A/N: Today's chapter is brought to you by the theme "Family." So, this story has been finished since before I started posting. I've decided I lack the patience to put a chapter a day up. Enjoy the rest of the story, but do remember about the trigger warnings from here on out.

Tip 4: Taking Care

"If you want to be with her, you have to have things settled in your own world first. If she's cool, she'll understand that too."

-Ruby Lucas

As Ruby was getting ready for her run the next morning, she was overcome with a deep sense of felicity. Moments from the night before played over and over in her head, and she was certain the smile on her face would become permanent.

By the time she made it downstairs, she was more than ready for her run. When she spotted Regina dressed in running clothes and waiting with the special morning smile she'd come to adore, the sky could have dropped on her head and she would have died a very happy woman.

"Morning Regina," she greeted with her usual cheerful grin.

"Good morning Ruby. Did you sleep well?" Regina was more subdued, though her earthen brown eyes were sparkling merrily.

"Yep! I had a pretty cool night with a woman I met this summer. She's not so bad." Her grin became mischievous.

An onyx brow arched, and a wicked smile flashed on the older woman's face. "After you finished with me? My, my you're popular. I reiterate my hope that you remember to use protection."

Ruby flushed, but refused to let Regina one-up her. "You seem pretty focused on my sex life. Is there something you'd like to tell me, Regina?"

Regina cleared her throat and averted her eyes. "Shall we start our run?"

The lanky brunette hesitated a moment, not sure if she'd gone too far. She shrugged and moved closer to the silent woman, intentionally bumping their shoulders together to get Regina's attention.

Sure enough, Regina looked up at the contact with a questioning look on her face.

Ruby mimicked taking in a deep breath and letting it out, drooping her shoulders to add dramatic effect. Regina cracked a small smile, and Ruby gave her a playful wink.

They got a little more serious as their run began, both women wanting to enjoy the solace of the morning.

As her muscles began to warm up, she decided to let Regina pick the route. She was curious about where the older woman had been running. She let herself fall half a step behind Regina, and when the shorter woman sent her a curious look she smiled and made a sweeping gesture with her hand.

Regina smiled, understanding and accepting what the lanky young woman wanted. She faced forward after a moment, keeping her head high as Ruby fell back into step evenly at her side again.

The path the petite woman selected favored nature, and Ruby was enjoying every step on the winding trail leading through the forest. She noted that Regina's breathing was much better than the first run, and she was proud on the other woman's behalf.

They'd been running for some time when Regina turned to lead them in another direction. She started to slow as patches of sandy stretches became visible through the trees. "I'd like to sit at the beach for a few minutes if you don't mind."

"Sounds good to me," Ruby was quick to assure her.

A pleased sound escaped Regina, and her fingers absentmindedly curled around Ruby's wrist to gently tug her along to one of her favorite spots.

A large weather-beaten tree had been smoothed out some time ago by the elements, its presence bringing an odd sort of beauty to the patch of sand. Regina calmly walked over to lean against it and released a deep sigh once she was facing the ocean. Her eyes were light and happy as they absorbed the view of the seemingly endless body of water before her.

Ruby silently stood next to her, eyes closed as her body soaked up the errant golden-orange rays of early morning light. She was keenly aware of the hand nearly holding hers. Regina's thumb stroked the back of her hand softly, and she was utterly content.

"Ruby," Regina began quietly, not wanting to startle her running companion. "I was thinking a bit about something you said last night."

"Yeah?" Steel-blue eyes peeked over at her curiously.

"Yes. You don't need to say anything, I just want you to think about it, alright?"

Ruby's brow furrowed in consternation, but she nodded amiably.

Regina stared out the ocean thoughtfully. "I had a horrible relationship with my mother. We never saw eye to eye when it came to a majority of subjects. Most days, I'm quite sure my hate for her far outweighed any love that somehow managed to survive the worst times. And still..." she grew quiet for a few moments. "One of my greatest regrets is not speaking to her before she died. She asked for me, but I didn't go. I was still too bitter and angry."

Her thumb still nervously brushed over the soft skin of Ruby's hand, hoping the physical contact would make the younger woman more receptive to her words. Neither woman spoke.

Ruby swallowed hard, clenching and unclenching her teeth as she mulled over the words and the melancholy that had laced Regina's voice.

She pursed her lips, and began to talk in a halting manner. "I hated my mom for a long time. She was an alcoholic. When I was barely one she left me alone with Granny. After living with Granny, I kind of understood how she turned to alcohol. Granny was always so strict and pushy! It was like I couldn't do anything right. When my mom showed up sober and clean when I was twelve, I couldn't wait to get out of Storybrooke."

Regina squeezed her wrist gently in acknowledgment, silently urging her to continue.

The tall form slumped a little. Ruby licked her dry lips. "I get what you're trying to say. I just don't know if I'm there yet."

"I understand. I just want you to think about it."

They lingered on the beach for some time after that, both lost in their thoughts. Regina gently tugged her hand away and she glanced sideways at Ruby. "Shall we continue?"

Ruby shrugged. "Eh. How about we go back to the house?" She tugged the zipper of her hoodie down to reveal a crimson t-shirt emblazoned with the phrase 'Breakfast Included' in white letters. "I thought you might come running with me today."

She smiled cheekily at Regina, who had both brows raised in surprise.

Regina pursed her lips to try and hide her amusement. "Your confidence is inspiring," she intoned wryly.

"Hey, you had dinner with me and let me stay over at your house. Breakfast is usually included with that deal." She informed her companion proudly, hands on her hips.

"Well I hope you're a better cook than you are a date. I didn't even get a kiss good night." Regina smirked at Ruby's gaping mouth for a split second, and then she took off in a dead run.

Ruby blinked in surprise and dashed off after her. "Hey! No fair!" She paused. "Is the kissing thing still on the table?"

Regina laughed and called out loudly. "I'm afraid you've missed your chance, dear."

When she heard Ruby cussing, she laughed harder. The easygoing young woman's banter had her feeling lighter than she'd felt in years. Once again, she was grateful for her summer company.

Mary Margaret arrived back at the house later that day, an air of lovesickness lingering about her. She walked around sighing with some frequency, and Ruby nearly cheered when Regina finally snapped at her about it.

As Regina stalked back to her office, Ruby couldn't help but roll her eyes at her best friend. "Jeez M&M, you act like you're never going to see him again."

The pixie haired woman stuck her tongue out in response to Ruby's words.

Ruby narrowed her eyes and gauged the distance from the couch she was lounging on to the overstuffed chair Mary Margaret was currently seated on.

Mary Margaret recognized the gleam in her best friend's eyes. "Ruby," she warned.

Ruby slowly sat up.

Mary Margaret scooted to the edge of her seat. "Ruby?" she sounded nervous.

Ruby jumped up off the couch and over the coffee table, and Mary Margaret squealed and bolted from her chair. They stomped through the house loudly.

In her office, Regina sighed and dug through her desk for noise canceling headphones.

Mary Margaret had just barely made it out of the side door of the house when Ruby pounced.

They landed with a thud, air knocked out of both of them with the awkward angle. They were still for a few moments. Ruby rolled off Mary Margaret with a groan.

Both women stared up at the blue sky.

"Maybe you should just plan to spend weekends with him or something," she finally muttered.

Mary Margaret shifted a little so she could see her best friend. "But I'm the one that talked you in to coming here for the summer. What kind of friend am I if I ditch you so often?"

A snort of amusement sounded from Ruby. "One who happens to be crazy in love with the guy of her dreams. Look, how about you guys alternate weekends then? He comes here one weekend, you meet in Bangor another weekend?"

"Oh, that's a marvelous idea Ruby!" The pixie haired woman enthusiastically sat up and ran back to the living room to retrieve her phone. She wanted to text James about the idea immediately.

Still lounging on a soft patch of grass, Ruby let her mind drift.

She thought about how much she and Mary Margaret had changed over the years, especially the last few. She thought about all the things that she still didn't know about her best friend's relationship with her former step-mom. She thought about the looming unknown of life after college.

She thought about her mom, and Granny.

Her mind stilled on the last subject, the two powerful names repeating over and over until her head started to hurt. Mom. Granny.

Part of her was upset with Regina for pushing the subject, but most of her was just glad that the older woman seemed to genuinely care.

She pushed the thoughts out of her mind as Mary Margaret came traipsing back out of the house. "James said yes to the weekends idea! He's coming in a few days."

Carefully, she sat next to Ruby, one hand playing with the hem of her floral print blouse. "Ruby, I think I want to go all the way with him...before marriage," she whispered the last part.

Ruby glanced at her sharply. "He's not pressuring you, is he?"

"No, he's always sweet. I've been um, getting carried away." Her cheeks were stained a strong fuchsia at her admission.

Quiet remained for a moment, and then Ruby was howling with laughter, rolling around on the grass as she failed to contain herself.

Eventually she calmed and gave her best friend a warm look. "Are you going to bring him here for that?" One hand waved lazily at Regina's house.

Mary Margaret bit her lip, and then shook her head a moment later. "I think we'll get a room at the B&B."

"Sounds good," Ruby managed to keep her tone even. "Oh, and don't forget to use protection M&M."

Her best friend looked scandalized. "I'll make James buy some. I'd be far too mortified."

"You're a riot M&M."

The next few days settled back into the routine Ruby had become accustomed to, with the addition of Regina joining in on her morning runs. Overall, Ruby was content.

Or, she should have been.

When Friday afternoon rolled around and Mary Margaret left to go meet James at the diner so they could get a room together, Ruby had just about reached her breaking point.

She scowled at Regina as she came to the kitchen to get a drink during a break from work.

Regina frowned as she sipped from her glass, turning to see Ruby glaring right at her from a kitchen stool. "What?"

"This is all your fault," Ruby groused.

"What is dear?" A sable brow arched as Regina gave the seated woman an impassive look.

"I can't stop thinking about my mom and Granny," she admitted sourly.

Regina only looked mildly surprised. "Oh. I see." She cupped the clear glass and examined the apple juice it contained, avoiding Ruby's accusing gaze. "I didn't mean to disturb you so. My only intent was to – actually, well I suppose that doesn't matter."

She quickly swallowed her juice and set the glass down on the counter, for once not caring about rinsing as she fled back to her office.

Ruby's scowl deepened as she regarded the discarded glass. She didn't feel any better. In fact, she felt worse for taking her bad mood out on Regina.

"Ugh," she smacked at the counter top with one hand. Something had to change.

She stood from her stool abruptly and stormed over to the entryway end table, scooping up her keys with the familiar wolf key chain.

The door slammed behind her with more force than she'd intended. She winced, but continued on to her car. The drive to the diner didn't take long, and she looked around for Mary Margaret's car. She didn't want to run in to her best friend right now.

She lingered in her car for a while, letting her mind wander. She hadn't seen the familiar Honda and if she delayed much longer she'd probably lose her nerve. The click of her seat belt being unlocked seemed loud, and she took a deep breath before exiting her Camaro to approach the diner.

The bell jingled loudly to her ears as she entered the eatery. It took her a moment for her eyes to adjust to the dim interior. She glanced around and was surprised that it seemed nothing had changed at all. Perhaps what was even more surprising was the utter contentment she felt at that realization.

This had been part of her home for at least eleven years of her life. She could remember Granny helping her onto a stool when she was barely five, grunting at her to behave because she had to go work in the kitchen.

By age seven she'd started intentionally misbehaving just so Granny would pay attention to her more. She'd felt so lonely on days when she couldn't go over to Mary Margaret's house and would be stuck in the diner.

The bell jingled behind her and she hurriedly moved to the side. She'd been blocking the doorway while she'd been lost in thought.

There were a fair amount of people at the diner and that, too, was just as she remembered. Granny's had always been popular. There were a few restaurants in town, but none of them could beat the hearty food served at reasonable prices that Granny offered.

She maneuvered over to the counter to find a free stool at the farthest edge and quickly sat. Her eyes wandered as her mind was flooded with memories.

"Can I get you anything? Maybe a menu if you're not sure?" an accented voice inquired.

Ruby turned to face the voice in question, rather surprised to see an attractive auburn haired woman around her age waiting patiently behind the counter. She had a smile on her face, cerulean eyes shining pleasantly.

Her eyes glanced down to observe the name on her name tag. "A menu would be great, thanks Isabella."

The waitress smiled. "Most people just call me Belle, but since you seem to be new you probably wouldn't know that."

"I actually grew up around here, but I haven't been back for around ten years," she admitted with a half-smile.

Belle flashed her an odd look. "I'll just be right back with that menu."

Ruby frowned as the woman retreated to the kitchen, more than aware that the menus were kept right behind the counter.

The door swung open again a moment later, an elderly woman stepping out mid-speech. "–hell it's her, stubborn gir..."

The white haired woman froze, periwinkle eyes framed by spectacles wide with shock.

She looked older and much shorter than Ruby remembered. The last time she'd seen her grandmother, the matriarch's hair had been a mixed salt and pepper – now a completely pure white. The pale dress with a pink floral print covered by a soft cream sweater seemed vaguely familiar.

"Ruby?" Eugenia asked, her voice much softer than the gruff inflection she'd just been using.

Ruby took a deep breath and raised her chin proudly. "Granny."

The older woman stepped forward hesitantly.

"Granny, we've been waiting on a coffee refill for ages now!" a masculine voice called out from behind Ruby.

The lanky brunette slumped a little knowing, like always, the diner came first for her grandmother.

Eugenia glanced to the man in question, a belligerent look on her face. "Yeah? Well then you can wait a bit longer. I haven't seen my granddaughter in over ten years. You try waiting that long and then come complain to me Leroy!"

Surprise flooded Ruby's face, and Granny chuckled when she focused on her again.

"Real glad to see you girl." Her lips pursed. "Why don't you come back to the office for a bit so we can catch up?"

Hopeful blue eyes rested on her, and Ruby felt odd at the apparent interest. Her grandmother had always seemed to look through her before – unless she was in trouble.

"Okay," she found herself saying. She moved robotically from her stool and followed her grandmother. This trek was familiar as well, the many times Granny had dragged her into the office by the ear far beyond counting. She rubbed her ear absentmindedly as they entered the modest office.

Eugenia gestured to the small sofa, and Ruby slumped comfortably into one corner of it.

"Now, tell me all about your life. Spare me no details girl, I want to hear it all!"

Ruby frowned at her grandmother's enthusiasm. "Why?"

Confusion marred Eugenia's features. "What do you mean why?"

The dark haired woman started to grow angry. "I mean exactly what I said; why? Why do you want to know now? It's been ten years and you never cared. Why now?" She was embarrassed to find her eyes stinging with tears and her voice had come out strained.

Granny's lips pursed, her own ire growing. "What do you mean I never cared? 'Course I did!"

"Don't lie to me!" Ruby growled. "You were happy when mom showed up to take me! You couldn't wait to get rid of me! I was with you for over a decade and you told mom it would be better for everyone if I wasn't here any more!" She was nearly screaming when she finished, chest heaving with her fury.

"No," Eugenia shook her head. "No," she repeated in disbelief.

"Yes," Ruby hissed through clenched teeth. "I heard you."

Her words seemed to echo in the small room, and Granny was frozen in shock. Old, worn hands clenched.

"Your mother was the apple of my eye. I spoiled her rotten growing up, and by the time she became a teenager, it started to show. I decided it would be better if maybe I tried being a little tougher on her. Then your grandfather died, and things got tougher on us both."

Ruby scowled and opened her mouth to speak, but Eugenia extended a hand, palm outward. "Let me finish, girl."

She grudgingly complied, part of her curious about where the story was going.

"Anita started hanging out with the wrong sort of kids at school, so I thought a change was in order. I sold our place in the city and we came here. I bought the diner with the money from the sale, and a little from the insurance your grandfather had. Your mom hated it here, and no matter what I tried, things got worse. She ran away when she was fifteen. You know what she told me the night she left?"

Ruby shook her head.

"She told me I was a horrible mother, and she hoped to never see me again. I thought she'd come back in no time at all, but the next time I saw her was when she brought you here. Eight years. To top it all off she barely spared two words to me, only telling me your name and giving me a bag with your things in it. Then she was gone again." Her periwinkle eyes were moist and her lips quivered.

"I did say everyone would be better off if you weren't here, but not in the way you're thinking Ruby." Her voice wavered. "Your mom was in a bad place for a long time, and she needed you. I knew you weren't happy here with me. I could see it every day when you looked at me. When she came back for you...I thought for once I could make you both happy again."

Ruby swallowed hard, and she forced her eyes to remain open so the moisture pooling in them wouldn't fall. "You hated me."

Eugenia shook her head. "No Ruby, never. No matter what you and your mother ever thought. I've always loved you. Both of you, with every last bit this wrinkled old heart of mine is capable of."

The first tear fell, and Ruby jerked her head angrily. "No! If that were true why didn't you come to her funeral, huh? Why didn't you help me? Mom tried to prearrange what she could, but in the end there was just me! If she hadn't taken out an insurance policy, I don't know what I would have done. I was a mess...I needed you," the last words were a whisper, her voice hoarse from a combination of tears and yelling.

Granny's tears traveled down her face unchecked. "I didn't know she died until three months after the fact. I didn't even know she was sick." A hand came up to wipe furiously at her moist cheeks. "It wasn't until some bill collector called me up that I found out."

Ruby's brow was furrowed as she contemplated the words. "Three months," she mumbled. Her eyes widened after a moment and she looked up at her grandmother with wide eyes. "You..."

Eugenia's mouth was a grim line, and she nodded once.

"Why didn't you tell me?" her heart thudded and her voice wavered, much as her will to remain angry at her grandmother did.

"I tried. I called you once," she admitted in a tired voice.

Ruby blanched as she remembered the call in question. As soon as her grandmother had admitted it was her, she'd lost it. She'd been in a fog of pain and depression, and had never been quite sure what she'd told the older woman.

The office grew quiet again, and Eugenia moved to the desk and pulled open a drawer. She rustled some things around for a few moments before pulling out a small package of tissues.

The older woman shuffled back around to sit hesitantly on the couch next to her granddaughter, a shaking hand reaching out to offer the tissues.

Ruby broke, leaning forward and burying her head into the crook of her grandmother's neck and shoulder as she sobbed uncontrollably.

Shaking arms wrapped around her, and Eugenia started a gentle rocking motion. "I'm so sorry my girl. I know I failed you so many times, but I love you so much. I'm so glad you came today, even if you just wanted to tell me how much you hate me."

Ruby clenched her fists at the words, before moving her arms so they were wrapped tightly around the older woman's midsection. "I messed up too, Granny. I love you. I love you."

She and Granny had spent the good part of an hour catching up when they'd finally stopped crying. It had felt odd sitting there after so many years of thinking things between them were beyond repair.

Better choices could have been made, more and better communication should have occurred...but life wasn't a sitcom. Sometimes family members hurt each other and didn't know how to fix it. Sometimes it took years for the parties involved to be willing to even listen to each other.

Ruby sighed as she entered the familiar house on Mifflin street, beyond exhausted from the emotional exchanges. Granny had wanted her to stay for dinner, but she had needed a respite from...everything. It was all overwhelming.

And in the back of her mind, she knew she owed Regina both an apology and a huge thank you.

As she closed the door firmly behind her, she tilted her head as she strained to hear even a hint of sound. She wanted to know where Regina could be found. She didn't have to wait long.

"Mary Margaret is that you—oh, Ruby." Regina uncharacteristically stammered as she paused in the doorway of her office. Her hands fumbled at her sides before an arm came to rest protectively over her stomach.

Ruby admired the way the scoop-necked sleeveless gray dress draped over the woman for a moment before clearing her throat. "Hey," she nervously greeted, one hand giving a halfhearted wave.

Regina cleared her throat, her eyes not quite meeting Ruby's. "I forgot that Mary Margaret is staying at the Bed and Breakfast this weekend. I'll just," she took a half step back, her body angled away from Ruby with her free hand gesturing to the office behind her.

"No, wait!" Ruby took a hurried step forward, before slowing her pace and shaking her head. "I mean – wait, please."

The older woman halted, her dark eyes regarding Ruby warily. She crossed her arms over her chest, her hands cupping her elbows. "Yes?"

Ruby tugged at her red and black flannel shirt with one hand, the other tucked firmly into the pocket of her black skinny jeans. "I'm sorry."

Regina's body visibly relaxed. "No, it wasn't my place to speak to you of such things. You needn't apologize."

The lanky young woman took a deep breath, and stepped a little closer to Regina so they were nearly standing toe to toe. "No," she shook her head. "You were right to push me a little. If it were up to me, I probably would have gone another ten years without talking to Gran."

Dark umber eyes widened, and Regina's lips slightly parted. "Then, you spoke to her?" Her eyes roamed Ruby's face, only just noticing the rings of red around her eyes and the flushed tip of her nose. "You've been crying," she spoke with some concern.

An embarrassed smile grew on Ruby's face and her right hand nervously ran through her hair. "Eh, yeah. Technically."

Regina sighed, one arm unfolding as she reached forward to squeeze Ruby's bicep carefully. "Are you alright?" Her eyes shifted restlessly over Ruby's face.

"Yeah," came the quiet response. "It was...things were so much different than I realized, you know?" She shrugged, and a pained smile grew on her face. "She's loved me this whole time."

"Well of course! You're a very lovable young woman." Her cheeks flushed a little when she realized what she'd said.

Ruby's gaze was settled on the scuffed toe of her sneaker and she didn't notice. "You'd be surprised," she mumbled.

"Sorry?" the confused look on Regina's face emphasized the meaning of the word.

"Oh, just," the younger woman shrugged again, "I haven't had much luck with love."

"I find that hard to believe." Their eyes met and held for a few tense moments. Regina cleared her throat and glanced away, an awkward smile on her face. "You're still young. I'm certain you'll find some nice young man or," she visibly hesitated, "woman that will love you unconditionally."

"What about you?"

Regina's eyes widened. "Pardon?"

Ruby laughed softly and stepped back a little. "I mean you're still young. You're attractive, accomplished, and yet you live in this big house alone. If someone like you is still single, what chance does a lowly student like me have?"

The shorter woman's mouth opened and closed for a moment. "I'm not certain my love life is an appropriate topic of discussion – you are my former step daughter's best friend."

A chuckle escaped Ruby at the uncomfortably spoken, defensive words. "Come now Regina, I'd like to think by now you would consider us friends."

Regina's head tilted, a surprised look on her face. "Are we?" the curiosity in her voice held an authentic note of wonder.

"If you want to be." Ruby shot the older woman an amiable look, though her heart thundered erratically in her chest.

"Yes," the smile on Regina's face blossomed slowly and beatifically. "Yes, I think I'd like that rather much."