Chapter Ten
For the first time since that fateful night when Emma brought Henry home, Emma felt a little out of place in the foyer of the mayors mansion. Regina had entered and stormed off towards ht kitchen and Emma was unsure if she should follow. In the distance she could hear Regina moving things around. Emma shifted the weight from one foot to another and just as she was about to make a move towards the kitchen, Regina came back through holding a half empty glass. She walked past Emma into the front room and this time Emma did follow.
Regina went into the room and took a seat on the sofa. Emma hesitated for a moment before taking a seat opposite. For a moment there was nothing but silence then.
"Who was he"
"Im sorry" the two women spoke at the same time. Regina raised an eyebrow and brought a drink up to her lips. Emma took that as a cue to begin talking.
"Regina Im so sorry you had to witness that. It really as not what it looked like" she almost pleaded with the brunette. Regina just raised another eyebrow and Emma took a calming breath.
"That was Neil" She said and Regina nodded. Emma continued.
"When you left the meeting it wrapped up pretty quickly. Snows been agreed as mayor, god help the town" Emma said and a the hint of a smirk that appeared on Reginas lips didn't go unnoticed by the sheriff.
"Then everyone left and my parents told me they had a surprise for me and the next thing I know Neil is standing behind me.
"I haven't seen him since I was younger, like way younger. I didn't even know he j new my paretns. It turns out they found him in the enchanted forest and because of our history they thought we would love happily ever after" Emma finished quickly, looking at the floor, avoiding looking Regina in the eyes.
Regina observed Emma.
"What history?" She asked and Emma swallowed.
"Can I have a drink before I tell all?" She asked sheepishly ad regina got up and fixed her a drink. Handing it over Emma took it and took one big gulp, visible shuddering as the liquid burned her throat.
"I met neil when I was 16. I just left the foster system. I tried to steal a car that he already stole and yea. Things between us moved quickly and before I know it we were doing some dodgy stuff. Nothing too serious just enough to keep us going and get by" she took a breathe. Regna listened intently.
"about a year passed and he needed me to do something and I thought I loved him so I agreed. But it turned out he set me up. I went to move some stolen watches and was caught by the cops. Neil had done a runner by this point soo I copped all the blame. I was sent to juvie and" Emma stopped. She took another big gulp of her drink. Regina sucked in a breathe. She knew what was about to come out of the blondes mouth. Emma swallowed her drink and continued.
"I found out I was pregnant with Henry" she said and look up to see Regina taking a gulp of her drink. Emma started up again.
"Neil doesn't know about Henry" Emma said and Regina looked up shocked.
"He doesn't know?" She asked "At All?" And Emma shook her head.
"And I never told him today" Emma said.
"What did happen today?" Regina asked and Emma looked at the floor.
"like I said, my parents brought him back from the enchanted forest. He told me he always knew who I was back when we met, that I was destined to break the curse and that was why he had to leave me. I needed to break the curse. That kiss. It was completely unexpected. I told him I needed space. I needed to process what he told me. I left the building and he grabbed my arm and the next thing I know he's kissing me. I pushed him away but you had already left." Emma finished, looking solemnly at the floor.
Regina held her jaw stiff. She didn't have any words. She tried to muster up something.
"you are free to kiss whomever you want miss swan" she said and Emma looked up.
"But I don't want to kiss him. I don't want you thinking I go around kissing random people" Emma said looking Regina in the eyes.
For a moment regina got lost in Emmas gaze. She was lost for words. Over the past week Regina knew that they had gone closer and somewhere deep inside there was something about the blonde that had regina thinking and feeling different.
"Why do you care about what I think?" Regina asked. Emma looked at her.
"Isnt it obvious?" Emma asked and Regina looked blankly at her.
"Youre my friend Regina. I don't need a man. I don't want a man. I need my son and I want my friend. Its my job to bring back Happy Endings and I swear, with everything I have I will bring back yours" Emma said with so much conviction in her voice it brought a tear to Reginas eye.
"Hey don't cry" Emma said moving to kneel in front of Regina.
Regina moved a hand to wipe a tear.
"These are happy tears" Regina said. "Ive never had someone believe in me so much before. Thank you Emma" Regina said and Emma smiled at her.
"I got you Regina" Emma whispered and the two smiled at each other.
The front door opened and Emma and Regina both stood up and looked towards the entrance.
"MOMS" Henrys voice sounded through the hallway. Regina cleared her voice and Shouted. "Were in here Henry" and soon enough Henry came into the room closely followed by Ruby.
Henry enters and looked at the two women.
"Is everything okay?" He asked and they both nodded.
"Yes we were just talking" Regina confirmed. "Do you want something to eat?" Regina asked Henry and when he nodded she looked to Ruby. "Would you like something too Ruby?" Regina asked and she looked taken aback. "Oh umm" she stuttered.
"I won't poison it" Regina said and Emma and Henry smirked. Ruby looked between them and slowly nodded.
"Grilled Cheese and soup?" She asked and Emma and Henry nodded. Ruby nodded too.
"if you're sure? I don't want to put you out or anything" Ruby said and when Regina confirmed she was indeed, Ruby smiled and followed along with Henry and Emma to the kitchen.