A/N: I'm really sorry for the late update! I've been occupied with life. ;) I hope you're still with me.

Mistakes are all mine. Please enjoy and tell me what you think. :)

Chapter 23

Cora waited patiently for the little boy to arrive at the arranged meeting point. She stood at the back entrance of Henry's school to make sure that the six year old knew how to get there. The older woman really hoped that Henry would arrive before his mother would pick up the scent.

After a short while, a dark-haired boy ran around the corner with a sheepish smile on his face and a backpack. Cora chuckled lightly when she saw Henry and immediately knew that the boy was indeed her daughter's son. He looked up at her expectantly, breathing heavily and grinned.

The brunette smiled back at him before she spoke up.

"Good boy. Now, shall we save Regina?"

Henry nodded enthusiastically as he locked eyes with the woman. Cora even laughed a little and opened the door of Regina's black Mercedes as she said, "We have no time to spare."

The older woman climbed in the car as well and drove off in an instant. She couldn't risk any chances. She had to save her daughter whatever it may cost.

Arrival in Storybrooke

Once Cora and Henry arrived at the hospital they quickly made their way to Regina's room. The little boy unpacked the storybook before he laid it on the bedside table. He climbed on top of a chair and looked at the brunette worriedly. Her eyes were closed and she looked calm but there was still something that was off about her.

Henry glanced over to Cora when he decided to ask something.

"She sleeping?"

Regina's mother chuckled lightly and answered.

"Yes, but you have to wake her up."

The boy was about to shake Regina with his little arms when the older woman took his hands in hers. She shook her head before she responded with a warm smile on her face.

"No, not like this, darling. It has to be a sign of true love. You have to kiss her."

Henry giggled and nodded quickly before he slowly leaned down to Regina's face. He grinned cheekily when he felt the brunette's soft breathing on his skin. Before he could kiss her though, a scream filled the whole building, causing him to quickly turn around.

"HENRY!" Emma yelled, sprinting towards the hospital bed.

Cora sighed exaggeratedly when she saw the Savior approaching them. The blonde quickly wrapped her arms around the little boy and hugged him as tight as she could. Emma breathed heavily and relief and happiness were written all over her features. After a while of nearly hugging the boy to death, the blonde released him and spoke up, looking into his green-brown eyes.

"I was worried sick about you, little man. Don't dare to scare me like that again."

Henry smiled at her cheekily and shrugged his shoulders before he replied.

"Sorry, ma but I save Gina."

Emma contorted her face in confusion as she kept on staring at the brown-haired boy. Once the name of the brunette left Henry's lips, Emma's heart started to beat faster.

"Look." Henry continued as he pointed to the hospital bed.

The blonde's gaze instantly took notice of the dark-haired beauty, sleeping there. A light moan escaped Emma's lips when she realized that the brunette was indeed Regina, the woman she fell in love with. Emma kept on staring at Regina, oblivious to the other person standing in the room.

Once Cora coughed a little, the blonde's head shut up and she locked eyes with the older woman. Regina's mother smiled warmly at Emma before she decided to say something.

"Emma, my dear, it has been quite a long time."

"What?" The blonde asked, completely taken aback by the words of the dark-haired woman.

Cora nodded lightly and breathed out a sigh when she answered.

"You don't remember. You will soon if your son, the Savior accomplishes his mission. And darling, don't dare to kill me once it happens. You wouldn't succeed, anyway." The older woman chuckled darkly after she had finished her little speech.

The blonde was even more confused than before. Her facial expression perfectly demonstrated her bewilderment. Cora rolled her eyes at Emma's stupidity, knowing that the young woman hadn't changed much. She still wasn't good enough for her daughter, not in any way.

"As you may see, my daughter Regina is in a coma. She needs true love's kiss in order to wake up again." Cora spoke up once more, trying to clear up the situation.

The blonde looked at Regina once more as tears started to form in her forest eyes. She didn't understand any of this. Emma just wanted to press her lips against the brunette's and save her. However, she knew that fairytales didn't exist. She knew better than this. Regina's mother was apparently mental for believing in such a shit. Nevertheless, sadness filled the young woman as she stared at the body of her lover, hoping Regina would survive more than anything. Still, Emma knew she couldn't do anything about it. The blonde wanted to save her, but she simply couldn't.

"Ma, I do it now." Henry spoke silently as he gently pulled at his mother's red leather jacket.

Emma locked eyes with her son again and shook her head before she gave her response.

"Henry, this won't work. She… won't wake up." The blonde's voice cracked at the realization and hot tears slowly fell from her green-blue eyes.

"It work!" The little boy insisted, sounding determined and heroic.

"Please, sweetie, don't…" Emma tried one more time, but she couldn't say anything anymore.

The pain inside her chest was too painful and she didn't even know why this affected her as much as it did. A part of her was missing and she just now realized that Regina had been that part. Regina was the part that she had missed for as long as she could remember. Emma hated herself for not realizing it sooner, for not trying to hold on to the brunette, for just letting her go like that without a fight.

Henry didn't listen to his mother as he eyed the sleeping body with sad eyes. His cheeks were also wet by then. He had grown so attached to Regina. It felt as if she was also his mother. A feeling of love thrived inside of his body and it seemed unstoppable. It was the unstoppable force that caused him to close his eyes and kiss the dark-haired beauty.

Thanks for reading! You're awesome. ;)