Regina was surprised that there was so much snow on the ground when they awoke the next morning, but she wasn't going to complain. Henry loved the snow and she had previously missed out on so many of the things he loved because she was so hell bent on her revenge. She was dedicating the whole day to playing in the snow if he wanted.
"Henry," she called to him, "I made you hot chocolate to drink before we head outside."
"That's great mom! Thanks!" he said as he walked into the kitchen. He stood at the counter and drank it all in one giant gulp.
"Anxious are we?" she asked.
"There is just so much snow out there, and I want to use it all to make a snow castle."
"Well a snow castle we shall make," she responded enthusiastically.
The pair got dressed and made their way outside. It had been a long time since Regina had been out in the snow, and she had forgotten just how much fun it could be to lose yourself in the white powder. She and Henry played all morning, and made the largest snow castle Henry had ever seen. He even consented to a little bit of magic to make it a little more stable.
When they finally made their way inside, Regina made some hot chocolate for them both and they sat on the couch drinking and creating a story about the castle's inhabitants. Henry insisted that there were twin sisters living in the castle and they were fair and just rulers. Their kingdom was a happy, if cold, one and everyone got their happily ever after. Regina kept insisting, there was a wise old queen in the castle who had a very smart son who kept the kingdom running smoothly.
They were still discussing who lived in their castle when there was a knock at the door. Regina got up and went to the door. When she opened the door, she was surprised to see Roland by himself shaking visibly.
"Roland, what are you doing here? Where are your parents?" she asked very gently.
"Regina, they yelled. I ran away." he said holding back the tears.
"Oh sweetheart, sometimes adults yell when they are upset, but they aren't upset with you. We need to let your mom and dad know that you are alright, that you are safe. It is very cold outside today. You could get sick."
She walked Roland into the house, leading him into the living room with Henry. Henry looked at her with a question ready to leave his mouth. She shook her head and mouthed "later" to him. He understood and greeted Roland.
"Hi Roland, it's nice to see you again. Did you come to play with me?"
Roland looked hard at Henry, "Are you going to yell like my mom and dad?"
Henry put the pieces together from there. Regina could see it in his face. He gently took Roland's hand. "No, Roland, I am not going to yell. How about we find you some of my old clothes, and you and I can go play out in the snow for a bit while my mom lets your parents know where you are?"
Regina was at a loss. She wasn't actually sure how to get in touch with Robin or Marian. Robin had set up camp in the woods, and there was no phone nearby and he hadn't gotten one yet. Since Marian had just come back the night before, she wouldn't have one. She sighed, and thought she would have to call Emma. Once Robin and Marian realized he was missing, they would probably go to her anyway.
She pulled out the phone and dialed the sheriff's station. When Emma answered, she launched into the whole story leaving out no details in case Emma thought she had taken Roland instead of him coming to her.
"Regina, I know you didn't kidnap him," Emma said softly. "His parents argued, he's probably never heard it before and didn't know what it meant. He feels safe with you, and that's why he went to you."
Regina didn't know what to say. She had not been expecting Emma to buy her story.
"You sound like you understand what he is experiencing Ms. Swan."
"I remember all too well the first argument I ever heard between one set of my foster parents. I was probably just a little older than Roland, and I had no idea what it meant. I ran, I ran far, but unlike Roland, I didn't have someone I could count on to keep my safe. I was picked up by the police and put back in a home. My foster parents decided I was too much trouble to keep around after that."
Regina could think of nothing to say to that. How horrible it must have been for her to not know anything about her past.
Regina took a deep breath and continued, "Should you come get him so when Robin and Marian realize he's gone..." she stopped.
Emma realized what an awkward position Regina was in and did not want to make it any more uncomfortable for her.
"What would you like me to do? He's fine there with you and Henry, or I can come get him. He knows you well and he likes Henry."
Regina thought for a second. "It would become very awkward if they had to come here. Why don't you pick Roland and Henry both up? Henry can hang out with him at the station, this way he won't be completely bored and you can actually get some work done."
"Are you sure? I can entertain Roland myself. Henry can stay with you."
"Ms. Swan, I appreciate what it is you are trying to do, but to be honest, this arrangement is best for everyone involved."
"Ok, I'll be there as soon as I can. This snow is making getting around town really tough. The snow plow's engine is frozen, so we can't even plow the road. I had to use magic to melt the road between Granny's and the station."
"Oh, I didn't realize it was that severe. Perhaps I should use some magic as well to help clear off the roads."
"That would be great Regina. You're magic is much more controlled than mine."
"I'll see you soon Ms. Swan."
She hung up, and looked out the window. The snow had stopped, but it was clearly still very cold outside. She worried about the boys playing in it, so called them in and sat them in front of the fire with hot chocolate until Emma showed up.
After they left, she went outside and started melting the snow in the streets. It took much more magic than it should have. Snow should melt quickly when her flames touch it, but this snow was not. She was needing to use at least double the normal amount of magic. She blamed it on her emotional distress, and after an hour, she went back home.
Seeing Roland was hard. So much harder than she thought it should have been. He had come to rely on her in the short time they had known each other. She could not be a part of his life right now, just as she could not be a part of Robin's. She curled up in her bed, and cried until she could cry no more.