A/N: Hope you enjoy this next installment. I honestly don't know if I want to do anything with bringing in what was happening in the show with the town or if I just want to focus on Emma & Regina. As always reviews = happy writer. ;) I like to know what my readers think. Though my muses end up having final say anyway in what comes out on the page. XD They have a complete mind of their own.
Chapter 5
Granny glanced up from where she was wiping the counter down, when she heard the bell over the door chime, as Regina entered the diner, followed closely behind by Emma and Henry. "Good morning." The older woman called out to the three of them as they found an empty booth and took a seat; Henry scooted in first followed by Emma next to him, while Regina settled in on the other side.
"Morning." Emma glanced over to the woman at the counter and was greeted with a smile and a short nod. Granny was happy for the younger woman. While she herself had never exactly been a big fan of Regina's, she knew Emma cared greatly for her, and lately she could see it in the brunette as well.
Picking up her note pad and pen, Granny walked over to get their order. "Well, what can I get you ladies, and Henry." The older woman added, smiling at the boy as he beamed back. She did hope, for his sake, that everything worked out between his two mothers. Family was important.
Henry was the first to pipe up with his order. "I want hot chocolate. And a couple pancakes with bacon & eggs."
"I think I'll have the same." Emma stated as she gave a slight nudge to her son, causing his grin to grow as he looked to her.
Regina watched their interaction and couldn't help as a hint of a smile made it's presence known upon her own face. "Make it three, except coffee for me." She turned her attentions to the older woman standing there, Granny nodding in response before setting off to go start the order. "No bearclaw, Miss Swan?" Regina smirked as she looked over at the blonde across from her.
"Well I figured since you're paying…" Emma stopped and shrugged her shoulders, giving her a crooked, innocent grin.
Regina arched her brow at the assumption. "Who said I was paying for your breakfast? And are you trying to insinuate that you don't get paid enough as sheriff?" Her lip twitched upward as Emma narrowed her eyes playfully back at her, the last of which causing Henry to chuckle at the two of them.
Seeing movement off to the side, Regina drew her attention toward the entrance of the diner as the door opened and the chime of the bell rang out. Her teasing smirk she had been sporting but a moment ago, faltered when she saw who had walked in, the man making eye contact as he slowed to a stop.
Emma watched as the gaiety left the brunette's eyes and frowned. Turning around she wanted to see what could be the cause of it, with Henry soon following suit. Finding that it was Robin of all people who had induced this change in the woman she loved, Emma felt herself tense inside and her hand drew into a fist on the table. Even though Regina had explained what had happened when she had talked to Robin, that didn't mean she trusted him.
The magic perked up and licked at Emma's emotional weakness when it sensed the change, wishing that the woman would set it free to take care of the nuisance. Regina felt the faint wisp of magic beginning to rise in the air and took a moment to quickly glance to where she knew it was stemming from. Emma. Her eyes were drawn down to the hand clenched at the table. Reaching out she placed a reassuring hand over Emma's, before shifting it to gently pry the blonde's fingers open and placed her own hand in hers, rubbing her thumb over the woman's knuckle. Emma immediately relaxed at the touch and turned to look down at their hands, the magic hissing it's annoyance of not being set free once again as it whispered back into its void.
Roland tried to wiggle free from his father's arms, Robin eventually resigning to the boys wants and letting him down. But before he could take his son's hand, the little tyke was off across the diner. "Gina!" The boy cried out in excitement at seeing one of his favorite people. Henry watched as Roland ran over to them, and it was then that he noticed his mother's hand in Emma's before it slipped away to accommodate their small guest.
Roland climbed up in the booth and wrapped his arms around Regina's neck in a hug, she hugging him in return, tightly, one hand resting on the back of his head holding him close as she kissed his hair. While she may not have been in love with Robin, the little boy had stolen a little piece of her heart from that first moment she had saved him from the flying monkeys in the Enchanted Forest. He pulled back and gave her his huge dimply smile that warmed her heart all over again. "Hello, my little monkey." She smiled back at him as he giggled and placed his hands on her cheeks.
Robin sighed and shook his head at his son, then made his way over to their booth to get him. "Sorry if he interrupted your family time." He commented before turning to look to Emma. "My apologies, Miss Swan."
Regina brushed some of the hair out of Roland's face before looking up at his father. "It's fine." She answered for them as the little boy plopped himself down in her lap, making himself at home. She wrapped her arm around him to hold him in place. "So, how is Marian?"
"Still no change, which I guess is better than worse." Robin stated somberly. "I just thought I would get Roland out for a while and we'd have breakfast together. Just stopped by to pick it up before we head to the park." He reached out and touched his son's head, causing the boy to look up at him. "Come on, let's go." He motioned for his son to with him, but the boy just sat there not moving, causing Regina to chuckle under her breath.
"Why don't you let him sit here with us while you go get the food." She offered, as the boy was already engaged in a straw fight with Henry.
"Are you sure?" Robin asked, his signature pained expression surfacing. Regina looked over to Emma to make sure the blonde was okay with it before returning her attentions to the man and giving him a nod of affirmation. Making a short nod back, he headed across the diner to wait at the counter.
Emma watched Regina's interactions with Roland and how caring she was with him. She thought of what the brunette must have been like with Henry when he was little, and the thought made her smile. How could she not love this woman?
Feeling eyes upon her, Regina looked up at Emma and was met with pure warmth within her eyes. She felt her heart reaching out to grasp at that warmth and hold it dear to her. Giving the blonde a coy half smile, Regina slowly pulled her gaze away, and turned back away to join in helping Roland win against Henry.
Emma watched them a moment longer before deciding on something and excusing herself. "I'll be right back."
"Is everything alright?" Regina asked, regarding the blonde with concern. Emma just gave a sure nod before sliding out of the booth and walking over toward where Robin was seated. The brunette's eyes followed her, wondering what she was up to but a tug from the little boy brought her attentions back him as she tried to help him with his straw sword.
"Hey." Emma commented as she leaned against the counter next to the man. Robin looked up from his coffee and turned. "Look, I just wanted to apologise for the whole… punching thing yesterday. I didn't really know what came over me."
"It's quite alright, Miss Swan."
"Emma." She corrected him.
"Emma." Robin gave her a polite bow of his head and a smile. "Regina made me aware of the circumstances that you brought to her attention. I only wish for her to find happiness, whatever the form it may come. And trust me, it's not the first time that has happened." The last statement caused Emma's brow to arch, but the man just laughed lightly. "There have been misunderstandings in my past. That being said however, we fight for those we love."
Emma narrowed her eyes slightly at that last statement. "Does that mean I need to prepare for a fight?" She asked stepping a little closer to him. "Because I will." She said in an almost threatening whisper.
Robin held up his hand in peace. "No. It was quite clear after our talk yesterday, that Regina's heart is not mine to fight for. It apparently was waiting for another who finally stepped forth to claim it." He stated sincerely as he looked forward again and took a sip of his coffee. "Doubtful she has spoken the words yet to you… but she genuinely loves you Emma. I could see it in her eyes when she spoke about what you told her, about how she felt… about you. She never said your name, but I knew." He stopped speaking and set his mug back down then looked at her again, seeing her wide eyes at his confession caused him to smile.
"Your reaction only confirms my belief, Miss Swan. Sorry, I mean Emma." He continued and the blonde immediately blinked away her awkward expression before taking a seat next to him. "She doesn't love easily, as I am quite sure you're aware, nor does she admit it anymore easily once she does love. But in her decision yesterday… she decided in that moment, you are the one worth fighting for." He looked over his shoulder at the brunette enjoying her time with Henry and Roland. "Don't let her give up. Fight for each other." He ended and looked at Emma one last time before going back to his coffee, just as the door to the kitchen swung open.
"Ah, Robin." Granny commented when she saw the new patron. "Your food is all ready, just have to grab it from the back." She went to set the tray of food on the counter but Emma stopped her, reaching out for it instead.
"Here, let me help. I can take those. They're ours anyway." The blonde offered with a smile. Granny nodded and let go, heading back through the swinging door to get Robin's food. "Thank you." Emma stated softly to the man before walking off with the tray.
"Getting a second job to pay for your breakfast?" Regina teased when she looked up to see Emma coming over with the tray of their food.
"Ha. Ha. Very funny." The blonde tried to act irritated but a growing smile soon betrayed her, causing Regina's own face to light up. She was happy that Emma was back to her relaxed self; Emma too, in turn, was grateful to see happiness return to the brunette's eyes, and to know it was she who brought that to Regina.
After setting all of the plates down Emma returned the tray then came back with their three drinks, Robin following behind. "Well, ready to go Roland?" He asked his son. The little boy tilted his head back to look up at Regina, then turned in her lap to give her one last hug before scooting off and grabbing his father's hand. Robin gave a courteous nod to the family, and an extra glance to Emma before departing to head to the park.
"So what was that all about?" Henry questioned as he took a bite of his pancakes, watching his mothers. He definitely knew something was up. Did they not realize how obvious they were?
"Eat your breakfast, it's getting late and you need to get to school." Regina ignored her son's question as she took a sip of her coffee, which only made him that much more determined to get an answer from one of them.
Henry began scarfing his food down, getting looks and chiding remarks from his mother from time to time. "What? You told me to hurry and eat."
"Yes, but I didn't tell you to forget your manners." She furrowed her brow as she cut another piece of her pancake. "Though I definitely see where you get it." She glanced in the blonde's direction with a quirk of her brow as Emma slowed her chewing to a stop and looked up at her. Henry chuckled as he looked over at Emma as well, a deep blush setting into the blonde's cheeks. Regina made a short, light laugh before taking the bite of pancake she just cut, Henry making a conscious effort as he finished the rest of his own breakfast in a timely fashion.
"Come on kid, I'll drive you to school." Emma stated as she finished and wiped her mouth with her napkin, throwing it down on her plate as she pushed it out of the way. Grabbing her coat, she got up from the booth and began slipping it on. "Here kiddo, get the car started and I'll be right there." She tossed the keys over to the boy as he stood up.
Nodding, Henry shrugged his own jacket on and headed out of the diner. "Bye, mom!" He called over his shoulder before the door shut behind him.
"I'll make sure he's there on time." Emma reassured the brunette as she turned back to look at her. "And…" She paused, glancing back at the door and around the diner, aware that they were alone. "Thank you for last night, for being there, the way you were." She leaned down and kissed Regina on the cheek, catching the woman off guard. "It really meant a lot." She stated softly before straightening back up and turning to make her way out of the diner, Regina sitting there in a stunned state until the chiming of the bell brought her out of her stupor.
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"It was nice getting to have breakfast together, all of us. You, me… mom." Henry commented as Emma got into the car.
"Yeah, it was." She smiled over at him as she put her seatbelt on. Almost perfect.
Henry waited until they were headed down the road a ways before bringing up what was on his mind; maybe he would get something out of this one. "So, I talked to mom this morning, before we left for the diner." He started, continuing to stare out the passenger window as they drove through town. Emma recalled the very little information that the brunette had told her, of how Henry knew of her being in Regina's bed. She really hoped that was not where the conversation was about to go, but at the same time, she knew having any hope in that was completely futile. "I told her if you guys wanted to be together, you could tell me." He turned to glance over at her as he ended.
The blonde remained focused on the road, not quite sure what to say. Sure? Yeah, we're together? But are we? "Uh, why would you think we were together, kiddo?" She tried to sound as casual as she could.
Henry rolled his eyes with a frustrated sigh, turning back to look out the window. His mothers were hopeless. Did they really think he was that naive? "You were in her bed, for one."
And there it was, the exact conversation she was afraid of. Emma swerved the car slightly when she heard his words, quickly pulling the bug back on to the road. Shit. Henry gripped the door as he turned to see what happened. "Sorry." Emma simply stated as she gave him a side glance and half-hearted smile before focusing on the road, holding the steering wheel a little tighter than she had to.
"Look, I know she said you were there because you were afraid of hurting me but... I also saw her hand in yours, at the diner. She didn't know I saw it before she slipped it away." Henry waited for her to say something back, but when she didn't he continued to ask his question. "So, are you? Together?"
Emma didn't answer right away. While part of her was certain the answer had to be yes, after everything that had happened and Robin's confession, she still didn't have a truly definitive answer from the other woman. So she answered the only way she could. "I… I don't know, kiddo." She brought the car to a stop as they arrived in front of the school.
Henry grabbed his bag and went to open the door but stopped to look back at his mom. "If you ask me, I think you should be." He gave her a small grin before pushing the door open and getting out of the car. Ducking his head back in for a moment, he added. "Fight for her." His smile grew when he saw a small twitch at the corner of his mom's lip, knowing she was trying to hid it but he saw. That was answer enough for him. His moms loved each other, no matter how stubborn they could be. Hearing the school bell, he quickly shut the door and headed off to get inside before he was late.
That's the second time I've heard that today. Emma mused to herself as she watched Henry disappear inside the school. "I'm going to try, kiddo." She stated aloud to only herself in the empty car as she pulled it out of park and set off for the sheriff's office.