Reset

Regina regarded David over the top of her coffee mug as she considered if she wanted to have a meaningful conversation with him. Eventually she inclined her head, “Emma is having problems feeling like she belongs,” she admitted.

“I thought it was something to do with that,” David confessed, “we realised it was bad timing when she moved out. We thought she needed her own space but by the time we worked out that she needed company it was too late. After that this.. wall,” he gestured to his chest, “went up around her heart and we couldn’t get through to her. And then the baby..”

Regina knew all too well the feeling of emotionally losing that connection to a child and despite herself she began to feel sorry for the man, “she..” she sighed, “she loves you both very much.”

David smiled his appreciation at her frankness, “we love her.. but we also know we’ve not done the best we can do for her. We’ve tried but it’s hard.. to know what to do..”

Regina recognised the half-question in his tone, “she needs to feel like she matters, like she is needed. I believe she is suffering with abandonment issues,” she disclosed, “it’s a difficult thing to deal with but the support of her family will help her through it.”

“We’re,” David started before looking down at his mug to avoid eye contact with the woman who he had spent so many years fighting, “we are both very grateful to you for taking care of her.”

“I’m hardly taking care of her,” Regina sniffed as she turned and started to fuss with the coffee machine.

David smiled to himself, “of course, a poor choice of words, I mean I’m glad she has you as a friend.”

“Yes, well,” Regina said with her back to him, “she needs time and patience, I have enough of a supply of both.”

“Whatever happened before,” David stated, “in the world.. for me, it’s over. I want to live a new life, a peaceful life, with my family.”

Regina spun around and regarded him with confusion but before she could speak David finished his coffee and looked meaningfully at her, “like it or not, Regina, you are a part of my family.”

The retort was slow in coming to Regina’s mind and by the time she had a suitable quip he was already leaving the house.

Chapter 67

Regina stood in the hallway outside Emma’s bedroom with a mug of fresh coffee in her hand as she gently knocked on the door. There was no answer forthcoming so she knocked slightly louder and waited for a few moments.

“Mom?” Henry asked sleepily as he stepped out of his own room.

She turned and smiled, “sorry, Henry, did I wake you?”

“No, I needed the bathroom, is everything okay?” Henry frowned at his mother apparently bringing Emma coffee in bed.

“Just some Sheriff’s business that I need to discuss with Emma,” she said honestly. She didn’t want Henry to see her indecision so she took a deep breath and opened the door and entered the room.

The sun was just coming up and Regina could see Emma gently cuddling Grace to her chest while the two slept. Grace had her arms and legs at all angles as she let out an almost snoring sound that indicated to Regina that her daughter was out of deep sleep and would be waking up soon.

She walked around the bed to the other side and placed the coffee mug on the bedside cabinet and sat on the edge of the bed and gently called Emma’s name. When the blonde didn’t move at all flicked her eyes to Grace to check she was still asleep and then placed her hand on Emma’s upper arm and gently squeezed as she called the blonde’s name again.

Emma’s eyes flickered open and she turned to look at Regina with a curious expression, Regina smiled back at her so Emma didn’t panic that something was wrong. Emma turned to look at Grace and smiled at the little girl who was curled up by her side.

Emma looked at Regina again and seemed a little more awake so Regina spoke quietly, “Joshua is back home.”

Relief flashed through Emma’s eyes and her head flopped onto the pillow. She stared at the ceiling as the good news settled in and then looked at Regina again, “but?”

Regina’s face told Emma that there was definitely more going on so she gently disentangled herself from Grace and shuffled to sit up in bed and Regina took a deep breath, “David has been to see him, he is.. concerned.”

Emma looked impatiently at Regina, “go on..”

Regina stood up from the bed and walked over to the window and looked through the small gaps in the blinds, “David wants me to go and speak with John Battle, to convince him to give up the boy.”

“And go where?” Emma hissed, mindful to not wake Grace.

“The convent,” Regina said, “David has spoken with Astrid and they are willing to give him a safe home.”

Emma got out of bed and ran her hand through her hair to tame in as she thought about what she was being told, “I should do it,” she announced, “it’s my job.”

Before Regina was able to speak Emma looked at her accusingly, “you and David don’t think I can handle it..”