"Of course you did."
Emma replied ironically and twisted on the couch arching her sore back. Overworking in order to gain more money in order to pay the bills and her son's private school made her feel a constant exhaustion.
"You're Gold. You know everything."
She continued and looked at him with confusion spread all over her face. Whatever that man had to tell her couldn't be good news. She could feel it in her stomach that disaster was coming to her way for once again.
The older man drunk another sip of his drink and played with his fingers as an evil smirk spread on his cheeks.
"You know why you're here miss Swan? You know why you actually have the right to see your son? You know why you're even alive?"
He said through his growing bigger smile and winked his sparkly eyes.
"No?"
Emma replied even more confused now and run her fingers through her curly hair rubbing the back of her head seeking for relaxation. The older man drunk another sip and paused looking at her and examining her face. For some reason he enjoyed the torturing confused look on Emma's face so much. He loved to make people feel uncomfortable around him.
He loved to see the fear in their eyes growing bigger and bigger in anticipation. He loved watching them tightening up on the seat while focusing on his lips waiting with exasperation for his next word.
"You ought a big thanks to Miss Mills sheriff."
Emma frowned and bit her fingernail.
"Let me stop you there cause I think I lost you!"
She laughed ironically.
"Why would I even say thank you to Regina? She broke my heart and sacrificed our son just because she was a coward!"
She fought back and narrowed her brows clearly annoyed.
"Hmm... maybe you should do a little research sherif Swan. She might hesitated to tell you the truth, she might made a couple of mistakes but if you were that good at your job you would already know what Regina did for you. She's the reason you're alive!"
Emma looked at him frozen in her place, not daring to move a muscle. Gold's words felt like knives stabbing her heart constantly.
"How?"
She mumbled through her teeth.
"I'm not gonna ruin the fun part and tell you the answer. I guess I'm not in the mood to play the guessing game either. There's only one option left for you Emma... You can man up and go find the answer by yourself. See you at court dearie!"
He stood up and fixed his tie and he walked heavily towards the front door. The blond woman rushed to his side and pulled him behind by grabbing his elbow.
"Why did you come here and said that to me? What are you hiding Gold? What's your plan this time?"
Her eyes scanning his face trying to insert inside his thoughts and discover the chaos conquering that man. What the hell was he up to this time? Why would he come all the way to her house after so many years to support Regina? He clearly had something to win! Maybe the former queen was collaborating with him again... but no! Emma didn't wanna believe in that case scenario. Regina was heartbroken and desperate but she would never dare to approach that man again. Not after all those times he stabbed her back.
"I'd like to keep my reasons to myself. It's none of your business anyway saviour."
"NO! I need to know! Did she pay you to come and talk to me?!?"
Her eyes widened open seeking for an answer that she was pretty sure that she wouldn't get that easily. The older man cleared his throat and smiled in sympathy.
"Do you really think that I would ever fall for money? That's not my way to make deals dearie. You shouldn't have known me better after all these years."
The look on his face mysterious like always.
"I need to know... please!"
She took an exasperated breath and shook her head in devastation.
"I just need to know if she's planning to trick me again."
"Maybe she did talk to me but maybe she didn't."
He replied and then took a look on his hand watch checking on the time.
"It's after midnight. I should better go."
"GOLD! No! Please! I love that woman... all I need to know is the truth!"
She pleaded him and held his hand. The older man just pushed her away, held his head high and put on his hat and coat.
"Love can be a bitch miss swan. Goodnight."
He closed the door behind him and grinned as he walked away. Emma punched the door irritated and slipped down on the cold floor covering her face with her hands while taking deep breaths to steady her breathing. She was way too confused... she needed answers. She needed answers before the trail!
A couple of hours ago she was convinced that the path she had chosen (claiming the full custody of Henry and kicking Regina out of her life) was the right path. But now she was even questioning her own decisions.
"Mum?"
Henry's sleepy voice echoed in the living boom from
The upper part of the staircase.
"Honey go back to bed."
Henry rushed down the stairs within seconds and landed next to her, looking at her with wide eyes.
"Is everything okay? I heard Gold's voice."
"Yeah... he came over to say hello."
Emma admitted and rolled her eyes.
Henry smirked and slipped down on the floor next to her and held her hands lovingly.
"He clearly made you feel upset."
Henry noticed and rubbed her hand with his thumb.
"I'm not a little kid anymore mum... I'm smarter than just bitting your lies... I know you want to protect me from anything that could make me feel
Upset as well but that's not how the way it goes. I wanna support you and be there for you."
Henry smiled broadly and Emma looked at him
With tears forming at the edge of her eyes. He had grown up so fast... it felt like yesterday that she would help him reach the kitchen cabinets by raising him up in the air. It felt like yesterday that she would read him a bedtime story and tickle him afterwards. She loved the way he needed her love and care... being a mother was her favourite part in life.
She run her fingers through his hair smiling slightly.
"I know... but no longer how old you get, I will always consider you my baby boy. I know that I can't possibly protect you from any negative feeling in the world, but I know that I can try."
Henry pressed his lips together sceptically.
"It's time you stop considering yourself as the saviour mum. Sometimes you don't have to be strong and brave. Sometimes you just have to open up and let your feelings out."
Emma forced a smile and squeezed his hand.
"I know. I'm gonna try I promise."
"Now, what did Gold tell you? I doubt he would ever pay us a visit for something trifle."
"Yes you're right... Ugh... I can't be sure about anything until I do my research. As soon as I have the answer I'm gonna let you know okay?"
Henry desisted not to insist this time. You could clearly sense how much tensed his mother was. He decided to drop the subject and head back upstairs to his room. He kissed her cheek and walked back upstairs.
In the meant time Regina parked her car outside of her house and stayed still looking at the midnight sky. Barbara was silently sitting next to her not daring to stop looking at the brunette woman. They hadn't said a word in the entire trip back home. This time it wasn't about relaxing and calming down to enjoy the ride... this time they were both speechless. There was nothing Barbara could say to make the brunette feel any better.
Regina pulled her car keys out of the engine and placed them inside her pockets. She took a deep breath staring at nowhere and then decided to finally look at her worried friend.
"Don't worry I'm okay."
She spelled with a barely hearable voice and smirked.
"Thank you for joining me."
She continued and tapped Barbara's shoulder.
"Honey you're not okay... you can always talk to me about it you know. I'm not gonna judge... I promise. Clearly what Emma said hurt you way too much."
"No not at all... I feel great."
Regina denied trying to keep the bad thoughts away and crossed her hands under her chest, leaning her head back on the car seat.
"What about that Alan?"
She asked and looked at Barbara again with her big dark orbs.
"What about him?"
"You better schedule that blind date."
Barbara widened open her eyes in surprise.
"Now way!!! You wanna go out with him?"
"Yes... there's nothing to lose anyway. Plus... I bet he won't be interested at dating a pregnant woman. It's too much to ask."
Regina placed her soft palm on her rounded stomach and rubbed the swell smoothly. That little bean growing inside of me at least made her feel like she was never alone... at least her monologues wouldn't go waisted... he or she could hear her... and when she was upset... her baby was there on its own unique way.
"You never know! I'm telling you he's gonna be thrilled when I tell him you said yes!"
"You already talked to him?"
Regina rolled her eyes and run her fingers through her hair.
"Yeah! I was pretty sure you were gonna feel
the urge to move on after this trip so I texted him on our way to Boston. Anyway... I'm pretty sure he's available tomorrow night so what do you think?"
Regina looked at her friend in shock and silence. She had no idea if that was the right thing to do. I mean... going out on dates and meeting random guys didn't feel that right when she had a baby on the way that needed her 24/7 hour attention.
She swallowed hard and tightened the grip on the wheel.
"Just do it!" She let out and swallowed hard. Her spontaneous reaction felt so right since she knew she had to move on, since it was pretty clear that Emma was in no mood to run after her and claim
Her back, so her only chance to have a family was to move on as well and find someone that would love her the way Emma did...
Barbara smiled broadly and hugged her tight.
"Finally! Get ready to meet the love of your life queenie."
She giggled and grabbed her cellphone to text him.
She typed the messages and pressed sent. Regina opened the car door and was ready to walk outside when Barbara yelled happily showing at Regina the screen of her phone.
"HE'S AT THE TAP HAUS 33 RIGHT NOW!"
"So? Barbara it's after midnight."
"Girl why wait till tomorrow when you can meet him today? He's asking to see you! Plus go out now that you can... when that baby comes you won't be able to stay up late and have fun any more! Enjoy the good life now!"
Barbara winked and Regina bit her lips obviously uncertain of the choice she was gonna make. Barbara's pleading eyes were truly effective tho.. she couldn't say no... especially now that she felt like shit. She needed to go out even if there was a chance that that date wouldn't work out she would at least go out and forget for a couple of hours what's happening in her own life.
"Okay. Fine! I can't go like this."
She admitted hesitant and Barbara chirped a loud yes happily.
"GO LAY AT THE BACK SEATS! YOU DONT WANNA BE LATE."
She grabbed Regina's keys, rushed in the house and exited the front door again after five minutes while holding a huge pile of clothes.
"I'm not gonna change here if that's your plan!"
"Gina come on, its night time... no ones gonna notice!"
She said happily and took off Regina's boots aggressively and replaced them with a nice pair of black high heels. She helped Regina put on a new Ralph Lauren lacy Black buttoned up shirt. She then put on a black fur and ready! She looked like the old time classic madam mayor. The former queen looked at herself on the car mirror to fix her makeup and hair and smiled broadly at Barbara.
"I think I'm ready to go."
"Have fun... and do not drink! I'm gonna be waiting for you to get back in your house. Don't be too late young lady."
She joked and Regina rolled her eyes playfully and started the car as soon as Barbara entered her house. She drove all the way to Tap Haus 33, a bar that is located down the street of the Empire State Building. She walked out of the car and took a look of the bright led lights that were flickering at the top of the roof. -Don't worry, beer happy- was written next to the sign.
She smirked and decided to walk in... on the contrary once upon a time ago she didn't walk into that tavern... maybe it was her chance to do it properly this time. Meeting the right guy at the right moment... here we go!
-next part coming out soon.
