5
After going to her own room Regina's mind was reeling. The memory of Emma's second day in Storybrooke slams into the front of her mind. Although at the time she was riddled with fear of losing Henry, and of course the realization of just exactly who Emma Swan was...she also remembers taking apples to her in the room at Granny's and the way she looked in that tight damn tank top. Not to mention how absolutely delectable she was with a chainsaw in her hands, her strong arms flexing. Even if she was cutting down part of her beloved apple tree. The anger and tension as they were so close, so heated. She began questioning her feelings almost immediately. And it had scared her to death. The chess game started that day. She wanted so badly to hate Miss Swan, she tried to push the woman away with everything she had in her. But something changed in her that first day at the mines. Her desperation allowed her to be more receptive and open than she had been. When Emma offered to go down the air shaft into the mines and Regina had stepped into her space she wanted to kiss her then, but Graham was there and her Evil Queen was still so strong, but that was the shift. She still hated that she felt Emma wanted to take Henry away from her, but her attraction to the bold, strong, blonde was undeniable.
Suddenly a wave of guilt hit her. She has worked hard to turn a new leaf but after losing months without the other woman and her son in her life, she regretted her wasted time spent being quite...evil...to the both of them. She silently vowed to herself that if she had a second chance to be in their lives she would spend her time being as good as possible. To them at least...Mary Margaret would still be a bit of a challenge. She takes a deep breath and tries to file the thoughts away so she can get some rest.
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Regina wakes early and checks in on Emma, seeing one a mess of blonde hair splayed as the woman appears to be lying on her stomach. She heads down to the kitchen and decides to make breakfast for the two pieces of her heart. It didn't take long after she had started simmering the turkey bacon that Henry came lazily strolling down the stairs. "Good morning Henry." She smiles and places a mug of the prepared hot chocolate in front of him with a bright smile. He smiles back and hums as he takes a sip of the chocolaty liquid. She ruffles the boy's hair as she walks past him to take a bottle of water and a pain pill to Emma for when she wakes up. She finds herself lost looking down at the sleeping woman for far too long, admiring how beautiful she is. The smell of the sizzling bacon downstairs draws her from her reverie and reminds her of the task she has waiting for her downstairs. She finds when she makes it back down there that Henry is looking much more awake and chipper now that he has some chocolate in his system. Though the old Regina would never allow the boy this sweet treat in the morning, the smile on his face is worth it.
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The door clicking behind Roni as she leaves the room is enough to stir Emma awake. She lets her eyes lazy flit open to the morning lit room. She takes a deep breath and the scent of the other woman's home fills her with warmth and comfort. It's clean and crisp. Like apples and herbs. She makes the mistake of trying to stretch her tight muscles and has to choke back a cry at the pain. It is worse today than it has been the past two days. She slams her eyes shut against the pain as tears spring into her eyes. Upon opening them she notices the bottle of water on the nightstand and the small white pill waiting for her. When Roni had gone out of the room it didn't register to her what had woken her up. She grits her teeth and pushes herself into a half sitting position to throw back the pill followed by the water. Her determination renewed, she slowly manages to stand with intention to get her ass into the kitchen where she can smell food. She has to do things in spite of the pain. She refuses to let it stop her!
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Henry is startled by a loud clanging noise, and when he looks up from his food Roni is gone from her place in front of the stove and the skillet of eggs has been pushed off the burner it had been on. Turning to the staircase he sees his mom attempting to come down the steps and Roni briskly walking in her direction. "Emma, what the hell do you think you are doing?" He can see the pain etched in his mothers features as she clings to the railing for dear life. Roni rushes up the steps scolding his mom and he giggles to himself. He watches as the new stranger-friend helps his mom down the steps lightly fussing the whole time. Henry has only ever really seen his mom with Killian and he certainly was never this gentle or caring, especially when he was fussing. He begins to wonder why he has never seen his mom with any friends like this.
Regina gingerly helps Emma to a seat at the bar and returns to her abandoned eggs. Within minutes she slides a mug of coco in front of the other guest in her home. Emma hums as she receives the warm liquid, wrapping her hands around the heated mug. "Hey! How did you know I like cinnamon on my hot chocolate?" She sips the warm liquid, raising a questioning eyebrow at the brunette.
"Just a feeling." Regina quips, quickly pushing a plate in front of the two sitting at her breakfast bar.
Breakfast goes smoothly and as it comes to an end Henry is excited to come up with a plan for the day. Regina can see that Emma is in quite a bit of pain, so she will either suffer through the day or need enough pain medicine to make her quite beside herself. She suggests they have a relaxing movie day and order pizza later for dinner. She is thankful that they are receptive to this idea as it would otherwise be difficult to keep the kid inside and out of the prying eyes of any potential questions. After finishing her toast and fruit she promptly cleans the kitchen and prepares to assist Emma to the living room.
Instead of going to the left which would lead into the living room Emma pulls ahead to the stairs. Regina turns her head to the woman leaning on her "where are you going?"
"We cant- the couch isn't big enough for me and Henry. I like to cuddle when I watch movies." She smiles down to the slightly shorter woman.
Henry comes up beside the two of them and something in the parlor catches his eye. "Roni! You have a piano?" He runs past the two and sets on the stool before the instrument.
"Henry don't run! And don't touch that, it's not yours!" She grips her side in the pain the effort brings and Regina redoubles her efforts to support the woman.
"It's fine, he won't hurt it." She speaks lowly, almost a whisper into blonde hair. Reluctantly she pulls away.
"Do you play, Roni?" Henry calls as they slowly make their way closer to him.
"I do. I have been playing since I was younger than you are now."
"That's actually how we met, Henry. Roni was playing music and singing one night and I heard her." A blush creeps up on pale cheeks. "She has the most beautiful voice I think I have ever heard." She smirks to the brunette rooted next to her.
"Wow, Roni! Will you sing for me?" Henry's wide smile and hopeful eyes tug on Regina's heartstrings.
"I think I can do that, Henry."
She sits in front of the familiar keys while Henry takes a step back. Emma swallows hard in anticipation. She didn't know when she would get the chance to actually hear Roni sing again and she may be more excited than Henry. Well manicured hands begin moving and the instrument sings a melancholy tune, a feeling settles over the room as the keys continue to be played. Followed by what could only be described as the voice of an angel.
"Give me a reason,
Make me whole again.
Wounds should become scars ,
But I'm cracked instead...
Can't risk believing,
That I would stand a chance...
Frozen in the doorway,
don't wanna leave the past.
One more night,
What I wouldn't give to be with you.
For one more night...
What if I can't see your light anymore?
Cause I've spent too long in the dark.
And I'm on my knees,
Without shame begging you to believe.
But I feel so far from Heaven. "
The vocal range of the song Roni has chosen is pretty tame for her abilities, but still quite beautiful and haunting. Henry seems just as entranced by her as Emma always is.
"All my life,
Didn't want to dream I could lose you.
But you just smiled.
Is anyone out there?
Did you give up on us?
Break up this silence,
I'm crushed under love.
I don't wanna lock down,
But we've lost so much.
Will you forgive me...
If I, can't see your light anymore?
Cause I've spent too long in the dark.
And I'm on my knees,
Without shame begging you to believe.
But I feel so far from heaven."
She hums over the melody at the end for a few notes pulling Emma deeper into her stupor. Henry on the other hand begins clapping wildly with a huge grin on his face. "Wow, Roni, my mom was right you have an amazing voice! You should be on the radio!" Regina turns to finally look at both of them. She gets lost in the look on Emma's face briefly before mirroring the boy's smile back to him. "Um Roni, that song was kind of sad. Did your boyfriend break your heart?"
That was enough to pull Emma's attention back to the present. "Henry! That is incredibly rude!" She scolds.
"It's fine, Emma. I set myself up with that song." She turns her attention to the boy, "it's complicated, Henry. She didn't even know how I felt, I never told her, and then she left." Roni's sad eyes shift away from him and she stands. "We need to get your mom laying down, let's go."
Emma's mouth has fallen slightly open. She certainly could not miss the 'she' in Roni's explanation, and all of the songs she had heard the woman sing make so much more sense now. Roni stands and helps guide the woman back up the stairs. Emma can't help but pay extra attention to the way the woman's hands fall on her as she does.
Regina gets Emma settled on the bed and Henry climbs in and tentatively cuddles against her side. Regina hands Emma the remote and asks if there is anything in particular they want to watch. Henry takes over the remote and Emma stares at Roni expectantly. "well...you did say WE were having a movie day. You can't stand there the whole time."
Regina swallows hard. The queen sized bed had very little space left for her. She is careful as she sits on the edge. Emma reaches for Roni's shirt. "Just lay down Roni, we don't bite." She winks up at the chocolate eyes looking down at her and Regina feels its effects in forbidden places, which doesn't help her resolve. But she can't resist when the two of them are looking at her like that. Better safe than sorry. She gets up and walks to the side of the bed Henry is laying on and tells them to scoot over. Emma questions her and she reassures Emma that she need only put as little of her at risk of accidentally getting hurt any more as possible.
With some shuffling and compromise they get settled on the bed with Henry in the middle. Regina is a bundle of nerves and Emma is disappointed, but they find something called Big Hero 6 that Henry apparently really wanted to see. Regina turns to look down at the boy and asks "am I going to be able to understand it? I've never seen Big Hero 1 through 5?"
Henry and Emma both burst out in laughter. Emma's hands clutch at her ribs as she gasps for breath with laughter. It was the most beautiful sound Regina had heard in a long time, but she turns to them with confusion. "What?"
"There is no Big Hero 1 through 5 Roni, that's just the name of the movie. I think there are 6 people." Henry says as he calms his laughter and presses play. They all settle in for the movie once more and Regina's heart swells. She never had this before and somehow she feels like this is everything she has been missing.
The beginning of the movie is a bit sad but there is plenty of humor to make up for it throughout the rest of the film. They allow the next suggested movie 'A Wrinkle in Time' to play without any opposition. Somewhere in the middle of the movie Henry and Emma both dose off. Regina, although not one to watch much television, finds herself invested in the movie and finishes it. Once it has concluded she rises from the bed leaving the two sleeping soundly. It's nearing lunchtime and Emma will need more medicine soon, so she needs to eat. The satisfaction of seeing the combined reactions to her lasagna last night gives her an idea she can't resist.
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Henry is awake watching cartoons when Regina gets to the threshold of Emma's room carrying a bag of takeout. "Now, Henry I am going to go on record here and tell you that I NEVER allow eating in my home anywhere outside of the kitchen and dining area, but due to your mother's condition I have made an exception this once. But, not on the bed, come sit at the table." She gestures to the small table, only big enough for two people to sit and share a cup of coffee or tea, tucked away in a corner. The boy shuffles off the bed and makes his way over waiting patiently for whatever food Roni has brought him. She digs out a container and sets it in front of him, moving to wake Emma gently. Henry gives a moan in approval at his cheeseburger and Regina smiles over to him. Emma wakes slowly until she realizes there is food and her eyes light up. Regina gives her the container holding the grilled cheese and then settles with Henry and her salad.
The reactions of her cohabitants to their food was well worth the trip and the white lie explanation for all the food at Granny's. With their bellies full they can resume their movie marathon. They return to their positions and power through another movie. Near the end of the film Henry announces that he needs to use the restroom and excuses himself. Emma looks over to Roni, relaxing and says the painful thing that has been on her mind all day. "We can stay tonight, Roni, but we have to go home tomorrow. Henry has school tomorrow and if Killian comes back and we aren't there-"
"Then what?" Regina interrupts. "What will happen if Killian comes back and you aren't there Emma?" The edge to her voice causes a look of defeat to glaze over grey-green eyes."
"Roni you don't understand...hell I don't even understand." She sighs fidgeting with her hands.
"Emma, I have a feeling you don't know that man the way you think you do." Regina lowers her tone and tries to be more soothing.
Emma sighs "I know Roni! I think I knew long before some damn goons beat me up over money I didn't know he owed. I- I mean he goes to work, and he says he works on a boat. But when he comes home he only smells like rum, not fish! He would smell like fish right?" She looks over to Roni for an answer but the woman doesn't offer her one. "When we met he- he would talk about finding my family and I told him he was crazy and finally he just stopped bringing it up and we tried to build one together for a while. Then, one day, for no reason I understand he- he came home...drunk...angry. He was looking for a fight and the woman that I was then..." Emma turns her eyes to face the wall. "I gave him plenty of fight. But, my fight died long before his." She remains quiet for a long time.
Regina doesn't know what to do. She hasn't had a lot of experience in consoling others. She carefully places her hand on Emma's shoulder. "Emma, I said it once before...but, you know you can build a different family. You shouldn't have to live your life afraid of him." She hasn't noticed that she had begun moving her thumb in comforting circles on the woman's shoulder. Emma doesn't move or respond. The feel of the warmth of the blonde's skin under her hand is comforting and before she realizes Regina has dozed off beside the woman.
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She doesn't really notice that it's warmer than it should be for her to be waking up. At first, she doesn't notice the rise and fall of her own head as if she were sleeping on a calm ocean. She doesn't notice the smell of cinnamon so close to her face. She notices the tickling sensation on her face as she stirs and cracks her eyes. Laying on her left side, she uses her right hand to brush away the irritant. When soft strands, thinner than her own fall through her fingers her eyes pop open. She tries not to move or give any indication she is awake when she realizes that her head is now resting on Emma's shoulder. The golden strands of the woman's hair have fallen over her face and her own hands, oh gods where are her hands? Resting on sculpted abs. She rolls back and away from the other woman.
"You weren't bothering me, Roni, you could have stayed." Emma speaks and 'shit she was awake!'
"I'm sorry, I didn't know what I was doing. How long have I been asleep?" She rises into a sitting position to hide her blushing cheeks.
"Not long, I'm sure you are exhausted after taking care of me." She reaches for Roni but stops short.
"I haven't slept in the middle of the day in...well, honestly I can't remember the last time. Thank you, for letting me." Regina moves to stand. "Where's Henry?"
"He found a book that he is really interested in and came and asked if it would be okay if he did some reading for a while." Emma shuffles to sit.
The tension in the room was palpable. Regina clears her throat and stands from the bed. "I know we discussed ordering pizza but i think after eating take-out for lunch we should cut some of the grease and I should cook. "Roni, you don't have to do that." Regina raises her hand to cut Emma off.
"Nonsense, I want to. I enjoy cooking and it seems you and Henry like my food. Like I said before, it's much less fun just cooking for myself." She leaves the room to search for something to make.
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Regina dances around her feelings and the pull of Miss Swan for the remainder of the evening. Once again helping her remove her shirt before the shower, trying not to imagine what it would feel like for her hands to roam further than they had in her sleep. Luckily with comfortable pants she had no need to be in as intimate a position as she had been the night before. When she ventured into the room to tell Henry goodnight she found him lounging in the bed with a familiar large leather book in his hands. As content as she had become with her guests not knowing who they were or who she was, she was unprepared for seeing the boy reading the story book that started it all. "That is a good book you've found." She announces making her way to the bedside.
"Yeah, I have read these stories before, but they weren't like this. It's like a twist on the fairy tales we read as kids! It's awesome!" He smiles up at her.
"It is a pretty special book." She ruffles the young boy's hair and places a kiss against his hair. She cuts off the light as she leaves the room.
"Roni. Are we going home tomorrow?"
She huffs a sorrowful breath, "That's what your mom said earlier kid."
Henry sits up halfway in the dimly lit room. "I wish we could stay here."
"Me too, Henry." She manages before the lump in her throat lodges itself firmly in place. She pulls the door almost closed "Goodnight Henry..."