Not alone anymore

Chapter 51

It's been a week since Regina and I brought our son Lucas home. Zelena is still here with us for a few more days and today we expecting Granny and Ruby to come over for a visit. Lucas has woken up from his afternoon nap and Regina and I changed him and made sure that he ate before our friends arrived.  Zelena, Regina and I, along with Lucas are sitting in our living room when our door bell rang. "I'll go get it babe".  I kiss my wife and get up to go open the door.  I open it and I'm completely surprised by who I see. "What the hell are you doing here?"   "Oh goodness Miss Swan. Is that any way to greet your mother-in-law?"   "We thought you were in prison. Why are you out? What are you doing here?"   "I'd like to see my daughter and my grandson please".   I don't know what to say, so I just stand there and look at Cora Mills. "Miss Swan if you would be so kind as to step back a little I would be able to come in if you don't mind".  "Cora I don't mean to be a bad hostess to you but could you please stay here for a few moments while I check with Regina. This is actually all up to her if she'd like to see you".  "Oh fine, if you must. Please make this quick".  I close the door and lock it, then I run into the living room and tell Regina and Zelena that Cora is here and she wants to meet her grandson. Both sisters stand up at the same time and shout.  "Absolutely not".  "Yeah. That's what I thought. So how do I get rid of her?"  "I'll handle mother. You 2 just look after your son". Zelena says as she starts walking to the front door. I follow her as back up and to see what Cora will do. Zelena grabs the door handle and opens the door with force. "Oh how delightful. If it isn't my oldest daughter. Zelena how have you....".   Cora is cut off from speaking as Zelena starts to talk loudly to her. "Just shut up mother. How dare you show up here after everything you have done. No one in this house wants to see you or even speak to you. As far as we are concerned you are dead. Do not contact us. Do not come to London to see me and definitely do not show your face here again. After all the pain you have inflicted on Regina she wants nothing to do with you and you will have no contact with her son. I hope you understand all that. Good day mother and goodbye".  That was all Zelena said then she slammed the door in her mothers face. She walks past me with a smile on her face and goes back to sit in the living room. I follow behind her and sit next to Regina and our son on the couch. "Well I hope she listens to me and never shows her face again".  "Zelena you know mother never listens to either of us. She never has. She'll probably be back later tonight or tomorrow".   "Babe of your worried about Cora coming here I can always go down to the sheriffs office and let them know Cora is back in the area. They all know what she has done and maybe they can tell me why she is out of prison".   "That May be a good idea sweetheart. I would really like to know why mother is out, as I'm sure Zelena would also like to know".   "Damn right I want to know".  The door bell rings again and Zelena and I jump up at the same time. "Relax Zelena. It's probably Granny and Ruby I'll go get it. Please sit and relax with your sister and nephew".  "And what if it's mine and Regina's mother again?"   "Then I will call you if I need help. Now sit and relax".  Zelena gives me an unreadable look and Regina says. "Oh Zelena please just let Emma get the door. This is our home and she will protect us from everything. Isn't that correct my love?"   I walk over to my wife, who is holding our son and I lean over to give them both a kiss. "Damn right babe. I'll protect my family and those I love till my dying breath".  I let a little tear slip out of my eyes and Regina was about speak when the door bell rang again. I wipe my eyes and tell my wife and sister in law that I was going to answer the door. I quickly walk out of the living room and go to open the door. When I open it. I'm so relieved when I see Granny and Ruby standing there. The 3 of us hug and I welcome them in. "I'm so glad you both are here. Lucas woke up from his nap a little while ago I'm sure he'd love to see his Granny and auntie Ruby. Regina, Lucas and Zelena are in the living room. Let's go join them".  We all walk into the living room and Granny gets in the room first. She says hello to the sisters and asks Regina if she can hold Lucas. "Of course you can Granny".  Regina hands our son over to Granny and she holds him safely in her arms and goes to sit on the couch across from Regina, Zelena and I. Ruby sits next to Granny and they both look at my son with so much love. I really can't believe how lucky I am. I feel like I'm about to cry because of all the emotions I'm feeling right now. So I whisper to my wife that I'm going upstairs to freshen up and go over to the sheriffs department now instead of tomorrow. Before Regina can say anything I ask everyone to excuse me and tell them I have a few errands to run. Granny and Ruby smile and nod while Regina and Zelena give me a strange look. I leave the room and run upstairs to my bedroom. Little did I know that Regina was right behind me. She walks into our bedroom and says. "Emma what are you up to?"   "I'm not up to anything babe. I'm just going to the sheriffs department then I'm going to the store to get our son more diapers and I'll be back home before you know it".  "For some reason my love, I think there is more to what you will be doing when you go out on these errands. What else are you going to doing Emma?"   "Regina why don't you ask my what you really want to ask me".   "Fine. Are you also going to see my mother?"  "Possibly".   "Emma that's probably not the best idea".  "I don't care babe. I want her to know that she just can't show up here whenever she wants to".  "My love I also have another question".  "Ok babe. Go ahead".   "When the door bell rang and it was Granny, you had a tear in your eyes when you said you'd protect us to your dying breath. What made you cry my love?"  She asks as she sits down on our bed. I let out a deep breath and went to sit next to my wife. "Regina in sorry if I got a little emotional earlier. The reason for that was I started to think how I never had a family before Granny took me in, and now that I actually have a family with you, our son Lucas, Zelena, Granny and Ruby, I want to keep it and I'll do anything I can to keep my family Regina. I mean it. I finally have a family and will not lose it".  "Sweetheart we aren't going anywhere. I promise you".  "Regina I love you so much but that's a promise no one can make babe. I'm just going to talk to the Sheriff about Cora. I want to find out why she's out of jail and what we have to do to get a restraining order against her to stay away from us and our home, and we do need more diapers and wipes for Lucas. If on the way home I happen to pass by Cora's place then maybe I'll just stop and talk to her".  "Emma dear please don't do that. You know what mother is capable of".  "Yes I do and I don't care. I just want her to know that she is not welcome in our home".   "So my love, I guess I can't talk you out of this".  "Nope. Sorry babe".  "Alright just promise me that you'll be careful". I lean in to kiss my wife and say. "I promise you, I will be careful".  We walk downstairs holding hands. I giver her another kiss and said that I wouldn't be gone long". She smiles and I leave. I head right over to the Sheriffs department and talk to deputy sheriff David Nolan. I asked him why Cora was out of jail and what needs to be done to get a restraining order. I was told that there is new evidence in her case and the judge let her out on a very high bail. He also told me that they were keeping a very close eye on her and so is the FBI. As far as the restraining order, unfortunately nothing can be done until she has done something to us or to our property. I thanked him and went to my next stop which was the store. I got the diapers, wipes and a few snacks. On the way home I stopped at Cora's to have a little chat. I knock on her door and a few moments later she answers it. "Well Miss Swan to what do I owe the pleasure of this visit?"   "My name is Mrs. Swan-Mills. If that's to difficult for you to remember then just call me Emma".   "My apologies. Emma. What can I do for you?"   "I want to know what you are up to now that you are out of jail, for now".  "What makes you think I'm up to something?"  "Because you are Cora Mills. You are always up to something".  She smiles at me. "I suppose that is true but I'm not up to anything. I just wanted to meet my grandson and see my daughter. That's all".  I have a feeling that she lying but I've got better things to do that stand here and talk to Cora any longer.  "I hope your telling the truth Cora because Regina and Zelena really don't need any more trouble from you. Regina probably doesn't want you to know this but she was under a lot of stress from you while she was pregnant. She almost had a miscarriage and was put on bed rest for most of the pregnancy".  Cora has a sad look on her face and she sounds like she's about to cry as she speaks. "Could you please pass on a message to my daughters please".  I nod. "Tell them I won't be any trouble to them from now on".   Cora was trying to read the look on my face so she spoke a little more. "I've had a lot of free time to think about my life and the way I treated my girls. They are adults now and don't need me interfering any longer. So could you please pass all that on for me Mrs. Swan-Mills?"   "Sure. I'll be happy to. Goodbye Cora".  "Goodbye Emma". 
When I got home I put the grocery bags in the kitchen and went to see how things were going with everyone. "Hey guys what's happening?"   Lucas seems to be asleep in Granny's arms as Zelena, Ruby, and Regina are having a conversation about Cora. "Oh welcome back my love. Did you run all the errands that you needed to get done?" I walk over and give her a kiss and sit down next to her. "I did and now it's good to be home with my family".  I smile at everyone in the living room and I'm very happy with my life. I just hope Cora meant what she said to me not to long ago. Granny and Ruby stayed for about another hour and then it was just me, Regina and our son and of course Zelena. "So it's almost dinner time and I'm getting hungry, so what are we having to eat tonight?"   "We'll nothing for me loves. I have a date".  "I laughed and said.  "Geez Zelena. You've only been here a week and you have a date. Where did you meet this person?"   "Relax blondie, he seems like a nice person. Plus it's just dinner and we are meeting at the restaurant".   "You didn't answer my question Z. Where did you meet him?"  "Oh dear god Regina, please tell your wife to calm down".  "I will Zelena but I'd also like to know where you met".   "Oh for goodness sake. Fine. I met him at Granny's diner a few months ago. They were very busy one early morning I arrived here and I stopped to have breakfast so I wouldn't wake you both up to early. He asked if he could sit with me while he ate his breakfast before work. I thought he was kind of cute so I said yes. He was quiet and didn't make a mess and we even talked a bit. His name is August and he's a writer. When I left to go back to London we texted and had a video chats every now and then. So now may I go get ready for my date please moms?"  I answered first. "Not so fast Z. If Granny's was so busy why couldn't he just eat in his car?"  "Because he has a motorcycle". Then Regina asked. "You said you texted and did video chats, who asked for who's number first?"   "I asked for his. We kept running into each other and we liked a lot of the same things and I wanted to keep talking to him. So have I answered all of your questions?"   Regina and I say No at the same time.  "Z. We just love you and care about you. What restaurant are you going to tonight?"   "Well if you must know blondie. We are going to that new Mexican place La Carreta".  "Ok thanks Z. I think we have all the information we need for now".  "Good. Now please excuse me I need to go get ready".  When she turns to walk out of the room I say to my wife.  "You know babe, Mexican food actually sounds good for dinner tonight". Zelena turns around so fast and says. "Don't either of you dare set foot in that place".  "Relax Z. If we do get anything it'll be for a pick up so you probably won't even see me, or if it's a quick dinner date you can bring us home something?"  "No. Absolutely not. Get delivery and do not even think about butting in on my date".  Regina and I both hold our hands up in surrender and Zelena walks away to go get ready for her date.