As I was trying to think of what to put in my update for one of my other stories, this idea hit me. AU, no magic, no curse (and no Henry). I don't know how long this will be, but I'm just going with it.
Read~Enjoy~Review
Chapter 1
Regina sighed as she honked her horn for the second time. She was not getting out of her car and if her sister wasn't out here in ten minutes, she was leaving without her. She sat back and recalled the conversation with her mother the day before.
"Regina please. It's been five years since I've seen you and I can't travel to you. All I'm asking is for you to come see me for a week. One week; that's it."
Regina had sighed and pinched the bridge of her nose. "It's really busy here, mother. Can't Zelena come see you and I'll come in a month or so?"
"The last time you said you'd see me in a month or so was three years ago." Cora said, sadness in her voice – something Regina rarely heard. "Zelena said she'd come if you gave her a ride. Her car is apparently broken down." The woman sighed. She knew if she told them the truth, they'd be there, but she wanted them to come so she could tell them face to face. "Please, Regina. I haven't asked anything of you for a long time."
Regina stretched and cracked her neck as she looked at her schedule. If she could just move three meetings around, she'd be fine. "I'll call you back in an hour to see if I can clear my schedule."
"Thank you." Cora had said, though Regina could tell her mother thought she was just pacifying her.
Regina called Zelena after rescheduling her meeting and the two decided they'd go the next day to get this visit over with.
Regina startled as her back door was opened, a bag thrown in, and then her passenger door opened. A mess of red hair came in and Regina couldn't stop her chuckle. "Just get out of bed?"
"How could you tell?" Zelena mumbled, fighting with her seatbelt. "Alarm didn't go off."
Regina reached over and plucked a couple hairs from Zelena's shirt. "Mhm…is your alarm named Robin?"
"Oh hush." She said, wincing. "I have a hangover. Can we just go? Oh, and stop somewhere for coffee, would you?"
Regina put the car in reverse. "One, I cannot believe you are still seeing him after he's cheated on you what...five times? Second," she continued without letting her sister reply, "I already stopped and got you a large mocha, extra cream." She gestured to the cup in the cup holder. "Oh, and there's a blueberry muffin for you in that bag."
Zelena smiled over at her sister. "Thanks so much." She sipped her drink and sat back. "It's good to see you again, Gina. It's been too long."
Regina gave a small grin. "You too, Zee." She glanced at her sister. "Do you know why mom wants to see us now?"
"I have no idea." Zelena opened and closed her mouth a few times before finally asking. "Do you think she's dying?"
Regina gave a small shrug. "I don't think so. She hasn't told me she's sick or anything. Has she told you that?"
"No. I just don't get what is so important."
"I guess we'll find out." Regina stated, turning onto the interstate. "Zee, I can't stay a week with her without you, so don't leave me."
Zelena chuckled. "I won't. Just don't leave without me." She sighed. "Think she's calmed down since the last time we saw her?"
"Mother calm down? No. She's always been…"
"Bitchy." They both said together.
"I'm not ready to hear all about how I'm not doing enough with my life, career, love life." Regina admitted.
Zelena sat back in the seat. "Me neither. However, the last few times I talked to her on the phone, none of that came up."
"Yeah but mom was always nicer to you. You could do what you wanted while I had to be perfect."
"That's because she never expected much from me and Regina, that was hurtful growing up. I know I didn't get the pressure you got, but it hurt knowing mom just figured I'd never be anything."
"I know Zee." Regina said softly as she let out a breath. "I guess we'll find out."
"Cora, you swear they know about me?" Emma asked as she sorted the woman's medications. "I don't want them coming and thinking I'm some stranger taking advantage of you."
Cora looked at the blonde. "They know I rent out my guesthouse."
"That's it? Cora, it's so much more than that. I don't even stay in there anymore." Emma said nervously. She knew that once Cora's daughters found out how sick she was, they may insist on hiring a qualified caretaker, send her to assisted living or even have her live with one of them. She knew they had every right to do those things, but she had no idea what she would do if that happened.
Cora sighed and took Emma's hand. "Emma sweetheart don't worry. I can see you worrying your head about this and you really shouldn't. They'll come and visit and go back home and our arrangement won't change."
"What if it's not that simple? I'm not a qualified or certified caretaker, I'm not family, if they want me gone, I have no choice."
"It's my choice, not theirs." Cora said firmly. "You and little Ryleigh are safe here, Emma. Where is that girl anyway?"
Emma smiled softly, handing Cora her medication. "She's in her room playing with the dollhouse you have in there." She handed her a glass of water. "I told her she could come see you after your bath. Don't argue, Cora, it's bath day."
Cora took her meds and rolled her eyes. "Fine. Let's get that over with."
An hour later, Cora was dressed, a scarf around her head, and a blanket on her lap as she read a book to Ryleigh. Emma smiled at them from the kitchen as she started lunch. When Emma was homeless and pregnant with Ryleigh, she had no idea what she was going to do. She had been at the library computers looking up adoption agencies when she started crying – sobbing actually. The librarian calmly took her into a room, closed the door and hugged her. Little did she know that her life was going to change that day.
"Emma, honey, did you hear me?" Cora asked, a slightly bemused look on her face.
Emma shook her head. "Sorry, I was miles away."
"I could tell. I was just asking if you could fix me some tea?"
"Yes, of course." Emma said and got to work on that. As she was bringing the tea out, the doorbell rang, and Emma's nerves had her almost spilling the cup. "Should I get it?"
"You'd think that when my girls came to their childhood home, they'd at least come in and not ring the bell like strangers." Cora grumbled. "Ryleigh, why don't you go play until lunch is ready. It'll be boring down here for a bit."
"Okay, Nana." Ryleigh said, kissing Cora's cheek before heading upstairs.
Emma opened the door and smiled. "You must be Zelena. Come in, your mom is in the living room."
Zelena had been a little surprised to see the blonde open the door, but quickly she figured her mom hired staff. "Great, thank you." She handed Emma her bag which was so heavy, Emma almost dropped it as she came in.
Regina was behind Zelena and barely looked at Emma as she too handed Emma the handle to her suitcase and came in past her. Emma noticed a couple other bags by the door and rolled her eyes as she went to get those as well. Cora had told her that her daughters were spoiled, but she hadn't really expected this. However, as she was Cora's unofficial caretaker, she decided to just take the bags inside.
"I can't believe mother hired a female butler." Zelena said with a smirk. "She's your type."
Regina rolled her eyes. "She's the help, Zelena."
Both girls stopped dead in their tracks when they saw their mother on the sofa with a scarf around her head. Cora smiled softly at them. "Come in and stop staring – it's rude." She looked past them. "Where's Emma?"
Zelena and Regina looked at each other confused and then back at Cora. "Who's Emma?" Regina asked.
"That would be me." Emma said, dragging a couple bags behind her.
"Emma! What on earth are you doing?" Cora asked, struggling to stand.
"They handed me their bags, so I'm bringing them in. Cora, sit down, I'm fine. I'll take these up to their rooms and get the table ready for lunch." She looked at the sisters. "Are you two hungry? We have plenty."
"Girls take your bags up to your rooms later. Emma is not my butler, she's more than that." She said fondly.
"It's okay, Cora, I really don't mind."
"Nonsense." She waived her hand, ending the conversation. "Now girls, we have much to talk about, but I am hungry, so let's have a nice lunch first."
Neither Regina nor Zelena really knew what to say, so they just nodded. Emma went to go set the table, still nervous about what the sisters would say about her. Once she was gone, Cora gestured for her daughters to sit. "Emma is taking care of me. She started as a renter of the guest house, but in the last year, she has become my caretaker. To be honest, she's become a great friend."
"A friend? Mother, she's younger than us." Regina said, her eyes narrowing. "She wants your money, doesn't she?"
"Regina Maria Mills! I will not have you talking about Emma like that." Cora said in a firm whisper. "Look, be upset with me, I don't care, but don't take it out on her. Her and I have grown close in the last four years and I honestly see her as another daughter. Don't worry though, your inheritance is still yours." She added dryly.
"Nana! I hungry!" A little blonde girl said as she came down the stairs. She stopped when she saw the newcomers and slowly moved to sit by Cora, cuddling into her side to hide her face.
"Nana?" Zelena asked with a raised brow.
"Yes, she calls me Nana."
"And who is she?" Regina asked.
"This is Ryleigh. She's Emma's daughter and she will be four in a few months." Cora explained, running her fingers through blonde curls. "She's a bit shy."
Zelena couldn't stop her smile as she watched the little one. "You look like your mommy." She kindly said to her.
"Mother what is going on? I was under the impression that you needed us, but it seems you have your own little make shift family already."
Zelena winced a bit at Regina's bluntness. Sure, she and her sister got along swimmingly but there always was a weird connection between Cora and Regina. "Gina relax." She said softly.
"I just don't understand why we are here."
Cora was hurt but tried hard not to show it. Deep down, she knew she deserved this from Regina. She'd not been a good mother in many senses and regretted it. "Regina, I'm sick." She said softly, but was interrupted when Emma came into the room.
"Lunch is set. Do you need help, Cora?"
"I've got it." Regina snapped and stood, going to her mother. "Come on, Mother."
Cora sighed and gave Emma a reassuring look. "We'll be right there. Ryleigh, go with your mommy and wash your hands."
Emma took Ryleigh's hand and went to help her as Cora took Regina's hand and let her help her up. Regina was much stiffer than Emma and it was obvious she didn't know what she was doing. "Regina honey, please try to relax a bit."
"I'm relaxed." Regina said, though everyone knew she wasn't.
At lunch, Zelena had a blast with Ryleigh. She had the little one giggling and talking and knew she had already fallen in love with the girl. Meanwhile, Regina kept glancing at Emma who was trying hard to ignore the looks she was getting. Cora did her best to keep it light and when they were done, she asked Emma to help her to the living room.
"Emma, I'm going to talk with my daughters. I'm sorry for the way Regina is treating you."
"It's fine, Cora. You do need to tell them what's going on though." She said, helping her sit. She then held her hand to her daughter. "Come on Ryleigh, let's go take a nap."
"Otay, Mommy." She said and kissed Cora's cheek before taking her mom's hand. "I be back Zee!"
Zelena chuckled. "Okay little one. Have a great nap."
Emma smiled kindly to the redhead as she took her daughter's hand. "I'll be down in just a bit to clean up the lunch stuff and to get your afternoon meds." She said to Cora.
"No rush, darling." Cora said softly and watched her go. As soon as she was upstairs, she glared at Regina. "Regina, this attitude of yours needs to change. She has done nothing to deserve those glares from you."
"I don't know her and she's here acting like your daughter." Regina said. "I don't like it."
"Mother?" Zelena asked, cutting in. "Are you dying?"
Cora took Zelena's hand. "I don't know yet." She looked at Regina and reached for her hand as well. "I've been battling cancer for two years and just finished my last round of Chemo and radiation two days ago. I'll find out in a couple weeks if it worked. I will be honest and tell you that if it doesn't work, I'm done fighting."
"Two years?" Regina said softly, not sure how to feel. "Why didn't you tell us?"
"When darling? When I call you and get maybe five minutes of your time?" She looked at both of them and her eyes filled. "I deserved it, I know that, but I've missed you girls so much. I know I was a terrible mother, and I knew I didn't deserve your time, so I never pushed."
"You weren't…" Zelena started, but Cora interrupted.
"I was, Zelena. I basically ignored you and pushed your sister. It wasn't fair to either of you and will always be my biggest regret. I wasn't going to call you and burden you with this when you both are finally out living your own lives. I know you both have resentment towards me, and I understand that. So, when Emma was willing to switch from my guest house tenant to my live in caretaker, I took her up on the offer. Well, let's be honest, I put the idea in her head and didn't stop until she agreed."
"Is she qualified?" Regina asked, still not sure how to take all this.
"She's been doing it for two years, Regina."
" .Qualified."
"To me, yes." Cora answered, just as stubbornly.
Regina sighed, pinching the bridge of her nose. "So this wayward stray you took in is now living with you and in charge of making sure you live? What's to stop her from packing all your valuables and leaving you stranded?"
Emma grit her teeth, stopping herself from barging into the room. Instead, she loudly shut the door between the sitting room they were in and the kitchen she was in. She started washing dishes, trying hard not to cry. Sure, Regina had every right to be concerned about her mother, but she hadn't been for so long so why start now? Emma didn't have to prove herself t anyone; if Cora trusted her, that's all that should matter. She gazed out the window as she scrubbed a plate, going back to that day in the library. She had been embarrassed that she sobbed as a complete stranger held her.
"What's wrong, young one?" The woman asked.
"I…I'm pregnant. I'm homeless, jobless, and pregnant and my bo…the baby's father just left me." Emma admitted. "I was looking up adoption agencies because I know that's what's best for this baby but…I don't want to give it up." She sobbed again.
The woman rubbed Emma's back as she tried to comfort her. She had no idea why she was drawn to this child, but she hated seeing her cry. "You'll rent out my guest house." She found herself saying before even she realized she was going to say it. "I know you don't have a job now, but so long as I know you're trying, you can stay there."
"I can't pay you." Emma said, surprised at what this woman was offering.
"It's okay. Look, until you get a job, you can do odd jobs around the house until you find a job or if you'd rather just do that until that baby is born, that's fine too."
Emma looked at the woman with her sea green eyes and could tell the woman was being sincere. "Why would you help me like this? You don't even know my name."
"I've made a lot of mistakes in my life, sweetheart, and I'm trying to atone for them. Also, I may be wrong, but from what I can tell, you haven't had a lot of people help you in your life. Lastly, I'm lonely. My husband died a few years ago and my daughters can't stand to be around me – which I deserve, so I honestly would love having someone around. Don't worry, you won't be treated like a slave or anything." She took a breath and looked at the girl. "I'm Cora."
Emma sniffed and wiped at her eyes. "I'm Emma." She said softly. "You must be some kind of guardian angel."
Cora chuckled at that, reaching for a tissue. "No one would ever call me that." She smiled at the girl, handing her a ten-dollar bill. "My shift is over in an hour. Go on to the coffee shop across the street and if you're still there when I'm done, I'll know you're taking me up on my offer. If you're not…well Emma, I honestly wish you the best."
Emma reluctantly took the money and grabbed her bag before going across the street. Cora smiled when she was still there at the end of her shift and went over to her. Emma looked up, a bit of fear in her eyes. "If you changed your mind, it's okay."
"I haven't." Cora assured her. "Come on, dear."
"I think you're scrubbing the paint off." A voice from behind Emma made her jump. "Sorry, I didn't mean to scare you." Zelena said, meaning it.
"It's okay; I was miles away." Emma admitted as she dried the plate.
"It's because you heard what my sister said, isn't it? I mean, I know you did because the door pretty much slammed after that. I'm sorry if what she said hurt you, but you don't know what life was like for her. It seems and feels personal, Emma, but it's not." Her voice was soft and while she was defending her sister, she also knew none of this was Emma's fault.
"With all due respect, your mom has actually told me a lot; cried to me a lot about how she was with you both. Sure, I may not have been here, but I know enough to know that life with Cora wasn't the best. I also know that I had nothing to do with that and being accused of wanting to steal things after all I've done for her, it may not be personal, but it hurts."
"I understand, Emma." Zelena said and sighed. "I can't speak for her, but I'm sorry you had to hear that. All I can say is she doesn't mean it like that. I appreciate all you've been doing for our mother."
Emma also sighed, letting her anger go. "I do it because I care about her. She took me in when I had nothing and no one. She got me a job, helped with my pregnancy, helped with Ryleigh since the day she was born, she…she's been the mother I never had. I swear, Zelena, I'm not here to steal her things."
Zelena knew there was a story here, but she wouldn't push the blonde. "Hey, I believe you. I'm on your side…not that there's sides, but you know. I trust you and am so glad you've been here for our mother." She bit her lip. "She's really cried to you?"
Emma nodded, biting her own lip. "She has, but I'm not sure that's my story to tell right now. She wants this visit to try and make up for things." She put her hand on Zelena's. "I understand if you don't want to, but I do hope you give her a chance."
Zelena smiled softly. "Emma, I forgave her years ago. It's Regina that's the tough one because she was the one mother pushed too hard."
"Yes, but she…well I know you had it hard too." Emma said, not sure how much she should say. Her phone beeped and she looked at it. "Crap. I'm really sorry but there's some meds your mom really needs to take." She grabbed the lock box the meds were in and when she noticed Zelena's raised brow, she smiled softly. "Her meds are very toxic to anyone who doesn't have the health issues she does. We keep them locked up so no one else – especially Ryleigh – gets into them. They also need to be handled carefully." She said as she put a pair of gloves on. "Think it would be okay if I interrupted?"
"I think you should. It seems important that she get them. I'll go first." She said, giving a reassuring smile. She opened the door and cleared her throat. "Mother, Emma says it's time for your medicine."
Emma came in after Zelena and then stopped when Regina huffed. "Really? You couldn't have waited until we were done talking?"
Emma held her hand up to Cora who was about to say something and gave Regina the fakest smile. "I'm so sorry to interrupt, your majesty, but your mother's medication has to be taken at specific times." She smirked at Regina's open mouthed shock as she went over to Cora with the box and the glass of water.
"Thank you, sweetheart." Cora said as Emma used her gloved hand to place a pill in Cora's mouth. After that one, Emma took the gloves off and handed the pills to Cora one by one.
"All done. I'll go hide up in my room now, but if you need anything, call for me."
"Emma you don't have to…"
"It's okay. It's clear I'm not wanted here and that's fine. Cora, this is your time with your daughters." She gently patted Cora's hand. "Take advantage of it."
Regina glared at the blonde as she left and then looked at her mother. "You just let her talk to me like that?"
"Honestly Regina? I'd have said worse if I were in her shoes. Your anger isn't with her and she doesn't deserve the way you're treating her. With out her, I don't know where I'd be right now."
Zelena sat by her mother. "How did you meet her?"
"She came into the library when I still volunteered there." Cora said, noticing Regina listening from the corner of her eye. "She had nothing and was in a dark place. I have no idea what made me do it, but I offered to take her in. It took a lot of convincing because she did not want a hand out and because…" Cora took a breath. "She felt she didn't deserve for someone to be good to her. It's not my story to tell, but I will say that she grew up thinking she wasn't worth anything, that no one would or could love her, and that anything 'good' came with a price. She wasn't used to anyone helping just to help." She looked towards Regina. "She's a sweet girl who needed me at a time that I needed someone too."
Regina was looking down. "You had us." She said quietly.
"I didn't though, and it was my fault. I couldn't just call you and expect you to be here for me because I was lonely. Not after everything I did to the two of you growing up." She reached out and took Regina's hand so that she again was holding both her girl's hands. "I do understand that it is anything from awkward to hurtful to see me be that close with her when I couldn't do that with you. I get that. I just don't want you two to take it out on her. I asked you here to try and fix things because I don't know what my future holds. However, if it's too late and the damage is too deep, I don't want either of you feeling obligated to stay. Just know that I love you both so much and I always have; even when I wouldn't or couldn't show it the right way."
Zelena smiled softly, wiping her eyes. "I'm staying, mom and I won't take anything out on Emma. She seems really sweet, and she truly cares about you. I'm glad you have someone like that in your life though I hope that by the end of this visit, we are closer."
Cora cupped Zelena's cheek before kissing her forehead. "Thank you, my love."
Regina sighed cracking her knuckles. "I'm scared this is a trap." She admitted quietly. "Like that time in high school that you said you wanted to be closer only to spy on me and tell me I was wasting time by taking piano lessons. Mother, you yelled and scolded me for an hour and in the end, I felt so worthless. I can't…I cannot put myself through that again."
Cora kissed Zelena's hand before turning to Regina. There were tears in her chocolate eyes that were identical to Regina's. "I'm so sorry, Regina. I'm sorry I did that then and I'm sorry it hurt so deep you still feel it. I can't do anything but swear to you that this isn't a trap. This is what I want. I want us to go over things that still bother you so you can get it out. I want you to know how much I love you and how sorry I am for everything I did wrong in your past. I…it's important to me that before I die, you both know, understand, and believe that it was my fault, there was nothing wrong with you, and that I regret it so much it hurts. I don't want to die knowing my daughters are still hurting because of me."
Regina swallowed the lump in her throat. "I don't want you to die." She admitted. "I think that's why I'm upset. Yes, I'm jealous that Emma is so close to you and that you show her the affection I craved from you but also…also I don't want to lose you. I don't want to do this visit, make things good, and then lose you."
"Honey, I will not die in two weeks. If I haven't beaten the cancer, I'll still have a good six to twelve months in me."
"That's still not enough time." Zelena said wiping her tears. "I understand why you didn't, but I wish you'd have called us much sooner."
"Yes, why did you wait?" Regina asked.
"I didn't think I deserved to have this time and these conversations with you. I thought I deserved to die knowing you both hated me, and I deserved that too. But Emma kept insisting it wasn't true and that you two deserved to hear the truth from me no matter what. It was scary to call you and ask you to come here knowing I would be being honest and vulnerable, but Emma made me see that it was necessary for you two to get this closure. So, while it's hard for me, I know it needs to be done."
"Emma seems pretty smart." Zelena said with a smile.
Regina swallowed. "Mother, I just…I don't want this time to be filled with you blaming yourself for everything. Say what you want to say, apologize for what you are sorry for, and let's spend the rest of this visit reconnecting."
Cora cupped Regina's cheek. "You mean that?"
Regina nodded. "I do. It's hard, I won't deny that, but I'm willing to try. However, I think you need to rest. You look very tired."
"I am, but if you two want to talk now, we can."
Regina shook her head. "No. Rest mother. Do you want me to help you to your bed?"
Cora shook her head. "I usually rest here. Feel free to watch tv or whatever. It won't bother me." She looked at Regina. "Maybe talk to Emma?"
Regina sighed. "You mean apologize to her?"
"If you feel you should."
Zelena let out a laugh. "Regina once ran her bike into me and wouldn't apologize. She has no idea how to do that."
Regina tried hard not to smirk at the memory. "I can apologize if I feel I need to. I just didn't think you deserved one that day."
Cora sat back and smiled as her girls playfully bickered back and forth. She closed her eyes thinking that maybe, just maybe it wasn't too late to have quality time with them.
Emma was watching TV in her room when she heard a sharp knock at the door. She opened it, not at all surprised to find Regina behind it. "What can I do for you, your majesty?" She asked with a bow.
"First, stop calling me that." Regina said, rolling her eyes. "Second…I'm sorry." She let out a breath. "This is hard for me and seeing you so close to my mother…it was…"
"Hurtful?" Emma asked, giving a small smile. "I understand. I really do. Just know that I have no ill intentions towards her or you or your sister. Honestly, I just…I took her up on an offer four years ago that I couldn't resist and since then, we've been through a lot."
Regina gave a small nod. "I understand. I will try to not let things bother me."
Emma smiled. "So, you're staying?"
"Yes, we're both staying."
"I'm so glad to hear that. It will mean a lot to Cora. If you want Ryleigh and I to move back into the guesthouse while you're here, we will."
"Oh no. You don't have to do that but thank you. Mother is resting now, just so you know."
"Thank you. Her next round of meds isn't due until 7 this evening, so it's okay." She smiled lightly. "Yours and Zelena's rooms are the same. Ryleigh and I took up the guest rooms at your mothers' insistence."
"I'm glad you have. I know I am jealous, but I am also glad my mother has someone to care for her and be with her. I…I'm glad you had her as well. Don't worry, she didn't share your deepest and darkest secrets, she just said you were alone and needed someone to show you your worth. I hope she has."
Emma smiled softly. "She has. She's been like the mother I always wanted. I…I am sorry you didn't get that Regina, but she does want to try now. I know it's late but at least it's now."
"I know. Better late than never."
Regina gave Emma a smile in return and Emma felt as if it was genuine. She hoped her cheeks weren't as red as she imagined them to be as she realized how beautiful Regina was. She hadn't noticed before because the woman was being so nasty to her but now…now she couldn't help but notice how attracted to her she was. Suddenly, Emma realized she had been staring. "Was there anything else I can do for you?"
Regina too had been staring. Emma's golden blonde hair and green eyes were indeed her type. But this woman in front of her…there was more to her than any other woman she'd ever been attracted to. Her eyes were on the woman's sliver of skin showing between her jeans and tank top when Emma's voice made her jump a bit. "Oh no. Sorry, I'm good. Listen, you made lunch so let me make dinner. Is there anything you or Ryleigh won't eat or are allergic to?"
"Thank you. Ryleigh isn't big on spicey foods, but don't cook something just to please her. I can always make her a peanut butter sandwich or mac and cheese. It's what I do when Cora and I order Chinese."
"I can make it work. I'll see you later Emma. Oh, and don't feel as though you have to stay in your room just because we're here."
"Okay, thank you. I'm just waiting for Ryleigh to wake up and then her and I usually go for an afternoon walk." After Regina left, Emma leaned back against the door. She was falling for Regina and she knew it. What she didn't know was if Cora would be okay with that or if she even had a chance with Regina. She figured she could deal with this for two weeks and then go back to her normal life.