Author's Note: First off, I owe you guys a big, huge, massive apology for taking so long to update. Life got in the way as did Twitter. I kind of fell down a role playing rabbit hole (If you're into SQ RP I'm IntentionallyEm... and a few others) Any way, this is the last chapter in what is supposed to be a three 'book' series. If anyone is still reading (and I totally don't blame anyone who gave up) and would like it to continue just shoot me a comment and I'll try to get my ass in gear.
If not, thank you all so much for following this story. I really did love writing it and working through all the SQ pain from the show with the fan fic outlet.
Chapter 14
~One week after the spell was broken~
Archibald Hopper never thought he'd be sitting in a room counseling Emma Swan, Regina Mills, Mary Margaret Blanchard and David Nolan about their domestic issues.
And Jiminy Cricket certainly never imagined he'd be trying to broker a truce between Snow White, Prince Charming, The Evil Queen and The Savior.
Regardless of how insane the situation seemed, he was there to try to bring some sanity to it. So, with a deep breath and a nudge to settle his glasses, he began.
"Ok, who'd like to start?"
The entire room erupted in heated conversation, accusations, and barbs; not to mention some foul language. He decided that perhaps some more structure might be required to get this to work.
"Alright, alright!" he put up his hands to try to quiet them all. "Everyone just calm down. If you all speak at once, we're not going to accomplish anything."
The fighting finally settled with the last words echoing from Regina being "Dumbo ears". Sighing he tried to continue.
"Now, I know that there is a lot of bad blood between you all," he started.
"Actual blood," Mary Margaret huffed and Regina's eyes shot daggers at her.
"But we all need to try to find a way to put that aside so the entire town doesn't go up in flames," Archie continued.
"Literally," David added.
"Hey," Emma piped in. "We don't need commentary from the peanut gallery. We're trying to make progress here, ok?"
"No, you're trying to make progress here, Emma," Mary Margaret countered. "I'm trying to sit in the same room with the woman who killed my father, tried to kill me, cursed an entire world and took away my chance at raising my daughter. I feel like I have the right to a few snide remarks."
"Not to mention the fact that you've sided with her in all of this," David added. "That woman is a murderer. She's tried to ruin our lives, and yours by the way, at nearly every turn and your response is to stand with her over your own family. It's not exactly easy to just invite your new girlfriend over for meatloaf and act like everything is ok."
"After that comment I'm not sure what you're more upset about," Regina piped in, "that she sided with me or she's sleeping with me."
"Regina!" Emma squeaked with embarrassment and Mary Margaret looked as if her ears were about to pop right off her head.
Archie removed his glasses, as if that could possibly help the situation in some way, and tried to find the words he needed to bridge this enormously wide gap. It was only after the arguing started again, and he stepped out of himself for a moment, that he realized that was actually the natural progression he should take.
Standing, he pulled Emma aside as the others continued to berate each other, and spoke only to her.
"I know that you came to me to try to save this situation, Emma, but I don't think I can do that," he said and she finally paid attention to him instead of the bouts of fighting going on. "You don't need my skills as Dr. Hopper. I think, right now, the best thing to do is defer to my gut and be more your Jiminy Cricket."
"Meaning?" Emma asked, still looking at the arguing trio.
"Meaning you're the Savior. You're going to have to save them, not me," he waited until she finally turned to regard him. "I'll be here to observe and step in as necessary. Just go over there and talk to them."
Every part of her wanted to fight his words but, whether he was right or not about her being the Savior, he wasn't wrong about not being able to do the job himself. The Evil Queen wasn't going to listen to a cricket and The Charmings weren't going to listen to a psychiatrist who'd done Regina's bidding before.
At that moment it did come down to her. Her words. Her truth. And her pain.
"Ok, stop!" she put her hands up and yelled. "Everyone just stop, sit down and listen."
They all did as they were told, though the looks on their faces were less than pleased. She was trying to figure out who to address first. As she panned left to right with her eyes, she decided to simply go with that order.
"Mary Margaret," she gazed at the pixie-esque woman who was supposed to be her mother and gentled her tone just a bit. "I know that Regina was responsible for some very serious crimes against both you and others. But she did not get there on her own. Cora is the one who tortured her, Cora was the one who tricked you into blabbing about Daniel, and Cora forced her into a marriage she didn't want. Yes, at some point her own decisions became her responsibility, but there was a long road that lead to all of that."
The blonde moved to stand directly in front of her mother.
"And as much as you'd like to blame her for taking me away from you, you can't," she crossed her arms. "That was your decision. Bad things happen all the time and sometimes they pull families apart, putting me into that wardrobe was a decision you and David made, not Regina."
David jumped in, incensed by Emma's view of the situation, "She caused those circumstances."
"Yes she did," Emma agreed and looked at him. "But you chose the separation. It might not have been perfect, but at least we would have been together in Storybrooke as opposed to me growing up in the foster system."
Everyone's face fell, including Regina's, but this was not where Emma wanted the conversation to go.
"Now, as much as that sucked I survived and I made it here to find all of you. And I've got news for you," she looked around the room. "No one is innocent. Mary Margaret, you kissed a married man… And slept with Dr. Whale," her face twisted at that last comment before looking on to David, whose mind had just been blown. "You cheated on your wife and left Mary Margaret to rot in jail during her hour of need."
She paced in front of them.
"We all make bad decisions and obviously Regina isn't innocent here. I'm not trying to say she is. I understand that the very idea of you all burying this planet-sized hatchet is insane, so I'm not saying it has to happen today." She stopped and stood directly in front of all of them. "What I am saying is that there is a very important person that means something to all of us and his safety and happiness are more important than any grudges you do not wish to let go of. Henry is the first priority now; not a past that existed in a land far, far away."
All eyes were on her as she continued.
"Either we work together to make this mismatched group of fairy tale characters co-exist peacefully or I am taking Henry and Regina out of Storybrooke and you all can live on without the Evil Queen to pin all of your tragedies on. Is that clear?"
As Emma took in everyone's expressions a wave of relief washed over her. It was her only 'Ace in the Hole' and if didn't work, she didn't know how she was going to pull off this truce. Luckily it seemed to take effect.
Mary Margaret looked as if she were about to cry. David's jaw was on the floor. And even Regina looked befuddled at the idea.
She was meant to. It was as much a threat to her as it was to her parents. The mayor, whether she'd ever admit it or not, needed Storybrooke. She didn't have enough power in the real world to simply have things handed to her. And that meant that if they left, she'd be dependent on Emma. And that was something Emma knew she'd never be ok with.
Green eyes finally looked to Archie who'd, true to his word, allowed her to take control of the situation. A small, approving smile graced his lips and he nodded, urging her to continue. She did just that, softening her features.
"I will give you all my word that, if you work with me on this, I will find a way for us all to live together," she moved to kneel in front of Mary Margaret specifically. "I promise you that I do understand the depth of Regina's propensity for causing pain."
She didn't dare look over to the subject of her conversation because she couldn't bear to deal with the pain that was no doubt crossing Regina's face.
But Mary Margaret did. She looked into aggrieved chocolate eyes resting above a worried upper lip. She half wondered if it was an act but after thinking about it, she knew it wasn't. Regina wore the same expression when she was mourning Daniel.
"What did she do to you?" she asked as angry tears fell from the former princess' eyes as she brought them back to Emma's. "Aside from taking away your childhood and ruining any chance you ever had at the happiness that might have been afforded you were it not for her unending vendetta?"
"She loved me," Emma answered simply. "She loved me and we both had to figure out how to deal with that because the last time she loved someone he was killed right in front of her eyes and she was forced to marry an older man at seventeen."
Green eyes finally made their way to the brown ones to her right. The cold mask Regina nearly always kept up in front of Mary Margaret had come completely down and the former queen was regarding Emma with somber wonder.
"And I understand that it's hard to believe," Emma kept her eyes on Regina. "But I know that the only reason she's capable of such destruction is because she's capable of such love. The love she has for Henry and me is stronger than her vendetta against you. I promise. She isn't a threat to you anymore."
Mary Margaret shook her head as tears ran down her cheeks.
"I'm sorry; Emma, but I just don't believe that."
As soon as she said it Emma sighed in frustration and stood up, putting her hands on her hips and shaking her head. But before she had a chance to figure out her next statement, she was cut off by one from the pixie haired teacher.
"But I believe in you," she stood and touched her daughter's arm. "From moment we met I knew I could trust you. And that's just what I'm going to have to do with this situation."
A smile broke out across the blonde's face as she took in the words being directed at her.
Mary Margaret took it in and returned it before turning her attention back to Regina.
"But if she hurts you," she swallowed hard and turned the smile into a scowl. "There is no power, in this world or the last, that will prevent me from finally stopping her black heart from beating. Understand?"
As if it were practiced, both women nodded their head in affirmation just as David stood to take his place beside his true love.
"There will be peace between us as long as you keep her from hurting anyone," he said, placing his hands on Mary Margaret's shoulders. "And we'll do what we can to enforce that with the rest of the citizens in the town. You have my word."
"Well, I'd offer mine if I thought it meant anything," Regina's voice finally added itself to the conversation as she stood to take her place next to the sheriff, "but I think we all know that it doesn't. I'll just have to do it for Emma's approval rather than yours and that suits me just fine."
"Fine," Mary Margaret and David said in unison.
"Excellent work everyone," Archie finally came to talk to the group. "I think we've made a lot of progress here on finding some common ground."
"Well, I'm sure there's at least one area of interest we can all agree on," Regina offered.
"What's that?" he asked, wondering if she meant the truce or all of their common interest in protecting Emma and Henry.
"That this session is on the house, considering the sheriff here did all the work," Regina smirked, taking Emma's arm and nodding toward the newly reunited couple. "Goodbye Charmings."
Emma gave them both a small smile and told Mary Margaret she'd call as they made their exit leaving them alone in the room with Archie.
David sighed as he addressed him. "Do you really think she's changed?"
The therapist adjusted his glasses and looked to him with a smile.
"You all just sat in a room together and everyone is leaving alive," he noted. "I'd certainly call that progress."
All they could do was nod.
Emma and Regina made their way to Granny's to pick up Henry and take him home. His face was buried in a comic book as they approached.
"Hey kid," Emma spoke first and smiled. "The world getting saved ok in that one?"
"Depends on whether the team can pull together to fight the bad guys," he answered, stuffing the comic into his backpack and standing to join them.
"Much like real life," Regina smiled down at him softly. "Ready to go home?"
"Yeah, I think if I have another cocoa I may get my own super powers," he answered, as they walked out the door.
As they made their way down the sidewalk, Emma involuntarily slipped her hand into Regina's out of habit. The action was instantly rejected, Regina pulling away. The blonde looked at her curiously, as did Henry.
"It's not a good idea," she defended her position staunchly. "You both know that. These people barely respect Emma's authority enough as it is. Throwing in their face that we're a couple isn't going to make things easier."
A sigh escaped Emma's lips and she simply nodded. This wasn't the first time they'd had this argument, even in front of Henry, but she wasn't about to hash out the politics of the situation in the street. Deciding instead to change the subject all-together, she put a hand on the boy's shoulder.
"What do you say we go by the pharmacy on the way home and you can pick out a few new comic books?" She asked.
"I'd say you're trying to distract me from the fact that things are bad right now by bribing me with super heroes."
Emma looked back hopefully, "Is it working?"
"Throw in a candy bar and it will," he answered with a grin and took off into the pharmacy, leaving the two women to follow in his wake.
"Is that your idea of helping him deal with tough issues?" Regina asked, judgment dripping from her voice. "Bribery?"
"It's my idea of helping him escape the tough issues for a while," Emma answered softly. "Trust me; he deals with it every day in school."
"I know," the dark head looked down and fidgety hands when in coat pockets. "I was talking to him the other day and he said even Nicholas and Eva wouldn't talk to him anymore. Their memories of what I did to them were too much."
Green eyes surveyed the damaged soul as Regina swallowed back the tears that threatened to overflow. And though she knew it would be met with protest, she put a hand at the former Queen's back.
"Emma don't," Regina warned.
"Don't tell me what to do," she said, keeping her hand in place. "You are someone I love and you are hurt. I have every right to put a comforting hand on your back."
"But Henry-" the brunette head shook as she was cut off.
"Henry is getting hurt already and we've been acting like each of us has the plague when in public. I'm sick of this. I'm sick of this angry mob of a town running my life when I haven't done anything wrong."
"But I have," the velvety voice started to rise. "And all of them know that I do deserve to pay for my mistakes. The only thing stopping them is you. You were supposed to be their savior and instead you're the roadblock to their rightful vengeance."
It was then that a loud sneeze erupted from one aisle over. Mr. Clark had obviously been there the entire time, listening to their argument. He gave a somewhat apologetic grin over the bottles of peroxide and moved back to the front of the store.
"Great," a frustrated sigh left the mayor's lips. "You go ahead and pay for Henry's purchase. I'm going to wait outside."
The blonde head followed the retreating form and then sought out Henry. She put on the best smile she could muster as she approached him.
"So, who's saving the world today?" she asked.
"Mostly Batman. Seems like he's got a lot going on right now," Henry said with a small smile as he grabbed a candy bar and walked with Emma up to the counter, placing the items up to be scanned.
"Looks like you're a pretty hard-line DC comic man, eh Henry?" Mr. Clark asked as he scanned the books.
"Not really. I'll read anything with a good story. I'm just really into the Batman story lines right now," he answered.
"You know who you should try?" the man said before letting out a small sneeze. "Excuse me. You should give The Hulk a once-over. It's pretty good stuff. His struggle can be a little richer than Batman's because sometimes his anger causes him to hurt innocent people."
It was then that Emma's ears perked up to the conversation and she actually paid attention, furrowing her brow hesitantly as she wondered where he was going with this. Then Mr. Clark's gaze moved from Henry to her.
"See, Hulk is responsible for the wreckage in his wake but that doesn't mean he meant to hurt those that didn't deserve it. And, when he faces them and digs deep within himself to make things better, we see his true heroism shine through."
The pharmacist turned his body and his attention away for a second to grab a gently used copy of The Hulk and slipped it in Henry's bag.
"Here," he said, handing over the bag. "Give it a try."
"Thanks!" Henry replied with a genuine smile and quickly walked outside to join his mother while Emma paid.
"You sure seem to know a lot about comics," Emma said, handing over her card.
"I'm allergic to nearly everything," he smiled and swiped it before handing the card back. "Kids like me tend to become pretty well versed in all things dork."
"How'd you become so well versed in forgiveness?" she asked, tipping him off to the fact that she'd caught onto what he was trying to do for Henry.
"I lived in a house with six short guys," he answered. "That many Napoleon complexes milling about… forgiveness was a sacrament."
The culmination of this man's two lives was laid out so effortlessly in the small story he told. With a nod she took in his words and bid him goodbye.
"Thank you, Mr. Clark."
As she mulled over the message, Emma walked outside to find Henry telling Regina about his loot. Her darkly painted lips smiled down at him before shining upon the blonde as she made her exit. This time while they walked together, she took Regina's hand once again and gave her specific instructions on how their journey home should transpire.
"You are not going to let go of my hand," she explained confidently. "And you are not going to walk with your head down. You are going to hold it up high and keep that happy look on your face. And every single person we pass is going to receive a smile and a nod from both of us, no matter how much hatred they may fire back."
The stern tone coming from the blonde caused a smirk to remain on Regina's face, yet she obeyed.
"What's gotten into you?" she asked.
"Henry's comic books," was the reply she gave as they both noticed Ruby walking down the street.
And the smile they both gave was, miraculously, returned.
Mary Margaret worked hard at scrubbing the bathtub that used to be Emma's.
"God, you'd think she'd never learned to clean anything in her life," the doe eyed teacher lamented. "I couldn't have been lucky enough to bear a child like Cinderella."
A knock at the door pulled her from her insistent movements and she rolled her eyes.
"Coming," she said, standing and walking to the door.
Standing on the other side, was the very last person she expected to see. So much so that she dropped the scrub brush she was holding and watched as its soapy, scummy residue landed on Regina Mill's Jimmy Choos.
"Regina!" she exclaimed in both surprise and fear.
"Yes, it would appear so," the former Queen looked down at the mess and scrunched her lips in disgust as she bent to pick up the scrub brush and offer it to Mary Margaret. "I believe this is yours."
"What are you doing here?" she asked, looking at her sideways and ignoring the brush.
Regina let out a frustrated sigh and allowed her hand to fall to her side, still holding the disgusting instrument.
"I don't expect you to ever forgive me for what I've done to you," she stated somberly. "And I don't imagine that you'd ever be able to understand why I did everything I did. Even if I could make you understand the hell in which I was living, it still wouldn't change the fact that I am the person responsible for killing your father and trying to kill you. But I do think that there is one starting place for us that could one day lead to peace."
The tears had started falling from Mary Margaret's eyes at the first mention of her father. The anger that followed them was palpable.
"Emma," she said through mostly gritted teeth
"Emma," Regina mimicked and brought sad eyes up to her greatest enemy's face. "I know that you can't possibly understand how she could love me after all that's happened, after all I've done to hurt her, but she does. And I am so sorry for taking her away from you. She suffered so much at my hands and I'd never even touched her."
Tears fell freely from the once proud and merciless Queen's eyes as she continued.
"If I could go back now and change that specific action I would do it in a heartbeat. As long as it still meant Henry would exist. I would trade my own life in exchange for her childhood happiness and, as a byproduct, yours as a mother. I do love your daughter and your grandson so much that I can give you my word that I will do anything in my power to keep them safe and make them happy, including humbling myself to you."
The dark head looked down in deference.
"I am sorry, Snow. For all the pain I've caused you and others in the wake of my need for vengeance. I'm sorry because now I truly do understand what love is and how terrifying it can be to have it threatened. And I'll spend the rest of my life trying to prove that to you if it means that Emma can walk down the street and not be given the terrible stares that I deserve. If Henry can go to school again and not have to eat lunch alone because his mo-..." She paused to correct herself. "His adoptive mother is so hated. Please, Snow. Please help me bridge this gap. You don't have to do it for me. You can do it for them."
The young school teacher swallowed hard and wiped at her eyes, summoning strength for her voice as she looked Regina dead in the eyes.
"There's not a person in this town who would condemn me for making you suffer," she said confidently. "And that's going to be your price for my cooperation."
Regina gritted her teeth but nodded her head, reminding herself that this was for Emma and Henry. That seeing them happy would outshine anything Snow could possibly do to her.
"So, what's it to be then?" she asked and awaited her answer.
"Well, since you're holding that brush and you're already dirty, you're going to help me clean up Emma's disgusting bathroom," she said, moving aside to allow Regina entrance. "And you're going to talk to me about how they're doing. How… how your family works."
Regina wasn't quite sure how to react to the suggestion. A part of her was shocked, a part of her was revolted, and a part of her couldn't believe that this actually might work. But, with a steady gait she walked into the Blanchard residence and looked around as the teacher closed the door.
"So, that's it, I just have to help you clean up the bathroom and we're even?" she inquired as they walked.
"Oh no," the brunette head shook. "No, this is just the first installment of many payments you will be making to ensure this peace you want so badly. I also want one dinner a week with everyone together. We can even do it at Granny's at first if you'd like to show the masses our solidarity but it is non-negotiable. I am going to get my family back and, though it's downright shocking that now you want to be a part of that deal, if that's how it has to be I'll find a way to make it work. For Emma and Henry. Do we have a deal?"
She extended a pair of yellow rubber gloves to what used to be the most powerful woman in the land.
"Indeed we do," Regina answered in a deep but committed tone as she took the gloves and started paying her debt.
The Mills Residence
"You did what?" Emma asked incredulously.
The Blanchard Residence
"You did what?" David asked, wide eyed.
The Mills Residence
"I made an executive decision and brokered a deal with your mother," Regina answered, not even bothering to look up from her paperwork. "Now close your mouth, dear. Surely you don't require that much oxygen.
The Blanchard Residence
"I did the right thing," Mary Margaret answered as she chopped the vegetables for dinner. "Don't look at me like I'm crazy, you didn't see her. She looked… devastated by all of this. She's not going to risk losing Emma or Henry and we just have to accept that."
The Mills Residence
"But I didn't sign up for this!" Emma paced as she spoke. "I have no idea how to sit down and have a conversation with David and Mary Margaret for even five minutes, let alone a dinner every week!"
"Well, I guess you're going to have to learn then, aren't you?" Regina stood her ground.
The Blanchard Residence
"This isn't a discussion up for debate, David," Mary Margaret crossed her arms. "We lost our daughter because of Regina and now Regina is going to bring her back to us."
He shook his head and leaned against the counter before speaking.
"But how can we trust her?"
The Mills Residence
"Because they're your parents, Emma," Regina finally stood and moved toward the blonde. "They love you."
The Blanchard Residence
"Because Regina loves her, David," Mary Margaret said with conviction. "I could see it in her eyes. Now, sit down, dinner's ready."
The night of the dinner came sooner than anyone truly cared for. Each detail of the meal had been easily decided. Regina would make her famous lasagna and Mary Margaret would handle the sides. They both had been working on conversation topics to keep things from going quiet.
For the two coordinators of this epic event, the night was rife with pressure. For father and daughter, the meal was an anomaly for which they both would rather be absent. But for Henry, it was Snow White, Prince Charming, the Evil Queen and the Savior all playing their parts as dinner theater. And he was all too excited for the show.
The only problem was… There was no show.
No one was talking.
So, Mary Margaret and Regina employed the agreed upon dinner subject prompts to make things easier on everyone. The first being the food.
"This lasagna is truly amazing, Regina," the teacher offered. "How did you learn to make it? We didn't exactly have Italian cuisine back in the Enchanted Forest."
She looked to Henry with a wink when she noticed his interest piqued.
"Well, one of the many benefits of living in this world is that we have access to cable television. I had to eat, therefore I had to learn to cook," she answered and then shot a look over at Emma. "And anything I try to do, I do well."
A cough escaped Emma's lips at the insinuation and she beat at her chest to get the errant pea down her throat.
"Are you alright, dear?" Regina rubbed her back. "You really should chew the food before you attempt to swallow."
"I'll try to remember that," the blonde head shook off the cough and looked at the rest of the table. "The sides are good too, Mary Margaret. You had to learn to cook as well, right?"
The question was genuinely curious and was received with a smile and a nod from the brunette.
"Yeah, mostly baking though. Being a teacher, you kind of have a lot of need for cookies and brownies," she answered honestly.
"Ms. Blanchard makes really good chocolate chip cookies," Henry piped in between bites.
"He likes them because I put a little bit of cinnamon in the dough," the teacher smiled knowingly at Emma but then thought of something and panicked. "But I only let him have one whenever I make them for the class. Isn't that right, Henry?"
Regina noticed the look of peril that seemed to be on her face and smirked, answering for the boy.
"Oh, I'm sure whatever you're giving him is only a drop in the bucket compared to what Emma allows," she somehow managed a reassuring look for her old nemesis.
David and Emma, for their part, basically watched the scene unfold as if they were at a tennis match. Neither really knowing what to say and both prepared for the moment when the niceties would stop and the bloodshed would finally begin.
But it never did. Both Regina and Mary Margaret not only remained civil throughout the entire dinner, the also seemed to enjoy it. No one could put a finger on the specific reason. Perhaps it was their shared love for Henry and Emma, and the need for this to all work out. Maybe it was because they were both very much from the same world and, though it may seem impossible, had a great deal in common.
Whatever the reason, no one was happier about it than Emma. Sure it was just a meal together but, if this one dinner could be accomplished, that meant that there was hope for peace among them all.
As the evening drew to a close and Henry's lethargy started to show, Emma and Regina gathered their things and moved to the door. Surprisingly it was Regina who made the first physical gesture and offered her hand to Mary Margaret.
"Thank you for having us over for dinner," she said. "It was lovely."
The doe-eyed woman took the offered hand immediately and offered a smile.
"Thank you for coming, Regina," her eyes misted as she spoke. "And for bringing Emma and Henry here."
The graceful queen gave no more than a nod as her answer and moved on to say goodbye to David as Emma walked over to her newfound mother. Hand shakes had never really been her thing so she opted to shove them into the tiny pockets of her skinny jeans.
"So… That was quite a surprising experience," a smirked staked its claim beneath green eyes. "If I didn't know better I'd say you and Regina actually enjoyed the last few hours."
"I think we did," the brunette nodded. "I know it was probably like sitting on a bed of nails for the rest of you but I hope that maybe next time it won't be so bad."
The optimism in the teacher's green eyes should have been enough to melt a heart of ice but, for Emma, it made her more uncomfortable than anything else.
"Yeah, I'm sure it will be," she started to make her way out. "Thanks for the food."
Regina noticed the brush off and, just as Mary Margaret pushed the pain away to hug Henry goodbye, the former queen surprised them all once more.
"Ms. Blanchard, weren't you telling me that you wished to have a representative from the local government spend a day with your class and show them the particulars of their position?"
"I was?" green eyes met brown in confusion but quickly adjusted themselves at the raise of the royal brow. "I was. Yes. How could I forget?"
"Well, there's obviously been a lot going on," Regina slipped on her gloves. "Ms. Swan will be happy to do so this Wednesday. You two can meet for breakfast and discuss the details."
"I will?" The sheriff crossed her arms indignantly, knowing exactly what Regina was trying to do.
"Yes, you will," she ended the conversation, inviting no further recourse. "Now, let's get back before Henry is too tired to finish his homework."
With Henry upstairs preparing for bed, Regina poured two glasses of wine and handed one over to Emma.
"I expect next time we have dinner with the Charmings you'll remember how to use your words instead of forcing me to carry on the entire conversation with only your mother," she stated warningly.
"And I expect you to give me a heads up the next time you set up a play date for me and Mary Margaret," Emma answered, the last words coming out slowly and specifically. "I don't know her as my mother and I'm just getting used to all of this stuff. It takes time, ok?"
Though chocolate eyes did roll at the statement, they also soften and were followed by a nod, "Fair enough. I just… I'm trying to give you back everything I took away from you. Perhaps I may be a bit overzealous in my approach."
Emma put her wine down and moved forward, pressing her hands to either side of Regina and resting them on the counter.
"You? Overdo something?" she smirked and raised a brow. "Never."
And with that she leaned in for a quick kiss before pulling back to softly stroke the soft olive skin of the mayor's face.
"I know what you're trying to do," the blonde explained. "And it makes me love you even more."
A warmth wrapped itself around Regina's heart though she smiled, she had to look away to keep from tearing up. With a swat of her hand she directed the sheriff to another task.
"Go prove your love by taking out the garbage," Regina commanded as she started up the stairs. "I'll prove mine when you come back to the bedroom."
Emma was so fast at her task that physicists the world over would have trouble explaining the mechanics of her speed.
The expectant woman placed the lid on the trash can and nearly bolted off so fast all that would be seen was a flash of blonde hair but, before she could manage her trek up the walkway, she was stopped by a new face.
"Hello there," a feminine voice called out from right behind her. "Is this the mayor's house?"
The sheriff nearly tore something in her neck as she looked back at the stranger with strikingly vibrant red hair.
"It is," she answered. "But I'm not the mayor and if you'd like to see her you should probably do so at her office in town."
"Oh, I certainly wasn't meaning to be a bother," the fair skinned woman smiled. "I was simply out for a walk and was told if I went down this road I'd pass by the her house. Just wanted to make sure I didn't miss it."
Finally the blonde offered a smile back.
"Nope. You kind of can't miss it. It's the biggest one on the block. Hope you enjoy your time here," she said with a wave as she made as hasty retreat back into the house.
Green eyes followed the rushing form as it disappeared behind a large wooden door.
"Oh don't worry, dear," the friendly voice deepened as red lips formed into a devilish smirk. "I plan on having a wickedly good time."
The End... For Now