"Henry Mills! Please hurry we're going to be late." Regina called up the stairs, putting her last earring in before turning to look at herself in the full body mirror in the hallway.
"Coming mom! I just...have you seen my other sneaker?"
Regina rolled her eyes, smoothing out the invisible wrinkles in her dress before grabbing the brownies she had baked for the PTA meeting off the kitchen counter. "Henry, it is not my job to keep track of your shoes young man."
Henry stomped down the stairs, a doppy smile on his face. "Never mind. I found them!" Regina smiled and ruffled his hair gently scoffing as he pushed her hand away, quickly hurrying to the mirror to fix his appearance. "Henry, it's the first day of sixth grade. Your hair looks fine."
He ignored her comment, smiling softly as his dad came out of his office and around the corner "hey sport!" Daniel repeated the same action as his mother a moment before ruffling his hair but with a little more force. "Agh dad!"
Regina giggled softly and shrugged at the tall, buff man standing before her. "Hmm he seems very particular about the hair today." Daniel nodded and shoved his hands in his pockets, "it looks the same as everyday Hen."
"Dad!" Henry groaned, shaking his head as he licked the palm of his hand smoothing his hair back down. "Uh oh...something tells me Henry's not doing this for himself." Daniel laughed, causing Regina's body to stiffen noticeably. "Henry Daniel. This isn't true is it?"
A blush painted their sons cheeks as he threw his backpack over his shoulder. "Can we just get going now?" Regina just nodded, smiling at Daniel briefly. "I'll be back at...five." She mumbled, turning her cheek gently when he went in for a kiss his lips leaving a wet patch on her cheek. "Bye."
"Regina?"
The door was almost closed when she heard her husbands voice. Almost out. "Henry I'll be right there! Turn the AC on will you? " she chucked the keys at him smirking when he caught them with just one palm. Working on those baseball skills I see. Regina gently shut the door, leaning back against it facing away from her husband. "Yes Daniel?"
"May your husband have a proper kiss please?"
Regina scoffed and nodded, moving into his big arms as his mouth covered hers immediately claiming dominance. Regina groaned as she was pushed back against the door, his tongue invading her mouth forcefully. After a minute Regina pulled away gently touching her lips. "I have to get Henry to school. It's his first day! And my first day on the PTA.."
Regina opened the door once more, gasping when Daniels cold fingers wrapped around her wrist pulling him back into her. His lips covered hers once more, his one hand still effectively holding her in place and the other laying gently against her cheek. Regina pulled away and smiled, nodding up at her husband before walking down the porch steps.
"Oh and Regina?"
"Yes?"
"Be here by five o'clock." Regina's face fell and she gave her husband a curt nod before rushing into the drivers seat of the car. Henry looked at her with a disgusted face, shuddering.
"What?"
"Do you and dad have to...do that in front of me?"
"What? Kiss?" Henry just nodded, pretending to gag in his seat. Regina let out a long sigh and laughed before backing out of the driveway and heading toward school.
"Welcome welcome!" Emma smiled, standing at the entrance of the sixth grade home room as each and every student entered. Kids had always been Emma's absolute favorite. She decided as soon as she graduated that being a teacher was the only thing she had any interest in doing. Molding young minds, guiding them through weird and confusing times in their life and being a good role model. "Hey Miss. Swan!"
"Henry! How are you this morning?" Emma smiled brightly as he came running down the hallway, a pan of something in his hands. "Mom made this for you! Well...she joined the PTA today..and it was for that but on our way to school dad called saying he needed her so she just..told me to give them to you." Henry rambled with a shrug, shuffling back and forth on his feet. "Well Henry.." Emma hummed, peeling back the aluminum foil to look inside. "Brownies. Yum. Tell your mom I said thank you very very much. These will be eaten very happily." Henry smiled so big his eyes squinted and he moved inside the classroom, joining all of his friends. "Alright class let's begin-"
Once class ended, Emma took her first big bite of the delicious brownies Regina had made. Humming the second the immense flavor touched her tongue. "What a talented woman." Emma smiled brightly, leaning back in her chair when her door swung wide open. "Well what do you have there!" Ruby Lucas gasped, rushing into the room and picking up a brownie for herself. Humming happily.
Ruby was the fifth grade teacher and fifth and sixth grade shared a hallway, swapped students from time to time to get them acclimated to high school and moving from class to class. "Right!? They're god damn delicious!" Emma mumbled, falling into comfortable silence.
"Who made these?"
"Henry Mills mom."
"And you didn't feel like sharing these with your students?"
Emma faked offense, holding the glorious pan of brownies tighter to her chest. "Are you crazy? These would be gone in minutes! Minutes! With zero appreciation for their delicious, marvelous qualities."
"Mhm you really have a thing for these brownies." Ruby smirked, shoving the last bite of yummy chocolate treat into her mouth.
"Yeah...for sure the brownies."
Ruby sighed and squirted some hand sanitizer into her hands before moving to the door. "So are you going to meet us for drinks tonight at Killian's?"
Emma furrowed her brows, setting the pan clutched in her arms aside before taking a generous swig of her water. "Can't. Unpacking all afternoon remember? I just moved into that place on Rosen Street. Lots to do."
"Agh come on Em. You've been here what...three years? And I can count on one hand the amount of parties you've come to. One hand."
"Yeah...that's kinda on purpose Rubes."
"Please please please?" Ruby clutched her hands together over her chest, begging as best as she could.
"Aren't you an adult?"
Ruby rolled her eyes ignoring Emma's comment. "I'll help you unpack! All weekend. Promise."
"Hmm...tempting."
"So you're in?"
"You're bringing a case of beer with you."
"Aren't I the one helping you unpack? You should provide beer for me!"
"Nope. I'm doing you a favor by coming tonight."
"Fine fine yes beer."
"Okay deal." Ruby practically leaped for joy before the next bell rang and she bid her goodbye having to rush to allow the next class in. Emma stood up with a smile going outside as well and standing next to the door to allow the next class in. "Hello hello."
Wendy ran up to Emma giving her a sound high five before rushing into the classroom, taking Wendy's example so did every other student on their way in. By the end of it Emma's hand felt mildly numb but she wasn't about to admit that to a bunch of fifth graders. Every other class Ruby and Emma switch. The first class of the day is their home room class...meaning their true students.
The day continued on with ease, nothing of great importance to note. Just the usual introduction day she had planned, that she always does on the first day of school.
Emma sighed as she stepped on Killian's front step mustering up all her courage to just knock on the door. God damn she hated his stupid face and she hated parties even more. Before she could knock the door whipped open, a smirking Killian staring her right in the face. "You showed up!" He stammered drunkly a bottle of rum resting easily in his hands. "Emma!" Ruby giggled, worming her way around Killian and pulling the blonde inside. "Let's get you a drink huh?"
"God how much has Killian had to drink? His breath smells like ass."
"Why does it matter! You wanna kiss him?" Ruby joked, her eyes heavy and her feet swaying slightly.
"Okay so you're blasted too." Emma mumbled, feeling annoyance slowly creeping in as she looked around at all her drunk co workers. Ruby held up a bottle of whiskey and smiled once receiving Emma's nod of encouragement. A generous double was poured on top of a few ice cubes.
"Just a drop of lime juice Rubes! Jesus." Emma sighed as she greedily downed the drink in one sitting, pouring herself another. "Sorry...I gotta catch up." Emma mumbled, downing the second and grabbing a Stella from the fridge. "I don't think I've ever seen you drunk." Ruby mused, a playful smirk painted on her lips.
"Oh no?"
"Nope never."
"Lucky you huh?" Ruby rolled her eyes as a giggle irrupted from her lips. She pulled Emma through the living room to the middle of the floor where all the dancing was. Killian had hooked up a massive speaker to play his soundtrack through directly in front of the living room. "Oh you wanna dance?" Emma quickly did the sprinkler, busting into a full on dance before Ruby's eyes. "Oh wow! Skills." Ruby copied Emma's exact moves before both of them erupted into a fit of laughter.
"Emma! You came!" Emma turned around and there stood Mary Margaret who was the second grade teacher. A very sweet and pure soul. What was she doing at a party like this. "Oh yeah...Ruby made me." Emma winced as Ruby punched her shoulder, rolling her eyes.
"She'll thank me later when we have a super fun night filled with great memories!"
"Uh huh...sure."
"Well either way it was great to see you." Mary Margaret smiled, a glass of Prosecco rested easily in her hands. "Oh hey Em!" David joined the groups conversation, resting his hand gently on Mary's lower back. "How was your first day with the students?"
"Oh pretty easy! Just introduction stuff like every first day of school. Nothing hard. I'm feeling pretty lucky this year! Seems like a great bunch of students."
"Well that's awesome! Mary Margaret...I think it's time you and I hit the dance floor huh?" David wiggled has eyebrow at his wife shimmying his hips. Mary Margaret blushed at his awful dancing skills and laid her hand against his chest pushing them both towards the floor. Emma just watched the pair with an amused smile, shaking her head.
"What the fuck..."
"What?" Emma gasped, lifting her head to the window where now almost everyone seemed to be peering out of. Emma pushed her way to the front watching the scene outside unfold.
A huge grizzly of a man was outside cornering what seemed to be his wife...and giving her the third degree. Damn these windows I can't see through.
"Regina! Get your ass back inside." Daniel growled, holding her by her upper arm.
"Yes darling...I just needed to take the trash to the curb! Remember? Y-you...asked me to."
"That was over two hours ago! And it's still not done? I'll just do it myself." Daniel all but threw Regina inside, grabbing ahold of the trash can.
"Woah woah hell no." Emma growled, pushing through the crowd of people and stumbling outside. Drunk now or not she could tell when something was wrong and this was clearly wrong.
"Hey hey hey bud." Emma started, ruby trying to pull her back inside but to no avail. Daniel looked up with a scowl on his face, his crisp white button down shirt now all disheveled from whatever fight him and his wife were just having. "I saw you. Is that anyway to put hands on your wife?" Instantly his demeanor changed. Like some psycho from a movie and he scoffed, an easy smile on his face. "We were just messing about! I told her I'd take the trash for her. I didn't want her to have to do that chore and I was just out here stopping her from doing it."
"Yeah pretty roughly..." Emma didn't believe this assholes story for a second. Damn who was his wife! Emma's eyes scanned up the house, it was huge. Mansion sized. Her eyes made it to the top window when she saw a shadow of a woman standing behind a curtain...probably watching this whole thing unfold. "Well. Can your wife come out and verify this for herself? You can see why I'd be concerned based on what I saw."
Ruby watched the whole thing unfold from afar with anticipation of what might happen. In an instant Daniels face went from friendly to just plain irritated. "That may not be for the best...my wife is getting our son to bed now." Oh so they have a kid. "Right well it'll only take a second I assure you." Emma wouldn't budge. She needed to make sure that woman was okay. Daniel just smiled, turning towards his house and calling out to his wife. "Regina! Regina come here please!"
Regina? As in Regina- the brunette showed up in the doorway with the best reassuring smile, "Miss. Swan? What a lovely surprise! How are you?" Regina walked up to Daniel laying a gentle hand over his shoulder.
"I uh...I'm fine-"
"Miss...Swan?"
"Oh! Sorry darling." Regina giggled, nodding toward the blonde. "This is our sons teacher." Daniel's mouth turned into an o as he nodded with a smile. "Well babe..Miss. Swan here was next door at Mr. Jones house when she saw our little game out here and got concerned." Emma's eyes were on Regina the entire time, she saw a fast second where Regina looked genuinely confused before all the sudden she seemed to almost...catch on. Lies lies lies. "Oh that!? Yes Miss. Swan we were just...messing about." Messing about. Isn't that the exact phrase her husband just used to describe their interaction earlier as well. "Okay..." Emma sighed, shoving her hands in her back pockets. "You're sure you're alright Mrs. Mills?" Regina's eyes connected with emerald green for the briefest of moments, but she felt her breath catch in her chest. Emma shared such concern for her it was endearing. "I'm sure. Nothing to worry about. We joke this way all the time." Yeah well you looked pretty scared. "Right. Okay. How's Henry doing? He's going to do great this year I already know it."
Regina smirked and smiled brightly the second her son was mentioned, "Mhm he is brilliant. I have no doubt. He's doing great Miss. Swan thank you for asking."
"Emma."
"What?"
"Oh you may call me Emma. Are you gonna be at the teacher fundraiser tomorrow?" Daniels hand gently wrapped around Regina's back and she flinched for a moment before having a quick recovery. "Oh yes for sure! I will need to get home soon after though..these boys don't cook." Regina joked pointing to Daniel who put on his best fake smile that was really no good at all. "Great I look forward to seeing you." Daniel turned Regina around, guiding her back inside.
"Oh and ... Regina?"
"Mhm..?"
"Thanks for those brownies. They were absolutely delicious. I'll bring you back your pan when I see you tomorrow." Regina nodded in acknowledgment before stepping back into her house, Robin close behind her.
"Shit shit shit.." Ruby gasped, pulling Emma back inside Killian's house instantly noticing every single eye in the room was on her. "What's wrong?"
"You don't know who you were just speaking to do you?"
Emma shook her head very slowly, shrugging her shoulders as another beer was shoved into her hand. "Who?"
"That's Daniel Mills." Emma furrowed her brows not following along in the slightest. "He's really big in the entertainment industry. I bigshot producer-"
"And a fucking asshole obviously. Regina was clearly lying...I hope Henry is okay."
"Henry is fine. Daniel wouldn't ever touch him-"
"Why are you speaking as if you know? Had you known he was mean to his wife?" Emma couldn't keep the anger out of her voice. She looked around at all her fellow teachers in disbelief as they all stared down at the floor and avoided her gaze. "Em...it's complicated. He has the connections to ruin some real lives. Plus he's all connected with the police and everything...a lot of them are his best buddies."
"So!? So you know and-"
"We've suspected. Again...we've had parties over here at Killian's quite a few times and with him living directly across from the couple...we hear things. See the way he speaks to her from time to time but he's never laid a hand on her. Not like tonight."
Emma seemed to start to calm down, setting her beer to the side before running her fingers through her hair. "We should do something. Stop him. Or-"
"Emma there's no proof! And as I said he has...major connections." Emma scoffed and rolled her eyes, throwing her jacket on once more before looking toward the door. There was absolutely zero excuse for not stepping in and helping that woman. They were just making excuses for why they couldn't. Anyone of them could've helped her when they'd seen something in the past. They chose to turn a blind eye.
"Where are you going?"
"Home."
"Do you want a drive? I can drive you." Ruby went to slip her shoes on when she looked up noticing the door was already closed in her face. It wasn't a long walk. The new place she was in was maybe ten minutes by foot. Plus, this would be some good thinking time. She'd try and bring it up to Henry. In a non obvious way. I seriously hope he's been unaffected.
"Here you go Miss. Swan!" Henry held out his completed homework, smiling brightly at his favorite teacher as all the other students filled out of the room. "Thanks bud."
"Will you be at the fundraiser this afternoon Miss. Swan?"
"I sure will! I hear your mom will be there yeah?"
"Yeah! And she's making her yummy brownies again." Emma smirked and tapped her tummy happily making the boy laugh at her silliness. "Hen I had a question if that's okay?"
"Yeah okay." Henry shrugged, pulling a desk chair up and sitting myself down in it in front of Emma. "Remember the other day when your mom was supposed to come to the PTA meeting...and you dad had needed something? Do you know what that was?" Emma tried to keep her tone as casual as possible as she inquired on the relationship of his parents, but it was hard. She needed to know Regina was safe and it felt like all she could think about up until this point.
Henry pursed his lips in thought, cocking his head to the side. He tapped his foot against the floor and hummed shaking his head no. "No...I don't really know." Emma let out a long sigh but nodded slowly, putting on a smile for the kid.
"Oh but I do remember fighting! Fighting on the phone." Emma's ears perked right up at that. "Fighting? What kind of fighting?"
"Mostly just my dad getting mad with my mom I think. From what I could hear...he said a mean word."
"Hmm...safe space Hen. Do you remember what that word was?"
"Umm...I think he called her a stupid...b word." Henry all but whispered. He was so guarded and young. He didn't truly even understand what those words held or how to properly speak to the one you love. He spoke those words with such casualness...I suppose that could be because he's heard it a lot? It also killed Emma that Henry had been hearing all of these awful words in his home...and probably worse.
"Oh that's not very nice at all." Henry shook his head no and bit the inside of his cheek as he waited for Emma to say something more to him.
"Am I in trouble?"
Emma gasped, shaking her head. "Why on earth would you be in trouble?"
"This is just...unusual." Well she couldn't deny that. It truly was. Not very often Emma pulls students aside for a private chat about life unless there's a reason, but he can't know that reason. Think Swan.
"You're absolutely right! I'm sorry. I'm just really working on trying to get to know my students more...and their history and life." Henry smiled at her and nodded, sitting back in his seat.
"Well what more would you like to know?"
"One brownie is two dollars!" Regina smiled at the young woman and cut into the tray handing over a perfect brownie. She sighed and looked around the room, smoothing out the invisible wrinkles in her maroon dress, her short hair resting perfectly against her shoulders as she flicked it down against her back. "Mrs. Mills! We are beyond grateful to have you as part of the PTA this year." Katheryn smiled brightly, gently taking the brunette's hands her major flinch upon contact going unnoticed.
"Oh it was pleasure! I get bored all day just being home. I needed to busy myself with something and this seemed like a great opportunity."
"Come grab a drink with us after? We're just going to the rabbit hole down the street."Regina smiled weakly, full of contemplation. Katheryn did look so eager to get to know her and that would be fun but...she knew she couldn't. She'd have to ask Daniel first. "Maybe! I'll have to see if Daniel and I have any plans tonight."
"Oh you two lovebirds. Always so busy." Katheryn giggled going to help sell more baked goods for the fundraiser. Regina smoothed her hair down the back of her neck, trying to cover evidence from the night before. Little did she know Emma was standing off to the side, listening to the entire interaction.
"I think you should go."
"Excuse me?" Regina scowled, completely confused as to what Emma could possibly be talking about.
"Oh I'm sorry. I didn't mean to be nosy I just-" she shuffled forward, shoving her hands in her pockets. "It's gonna be fun."
"Oh you're going to be there?" Regina smirked, "well then I just have to go." Both of them immediately blushed at the implication of those words. So Mrs. Mills is a bit of a flirt. "Exactly! And a chance to know me is a missed opportunity." Regina raised her eyebrow and giggled, pushing a piece of hair behind her ear. "Yes well...as you also probably heard I have to see if Daniel and I have any plans." Emma just hummed in acknowledgment, pushing the brownie tray she had promised out in front of herself and towards the alluring brunette. "You remembered!"
"Well of course...it's been on my kitchen counter taunting me. I even licked the pan clean." Regina let out a beautiful husky laugh, shaking her head at the blonde. "You've got jokes." Emma decided then and there that making this woman laugh would be her only goal. "Mhm plenty more where that came from. Maybe I can tell you more tonight at the rabbit hole?" Regina's body visibly tensed at the subject of the bar.
"Like I said...perhaps, but I do need to make sure Daniel and I don't have plans...and I also have a son you know." Her voice was a little more bitter than usual, more ridged. Emma immediately noticed her posture straighten out. Her demeanor looking more defensive.
"Oh yeah yeah no worries at all. I did uh want you to know I spoke to Henry today."
Regina furrowed her eyes at the blonde, her breath getting stuck in her throat momentarily. "What did you say to my son Miss. Swan."
"Again...you may call me Emma and...Regina-"
"Mrs. Mills."
Okay there goes that defensive attitude again. "Look...I'm not gonna lie and tell you I'm not worried about you." Emma mumbled, looking around to make sure no one else was looking. "Henry told me...he hears things."
Tears sprang to Regina's eyes before she could stop them, her heart pounding against her chest and deafening her ears. "W-what kinda things?"
"Daniel calling you names." Regina's body visibly relaxed. Why is her body relaxing.Like she was expecting worse? "Yes well...we're a married couple Miss. Swan! Surely fights happen and no Daniel isn't always the best at articulating his emotions in the right way but he's not-"
"Regina is Daniel abusing you." Emma blurted, her emerald eyes boring into the beautiful brown ones before her. Regina scoffed, opening and closing her mouth to speak not once but twice. No words coming out. No one had ever been so blunt...
"Emma..." back to saying my name I guess. "Don't discuss these matters with my son again." Regina sneered, her head held high as she turned back to her brownie stand going to help once more. Oh hell no we're far from done. Emma gripped on Regina's arm, pulling her out of the auditorium. Regina felt fear surge through her body as she tried to squirm away from the offending hand. Luckily everyone around was so involved in the fundraiser they had hardly noticed. Once they were out in the hallway Emma released the brunette, pacing back and forth.
"P-please...do not do that again." Regina's voice wavered, and she wrapped her arms around herself casting her eyes to the floor. Emma had been so wrapped up in emotion she didn't even realize the brunette beauty wiping away a stray tear off of her face.
"You didn't answer me Regina. I can't help you if you don't answer me."
"Emma...please. Stop. Everything is ok."
"Is Daniel abusing you Regina?" Emma's face was turning red with anger as she got closer to the brunette, passion for this cause clearly all over her face.
"No!" Regina said, sighing deeply when she heard her name being called in the auditorium. "Out here." Their eyes stayed locked on one another when a shaggy haired brunette looking much like Regina popped his head around the corner. "Mama! Oh hey Miss. Swan." Henry acknowledged, giving his mom a quick side hug. "Did you tell my mom about our talk...am I in trouble?"
Emma smiled at the young boy, shaking her head. "Hen we already discussed this...no you did nothing wrong." Regina ruffled her sons hair, smiling as his brown eyes met hers. "Let's go hen...you can help me sell some brownies." Henry nodded eagerly rushing off towards her brownie stand.
"Oh.." Regina pushed her hands into her little apron which was holding all her sale money for the day and pulled out a brownie wrapped up neatly. "Here. Since you love them so much." And with that she was gone again. She watched Regina's wall climb right back up as she began selling brownies again, "two dollars please!" Henry shouted happily, shoving a brownie into the older man's hand.
"Emma...?" Emma swirled her whiskey around her glass, leaning against the bar when she heard a familiar voice. "What's up." She mumbled weakly, taking a large swig of her drink.
"Besides me being an insensitive ass?" Emma laughed and turned around to face the raven haired woman. "Mhm...facts. Go on."
"I should've said something. Done anything at all...but without proof...and him being such a powerful man I just-"
"It's okay Rubes. I get it. I was...angry and just...not grasping the whole story. I can see she also puts up this perfect life facade that I see right through."Ruby nodded in agreement, stepping up beside Emma.
"Still. I understand why you left last night and I also understand if you don't want to be...friends any longer."
Emma rolled her eyes and shook her head, "it's not your job to get her away from that bastard, and...like you said he's powerful and she's...pretending to be fine. I just wish I could help her." Ruby nodded slowly, shrugging her shoulders. "I'm afraid we can't help unless...she actually wants to be helped."
"I understand that but I just-!" Emma looked up and gasped, stepping away from the bar with a raised eyebrow. A look of complete shock on her face. "Em? Em what is it?"
"Hello Miss. Swan, I think you owe me a joke...and a drink."
"You came." Emma smiled softly, gesturing for the brunette beauty to take a seat at the bar. This was the most dressed down Emma had ever seen her and she couldn't lie and say it wasn't excruciatingly hot. Skinny jeans and a black v-neck. A silver dainty necklace placed elegantly against her chest. "Yes well...you can be sort of persuasive."
Ruby smiled weakly and waved, her beer cradled gently in one hand. "Hello Miss. Lucas. How are you dear?" Regina hummed, waving kindly at the bartender coming her way. "A glass of her merlot please."
"Stick it on my tab!" Emma called, turning her full attention to the brunette. Ruby rolled her eyes and tapped Emma's shoulder, smirking playfully. "I think David wanted to say hello to me...I'll see you tomorrow at work?"
"Sure Rubes. I'll try and find you before I leave." Ruby squeezed Emma's shoulder in acknowledgment before heading off through a crowd of people and towards the dance floor.
"So...what changed your mind?"
Regina put on a playful smile and shrugged, "merlot sounded nice." Emma rolled her eyes and nodded once in agreement. "And that was all?" Emma's eyes bored into hers, a look of such lust and...something else? Pity? God she hoped not.
"So...Daniel didn't care if I stole you away for a few hours?" Regina sat in thought for a second, humming happily once her wine was set down in front of her. She took a slow sip to stall time. I'm here...but at what price. She thought back to their conversation earlier that day...
A/N...next chapter will continue where we left off.
Reviews are always appreciated.