Sorry for the late update, I should've had this up ages ago but I've been really busy! I hope you're all still enjoying this story :)
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"So Regina, it looks like you are good to go. All of your tests came back clear." Dr. Whale tells her with a smile.
"Really?" She's surprised at how quick her stay was but she supposed that was a good thing.
"Yes, apart from your memory loss you're a healthy human being. If you're staying in town I would like to refer you to Dr. Hopper, he's our town's therapist and he can help you deal with your memory loss. Here's his contact information." He says, handing her a business card.
"Thank you, I'll think about it." She tells him, though if she's being honest she doesn't want to see a therapist. She'd rather talk to someone she knows, like Robin for instance. Just then there's a knock at her door and she smiles when she sees who it is.
"Looks like you have a visitor, I'll leave you two," Dr. Whale says as Robin waves to her and he leaves, leaving them alone.
"You came back," She says, remembering what he told her yesterday.
"You said you wanted to see me again, remember?" He teases, sitting on the same chair next to her bed.
"I did, didn't I?" She smiles, realizing now how much she's missed him.
"So I hear their setting you free today," He says.
"They are." She nods, "and I was wondering if you knew of a place where I could stay?"
"Well you're in luck, this town is home to the best bread and breakfast I've ever stayed in, Granny's." He tells her.
"Granny's?" She asks, raising an eyebrow.
"It's owned by a grandmother and her granddaughter. Everyone calls her Granny though, small town I guess? They also have a diner, we could go for lunch?" he asks.
"I'd love that," She smiles, looking into his blue eyes. Something about him just drew her in and she knew, even after only knowing him for 24 hours that she was a goner.
–
They arrive at Granny's during the lunch rush but when the bell rings signaling their entrance the diner seems to go silent and Regina suddenly feels like all eyes are on her. However no more than 10 seconds later the place fills once again with chatter as if nothing had happened. She turns to Robin, wondering just happened but he's giving a stern look to a woman with a pixie cut. She mouths something to him (It looks like 'sorry' to her, but she couldn't be sure) and Robin just shakes his head leading her to a table in the back of the restaurant.
"I apologize for that, I should have warned you." He says, pulling out her chair for her.
"Warned me about what?" She asks, removing her coat before sitting down (Thank god she'd worn a coat the night of the accident or else she'd be freezing).
"Storybrooke doesn't exactly get many visitors," He explains, playing with his fingers.
"Oh," She says. That explains the awkward silence, "Well, the residents aren't very subtle either,"
He chuckles, "No, they are not," and hands her a menu, "now the burgers are the best I've ever had but I've heard that the lasagna is to die for,"
"Really?" She says, scanning the menu (everything looks delicious and she seriously considers the chicken pot pie before deciding on the lasagna).
"You were right, it is good." She says in between bites, the piece of lasagna is huge and she can only eat so much at one time. He looks up from his plate and starts to chuckle, "What's so funny?"
"You've got tomato sauce right," he leans over the table with his thumb and wipes the corner of her mouth, "there".
His blue eyes bore into hers and it feels like it's just the two of them in the world, the noise of the diner fading away around them. For a split second she wonders if he's going to kiss her but he pulls away and sits back in his chair clearing his throat.
"Thanks," she manages to say still in his trance. She didn't know it was possible to feel this way so quickly about a person, it was crazy.
"Not a problem," He says giving her that irresistible smile she so loves.
She knows she's blushing and looks down at her half eaten lasagna. How can one man be this handsome, kind and charming she wonders.
"So…has the Sheriff found anything yet?" She asks, tucking a strand of hair behind her ear (a nervous habit she supposed).
"No, I'm sorry. She's trying but I guess she doesn't have much to go on, we'll figure you out though I promise." He says, reaching out to touch her hand.
"I'm sure you will. Thanks for helping me through all this, I really appreciate it." She says, giving him a smile. She couldn't imagine going through this alone. She was lucky Robin had stayed this long and seemed to genuinely care for her.
"It's nothing. I just want to make sure you're alright" He says and she feels her heart melt even more. She likes him, like really likes him and they've only known each other for all of 24 hours. It was crazy and could he even like her? She doesn't even know who she is herself. But there's something, the way he's been looking at her tells her that much. Maybe she should just roll with it, it's not like she has anything else going on at the moment and honestly right now she'd welcome any distraction from her current situation. She's about to ask him why he cares when the waitress (named Ruby according to her name tag) comes and clears their table. She notices Ruby glancing at her as Robin asks about getting a doggie bag and the bill. It was strange, she felt as if they all knew something she didn't. Maybe it was nothing, as Robin had said Storybrooke is a small town and obviously not much happens around here if the whole population seems interested in her, a mere stranger. Still it was awkward and she prayed that the people would get over it. She couldn't be that interesting could she?
"Shall we go get you a room?" He asks, placing a few bills on the table.
It shakes her out of her thoughts and she takes a moment to place herself before saying, "of course,"
She follows him up to the counter (which also serves as a bar) and he waves over an older woman with grey hair who must be Granny.
"What can I do for you two?" She asks wiping her hands on her apron.
"I'm looking for a room? Robin told me about your bed and breakfast." She asks, shyly putting her hands in her pocket.
Granny seems to study her for a moment before replying, "Of course, can I have your name?"
"Regina Mills," She says, though the name feels foreign on her tongue.
"Perfect, so how long will you be staying?" She asks, pushing up her glasses.
"Uhh, I don't know?" She says, looking towards Robin.
"A week," He replies for her. "She'll stay for a week,"
Granny smiles, "Great, here you are room 18."
"Thank you," She says, taking the key Granny holds out for her (and it's insanely large key chain, they must never lose these she thinks).
"Enjoy your stay," Granny says, closing the guest book.
"I will," She nods and turns back to Robin, "a week?"
"The Sheriff should have you figured out by then. If not Granny would be more than happy to extend your stay." He explains.
"Thank you for doing all of this, you really didn't have to." She says, playing with the key in her hand.
"But I wanted to," He says smiling, looking into her eyes again.
"Why?" She asks because for the life of her she can't figure out why he's so interested her.
He's about to say something when woman with blonde hair enters the diner and rushes towards them, pulling a suitcase behind her.
"Robin!" she calls out, "I've looked all over for you. Don't you answer your phone?"
"You called?" He asks, pulling out his phone from his coat pocket.
"Yes!" Emma says frustratingly.
"Sorry," he apologizes, "I guess I didn't have the ringer on loud enough."
The blonde rolls her eyes before turning to her.
"You must be Regina," She says with a smile and holds out her hand.
She shakes her hand and says, "Yes."
"I'm Sheriff Swan. I'm the one working your case." The blonde says, introducing herself.
"Nice to meet you," She replies, eyeing the suitcase. Expensive she thinks, it looks like a Louis Vuitton, "is that mine?"
"Yes, I found it in your car. That's why I came here actually; I thought it might come handy." The sheriff says, rolling it in front of her. "I hope you don't mind but I went through it already to look for any clues about who you were but I didn't find anything."
"Oh no, of course not. Anything that might help you out." She says, the air starting to get awkward.
"Good," The sheriff says resting on her hands on her waist.
"Well, I think I'm going to go find my room and settle in. See you around?" She says. It feels like a good time to bow out.
"Of course and if you remember anything at all don't hesitate to call." Sheriff Swan tells her and she simply nods.
"I will," she says, one hand on her suitcase.
"I'll just be around here if you need anything," Robin says and she's thankful. It's comforting to know she won't be completely alone.
She gives him a smile and thanks the sheriff one last time before heading towards the Inn. She can't wait to fall on the bed and just breathe. She hasn't been able to process anything since she's woken up sans her memories and let's face it she's tired. Apparently forgetting everything can really wear a person down. She thought losing memories would be a liberating experience since you'd have nothing to hold you down. But not knowing who you are? It's a burden. She feels empty inside and as long as she can't remember it will stay that way. She'll always be wondering: who am I?