Telling Henry

Summary: As word spreads throughout the town about Regina and Marian becoming a couple, there's more gossip about another unusual family. Marian unites with an old friend, and Henry finally gets told about Marian and his mother. His reaction is unexpected, to say the least!

Granny's Diner – Sunday morning.

Probably the result of spending the best part of four hours in bed on Saturday afternoon, Marian and Regina had both felt far too tired for their planned romantic dinner at the little French restaurant. So Marian cancelled, and they decided on a small snack indoors, before retiring once again to bed. Though this time, with sleep very much in mind.

They'd woken up in each other's arms, happy and fully rested, though incredibly hungry. Over coffee and a slice of toast, they decided that rather than make breakfast themselves, they'd go to Granny's for brunch. And so, just before ten, the pair stepped into the diner.

"Gina!" yelled a young voice from the back. "Over here? You gonna have breakfast with us?"

She looked over to see Neal, Emma's young brother, at their usual table, sitting next to his father. Next to David sat Snow, with her little granddaughter in a highchair next to her, being fed a piece of banana. Neal always brought out the best in Regina, and his happy nature and obvious love for his favourite aunty never failed to lift her spirits whenever she felt low. She looked to her side, to see whether Marian was alright joining them, or wanted to have their own table.

"Go ahead!" she whispered, "we have to face it sometime…"

"Good morning, Neal my love," she bent down, dropping a kiss to his cheek. Was that magic she could sense? "What are you up to today?"

"After breakfast, I'm gonna go back to Uncle Phil's. Him, Rory and Mu are building Pip a big tree house and I'm gonna help them!" said the excited boy. "They're making a big rope net to fall on, and bridges and stuff."

"Sounds fun; I'd like to see that..." Regina looked up to Snow. "I see you've got Hope. Where's her mother this morning?"

"Having a lie-in. They said they'll join us later. She's feeling much better though." Snow couldn't help noticing Regina was holding hands with an equally dark-haired, slim and slightly taller woman. "You must be Marian? I heard you were in town. Come join us?"

"Well, we didn't want to disturb you…" Marian began, now feeling a little nervous.

"Nonsense. We've only just ordered, but this little one gets 'hangry' if we don't get food inside her quickly. Bit like her mother. Do please join us? Any friend of Regina's and all that. I'm Snow. I gather you've already met my husband?" David had already stood to invite them in.

Marian looked up at the tall, handsome man with the warm smile. "Yes, a few days ago." She remembered how he'd firmly, but calmly, pulled her back from raining more blows on the witch. And how he'd stopped her getting arrested. "Thank you, your Highness, for restraining me from making my poor behaviour even worse."

"Please just call me David? And it's no problem. Under the circumstances, you showed surprising restraint. As Snow said, do please join us?" he smiled at Regina, who seemed unusually coy. "We'd love to get to know you better. Come sit."

Regina knew she should have expected this. At some point, Snow was bound to ask awkward questions and the moment she knew about her and Marian, word would soon be all over town! She nodded, and the pair moved in to sit next to each other on the back wall, Regina next to Snow, and David now settling opposite, next to his son. What she wasn't expecting was just who would ask the first awkward question!

"Are you Regina's new girlfriend?" Neal asked Marian, as Regina froze.

"NEAL! Where are your manners?" growled David.

"No David, it's fine," Regina raised a hand. "Somebody was bound to ask, and I'd rather it was him. Yes Neal, Marian is my…girlfriend." she sat anxiously, waiting to see the five-year-old's reaction.

Neal looked slowly over the two women, looking as though he was considering his response, before finally: "Cool. It's nice to meet you, Mari. You wanna come look at the new treehouse later?"

With his simple acceptance and invitation, Marian almost melted. "It's lovely to meet you too, Neal! I'd love to come join you, but unfortunately, we're sailing on the Jolly Roger very early tomorrow morning, so I have a bit too much to do today. Perhaps another time?"

"Okay," he shrugged. "You're going on the Jolly? I love it when Killian takes us sailing. Where are you going?"

"The Dark Realm. We're both going on a mission to rescue my own son. His name's Roland."

"You're going too?" asked Snow, surprised. "Regina, have you told Henry?"

"Not yet. I'll be talking to him tonight. He's very busy with study, so we only get a chance to speak once a week at the moment."

"Oh. So he doesn't know about you and Marian?" she looked at the taller woman.

"No. So I'd appreciate it if you didn't make a thing out of this yet?" She glanced sideways at her lover, who took her hand again, squeezing it. "Henry should have been the first to know, and I feel guilty that word's going to get out before I've had a chance."

"I wouldn't leave it long," warned David. "He speaks to Rumpelstiltskin once a week, and I know he's always talking to his old friends Grace and Patrick. Word's already out about the new girl-couple in town!" Regina groaned, rolling her eyes. "Still, I wouldn't worry about it. There's a lot more gossip in town about the Briar trio right now..."

"The Briar 'trio'? You mean Aurora, Mayor Philip…and Mulan?"

"Yes!" burst Snow, clearly desperate to talk about it. "You must have heard, surely?"

Regina shook her head. "No. We've been…busy. What's happened?"

"It was yesterday morning. When they realized word had got out that Philip's actually Li's father, as well as Pip's, they just decided to make it public. It seems that Aurora and Philip got down on their knees together, and proposed to Mulan. And she accepted! They're marrying her next year!"

"Marrying her? Would that even be legal?"

"Under Misthaven's rules, yes. Merlin said he can also provide them with a binding ceremony and spell of some sort."

"A wedding between three people? How romantic!" said Marian. "I've only met Philip once, but he seems a lovely man. I'd also like to meet Mulan sometime. Apparently, she was one of Robin's merry men, after I'd gone, so she might have known Roland."

"The merry men?" asked Neal. "You mean Robin Hood and the Merry Men?"

"Why yes. Robin Hood, or Robin of Locksley, as he was known, was my husband."

"Really? I've been reading about him at school. And Henry left one of his books for me to read. Wasn't Robin Hood the one who saved your life, Gina?"

Regina gave a sad smile. "He did, Neal. He saved me by sacrificing his own life. I loved him very much." They could all see the little cogs now whirring in the boy's mind as he looked between them, so Marian helped him out. "I was killed, Neal. Or so Robin and everyone else thought. He met Regina much later. You know what? Now I think about it, I'm sure I could spend a little bit of time looking at this new tree house! Robin and the guys used to often build them, and even live up in the trees sometimes. Meant they could also keep a lookout for any soldiers coming! We used to have special signals, sounds and calls, to tell each other things without anyone else knowing. Robin was very good at doing bird noises!"

"Mulan told me something about that. She's great. Mari, you should definitely come over!"

Neal was the second person to call her by the short name Robin often used. Regina had also used it once, in bed yesterday. "Okay, I'll stop by. No doubt Regina knows where."

Granny appeared at the table. "Okay families – what are you having?"

Following brunch and after saying goodbye to his parents, Neal Nolan led the way to his friend's home. To a large white townhouse Philip and Aurora moved into four years ago.

For the second time today, when Regina took his hand, she noticed it. Magic. Latent, but it was definitely there! She realized she needed to talk to Emma and the Charmings. Far better they train him in his early years, rather than falling into the hands of someone like Rumpelstiltskin!

When they'd arrived, Aurora answered the door with a toddler in her arms, as Mulan and Philip were building the treehouse in the back garden. She sent Neal off to let them know they had visitors, and before long they'd joined them over coffees in the lounge.

"Regina, Marian - good to see you again," said Philip, getting comfortable between his wife and Mulan. "Did you just come to drop off Neal, or was there anything else?"

"Nothing specific, Philip, and thanks for the coffee. It's much appreciated after that cold walk! Neal was wanting us to come and admire your new tree house? But we also heard the news this morning about you two and Mulan? I guess we just wanted to offer our congratulations, and introduce Marian of course! Mulan, she wanted to meet you too, seeing as you knew Robin and the men?"

Mulan looked across at Marian, smiling. "Yes, I had heard you'd arrived here, now very much alive! I was hoping I'd get to meet you at some point."

"You knew Robin well?"

"He was like a big brother to me," said the former warrior. "I joined him and the men after I left Rory and Phil at the castle. You know, I confided in him things about me I'd never told a soul. He saved my life several times, as I did him. I rarely shed tears, Marian. It's not in my nature. But I admit I wept for hours when Rory told me he'd been killed, and the men had all left for the Forest. Apart from Phil, he was the nicest, most honourable man I ever met."

Marian felt a little choked as she talked so warmly about him. "You must have been very close."

Mulan merely nodded, red eyed. "Phil and I remember Robin too," added Aurora. "So kind, yet so brave. And your little Roland was loved by everyone in the town. Quite the little charmer, like his father, though now I've met you, I think he got his looks from you!"

"As we said to Philip the other day, we're going to try and find him and bring him back," said Regina, "we believe he and the men could be in danger."

Mulan stiffened. "Then let me come join you on the mission? I owe it to Robin.

"That's very kind. Your bravery is legendary, but we already have Merlin, Mr. Gold and even Captain Jones joining us. The land where we think he's being held is under strong magical control, so magic's where we need all the help we can get.

"I understand. You know Marian, Robin mourned your death for a very long time! When we were together, he used to tell me about many of your exploits, and the fact you were one of the best forgers and negotiators he ever knew!" Marian blushed at the memory. "So where are you staying while you're here?"

"Didn't Philip tell you? About Regina and me?" both women looked at him.

"I believe you told me in confidence, ladies? I wouldn't want to betray that."

Bless you Philip! thought Regina. At least someone around here who knows how to keep a secret.

"Then thank you for your discretion; I wish there were more around here like you. Well, Marian and I are in a relationship. It's early days but…as word seems to be getting out, we're not making any secret of it. Not now, anyway.

"Oh. I never knew!" Mulan looked at Aurora, who seemed slightly shocked at the news. "Well good luck to you. You say you also heard about us this morning?"

"In the diner. I gather there was some sort of…proposal?"

Aurora sniggered. "Yes. Phil and I asked Mulan, or Ping as we sometimes call her, to join in our marriage. Thankfully, she said yes!"

"As if you ever doubted I would?" the smaller woman leaned over to take her fiancée's hand, dropping a small kiss on Philip's cheek as she squeezed it. "We're going to wed in the Spring. Like Philip, Li and I are going to take Rory's family name. Briar."

"Well congratulations!" said Marian. "When I heard this morning, I told Gina I thought it sounded very romantic. I could just imagine how lovely it would be to have not one, but two loves supporting me through life. And even more so for your son and daughter?"

Aurora beamed at her understanding. "It's true. It all happened over time. Mulan fell in love with Philip while I was under a sleeping curse, but didn't act on her feelings because he was still, technically, a married man. Later on he was killed, or so we thought, by a wraith. I began to have feelings for her, though I never imagined she had them for me too. When Philip came back, I became pregnant and Mu left us to join Robin. I never knew it was because she was heartbroken."

"Losing not one, but two of your loves to each other can be quite the blow!" added Mulan. "But still, they came to find me in DunBroch. I know people think I'm brave, but they were the brave ones to admit to me how they both felt. We lived there for a while, with Pip, until later we discovered I was pregnant. So we decided to return to Storybrooke. Far better to bring up children here..."

"It was clearly meant to be!" gushed Marian. "What a lovely story. So now, you've a wedding to look forward to, with your two beautiful children."

"Yes, I regard myself as Pip's mother, just as much as Rory is Li's. And they're both Phil's, of course!" she kissed the cheek of a very smug Philip.

"But what about you two?" She gave them a sly grin. "Any thoughts of wedding bells in the future?"

"Give us a chance, Aurora, we've only known each other six days!" said Regina, to laughter from the others. Though she couldn't hide a smile as she felt Marian's arm come around her back. "But…we have high hopes." As she turned her head to face her, Marian gave her the lightest peck on the lips, causing her to blush. The first time they'd kissed in front of anyone else.

Aurora looked at the clearly besotted pair, glancing back at her husband. "Robin certainly had a type, didn't he? Intelligent, feisty and beautiful, brown-eyed brunettes, with perfect hair?" The pair blushed at her compliment, Regina rolling her eyes.

"When you get back, ladies, let's sort out the riding school, yes?" said Philip, "Ping and I are popping over there in a little while, to make sure the adventure scouts have put everything away, as its all been unfairly left to Sheriff Morgan to manage, amongst his many other duties. There's usually two or three of the horses that haven't been ridden for a week or two, so we take them out for a quick jaunt. There's an older stallion, Chester, who most of the youngsters are too nervous to ride, since the Merry Men left him behind. And Rosie, of course. She's jumpy, and needs a rider who knows what they're doing."

"Did you say Chester?" gasped Marian, excitedly. "A chestnut thoroughbred?"

"Why yes. A big one! I think only Robin and Little John used to ride him. Ping and I do from time to time, but he's quite the flyer! Even some of the experienced riders get nervous on him."

"That's Robin's horse! I should know, I bought him, and I've ridden him myself! Goodness, I'd forgotten all about dear Chester! I would love to see him. Gina, I think I'd like to go to the stables with them this afternoon. Would you like to come with me?"

"I'd love to, dear, but I need to be back before seven, for Henry's call. Mind you, we do have a few hours spare. Philip, would you mind?"

"Not at all. We're going to be heading over there at four. Why don't we all go together?"

Storybrooke Stables

They arrived at the stables an hour later, Neal and Pip thrilled they were doing something different on a Sunday afternoon. Philip went off to see Jonathan, the volunteer part-time manager, with Pip and Neal, Li in her backpack, to give the boys a quick ride on one of the smaller ponies, and help de-saddle and stable the horses that had been taken out by the adventure scouts earlier, and tidy up. Mulan and Aurora went off to round up the other five that remained in the far field opposite the slightly run-down buildings as Regina and Marian looked around the centre.

"This place could really do with some work," said Regina, looking at the poor quality of the stables. "Perhaps a little magic? I won't do anything right now, as it might spook the horses, but…"

"THAT'S HIM! THAT'S CHESTER!" gasped Marian, seeing a tall, broad man leading a large, dark reddish-brown horse around, getting ready to mount him. "That's Robin's Chester! Regina, can you magic me a couple of apples?"

"What? Oh…er, sure." Focusing her mind on a small fruit bowl in her kitchen, three large dark-red apples appeared in her own hands. "Will they do?"

"Perfect. Chester loves them! I wonder if he remembers me? Let's see," she took one of the apples, pocketed the others, then stepped closer to the edge of the field. "CHESSIE? CHESSIE!" she screamed, loud enough to be heard. The powerfully built chestnut stallion, a thoroughbred, brought his long neck up, turning when he heard her voice. Moving closer, it seems that at some point he recognised her, letting out a loud whinny as he moved to a trot, closing in on her.

Regina watched the huge beast as he grew close. He was magnificent! At least 16 hands high, and at least ten years old, he moved gracefully towards them. Thirty feet away, he whinnied again, briefly rearing onto his back legs to wave his front legs in a little display, before closing on Marian, who walked right in front of him, completely unafraid.

"Come here, my beautiful boy!" she yelled. Just before reaching her, her lowered his head in an almost worshipful bow, as she roughly stroked the side of his jaw. "Hello Chessie! I've missed you so much!" The horse stayed stock still as she petted him, rubbing her head alongside his powerful jaw, presenting him with an apple, which he carefully lifted from her palm, chomping it whole.

As she watched the old friends reunite, Regina remembered how she used to be with Rocinante, her own magnificent steed. The horse she'd sacrificed to gain her magic. It was only then she noticed the figure, who had been with the horse in the field, pull up alongside the stallion. Sir Morgan, Violet's father.

"Hello, Regina! Wasn't expecting anyone else over here today. I was just about to take Chester here out for a canter. He's always the last one to get a stretch. But it seems he already knows this lady?" he looked at Marian, still petting the animal, feeding him another apple as he happily rubbed his head against her arms.

"Hello Hank. This is Marian. Yes, she used to know him. Rather well, as it turns out…"

"So I can see! Well he certainly remembers her. He's a wonderful ride, but there aren't many people experienced enough to handle him. I normally give him a canter to the lake and back to blow away the cobwebs."

"May we take him instead?" asked Marian.

"Well…yes, I guess, as its clear you've ridden him before. I've no doubt Regina could probably handle him too, but he's quite the beastie when he breaks into the canter! More a pull on the reins, than a jab to the flanks, I can-"

"I know how he rides, thank you! I'll be fine, honestly. Regina, come join me? He's handled two on him many a time, and even together we don't compare to Little John's weight. Please?"

"I'd love to, but we'd better get kitted up first. My riding gear's at home, so we'd best see what they have here…"

"I never used to use headgear, and I doubt you did either! We're both in jeans, so let's go!"

"It's a good job all the youngsters have gone home!" chuckled Morgan, "Or I'm supposed to refuse you, as it would set a bad example to the children. Helmets are normally compulsory but…well, I'm sure you know the risk. I have to admit, that's how I do it…when everyone's disappeared, of course! You take him. I'll be around for another hour or so before we lock the place up…"

Regina smiled at him. "Thanks. We won't be very long. How's Violet?"

"Enjoying MIT, a little too much for my liking! She's back home for Christmas, much like your Henry, I suppose?"

"Yes. Well send her my love? I'm speaking to Henry tonight, and I know he talks to her regularly…"

"He's a fine young man, that one! Send him my best too. Now, if you'll excuse me…" Morgan gave a short bow before leaving the women alone with Chester.

"He seems nice, if a bit formal."

"He is. Sir Morgan used to be a Knight of the Round Table in Camelot. His daughter was Henry's first girlfriend. They're still good friends and they both go to universities close to each other, though Morgan's never really trusted Emma since…well, it's a long story!"

"One that you can tell me later. But now, there's an old friend we need to ride. So, you mount first, and I'll sit behind you as I'm taller and can look over your shoulder. Up you go?"

Regina sniggered as she removed her overcoat, leaving her in just a thick winter sweater and jeans. She could have magicked them proper clothes, but she knew only too well that magic near horses always spooked them. Moving closer and lifting her leg into a stirrup, she realized that this was a seriously big beast! Definitely at least four hands taller than Rocinante. Sensing what she was about to do, he somehow seemed to lower himself a good six inches! She expertly swung her right leg up and over as she rose, dropping herself onto him smoothly. However, as she swung, she felt a pair of hands under her buttocks to assist the lift!

"Was that strictly necessary, Mrs. Locksley?" she glared down at the other woman.

"No, just an excuse to touch your bum!" answered Marian, a big grin on her face.

Regina couldn't hold back the smile. "I hope I'm not going to have any trouble with you, madam?"

A moment later, Marian took two steps back, before running forward, putting her foot into a rear stirrup, and launching herself up and over effortlessly, to land tightly behind Regina, pushing her forward slightly as she felt the woman's entire torso right up against her back. Hmm, I could get used to this!

Marian's head rested on her shoulder. "Let me take the reins first, Gina? If I remember, Chessie's got some…quirks. It's all on the bridle and reins and don't use your heels in his sides. He used to hate that! You'll get the hang of him quick enough and I'll pass the reins to you, okay?"

Unbeknown to them, they now had an audience, as Aurora, Mulan and Philip now watched the two women trot and canter around the field, getting used to the powerful stallion. It was clear to all that the pair had both ridden many times before, and Marian knew their mount.

"Make quite the couple, don't they?" said Aurora, watching the pair rising, as one, to the trot. It was a hard-enough thing for one rider to learn how to rise to the trot, but seeing two riders do it together, was unusual. They were clearly laughing and talking together continuously. As they watched, Marian seemed to finally slow the horse to a walk, still talking to her, before transferring the reigns into Regina's hands. As she did so, she pulled herself even tighter against the queen's back, bringing her arms around her stomach. They heard Regina giggle, before leaning her head back, turning to receive a kiss from the taller woman behind her before they rode on.

"Definitely, considering they've only known each other less than a week!" Mulan agreed, as she felt Aurora's arms come around her from behind. "I wonder what Robin would say?"

"Probably feel a bit turned seeing them like this!" said Philip, instantly regretting it as he received an annoyed glare from both women. "What? I'm only being honest. I always get a little turned on when I see you two together!"

"Hmm. I know that look! I don't want you getting ideas of anyone else joining us, Philip Briar!" snarked Aurora.

"Believe me, my loves," he snuggled into her back, "having two perfect wives of my own will be more than enough for me!"

Mifflin Street

"You're serious? You're leaving on the Jolly tomorrow morning, to try and find Roland and bring him back? Mum, that sounds bloody dangerous!"

"It's not as bad as it sounds, Henry. Merlin and Gold will be coming with us. They're supposed to be the best light and dark sorcerers around, so we should have suitable protection."

"Even so, it all seems a bit sudden! Are you sure he's even there? That he's even alive?"

Marian, sitting on the opposite sofa from Regina, out of sight as she talked to her son on the computer, winced at the thought of Roland having been killed or died. It didn't bear thinking about! She watched as Regina tried not to give the game away that their Skype call was being overheard.

"Please don't say things like that, and try not to worry about us. All will be well."

"That's easy for you to say! You don't have to sit three hundred miles away, worrying yourself sick, while your mum puts her life on the line! Yet again!"

"It won't be like that! We're well prepared. And anyway, as I said, Emma will be staying here."

"Yeah, I spoke to her earlier. She said she couldn't join us tonight, that's why she rang me. She said she's feeling so much better after that illness. I was starting to worry, but she seems really happy. A bit like her old self, and more."

Regina smiled at the thought of her friend. "She took some water from Lake Nostos. It's a long story but yes, she does sound a lot better now. I took a small sample too. The effects are…rather pleasant."

"So…anything else happening? Anything else you want to tell me?"

The way he said it made Regina quite sure he'd heard something about them. From Snow? Oh well, time to grasp the nettle!

"Er…yes. I'm guessing you've heard something about Marian and I?"

"Marian? What about Marian?" he wasn't giving any clues, even if he did know!

"Marian and I have admitted feelings for one another. We've started…dating."

"You and Marian? Robin's wife? Bloody hell, mum! I thought she only got here a week ago?"

"Yes I know it may seem a bit sudden, but-"

"Does ma know? How did she take it?"

"I'm not sure…wait, what has it got to do with Emma?"

"Oh come on mum! She's had the hots for you for years! And it was pretty obvious it was mutual. All that flirting and all..."

"Henry! Stop saying things like that. Your mother and I are just friends and co-parents."

"Yeah, only because of Killian and Hope! If it wasn't for them, you'd be-"

"ENOUGH, HENRY! Enough! Your mother and I are just friends. Close friends, but just friends, got it?" she didn't look over the screen to Marian, as she could already see her shaking with laughter.

"Alright, have it your own way!" He sounded like he believed none of it. "So...you and Marian, eh? You're now batting for the other team, yeah?"

"Henry, if you don't start talking to me like an adult, I'm going to end this call. I am still your mother, you know? Yes, I am dating Marian. And yes, she also happens to be another woman. So yes, this could be called a 'gay' relationship, but I don't expect that level of immaturity from you!"

"Yeah, alright. I'm sorry, it's just, I guess I would have been less surprised if you'd said you had started something with ma! It's just a shock. I don't particularly care whether it's a girl or a guy, provided they make you happy! It's not like you're doing something really stupid, like Grace's dad."

"Jefferson? What's he got do do with anything?"

"A few weeks ago he told Grace he's not only got something going with a guy, which was a surprise as she thought her dad was straight, but he's even moved him into the family home, before she's even met him! I mean, how bad is that? He doesn't even call her as much! It's hurtful, mum. At least you wouldn't do something daft like that, till we got a chance to meet her!" As he said it, he caught her looking awkwardly, just for a moment, over the screen at something. Or someone. "Wait! She's there, isn't she? She's in the room with you?"

"Henry, I- "

"You didn't tell me she was listening in! So what…she's actually moved in now? Six days together, and you've moved her in? What the fuck?" he felt growing anger, though he wasn't sure why.

Regina was also angry now. "Henry, that's quite enough! I-"

"Yeah, you're right, it is! I've heard enough too! G'night mum!" He leaned over, and a second later his image froze on the screen, leaving Regina shocked.

"HE CUT ME OFF? He actually cut me off!" She couldn't believe it! As she slowly realized what he'd just done, she felt herself tear up, feeling both angry and upset. "Henry cut me off!"

Marian was already on her feet, moving to sit next to her. "We should have told him, before you started, that I was here, listening. I heard his voice, and I think he felt betrayed. That's what upset him. And now we know he thinks we're rushing…"

"WELL I DON'T! He had no right to do that to me. I'm his mother, dammit!" she felt herself almost shake with anger as she stood suddenly to get her phone. "I'm calling him back and tearing him off a strip! How dare he do that to me?" She stood, clicking on the number showing his name, waiting as she tapped her foot. Unfortunately, it went straight to his voicemail. Trying to dampen her anger, she almost growled the message into it:

"You listen to me, young man! How dare you treat me like that? I am your mother, and I will be treated with respect! You will phone me back the moment you get this because, if you do not, tomorrow morning I will suspend your bank cards, and your account, before I sail! Do not try my patience, Henry!"

She ended the call and dropped the phone down, still upset.

"Hey, come sit?" said Marian, softly. "It'll be alright, I'm sure. Give him time to realise what he's said. I'm sure he'll apologise."

"He's as stubborn as his mother! Whether it's me or Emma, and nowadays he's not one to just back down! I'd best call her, to let her know what's going on."

"Whatever you think's best. Whatever happens, I'm not going to come between you and Henry, Regina. Your relationship with him is more important…"

"You're important! I love you! And I'm not going to have him treat me like that!"