Disclaimer: nothing's mine.
Emma was woken up by the movements of something on her bed. She slowly opened her eyes trying to make out the figure next to her. She finally realized it was Henry trying to get out of her grasp without waking her. She figured she could have a little fun with this.
She closed her eyes and pulled him closer to her causing him to fall back onto the bed with an 'oomph'. She could tell he was staring at her trying to decide if she was really sleeping or not. Smart kid. She couldn't help the upturn of one side of her lips that he caught right away.
"Mo-om!" He drew it out into a whine. "How long have you been awake?" He asked without moving from her hold. She smiled as she looked at him.
"As long as you've been trying to get out of bed." He grumbled something along the lines of 'I've been trying for a half hour. Thanks!' She laughed at him as she pushed him so he could finally get up.
"What time is it anyway?"
"9:30"
"Oh shi-shoot! We have to get you to school kid. You're moms going to kill me and then my moms going to kill me. One day back and I'm already making you miss school." She jumped out of bed scrambling around as he watched her without moving. She was hopping around with one leg in her pants when she noticed he wasn't moving to get ready.
"What are you doing? Why aren't you getting ready? Did I not mention two people are going to try to kill me now?" He shrugged.
"It's Saturday." He grinned as he rushed out of the door before she could do anything to him.
"Henry! You could have mentioned that before I started getting ready. I could have hurt myself." She yelled as she finished putting her jeans on and followed him downstairs. She could hear his laughter. It made her smile despite being rushed out of bed for no reason.
By the time she got down there he was starting to serve himself some cereal. She gave him a mock glare to which he just smiled cheekily back at her. She was a bad influence on him. She went to grab a mug to get some much needed coffee.
"What's all the yelling about?" James came into the kitchen.
"Oh nothing. Nothing at all." She glared again at Henry who smiled with his spoon in his mouth. James chuckled. He grabbed a mug too to get some coffee.
"How did you sleep?" He asked her. She still felt a little weird thinking about him as her dad, so for now she was going to start with friend and see where it went. Friends ask how you slept, right?
"Really good. Henry didn't take too much of the blankets." She smiled crookedly and could see Henry out of the corner of her eye about to protest.
"At least I'm not a bed hog. I nearly fell off the bed twice because of you."
"Is that right? I don't believe you." She sat down across from him and stared him down. "Definitely lying."
"I hate your superpower." He mumbled and she smirked as she won that argument. She knew she wasn't a bed hog.
"That's not the only superpower she has." Snow looked rested as she made her way into the kitchen. Emma winced as she remembered she did have other powers. She was trying really hard not to think about it. She had enough things going on without throwing magic powers on top of it.
"What kind of powers?" Henry asked curious now. She really didn't want to have this conversation.
"We're really not sure." Snow answered for her.
"Gold said something about true love." Emma waved her hand as if it was nothing. Both Snow and Charming looked at her.
"When did you talk to Rumpelstiltskin?" James asked.
"Yesterday. When you guys were making out." She gave them both a look to tell them she did not appreciate having to watch her parents make out in front of her. It came out like a grimace. They both blushed and Henry giggled. She winked at him.
"What did he say?" James cleared his throat trying to redirect their conversation.
"Something about me being the product of true love. He did say I was in control of it. No one is controlling me. It all comes from me."
"Well that's a relief." Snow said as she sat down.
"Yeah. Sure." She wasn't so sure about that. She really didn't think she had control of anything, which means she could be dangerous. She didn't want to put Henry in danger if she lost control of her magic powers somehow.
"You have magic?" Henry asked excitedly. Then he thought about it. "Not like my mom, right?"
"Of course not. If it's the product of true love. It's completely white magic. It's not bad." Snow quickly put them at ease with that knowledge.
"This is so cool! What can you do?" Henry was back to being excited again. He was hopping out of his chair with excitement.
"I can't do anything. It was just a fluke. It just happened because we were in immediate danger. Like a defense mechanism." Emma tried to downplay it. She did not want to have magic. Henry didn't look like he believed her, so he looked to Snow for confirmation.
"Emma..." Snow sighed.
"No. Don't Emma me. It was completely a fluke and you know it. I have no idea how I even did...whatever it is that I did." Snow gave her a look that said she was being ridiculous.
"Emma it's not a bad thing if you have magic. It's light magic too. I'm sure the Blue Fairy won't mind teaching you a few things if you want to learn." James was trying to make her feel better but it did not work at all.
"Nope. That won't be necessary. I'm sure it was a one time thing." Emma started to rise from her seat not wanting to talk about this anymore. Snow grabbed her hand stopping her.
"I'm sure it was, but wouldn't you feel better knowing that for sure. They could just do a test to check and see where you're at." Snow definitely knew how to get to her. She took a breath.
"All right." They all smiled at her. "But not today. Today we are having some fun. You with me, kid?"
"Yeah! We can go to the stables and I can show you my horse!" He scrambled out of the kitchen and up the stairs to get ready. She watched him with a smile. Just what she needed.
"He's getting really good with him." James brought her attention back to them. "He hasn't really gotten too much experience riding on him, but Henry's really good with him."
"I'm sure he is. He's been talking about it non-stop since we got back." She sat down again at the table. It got a little quiet until James spoke up softly.
"If you want I could teach you how to ride too." Emma's eyes widened.
"Ummm...like me up on a horse?" At her obvious fear Snow snorted into her mug and James chuckled. Emma narrowed her eyes at Snow.
"Yeah. Like you up on a horse." He saw her scrunch up her nose in distaste so he quickly continued, "not at first of course. You have to get to know your horse first. Build a relationship with him and then you get to ride him."
"You should try it Emma. It's really fun. I used to go riding all the time. It was one of the only ways to get out of the castle when I was young." Emma liked hearing about Snow's past. Well who didn't like hearing about the real story of Snow freaking White. She was way more badass than the Disney version.
"There's this horse at the stables that would be perfect for you." James continued.
"Ok, how about after I see how it is with Henry we'll talk about it."
"Fair enough." He agreed. By that time Henry was bounding down the stairs again.
"Come on, let's go!" He grabbed her by the arm and dragged her out the door.
"I guess we'll see you guys later." She called over shoulder.
"Bye grandma and gramps!" Henry called back.
"Have fun!" They called out together. She threw them a smile and her and Henry were out the door.
Emma watched as Henry was brushing his horse. She stayed out of its reach preferring to just watch as he worked. Henry chattered the whole time. It seemed she had missed a lot while in the Enchanted Forest or Henry just missed talking to her.
Henry really was a natural with his horse. They looked like they had bonded and were fast friends. Every once in a while she would hear him talk to the horse as he stroked his hair. She looked around the stables taking everything in. She didn't even know Storybrooke had stables.
"Hey Henry I wanted to talk to you about your mom." She brought up when he had stopped talking for a moment.
"What about her?" He asked cautiously.
"Well..." How did she put this? "Do you still want to live with her?" Blunt seemed like the best way. She wanted to talk about living arrangements first because she knew Snow's apartment really wasn't big enough for all four of them. Henry turned to look at her.
"I don't know..." He shrugged as he turned back to his horse. She could tell their was something he wasn't telling her.
"You know it's ok to miss your mom, right?" His shoulders slumped. She guessed right.
"But she's the evil queen." He tried to argue.
"And she's your mom. Weren't you the one that was telling me how she's good now?" She didn't like Regina but she was his mom. She knew he thought about her. Worried about her. Wanted her to be good so that it would prove that she loved him. He needed her love as much as Regina needed him. She saw it enough growing up in the system that she recognized it easily here. So she put her feelings aside and just focused on Henry's.
"Yeah, but what if she's faking. She almost killed you." He looked at her in obvious distress. Sometimes she forgot he was only 10 years old because he was so smart. But right now he looked so small and fragile.
"She didn't though. She believed you. Trusted you. Right?" Emma walked into the stall and put her hand on his shoulder. He turned to look at her with sad eyes.
"It's ok if you want to live with her. That was your home your whole life. And your mom does love you. I am proof of that. If she didn't love you I wouldn't be here. But she does, so she believed you and I'm here. So anytime you forget just look at me and you'll remember, ok?" He nodded and buried his head in her stomach like he always did when he was scared and needed to feel safe. He had been doing it since they first met.
"Why are you defending her?" He stayed in her arms but looked up at her as he asked his question.
"I'm not. I'm just telling you the facts and letting you decide. I honestly don't know if I trust her. But if there is one thing I know for sure it's that she would never purposely hurt you Henry. She cares about you so much that she would do anything to protect you."
This was extremely hard for Emma to admit, but she knew it was true. Regina would do anything to protect Henry. She had seen her when they both thought Henry had died. She remembered her face when Henry was stuck in the mines. Regina cared deeply for Henry and would protect him with her life. And obviously Henry cared about her. Emma cared about Henry so therefore she had to work out something with Regina.
"But who will protect me from her? She protects me from everyone else, but what if she becomes the evil queen again?" He was too smart.
"That's what I'm here for, remember? I'm the Savior." She puffed out her chest and flexed her arms trying to be impressive. She knew she was being ridiculous but it was worth it when she got a laugh out of him. She brought her hands to his shoulders again squeezing tightly.
"Does that mean you'll live with us too?" That brought her up short.
"What? I never said that!" She took a step back shaking her head. Nope this was not a good idea.
"Please, mom!" He gave her the puppy dog eyes. She felt her resolve crumbling.
"Kid, do you realize what it would be like if me and your mom lived under the same roof. It would be like world war three. Do you really want to be responsible for the world coming to an end?" She fixed him with her stare.
"Now your just being dramatic." He rolled his eyes at her. She had to stop herself from stomping her foot in frustration. She was the adult here. She settled with crossing her arms and glaring at him.
"I am not. Just predicting what might happen if we were to live in the same house."
"But it'll be so much fun! I'll have both of my moms living with me. We'll be like a family." Now she just looked at him funny. She never thought she would hear her and Regina in the same sentence as family. And then it was said as if it were a good thing.
"I bet she could even teach you about your magic." At that comment she just raised an eyebrow at him. "Ok, maybe that one wasn't such a good idea but everything else that I said was." He grinned up at her hopefully and she let out a breath as she rubbed her face.
"Ok, let's say I agree. We still have to convince your mom and Snow. And just to let you know the odds of them both agreeing is pretty slim, kid." He shrugged as if it was no big deal.
"Hey, if I got you to agree I'm sure I can get them to agree too." He was way to confident for her liking.
"I never said I agreed." Now he raised an eyebrow at her and it was scary how much he resembled Regina in that moment. It was as if he was saying 'lets not kid ourselves. I had you from the beginning'.
She narrowed her eyes and made her way out of the stall so he could finish with his horse. She grumbled under her breath something that sounded like 'too smart' and 'just like Regina'. He grinned and lost himself in the rhythm of brushing his horse again as Emma watched. He was having a great day.
Emma could not believe she was doing this. She had no idea how the kid had done it. He actually got Snow to agree to this really horrible, awful, disastrous plan. She thought her parents would have backed her up at least a little bit, but no. They thought it was a great idea. Okay, maybe not great but it didn't take as long to wear them down as Emma thought it would.
They even threw in that I would be doing the town a favor by watching over Regina. Making sure she stayed in line. What about her? Who was going to save her from Regina's wrath? But they agreed it was best for Henry so here she was knocking on the former mayors house with Henry grinning like a fool beside her.
This was her last hope. There was no way Regina would agree to this. She was betting on it and that's why she was here. This wasn't really going to happen. She wasn't going to be living with Regina Mills and raising their kid together. It just wasn't right. She was the evil queen for crying out loud.
Her thoughts were interrupted by the door opening to reveal an immaculately dressed Regina. Not even a hair out of place. It was unnerving how she was always put together.
"Hey mom!" Henry went in for a hug. Regina looked caught off guard but hugged him back with a small smile on her face.
"Henry. I wasn't expecting to see you today." Regina looked up at Emma who was looking anywhere but at her. That was suspicious. Emma never avoided her stare unless she had something to hide.
"Ms. Swan, to what do owe this pleasure?" She said this with her usual snarky tone. Emma just shrugged.
"Just in the neighborhood. Thought we would come and say hi. Have a tea party. You know the usual." Regina smiled at the sarcasm. She would never admit that she missed the blonde's attitude. Never.
"Won't you come in then?" Regina stepped aside allowing Emma entrance. The place looked the same as always. Everything impeccably clean and put together just like the mayor. Emma wondered what it would look like after she lived here for a little while. She was sure she could make it a little more messy just to annoy the former mayor.
"Something funny, Ms. Swan." She hadn't realized she was smiling. She looked over at Regina catching her gaze for the first time.
"Just thought of something funny is all." Regina brought them to the living room to sit down.
"So what's the real reason your here?" And there's the Regina she remembers. Always cuts to the chase. Emma looked at Henry but now that they were here he seemed to clam up. He met her gaze and she read the pleading look in his eyes clearly. He would make her do this for him. Snow and Charming he could deal with. But the evil queen. Nope. That was her job? Everyone just expected her to be able to handle Regina. Where did they get these ideas from?
Regina looked between the two waiting for something. Anything. But was left waiting as her son and Emma were having a silent conversation. She was trying really hard to be patient, so bit the inside of her cheek to stop herself from snapping at them. Emma finally sighed and looked over at her.
"Henry wants to live with you." Emma was always direct. Regina's mouth dropped open in surprise. She was most definitely not expecting that. She looked at Henry to confirm Emma's statement and he nodded shyly.
"Henry you're always welcome to live here. It will always be open to you. You never have to ask." You could hear the sincerity in Regina's words and Henry rewarded her with a big grin.
"Thanks mom." Emma watched the genuine look of happiness on Regina's face and knew she was about to ruin it. Oh well, time to bite the bullet.
"There is one condition though." Regina's attention came back to Emma now and Regina's eyes narrowed.
"Of course there is." She snapped at her. Emma put up her hands in obvious surrender.
"Hey, it wasn't my idea." Emma looked at Henry. "Trust me on that one." She mumbled after and Regina was just able to make it out. Emma elbowed Henry to tell him it was his turn to get talking. He took a deep breath gathering his courage.
"Iwantemmatolivewithus." Regina and Emma both stared at him confused. Then Emma burst out laughing at him and he glared at her.
"Try slower, kid." Her laugh turned into a snicker. Regina was openly glaring at her too now for laughing at Henry, but Emma could detect a hint of amusement.
"I would like it if Emma could live with us too, please." Both of Regina's eyebrows shot up.
"Told you it wasn't my idea." Emma smirked at her obviously expecting her reaction. Regina scowled and schooled her features.
"Yes, I can see that now Ms. Swan." She focused her attention on Henry again. "This is the one condition for you to live with me again, Henry?" She asked gently. She knew this was a big step. It said that he was trying his best to trust her and he did, but he needed a safety net, which was Emma.
"Yes." He nodded and sat up straighter. She was so proud of him. Even in this he stood his ground.
"Ok." She conceded quickly.
"What?!" Emma spluttered and they both turned their attention to her. Henry just smiled smugly and Regina couldn't help mirroring her son. "You can't be serious? You're going to let me move in here? With you? Under the same roof? Seeing me everyday? Think about it Regina. It's going to be hell."
Emma was leaning so far off the couch towards Regina she was about to fall off. This was not going at all like she thought. Regina didn't even argue at all.
"Well, if you can't handle it Ms. Swan I'm sure we can find a tent for you to sleep in outside. I'm sure it'll be more comfortable than the Enchanted Forest." Emma narrowed her eyes. Challenge accepted.
"Fine, but remember I warned you. Both of you." She gave them both a withering glare and stood up to leave. Henry and Regina shared a smile as they heard the blonde grumble the whole way to the door.
"A little dramatic, isn't she?" Regina spoke aloud.
"That's what I said." Henry agreed as he stood up. "I should probably catch up with her. I don't know when we'll move in, but we'll call when we're ready."
"It's no problem, dear. Come whenever you're ready." She smoothed his hair down. "I'll get one of the guest rooms ready for our new housemate."
"Thanks mom." He gave her a hug and she returned it still not used to his affection after going so long without it.
"You're welcome. I love you, Henry." She kissed the top of his head.
"I love you too." He let go of her and they made their way to the door. They saw Emma waiting by the gate still grumbling. Henry smiled up at her and she couldn't help but return it. "I'll see you soon. This is going to be so much fun!"
She chuckled at her sons enthusiasm but couldn't help but think they had completely different definitions of fun. This was going to be extremely difficult. A real challenge and she hoped she didn't disappoint him.
She watches as Henry runs over to Emma and she got his neck in a gentle choke hold as he said something to her. No doubt rubbing it in her face that she was going to have to live with the evil queen. She shakes her head and wonders how she's going to survive this. At least she'll have Henry back.
The blonde looks up then and meets her gaze. It seems they come to an understanding with that one look. They will do this because its what's best for Henry. He needs both of them. Emma nods and keeps an arm over Henry's shoulder as they walk away together.
Regina takes a deep breath and goes to her new task. At least she won't be so alone anymore and she doesn't think she will ever be bored again. Not with those two living here. This is going to be interesting.