Thank god the site is working again! I have been trying for over a day to post this!

Chapter 4

Usually when it came down to work despite her insufferable mother, Regina couldn't be happier to spend her day teaching her pupils their spelling words or times tables, but today, she was anxious. She had gotten into work early just in case a certain small blonde appeared needing her to talk to. After her abrupt meeting with the girl's father last night and taking in the state of the 'family' home, the young teacher's concerns for Emma only grew and there was no way she could express those feelings to her mother. She could talk to her Uncle, but again, after yesterdays events, she didn't want to get either one of them in trouble again. There was only one solution for the time being until she could collect her evidence and that was to meet up with the two people she had been friends with since high school. Mary Margaret and David, who were, friends, turned partners, turned engaged within 2 years of dating once the trio had finished college.

As school began, the young teacher watched carefully as her pupils dispersed of their belongings to the back of the class and take their seats. Standing at her desk to start the register, Regina looks towards the empty desk beside Ruby with a frown while trying not to let her fears get the best of her. "Has anyone seen Emma this morning?"

A unison of 'no Miss' sounded through the room as the brunette bites her lip and she continues to call out the register. Having asked Ruby to hand out their family trees to finish, Regina knew she would have to disturb her mother due to the child's absence. "Class please continue with your drawings, I will be back in a moment.." Turning towards the classroom door, the young teacher spots a head of blonde hair appear just above the glass then a small face as the girl stands on her toes to look inside. Sighing in relief, the brunette heads outside and closes the door behind her, seeing Emma stood in front of her in her coat.

Looking up, the blonde gives a sorry stare. "Sorry..Miss...they forgot I had school and left..for work..so I walked.."

Running a hand through the girl's locks, Regina shakes her head still relieved she is alright. "It's okay Emma..come inside"

Concerned, Emma bites her lip. "What about my tree?"

"You don't need to show it.." Leading the girl quietly inside, the brunette returns to her desk as Emma hangs up her coat and takes her seat.

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"Well done Madison, You certainly added a lot of colour to your tree aswell, maybe we should display them when we are finished" Regina smiles at the girl then gestures to her seat. "Okay, lets-" pausing, the young teacher looks towards the blonde who has her hand up. "Yes Emma?"

Rising from her chair, the blonde walks over. "I want to show my tree please"

Surprised, the brunette nods and hands her paper over. Taking a breath, Emma turns towards the class and holds it up, causing a few confused looks. "..this..is my tree and this is me..I am the only one on it as..I am..not part of a family, but..but its okay.." Turning briefly to Regina's desk, prompting the woman to raise an eyebrow as the girl scribbles on the paper then holds it up again. "Its okay..as I have my friend Ruby.." Pointing to who she just drew with a smile while watching her friend grin, then points to the next figure. "..and my teacher..our teacher..Miss Mills and they both help me..when I need it.."

Staring at the small blonde in awe, the young teacher clears her throat feeling choked. "Emma, that's..that's-"

Hearing a long, slow, clap by the door, the class and Regina turn to face the Headmistress standing there. Sniggering, Cora walks inside, looking towards the girl. "Thats not very nice against your parents, Emma. Maybe a little time out in my office is due"

Stepping up quickly, the brunette stands in front of Emma. "I don't think so.."

"Finally getting a backbone are we?" Raising an eyebrow, the older brunette steps closer.

Remaining still, Regina looks to her mother while trying not to let it show how frightened she actually is. Emma puts her paper down then walks around to Cora. "I'll go with you.."

"Emma.."

Looking over her shoulder, the blonde smiles a little towards her teacher wanting to also protect her then feels the older woman grab her shoulder and takes her to the door.

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Leaving her class as soon as she can, Regina heads straight to the headteachers office and hears a numourous amount of raised voices. Pushing the door open, the brunette looks shocked to see her mother sat at her desk with Emma's parents on the opposite side shouting at the girl.

"You will never learn will you!" Her mother shakes her head with a fed up sigh.

"Why Emma?! Do you not want to be in this family?!"

Looking towards her father with a cringe, the small blonde gives a shaky breath. "..Henry..only cares.."

Spitting out a sarcastic laugh, her mother looks down at her. "Henry is a baby! He doesn't care about you!"

"Don't talk to her like that!"

All three adults including Emma look towards the doorway seeing an annoyed looking Regina. Standing up from his chair, the blonde's father moves forward. "Escuse me?!"

Glaring at her daughter, Cora clears her throat. "Mr Swan, I must apologise for the disgraceful behaviour of my teacher..she had no right to say that. Please feel free to leave, we may discuss the matter more by phone"

Getting up from her seat, Emma's mother grabs hold of the girls arm and pushes her father past the brunette before he does anything. Reaching out momentarily, Emma touches the young teachers hand sadly with a pout then gets pulled down the corridor.

Regina watches as Cora remains scarily calm then walks over to the door and closes it behind her before twisting the lock.

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Watching her parents leave the house, Emma heads off into Henry's room to find the boy standing up in his cot and clasping his hand towards her with a smile while babbling. Pushing a foot stool over, the blonde steps up and lifts him out the cot carefully, smiling when the boy wraps his arms around her neck tightly. "Henry hungry?"

Pulling an eating motion with his mouth, Henry then giggles and plants a big sloppy kiss to his sisters face. Screwing her nose up, the blonde walks back out the living room and places the boy in his pen. "I'm hungry too.." Jumping slightly at a knock at the door, Emma freezes and stares towards the front door. Motioning Henry to be quiet, the blonde bites her lip as the boy puts his finger to his mouth and purses his lips trying to get it right.

"Emma? Honey its Regina, I saw that your parents went out and I wanted to make sure you were okay"

Breaking out in a smile, Emma runs back into Henry's room and grabs the footstool before running to the front door. Climbing up, she lifts the handle then pushes the stool away as the door begins to open. On sight of seeing her teacher, the blonde immediately hugs her at the waist causing the woman to stumble back slightly. Smiling down at her, Regina slowly wraps her arms around the girl. "Hello Emma"

Pulling back, Emma looks up at her. "I was just making dinner.."

"What?"

"For me and Henry" the blonde explains then gestures for the woman to come in. "They won't be home until 2"

Sighing, the young teacher walks inside and closes the door. "In that case, I will make you dinner.." Looking across the room, the brunette smiles with a chuckle at Henry who is bouncing excitedly. "I take it this is Henry?"

Nodding, Emma walks over to the playpen. "My brother.." Covering her mouth she whispers. "The nice one"

Laughing, Regina strokes her hair and gestures towards the kitchen. "Come on, you can show me what Henry likes to eat.."

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Once again, Emma stood on her footstool but this time to help the brunette dry up the dishes as the woman washes up. Biting her lip, the blonde looks across sadly. "..I know why you help me..."

Raising an eyebrow, the young teacher stops washing and leans against the sink to look at the girl. "Oh? And why is that?"

"Because..you..you know what it is like...your mother not nice..and she hurts you.." Emma explains cautiously.

Regina gulps then turns back to wash again. "What makes you think that Emma?"

Pointing with the towel, the blonde continues. "Your arm the other day had marks and today you have a bruise by your neck.."

Dropping the sponge, the brunette covers her neck with her hand while looking wide eyed. "..no Emma..its not..its nothing.."

"Yes it is but its okay.." Placing the towel on the counter, Emma wraps her arms around the woman again. "I'm here..."

Getting teary, the young teacher hugs back and kisses the top of her head. "Thank you Emma.."

Resting against the woman, the blonde closes her eyes. "We help each other.."

Rubbing her back briefly, Regina pulls away and takes a breath. "I think its time you join Henry for bed then I have to go.."

Pouting, Emma slowly nods and jumps down off her step. "I'll go get changed..will you read me a story?"

Nodding, the brunette finishes up at the sink. "If you're quick"

Grinning, the blonde runs off to her room to get her pajamas on.

Sighing, Regina walks over to her bag and checks her phone seeing a list of missed calls from Mary Margaret. "Oh great.." Quickly sending a message apologising for forgetting, the brunette shakes her head. Now the girl was taking over the little life she had, but there was no way she would give up on her now.

A/N: Question- I know I had put it as part of the description, but who thinks I should leave the magical concept out of this story? If not I can still add?