Em woke up as he felt someone shaking him.
"Em, wake up. Look everyone is downstairs waiting for you" It was Regina's voice. He felt like he was dreaming.
He rubbed his eyes and looked around. Regina stood at the end of the bed, putting her earings on. She was wearing a purple dress which hugged all her curves. He looked around and there was steaming coffee at the bedside table. 'Did Regina bring coffee to bed?' Em thought.
"Comeon Em, hurry up. Get ready. Everybody is here." Regina smiled sweetly and told him. 'Why is she so nice?' Em felt like his head was playing games with him.
Once Regina left the room, he washed his face and walked out of the room. He heard noises from the living room. As he came down, everyone shouted." Happy Birthday" Em was taken back by the surprise. Everyone in his family was there. Even Regina's mom and dad and Katherine were there too. He was clearly confused. He stood at the bottom of the stairs in his sweatpants and t shirt. Regina came over and pulled his arm which snapped him out of his thoughts.
"Honey, what are you looking at ? Come on its your birthday. Look who all are here " Regina pulled him to the centre where the table had a three layer cake. He followed Regina like he was in a daze. He saw Ruby and looked at her like she could tell him what's going on. Regina was acting so weird as if they were a couple. She was attached to his hip throughout the day. She made him cut the cake. Fed him and stood with him for family pictures, that too holding his arm and even going far as to putting her hand on his chest. Everyone gushed over the cute couple and Regina smiled, thanking all of them but never leaving Em's side.
"I bought you a gift. Dont open it now. I got it especially for you, please open it when you are alone" Regina told Em and handed him a perfectly wrapped gift box. Em took it. He still couldnt believe what was happening.
Henry sat next to Em, talking about his work and life in Storybrooke. Em just replied for whatever he asked, still holding the gift Regina gave him.
"Tell me, did my daugher get you beer yet?" Henry asked Em.
"No, she hasnt. "Em replied
"She hasnt?Not even once?" Henry asked surprised.
"No, why?" Em asked curious
"Well, my daughter gets me beer if she wants something from me. Its her way of bribing" Henry replied. But he felt something wrong.
"Oh" Thats all Em could say.
"Well, arent you going to open the gift she gave?" Henry asked Em
"Oh yea" Em replied and started to open the gift box. Henry quickly stopped him " Hey, hey dont you remember what Regina said. Do not open until you are alone "
"Yeah forgot. Sorry, let me just go and check " Em took the gift and walked inside. Henry looked at him for a moment and sighed. Clearly, there is something wrong.
Em was pacing in the bedroom. Gift lay unopened on the bed. He kept thinking about Regina's behaviour today. 'Was she acting all these days by being nice so that she can make a good impression in front of everyone?Was she fooling me so she can prove that we are a couple? How did I not see that, its all a lie. ' Em was getting angrier the more he thought about. He was could not believe what she did. Em looked at the gift box on the bed and he couldnt control his anger. He took it and threw it away. The exact moment, Regina's mother Cora walked in to the hallway and saw Em throwing the gift on the floor. Em turned and saw Cora but he didnt make any effort to hide his anger. Cora didnt say anything. She joined the other downstairs.
There was a small party and dinner for everyone. Regina was busy taking care of everyone. Em was sitting outside with Ruby.
"Nice party bro. Regina did awesome work" Ruby commented that's when she noticed Em was rather quiet the whole time. "What happened?" She asked
"I feel like a joke." "What do you,mean you feel like a joke ?" Ruby was confused. "Dont you get it, she set me up man. She was being nice to me because she wanted to impress everyone. All the coffee and stuff, its part of her plan" Em was on the edge.
"Woah, I dont think its that bro. Why would she go through all this trouble? Just to impress her parents. Come on Em, you seriously dont think that" Ruby couldnt believe what her friend was getting to.
"I know what I saw. She is playing games. Pretending all lovey dovey to show off. She was the one who said she doesnt have anything to do with me. All of a sudden she is hugging me and posing for photos. " Em was pissed, without waiting for Ruby's reply he walked inside. Ruby sighed knowing well not to argue with him or it will create a scene. She didnt feel that was right for Regina.
Everyone left after dinner. Regina was with her parents saying good bye.
"Honey, are you happy ?" Henry asked his daughter.
"Yes, daddy. I am happy" Regina masked the best happy face she could as she replied. Henry seemed to be satisfied with the answer as he hugged her and got in the car.
Cora stood there watching her daughter. "You know I used to find out when you sneak out of the bed in the middle of the night, when you were a teenager. I always knew where you go and what you do. Still I would pretend I didnt knewm even when you lie about it" Cora looked in the eyes of her daughter. Regina gulped.
"I know you are pretending for your father but why is he acting?" Regina looked confused but Cora continued. "Regina, good or bad, this is where it all happens. This is your home but if its too much for you just come back. I know your father, he wont be happy if you suffered for him "Cora squeezed her daughter's shoulder and left with a final hug. Regina stood there shocked. She couldn't answer. Her mother saw right through her and she couldnt make up any excuse this time.