7

                                    

                                          
These last two weeks have flown by as I've gotten closer to Regina. I think I would consider us friends at this point, though I can't speak for her. I will say that she talks to me a lot more, considering it seems like I'm the only person that allows her the space to do so. She's entrusted me to transport Henry to and from her house to Mary Margaret and David's and I think that's proof of how much we've bonded. 
Speaking of them, I've been thinking a lot about what I overheard. Something about that name seemed to spark a memory in me that I can't shake. Then there was the conversation the morning after that as well. Again, they only spoke in whispers and I assume they didn't know I was coming in. It's a bit of a blur because I was so tired but I remember enough to vaguely piece it together. 
It's like memories of some past life which isn't odd to me honestly. I've always believed in multiple lifetimes and reincarnation. Everything is recycled if you think about it and so why would life be any different? However, for some reason, these memories don't feel like they were so long ago. Which makes me think about the way that man reacted in the shop that day. 
I don't know what made me say 'rumplestiltskin' it just felt... right? Of course I've read the fairytale and all as I've always been fascinated with them but I have to admit the way he responded was weird. In fact, a lot of things have been weird since I got here. It's like I've forgotten things but I can't possibly know what they are, maybe it's just a concussion. 
My phone rings and I glance at it as I shake my head. I pick it up seeing it's Regina and I answer quickly. "Hey" I prompt, "hi... I was going to ask if you wanted to come over tonight?" she asks and I smile softly. I tell her I'd be happy to and she says I can come whenever. We say our goodbyes and hang up with me sighing directly after. 
I wait for a little bit to start getting ready, scrolling on my phone for a while. I get up eventually and take a shower, throwing on some comfortable but cute clothes. I wear shoes that are easy to take off because I know I won't be wearing them long anyway. I head over to her house and knock, the door opening quicker than I anticipated. 
My gaze shifts to her and she shows a small smile as she gestures for me to come in. She leads me to the couch where there's two glasses and a bottle of red wine. I turn to her and smirk, to which she rolls her eyes and sits. I take the place next to her and she pours me some, already having poured her own. "Sooo what's the big news?" I joke and she chuckles softly, "I can't just want to see you?" she counters and I gasp dramatically. 
"I'm sorry... come again? Miss Mayor Regina Mills requested my presence because she missed me? Are feeling alright, darling? You must have a fever" I continue as I reach out to touch her forehead and she playfully swats my hand away as she scoffs. "Ok I take it back, you can go now" she teases as she sits back further into the couch, "hmmm I think not. I think you like having me here" I smirk. 
"Your presence is... tolerable, I'll admit" she mumbles, "awwww I think that's the nicest thing you've said to me... well, ever" I laugh deeply and she just nudges me in response. We start talking about random things, until the conversation circles to Henry and I notice that look in her eyes again. However, this time, she doesn't push it away but instead lets it surface. 
"I just... he needs to be with me. I understand Emma is his biological 'mother' but I'm all he's ever known of a real mom. It's just not right for him to be kept from me!" she argues and I understand where she's coming from; so I just decide to let her talk, knowing she needs to get it out. "I get why he wants to be with her... but he's just a child he doesn't know what he needs. He needs stability and Emma obviously couldn't and can't give him that" she continues. 
"Can I be honest?" I ask and she sighs but nods anyway. "I fully support you and I understand. However, Emma is trying. I mean she's established herself here, she's the sheriff which means she plans on making a life here. I know you're afraid for him to get his heartbroken because he would be crushed if she left—but she knows that too. She made a mistake, she was young and thought it was best but now she's met him and fell in love with the boy you raised. She has good intentions, Gina" I tell her and she rolls her eyes. 
"Her intentions don't meant shit! She had 'good intentions' when giving him up and we see how that went" she scoffs, "and I understand that too but like I said—I mean, what would you have done? She had him in jail, there was no way she could've raised him and she didn't have a family to care for him at that time while she couldn't" I reason and she eyes me skeptically. 
"Why are you so protective of her? You're supposed to be my friend and you're defending her like your life depends on it" she points out and I sigh. "Listen, Regina... there's a lot you don't know about me and... it's hard to explain but I can just relate to her" I sigh, "what's that supposed to mean? That you somehow can't relate to me??" she asks and I shake my head. 
"My mom... it was a similar situation. She... didn't have the means to care for me, just like Emma. Luckily I had other family that stepped in and they tried the best they absolutely could but they weren't my mom. I love them with everything I have and am so so grateful they did what they did for me because my life could've been very different if they hadn't. It took me a long time to come to terms with that—and not resent my mom—because I didn't meet her how Henry had the chance to" I tell her and she listens intently with curious eyes. 
"What I'm saying is... I never got my answers from her, I had to figure it out on my own. Through that, I gained a sort of... sympathy for her. So I understand Emma and she has a chance to correct her misguided actions in a way my mom didn't. She's really stepping up and giving her all and maybe that's not enough for you because you're protective over him and that's completely valid. All I'm saying is... give her a chance" I plead and it's silent for a while as the gears turn in her head. 
Just when I feel like I've gotten to her, hit just the right spot, I see her face switch again and I sigh silently. "It's not the same. I understand the similarity but it's... more nuanced than that. Trying raising a kid for 10 years and then he's suddenly taken from you I—it's just different" she sighs in frustration and I settle for the hope that she thinks about this conversation in the future. 
"Oh... it's getting late, you should sleep. All your important duties can't get tended to if you're tired" I deflect and she looks at the clock, her eyes widening a bit. Without words, I take her wine glass, grasping her hand, and walking her in the direction of her room. She doesn't protest in the slightest, quickly taking off her makeup and leaving her shower for the morning. 
"Did I ever tell you how beautiful you are without makeup? If not, you are, and if I have... I'm telling you again—you're exquisite" I sigh softly and I can see how her cheeks heat up in the light of the moon cascading through the sheer curtains. "Thank you" she whispers, "you're very welcome. Now sleep, honey, not that you need the beauty rest" I wink and she rolls her eyes playfully. 
Her eyes begin to flutter closed and I stroke her hair back before leaving, shutting the door silently behind me. I make sure to check the back door and kitchen window, also locking the front door before leaving. I return to the loft, stopping in the kitchen to grab a glass of water. I hear the stairs creak softly and my head quickly turns to see Henry just reaching the base of them. 
"Were you with my mom?" he questions softly and as I don't have a reason to lie, I affirm that I was. He simply grins mischievously and walks back up to his bedroom, me eyeing him curiously the entire way up. I shrug my shoulders and finish my water bottle, placing it gently in the recycling bin before heading to my lovely couch bed to end the day.