Thursday Afternoon:
The key turned in the lock to 108 Mifflin and the door swung open to reveal three people.
Regina was the first to enter. She began to climb the half-staircase to make room for the other two but hesitated as she realized they were still on the porch. Emma was waiting for Henry to go first but he appeared to be frozen.
Regina lifted her overnight bag to the top of the staircase and retraced her steps.
"Henry? Are you okay?"
He had been staring passed her through unfocused eyes but her words seemed to bring him back.
"Yeah." Still, he didn't move.
Emma and Regina shared a glance, Emma was frowning in concern.
"Um," Regina swallowed. "Would you like to come inside?"
Henry looked behind her again before staring back up at her. He nodded and stepped over the threshold, heading up the stairs.
Emma followed. She shrugged at Regina as she passed, not knowing what was going on with their son. Regina had a growing sense of foreboding. He was going to change his mind, she knew he was. She took a bit more time than needed to close the front door, and used those precious seconds to mask the dread that she knew must be written all over her face.
The ten-year-old was standing stock-still in the middle of the hallway, just looking around.
"What's up?" Emma put her arm around his shoulders. "You look like you've seen a ghost."
"What?" Henry asked dazedly.
Regina moved in front of him and lowered so they were more at eye level. "I know this must be strange for you," she said softly. "But I promise everything is going to be okay."
His silence was unsettling. She took his hands in her own and gave a small, reassuring smile. She wanted to hug him but she wasn't sure if it was that or space that he needed right now.
His mouth twitched into something that almost resembled a smile. "I know."
"How does it feel to be home?" Emma asked as Regina stood up straight.
Henry shrugged.
"Henry, if you're not ready to come back I'll understand." Regina said.
"No. I'm ready, I do want to come back."
Regina nodded guardedly, still uncertain about his behaviour. "In that case, why don't we take our things upstairs and then come back down for some cocoa?"
That put a small grin on his face. "Okay."
Emma and Henry followed Regina up the spiral staircase, but when they reached the second floor Henry froze again. He was staring in the direction of Regina's bedroom almost as if he were afraid of it. Regina and Emma both noticed this.
"That's where they found you?" Henry asked, still staring at the door. "David and Miss Blanchard?"
Regina nodded. "But I promise, nothing's changed."
"Is it weird for you?" Henry asked in a small voice. "Because this is where you almost died?"
"No," Regina said quietly. "I regret what happened, but this is still home."
Henry gave a tiny, but appreciative smile, as if knowing that if Regina was okay with being here then he was too.
When Regina went to leave her bag in her room, the other two entered Henry's to do the same. Henry took in how different it looked. He knew it looked almost the same as when he'd left for Boston, but he'd forgotten how deserted it seemed now. However he did notice a few things that had changed since he'd last seen it. Regina had made the bed using a spare comforter since he had taken his with him for his new room. He also noticed that the comforter was wrinkled and the pillows weren't straight, as if someone had been sitting or lying on it and hadn't fixed the blankets afterwards. The other thing he noticed was that there were a few pictures on the dresser that hadn't been there before, there was one of himself and his mother but most of them were just of him.
"I guess we'd better go and get your stuff soon," Emma's voice broke through Henry's thoughts. "It's looking pretty desolate in here."
Henry dropped his backpack on the bed and watched Emma pick up one of his baby pictures. Her eyes shone with adoration. She looked back at Henry.
"Unless you don't want to? I can go by myself and pack everything up. I don't mind."
"No that's okay. You shouldn't have to go alone."
Emma smiled. "How about this weekend? I know it's soon but it'll be nice to have your stuff again. Beats having to wash the same two pairs of clothes over and over again."
"Yeah, maybe." He took his storybook out of his backpack and placed it on his desk, then grabbed a handful of spare clothes and tossed them into an empty dresser drawer.
Emma sat down on the bed and studied him. "Everything will feel more normal soon, especially now that you're both home. This has just been a crazy week."
Henry didn't answer. He just wandered out of the room to head downstairs.
Thursday Night
Emma entered the living room in search of Regina. The brunette in question was lying down on the sofa and Emma couldn't tell if she was asleep or merely resting. Emma quietly sat down on the other couch.
"Are you still here?" Regina's voice asked.
Emma looked over at the other woman and was a little surprised to see the hint of teasing in her eyes.
"Till you're feeling better." Emma smiled.
Regina sighed heavily; she sat up a little reluctantly.
"Thank you. For staying here."
"It's not a problem Regina, really."
"Has Henry gone to bed yet?"
"Just about to, he wanted me to ask you if you could go up and say goodnight."
"He did?" A smile danced across Regina's lips.
Henry looked up from the storybook when he heard the faint knocking on his door. He returned Regina's smile as she sat down beside him on the bed. He closed the book and placed it on the nightstand.
"All ready for bed?" Regina asked.
"Mmhmm."
"I still can't quite believe that you're really back," Regina said softly, placing her hand on top of his. "I can't even begin to describe how happy it makes me to see you in here again." She looked around at the room.
"I'm happy to be back too."
Regina gazed fondly at him for a few moments. "Come on, it's time to get some sleep." She stood up so Henry could get into bed. Henry moved under the covers and pulled them up to his waist, but didn't lie down. Regina took a seat again once he had settled.
She noticed the way he was looking at her. "What is it Henry?" She asked curiously.
"I shouldn't have left you."
"Henry you don't have t-"
"I should have stayed. I thought you didn't love me, but I should have seen the truth. I'm really, really sorry I left."
"You were unhappy here and you did what you thought was best. I don't blame you for wanting to leave. I just wanted you to be happy too."
"But if I hadn't left-"
She waved a hand in disagreement before touching his arm gently. "None of this is your fault. I'm not the greatest at expressing how I feel. I should have tried harder to make sure you knew you were loved and appreciated. I'm the one who should be apologizing to you. You will always be the most important part of my life."
"Really?" Henry asked quietly, his eyes filling with emotion.
"Of course." She wiped a tear away from the corner of his eye.
They sat in silence for a few moments and Regina tried to keep from allowing her own eyes to fill with tears.
"I thought I didn't love you." He said suddenly, his voice starting to tremble.
Regina's looked at him sadly, well aware that he had felt this way.
"But I was wrong. When we were in the city I realized how much I missed you. I wanted to come back so badly."
She wrapped her arms around him, holding him closely. She felt his smaller arms tighten around her.
"Well you're home now." She whispered. "We don't have to miss each other anymore."
"I want to go back to the way we were before. Like when I was little."
"I've been wishing for that too. Maybe it's something we can work on together."
"Okay."
They shared a look of understanding before Regina pulled back slightly.
"I'll be right back okay?"
"Yeah."
Upon re-entering the room she had Henry's old teddy bear in hand. She returned to her previous seat and held it out for him.
"You dropped him downstairs when you were leaving for Boston. He's been keeping me company while you were away."
Henry grinned as he took the bear, staring down at the toy whom he'd been inseparable from when he was younger.
"I know you're getting too old for stuffed animals, but I thought maybe tonight he could help you sleep."
"Thanks Mom."
She was relieved when she noticed some of the light returning to his eyes.
"Now why don't you try to get some rest. If you need anything you can come and get me, no matter what it is."
Henry nodded appreciatively. He put the bear beside his pillow and then slid under the covers.
Regina pulled the blankets up to his shoulders and then placed a gentle kiss on his forehead. "Goodnight."
"'Night mom."
As Regina reached the door she heard a quiet voice from behind her. "Mom?"
"Yes sweetheart?"
There was a brief pause. "Love you."
She smiled warmly. "I love you too Henry. Sweet dreams."
Henry watched as she switched off the light and then shut the door behind her.
He turned over onto his side, facing away from the door. His eyes fell on the teddy bear. He picked it up and was about to put it on the nightstand with his storybook but hesitated. Instead he brought it closer and stared at it, remembering the way his life had been when he was so attached to this bear. It actually represented more than he'd ever considered. He clutched it to his chest and suddenly realized that it smelled of his mother's perfume. He breathed it in, feeling comforted by the familiar scent. He closed his eyes contentedly, and soon fell into a deep, undisturbed sleep.
"How was he?" Emma asked when Regina re-entered the living room and returned to her place on the couch.
"He's alright, hopefully he can get a good night's sleep. You told me he's been having trouble sleeping?"
"Yeah, but I think he's happy to be back in his old room again so maybe he'll finally get a proper rest tonight. It'll be better once we get his stuff back from Boston."
Regina nodded. She looked away as she absent-mindedly rubbed her abdomen.
"You okay?" Emma asked.
Regina looked up in confusion. Then, realizing why Emma had asked, she clasped her hands together instead.
"I'm fine."
"Look, I know this set-up is sort of awkward but Dr. Whale says it's for the best. And besides, I am happy to stay. I just want to make sure you and Henry are alright."
Regina folded her arms and gave a brief smile.
Emma remained silent for a few moments.
"Regina... I want to apologize again, for how I acted in the hospital. I shouldn't have said any of those things. Especially not when you were... I'm sorry."
Regina held Emma's gaze. "You don't have to keep apologizing."
"Yeah Regina I do. I feel terrible. I was upset over Henry, but that didn't give me the right to say the things I did. Henry doesn't hate you."
Regina's eyes softened a little.
"And I never should have asked you to not let him come back. The decision should always be his."
"I appreciate you saying that. And I agree, it should be Henry's choice."
Emma smiled.
Regina sighed again. "We need to figure out a way for each of us to be in his life. Because as much as I've tried to convince myself otherwise, I think he needs us both."
"Yeah. That was never clearer to me than it was in Boston."
Regina nodded. "I suppose we're going to have to start getting along if we actually want this to work."
Emma grinned. "I'm open to giving it a try if you are."
Regina responded with a small smile of her own. "If it's for Henry, of course."
Their gazes lingered for a few moments, both still unused to the sensation of friendship that was felt between them.
Regina looked away first, her smile had faded and she was staring into her lap.
"Are you sure you're okay?"
"Yes dear I'm fine. I'm just tired that's all."
"Are you having trouble sleeping?"
Regina merely made a noise with her throat in response.
"I can get you some of the pills Dr. Whale prescribed to help you sleep." Emma made to stand up.
"No that's okay. Thank you but I don't think those are a good idea."
Emma sat back again, studying the woman across from her. "Why, what is it?"
Regina didn't respond.
"Are you... afraid of taking pills after what happened?"
"No of course not, don't be ridiculous."
"It's okay you know, if that's what the problem is. It's totally understandable after what-"
"Emma I'm not afraid of taking a few pills."
"Then what's wrong?"
Regina glanced up at her momentarily before her eyes dropped back down.
"Regina, you can tell me."
Their eyes met once more and Regina could see the genuine want to help within Emma's. "It's just that, sometimes when I sleep I have these dreams..."
"What are they about?"
"They're terrible." Regina's voice darkened. "I see things happening to Henry. Or myself. Sometimes Henry is in trouble, and no matter how hard I try I just can't get to him." Regina felt a chill run down her spine as she remembered some of the images.
"Have you told Archie or Dr. Whale?"
"No, but Archie did tell me that I might have trouble sleeping. Or have bad dreams."
"Did he tell you how to stop them?"
"He just said it was normal for someone who's gone through what I have to experience this."
"Hmmm... Have you tried taking your new prescription yet?"
"Just whatever they gave me in the hospital."
"You should have told the nurses, I'm sure they would have had your meds changed."
Regina pursed her lips.
"Well, some sleeping pills are for a dreamless sleep." Emma went on. "Maybe that's what Dr. Whale gave you, they could be different from the ones you had in the hospital. Is it okay if I go check?" She stood up.
"No Emma you don't have to..." Regina made to stand up as well but Emma gestured for her to remain seated.
"It's okay, honestly. I'll be right back."
A little bemused, Regina relaxed back into the sofa cushions. Her eyes wandered to the pictures of Henry that were displayed on a nearby table.
A few minutes later Emma returned with the pill bottle and a glass of water. "You should'a read the information that came with this." She smiled, giving the bottle a shake. "No dreams."
Regina had a slightly bewildered expression on her face as Emma sat down beside her.
"What?" Emma asked. "You don't trust me? Have a look for yourself."
"No, it's not that. It's just... what's been going on with you these past few days? Ever since our... ordeal on Monday night, you've been so different."
"Different?"
"Yes. It's like you're... making an effort to be kinder to me."
"I don't know what you mean."
"Wanting me to use your first name, jumping on the chance to stay here when only a few weeks ago you probably would have outright refused because you'd know we'd be at each other's throats after two minutes... You're up to something aren't you?"
Emma lowered the pill bottle. "Alright fine. Have you noticed how much better we've been getting along? You've been nicer too you know."
Regina had noticed right away, but she'd merely been responding to Emma's actions. Too exhausted to question the sudden change of character. "What of it?" She asked cautiously
"I think one of the things that led to me and Henry leaving in the first place was the fact that you and I couldn't stand each other. I think the first step in helping Henry believe that everything is going to be okay is by showing him that we can get along. To show him that he's going to be able to have both of us in his life without us being at each other's throats all the time."
"No, we just had that conversation. Your behaviour is because of something different isn't it?"
"This is only about Henry."
"Emma, this week I've opened up to you more than I could ever begin to imagine. Now I am asking you to be honest with me. Why have you been visiting for so long at the hospital these past few days? And why are you here now? Staying with me, and," she hesitated, the next part was a little difficult to say. "well, looking after me."
"Okay... I'm sorry you're right."
Regina waited expectantly.
"Truthfully, I used to think you were just a cold-hearted bitch." Emma grinned apologetically. "But after what happened this week, I've seen a different side of you. A softer side, a more... human side. I saw how badly you were hurt by Henry leaving and I felt that it was partly my fault. I feel... well, I feel guilty."
Regina's brow furrowed, her expression unreadable.
"When I heard you talking about Henry on Monday night, I realized that you and I are more similar than I thought. Henry is the only family you have left isn't he?" Emma stated more than asked.
"Yes." Regina said quietly.
"For so long all I wanted was a family. I can't imagine what it must have been like having to let go of the one person you had left. I didn't realize until Monday just how much you sacrificed for his happiness. You gave him up, not because you thought you didn't have a choice, but because you love him so much. You wanted what was best for him."
Regina blinked back the tears that were glistening in her eyes.
"I've never had a real family until Henry came to find me." Emma confessed. "When I asked him if he wanted to move to Boston with me, I guess I just wanted one so badly that I didn't care about what happened to you in the process. I should have used better judgement. I should have thought about how I would feel if someone took my only son away from me."
"It wasn't just your fault, Henry wanted to leave."
"But I was the one who gave him the idea."
Regina looked away. "Henry says he wants to stay here with me, but... he could still change his mind and I don't know if I could... Either way one of us is going to have to give him up again. Even if it is only partially."
"I know..." Emma said. "But I'm positive that Henry won't change his mind about staying here because he wanted to come home so badly. And I've decided I'm okay with that."
"Have you?"
"You should have seen him in Boston on the weekend. He was so torn up, wanting to come home, missing you... and this was before he tried to call you. After that he was just frantic. He was terrified of losing you. It worked before, him living here and me just seeing him during the day. I think it can again. Mary Margaret has asked me to move back in with her. We'll both be able to be a part of his everyday life again."
"You're not upset that Boston didn't work out?"
"Well I am, but there isn't much I can do about that now. Henry doesn't want to live there and I'm not going to try to make him. Unless maybe he asks to give it another go."
At the expression on Regina's face Emma quickly continued. "Look, I'm not saying he will. I'm just saying that if he wants to stay here I'm not going to try to change his mind and convince him to come back to Boston with me."
"And you're doing this because you're trying to make it up to me?" Regina asked in a small voice, hardly daring to believe that this could be true of the woman she'd thought to be her nemesis.
"I don't want to be the cause of your pain. I know we've had our differences in the past, but I don't think I could live with myself if I knew that you could be so badly hurt by something that I did, that you could want to take your own life. That kind of unhappiness is something that no one should have to feel."
Emma waited to see if Regina wanted to say anything. When the brunette closed her eyes for a few moments and then looked away, Emma continued.
"But I'm also doing this for Henry. He needs you, I don't have to tell you again how much it destroyed him when he thought he was going to lose you."
The pain was evident in Regina's eyes as she searched Emma's crystal blue ones.
"I wish I'd have known." Regina said more to herself.
"Known what?"
"That he still loved me. It would have made everything so much more bearable."
A/N: I hope you enjoyed this chapter, comments are appreciated and encouraged! :)