Author's Note - Thank you all of our followers/favorites viewers =) Sorry this took a bit longer to update, but we wanted to hash out a better direction for the story. So, here we are!
"Henry! What is going on?" Regina asked, smiling, but also looking baffled.
"It's your wedding, Mom!" He squeezed her hand. "And I'm supposed to walk you down the aisle. Right now."
"My wedding?" she laughed.
"Duh. Church? Dress? Tiara?"
He tugged her toward the church's door. Regina caught her reflection in a mirror and marveled at her wedding gown. A delicate tiara rested in her coifed dark hair. She felt like she was in a fairytale, and that was rather ironic.
"Who am I marrying, Henry?"
Henry stopped and stared at her. He chuckled and shook his head, taking her for an unlikely joker. "C'mon, Mom."
The double doors opened and her son walked her down the aisle, past the watchful citizens of Storybrooke, to the altar where Dr. Hopper stood at the center. Beside him stood Emma Swan, wearing a fashionably cut women's suit and her hair tied back in a tight ponytail.
"Emma?!" she gasped.
Regina blushed and nearly tripped over her dress. Henry squeezed her hand and gave her a warning look, leading her up to the altar. She watched him offer a courtly bow to Emma, and Regina wondered when he learned that!
"Regina," the blonde said, holding out her hand with a smile.
She found her hand reaching out to take Emma's of its own volition. Eyes flickered between Emma's and Henry's, still expecting an explanation for this. They were marrying? How?! Why? Regina turned toward Archie, giving him a suspicious look, but the psychiatrist only smiled at her as if she was the most adorable bride he'd ever looked at.
"Dearly beloved, we are gathered today to witness the joining of Regina Mills and Emma Swan in holy matrimony…"
And so it went as Regina stood there wide-eyed and dumbstruck as Archie led the ceremony and Emma gazed wistfully into her eyes. The blonde bride presumed that her fiancee was taken aback that the moment had finally arrived for them while the ceremony continued. She barely paid attention to their guests because her entire focus was upon the gorgeous woman standing across from her - the love of her life.
"Emma?" Archie said quietly, clearing his throat.
"Huh?" Emma blinked in confusion as she finally acknowledged his presence.
"We're ready for your vows."
"Oh!" She chuckled at her wandering mind and took both of Regina's hands into her own, green eyes filled with so much love were riveted to beautiful browns.
"I honestly don't have any vows planned. Because you know me," Emma winked. "I rather wing it and speak in the moment than try and make things make sense ahead of time."
Regina found herself listening raptly. She smiled, but then looked startled when she realized she didn't know her vows for Emma! She wasn't the type to improvise!
"I knew from the moment we met that you were going to be special to me. Or quite possibly the death of me!" Emma continued with a grin. "And I know we didn't meet under ideal circumstances since you were scared to death about Henry's safety, but there's also no denying that our son brought us together. If not for him, we never would have met. And if not for you giving me those cursed apples, we never would have fallen in love."
She found herself blushing as she listened to Emma's vows, gazing into green eyes. But then, at the mention of the poisoned, spell-laced apples, Regina gasped. Henry held one out toward her.
"Want one, Mom?" he asked ...
... Regina bolted upright in bed, heart pounding. She saw Emma staring at her, almost nose-to-nose as close as the blonde stood to her bed, and Regina clutched her chest, barely holding back a scream.
"Holy hell, Regina!" gasped the blonde, juggling the tray in her hands. The last thing she needed was the surprise breakfast that she painstakingly made to go toppling over and onto the bedspread and the brunette. She had to actually pick up the glass of juice or it would have definitely spilled. "So didn't mean to scare you!"
"What... what are you doing?" she asked, completely confused.
Regina looked at their ring hands just to confirm that they were not wearing engagement rings like she'd seen in the dream. Head fuzzy with the dream - or nightmare? - she wasn't quite sure what was real. It was clear that the spell had not worn off Emma, though.
With everything upon the tray saved and balanced, Emma felt confident in taking a seat onto the bed. "Well, surprising you with breakfast in bed." She held out the glass of orange juice. "Wasn't going for the I'm being robbed by a burglar reaction, though."
Regina accepted the glass because it was held out to her, reminding her of how she'd taken Emma's hand in the dream. She swallowed some juice and looked from Emma to the tray that she held.
"Breakfast in bed," she repeated, sounding confused.
"Yeah," she smiled, pulling out the tray legs and setting it over Regina's legs. There were scrambled eggs, toast, and salt and pepper and jelly and butter on the side since Emma wasn't quite sure what the mayor may like on her meal. "My way of saying thank you for letting me stay over …"
She pecked Regina on the cheek and pulled back, hopeful her present was well received. "So, thank you."
The mayor blushed faintly, fully waking with that gentle kiss. She cleared her throat and did her best to sound intelligent and not flustered.
"Thank… you, Emma. This is quite kind of you." She surveyed the tray. "I didn't know you cooked."
"Uh, yeah," the blonde chuckled. "I don't. This is easy stuff I can make without burning your house down."
Regina smiled at that. "I appreciate that!"
Looking back at the tray, she reasoned that the worst she'd get was a case of food poisoning if Emma's cooking was terrible. It wasn't as if the blonde would be able to put a spell on her with food, she thought, as the dream's contents came back to her. Regina took a bit of scrambled egg.
"Do you dream much, Emma?" she asked.
"Well, sometimes." Canting her head, green eyes considered the mayor with a gentle gaze. "Is that what startled you? A bad dream?"
"That's a matter of opinion, I suppose," Regina replied cautiously. "It was a disconcerting dream to say the least. Do you believe that dreams have meaning? Prophetic value? Or is it just a random outlet for over-taxed minds?"
"I guess it depends. But to be fair, you've had a lot of stress with Henry running away. And let's not forget my fuck up yesterday with him," she said, sighing. "It could just be your mind working things out."
Regina nodded and was inclined to believe that, except for the fact that she knew Emma was affected by the backfired spell. Emma didn't know how that weighed on her and stressed her out… even if the breakfast in bed was a very nice gesture, and the blonde had been nothing but kind and considerate toward her.
"Perhaps you're right," she replied because discussing the dream with Emma was out of the question. "And, thank you again for breakfast. I apologize for having startled you!"
"Hey. It's all right. I mean, I didn't make a mess all over you. That would've sucked." Feeling daring, Emma leaned towards the mayor and placed a gentle kiss against her neck. "That was last night after all..."
Regina's face burned brightly with the memory of their lovemaking. "Yes."
She gasped softly then and reached for her cellphone, checking to see if Henry had called. After all, there'd been no sound of him in the house yet and Emma had not mentioned seeing him. The fact that she'd prepared breakfast and brought it upstairs suggested that he was not home.
"Did Henry check in with you?" she asked when there was no message from him on her cell.
"Nope. And the house phone hasn't rung all morning. Not that I would've answered it," Emma quickly said in alarm. She still didn't know what relationship she had with Regina but answering the mayor's home phone was crossing some sort of boundary big time. "Think he might just come home without calling first?"
This was probably Regina's way of breaking the news gently that it was time for the blonde to go. Henry was the unspoken code word for their time to end thus far. Emma understood why, but it was just difficult to balance her feelings towards Regina and helping mother and son mend their relationship. Which she had done a terrible job of it so far.
"I really have no idea, anymore" she replied, frowning. Regina found herself eating the surprisingly passable breakfast as she spoke. "He might try to stay out for as long as possible and only check-in when he knows he's on the verge of finding himself grounded…"
"Shit." Emma crossed her legs atop the bed and slouched with regret. "I'm sorry again. I know it was me that triggered all of this."
Regina shook her head, taking ownership of the issues finally. "No. Ultimately, this is my fault. If I hadn't given Henry reason to feel alienated and alone, he would never have felt so obsessed with his book and convinced at seeking you out. I was a terrible mother to him, and now we are both experiencing the fallout of my poor parenting choices."
"Regina …" Emma's heart broke at hearing the mayor be so open and vulnerable as she owned up to her failings. There was truth to her words, but she couldn't quite tell if it was the woman's perception of the issue or if it were straight forward as she admitted. She reached out and covered Regina's hand to squeeze. "Maybe you can start mending your relationship with him by telling him that. Why you were so frightened and alienated him. I mean, I don't know why you were scared but generally when people do that, there's something there driving that control. You were definitely trying to do that with him, and I guess it could just be that you didn't want to lose him but whatever the reason, you just need to be honest with him."
Well, that would be sound advice if the crux of the matter wasn't the fact that he's right about that damned book of fairy tales! Regina thought. She realized she was gripping the juice glass too tightly and set it down.
"That is lovely advice, but unless I tell Henry that his storybook is based on real stories and that everyone in town is a character from it as he asserts… I don't think he believes there's anything for us to discuss," she replied, lifting a brow, realizing she'd just given the truth of the matter just like that. But, Emma was unlike to realize she'd just confessed! "His views have already been indulged too far, frankly."
As predicted, the confession went over Emma's head, the blonde attributing it to Regina believing there were no other way to appease her son unless she gave into his delusions.
"There has to be something that you, or even we, can do to help him. I just don't know what that is, Regina. He was so mad that I didn't take him seriously and that I was defending you," she responded sadly. "The kid really doesn't want to see me unless I come to my senses about his mission and you."
Green eyes looked up at Regina with so much uncertainty and a timidness that the mayor had yet to see from the blonde. "To be honest Regina? I … I'm really worried that this'll end up causing a major rift between us and I'll end up losing whatever it is we started here …"
Regina kept a straight face, giving away nothing. After all, she didn't need Emma misinterpreting her thoughts and feelings at this moment, especially when she was puzzled by her reaction too!
Why am I allowing myself to get comfortable with her? What am I thinking?
"Let's just take things one step at a time," Regina advised. "Perhaps Henry will settle his worries when he sees that you are... genuine in your regard for me. But, we do have to approach him with care, given his beliefs."
She sighed, thinking of her dream and worrying that this was going to truly spiral out of control. Regina looked at Emma.
"I'll encourage Henry to see you when he does come home or call. At the B&B perhaps?"
"Yeah. That'll be a good place to meet up," agreed the blonde, knowing this was probably her last chance in securing any form of friendship with Henry. Fortunately, Emma was genuine about Regina. She just had to find a happy middle ground with being honest and lay off the harsh criticism when it came to the kid being so angry and mistrustful of his mother. That was where she had went wrong, letting her anger dictate her behavior.
Glancing back at the cellphone on the nightstand, Emma regarded Regina as neutrally as she could because what was about to come out of her mouth sounded corny as hell in her head. "Mind if I put my number in there?"
Regina followed her gaze and couldn't help but smile. "Feel free. I think we'll need to be in touch, hm?"
"Yeah. I'd like to think so." She smiled back in relief. Reaching for the phone, Emma saved her information under 'Miss Swan' to be cute.
"You may as well add mine to your phone, unless you already have…" Regina added.
She told herself that it was just out of convenience since they, together, had an Operation Henry running counterpoint to his Operation Cobra. They'd need to be in contact. Regina told herself it wasn't because she was enjoying interacting with the spell-bound Emma Swan.
"Nope. Was waiting for permission," Emma admitted and texted something to her own phone from the mayor's. The familiar chime that she received a text occurred moments later, and she turned her own phone around to show Regina the message with an impish expression.
Thank you for this passable breakfast, Miss Swan.
Regina rolled her eyes, but couldn't help but laugh.
"Give me that," she said, snatching her phone back. Regina sounded her typical severe, but it was all a ruse because she started laughing again. She stared at the message a moment, then looked up at Emma. "Truly: thank you for this passable breakfast, Miss Swan. And, I apologize for nearly upending the tray when I woke."
Emma was grinning ear to ear, her face beautifully lit up from the compliment and unneeded apology. Hearing Regina laugh was the best reward for her efforts. "You're welcome, Regina. And no worries about the tray. You didn't knock it over, and I didn't knock you over the head with it. Win, win."
Regina chuckled and slid out of bed and slipped her robe around her, cinching it around her waist. "Win, win indeed. I do need to get ready for the day, dear, as pleasant as this has been. I need to be presentable for Henry, when I am graced with his presence."
Breaking out of her reverie, Emma had to tear her gaze away at curves that were becoming so familiar and forced them to move towards Regina's face. "Yeah," she pouted. "I was waiting for that inevitability. But, I get it. I'll take the tray downstairs and make myself scarce."
Regina grimaced, thinking that Emma was taking the situation too personally. She shook her head.
"We... just have to be careful for now," she found herself saying. Regina sighed, then leaned in and kissed Emma gently on the lips. "I'll... text you when he's on his way. Or, when we are on our way if I have the chance to bring Henry over myself."
Oh the irony! She has to tiptoe around Henry because of the curse I put on the town. I have to tiptoe around Emma because of the spell I put on her too!
The dissonance that the blonde was feeling dispersed as soon as their lips met. Her expression was bright and full of hope, and if felt curious how Emma was craving the next moment that she could be in Regina's company. That feeling of longing for someone had been pushed back so far inside her heart after the last person she loved had betrayed her. But with the mayor it was so effortless, that need and that desire.
"I hope it's both of you," she said with a smile. "Because then maybe the three of us can hang out together for a bit? Kid can see that we're not under some silly spell or curse and actually like being around each other. And that we both want him happy too."
"Yes. Just… don't set your hopes too high," she cautioned. "You know how convinced Henry is of his curse. I don't want you to feel disappointed if I do drop him off. Or if he is less than thrilled with us all…"
...playing nice? ...playing happy family?
"...hanging out together," Regina finished, using Emma's words.
"Yeah. I know I shouldn't be, but there's just … something about this whole situation that's making me optimistic."
She shrugged and pulled Regina closer, kissing her solidly to leave a lasting impression until the next time they could be together like this. When she broke the kiss, Emma rested their foreheads together and lightly rubbed the mayor's back, trying to soothe away immediate concerns about the upcoming conversation with Henry.
"Hopefully, I'll see you soon," Regina said with that firm, determined tone she had.
Regina stood at the top of the stairs, just inside the mansion, when Henry finally slouched his way in the door. She did her best to not look domineering and annoyed, but to a ten-year old's eye, Regina certainly looked motherly-severe.
"Hello, Henry," she said, eyebrows raised.
"Hi," the young boy said tersely, at least knowing that he had to acknowledge his mother's presence verbally despite his averted gaze. He kicked off his shoes and made his way towards the kitchen.
He was still so mad with what happened yesterday in regards to Emma, knowing that the evil queen had to have cast some sort of spell on his birth mother! There was no other explanation in his mind to justify her defensive behavior towards the evil queen. He needed time to think on how to get Operation Cobra back on track and having a sleepover was the perfect cover. He did get his homework done to appease the witch at the top of the stairs, but it freed up his time for the rest of the weekend to solve his Emma dilemma too.
Emma's advice about being honest with Henry echoed in Regina's mind, even though it was pointless to even think about that. She could not tell him the truth about her love and concerns for him, because she'd have to admit he was right about the curse… and the spell on Emma! Sighing to herself, she at least tried to soften her tone and demeanor.
"Did you have a nice sleepover?" she asked, trailing Henry into the kitchen.
Henry had already slipped his backpack off and onto one of the kitchen chairs when Regina entered, seeing her son's head buried inside the refrigerator.
"Yeah. It was fine," he answered, his tone still short.
"I… spoke with Miss Swan this morning," she said, acting as if his abrupt and indifferent attitude was of no concern. Regina felt badly about lying through her teeth, but there was simply no way to explain - at this point - that Emma had spent the night! "She wanted to know if we'd like to meet her at the bed and breakfast today. A chance for us to all get to know each other better. Given the misunderstandings that seem to be plaguing us, from all sides, I thought this might be a good idea. What do you think, Henry?"
Regina could see how he stiffened against the appliance before his head darted out of it and looked suspiciously at her. "I don't believe you. You don't want Emma anywhere near me."
She withstood the withering stare from her prince and offered a shrug. "Henry, I can't force your beliefs. But, the invitation stands from Miss Swan and I feel that we should accept."
"Tell me why you really want to go," he urged, testing to see if there could be a shred of truth in his mother's motivations since she was actually trying not to argue or demand anything of him right now.
Regina took a deep breath and leaned against the kitchen island, looking squarely at him. "Henry, you brought Miss Swan to town for a reason. My being difficult about it is only going to make things worse. And… like it or not, I have to admit that she is trying to get to know us both, and is posing no threat."
Because my spell backfired and she wants to be a part of our lives! Regina thought. And here I am, playing along with that because what the hell else can I do?!
The confusion was plain across Henry's face because for the first time in months, he couldn't pick apart any glaring lies in his mother's words. Of course that didn't mean Regina's little prince was going to take everything she said at face value either.
"You know why I brought Emma home. The real reason. And … you're still fine with all of us hanging out together?" he challenged, knowing what was left unsaid between them.
"Henry…" Regina sighed and felt guilty, which she blamed on Emma's interference. "I know you want me to fess up to the curse you believe in, and that you believe Miss Swan is key to breaking that curse. I… understand the need to believe. I do. And… I'm sorry that my fear of your beliefs put you into therapy. We can… re-evaluate that course of action so you don't have to see Dr. Hopper any longer."
She hoped that that diversion and show of faith in him would be enough. Regina prayed it would be, because if he continued to push, she didn't know what she was going to end up saying to him. It was impossible navigating his stubborn belief in the curse as reality and Emma's stubborn clingy-ness!
His mother never once apologized like this. Sure Regina gave half-hearted attempts in the past when dealing with Henry's "delusions", but this was the first time that she had clearly expressed why her son was upset. She actually acknowledged his feelings, and that stunned him, a fact that could not be hidden from his face. He was slack jawed at his mother ending therapy.
"You would really do that?" he exclaimed, looking dubious. "Because it ... " Henry found his courage and stared right into his mother's eyes. "I know I'm not crazy and you know it too."
Regina had only a split-second in which to react. If she confirmed that Henry was not crazy, was that also indirectly admitting to the curse's existence? It felt like a word trap and she knew Henry was more than capable of trying to catch her that way. But again, she felt that - the way this was going - she had no choice but to be as honest as possible.
Damn you, Emma!
"Henry, you are not crazy," Regina said. "And I'm sorry that is how I made you feel."
He gasped and took a step back, wondering what was said between Regina and Emma for his mother to be acting like this. It was becoming more obvious that the conversation between his birth and adoptive mothers held a lot more significance than he first thought. Part of him wanted to believe, but Henry needed to be cautious because the evil queen was a known deceiver.
"Do … do you really mean that?" he asked slowly, daring Regina to lie to him.
Regina held Henry's gaze. "Yes. I know you're not crazy. And I am sorry that that was how I reacted to… your belief system."
"My .. belief system?" He recoiled a few steps away from his mother. "You mean the truth. It's not some fantasy in my head. Everything that happened in the book is real."
She bit the inside of her cheek and held her breath for five seconds, counting each second out in her head in an effort to keep calm intact. Regina was failing at that, feeling so deeply hurt by the look in his eyes and the implicit accusation.
What did I ever do to you to warrant this? I only loved you!
His namesake's words came back to her then and Regina had to close her eyes against the pain the memory invoked. Her father, Henry, had warned her that enacting the curse would create a hole in her heart just as Maleficent and others who "cared" about her had. Regina had thought that adopting and loving her prince would heal that wound, but now she understood there was no hope. As long as the curse existed, he'd be mistrustful of her, betraying the love she had for her son. Clenching her jaw hard enough that it ached, Regina gradually relaxed the tensed muscles and rediscovered her voice.
"Henry… if that is so, then shouldn't we both stop feuding with Miss Swan and go visit her at her room?" she asked, trying to use this to her advantage. "You brought her here to break the curse, and rejecting her will hardly accomplish that."
Eyes narrowed suspiciously at Regina because her words implied the truth without actually confessing, which only made Henry wonder if she were just twisting words for her own benefit. He really needed to be sure. Too much had happened between him and his adoptive mother to blindly consider this passable confession at face value.
"Say it," he dared, eyes steady and unwavering towards his mother. "Say that it's all real and this town is really full of characters in that book. That you're the evil queen. Just… finally be honest with me. Really honest with me instead of trying to calm me down and pretend I don't know what's really happening here. Or covering up things with half-truths thinking that can keep me quiet."
He didn't really expect anything to come from this except more lies, or veiled truths as he implied. But despite all of the damage that had occurred with their relationship as mother and son since discovering he was adopted, Henry had not forgotten all of the good times that they had shared when Regina was just his mother. Before the storybook. She was the perfect mom - reading to him before bed, making his favorite meals when he brought home his straight A report cards, shopping for comic books, soothing his symptoms with a gentle kiss upon his forehead when he was sick, being stricken with fear when Henry had falling out of his mom's apple tree when trying to climb it ...
"Please …" he said softly, finally exposing some of the pain that this has caused him instead of the outright defiance that Regina was so used to.
"Oh, Henry…"
The mayor was clearly tormented by her son's words and his expression. Worse, Regina kept hearing Emma's advice to be honest with Henry in her mind! She couldn't be honest - like he crazed - without confessing to the insane truth. And then what?!
What choice do I have? If I lie and dismiss his curse theories as false now, I'll lose him… Regina came around the island and crouched so they were closer to eye level. She gazed into her son's wary stare and swallowed hard.
"Henry, I don't know how you came by this book of fairy tales or what's made you believe so strongly that they are real… let alone tied to life in Storybrooke." She sighed heavily and forced the words she felt would doom her off her lips. "Henry, the book is real. The curse is real. And if you've read those stories thoroughly, you'll know why I cursed everyone from my land to Storybrooke."
Henry had anticipated the same denial and was already quick to quip back at his mother that he would leave to see Emma alone.. He truly wasn't prepared at hearing Regina speak the truth after all this time and looked genuinely shocked..
"I knew it …" he whispered, trying to find his voice again as he processed this change of events. "I knew all along what was happening, and you made me think I was crazy. You made me believe I was … I was losing my mind even though I was right!" His voice gained in strength, but the accusatory tone deflated as he looked away in anger. "You said you loved me. People who love you don't do that to you. They do whatever is necessary to be honest so you don't hurt them."
Regina remained crouched there, heart breaking for her son. She wanted to reach out to him but didn't dare, knowing that - like everyone else in her life - he'd reject her. She took a deep breath.
"Henry, I'm sorry. This was supposed to be my happy ending. And, bringing you into my life made that true. In this world where magic and wonder is limited to storybooks and the television, how could I ever tell you? Why would I ever expect you'd really believe me? Even when you came to believe on your own… I was scared. What happens if the curse does break? What happens to you? To all of us?"
"The evil queen doesn't get scared!" he argued, but even Regina's little prince wasn't fully buying his own response. His voice didn't hold the same faith in regards to his original assumptions about the mayor. Unfortunately, Henry still had his blinders on. "You just take what you want when you want it. And if it doesn't fit your plans, you force it."
"Henry… that has been true. You're right. But, I did that out of fear. And anger." Regina sighed. She couldn't be overly upset with him because the book didn't properly spell out her side of the story, as it were. And, he was only ten years old; what did a child really understand about such complex emotions? Re-gathering her thoughts, Regina asked, "Since we're being honest now, can I try to explain to you everything your book left out about me? So you can form opinions and views about me that are balanced?"
Looking hesitant, Henry scrunched up his face as he worked this through. One could argue that the evil queen had revealed her plans in order to lure her adoptive son into a false sense of security. That would make it easier for Regina to thwart Emma's presence here in ending her curse. Or, it could be as simple as his mother wanting to reconnect with him and finally decided that being honest was the only option to do that. It was such a leap of faith to consider the later that it frightened Henry in speaking up initially because it would mean that he was also wrong about his mother.
Rising only because her legs were cramping in her heels at this angle, Regina kept a steady gaze on her son, hoping he would begin to understand that she was being genuine at last. When he didn't answer her question and offer of sharing her history, she thought about how stubborn Henry could be, and how stubborn she'd learned Emma was. Regina cocked her head to the side as she spoke.
"Why don't I drive you over to the B&B and you can talk through this with Miss Swan? Despite the fact that she and I got along surprisingly well, much to your annoyance-" Regina had to resist the urge to roll her eyes, "-I know you two forged a connection. Talk it out with her and decide how you wish to proceed."
"But-" he grimaced, unsure of how to handle this suggestion, "- you said Emma wanted us both there though …"
"I'll text her and explain that we talked, and you need some time to process. Besides, you can thank Miss Swan for urging me to be honest with you. Despite what you've thought, her interests are in making sure you're loved and well cared for. Miss Swan was quite adamant that honesty would help you understand that."
"Emma said that to you?" he said in wonder. Perhaps his birth mother was starting to act like the savior he wanted her to be. Maybe he misjudged her reactions at the diner too harshly?
Only a hero could get the evil queen to finally confess her wrong doings ... right? And if this is all true, then I have to be honest too.
"Wait. I want to show you something then. It might change your mind in seeing Emma too." He went to his backpack and pulled it up onto the kitchen table to unzip. Since Regina first read through the storybook and questioned him about the books missing pages, Henry had been a vigilant protector of its contents. And now, he was going to reveal all of its secrets to the villain that he had been hiding them from all along on a leap of faith.
"If you're really being honest about all of this. That you want me to believe you. You need to see these finally." He pulled out the missing pages to the book and handed them over to his mother. "If you and Emma are getting along, then you need to know the truth. Because if you really are wanting this to go the way I think it is, then you have to help me convince her that she's the savior and the only one that can break your curse."
Regina accepted the pages, brow creased in a delicate frown as she took in the images first. A newborn swaddled in a blanket that clearly said "Emma" made her gasp. Feeling faint, she leaned against the island for support. She blinked rapidly, taking short, shallow breaths. Regina hadn't understood why Henry had been convinced his birth mother had anything to do with the curse. Now, she understood all too well.
"You believe… that… oh, of course it is. This is Miss Swan as a baby." Looking faint, she said to Henry, "She is the daughter of Snow White and Prince Charming. Of course."
Her head and heart reeled as facts came crashing into her consciousness. They'd put their newborn in an enchanted wardrobe, sending it away from the Enchanted Forest. That baby had been Emma, who had landed here! And that meant that Henry was Snow and Charming's grandson! His teacher was his own grandmother!
And, that means that I put a spell on the product of true love, the daughter of Snow and Charming, who is now enamored with me! Oh god, the irony… I can't handle this!
Regina let out an absurd chuckle before containing the hysterical laughter that threatened to overtake her. She countered Henry's idea with, "Actually, this is reason why you need to see Miss Swan alone, for now."
"But mom! Just because you know the truth of who she is doesn't mean you still can't go with me. It's all the more reason you should come with!" urged Henry, still ignorant that the accusation of Regina cursing Emma was actually true! "You guys working together can help the people in Storybrooke realize that you're trying to be better when the curse breaks. Even if it's just for me."
Henry was not naive to believe his mother was trying to rehabilitate herself just because it was the right thing to do. She was doing this to repair the relationship with her son and if that was her sole motivation, then he could live with that. For now.
Regina sighed. "Henry, think about this: my actions are what compelled Snow White to put her baby, Miss Swan, in a portal that brought her here. How well do you think she'll take the truth of her existence here if we both start talking about it? How could I ever explain myself to her if you, my own son, see me as the evil queen?"
Nevermind that we've been sleeping together the last couple of days and, because of my fucking spell, she feels like she's in love with me, she thought.
"Mom," he sighed, rolling his eyes, "Emma's already seen these pages and doesn't believe anything I have to say anyway. I gave them to you because I want to believe you're being honest about everything. So you know what's going on and what I've tried to do so far. And, well, now you know why I hid those pages. You would've figured everything out way too soon ..."
"Yes." Regina frowned, staring at the photo of baby Emma in her blanket, feeling even more conflicted than she had before. "Still… I think you should see her alone for now. This is a good deal for me to process. So much has happened…"
Very few people in town could have read Regina's expression and realize just how terribly conflicted she was - and all of them were under the curse. Henry, however, could easily recognize that pain and questioned her with the brave innocence of a ten year old.
"Is something else bothering you about Emma?" he asked with furrowed brows.
"Yes," she admitted with a heavy sigh. "Henry… it's not something I can speak of with you, yet. I'd need to speak with Miss Swan first. But, before I can do that… I have to sort out my own feelings. I've been the evil queen for too long for this to be easy to deal with."
"Okay …" he said quietly in disappointment, but only because his mother wasn't going to come with. This fragile honesty between them was making it easier for Henry to accept Regina's wishes and not immediately believe there was an instant conspiracy. Which was ironic since there actually was this time.
"Thank you, my prince," Regina said with a heavy sigh. She reached out her arms toward him, hoping for a hug.
Henry hesitated, trying to see if he could separate his mother Regina from the woman that is, or was, the evil queen. There was so much pain and resentment that still bristled underneath with how he had been treated. Yes, he was guilty of withdrawing when he learned he was adopted and felt betrayed that Regina didn't tell him sooner, and yes, he was down right mean and not accepting of anything that she had to say in her defense long before the book came into his possession. Learning that his mother was the actual evil queen from stories, it just colored his perception further and it was difficult, right now, to know if this entire conversation was a trap in some way.
"I think I still need some time too, Mom," he answered delicately before his mouth pressed together tightly in distress. "I'm … sorry."
Regina dropped her hands and nodded, looking away as tears filled her eyes. "I understand, Henry. Do you wish to see Miss Swan today then? I'll drive you over…"
The look in his mother's eyes did tug at Henry's heart, seeing how badly his rejection was affecting her. He sighed, coming to only one conclusion to see just how real this all was.
"No. I think … we should have dinner together?" he suggested. "I mean, if you want. Talking to Emma's important but ...I can do it tomorrow."
"You and me?" Regina asked, needing to know for certain that was what he meant.
He nods in confirmation. "Yeah. You and me. I think it might help."
"I'd like that, Henry." She smiled, trying to look hopeful. "How about pizza for a change?"
"Yeah?" Grinning, he continued looking as impish as his adoptive mother could be. "You must be really sorry for pizza to be the first choice."
Regina chuckled and smiled more genuinely. "I just want to make you happy."
"Pizza would definitely make me happy!" he confirmed.
"Very well. Pizza it is for tonight. If you don't think it will spoil you too much, you can also have video game time," she said, being overly indulgent. "I'll let Miss Swan know plans have changed and we'll see her tomorrow, perhaps."
"Sounds good!" he agreed cheerfully, just about to run out of the kitchen to play when he regarded his mother one last time. "Thanks, Mom."
"You're welcome, Henry. Have fun."
She glanced at the clock and decided it was not too early to pour herself a strong glass of cider before dealing with her latest "Emma Swan Problem." There was no telling how she'd take the success with Henry in light of not seeing either of them with the revised plan. There was only one way to find out. Regina pulled out her phone.
Emma - are you there? she typed.
There was a reply back within seconds, almost confirming that the blonde was stalking her phone. Yeah! U guys coming?
Regina winced, feeling the enthusiasm coming through loud and clear in those three or four words. She wasn't sure how you counted "U", then discarded that as irrelevant.
Change of plans. I'm sorry. Henry wants 2 spend the day here. Have dinner w/ me.
She didn't know how to convey the weight of that in such a short amount of space that her seemingly antiquated phone allowed. Regina scowled at the "2," finding that so grammatically improper.
In her room at the B&B, Emma was disappointed as she read the message on her screen but in the same instance, she was also happy. She had promised to help Regina mend her relationship with her son and to pressure any face to face time would be inappropriate - even if the thought of going the night without her made the blonde feel off her jacket in resignation and throwing it on the table, she texted back, needing to be sure that everything was okay at the mansion.
Dinner with u? That good rite?
Regina nodded, then realized that didn't convey anything for Emma! Hastily, she typed, Yes. Good talk. Long way 2 go, but there's hope. I'm sorry 2 cancel our visit…
Regina thought she almost felt genuine about the last sentence. Knowing who Emma Swan really was, it made a chill run down her spine.
That made Emma smile deeply, working through the longing that was creeping towards the surface. It was telling her to insist in coming over or suggest seeing Regina after Henry went to sleep. But, again she held it at bay - even with the headache that was just starting to throb insidiously across her temples.
Good. U 2 needed that. Not so glad I can't see U tho. Emma stared at the message for a few moments before sending it, and hoped that it didn't sound too clingy. Even if that was all she was feeling right now!
Tomorrow, I think, she typed back after a moment's pause. Henry's idea to spend time 2gether. Couldn't say no.
Regina fixated on that shortened "2gether" and how atrocious that looked as she tapped the send button. She wondered at how anyone would write in the future if this was how people outside Storybrooke communicated!
"Nope. I wouldn't want you to. This just sucks!" Emma grumbled aloud in her empty room. Tapping on the keys, her response was less whiny and desperate.
I get it, and hit send, but then added another line right away because her curt response could have been taken wrong. Miss U tho.
Regina caught herself smiling at the attention and sentiment and shook her head in disbelief. What are you thinking?!
Enjoy the town 4 now. Will check in later, after dinner. If that is OK?
Emma stared incredulously at the message, her face falling into an annoyed scowl. There was no acknowledgment of her confessed feelings in admitting that she missed Regina. She was completely brushed off in her eyes.
Fine, was all she texted back before slapping the phone onto her nightstand in disgust.
Regina stared at that reply and didn't know what to make of it. For all she knew, it was normal in text conversation, or normal for Emma! Sighing, the mayor pocketed her phone and went back to the kitchen with a fresh drink. She needed to study the pages Henry had trusted to her.
Even with dismissing her phone for the night, Emma was vigilantly listening for a response back - and none came. It made her skin sorely itch with uncertainty, even scratching her arms so roughly that it caused streaks of reddened flesh along bare arms, as the waiting drove her crazy.
She's not going to text back or acknowledge shit about you, Swan. Get over it.
Reaching for the phone, Emma fired off another text and threw the device onto her bed before grabbing her jacket. She was going to enjoy the town as Regina suggested, maybe even check out that bar called the Rabbit Hole she overheard about at Granny's. If the mayor decided to grace her with a response back, the enraged blonde would have to learn of it when she returned. Whenever that would be.
Regina's phone beeped in her pocket as she pored over the page from the storybook. She pulled it out and frowned at the final text: No need to check in. Looking back to the picture in the book of Emma's newborn self, Regina wondered what the right course of action was now…?