Reset

“I thought you’d be more comfortable if it was familiar,” Regina grimaced, “unless there’s bad memories? I could change it back? I just wanted you to feel at home. Home away from home.”

“No, no, it’s perfect,” Emma grinned widely, “I’m just.. surprised, when did you do this?”

“When I brought your holdall up,” Regina said.

“Oh, so preparing the guestroom actually means using magic to create this,” Emma waved her hand around and then folded her arms across her chest and sternly regarded the brunette, “shouldn’t you be resting your magic?”

Regina blushed at the accusation, “it didn’t require that much power,” she lied.

“You’re lying,” Emma told her.

“You must be tired,” Regina told her nonchalantly, “your superpower isn’t working.”

Emma smiled and inclined her head, “thank you, I mean it, thank you for this.. for everything.”

Regina nodded silently, “sleep well, I’ll see you in the morning.”

“Goodnight, Regina,” Emma said softly as the brunette left the room and closed the door behind her.

Chapter 53

Emma walked down the stairs of the mansion while still buttoning her shirt, she got the impression that Regina and the rest of the Mills family were early risers and she wanted to fit in. She saw Henry had his rucksack on the dining room table and was packing it with stuff, “morning, Henry,” she ruffled his hair as she passed him, “you know it’s Saturday, right?”

He looked up at her, “yep, I’m just getting some supplies four our mission today.”

Emma paused as she was about to enter the kitchen and turned around, “our mission?”

“Yeah, we’re going to find out who Joshua is and who his dad is, remember?” Henry frowned at her.

Emma laughed, “er, nice try, I’m going to do that and you’re staying here with your Mom.”

“But, Emma..” Henry started.

“No buts,” Emma told him and went into the kitchen in search of breakfast.

In the kitchen Regina was carrying Grace on her hip and loading the dishwasher while humming to a song that was playing quietly on the radio.

“Morning,” Emma said quietly, not wanting to interrupt but also not wanting to creep up on Regina and frighten her.

Regina turned around with a smile, “sleep well?”

Emma shrugged, “not bad.”

Before Emma could continue Henry came into the kitchen and looked at Regina, “Emma won’t let me come with her today.”

Regina smirked from Henry to Emma with a raised eyebrow, “and what qualities were you hoping to bring to the Sheriff’s office today, Henry?”

“I’m good at stakeouts, finding stuff, I can sneak in small gaps in fences and I’m good at distracting people while Emma..”

Emma had quickly crossed the room and put her hand over Henry’s mouth to silence him as she pulled him into a cuddle and looked up at Regina with a smile, “theoretically, of course,” she said.

Regina pursed her lips and looked at the two of them before sighing, “well, if he is already so well trained in your espionage techniques then maybe you should take him with you.. Lord know what trouble you’ll find yourself in without your sidekick.”

Emma let go of Henry and he looked up at her with a pleading look, “please, Mom?”

The blonde looked over at Regina in an attempt to read her facial expression and see if she was angry but she seemed good-natured as she spoke to Grace about her brother’s career in law enforcement.

“Are you sure it’s okay?” Emma asked Regina.

“He is your son,” Regina pointed out and as her eyes quickly flicked to Henry she added, “as well as mine.. whatever you think is best.”

Emma considered it for a moment, “okay, Kid, but only until lunch and then I’m bringing you back here. And first I need breakfast..”

“Cool,” Henry said and then looked at Regina, “can I play with Grace for a while?”

Regina nodded, “she didn’t sleep well so she’s a bit grouchy.”

“Oh,” Henry hesitated as he took a step towards Regina.

“It’s a baby, it happens,” Regina told him with a smile, “I’m just warning you that she may start crying.”

“And then I’ll bring her straight back,” Henry said with a laugh.

Regina transferred Grace from her hip to Henry’s chest and smiled, “or you could try to calm her down yourself?”

“How do I do that?” Henry frowned as he bounced Grace gently.

“Distraction, cuddles, soft words,” Regina said, “like any human really.. comfort.”

“Okay,” Henry nodded, “we’ll be in the living room..”

Regina watched Henry leave and then realised she was being watched by the other person in the room and looked at Emma with a raised eyebrow, “what?”

“Just wondering how anyone could call you the Evil Queen,” Emma looked at her in surprise.

Regina laughed, “yes, well, I was a very different person then.”

“What changed?” Emma asked.

“Cereal? Toast? I have some croissants if you’d like me to heat them up,” Regina said casually.

“Croissants,” Emma answered quickly before adding, “please..”

Regina opened a breadbin and picked out two croissants and started to fuss around the kitchen preparing some breakfast for Emma.

“I can wait all day,” Emma told her as she leaned on the kitchen island.

“For what?” Regina asked.