Being a parent means tough conversations. In the 16 years that Regina's been a mom, she's had her fair share.

"If Santa is real, why are you eating his cookies?"

"Why is the sky blue?"

"Where is Heaven?"

"When will I get to be as tall as Dad?"

She waited weeks to tell Henry that Robin was missing, hoping he'd turn up. Her then 10 year old son at first bought that there was a problem in their Oklahoma store. But soon more questions kept popping up. Why isn't he calling? Why won't he return my texts? Regina could only make excuses for so long. She was honest and explained Robin was missing, but promised they'd find him.

Regina didn't want to tell him when the body was discovered but it was her job. She stopped crying long enough to get the words out.

"Your father's dead, Henry. I'm so sorry, but he's not coming home."

His tears stained her sweater that day as he clinged tightly to her, sobbing. They were barely apart after that. For a year, Henry was scared she'd disappear to. In time the sadness turned to anger and he yelled at her for lying, making promises of his father coming home when he couldn't. Regina couldn't hold it back anymore. Every book said to keep it strong for the kids but the pressure of the business and being a single parent mixed with grief over losing the man she loved was just too much. She dropped to the floor, sobbing. She hated herself too. Why hadn't she gone to the bank? Then maybe, just maybe her husband would still be there. Henry was stunned for a few moments before dropping down beside her and crying as well.

Regina got them therapy after that. Both are better. He can go out and be a kid. Regina knows the anxiety is still there, she has it too. They're moving on, she'd go as far as to say they're happyZ

Now, Regina has to ruin that all over again.

She hasn't told anyone yet, not even Belle. Everyone deserves answers, but Henry comes first. He needs to hear it from Regina, not second hand.

Regina sits in the kitchen, her head pounding from the lack of sleep. After leaving the station, she drove around for hours allowing herself to scream and cry. She entered her home around 6 AM, numb from head to toe. Her eyes flicker to the clock above the stove, 7:59. The coffee in front of her is lukewarm and she doesn't have the stomach for anything.

The front door opens, then slams shut. Regina opens her mouth to remind him to be careful with it but the memory of Robin's scarred face stops her.

Henry enters the kitchen, backpack swung over his shoulder. He's tall now, having outgrown her by a foot already. She wonders how he'd compare to Robin…

Regina quickly shakes her head. Her lip twitches in an attempt of a smile, but she can't get it there. "Hey sweetheart." Henry bends down to kiss her cheek and she squeezes his arm. The weather's growing cool and his skin is icy to the touch. "How was your sleepover?"

"It was fine. You're not at the office yet?"

Regina shakes her head, watching him shuttle around the room. He pours himself a glass of juice and sticks a few pop tarts in the toaster. "I'm um, taking the day off."

Henry raises an eyebrow. "You've gone in every Saturday morning for years now."

She cringes at the reminder. Regina doesn't love being a workaholic, but ever since Robin died, she's struggled to find someone that can do his share of work. James and Belle are doing their best from across the country, but the fact is, she needs someone to do her husband's job. She's had a few start, but quit due to her "impossible demands".

"Yes, I know. Um, can you sit down?"

Henry nods, lowering himself into the seat in front of her. "What's going on? Are you okay? You don't look great."

Regina sucks back a sob. She cannot let herself cry again. "I'm not okay," she admits.

Henry's face falls and she debates if it's worth telling him. Robin is with Marian, who's to say if he's going to want to be around. Her son doesn't deserve another heartbreak. Regina also puts herself in his shoes. Her mother withheld so much growing up and it only lead to resentment.

"Last night," se continues. "I got a call from the police. Henry, I know you're not going to believe me, but your father is alive."

Henry's mouth opens, clearly ready to fight back, but Regina is quicker. She pulls out her phone and unlocking it reveals Marian's Facebook page. The profile picture is of the two of them dressed up nice, at some even for their bar. Henry cradles the phone in his hands, blinking a few times. His face morphs from confused to awe to sadness and all the way back to confusion in a few minutes.

Her phone falls against the table at the same time as the pop tarts come up. "What the hell?" Henry asks.

Regina nods. "We don't know exactly what happens. The last thing your father remembers is waking up in pretty rough shape. He didn't know who or where he was for a while."

"Where is he?"

"Bridgeport, currently."

"So…he came to the police because he remembers?"

Regina purses her lips. "No. He submitted his DNA to one of those websites and found he was related to Aunt Belle. A little history and he found us."

"So, he…he doesn't remember you? Or me?"

"No, sweetheart, he doesn't. I am so sorry."

Henry's face falls completely and Regina rushes to his side. She tries to touch his hand, but he pulls away from her. Regina ducks her head.

"And who is this woman?" Henry points to the phone. "Where did she come from?"

"She's someone who…" Regina nearly laughs at how crazy it sounds. On so many levels, she resents Marian. But on others, she's grateful for her. "She saved your father. He was living on the streets and she gave him a job, made sure he was okay."

"If she really cared, wouldn't she have tried to find him?"

"It's not that simple, Henry. We thought your father was dead. By the time she found him, the missing person's report was scrubbed from the internet and records. No one matching your father came up."

Henry still doesn't look convinced and she can't blame him. A part of her can't believe how much grace she has for this woman, but it's not Marian's fault. She's just a kind woman who found a man who needed shelter, and she gave it to him. Marian is not he villain of this story, the mugger is.

Regina's also a woman in her 40s. Henry is all of 15, having gone through more tragedy in his life than most ever will. She'll allow his anger. It wouldn't be healthy to take it away from him.

"Is there more?" Henry asks.

"We can talk about it later…"

"Mom, you know I can just as easily look this woman up in a minute."

Regina sighs. This boy is too smart for his own good. "They have a son, Henry. He's 15 months old, his name is Roland."

That's what gets to her son. It starts with one tear, then another. Before she knows it, his face has completely crumpled and he's doubled over. Regina wraps her arms around him, not letting go when he fights against it. That in itself is short lived and his head falls against her shoulder. Regina runs her fingers through his hair, biting her lip.

"Oh my little prince, I'm so sorry. I am so, so sorry."

He doesn't protest the nickname he asked her to stop using months ago, instead he just clings tighter to her. Eventually, both of them are on the floor, hugging as if the other might disappear at any moment. Henry's entire body shakes alongside his sobs. Each one breaks Regina's already fragile heart a little more. When he was a baby, she knew to calm him, all she had to do was softly sing a lullaby or rub his stomach. In this moment, all she can do is rub his back and press kisses to the top of his head, knowing it's not enough. What possibly could be in that moment?

The two sit there long after her legs fall asleep and her back begins to ache. Henry's sobs turn to whimpers and eventually, just the occasional sharp breath. He eventually breaks apart from his mother, pulling his legs to his chest.

Henry's voice cracks when he finally speaks up. "Where is he now?"

"Bridgeport," Regina whispers. "He and…Marian have a bar there."

He slowly nods. "He remembers nothing? Not even a little?"

"He wants to. Henry, he didn't do this on purpose. Your father would never set out to abandon you."

"I know." He wipes at his face with his sweatshirt sleeve. "So, what happens now?"

"We're going to talk about it. He does want to be in our lives, hopefully remember more than he does now." Regina pauses for a moment. "But it's totally up to you, you know? I would get it if you didn't want to see him until he remembers something."

"No, no." Henry shakes his head. "I…I spent so much time wishing for this moment, you know? That the door would open and he'd come in, like nothing ever happened. Now it has."

"Okay, baby." Regina touches his chin so he'll look at her. "No matter what, I support you."

"What about you, Mom? I mean if he's with this Marian…they have a kid…"

"It's not what I'm thinking about right now," she lies. "I'm worried about you, making sure both of you are safe and happy."

"Mom…"

"I'm serious, Henry." She clears her throat and sits up straighter. "All of that stuff, is secondary. I'm just worried about you." He regards her with an unsatisfied look, but she powers on. "If you want to see him, we can arrange that."

"Can I think about it?"

"Of course you can."

Henry nods. "Does anyone else know?"

"No. Not yet. I know I have to tell your aunt, but I thought I should talk to you first."

A wave of silence falls over them for a few minutes before Henry eventually pulls himself up, muttering an excuse about needing to lay down. Regina tips her head backwards, shutting her eyes and willing this all to be a terrible, terrible nightmare.