My usual apologies for the ridiculous delays. Also, I have an author's note at the end I hope you all read. Thanks and enjoy! :)
*previously*
"Let me help." She looked up then and hid any emotions. She spoke in a completely conversational tone and that also surprised Regina. "I mean I'm already here. I have nothing else to do. Lilly's seat is already in my car…" She trailed off with a small shrug.
Regina considered that for a moment. She couldn't tell if it was as simple as Emma just wanting to give them a ride home or if there was more behind her offer to help. Emma looked sure enough. She looked genuine and Regina couldn't help the small, odd, fluttery feeling that ignited inside her.
Regina watched Emma for another moment. A nurse came back in, informing them she was there to take Regina for her x-ray and so she waited until she was being wheeled out of the room before reaching out and grasping Emma's arm gently in her own hand.
"I would really appreciate that."
With that, Regina left Emma standing alone in that small hospital room, still clutching the purse in a tight grip. Emma turned slowly towards the door she'd disappeared from and smiled softly as an odd, fluttery feeling started growing inside her.
I Can Help With That
It was such an interesting set up. Emma wanted to just pause and take a minute to really let the situation set in.
She had just helped Regina into the passenger seat of her car, before putting the other woman's new set of crutches in the trunk. Then after getting Lilly secured in her seat and the boys in place, she got back in the driver's seat and started the car.
That was when the moment hit her and she felt like she wanted to take a few seconds to let it sink in. After everything, she didn't think she'd get to any kind of place where she would have the entire family she longed for in such a casual manner. Now she understood the circumstances were unique. Unique and not very favorable, at least from Regina's perspective. But then whether by fate or just Emma's luck, she was getting this small chance and she wasn't going to waste it.
"I'm hungry." Luca's voice came from the back and Emma glanced in her rear view mirror as she pulled out of the hospital's parking lot.
"I know honey, I'll make us all something as soon as we get home." Regina looked back and smiled at the kids.
"But we needed to get groceries, remember?" We were supposed to stop on our way home.
Emma looked towards Regina to see the realization in her expression before the frustration at remembering their current circumstances.
"You know," Emma started somewhat timidly, "I can help with that. I can drive us through somewhere if you want. There's plenty we'll pass on our way, right?" She saw in the slight grimace that showed, fast food was the last thing Regina wanted right now and Emma couldn't say she was surprised. "Or…maybe I can drop you all off and run to the store."
Regina glanced her way then and faced forward again.
"That's alright, dear. I would have to remember everything we need and I don't want-"
"I'll go with her." Luca piped in from the back as he heard Regina about to dismiss Emma's offer. "If you give us the list, I know where everything is." He shrugged.
Emma was already nodding her head. It was a simple favor, to help pick up the groceries, but she wanted to do it. She wanted to help and she wanted to continue to be there for them, even if it was as small and simple as running an errand.
"I…well….I guess." Regina looked between them and Emma could see she had tried and failed to find another way to shrug her off. Emma just smiled and faced forward.
They made it back to the house in almost complete silence, with the only exception being when Regina reminded Emma of the right streets to turn onto. Once they finally pulled into the driveway, Emma was out in an instant running around to help them all.
They stayed long enough to get Regina inside and to the couch and Lilly playing on the floor next to her. Henry was already trying to offer help to Regina and that was when Emma knew they were good to go.
It was another interesting moment. Emma hadn't been alone with Luca, quite literally, in years and even then, they were only ever feet from Regina. The moment he jumped in her passenger seat and they buckled up, this all occurred to her and the car filled rather quickly with an awkward silence.
Emma's fingers tapped on the steering wheel nervously. She turned the radio on softly and hummed along for a moment. Eventually though, she couldn't help herself and glanced towards the boy next to her.
"So…" She spoke and Luca instantly looked to give her his attention. "Uh…so I hear you're enjoying school now."
Luca nodded politely and smiled.
"Yeah, I do."
"That's good. That's great. And um…soccer seems to be going really well."
"Yeah, I really like it. They're really cool here."
"Nice, nice..." Emma continued and tried to think of something else to add. She was trying hard not to let the car fill with silences again but the task proved difficult.
"You don't have to be so nervous."
Emma, surprised, glanced over to Luca again. He was smiling again and Emma laughed lightly.
"What? I'm not-"
She cut herself off when a look of complete disbelief, an expression startlingly similar to the mother he didn't share DNA with, took over his features.
"Okay, maybe just a little."
"Mhmm." Luca grinned and faced forward again.
Once they made it into the store, things took a rather comfortable turn, much to Emma's surprise and delight. They made their way down each isle with Emma trying to grab her usual brands of foods before Luca would correct her with Regina's preferred healthy alternative. Emma made a dramatic face each time and Luca would laugh. It was after Emma disappointingly put the box of Cocoa Puffs back on the shelf and replaced it with Regina's Kashi, that Luca playfully poked her side and Emma responded with a gentle shove and the two looked to all the word like the best of friends.
"I'm glad you're here." Luca spoke softly as they entered a long line for one of the few open registers.
Emma studied him for a few seconds and felt oddly emotional at the small admission. She smiled at him and rested a hand on his shoulder.
"Me too. I missed you, bud. We all did." She patted his shoulder as he grinned.
"I missed you too...we both did." He watched Emma's face closely though she turned away then. "Emma...can I ask you something?" He looked away himself and Emma forgot her own feelings then and bumped him lightly.
"Of course you can. What's on your mind?"
Luca pushed the cart forward as they moved up in line and leaned on it as he spoke again.
"Did you mean what you said at the party?"
"Everything." Emma answered without hesitation. She suppressed the feelings of embarrassment that tried to surface.
"You said it was your biggest regret."
"Luca..." Emma placed her hand on his shoulder again and gently urged him to look at her. "...that night, the night you guys left...I didn't know what to do. I was stunned and confused and overwhelmed and I let that and my family and everything stop me.
"Sometimes in our lives, there are moments to act. Moments where were supposed to do the grand gesture. The big, epic, fairy tale moments. I missed my moment. I killed the fairy tale."
"Killed it?" Luca clarified and Emma smiled sadly.
"Your mom told me that we're not in a fairy tale here. This isn't that place. It's not that life anymore and I realized that she's right. I killed the fairy tale and that life we could have had then and there...that's gone."
"But-"
"But...life didn't end. That chance at that life did but our lives are not over."
"So...what are you saying?" He was studying her now. The couple in front of them moved forward again but he didn't close the distance. Emma faced him.
"This isn't a fairy tale. Not anymore it isn't and I know that. This is the real world now where our lives have to be worked for... And I'm here to work."
Luca kept his eyes on her another moment. He looked so beyond his years then. So far beyond the boy Emma chased around Regina's backyard before dinner. So far beyond the boy that ran without a care through the rain or refused to wear shoes or a shirt whenever he was home. He was a young man now and he nodded with a firm confidence.
"Good."
When they made it back to the house, Luca ran in without second thought. It was his house, Emma knew, but it didn't make her feel any less awkward as she stepped inside the doorway. She might have lingered longer, had the bags straining the muscles in her arms not caused a physical discomfort that outweighed the emotional discomfort.
Emma followed the way Luca had run, down the same hallway she'd been on her first night and to the kitchen where she'd talked to Regina for the first time in just over two years. Just before she turned the corner, she took one deep, calming breath.
She deflated slightly when no one was there except Luca emptying bags. She glanced around, but didn't spot Regina or the other kids. It wasn't until after they had placed everything, which consisted of Emma handing everything to Luca, who then moved it to it's proper cabinet or refrigerator shelf, that they heard anything from outside the kitchen.
It was a giggle. Emma may have just met Lilly, but considering her other options were Regina or Henry, she knew she could safely assume it was the little girl responsible for the sound.
It had her and Luca stepping out of the kitchen and into a living room Emma hadn't seen before. The sight they were greeted with had both stopping in surprise.
"I'm gonna get you." Henry crawled out from behind a couch after Lilly, who was muffling her giggles with both hands as she ran around the room.
Emma glanced at Luca to see he looked completely stunned. Maybe even a little of something else, but he shook it off and stepped further into the room.
"Hey." He interrupted just as Henry was wrapping his arms around Lilly. They both froze for a second and then Lilly actually shot her index finder to her lips before dramatically shushing Luca, who winced slightly.
Henry pointed and that was when the newcomers finally noticed the body lying back on the couch, completely out to the world.
Henry was standing and trying to lead them out quickly, but Emma was frozen. Even when Lilly ran past and Luca followed and even when Henry himself tugged on her arm, she didn't move. Emma's eyes were locked on Regina' face. So soft. So calm.
So beautiful.
Henry tugged harder on her arm and managed to pull her a little and that was when she finally snapped out of it. She turned to leave, but not without looking back one more time.
"I think whatever the hospital gave her really kicked in." Henry started, once they were in the kitchen again. "She was trying so hard to stay awake, but her eyes kept closing and then she totally passed out."
"That'll be interesting when she wakes up." Emma pointed out. "Well, what do you guys say we whip up something for dinner? I'm sure that would make your mom happy."
Emma knew she could get away with the explanation of this being the responsible decision. Regina was passed out on the couch and there were children there that were hungry and needed care. She would have stayed no matter what because that was the right thing to do. Truthfully though, that wasn't the first thought that had come to mind. It was her desire to stay here. She wasn't ready for the day to end yet. She wasn't ready to leave them.
She noticed it again. A look that crossed Luca's face when Lilly chased after Henry. Someone had to keep her occupied and to Emma's surprise, Henry quickly volunteered and Luca was the one cooking with her. But she saw his eyes go to them several times as they played and tried to figure out how to broach the subject. Before she could though, he interrupted her thoughts.
"You can't dump that there." He said and Emma paused with the pot over the sink.
"What do you mean?"
"You have to use the other side. Something's wrong with the disposal. It doesn't drain right so Mum says not to use that sink at all."
"Oh, well..." Emma shrugged and considered for a moment. "You know, I could probably help with that." Emma saw the immediate skepticism on Luca's face. "What?"
"Do you know anything about garbage disposals?"
"I'll have you know, I've always been the 'do it yourself', kind of girl. I can change my oil, I can fix a toaster and I can...do some plumbing."
"'Do some plumbing'...well that sounds promising." He grinned when Emma playfully swatted his arm.
"You just stir the soup, dude. I'm gonna do some plumbing and some disposal fixin'."
That was basically how Regina found them. Confused, a little disoriented, she all but stumbled into the kitchen as she tried to handle the crutches in her sleepy state. Her eyes tried to take it all in, but her expression just grew more confused as the seconds ticked by.
She saw Henry sitting on the floor with Lilly in his lap and she just stared. Henry tried to offer her a smile as he held a book in font of Lilly who was still lost in her own world. Regina just tilted her head before finally shifting her gaze.
Luca was moving to set the table but turned to approach Regina. Her eyes were fixed on Emma though, who's entire upper half was invisible under the sink. She shook her head as she tried to understand everything that was going on, but Luca was moving in front of her and she shifted focus.
"Hey. Are you okay?... Mum?" Luca smiled as Regina looked towards him. "You fell asleep."
"I'm sorry." Regina's voice was still a little thick from sleep. She looked over to Henry. "I'm sorry, Henry. I shouldn't have left you two alone."
"It's okay. We were fine."
Regina nodded and smiled warmly. It was quite an unexpected picture but quite a beautiful one.
"And can I ask what exactly is going on here?" She looked to Emma who was standing now that she was aware of Regina's presence, and around the kitchen, noting the soup and sandwiches on the table.
"We made dinner." Luca said proudly.
"I see. That was very nice, sweetheart." She smiled and cupped his cheek before addressing Emma. "And..."
Emma smiled a little shyly. She didn't verbally answer. Instead, turning and flipping on the disposal.
Sure enough, it immediately responded and Emma's smile grew slightly brighter as she checked Regina's response.
"Luca mentioned it wasn't working. I just thought...ya know maybe I could help? I'm sorry if I over stepped, I-"
"No, no...it...thank you. That was very kind. Saves me a call and an expensive bill." Regina laughed but Emma shrugged with a pseudo apologetic look.
"Well my bill won't be cheap." She paused and Regina's eyes snapped up before she quickly caught the playfulness in Emma's.
"Ha ha." She shook her head, not noticing the expressions on either of her sons' faces. "I do appreciate it, though."
"You're very welcome." Emma tried to contain her glee at not only being able to fix something for Regina, but earning a smile and the playful banter. It had her on cloud nine. "Well sit and let us finish up. Then we'll uh...get out of your hair."
Emma hoped more than anything that she wasn't imagining the look of disappointment that flashed across Regina's face before emotions were quickly buried again.
"You made us dinner. The least I can do is ask you to stay...If you'd like to, that is." She spoke like she was completely indifferent one way or the other, but Emma knew she saw something. It was why she didn't feel badly about accepting the invitation immediately.
Convincing Regina to sit and relax proved to be far more difficult a task than babysitting, cooking dinner, and fixing the disposal combined. Emma found it incredible that a woman that had spent decades as an actual Queen, couldn't handle being waited on or even just allowed to relax as others worked anymore. But it was one of many reasons she was so amazed by the woman.
It was easier once everyone was sitting together. Everyone dug in and they managed to eat in comfortable silence for a few moments. Emma tried to control the happiness in her. She didn't want to sit there with a constant grin on her face and creep everyone out.
"We got everything on the list, except the organic bananas. They didn't have any, so we had to get the regular ones." Luca broke the silence and Regina nodded at him.
"Oh that's fine. I appreciate you both taking care of that. Plus, if even just most of the list was right, I'd be impressed. Shopping with Emma was probably challenging.
"Hey-" Emma tried to interrupt.
"Yeah, but I don't think I'd mind eating at her place." Luca grinned and that earned a laugh.
"I'm sure you wouldn't. It'd be nothing but popcorn and Cocoa Puffs." Regina lifted an eyebrow at Emma who stuck out her tongue.
"And pizza and burgers." Henry chimed in and Regina nodded.
"Exactly."
"Yeah...that would be awful...so, so awful..." Luca mocked and Regina jokingly glared at him. Emma poked him in the side and grinned.
"Don't worry. I'll have you over some night and you can finally eat something delicious."
"Hey." Regina looked offended now, but quickly smiled at the happy expressions on everyone's faces.
They managed the entire meal in casual conversation. The familial feel was not lost on anyone, but no one was acknowledging it outright. Instead, they just continued on until the meal was over and Lilly was showing signs of her own exhaustion.
Emma of course, had to convince Regina to let her help again. It was a little easier considering Regina knew she could not safely carry her up the stairs. So the conversation didn't last long before Emma had Lilly in her arms and was making her way to another unknown part of the house.
She tried not to linger. She tried not to be the creepy house guest that wandered around without permission and looked where she shouldn't. It was quite difficult though, as she made her way back down the hall. She saw the room across from Lilly's appear to be Luca's. It was very much a boy's room. But then she saw another room with a large four poster bed, decorated with more lighter colors than her old home, but with the familiar forest wallpaper.
She couldn't help but to pause for just an extra moment. It kept happening to her that she needed time to take everything in, but it was almost overwhelming. She was finally here. Finally in the same space as Regina. Finally with another chance. It was a lot to take in.
She eventually made it downstairs. She found both boys cleaning up the dishes and made a mental note to have a talk with Henry about how proud she was of his behavior. She knew he was overwhelmed as well and a little nervous about being around his long lost mother again. But he was stepping up in a way she hadn't seen in a long time and he deserved recognition for it.
She sat next to Regina still at the table and cleared her throat, trying not to let herself get awkward after such a good day.
"So, like I said before, I don't want to overstep anything, so feel free to tell me if you need more space," she paused and Regina looked just slightly wary, but nodded for her to continue, "but I know you've got a lot to do and I don't have anything to do, and you don't have a car right now and I do...so...I guess I'm just saying, if you need some extra help getting around the next few days or whatever...I can help with that."
She knew she sounded a little nervous, but she couldn't help it. She hoped she didn't look as weird as she was feeling. She was encouraged by the calm and easy expression on Regina's face.
"I do a lot of running around. You may regret the offer, dear."
"Like I said, I don't have anything else to do right now, until I find a job, and honestly..." she paused and looked at her hands on the table, "I won't pretend I'm not trying to spend some time with you." She new this could easily create the awkwardness she was trying so hard to avoid, but she also knew pretending she wasn't here for Regina wouldn't do them any good.
"Well..." Regina looked like she was really considering it and took in a slow breath. "I...I do need help. I know that." She admitted somewhat reluctantly, but then shrugged. "If you'd like to assist me...I would appreciate it."
"That- that' great- awesome." Emma stumbled over her own words, trying to contain herself.
"It's just helping me out, though. I have work to do and I need help. That's all." Regina looked seriously at Emma and she forced herself to calm down.
"Of course. I understand." She nodded and noticed Henry approaching. "We'll head out now unless you need anything else."
"No, no you've both done far more than enough. Thank you, both." Regina reached over and squeezed Henry's hand. "And Emma...I'll see you in the morning, I guess."
"See ya in the morning." Emma smiled as she turned and started making her way out. Henry stayed behind to talk to Regina but Luca followed her.
"What was that?" He asked, but had a glint in his eye. Emma paused in the doorway and crossed her arms. She shrugged and tilted her head.
"I'm working for it."
Just like before, Luca looked at her for an extra few seconds. He surprised her though, when he leaned in and hugged her. She wasn't sure if they'd ever hugged before, but she wasn't going to let that stop her. She wrapped her arms around his shoulders and gave him a soft squeeze. When he pulled back, he smiled.
"Good."
A/N: I wanted to address a few things really quick. I've had some reviews through the story about the different relationships you guys want addressed and I want you to know, I agree. Regina and Henry require more time to grow, as well as certain things that have to be addressed. Luca and Lilly need more development as well and as you got to see the beginning of here, Henry and Lilly and Emma and Luca will need time. I understand the importance of all these relationships, so please don't think they'll be neglected. I just can't address everyone's relationships at the same time or no one will get adequate development.
One other point, is Emma and Regina's relationship. I know it's really been pushed that the blame lies the most on Emma, but as some of you have said (and I agree), in reality it's not actually all on her. But again, not everything can be confronted and dealt with instantly. It's a journey. We'll get there.
I so appreciate the patience you guys have had for this story. Everyone who's sticking with me, you're awesome. Thank you :)