Thank you for the reviews! They are very much appreciated! As this story keeps going, especially starting next chapter, there will be spoilers for season 5 and on. Beware!
Snow's attention went to the door as the bell rang and she breathed a sigh of relief as Henry walked in. He glanced around the diner and quickly made his way to David as soon as he caught sight of him. Snow stood, shifted Neal in her arms, and made her way to them. She hadn't missed for a second the worry on her grandson's face. Breathe, she thought, it will be ok.
"… nowhere, it's like she vanished. Gramps, I've looked everywhere," Henry was saying as she came alongside them.
"And Regina isn't answering her phone?"
"No, not even a text. She would never do that, especially now with everything that's going on with Mom…"
Snow put her hand on Henry's shoulder, trying to ease the panic that was emanating from him.
"When did you last see Regina, Henry?" she asked.
"About an hour ago. She was going to scout around town again for signs of Zelena while Robin put the baby to sleep. It's been almost a week so she's getting really antsy about where Mom took her. Robin doesn't like her going out alone so she waited for him to get distracted and made me promise not say anything. I know that cuff keeps Zelena from using magic but what if she found a way to get it off? What if Mom doesn't know and walks right into it? And Hook's not answering his phone either so I have no idea what's going on with him. I just have this really bad feeling, like something big is happening and all I am doing is wandering around lost and…"
Henry spun around as the bell on the door tinkled again and almost tackled the dark haired woman who entered to the ground.
"Henry! What..?" Regina gasped as he released her from his hug.
"You weren't answering your phone! I had no idea where you were! I went out and looked everywhere I could think of! I was about to break my promise and tell Robin!" he said all at once, words almost jumbling together because he said them so fast. Henry looked hard at her, waiting for her reply.
"You went out looking for me by yourself? Henry, you know you aren't…"
"Mom, do you really think I wouldn't go looking for you when you didn't answer my calls or texts? Come on…"
David could barely contain a snicker at the irony of his grandson telling his own mother off for not answering her phone. Wait until Emma hears about this one… he almost winced at that thought. Right on cue, as if she heard his thoughts, he felt Snow's hand entwining with his. She had moved to his side, cradling a slowly fading Neal in her arms, and seemed to be suppressing a smile of her own. He had seen the relief wash over her when Regina had entered the diner. He couldn't help but think of the many ironies this little town of Storybrooke had brought them, one of them being Regina going from the Evil Queen, their enemy, to close ally and friend.
"Better apologize to the kid before he grounds you," Red said, not even trying to suppress her mirth at all. Of course, all conversation in the diner had ceased when Regina showed up and everyone was looking on in amusement.
Regina glanced at Henry before pulling out her phone to check it. She sighed.
"Henry, sweetheart, I'm so sorry for worrying you. My phone was still on silent from when I was helping Robin with the baby. I just forgot to turn it back up again. Please forgive me."
"Of course Mom, I just… didn't know where you were. Sorry, I shouldn't have yelled at you like that." Henry stepped forward and hugged Regina again, much to her relief.
"As much as I'm sure we all love these Charming Family Feels moments, can we get on with this meeting so we can set up the patrol parameter for the night?" Grumpy said.
"Can it, Gripey, I'm hugging my son here," Regina countered, but the humor in her eyes could not be missed.