This chapter took a minute, I'm not sure I like how it came out but this is the end result. Review and let me know what you think!
"Regina!" A smile lit up Roland's face immediately when she reluctantly made her way into Granny's. It was way too soon to be back here after how rough she felt from last night's antics with Emma, not to mention the unease radiating between her and Robin. She felt his eyes on her immediately when his son called out her name, but she kept her smile and eyes directed at the dimpled boy as she walked towards their table in the middle of the diner, handing him his present. "This is from Henry and me, happy birthday sweetheart."
"Thanks Regina," Roland took the box from her excitedly, turning to add it to the stack of gifts on his table. She followed him with her eyes, leading her to see where Robin sat with his baby girl in his arms. He gave her a halfhearted smile and she returned a tight one, trying to keep up appearances in front of Granny and everyone else who was watching to the see the awkward situation play out.
She knew the people in the town had undoubtedly talked about the breakup between the two soulmates. Though it had been amicable, no explosive fights or dramatic displays, still rumors flew and stories were told. She could tell by the way some people began looking at her with disapproval again that she was to blame in these stories. Of course the Evil Queen would be at fault. To them she was just a bitter, barren woman who was holding Robin's own daughter against him after he'd been tricked by Zelena. True, Regina may be barren and a bitter about the whole situation, but Robin had willingly slept with someone else – no one tricked him into sex.
The worst part was how long Regina had tried to make herself okay with it, how much she truly wanted to be accepting. She didn't want to feel betrayed, she didn't want to hold resentment towards him or not be able to look at an innocent baby without getting a knot in her stomach. But every time she watched him hold the little strawberry blonde she felt the hurt. Hurt that he would be able to move on so soon while she had been devastated and trying to find a way to get him back. Taping the torn pieces of their picture back together and hiding it in a desk in her office. Interrogating every person in Storybrooke who may have known the whereabouts of The Author. Crying at the slightest reminders of her thief and his son.
"Thanks for coming," Robin drawled and Regina's eyes traveled down to baby Madeline in his lap. He looked so natural with a baby, he was such a good father. The longing was just another one of the jumbled up emotions inside of her over the entire mess. Longing to be the child's mother, to go to her when she had cried in the middle of the night in Regina's own home. It was a maternal instinct that she couldn't turn off, and each time she had to remind herself to keep a healthy distance was like a knife in her chest. It was torture, having all of the pieces of the puzzle but still not being able to make it fit. She had her soulmate and a baby under her roof, but they weren't hers. Madeline would never be, and Robin had stopped truly being hers the moment he slept with another; she just hadn't been able to accept it until the proof of it had been born. It all became too real the moment Zelena went into labor and Regina had been overwhelmed with the feelings she'd ignored for so long. She felt at times maybe she should've tried harder to be okay with it, but then again she didn't want to. Love shouldn't hurt as much as it had with Robin. Happiness shouldn't have to be so tiring to keep, so she'd let go. She'd rather be alone and unhappy than constantly grasping as something she'd never be able to truly hold onto.
"I've missed Roland," Regina swallowed in response, trying to keep her tone and body language indifferent to Robin to let him know she wasn't there for him. God, the four of them had been so happy. She, Robin, Henry and Roland were the closest thing she'd ever had to a family unit of her own.
"Can we go order a shake, Mom?" Her son asked after coming in behind her, interrupting her interaction with Robin. Bless Henry.
"Of course," She turned, giving him a smile and noting the way he threw Robin a sideways glance. He didn't say a word, but it was definitely a warning and Robin received it loud and clear. The thief's lips pressed into a thin line and he held Regina's glance briefly as they walked past to go over to the barstools. Robin knew he deserved the slight he'd just received from Henry - the warning to quit playing with her feelings. They both knew he deserved it, so he didn't say anything else as she passed by and for that she was relieved.
"We'll take two chocolate shakes, Granny," Henry said as he climbed onto the stool in an excited, childlike manner that made Regina glad that he was still just a boy in some ways.
Granny smiled at Henry before looking over her glasses at Regina in disbelief, "That's it? You're not gonna tell him he has to eat a proper lunch first?" The old lady knew her better than she cared to admit.
"That's it, Wolf," Regina raised an eyebrow at the crass old woman, "Two chocolate shakes."
"Two chocolate shakes, Ruby," Granny winked at Henry as she called out the order to her granddaughter in the kitchen before going back to wiping down the counter.
"Uh, Mom, do you care if I go pick out some songs on the jukebox?" Henry asked her and she could tell he was trying to act casual, but one glance towards the machine with the pretty dark haired teenage girl beside it and Regina knew where her son's sudden interest in music came from.
"Go ahead," Regina smiled a little, shaking her head when he practically jumped up, "I'm fine."
"I'll be back in a few," He smiled reassuringly at her before going over to talk to his friend. Even her teenage son had better luck at romance than she was having these days. She'd been a little freaked out when he first started showing interest in the girl, but for now it seemed like harmless flirtation. To be honest, she'd had much more threatening things than a 14 year old girl to deal with lately.
"I have to say I didn't expect you to show your face today," Granny piped in, making Regina lift her head from her thoughts. Was this wolf really starting her shit today of all days?"
"Yes, well, I doubt many did," Regina replied, squaring her shoulders, "Sorry to disappoint you, I know it would have been easier to gossip about me being cold and uncaring had I not shown." She tried channeling her Evil Queen persona but failed, a sudden feeling of vulnerability creeping up in her as she stole a glance towards Robin with his children and the townspeople, enjoying the afternoon. When she looked back to Granny, the wolf's demeanor had softened and she was a few steps closer to Regina's end of the bar.
"I didn't say that it was a bad thing, girl," Granny said, the tone of her voice was unusually gentle and it made Regina uncomfortable. She was used to sparring with the old woman and the sudden shift in their dynamic was making her uneasy. What was she getting at?
"I just know if it was me in your shoes, I don't think I'd have had the nerve," Granny sighed after noting the way Regina tensed, as if bracing herself for another attack on her character. She supposed it was warranted, the people of this town, herself included, had put the girl through the ringer in the past five years.
Regina's eyes shifted up at the old lady, biting down on her lower lip as she considered Granny's words. It was a rare occurrence to see this side of her and Regina knew she usually only saved it for people like Ruby or Belle. The sweet ones. "It's nothing, Granny. I'm fine."
"Oh, don't give me that girl," Granny rolled her eyes, seeing right through Regina's façade. She'd watched the Mayor steel her emotions and put on the evil mask for years, defending herself from the barbs and attacks of the townspeople. But even when Granny didn't want to see it, and as well as Regina had hid it, she could always catch the hurt and sadness in the brunette's eyes. She was far from heartless and she probably felt things more deeply than anyone in this damn town. "Even if I couldn't read you like a book, no one would be fine after what you've been through lately. You thought he was your happy ending."
"Yeah well, villains don't get happy endings, Granny," Regina remarked, feeling a little guilty for the sarcasm that laced her tone as her eyes averted to the counter.
Granny witnessed the way the younger woman tried to deflect her sympathy with the scornful bite to her words. She also caught the hint of guilt in her expression when she avoided her gaze. It was ironic how easily the young woman who was considered cold and unfeeling by so many could be read like an open book if you just knew what to look for.
"Well it's a good thing you're not a villain anymore, isn't it Madam Mayor?" Granny replied with a hand on her hip, mocking her own sarcastic tone but Regina caught the sentiment. The older woman was never going to give her a hope speech or be warm and fuzzy, but she did mean well by what she was saying and Regina appreciated that. Not many people in this town took the time to regard her as a human being with real feelings. She supposed that's why it was so easy for them to side with Robin in all of this. "Look at how far you've come girl, you're a hero. Whether the people of this town want to admit it or not, you've saved everyone's asses."
Regina swallowed hard at the hint of a motherly tone in Granny's voice. She'd never heard that, never felt the firm warmth behind the words of a well-meaning, motherly figure. Cora had always pointed out Regina's weaknesses and failures, never encouraged her to see the good in herself or be proud of her accomplishments. "Rumple told me a while ago that just because you're good doesn't mean good things will happen." She gave the wolf a weak smile, shrugging her shoulders once.
"Ain't that the truth," Granny remarked, raising an eyebrow as she leaned more on the counter with her elbows, "Look at that one, he's a prime example of it," She nodded towards the opening door, making Regina turn her head to see David coming into the diner, carrying a car seat with a sleeping Neal inside. "Being good doesn't guarantee good things will happen to you, and I figure you've experienced more than your fair share of bad things girl, but don't give up just yet." She added earnestly, giving Regina a pat on the hand before disappearing into the back of the kitchen and ending the conversation as quickly as it had started. That wolf was a strange one, she mused, though Regina couldn't help but feel the better from her encouragement.
Days had passed, another Wednesday came and Regina found herself in her kitchen teaching one helpless Swan how to season a chicken breast. Henry had whisked David away to the den to play video games as soon as he came through the door with Neal, leaving Emma to begrudgingly take the cooking lesson alone.
"I can't touch it Regina," Emma's face lit in disgust as she looked down at the raw chicken, "Honestly we both have magic, why can't we just fry it now and be eating in five minutes?"
Regina rolled her eyes slightly, "You are a child, Emma, I can't believe I trust you with ours," She raised an eyebrow, passing her a head of lettuce instead, "Do you think you can manage shredding this for our salad?"
"I don't even eat salad," Emma began before seeing Regina's warning expression, nodding quickly, "I'd love to shred the lettuce, Regina." She smiled in submission, making the brunette chuckle.
"So where's Guyliner tonight?" Regina decided to ask, busying herself with preparing the chicken. She didn't want to come across too interested in Emma's life, but had noticed how the blonde depended on her for someone to talk to since her mother's death, and though she didn't want to admit it - she worried about her.
"Working on his man cave in the new house," Emma smirked, seeming pleased that Regina would ask, "He's been determined to finish it ever since I refused to let him mount his ship's wheel over the fireplace in the living room." She added, plucking at the lettuce as they both let out a laugh.
"So you two have worked through everything?" Regina prodded gently, not wanting to seem too nosey or direct, but she hated beating around the bush. She didn't know when Emma's happiness had become so important to her, but she'd witnessed the animosity between her and Killian after the darkness ordeal and she often wondered if they'd truly worked through it. Emma wasn't the best at confronting her feelings, something Regina identified with, and that could prove difficult when trying to work on relationships.
"It took a while but we're past the worst of it," Emma shrugged, averting her gaze to the lettuce as if pulling it apart had suddenly required more focus, "But he understands why I did it, and I understand why he was angry…Thanks for asking, Regina…I know I've depended on you a lot lately and it's not fair with everything you're-"
Regina held up a hand to interrupt her, "That's not necessary, Swan. It's the least I can do after everything you've been through lately because of me." She said casually, finishing the chicken and turning to put it in the oven.
"Because of you? Regina I offered myself up to the darkness, I made that decision," She frowned, looking up from her task, her eyes following the brunette as she busied herself with straightening up the counter to avoid the conversation, "How do you think you're at fault for anything else?"
Regina scoffed, stopping to look at the blonde as if she were stupid, "I summoned Cora, I should have known she'd do something out of revenge to your mother. I told Snow to stay away but she wouldn't listen, I should've made her." She let out a breath, a frown tugging at her lips and creasing her brows.
"And when were you ever able to control my mother, Regina? The last time you did it was because of a giant spell that you'd taken huge measures to conjure and even then it unraveled," Emma rolled her eyes, "You really have to stop punishing yourself for every bad thing that happens."
The mayor pursed her lips, her eyes looking everywhere but at Emma as she processed the words for a moment before Henry came running into the kitchen, "Mom, I beat grandpa – it's your turn!" He was grinning from ear to ear, making both Emma and Regina laugh when a defeated David came in moments later carrying Neal.
"I've got it covered here, you're dismissed," Regina couldn't help but smile when Emma and Henry both looked at her as if asking permission. The resemblance was uncanny, and Regina now knew where Henry had gotten his skill for pleading puppy dog eyes.
"They're two peas in a pod, aren't they?" David mused, a smile playing at his lips as he came further into the kitchen after his daughter and grandson ran out.
"Sometimes it's scary," Regina replied with wide eyes and a nod.
"Anything I can help you with?" David asked, shifting Neal to his other arm as he approached the counter. It was odd for him to see Regina in such a domestic setting, apron on and a touch of flour in her dark hair. He'd seen this warmer side of her before at times with Henry and especially when she'd been with Robin and Roland. She'd seemed warmed and happy, a stark contrast to the sad gleam in her eye now, despite the smile she forced to her lips.
"No, you've got your hands full," Regina's smile warmed a little at Neal, noting how he was the image of David, but with Snow's eyes and darker hair. "He looks like Henry did when he was a baby," She found herself divulging the information before she realized and David's lips curled into a surprised smile at the statement.
"You know I have to say, I respect you for how well you managed to raise Henry by yourself," David glanced down at Neal, "I've come to learn it isn't easy."
"A compliment from Prince Charming himself?" Regina quirked an eyebrow playfully to deflect how touched she was, though her genuine smile gave her away when he looked back up at her. Had she ever smiled at him like that?
"I mean it, Evil Queen," He mocked her use of his Enchanted Forest name, giving a chuckle, "It's irony at its best. We treated you like you were a monster, but you raised him with a better sense of right and wrong than any of us have."
"It was all Henry, it had nothing to do with me," She forced a laugh, busying her hands with getting plates out for their dinner, "Lord knows I didn't have a great example of a mother to go by."
"No, you probably had the worst," David agreed, feeling Neal's head bobbing on his shoulder as he drifted in and out of sleep thanks to his father's slight swaying, "That's why the way Henry turned out is such a testament to the kind of person you are. You even helped Henry see why he should forgive Emma after what happened in Camelot."
His words caught her off guard, her mouth opening slightly as if she were going to say something but nothing came out. He could tell she was instantly looking for his angle, trying to figure out why he was being so nice to her inside of that skeptical little head of hers. He wasn't quite sure why he was telling her this either, but he felt the need to get it out after how she'd saved and supported his daughter.
"I got a second chance with Henry, it's only right that Emma get one, too," She shrugged it off, downplaying what she had done. She felt her face flush a little at his gaze, not used to being so directly revered like this.
"But you could've easily manipulated him to hold his grudge, you could've had him all to yourself," He shook his head, "You're a good person, Regina. No matter how hard you try to hide it, I know you've got a bigger heart than all of us in there."
She chuckled but the amusement didn't reach her eyes, "You'd go running scared if you actually saw my heart."
"Why do you think that?" David quizzed her, searching her expression. He could see her raising her defenses, avoiding his gaze and bracing herself as if the conversation was going to lead to some disgusted reality for him.
"It's dark, mostly black," She bit at her lip, the scar on her upper one becoming more prominent with the motion, "I may not be terrorizing villages and killing innocents anymore, but it's still the same heart in my chest that did that, and lately it's been hard not to lash out."
"It may be your same heart, but that's what makes it so fascinating," He continued, surprised at his own words. Did he just admit to being fascinated by Regina? "The same heart in your chest that led you to doing your darkest sins when it was broken - look what it's allowing you to do now. You love your son more than life itself. You've saved this town, you saved your soulmate's wife and stepped back when he left with her. And the way you've supported Emma despite going through all you have recently, I appreciate it more than you know. No truly evil black heart could be capable of that kind of selflessness."
Regina felt emotions well inside of her, hugging her arms as her eyes brimmed. She took a moment to swallow and try to collect herself before replying, "I wanted to make Henry proud of me. I wanted to do good, to try and change my fate, but I'll never escape my ending."
"You think just because some jerk told you he loved you and then hopped into bed with someone else means that you'll never get a happy ending?" David scoffed, allowing his true feelings over Robin come out. He hadn't wanted to get involved, but screw it, he couldn't stand here and listen to Regina blame herself. "He screwed up, he let you down, and it has nothing to do with your fate or the way your story is written. Don't believe you deserve less just because he wasn't good enough for you."
A tear fell down Regina's cheek as David's validation rang true for her. She knew she had been good, she knew she had changed, but she often struggled with whether she truly deserved happiness after all of the things she'd done. To hear him, a person that had once been her enemy and knew all of the evil deeds she'd committed, saying these kind things to her was her undoing. She quickly swiped the wetness from her cheek with the back of her hand.
"This is the last time I invite you over for dinner, Charming," She quipped, making both of them chuckle and the mood lighten considerably.