I don't care about sports, but I figured this chapter would be required for this day. Happy Super Bowl to those of you who care!

"What in the world is going on in here?" Regina asked, walking into the living room. There was food laid out all over the coffee table, and the furniture was rearranged to give Emma and Henry the best view of the TV.

"The Super Bowl is starting soon," Emma said. "You up for watching it with us?"

"The super what?" Regina asked.

"Super Bowl," Henry said, plopping down onto the couch. "You know, the big football game of the year that everyone watches?"

Regina just shrugged. "I wasn't born in this world. That means nothing to me."

Emma sighed and shook her head in disappointment. "Come on," she said, patting the couch cushion next to her. "Let's get you educated."

Regina rolled her eyes and sat down. She had a feeling that she wasn't going to enjoy this at all, but she supposed she should indulge in Emma and Henry's source of happiness. Even if it had something to do with sports.


After a couple hours, Regina was bored out of her mind. It was basically people running back and forth with an oddly shaped ball, scoring points by running to one side of the field or the other.

"Well it's official," Regina said at halftime. "This is by far the stupidest thing I have ever watched. There's no purpose."

"It's a game," Henry protested. "The purpose is to score the most points and then win. Whoever wins gets the title of the best football team of the season. It's a big deal."

"Perhaps to those who enjoy the sport," Regina said. "I, however, am not one of them."

Emma rolled her eyes. "Shush. Don't ruin the spirit of the day."

Regina rolled her eyes, but obediently stayed quiet and let Emma and Henry continue to enjoy the game.

"Didn't they have anything like this in the Enchanted Forest?" Henry asked.

Regina shrugged. "I was never allowed to leave the grounds of my parents' house. And when I was queen, I wasn't allowed to leave the castle until the king died."

"So you never went to watch anything like this?" Henry asked.

Regina shook her head. "Even if it was available, I'm not sure I would have gone. Sports aren't really something I am interested in. I appreciate the arts more."

"Like what?" Henry asked. "Going to art shows?"

"No," Regina said. "Music mostly. There are things you can say through music that you can't through words."

"Sports do the same thing," Henry said.

"Oh really?" Regina asked. "What are they saying? I'm going to tackle you now, watch out?"

Emma burst out laughing as Henry pouted. "Come on," Emma said, reaching over and poking Henry. "You know that was a good one."

"Yeah whatever," Henry said. "You just don't appreciate sports."

"Tell you what," Regina said. "I won't complain for the rest of the game if you agree to go to a symphony orchestra concert with me."

"You won't be able to make it through the rest of the game," Henry said.

"Then you won't have to go to the concert," Regina said. She stuck out her hand and raised an eyebrow as a challenge. "Deal?"

Henry smiled smugly and took her hand. "Deal."


Henry fiddled with his tie. "I can't believe I'm actually doing this."

"Should have thought of that before you agreed," Emma teased, slapping his hand gently. "Leave your tie alone."

"I can't believe she actually stayed quiet for the rest of the game," Henry said.

Emma laughed. "Never underestimate the stubbornness of Regina Mills."