Reset

“Indeed we did,” Regina slipped, meaning herself and Emma but hoping Henry would think she was referring to herself and Grace instead.

“I think Emma went to investigate, she didn’t come home this morning,” Henry said with a hint of sadness.

“Most likely, if she was on duty at the time,” Regina replied.

“Mom,” Henry said slowly as he picked at the remaining half of his croissant, the first half devoured, “I’m.. worried about Emma.”

“I know, Henry.. as am I,” Regina admitted.

Henry seemed a little surprised by the comment but quickly reflected on all the times Regina had asked Henry as to Emma’s wellbeing and he mentally shrugged it off, “she works all the time and she never sleeps, when she does it’s just quarter of an hour on the sofa.”

Regina gently worried the inside of her cheek, she didn’t want to lie to Henry so she nodded, “she came here last night and fell asleep on the sofa, so at least I can inform you she slept well for at least six hours last night.”

Henry seemed pleased with this and casually asked, “why was she here?”

“She stopped in during her patrol,” Regina gave half the story, “Henry.. I need to talk to you about, well, about the legal changes.”

Henry put the plate and the croissant down, he had been expecting this moment to come, “okay,” she said quietly.

“I need you to understand why I did what I did,” Regina said seriously though kindly.

“I get it,” Henry shrugged, more in an effort to end the approach of the awkward conversation that through actual understanding.

“No, I don’t think you do,” Regina shook her head softly, “Henry, I did what I did for you, because I honestly believed, and believe, that you will be happier with Emma.”

Henry didn’t reply, instead he chose to fix his eyes firmly on Grace as she played happily on the floor between them.

“After.. the curse,” she still hesitated to talk about it, “we didn’t see each other for a long time. You made it very clear where you wanted to be and who you wanted to be with.. and..” she didn’t know if she should be pressuring an eleven year old with this kind of conversation but she was desperate for him to understand. She couldn’t stand the thought of him feeling in anyway as Emma did.

“I love you, I have never stopped loving you, but sometimes when you really love someone you have to do something that is right for them but not right for you,” Regina explained carefully.

“How is giving me up good for anyone?” Henry asked quietly.

“I wasn’t giving you up, Henry,” Regina whispered, “I was ensuring that Emma had the legal rights she needed in order for you to permanently stay with her. So she could make grown up decisions regarding your life, your health, your school. That piece of paper who says who your legal guardian is.. it’s very important in this world. You’ll always be my Henry, in here,” she touched her chest.

“Why didn’t you just talk to me?” Henry said sadly.

“I.. I was a coward,” Regina admitted, “I felt..” she laughed sadly as she realised her own feelings at the time now she had to put it into words for him, “I felt abandoned actually. I felt alone and I knew that you didn’t want anything to do with me so I.. made a decision.. one which I still honestly believe is the right decision.”

“I’m sorry,” Henry whispered, “I didn’t want you to feel like that, I was.. angry,” he looked at her with fierce eyes, “you made me think I was going crazy.”

“I know, and there’s no excuse for what I did,” Regina said softly, “I’m sorry, I know it’s not enough but I am sorry.”

“I think I understand why you did it,” he said considerately before adding, “but I don’t think it worked.”

Regina frowned, “what do you mean?”

“You wanted to give me my best chance, give everyone what they wanted but now everyone is miserable,” he claimed.

“Henry,” she started.

“No, it’s true,” he cut her off, “I want to see you, I want things to go back to the way they were before.”

“Oh, Henry, that’s just not possible,” Regina looked at him with sad eyes.

“Why not?” Henry argued, “I lived with Emma when you were my Mom, why can’t I live with you when she’s my Mom?”

“I think Emma needs you, Henry. Now more than ever,” Regina admitted.

“She doesn’t act like it, I hardly ever see her and when I do she’s weird,” Henry shook his head.

“Weird how?” Regina frowned.

“Like all fake happy,” he explained.

Regina nodded, “well, be that as it may, things will get better. We all need time to adjust to these new roles.”

“You’re drinking something to make you forget me,” Henry pointed out and Regina paused for a moment, wondering how he knew that.

“I.. am,” she admitted, “I am. I couldn’t have let you go without it.”

Henry looked at her with a sad smile, “I love you, Mom. I’m sorry I didn’t say it enough before, I’m sorry I got mad but I do love you,” he stood up and took some crumpled pieces of paper from his pocket and threw them into her lap, “for your jar,” he said as he quickly ran from the house.