AN: Oh shit, Cora's in town. I'm excited.

Thank you for the continued support. I'm serious, it means so much to know the shit that floats around in my brain is actually enjoyed. Every time I see a favorite or a review pop into my email I get this little tingly crap all over my heart. Fo' real.
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"I thought you were taking your vacation for another week."

"I was, but really how much bridge can you play before you want to jump off the nearest cliff?" She laughed.

Emma looked between the two, wondering how they could talk the exact same way... only her mom was a lot more icy. Or so it seemed.

Regina smiled and gestured to Emma. "Mother, this is Emma Swan."

"Hey." She stood up and stuck her hand out.

"Cora Mills." She shook the blonde's hand daintily, narrowing her eyes just enough to make her feel like she absolutely thought she was better than her.

"Emma is Henry's birth mother."

Immediately her eyebrows shot to the top of her forehead. "Birth mother."

"I mean you could call me Emma. But yeah." She smiled sheepishly and shoved another baby carrot into her mouth.

"What do you mean birth mother? When did this happen?"

"This?"

Regina frowned. "Henry ran away a few-"

"He ran away!" Cora's eyes went wide. "You didn't call me? What if something had happened- Regina, I could have helped."

"It was only for a few hours, I called, I made a report. I did all the right things to find him on my own."

The older woman opened her mouth, but glanced at Emma and shut it again promptly.

"He found out who she was and where she lived, then went after her."

"So why is she here now?"

Emma rolled her eyes. Am I here? You're fucking yapping about me like I'm just an idea.

Regina's shoulders visibly slumped. "Henry's already met her now. I didn't think it would be right to forbid her from his life, especially since he's so attached to the idea of knowing her."

"It's not something for him to decide, Regina."

"I know that. But I didn't decide on a whim - Emma..." She looked at the blonde and promptly took a step back, including her in the circle. "I've talked with her, and she came over for dinner. I wouldn't go as far to say we are the very best of friends, but so far I find her trust-worthy. And she's wonderful with him."

Cora looked at her and Emma just shoved her hands in her pockets, a mannerism Regina was beginning to place in the blonde's personality. "I wouldn't be here if she didn't think it was alright. I respect the fact she's his mom. I just... ya know, I got pregnant, and I figure even if I gave him up, I still owe him the chance to get to see me if he wants to."

"I simply don't see how this can end well." She shook her head. "I'm sure you're a fine person.. in general, but- Regina, can't you see this is an awful idea?"

"I don't. I think Henry wanted to know who she was and where he came from, and if I were to tell him he couldn't see her, he would only resent me for it and go to find her again later. But I'm cooperating and allowing visitation. I'm not giving her free reign, I'm still his mother and we've started to work out the boundaries there will be for their relationship and her role in his life."

"So you've already made your decision."

Regina nodded. "Yes."

"Fine then." She looked at Emma once again, sighing heavily. "I suppose I should get used to you in my grandson's life, then?"

"I mean, I guess."

"You guess?"

Emma shrugged. "As long as Regina's alright with it."

"Well. Then I suppose it's only right to invite you to Sunday brunch." Her smile was small and obligatory.

"You don't have to, no. But, I-"

"If you don't want you, don't come. That's fine." She said as a smug grin showed up.

"I didn't say I didn't want to. If you're inviting me out of feeling like you need to or because you want to put me under a microscope then I probably won't go." She glanced over at Regina who looked shocked and horrified at her words, but speaking her mind was more than a habit at this point. "But if you want to use it to get to know me and show your support for Henry, then I would absolutely love to come to Sunday brunch."

Emma could almost see the anger shooting out of Cora's ears like a cartoon.

"I see."

She just smiled and stood there, waiting for her to offer again or not.

"Emma, I think it would be better if we waited a while - get Henry used to you being in his life first, before we start incorporating you in family events."

She nodded enthusiastically, if only to get under the other woman's skin more. "I think that's a great idea." Emma turned her grin to the older of the three.

Cora's nostrils flared and she pulled out a few small packages, passing them over to Regina as she took a calculated step forward, once again leaving the blonde slightly out of the loop. "Gifts - for you, Graham, and Henry as labeled. Give them my love." She leaned in and pressed her cheek against her daughters, making a small kissing noise before doing the same to the other side. "I'll call you later."

And without so much as a goodbye, she turned and left.

"It was lovely meeting you!" Emma sang back.

Only Regina noticed the stomp in her mothers walk as she kept on her way. It wasn't until she rounded the corner Regina sighed heavily. "Well."

Emma knew she was a dick - it was something she'd come to turns with a long time ago, and she didn't see that singular personality flaw changing any time soon. That didn't mean it didn't make her feel like shit every now and again. She sat back down after a long moment of silence and crossed her legs. "She seems fun."

Regina managed a puff of laughter without a smile. "I'm sure she'll have some choice words for me later."

"Sorry. You can blame it on me, I don't mind."

She shook her head. "It was much more about me not groveling and asking her to solve what she perceives as my problems than you.."

"Acting like a teenager." She supplied, holding out a carrot.

A ghost of a smile appeared on Regina's face. She took the carrot and popped it in her mouth before sitting down and pushing the gifts into her purse. Her shoulders lifted and fell before she looked back up. "It was a little bit entertaining to hear someone talk to her like that."

"Yeah?"

Regina nodded. "People are more scared of her than they are of me."

"You don't scare me." Emma gave her a cheeky grin.

"Not yet."

The half lidded, mischievous expression on her face made Emma want to melt through the bench and die.

Regina looked at her watch and started to pack things away. "We'd better go- Henry's out of school in fifteen minutes."

"Really?"

She tilted her watch so Emma could see.

"Well, shit. That happened fast."

"You walk slow. If you don't keep your pace up in a sleepy town your whole day will pass and you'll have nothing to show for it."

Emma stood up and kicked a pebble instead of trying to bite down dreamy look at the other woman. "You're like Gandalf, man. I can't keep up with all of these little bits of wisdom you keep giving me."

Regina laughed. "Gandalf?"

"Oh my god, don't tell me you haven't seen Lord of the rings? Like one of them. Come on."

She just shook her head.

"I take it all back. I should have kept the kid."

Emma had to remind herself to breathe as the brunette tilted her head back with another round of laughter. It was enough to make someone sick with how fucking gorgeous she was. Like, really? It wasn't fair. No part of it.

"It's disgraceful, really." She sighed

"I have heard of it. And my roommate in college, her boyfriend was a bit obsessed with it. All of the little figurines and everything." She nodded before getting up and hugging herself as they started walking toward the school. "I take it you're a fan."

"No, I'm Sam Wise."

Regina nodded. "Of course."

"You have no idea what I'm talking about."

"I imagine it has something to do with the series."

Emma grinned to herself as she rolled her eyes. "Saga."


Henry bounded out the large double doors of the school and stopped in his tracks, other children knocking gently against his shoulders in their fervent attempt to leave the establishment, and all Regina could do was dawn a grin, watching her son's face go from shocked, to confused then fading into a smile. He just kept staring at them as his feet moved slowly toward the two.

"Hi." He itched his upper lip and just looked at the two smiling suspiciously.

Regina leaned forward and kissed his head. "How was school."

He shrugged. "Boring. What's..." He turned to the blonde. "You're still here?"

Emma nodded, then looked at Regina.

The older woman just smiled and nodded toward Henry.

She took a deep breath and dropped to his level, folding her hands for balance. "So, your mom and I have been talking... and I'm going to get a place in town so I can see you on a regular basis. And.. you can call me and stuff. There's some boundaries, but your mom's pretty cool, and she's fixing everything up."

He matched her lopsided grin, looking between the two. "Really?"

Regina nodded, and Emma kept looking at the little boy who was a little too cool for his age. Her smile grew, and Henry kept smiling, little tears bubbling in his eyes. For the first time since arriving in town, Emma's gut felt a little twist of affection. Not the hot torment of looking at the Mayor or feeling nervous... this was different. It seemed like her arms opened on their own and Henry all but ran into them, knocking her over so she was flat on her but, squeezing him back.

"This is awesome." He cried.

Regina dabbed at her eyes with her scarf, smile stretching from ear to ear, but she said nothing, letting the two of them chatter away as they walked back to the house. Henry didn't take his eyes off of Emma, or his hand away from his mother's grasp.


-Knock knock.-

Regina frowned down at her phone, then over at the man in her bed, sleeping soundly well before she even thought of turning out the light. She bit her lips before resting her book on her lap and picking up her phone, allowing her mouth to tip up at the very ends.

-Who's there? She replied.-

Almost instantly her phone vibrated again.

-Cindy Lou-

Regina immediately rolled her eyes.

-Get it?-

-Yes, Miss Swan :p- She could swear she knew the exact expression on Emma was wearing at that moment.

-Still with the faces. Nice. Does Henry like The Grinch?-

-Every year at Christmas we watch it about six million times. Yes, I would say he's fond of it.-

-Good, because I got him some grinch pajamas on sale. I saw them and couldn't say no.-

Regina felt her head tilt to the side after reading, her smile turning somewhat dreamy without her realizing.

-I think he'll like them. Are you coming back this weekend?-

-Yeah, if it was still alright with you. I have to see the apartment, right?-

-The appointment still stands, I've confirmed with Ms. Blanchard in person as well.-

-Cool. Thank you. Can I give the kid the pjs then?-

-You can tell him you have a present, but he has to wait until his punishment is up to get them.-

-Ooooohhh shit.. almost forgot about that-

-No television unless he wants to watch the news with me, no computer, and only two comic books until the end of the month.-

Regina had to stifle her laughter as she stared down at the picture of the little blonde child from home alone with both of his hands on either side of his face, frozen in mid-gasp.

Graham turned at looked at her groggily.

She squeezed his shoulder. "Go back to sleep."

"What's so funny?"

"It's just... Emma sent me a picture..." She shrugged.

His brow furrowed. "What?"

"It's-" She turned the phone toward him. "Her reaction to Henry's punishment, I take it."

"Lovely."

Regina set her jaw as he rolled over.

-Have a nice rest of your evening, Emma.-

She turned the device off before going to kiss Henry goodnight and falling asleep to infomercials on the couch downstairs.


"Even Graham agrees with me, darling. I don't understand how you can't see this is more than somewhat troublesome. You know nothing about this woman. How she could influence Henry, she may drive a wedge between the two of you."

She shook her head. "He's been cooperative and far more responsive than I've seen him in months. And we're starting to talk about things again, even during his punishment for running away. Mother, if anything this whole thing is bringing us closer."

"Well still, about this mother-"

"Emma." She sighed, correcting the older woman. "Ms. Swan is not a threat. She asks me before she does anything regarding him, even in thinking of... giving him pajamas she bought for him."

"Bribery."

"Mother."

Cora raised her hands in mock surrender. "It's your decision, but I don't agree with it. Even that oaf of a fiance thinks so,"

"I think we should change the subject." Regina took another sip of her tea, casting her gaze to the ground.

Her mother crossed her arms, setting back in her chair slowly. "Well, speaking of fiance, have you two set a date?"

"No. For the millionth time, it's the middle of the school year and we're still preparing our reelection campaigns-"

"And stalling is easier than admitting to yourself that you're settling."

"I am not. I waited for the right man, someone who was responsible and that I trusted-"

"Those are qualities you look for in an accountant, there's much more that goes into a husband, dear. He's dull."

Regina smiled in spite of herself. "That's not fair."

"In what way?" Cora shook her head. "Offering your daughter the truth is more than fair."

"Or you could just smile and be supportive. I would like that very much."

She scoffed dramatically, picking up her tea again. "That doesn't sound much like me, does it? We have very different styles of parenting."

"I'm so very sorry I didn't inherit your 'tough love' approach. It must be such a burden." Regina laughed.

"You're not a burden."

"But my marriage, surely is."

Cora leaned forward and kissed her daughters forehead, not realizing it was just what she needed at that moment.


Emma kept staring between her phone and the Law and Order SVU episodes on her laptop.

"You're a fucking idioooot." She sing-songed to herself. She gulped down the last of her Mike's hard and decided 9'o'colck wasn't late.

She picked up her phone, almost ready to type before leaning her head back and growling. It wasn't early either. And she was a real, actual grown up with a real job and a kid. No matter how much she wanted to talk to Henry, and to Regina afterwards, she shouldn't call first.

But what if that made her look like she wasn't trying? Like she didn't really want to be in his life, she was just going along with whatever to be cooperative.

Her head fell to the side slightly, looking at the shitty gift bag she picked up on the way home for Henry's pajamas. She wasn't even sure they'd fit him, but they made her laugh... and think of him waking up in them with messy hair, and couldn't help the smile that came to her as she imagined his normal life. Waking up and brushing his teeth, having breakfast made for him every day and being sent off to school by someone who loved him. And in the same thought it made her that much more thankful for Regina, and made her more attractive in a whole different light.

"Fuck it."

-Is it too late to ask if I can talk to Henry?-

Her heart sat in her throat as she stared at the phone.

-Not at all. Should I have him call you?-

Emma grinned and simply hit the screen before holding it up to her ear.

"Just a second." She smiled at the obvious amusement in Regina's voice.

"Sorry."

"Oh, don't be!"

Grahams voice on the other hand earned a face being shot in the direction of the wall. "Who's that?"

"Emma's calling to talk to Henry."

Everything's a bit muffled for a long moment before she hears a sigh, and what seems like climbing stairs. "He's in bed by nine, but I don't make him turn the lights out until ten."

"Damn. Keep that pimp hand strong, mamma bear."

"Oh my goodness..."

Emma laughs along with the brunette, imagining the look on her face at the same time.

But the sound of the door opening comes in.

Regina's voice is quieter. "Wow... he's already asleep."

"Really?"

"I'm sorry.. I'll tell him you called in the morning."

"Yeah, I'd appreciate that. Looks like the punishment's working, though. Kid probably fell asleep from boredom."

There's a long pause and a click of what Emma's sure is a light of some sort, then the door closing.

"I'm sure he would have loved to talk to you."

She took a breath, leaning her head back again. "Is it too much? That I called. I don't.. want to butt into your guy's life."

"No..."

There's another pause, and this time Emma's stumped. There's more movement and then complete silence until Regina sighs. "Actually, it makes me happy."

Her heart flutters a bit. "Yeah?"

"It does.. you started out so unsure of everything. Putting in effort like this, and the pajamas."

Emma just listened.

"I know how much it means to him that you want to be in his life. I've already seen him start to be that bright little boy again."

Her voice was so soft, Emma just closed her eyes. "I really- I didn't expect to feel like this. I mean, I didn't... I don't know."

"What?"

Emma laughed to herself, rubbing her eyes. "Seeing Henry, was horrifying at first. And then he's funny and has this personality, which scared me even more. But once that shock faded away a little..." She stopped herself shook her head. "What I'm trying to say is that I keep thinking about him, and I'm not super familiar with what it feels like to care about someone, but I don't want to hurt him. And I'm going to do my best to be... to be there for him- maybe like a cool aunt. If.. you know, that's not crossing any lines for you."

There was a bit of a silence, which made Emma's gut churn a bit more.

"Everyone thinks I'm an idiot for letting him spend time with you. For allowing this relationship at all, frankly."

"Well, fuck 'em."

She laughed, but Emma sat forward and shook her head. "No, I'm serious. This is your kid and you get to make the decisions. Nobody else's opinion matters. Least of all mine. If you start to feel uncomfortable with anything, I'll back off-"

"No, that's not... the fact you say that, and have said that from the beginning is why I trust you."

Trust. Well shit. That was new.

"You know, aside from finding you hammered in your room.. which, I admit I misjudged." She laughed. "I haven't had much help with Henry, and I don't want him to feel trapped. I want him to have other people to talk to. People who aren't my mother.. who's a bit much at times. And seeing how he and Graham don't exactly see eye to eye. I'm glad there's another person he'll have to turn to if he can't talk to me about something, and I'm his mother so I'm sure there will be plenty of instances." She came right back as soon as she stopped, clarifying with urgency. "Not that I give you any permission for you to keep things from me if something serious is happening-"

"No, that's not cool with me. I'd tell you."

Another long pause, and Emma kept chewing on her lip, not knowing what to say. 'Hey, you're the shit and you're really pretty. I like your butt and how well you take care of the kid I popped out. Let me come over and snuggle, yeah?' She rolled her eyes at her own thoughts. She'd be lying if she said images of her and the kid throwing a ball around in the back yard while Regina grilled something or other in the summer time hadn't popped in her head a couple times. And as much as she tried to push it down, more stupid things kept playing in her mind. Things that were so stupidly out of character for her.

She'd never liked to talk to people, or make friends. If someone slept over more than twice she'd start to get nervous.

The kid made everything different, and she had just the smallest itch to pop him one in the back of the head for it.

"Well..." Regina said calmly, breaking the silence. "Thank you for calling anyway. I'm sorry you couldn't talk to him."

"It's okay. I think this was good too."

"Yes. We should be.. friendly if we want this to work out."

"Yeah." Emma wanted to stab herself in the eye - friendly. Of course she'd take it in the most perverted way.

"We'll see you.. Saturday?"

"I'll text you when I get ready to leave."

"Alright - your appointment to see the apartment is at noon."

"Cool." She bit her lip and wished she could see the brunette's face. "Have a good night, Regina."

"Good night."

Emma let Regina hang up, then threw the phone on the couch before letting her body slump to the floor dramatically.

"Fuck my liiiiiifffeeee..." She sang purposefully off key.

She put her chin on the coffee table and looked back at her laptop and the muted people arguing over some case. She hadn't actually paid attention to the episode... or the last two.

"God damn it... Mariska, I think you should just come and be my girlfriend and give me like four kids. I mean..." She flopped back down on the floor and laughed, massaging her face. "I should be put down. FUCK."