One Door Closes

Chapter 20

Emma's P. O. V.

My first impulse is to run, but Regina remains seated, looking calmer than ever, so I try to follow her example.

In the past couple years, I've tried reaching out to Graham several times, but I never got an answer. I suppose he's in for a big surprise today. I just never expected to do it at Granny's, though fortunately there aren't a lot of other customers at this time of day.

He immediately notices us and it's clear he was looking for us two. "Hi," he sheepishly says, once he's joined us.

"On a scale of one to ten, how quickly do you think he notices if we slip away and go outside?" I ask Regina. She chuckles softly. I love making her laugh.

Graham sits down, without invitation. "I hadn't expected to catch both of you here, but I suppose it's my lucky day."

He looks older. I don't know if it makes him more or less handsome, but he was an attractive guy and still is. He has some sort of charm that I can't quite grasp, but very much appreciate.

"What are you doing here, Graham?" I ask. Regina still doesn't seem to be over the fact that it actually is him sitting across us. I haven't either, but I want to pretend I have.

"I've come to apologize. I.. I know I'm incredibly late doing so and I don't think there are enough words in the world to make up for everything I've put you through, but I have to start somewhere, right?" He chuckles nervously. "Honestly, to both of you, from the bottom of my heart: I am so, so sorry."

It's quiet for a moment. I look aside at Regina who seems to appreciate his apology. "That's.. very kind of you, Graham. Thank you," she says. I raise my eyebrows. What?

"If there's anything I can do for you, even after all these years, to help make up for what I've done, please let me know."

"That's very considerate, Graham. I think it's very brave for you to step forward like this, even after all these years," Regina says. I don't know where she's getting this all from, but I'm not as easy to convince. What kind of theater is this? "Emma and I have something to say as well, we.."

"Graham, it's been over three years. Four years, almost.." I scoff at the realization. "Why now?"

Graham swallows and looks at me, uneasy. "I realized that what I did was wrong."

"That took you four years? I don't believe that. What's your goal here?" I don't even try to hide the skepticism in my voice. I know there's more behind this and I am not going to forgive him until I know what that is.

He clears his throat and I know I've hit a nerve now, but Regina nudges my shoulder. She's too much of a people pleaser to question Graham's motives.

"I fell in love with this girl," Graham starts. His lip curls up into a smile, but I don't smile back. Regina does. Henry is sitting quietly in her lap, staring up at her. I wonder if Graham has even noticed him.

Now that I see Henry in the same room as Graham, I notice the resemblance. Their hair color is the exact same and Henry has a similar dimple in his cheek. Regina always says Henry looks exactly like me, but he doesn't. He's a copy of Graham.

"But two weeks ago, I discovered she had an affair. She didn't want to talk about it one bit and just broke it off with me and it reminded me of the way I left things with you two," he says. His eyes shift between the two of you. "I'm just glad you two seem to have gained a friendship, despite everything."

I look at Regina and she looks right back at me. It's clear she's just as clueless as I am to break the news to Graham. Maybe we don't have to. We do. We really do, but I don't want to. Everything is going perfect as it is and Graham discovering he has a son could ruin it all. Nevertheless, I can't keep Henry from bonding with his father simply because of my own selfish reasons.