After leaving Zelena and Robyn to settle in, Emma, Regina and Henry went around to all of the cells in the two blocks and Regina proceeded to conduct her rounds that she had put off on doing until they got back to the prison later on that day.
"Hey, Em!"
Ruby's head popped up around the corner as they were passing by, and stopped the new little family of three.
"Yeah?" Emma turned around to see Ruby.
"Granny's almost just about done with tonight's dinner, we're about to start filling the bowls could use another hand on deck. Wanna come help?" Ruby asked as she walked over to them and leaned over to quickly kiss little Henry on the cheek. "You could do some last minute tasting too."
Emma opened her mouth to answer but looked to Regina.
"Are you finished with your rounds?" She asked.
"Yup. I was just going to change out of these clothes as Henry said I needed to and wait with you both until dinner started." Regina bounced Henry in her arms. "Do you feel up for helping Granny?"
Regina tightened her hold on him and reached out, touching Emma's scarred cheek lightly with her thumb.
"Yeah, I'm good. That nap earlier kinda gave me a little boost. Granny was using the strawberries for whatever dessert she planned to make. Who knows maybe she'll let me lick the bowl." Emma shrugged and grinned.
Regina chuckled and went to answer but Runy spoke up.
"Was that some kind of fetishized older woman sexual innuendo?" Ruby twisted her lips up in disgust. "Emma that's my grandma, I know she's good looking but dude I'm right here." Ruby teased.
"Ruby! Oh my goodness! No!" Emma gasped utterly shocked and smiled, pushed at the older childish woman.
"She's practically your grandma too! You're gross!" Ruby just laughed more pushed Emma's hands away as the kept swatting at her with Henry's jacket.
"That is not what I meant at all!" Emma kept pushing at her and chuckling as she did. "You idiot!"
Regina chuckled and rolled her eyes, because that was of course just the type of thing Ruby would say when given the opportunity. Emma ceased her swatting and huffed, playfully rolling her eyes.
"As I was saying, I feel fine." Emma shoved Ruby back again. "I can help out."
"Alright, Henry and I will meet you in the main hall then?" Regina smiled and reached out for Henry's jacket.
"Seriously, you don't mind?" Emma asked to be sure. "I know you need to unwind."
Regina had just gotten back and had been driving for hours, on top of that she's been standing up since they got back. Emma was pretty sure the older woman would want to just take a few minutes to herself with out having to watch their son.
The brunette grabbed the jacket, pulling Emma closer at the same time, she bent down to place a sweet kiss to Emma's cheek and then her lips.
"Yes, my love, we will be fine." Regina pulled back and tickled Henry's side. "Right? Tell mama we'll be fine."
Henry chuckled and pushed her fingers away, wrapping his tiny hand around them to get them to stay still.
"All good, Mama." Henry giggled.
Ruby nodded her head and turned around to walk away as Emma reached up to kiss Henry on the cheek and then Regina on the lips.
"Well alrighty then, I'll see you both in the main hall in a bit. Love you!"
"I love you too, Em."
"Later, Mama! Love you!"
Emma smiled and turned back to walk around the corner down towards the kitchen doors. Regina watched her go as Henry reached up to play in her hair. She had planned on finally sitting down with Emma and talking to her about Danielle but...she didn't know how the younger woman would react. Maybe just waiting till later is the best option.
"Gina?" Henry's voice pulled her from her thoughts, his little arms wrapped around her neck.
"Hmm?" Regina smiled and looked at him as she turned around to continue their walk.
"Love you." Henry grinned.
Regina beamed and placed her hand at the back of his head, kissing his forehead over and over, Henry giggled and had a smile just as bright.
"I love you too, little prince."
Regina told him honestly and she meant it with her whole heart, she really hoped Emma wouldn't be upset with her for withholding information like this for so long.
Later on that evening sitting around in the main hall, Dorothy and her group of kids brought some tables together to sit down and eat the meal Granny Lucas and her kitchen aids prepared for everyone.
Walking around the tables holding trays of bowls, Emma was still helping out as everyone got their own helping of the bouillon beef flavored, ground rabbit Goulash, and potato fritters that Granny Lucas made.
They only had big dinners like this every so often, so everyone was eagerly waiting at their tables to dig into the amazing smelling dish. Regina handed Henry over to August when they walked into the main hall and made her way over to grab some trays and help distribute the bowls.
"It smells amazing in here, Granny." Regina smiled and watched as Ruby took the last tray. "Thank you again for putting all of this together."
"Well we couldn't very well let the meat go bad and the pasta was just sitting there against the wall so." Granny shrugged.
Granny looked around and saw everyone sitting at the tables, more than pleased looks on their faces as they dug in and took bites of the potato fritters.
"I have no doubt there will be no complaints from anyone tonight about what you've prepared. I'm sure some people will want seconds and when they find they can't have them. They'll riot." Regina joked.
"My cooking is that good there's no denying that." Granny chuckled. "Go and eat with your family child. Go on."
Granny shoo'd her off and went to have some of the foods sent out to the men outside on night watch. Starting to walk to their table, Regina noticed August and everyone else digging into their bowls, everyone besides little Henry, Emma, Robyn and Zelena. Henry looked over August's shoulder and saw her coming, immediately wiggling out of his uncle's lap and running off towards Regina.
Emma was sitting beside August at the end of the table talking to Zelena who was across from her but in the seat over. She turned her head when she heard tiny feet tapping against the tile. Looking over her shoulder and seeing Henry run off to wrapped his arms around Regina's legs, Emma chuckled and shook her head. Henry just spent the last two hours with Regina, but acted as if he hadn't seen the woman in weeks.
Regina smiled down at him, taking each of his hands in her own, as Henry turned around put his little feet onto of Regina's boots and she started to walk back. As they were walking over, Regina stopped by Dorothy's tables and saw everyone scarfing down their serving.
"They are too cute." Zelena gushed as she watched Henry do a little dance on top of Regina's boots as she was checking in on everyone. "He is so adorable, Emma."
"He's got her wrapped around his little finger that's for sure." Big Henry chuckled and took a bit of his potato fritter.
Little Henry was moving his little hips side to side and looking up to Regina as she was trying to learn everyone's names again. She quickly glanced down at Henry and chuckled at his silliness, leaning over to kiss to his forehead.
"Truly, my heart." Zelena awed and looked to her father. "Aww. That's all she ever wanted with Dani, Daddy do you remember-"
Ruby loud choked on her water and potatoes and started to have a little coughing fit as Zelena brought up Danielle's name. Everyone at the table turned to look at her, she was sat between August and Graham as her eyes started to water and she put her head down on the table.
"Jeez, Ruby! Are you alright?" Graham patted her back.
Nodding her head and still coughing, Ruby tried to speak but it wasn't coming out right.
"Alright above your head, hands above your head." Mulan was sat across from them and motioned to Ruby over the table.
"You gotta slow down, Rubes." Emma looked down at her, eyebrows furrowed in concern as the brunette started to turn red.
Ruby kept her mouth closed and coughed until she could breathe through it and try to gain some control over herself. With literal tears running down her face, Ruby leaned back and let out of deep breath to keep away from everyone's food. Gripping the bench as she leaned back, Ruby sighed as she blinked through the tears.
"Are you okay, Ruby?" Regina's voice spoke up and everyone looked her way, seeing Henry in her arms, both of them looking at Ruby with concern.
"Y-yeah." Ruby cleared her throat. "M-M-Mhm! Yes. Wrong pipe. Water went down the wrong pipe. I'm good."
Graham was still rubbing her back as she sat up, and Regina and everyone looked at her cautiously as she sat down with Henry in her lap.
"You didn't need to wait." Regina looked at Emma and Zelena's bowl that were untouched.
"Your son insisted that we had to." Emma smirked with her elbows off the table.
Regina beamed and chuckled, nodding her head because she couldn't argue with that then. Henry's bowl was next to hers in front of them and he had a spoon, scooting forward on Regina's lap he grabbed it as Emma insisted now on him eating like a big boy. He of course still somehow managed to always get more food around his mouth than he did into his mouth, but they'd been practicing.
"Auntie Gina, so is Henry like my cousin then?" Robyn questioned.
The main hall was filled with chatter and a good amount of people actually licked their bowls clean once they were done. Regina and everyone listened around as Robyn told them stories about her archery lessons and how she had trophies as big as her. Henry ate all of his food and was turned around in Regina's lap now as she rubbed his back. Half way though the stories Ruby got up to go help Granny prepare the dessert on plates. Everyone listened on amused as the six year old started to boast about her skills, and teaching the other kids how to properly shoot.
"Well maybe you can come out to hunt with us sometime, Little Robyn Hood. Give Mulan here a run for her money." Graham teased.
Robyn gasped and perked up in her seat looking over Zelena to look at Regina.
"Can I?!" Robyn asked instantly.
"Oh boy." Zelena chuckled.
Regina sighed and gave Graham a pointed look before she looked to Robyn. Graham winced realizing what he'd done and mouthed 'My bad.'
"Children don't go out to hunt, sweet pea." Regina told her carefully. "Only the adults do."
"But I'm really good!" Robyn argued. "Mommy, can I please?!"
"Well I don't see-" Zelena started.
"Zelena." Regina frowned.
"What? It's possible for her to-"
"She's six. She isn't going-"
"I know that she's six, but she's capable of doing things even the older kids do. She never hunted but we were out there for a long time."
"Zelena I know that. But she isn't going out on hunts! There are enough-"
"You said everyone contributes!" Robyn pushed. "That's what you said."
"That is what I said, but Robyn you are just a child. Your only concern right now should be getting used to this place and studying. You can help out with things around the prison or out in the greenhouse with Grandpa Henry and Emma if you wish to contribute so badly." Regina shook her head.
"I don't want to play with dirt all day!" Robyn scoffed but looked to Emma. "No offense, Miss Emma."
"None taken, kid." The blonde chuckled.
"I'm good with my bow! And I can help bring back food for everyone!"
"There are enough people here to do that, Robyn."
"I can do it too though!" Robyn glared.
"Robyn. No. You-"
"Regina." Emma called put to her and got her attention. "What did we talk about last week?"
"That doesn't apply here." Regina huffed and furrowed her eyebrows.
"It does...it actually does." Emma nodded her head and shrugged. "She's small, we know and she's young, ok? But these types of things you can't just learn from sitting down in the room and someone telling you...knowing how to properly hunt is something everyone here should know. Heck I don't even know how to use a bow."
"I can teach you." Robyn spoke up and smiled, Emma smirked and winked at her.
Zelena smiled looking over at Emma, while Regina gave the young blonde a straight face still very much not on board. So Emma kept defending her case.
"You heard her. Robyn is great with a bow and arrow, she has this amazing skill that you yourself have watched her advance in since she was a toddler. She's six now so you can't blame her wanting to perfect her skills. Bettering her chance at survival and the other kids here as well...she of course won't be alone but allowing her to go on hunts...eventually...I can only see good outcomes from that." Emma shrugged.
Regina sighed and looked down to Robyn and everyone else watching the scene unfold. Robyn was giving her this desperately hopeful puppy dog gaze while everyone else just waited. After what happened with Walsh they had all been sort of tip toeing around new ideas with Regina.
"I agree with Emma...At least think about it, Gi." Zelena elbowed her and whispered. "Don't automatically shoot the idea down."
Regina looked at Emma, then Zelena and then back to Robyn who was poking her lip out for extra effect and she relented.
"I will think about it." Regina groaned.
Robyn fisted pumped the air and started to do a little dance in her seat as everyone else at the table laughed and sighed relieved that Regina didn't put up anymore of a fight.
"Alright! Who wants dessert?" Ruby walked over with a cart holding trays of the strawberry pound cake.
"Is that cake?!" Robyn gasped and leaned on the table.
"Don't you need eggs to bake cakes?" August asked as they all passed everyone a square.
"I asked the same thing!" Emma laughed and passed the tray down.
"Yes but there are substitutes to eggs, in this case Granny used apple sauce." Ruby shrugged.
Everyone looked down at the pound cake incredulously, but shrugged as well and took bites of the warm cake. Regina put some on a spoon for Henry and he sat up from her chest, to take the piece into his mouth. Henry tried the flavors out on his tongue and nodded his head when Regina asked if he wanted more.
Regina took a bite herself and hummed at the sweet and tart flavors that spread over her tastebuds. Slowly people started to make their way from the main hall back to their cells. The clean up grew would no doubt have a whole lot of work to do tomorrow.
"Alright what'd I miss?" Ruby asked.
Doing some last minute rounds, Regina went over to D block while Emma and Henry went to get ready for bed. After checking on Dorothy and the others one more time, Regina spoke to Dorothy briefly about everything she had been teaching the kids. It wasn't a lot mainly just basic survival tips, so Regina told her that she and the other team members were going to sit and discuss what's best for the kids to learn. Dorothy agreed with the idea and told Regina she would like to be there at the meeting as well.
Walking back to C block, Regina told people good night as she passed them and stopped just outside Zelena and Robyn's cell. Peaking her head in Regina saw that her niece was already knocked out on the top bunk, clutching the cover to her body.
"She's asleep already?" Regina whispered.
Zelena looked up and smiled motioning for her to come in.
"Between coming here and that amazing meal, I imagine she will be sleeping through the night." Zelena chuckled. "We're going to use the showers in the morning."
Regina nodded and walked over to the chair taking a seat and leaning forward on her knees. Regina's hair was down so she, used her fingers to bring it back behind her ears.
"How are you feeling?" Regina asked.
"I'm well...just...it's all still a little bizarre." Zelena admitted.
"I know what you mean...but it will eventually start to feel like home. Once you've settled in." Regina smiled.
"Robyn is definitely taking a liking to everyone here already." Zelena smiled. "Especially your Swan."
"The two of them together around here may very well be asking for some kind of trouble." Regina joked and Zelena chuckled.
"Regina...You know I would never do something I didn't think was best for Ro, right?" Zelena asked after a beat of silence.
"Potentially riding a motorcycle is what's best for her?" Regina arched her brow.
"Maybe?...Best for her character...for her happiness, the way she views life, she's a child, Gi. And despite seeing dead people walk around and eat other people she still somehow has this innocence and excitement to her about learning new things...Of course not to be going flying down the road on the damn thing but cruising? Or just getting on it. Regina it won't hurt her."
"It very well could and you know it could."
"But I'm not going to let that, my fears, hold her back. If something happened to me and she were on her own I want her to be able to get the most out of life. To have confidence in herself that she will make it through."
Regina sighed and looked at her sister, nodding her head.
"I- you're right...you were right last week too...she still won't be getting on that motorcycle...but the others and I will speak soon on what's best to teach the kids and everyone around to be able to make it through...to better their skills...So far we've only been doing slight survival tactics, but we will also start on defense, not just a select few but everyone capable and willing to learn."
Regina smiled timidly while Zelena smiled brightly.
"Well...I know a very willing six year old who would love to teach archery." Zelena smirked.
"Regina?"
"Hmm?"
"What's troubling you?" Zelena frowned.
"I...I haven't told Emma about Danielle. I plan to tonight once I go back into the cell." Regina frowned.
"She doesn't?" Zelena gasped.
"No."
"Does...does anyone here know?"
"Ruby so far that's it. Besides father I mean." Regina shrugged.
"Well that makes sense why she started coughing tonight then." Zelena chuckled.
"What do you mean?" Regina tilted her head.
"I mentioned Danielle's name tonight to Daddy and Ruby started coughing hysterically."
"Did Emma say anything?!" Regina groaned.
"No! No. I don't think she even noticed her head was turned looking at you and Henry. That's what I was talking about, how you always wanted a child with Dani but it never went past that because she started coughing and choking." Zelena explained. "...So you're going to tell her now?"
"Yeah...it's...been long enough. She wants to raise Henry with me and I...may want another child with her at some point or she may want one...She deserves to know about me completely." Regina sighed.
"I'm sure she will understand, Gi." Zelena gave her a sad smile.
Regina sighed and stood up, quickly kissing Zelena's cheek.
"We shall see."