Reset

Regina scoffed a laugh, “that’s absurd, David asked me because he knows that John Battle will probably not respond well to this interference. He was a loyal member of my personal guard, I can use my influence and, if needed, my magic.”

Emma seemed unconvinced and Regina stepped closer to her and looked her in the eye, “this is absolutely nothing to do with your ability, we both agree that this is the best for the boy.”

Emma bit the inside of her cheek and eventually nodded, “okay, but I’m coming with you.”

“That isn’t necessary,” Regina told her.

“I’m. Coming. With. You,” Emma told her firmly.

Regina nodded, “very well,” she looked over at Grace, “we’ll need to call your mother to come and look after Grace and Henry.”

Before Emma could say anything Regina had summoned her phone and was already dialling the woman, she put the phone to her ear and waited a few moments, “Snow, we need you to come and watch the children so Emma and I can deal with this John Battle business.”

She rolled her eyes and tilted her head from side to side while she listened to whatever brainless muttering was coming from Snow and then nodded, “yes, that’s fine, we’ll see you shortly.”

Regina hung up the phone, “she’ll be here in thirty minutes.”

Emma looked down at the floor in awkwardness, “I’m.. I’m sorry about last night..”

“What do you mean?” Regina asked in confusion.

“I know I was a mess last night,” Emma shook her head with annoyance at herself, “I’m just really sorry you had to deal with it.”

Regina positioned herself in front of the blonde and looked at her with a determined yet soft expression, “you do not have to apologise to me,” Emma looked up at her and their eyes met as Regina continued, “if you want to talk about anything, you know I’m here for you..”

Emma nodded and they maintained soft eye contact, they were so close they could feel the other’s breath on their face. Unexpectedly the space between their faces seemed to diminish as they simultaneously leaned closer but before anything could happen Grace’s cry punctured the silence.

Regina spun to face her daughter and she quickly crossed the room and picked the girl up and held her to her chest before looking towards Emma but refusing to make eye contact.

“I.. I better feed Grace and then get changed,” she said as she started to edge towards the bedroom door, “I’ll meet you downstairs shortly,” she said as she quickly exited the room.

Chapter 68

Despite the utter exhaustion Emma quickly got dressed, placing the softest pyjamas in the world under her pillow and hoping that they wouldn’t disappear. She had no idea how magic pyjamas worked, were they hers now or would they disappear after a certain amount of time. And why Emma was hanging about and making her bed and cleaning her room was an absolute mystery to her.

When she heard Regina crossing the hallway to go from Grace’s room into her own Emma quickly picked up the mug of coffee that Regina had brought her and grabbed her boots and went downstairs to make herself some breakfast. When she got there Henry was sitting on a stool and eating some sugary breakfast cereal that Emma knew would have Regina rolling her eyes.

“Morning, Henry,” Emma said and ruffled his hair as she passed him and started to pour her own bowl of cereal to go with her morning coffee.

Henry regarded her with a curious look, “what’s going on?”

“What do you mean?” Emma asked innocently.

“Mom was up late last night and you weren’t home at midnight when I went to the bathroom and now something is going on,” Henry said as he sadly stirred his cereal which had turned into a gloopy mess in the bowl.

“It’s just work stuff,” Emma shrugged.

“Fine,” Henry said despondently and slid off of his stool to make his way out of the room.

“Whoa there,” Emma said and limped around to stand in front of him, “I’m sorry, come and sit down and have some juice and I’ll explain.”

Henry nodded and picked up two glasses from the counter while Emma got a bottle of juice from the fridge and then they sat at the dining table. She poured two drinks as if they were shots and then clinked his glass as she down a couple of mouthfuls.

“That kid, Joshua, went missing,” Emma started, “he is back home again now but he isn’t in a good place, his dad isn’t very nice to him..”

“Does he hit him?” Henry asked hesitantly.

Emma took a deep breath and nodded, “we think so, yeah. I was out until late because I was looking for him but I didn’t find him.”

“Why was Mom up late?” Henry asked, “waiting for you?”

“Yeah,” Emma said with a moment of realisation herself, “anyway,” she shook her head, “Joshua went home this morning and David went to see him and now we think it’s best to convince his dad to let him live somewhere else.”

“Okay,” Henry said in childlike understanding.

“Henry,” Regina’s voice called from upstairs.

Henry looked at Emma to check they were done and when she nodded he ran out of the room and up the stairs.