TAKE ME TO WONDERLAND

Chapter 6

Regina was sitting on the edge of the bed in Emma's guestroom, stroking over her sleeping son's head, worry written all over her face.

Emma stood in the doorway, silently watching mother and son.

Doctor Whale had been waiting for them by the time they had arrived at the penthouse and Emma had been more than grateful for that.

He had examined Henry quickly, telling them that it was the flu and that the boy needed rest.

He had also given Regina some medication and instructions when and how many of the pills Henry had to take.

Furthermore Whale had pointed out that it was no wonder that the boy had gotten sick considering the place he was living in and all color had left Regina's face.

Of course Whale had remembered her.

Emma had told him right away that she had found a better apartment for the brunette and her son and although he had given her a questioning look at first, he had nodded his approval after a second, but the doctor's words had cut deep and Emma could see it on Regina's face.

She had to do something to make her feel better, because it was obvious that Regina was blaming herself when she really should blame that greedy Mister Gold, who had not bothered to have the heater repaired.

"Henry will be fine in no time...you'll see", Emma tried, but Regina did not even blink.

"I'm going to make myself some tea. Do you want some too?"

No reaction.

"Regina?"

Still nothing.

Emma felt unbelievably helpless.

Usually she would go and hug her friends to comfort them, but she knew that it would be a bad idea to touch Regina – she had learned that lesson the first time.

And besides that they were not exactly friends, at least not yet.

"Listen...I need to make a phone call...and then I'll make some tea. It would be nice if you would join me...only if you want...of course."

That said Emma left the room and headed straight into her office.

It was still very early, but she had to call her secretary – Virginia Vaughn had to clear her schedule for the day, because she would make sure that Regina and Henry would get settled in their new apartment.


Emma was pouring some hot water into two mugs when Regina appeared in the kitchen, looking completely devastated.

"Regina, please sit down...I'll be right there", Emma announced, worried that the brunette would faint any second.

Once they were both seated on the living room couch, each of them a mug in hand, Regina could not hold the tears back any longer.

She was not one to cry in front of others, to show weakness, but she was too exhausted to care anymore.

"Your doctor was right", she admitted between sobs, her head hanging low, "I should have taken better care of Henry...I should have swallowed my pride earlier...but...it's not that easy...for someone like me...when you always get let down..."

"Regina...it's alright. And it's not your fault. Why are you blaming yourself when you should be angry at Gold. He should have taken care of the heater...he should have given you a better place to stay at in the first place!"

Emma felt so angry. If she ever got a chance to talk to this Mister Gold she would give him a piece of her mind.

"You don't understand. I owe him...I owe him a lot. He helped me when I had nothing...sure, he did it for his own advantage...but he gave me a chance when I had nobody...when I was at my lowest point. And while I admit it was not the biggest of chances...I live. And I have Henry, who is truly amazing...but he deserves so much better."

Emma reached out to touch Regina's hand, but came to her senses right in time and pulled back as if she would have been burnt, "I'm...I'm sorry. I didn't mean to...I'm just...I'm sorry. I'm used to...you know...hug people...when they need comfort or something...but I know you don't like it...and I don't want you to be uncomfortable...it won't happen again...sorry."

While Regina had tensed up instantly once she had recognized what Emma had been up to, the blonde's rambling made her relax quite as fast and she had to admit that it was kind of amusing to hear Emma Swan ramble, because of a simple, innocent gesture.

Except that nothing was innocent for Regina.

Not anymore.

Not after years of torture.

"It's okay, dear. I'm aware that I am a very difficult person. Some people would even call me a freak", Regina admitted all of a sudden.

"You are not a freak. You have a history...and I get that. I think you've been through some big shit in your life...and that's why you don't trust people anymore...which I completely understand, really. I do. But look at Henry...he would have never turned out to be this wonderful boy he is...if it wasn't for you. You are a great mom...you might not have much, but you have made the very best out of the little you've got...and that's truly amazing", Emma stated matter-of-factly and took a sip of her tea.

Regina stayed silent, not sure what to reply to that, but deeply touched by the blonde's words, because she could tell that Emma was absolutely serious.

"I still don't understand why you care...", she admitted after a while and turned to really look at Emma, who gave her a small smile and shrugged, "Maybe because I never had a family."

Regina wanted to interrupt, but Emma made a gesture with her hand to signalize the brunette to listen and continued, "As you already know I've been adopted...my parents died in a car accident when I was little...I can't even remember them. My aunt took me in, but she was old and she could not take care of me...so it was either the orphanage or foster homes...but I got lucky...and the Swans adopted me. And I'm really grateful for that...don't think I don't know how much I owe them...but the thing is...they always have been traveling...since I can remember. They were always somewhere, but hardly ever home. Sure, there were nannies and stuff, but I would have needed a mom and a dad. We don't have the worst relationship and they have become some sort of parents over the years...and the Swan family name has opened some important doors for me in the past...but everything I have...everything I am today...I worked for it. I built that with my own hands. But I would have never made it without help...and now...I want to help you...to do the same. To rise and shine."

"And why are you so sure that I will be able to...as you put it..."rise and shine"...how can you believe in me when I fail to believe in myself most days...tell me, dear...", Regina challenged her once again.

"I have some sort of a feeling."


That was all the answer Emma gave, simply because she had no better explanation.

Once they had finished their tea Emma had offered Regina to show her the new apartment.

At first the brunette had not wanted to leave her sick son alone, but Emma had pointed out that it was not far and that Henry would sleep for a while anyway and so Regina had given in.

They had left the penthouse and Emma head led Regina to the elevator, but had not gotten into it.

Instead she had headed down the corridor and had unlocked the door to another apartment on the top floor.

It was a completely furnished two bedroom place and although it was not as modern as Emma's penthouse, it was comfortable and domestic.

Regina's eyes went wide and Emma knew right away that it would be a piece of work to convince the brunette of her genius plan.

"Miss Swan! You can't be serious..."

Emma sighed.

There we go.

"Listen, Regina..."

"No. You listen to me! You said you'll get me an apartment for 300 dollars a week. And this place...has to cost a fortune...", Regina snapped.

"It costs whatever I think is appropriate", Emma countered.

"What's that supposed to mean?" Now Regina was truly confused.

"This apartment was part of my penthouse once. The man I bought it from about two years ago was a widower, who lived here with his little daughter. And since he was working a lot he had a nanny to take care of his child whenever he was away and she lived here. He had the penthouse split up, because he had no need for that much space. And neither had I. That's why the apartment stayed empty when I moved in. But I own this floor...so the apartment is mine and I can do with it what I want...and I am renting it to you...for 300 dollars a week...and don't you dare argue with me about it."

Emma's stare was intense and Regina knew that any discussion would be pointless, so she did nothing, but nod in understanding.

"I take it you have to work tonight...Leroy will drive you and pick you up. And we'll figure something out for the future, because The Rabbit Hole isn't exactly round the corner", Emma stated simply, "I can watch Henry tonight if that's okay with you...if not...I'm sure we can find a babysitter..."

"No, it's fine. He enjoys your company anyway."

It was Emma's turn to nod, "I'll leave you to yourself for a bit. In case Henry wakes up I'll bring him over. And I'll have one of the security guys bring up your boxes from the garage. I'll also give the staff some instructions so you'll have no trouble getting in and out of the building in the future."

She was about to leave when all of a sudden Regina reached out and squeezed her hand.

Just for a second, but still.

She squeezed Emma's hand and both of them were aware how big of a step, how much of progress that was.

"Thank you, Miss Swan. You have no idea..."

But Emma waved her off, "You could do me a favor though..."

Regina held her breath.

Of course there was something.

Even a good hearted person like Emma Swan would want something in return.

But she would do it, no matter what.

For Henry.

Because this apartment was their only opt

ion, their only chance.

"What can I do for you, Miss Swan?"

Emma saw the horror in Regina's eyes and answered quickly to take the brunette's fears away, "Please, call me Emma."