Chapter Text
Emma Swan drove into town late at night in her little yellow bug. Her son was asleep in the passenger seat. She looked at him and sighed heavily. He had shown up earlier that day at her apartment saying that he was her son and that she needed to come to this town and save it. She had no idea what he was talking about but did know that he was in fact the son she had given up 11 years ago.
As she sat at a red light she rolled her eyes in frustration. This was NOT how she planned her 28th birthday to go. When the light turned green and she started driving again she reached over and shook the boy awake. "Yo, Kid wake up. You need to tell me where you live." Henry woke with a start before glancing outside at the cold darkness. "But if I tell you that you will just drop me off and leave." He snuffled.
"Ugh kid its late come on. If I promise I won't leave until tomorrow, will you tell me?" Emma growled in frustration. "Two streets on your left big house on your right." The boy mumbled. Man, she had only known him for less than a day and he already annoyed her. But he was her kid, so she needed to do something. Pulling up to the house she looked up at it in wonder. "Who is your mother?" She questioned putting the car in park.
"Nobody important." Henry shot back getting out. He ran up to the door just as it opened with Emma following behind more slowly. A woman and two men ran out to meet Henry, the woman leaning over when she got to him. "HENRY! WHERE HAVE YOU BEEN?!" "I found my real mom." He cried pushing her away and running inside.
"It's okay Regina. I'll go check on him." One of the men said heading in after him. Regina sighed turning to face Emma. "And you are?" "His birth mother." Emma said slightly unsure of herself. Regina held herself quite confidently wearing a deep purple suit, her shoulder length brown hair blowing slightly in the breeze. Her brown eyes tinted red from what seemed like crying.
Regina regarded the woman in front of her with distain. Emma suddenly felt underdressed in her jeans and red jacket. She nervously brushed her long blond hair behind her ear her green eyes darting from Regina to the man behind her and back. "Please come in. I must thank you properly for finding my son. Graham thank you. You can head home now." Regina spoke gesturing for Emma to enter the home.
Graham nodded heading off into the dark while Emma followed the woman inside. "I'm not sure how he found you I thought the files where locked." Regina said with a confused expression handing Emma a drink. "I'm not sure either he just showed up at my door earlier. I brought him here as soon as I could. Thankfully the traffic wasn't that bad." Emma replied gratefully taking the drink and sipping on it as Regina led them to a couple couches.
They sat across from each other eyeing the other up. Finally, Regina broke the silence, "My name is Regina Mills. I am the mayor of this town." "Emma Swan. He didn't mention you were the mayor." "Yes, well apparently he doesn't tell much to anyone." Regina rolled her eyes before glancing at the doorway. "Hi Regina, Henry is settled in, do you need me or can I head out?"
Emma hadn't noticed Robin come back downstairs. "Thank you, Robin. I'm good here just going to chat with Miss Swan for a bit." Robin gave a small bow before heading off. "Who is Robin?" Emma questioned. "He's a not quite my boyfriend but closer than a friend." Regina mused before asking. "Do you have a partner?" "No. I don't really stick around enough to make many friends let alone date." Emma scoffed.
Regina nodded, "So that means you probably won't be here very long?" "I promised Henry that I would stay for at least one day. Will that be a problem?" "No of course not." Regina smiled though the smile did not quite reach her eyes. "I'm sure it will do him good to know where he came from. Is his father still in the picture?" Emma looked down, "No he isn't. Doesn't even know Henry exists." "Good good. There is a motel you can stay at just across town. Rooms are cheap if you want to stay there for tonight." Regina said getting up.
Taking that as her cue to leave Emma also got up placing her glass down on the coffee table. "Thank you for your hospitality I will go check out the motel." Regina led her to the door saying goodnight before closing the door firmly behind her. Emma stood with her back to the door for a second considering the woman. There was something interesting about her though Emma couldn't quite put her finger on it.
Shrugging she walked back to her car and drove off to find the motel. Luckily it wasn't too difficult, and she soon found herself in the lobby. She looked around for someone before giving a small shout at which an elderly woman came around the corner. "Hello dear. Can I help you? The names Granny." Emma smiled at Granny before saying "Yes I would like a room please."
"Of course, of course. No need to pay upfront since it is super late. Here is your key if you could sign your name here you can head up to your room. We can settle payment tomorrow Miss...." "Swan, Emma Swan." Emma said quickly signing her name in the book. "Miss Swan. Do you have any idea how long you'll be staying with us?" "At least one day. Maybe more if things go well." Emma sighed taking the key Granny offered her.
"Excellent. Your room is up to the right. Great view of the square." Granny smiled watching Emma head upstairs. Emma entered her room exhausted and excited for a good night's rest. She quickly got ready for bed slipping under the covers with a sigh. As she tried to sleep thoughts of Regina kept popping into her mind. What was it with that woman? She would have to see her again tomorrow and see. 'And if I stay longer due to her at least Henry will be happy.' Emma though finally drifting off to sleep.