7
After a moment of stunned silence, Regina stands as her eyes jump from mother to son and back. "I think we need to talk...."
Emma storms out of the room, her footfalls down the stairs coming soon after. Henry's eyes follow the woman out of the room and then he tentatively steps in. "Mom-"
Regina cut him off, "Henry, I am sooooooo sorry." She steps to the boy and places her hands on his shoulders, the familiar sting of tears in her eyes. Her heart is clenching in preparation for the incoming rejection.
Henry tilts his face to her "for what, Mom?"
"Um- for...for leaving you guys behind. For lying to you. For all of it."She releases her hold on the slightly taller-than-she-remembered boy.
Henry sighs and warps his arms around Regina's waist, gripping her tightly "you were just trying to protect us. The whole time. Sending us away, and then coming to get us...you just love us." He drops his arms and smirks up to his mother, "and obviously you love ma...I saw what happened. True loves kiss broke the curse." His voice is so hopeful and light it pains Regina inside, because, she knows Emma may not be so accepting.
"Let's talk about that later. I need to talk to Emma, but...do you want to go to YOUR room and enjoy your old things while I do?" Regina turns the boy to lead him out of the room. As they cross the threshold of the doorway he turns to wrap his arms around her again.
"I love you, Mom." He takes off to his room and Regina's heart bursts in her chest. She has missed her boy more than anything in the world. In spite of the wreckage she will be facing with his mother, his love and recognition is worth it.
**************************************************
Emma is standing with her arm propping her up against the door frame of the french doors overlooking the gardens. Regina couldn't help but admire the clear outline of the muscles there as they tensed and relaxed as she switched putting her weight on each foot. The energy was emulating off of her and it told Regina to keep some distance from the woman. "I'm sorry Ms. Swan."
Emma turns on her, "we're back to that? You have been calling me Emma for weeks and now, since I know...since I remember, you're back to Swan." She scoffs and turns back to her prior position and leans into the door.
The torn brunette huffs out a deep breath, "Emma, look, I don't know what to say. I didn't know how to explain it all."
"Was any of it real? Why lie about your name? Why... Dammit, Regina I have so many questions and..." Emma runs her hand through her blonde locks, a behavior Regina has seen far too many times.
"I will answer any questions you want, but I would like for you to sit down so we can actually talk about it, instead of standing here looking like you're ready to do to me what you did to my apple tree." Regina takes a tentative step towards the other woman.
Emma remains rooted in place, "there's too much..i don't know energy or something going on I can't sit." She faces Regina and leans back against the door frame, "but I'm not going to hurt you Regina." She rolls her eyes.
That smile, the one that makes her eyes sparkle and lights up realms takes over red lips. "Thank you for that, dear. Now, let's start with the easy questions. I really don't know why i didn't tell you my real name, Roni came to mind when you asked and it just came out. It was hard when you, and Henry, didn't know who I was I guess I just...it was easier when you called me by a fake name. It was a reminder that I had to keep in mind that you didn't really know who I was."
Emma drops her head, her hair covering her face so Regina couldn't see the sadness in her eyes. "I can't even imagine what that was like for you. Another easy question then, you can sing? What the hell?" Regina's smile is now matched by Emma's own.
"I...well I have played piano since I was a little girl. The singing thing...for a long time Sydney was the only person who ever heard me sing. Dr. Hopper suggested I find a creative way to deal with my emotions after- well, after the curse. I was writing and it became songs but I certainly couldn't do what I did in Boston here..."
Emma pushes herself off the wall bringing herself to stand a few feet in front of the woman, "well Regina, you have a very beautiful and..." Emma cant help that her eyes travel down and back up the woman's figure "seductive voice." She shakes her head to rid it of the invading thoughts. She visibly swallows, "and my other question...Regina?"
Regina stiffens and averts her gaze. "I don't know what you mean Ms...Emma."
"Oh yes you do!" Emma places herself in front of Regina so the woman cannot avoid her "was any of it real?"
Regina can't stand in this space so close to Emma. She takes a step back and makes her way into the kitchen with Emma close behind. She begins wiping down the already prestine countertop. Emma's eyes stay on her for long minutes, unrelenting. She throws the rag on the counter and folds her arms in front of her chest. "Yes." She makes herself busy starting some tea.
Emma watches the woman move in the space an obvious bundle of nerves. She smiles to herself. She can't recall ever seeing Regina worked up this way and it's rather adorable. She knows she will likely have to pry any further information out of Regina. "Since when?"
Slightly startled by the follow up Regina looks to Emma who's head is cocked to the side as it often is when she is asking too many damn questions, but instead of being painfully annoying it's rather...cute. "Emma, I don't see where any of this is important. You have your memories back now so I'm sure you will want to get back to...whatever."
That struck a cord in the taller woman and she strides powerfully up to the woman "since when Regina." She holds the woman's gaze with only inches between them.
Regina gets lost in those damn eyes. Her gaze flits to pale pink lips for only a second and she turns to look at some fascinating spot on a wall across the room. "Neverland."
Emma audibly gasps and steps back, once again digging her hands into her golden strands. "You didn't think to say anything?"
They spring apart like opposing magnets, "I'm sorry but we were a little busy looking for our son!" Tear's spring into her eyes without permission, "and besides, anyone with eyes could see that you were having a crisis over Neal and the damn pirate was pining over you the whole time! Your interests were elsewhere! And- let's just face the music here Emma...you weren't interested in me, it was Roni that you wanted." She turns to wipe her betraying eyes.
The confusion and rage cover Emma's features "You don't know a damn thing about my interests!" She closes her eyes and takes a breath to calm her racing nerves. "You were too damn busy fighting me and trying to push me out of you and Henry's life to see! And is Roni so different from you Regina? Or is she the real you? The version you can't or won't let these people see?" She steps into the other woman's space, "because what I think, Regina, is that the woman I have spent time trying to get to know is the woman that wouldn't let me in before. And..." She shakes her head again and turns to step away.
Regina reaches out and grabs onto her arm. The soft skin and strong muscle warm under her touch. "What, Emma?"
Emma meets glassy eyes, "and I really liked her, a lot."
Regina springs forward and wraps her other hand around a toned arm. Teeth clash and tongues fight for dominance in a passion filled kiss. A slight whimper leaks from Regina's throat causing Emma to smirk into the kiss, which is met by teeth lightly taking her bottom lip in a show of power. Emma's hands snake around a smooth waist and pull wonderous curves closer into her. A hum rumbles deep in her chest as the grip on her arms grows tighter. They break apart as the need for air becomes too much. Regina daintily covers her lips with her fingers. The glassy appearance over her eyes is for different reason than moments ago.
"Come on moms!" Henry is standing at the bottom of the stairs now covering his own eyes. "We need a door on every room, and I will knock before ever entering. Is this going to be a thing, now? I may stay with grandma and grandpa for a while." He pads to the fridge and grabs out a bottle of water. "So, is it safe to say we aren't going back to Boston today?" He aims his question to the blonde haired, red faced woman.
Emma glances to Regina and back to Henry "Do you have clothes or do we need to-"
"I used to live here mom." Henry chuckles, "I have outgrown most of my stuff, but I have a few pairs of pajamas and shorts that I can make due with." He beams.
"What about school?" Emma directs the question to Regina.
For a moment Regina stands in stunned silence, with her mouth slightly agape. "How many days has he missed?"
"None! Wow, you guys talking like...domestic and calm...it's kinda freaking me out. I'm going to my room, and I will yell if I enter a room. Just, let me know." He takes his water and sprints back up the stairs disappearing almost as quickly as he appeared.
The two women shared a look and laughter filled the kitchen. Once they had calmed their giggles Emma was the one to speak first, "Regina, if we come back to Storybrooke, we will need our things from Boston eventually."
Regina stops in her tracks "if?" The shadow of fear takes over her features.
"Well, I mean Henry is in school and has friends...we have lives there and..." Her eyebrows hit her hairline and her teeth show with the rage "Killian.."
"Emma, listen, I will take care of him. As soon as i figured out what was going on with you two I...well, I have plans for the pirate." A viscious sneer taking over her lips.
"Regina, no, he is my problem and I will handle him." Emma waves her off. "We are going to have to figure this out" she gestures between them as she speaks.
Regina hums, "I suppose your right, dear." She smiles, "I'll tell you what, I have some things to handle today at my office. Why don't you and Henry take my car and gather what you need and I'll see you two back here for dinner?"
Emma stammers, "your car? You would just give me your car? And let me take it AND Henry and leave town!?"
Regina chuckles, "well dear, you are forgetting that I know where you live, and I love that car so if it and my-...our son, is not back for dinner I will hunt you down. So, yes, I am trusting you." She places a hand over her torso, "I am also hoping that you feel...something."
Emma steps into Regina's space and forces the shorter woman to meet her eyes. "I do Regina. We will be back for dinner, I promise."
She turns to make her way up the stairs to collect Henry. Regina dials and places her phone to her ear. "Hello, David. Meet me at my office in an hour..."