When they arrived at 108 Mifflin Street the first thing Regina did was getting a fresh towel and clothes for Emma.

"You can use the bathroom upstairs if you want" the brunette offered.

Emma smiled thankful, but still seemed to be deep in thought.

"I'm going to start preparing dinner" Regina informed her, hoping it would take some of the tension away. But the other woman only nodded, heading upstairs.

Regina sighed heavily.

"Are you okay, mom?" Henry suddenly asked from behind and made her jump.

"Henry!", Regina turned around a hand on her fast beating heart. Her heart that was in her chest again because Henry managed to hide it somehow before he got captured. If it weren't for him Regina wouldn't be standing here right now.

"I'm sorry. I didn't wanted to scare you" he immediately apologized, looking scared himself.

"No, it's alright. I just didn't hear you" Regina explained while regaining her posture. He followed her into the kitchen where she started preparing dinner. That he helped her without being asked to only showed her how concerned he was about her.

They worked in silence till Regina finally turned around, drying her hands on a towel.

"I'm okay, Henry. Stop worrying about me."

He looked at her with his big brown eyes. Eyes that belonged to a 15-year-old already. A really smart 15-year-old that could look right through her lies.

"You're not. And you don't have to be. Just talk to me … or Emma if that's easier for you" he insisted.

"Henry, I.."

"I'm worried about you, mom" he interrupted. Henry took her hand in his, a small gesture that still made Regina's heart ache a little as it hasn't always been like that.

"You've always told me to talk to you or to Dr. Hopper and now I want you to talk to somebody about what happened" he said holding onto her till she finally nodded.

"Now are we going to finish those enchiladas or what?", Regina nudged his shoulder. He smiled at her, "Sure."

While Henry made the batter for the tortillas Regina watched the meat for the stuffing that was cooking in the pan. Her mind however wandered back to what she had gone through that day. Some bad memories had come back again, accompanied by the anger, the sadness and the feeling for revenge that she had given in a long time ago. Regina felt like this single day had put her way back on her path to become the person she wanted to be. A good person. The mom Henry deserved. The friend Emma wanted. She really wanted to push back those bad thoughts that still crept back in her head whenever she allowed herself to look back on the events of the day. She feared they might help that part of her she was fighting so hard every day getting the overhand again. The part that told her to show everyone what they got from messing with her. That craved for the feeling of their pounding hearts in her hand just so she could crash them.

"You guys need any help?" Emma startled her. Regina cursed herself when Henry's anxious expression returned.

"Yes, thank you. Would you mind setting up the table, please?" Regina overplayed it.

"No problem" Emma smiled but the brunette still could see the glance she exchanged with their son.

Half an hour later they all sat together eating.

"You did very well, Henry. Those tortillas are perfect" Regina praised him.

"Thanks, mom. I learned from the best" he complimented her.

When they finished, Regina got up to bring the desert.

"Do you need some help?" Emma offered, already on her feet.

"Yes, thank you" she smiled.

"Could you please get some spoons and plates? In the drawer over there" Regina assigned the blonde.

"What did you make for dessert?" she heard her ask while she bowed over to get the plates from the bottom. Regina was distracted by the sight for a moment. She had borrowed Emma some of her clothing and even though their bodies were quite different they still fit on the right places. Regina quickly caught herself again, "We're going to eat apple strudel with vanilla ice cream."

"Sounds perfect" Emma smiled.

"Don't get used to it. This is a special occasion. Otherwise I wouldn't allow such unhealthy food in my house" Regina replied halfway serious.

Emma turned around, "Special occasion?"

"Yes, we broke that curse, remember?" she answered, knowing that that wasn't what the blonde wanted to hear. Agreeing to have Emma over for dinner had seemed so easy earlier. It wasn't the first time she ate with them but somehow this was different because they both knew she wasn't only here for Henry.

"Sure, the curse", the other woman's smile faded and Regina had to turn away.

She put a piece of cake on each plate and let Emma add the ice cream before she sprinkled some cinnamon over every meal.

Henry immediately noticed that something was off but knew better than to ask and risk Regina snapping at him. So instead he pretended everything was alright.

"This is delicious, mom! Can I have this for my birthday too? And Christmas!"

Regina couldn't help but smile, "Sure. As I told Emma before it's only for special occasions."

"Is me getting good grades in my final exams a special occasion too?" Henry asked cheekily.

"Don't overplay your cards, Henry" Regina warned him. "

"I was just asking" Henry shrugged but was smart enough to stop when being told to.

Author's Note:

While you wait for the final chapter, make sure to check out the one shot I wrote about Regina and Snow finally getting closure with the past. I'd be happy about some feedback :)