Kathryn had left at five pm as usual and Regina was sat on the couch with her legs up. She was propped up with her cushions and had her laptop resting on her lap. Beethoven was coming from speakers all around the room. Physio had been particularly strenuous for the former mayor and she ended up napping on and off for the last few hours.

Regina woke up and adjusted herself in her seat so she could sit up better. She detested the fact she had naps now. The woman used to work off a few hours sleep each night and she would be fine. But now she was lying down more than she was sat up. Every day she was frustrated with every single thing she couldn't do.

Currently her laptop was on the frequently visited gambling site. The frustration and depression she was going through was why she escaped through gambling. Luckily for Regina she was incredibly wealthy, and could easily live off the interest on one of her investments alone for the rest of her life and be fine. She had an incredible talent for analysing data and forecasting. Researching about different teams and different horses gave her something to do. Regina got a buzz waiting for the result of whatever bet she had put on. It was the only real excitement she felt in her life. She honestly didn't care that much if she won or not, it was about the anticipation.

However she knew Kathryn and Ruby would try and stop her so she kept that part of her life from her friends. That was her little secret that she had control over. It was mainly at night when she was alone that she made the bets usually for the day. She couldn't do much without them, there was no way she could survive without them. Regina loved her friends dearly but she would trade all her wealth for one day to be able to walk out of the house and go wherever she wanted to.

Regina shook her head as she tried to ignore that longing feeling. She noticed that it was six thirty and Ruby wasn't here yet. After quickly logging out and wiping clean her internet history, Regina started to panic. Six thirty five and Ruby still hadn't come in. The Latina picked up her phone and checked for any messages but there was nothing. Anxiety started to rise inside of Regina.

What if she had been in an accident?

What if she's seriously hurt and there isn't a thing I could do?

She's had enough of me hasn't she?

I'm a burden to them. I stop them from living their lives. They hate me and I don't blame them, I hate myself too.

Tears had started to fall down her cheeks without her realising it. She jumped as she finally heard the front door. Regina immediately transferred to her wheelchair that was next to the couch but then froze as she heard a child's voice. Her hair was up in a messy bun, she had no make-up on and hadn't had a wash in a few days.

Who the hell was with Ruby? Why has she brought a stranger to my house when she knows full well I don't want to see anyone.

Regina was panicking for a different reason now. She didn't want anyone to see her. Regina was stuck to the spot and didn't know what to do as she could hear the excited squeals of a child and Noodle playing.

Ruby walked in to the living room to find Regina in the middle of a panic attack. "Gina!" She said in shock and rushed to kneel in front of her. "Gina I need you to concentrate on my voice okay." She said gently and took her hands that were tugging at her own collar as Regina felt she couldn't breathe properly.

"We are going to do the breathing exercise, everything is going to be just fine." She said in her most calming voice. "Square breathing okay, now follow me. Breath in for two seconds...hold for two...exhale for two...hold for two...copy how I'm breathing."

Regina was looking at her desperately and was struggling to copy the breathing but she eventually was able to follow the pattern.

"Sweetie you are doing so well. I want you to do it all for three seconds now." Ruby asked her and stroked her fingers, knowing that was a way to help calm her down.

Regina finally was able to breathe normally and she pulled Ruby into a hug. She felt like bursting into tears but she forced herself not to.

"Hey, hey what's wrong, can you write it down for me?" Ruby cooed and stroked her back. The younger woman was shocked at the sudden hug but she certainly wasn't going to complain. It had been so long since Regina had initiated a hug.

Shaking her head, Regina pulled back and wiped at her eyes.

"Alright sweetie there is no pressure." Ruby took her hand again and ran her fingers along hers. "Are you hurt anywhere?"

Regina shook her head again and let Ruby continue her calming touch. It was something Ruby had done for years to her. She especially loved it after they had intimate moments and they were basking in the afterglow. But that was a lifetime ago that hurt too much to think about.

Regina was startled out of her thoughts as a young boy ran in chasing after Noodle. Noodle skidded to a halt in front of Regina and licked her free hand. Regina stroked his head slowly and smiled at her big black dog.

"Hi there, I'm Henry." The boy greeted with a dazzling smile and put his hand out for Regina. She noticed his eye line was quite with her eyes, it was more to the side of her face. Regina pulled her hand away from Noodle and shook his small hand briefly while Henry gave a firm shake. She looked over to Ruby in confusion to ask who he was. However, he answered before Ruby got chance to.

"I'm the new sheriff's son. We moved here last week. Ruby told us you can't speak but that's okay. I can't see, well I can see a bit but I am registered blind. See this," He lifted up his cane. "..this helps me about so I don't fall off kerbs or down big holes." His smile never faltered as he chatted away. "I can see things with magnifiers up close and also I have a programme where it can read words. Do you have that so you can speak? If not you really should. It will make talking to me a lot easier and quicker as well. But I don't mind reading what you write. Would you like to see my tablet with all my software on it?"Henry asked as he took his backpack off and pulled his tablet out.

Even though he was asking questions he wasn't actually waiting for any kind of answer. Regina felt flustered by this random child that had arrived into her home and was talking to her like it was the most natural thing in the world. Before she knew it Henry felt around over her arm and stood to the side of her, placing the tablet in her lap. Everything was audio described and she turned on the text to voice programme.

"Hello Miss Regina. I love Noodle. He is the best dog ever." The automated male voice said from the tablet. Regina couldn't help but smile at that. The boy was right, he really was the best dog.

She typed into the tablet, "Thank you. I agree Henry, he is the best dog I could ever wish for."

Henry's smile became larger as he heard her answer. "How long have you had him for?" He asked verbally.

"About eight months."

"I've never had a pet before. Can we take him for a walk?" He bluntly asked. Regina froze and felt anxiety start to creep in at the thought of leaving the house." Ruby noticed her body language and intervened. "Not today buddy, I take him for walk before I go back home."

"Another time then?" He asked not realising how anxious Regina was getting at the thought of going out in public for everyone to stare and judge her.

"Another time you can come with me during the day." Ruby said and stroked Regina's fingers again.

"Henry? Ah finally there you are, I told you to wait for me." Emma said in relief and paused as she saw Regina. Regina's eyes widened and her whole body stiffened as she saw the gorgeous blonde walk in.