Chapter 9
She handed a steaming mug to Emma after preparing the coffee exactly as Emma likes it, then picked up her own as she sat back down. Motioning for Emma to do the same. Not knowing where to start the conversation she sat staring into the dark liquid in her mug, trying to figure out what to say.
As if reading her mind Emma started to speak
'Regina?' She said softly 'What's going on with you?'
'Well' she wasn't sure how much to tell the blonde, not forgetting she is currently the town sheriff. 'As you know Henry and I'
'I'm not interested in you and Henry, no, well I am but right now I'm more worried about what's going on with you' Without waiting for a response Emma continued. 'First last night, after all the fighting over Henry, you just gave him to me, not only that but I know you were crying, Regina, I saw it' she said gently, seeing the look of fear on Regina's face she quickly continued 'I'm not judging, I'm not accusing, Regina. Believe it or not I'm actually concerned about you'
Regina knew Emma was telling the truth, and she felt a weight lift off her shoulders for a moment, before remembering the weight and finality of what she needed to do. 'I'll remind you of that in a few days' she says quietly.
'Look, I know we started off on the wrong foot, if I'm honest I don't know where it all went to shit, but I know what I see, and what my gut says. You've been a great Mom to Henry, you've single handily raised that boy and run a town, very efficiently I might add, but that strong willed, independent woman, well she wasn't here yesterday, and as much as I liked not arguing with you, it scared me to see you like that.'
Hearing the concern and sincerity behind her words, Regina was speechless managing a simple 'oh, Emma'
Damn it, thought Emma, She keeps saying my name like that I'm gonna have to have a cold shower later, followed quickly by, what the hell am I thinking! She took a long slurp of coffee and sat forward as if asking Regina to open up.
'Whether I like it or not. You Miss Swan have become a very important part of my life' There she had said it. But now it was out there she couldn't stop it.
'There was a time I loved to fight with you. But now I can't, no' she corrected 'I don't want to. You didn't go wrong anywhere Emma. I assessed the situation and decided you were a threat to me, to my family and my happy ending, wrongly so I may add, but now I find myself in a place where I want what is best for my son, and right now' she paused dreading what she is going to say next 'well, right now that isn't me'
'Happy ending, you sound like Henry and his story book' Regina felt a pang in her heart at the mention of that damn book.
'Wait, what do you mean that isn't you? You can't be serious?'
'Emma, I can give him some of what he needs, but none of what he wants, I can make sure he goes to school, and eats his greens but he needs to feel safe, and he doesn't trust me, he needs to feel loved, but he will not accept that from me, Emma, he wants you, and right now he needs you. Allow me a few days to sort out the details' She can feel the pain rising but doesn't let it show, so she thinks.
Shocked by the sudden declaration from the Mayor, and feeling her heart break slightly at the sight of tears rolling down beautifully olive cheeks, Emma can't help but round the table, taking a seat next to Regina and pulling her into a fierce hug. Regina stiffened at first, but slowly relaxed, leaning into Emma, allowing herself this one moment of weakness, this one glimmer of love, Emma and burying her head into the crook of Emma's neck. she can smell the blonde's shampoo and, for a moment, she allows the hug, she allows herself to be comforted, feeling nothing but warm and safe.
'I'll help in anyway I can, I'll stand by you' she wanted tell the brunette 'I'll need your help, with Henry, I'm not as strong as you, I can't do it all by myself' but she didn't, she knew in this moment Regina was the focus, she needed to be.
Being drawn back to reality Regina pulls back from Emma and looks away 'you won't, give it time and you will leave, just like everyone else has' she feels small, like a child and so vulnerable.
'I promise you, I will stand by you, always' Emma says this with such conviction looking deep into Reginas eyes, she knows already that she will protect Regina, that she is worth fighting for, but keeps that to herself not knowing how the Mayor will react, and knowing this wasn't the time for her emotions to be involved.
'Why?' She asks.
'Because whether you like or not Regina Mills, you have become a very important part of my life too' just enough emotion without the scary admissions, she had just come to terms with herself.