Summary:

Henry gets his first Karate lesson.

Chapter Text

Emma didn't do much on Sunday except sleep until noon and then texted Regina to arrange a suitable time for her to meet Henry for their first Karate lesson. This would not be her first time teaching kids the art of karate. She taught a group in Tallahassee at her local gym during the summer one year. She enjoyed it immensely, but couldn't commit due to her busy schedule at work. She had wondered about opening her own dojo, but she needed a lot of money for that. Something she didn't have. Suffice to say, she was pretty excited about teaching Henry. And perhaps she could get Regina to join in a few lessons. It was always a good idea to learn self-defence. Especially for a woman as small and petite as Regina, though she was sure Regina could probably just kick someone whilst wearing her high heels and land them in ICU. Those heels of hers looked hella sharp and lethal. Then again, she shouldn't assume that Regina didn't know how to defend herself, physically, just because of her size. But Emma did know Regina could cut down anyone of any size with that sharp tongue of hers.

They agreed on Henry meeting Emma at the Sheep Meadow, in Central Park. It would be after school and Regina's dad would accompany him since he picked Henry up from school anyway. Emma had suggested somewhere outdoors so that they could get fresh air and the weather was getting warmer now that Spring was here.

Emma was waiting by a tree doing some stretches when the two Henrys showed up.

"Hey, Emma!" Henry Jr called out to her, excitement in his voice.

Emma got up from a stretch and turned to greet them. "Hey, Henry. Hello Mr Mills."

"Oh, none of that Mr Mills. Call me Henry. Hope you are well, Emma." Henry Sr smiled kindly at Emma.

"Yes, thanks. Doesn't it get confusing when people call your name when you're together?"

"Yes, it can get confusing sometimes, but when we are with family or friends then my grandson gets called Hen. Or kid, in your case," Henry Sr. winked at Emma.

"Oh, okay," Emma turned to Henry Jr, "what would you prefer I call you?"

"I don't mind kid when it's just us, but don't call me that in front of my dad. He hates that word and I'd hate for him to chew you out over it. If he is ever around, just call me Henry. If my grampa is also with us, then Hen is fine." Henry Jr smiled at Emma but had said all this in a very grown-up way. It was hard to believe he was only ten.

"Thanks for the heads up, kid," Emma chuckled. "Put your bag on that bench there and then come do some stretches with me, okay?"

Henry did as he was told, and was soon standing in front of Emma again. His grampa was sitting on the bench, watching them with interest. Emma didn't mind parents or grandparents watching her teach their kids. It just meant they cared enough which was great in her opinion.

They started with stretches and then Emma talked about the history of martial arts, karate in particular since that was what Henry wanted to learn. She asked him why he wanted to learn it.

"Well, I've had problems with bullies at school. I just want to be able to fight back."

"I understand that, kid. Being an orphan, I got bullied a lot at school and in the various group and foster homes I was put in. But before we start, I need you to understand that karate is about self-defence. Not about starting a fight just to show the bullies that you can fight too. Okay? The bravest thing anybody can do is to walk away from a fight. Never initiate one. I will teach you how to defend yourself and I will teach you well. But I don't want to hear from your mom that you started any fight otherwise these lessons will end. Okay, kid?"

"Yes, ma'am." Henry seemed quite scared of a serious Emma. But he knew she meant well.

"Okay, enough with the ma'am, kid," Emma chuckled. "Let's do this," she winked at him.

Emma started with the basics and after an hour, they were both sweating and Emma called it a day.

"I thought you were going to make me do a bunch of chores, painting your fence or waxing your car," Henry told Emma afterwards as he walked - and panted - towards the bench where his grampa was waiting for him."

"You've watched "Karate Kid" too many times, kid!" Emma chuckled as she walked towards the bench with him.

Henry Sr stood up as they approached. "That was very impressive, Emma. Did you enjoy your lesson, Nieto?"

"Yeah, Abuelo, I can't wait to tell mom all about it." Henry Jr was excited. He turned back to look at Emma, "When is our next lesson, Emma? Should I be calling you Sensei?"

"Emma is just fine, kid," Emma laughed. "And it depends on when you are available. Don't you need to practice your violin? The concert is on Friday. How about we aim for Saturday? If you are free. I'm seeing your mom later so I can discuss it with her then?"

"Cool! Thanks, Emma. I don't think we had any plans except for lunch with Aunty Kat."

"Okay, well I'll see you on Friday evening anyway, kid. Go practice your violin. I can't wait to hear you play!" Emma ruffled his hair then instantly regretted it. "Ewww! You're all sweaty, kid! Go home and hit the shower before you do anything else. I don't want your mom blaming me for you getting sweat stains on your fancy sofas!"

"Emma is right, Nieto," Henry Sr chuckled. "Your mamá would be very angry and quite disgusted. Plus, you smell bad. Let's get you home."

"Hey, are you Spanish? Sorry, it's just that your surname doesn't sound very Spanish." Emma had heard them speak a few Spanish words and seeing both Regina and her dad, they did have the olive-skinned Latina vibe going for them. Well, Latino for Henry Sr. But Henry Jr was quite pale in comparison to them. Maybe he took after his dad.

"I'm from Puerto Rico, Emma. And Regina's mom was Italian. Mills has been changed from the name "Molinos" which literally means Mills. When my family moved to America, it was better for us to have a more "American sounding name".

"Oh, I'm sorry you had to change it. Molinos has a nice sound to it. I apologise for being nosy. And I'm sorry for your loss."

"You're just being inquisitive, Emma. That's not a bad quality to have. And thank you. Yes, we lost Cora last year. Dementia. Okay, I guess we better go now. Get this niño in the shower ASAP!"

"Gee, thanks, Abuelo! Bye Emma, thanks for my lesson. See you on Friday!"

"Bye, kid. Goodbye, Henry." Emma waved them off, then grabbed her backpack from the bench and walked home. She also needed a shower so she didn't dare get a cab or any other public transport for fear of getting kicked out for her stench.

Notes:

I know nothing about karate or martial arts except what I saw/heard on Karate Kid!