Chapter Seven

The party finished fairly early. Emma carried a tired Henry into the bug and drove them the short distance across town to her parents loft. She awoke him as she pulled up and guided him towards the loft. His tired feet scuffed across the floor and up the stairs. Emma tucked him into bed and sat watching as he slept. It had been a tiring and eventful day. Her parents had safely returned and she felt that she had made a step with Regina. Thinking of the brunette, Emma pulled out her phone and sent a message.

E- Hi! Thanks again for coming tonight! Henry had a great time! Can we meet tomorrow to discuss Henry staying with you?

Emma pressed send. She didn't expect Regina to still be awake so she was surprised when she saw the bubbled three dots signalling that she was replying.

R- Thank You again for inviting Me! Of course! Shall we say 1pm at Grannys?

Emma smiled at the text. She thought about what to say before replying.

E- It wouldn't have been the same without you! Grannys is fine. See you then

A reply came through almost instantly.

R- See you Tomorrow! Good night Miss Swan!

"Good night Regina" Emma whispered into the evening before putting her phone down and laying down next to Henry. The sleeping conditions were not ideal, and Emma added it to her mental list to look for a nigger place as soon as possible. Henry was getting older and he needed his own space. With a last look over her slumbering son, Emma drifted off into a peaceful sleep.

The following morning Emma woke. She looked over and was surprised to find Henry still sleeping. She got up and made her way downstairs, hoping to find her parents. She was very surprised to not find her parents there. She had heard them come in not long after she had finished texting Regina, and expected them to be here. They hadn't said they were doing anything that day. Shrugging she made a start on making breakfast. Eggs and bacon she figured she could manage without burning the place down. Henry awoke and came downstairs as she was ready to plate up.

"Morning Ma" he greeted and took a seat at the kitchen counter.

"Morning Kid" she greets back, placing a plate of food in front of him.

"Thank you!" He said before digging in. Emma sat and they ate making small conversation about comics. Once they had finished, Emma took the plates to the sink.

"Listen Kid, We're going to be having dinner with your Mom today okay" she informed him and was delighted to see his face light up.

"Really! Great!" He exclaimed the happiness evident in his voice.

"Good! Go and get changed we will have a walk about town this morning okay" she told him and he nodded and ran off to get ready.

By the time Emma had finished washing the dishes Henry was back downstairs ready to go. They got their coats and headed out. The street was a bustle of activity. Some greeted Emma and Henry with a hello as they passed, others scurried as if they had places to be. Henry and Emma shrugged it off as fairytale antics and continued on their walk. They got a little bit further along main street before they were stopped again, this time by a large crowd that had gathered around the notice board.

The crowd dispersed as they arrived, giving them a clear view of the notice. Henry went ahead and read aloud.

"PEOPLE OF STORYBROOKE

KING DAVID AND QUEEN SNOW

DEMAND YOR ATTENDANCE

TO A MEETING TO DISCUSS

THE FUTURE OF STORYBROOKE

TOWN HALL 1PM

King David & Queen Snow "

Henry turned to look at his mother, his eyes wide. "Ma What does that mean?" He asked. Emma looked dumbfounded.

"It means your grandparents have a lot of questions to answer" she told him before she moved the grab the paper and signal for Henry to follow her. He did and they left the crowd.

"Where are we going?" Henry asked. "To see your mom" Emma told him and he nodded. They made their way towards Reginas mansion. When they arrived Emma moved to knock on the door but Henry pulled out a key from his pocket. He smiled smugly and moved to enter the key into the lock. The door swung open and Henry made his way into the house, shouting out for his mother. Emma stood in the doorway unsure of wether she should enter. Deciding it would be less weird than standing in the open doorway she made her way inside and closed the door behind her.

"Henry!" Reginas voice called out from upstairs. She appeared a moment later at the top of the stairs.

"Mom!" He called back a smile on his face. "Have you heard the news?" He asked her and from Reginas confused look Emma assumed she mustn't of. Emma approached Henry and put a calming hand on his shoulders.

"how about we let your mom come downstairs first before we bombard her" and Henry blushed sheepishly before nodding.

Regina descended the stairs and Emma couldn't help but take in the fallen mayors appearance. She wasn't wearing her usual office attire instead she had on a pair of skinny jeans and a casual fit t-shirt that hung off her shoulder. Emma thought this look suited Regina. Regina caught Emma staring.

"Something you want to say sheriff swan?" Regina asked, a smirk evident on her face, as she passed Emma. Emma shook her head and followed Henry and Regina into the kitchen.

Henry helped himself to juice and Regina asked Emma if she wanted a cup of coffee. Emma nodded and Regina poured them both a cup. Ending Emma hers, regina asked

"So what do I owe the pleasure of this visit? I thought we agreed 1pm at the diner?"

Yep she defiantly doesn't know, was the first thought that came to Emmas mind. She pulled out the paper and placed it on the counter. Regina took a hold and read. Emma watched as the emotions played out over Reginas face.

When she finished reading, Regina threw the paper back onto the counter and picked up her coffee. Taking a big sip she seemed to be trying to get a hold of her thoughts. When she swallowed her drink she placed the cup down.

"So are we going?" Regina asked the room. Henry looked to Emma and Emma looked to regina and shrugged her shoulders. "Urmmm" Emma started but Henry cut in.

"I think we should go, to see what is happening and what is said" he told his moms. They both looked at each other and then to Henry. "I think the kid is right" Emma told regina and Regina nodded.

"Well in that case, I suppose I should go and get changed. I will not be seen dead at a town meeting in clothes like this" and she left the kitchen to get changed and instructed the remaining two to go into the living room and play video games. They did as she said and made quick work of setting up the gaming console. They were halfway through a game of Mario Cart when Regina came back downstairs, dressed in her best Mayor Mills clothes. She looked impeccable.

"Emma can I have a word with you for a minute?" Regina asked the two and Emma nodded, leaving Henry to set up a new race. She followed Regina into her office.

"Whats up?" Emma asked. Regina moved to her desk and sat down, inviting Emma to do the same. She complied.

"I wanted to talk to you about this meeting. I think there are are a few things I need to tell you. About the Enchanted Forest, and Storybrooke." She took a deep breathe and Emma nodded, willing her to go on.

"I have absolutely No doubt that Snow will use this meeting to declare her supremacy as ruler but It's important that if she wants to adopt the rules of the Enchanted Forest then she do it properly. By the rules of the Enchanted Forest, I am the rightful Queen. Im not going to lie down and let her dictate how everything is going to be from now on. I want to ask something of you" Regina said and Emma looked up surprised.

"Anything" she said and Regina smiled in appreciation.

"Please don't let me get too worked up. I know things can and probably will get heated but I need you to keep me grounded. Don't let me lose control" Regina almost pleaded with Emma. Emma reached over a hand and placed it comfortingly on Regina.

"I promise You Regina. I wont let anything bad happen" Emma reiterated and the two adults shared a friendly smile. There was no doubt that this meeting would be a dramatic one.