"Miss Emma!" Roland cheered as he ran into her arms.
"Kid, how many times do I have to tell you. Just call me Emma," she giggled as she hugged him tight.
"Sorry."
She laughed and set him down as she walked into Regina's apartment, "and you don't have to keep apologizing."
"Sorry! Oh" he blurted out as he covered his mouth.
She laughed and followed the child to the living room, "Where's your mom?"
"idunno," he mumbled as he climbed up onto the chair.
She gave him a confused look and sat down next to him, "What do you mean? She texted me asking me to watch you tonight, and I know she wouldn't leave you alone for a second. Sooooo-"
"Oh that was me," he said with a toothy smile towards Emma, "I waned to show you this!"
He continued to smile largely, but Emma wasn't sure why.
"Well what'd you want to show me?"
He frowned, "You couldn't tell?"
"What?"
He smiled again, this time pulling his cheek further back and pointing to a gap in his teeth.
"You lost a tooth!" She beamed as held up her hand for a high five.
He nodded enthusiastically as he high fived her back.
She smiled, "Has the tooth fairy come yet? You know she used to give your mother 50 bucks when we were kids."
"Really?! 50 bucks!"
She nodded, "I never thought it was fair. I only got 50 cents."
"We're you bad or something?"
"Probably," she chuckled, "But that shouldn't have affected anything. She isn't Santa Claus."
He giggled, "I hope I get 50 bucks."
"You'll probably get that and a toy," she assured, "But I digress. Where's your mom?"
"Sleeping, that's why I texted you. I was bored."
She chuckled and kicked off her shoes, "That's what TV's for kid."
She picked up the remote and turned the TV on, "So what do you wanna watch?"
He bit his tongue in concentration as he tried to think of a something to watch, "I like Lilo Stitch. Can we watch that?"
"Sure, where are your movies at?"
He hopped off the couch and ran to his room, "I'll get it!"
Emma laughed as he ran to get the movie, she then looked around the apartment. She'd been there many times since her first time watching Roland a month ago. If she wasn't at work than she had no problem watching Roland. He was a good kid and gave her little to no trouble, and she got to see Regina. But she only ever picked him up at Regina's apartment, never stayed long enough study the inside. The walls were filled with pictures of Roland. Some were professional, others candid, but Emma could tell that all his smiles were genuine. The kid was always so happy and caring she couldn't help but immediately fall in love with him. She reminded her of what could've been. Along with the many pictures of Roland there were picture of a man that Emma could only assume was her late husband. Some of the photos were just of the man but others were him Roland or him, Regina, and Roland. They were a good looking family, and would've continued to do so if Robin had lived. She felt bad that she was kind of relieved that he was gone, because he lived him, Regina, and Roland would have most likely been stationed elsewhere before they got the chance meet up and clear the air. She was thankful to have her friend back. She did notice there were no pictures of Rolands mother, but she distinctly remembers Regina saying she tries to keep the memory alive of both of Roland's parents.
Her thoughts were interrupted by the cheers of Roland, "I found it!"
He ran back into the living room and handed Emma the movie.
"Ahhh, the second Lilo Stitch. I like this one too, it's sad but it's cute."
"Blegh, feelings," he said in disgust, "I like it because of the volcano story that kills the guy. Plus Stitch is funny when he falls in the mashed potatoes."
She laughed again and took the movie from him and put it in the DVD player, "Yeah ok, whatever. Lets just get this movie started and get you to bed before wakes up and freaks."
"She'll be fine," he insisted, "It's just you."
"You know what kid, when I first met you I definitely thought you'd be the shy stuttering type of 1st grader but you're a smart and cunning kid Roland," she smirked, "No wonder we get along great."
He grinned and hugged her as she sat down next to him, "I'm glad I met you too."
He snuggled up against Emma's side as the movie started and watched the movie intensely until his favorite part came up, "Emma, Emma, Emma look! This is the best part! I know all the words!"
"Yeah right," she joked.
"Yeah huh. Watch me!" He exclaimed before starting his monologue, "There once was beautiful goddess named Hi'iaka and handsome mortal named Lohiau. They were as close as two people could be. But one day Pele the volcano goddess grew jealous of their friendship and took Lohiau and threw him into a volcano filled with molten lava… OH STITCH!" He mocked as he stood on the couch and fell into Emma's lap mimicking the mashed potato theme.
"Ok, ok! I believe you!" She said as he flailed in her lap.
He stopped, but only because he saw Regina emerge from her room.
"Roland? Emma?" She said as she tried to rub away the sleepiness away from her eyes, "What is- Is this a dream?"
Emma laughed, "Not a dream Gina, but come over and snuggle anyway. I know you want to," she said as she wiggled her eyebrows.
The brunette yawned again as she shrugged and joined the two on the couch. She cozied up to the other side of Emma and within minutes of the next scene of the movie running her snores filled the room. The blonde looked to Regina than back to Roland who was eyeballing his mother.
"She always falls asleep during movies," he pointed out.
"I know right. She's always been like this. What a light weight."
"Totally," he said with a yawn.
"Don't you knock out on me too."
He yawned again, "Never."
But surely enough, before the climax of the movie hit, she heard the light snores come from Roland.
"Guess it's time to put you guys to bed."
She paused the movie and tried to gently shimmy her way out from between the duo. Once out, she took Roland in her arms and carried him to his room and placed him on his bed.
"Goodnight kid."
On her way out she noticed a picture of woman, on his nightstand, she had never seen before, but the same woman was in another picture on his wall with Robin.
"Must be his bio mom," she guessed.
"It is. That's Marian."
Emma turned around to face the voice at the door, that was asleep moments earlier. Regina folded her arms and walked over to stand beside Emma, "I don't like actually seeing her because she reminds me that she was Robins one true love," she explained, "You should have seen the way he talked about her. I know he loved me but he would always love her more. If by some miracle they were both to resurrect from the dead, I'm sure he'd choose a life with her over one with me."
"Well I didn't know the guy, but I know you. I'm sure he wouldn't-"
"He would. Again I'm not mad. Like I said, he loved me but his love for her was different. And I couldn't hold it against him because I understood him. I understood what it was like to love someone so much but to not be able to have them so you settle for the next best thing. Robin and I were eachothers next best thing, but if it came down to it I would've dropped him if someone specific had come back into my life. I understood the differences in love, and he did too. But to be reminded with her face everyday when I was sure my version of her was never coming back in photo or human form, I made it so that Roland could remember her. That's why the only photos of her are in his room. Just because I'm insecure, doesn't mean he shouldn't know who his mother is."
"You're his mother too you know. He absolutely adores you."
"I'm the only one he's ever known, of course he does," she laughed.
"I mean it Gina. You've always been a wonderful person. Ok maybe not always," she said reminiscing on the day they first met and she had snitched on her to her mom, "but most of the time, and in reflects in your son. He is excellent in every way, shape, and form. Hands down one of the smartest kids I have ever met, and he owes that to you."
The brunette smiled, "Thanks Em."
"I only tell the truth."
She walked around the room and ended up sitting on the bed and stroking Roland hair, "I'm sorry he tricked you and made you waste your night here. He's taken a liking to you."
"It wasn't a complete waste. I like Roland too. Plus I got to cuddle with you. We haven't done that in awhile."
The darkest blush crept onto Reginas face, "Yeah that was nice."
Emma stared at Regina as she sat next to her son. They were some of the most perfect people she had ever seen, and she found it was time to let the be a family.
"Well I should be heading home now."
"Do you work tomorrow?" She asked deflecting on Emma's attempt to leave.
"Uh-no. No tomorrow's my day off."
"I have no doubt that Roland will beg me to see you tomorrow, so if you want you can spend the night here. Surprise him in the morning. I'm sure he'd love that, and I have some clothes I'm sure you'd fit into. So if you want…"
"Regina Elizabeth Mills. Are you asking me to sleep over?"
The blush crept up on her cheeks again, "If you want."
"I'd be honored."
Regina turned to Emma and smiled, "Great. You can take my bed, I will sleep in here with Roland."
"Oh no. Regina I couldn't. I'll take the couch."
"I insist. I always end up in here anyway."
Emma pouted causing Regina to get up, walk over, and flick her nose, "We're not kid anymore your pouting won't work on me anymore."
Her pout deepened before a devious smile emerged on her face, "Oh yeah?"
The blonde poked Regina in her side, then again, and again causing the older girl to laugh.
"Em. Emma no!" she laughed out as she tried backing away and out of Roland's room.
"So you can flick my nose, but I can't do this?"
"Well it is my house," she said as she tried using her couch in the living room as a blockade between her and Emma.
"Yeah, I think you and I both know I don't do well with the rules and property thing."
The brunette rolled her eyes and attempted to run into her room.
"Nuh-uh. I've always been faster than you," she yelled as she chased Regina into her room, "Aha gotcha!"
She tackled Regina onto her bed and trapped her against the mattress as she tickled her mercilessly.
"Alright, alright! I concede, I concede!"
"VICTORY!" Emma cheered as she raised her hands in the air.
Regina playfully punched the blonde in her stomach as she rolled her eyes.
She let out the last of her laugh as she held her stomach and plopped herself down beside Regina, staring up at the ceiling, "You always were a sore loser."
She turned on her side to face Emma, "Well no one ever beat me, except for you."
Emma turned to her side as well, tucking her hands underneath her cheek as she stared into Reginas eyes, "Well you made it so easy."
The tone in her voice made Regina's stomach do backflips, "Well if I wanted to keep you around, had to make sure you felt good about yourself."
"Is this your way of telling me you always let me win?"
She shrugged, "Maybe."
"mAyBe," she mocked.
Regina scoffed and pushed Emma's shoulders, "God I didn't miss that."
"But you did miss me," she stated matter of factly.
Regina sighed, "Yeah. Yeah I did Em."
She freed one of her hands and tucked a strand of brown hair out of Regina's eyes, "You know I may have hated you all those years, but I missed you too."
She rested one of her hands atop Emma's and relaxed into her touch, "I know, and again, I'm sorry."
"Yeah, I know."
The laid there in silence taking in the beauty of the other. It had been so long since any of them had felt close to another person.
"Emma?" She piped up aft awhile.
"Yeah?"
"It was you. The someone specific I would've left my husband for. It was you…"
Emma smiled, "Yeah, I know."
She leaned in to place a gentle kiss on Regina's lips. The brunette kissed her back and didn't ever want to separate. She had missed Emma's lips after nearly more than a decade, so when Emma tried pulling away her lips tried following hers as best as they could before the blonde smiled and gently caressed Regina's face to start pulling them apart.
"Your son is in the next room."
She groaned, "Oh but how I wish he wasn't."