One could easily assume, given the circumstances, that she was not moving on easily. Emma decided that running away from the situation by leaving the lake house was best. The windowed home housed too many memories of her father, mother, and, well, Regina. It was even a challenge every day to check the mail. Emma pushed it on to Henry as his first chore. What kind of mother did that make her?
Emma slouched further into her couch, tuning out the TV.
In the end, it was best for Henry for her to move them to Boston. His happiness was dependent upon hers, and clearly the lake house was not a home filled with joy these days. Besides, her father's home was literally just sitting there collecting dust in the city. The move would happen rather quickly. Emma was used to packing boxes, which was the easy part. The difficult part would be getting up the courage to tell Killian about his, uhm, promotion. That would be how she would sell it to him.
Emma stretched and laid back on the couch. Her strong arms stretched above her head as she yawned and relaxed. In the background I Love Lucy was on. Lucy started going off trying to play cupid...
"Secret lover? You don't have to keep anything secret from me, lover. No! Miss Lewis! Miss Lewis! Now, listen, you're not fooling anybody. She's not here, you said so yourself."
"Don't try to fight this, Lucy. It's bigger than both of us."
"It is not! Miss Lewis, Miss Lewis, where are you? Miss Lewis! See, alone. I tell you it's fate, really."
That's what Regina was. Except you couldn't exactly call her a lover. She wasn't even that. She was just imaginary… sort of. A letter every now and then was not a relationship.
That's what killed Emma most. The fact that she fell for some goddess from a different time. Yeah. Time for a mental check.
"Mom?" Henry was in the doorway to his room. "I had a bad dream." He was holding his pants awkwardly and his blanket. He had tears streaming down his face.
Emma knew what this meant. "Aw, it's alright buddy. Let me grab you some new sheets and you go change and I will wash your clothes."
The kid did as she asked. She tucked him back into his bed and he snuggled up to her side. "Mom, when will you stop being sad?"
The kid was intuitive, that was for sure. Next Halloween he was going as a mind reader. She then thought that through and realized maybe not so much. Maybe he would be a fortune teller. Nope, that doesn't make sense. Never mind. She seriously needed sleep for some mental clarity.
"Soon, Henry. I am so sorry I am not myself lately. You're not supposed to even know that I'm sad. This is grown up stuff I am dealing with."
"I'm a grown up." He huffed.
Emma laughed, "Not quite kid. You have a good 25 years before I will let you claim to be an adult. You are so stuck with me."
"Fine. Uhm, Mom? When will we hear from Regina again? I miss her letters."
There it was. The question of the year. She honestly expected it sooner rather than later. She really had no idea what to say to her son. His eager puppy dog eyes googled her and she knew she needed think fast of a good explanation on Regina's quick exit from there life, permanently.
Henry sniffled and snuggled into his penguin, which was the only stuffed animal left unpacked in the house. With that Emma knew exactly what to say.
"Well kid, you see, Regina loves penguins just as much as you do. She even had to make an extra special trip to Antarctica to go monitor their habitat and record observations on their lifestyle and eating habits. Antarctica, as you know kid, is super cold and due to the weather planes don't go in or out of that continent for months at a time. So she's kind of stuck there."
"So she won't be coming to see us?"
"Nope, she's busy researching penguins. You know how much you love penguins?" Henry nodded. "Well kid, I bet you really want her to stay to help them right?"
"Yes, only if she comes to visit us when she gets back and brings me a pet penguin." Emma laughed.
Leave it to her son to totally believe that pile of crap. He was cute. They continued talking about penguins for about 30 minutes
"Hey, kid, want to talk about that bad dream you had?"
Henry just looked at her, tears welled up in his eyes instantly. "I just want you to be happy Momma."
"Awe, Henry, I am happy. I have you and you are the best thing in my life. I love you to planet x and back."
She started to rub small circles on his little back as he snuggled into her side. Shortly after, a light snore came from her small son. Leave it to Henry to be out like a light. Emma laid there mulling over her son's worry. He was sad because she was unhappy. He truly was a Momma's boy. She loved him with every cell in her body and that was the last thing Emma remembered before falling asleep in her sons twin bed with him laying on top of her.
Emma walked outside the next morning with Lady. She stretched her back. Sleeping in a twin bed really made her muscles stiff, or maybe it was her son sleeping on top of her. Who knows?
Emma walked up to collect the mail for once. She really needed to get her address changed ASAP. Of course all she had in the mailbox were bills and junk mail. Nothing from Regina. Always nothing, and there never will be anything else. It was now months later and Regina was truly gone and she had to move forward and accept that. Maybe it was time she believed she was in Antarctica researching penguins too.
She went back inside. "Henry time to go."
"Mom, I haven't had breakfast yet!"
"Oh kid, I am so sorry. What do you want? An Eggo, pop tart, or a go-gurt?"
"An Eggo, duhh. I'm tired of eating pop tarts. Besides, the last Eggos you got had chocolate chips in them." Emma smiled at her son. At least she had him. He definitely grounded her at times like this.
After dropping Henry off with Granny, Emma left for the station. Time to break the news to Killian that she got a new job in Boston.
"Love, I got you a coffee. Here are two creamers and some sugar as well."
Emma sat there in silence. She was unsure if she should thank Killian or bitch at him for calling her love for the millionth time. But today she decided should be different and she would play into his endless game of trying to woo her. She looked up at him and noticed his hopeful smile. He was actually trying to be nice to her. Was he always just trying to be nice? Yup, she was a stone cold hearted bitch.
"I realize you haven't been yourself lately and I am here for you Emma."
With that said, Emma had no idea what came over her and she leaned in and kissed him.
He pulled back, "Finally, what took you so long, love?"
She kissed him again to shut him up.
Clearly, she had no idea what came over her, perhaps her lack of sleep. She also was lonely, that was it right? She was caught up in the moment and just reacted? Emma felt guilty for taking advantage of Killian and it definitely was the wrong time to mention, "Oh, hey I'm moving to Boston and won't be coming back for a while unless it's to check for mail at the lake house." Yeah that would not go over well if she tried right now.
It was a Saturday afternoon and Henry was out with Granny baking cupcakes leaving her alone to decompress. She accepted a dinner date later that night with Killian. He was okay when she thought about it. He was just kind of there to fill the void in her heart at the end of the day. Killian was definitely her rebound, if you could call it that since she never dated Regina. Well, she wasn't technically dating Killian either. She kissed him and they are just going for dinner.
Emma was walking Lady outside around the lake as she mulled over her terrible not so much love life.
Lady happily trotted along her side and then broke off into an unexpected run. Emma chased her. Lady was dashing off past the lake after a flock of birds barking her head off. Emma cursed herself for not having her on a leash. This was her fault.
"Lady!" She yelled, running behind her as fast as she could.
But Lady got further and further away and put a large distance between them.
Emma slipped on her own shoe laces and by the time she stood up Lady was gone. She yelled again, "Lady?!"
Emma was about to call again when she realized that this is how she lost Lady.
Regina never clarified how she got her dog, Lady, but it makes sense. This is how Regina would become the owner of Lady, somehow. Fate was a funny thing, or perhaps it was destiny. Henry would be devastated, but a piece of Emma knew that this was meant to happen.
That night Emma dressed in a little black dress, red lips, and her hair in a ponytail for her date with Killian. He showed up at her door with a single red rose.
"Emma, you are beautiful. May I kiss you?"
Emma was nervous. She was not ready for this, but her actions told a different story. "Yes." She leaned in for a kiss. Killian ran his hands up and down her body. He stepped back and reached for Emma's hand and escorted her to his car.
"I am taking you to a French restaurant. I hope you will like it."
They sipped red wine over dinner. Killian did most of the talking. He was probably nervous. Emma sat there with a smile on her face. This date was never meant to be. Her date was supposed to be with Regina at a fancy restaurant. The rose that Killian greeted her with was what she was supposed to give to Regina before she leaned in to kiss her soft lips. Life was unfair. All she wanted was to feel the warmth in Regina's touch as they held hands on the table, or to see her radiant smile as she laughed at Emma's stories. She loved Regina with all of her being and she would never stop loving her. It was a sad reality. There was a void in her heart that would be impossible to fill. Regina was her true love. How else could she explain the mailbox? It was meant to happen. Regina was meant to cross paths with her. They were in need of each other at different times in their lives and the mailbox connected them. Maybe this was her father's gift to her in a funny way.
"Emma?" Killian looked at her. "Emma, the waiter asked if you wanted another glass." He knew that look. Her eyes were glassed over. She was somewhere else entirely.
"Sure, one more glass while you finish your story Killian. Where were we?" He smiled. He finished his story a few minutes ago. Instead of making her feel bad he picked up the last key point to his story and re-told her the same story. He knew Emma was dealing with something emotionally. Clearly her head was not into this as much as his was. It was an unfortunate situation. He would move on. One date never hurt to see if his feelings here reciprocated.
Emma was in the station a few days later and had boxes packed to the ceiling.
"Going somewhere love and forgot to tell me?"
"Killian, look I know we kissed and went on I guess a date, but I can't get involved with anyone right now. I made a mistake. I hope you forgive me. From the boxes you can assume that I'm moving. I got a position in Boston in the BPD. It's better. I can't be at the lake house anymore and my father's house is there waiting for us. It just makes sense. There are also better schools there for Henry. Education really is top notch in the city." Emma broke for oxygen. "I know this is hard Killian, but you can be a sheriff on your own here without me. The biggest crime last week, which was at an all-time high might she add, was when Ms. Henderson's car went through her own garage door because she had a little too much whiskey and weed after she discovered her husband hired a hooker." That was the biggest scandal, ever. You know, considering Jim Henderson was the mayor.
Killian smiled. "I can handle everything here as long as you promise to come back. I get we are not supposed to end up together, but I do value your friendship, Emma. I hope you find what you truly are looking for, Swan."
There it was. For once he did not call her love. Emma was taken aback. She did not realize how easy this would actually be. She thought he would at least pine for her to stay and to be with him. He was honorable after all.
"Thanks Killian. I will be back. Granny is here. You know she's my only family."
That night Emma was jamming out to some old Led Zeppelin while she finished packing the house. The movers would be in tomorrow morning to get all of her things to move it over to the other house. She taped cardboard box after cardboard box, putting all of her things in bubble wrap and old newspaper. Henry's room was the first she packed. Each one of his boxes was packed with the Sunday comic strips. He would get a kick out of it when they unpacked later. He was a big fan of Garfield. His room was easiest; it boiled down to 100 stuffed animals, 400 toy soldiers, and 700 Legos. The kid cried a little when she had to disassemble his Lego tower he had been building over the last year. It was impressive that was for sure. He had to use a ladder, with supervision of course, to place each new Lego.
The rest of the house was simple. Emma did not have lot besides the basics. Even her wardrobe was pretty bare. Just the essentials to get by.
The last box to be packed were the letters from Regina. Emma stared at them. For the past few weeks she held them close. She read them over and over and admired her penmanship while throwing back a few beers.
The move to Boston was for new beginnings. It was time to let go and forget about Regina. Emma carefully bundled the letters chronologically in neat stacks with string and then placed them in a deep cardboard box. She closed the flap shut with her muscular arms and used packing tape to close it. She took the box and put it in the attic. She wasn't taking them with her. Emma knew this was the best decision for her in order to fully be able to let go of Regina. She finally was learning the art of letting go.
The movers came and Emma watched as they cleared out the lake house on box at a time. There were three men total and within the hour they had everything neatly stacked in the van.
She stood at the door looking at the now empty house. It was house full of memories that was for sure. But sometimes memories are too painful and you have to let go and physically move on. She didn't want to call this place home again. Maybe she will give it to Henry when he finishes school in 800 years. She laughs to herself. She turns and locks both locks and heads to the mailbox. She finds nothing, just as she expected, and then headed to her car for her last errand before heading to Boston.
Emma paced back and forth outside a small real-estate firm. Inside were two men. One was older and gray haired with spotty beard and a beer belly. The other was Graham. He was on the phone standing with his back to her as he was at his desk. He was talking with his hands as he paced back and forth. Finally he hung up his desk phone and pumped his fist in the air. He high-fived the older man next to him and then turned around. His smile instantly fell.
He walked outside and met Emma's gaze.
"What are you doing here?"
Emma felt his breath hit her face, "I know I am the last person on the face of the earth that you want to see. I get that, I do. I overstepped my boundaries and that was uncalled for. I remember you mentioned Regina's interest in a lake house. I happen to have one and I am moving. Here are the keys." She handed over two brass keys with an envelope. "I am moving to Boston with my son. I don't need the place and I would hate to have it sit and collect dust knowing that someone else may take comfort in its setting. Inside the envelope is how to pay rent. It's cheap. I am doing this as an apology to you. I am leaving today. If you wish to not rent the lake house you can drop the keys off at the sheriff's station with Killian. He will know what to do." Emma didn't miss a beat. With that she dashed off to her car before the man had a moment to process or comment on her offer.
In the blink of an eye she was gone.
Graham opened the envelope and sure enough, just as Emma promised, it was extremely cheap rent. It was almost insulting how cheap.
He looked up at the dust trail from her car and then turned his head to look across the street. There, trotting along, was the same dog that he caught for Emma the day of the party.
Regina is walking Lady through the Public Gardens with her fingers interlaced with Graham's. It is a bit chilly outside, and her scarf is flowing in the wind as they wrap around the swan boats. Lady starts barking at some of the ducks that are scavenging for bread crumbs from one of the homeless people sitting on a bench nearby.
"Graham, I never asked, how did you get Lady for me? Did you find her at a shelter?"
Graham scratches his head. He has avoided this question ever since that day he brought Lady home.
They stop walking. "Promise you won't get mad at me?"
Truth was, Regina already connected the dots. Emma gave him both the dog and the lake house. "Graham, I promise."
"That woman from the night of our engagement party met me when she lost her dog one day. Lady ended up at my house and the woman helped me bring in a few boxes. I told her about what I did and we exchanged pleasantries. I invited her to the party and she left with her dog. After that night I never saw her again. That was until one day she showed up at my office with the keys to the lake house. She handed it all over to me. She knew you wanted the place and said she was leaving for Boston with her son. She left in her car and I turned my head and there Lady was trotting down the road. I had no contact information for her and the dog was dirty. It was almost as if she was missing for a little while. I brought her home with me that night with the keys to the lake house. That was back when we were going through a lot and just a few weeks later you moved into the lake house, alone."
"I needed space and time to process everything. I never meant to hurt you Graham. The lake house is my most treasured place. I would love to live there again someday."
They continue their walk holding hands. Runners pass them by, old people sit around talking, soccer players run in the field, and cute in-love couples eat on picnics before winter sets in. Regina wishes Emma were here with Henry. One time Emma told her how much Henry loved the game Red Light Green Light. They could easily play that out here. She can see Emma and Henry behind her giggling as she said green light and they rush to tag her shoulder. She can even envision Henry wobbling over when she turned around and would yell "red light!"
Regina can also imagine ice skating on the outdoor frog pond rink when it was cold enough. There are so many scenarios she could daydream about. There are so many things that she would never get to experience. Emma and Henry will always live in her heart and her mind. She has to face that's where their memories will reside. They may not be with her now, but they are not forgotten. You can never forget about the people you love the most.