December 1, 2011

"Hey Aunt Kat?"

"Yes my little prince," Kathryn replied sweetly, looking up from their pizza.

"Is mom a lesbian?" Kathryn burst out laughing at Henry's serious tone. She had no idea where this was going, but with Henry it could be just about anything. Henry however wasn't laughing, so she swallowed her laughter the best that she could before answering.

"Um, I'm not sure she has defined what she is, but she does fancy women yes. Why do you ask Hen?"

"She's on a date right now right isn't she? With Ashley?"

Henry certainly did pick up on everything, it wasn't unusual for Kat to babysit… the mayor frequently had night meetings, paperwork, town events, etc. But this was the first time in years that Regina had been on a date. She had obsessed all day about what to wear, where they were going, she had about 3 breakdowns claiming she 'wasn't going' or that she was 'too old to be dating.' There was a high probability that Henry had heard and put two and two together when Ashely came to the door.

"She is Henry, but its only a first date. Nothing to worry about. Do you have anymore questions?"

"I'm not worried Aunt Kat. I want mom to have a girlfriend" He thought about his next question, people did not often ask if he did because it was a free reign to talk their ear off forever. "Have you and mom ever dated?"

Kat burst into laughter again, Henry looked confused. Kat practically lived with them, she had her own place but also had a room there, and never went home. She was his mom's secretary and best friend. His mom loved her, and she wasn't technically a blood relative. To 10 year old Henry it seemed like a valid question. Kat saw his face and like before stopped laughing before answering.

"Oh Henry, I didn't mean to laugh at your question. But no love, your mom and I have never dated. We have been best friends forever, we grew up together. You know that. Your mom is my family, she's the closest thing to a sister I have ever had."

"Thats good," Henry answered, this time Kathryn was confused.

"And why is that my little prince?"

"Well, I heard mom talking about my teacher Mary Margret being a 'home wrecker' because she took David from you like many years ago when you were in love. I didn't want Ashley to be a 'home wrecker' and take mom from you." Henry said, very sure of himself. Kathryn was successful in holding back her chuckle this time, it was just too cute listening to him talk about this. She would be sure to tease him about this conversation when he was a teenager.

"That's very sweet of you Hen," She said ruffling his hair, "theres nothing to worry about at all. No girlfriend or boyfriend of your mothers could take me from this family."

Henry smiled at her assurance. He loved his Aunt Kat. His mom was a good mom but Kat was fun. She let him do things Regina would never allow, like stay up late and eat two desserts.

"Now, it is much too late for you to be awake, and if your mom comes home we will both be in deep trouble. Up to bed! Brush your teeth and put on your pjs and then I'll be up to tuck you in!" He stood up and groaned trying to protest, but Kat simply turned him in the direction of the stairs and sent him on his way.

About 20 minutes after Henry had went to bed, Regina came through the front door. She let out an exasperated sigh as she took off her heels and slouched down on the couch next to Kathryn.

Kathryn put down the book she had been reading, and cleared her lap so Regina could put her head on it. She stroked the brunette's hair before beginning to speak.

"Was it that bad?" Kathryn asked, to which Regina just rolled her eyes.

"Well for one she's pregnant. She isn't showing, but she practically burst into tears when I asked if she wanted a drink. Then she proceeded to apologize over and over. It essentially turned into a therapy session. Do I look like Archie?" Regina groaned, trying to forget everything the awful night.

"Well, you do like babies," Kathryn said trying to make things better. Regina simply glared in response.

"Just because I like my child doesn't mean I want to sign up for raising another. Besides Kat, she is way too young and immature for me. It was a bad idea, I knew before we even got to the restaurant that it wouldn't work. I'm just not meant to have a partner, I do better on my own."

"Oh Regina, don't be so melodramatic. You will find someone. Now, lets break out the cider, watch a movie, and tomorrow it will be like that date didn't happen."

Unknown to them, a ten year old boy sat at the top of the stairs listening in on their conversation. He wanted more than anything to find his mom her true love and he knew exactly who he wanted it to be, he just had to find her first. This would be the best Christmas gift, for everyone.

December 9, 2011

"Hey my little Prince, do you know what you want for Christmas yet?" Kat said as they were walking in the front door of the mansion after having Granny's for supper since Regina was working late that evening.

"Actually I don't need anything this year. I just want mom's gift to be perfect, but I need your help. I need to use your credit card to order something. " he responded with a cheeky grin. Asking for her credit card wasn't an unusual request, she always helped him with his gifts for his mom. He was a trustworthy kid and economically conscious, he was raised Regina Mills for goodness sake. Henry figured out how to buy games and music on iTunes using their credit cards before they had. She smirked at the request.

"Is that so? How much is this going to cost me?" She laughed, teasing him. Henry tended to have expensive taste, but he was such a thoughtful and good kid. He didn't ask for anything, and rarely caused trouble, when he did have a request people tended to give in right away.

"Um, well, like 500." He mumbled, knowing she was going to ask but secretly wishing she had just handed over the card. It was easier to ask for forgiveness than permission.

"FIVE HUNDRED DOLLARS?! Henry Daniel Mills, what on earth are you intending to buy that costs that much?" She was genuinely shocked at the request. She expected one or two hundred, but not this.

"I can't tell you, its a surprise. Aunt Kat, please. Its something that will be for all of us. I'll never ask you for anything ever again! I can work for it, I can do whatever you ask! The second I'm old enough I'll get a job and pay you back plus interest!" He pleaded.

"Hen, calm down," she placed her hands on his shoulders, "you understand that five hundred dollars is a lot of money?" He nodded, his demeanour showed how serious he was about this. She wanted to deny the request but he just couldn't say no to his puppy dog eyes. She reached in her purse and took out her credit card before looking back at Henry.

"I will concede to your request, but bring back the card as soon as you have made your order," She hesitantly handed the card over.

"Oh thank you, thank you, thank you!" Henry ran straight up the stairs to his bedroom.

"I better be getting a great gift after this!" She yelled after him to which he responded with 'of course' while he shut his door. Still in the kitchen Kat rolled her eyes and poured a glass of wine, after about 10 minutes she received an email receipt from . Oh Henry, she thought, what am I going to do with you? She would never have guessed this was what Henry wanted the money for, and she had no idea what this had to do with Regina's Christmas gift.

She was just about to run upstairs to talk to him when she heard Regina coming home, their talk would have to wait until tomorrow. Little did they know, tomorrow there would be much more than the receipt to discuss. Unknown to them, Henry Mills was upstairs packing a book bag and preparing to sneak out after everyone had gone to sleep.

December 10, 2011 2:00 am

He had waited until he heard his Mom and Aunt Kat head to bed, they had both gotten a little too tipsy after Regina got home and Henry knew that when that happened it meant his mom was unwinding from a stressful work day. Her and Kat would more than likely sleep until 10 or later, and wake up a little under the weather. He wrote a note and left it on his bed saying that he didn't want to wake them and that he was at his Nicholas' house and would return for dinner. He slipped down his moms apple tree where the branches reached perfectly to his room and he was on his way. He still had Kat's credit card, he sis have his own money for the bus ticket and cabs but he kept it in case of an emergency. Henry felt guilty keeping the card, he had never done anything wrong before, but he knew she would forgive him once everything worked out. He saw how much she cared about Regina's love life and happiness, and if this worked out, Regina would be happy forever.

About 12 hours later Henry had gotten a cab, slept in the station waiting for his bus, taken the bus to Boston, exchanged texts with Kathryn and Regina strengthening his story that he was at a friend's house, gotten another cab, and successfully arrived in the apartment building of his birth mother. He had not felt anxious all day but as the apartment opened he started to wonder if he had made a mistake.

Emma opened the door, unsure who would be bothering her. When she found a kid on the other side she had no idea what was going on. "Um, are you lost? Look kid, whatever you're selling I don't want it." She tried to shut the door but the kid got in the way.

"I'm not lost and I'm not selling anything. I want to talk to you." Henry answered confidently. He wasn't going to back down that easily, Regina had taught him well to never give up on things that are important to you.

"Kid, How old are you? Where are your parents?"

"I'm ten and I only have a mom, she's in Maine" Henry said quickly, before getting back to business, "Are you going to invite me in?"

Emma gestured to let him in, a little shocked at the demeanour of the kid, he looked his age but spoke and carried himself like an adult. When they were both inside, Emma was about to grab the phone to call the police. The kid was clearly lost or running away, and she was not equipped to deal with a 10 year old.

"STOP! Who are you calling? I want to talk to you! Please! Just let me speak first!" Henry panicked, grabbed the phone out of Emma's hand, and turned it off. Emma was astonished at the seriousness of the kid, whatever he had to say was clearly important to him. She decided she would hear him out, and then call the police.

"Kid calm down," She said, gesturing for him to sit on the couch, "now spill."

"You're my mom. Well, my birth mom." Fuck, Emma thought before immediately feeling like she was going to cry. She didn't need to question whether or not he was certain, one look at the boy and it was obvious. This was her kid, the child she thought about every day. The one she hoped had a life better than her childhood. The kid she wished she could have kept, but had no idea how to be a parent when she was 17 and further couldn't raise because she was in jail at the time. The kid she wished she could meet. That kid was sitting in her living room. Her heartfelt moment turned to worry as she wondered why her ten year old biological son was out on his own in the city. She prayed that it wasn't because he had had a shitty childhood similar to her own. She had no idea how to respond, which was rare for the blonde.

"Whats your name?" She finally said quietly.

"Henry, Henry Mills." She genuinely wanted to know his name, but she also used the time to think of the next things to say.

"What are you doing this far from Maine?"

"I thought that was obvious, I was looking for you."

"I know, but why?" Then she quickly added, in true Emma runaway fashion, "Look kid, I may be your birth mother, but I'm not a mom. So if you're running away from your family and looking for something here, I'm sorry to disappoint you but I'm not what you're looking for."

"I'm not running away, I'm here to bring you to Storybrooke. To meet my mom." Emma stopped dead in her tracks, she had no idea what he meant but she certainly had no intent to go Maine this evening.

"Henry, I'm sorry to disappoint you, but I don't think thats going to happen" she expected to watch his face fall at the statement, but instead his expression never faltered.

"Please Emma, I really don't want to take the bus back again. I'm only ten I shouldn't be taking public transit alone. Plus, my mom will want to thank you for returning me safely, and you're single and she's single and you're both beautiful. She really needs a relationship, and I'm sure you do too. It's the perfect plan, you are going to be her Christmas present. I didn't spend 500 to find out who you are and where to find you for nothing."

Emma was stunned. She was not expecting any of that to be his explanation. He wanted to set her up with his mom. She inwardly chuckled at the coincidence that she and his adoptive mother were both swinging for the other team. Obviously, Henry's plan was flawed and outrageous, but she was curious to see where Henry lived, and to meet his mother. She would regret not going and ensuring that she had made the right choice ten years ago.

"Alright kid, I will take you home. But we will call your mother immediately, and this is not a set up. I'm sorry you wasted your money. Where did you get 500 dollars anyway?"

"I borrowed my Aunt Kat's credit card, she doesn't know what I got with it, but I did ask her first." Nice aunt, Emma thought nodding her head at the boy's story. She took out the phone again.

"Now, your phone number please?"

Emma dialed, and held her breath, nervous for the conversation that was about to take place.

"Hello?"

"Uh, yes Hi. Is this Mrs Mills?" (she knew Henry had said it was just her mom, but she didn't want to offend if he was lying and there was truly a husband or wife)

"Yes, this is Mayor Mills. Who am I speaking with." (Mayor's kid… Fancy, Emma thought)

"uh, my name is Emma Swan. I'm, well technically I'm Henry's birth mother. I live in Boston. Henry seems to have made his way here last night. I just coaxed his number out of him, I'll drive him back immediately. I just wanted to let you know he was safe." (There was a pause, Emma could only assume that she had no idea Henry had left their town, let alone the state. She felt for Regina, she had no idea what she would do in that situation. When she finally responded, her voice was incredibly flustered.)

"Miss Swan, I can assure you I had no idea. Henry left a note saying he was at a friend's house, its not unusual so I thought nothing of it. I apologize, I have no idea how he found your information. You don't have to make the long trip in here, I can pay for a bus ticket, or come out there myself. I wouldn't want to cause you anymore trouble than you have already been through."

"Mayor Mills, it is truly no problem at all. I would feel more comfortable driving him myself than sending him on the bus again. I'll have Henry text you updates the whole way. It's no trouble seriously. "

"Thank you. If you leave now you should arrive before the worst of the impending storm, once you get in town you can stay until the snow passes, I would feel responsible if you put yourself in danger after going through the trouble of returning Henry safely." Emma groaned inwardly at the thought of getting stuck in the middle of nowhere due to a storm.

"That wont be necessary, I'm capable of driving in poor weather."

"Well, the offer still stands if you feel inclined."

"Thank you, we should get going now so we can get on the road."

"It's me who should be thanking you Miss Swan. I look forward to meeting you and thanking you in person." She responded before hanging up.

When the call ended Emma was slightly intrigued to know what this Regina looked like. Her voice was unique, she sounded so poised and perfected even when flustered, but it also had a husky aura about it. Adding in the Mayor aspect and she was like a fantasy. She wanted to ask Henry if he had a picture of her, but he didn't want to give him false hope for his grand scheme. Instead she gestured for him to use the washroom, asked him what he wanted for take out on the road, let him him into her yellow bug and got on the highway towards Maine. The weather wasn't the greatest, it was snowing profusely but she didn't know how to care for a child so she needed to get Henry back to his real family. On the drive Henry spoke a mile a minute telling her about his mom, his aunt, his house, his school, his town, his interests, and anything else that came to mind. Emma barely had a moment to think let alone speak, her only real contributions where sporadic cursing of the road conditions and mumbling apologies at Henry's scoldings.

Emma had learned that Regina had been the mayor since before Henry was born, he lived in a mansion, his Aunt wasn't really his aunt but his mother's best friend who despite having her own home also had a room at their house and chose to sleep there most nights. Henry told her that his mom was strict, but really cared about the town, Kathryn was her secretary and she was more fun than his mother. Regina apparently hated his teacher Mary Margret, and didn't have a lot of friends because people were afraid of her. Emma laughed at that comment, but overall she was so happy to learn that he seemed to have a normal kid life. Regina, despite his assertions that she was strict and scary sometimes, gave him family that cared deeply about him. Something Emma had never known.

When they saw the sign for Storybrooke in the distance Emma shook her head, what a stupid name, she thought.

"Now Henry, point me in the direction of this mansion," she told him as he gave her directions through the small town. When they arrived at the huge white house Emma smiled, the kid didn't know how lucky he had it. She took a deep breath before stepping out of her bug. She debated the whole drive whether she should wait in the car and leave once she knew he was safe, but she decided to get out and wait. She stayed behind Henry as he walked up to the door, it opened immediately and a very unimpressed Regina stood with her arms crossed looking at her son. Emma was taken back by her appearance. Even incredibly cross, she looked breathtaking in her dress and heels.

"Henry Daniel Mills, what on earth were you thinking?" Well, the kid was right about something. She certainly can be intimidating, Emma thought at the tone and deep seeded look Regina was giving Henry.

The kid just smiled at her, "Mom, I just wanted Emma to see the town and to meet you! Whats wrong with that?" He was a cheeky little thing, Emma assumed with Regina though, that excuse wouldn't save him from any punishment coming his way.

"We will discuss this later. Upstairs, now" She merely pointed up the stairs and Henry stomped up them. Then she turned to Emma.

"Miss Swan, please come in" Her tone changed immediately from angry mom, to soft and genuine.

"I should really be getting on the road, the snow is getting heavier and I'd like to get out before it gets any worse," Emma said, gesturing to the snow that was already nearly a blizzard. Where Emma was standing she was getting the full brunt of the weather, and her light jacket and jeans were already soaked through.

"Dear, I'm not sure if you have seen the weather report but its calling for a blizzard. It's only going to get worse. I cannot allow you to get on the road with the conditions like this. Please, come inside you'll freeze out there." Emma cursed the weather, she didn't feel comfortable driving, but she also didn't feel comfortable staying here.

"Okay, I'll come in, but only until the storm passes. I would hate to intrude," Regina smiled when Emma conceded to staying and Emma returned the smile weakly. She was anxious, it was obvious that her and Regina were from two different words and she didn't want to embarrass herself in-front of Henry's adoptive mother, she also feared the impending awkward silence that she knew was coming.

"Emma is it?" A blonde girl asked, she figured that was Kathryn.

"Yes, and you must be Aunt Kat" she said with a smirk using the title Henry had called her, "Henry has told me so much about you all."

"Yes, Henry does seem to have a way with words." Regina interjected before Kathryn could speak any further. When Kathryn had told her about the credit card purchase Henry had made she was incredibly furious, and she still hadn't forgiven her friend yet. Regina would never have allowed her 10 year old son to use a credit card unattended to avoid potentially dangerous situations like the one they had found themselves in right now. In Regina's arms was a change of clothes for Emma since her's were presently soaked from the wind and the snow. "Here you are dear, I have some dry clothes, the bathroom is just through there. Bring out your wet clothes when you are changed and I will wash them for you."

"Thats really not necessary Miss Mills, I don't intend to stay long. You certainly don't have to go through the trouble of washing my clothes." Emma blushed, she didn't know why she felt so flustered by a complete stranger.

"Miss Swan, I do not intend to send you home in wet clothes. Also, as you know I am the Mayor of Storybrooke. What kind of Mayor would I be if I sent you out in this weather, I will not have a death on my hands. You will stay until it passes, if it is clear in the morning you may go, if not you will remain with us until it does. I will loan you toiletries and clothes, feel free to make yourself comfortable."

Emma opened her mouth to protest, but Regina raised her hand before she could start speaking, "Emma, I know the situation is not ideal. Despite what I did just say, you are an adult, and if you truly are adamant about leaving I cannot stop you but I am sure you do not want me to have to explain to Henry why his birth mother, who he just met, has died. Not to mention the guilt he would feel given that you risked your life bringing him home." Emma didn't respond, she knew Regina was right. "Now that its settled that you're staying I will show you to your guest room.

She led Emma upstairs, pointing to Henry's room, then her own, before finally reaching the guest bedroom. "I'll leave you to get settled. I have to talk to Henry, and then since it has been a trying day, I'm just going to order something for supper from the local diner if they're still open in the storm. Do you have any preferences?"

"Anything's fine, really." Emma turned to face her, "Thank you Regina, for letting me stay. I know it must feel overwhelming to have a complete stranger in your house, your hospitality has been more than kind."

Regina smiled and Emma was struck again by her beauty. The brunette nodded, and left the room.

About 45 minutes later Emma had just drifted into a nap when she was jolted awake by Regina who let her know supper had arrived. She followed her downstairs where she was met by a very sullen Henry at the table. When Regina left the table to get cutlery, Emma turned to Henry.

"So kid, whats the verdict? Are you grounded for life?" Emma joked.

"Oh yes, and I have extra chores, and no electronics for the rest of the month." He grumbled, then looked up at Emma, "but it was worth it. You're staying right?"

Emma rolled her eyes chuckling, "just until the snow clears, then its back to Boston."