"Mother, no, this is absolutely absurd," Regina rolls her eyes, exasperation evident in her voice. She'd barely been in the office ten minutes before Cora had called her with the apparently, great news that she was going to be partaking in the Christmas fostering programme for the underprivileged kids of sunny side orphanage.
What kind of Annie bullcrap was this? She was no daddy Warbucks.
"Maybe so, but it's happening anyway so you better get used to the idea." Cora sounded bored now, and Regina knew there was no talking her out of it. That was how mother worked. You did as you were told, and even at her thirty two years of age, she'd yet to find it in her to fight back.
"Tell me why then mother. Don't I at least deserve that?" She notices her assistant in the doorway, so she holds up her hand as if to say just a second as she listens to her mothers response.
"Because I am your mother, Regina, and you'll do as you're told."
And that was that.
Knowing her mind was made up and there was no way of persuading her otherwise, Regina bids her an almost cold goodbye and hangs up the phone. She runs a hand through her hair with a loud sigh before bringing her attention to her assistant, hands already flicking through the paperwork she had to get done today.
"What is it Ashley?" She asks, more bite to her tone than necessary.
The woman in question bites her lip, "You have an appointment with the director of the programme, Mary Margaret, at eleven, Miss Mills." She steps forward and places a small piece of paper on Reginas desk before hastily exiting the office.
Regina picks it up and see's the paper had both the woman's name and number on it. A fire igniting at the forefront of her stomach, she rips it up and tosses it into the trash can.
She had no time for nonsense like this, and it was about time mother understood that.
Five year old Emma Swan stuffs what little belongings she owns into her backpack, little face contorted into a small scowl when the zipper refuses to cooperate. She didn't fully understand the concept of what was happening, but she did know she wouldn't be spending Christmas at the orphanage like last year and would instead be spending it with a lady called Regina.
Mary Margaret said that all of the children would be away for Christmas, and although she was super nervous, she couldn't help but be a little excited too.
Things like this didn't happen often, so it was a treat to all of the kids who lived here; especially Emma, who had only ever left the orphanage one whole time.
Her scowl turns into a small smile when she finally manages to zip up her backpack, and with the knowledge that she had to head straight downstairs the second she was packed, she pulls it on and slowly leaves the room.
She was immediately greeted with Mary Margaret the second little feet meet the bottom of the stairs, and she sends her a nervous smile as hands fist her backpack straps.
"Hi Emma. You all packed?" She crouches down in front of the child.
Emma nods.
"Great. Regina is running a little late, so how about we set you up with some colours and paper whilst we wait?" She rises to her feet and holds out her hand.
Emma bites her bottom lip softly, because being late normally meant they weren't coming and she would yet again be let down. Not about to show how put out she was by that news, she takes Mary Margaret's hand and allows herself to be guided towards the dining room area.
Keeping her backpack on- just in case Regina does turn up- she picks up the first crayon she see's, a red one, and begins to scribble absentmindedly on the blank piece of paper. She gets so caught up in what she was doing that she doesn't realise someone else was in the room until a throat was cleared pointedly.
Flinching at the sound, she looks up and see's a scary looking lady staring down at her with a look she couldn't decipher on her face.
Uh oh.
Mary Margaret clears her throat softly, "Emma, this is Regina. Regina, this is Emma." She introduces, and the child forces herself to send the lady a small smile.
Regina doesn't return it, but her face does soften ever so slightly.
Clearing her throat, Regina brings her attention to the woman who was in charge of this whole thing, "The paperwork?" She asks expectedly.
After yet another phone call from mother, she realises this was happening and there really was no way out of it. So here she was, at eleven thirty two am, stood in front of the child she was supposedly meant to be looking after for the week when she'd rather be doing anything but.
Mary Margaret nods, "Of course. If you'd like to both follow me." She gestures to the door before disappearing from sight, and Emma sends one last wary look to Regina before all but scurrying after her.
Regina rolls her eyes.
Mother so owed her for this.
I originally posted this on wattpad but I thought it would be cool to publish this here too! I'd love to hear your thoughts!