She's just as confused and worried about what this means as I am. For different reasons of course. I don't know how this would work. I can't be with her. If she is my soulmate, our love would break the dark curse. She would hate me afterwards. My chest clenched at the thought of Emma hating me. I shouldn't have brought this up. I should have left it alone.

"Regina," Emma's voice was soft. I hadn't noticed she moved until I felt a presence before me. Meeting her gaze, I found the blonde had moved to kneel in front of me. "You have that look in your eyes again."

"What look?" The words came out harsher than I intended. I felt bad when Emma winced. "I'm sorry. What look are you referring to?"

"You're pulling away. Putting up walls again. Trying to shut me out."

I need to tell her the truth. The truth she needs to hear. "You can do better than me. You deserve better than me." I continued before Emma could argue. "Eventually, these feelings will fade. I know you're not trying to take Henry from me, so I won't cut you off from him. He cares about you and you care for him."

Emma's brow knitted. Her walls were starting to rise. "What are you saying?"

"I'm saying, give up on me. Move on. Eventually, this string will fade. I'll bring the pies tomorrow but I believe it's time for you to go." With each word, my heart ached more. I didn't want her to leave. I didn't want her to give up on me. On us.

Getting to her feet, the blonde stared me down. "No."

"No?" My brow rose at the sudden rebellion.

"I won't give you on you. I'll leave because you asked me to. I don't know why you're suddenly pushing me away but I'll figure it out. I know you're lying. I'll see you tomorrow. Goodnight, Regina."

"Goodnight, Miss. Swan." Pain radiated from us both at my words. I watched as the blonde walked out of the den. I didn't move until I heard the front door close.

Going into my office, I picked up the phone and dialed a distraction. "Hello, Madam Mayor."

"Come over. Use the back door."

"Yes, Madam Mayor. I'll be over shortly."

Ending the call, I went to unlock the door. I need to forget about this whole soulmate thing. I don't need to be loved by Emma to be happy. I have a son who I love, a gorgeous house, a great job, and a lover on speed dial who leaves afterwards. I have everything I need.

Hearing footsteps, I quietly opened the door and smiled. "Hello, my pet."

"Mistress." Graham tilted his head. "How may I be of service to you?"

Taking hold of his shirt, I led him into my office. "You know the rules for the house. Keep quiet."

"Yes, Mistress."

Closing and locking the door behind us, I smirked. "On your knees."

"Yes, Mistress."

Xxx

Waking the next morning, I felt miserable. Rubbing my face, I saw the red string. Well, that didn't break it. Granted, that hasn't broken it before. Not sure why I thought this time would be different. Hearing my alarm, I sighed.

As I got ready, I couldn't help but think about Emma. Part of me was happy to see her later today, but the other part of me dreaded it. I hope the tension between us doesn't ruin Henry's Thanksgiving. What am I going to do if she invites us to stay at the diner? Smirking at myself, I pushed the thought away. After last night's conversation, I doubt she'll want to be in the same room as me for longer than necessary.

Entering the kitchen, I was greeted by Henry and a light breakfast. "Oh?"

"I made breakfast. A light one since we're having a lot of good food today."

"Thank you, Henry." Taking the plate and cup of orange juice to the table, I motioned towards the empty seat. "Join me?"

"Yup!" Coming into the dining room, Henry placed his bowl of cereal on the table.

"You didn't make any toast for yourself?" I paused. "I know a banana doesn't go well with peanut butter Captain Crunch."

"Definitely not." Henry's nose scrunched. "No, I wanted cereal more."

As we ate, I could see something was on Henry's mind. "Is everything alright? I know that look."

Biting his lip, much like Emma, he shrugged. "I like having Emma here and us all spending time together."

There it is. Henry likes the idea of us being a family. My chest ached. I know she can feel the string tingle too. Do I like the idea of a family with Emma and Henry? "Even if she's not here, you can still spend time with her."

"That sounds nice but it wouldn't be the three of us."

"Have you always wanted it to be three people in the house or is this new?"

"New." Henry pushed around the peanut butter flavored balls. "I've never really thought about it being more than us until…"

"Until a few days ago?" I added softly.

His gaze met mine. "Do you want her to be part of our family?"

I thought over my answer for a moment. "I don't know." Henry's head sank and guilt swept over me. Suddenly, I wasn't very hungry but I needed to finish my breakfast.

Xxx

Not many people had arrived at the diner yet. The few who were there, halted any conversations they had been engaged in when we entered. There was a heavy tension since most of the town hated me. I carried two pies while Henry carried the third and held the door open. "Where should I put these?"

"Over here!" Ruby broke the silence. Racing towards me, she took a pie. "Emma set up a table just for these."

"Lovely." Placing the pies down, I glanced around the diner. No Emma in sight.

"Thank you for making these. It's greatly appreciated. They look delicious!"

"You're welcome, dear. Is Miss. Swan not here?" Her bug is outside. Is she hiding from me?

"She's in the back helping Granny."

As if on cue, the blonde walked out from the kitchen. "Hey Ruby, when Regina gets here-" Her sentence was cut short when green eyes fell on me. "R-Regina…"

"Hello, dear." Instead of a wince, Emma's eye twitched at my choice of greeting.

"This place looks great!" Henry beamed, seemingly unaware of the tension.

"Thanks, Kiddo." Hugging him quickly, Emma turned her attention to Ruby. "Time check?"

"People will arrive in about thirty minutes. I can't think of anything that's missing."

"Awesome. I'm going to grab my stuff and freshen up in the back." As Emma brushed past, her step faltered. "Can I speak with you outside?"

I watched as the blonde continued out the door. Henry had found Mary Margaret and started talking to her. "I'll be right back."

"Okay, Mom."

Exiting the diner, I met Emma at her bug that was parked at the far side of the building. "You wanted to speak with me?"

Closing the door, Emma leaned against it. "Look, I know things got intense last night but I want you and Henry to stay for Thanksgiving." She paused. "Unless you have other plans."

"There is a spread of food at the house." Emma's face fell. That's where Henry gets the puppy dog eyes. "I'm sure Henry wouldn't mind saving it for leftovers and staying here." Turning, I started back towards the diner. "I see many turkey sandwiches in your future, Miss. Swan." I glanced back with a playful smirk making sure to convey my use of formalness.

"Mom," Henry jumped down from a nearby barstool as I entered. "I know we have plans for Thanksgiving, but can we change them and stay here? I want to help out."

The look on my son's face warmed my heart. "Of course." Looking towards Granny, I ask something that would surprise most of the town. "Have an extra apron?"

"What?" Emma, Mary Margaret, and Ruby all spoke in unison.

The older woman smirked. "It's not designer, but it'll do."

Over the next few hours, Emma, Henry, and I helped serve most of Storybrooke a Thanksgiving feast they wouldn't soon forget. Some townsfolk were weary of taking food from me but didn't make a scene. For the most part, I got side glances and whispers. It felt nice volunteering alongside Emma and my son.

Once everyone was fed, we made plates of our own and took a much needed break. Emma looked around the diner. "This was a hit. So many people came." Warmth radiated around my wrist as she smiled.

"Do you think it'll become a yearly tradition? Like you wanted." I asked, taking a sip of my drink.

"I hope so. As long as the Mayor approves it." She grinned.

"I believe that can be arranged."