I Won't

"Henry!" Emma yelled before banging her fist on the bathroom door again. "You're killing me kid, come on!" She slapped her hand on the wood one last time before the door suddenly swung open to reveal a very annoyed looking teenager.

"Why are you yelling so loud? It's so early."

"Because we are going to be late!" Emma looked like she couldn't believe he wasn't as panicked as she was and Henry tilted his head.

"Since when do you care so much about being on time?"

"Since...since-"

"Since it was mom expecting you?" He asked with a knowing smile appearing on his face. He full on grinned when Emma rolled her eyes and turned away. "Awe, you're nervous."

"Shut up." Emma grumbled.

"Did you change your outfit a bunch of times too?" Henry was smirking as he followed Emma and could see the blush instantly forming on her cheeks and down her neck. "You did-"

"Henry! Get your stuff, now." She tried to sound stern but the pink cheeks had Henry grinning from ear to ear as he passed her to get to his room. "But..." She started and he turned back to face her.

"Yeah?" He tilted his head as she looked off embarrassed before meeting his gaze.

"I look okay, though...right?"

Henry smiled a little warmer then and reached out to squeeze her arm.

"You look really pretty, Mom."

"Thanks kid. Now seriously, hurry."

Regina tilted her head to the side as it rested against her pillow. She really needed to be up. She never slept in during the week. But then Luca had already informed her that he was helping Lilly and wanted to bring breakfast to her in bed and while the idea of laying around while her children fended for themselves felt every kind of wrong, Luca had been so insistent and just so sweet, that Regina couldn't refuse the request.

So for another day this week, she found herself lying in bed and staring up at her ceiling and despite every thought that theoretically should be consuming her mind right now, such as Emma, Henry, Lilly, Emma, the center, Susan, Emma, her car, her ankle, Emma... it was somehow none of that that occupied her thoughts in that moment and instead, once again her focus was solely on the slight discoloration on her ceiling.

Did it grow?

Regina was still staring when a knock sounded and jolted her back to reality. She shook her head and sat up again before announcing her guest could enter.

An instant smile painted her features as Lilly poked her head in the room, a grin on her own face as she stepped inside with both hands hiding behind her back.

"Good morning, sweetheart." Regina looked fondly at the small child.

"G'morning." Lilly looked slightly mischievous as she sauntered slowly towards Regina, her hands still hidden.

Regina narrowed her eyes playfully and when Lilly was within reach, she leaned forward and tickled the girl's stomach.

"What are you up to?" She questioned as Lilly giggled.

"Nuuuthing." She drawled and giggled harder when Regina tickled her again.

"Oh yeah? Then why are your hands hiding, young lady?"

Lilly waited another second, still grinning from ear to ear, before she brought her hands in front of her and held a small daisy out in front of her. Regina assumed it was from the yard and tilted her head with a warm smile.

"For me?" She questioned, taking the flower as Lilly climbed into the bed next to her.

"Uh huh." She nodded and settled herself.

"What for?"

"So you feel all better." She spoke matter-of-factly and Regina was just going to speak again when she heard a shuffling and the door to her room pushed more fully opened.

Luca came in backwards, turning once he was inside to reveal the tray he was balancing on his arms. He was so careful and moved so slowly and even stopped when the cup of coffee looked dangerously close to sloshing over the brim.

He made it successfully to the bed though and carefully placed the tray next to them before slowly and just as carefully, taking the seat across from them.

"You really didn't have to do this, honey." Regina said, but she couldn't deny the warmth she felt every time Luca, or any of her children, showed her love without any provocation.

"You always say that, Mum." Luca shook his head and picked up one of the pieces of toast from a plate. "You'd have done the same and you know it."

Regina just laughed softy and leaned back in bed. With the two children sitting joyfully next to her, she felt a serene sense of happiness that calmed her whirling thoughts and made everything a bit easier. The weight on her shoulders was a bit lighter and everything was just a tad less overwhelming. For the moment, at least.

-1 year ago-

"It's just a bump, Mum. Would you stop fussing?" Luca shook his head as Regina tucked in all the covers snugly around his body.

"I am not fussing, I am being your mother, and don't pretend like you wouldn't do the same." She looked at him with an arched eyebrow and Luca rolled his eyes.

"Still, I am perfectly fine, mother." He spoke adamantly and Regina sighed as she sat on the bed beside him. She lifted her fingers to brush his bangs from his forehead and eyed the purpling skin with a worried frown.

"You scared me." She said softly and brushed her thumb lightly down his cheek. Luca let out his own breath and smiled apologetically.

"I know. I'm sorry."

"It's not your fault, sweetheart. It was chaotic and rocks were falling everywhere. It's a miracle more people weren't hurt and the ones that were, not far worse. We should be counting our blessings, I suppose."

"Yeah. But it stinks so many people houses and cars got messed up. It looks more like an earthquake hit than a rock slide." He said and Regina nodded in agreement. Luca paused before tilting his head. "Maybe we could go out tomorrow and help them."

Regina smiled softly at her son, always wanting to do the right thing. Wanting to help.

"Maybe. If you're feeling better."

"I feel fine-"

"I said maybe." She cut him off with a pointed look and Luca pressed his lips together before grinning at Regina.

"Alright, then." He sighed and Regina stood again to reach for the tray on the dresser.

"Now, breakfast in bed."

"Mum, it's dinner time." He started to protest before she turned back around and revealed the eggs and pancakes plated for him.

"Per tradition, it's still breakfast." She smirked and layed the tray down and Luca couldn't find a reason to complain. Breakfast in bed and breakfast for dinner were some of his favorite things.

"Thank you, Mum." He said sincerely and Regina nodded. "I love you." He added for good measure and no matter how many times she heard it, every single time, it made her heart swell all over again.

"I love you too, sweetheart."

Luca held his hands out to either side and in front of Regina as the woman very slowly made her way down the steps. One of her hands held a crutch out to her side in an effort to give some balance, while the other gripped the bannister tightly as she took careful steps down.

"Two more." Luca said encouragingly, though he was a little nervous his mother was a second from face planting on the hardwood. When she wobbled a little again, he reacted instantly and held his hands closer.

"I'm alright." She reassured and made it down the final step. Just in time, it seemed, because the second she took her other crutch Luca retrieved, the doorbell rang.

Regina looked down at her watch with a raised eyebrow and Luca grinned as he spoke.

"They're early."

"Indeed." Regina narrowed her eyes just the slightest at Luca's excitement, before asking him to get the door.

She came up behind him and smiled as the door opened, but the expression faltered as she took in Emma's nearly panicked expression.

"You're early." Was all Regina could think to say immediately, her goal being to reassure the other woman there was no reason to worry.

"No, I...I was just...I know I said I'd drive you all, but..."

"But?" Regina prompted, not understanding Emma's behavior. "If you can't, I'm sure I can call-"

"I just realized that we don't have enough room. I thought it was just us, but Henry said we have to pick up another kid and we don't have enough room, I don't-"

"Emma, relax." Regina lifted a hand and smiled more genuinely. Emma looked completely distressed at the possible mistake and Regina realized she was more than a little amused. "Since Damian's father just came home, he's been taking him so they can spend more time together. Everything's fine, dear."

"Oh..." Emma looked off and Regina saw the pink tinting her cheeks. "I'm sorry, I just...I promised you and then I thought I was going to let you down..." She trailed off and Regina watched her for a second.

She took in the soft and genuine words. Emma's frantic and then embarrassed expressions. She was so desperate to help and practically petrified to disappoint Regina, it had the older woman feeling...well...feeling something.

Part of her wanted to close off immediately. She spent two years learning to get over her feelings about everyone she left behind. Two long years learning to flip a switch and shut off any surfacing emotions for them. She was pretty good at it now.

But when Emma visibly started to calm, simply at the knowledge that she hadn't just ruined her chance to help, Regina couldn't stop the small feeling of affection from blooming.

She couldn't get caught up on that now, though.

Lilly was sitting, waiting happily in the living room with her favorite doll and responded obediently when Regina called her over. Emma and Henry, who walked up to join them, were more than accommodating as they led everyone to the car.

Regina tried to ignore any surfacing feelings when Emma smiled so happily the moment everyone was settled and they backed out of the driveway.

It might have been the most awkward silence Regina had ever experienced. Even including Emma's arrival only a week earlier. Then, they'd at least had something to talk about. It was just that she couldn't think of a single way to fill the silence.

They'd been riding together all day. Emma was basically her chauffeur, driving her and the kids to school, then the center, then to her meeting with Becky, before running to lunch and then now, heading back to the center again.

When the kids were in the car, they'd had them to fill the silence. Regina noticed the fascinating connection between Henry and Lilly and was more than happy to let them go at it. But then after dropping the boys off, they'd immediately headed over to the daycare for Lilly and then there was no one left to combat the quiet.

Emma tried more than a few times. She'd commented on the weather in California, the beautiful scenery, and even tried to start a conversation about the different kinds of birds she'd noticed. So it really wasn't for lack of effort on Emma's part, but Regina...now she was a different story.

She sipped at her coffee to occupy herself, but it didn't actually do anything to ease the awkwardness of the moment. She was more than grateful when Emma turned on the radio, and sighed as a nice, soft sounding song filled the air.

When I look into your eyes,

It's like watching the night sky,

Or a beautiful sunrise,

Well there's so much they hold.

Regina tried to focus on the music as it played, to distract from her companion, but then when she did, her attention only moved back to the blonde.

Well I won't give up on us,

Even if the skies get rough,

I'm giving you all my love,

Im still looking up.

Regina faced forward when Emma glanced her way.

And when you're needing your space,

To do some navigating,

I'll be here patiently waiting,

To see what you find.

Regina felt the glance and tried to keep her eyes forward, but the car came to a stop at a red light as the music continued and Regina finally looked at Emma when-

I don't wanna be someone who walks away so easily, I'm here to stay and make the difference that I can make,

Our differences they do a lot to teach us how to use the tools and gifts we got, yeah, we got a lot at steak,

And in the end you're still my friend at least we didn't intend for us to work we didn't break we didn't burn,

We had to learn how to bend, without the world, caving in,

I had to learn what I've got, and what I'm not, and who I am,

I won't give up on us.

Cheeks pink, Emma jammed her finger onto the "next" button of the radio before the light changed and she started driving again. Regina scrunched hre nose up at the new voice sounding through the speakers, but Emma sighed and smiled.

"There we go, some Blink 182."

Regina glanced her way again, but saw the smile fall before Emma showed an annoyed expression.

I miss you, I miss you,

I miss you, I miss you,

Where are you and I'm so sorry,

I cannot sleep, I cannot dream tonight,

Regina rolled her eyes slightly, but pretended she wasn't paying attention, only making it even more awkward.

Will you come home and stop this pain tonight,

Stop this pain tonight.

Again, Emma rammed her finger onto the radio and switched stations again. This time, it was a female voice.

I won't do what you told me,

I won't do what you said, no,

I'm not gonna stop feeling,

I'm not gonna forget it,

I don't wanna start over,

I don't wanna pretend that,

You are not my lover,

That you're only my friend,

My friend,

I won't.

"Oh thank God, we're here." Emma slapped her hand on the power button this time, for the fear of "Endless love" coming on next. There was only so much they could take.

Emma put the car in park and was out in a flash and Regina saw her shaking her head as she made her way around the front to reach her door. Regina turned as soon as it was opened and after she stood, she waited only a second before Emma was handing her, her crutches.

She started moving on her own, making her way towards the front door. She knew Emma was grabbing the food and welcomed a second to shake herself.

Unfortunatly for Regina, when she closed her eyes for just that brief second, she didn't see the crack in the concrete below her. The crack that grabbed her crutch the second she placed it down.

The unexpected jolt took her completely off balance and she instictually put her foot down to stablize herself. Eyes widened a split second before Regina yelled out and lifted her leg again.

Before she started falling again, she suddenly felt an arm around her waist and a hand in hers.

Brown eyes locked with green as they were only inches away now. Regina tried to control her breathing, but Emma's face was so close and her hold so safe and secure and instead of calming, Regina's heart only beat faster.

I'm not gonna stop feeling,

I'm not gonna forget.

Songs in the car were "I WON'T GIVE UP" - Jason Mraz, "I MISS YOU" - Blink 182 and "I WON'T" - Colbie Caillat

I'm sorry for the delay and the lack of real action happening right now, but I need to regain my footing here before I can really push this forward. But I wanted to get an update out there, so the wait wouldn't be so ridiculous. Thank you all for your patience on this story. I know it's been frustrating. I appreciate all of you :)