Sorry for this little delay. I was busy all weekend. I will make it up to you. Enjoy. Xoxo


„Henry, can you hear me?" Emma asked her son when she noticed he was slowly waking up. Sitting next to his bed she only leaned in to be closer to him. It was early in the morning when the nurse came in Henry's room to check his blood pressure, temperature and other vitals. She managed to take a sample of blood for some additional tests, Dr. Mills wanted to run, without waking him up. Regina already transferred some money from her bank account to the hospital so Henry could get his surgery as soon as possible. As soon as the hospital got the money, Regina signed the papers for the boy's surgery, she booked the OR and prepared everything that she would need. It was a baby step but everything was better than just sitting and waiting if some miracle would heal the boy. Emma wasn't excited about being in debt but on the other hand owing someone money was the better side of this situation than losing her son. Emma smiled at her kid and stroke his cheek so he knew that she was there with him.

„Mom? I am still tired. I think I slept well this night but I am feeling tired," Henry whispered opening his eyes to search for his mother.

„I know, kid. But it's gonna get better soon. Your surgery is almost ready," Emma answered to calm him down and give him hope that everything was going to change soon.

„Where did you get the money, mom?" Henry asked, pushing himself into a seating positing. Emma helped him so he wouldn't loose much of the strength that he had left.

„From doctor Mills. She wants to help us," Emma lied. It wasn't a total lie she only didn't want to bother her son with the details now. The most important thing was that there was someone who wanted to help them. That was enough for Emma and she knew that it was enough for Henry too.

„Will you be fine on your own for a few hours? I need to go to do some shopping," Emma asked her son already thinking about what kind of a dress she would like to wear for the ball tonight.

It was Friday and Emma promised Regina to join her at the party as a plus one. Now she needed to tell Henry and apologize for not being here with him in the evening.

„I will be ok, mom. Don't worry," Henry answered and pointed to all the machines around him.

„I have so many guardian angels around that nothing can happen to me," he smiled. He knew that his mom needed some time for her own. He felt how hard it was on Emma that his condition hasn't been improving lately. On the contrary. Henry heard her mother cry during many nights, he heard her talking to the banks and asking for the money and with each call he felt how desperate she was. Now their situation was changing and he felt that Emma deserved some private time, time to shake off the sadness and start thinking positively. If shopping was the way to do it he was more than happy to let her go and give her some space.

„Doctor Mills asked me to accompany her to a party tonight. Is it ok? It won't take long, I promise,"

Emma explained and looked Henry in his eyes. She saw happiness. Henry was happy for his mother, he was glad that she found someone who she could go out with. He had no idea why Emma said yes to this offer so his first thought was about his mom going out and enjoying some time off.

„Have fun, mom," Henry said and started coughing. Emma stood up to call the nurse but Henry took her hand. He looked at her and Emma knew that he was going to be ok. Henry had been through this many times so he knew that this was just a normal morning cough, that his lungs needed to get rid of the mucus and there was no danger. Emma on the other hand thought that his condition got worse and a panic attack paralysed her. She was always ready to call an ambulance or the nurse when she felt that something could happen to him.

„Thank you, kid," Emma said kissing Henry's forehead. It was some kind of a ritual. They both loved it. It was a moment when they felt even closer to each other. Emma checked Henry's bed, helped him to eat breakfast which the nurse brought and then she went shopping for the dress to the centre of Boston. Henry fell asleep right after she left so when Emma came back two hours later he woke up and felt refreshed enough to watch his mother to demonstrate the dress that she chose for the party. Henry couldn't believe how beautiful his mother was.

„You will look like a princess at the party," he complimented her. Emma hugged him.

„I know I am not a baby any more but could you please read me from my favourite story book?" Henry asked his mother. Emma didn't hesitate. She went to Henry's bag and pulled out a Once Upon a Time book which he loved so much. She started reading the first tale when her phone rang.

„Sorry kid," Emma apologized for the interruption. She took the phone out of her jacket pocket and checked the caller ID. Unknown number. Who could it be, she thought.

„Emma Swan, who's calling?" she said when she picked up the call.

„It's me, Regina. Are you ready? I will pick you up at 6pm, ok?" Regina informed Emma and was ready to hang up.

„Wait! Where did you get my number?" Emma was surprised.

„From Henry's file," Regina answered.

„I will be ready," Emma said trying to keep Regina on the phone. She didn't see her the whole day and she missed her, she missed talking to her.

„Will you pick me up in the hospital?" Emma asked just to make sure where she should be waiting at the time of Regina's arrival.

„Of course!" Regina almost yelled. Where else they could meet when Emma didn't have anywhere else to stay than in the hospital? She thought that Emma was able to figure this out. Regina wasn't honest with herself. She thought that her anger was towards Emma but it wasn't. She was nervous about the party because her mother was going to be there and she knew very well how these parties end when they meet.

„See you soon," Regina added realizing that her last reaction made Emma quiet.

„See you," Emma answered smiling widely. She ended the call checking the time on the display. She still had some time to finish reading the story that she started few moments ago.

With the last words of the tale she closed the book and kissed Henry on his cheek. He fell asleep in the middle of the fairy-tale. Emma knew that if she stopped reading he would wake up. He was very receptive even in his sleep when it came to his favourite book and unfinished stories. Emma put the book on the night table and went to the bathroom to get ready for the party. The blond woman looked at herself in the mirror. She put a light make-up on her face, some eye shadows and mascara. She wouldn't admit it but she wanted to look good to impress her date.

Her heart has already knew what she felt for the brunette doctor, her mind just wouldn't accept it.

„This is going to be quite a night," Emma whispered taking her coat and heading to the reception to meet Regina.

TBC