Finaly a slightly longer chapter.
Hope it's still ok. :)
"I'm off Snow! Don't wait up!" Emma yelled while trying to grab her jacket, phone and car keys at the same time.
She was in a hurry, nervous even. Regina didn't like it when people were late.
And since she had promised Henry not to end up fighting her tonight, she did everything in her power to make this evening work.
No fighting, no bitching, no sarcastic comments.
She had even made a list with subjects to talk about in case things were going the wrong way.
Luckily halfway through it she dismissed the idea and went for plan B: natural charms.
Let's just hope she still had them.
Snow peeked around the corner into the hallway, watching the show her daughter was putting on "Emma..?"
When she didn't receive any response she walked closer and raised her voice trying to get her daughters attention.
"Sweetheart? What are you wearing? I thought you were going to Regina's?"
Emma's head snapped up and she met Snow's eyes "I am!" she replied in all her inner chaos "What's wrong with my outfit?"
She looked down at her dress, tights and high heels, suddenly realizing she didn't have any pockets to put her stuff in.
How inconvenient. "Can I borrow one of your bags?"
Her mother folded her arms and looked at her curiously.
"Ok first of all, I am very happy to see you finally wearing a dress. It looks good on you.
But now that you're asking me for a handbag, I am really starting to worry.
Unless...you have a valid reason for all this?" waving at her outfit.
Although Snow didn't know much about Emma yet, what she did know was that she never went through this much trouble when she went out. Then again, she only ever went out with Ruby, or with herself, back in the days.
Those nights, it always took Emma about 10 minutes to get ready. And this was definitely more than 10 minutes.
Her daughter turned around watching herself in the mirror.
"No. No reason, why do I need a reason? I just felt like it. What's wrong with it anyway?" she now started to sound a bit insecure and slightly annoyed since she really was in a hurry and didn't have time to change clothes…again.
Snow started to enjoy this show more and more. She'd never seen her this nervous before, Emma never cared much about her appearance, and she surely never wore a dress.
So with a slight hind in her voice she tried "Well, with a stunning appearance like that, you might as well stop by a bar or a club tonight.
Men will fall at your feet!"
Emma watched her mother for a second and shook her head in disbelief.
"Snow, I don't want any men at my feet. Believe me. Besides, tonight is all about Henry. He's going to experience a normal family dinner with both his mothers. And there's nothing wrong with dressing up for once."
She hugged her mother and ran off towards her car, leaving a stunned Snow behind.
When the dark haired woman walked back into the house, lost in her own thoughts, she didn't notice the questionable look her husband gave her.
"Did you just see a ghost?" he asked.
"No ghost, but it definitely was something strange."
She sat down on the other end of the table and gave him a serious look.
"Please tell me...why do you think Emma never dates?"
Her husband put down his newspaper, cleared his throat, and gave her a similar serious expression back.
"You mean besides that fact that she's town sheriff, just got back from the Enchanted Forest, and recently figured out she has a family full of fairy tale character?"
They both laughed at his rather obvious statement.
"You're absolutely right James. I guess I am seeing ghosts."
And she really hoped she did.
Meanwhile, at the other side of town, Emma had parked her car and gave herself one last look in the mirror.
She can't complain about my hair, my make-up, my clothes, and not even about the time. You nailed it Swan!
With a smirk she stepped out of her yellow bug, and started making her way towards the front door.
While walking the immense long path, leading up to the mansions porch, she couldn't help acknowledging what a lucky kid Henry was for growing up in a place like this.
When she gave him up for adoption, she imagined a stable and loving family for her son. One who would provide him with everything he needed. And although Regina raised him all by herself, there is no doubt she granted Henry's every wish. She had wealth, status, and she loved her son more than anything.
If you ignored the whole evil queen thing, this was way better than Emma had ever dared to dream.
Before having the chance to ring the doorbell, the door swung open with an excited Henry on the other side.
"Mom, she's here!" he yelled through the house.
He grabbed Emma's hand, and dragged her towards the kitchen, where Regina was finishing up the last of their dinner preparations.
She was still wearing her apron and kitchen gloves, yet she looked absolutely regally.
How does she always do that? Emma wondered, suddenly feeling all insecure about her own appearance.
She started to move uncomfortably on her heels, trying to find the right balance in order to look halfway as classy as the lady of the house.
"Welcome Miss Swan." she greeted her guest with a brought smile.
Emma never really knew if it was sincere, or if she wanted to hurt her.
She had fell for it once already, it ended up poisoning Henry. But maybe that wasn't because of her smile, maybe it was just that damn tasty looking apple pie. Or maybe it was both.
Either way, the woman had a magnificent smile. Anyone would have fallen for that right?
"Henry dear, please take miss Swan's jacket and offer her a drink. I really have to finish dinner."
Before Emma got the chance to register what the hell was happening, the boy took her jacket, raced towards the hallway and back into the kitchen. Sliding his last few meters across the room, and stopping exactly next to her.
It seemed Henry didn't want to lose his parents out of sight.
Not out of fear they would hurt each other, but more out of fear he would be dreaming.
Both his mothers in one room, at one table, eating dinner together…out of free will nonetheless.
It was better than any fairytale he had ever read.
