Reset

Emma locked the car and walked up the path to where Regina had already gone inside and softly called for Henry. Her pace slowed dramatically as she stepped onto the porch plinth and she saw Henry appear with a confused expression and she began to seriously consider what a bad idea this was.

“Good news, Henry,” Regina smiled, “Emma is going to stay with us for a while, help me out with a few things and it means you don’t have the disruption of going back and forth, at least at the moment. Could you take this case up to the spare room?”

Henry knew his adoptive mother’s tone enough to know that questions and comments would be held until a more appropriate time so took the suitcase from her and smiled at Emma, “cool!”

Emma stepped in through the door and Regina took the holdall from her and shook her head, “you’re limping a lot more than you were earlier.”

“Tired,” Emma explained and then remembered that that had been her go-to answer to everything that evening, “genuinely tired,” she added at Regina’s exploring gaze.

“I’m not surprised,” Regina said and held out her hand, “give me your car keys.”

“What?” Emma took a protective step back.

“Give me your car keys,” Regina repeated and gestured with her hand that Emma should hurry up about it.

“But..”

“You can either give me the keys or I’ll magic a clamp on the wheel of the car, completely your choice,” Regina explained.

“Where did nice Regina go?” Emma sulked as she reached into her jacket pocket and grumpily handed Regina her car keys.

“She’s tired, you get nasty Regina for now,” Regina winked and the keys disappeared in a puff of purple mist. Emma looked concerned and Regina stated, “don’t worry, you’ll get them back, I just want to make sure I’m not on guard all night for the sound of you disappearing.”

Emma nodded her understanding shamefully, “I’m sorry..”

“You have nothing to be sorry for,” Regina said softly, “I want you here, I just don’t want that little voice to convince you otherwise. Now, go into the living room and make yourself at home, I’m going to take this up and prepare the guestroom,” Regina said as she started to walk up the stairs with the holdall.

As Regina walked up the stairs she passed Henry on his way down and he smiled at her as he watched Emma disappear into the living room, “she’s really staying?”

Regina turned to check Emma was out of hearing range, “yes, I need you to not question this, Darling.”

“I won’t,” he nodded in an understanding beyond his years, “if it stops her from being sad then it’s great.”

Regina smiled, “go and ask her to make some hot chocolate for you and make sure she has some herself. There’s Madeira cake in the usual place, try to get her to have some of that too.”

Henry smile and made his way down the stairs and as Regina got to the top step she could hear his voice wheedling for hot chocolate and she smiled. She checked on Grace and then walked down to the spare room next door to hers and looked around at the dull room with a frown. She placed the holdall on the floor and pursed her lips as she thought for a moment and then a grin overtook her face as she had an idea.

She took a couple of steps back and closed her eyes in concentration, she’d used a lot of magic that day to recreate Henry’s bedroom and she wanted to ensure she didn’t do too much but she was sure she had enough strength. After a few moments she opened her eyes again and nodded with approval, she’d never been in Emma’s bedroom before but the furniture seemed right. She approached the bed and looked at the bedside cabinet and saw a copy of Oliver Twist and when she opened the drawer she saw the Sheriff’s badge which assured her that she’d switched with the correct room. With a happy nod of satisfaction she turned on her heel to join the others downstairs.

Chapter 52

Regina walked into the living room to find it empty and frowned for a moment before making her way to the kitchen, she could hear low voices speaking within and hesitated outside the doorway.

“I know he was caught with spray paint in his bag a couple of times,” Henry’s said.

“And his dad works down at the cannery?” Emma asked.

“Yeah, he’s not in trouble is he?” Henry said quietly.

“No, nothing like that, I just need to look into it,” Emma replied.

Regina opened the door and walked in, “everything okay?”

“Yeah, Emma made me hot chocolate,” Henry grinned.

“Emma added cream and marshmallows,” Regina noted with a sly look towards Henry.

“Emma thinks this cake is delicious,” Emma said with a smile as she picked another small slice out of a Tupperware container, “want some?”

“No, I’m fine, thank you,” Regina nodded and set about making herself a cup of tea, “Henry, it’s nearly time for bed.”

Henry sighed but knew better than to argue and finished his hot chocolate and put his cup and dish in the dishwasher. Emma looked at him in shock, “he’s trained?”

“Oh yes,” Regina nodded, “is he not like this at home?”

Emma laughed and Henry looked up to the two of them, “I’m am right here, you know..”