Authors note: Thank you all for the kind reviews, I'm so glad you all like the story! ;)
...
Emma inwardly cursed as she watched how her beloved yellow bug was being towed away by a big red truck. She looked down at the dog - apparently named Pongo - who was sitting at her feet, staring at her with his big puppy eyes.
"Stop looking like that, you did this." Emma whispered to the dog, soft enough so the owner of the dog didn't hear. She put both of her hands in her back pockets.
"Again I'm so sorry, miss..." The red haired man said again.
"Swan, Emma Swan." She answered with an extra glare at the dog.
"I'm Dr. Archie Hopper, the town's psychiatrist." He said with a kind smile as he twisted the faded red leach in his large hands.
Emma wondered what such a small town as Storybrooke would need a psychiatrist for, but then remembered that the town is called Storybrooke. The person who came up with such a name must be not entirely right in his head.
"Can I buy you a drink?" The man asked but then blushed as he heard how that must've sounded. "As an apology, I mean."
Well, Emma mused, she could really use a drink right now. "Sure, that's fine."
The man's eyes lit up, happy that he could sooth his guilty consious this way. They walked - Emma actually hated walking - towards the same quaint diner she had been that morning. Granny was still crowded with people, sounds of laughter coming from inside of the establishment the moment the doctor opened the door for her. It was like an exact replay of that morning. All eyes turned to her, staring at her curiously. Emma rolled her eyes as she actually heard some not so subtle whispering in the back.
The man picked a booth in the back and Emma followed. She would be stupid to turn down the chance of a free drink just because some weird ass people were staring at her. The young brunette waitress - what was her name again? Oh yes, Ruby. - came walking over to them, the note pad already in slim fingers.
"I see you've already met the newbie, Archie." Ruby said with a toothy grin.
"Yes." Archie said with a blush. "Pongo kind off broke her car."
"So this is an apology?"
Emma snorted softly, the two people were talking like she wasn't even there. "Yes, it is. And I wouldn't be a city girl if I turned down the chance of a free drink."
Ruby smiled. "So I guess you'll need a beer." When Emma nodded she turned to the red haired man. "And a coffee for you, Archie?"
"Yes, thank you."
The young brunette turned again to walk away but Emma stopped her. "So since my car is busted, do you know a place I can stay until it's fixed?"
Another bright smile. "Yes actually, my granny has a bed and breakfast too. It's right across the road. Shall I book you a room?"
"Yes that's great, thank you."
"So, why are you here miss Swan? If you don't mind me asking." Archie asked once Ruby was out of earshot.
"Please call me Emma." She said with a sigh, miss Swan reminded her too much of the beautiful and infuriating brunette living with her adorable son just a couple of streets away. "And no I don't mind you asking. I'm here because I needed to apologize to someone."
The way the light in Emma's eyes somewhat dimmed made the red haired doctor curious. "You know, if you want to talk." Archie started.
The blonde across the table thought about if for a second. It wouldn't hurt if she only told this little detail, would it?"I needed to apologize to Regina."
"Regina?" The man said with raised eyebrows. That had actually been a surprise. "As in mayor Mills?"
"The one and only."
Archie frowned, he wondered how on earth this Emma Swan would know their mayor. They were like polar opposites. And Archie would know. Ever since the tragic death of Regina's husband, she had been left alone to raise her son Henry. They'd talked a couple of times. Not sessions of course, Regina Mills was much too proud to ask for help. So instead Archie had walked by her house a couple of times, which happened to be the exact moment Regina came home from work.
"How on earth would you know our mayor?" He flapped out before he could stop himself, this mysterious woman was really spiking his curiosity.
Saved by the bell. Emma thought as she saw Ruby walking towards their table with the drinks.
"Here you go." She said as she placed the coffee and the beer on the table. "I've booked you a room, Emma." She said as she accepted the money from the doctor.
"Thanks." Emma answered, taking a big gulp of her beer. She really needed this after the day she'd had.
The brunette smiled and then walked away again. Emma took another gulp and then placed the cold bottle on the table. She watched the red haired man across the table, who was slowly sipping the hot, steaming liquid.
He seemed honest, Emma thought as she wiped her clammy hands at the fabric of her pants. A little nervous maybe, but kind. Good qualities for a psychiatrist. The dog, Pongo, nudged her leg as Emma moved it.
"You know, I'm really tired. I should go, thanks for the drink." Emma said with a tired smile as she stood up, careful not to step on the animal's tail.
"Yes, of course." Archie said as he smiled at her. "Enjoy the rest of your evening, and again, I'm very sorry Emma."
"It's fine, really." She quickly made her way out of the almost suffocatingly hot diner. The cold evening air felt nice against her skin. Crossing the road, she quickly walked inside of the bed and breakfast.
"Hello." The old woman, who Emma remembered was Granny, smiled at her as she walked over to the counter.
"Hi, Ruby said she'd booked me a room."
"Yes." The old woman nodded. "She did, here's your key." She handed her a big old fashioned key. "Enjoy your stay, miss Swan."
"Thanks. But please call me Emma." She said as she moved towards the stairs, not even waiting for a response.
...
The room was cozy and smelled like what Emma would imagine was the smell of a grandmother's home. Not that Emma had ever been to one. Flowered wallpaper adorned the walls, a wooden bed stood against it. There was a big mirror in the corner, a shower and a toilet. All the essentials were there, really.
Emma quickly undressed and jumped in the soft bed. The mattress was way softer then the one at her appartment and it felt like little angels were massaging her back. A loud sigh filled the silent room as she moved onto her stomach. She could easily sleep if it wasn't for that slight nagging in her stomach.
Sure, she'd apologized to the woman, but instead of accepting it, Regina had slammed the door in her face. That didn't really sat well with Emma. There was nothing she could do anymore, she knew that. But still. How would Regina react if she found out that Emma was still here. Still in her town, in her life. Regina had been right, Emma wasn't the kind of woman people would want their children around. She was rude, loud, hadn't finished school and was a bounty hunter. Not a very good combination.
She closed her eyes and finally fell into a restless sleep.
...
Regina was sitting on the large couch in the living room. Henry was long since asleep. To be honest, Regina was feeling extremely tired. But of course, after the day she had had, that was understandable. She had been surprised that Emma Swan had showed up on her porch. Even more surprised when the woman had apologized, or tried to apologize.
Regina had seen guilt in those green eyes, which actually felt good. After all, the woman had slept with her husband, she deserved some guilt.
The little girl inside of her kicked and a watery smile appeared on Regina's face. She moved her hand towards the spot her child was kicking and stroked it in soothing circles.
Here she was, sitting alone on the couch with a glass of apple juice. Mourning the loss of her cheating husband. She was glad Henry was already upstairs becaus Regina was just took tired to put on the mask of strength again. Warm tears slipped down her cheeks, smearing her dark eyeliner and mascara as it cascaded down together with the traitorous liquid.
Regina had reached her limit as a sob left her mouth. Even though it was quickly muffled with a pillow, the sound still echoed throughout the empty house. It was the first time in four weeks that she'd actually allowed herself to break down, to really cry. She'd promised not only Henry, but herself too that she would be strong. She was going to be there for her son.
Another sob was muffled by the dark brown pillow. Another kick as if the little girl was trying to make her mother feel better. It occurred to Regina that she and Peter hadn't even had the time to pick out a name for her. The thought only made her cry harder and she clutched her pregnant stomach in desperation.
How was it that she always ended up alone...
...
Okay, that was sad! Sorry. But anyway, leave a review! ;)