Their second time Henry asked about the days that he was unaware that his mother was so close to him, happened on a Friday evening. He came home after school and found his mother with furrowed eyes reading her mother's book. She was on her most mayoral suit, sensitive pants and silk shirt. She's so focused on whatever it is she's reading that she doesn't hear him coming in.
But then again, she's reading about magic. And, magic became a whole new business to her after she discovered she could possess, she possesses light magic. She's clearly intrigued with something. He thinks that she's still surprise she had that in her.
He doesn't want to startle her - she's not good at reacting to surprises - but he's curious too and he's way too close to her now. He's standing right behind her and he peeks on her. She's reading about q forgetting potion... He's to evolved by her reading and the words come out loud faster than he realizes.
"A forgetting potion?" His hand flies to his mouth to try to shut it but it was too late.
Regina jumped on the couch and normally she would lit a fireball. But his voice is too familiar to her years and she will never react like that with him. So, she jumps a little and her hands push the book closed making a loud noise. She turns quickly to face him.
He just looks at her and he's a little scared. Not of her. But he's scared of the fact that he was sneaking on her and he didn't mean to get caught. She looks at him and there they are, her emotions. Really, why does she try to hide them? He can see right through her, her eyes say it all without her noticing.
Her eyes are nervous, they have fear inside them. Fear of what? Then, she's searching his face and he can see she's a little bit ashamed he caught her reading magic. Then, he remembers how he's asked her not to use it in the past. But this is different now, doesn't she know it?!
"Henry. What are you doing..." She snaps at him and when she notices her eyes become sad. "I'm sorry. I meant to say that I didn't hear you arriving... How long have you been here?"
"Hi mom. I got home and you were so concentrated that I didn't know if I should... So I just got closer and... I didn't mean to startle you."
She pats the seat beside her for him to get closer.
"It's ok sweetheart." She places the book on her other side, out of his reach. "How was school today?"
"Mom, don't try to fool me" his eyes are teasing her but she sees he's a little scared too. "Why were you reading about a forgetting potion?"
"Henry it's very impolite to sneak on someone." And there it is her motherly look on him.
"Why do you need it mom? I thought you knew this potion anyways."
"Let's say that I have a past that one wouldn't like to remember."
"But that changed you into what you are."
"True. But the fact that I have light magic doesn't mean I don't have darkness inside of me, Henry. I thought that maybe if I forgot about some things... Mainly bad things my mother did and all the devastation I caused... I thought that maybe it would be easier to..."
"Love? That never kept you from loving me."
"You're right, my wise little..." He eyes her "not little prince. And this is not a topic we should discuss."
"Yeah, right. Are you ok?"
Her hand was gently brought to her temple and it was massaging it. She motioned so unconsciously, it became more and more common. Headaches. Sometimes dizziness.
"Oh yes. It's just a headache."
"Really?" He's looking for the truth. He saw his mom being hit pretty hard twice, both times she fell unconscious. He also heard about the showdown. She never talks about it, except for when she admitted she wouldn't survive another fight with Zelena...
Her eyes closed for an instant.
"Does it have any relation to your active fighting life? You got pretty hardcore hits on your head."
She opens her eyes and ponders if she should be honest or not. She promised him she wouldn't lie, but he doesn't have to worry about her.
"Well, I do fight a lot, isn't it?! And yes, Henry, the headaches intensified after Zelena. But... you don't need to worry. They are just headaches."
"They seem painful." He thinks it's funny that she looks so surprised he noticed so much. He's already worries about her. She's not used to that.
He waits a little because he can see she's in pain. That scares him because he saw her being thrown on a wall and come out of it okay. If she's showing that she's in pain, he know it's a lot of pain. So he takes advantage of the situation, she's a little off while she's rubbing her temple and he noticed that at some point she grabbed the edge of the couch and held it until her knuckles were white.
"Have you been feeling anything else?"
She fell for it. Because he learned that his mother has a gullible side, specially towards him.
"Ye..." She opens her eyes as if she remembered who she's talking to. "Henry." He only smiles at her.
"What is it mom?"
"Nothing. It's nothing, Henry."
He likes how his name sounds when she says it. "You're lying. You promised me the truth."
She's hurt by the reminder. She sighs and her shoulders fall a little lower.
That's when he notices how small she is, and how tired she looks. It's just for a moment but he saw it.
"Dizziness, sometimes. I lost conscious twice when I was at home. Sometimes the headaches are migraines." Her voice is hoarse now and he thinks the confession is more painful and the actual headaches. She thinks she's being weak in front of him.
"Why didn't you say anything?"
"It's nothing. It will pass soon. Plus, I don't want to see this look on your face. Don't worry about me."
"I worry anyways mom. Mainly because I know you're not made of steel and that you don't tell me when you're suffering."
"I... I am your mother not the opposite."
"Can I tell Mary Margaret? She's been wondering the fact that you got out of the fights sort of okay. She worries too."
"Please don't. I can't handle Mary Margaret smothering me right now. If it becomes worse I'll talk to her."
She smiles then to re-affirm everything is fine. He's not convinced.
She surrenders.
"I think I should rest a little..."
"What are you feeling now?"
"I think I'm getting a migraine... Maybe you should go to the UnCharmings, just for tonight..."
"No!"
"Henry, please. You can tell Mary Margaret. But I will be sleeping all the time, there's no need for you to be here. She will come... I'm positive she will come to check on me. Though I dislike the idea."
"What if I..."
"What if you help me upstairs? That's very helpful, I think the dizziness is taking over. Then, you'll go to your grandparents. Do we have a deal?"
"No we don't. But I don't think I have a choice here."
She stands up trying to balance herself with a hand on the couch. He's right beside her with one arm around her waist.
"Thank you, sir" And she says it on her most regal tone... She's trying to make him feel better. She can't.
"You're welcome, mom."
He takes her to her bedroom helps her to lie down and pull the cover on her. Then, he presses a gentle kiss on her forehead.
"When are you going to let me take care of you?"
Her eyes are closed but she's still awake.
"Thank you, my little prince."
She adjusts herself under the cover. He smiles. He stays there for a whole until he's sure she fell asleep. Then he calls Mary Margaret.
His grandparents come over to pick him up but Mary Margaret decides to stay with Neal for when she wakes up. Henry likes the idea. He leaves with David, maybe another driving lesson would do him good. But his heart is at home with her.