The helpless teenager is in a state of increasing panic as he paces outside the bathroom, fighting with himself about whether to open the door to check on his unresponsive mother, or not. Luckily, he doesn't have to wait long before his grandparents arrive home and relieve him of the daunting task.
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At least, the young woman had a few minutes of peace before she feels something cold…and wet, being pressed against the left side of her face.
"Emma?"
Slowly, the young woman transitions into awareness and begins to register the soft, familiar voice above her.
"Emma, wake up."
"Mom?"
"I'm here, honey."
"Mom." The young woman attempts to rise and hug her mother. That was a bad idea.
Supported by her mother, the young woman decides to stick with a forty-five degree angle for the time being. She had never been more appreciative for her mother's warmth and understanding. But, she is instantly struck with overwhelming shame and begins to weep.
"It's okay. You're okay," the young mother soothes.
The blonde woman wonders, how she could be so weak. "I threw up," she sheepishly acknowledges.
"I know. Henry told me."
"Henry? Where is he?"
"He left, honey. Your father drove him home." The young woman's weeping quickly turns into desperate sobbing. "Shhhhh…"
"That's my family," Emma cries as she clings to her mother for support.
"I know." Mary-Margaret chooses to recognize, rather than deny, the sad reality. It isn't easy for Snow White to admit that her daughter had not only lost the woman she loved, but she had also lost the hope of having a loving family.
"I was stupid enough to believe that we could be a family."
"I wanted that for you." Though it had taken her some time to accept the woman who had once been her mortal enemy, Mary-Margaret had come to love Regina. And, she believed, that Regina loved her daughter and that they might find happiness with each other. She still cannot comprehend what went wrong.
"I just keep imagining her with him."
"You need a distraction." They both do. "Come on, let's get you clean up," Mary-Margaret announces, helping her daughter off the floor. "We're going out."
"Where are we going?"
"Granny's."
The young woman protests. "No, Mom, I'll see too many people I know there."
But, Mary-Margaret holds firm to her conviction. "People who love you. That's why we need to go. You've been shut in for weeks. It's time you stepped into the light."
She would rather not admit it, but her mother does make a solid point. "But, it's nighttime." She knows it's a lame argument, but she tries it anyway.
"You know what I mean." Evidently, Mary-Margaret is having none of her daughter's nonsense.
"There is no way I'm winning this argument, is there?"
"I'm afraid not."
"Fine." Is this woman thirty or thirteen? "I'll go."
"That's my girl."
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The brunette woman seated at the dinner table is both overjoyed to have her son home, yet consumed by unwelcomed thoughts. Something's the matter with Emma.
Upon his arrival back at the mansion, Henry disclosed some unsettling news. But, he honestly wished he hadn't when his brunette mother suddenly looked as if she might pass out too.
When he left the Charming household, his blonde mother was still unconscious; lying on the bathroom floor. Thankfully, as soon as his mother was revived, Henry's grandmother called him with an update.
Even though she was relieved to hear the news, that her favorite blonde was alright, Regina's hands remained trembling as she continued to prepare dinner. She was only too grateful that no one else was watching her except the son she shared with the blonde woman occupying her mind.
Throughout dinner, Regina repeatedly sneaks glances at her phone, despairing as she longs to hear from the blonde woman. Why would she even call me? We're barely speaking. I just need to know if she's alright. Please call, Emma. Call Henry, you don't have to talk to me.
The man seated next to her inquires as to the reason for his fiancé's divided attention. "Is everything alright?"
"Of course. Everything's wonderful," she automatically replies.
Concerned by his mother's programmed response, Henry interjects, "This is really good, Mom."
The brunette woman softens. "Thank you, sweetie."
Desiring to be a part of this comfortable exchange Robin pipes up. "I think Roland is enjoying his dinner too. Aren't you Roland?"
"Uh-hu."
The queen manages a weak smile, but her heart is somewhere else entirely.
In an effort to bring this woman back, the clueless man lightly covers her hand with his palm; a gesture that causes Henry to bristle. "Darling, relax."
I can't relax until I know that she's alright. "I need to clean up first." The queen rises from the table with several plates in hand and escapes to the kitchen.
"I'll help you," Robin calls after her. The smothering man is only too eager to confront Regina alone.
Recognizing his mother's distress, Henry instinctively puts himself in between the brunette woman and the thief. "It's okay, Robin. I've got it."
The teenager's boldness takes the clueless man by surprise. "Oh." This boy had suddenly become a man. "Alright." He immediately backs off.
Henry quietly enters the kitchen, where his mother is standing over by the sink, blankly staring at the basin as it fills with water. "Mom?"
The brunette woman quickly wipes her eyes, not wishing to gain undeserved sympathy for her own poor decisions. "I'm fine, Henry. You don't have to help me."
Luckily, for the queen, her son can read her better than anyone. "Do you need me to call her?"
Her breath catches and her heart leaps. "What?"
"I know you're worried about Emma."
Just hearing the woman's name is enough. She feels closer to her already. "I'm not worried."
"Mom." After all they've shared Henry is surprised that his mother still tries to shield him from the truth.
"It's just what you said earlier…" She wishes she could tell her son that she keeps picturing Emma lying unconscious on the tile floor, even though she knows that Emma is no longer in that helpless state.
"It's okay Mom. I want to know if she's okay too."
Please say you'll call her.
"I'll call her."
Thank you. She noticeably exhales a breath she didn't realize she had been holding.
"But, I'm going to help you with the dishes first," Henry asserts.
The relieved queen offers her son a grateful nod.
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Later that evening, having been re-energized by a few hours spent surrounded by old friends and family, the young woman considers calling her son to apologize for reacting badly to his desire to move back home. If only she knew the right words to say. She feels utterly mortified for getting sick and passing out in front of her teenage son. I shouldn't be allowed to be a parent.
Fortunately for Emma, Henry makes the first move. Though she doesn't want to appear desperate, the blonde woman answers her phone on the first ring.
"Henry?"
"Mom?"
"Hey, kid."
"Are you alright?"
"Yeah, I'm fine." I might as well just say it. "I feel terrible for getting sick and passing out while you were here."
"Has that happened before?"
"Well, my stomach hasn't been right for weeks. But, I haven't lost consciousness like that since…" Fuck. The realization hits. The last time she had been dizzy and light-headed enough to lose consciousness, she was in a jail cell and pregnant.
"Mom?"
"Uh…I just mean…I'm sorry I scared you." I can't be pregnant. I got my period this month, didn't I? The young woman tries to think back. I really wish I kept better track of these things.
"It's okay. I just want you to get better."
She tries to put the thought out of her mind and focus on the conversation with the child she knows she has.
'Mom, I'm sorry. I—"
"It's my fault Henry." I shouldn't have gotten so upset. "Just because you want to live with your mother, it doesn't mean you love me any less. I realize that."
"But, Mom, I do want to live with you."
The young woman's heart swells at these hopeful words. Maybe she can get that fresh start she yearns for, after all. Unfortunately, her son's next revelation threatens to hinder her plans.
"It's just…I think Mom needs me."
The teenager would not have made such a bold assertion, had he been aware of the fact that his brunette mother was conveniently passing by at this same moment. Of course it was no coincidence.
She stops just outside her son's room in hopes that she might overhear their conversation and learn the well-being of her favorite blonde.
The younger woman's heart sinks. Regina. Why did I leave her alone for so long? She attempts to gain more information. "Is she alright?"
"I don't know." Henry wonders if he should say anything. After all, he is only going on speculation. But, ultimately he decides to confess his anxiety to his blonde mother. "She seems happy. But…I'm worried. Something's not right."
Her son's words sting the brunette woman's heart. He sees right through me.
For the blonde woman, this news is unsettling. Though she is still recovering from the hurt this woman caused, she has a hard time suppressing the urge to confront Regina and get her out of an, evidently, unhappy situation. She is swiftly brought back to reality by her persistent son. "Are you still going to look for a house?"
She knows she shouldn't, but that doesn't stop the queen from eavesdropping. She's moving out?
"Um…" I'm not sure. She, honestly, hadn't thought about it. "I think so."
"This might be a good thing…getting your own place," Henry suggests confidently.
He must have inherited the hope gene from his grandmother. "Yeah." But, he might be onto something. "Maybe you're right," Emma concurs.
"Of course, I'm right!"
The brunette woman, listening on the other side of the door, smiles at her son's confidence. His tone reminds her so much of herself.
If only the two mothers could see each other, they are wearing matching smiles. "You are your mother's child."
"I could help you look, if you want."
He's such a good boy. Regina had never been prouder of her son, than she is today.
The younger woman had been completely lost in thought about a particular brunette and their family that she had almost completely forgotten what their conversation was even about. Oh, right, the house! "Well, that would be nice," the blonde woman admits.
"You deserve this Mom."
She does deserve this. She deserves all good things.
"You're right. I do deserve this." Thanks, kid. "Are you still staying with me on weekends?"
"Of course."
What's happening? The queen had missed a step.
"How about we start looking this Saturday? We could make a day of it."
"I can't wait."
Regina is only too eager to hear what resulted from the phone conversation.
"I love you so much kiddo."
"I love you too, Mom."
Just hearing her son call the blonde woman 'Mom' takes the queen's breath away. She desires to return to a time when it was the three of them together, a family.
"Goodnight."
"Goodnight."
Goodnight, my loves.
The queen takes a minute to compose and adopts a casual attitude, as if just passing by. Just act natural. You were not spying on your son. "Was that Emma?"
"Yeah." The teenager wonders how his brunette mother happened to be passing by at the exact moment that he ended the conversation with his blonde mother.
"How is she?" I need to know something. Not hearing from her is torture!
The ever perceptive Henry recognizes that his mother is aching for news of his blonde mother. He still can't understand why his parents are apart, when they obviously care deeply about each other. But, he decides not to dwell on the hopeless situation that will undoubtedly drive him crazy if he lets it. He decides to help his mother by easing her mind. "She's okay. I think she's actually excited. We're getting a house."
Try to sound surprised. "A house?!" She only hopes her forced surprise was not transparent.
His mothers are weird the teenager decides and doesn't read into his brunette mother's over-the-top response. "Yeah. Emma thought we should get a place of our own."
Bring it back, Regina. You're acting crazy. "What does your grandmother think about this?" I'm sure she'd flip out if Emma tells her.
"I'm not sure if Emma's told her yet."
That's probably smart. "Well…I just hope in the excitement, you don't forget that you still have a home here."
"I know, Mom. I won't forget."
You're my good boy. I am so lucky to be your mother. "You should get some sleep. You have school tomorrow."
"Yeah, I was just about to turn in." Actually, his plan was to read comic books for the next hour, at least.
"I'm so happy you're here. I'll sleep better tonight, knowing that you're sleeping under the same roof."
"I'm sorry I went away."
The queen bends down to her son's level and wraps him in a tender embrace. "Shhhh…everything is alright now. You're here."
Even though he is no longer a little boy, Henry nuzzles his face comfortably in the crook of his mother's arm. "I love you, Mom." His voice is soft.
"I love you too," the overjoyed mother whispers in response. She kisses the top of her son's head, before breaking the hug. "See you in the morning." She proceeds to exit the room, but turns back to catch her son's eye and exchange a sincere smile, before closing the door behind her. My little prince.
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"Are you feeling better?"
The queen reluctantly approaches the incongruous man. She only hopes that her body language discourages him for one night. Mechanically, she voices the only thing grounding her in this moment. "My son is home."
"That he is." Robin massages the closed off woman's biceps, silently encouraging her to unfold her arms, as he leans in to kiss her.
Apparently, this caveman doesn't understand body language.
"Robin…" she begins to protest, when she feels his kisses travel down her neck.
"What's the matter?"
"Not tonight. I just…not tonight." There is no way she could be with this man tonight, after sharing such an intimate moment with her family.
"It's alright." The, surprisingly gallant woodsman honors his fiancé and withdraws his advances. "It's been a very exciting day for you."
The relieved queen is exceedingly thankful that this man has never given her a reason to use dark magic. Her voice was always enough.
She wasn't expecting to revisit this part of her past tonight. Maybe, it was the unexpected restraint shown by the forest dweller that made her long for the days before she openly practiced dark magic, when she felt safe in the arms of her beloved Daniel. Unfortunately, even with Daniel, Regina could not escape the abuse she endured at the hands of her mother. Cora demonstrated her merciless hold when she killed the stable boy in front of Regina. After that night, the queen hardened her heart and swore to never again let herself feel that level of comfort, she felt with Daniel, with another person, for she would certainly lose them.
Desiring to overcome a tortured past, the sorceress thrived on the freedom that came from wielding dark magic. Through intimidation, the queen vowed that she would, not only, never again be at the mercy of another person, but no one would ever dare get close to a woman who posed such a tough exterior. Except her.
"I'm just really tired." Regina's thoughts are once again consumed by the amazing blonde who weaseled her way into her heart.
"I understand." The resigned man climbs into bed, but still desires to be close to the woman he loves.
As she rests on her side, facing away from the concerned man, Regina gradually becomes aware of the single tear trailing its way down her cheek; the tear of love lost. Emma. "Thank you."
"Just rest now. Our family is together."
The statement feels wrong when uttered by Robin. The queen is now openly crying, she only hopes her sobs are quiet enough, so as not to cause alarm.
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She couldn't sleep. How is she supposed to sleep with this man touching her? The queen realizes that Robin's carefully placed arm is intended for comfort, but it is having the exact opposite effect. Try as she might, she cannot relax, her body remains tense and rigid. Finally, after nearly two hours of reaching for unattainable slumber, she surrenders to the unrest. She carefully rises from the bed, not wishing to wake the sleeping man who will certainly protest the queen's desire to be alone. Donning her robe, she quietly makes her way down the staircase and into her private study.
She already feels significantly better, resting against the plush sofa. Why can't I sleep? The brunette woman makes an annoying realization for her insomnia. More than anything, she wants to talk to the blonde woman who consumes her every waking thought.
I've made a horrible mistake. She grasps her phone and proceeds to stare at the screen, waiting for an image that will most likely never come. The queen was entirely unaware that across town that same blonde woman was also wide awake.
Normally, Emma doesn't have this much trouble falling to sleep. But her recent phone conversation with her son left her with a foreboding feeling.
Something's wrong with Regina. Why have I been so cold toward her? She doesn't have any other friends. Could I possibly be pregnant?
Emma. Call me, please.
Regina. Please let me sleep.
Please, Emma. Please. I need you.
You will be the death of me. She can't explain it. She can only describe the feeling as stronger than herself. She has to call Regina now, at this very moment. Otherwise, she fears that the torment would only worsen. She types out the first text. Are you awake?
The despairing queen had resigned to the fact that Emma could not hear her silent plea and she had forever ruined their relationship. As she sits, doubled over and crying, her phone suddenly alerts her to a new message. Such a beautiful sound. Could it be? Is it possible? Though she is fearful how she might react if the message is not from Emma, she can't imagine who else might be texting her after midnight, the queen summons the courage to read the new message. Emma! Emma, my love, you knew! The brunette woman can barely contain her excitement enough to type out a response. Her fingers are typing faster than she can spell. Icanth No. icannt Damnit! I can'''' What the fuck is wrong with me? I can't slip One more time. I can't sleep. Why was that so hard?
She is awake. How did I know that? Me either. Frankly, the blonde woman is relieved that Regina is not only awake, but receptive to her act of reaching out.
I need to hear it from her, now. Are you alright?
I give up. I was going to ask you this same question.
How does she know? The queen struggles with herself. She desires to tell Emma the truth, but does not wish to appear vulnerable. However…This is Emma. She already knows me. No. I'm not alright.
Instantly, Regina's cell phone rings. The hopeful queen answers. "Emma?"
"Hey."
How does this woman have the power to calm every anxiety inside her with only a single word? The grateful queen responds, "Hey."
"What's going on?"
She must know something's amiss. "Everything's changing."
I am not responsible for your feelings. But, I can't just ignore you. "Change is a part of life Regina."
"I know."
Why does she always do this to me? "What's really bothering you?"
"I miss you." The queen worries that her words seem empty now, after everything that's happened between them.
You make it impossible for me to hate you. "I miss you too." I need her to know that I'm still upset. "But, you broke up with me, remember? You used me and then you tossed me away!" Shit, that was harsh. "Regina?"
"I'm a horrible person."
Fuck. Why did I say that? "No you're not. I didn't mean what I said."
"You were right."
"No." I'm not letting you blame all of this on yourself. "I knew what I was getting into. You never promised me a relationship."
"You deserve better."
"Well, I have to agree with you there." Only Emma had the power to make the queen laugh like that. Normally, Regina was a very sensitive person and didn't respond well to insults. However, Emma could not only insult Regina and live to tell the tale, the queen actually appreciated Emma's honesty. Upon hearing the timid giggle that she loves so much, the younger woman softens. "I don't hate you Regina." I love you, with all my heart. But, this is the cruel fact. "I was hurt."
"I hate myself for hurting you."
"No," she firmly states. There is no way she is going to let the woman she loves, who has endure so much heartache in her life, to hate herself. "I don't want you hating yourself." Please recognize your worth. She once again visualizes holding the queen in her arms and surrounding her with love. For the second time that day, Regina feels instant peace and warmth wash over her. Never had she felt so safe and loved. "I want you to be happy, even if that's not with me." As she says it, Emma pictures happiness for her queen.
Regina wishes she could always feel this way. Nothing else matters, the demons of her past have been vanquished and all that remains is light, love, and peace. "Thank you," she whispers.
Why can't I quit you? "I need to go."
"Emma, wait."
Please let me go.
"Are you going to be okay?"
Thank you, Regina. "I'll be okay. You know me." I'll get by. I always do.
"Thank you for calling." I never should have let you go.
"Get some rest Regina." I will always love you.
"You too." I want you to be happy.
"Goodnight."
"Goodnight."