Chapter Seven

A/N: Thanks for reading!

"Charming speech, Madam Mayor."

Regina drew in a deep breath of frustration and assembled a closed smile before turning around. The voice was a familiar annoyance and she wondered ruefully how this man still managed to insinuate himself into her life.

"Mr Gold. I do hope you're enjoying Picnic Day." Her best diplomatic voice.

Regina folded her speech notes in half and tucked them into her jacket pocket. She'd just finished welcoming the citizens of Storybrooke to the official event opening and was handing off the microphone to Mary Margaret, who scurried away with it quickly.

"Indeed. I'm especially glad to see you here, with your family. How is young Master Henry these days?" Mr Gold gestured over to where Ms Swan had spread a red tartan picnic blanket over the ground next to Henry's pram.

"Exceeding developmental milestones," Regina couldn't help saying out of motherly pride. It was uncomfortable to be reminded of Gold's involvement in Henry's adoption and she was anxious to get back to her son.

"Talking yet? Oh no I don't supposed he's old enough yet."

"Not yet." Regina gritted her teeth. What would it take for Gold to go away? She nodded politely and took her leave.

"Oh Regina? You might want to keep an eye on the amount of time your nanny spends with your son. It could be very confusing for the boy."

Gold sure knew how to twist the knife by flooding her with that constant ache of single motherhood - guilt. The mayor knew she was being manipulated, but she couldn't ignore the sting of the implication that she didn't spend enough time with her son. He spoke to her back but he knew she would hear every word.

"When he does start to talk...make sure he knows which of you to call 'Mommy'."

"Hey, what took you so long? We were almost starting to forget you," teased Emma.

"Duty calls." The mayor said stiffly, lowering herself to the ground. She smoothed the blanket out around her and pulled Henry into her lap. It was his first real outing and she'd dressed him smartly in a little blue button down for the occasion.

Emma opened the picnic basket and began pulling out containers the pair of them had packed that morning. She took out a biscuit for Henry to gum on. She was just about to open a bottle of apple cider when Regina snatched it out of her hand.

"Hey!"

"That's not for you." The mayor handed over a second bottle. "This one is for you. I made some non-alcoholic cider. And do stop pouting, dear. That's only cute on Henry."

Emma muttered something about mothers having eyes in the back of their head. "You're not gonna get away with squat, kid."

"What was that?"

"I said Henry's a lucky kid."

The two settled into a comfortable silence, watching the happenings around them. Picnic Day was held in the expansive lawn in front of Town Hall. There were many families enjoying themselves, lounging out on picnic blankets or perusing the food stalls. The weather had been cooperative so far, every now and then a pleasant breeze floated over them.

"Madam Mayor? Henry's getting really cranky. I think we should head home."

Emma glared at Mr Gold for interrupting their pleasant day again. He'd cornered the mayor again to discuss some business deal but Emma sensed that the brunette wanted rescuing. She really didn't like that guy. Every time Regina had to deal with him at a meeting she would be prickly afterwards since he always left her in a bad mood. It was nearing the end of Picnic Day anyway and people were starting to leave. The sky was starting to look a bit threatening and the wind was picking up.

The mayor accepted a whinging Henry into her arms and Emma knelt down to pack up their things.

"We really ought to be going, Mr Gold," said Regina, hoping he'd get the hint.

"Of course. Perhaps we can discuss this another time."

"Yes, I will have more regular office hours in future." Regina lay Henry down in his pram and fastened the straps around him.

"All packed and ready to go?" Emma said it to Regina, but scowled at Gold. She hiked the strap of her backpack onto her shoulder with one hand and lifted the picnic basket with the other.

A flash of gold dropped into the grass despite the fading light.

"What's that? I think you dropped something, dearie." Mr Gold used his cane for leverage to retrieve an object from the ground near Emma's feet.

"It fell from your backpack," said the pawnbroker. He held out the gold watch making sure Regina saw it.

"What? No it didn't. That's not mine," said Emma.

"It's mine. I keep it in my office," said Regina quietly. She held out her hand and took the watch from Gold.

Emma felt panic rise inside her at what the major's suspicions must be and immediately went on the defensive.

"Wait, NO. Regina, I swear, I've never seen that before in my life!" cried Emma.

"Really. Not even the other day when I stepped out so you could tidy up in my office?"

"I didn't steal it! Why would I? You have to believe me," insisted Emma, her voice rose desperately.

"Oh dear, I do hope I haven't caused any trouble," Mr Gold interrupted with exaggerated concern.

Emma bit her lip until tears pricked her eyes. She shot daggers at the guy as he slunk away, leaving the women in a deafening silence.

The mayor, refusing to make eye contact, tightened her grip on the pram and kicked off the brake.

"Somebody must've planted it in my backpack to make it look like I stole it! Please believe me," pleaded Emma. The blonde placed her hand on the older woman's arm but it was shrugged off immediately.

Regina's voice was cold. "If you come near me or my son again I'll have you arrested."