So glad everyone seems to be enjoying this so far! I couldn't find a good break in the story so this chapter is a little longer then the others! Hope you don't mind.
I realize I forgot disclaimers but it goes without saying that I don't own any of these characters.
Spoiler alert: I make references to the Dark Knight movie and they contain movie spoilers.
Chapter 4
"Mom!" Henry exclaimed as he ran the last few steps to the mansions open door. He paused briefly right in front of Regina, as if debating something, then threw his arms around her. "I missed you."
"Me too, honey, me too," Regina responded while stroking his hair gently. "It's good to see you Henry." Henry nodded and let go of the embrace. Regina moved her hand around Henry's shoulder and looked up at Emma who was trailing behind.
"Miss Swan." She acknowledged.
Emma had her thumbs hooked on her jean pockets and was looking at the ground awkwardly while scuffing the walkway with her shoe as if uncomfortable at the homey exchange. "Sorry I'm late?" Emma offered with a sheepish smile and a half shrug while glancing in Regina's direction but not making eye contact.
Regina scoffed then smirked to cover the genuine smile that threatened to break out at Emma's guilty posture, "I was not expecting much else, dear."
Emma flushed and looked up defiantly. "Hey, I'm not always late," she pointed out.
"Most of the time you are, Miss Swan." Regina replied as she turned to her door, "Try not to be late picking him up. God only knows what is so distracting to you to make you late."
Emma felt heat rising to her face with an oncoming blush. Normally, it would be something stupid. Today, it had been that letter. Not that Emma would admit something like that to Regina.
"I was reading, okay? Not that that's any of your business."
Regina turned to Henry instead, "go to the table, honey, the food is already ready because someone was late bringing you." Henry nodded and ran into the house.
She heard Emma huff in frustration behind her and allowed herself a small smile before concealing it with her mask and looking back at Emma. "10 pm sharp, Sheriff," before stepping into the house and shutting the door before Emma could respond.
Resisting the urge to check if the blonde was still standing there, Regina made her way to the dining table when Henry was sitting, bouncing up and down a little in his seat in excitement.
"You made my favorite chicken dish!" He exclaimed the minute he saw his mom.
Regina smiled. "Of course, dear." She took her seat then.
As she began to dish some food onto Henry's plate, she noticed his face falling just a little.
"What's wrong?" She asked.
"I don't get it," he said as he picked up his fork. "Why can no one see that you're trying to be good? Grandma and Grandpa don't seem to get it." He shoved a huge forkful of food in his mouth, earning a disapproving look from Regina.
"Henry," Regina admonished, looking pointedly at him. He quickly ducked his head in embarrassment and chewed quickly before a huge gulp was heard and he looked back up, sheepish. "I hope Miss Swan isn't letting you get away with bad manners," she chided. She couldn't get over how similar the two of them looked when they were embarrassed about something. Regina thought back to Emma and her interaction out on the porch not long ago the look she had when she was being told off about being late. He was her son after all.
"Sorry, Mom." Henry took an appropriate sized bite of chicken this time, taking care to swallow before continuing, "And Emma doesn't, by the way. She gives me that same look you just did. Then just sighs and mutters under her breathe something about you." He looked contemplative for a minute. "She probably doesn't want you disapproving of her parenting skills."
Happy with his own conclusion, he began to eat with fervor again.
Regina had paused when he said that. Why does Emma care what she thinks anyways? Could it be that Emma wanted her approval? More likely than not it was because she didn't want Regina to lash out and demean her. That was probably exactly what Regina would do. Not because she meant to, but whenever she was around Emma, she tended to be snarky and argumentative for no real reason. It was a better reaction then showing her soft spot for Emma.
Regina picked mindlessly at her food while half listening to Henry talk on and on about his day at school. Her heart swelled at the thought that her son still wanted to see her and was willing to talk so opening with her. Also, she was grateful that Emma had allowed her interaction with him to continue. The Savior had always been good at that, defending and thinking of her when no one else was.
"I forgot to tell you, Emma and Neal got in a fight today too." She heard Henry say. Her interest was perked.
"Oh?"
"Yea, he wanted to go out and have dinner with the two of us," Henry explained. "Then he didn't like that I had plans to come here since you were the Evil Queen and all." Henry's face turned into a grimace at the words Evil Queen. Regina was happy that Henry didn't seem to like the term 'Evil Queen' used.
"Was that all?"
"No. Then Emma got really mad and told him off for calling you the Evil Queen because you're not. And she was telling him he had no say in where I go, especially if it's here because you're my mom and that if it was a decision that needed to be made about me, it would be between you and her and not her and Dad."
"Did she really?" Regina felt a weird sense of pride swell up in her chest to think that Emma would defend her the way she did. It wasn't as if she was ever particularly kind to her but she always seemed to jump to her defense whenever anyone doubted her. Even with Henry. She remembered that Emma was the one that told Henry it was okay to want to see her because she was his mom.
Henry nodded enthusiastically. "Yea. Aren't you glad you have her on your side, Mom?" He asked, tilting his head.
Regina paused in the middle of grabbing her glass of water. "Well.. uh…" she began. Clearing her throat, she continued. "I don't think Miss Swan is on my side, honey," she said gently despite her heart giving a tug. She wanted Emma to be on her side.
"You don't know that," Henry said, almost accusingly. "I think she is." As if his word was final, he polished off his plate neatly. Regina chuckled. That side of him was all her. She raised him to stand up for herself. She was proud.
"Alright. If you say so." She dabbed at her mouth with a napkin. "Now, put the dishes away and let's take a look at your homework, shall we?"
Henry nodded and got up immediately to clear the table. Regina left him to grab her laptop from her study. She might as well get some things done while helping him. Well, okay, she was going to write Emma another letter, but he didn't need to know that. Working on her laptop while helping him was not an uncommon occurrence after all. If Regina was right, Emma seemed to be enjoying her letters so she was going to keep them coming.
By the time she made it back to the dining table, all the dishes had been put away and Henry was sitting, pulling out an assortment of things from his backpack. Sometimes Regina wondered how he found things in there. One time, she had tried to get a pencil for him and ended up digging around for a good five minutes before Henry had sighed and came over to help. He found it in a few seconds. As long as he could find things in that cave that was his backpack, Regina would say nothing.
She settled down and waited patiently until Henry pulled out the homework assignment and handed it to her. Scanning the assignment, she quickly found the mistakes and leaned over to explain to him what was wrong before setting him off to fix them. Regina found herself feeling relaxed at this familiar routine. She had missed being able to do this with him. Even when he was in his rebellious stage before the curse, they had these nights where she would help him with his homework. It would seem as if things were slowly getting back to a comfortable pace.
Happily, she turned on her laptop and pulled open a blank word document. Regina was feeling more grateful to Emma than usual because she was the one that offered to let Henry come over. With the silent scratching of Henry's pencil, Regina began to type.
Emma,
I have a confession to make. When I started this, I told myself that I would only do this for a week. By then, I would hopefully know how you feel about these and if you like them, I will tell you who I am. Aren't you glad you won't be kept in the dark anymore? However, if you find these letters a hindrance, I will stop sending them. Oh how I wish I could hear your responses to these letters.
One never appreciates the little things in life until they are taken away. I've learned that lesson recently and encourage you to ponder that. What little things would you miss if they were taken away? Luckily for me, I have an amazing person who recently came back into mine and all seems to be well.
More things about me:
-I have a soft spot for children (Often you'll find me with a smile I reserve specially for them)
-I was in a loveless marriage once
-I've never desired to leave StoryBrook
-I don't miss the Enchanted Forest
Perhaps when we meet, you can tell me about yourself. I only know what I can observe and I wish I knew more.
If you don't tell me about yourself, have no fear. Those tight jeans you wear show off your assets well enough for me to stick around. Be on the lookout for someone shamelessly checking you out next time ;)
I hope I have not scared you away with my vulgar thoughts.
"Mooooom," Henry dragged out while looking exasperated. Regina glanced up, startled.
"What is it?"
"I've been calling your name for a while." He explained as he handed his homework to her. "What are you doing anyways?"
"Oh, just work stuff. Nothing important, honey," Regina lied.
"Ok. Well I think I'm all done. But you should check it just in case." Henry looked down and fiddled with his fingers briefly before looking up again. "And then can we do something together?" He asked shyly.
Regina felt herself tear up at Henry's question. She never thought she'd hear him ask that again after the curse broke. "Of.. of course, dear," she gave a watery smile. Clearing her throat, embarrassed, she continued. "What do you want to do?"
"Do you still like Batman?" He asked excitedly. "Remember when we used to watch that? Let's watch it! I think you're like the Batman for StoryBrook."
Regina raised an eyebrow. "Do you now?" She thought for a minute. "I don't really see it," she admitted.
"You will when you watch it! Pay attention to it." Henry grabbed his homework and shoved it in his backpack. "Come on," he said, while rushing into the living room where the TV was.
Regina smiled at his actions. She'd missed her little boy. This was just like before Emma when Henry would want to do everything with her. Not that she wished Emma didn't come. She did, but not anymore. Regina delicately shut her laptop before trailing after Henry to the room.
He already had it set up and had the remote in his hand, sitting on the couch. With a smile, Regina went to join him. Before she could sit though, Henry held up his hand.
"Wait." He said. "Something's not right."
Regina paused, confused. Everything looked right to her.
"You need to be wearing your pjs like you used to!" Henry finished.
"Henry," Regina began. "I don't know if that's a good idea. Miss Swan will be here to pick you up."
Henry furrowed his brows. "Why does that mean you can't be in your pjs?" He asked, unsure.
Regina didn't know how to answer him. She merely didn't feel comfortable in front of Emma like that. There was no way to explain that though. She sighed, "Alright, honey. Let me go change."
A soft, hesitant knock sounded from the door. Regina looked down at Henry who had passed out halfway through the movie on her lap. The movie was long over and she had let the credits roll, not wanting to disturb this moment. The knock came again, louder. Carefully, Regina slipped out from under Henry head and placed a pillow in her place before walked to the door.
Swinging it open suddenly, she caught Emma with her fist raised to knock again.
"Are you threatening to hit me, Sheriff?" Regina quipped, looking pointedly at Emma's fist. She pulled her thin silk pajamas closer to herself, wishing she had thrown on a robe.
"No, I… Uh…" Emma began to explain as she lowered her arms but suddenly stopped. Regina smirked as she saw Emma drag her eyes up and down Regina's body.
"See something you like, Miss Swan?" She drawled. Regina ignored the fluttering in her chest and the curling in the pit of her stomach that led to her core.
"Wh.. What?" Emma stuttered. "No!" She finally met Regina's gaze and flushed. "I just…" she shrugged then went with something neutral to say. "Of course you'd wear silk to bed." Emma looked down at Regina's bare feet. "I thought you would have fancy slippers or something too," she commented, waving vaguely in the direction of Regina's feet.
Regina quirked an eyebrow. "And why were you thinking of me like this at all?"
Emma opened and closed her mouth with no sound coming out. With a groan, she seemed to give up and moved on. "Sorry I'm late. Where's Henry?"
Regina debated a minute then decided to let her in. Henry was still sleeping anyways. Stepping aside and opening the door a little more, she said dryly "I wasn't expecting you to be on time, dear. Do come in, Henry's asleep." She turned and started padding away. "Would you like a drink?" She heard Emma following behind and closing the door to the mansion.
"None of your apple cider, no," Emma said softly. Regina looked back and almost winced at her expression. There was still a trace amount of fear in them after what she had done with the apple turnover. Not like she was going to poison Emma anyways.
Deciding to ignore that look, Regina tossed back, "I wasn't offering that Miss Swan. You are driving my son back in the heap of metal. No need to be inebriated in the process."
She rummaged in her cupboard. "Tea, hot chocolate, or water?"
"Oh, get me some hot chocolate."
As Regina prepared the hot chocolate, Emma looked over to the living room where the main title screen of the Dark Knight was up. Regina hadn't bothered turning off the TV yet. Emma pointed over her shoulder at the screen when she turned back to Regina.
"You watch that with Henry?" She asked, curious.
Regina wordlessly handed Emma hot chocolate with a hint of cinnamon, the way she knew Emma always had them and gestured for her to follow into Regina's study. Silently, they made their way there. The study was the same as Emma remembered, chairs and all. She glanced warily at the chairs, remembering what had happened last time there when Henry came back from school catching Emma stating that he was crazy.
"I didn't want you waking my son with your loud yammering." Regina sneered in her direction. She went to pour herself a glass of wine that was sitting at the edge of her desk. Taking a sip, she continued, "and yes, he insisted on watching it." She pursed her lips. "He is adamant that I was like the dark knight." She swirled her wine. "But I can't see it," she finished in thought.
She looked up, having forgot Emma was there for a while to see Emma studying her with an unknown expression. It was unnerving. Regina straightened and without explanation, padded out of the study quickly. She needed to get a robe to put over her pajamas. It was getting uncomfortable.
When she returned, she found that Emma was still in the study but now had taken seat in one of the chairs. The same one she sat in the first time. Choosing to sit across from her, Regina sat after ensuring that her robe was secure.
Emma looked up and quirked an eyebrow and pointedly looked at her robe. Regina had no explanation so just shrugged and looked to the empty fireplace.
"I can see it." Emma said suddenly.
"Excuse me?"
"The dark knight." Emma explained. "I see the connection."
"Oh really Miss Swan? Do explain. You probably understand because you are a 10 year old at heart," Regina said breezily, not wanting to show how curious she was.
"Whatever. You like my childishness." Emma said, before she realized it. Eyes wide, she glanced at Regina as if afraid she would get rebuked. Regina had a strange look on her face… was it adoration? but Emma couldn't tell. Ignoring it she continued.
"The Dark Knight in the movie has a love-hate relationship with the town, right? He does good deeds but hides behind this dark mask and dark figure. The people seemed to be scared of him but sometimes grateful for what he's done. They even tried to arrest him. And then there was the scene when two face was killed. He was known to the town as a good person so everyone blamed batman even though he was the only one to see the dark side of him. In a way, that is like you. People have a misconception of your actions. They interpret them as bad even though that's not always the case. And they're afraid of you when there's no reason to be."
Emma shrugged and stopped, looking down in slight embarrassment because she had been rambling. She reached her hand up and ran it through her hair. "Sorry," she said sheepishly.
Regina looked at her tenderly, glad that Emma wasn't looking at her. Emma's words touched her. She could see the correlation now and without a doubt, that was what Henry's thoughts are too. Deciding to spare Emma's embarrassment, she changed the subject. With a smirk of course.
"So what had you late today, Sheriff? Gallivanting around?"
Emma groaned loudly. "Ugh, don't remind me."
Regina stayed quiet at this, wondering what could have happened.
"Great," Emma said vexed, "Now I can't stop thinking about it."
"I'm… sorry?" Regina offered.
"It's whatever." Emma stood up and started pacing in front of the fireplace. Whatever happened must have been really frustrating, Regina noted.
"So I was trying to have a nice night and enjoy myself since Henry was gone." She looked at Regina and Regina nodded for her to continue. "I went to Granny's for dinner and got myself a grilled cheese and fries."
Regina rolled her eyes. How Emma managed to stay so fit eating grease laden food was beyond her.
"Anyways," Emma continued. "I was enjoying myself and then suddenly Hook was there with his "hey, love"'s and his "I'm so gorgeous you should be honored to be talking to me" attitude." Emma puts the Hook impersonations in air quotes sarcastically. Regina almost smiled… almost.
"Then he sits himself uninvited across from me and starts stealing my food! You don't steal other people's food!" Emma exclaimed throwing her hands in the air. Regina couldn't stop herself now, she broke into a smile.
"Gluttonous much?" Regina asked, rolling her eyes.
"I was in the foster system. If people took your food you didn't get more." Emma explained with a shrug.
Regina looked down, cursing herself for her insensitivity. "I'm sorry," she murmured, too quiet for Emma to hear.
"Anyways," Emma continued, still very much into her own storytelling. "Then he starts talking about how we should take our relationship to the next level." Regina's felt jealousy rising up and inwardly flinched at its strength. "I told him then, of course, that we didn't have a relationship. We were just friends and I don't see myself going anywhere else with him. Of course, after that, he tries to convince me why I should be because he's apparently God's gift to women when it came to sex."
Emma scoffed. "I doubt that," she muttered. Looking back up at Regina, she continued. "So in the middle of that, guess who walks in?" She doesn't wait for a response before continuing. "Neal. Great, right? Then he gets upset that I'm on a date with Killian… which I'm not, and says how if I'm to go on a date, I should be going with him because we had history together." Emma took a deep breath. "Anyways, that went on for a long time until I got sick of it. I kept trying to butt in and tell them I had to pick up Henry, but they just weren't listening. And finally I stormed off after telling them off and had to walk around to calm myself before I came here."
Emma looked at Regina and shrugged, "I didn't want to be mad when I came here because we already pick fights like nobody's business."
Regina quirked her lip. "I would have to agree with you there, Miss Swan."
"There's nothing between either of them and me, you know?" Emma asked, sitting back down and grabbing her hot chocolate.
"And you presume I care because…?" Regina drawled with a bored expression though on the inside she was elated.
"Well, because of Henry. I'm not about to have either of them in his life like that. Besides, there might be someone else…" Emma trailed off and looked up at Regina as if she said too much.
"Someone else?" Regina asked. "You have more than those two dimwits vying for your attention?"
"Wh.. What?" Emma stuttered, flustered. "N.. No, of course not." She didn't want Regina to know of those letters. Abruptly, she stood up. "It's late," she declared. "I should wake Henry and go home." Without waiting for a response, Emma rushed out of the room leaving Regina still poised in her seat.
After Emma had disappeared, a grin broke out on Regina's face. Those letters worked! Emma seems to really like them and she just got the confirmation. With a happy smile, Regina put down her wine glass and determined she would keep it up and continue sending those letters. Perhaps in a week, she'd be able to tell Emma it was her.
She'd always thought they couldn't have a civil conversation, Regina mused. However, tonight was pleasant even though it was mainly Emma talking. Emma had never opened up to her that way before. Though, she was likely just worked up and would tell whoever happened to be near her. This dampened Regina's mood but only slightly. She would work to be better and try not to be so confrontational with Emma like she usually is.
Regina heard voices in the hallway and realized that Emma must have already woken Henry up. Being the good hostess she was, she walked into the hallway to see them out.
"Bye Mom," Henry wrapped his arms around Regina as she walked to the door. "Thanks for letting me come over. And for watching the movie. Did you figure out why you're like batman?"
Regina hugged Henry tight. "You know you can come anytime honey. And yes," Regina up to Emma who was avoiding her gaze. "I see why I'm like batman now." She released Henry. "And that's why it's my new favorite movie."
"It was already your favorite movie, Mom" Henry said, rolling his eyes. Emma chuckled at how similar that eye roll was to Regina's.
"Well I love it even more." Regina said, shaking her head fondly at her son.
"See you!" Henry exclaimed as he hurried down the steps to Emma's yellow bug.
Regina looked to Emma. "Miss Swan." She said curtly with a nod.
Emma had her hands in her jean pockets standing awkwardly. "Uh, yea. Bye. Thanks for putting up with me," she mentioned pointing to the house, "you know, back there."
Regina smirked. "I didn't have a choice, dear."
"Right," Emma said. "I'll just go now." Without another word, she spun around and walked away.
Thoughts?
I'm also wondering if I've put too much detail in the story and am considering scaling back on the details but if I get no leanings either way, I will not edit out what I've already written… which is a lot.
Until next time!