"Regina owns this place?"Emma asked Ruby as she stared slack jawed at the massive mansion they were pulling up to.Emma had seen the wrought iron gates and high stone security walls of the property many times but didn't know who owned the place.She always wondered what was behind the walls.The mansion itself looked more than twice the size of the mayor's mansion.It had beautifully manicured lawns and gardens filled with flowers and what looked like vegetables.If that wasn't enough Emma spotted what she thought were over a dozen apple trees.
"Yeah and the fact that she is letting you stay here shows how much she trusts you."Ruby had been surprised when she got the phone call from Regina about helping Emma move into Regina's private home.It was well known amongst Regina's supporters that this was the place she planned on living in once she found her daughters.So for her to allow Emma to stay there was a very big deal.
"Why doesn't she live here?It's a lot nicer than her current home."Emma couldn't understand wanting to stay at the mayor's mansion when Regina had such a beautiful place to live.
Ruby parked her truck in front of the main door."That's not my story to tell.Now come on,me and the guys will help you bring in your stuff."
"Who are all those guys anyway?"Emma asked.When Regina offered to help her move she hadn't expected for a dozen random people to show up.It took less than a half hour for all of Emma's stuff to be packed and put in the two trucks they brought with them.
"Not everyone in this town are pro Snow White.If you took a moment to travel out of their orbit you might find that not everything is as it seems."Ruby told her as she got out of the truck and moved to the back of the truck to grab a box.
Emma ran after her."What does that mean?"
"It means that you need to take a hard look at those you associate with and decide for yourself what kind of people they are not what kind of people they pretend to be."Ruby made her way to the front door and unlocked it. She wasn't surprised when she walked in and everything was perfectly clean with not a speck of dust anywhere.
"Holy shit."Emma was awed at the sight of the inside of the house.She thought the outside was amazing but the inside was like walking into a whole different world."Did Regina decorate this?"
"Of course she did."Ruby stepped into the living room and put the box down.
Emma looked around and was flabbergasted at the cozy feel of this house compared to Regina's current residence where Emma was afraid to breath incase she broke something.This house however was a place where she would be comfortable sitting on one of the oversized fluffy couches watching the big screen tv that hung over the fireplace drinking beer in her underwear. "Why is this house so different?"
"That's once again not my story to tell."No matter how much she wanted to Ruby wasn't going to tell Emma anything.It was up Regina to tell the sheriff her story."Come on I'll show you to one of the guest rooms."
"I don't know if I can take anymore surprises." And once again Emma was surprised as she gawked at the stairway that split into two hallways. As she followed Ruby up the stairs going right she asked."What's down the other hallway?"
"That is the family wing.It would be wise not to snoop around over there.Regina is being nice to you but she wouldn't refrain from hurting you if you poked around her private space."Ruby warned.
"I'll be good."Emma was very interested in what Regina was hiding but Ruby was right. Regina was being nice allowing her to stay there so she would fight her curiosity and not go anywhere off limits.
"Here you can use this room."Ruby opened the door and ushered Emma in.
Emma looked around feeling like she was in a whole different world.The room was larger than any bedroom she had ever seen.The bed looked beyond comfortable with what looked like a hand made quilt and embroidered pillows decorating the bed.She noticed that there was a recliner and matching couch forming a small sitting area next to the large window that showed a view of the gardens.She opened the door to what she thought was the bathroom but Emma saw it was actually a large walk in closet."Jesus."
"The other door leads to the bathroom."Ruby told her.
"I'll check it out later.I don't think I can take anymore."Emma said."Are you sure this place is Regina's?"
"Regina isn't who the people make her out to be.I think that being made the villain for so long she has embraced the role because no one would believe her to be any different."Ruby wished that Regina would stand up for herself more but for some reason the former queen just went along with the story that Snow sold to everyone.
"I'm starting to realize that."Emma was being truthful. Lately she had noticed some things that had her second guessing a lot of what she had been told.
"I bet the guys are done unloading your stuff.I'll take you back to the loft to get your car."Ruby needed to get back to the diner.Granny understood her helping Regina but it was almost lunch rush and she needed to get going.
"Thank you for the help today Ruby."Emma said as they both exited the house and got into the truck.Ruby had been right and all of Emma's stuff had been unloaded into the living room and the people who helped them had already left.
"It's no problem."Ruby hoped that even spending the small amount of time she had with Emma would help her see that Regina was a good person.Getting her away from Snow was a good start.
"Oh shit."Emma grumbled when they pulled up to the apartment building and saw Snow and David out front talking to Archie.When they saw Emma they rushed towards the truck.
"You need help with this?"Ruby asked.
Emma shook her head."No I got it."
"You have both mine and Regina's number. Call if you need us." Ruby waited until Emma got out of the truck and shut the door before pulling out her phone and texting Regina.
"Emma where have you been?"Snow demanded as Emma walked up to her parents.
"I was moving my stuff."Emma told them.
"Why are you moving your things?"Snow asked.
"Because I no longer want to live with you guys."Emma was surprised by the look of rage that crossed Snow's face.The woman tried to cover it quickly with a smile but Emma could still see her anger.
"It's not appropriate for an unwed woman to live away from her parents."David said.
Emma held back an eye roll."I lived away from you for 29 years.I don't see how now is any different from then."
"Emma sweetheart.I can understand that things are a little tense but that is because the loft is so small that we are basically living on top of each other.Why don't you show us where you live and if it has enough room we can all move in there together."Snow's voice was sickly sweet.
"I'm staying at a friend's house so there isn't room for anyone other than Henry."Emma wasn't going to let her parents even visit Regina's home.
"So you plan to take Henry with you then?"Snow asked.
"I would like Henry to live with me however I know that he would probably want to stay here with you."Emma wanted to get Henry away from Snow and David but had come to realize that if she forced them apart Henry would just run away.She now understood how Regina felt when she took Henry away from her."That being the case he can visit me."
"I don't think this is a good idea.If you lived without us you wouldn't have someone there to guide you on proper royal protocols.You still don't know the proper way to conduct yourself as a princess and you need to get ready for your betrothal."Snow told her.
"First off I'm not a princess, second I'm not marrying anyone."Emma wasn't going to back down.
Snow patted Emma on the shoulder."Oh Emma, I know it's only natural for children to rebel against their parents but don't you think you're to old to be throwing tantrums?"
"I'm not throwing a tantrum."Emma shrugged Snow's hand off her shoulder ignoring the obviously fake look of hurt the woman tried to pull off."I'm telling you that you are not going to control my life.I'm not the princess of the White Kingdom,I'm Emma Swan from the world without magic.An orphan abandoned by her parents for their own selfish reasons."
"We did not abandon you!"David denied.
"Oh I'm sorry what did you put me in the wardrobe for then?"Emma asked.
"We did it for your safety."Snow told her.
Emma scoffed at the very idea."You traded my life so that I could break the stupid curse.You weren't concerned with sending a baby to an unknown realm alone because you selfishly needed me to save you.Let's not even get into the fact that my life has been shit and coming here hasn't made it any better."
"Emma you don't mean that.You're just having a bad day.Why don't you go get your stuff and bring it back to the loft.I'll help you unpack it and we can forget this even happened."Snow pleaded.
"You don't get it do you?I don't want you in my life."Emma yelled.
"Emma calm down."David sternly demanded.
"No I will not calm down.I'm leaving and don't come after me."Emma ignored their protests and jumped into her car and started driving.She didn't know where she was going but she needed a break from all the pressure that came with living in Storybook.Her patience was wearing thin and Emma knew she was close to losing it.Stopping her car she was unsurprised that she had pulled into the city hall parking lot.For some reason Regina was becoming the person that she sought comfort from.Getting out of her car Emma hoped that Regina wouldn't mind her dropping by.