Here's a longer chapter for you all :)
July 5th 2007
Emma pulled up to her apartment and walked casually up to her apartment with a bag of groceries and was surprised to see that there was someone stood at her door. And as she got closer, the man turned around and it was her good friend August. He had a rogued look to him with short dark hair and was sporting his black biker jacket.
"Hey what you doing here?" She asked with a smile.
"I was concerned, you haven't called in a while and your dad told me you sounded down in your last call," he crossed his arms.
Emma sighed. "I'm alright, but glad you're here." She opened her front door and walked in and he followed.
"I see nothing's changed," he chuckled, noticing the empty beer bottles on kitchen unit.
"Yeah, tough days at work you know."
"Yeah, how is it at the Boston PD?" He sat down on her sofa while she was in the kitchen, unpacking the groceries.
"It's like all the rest I've worked at. I have yet to find a place where I feel valued, that I make a difference...anyway let's talk about you."
"Me?" He chuckled. "I need a drink first."
"No probs," she grinned and handed him a beer.
Meanwhile in Storybrooke
Regina was at the town hall addressing the residents that turned up on a fundraiser event that is arranged for August 12th at the park.
She was half way through when her someone walked in that made Regina tense, however, she managed to get through the rest of the meeting and waited for what was to come.
She took a deep breath as the woman approached with a smug smile.
"Mother," Regina said seriously.
"My dear girl, have you not missed me?" Cora asked softly, as she cupped her hands in front of her black suit.
"What are you doing here?" Regina replied, gathering papers on the table in the front of the hall.
"Can't I not come and see my youngest child," she tilted her head, slightly confused.
"That depends on if you're going to be nice."
"I am always nic," she replied seriously and watched her daughter faff with papers.
Regina scoffed.
"How is my grandson, Henry?"
"Henry is well, he's happy here," Regina replied suspiciously.
"I would like to see him before I return home," Cora said, glancing around the hall to find everyone had gone.
"And when are you returning home?" Regina stopped at looked to her mother.
"This evening, I've got a first class flight booked for 7:15."
"Of course you have," Regina sighed. "Let me guess, you had a business meeting this way and thought you'd stop off, since you were passing?"
"Yes, but I could have just gone home dear, but I wanted to see you and Henry."
"It's been seven months since you came here mother."
"I have called" Cora snapped.
"Yes, to ask about Henry and to tell me what a disappointment I am." She put her bag on her shoulder and stared sadly at Cora, who was crossed armed and staring at Regina a few feet away.
"I said no such thing."
"Not in so many words, but this is where I currently want to be."
"Let's not argue dear," She waved her hand in dismissal.
"No let's not. I'm picking Henry up from school soon, I am sure he'll be happy to see his grandma for a few hours," Regina motioned to walk towards the doors and Cora followed.
"I look forward to it, how is his education going? She asked.
Regina smirked and shook her head, my mother hasn't changed at all, she thought to herself.
Later that evening Regina logged onto the chat rooms and went into the Enchanted Forest. This was becoming a highlight of her day talking with this woman she had never met, but felt she had a connection with.
Alwaysregal has entered The Enchanted Forest.
Thesavior: Hey Alwaysregal
Regina smiled as she sat in her chair, looking at the screen.
Alwaysregal: hello dear.
Thesavior: how are you today? Anything exciting to report?
Regina scoffed.
Alwaysregal: I am good, although I had a surprise visitor this afternoon, that has made my life difficult over the years, how about you?
(Private message from Thesavior: Sorry to hear that, if their harassing you or something I can get them arrested if you want? lol I am good too my friend turned up last night, his staying at mine for a few days, his currently out getting some beers)
(Private message from Alwaysregal: thank-you and having my mother arrested is tempting but she hasn't committed a crime she's also a lawyer! glad to see you have a drinking buddy to keep you company)
Emma frowned and muttered she doesn't get on with her mother!
(Private message from Thesavior: Really! my mother's the complete opposite, drives me nuts sometimes and yes I have a drinking buddy I told him about you thinks you sound like a classy lady lol)
Regina chuckled and she felt that warmth again. Emma had told her old friend about her and she had to question why, because really she was no one to Emma, or was she?
(Private message from Alwaysregal: I like him already and why was you talking about me?)
She tapped her fingers impatiently, waiting for a reply.
(Private message from Thesavior: you would like him and he was just asking if I met anyone interesting lately and I said you)
Regina gasped, she thinks I'm interesting...
(Private message from Alwaysregal: thank-you)
(Private message from Thesavior: no probs it's true, you are interesting)
Regina blushed slightly.
(Private message from Thesavior: so how is Henry today? was he happy to see grandma?)
(Private message from Alwaysregal: yes he was a bit unsure at first, he hasn't seen her in seven months but he soon told her about all of his adventures)
Emma smiled widely.
(Private message from Thesavior: he really sounds adorable)
(Private message from Alwaysregal: he is, he means everything to me)
Emma smiled again.
(Private message from Thesavior: I hope you don't mind me asking, but is his father around?)
(Private message from Alwaysregal: no sadly he died many years ago)
Emma thought. Shit, I thought my life was tough but not compared to Regina.
(Private message from Thesaviour: I am sorry to hear that, I mean that Regina, your an amazing woman and you deserve to have more happiness in your life)
Regina gaped again at the screen, this woman just kept surprising her.
(Private message from Alwaysregal: thank-you, you too dear)
They then talked for another hour with August even chipping in, but Regina became too tired to carry on and they called it a night and she went to bed with a lazy smile while August questioned Emma's intentions.
"You've known her for two weeks?" He muttered with a beer in hand, sitting on her sofa.
"Yeah, but it feels like longer, does that sound strange?" She frowned.
"I don't know," he then gave her an odd look.
"You like her," he said.
"Yeah, I wouldn't be talking with her otherwise," she smirked and took a few sips of her beer.
"That's true, she seems to like you too."
"You think so?" Emma tilted her head, at August.
"Definitely, and I think we should go out tomorrow night after you finish work."
"Yeah?" Emma softly said, leaning back into the sofa.
"Be like old times," he grinned.
"You're older now though," Emma teased.
"Doesn't mean I still ain't got the moves," he smirked.
"We'll see," she laughed.
July 6th 2007
Storybrooke
"Katheryn, I do not need to talk to him," Regina said as Katheryn was giving her a stern look.
Regina and Henry had arrived at her best friend's house, for her daughter's 6th birthday party and a dozen of parents and their children were also there. And one parent was Robin Locksley who had an obvious thing for the mayor.
"I don't know why you don't give him a chance. You could do with some happiness in your life, how many years has it been?" Katheryn asked in a low tone.
"Too many, but I don't know Kathryn," she crossed her arms, looking across the room at Robin who was speaking with his son.
Katheryn sighed and changed the subject.
"I know you're going to be busy with the carnival preparation soon, and won't be able to fully enjoy it with Henry, but he can stay with us throughout the day and when your free, you can join us?"
Regina pondered for a moment and then smiled. "You really are a great friend Katheryn, I don't think I would have got through these years without your help."
"You're stronger than you think," she replied truthfully and then they were interrupted by her daughter. "Can we play musical chairs now, mommy?"
"Of course you can, maybe auntie Regina will be in charge of playing the music," she chuckled.
Regina then smirked and looked to a wide eyed hopeful six year old in her pink dress and she smiled at the girl and said, "Of course I will."
"Yay," she replied happily and ran off.
Later that day, in Boston
"Why did you bring me in here," Emma moaned as she and August walked through a Boston night club with a lot of people in.
"It's Saturday night, everyone's in here for a reason, it must be good." He smirked and brought them two shots.
"Tonight, we're going to forget about everything and get drunk," he shouted.
"I'm in," Emma shouted back and five shots later, they were on the dance-floor dancing to evacuate the dance-floor.
At 1:18am
Emma and August stumbled back into her apartment.
"That Tiffany woman sure liked you," Emma said, shutting the door and swaying to the sofa with a goofy grin.
"I won't call," he mumbled as he strolled himself over the larger sofa.
"You never do," Emma chuckled.
"Right," he said pointing his finger up in the air.
Emma then leaned forward putting her face in her hands.
"Ugh, I wonder if Regina's online."
August gave her a confused look. "It's late.. .and what's going on with you two? At the club you mentioned her like twice."
"I don't know, I need to sleep." She pulled herself up and slowly made her way to the bedroom, wondering what Regina looked like and August huffed and fell to sleep on the sofa.
July 7th 2007
Boston, 10:03am
Emma shuffled out of her room with a headache, she was surprised to find August up and helping himself to breakfast.
"Morning," he said happily.
"You're not normal," Emma replied gurglingly.
"I'm used to it," he replied while buttering some toast.
Emma opened her fridge and pulled the milk out.
"Sundays suck," she muttered.
August smiled.
Meanwhile in Storybrooke
Regina was in her garden tending her apple tree, and Henry has reading a comic book on the grass.
"Henry. How would you feel if we saw Robin and Roland more often?" She asked.
Henry frowned and looked to his mom.
"What do you mean?" He asked.
"I mean, if we went to the diner together or he came back here...for dinner," she titled her head at Henry.
Henry shrugged and returned his attention to his comic book.
Regina sighed and she thought back to yesterday, what Katheryn had said and it got her thinking. She liked Robin and maybe she could learn to love him and she and Henry could have a whole family, she thought.
That Evening
Regina had put Henry to bed and she made sure he had all his attire ready for school in the morning.
She then retired to her study were she poured herself an apple cider, checked her emails, and replied to a text message from Zelena.
She then wondered if Emma would be online. They hadn't arranged a specific time to chat, just that maybe they would see each other this evening at some point.
She logged on.
Alwaysregal: has entered The Enchanted Forest
Thesavior: Hey Alwaysregal :)
Regina smiled widely.
Alwaysregal: Hello :)
Thesavior: I've been on here about half an hour but you know we didn't arrange a time so I cant say your late
Alwaysregal: I am never late
Thesavior: hmm, anyway how has your weekend been?
(Private message from Alwaysregal: eventful, I attended my best friends six year olds birthday party yesterday and the highlight was musical chairs, how has your weekend been?)
(Private message from Thesavior: I would of loved to see that, did you take part? and as you know my friend has been here and we went out last night to a club, where we drank and danced its been a long time since I did one of them kind of nights and I have to say I wont be rushing to do it again)
Regina raised an eyebrow.
(Private message from Alwaysregal: I was in charge of the music fortunately enough and sounds like you had a great night, I hope you behaved yourself)
Emma chuckled.
(Private message from Thesavior: Are you being sarcastic?)
(Private message from Alwaysregal: I have been told I have a dry sense of humor)
(Private message from Thesavior: I like it)
Regina smiled.
August 7th 2007
Over the past month, Emma and Regina carried on their normal routines and found that they were speaking at least four nights a week online and without their full awareness, their conversations were deepening and their rule of no specifics and no deep personal stuff was waning.
Regina had also allowed herself to meet Robin and Roland at the diner a few times but wouldn't allow herself to go the extra step and invite him over for dinner. She reasoned it was because of Henry's disinterest in Robin and his son but deep down, it was also something else she couldn't quite put her finger on.
The diner, Storybrooke
"The event is in 5 days Sidney and the people that were going to do the music have pulled out and I don't know who I am going to get to replace them," Regina said, running a hand through her hair as she stood at the counter in her work attire.
"I will look up some local entertainment, Madame Mayor," he replied.
Regina then noticed Robin and Roland enter the Diner and they were walking towards her.
"Hello Regina, how are you today?" Robin asked.
"Hello, I am well apart from having no music for the carnival." She tapped her fingers on the counter.
"Oh."
There was a slight pause and Sidney felt awkward and excused himself, to Regina's relief.
Robin then said, "I may be able to help you. Actually, I know some guys, they're pretty good. I reckon they will be more than happy to help since it's a fund raiser." He grinned.
She tilted her head.
"Would you really do that?"
"It's no problem, if it helps you out, more the better."
She smiled.
"I'll let you know later tonight?"
"Sure, that's fine, you have my number," she replied.
He nodded and ordered himself and Roland a drink and Regina left.
Meanwhile in Boston, Emma was fed up with her life in Boston, but wanted to stick it out. And on the plus side, she scored herself a date with a furniture store guy. She was looking for a new sofa when she met him and he asked her out, which was a surprise to Emma but she agreed as she had nothing else planned, she reasoned.
9:01pm
Emma sat on her sofa, bringing the laptop to her lap and leaning back into the sofa while the TV was on in the background.
Thesavior has entered The Enchanted Forest.
Alwaysregal: Hello dear.
Thesavior: Hey fancy seeing you here, we got to stop meeting like this
Alwaysregal: If you wish
Regina smirked. She found that teasing Emma was one of her favorite things to do.
Thesavior: not fair :(
Alwaysregal: Sometimes I think your the age of my son ha.
Thesavior: I do have kid tendencies.
Alwaysregal: I can tell :)
Thesavior: Hmm anyway how is the event planning going?
Alwaysregal: It was going well until the music band pulled out.
Thesavior: No way!
Alwaysregal: I know, luckily I have just got off the phone to someone I know and he has saved the day.
Emma smiled, but then thought he? who is this he? she frowned.
Thesavior: That is lucky, is he a friend of yours?
Emma bit her lip, she couldn't believe she was even asking, it wasn't her business.
Regina smirked.
Alwaysregal: Yes, I think so.
Thesavior: That's cool, I think I made a new friend today at the furniture shop, he asked me out.
Emma closed her eyes upon hitting the send button. Why in the hell did you say that?! And unknown to her, Regina's face fell upon reading that sentence and she stared blankly at the screen.
Thesavior: Are you still there Alwaysregal?
Regina shook her head, out of her staring.
Alwaysregal: Yes, did you say yes to him?
Regina found herself hoping the answer was a no and it also concerned her as to why she was thinking this.
Emma sighed to herself and looked to the window of the lounge.
(Private message from Thesavior: I did, You must think I'm sad for accepting, I hardly know him)
Regina frowned.
(Private message from Alwaysregal: You are not sad dear)
(Private message from Thesavior: I don't know why I said yes, nothing will come of it anyway, My track record with relationships sucks and I have a hard time opening up and letting people in)
Regina knew exactly what Emma was feeling.
(Private message from Alwaysregal: Believe me when I say, I understand what you mean, but promise me you won't settle for something less than what you deserve)
Emma smiled widely, feeling a warmth within her chest.
(Private message from Thesavior: You know speaking with you has probably been one of the best things I've ever done, I know we haven't spoke long, but I feel like I've know you much longer and that we have this unique friendship going on)
(Private message from Alwaysregal: I know what you mean, I feel the same dear)