Chapter 3
Sat with her elbows rested upon her knees, hands clasped in front of her while watching her son play upon the rug on the floor, Emma sighs to herself. She had unfortunately missed her interview a few days back due to the lack of childcare for Henry and now her probation officer was on her case in more ways than one and was even threatening the removal of the boy from her care if she didn't get her act together. Biting her lip, the blonde riffles through her bag containing the majority of Henry's belongings before pulling out the small card she had received the week before from the mysterious brunette. Mulling over the idea, the young woman takes a breath before wiping her palms nervously against her thighs then dialling out on her phone.
"Hello?"
Gulping at the sound of the woman's voice, Emma opens her mouth to speak but finds no words.
"Hello? Is anyone there?"
Clenching her spare hand into a fist, frustrated with herself, the blonde blurts out. "..hi..it's Emma, Emma Swan from the other day..."
"Oh hello dear..is everything okay?"
Mentally cursing herself for being such an idiot, the young woman looks down. "..not really..I..was wondering if I could take you up on that offer..to talk.."
"Of course..what did you want to talk about?"
"My life has gotten kinda messy and..I'm..I'm scared because..the authorities..they are threatening to take my son away and I don't know what I can do. They want me to get a job but I can't just go get one because there's no one to look after Henry and..I'm stuck. I just don't know what to do.." Getting teary, the blonde stops herself as her lip trembles and her voice begins to shake. Swallowing hard, the young woman shakes her head in disbelief. "I'm sorry..I shouldn't just be off loading on you..it's not like we are friends or anything..I shouldn't have bothered you"
"No, Emma wait. It's okay really, I wouldn't have offered otherwise. Like I said I have gained quite the experience when it comes down to second chances...it is hard. When a opportunity arises you just have to grab at it which is what you did by contacting me. I'm not exactly sure what I can do but I can listen and hopefully make you feel better.."
"Thanks I just..I..." Closing her eyes briefly, Emma then attempts a smile as Henry crawls his way over then uses his mother's legs as leverage to stand himself up while staring at her with big curious eyes.
"Would you prefer to talk in person?"
Feeling uncertain on whether she should reply honestly as her answer would be yes but they had only just met, the blonde questions the older woman's motive. "I..I don't know...would it be okay with you?"
"I wouldn't have offered if it weren't. Would you like me to meet you somewhere?"
Hearing the genuine concern in the brunette's voice, Emma contemplates for a moment while staring at her son who is holding her legs while stamping his feet. "I can't really leave the apartment...Henry will need a nap soon.."
"Okay. What would you like to do?"
"You could..I mean..you could come to the apartment?..I know that is probably forward..but I just..what you said about being able to talk..everyone needs at least one friend right?" Taking her son's hand, the blonde gives the boy a smile as he babbles.
"You're right..I could be over in half an hour? Just message me your address and I'll see you soon"
"..okay..thanks. I mean it.."
"It's not a problem Emma. See you shortly.."
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Standing at the top step of the steel staircase, leading up to an apartment above a shop, Regina checks the door number then lifts her fist with a deep breath as she knocks. Watching the door open, the brunette smiles towards the blonde who ushers her inside quickly.
Closing the door quietly, Emma looks apologetic. "Sorry I was just in the middle of putting Henry down..I'll be back in a moment. Make yourself at home.." Glancing around the messy living room, the younger woman cringes. "Well..as at home as you can..sorry.."
Following the blonde with her gaze, the former Mayor then removes her coat and places it over the arm of the chair as she sits down. Biting her lip, the brunette looks down suddenly feeling a pang of guilt in the bottom of her gut. This was definitely a far life than that of a princess and from what she had seen so far, Emma did not deserve this and it was all her fault. Yes she had always blamed Snow for losing Daniel but Emma? She was just an innocent baby when the curse was enacted. She didn't have any idea as to what had happened nor was she in any way to blame for her mother's actions. Thinking over their current situation, Regina wasn't even sure if Snow was to blame anymore. She simply was manipulated by Cora. A child herself not wanting Regina to lose her mother like she had lost hers and right now the former Queen would confess to anything if it meant Emma not losing Henry.
"He's out for the count.."
Glancing up towards the blonde, the brunette attempts a smile while ignoring her guilt. "He's lucky to have you.."
Chuckling nervously as she begins to tidy up, Emma shakes her head. "I..wouldn't be so sure..I'm not saying I don't love him, because I do. He means the world to me..but..look around me. It's not exactly a stable home living in a place like this with an ex convict-"
"His mother. Emma, Henry adores you and as far as he is concerned, it doesn't matter what happened in you're past..you are his mother" rising from her seat, Regina lifts up a couple of soup bowls and carries them to the kitchen despite the younger woman's protest.
"I can't get a job because I can't afford childcare to look after Henry and the only way to afford it is by getting a job! It's pointless. My parole officer left me a message earlier basically stating that if I don't get a job within the week, she is going to call social services and they will take Henry from me" leaning against the kitchen counter, the blonde looks away embarrassed by her outburst and by the fact that she has grown teary.
"Then we lie..."
Frowning, Emma looks back to Regina confused. "What?...we?"
Nodding slowly, the brunette gulps. "I can help...I'll say that you're working for me. At least until they drop the whole social services thing then you can find a job without anyone hassling you and put Henry into daycare"
Looking surprised, the blonde rubs the back of her neck awkwardly. "You really have all this figured out. I don't..I don't get it..why would you-"
"There was another reason why...I was at the prison last week.."
Going to question the older woman's motive, noticing the brunette's guilty expression, Emma stops at hearing a whimper followed by a mama called out from her son's bed. Simply sharing a look with Regina, the blonde pushes herself off the counter and heads through to make sure Henry is okay. Returning shortly, the blonde hugs the small boy to her chest as he sniffles and grips at her shirt. Watching from her position, Regina gives a small smile towards Henry then looks up at the younger woman.
Staring at her while rubbing her son's back soothingly, Emma glares slightly at the thought of being tricked. "I think you have some explaining to do..."
Hugging her arms protectively, the former Mayor remains quiet and nods while avoiding any eye contact.
A/N: is Regina about to confess to everything?
