A/N: You guys spoiled me with your comments today, that I decided to write another update and post it on this Labor Day weekend! :) You all get to see adult Regina, which means that soon, Emma will be coming back into her life. Stay tuned and thank you all for giving this story a read!
A black Mercedes pulled into the parking lot of Golden Architecture. The building was about 40 ft. tall and made entirely of glass. A pair of heels stepped out of the parked vehicle and made their way inside the familiar building.
"Good morning, Ms. Mills!" She was greeted in the lobby by a brown-haired girl, who was a bookworm by nature, given that she was always hiding behind a book whenever she wasn't assisting her boss.
"Good morning, Belle. Any calls?" Regina greeted her with a curt nod, her heels clicking against the building's marbled floors as she rushed toward the elevator. Belle racing behind her.
"A few." She shifted quickly through her written down messages.
"Let's hear 'em." She pushed the button to the thirty-fourth floor.
"Mrs. Richards called. She asked if you ever received her ten other calls."
Regina groaned, "As soon as we get to our stations, please call her back and get her through to me."
"Noted," Belle nodded, shifting to another message. "Also, your mother called. She wanted to ask you if you would be available for lunch this afternoon."
"Please, schedule us down at the usual place. I will call her later to inform her."
"Of course," Belle shifted to another jotted down note. "Oh! Mr. Gold asked to see you in his office as soon as you arrived. And lastly, your husband-" the young girl flinched. "Sorry- ex-husband called. He wanted to remind you to pick up your son."
Regina sighed, already feeling today's weight on her shoulders. "Thank you, Belle. Read any good literature lately?"
"Oh, always, ma'am." The girl smiled. She loved being asked about her books. "I could send you a list."
"Please do. Thank you." Regina nodded, a small smile tugging on the corner of her lip. "Would you take these over to my office, please?" She handed bell her briefcase and a few rolled up blueprints she was carrying with her.
"Of course." Belle scattered away once they reached Robert Gold's office with the brunette's supplies in hand.
"Come in." The man beckoned his employee with a satisfied smirk stretched out on his lips.
The once brunette little girl stepped inside her boss' office with a confident glow. Something a man like Robert Gold always admired. Now Regina was a grown, confident woman, living in the city of New York as one of Golden Architecture's best architects. She decided on that profession as a way to honor her father, and was fortunate to have found a job with Gold, who knew him.
"Regina," Gold smiled, motioning to an empty seat.
"Robert," Regina nodded with a smile of her own. She took a seat, crossing one leg over the other as she watched the man straighten his tie. "New tie?"
The man's brow slowly arched, "Thank you for noticing." His fingers caressed his golden tie. "I'm sure you are wondering why I've called you in here so early in the morning."
"Another raise?" Regina shrugged one shoulder.
Gold smirked. "I love that assuredness in you. Just like your father. May he rest in peace." He cleared his throat, "By the way, how is your mother?"
"She's well, thank you. I'll be having lunch with her this afternoon."
"Do give Cora my best." He placed a hand against his heart, a tiny smirk on his lips. "Wonderful woman. Your father was truly lucky."
"He was." Regina nodded, wishing to move on from the topic. Something Robert took notice of.
"Back to business," he cleared his throat once again, taking a seat before the brunette. "I wanted to personally congratulate you on another project well done. Your design for the children's park was truly masterful."
"Thank you."
"You truly poured your heart into it, as you do with everything you've done." He fidgeted with a pen, tapping it against his desk.
"But, that isn't what you wanted to tell me?" Regina prompted.
He chuckled, "You know me so well. You're right," he fidgeted in his seat. "It's not. I have a rather… personal favor to ask."
Her brow arched, "A personal favor?" She chuckled, holding up her hand. "Let's stop right there, Robert. Clearly my mother has convinced you once again to set me up on a dinner date. My answer is no."
"Your mother worries, Regina."
"I'm fine." She assured him with a glare. "I'm newly divorced, completely dedicated to my job and my son. I'm more than fine."
The man moved to the other empty seat beside the brunette. "Listen, I'm no one to get involved in your personal life or how you live it. But, I have known you since you were a little girl. I knew your parents since before you were born. I also know that it isn't a man you seek. Why you married Robin is beyond me-"
"Robin wasn't that bad. If anything, I was the one who always neglected him."
"And why do you think that is?" His head tilted. "Well, listen. I have a good friend coming into town in a few weeks. I talked to your mother about it, and she's open to you joining us for dinner. That way, you can test the waters, hm?"
Regina rolled her eyes, sighing in defeat as she felt the man pat her hand. She loved Robert dearly and was eternity grateful for all he has done for her over the years. But to be set up was the last thing Regina wanted. She hated being set up, much less her mother speaking to her boss to try to get her to have a love life of any kind.
"Fine. I will think about it." She nodded, quickly rising to her feet.
"Good," the man beamed, walking her toward the door and holding it open for her. "Oh, before I forget. Victoria Belfrey called. She seems very interested in you designing her next home."
Victoria Belfrey was a woman with more money than she knew what to do with and she flaunted it. Oh, did she love to flaunt it. She was a regular client of Golden Architecture and favorited Regina's designs over anyone else's.
"Another one?" The brunette chuckled, she gave Robert's arm a gentle squeeze. "I will call her. Thank you, Robert."
"Let's work hard." Gold smiled, watching her walk away and ready to work.
"Regina, dear," Cora beamed at her daughter's sight. She stood from the outdoor table, at their usual spot in a little restaurant they both favored.
"Mother," Regina leaned in, placing two kisses against the woman's cheeks, one on each before sitting across from her. "How are you?"
"Fine, dear. Getting older," she smiled, watching her daughter take a sip of her wine.
Regina's eyes moved to a cardboard box that was by her mother's feet, resting against the concrete floor. "Donating, are we?" She brushed her hair back with her hands, fanning herself from the heat this day brought along with it.
"Mm!" Cora placed her glass back on the table after taking a drink, reaching for the box of supplies and placing it on the table. It looked old, worn out old, and it had various items that smelled like storage. "These are actually your things."
"Mine?" Her brows knitted.
"Yes, yes," Cora pushed the box forward, giving her daughter a better look of the contents inside of it. "It's mostly things from your childhood years. But there are some items in here from when you were in High School, I believe. Yearbooks and such." She shrugged, "I didn't feel right tossing it away without you having a look through it yourself."
Regina placed the box down by her feet as a waiter came over to their table.
The man smiled at both women, pen and pad in hand. "Have we decided what we will be having for lunch today?"
"Please," Cora glanced down at the menu, squinting her eyes to focus her sight on the small print. "Could you bring me… this angel hair pasta that you have here? With very little tomato sauce." She smiled kindly, handing the man the menu.
"Certainly ma'am." He turned his attention to the brunette. "And for you?"
"The usual, please," Regina handed over her menu.
"One garden salad with cheese," he wrote it all down on his pad, placing it inside of his pocket. "I'll be right back with your orders." He smiled one last time before going on his way.
"Mother, you really should consider some reading glasses." She prompted.
"Oh," Cora waved, brushing off her daughter's words. She absolutely hated the idea of needing to wear glasses. "These eyes still have some sight left in them. I'm fine." She took a quick sip of her wine. "How are you, dear? How's work?"
She nodded, "Keeping me busy."
"Not too busy, I hope." Cora glared, an exact same glare that reminded the brunette that she was very much like her mother in a lot of ways. "Regina," Cora prompted after seeing her daughter's eye roll.
"Mother, I have a life with responsabilites. I have a son I need to provide for- I have to work." Regina counted down all of her reasons on her fingers as she said this.
"Now, Regina. We all have a life filled with responsibilities. It's called being an adult, and you, my darling," she reached for her daughter's hand. "Have grown into the most amazing woman and mother I have ever known. Even myself. But-"
Regina knew that but too well by now. She knew what was coming after her motherly speech.
"You can't close yourself to having a life of your own, dear. You did that as a child once your father passed, and it was hard enough. Henry needs his mother. He needs that mother I know you to be. That little girl you once were. Do you remember?"
She shook her head. "No. I remember you breaking your back at work to provide for me. I remember daddy breaking his back to provide for us, to make you happy. Well, that's what I'm doing. I work hard, breaking my back on all these designs that people love to give my son the best he can have."
Both women paused as the waiter came back, smiling and placing their orders before them. "Enjoy."
"Thank you," Regina murmured, her eyes moving back to her mother. "And, please, mother… I appreciate that you have finally accepted my lifestyle. I know me coming out to you wasn't the easiest of situations for you to handle. But I beg you, don't call Gold just so he can set me up on dates that I don't even want."
"I am your mother, Regina. As far as I'm concerned, a mother never stops worrying about her child." Cora's eyes locked with her daughter's.
"Except I'm not a child anymore."
"Right." The woman scoffed, "You are a forty year old woman and mother far too busy to give herself some time with those around her."
Regina grimaced as she muttered, "I'm thirty-nine and a half."
"Oh, not even! Your birthday is days away." Cora brushed off her stubborn daughter's words. "And, let me tell you something, and know it well." She raised her index finger, meaning business. "You are a grown woman, you are allowed to live your life anyway you want. But, if you close yourself off to love just because you failed at a marriage that you weren't even supposed to have in the first place- you will end up alone that even your son won't want to be with you. Remember that."
"Dad, I have a soccer game this weekend!" A little boy whined to his father as he struggled to close up his luggage.
"I'm sure your mother will get you there in time." The man grunted, snapping it shut and pulling on the zipper. He sighed as that damn luggage always made him break a sweat, his eyes looking down on his nine year old son. "Don't worry. I am sure that this time your mother will come up with something fun to do."
"You say that all the time," the boy grumbled.
"Henry," Robin sighed, kneeling down in front of the disappointed boy. "You have to give your mother a chance, son. Okay? She loves you and wants to spend time with you. You owe her that. Now, if for any reason, you want to come stay with me, all you have to do is call me and I will go pick you up."
Henry's shoulders slumped. "You promise?"
"I promise."
"No matter what time?"
"No matter what time." Robin smiled.
Both father and son turned to the sound of the doorbell. Robin's house was big enough for him and his son. The man lived well. It used to be his and Regina's when they were a family, once upon a time ago. But after their divorce, Regina decided to find an apartment complex within the city. Somewhere that was close to her job.
"Alright, come on. It's just for a week." Robin patted his son's back, nudging him to make his way towards the front door where he pulled it open, giving his ex-wife a curt nod. "Regina."
"Hello, Robin." Regina nodded. Her lips stretched out into the biggest smile at her son. "Hi, Henry. Are you ready?"
Henry nodded, not exactly ready, but he did love his mom and wanted to spend as much time with her as he did with his dad. Even if she was always working. He wrapped his arms around Robin's legs one last time. "Bye, dad."
"Bye, Hen," Robin leaned down to kiss the top of his son's head. He watched his son rush toward his mother's car before his eyes fell on Regina. "It's good to see you, Regina."
"You, too, Robin." Regina smiled.
"Just remember, he has a soccer game this Saturday."
"Thank you, Robin." She nodded, moving back towards her car, reaching for her son's suitcase and placing it inside the trunk. "Buckle up, kid." Kid. Regina wasn't sure where the hell that desire came from calling her.