I'm so sorry for the late update can you guys ever forgive me! I'm so very sorry. Anyway, this was an interesting chapter to write. I hope you guys aren't disappointed that there isn't a lot of david/regina moments, but I wanted to explore the relationship between Regina and her son, and more importantly, how love can change Regina and everyone around her, including Henry. Because I always thought that if Regina had a little love in her life, she wouldn't be as evil. Anyway, yeah this chapter is different from the others, but I hope you enjoy it nonetheless! :)

Disclaimer: I do not own Once Upon a Time. This is written for entertainment purposes only

IX: The Change

The golden sunlight peeked through the ivory curtains, beaming down onto the sleeping couple who were buried under the sheet: David's arms tangled around her stomach, his chin buried in her neck as Regina's back rested comfortably against his chest. The sunlight skimmed her eyes, causing her stir.

Regina let out a soft mummer as her mouth opened in a yawn, her eyes fluttering open. It took a few moments for her to realize the unfamiliar situation: warm arms protecting her, his gentle breathing in her ear, a good night's sleep free of nightmares…A small smile graced her lips as she snuggled further into his arms, wanting to live in this moment forever. No sooner had she woken up that she felt David rustle, moan and yawn, releasing her from his embrace as he stretched his arms. Regina rolled over to her side, watching him from sleepy eyes.

" Morning," she murmured softly.

She planted a kiss on his shoulder, her lips grazing down his skin before she met his warm eyes, her finger tracing down the side of his face.

" Morning," he whispered back, brushing away a lock of hair that fell over her eye. " Sleep well?"

" Yes, the best sleep I've had in years."

His eyes froze on her, wanting to imprint her image in his mind forever. No matter how long he stared at her, he could never get passed her unbelievably dark, mystifying allure, which always held his eyes captive. A small laugh escaped her lips as she arched a perfect eyebrow.

" Something catch your eye dear?"

" No…just you."

Regina rolled her eyes, but he noticed a secret smile tug on the corner of her lips at his words. She slipped out of the bed before she went to her wardrobe, picking out her daily clothes (this time an off the shoulder navy pencil dress with the striking neckline and back line). David was mesmerized by her graceful moves, and as he watched her zip up her dress with slow precision, he couldn't help but fall in love with her all over again.

" Regina, do you really have to leave so early? It's only seven."

Regina turned around, strapping up her crimson heels.

" I'm afraid so dear, Henry's back from his friends in half an hour and I have to take him to school."

She lowered herself down to his level, her lips brushing against his. A small frown creased his eyebrows, before he stood up and began to dress.

" Regina" he said slowly. " What does this….arrangement mean?" he asked, insinuating last nights events.

Regina turned around, her eyes widening at his words, because honestly, she didn't know what they should do from here.

" I want to leave Mary Margaret," he stated before she could utter a word.

She raised her eyebrows with astonishment, before her eyes saddened.

" Regina, I'm willing to leave her, it's not a problem. I want to be with you."

Regina approached him, her hands skimming the side of his face before a sigh escaped her lips. " And I do too. But I'm not sure if it'll be that easy."

His frowned deepened. " Mary's not a-"

" Ms. Blanchard isn't the issue. David, I'm Storybrook's Mayor, and scandal would surely break out if our relationship went open. Not to mention my relationship with Henry would, if possible, worsen." She stopped, before she quickly added, " I'm not saying no, I'm just saying we should give it time…for your affair with Kathryn to blow over before you break it to Ms. Blanchard. I don't fancy adapting the term 'Home Wrecker'," she finished with a small smile.

A small chuckle escaped his lips at the thought of Storybrook's prim and proper Mayor being classified as a 'Home Wrecker'.

" Then if we must wait, we'll wait, because I know it'll all work out."

He took her hand in his and brought it to his lips, causing her to repress an eye roll at his chivalry actions, but she couldn't help but smile nonetheless. Suddenly she looked at her phone, her eyes widening at the time.

" Henry's probably home now, and he can't know about us yet. But I'll call you tonight, I promise. Here," she reached for her handbag, pulled out her chain of keys and unclipped a silver key before she gave it to him. " Stay here for as long as you want and let yourself out later."

She gave him another peck on the lips before she hurried off. David watched her leave, his smile slowly fading. He was in love all over again and he couldn't be happier. Yet a nagging feeling tugged his insides, urging him to go against Regina's word and break the relationship with Mary Margaret. After all, he certainly didn't want to be with her anymore and wanted to break it to her slowly, rather than have her find out. He didn't want another repeated affair with Kathryn and Mary. But this was what Regina wanted, and he understood that for her, this was the best. Another sigh escaped his lips; he just hoped that he could be with her soon.

...

Regina lowered herself down to Henry's level and wrapped her arms around him in a tight hug. As usual, Henry stood rigged as he persevered with the embrace before he accepted his packed lunch.

" Thank you," he muttered, before he paused, his eyes lingering suspiciously on his mum.

Regina raised her eyebrows at her son's narrow gaze. " Something the matter? Henry, I thought I told you it's rude to stare."

Henry's frowned deepened as he stared at her. She looked different, but he couldn't put his finger on it. She was glowing, that's the best way he could sum it up. Not to mention this morning, when he found her humming in the kitchen as she made him breakfast. It was odd, but Henry shrugged it off, shaking his head.

" Nothing, "he mumbled. " I better get going."

He turned around and walked off to class. Regina repressed a sigh as she watched her son walk away, her heart slowly shattering. But she still held onto the hope that he would return her affections some day, or at least stopped being so cold towards her.

" Regina?"

Regina startled as her head snapped up, her eyes meeting Mary Margaret who was racing down the steps towards her. Henry stopped in his tracks as he turned around, frowning he followed his teacher.

" Ms. Blanchard, " Regina stated with surprise.

Right, she remembered, their new friendship.

Mary Margaret smiled sweetly, her eyes glimmering with her usual cheerful nature. " Regina, I told you its Mary. Anyway, I know this is spontaneous, but every month I invite a few friends over for my famous pot roast dinner. And I know we don't speak often but…well I was wondering if you'd like to join us next week?"

Regina's eyes widened at the invitation before she blinked with shock. " Dinner next week?"

The teacher nodded as she shrugged sheepishly. " I know my tradition may seem silly, but I've been doing it for years. And I'd love for you to be there to taste my delicious roast."

Regina bit her lip as she pondered the invitation. No way in hell did she want to spend the night with her, she'd rather swallow rotten apples whilst enduring a session with Archie. But Mary Margaret's friendship would be useful in the future, so she couldn't pass this opportunity. So instead she forced a wide smile as she replied,

" Well sure, I'd love to."

Mary Margaret's face lit up with her answer. " Excellent, well I'll see you then, and hey don't be shy about baking a little something" she said with a secret wink before she spotted Henry. " Hey Henry, come on we better head off to class."

She led Henry back up the school but Henry turned around, a frown pinching is eyebrows as he stared at Regina with suspicion before he followed his teacher up the steps. Yes, something was indeed up with his mum.

Regina headed back to the car, shaking her head bewilderedly. Her phone buzzed and she instinctively picked it up, her eyes lighting up with joy as she read the message.

I just locked up the house and left. Still thinking of you Hope Henry's not giving you a hard time, he loves you, and he'll come around soon. I miss you already. David

Her heart melted like hot butter as she shut her phone, biting her lip to repress the scream of happiness that was yearning to escape. She was in love, and she honestly felt ridiculous, like some teenage girl who was experiencing love for the first time. But she couldn't help it, and it wasn't like she had many opportunities to be in love. As she sat down in her car she realized she was still smiling, and she had a feeling that it would remain for quite some time.

...

A week later

The days flew in a hurry for Regina, who has been caught up in her Mayor duties. The construction of Storybook's new public swimming pool and renovation of Storybrook's library has kept the Mayor busy all week. However, she hadn't been this happy in years.

It had been a week since her encounter with David, and her hectic schedule had prevented them from meeting again, but they still shared the odd phone call at night and cute messages throughout the day. And Regina had never been happier. She had someone to love other than Henry, someone who cared for her wellbeing, and she often found her mind drifting off with the thought of being in David's arms again. In fact, she had been so preoccupied with her work duties and her new affair with David that any thoughts of Mary Margaret and her revenge on Snow seemed completely irrelevant. After all, she was blissfully in love with David that nothing else in the world seemed to matter, and didn't she steal her prince charming anyway? Though she didn't care about her revenge the thought always managed to bring a smile to her lips.

Indeed, the people of Storybrook had noticed the Mayor's odd behavior. The small smile that would twitched at the corner of her lips, her polite fashion towards the residents (even Doctor Hopper was pleasantly surprised), the way she'd add an extra bounce to her step, the glimmer in her eyes, the glow that seemed to radiate from her…But what was most surprising was Regina's new tolerance towards the residents she usually despised; instead of glaring at them and threatening them when they 'failed' her, her eyes would travel to the distance as she'd think of David before she'd snap back to reality, give them a small smile and turn the discussion around. She even did this to Emma, who didn't know how to react to the Mayor's pleasant behavior. Henry, as usual, was suspicious about her, but if she was allowing him and Emma to spend more time together then he wasn't going to question it. No one could quite figure out what was up with the Mayor.

Regina repressed a small yawn as she tried to focus on the meeting that was taking place. She stood in front of the projector before the table for councilors who listened to her talk on the new renovations for the library. David's smile crept into her mind and her heart fluttered. It had been a week and she missed him, and the phone calls and messages they shared just wasn't the same. But she knew she'd be free soon, and was tempted to call and meet up with him.

Just as Regina was going through the blueprints for the project the door swung open and a skinny, freckly boy ran in with an extravagant bouquet of lavender, ivory, gold, strawberry pink and crimson flowers, wrapped in a sheet of violet paper and glossy ribbon.

" I'm sorry, I have a delivery for Regina Mills."

Regina's eyes widened at the unexpected guest before they immediately shot to her receptionist, who ran in with an apologetic expression.

" I'm sorry Ms. Mills, I was taking a phone call when he ran in."

A small smile graced her lips as she looked back at the boy then at the flowers.

" No Tiffney, that's fine. Could you please leave the flowers on my desk and escort this man out."

The receptionist nodded, but she couldn't help but give Regina an odd look before she led the boy out of the room, still in shock at the Mayor's gift. Regina turned back to the council and tried to hide her smile at their astonished faces as she resumed her speech. Never had anyone imagined that Regina Mills, strict, terrifying, Regina Mills would receive flowers on Valentines Day. Though the boy left no name, it was obvious who has given her the gift. And she couldn't be happier.

...

Henry Mills let out a yawn as he followed his mum into his house, slipping his shoes off and plunking his backpack on the table. His eyes followed his mum as she fetched a vase and filled it with water, the bouquet of flowers still clutched in her hands. The curiosity had been irking him all afternoon, and as he watched his mum breath in the heavenly, enticing fragrance, he knew he couldn't contain his curiosity anymore, no matter how much he wanted to avoid discussion with Regina.

" Where did you get the flowers?"

Regina snapped up, turning to her son before she placed the flowers in the vase.

" Oh, just a friend dear, who dropped by the meeting earlier."

Her eyes drifted lovingly to the flowers as she breathed in again, gently rubbing the soft petals between her fingers. Henry stared at the flowers, trying to piece it together: it just didn't make sense. It was obvious that she had an admirer, but no one in their right mind would ever fancy his mum, after all she was evil and always took satisfaction in the peoples' grief and misery. He looked back up at his mum who was now reading a note she had found attached to the flowers, her eyes glimmering with joy and a smile dancing on her lips. Perhaps she was lonely? No, she was the Evil Queen, the woman who didn't want love but only revenge. It made no sense, but as he watched his mom glow with happiness at the note, it was the only answer he could think of.

" Mom," he said suddenly, causing her look up from her note. " Do you ever get lonely?"

Regina's eyes widened at his question as she placed the note down on the table and approached her son. " Why do you ask that Henry?"

Henry shrugged sheepishly, his eyes drifting off to the distant. " I dunno, it's just that…well I've been thinking. Most other single mothers date once in a while…and I've never seen you with anyone else."

Regina was astonished at her son's sudden question. " Well Henry, I've never dated because, well besides being busy with my Mayor duties, I don't need to. I have you, and you're the only company I need." She paused before she lowered herself down to his level, placing a hand on his shoulder as she stared at his innocent, unblinking eyes. " I love you Henry, you know that, don't you?"

Henry frowned as he lowered his eyes, not sure how to respond. Yes, it was true that he often doubted his mother's love for him, but at times like this, he couldn't help but believe the sincerity in her words.

" I know," he finally muttered, meeting her eyes.

A weak smile pulled at the corner of her lips as she ran her fingers through his hair, sanding up again. " Now go shower and get to your homework, and I have to go out tonight so I won't be home for dinner." Regina paused, knowing that she would regret her next words, but as she stared into her son's round, sweet eyes she couldn't help it. Besides, after David's gift nothing could ruin her mood. " Henry…how would you like to spend the night with Ms. Swan? I'm sure she'd be happy to take you out for dinner."

Henry's face lit up with the offer. " Really?"

" Yes, but I expect your homework to be finished first," she added sternly.

Henry nodded eagerly, his smile widening. " I'll go and get started on it now."

Quickly he raced off, his happiness causing Regina's heart to swell with joy. She turned back to the note and picked it up, leaning back against the kitchen bench as her eyes ran over the loopy writing.

Happy Valentines Day Regina, I hope these arrived in good condition; the kid I'm giving this to looks dodgy. This week without you has been torture, and come on, you can't deny that you don't miss me either. So my dear queen of my heart, accept this as an invitation to another surprise I have planned for you. Meet me in the clearing at the forest at four o'clock at the area where you captured my heart. I'll be waiting.

Regina folded the note and held it against her heart, her eyes lingering on the flowers. It had been a week since she had seen him, and already her body was buzzing with excited energy at the thought of spending the evening with him. Yes, she would be with her prince charming again, and it was at this moment that Regina knew she had found her happily ever after.

...

So what did you think? Again guys, please review, they are my fuel for writing! Thanks for reading :)

Lydia :)