Second Chance

8

Regina Mills-

I'm beyond ecstatic that Emma and I have finally laid all our cards out onto the table. We are finally on one page and can finally start a slow process. Although I'm no where near ready to be introduced as Henry's mother, I am excited to know the kid, as a friends son.

If only my mother was caring and understanding, Henry would be mine. He'd of been in my arms as a baby, he'd of come to me for advice, he'd of been my world. But I'm still proud of my choice, rather than anybody's door, I knew It had to be Emma's. She vowed to raise this baby with me, she vowed to help, if that's not trusting and a solid friendship then I don't know what is, I knew she'd be perfect mother for Henry and I'm glad they both gotten a family out of it, unlike myself.

Today is Sunday, and I follow my usual routine. I head down to Granny's for my usual coffee. As I sit by the bar top, Granny prepares my finest coffee with a touch of cinnamon and Ruby leans over the counter talking.

"So, the other night? What happened?" She asks. I pull a confused expression as I scan her face for something more that was hidden deep beneath the surface. "Oh honey, I can see. We can all see actually"

"See what Red?"

"It's Ruby here, Queenie" she sasses. "We can all see that there is... or has been something between you and the princess' daughter"

"Emma!" I scoff followed by a hysterical laugh. "No, absolutely not, we were friends a long time ago, but I ruined that"

"Why?"  She asks just as Granny hands me my coffee and proceeds to the next customer who has sat just two seats away ordering a vanilla milkshake. "Did you kiss her?"

"Ruby... no! I'll tell you another time, right now you can fetch me an Apple" I push away the conversation and send ruby fetching me a luxurious red Apple, yet to my disappointment I see her come back empty handed. "Where's my Apple?" I pout.

"Sorry your majesty, but we appear to have run out" she smiles, but it's not as though it's much of a problem anymore, having magic is a good thing. I whip my wrist and welcome a shiny, blood red Apple appearing in a thick purple cloud of smoke and resting so perfectly on the flat surface of my palm. I grip the fruit tightly and take one greedy bite of the bitter sweet goods.

"Woah" I hear a gasp from beside me, I slowly turn my head and almost choke on the fruity apple inside my mouth. "Can you do that again?"

"H-Henry!" I gasp, looking around for his mother. "Do- Do What?"

"The Apple... you made it appear, can I have one? And how do you know me?"  He rambles utterly amazed by my magic that he clearly shouldn't have seen. He doesn't even see his mother use magic, she wants him to have a normal life.

"I don't know what you're on about, ruby fetched me this" I shrug, taking another bite to make it look less suspicious, but he's already shuffling over a seat to come closer. "And I know your mother"

"No she didn't, you have magic?" His eyes double in size, the eyes that resemble his father's and I cannot help but bore into them and become more and more lost in his crystal orbs. "Can you magic me up like ... lots of onion rings please?"

"No"

"Burgers?" He questions, licking his lips and rubbing his tummy. Typical, although he may look like Daniel and I, he has certainly picked up some characteristics from his blonde mother.

"You're just like your mother" I softy chuckle with an eye roll. "Speaking of... where is your mother?"

"At work, she's working with grandad at the sheriff station for a few weeks." He shrugs. "Grandma forgot to pick me up from book club"

"I should call.... don't want anybody worrying" I slowly trail, pulling out my phone.

I unlock my phone, searching for Emma's name that has been in my phone for a long time now, although I've never tried ringing it. There's been so many times my thumb would linger over the call button but I've been petrified. Until now... I don't even know if this is still her number yet it's dialling so I guess it's still connected to someone.

"Hello?"

"Emma... it's me, Mary Margaret has forgotten to pick Henry up from the library but he's come to Granny's" I slowly inform.

"Oh no, I'm at work right now and I don't know if I can leave until 3... I'll have to try and call my mother first and then..."

"Don't worry, it's only an hour away, he can wait with me" I interrupt, offering to help my hopeful friend to be... again.

"Are you sure?" She timidly asks.

"Positive, see you soon Swan" I hang up the phone and return my attention back to the sweet boy beside me. "So, you're with me for an hour"

"Great, so I'm henry" he smiles.

"I know... I'm regina"

"So Gina..." he starts off and instantly my smile drops align with my heart at the familiar name that his mother always used to call me. "Your my moms friend?"

"Erm... yes I guess so" I smile. "How about those burgers and onion rings?" I smile, instantly changing the subject.

"Yes please, work your magic" he grins widely, smiling ear to ear and getting excited for the magic to come, except he's more than wrong.

"Ruby, can we have a kids burger and fries with a side of onion rings" I smile, winking at the little boy beside me that's pouting just the way his mother does. How is it he can resemble myself and Daniel so much yet be completely like Emma. She's raised him well.

"That's not fair, I know you have magic Gina."  He sceptically scowls.
———————
a/n: there we have Regina and Henry's first meeting and it went well. Everything appears to be going well but do remember this won't be a book full of highs, there are plenty of lows to come.

Vote and comment hun x