Chapter Six- Caterpillar
Henry Mills was very resourceful when he had to be. That's why when he saw that Emma was awake and trying to burst out the playpen he brought in his step stool from the bathroom, so he could be tall enough to reach in and grab her. That is exactly how Regina found them, with Henry's arms wrapped around Emma's torso and the blonde little girl wrapped around him like a Koala bear. Henry was standing on the blue stool in a precarious fashion but Regina could tell he wasn't going to fall so she simply watched from the door way. Soon two sets of little feet were on plush carpet as he children grinned at each other.
"Enny!" Emma cheered, ignoring Henry's frown.
"It's Henry. Hen-Ry. Hen like the animal." Henry continued to frown down at Emma, who held up her arms to be picked up.
"Enny up?" Emma tilted her head to the side, and he six year old shrugged picking her up once more. He managed to make it three steps before turning towards the door with the three year old in his arms before he saw his mom looking at him with a raised eyebrow.
"Uh oh" Emma's eyes widen when she caught sight of Regina.
"Yes, uh oh is right. How'd to break out Emma?" Regina took the light child from Henry before setting her on her hip.
"RooRoo?" Emma looked around, successful changing the subject.
"Oh you're good at that. Ruby should be on her way soon" Regina was amused with the child before she looked at her son.
"Do you know how Emma go out of her bed?" Regina asked her son, while walking over to the girl's bad to get a clean pull up.
"Mama you look pretty!" Henry grinned at her.
"Oh that's how it's going to be? I ask a question and you change the subject?" Regina asked, quickly changing Emma into a pair of dark gray leggings and a white shirt with gray and pink writing. Brushing the little girl's hair back into a ponytail, she was surprised that the blonde locks still reached the top of Emma's back even in its high up do. Emma just looked at her expectantly before pouting.
"Mine!" Emma patted her ears and then it clicked for her.
"Okay honey, let me just go grab them." Regina kissed Emma's forehead in a pacifying gesture before going to retrieve the aids. Quickly she put the aids into the girl's ears before realizing she had gotten Emma ready in under twenty minutes. She looked around for Henry and saw her little boy dressed in his tee-ball uniform.
"Mama, is grandma and grandpa coming to my game?" Henry asked rushing around looking for his water bottle. Regina had to face palm for a moment, her son's game had truly been the last thing on her mind at the moment.
"I'm sure they will be there. They haven't missed a game yet." Regina replied before she heard a knock at the door. Knowing it was Ruby, she just opened the door and was surprised to be faced with Ruby and another woman.
"You didn't have to come." Ruby argued unaware that Regina had opened the door.
"Well when you skip out on me in the middle of the night to go see some other woman and her kid, I think I have a right to check it out myself!" The woman shot back as Regina watched on amused
"Marian, I'm not going to keep having this argument with you. I don't say anything when you run to Robin's beck and call." Ruby huffed.
"The difference between that situation and this is that me and Robin share a child. You don't have any obligations to her or her kids!" Marian stamped her foot and Regina could feel a spark of jealousy and angry rise up from her chest.
"Are you two going to stand on my porch all day or are you going to come in?" Regina asked dryly, watching Ruby's eyes snap to her and her physique. She might only be wearing a pare of tight yoga Capri's and maroon shirt, but that didn't mean she didn't still look good.
"Sorry about that." Ruby apologized just as an energetic Emma came whizzing towards her.
"RooRoo!" Emma tried climbing up Ruby's leg like a spider causing everyone but Marian to laugh.
"Hey little bird. Did you sleep good?" Ruby heaved the little girl onto her hip.
"Ahuh!" Emma nodded excitedly before she looked at Marian.
"Can you say hi to my friend Marian?" Ruby bounced the toddler lightly as Emma looked at Marian shyly. Emma chose not to speak, instead introducing herself in sign. Marian scrunched up her nose in confusion but she didn't reply. Feeling uncomfortable, Emma held out her arms to Regina. Not yet understanding how loud her voice could be, she whispered loud enough for everyone to hear.
"Don't like her."
Regina smirked watching Ruby and Marian flush red before she chuckled lightly.
"Completely understandable" Regina replied before setting down Emma, watching her walk around the front hall with Henry.
"Look she has to go to therapy and to school. I'm going to drop her off today and I was thinking you could pick her up?" Ruby scratched the back of her head.
"That seems acceptable. Does she need anything in particular?" Regina crossed her arms across her chest, trying her hardest to ignore Marian's glare.
"Just a change of clothes probably." Ruby shrugged walking into the house after Regina
"How is it that you don't know how to take care of your own kid, that you need MY girlfriend to help you? Matter of fact, how do you two even know each other?" Marian crossed her arms while Regina counted back from ten.
"Marian!" Ruby hissed.
"We met when Ms. Lucas charged into my office demanding I take in my orphaned niece. Emma isn't my child yet, however that will soon change. Also not that it is ANY of your business but Emma has certain needs, her and Ruby have bonded and until I am certain I can fulfill those needs Ms. Lucas has offered to step in and help when she can." Regina glared at the other slightly darker woman.
"Ladies please!" Ruby tried to cut the argument short when Regina shot her down.
"Actually you can take your guard dog to go have a pissing contest somewhere else. My son has to be at tee- ball in forty five minutes as Emma obviously has to be at a lesson soon. Give me the address and I'll take her." Regina was now glaring at Ruby.
"Come on Regina, we can take Emma." Ruby sighed rubbing her head.
"No, both of them have clearly expressed their dislike for one another. Besides why day I am going to be doing this without you, might as well go in feet first." Regina crossed arms arms.
"What are you talking about? I told you I was going to be here for Emma and you." Ruby snapped momentarily forgetting her girlfriend.
"Excuse me? I can't even get you to go to a family dinner with me and Roland, but you're going to just play family with these strangers?" Marian scoffed.
"Look you say one more thing, and you're walking home!" Ruby turned to Marian quick.
"Don't bother, I'm leaving now anyways! Have fun playing around with your two-bit whore and the kid who can't even hear you!" Marian spat, shrinking back as Regina stalked forward. Thankfully the older woman was stopped by Ruby but she still hissed out a response.
"You can insult me all you want, because there is obviously something about me that threatens you but if you think I'm going to sit by and let you talk about Emma-" Regina trailed off when she heard her son's confused voice.
"Mommy?" Henry was holding Emma's hand as they both watched from the doorway.
"Honey, go put on your shoes. I'll get Emma finished up." Regina smiled sweetly at the kids before turning back in time to see Marian leave with a huff.
"You sure have an interesting taste in woman." Regina couldn't hide her disgust.
"If I had know she was going to do that, I wouldn't have brought her. Really, I'm sorry." Ruby looked apologetic.
"Are you going to give me the address or not?" Regina didn't want to accept the apology quite yet, even though she was no longer angry
"Come on Regina, I can take Emma. Please don't shut me out." Ruby pleaded.
"How long is it going to take?" Regina sighed.
"About an hour and a half. If you want I could bring her to Henry's game after." Ruby offered.
"His game is at Hilton Gardens, third diamond. Don't be too late, I want to introduce Emma to my parents before we all go for ice cream." Regina replied. She kissed Emma on the forehead before letting her go with Ruby.
"Alright Hen, let's get ready to kick some Hopper Prep's booty." Regina grinned at her son.
