Hey everyone I forgot to post yesterday but here's chapter 6! I'm already polishing off chapter 7 so it'll definitely be up next Friday. Please do let me know if you're liking this story and would like to see more.

Emma hung up the phone and turned to Regina, "Ruby's grandma fell down the stairs and broke her leg, so she won't be coming in the end."

"Oh my goodness!", Regina exclaimed, "Is she going to be alright?"

Emma looked a bit shell shocked and was still looking at the phone gripped in her hand. Turning towards Regina, she seemed to regain herself a bit and answered, "Yeah, apparently it's not that bad of a break thankfully. But she's gonna need a lot of rest and probably won't be able to move around as much for a month or so."

Regina sighed in relief, "Well thank goodness it wasn't worse! And that Ruby was there when she fell!"

Emma nodded, still looking a bit dazed, "They actually live in the same street and Ruby drops by pretty much every morning to say hi - and get a free home-made breakfast - but yeah, I can't imagine what would have happened if it had been in the afternoon or something..."

Regina realized the old woman must mean a lot to Emma, and was sorry she had had such a shock. "Would you like to go see her?"

Emma passed a hand through her hair then seemed to make a decision and with a sigh put her phone back in her back pocket, relaxing and smiled at her. "I think I'll drop by later. Ruby said she has everything under control and that her grandma is a bit loopy right now with the pain killers and wouldn't want to be seen like that. Plus, I promised you a Met visit. Are you still up for it, now that it's just the two of us?"

Regina's heart sped up, and she quickly replied, "Of course! I would love to visit the Met with you, Emma."

Emma grinned, "Awesome!"

Four hours later, the two women emerged from the Egyptian aisle after having visited the newest exhibit on Ancient Egyptian Mythology and Magic Rituals.

"Well that was not at all what I had expected", said Regina feeling slightly dazed from the amount of new information she had absorbed in such a short time.

"Really? What were you expecting?", Emma asked lightly.

"I don't know, I thought it was really interesting, and I loved seeing all the objects, the clothes, the jewelry and especially the scale models that showed how life was back then, but I have to say I also felt a bit disappointed with the mythology and the magic."

"Oh yeah? Why is that?", Emma asked seeming genuinely curious to understand Regina's point of view better.

"I think I just hoped for something more mysterious, something different and captivating. Not old parchments with 'spells' that are not even explained, lists of plants that were thought to have powers and numerous god names, as well as descriptions of their aspects and relations. Is that silly?" She asked wondering if Emma was going to take her for a complete fool.

Emma shook her head, "Not at all. I agree completely. It's like they see history as a mass of sterile facts: dates, coordinates, measurements. They're too busy with whats, whos and wheres, and they forget about hows and whys. They talk about ancient civilizations but with all their focus on the objects and their names they forget about the human aspect. Mythology is not about a bunch of names, it's not even that much about gods and mythical beings. It's about stories. It's about human beings and their place in the world. The real magic is there."

Regina's jaw had dropped halfway through Emma's answer. She realized she hadn't expected the blonde would have been able to articulate so well what she herself had felt. When Emma stopped talking she quickly closed her mouth and then only managed to add, "Indeed."

"Anyway... Should we get some lunch?" Emma asked with a breathtaking smile.

"I would love that!", Regina answered right away, "If I'm not imposing too much, of course"

"Are you kidding? I'm dying to see what you'll get this time. Three leaves of kale and a glass of still water?" The young blonde laughed.

A little while later Regina was watching as Emma managed to finish her second portion of fries after having already polished off an enormous burger and a milkshake big enough for an entire family. She couldn't help but smile at the blonde's obvious delight. Each bite had been thoroughly enjoyed if Emma's moans, groans and borderline orgasmic expressions were to be believed. Regina herself had opted for a vegetarian burger and a side of onion rings mostly because the blonde was expecting her to take the salad. But she had to admit that she had loved her meal - grease and all.

The best part of the lunch by far, though, had been Emma. She had made her laugh and feel so at ease that she could hardly believe nearly two hours had passed by without a single dark thought. She hadn't even thought about Roland. Of course, as soon as she realized that, a wave of guilt overtook her, quickly followed by the usual devastating sadness.

Noticing the change in Regina's features, the young blonde paused, a fry in midair, and asked worried,"Are you ok?"

"Sorry? Oh yes. I hum...", Regina wondered if she should say the truth or pretend that she was fine, but seeing real concern on Emma's face she opted for the truth. "I miss my son."

"You have a son!?" Emma said surprised.

"Well not really, I guess..." Regina lowered her gaze ashamed to have to admit she didn't really have a right to call Roland her son. "My ex-husband had a son from a previous marriage that we raised together until six months ago when he left me..."

Emma waited for Regina to look up at her and said very seriously, "Sounds like you do have a son then. It doesn't matter that you're not his biological mother, you raised him, so he's your son." Then she added more softly "What's his name?"

The young blonde's words had struck a chord and Regina was holding back tears "Thank you." She whispered, then blinking away the tears she added "His name is Roland."

Emma smiled softly, "I'm sorry though it must be hard to not see him as often. When was the last time you saw him?"

"Six months ago..."

The blonde furrowed her brow in confusion "Wait... You haven't seen him at all since your ex left?"

"Well no... I mean I asked but his father said it would be better to leave Roland be, so he can... forget me and move on" With the last words her throat closed up, and she was close to tears again.

"What the fuck?" Emma shouted, surprising Regina. "That's insane Regina! There's no way this can be legal."

The brunette sighed sadly, "I don't know... I didn't sign any papers to adopt him officially and Robin - that's my ex - is a reputed lawyer and I'm sure he would get his way if I tried anything in court."

"That's so messed up... I'm sorry Regina." The blonde stretched her arm across the table squeezing Regina's hand softly. The warmth spread from her hand all through her body and for the first time in six months Regina found real comfort. She smiled up at Emma, a single tear rolling down her cheek, thankful for the young woman's genuine compassion.