied glumly. "Dad said it was okay and that she was fine but…I really hate that she's not here."

"I know, Henry, but she's working to keep us safe," Grace told him, taking his hand. "She's a hero."

The lines began to move out of the classroom and Henry sighed. He knew Grace had a point–his mother was a hero who protected everyone by going to stop the bad people in the world. Mom had told him she had promised him she would do that so that he would grow up in a safer world. She had also made the same promise to his brother, Roland. The world wasn't yet safe, so she had to sometimes be away from them for a long time.

While he understood why his mother wasn't like the other ones who picked their children up from school and brought them to sports or scouts, it didn't mean he liked it. He didn't really care about being taken to school or scouts. All he wanted was for his mother to tuck him in at night, kiss his forehead and tell him that she loved him before he went to sleep.

"Alright, let's head to the gym," Ms. Agra said, leading the class from their classroom and into the hallway. Henry followed, trying not to drag his feet. Being miserable wouldn't bring his mother back any quicker and she would want him to enjoy himself. So he was going to go and try to have fun at whatever the school had planned.

They headed down the hallway and entered the gym. Ms. Agra motioned for them to fill in behind the first graders and join the other second-graders. Henry sat cross-legged on the floor, sandwiched between Grace and Ava. Nicholas sat nearby. He was glad to be with his friends as they waited for the other classes to fill the gym.

Once all the classes were present, Ms. Bleu took to the stage and stepped up to the microphone. "Good afternoon, students."

"Good afternoon," they all replied.

She smiled. "I'm sure you're all wondering why you're here. Well, today, we're going to honor some of you. I have asked each teacher to pick one student from their class to be honored as a good citizen. This is someone who is always willing to help their fellow students, their teacher, and the staff."

Henry perked up. "This sounds nice."

"It sounds boring," Nicholas sighed. "Why can't we watch a movie instead?"

"You're just saying that because you know you're not winning the award," Ava told her brother. He stuck his tongue out at her in response.

Ms. Bleu called up a few kindergartners and some first graders. Each took to the stage to receive their certificate before joining the line of recipients, all smiling as they stared out at the student body.

"I was right," Nicholas groaned. "This is boring."

"I think they all look cute," Grace said.

Henry tuned his friends out, excitement growing inside. Ms. Bleu announced the first grade winners, which meant their grade was next. He didn't want to get his hopes up but he was confident he was going to get the award. Then he could show it to his mother the next time she called.

If she called.

Swallowing, Henry refused to think like that. He forced himself to concentrate on Ms. Bleu, who was now calling up second graders. Any minute now, she would announce who would win from Ms. Agra's class.

Except she went straight to the third graders, skipping their class entirely.

It didn't go unnoticed and whispers soon rose around Henry as his classmates wondered what had happened. Beside him, Grace frowned. "Were…were none of us good enough for the award?"

"That can't be right," Ava said, sounding surprised. "I can think of a few people who deserve it. You, Grace, for starters."

"And Henry," Nick added.

Henry frowned, a twisting feeling in his stomach. "Something doesn't feel right," he said.

Grace patted his hand. "I'm sure we'll find out what happened soon enough."

Henry wished he was as calm as he friend sounded. Instead, he felt as if someone was doing jumping jacks inside his stomach and he tried not to shake his legs as Ms. Bleu continued to announce the winners from the other grades, finishing with the fifth graders.

"Now, we're not done yet," she said, motioning with her hands for everyone to stay seated and quiet. "I skipped a class and I would like to apologize to Ms. Agra's students."

They all looked at each other before sitting up straighter, wondering what was going to happen next.

"There's a reason why I've saved them for last. Someone special is going to help me present the award to the winner," Ms. Agra continued.

Whispers broke out as students tried to figure out who the special guest was. Henry barely heard them as his stomach felt like he was one a roller coaster. He focused on Ms. Bleu, who tried to quiet everyone so she could continue.

"Henry Mills, please come up to the stage," she announced.

His classmates cheered as he rose on shaky legs. As he passed Ms. Agra, she squeezed his shoulder. "Congratulations, Henry. I didn't even have to think about the winner. You've been a big help," she told him.

"Thank you, Ms. Agra," he told her.

Henry climbed the stairs to the stage and his heart pounded. Who was the special guest that was going to present him with the award? Why was he singled out? Was it because he was a military kid? He doubted that–there were several other kids in the school whose parents also served in the military, including two who had already been called as winners. So what was going on?

Ms. Bleu approached Henry, smiling. She placed one hand on her shoulder and motioned off stage. "Our special guest has been waiting to give you your award. Why don't you come out, Captain?"

Henry's breath caught in his throat as the figure stepped out on stage. She was clad in her fatigues and her dark hair was pulled into a bun. One arm was slung in a cast and she carried a piece of paper in her other hand. Her smile was bright, Henry thought it rivaled the sun.

"Mom?" he asked, a lump forming in his throat.

She nodded, dropping to one knee as she held out her good arm. "Hello, sweetheart."

He ran over to her, throwing his arms around her and hugging her tightly. She returned it with her good arm, kissing the top of his head. "I've missed you so much, Henry," she told him.

"I missed you too, Mom," he replied, tears streaming down his face. "I've been so worried. You didn't call."

"I know. I was in the hospital getting my arm bandaged up and then they sent me home," she said. "So I decided to surprise you."

She pulled back, smiling at him. "You got the good citizen award! I'm so proud of you and everything you've done!"

"I just want to help people," he said, voice hoarse from his tears. "Just like you."

Tears ran down Mom's cheeks as well and she nodded. "I love you."

"I love you too." He hugged her again, making sure she was really there and reminding himself how it felt to hug her.

"I WANNA HUG HENRY TOO!"

Henry lifted his head to find his brother running from the wings, Dad chasing after him. Roland collided with Henry, hugging him tightly. "I love you too!"

"We're all very proud of you," Dad said, placing his hand on Mom's shoulder. He beamed at Henry.

"Now, can I get a hug from both my boys?" Mom asked, opening her arms up again.

Roland bit his lip. "Even with your broked arm?"

She chuckled. "Yes. Even with my broked arm."

Henry and Roland ran into her arms, hugging her tightly. She hugged them back, kissing their heads as she told them how much she loved them. In the distance, Henry dimly heard clapping but it didn't matter. All that mattered was that his mother was home.