Chapter 5
"What time is your appointment?"
Running a hand through her curls, Emma paces her small living/kitchen area while glancing at Henry every now and then as he plays in his pen. "..11 o'clock.."
"Okay. When you're there, give your officer my number and then I can email a copy of your contract over"
Sniggering and relaxing slightly at how much the woman is helping her, the blonde questions. "You actually made me a contract?"
"It has to look official..now she will probably question as to why I have given you a job when I don't even live here and am mayor of another town. So this is what you're going to say. I'm your ex's sister who found out about Henry and wants to help. I've currently moved here for reasons of business and so I will be training you up before taking you back to town to work in the mayor's office"
Exhaling sharply through worry of getting this right, the young woman nods to herself. "Okay..right..Henry's aunt who wants to help support as her good for nothing brother abandoned me and really? Going to what was it called again, Storybrooke?"
"Obviously it won't happen it's just part of the story until you find somewhere else then you simply say it wasn't the job for you, I'll give you a glowing reference and then you will get the job you really want to support you and Henry"
Smiling slightly, Emma leans against the kitchen counter feeling a little shy. "Can I..see you later?"
"I was going to suggest we do. That way we can talk about your meeting and what we do next with regards to actually finding a job for you.."
"Oh right..yeah sure..why don't you come here at say 7? That way I can get Henry sorted first" deflating slightly at the fact Regina only wants to meet up to discuss their business affair, the blonde begins tidying up to prepare for her meeting.
"Perfect. I'll see you then.."
"Yes you will.."
"Emma? Try not to stress okay. It will all work out and Henry is going no where. If she so much as mentions social services I will kidnap the pair of you back to Storybrooke so she cannot do a thing"
Hearing a slight angry tone in the mayor's voice, the young woman bites her lip to prevent a chuckle. "I know and thanks. See you later" hanging up, Emma walks over to her son's pen and lifts the boy up with a grin. "I think a certain little guy deserves some park time after mama's meeting.."
Squealing, Henry hugs into his mother excitedly at her happy voice then plants a big wet kiss on her cheek.
Screwing her nose, the blonde wipes her cheek of drool. "Nice...thanks kid"
xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx
After following through on Regina's instruction, Emma watches nervously as her parole officer shuffled through some papers emailed to her by the brunette herself.
"So you will now be working for a Regina Mills, correct?"
Nodding, the blonde takes a breath while ensuring Henry is satisfied on her lap with a biscuit. "Eventually..she's training me up first as she is a mayor of a small town in Maine which is where I will go once I'm finished"
Raising her eyebrow suspiciously, the officer offers a small 'hm' then continues to read her notes. "So I'm to take that a mayor of a small town just so happened to come here and offer an ex convict who only got out of jail a couple of weeks ago a job in her mayoral office?"
Gritting her teeth, the younger woman responds. "Yes. She actually knew of me as she is my son's aunt from his father's side and she offered to help for Henry's sake.."
"Oh I see. Well all the paperwork seems to be in order just don't screw this up for Henry. He's too young to understand if he were to be sent away.."
Glaring, Emma tightens her grip on the boy who tilts his head up to look at her curiously before tapping her chin and pressing a small kiss there. "That won't happen..no one is taking my son away from me. I have a job, I have a home. He is loved and cared for, end of discussion"
Clearing her throat at the blondes firm tone, the older woman nods then files the reports away.
Lifting Henry up as she stands triumphantly, the young woman carries her son out of the office before taking him to the park with a big smile on her face.
xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx
Darting around the apartment to make sure it's clean and tidy, Emma turns towards Henry who crawls up to her and tugs on her jeans to pull himself to his feet. Glancing down, the blonde smiles and ruffles his hair. Leaning down and popping up his baby grow properly, the young woman checks him over before making an attempt at taking him to bed. Scooping the small boy up, Emma holds him up to face her and smothers the belly laughing child in kisses. Patting at his mother's face to get her to stop, Henry then pouts due to tiredness and flops down against her while the young woman wraps her arms around him into a hug, cradling him to her chest. "Time for bed baby boy" turning towards the corridor, the blonde pauses at hearing a soft knock on the door. "..or not..we will let Regina in then you go to bed" kissing Henry's head as his snuggles into her the best he can, Emma walks back up to the door and gently pulls it open before stepping to the side. "..hey.."
Walking into the apartment, Regina takes in the pair and smiles before looking guilty and closing the door behind her. "Did I disturb someone's bedtime?"
"We was just going..weren't we Henry?"
Waving his hand out lazily, the boy grins sleepily when the brunette takes hold of his hand carefully and rubs his knuckles gently. Watching with affection, the mayor then let's go. "Someone is going to sleep well tonight.."
"Yeah me and him both after today. I'll be right back" smiling, the young woman heads back to her room as planned and leans over placing the dozing boy into his cot before tucking him in.
Returning back to the living room, Emma raises an eyebrow as the brunette retrieves a bottle of wine from her bag. "What's that for?"
"Depends on how today went? We are either drowning our sorrows or celebrating?"
Turning towards the kitchen to get two glasses, Emma sits beside the mayor on the couch. "You do remember I'm only 20 right?"
Rolling her eyes playfully, Regina pours a glass and passes it over. "If we were in England you'd be legal and besides you're only a few months away from 21. Now you avoided my question, was the plan a success?"
Accepting the glass, the blonde nods. "It was. She did mention Henry's welfare again but this time, I shut her down. He's my son and not going anywhere"
Clinking her own glass against the young woman's, the mayor smirks at the blondes protective attitude. "Exactly"
"I just need to now use this time to get a real job.." Hearing the older woman laugh, Emma chuckles as she sits back to relax and observes the brunette subtly.
Joining the blonde, Regina sits back then tilts her head to face Emma. "So what exactly do you want to do dear?"
"Honestly so long as I don't hate it, anything, but I don't have a lot of choice with a record.."
Frowning, the brunette shakes her head. "Nonsense. You can do and be anything as long as you put your mind to it"
Letting out a deep sigh, the blonde also tilts her head to face the woman. "Maybe..I don't know anyway..I've never been great at anything and now the only thing I know how to do is be a mom"
Lifting her glass in gesture, Regina smiles. "The best job in the world.."
Smiling sadly, remembering what she was told, the young woman clears her throat. "Can I ask..is there a reason as to why you can't have children? Or was it just one of those things.."
Pursing her lips at the question, the former mayor looks to the ceiling before replying. "It was..this is going to make me sound terrible but..it was of my own doing and..I've regretted it ever since"
Raising her eyebrows slightly surprised, Emma twists her whole body inwards so she can rest her chin upon her spare hand while resting her arm against the back of the couch. Remaining silent, the young woman waits to see if Regina furthers her response, not wanting to push her.
"I..took something that damaged me..and took the prospect away. It was a last resort and not because I didn't want children, I really did but, like I mentioned before my mother was not the most considerate or caring of people and she tricked me for the sake of a grandchild..tricked me for the second time" taking a breath, the brunette finally faces Emma and mimics her position while swirling the wine in her glass. "I've been married before. Arranged..by my mother for the sake of wealth..and power. She's always believed on going up in the world and so this man who was a great deal older was her answer..luckily for me, he was too old to have children so I was safe there, but then he died and she attempted to help me move on with someone else..someone who could offer a child. So before anything happened I did what I felt I needed to do at the time"
"She sounds a piece of work. Actually makes me kinda grateful for not having parents. Have you ever wondered what you will do if you find the right person to have children with? Would you adopt?"
"At the time..I felt as though I wouldn't find anyone. Before my husband when I was a little younger than you are now, I found love but it was short lived..he died. Part of the reason why my mother took control as he was of a lower status. So after that I thought I never would find anyone to have children with which influenced my decision on what I did. However that being said it was a while ago now and I would consider adoption. Especially now. Without this sounding insulting, hearing about your life and what that woman was suggesting about Henry. I would do anything for a child to be happy..to feel safe and loved. I've never experienced it with my own and I most certainly do not want to be like my mother"
"I can already vouch for you and say you're not anything like your mother and I've never met the woman. I've seen the way you look at my son..the kindness..the loss in your eyes and also the happiness at being around a child. You would make a great mother"
Biting on her gum while growing teary, the older woman sips her wine then props herself up. "Anyway enough about me and all this depressing talk..we are supposed to be celebrating so pick a takeout.."
Staring at the brunette in fascination over her change in emotion, Emma then smiles as the woman nudges her for an answer. "You pick.."
xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx
Pouring out the last of the bottle, Regina stands to take their plates to the kitchen.
"Hold up. No, stop" quickly standing and taking the woman by her wrists, Emma takes the plates from her. "Sit down.."
"I was just trying to help you there's containers and-" stopping at seeing the scold she is receiving, the brunette turns back and sits on the couch with a small smile to herself. "Emma?.."
Looking over from the kitchen as she places the boxes in the trash, the younger woman answers. "Yes?"
Gulping slightly, the former mayor meets her eyes. "Is there anything holding you here? I mean you told me that you don't have family but what about friends?"
Feeling embarrassed, the blonde looks down. "My only friend right now is you.."
Mentally kicking herself for what she is about to say as she is not sticking to her plan as it is all too soon, but cannot help herself and how she currently feels towards the blonde, Regina continues. "Then..why don't you just do what we have said? I'll train you and then you can come and work with me.."
"You mean actually move to Storybrooke?" Shocked by what the older woman is suggesting, Emma walks back over and sits down. "Leave here with Henry and move to Maine?"
"Why not? I mean I have to go back at some point and..well then we both end up without a friend again..like I said the people don't really like me there but they at least tolerate me to do my job. Think about it. A fresh start for you and Henry..a small town where you can actually build roots. There's a nursery and school for your son. Along with other hidden gems such as the beach and docks as we are on the coastline" getting excited at the prospect herself, the former mayor's eyes light up with a smile.
"I don't know..what if it doesn't work out and then you have to fire me and it's all awkward? I need to think about it..I can't keep hauling Henry everywhere he needs stability"
Dropping her smile, Regina simply nods. "Of course..i..I just thought, you know what never mind.." The older woman looks away and sighs quietly.
Noticing how the woman deflates, Emma places a hand on her knee to gain her attention, watching as the brunette looks to her hand before focusing on the blondes face. "Thanks..for the offer.."
"I just want to help dear..you and Henry deserve more than this.." Gesturing around the place with her eyes, the former mayor smiles sadly.
Squeezing the woman's knee in reassurance, the younger woman smiles back. "I'm so thankful that you are here. It's like..you appeared when I needed someone the most. I was completely lost and clueless as to where my life was headed and I was scared..more so for Henry as I didn't even know when the next meal would come in..and then-"
"I stalked you at the prison? Then the park?"
Laughing at the bluntness of Regina's statement, Emma nods. "Yes but it was less perverted and more..guardian angel.."
Scoffing, the brunette then laughs herself. "Trust me dear, I am no angel"
Raising an eyebrow playfully, the younger woman then realises her hand is still on the other woman's knee and lifts it. Reaching out on instinct, Regina takes hold of her hand within her own. "But thank you for thinking it.."
Staring at the brunette, Emma gulps before attempting to lean forward. Knowing exactly what the blonde is about to do, the former mayor freezes in her spot as she begins to get a wave of the younger woman's almond shampoo before jumping at the sound of her phone ringing. Immediately moving back in shock of her own actions, Emma stands up. Taking her phone from her bag, Regina silently curses the person then also stands. "I..I need to take this...well call them back, so I'm going to go.." Taking her coat, the brunette offers a small smile as she heads towards the door.
"Yeah..sure..I..thanks for coming.." Rubbing her neck nervously, the blonde watches Regina open the door. "See you later..I guess.."
Peering over her shoulder, the brunette smiles with a hint of playfulness. "That you will..as we have some talking to do..or some not talking to do.."
Hitching her breath, Emma merely nods and stares as the door closes behind the older woman.
Stepping outside, Regina cringes to herself, feeling a idiot while muttering. "Why did I say that..."
A/N: next chapter two important phone calls and a surprise visitor which could push the two woman together...
