Hey guys! 40 chapters! I can't believe how many of you have stuck with me through this, and I adore all of you! I think you'll enjoy this chapter quite a bit, and it is kind of fluffy. We get some more adorable moments between Henry and Regina, and see more of Ruby and Regina's bromance blossom. Enjoy!

Henry yawned widely for the umpteenth time that late Saturday morning, while he sat on the floor in front of the coffee table in the living room. He was working on some homework, wanting to get it out of the way early in the weekend, and Regina was on the sofa behind him, her legs pulled up, glasses on, and working through a Sudoku puzzle.

"Are you okay, dear? You're yawning a lot. Did you sleep poorly?" Regina asked casually, but stopped her puzzle to peer at the back of her son's head.

Henry shrugged, still scrawling across a worksheet. He paused in his writing to look over his shoulder. "I d'know... I mean, I slept all right and all, but I'm just tired all the time." He turned back to his work.

Regina smiled to herself. "Just wait until you're actually a teenager. You won't only be tired, but you'll be grouchy as well. And I will be the one who has to deal with your morning grumps."

Henry snorted a little, and shook his head. "Well, I guess I apologize in advance."

"You guess?" the brunette teased.

The boy shrugged again. "How grouchy were you? When you were my age?"

Regina's soft smile faltered a moment, but she said lightly, "I wasn't really allowed to be grouchy and petulant when I was young. Mother saw to that."

"Is that why you're so grumpy nowadays?" he said with a teasing smile that he flashed over his shoulder.

Regina wrinkled her nose at him, but her eyes sparkled with mirth, and a small grin curled her lips. "Of course, dear," she said, her voice laden with sarcasm. "My sour mood is simply me expressing my latent, teenaged angst. How could it be anything else?" She raised an eyebrow at him, and Henry rolled his eyes.

"I thought it was just Emma who was the dork, but you're kinda silly too," he gave back, not looking at his mother. He didn't notice the way she stiffened and paled at the flippant mention of his birthmother.

The brunette's jaw worked as she fought back an onslaught of emotion, but her son took no notice of her silence, as he was completely reabsorbed into his work. Regina let the conversation die there, not sure how she would even respond to such a statement. She quietly resumed her puzzle, and Henry remained unperturbed while he focused on his assignment.

"Henry, dear?" Regina asked, breaking the silence again.

"Yeah, Mom?" He still didn't look up.

"Would you like to spend the night with Ava and Nicholas tonight?" Her voice was a little higher, betraying her nerves.

Henry looked up that time, a frown etching his face. "What?"

"Okay, if you don't want to see them, what about your lady friend, Paige?"

The boy blushed furiously at the mention of the girl, and a small smile crossed Regina's face. "N-No, I don't think I wanna have a sleepover with just a girl," he mumbled bashfully. "Why do you want me to go out tonight?"

The mayor frowned slightly, cocking her head in confusion. "Do you not want to see your friends?"

Henry scratched at the back of his neck. "No, it's not that. They're really cool to hang out with and stuff, and Mr Tillman is really nice, but..."

"But?"

"But," he started, biting his lip. "You've let me go out for sleepovers and stuff a lot lately. You never used to let me do that stuff."

"A mother can't change her ways? I'm not allowed to let you go out and be social?"

"I mean, you are, but I don't think that's why you're sending me out. 'Cause you always tell me to go to someone else's place, and not saying I should invite them here. Are...are you up to something?" He blushed at his timid accusation.

Regina mimicked her son's action, and bit her own lip. It would be easy to lie and say that his time away afforded her some necessary time to herself, but she was home alone the six hours he was at school, and she did promise not to lie to him anymore.

"Mom?" Henry asked, breaking her line of thought.

The brunette set down her book of puzzles, and pulled her glasses off, fixing him with a direct look. "'Up to something' is the wrong way to put it, but yes, there is a reason why I ensure you're out of the house some evenings." Henry's frown deepened, but he remained silent so his mother could continue.

"I have been having Miss Lucas out here on those evenings," she stated, a mild blush coloring her cheeks.

"Seriously? Ruby? How come you've been keeping it a secret?"

Regina smiled fondly at the boy. "Because you, mister, have a habit of hearing things you're not supposed to. My conversations with Miss Lucas are personal, and I like to keep them private."

"But...I'm your son."

"Precisely. Much of what I have to say is nothing I want you to carry on your shoulders."

"Hang on, I thought you didn't even like Ruby," he said with another confused frown.

"True, but I also never took the time to get to know her before. Truth be told, I find her amusing and endearing. She's been very kind to me during my recovery, and I would like to see her again tonight," Regina said, masking as much emotion that tried to bleed into her voice as she could.

Henry pulled a face. "Are...are you guys, like...dating or something?"

The brunette choked, but ended up laughing, despite herself. "No, dear. Our interest in each other is purely friendly in nature. Would you have had an issue with it if we were, though?" she questioned.

"I guess... I mean, it'd be pretty weird."

"How so? What about it would be weird?"

"I d'know...just you and Ruby don't seem like you'd be a good fit is all," he said, blushing harder.

"Not because we're women?" she said, carefully observing her son.

Henry scratched at the back of his neck, playing with the hem of his shirt while he thought out his answer. After a beat, he looked up at his mother and said, "No?"

"No? You don't sound very sure of yourself, dear." Regina was unconsciously nervously toying with one of her earrings.

"I d'know, I guess I just haven't thought about it much," he mused quietly. "I think I'd be okay if you were with a girl. As...as long as you love each other, right? That's what matters, right? Love and happiness?" He turned his hazel eyes up to hers, and she saw that they shone with trepidation, but there was conviction underlying his words.

She couldn't have been more proud of her son in that moment, and she reached out to stroke his messy locks. "Yes, Henry. That really is all that matters when it comes to who you love. Don't you ever forget that." She smiled warmly at him.

"So...Ava and Nicholas? Can we order pizza?" Henry asked, steering the conversation away from the sentimental direction it was heading in.

Regina pretended to consider her son's request, over-playing her thinking face, and tapping her chin with a finger. Henry rolled his eyes, but smiled nonetheless. "Only if you finish your homework for Monday. If you don't, no pizza."

Henry pumped his fist into the air before awkwardly hugging his mother's knees. He returned to his assignment with renewed vigor, and Regina got up to fix him a snack. While she was in the kitchen, she shot off a quick text to Ruby. Her phone buzzed moments after she had finished preparing the fruit and granola she made for Henry. When she read the message, a smile crept over her face, and she wondered what her and the young brunette were going to do that evening.

Regina fluffed her hair as she strode into the foyer after hearing several knocks on the front door. She pulled it open without asking who was there, knowing it was one Ruby Lucas. She smiled warmly at the young waitress, whose jaw dropped open upon seeing her. Regina made no effort to ask about the girl's reaction, knowing she would talk about it in a few moments. Her patience was appropriately rewarded.

"Whoa!" Ruby exclaimed, taking in the mayor's appearance while she walked through the doorway, shedding her coat. "You look... Holy crap!"

"Articulate," Regina teased, and the young brunette blushed in response.

"No, it's just, you look really good!" Ruby explained, following her hostess into the living room.

It was apparent that Regina had planned for her arrival, because, upon entering, Ruby saw that the coffee table was set with two glasses - one empty, for wine, and the other filled with lemon water - the chessboard, a bottle of wine, a small platter with sliced cheeses, and a small wooden bowl filled with various sliced nuts and dried fruits. Julie London was playing softly in the background, and Ruby smiled at the scene.

"How exactly do I look, dear?" Regina asked, settling down into the armchair she sat in the last time they got together.

Ruby dropped down into the same spot on the sofa as before, and gave the older woman an exaggerated once-over. "You look...healthy. Your bruises and swelling all look loads better. What have you been taking these past few days, and where can I get some?"

"I don't think I've been on any special drugs lately, so sorry to disappoint," she remarked, sipping some of her water. Ruby picked up the wine and examined the label. "Ah, now that is from the Bartlett Winery. They were the first winery to open in Maine, and have been quite successful since. They're truly excellent wines, and that there, the pear wine, is simply superb. I don't break it out for just anyone, dear."

Ruby poured some of the golden-yellow alcohol into her glass and took a tentative sip. She let out a long moan the moment it hit her tongue, and Ruby's eyes rolled back while she smacked her lips.

"Good God, that is fucking delicious!"

"Mm, I am glad it's not being wasted. Shall we?" She gestured to the chessboard.

"Absolutely," Ruby agreed, setting down her glass to look at the board.

"Do you remember how to play, or would you like to explain how the pieces move again?"

"Nah, I think I remember. And if I mess up, you'll correct me anyway," the waitress said, nudging one of her white pawns forward two spaces. "How's Henry doing?"

"You ought to know, dear. You do see him every day." The mayor moved one of her knights.

"I know I do, but I don't see him for very long these days, and he's still not as chatty. You're his mom; you know him better than anyone else."

"Indeed. He's been...better, I think. He doesn't hover around me quite as much as he used to, and his bouts of depression seem to be more spaced out than before. He knows, you know."

Ruby looked up with confusion at Regina. "Uh...knows what?"

"That you and I have been meeting."

"Is that a bad thing?"

"I'm not entirely sure. But I did want to let you know, because it is likely that he will question you about what you and I talk about. He wanted to be here while you were, but I dismissed the request."

"How come?" Ruby claimed one of Regina's pawns.

"He's a smart, but emotional boy. He's also quite sneaky, to be honest. He would end up hearing something he shouldn't, and that would bode poorly for all of us," Regina explained evenly.

"Right, like us talking about Emma. Bad idea. You're totally right. How'd he take it? Being told he can't hang around with us?"

"He was confused, naturally." Regina chuckled for a moment while her eyes roamed the board. "He actually asked if we were dating."

Ruby burst out laughing, before fixing her shining eyes onto the older brunette. "Are we?"

"I think we've been over this before, dear."

"Yeah, just making sure that nothing's changed! You can be unpredictable sometimes." She fell into another fit of giggles. "What'd he say about it?"

"Well, I did ask if he would have had an issue with it if we were actually a couple."

"And?"

"He said that he didn't think you and I would 'make a good fit,'" Regina said amusedly.

"Awww," Ruby responded, feigning heartbreak. "But we would be so hot together!"

"Is that so?" The mayor arched an eyebrow.

"Legit. We're both super hot, confident, strong, and funny brunettes. It's a match made in heaven."

"Who says I am into brunettes, dear?" Regina asked coyly.

Ruby narrowed her eyes in mock assessment. "Okay, I wanna guess what you're into, then!" Regina frowned, but amusement shone in her eyes, and she remained silent for her guest. "Okay! You're into... Oh! Fiery redheads!"

The older woman wrinkled her nose in obvious distaste. "Please, no."

"Wait a second, are we talking about dudes or chicks here?" Ruby asked.

A deep blush slowly crept up Regina's cheeks, and she quietly asked, "Does it matter? Does it make a difference?"

The waitress shrugged. "I guess not. Why, do you harbor any same sex tendencies, Madame Mayor?" The blush on the older woman's cheeks only deepened, and Ruby covered her mouth with her hands, squealing excitedly. "Oh my God! You do!"

Regina scowled. "I assumed you already knew that," she shot back.

"What? When? You never told me..."

"Considering that you've been accusing me of holding feelings for Miss Swan, and bringing up the bouquet of flowers I left for her at every opportunity, I thought you'd have connected the dots."

"Well...I know you don't think I'm all that smart anyway. That I'm just a dumb, gossip girl."

"I said no such thing!" Regina responded hotly.

"Uh-huh, right. So you don't think I'm some idiotic slut?" Ruby crossed her arms defensively over her chest.

A concerned look crossed the mayor's face. "Should I?"

Ruby's expression faltered, and she mumbled sheepishly, "N-No, I just...I thought that's how you saw me."

"Ruby, you're not anything like that. You're...you're my friend."

"Which means what? That I'm not a slut?"

"No, but it means I like to be with people who are of a certain social caliber."

Ruby snorted. "And I make the cut? You, Madame Mayor, have lowered your standards."

"Perhaps you should start thinking more highly of yourself, dear." Regina casually remarked.

"Okay, but we're getting off topic here. You like chicks, right? Like, are you gay? 'Cause I'm cool with the gays, and I totally won't out you or anything." The waitress' eyes sparkled with pure glee.

"I wouldn't say that I'm...gay," Regina said softly, her blush creeping down her neck and chest.

"Awwww!" Ruby cooed. "You're only just coming out! That's so precious!"

"Not exactly. Ruby...I don't really know what is going on, but I am certainly not coming out."

"Does this mean..." The younger brunette frowned to herself. "Are you attracted to Emma?" She eyed the mayor closely for her reaction, and saw a telltale clenching of the woman's jaw, the renewed blush in her cheeks, and the not-so-subtle aversion of her chocolate eyes. Ruby narrowed her own. "That's pretty fucked up."

Regina's gaze fixed itself back onto her guest, eyes flashing dangerously. "You think I don't know that!" she snapped viciously.

"I don't get it," Ruby huffed out.

"And I do?"

"Well...you're you. You're the only one who can be in your head, not me, or anyone else. Only you can know the answer to any of this insanity," the waitress said calmly, but Regina didn't respond. "What's changed?"

"I can't give you the answer to that either. But...I did see her again."

Ruby's eyes widened. "You did? What happened?"

Regina started fidgeting, an uncharacteristic action for the older woman. "Something about her is...different."

"Care to elaborate?" Ruby said, sipping her wine again.

"Before, she seemed angry...aggressive. But now? She's...defeated. I saw nothing but remorse and sorrow in her eyes. She's haunted by her actions, and she insists on at least trying to make things right. Between us," the mayor explained softly.

"You say that like it's a bad thing. Is it?"

"I...can't tell," she replied even more quietly.

"Do you not want to let her try?"

"No, I do. That's the most terrifying thing about all of this. I shouldn't want to allow her anything. I should hate her, and let her wallow in her misery and-"

"Puke puddles?"

Regina smiled ruefully. "She's not as unkempt as she was before. I do believe she's at least bathed. Are you still upset with her? For the way she treated you?"

"I think so," Ruby shrugged. "She really ticked me off, and I just...haven't let it go yet."

Regina leaned forward, capturing the young woman's gaze in her own. She looked intently at the waitress, long enough that Ruby began to squirm under the intensity of the stare. "Ruby. If I, of all people, can learn to forgive even the most abominable of crimes, I do believe that you can as well."

No, Regina hasn't completely forgiven Emma for being an asshole, but you have to start somewhere, right? As per the norm, you can find me on Tumblr at Writers-Dilemma. tumblr. com and you can find my oh-so-spectacular Beta, Jasmine, at obligatory-regal-name. tumblr. com