Chapter seven

Emma paced Regina's front porch, as she pulled her phone for the tenth time, it was still 5.30. After hours of deliberating she had gone with a tight pair of black jeans, a black and red shirt covered by her red jacket.

She had been stood on the porch for ten minutes trying to decide the least creepy time to actually knock.

Sighing she started to think about everything strange that had happened. She had met her son, met the most beautiful woman in the universe who was clearly interested in her, she had gotten a roommate that she actually enjoyed being around and she had gotten a job within a day of coming to town. She knew that all of this should terrify her, and before she met Henry it probably would have. It was a difficult thing to explain, she knew that none of this had happened before, but every time something happened or she met someone she had the strongest sense of déjà vu. This feeling seemed to even override her superpower. When Regina had said that she didn't believe Henry Emma knew that she was lying, but for some reason she couldn't bring herself to dwell on it, in fact she was beginning to believe that Henry's theories could actually be a viable explanation for everything.

She was brought out of her thoughts by the sound of an opening door "you know most people knock right?" the small brunette laughed.

Emma felt blush come to her face realising that Regina had probably sent Henry to let her in, "I..."

"Why are you nervous?" he asked in an amused voice.

"I am not nervous," Emma tried.

Henry just nodded slowly in disbelief, before opening the door wider, "mom said that dinner won't be ready until 6 but you're welcome to come in."

Emma looked at him curiously "I thought that she's evil."

"I was wrong," he replied before casually walking off to his bedroom.

Emma shook her head in his direction, what the hell? She thought.

"Miss Swan," Regina called, and Emma felt a chill run up her spine.

Emma followed the voice into the kitchen where Regina had just placed a lasagne in the oven.

"Hey," Emma said awkwardly.

"You don't seem the type to be early," Regina laughed smoothly.

Emma's blush deepened, "I'm usually not."

"Well then you should be an asset to the sheriff's department," Regina chuckled.

Emma laughed as she followed Regina as she left the kitchen, "apple cider?"

Emma nodded as they entered the study, "where'd the kid run off to?"

"I think he has some homework to finish," Regina answered as she poured two glasses.

The blonde accepted the glass with a small 'thank you' and then an awkward silence befell the room for a few moments, until she finally built up the courage to ask a question that had been bothering her "why did Henry think you were evil?"

"I was strict," Regina replied.

"Was?"

"Well he obviously wasn't being very receptive to my parenting style, he seemed to appreciate it when I asked you to stay," Regina explained.

"And why was that again?" Emma asked.

Regina blushed as she took a sip of her drink, "I thought it would be good for Henry to get to know you."

Emma felt her superpower flare up, and this time she was determined not to let it slide, "you're lying."

"Oh yes your superpower," Regina laughed. At Emma's dumbfounded expression, Regina quickly added, "Henry mentioned it."

"You're lying again," Emma replied, this time narrowing her eyes.

Regina desperately searched for an explanation that wouldn't set off that stupid super power, "you just make me nervous," she tried, to be fair it wasn't a lie

Emma's eyes widened and she felt her hands begin to moisten, "why is that? You know I don't want to take the kid away from you."

Regina nodded and placed her glass down, "I know you won't, that's not why you make me nervous," at least not anymore she added mentally.

"Then why?"

"It's hard to explain, I just felt a..." words failed Regina.

"Connection," Emma offered with a smile.

Seeing the same look of love that she had seen in the mine, Regina broke into a huge smile, "exactly."

"I just thought that since it was a closed adoption, you would be pretty pissed about me invading your life," Emma said.

"Well I used to be afraid that his mother would come back for him, but...I don't know how to explain it, I just didn't feel that as soon as I saw you," Regina almost mumbled.

Emma tilted her head, realising that Regina was just as emotionally inept as she was, and that made her even more interested in this strange beautiful woman then ever before, she just wanted to find out everything about her.

"Hey mom," Henry called.

"I'm in the study," Regina replied.

Henry walked in holding a piece of paper, he smiled at Emma, before walking over to Regina. "I've done most of my math homework, but I can't figure out this last one."

Regina nodded, and inspected the work sheet, silence fell as she figured it out, and Emma couldn't help but smile, she had always wished for a parent that would help her with homework, and now she knew that her son had that kind of parent.

"You just need to do the opposite," pointing at the numbers she explained, "just find a number that goes into both of these so that you can put them into brackets."

Henry nodded clearly in deep thought, until he had a spark of inspiration, grabbing the paper he quickly wrote the answer and showed it to his mom proudly.

Regina smiled "that's right, is that all of your homework?" Henry nodded and Regina continued "go wash up for dinner, it shouldn't be too long now."

Henry nodded, and ran off to do as he was told.

Emma looked at Regina, before the brunette asked "what?" with a laugh.

"I'm just happy that you adopted him," she replied with a blush.

"As am I," Regina laughed, "care to wait in the kitchen."

Emma nodded as she trailed Regina as she left the room.

Fifteen minutes the trio sat at the dinner table, as they ate the lasagne, which Emma had to try and stop herself from devouring. Looking between son and mother, she noticed just how civilised they both were, she began to feel out of place. Shyly she took her elbows off the table which only made Regina laugh "don't worry Miss Swan, make yourself as comfortable as possible."

Emma gave a small smile, and within a few minutes she had completely forgotten about her worry.

The following forty-five minutes were the best of Emma's life, Henry told her all about school, and she noted that he hadn't mentioned his fairytale theories. Henry also told her some anecdotes about his childhood.

The phone began to ring and Regina excused herself from the table,

"What is it Graham?" she asked.

"I found Sidney, what do you want me to do with him?" his voice came through the device.

Regina sighed and considered her options, "well obviously he cannot be free while he is Gold's pawn."

"How about the institute under the hospital, once we figure it out he can be released," he suggested.

Regina wondered whether that would be wise, she realised that she couldn't allow him to stay within the public, but people would definitely notice that he was missing, "just keep him in the holding cell, I need to talk to him."

Graham agreed and they each hung up.

"Something has come up, I'm sorry for the inconvenience, but would you be able to stay with Henry for an hour?" Regina asked as she walked back into the dining room, though she wasn't sure whether this would be too much for the commitment fearing saviour.

Emma looked at Henry fear clear on her face.

"You only have to stay and watch TV with me," he laughed.

Emma nodded, "I think I can handle that."

"I'm sure you can," Regina smirked, "just make sure that he doesn't watch anything above PG and he isn't allowed any candy, if he gets hungry he can have a fruit snack."

Emma's eyes widened, "errrrmmmm..."

Henry laughed, "don't worry Emma, I'll talk you through all the rules."

Standing up he walked over to Regina and hugged her "see you later mom."

A huge smile adorned Regina's face, she still couldn't quite believe that Henry had begun to forgive her so quickly.

"I'll see you later my little prince, I expect him to be in one piece," Regina teased as she smirked at Emma before leaving.

Emma gulped and thought I can handle this.