Reset

“I think so, you’ll have to ask Regina tonight,” Emma admitted, “she won’t make you sleep in the garage if that’s what you’re worried about,” she joked.

He smiled, “when do I get to stay there?”

And there it was, the innocent question that Emma knew would immediately pop up and break her heart in two.

“I.. don’t know,” she hesitated and pretended to shift in her chair, “we’ll talk about that tonight..”

“How’s your leg?” Henry noticed her discomfort and attributed it to her leg, “I didn’t think you’d be home from therapy yet.”

“I managed to get an earlier appointment,” Emma lied easily, “I had some things I wanted to do around the apartment,” she covered with the truth in the hope that would confuse Henry’s own lie detector.

“Cool,” he nodded, “I’m gonna make a sandwich, do you want anything?”

Henry stood up and walked towards the kitchen area and Emma drank in everything about that moment, not sure when it might happen again or if was indeed the last time.

“Mom?” Henry questioned and she looked at him with confusion.

“Sandwich?” he questioned again.

“Sorry, Henry, just a bit tired,” she said truthfully, “no, I’m fine..”

Chapter 48

Emma was still walking up the path with the food from Granny’s as Henry ran ahead and started banging on the front door excitedly. As Emma approached the porch plinth the door opened and Regina opened the door while Henry simultaneously ran into her arms and wrapped himself around her slender waist.

The cold ache in Emma’s chest barely registered anymore now she knew her car was packed and a letter declaring her intentions was in her bedside drawer for when she had gone. Everything was in place so the fact that Henry was happier to see Regina than he would ever be to see her was hurtful but manageable.

Emma held up the take out bag, “dinner is served.”

Regina looked up from the hug she was enjoying with Henry and smiled at the blonde, “that’s wonderful, do come in,” she said as she took a step to the side. Henry ran into the living room where Grace was laying on an activity mat and sucking happily on her pacifier.

Regina took Emma’s leather jacket and hung it up in the closet and the two of them also walked into the living room.

“Can I feed her, Mom?” Henry asked excitedly as he lay on the floor beside Grace and played with her hand.

“She’s just been fed a while ago,” Regina told him but looked at her watch, “although she’ll have another bottle before bed and you can do that one if you like?”

Henry grinned happily and looked at Grace, “we’ll get some milk in your belly before bed,” he whispered to her.

Emma smiled at the scene and then looked at Regina who was watching the two of them with wonderment in her eyes, it was obvious to see that this was her dream come true a real happy family.

Regina blinked and seemed to wake up from her staring and looked at Emma with a smile and then looked down at the bag she was still holding firmly, “oh, yes, food,” she shook her head, “it’s been rather hectic today.”

“I bet it has,” Emma smiled at her, “let me help you plate up.”

Regina nodded and they both walked into the kitchen and Emma removed the food from the bags while Regina got plates and cutlery out.

“How was your physical therapy?” Regina asked casually.

“Pretty good,” Emma said, “sore but I can feel it getting better.”

Regina nodded, “that’s good news, I’m sure you’ll be running around in no time.”

Henry entered the kitchen when Grace in his arms, “Mom, when will Grace be able to try real food?”

“You mean solid food,” Regina corrected him with a smile, “she can try to eat pureed food now, I’ve tried her with some but she’s not got the hang of it quite yet.”

“Can we try her with something now?” Henry asked excitedly, “would she like some of my burger?”

Emma laughed, “I never thought I’d have to say this but, no, Henry you cannot feed a six month old a cheeseburger.”

“You can feed her some mashed apple if you like?” Regina said and handed him an apple from the ever-present bowl of red apples on the kitchen bench.

“Sure,” Henry smiled and took the apple and held it to Grace’s face, “mmm.. apples!”

“Can you put her in the chair at the table?” Regina told him, “we’ll eat and then you can try her with some apple.”

“Okay,” Henry said as he left the room while talking about apples to Grace.

“Of course I blame you for him wanting to feed his sister cheeseburgers,” Regina smiled.

“Well you can’t blame him,” Emma laughed, “it is all she’s eaten while you’ve been sleeping your life away.”

Regina laughed and threw a screwed up napkin from the bag at the blonde as she picked up two plates and carried them into the dining room. Emma quickly followed with the other plate and picked up a teaspoon on the way for Henry’s attempt at feeding Grace later.

Once they all started to eat Emma spoke up, “I briefly mentioned our thoughts to Henry this afternoon,” she told Regina.

“Oh, yes?” Regina said, nervousness suddenly clouding her expression as she waited to hear the results.