A/N: Tissues at the ready …
After the emotional, confusing, but fundamentally euphoric weekend, Regina was brought back down to earth with a bump when she arrived at work on Monday morning. She got there early; even Mary Margaret wasn't in yet but Regina could already tell who was present. Taped to her office door was a note in her mother's cursive handwriting.
Meeting in my office at 9am. Don't be late.
C
Scowling at the crude, impersonal message, Regina ripped it down and swore quietly when some of the tape remained. She scratched unsuccessfully at it with her fingernail and then gave up. Entering the office, she dropped her briefcase onto the desk and sank into the chair with a sigh. She wished she could have stayed home, curled up on the couch with Emma and Henry. Her lethargic attitude continued as she fired up her computer and saw the hundreds of emails land in her inbox. She had barely made a dent in them when Mary Margaret arrived, carrying Regina's usual coffee order. Thanking her assistant, Regina took a sip before continuing with her work. It wasn't until Mary Margaret reappeared that Regina glanced up again.
"Erm, sorry to disturb you, Regina. But it's almost nine."
Regina looked from her timid assistant to the clock on her desk and swore. Jumping up, she grabbed her notebook and dashed out of the room. Thankfully her mother's own office was one floor above hers and she knocked on the door only one minute past the designated time. When she entered however, her jaw dropped.
Already seated in the room were at least fifteen other lawyers, everyone looking at the late arrival. Regina smiled politely at them and then at her mother, seated behind her grand, mahogany desk. Cora didn't smile.
"Sorry I'm late," Regina said, a little flustered. "I didn't realise there were going to be quite so many people here."
She made her way in awkward silence to the one remaining chair beside one of the ageing lawyers her mother had gathered for … well, she had no idea to be honest.
"Thank you," Cora said when Regina had sat down. "Now as you all know, here at Mills Associates we have been working closely with Gold and Locksley for years. There have been repeated attempts at mergers," Cora's eyes flicked to her daughter who looked stonily, apologetically back at her, "but we have been unable to reach favourable conditions. Until now."
Regina's eyes widened. What did her mother mean? Had she finally come to some agreement with that lecherous Gold? Cora was looking distinctly pleased with herself and Regina felt a sinking feeling in the pit of her stomach. Whatever had made her mother smile like that was not going to be good news.
"So ladies and gentlemen," the older Mills continued to a silent room, "it is with great pleasure I am today announcing that as of next month we will be operating under the new brand of Mills and Gold. A select legal team from their offices will be moving over here and together Mr Gold and I are sure that we will create a formidable company."
There was a smattering of applause. Regina rolled her eyes at the ass-kissing, her own hands remaining clasped in her own lap.
"Now, since we are merging, there are going to be some changes to our structure. We are going to refine our workforce to make room for the lawyers moving over and therefore I'm afraid we have had to make some tough decisions."
Regina felt the hairs on the back of her neck prickle. No, she thought to herself. This wasn't about to happen. Her mother was not that spiteful. She glanced at the lawyer beside her and knew the older man was having the exact same thoughts she was. Seconds later, their suspicious were confirmed.
"You'll each be offered a generous severance package and provided glowing references, of course," Cora said, standing up and handing out paperwork to each of the lawyers before her. When she reached Regina she didn't look her in the eye.
"I'm afraid I don't have time for any questions today but we will be holding an open meeting on Wednesday for anyone who would like to come and discuss their future. I have some contacts with other legal firms who may be willing to offer you interviews. You have two weeks to clear out your offices and you'll be paid in full for the month of September. Thank you for your time."
The rest of the lawyers got wordlessly to their feet, filing out of the room. Regina stayed where she was, head bowed. Before the door shut behind the last person, words drifted back into the room from the corridor beyond.
"Evil bitch."
"Heartless cow."
"- no notice and in this market -,"
Cora seemed nonplussed at the comments and simply turned to her laptop, deliberately ignoring her daughter's presence.
"Seriously?" Regina growled. "You're going to fire your only daughter in front of her peers and then not even look at me. What the hell gives you the right to treat people like this?"
When the older woman still didn't meet her gaze, Regina stood and stalked towards the desk, resting her hands on the wood and leaning forward. Finally her mother stopped typing with a sigh and turned to face her daughter.
"It's business," Cora replied. "Mr Gold and I discussed all our employees and some of you just didn't make the cut. Nothing personal."
Regina barked out a laugh. "Nothing personal? Bullshit! This wasn't just personal, Mother. This was vindictive. You've been looking at a way to get back at me ever since I was sixteen and I told you I was gay. It's not a choice, Mother! I was born this way. I didn't determine who I was attracted to and I'm not going to apologise for it. Ok, I'm sorry none of my girlfriends have been conveniently placed in large legal firms so you can sink your fangs into their clients too. I'm sorry I didn't want to marry Robin Locksley to make your life easier and your bank account even bigger. I'm sorry I wasn't good enough to be your daughter but I am who I am. When are you going to accept that?"
Fat tears ran down Regina's cheeks and splashed onto the desk. Cora reached forwards with a tissue to wipe them up. She didn't want the salt to damage the wood, naturally.
"This has nothing to do with who you're sleeping with because-," Cora began but Regina interrupted.
"No, it's who you're sleeping with."
Perfectly plucked but severe eyebrows rose. Regina hadn't been sure she was right until that moment but at the realisation that her mother really was in a relationship with Mr Gold she turned angrily from the desk and stalked over to the large window looking out over Manhattan. She had always loved the view. At one point she dreamt of the day she would take over from her mother as head of the company. She had believed she was going to inherit the legal firm, was going to continue the Mills family name. Now she knew that was not only never going to happen but something she didn't want to do. She wiped her face with the back of her hand and turned around.
"I don't need two weeks to clear out, Mother," she said. "I'll be gone by lunchtime. And I'll be taking Mary Margaret with me. I'm sure West and Merlin will be glad to put her on the payroll alongside myself."
At the mention of her firm's main competition, Cora's eyes finally snapped up to her daughter's face, looking straight into her eyes.
"What?" she spat. "What are you talking about."
"Henry's childminder is the daughter of Thomas West," Regina said breezily. "Zelena introduced me a few years ago and he's been dropping hints ever since. I resisted the urge to move, of course. Family and loyalty I believe were the reasons I always gave but since you don't hold any respect for either, I suppose you've made my mind up for me."
Cora stood up, her eyes narrow. "You'd really betray me like that?" she hissed. "You'd go and work for the men who lost us millions of dollars last year?"
"We've made millions more from other cases," Regina replied. "And it's not about the money for me, Mother. It never has been. I enjoy the work and I expect to be appreciated for the excellent job I do. And as for betrayal, I don't think anything will ever eclipse how betrayed I feel by you right now, both on behalf of myself and Father. I know he's been gone for years but he hated Gold. You know that and climbing into bed with a man who was so unpleasant to Father when he was alive is just heartless."
Regina swivelled on the spot and stormed towards the door. Just before she opened it however, she turned around.
"Oh, and by the way. It turns out Henry is Emma's biological son," she announced. Cora's eyes widened comically but Regina just continued. "They're my family now and I don't think it would be beneficial to anyone if you were a part of it. You never cared much for Henry anyway and I doubt the loss of your monthly visits will hit him terribly hard. I'd rather not hear from you again regarding either matter we've discussed today. In fact, I don't think I ever want to hear from you again."
With that, Regina stormed out of the office and slammed the door behind her. Cora's assistant looked up, startled. Regina bit the inside of her cheek and held her head high as she walked past. She just made it to her office area before the tears began to fall. Mary Margaret rushed to her side and ushered her to the chair, closing the door behind them. Tearfully, she explained to her faithful assistant what had happened. Within an hour the two of them had packed up their things and Graham had appeared to help them carry everything downstairs. As they walked out, everyone stared in disbelief. It was well known that Cora Mills was a ruthless businesswoman but to make her only daughter redundant? There was an air of unease as the brunette marched through their midst. If the rightful heir to the firm wasn't safe, then who was?
Emma and David Nolan were waiting for Regina and Mary Margaret in the penthouse, both embracing their other halves as soon as they walked through the door. Regina's eyes were red-rimmed from crying and the tears flowed again as Emma coaxed her onto the couch. Mary Margaret was more angry than upset.
"She's a horrid woman," Regina heard from her safe place cuddled up in Emma's arms. "Really horrid! Imagine doing that to poor Regina. She works so hard and she's a good lawyer and it's just not fair."
"I know," David soothed.
"And what about everyone else's assistants?" Mary Margaret continued. "I mean, I doubt many of them are lucky enough to be brought across into a new position. What's going to happen to them and their families? Teresa just had a baby and Chloe's mother has just been moved into a hospice facility."
"They're getting pretty good severance deals," Regina piped up.
She had glanced over the paperwork in the back of the town car. The money hadn't mattered to her; she had been saving steadily for years and, thanks to some inheritance from her father and Dani, was set for life. But she knew others would struggle. She had been surprised at her mother's generosity, though. Perhaps it was a sign of a guilty conscience.
"That's not the point," Mary Margaret huffed. "It's unfair."
Emma, David and Regina all nodded their agreement. The morning's events had shocked every one of them. Even Emma who, after the revelation of Saturday night, thought nothing would ever surprise her again.
"But Thomas West will take you on?" David asked. "Both of you?"
Regina nodded. "I'll phone him this afternoon but I'm sure he will. He only offered me the junior partner position last month, and mentioned I would have my own assistant too," she said, smiling at Mary Margaret.
"How did I not know this about Zelena?" Emma said. "I picked Henry up there for months without her mentioning her father is one of the richest men in New York."
"Did you really think she could afford that brownstone on the Upper East Side because of her thriving childminding business?" Regina asked.
Emma shrugged. "You do pay her a ridiculous amount."
"How much?"
Three sets of eyes swivelled to the pixie haired brunette. Even by Mary Margaret's standards that was beyond socially awkward.
"Um, what?" Regina asked.
"What I think Mary Margaret is trying to say is that," David said with a glance to his wife, "we're expecting our first child."
There was a stunned silence before Emma and Regina exploded with congratulations. There were hugs and kisses and fresh tears, the happy kind for a change. Regina insisted they open some champagne although Emma and Mary Margaret abstained; Emma because she had to work and Mary Margaret because she was following every pregnancy tip to the letter.
By the time the Nolans left, Regina had almost forgotten what had happened just before she left her mother's office. It was only when Emma remarked that Henry would be pleased to be collected early from Zelena's that afternoon that she remembered.
"I told my mother about you being Henry's birth mother."
Emma, who had been washing up the champagne flutes, turned slowly around to stare open-mouthed at her girlfriend.
"You what now?"
Regina shrugged. "It came out. Well, I kinda shouted it at her. Last ditch attempt to make her feel bad I suppose."
"What did you say?" Emma asked. "What did she say?"
"I basically told her you two were my family now. That she wasn't going to see Henry again and that we wouldn't miss her. It's true," Regina said. "I won't."
Emma sighed and wiped her soapy hands before pulling Regina into a hug.
"Your mother is a horrible person," she said quietly. "And she's hurt you and been a terrible grandmother to Henry. But you don't have to cut her out of your life if you don't want to. In time, you might regret what you said today and decide you do want a relationship with her."
"I doubt that," Regina sniffed. "I've never needed her, not really. I've never been able to rely on her so I've learnt not to. I had my father, then Dani, Ruby's always been there for me, and now I have you."
"And Henry," Emma added.
"Well he's not so good at advice giving and he's a terrible drinking buddy but yes, I have Henry. We have Henry."
Cora only tried to contact her daughter once during the following week. When Regina saw the name on the screen of her cell phone, she had simply turned it over before rolling the dice and moving her counter on the board game which she was playing with Henry. She had decided to take a month off work and wanted to spend most of that time with her son and Emma. Thomas West had assured her on Monday afternoon that not only would she be more than welcome as a junior partner but that both she and Mary Margaret would see an increase in their salaries. The two women had gone in the following Thursday to sign their contracts, both beginning on October 1st.
So September was going to be dedicated to her family. Henry was extremely pleased. Not only was he now dropped off at nursery by both Emma and Regina each morning, but his mother picked him up early from Zelena's every day of the week. Emma too was glad to be spending her mornings with the beautiful brunette before she headed off to the youth centre after lunch. For the first few days, the main topic of conversation was how to tell Henry who Emma really was. Emma tried to bring up Cora a few times but the conversations had halted at once. Regina didn't want to talk. Not yet.
Regina woke on Saturday morning after almost a full week of being unemployed. Well, she supposed she was just in between jobs but it was certainly an unfamiliar position for her to find herself in. She rolled over and snuggled up against Emma who was still sleeping soundly. She rested her head on the blonde's shoulder and closed her eyes again, listening to the steady thump, thump of Emma's heart. Rain pattered against the window and Regina could tell the forecast storm had arrived earlier than expected. Their visit to the playground was going to have to be postponed. She didn't mind though. The idea of curling up on the couch with Emma and Henry for the day seemed simply wonderful to her. It would also give them the opportunity to tell Henry what they had discovered.
"I can hear you thinking."
Regina opened her eyes but saw Emma's were still closed, a soft smile on her face.
"Sorry," Regina offered. "I didn't mean to wake you."
"S'okay," Emma yawned, turning her face blindly towards Regina and pouting her lips. Regina, of course, met them for the first kiss of the day.
"It's raining," Regina told her.
"And that means you want to tell Henry about me rather than go to the park?"
Sometimes, Regina mused, she forgot how well Emma knew her. And she then considered the possibility of her girlfriend being a mindreader.
"I do," Regina nodded. "I think we should tell him after breakfast."
But breakfast didn't quite go to plan. Henry had woken up in a bad mood and when Regina refused to make pancakes for the second weekend in a row and then suggested Marlo could do with a wash, a tantrum ensued. Regina ignored the tears and the screwed up red face as she put the bowl of cereal down in front of her son. What she didn't ignore was how the bowl and its contents were pushed angrily down the table, slopping the contents everywhere.
"Henry," she admonished. "What's going on with you this morning?"
Henry just folded his arms and continued to cry. Emma wiped up the mess as Regina led the small boy to his room. She changed his now milky clothes and then sat him on the bed. She asked him to apologise for his behaviour but he wouldn't and the crying didn't stop. After trying to reason with him, she eventually left him to sulk it out on his own.
It was over half an hour before Henry emerged. Of course Emma and Regina had periodically gone to check on him, peering around the door to see the grumpy little boy sitting on his bed, a frown on his face and a book open on his lap. He couldn't read much yet but he seemed to be looking at the pictures. When he eventually wandered back into the living room, Marlo was being battered around in the tumble drier and Regina was clearing away the breakfast things.
"I'm hungry," he said as he climbed up beside Emma who was reading a book on the couch.
"Well your mama did try to feed you," she pointed out. "Would you like some cereal now?"
Henry nodded mutely and followed the blonde into the kitchen. Hesitantly, he wandered over to Regina and looped his arm around one of her thighs. Regina, who was washing up, glanced down at him and smiled.
"Hello, monkey boy," she said. "Feeling peckish?"
"What's peckish?" Henry asked.
"Hungry," Regina said.
"Oh. Yes."
When Regina moved to pour out a fresh portion of cereal, Emma assured the brunette she could manage and took over the task. Within ten minutes, Henry's belly was full and he was smiling again.
"So, kid," Emma said. "What was all that about earlier?"
Henry's smile faded. Emma looked at Regina, a little panicked. She hadn't meant to upset the boy. Regina gave a minute shake of her head to reassure Emma that she'd done nothing wrong and came to join the little group.
"We just want to know what had put you in a bad mood," Regina explained. "You were happy last night and then this morning you were sad. Why?"
Henry shuffled in his chair and scratched at a spot on the table before he answered.
"Nick was mean to me yesterday."
Regina frowned. Zelena hadn't said anything to her. Although all the woman had been able to talk about for the entire week was the fact that Regina was finally going to work for her beloved father. She had actually jumped up and down squealing with joy when Regina told her on Tuesday.
"What did he do?" Regina asked.
"He said mean things."
"You know you just need to ignore it when people say something bad. Or tell an adult, ok?" Emma said. "Have you heard this rhyme: 'sticks and stones will break my bones but words will never harm me'?"
Henry's forehead creased in confusion. "Stones?"
"It just means that people saying nasty things doesn't actually hurt you," Emma said quickly. "Not if you don't let it. If you don't listen to what Nick says then you won't be upset."
"But I did listen," Henry pouted. "And he said bad things."
"What about?" Regina asked.
Henry bit his lip. "You."
"Me?" Regina said, surprised.
"And Mommy Emma," Henry added. "And Mommy Dani."
Regina and Emma exchanged glances. Both had known Henry would inevitably come up against homophobic attitudes during his life. They just hadn't expected it to start so soon.
"What did he say?" Regina asked gently.
"He said I didn't have a daddy."
"Well, no. Not a man who lives with you. But you had one once," Regina said. "And now you have me and Emma."
Henry sniffed and gave a shrug. "Nick said I can only have one mommy. That's why Mommy Dani went away."
Regina was fuming. Where had this five year old got these ridiculous, harmful, homophobic notions? She was certainly going to be speaking to Zelena as well as Nick's father next week. But first she needed to placate her clearly upset son.
"Henry, Mommy Dani got sick and died. It was nothing to do with you, I promise. It was just something that happens."
"So Mommy Emma isn't going to go away too?"
"No," Emma said at once. "I'm not going anywhere Henry. In fact," she looked at Regina for confirmation and got it, "there's something your mama and I want to talk to you about. Now it's a bit complicated but as you're a big grown up boy and almost five years old, we think you can understand."
Henry nodded slowly. Emma and Regina, who had previously been crouching on either side of the boy, moved to sit more comfortably in the chairs beside him. Henry sensed that something important was about to be told to him and he sat up a little straighter.
"So, you know your mama and Mommy Dani adopted you when you were just a tiny baby, right?" Emma asked. Henry nodded seriously. "And they took you because your mom who gave birth to you couldn't look after you properly. Your first mom decided it would be better for other people to have you so your life could be as fantastic as possible."
"I know," Henry said. "Mama said my first mom thought I'd be happier staying with a different family."
"She did," Emma said, tears stinging her eyes. "And for a long time your mama didn't know who your first mom was. But now we know and we think it would be a good for you to know too."
"I'll meet my first mommy?" Henry asked, surprised. "Did she come back for me?" As he said the second question, panic flooded his features and he turned quickly to Regina. "Mama, I don't want to leave you."
"No, no," Regina soothed, reaching for his little arms which were extended towards her. "You're not going anywhere. I'm not going anywhere. None of us are going anywhere."
Henry whimpered despite the assurances and Regina lifted him onto her lap. She kissed his forehead, wrapped her arms firmly around him and then nodded to Emma to encourage her to continue when his head had settled against her shoulder.
"Your first mom isn't going to ever take you from your mama, Henry," she said quietly. "But she does want to be in your life and she wants you to know who she is."
Henry cocked his head. "Do you know her?"
Emma smiled. "I do."
"And you, Mama?"
"I know her too," Regina nodded.
"Is she nice?" Henry asked.
Regina bit her lip. "I'm fairly sure you're going to love her."
Henry contemplated that comment. "Maybe," he said. "But I already love you and Mommy Emma. And Auntie Ruby. That's already a lot of love. I don't know if I can love someone else too."
"It's a good job you already love your first mom then," Regina said.
Henry frowned. They could practically see the cogs turning in his brain. Emma bit her wobbling lip as she watched him looked confusedly up into Regina's face. Gently, Regina untucked her arm from Henry's back and pointed at Emma. Henry turned his head, the lines of confusion slowly replaced by wrinkles of joy.
"You're my mommy?" he exclaimed.
Emma nodded furiously, tears streaming down her face at the look of pure ecstasy on her son's face. Henry wriggled from Regina's lap and ran around the table, meeting Emma part way and being scooped into her arms. He buried his face against her neck and Emma held him so tightly to her chest she could feel his tiny heart beat thudding against her own. She gestured blindly towards Regina and seconds later the brunette joined their hug, arms encasing the reunited pair and completing their family.
A/N: I cried writing this. Seriously. It may be due to the fact that I've not eaten carbs in five days because I'm on a mega health kick. Probably should go and drown my sorrows with pizza and beer but since my self-control is still in place I guess I'll just have a banana and some milk. Urgh. Anyway, sorry for the feels-fest. I hope you liked it.