It was early evening when Snow entered the living room where everyone had been sitting together since Regina, Emma and Henry had come back inside. However, when she looked around she realized the only person still there was David.
"Where are the others?" She asked him.
"Henry went to grab a sweater for Regina, and I think Regina needed to use the bathroom. But I think they're all coming back in here after."
"Okay. I was just wondering if maybe they wanted some dinner. I think so far you and Henry are the only two who have eaten."
"What are you making?"
"Nothing fancy. Some chicken and vegetables I think. Why, are you still hungry?"
"A bit."
"Because all you had was a burger and fries?" She teased.
"Well I guess sword fighting really works up an appetite. And to be fair that was three hours ago that we ate."
"Well I'm also making some macaroni and cheese for Henry, so you could have some of that if you prefer. I'm sure he doesn't need to eat the whole box himself."
"But I'm sure he would definitely try." Emma's voice replied from the doorway as she and Regina entered the room. "Seriously, you've been here one day and you're already letting the kid give you meal requests?"
Snow smiled. "It's the least I can do. Besides, I want to feel useful."
"You want to spoil your grandson more like."
"What's this?" Regina asked, having missed the first half of the conversation.
"I'm making some macaroni for Henry." Snow explained. "And I was also wondering if maybe you two wanted something to eat? David and I haven't had dinner yet and I didn't think you two had either. Regina I know your stomach is still a little upset, but if there's something light you want I could make it for you? Seriously, whatever you want."
"That is kind of you, but I think I'll pass for now." Regina replied gently as she took a seat in the corner of the sofa.
"Okay, but if you do change your mind just let me know. Emma, How about you?"
"Sure, I'm a bit hungry. Make whatever you want, I'm sure I'll like it." Emma responded, sitting next to Regina.
"I'm making your favourite." Snow's voice rose teasingly.
"Ugh," Emma comically rolled her eyes. "The healthy stuff. Gross."
"But very good for you."
Emma smiled good-naturedly. "You know I'm only kidding, that sounds perfect."
"I'll bring you in a plate when it's ready."
"Thanks."
"David?"
"I'll have some of the healthy stuff too." He winked.
"I'll still have macaroni." Henry said as he entered the room carrying an extremely soft-looking sweater.
"Henry," Regina scolded.
"Please." He added.
"No problem honey." Mary Margaret said before leaving the room.
"Do you need a hand?" David called after her, starting to stand up.
"No thanks David I'll be fine."
"Mom is this the one you wanted?" Henry asked, holding out one of Regina's stylish, wool sweater coats.
"Yes, thank you sweetheart." She replied, taking it from him.
Emma began to help Regina into it when Henry flopped onto the couch beside her.
Regina winced at the sudden motion. Moaning quietly in discomfort, she shut her eyes tightly to stop the unbearable dizziness.
"Henry! Be careful." Emma warned as Regina raised her hand to her forehead.
Henry froze as he realized his mistake. "Sorry Mom..."
Regina sighed, lowering her hand. "It's okay Henry, it was an accident."
"You okay?" Emma asked.
Regina made a tiny noise of agreement and so Emma helped her to put the rest of the cardigan on.
"Is your headache getting any better at all Regina?" David asked.
"It's gone down quite a bit but a little more would be nice." Regina replied as she pulled the soft, blanket-like sweater more securely around herself. "I think Snow was right. I think the fresh air did help."
"I'm glad to hear it. What about the dizziness?"
"That's a different story." She grumbled.
"That bad huh? Well at least we know it's only temporary. It'll go away with the fever."
"That can't come soon enough for me."
"Do you want me to get the compress? Snow put it back in the freezer while you were outside, it's probably cooled down enough by now."
"Thank you, but perhaps I'll wait until I go back upstairs." She gave him a small smile.
David nodded.
Emma touched Regina's arm. "Hey, do you mind if I–"
"No." Regina responded quietly before Emma could finish.
"Kay." Emma reached up to feel Regina's forehead with the back of her hand again. When she had checked outside Regina's temperature had been pretty warm, and that hadn't changed at all since coming back into the house.
"Are you sure you don't want the compress? It'll probably make you feel a little more comfortable."
"It's too much of a nuisance. I'll use it again once I'm lying down."
"Okay. How about some water then?"
Regina sighed. "I suppose it couldn't hurt."
"Alright. I'll make sure it's not too cold." Emma said, beginning to get up.
"Don't worry Emma." David stopped her. "I got it."
"Oh, okay thanks." She responded as she watched him get up and head for the kitchen.
"You don't have to drink all of it," Emma said to Regina. "Even just sipping at it will help."
Regina nodded tiredly as she rubbed at her legs in discomfort.
"What's wrong?" Emma asked, watching her.
"Everything just hurts." Regina muttered.
"Is that new from this afternoon?"
Regina sighed again. "Well, lately my muscles have been hurting a little bit every once in a while. But not like this; this afternoon it's been bad."
"Is it because of the fever?" Henry asked, peering around Emma.
"Yes I believe so."
"And Dr. Whale said not to have painkillers?"
"He did recommend that yes." Regina said, sharing a look with Emma.
"I'm sorry Regina," Emma said quietly. "This really sucks."
"Understatement of the year."
"Is there anything else I can do?"
"No... After you all finish dinner I'll just go to bed."
"If you want to go up now you can. If you need to rest there's nothing to be gained by putting it off."
"I think I'll just sit with you all until you're finished."
Emma gave her an understanding smile. "Okay."
David soon returned with the water and they sat talking until dinner was ready.
Snow entered the room carrying a tray with the food on it. She set it down on the coffee table and then passed the bowl of macaroni and cheese to Henry and then two of the plates of grilled vegetables and oven baked chicken to Emma and David. She then picked up a coffee mug from the tray and held it out for Regina.
"This is for you, I thought it might help." She said kindly.
Regina cautiously took the mug and peered into its contents. "Do I even want to know what this is?"
"You can relax. All it is is honey and cinnamon in warm milk. Not only will this boost your immune system and give you a bit of extra energy, but it should also calm your stomach. Hopefully enough that it will keep you from being sick again. If that turns out to be the case, then maybe we can get some real food into you."
Regina gave her a soft smile before looking back down into the mug again. She adjusted her hold on it so she was embracing it with both hands, enjoying the warmth it provided.
Snow sat down beside David but didn't touch her own plate.
Emma, who had already begun to eat, watched from the corner of her eye. It took Regina a minute or two before she finally took a sip but the result seemed to be a successful one. Emma glanced at her mother, grinning at the pleased look on Mary Margaret's face.
Content that everyone was finally eating–more or less anyways–Snow reached for the final plate on the tray.
Emma felt Regina relaxing deeper into the sofa beside her.
"Could you hold this for a moment?" Regina asked her.
"Yeah for sure." Emma said, balancing her plate on her lap and taking the mug. She kept one hand on the plate just in case.
Regina carefully lifted her legs onto the couch and tucked them underneath her. She then turned her body so she was leaning sideways against the back of the couch. She fixed her cardigan so that it was draped over her legs and then took the mug back from Emma, giving her an appreciative smile before she rested her head against the couch and closed her eyes.
"Are you sure you don't want anything? A piece of dry toast or some oatmeal might even help your stomach." Emma said.
She had to shift positions to see Regina a little better because the brunette's head was now resting inches from where Emma's shoulder was.
"No," Regina mumbled softly. "I don't want to get sick again."
"But you don't want to starve either."
"I'll be fine."
"Okay, but seriously, let us know if you want anything."
"I will. Thank you."
Emma's eyes washed over her. She noticed that even with the way Regina was holding the cardigan around herself, she still seemed to be shivering.
"Are you warm enough?"
Regina shrugged.
"Henry could you pass me that blanket over there?"
"Yeah."
Emma set her dinner plate down on the coffee table to take the blanket.
"Here, put this on too." Emma offered, placing the blanket over Regina. She rubbed Regina's arm gently, trying to warm her through the friction. "Drink some more of the milk, it'll help."
Emma continued to rub her arm softly as Regina took another sip. Emma then pulled the blanket up over Regina's shoulders. She did so slowly, so Regina would be able to move her arm so the hand that was holding the mug didn't get trapped under the blanket.
"Thank you Emma."
"Is that better?"
Regina closed her eyes briefly, and Emma had come to recognize that response as yes.
"I can turn the heat up after dinner if that would help?" David offered.
Regina didn't respond, so Emma did by giving him a thankful nod.
"We never eat in the living room." Henry said. "We should do this more often." He put a forkful of macaroni into his mouth.
"Just don't spill anything or we'll never be allowed to eat in here again." Emma warned him in a loud whisper as she picked up her own plate again.
Henry laughed with his mouth closed as he continued to try to chew.
"Careful you don't choke either." Emma said, patting his arm softly.
Henry swallowed. "We should all watch a movie after. Wouldn't that be fun?"
"Maybe David and Mary Margaret will want to. I think Regina and I both need to get some sleep. Sorry kid, maybe tomorrow."
"That's okay." Henry said, looking hopefully to his grandparents.
"We'd love to Henry." Mary Margaret responded.
"But, only if you give us a hand with the dishes." David added good-naturedly.
Henry grinned. "Okay."
"You have to pick a good one though." David warned teasingly.
Emma shared a smile with Regina, who sat up straighter again to more easily sip from her cup.
"How's that drink tasting?" Emma asked, quirking an eyebrow. It didn't sound appetizing in her opinion.
"It's quite nice to be honest." Regina replied. "Thank you Mary Margaret."
"You're welcome. I really do hope it helps. It should even help you to get a more restful sleep."
"Hmm," Regina responded warmly in response. She couldn't believe how much she was looking forward to going back to bed, but she couldn't deny that this had been one long and exhausting day.
A/N: Thank you for reading, a review would be cool. xx