Reset

Regina seemed to understand her fears and her thought processes and had easily calmed her and integrated her into life at the Mills’ residence and it didn’t feel awkward like she had initially feared. Originally she had been worried that she would feel like she was under observation and being treated like a fragile object but that hadn’t been the case at all. Regina had been a perfect hostess in making Emma feel welcome but not obligated, breakfast, lunch and dinner were always available but Emma didn’t feel compelled to join in or like she was intruding if she did.

She was pleasantly surprised how easy it had been to slip into a comfortable pattern and she loved having instant access to Grace and Henry and, as her confidence grew, she was planning on taking on more responsibility with both the children. Oddly Regina was not smothering Grace and refusing for her to interact with other people, she seemed happy to allow other people to care for the baby and Emma was beginning to understand that this person was very different from the one she met when she first arrived.

Still intrigued with the story of the metamorphosis from Regina to Evil Queen and back again Emma was making plans to bring the subject up with Regina again. She knew the brunette was not particularly happy with the idea of discussing it but Emma desperately wanted to know more about what had happened in the Enchanted Forest. She also knew there were two sides to every story and so far she only had a story book and a few tales from her parents to explain what had happened to Regina to turn her into the fearsome Queen.

Emma often thought back to her first weeks in Storybrooke and the fights she got into with Regina and, as time went on, she began to recognise that the actions of the former Mayor were born out of fear and a need for control. For the longest time Emma had genuinely thought that Regina was a sociopath, hell bent on getting her way. But, in hindsight, Emma could see that Regina had been on the edge, her life was toppling down all around her and she was desperately trying to keep all the plates spinning.

That desperate need for control usually stemmed from a rebellion at a previous lack of control, Emma understood that having spent the first sixteen years of her life having no control over her world. Emma couldn’t understand where the lack of control could have come from as Regina used to be a Queen and surely with royalty came power. But then Emma could detect an occasional terror in Regina’s eyes when something wasn’t going her way, previously the brunette would have exploded and rained fire from the sky but that volatile woman was fast disappearing.

“Mom,” Henry said as he approached with Grace in his arms, “how long do you think you’ll stay?”

“At the park?” Emma frowned.

“No, at the house..” Henry said gently.

“Oh,” Emma looked down at her feet, “I.. I don’t know, we hadn’t really talked about it.”

“Okay,” Henry nodded, “I just think it would be cool to stay longer, I think Mom appreciates the help with Grace and I really like us all being together.. but if you go home then I have to go home too..”

Emma smiled softly, “well, we will see what happens but I don’t have any plans to go back to the apartment yet so don’t worry.”

Henry nodded and was about to speak when he noticed someone approaching them and smiled, “hey, Mom!”

Emma spun around to see a refreshed looking Regina walking towards them with a cardboard holder of three hot takeaway drinks, “hey,” Emma smiled.

“How are my three favourite people?” Regina smiled as she leaned in and kissed Grace as Henry held the baby up for her.

“We’re good, Grace is learning to fly,” Henry said before swooshing the girl again.

Regina laughed, “well, when you’re done with your lesson I have a hot chocolate for you.”

“Cool, thanks Mom, I’ll grab it soon,” he said as she rushed off with Grace again.

Emma watched as Regina sat down, still trying to fathom out the favourite people comment before deciding to ignore it.

“Coffee,” Regina said and handed Emma a takeaway cup.

“Thank you,” Emma said as she gratefully accepted the drink, “did you manage to get some rest?”

“I did, thank you,” Regina smiled, “you have been gone a while, I was beginning to think you had kidnapped Grace.”

“I’m sorry,” Emma began to panic, “I should have called but we’ve just had such a busy day..”

“I’m joking,” Regina placed a calming hand on Emma’s forearm, “don’t worry.”

Emma gave a half smile and took a sip of her coffee.

“So, what have you been up to?” Regina asked as she watched Henry holding Grace and throwing stones into the pond and showing the girl the ripples.

“We went to Granny’s, totally got mobbed,” Emma laughed, “everyone loves Grace so we went to see Mary Margaret to feed and change her, she owed me a diaper change.”

“Your poor mother,” Regina winced, “I love Grace with all my heart but what comes out of her is vicious.”

Emma spluttered a laugh, “you can’t say that, you’re her mother, you have to defend her!”