That weekend came fast and Emma was prepared. It just so happened that there was a Renaissance fair in town for the week and that set a few hours for Saturday.
Walking down the stairs from her apartment to the shop, she squeezed Billy's shoulder when she walked into his office. "Hey, Regina and Henry will be here soon. Take care of the shop for me and when you finish your last clients, you and Jason can close up early and take the day off tomorrow."
"Awesome." Billy smiled. "So you and this dame, it's actually turned into something meaningful, huh? I mean, you were with her last weekend and she's coming here for this one. With the kid. That's big stuff."
"Yeah, I really like her. And her kid is great. I got most of the weekend planned around what he's into actually. Slamming brownie points is only a bonus." She winked.
Billy chuckled. "Get the kid to like you and you're pretty much in as long as you don't act like a complete ass around the chick."
"I'm never an ass, and the kid and I actually like each other. He was bummed when I had to leave the last time to come back here." She smiled but then it became even brighter when the bell over the front door rang. Stepping out, she winked at the two. "Alright, Billy, I'm out for the weekend. Try to behave."
Finally walking out to the woman and her son, Emma hugged them both. "So, ready for a fun weekend?"
"Yeah!" Henry exclaimed with a grin on his face.
Regina smiled and simply nodded. "So what all do you have planned for us?"
"Well I took what you told me last week and made the very best of it." She grinned. C'mon. I'll drive."
The car ride was filled with conversation about what they did in the last few days and how Henry was doing in school. He had taken Emma's advice and really put all he had into it and was now making A's on his tests.
Regina was a little irritated that Henry had listened to Emma rather than her regarding school effort, but nonetheless, she still appreciated that Emma was using her status as the new, interesting person in Henry's life to motivate him. "So how many tattoos do you have, Emma?" Henry asked.
Emma smirked "Well I only have one, technically. The feathers on my arms are apart of the wings on my back." She took a breath. "It just represents my freedom from the life I had. And I guess it helps that my last name is Swan." The artist chuckled.
"From the life you had?" Henry asked, curious. Regina had heard about Emma's past, the boy hadn't yet.
"That's... a story for another day." Emma smiled. "Besides..." She pointed out the passenger window. "We're here."
Henry glanced out the window and smiled. "Cool." He hopped out of the car and started heading for the front door.
Regina used the opportunity to lean in and kiss Emma softly. "He will be pestering you for that story sooner than later. He's curiosity only grows stronger."
Emma smiled and kissed her again. "And when he does... I'll tell him." With another peck, the blonde got out of the car and walked around to take Regina's hand in hers. She looked at the boy as he walked beside her and smiled. "I think they have a jousting match in about an hour."
"Awesome. I wanna try all the food they had and get my own sword, if that's okay with you, Mom, and check out everything." Henry said excited as they walked into the festival area together.
Regina smiled at Emma. "I might get you a sword, Henry. You'll have to earn it."
"Hey if you get a sword, so will I. We'll have a wooden sword fight and see how much pirate potential you really have." Emma grinned.
"I will." Henry grinned. "And I can't wait to fight you, Emma."
"I'm undefeated, kid. You sure you wanna take me on?"
"Oh yeah. You won't be undefeated for much longer." Henry smirked. Regina noted that she'd have to buy them swords just to see this epic battle.
"Bring it on, squirt." Emma laughed and shook her head.
Looking over at the mayor, she kissed her head. "And you have to try a turkey leg." She kissed the mayor's hand and looked around. "Tomorrow, is about you."
"I'm perfectly fine with having an entire weekend about Henry, but I won't object to a day catering to me a little more, either." Regina smiled. "I'll eat a turkey leg if you and Henry do."
"I'll eat one." She grinned then ruffled Henry's hair.
The trio went to the first stand. One with gems and mineral rocks. Looking over all the stuff they walked over to the next.
It had tons of maps and looking glasses, tools for navigation on it. "This is a good stand for you, Henry. You would need these sort of items as a pirate."
"Yeah!" Henry smiled and looked at the table closely as he walked around.
Emma simply looked at Regina and in that moment she couldn't take her eyes off the woman queen. She knew none of what she used to be in the Enchanted Kingdom. She knew nothing of how ruthless Regina had become all because of her mother. All Emma knew was that she wanted to give this woman the life she clearly deserved.
Regina walked around the table with Henry, the boy pointing out all sorts of things to her. When she looked up, she caught Emma's eye and smiled warmly before turning her attention back to her son. They walked around for a bit longer before heading toward the jousting area.
Emma had seen how the boy looked at a spy glass. He wanted it but it was just too expensive. She made note to haggle with the woman selling the thing if she still had it after the show. Moving to the front she leaned on the wooden fence next to Henry, as he stood on the first board between the women.
Henry watched the men jousting with fascination. To Regina, it was just a reminder of a time she'd left behind. She got lost in those memories still sometimes. When one of the 'knights' took a particularly hard blow and the crowd gasped, she glanced down at her son to see his reaction.
Henry's jaw dropped. "Dayyyyng."
Emma chuckled. "You think that's bad, you just wait til we sword fight."
Henry looked up at Emma and smiled brightly. "I won't hurt you too bad. I promise."
Regina laughed, her eyes meeting Emma's. "Well he told you."
"We shall see Sir Henry." She smirked then looked back to Regina. "I'll be right back." She said with a wink then headed back through the crowd.
Henry looked up at his mother and smiled. "This is fun."
Regina cocked a brow as her eyes followed Emma until she disappeared into the crowd, the mayor wondering what she was up to. Hearing Henry speak, she looked down at her son and smiled. "I'm glad you're enjoying it."
Emma came back about ten minutes later and handed Henry a bag." She grinned and kissed Regina's cheek as she stood behind the two of them.
"Whoa!" Henry exclaimed. It was the spotting scope the boy had been wanting. Turning he hugged her waist. "Thanks, Em."
Seeing the look on Regina's face she smiled. "Don't worry, I didn't pay that much for it. I have my ways of haggling."
"Good. I wouldn't want you paying that much. Even if it's something for Henry." Regina ruffled her boy's hair. "Thank you for getting it, though. He obviously loves it." She smiled.
Henry was already looking through it and grinning.
Emma smiled and wrapped her arm around Regina's waist. "No problem. I'm glad the two of you are here with me. I don't know what it is but when I'm with you and Henry, I'm happy."
"Well that's certainly a good thing. I wouldn't expect you to want to spend time with us otherwise." Regina grinned.
Emma smiled brightly and turned to watch Henry as he watched the games. Once it was finally over, the trio walked the stands again. Coming up to a food stand, Emma bought a couple turkey legs. "Eat up."
"Thanks, Emma!" Henry smiled brightly before taking a great big bite, munching with satisfaction loudly.
Regina gave Emma a smiled 'thanks' and took a bite. It wasn't as good as the meals she remembered having but still good nonetheless. "So what next?" She asked walking alongside them.
"Well its up to the kid. Does he have your approval of wooden swords?"
"Pretty please, Mom." Henry begged with puppy dog eyes.
Regina sighed but then nodded. "Oh alright." She smiled coyly.
The swords came in a two pack and while henry was opening them, Em was placing a plastic crown she bought on Regina's head. With a grin she stepped back and bowed. "My queen."
"Would you like to be my personal knight now, Sir Swan." Regina grinned. "Compete with young Prince Henry here for a spot in my court?"
"It would be a true honor, your majesty." Emma grinned.
Henry laughed. "Here's your sword Emma." He handed it to her and before she had a chance he poked her lightly.
"Hey! Gotta give a knight a chance to fight a fair fight." She laughed and stood before slapping her sword against his.
"A knight always fights with honor, Henry." Regina said as she stepped back to watch.
"But I'm not a knight." He replied with a grin. "I'm a pirate!" He yelled as he swung his sword.
The kid did have a point. Emma laughed and started knocking swords and actually became a spectacle without knowing it. With a burst of energy Em jogged toward the boy, jumped up and dove over henry ad into a roll before getting back up not missing beat.
Regina could only stand and watch in awe. Awe because of multiple reasons; Henry was happy, she, herself, was happy, Emma was so amazing in every way possible, and the last reason was one that made her wonder about just how Swan would fit into the Enchanted Forest.
All the mayor knew was that she didn't want Emma to go away.
Could she keep her forever?