Underneath The Surface

Chapter 21

Coffee, Wine and Secrets

Authors Note: I apologize for the long delay in updates. I work at a ski resort and my hours are sometimes strange and erratic. At any rate, I hope those of you still with me are enjoying the story as much as I do. We're nowhere near finished yet. This chapter is short, but hints at yet another secret. How many secrets can this town hold? Lots.

"Secrets have a way of making themselves felt, even before you know there's a secret."

Jean Ferris

Regina stood on the porch for a long time with her arms wrapped around herself. Logically, she knew Emma and Callie would be fine, and she knew that if anyone could find Genesis, they would.

But this new Regina, the one that loved and ached and wanted to never share Emma with anyone in Storybrooke again, was a little lost without Emma by her side. Something that would have to be dealt with sooner or later.

She wanted to get back to Henry, but if she was completely honest with herself, he was the only one. If he had come through with them, she might consider never going back to Maine at all.

But he wasn't here.

And no matter how much she knew his other family would keep him safe, warm, fed and loved, she missed her son.

Regina sighed and turned to go indoors.

She could hear the sound of groceries being put away, so she went back to the kitchen. Patty had her back to the door, so Regina cleared her throat. "Would you like some help with that?"

Patty turned and attempted a weak smile, but Regina could see she was on the verge of tears. "No, I've got this, but thank you. I'm going to go up to my room and read once I get these all tucked away."

Regina gave their hostess a small smile. "Callie is completely safe with Emma. There's nothing to worry about." Then she was struck by an idea. "Patty, would you like me to make dinner tonight? I'm sure you must be weary of cooking for all of us. Why not let me do it?"

Patty took in a breath, and for a moment, it seemed she might protest. But a tired look washed over her features and she nodded. "Actually, I'd like that. Emma raves about your lasagne."

Regina smiled at that. "It is one of her favorites. That woman can put away almost as much as a teenage boy. Five thirty?"

Patty nodded and put away the last of the groceries. "That sounds good, thank you. I'm going to go lay down for a little bit I think. Make yourself at home, okay?"

Regina nodded and watched Patty leave the room.

Regina got an idea then and left the house, closing the front door quietly. She mulled over her plans until she got to The Sneezing Moose. She chose a seat at the counter and Charlie brought a mug and a pot of coffee. As she poured, Regina asked her,

"Charlie, do you have any plans for dinner?"

"No, just me and a box of whatever. Why?"

Regina explained that Callie's friend had gone missing and that Callie had asked Emma to help find her, and that she had gone along to help search. As a result, Patty was worried and upset, and Regina had offered to make dinner for them. "I think she might enjoy the company of a friend tonight."

Charlie got an unreadable look on her face, set the pot down and leaned on the counter, something Regina had seen Ruby do countless times at Granny's. "That would be nice. Patty and I used to be closer ... but we've kind of drifted apart a little. I know it doesn't really seem like it. We used to talk more, and spend a lot more time together. I spend a lot of time here now though."

Regina felt there was more to the story than that, but remained silent.

"I'll bring my mother's notebooks, you can borrow those for a while. What kind of wine should I bring?"

"I'm making lasagne, garlic bread and apple pie. Red would go nice with the lasagne, I think. I do miss my apple cider though." Regina sighed and drank her coffee.

"I should get you to show me how to make it."

"I would enjoy that." Regina smiled.

Charlie moved off to refill the cups of other customers, but came back to Regina after a while with a piece of pie in her hand. "I've heard about your cooking from Emma, and I'd like your honest opinion, if you wouldn't mind."

Regina agreed and took the plate. She cut into the pie, assessing the crust, the look of the fruit and the smell. The first bite was very good but she knew immediately there was something missing. She ate the entire slice, washed it down with a mouthful of coffee and dabbed at her lips. Charlie waited silently.

"It's very good. The crust is flaky, and very light. I can tell you've used real apples, and not commercially canned, the texture of real apples is distinctive. I can taste a mixture of apples, the hint of wild apples gave it away. It's quite a pleasant mixture. The only thing I would do differently is add a pinch of nutmeg, just a hint mind you, to accent the wonderful flavors you've already got there."

Charlie beamed. "Thank you, that's high praise coming from someone Emma described as the 'queen of apples'.

Regina had been taking another mouthful of coffee when she gasped, which of course resulted in an embarrassing coughing fit. When she caught her breath, she smiled and began to pay, but Charlie would have none of it. Regina thanked her and made her way back to the house.

As she gathered ingredients and made the pie crust, Regina reflected on Charlie's intriguing comments with regards to Patty. She knew the two were long-time friends, but there seemed to be something more complex going on. She wondered if their relationship was as multi-layered as hers and Emma's was.

At five o'clock, she went and knocked softly on Patty's door, and let her know dinner would be ready soon. Shortly after, Charlie knocked and came into the house with a bottle of red wine in hand. Regina played hostess until Patty came into the room, looking more rested.

"I invited Charlie to dinner Patty, I hope you don't mind."

"Not at all, Regina. Charlie, you brought wine?"

"I did. Seemed appropriate."

Regina left them to their conversation as she bustled about setting the lasagne, salad and garlic bread on the table. Charlie poured the wine.

Dinner was a hit. Patty and Charlie raved about Regina's culinary skill throughout the meal and as pie was being served, Charlie remembered that she had brought a few of her mother's notebooks.

She passed them to Regina and sat down to her slice. After one bite, she and Patty were trying to convince Regina to make pies and sell them to The Sneezing Moose.

Regina laughed and downplayed her talents in the kitchen, but inside, she glowed with the praise. She knew Henry and Emma enjoyed her cooking, but it was nice to be appreciated by others as well. As she made coffee, Patty loaded the dishwasher then turned slowly to look at Charlie.

"Charlie, would you take a short walk with me? Regina, we'll be back by the time the coffee is done."

Regina smiled reassuringly. "I think I'll study the herbal notebooks for a while. Take your time and don't rush back on my account. I'll amuse myself."

Patty looked relieved while Charlie retrieved their jackets.

While they were stepping off the front porch, Regina started up the stairs. As she tucked the notebooks under her arm, she heard Patty say,

"I've missed you..."

What an odd thing to say, Regina thought, when they had all been here having coffee not that long ago.

TBC...Soon!