I'm so sorry for the long wait, I've been super busy since school has re started. I'll try to post more often - it's my goal to actually finish this story! I hope you guys are still enjoying it :) Thanks for the great reviews!
Chapter 5
The whole diner practically lets out a breath after Regina disappears into the inn and Robin thanks his lucky stars that Regina believed everything he's told her so far.
"So, that was…" Emma says, letting out a breath.
"Strange?" Robin finishes for her after all he knows exactly what she's thinking.
"It's just so weird seeing Regina like this. I'm used to her being so…stubborn?" She says, evaluating this "new" Regina.
"I know what you mean," He sighs, running a hand through his hair.
"I actually kind of like her like this, it's refreshing." Emma confesses, joining her parents at their table and Robin follows.
"Emma!" Snow scolds, placing Neal's baby food on the table rather forcefully.
"What, isn't this the person you always wanted her to return to?" She says, recalling the story of the stable boy her mother had told her once.
"Well…yes but we can't leave her this way it wouldn't be right. You know that" Snow says and Emma caves, he knows she always does the right thing.
"I can dream can't I?" Emma huffs under her breath and Leroy joins them having heard their conversation from the bar, the other dwarves following him close behind.
"I have to agree with Emma on this one Snow," He says, the other dwarves nodding in agreement, "I bumped into her this morning and she apologized. It's about time she showed us some respect around here, who's with me?"
A chorus of "Aye's" fills the diner and Snow looks on with disbelief. Robin is sure he's wearing the same expression, he couldn't believe the residents of Storybrooke sometimes.
"Hey! We are going to return Regina's memories end of discussion. Yes she might be a better person now Leroy but she's not our Regina. Besides Mother Superior has been hard at work brewing the potion that will return her memories." Snow says immediately silencing the diner.
"Hold on, you asked Mother Superior for a potion?" Robin asks, bewildered. He'd never been told of this.
"Yes, we were just about to tell you but…why aren't you happy?" Snow asks, noticing how he looks annoyed rather than over joyed.
"It's just; I need to be the one to return her memories. David told me how he returned yours once with a kiss and I need to do the same. She stepped over the line to forget me Snow. She needs to know my feelings are true," He explains, this is something he has to do and him alone.
Snow only smiles and says, "As you wish,"
"Thank you," He smiles, thankful they understand. They'll always understand.
"Of course," she says, "I believe in you,"
–
When Regina re-enters the diner she scans the tables looking for Robin and spots him talking to the woman with the pixie cut again and a man who must be her husband. The sheriff is with them as well, this really is a small town she thinks. Robin waves her over once he sees her and she makes her way over to the booth, not blind to the stares that still follow her through the diner.
"Was the room all right?" He asks but she knows she's interrupted their conversation.
"It's fine," She smiles, eyeing the two strangers at the table realizing they also have a baby with them. Robin seems to sense her shyness and introduces them to her.
"Right, Regina this is Mary Margaret and her husband David, we're good friends."
"Nice to meet you," she says shaking their hands, "and who's this?" she asks, admiring the precious baby.
"This is Neal. He'll be 5 weeks old this Thursday." Mary Margaret proudly tells her.
"He's beautiful," She says as he lets out the most adorable yawn and Mary Margaret gently rocks him in his carrier.
"He's handsome, just like his father" Mary Margaret says looking up at David but before she can reply the door to the diner bursts open and a teenage boy runs towards them.
"Mom! I –" He shouts but suddenly stops in his tracks when he sees her and he stares at her for a good 10 seconds before Sheriff Swan interrupts.
"Henry, this is Regina. Regina this is my son, Henry." She says as Henry slowly makes his way over to their group.
"Nice to meet you," She smiles, holding out her hand for him to shake.
He hesitantly takes it and when she looks into his eyes she feels something. Like she's seen them before, but she hasn't. She only just met the kid but she can't shake the feeling like she knew him from somewhere. He seems so familiar, just like Robin.
"So it's true, you can't remember anything?" He asks with a flicker of sadness in his eyes.
"Henry what did I tell you?" the sheriff scolds, obviously thinking her son was being rude.
"It's alright Sheriff," She says, she honestly doesn't mind answering the boy's question. "It seems I can't remember much of anything but hopefully your mother can help me put the pieces together," She says, giving him a smile. She doesn't like seeing him so gloomy.
"You'll get your memories back, I'm sure of it." He says returning her smile with a flicker of hope in his eyes.
She smiles too and looks behind him locking eyes with Robin when she replies, "Me too, Henry, me too"