Ruby and Henry took a walk on the beach and had a paddle before making their way over to Regina's house. He was beyond excited to visit them and show Regina his stories and drawings of Noodle.

"Do you think she will like them?" He asked Ruby as they made their way down the street.

"I know she is going to love them. But I need you to remember Henry, she may not be up to spending time with you and I need you to be on your best behaviour okay?" Ruby explained with a gentle voice.

"I understand Red. I have stuff to do if she doesn't want company." Henry said with a warm smile that charmed the socks off everyone.

"You're pretty amazing, Hen." Ruby said with a grin and Henry smiled and gave his shoulders a shrug.

...

"That's weird, Kat's car is still here." Ruby said to herself out loud.

"Yay! I can't wait to meet your other friend too." He squealed and pushed Ruby along the driveway so they could speed up.

Ruby smiled and went a bit faster for him. She opened the door and let them both in to find Noodle sat in the middle of the foyer waiting for her arrival. As soon as he saw Henry though, his tail wagged even faster and let out an excited bark.

"Noodle!" Henry squealed and ran in his direction. The black and furry blur met him in the middle and they embraced like long lost friends.

Kathryn walked out of the living room and grinned at the young boy she had not met yet and Noodle. "And I thought Noodle loved me the most." She said quietly with a smirk to Ruby.

Ruby smiled back and shook her head, "We've all been replaced." Ruby walked up to Kathryn and hugged her. "I feel like it's been forever since we've been face to face. How are you doing?"

"I am doing well and how are you?" She asked, pulling away to cup her face.

"Yeah...up and down you know?" she whispered and gave Kathryn a sad smile. They had spoken on the phone a few times about their worries for Regina and at her blanking of Ruby.

Kathryn nodded in understanding and kissed her forehead. "I think you will be pleasantly surprised, Red." Kathryn gave her a slight smirk but didn't expand further.

Ruby gave her a confused glance but didn't push. "Why are you still here by the way?"

"Regina asked me to run a few errands so I had to make a few phone calls and get things sorted for Henry's visit."

"Like what?"

"You'll see." She smirked and gave her cheek a kiss. "I'm going to have to go." Kathryn walked up to Henry and Noodle who were cuddling and kissing each other. "Hi Henry, I'm Kathryn but you can call me Kat if you like?"She introduced herself and put a hand on his shoulder.

Henry gave her a grin and stood up, putting his hand out to her. "It's very nice to meet you Kat.

Kathryn smiled at his manners, "I have to go now but I've heard so many good things about you from Mr Midas."

"You have?"

"Oh I have. He tells me you are a model student and you've settled in fantastically well."

Henry beamed with pride and his chest puffed out a tad. "I love school and Mr Midas is one of my favourite teachers after Miss Blanchard."

"Well I know he will love to hear that. Now, Henry I want to make sure you know to be physically gentle with Regina. She is in a lot of pain all the time."

Henry looked at her with a serious expression. "I understand Kat. I promise to be gentle and if I know she is getting too tired I have lots of things to keep myself busy."

Kathryn smiled up at him and gave his shoulder a squeeze. "I'm leaving her in safe hands then. You have a good night and I hope to see you soon, Regina is in the living room."

The blonde gave Ruby another hug and Ruby made her promise to ring her after the date with all the sordid details.

"Can we go see Regina now?" Henry asked Ruby while he scratched behind Noodle's ear.

"Let's go."

...

Regina had a bath and was allowed some extra painkillers to help her get through the day. While Kathryn dried her off she looked in the mirror and saw how pale and gaunt her face was. There were dark bags under her eyes and had a few spots. She shook her head and got Kathryn's attention. She made a sign with her hand that imitated putting make up on.

"You want me to do your make up?" Kathryn asked trying to hide her shock by keeping her face still.

Regina looked down shyly and nodded. It had been quite some time since she last wore make up. Regina didn't want to look scary for Henry, not that he would be using the magnifier on her face. She wouldn't admit to herself that she didn't want to look awful for Emma if she came in.

Once she was dressed and Kathryn had put some light make up on Regina text her mother, who was in the city working, to get one of her assistants to buy and bring over a few board games and cards that were designed for visually impaired people.

She got Kathryn to go to the store to buy some snacks for him and craft stuff. She didn't want Henry bored and it was nice for Regina to focus on a task. Kathryn gladly did all that for her as it was a change from how the last month had gone.

...

The games were brought round not long before Henry was due since they came all the way from the city. Kathryn had put out snacks in the living room and with Regina helping they put out a load of art supplies out on the large marble table.

"You look beautiful by the way, Gina." Kathryn told her with a warm smile. It wasn't just that she was wearing make up but because her oldest friend for a few hours was almost like how she had used to be. This was the woman who had such drive and passion for her work, her hobbies and her friends. This was the woman who would do absolutely anything for her loved ones and made Kathryn laugh like no other. She thought she was never see glimpses of her again and it caused a lump in her throat.

Regina looked away and wheeled herself over to the table to straighten the art supplies up, not wanting to acknowledge that compliment. Before Kathryn could say anything else she could hear the front door opening.

"I will see you tomorrow Gina, have fun." Kathryn walked over and kissed the top of her head before leaving the room.

...

Regina smiled as she saw Henry walk in with Noodle glued to his side. Henry was using his cane to navigate himself into the room.

"Hello Henry." Regina typed onto the tablet using similar software to Henry's.

Henry's head turned toward the computerised voice, "Regina, hi!" He made his way over and apologised for knocking her footrests with her cane.

"It's quite alright."

Henry made his way to her side again and took his backpack off to pull out his folder. "I did these for you." Henry gave a folder full of drawings and stories about Noodle and herself going on magical adventures.

"You did these for me?" The computerised voice couldn't put across the shock.

"Yeah, they are kind of like fairytales where you and Noodle go off and meet other fairytale characters and have adventures together." Henry grinned at Regina.

Regina felt a lump in her throat and tears start to form in her eyes. She wiped at her eyes and carefully closed the folder. "I will read through them tonight. Thank you so much Henry, your pictures are beautiful." She was honestly impressed by the talent he had for his age.

"No rush." Henry smiled and gave a shrug.

"I didn't know you were such an amazing artist but I am glad I bought all these art supplies for you now." She typed and gently ran her fingers through his shaggy brown hair. "Follow me and I will lead you to the table where everything is."

"Awesome!" He said with a grin and held on to Regina's arm as she led them to the table.

Ruby kept her distance as the pair met again. She also needed that time to get over the shock of Regina wearing make up seeing her with some life back in her eyes. As she watched the pair go through all the supplies on the table, she went to get them all some drinks. Ruby saw the spread of food on the kitchen table and it reminded her of the sleepovers they used to have at the mansion during the holidays. Regina and Kathryn would always make sure they had all of her favourites there even the items the two older girls didn't like.

Ruby had to stop herself from crying as she saw the pickled gherkins and beetroot in bowls. Regina hated them but she always got the best stuff for Ruby. Maybe the former Mayor was starting to forgive her.

...

The trio spent the majority of the evening making art in various forms. Regina was in awe of Henry's talent. Regina had to get on the couch after an hour as she was exhausted. She had a nap as Henry and Ruby a plate full of food. Once they were done, Henry took a pad and some crayons and sat next to Regina after she woke up. He told her all about his week at school and the most interesting things he had learnt. Around half eight he was getting tired. Regina had bought and downloaded some cartoons that were audio described. They sat and watched a couple before Henry fell asleep with his head on her lap.

Regina looked down at the young boy whose hair she had been slowly stroking as he fallen asleep. He had encouraged it while half asleep, moving her hand to his hair. A small but sad smile graced her face as he watched him sleep and wondered what it would have been like to have a child of her own.

Ruby was on the other side of Regina and chanced her luck by attempting to put her arm over Regina's shoulders. This time Regina didn't push her off. In fact she leant a little into Ruby and gave her cheek a kiss. "Thank you." She typed on her phone and showed Ruby.

Ruby looked at her in shock at the kiss and whispered, "What are you thanking me for?"

"For not leaving me. I know you must hate me and I've ruined your lives but I can't do this without you and Kat. I love you both so much." A few tears fell as she wrote out the message.

Ruby shook her head as she read her message. Ruby cupped her chin and made Regina look at her, "We both love you more than anything and no you haven't ruined our lives. We are grateful to have such an amazing, beautiful, caring person in our lives, Gina. We would do anything for you as I know you would do the same for us. I wish I could take the pain away both in your body and in your mind."

She looked at her lovingly while stroking her cheek with the back of her fingers. Ruby placed a soft, tender kiss to her lips. "I don't know what I would do without you Gina. You saved me, growing up, you and Kat." The kiss was platonic but it reminded Regina of the years they had fun, sexually together. They weren't compatible as romantic life partners but they sure as hell clicked sexually back in the day. But as she remembered, that was a lifetime ago.

Tears were streaming down both of their faces before Regina went back to stroking Henry's hair and leant against Ruby as she held her.

They both were startled by a knock on the front door. Ruby checked the time after wiping her face, "That should be Emma. Shall I carry Henry out or would you like to meet her properly?"

Regina wiped at her eyes with her sleeves before taking a deep breath and nodded. Regina made a come hither motion with her hand to indicate Emma could come in.

Ruby smiled and kissed her cheek, "I know you will love Emma once you get to know her." Ruby left the pair and Noodle followed Ruby, curious to see who it was knocking at the door.