I decide to rewrite this fic because I didn't know how to proceed with what I had…I knew the direction, but not the steps in between. Also, my brain did this funny thing where it decided that my other fic It's a Sacrifice I'm Willing to Make would be a prequel to this fic. I will, however, be uploading one chapter at a time for both fics…It's been a while since I have uploaded anything so I decided to upload two chapters…lol... Enjoy

Chapter 2

"Would you adopt again," Emma asked quietly.

"Absolutely," Regina responded. "I never wanted Henry to be an only child. I was just waiting for a Mr. or Mrs. Right to come along. I realized what joy and happiness Henry brought me. And to be honest, I just wanted to share that happiness with someone else. For that Emma, I cannot thank you enough for him."

Emma processed the information. "A Mrs. Right," she asked smiling?

Regina chuckled. "Yes, dear. "

…

"Regina, are you still with me," the man seated in front of her asked. Archie Hopper knew she was lost in thought. It happened every so often. Every ten to fifteen minutes to be exact. Archie crossed his legs and waited patiently for a response.

"Yes, of course Dr. Hopper. I apologize." Regina sighed. These meetings were pointless. The only reason she ever agreed to go was because of her friend Katherine. Today marked her fifty-first meeting ever since… "Could you repeat the question, please?"

Archie smiled, "I asked why was it so important for you to adopt all of a sudden." He watched as he saw a flash of hurt come over Regina's face.

"It's what she wanted," Regina whispered. Her hands began to shake so she folded them together over her legs.

"It's all right to say her name, Regina," Archie said softly. "It actually is healthy to. It shows me that you're progressing for the better." He watched as Regina changed her posture as rigid as she could.

"All right." She took a deep breath. "Emma." Her voice cracked as she said her name. She tried again. "Em-ma." Her body shivered. It had been several months since she had last spoken her name. "I am doing this for Emma," she said slowly.

Archie furrowed his brows and thought carefully how he was going to respond. "Regina," he said gently. "It's great that you want to do this in honor of Emma-"

"And Henry!" she interrupted. She winced. It hurt to think of them both.

"And Henry," Archie nodded. "I know you loved them very much. However, I am concerned that you're doing it for the wrong reasons."

Regina looked at him incredulously and stood up as if she was getting ready to storm out.

"No wait! Please let me explain," Archie pleaded. "Please, Regina hear me out."

Regina sighed and lowered herself to the couch.

"Regina," Archie said slowly. "There is no doubt that you were a great mother to Henry. Yes, you've had some flaws in the beginning. But so does every parent. No one can argue that you didn't give Henry his best chance." He paused and look at his patient who had been through enough trauma to last several lifetimes. He rose from his chair and slowly sat down next to Regina. He gently reached out for one of her hands to hold, which she surprisingly allowed. "But, if you're doing this only for the sole purpose of Emma wanting you to adopt again, then I think you're not ready."

"I was happy." Regina's eyes were filled with tears. "I was happy when I adopted Henry. And during our last moments together…she reminded me of that happiness." Another pause. "I promised her, Dr. Hopper, as she was laying there dying in the hospital bed covered in blood. I promised her that I would adopt again." Tears ran down her cheeks unwillingly. Archie grabbed his handkerchief from his pocket and offered it to her.

"I understand that," Archie whispered. "But are you physically and emotionally ready to take on a child? Regina, it's only been about a year since—"

"Don't you think I know that, Dr. Hopper," Regina cried exasperated. "But I need to move on. For them. For me. I'm living in this mansion by myself. It could be filled with laughter and happiness. With the children I would have had with her. With her by my side!" Regina took another deep breath. "But she's not here," she smiled sadly. "And neither is my son…. My house could be filled with laughter and happiness. But instead I come home to an empty house. Do you have any idea how haunting that is, Dr. Hopper? I come home and there is a deafening silence. There are no sounds. There is no life." Regina blew her nose and stood up. She was now ready to leave. She had another appointment to attend. "Dr. Hopper, I am not only doing this for her or for my son. I am doing this because I need to move on with my life. I am doing this because maybe, just maybe, that while I am saving a child, this child will save me too." She took his hand and shook it.

Archie nodded in acceptance. "I have some homework for you if you don't mind." He walked over to his desk and pulled out a medium size plastic bag from the drawer. He handed it to Regina. "There's a leather bound notebook and a fountain pen inside. Call me old fashioned." He smiled. "I want you to write to Emma. Or to Henry. Or to both. I want you to write to them about anything: your thoughts, feelings, agenda. Write to them as if they were away on vacation and they were receiving your letters." He watched as Regina took the bag unwillingly. "It helps, Regina. It helps. Believe me the writing gets easier the more you do it. Don't' worry. I the only one who will read it is you, the author." He opened the door for her. "Have a good day, Regina."

"Good day, Dr. Hopper." Regina walked out of the office and went straight towards her Mercedes, which was conveniently parked in the first space closest to the door. She sat inside and closed the door.

Bzzz Bzzzz. Her phone vibrated to alert her of all the notifications she missed. She glanced at her phone and groaned. Fifteen text messages and ten missed calls. All from none other than Katherine and Ruby. She began looking through her inbox. It didn't matter. Suddenly, there was an incoming call from Ruby

"There's a reason why I leave my phone in the car while I have my appointment with Dr. Hopper," Regina answered the phone.

"Yeah yeah," Ruby countered. "Cut me some slack. I'm hiding in the back of the diner while I'm calling you. Granny gave me a few minutes to call you…. So how are you feeling today?"

Regina groaned again. "Ruby, you've asked me how I was all week, all day yesterday and now today."

"Well, if you actually give me a good answer, I'll stop." Ruby said. "Plus, isn't today the day you meet -"

In that moment, there was another incoming call: Katherine.

Regina sighed. "Ruby, Katherine is calling…I am going to have to call you back."

"No No NO," Ruby cried out. "Fineeee…but this isn't over Mills. I will march myself right up to your door tonight and get some info out of you."

Regina gave a small smile. "I wouldn't doubt it dear. Goodbye now." She hung up the phone with Ruby and then answered her second call. "Yes, Katherine?"

"You are coming later today yes?" Katherine asked worriedly. She wasn't sure if pushing Regina for adoption was the right thing to do.

"Of course," Regina replied. "I said I would." She started the car and headed down towards Mifflin St. "I'm done with Dr. Hopper now and will head over in about two hours."

"Great!" Katherine squealed. She just wanted her best friend to find happiness again. "You're gonna love her, Regina. I have a gut feeling she's the right kid for you."

"We'll see," Regina chuckled softly.

"What's wrong," Katherine asked. "Did Archie make you depressed again? I don't understand why you make those appointments at 8:00 in the morning. On a Saturday. That's really how you want to start your day. Your weekend of all days …"

Regina rolled her eyes. Her car came to a stop and she turned off her engine. "Katherine, I'm home. I will be there in a couple of hours. Don't worry. I just need to change."

"This is a meeting with a kid that needs a home, Regina, not the queen of England."

"Goodbye Katherine…see you soon," Regina ended the call and glared at the leather notebook. She grabbed it and headed for the front door.