Somewhere Down The Road

Chapter Fourteen

Fight for Regina. Fight for their love that still burns deep in Emma like a roaring bonfire. Fight for their future, the one they planned and Regina went ahead and did without her but that doesn't matter now. All that matters is getting Regina back.

Her eyes slide in sync with Regina waltzing down the street with Wendy and Neal, two toddlers running ahead and giggling.

Fight.

"Hey!" She brightly chirps, popping up out of her boat and apparently scaring the soul out of everyone.

"Emma!" The boys squeal, charging up her driveway to greet her.

Neal and Wendy seem happy to see her but of course, there's a sour patch kid sticking out like a sore thumb. Still, Regina trails behind, less enthused to see her. Emma hops down from her boat, ready for Bae to try and tackle her but it's Henry who catches her off guard. He slams into her leg, wrapping all his tiny limbs around like a baby koala and squeezes.

Her face falls, her eyes surprising her by the way they suddenly sting. She lightly pats his back, then gently pries him off so she can swoop down and pick him up. He's so squishy and lovable, melting into her as he wraps his arms around her neck and burrows into her neck.

"Clearly someone missed spending time with you," Wendy sasses, persuading Emma's eyes to dart to Regina for further explanation but she just looks away.

Emma gently rubs his back. "Hey, my little man."

"Boat!"

She laughs lightly. "You're still on that?"

"I go boat! I go!"

This time Emma doesn't reply because the last thing she wants to do is promise something she can't keep. She's been there too many times with mother and son. Carefully, she sets Henry back down on the ground before she sweeps Bae into the air and spins him around.

"Today's the Fourth," Neal announces and yes, Emma knows what he's getting at but she's sure to Regina's ears it sounds ridiculous.

"Yup," Emma agrees, setting his son back down. Henry immediately crashes into her leg again. "So...we usually spend the day on the boat and then we come back here, barbecue and then head into town for the fireworks. After my dad will blow some off."

Regina's nodding along, understanding that the game plan for the Fourth of July hasn't changed much.

Neal claps his hands together. "We are all set if you are."

"Neal," Wendy sighs in exasperation before turning to Regina. "Would you like to come today? Or will you be taking Henry into town for the parade? It hasn't changed much since you were last here. Still just a bunch of locals riding 4-wheelers and old cars through town," she laughs, her cheeks flaring up in embarrassment for how lame their small town is.

"I wouldn't want to disappoint Henry," Regina admits. "He's been asking to see Emma and the boat all week."

"Great!" Emma cheers, scooping Henry back into her arms and tossing him right into the air for his favorite game. "Come on, bud, you're gonna help me put this boat into the water."

And even though she's ecstatic to spend the day with Henry and Regina, she doesn't miss the way Regina deflates like Emma has personally popped the bubble that's been keeping her protected from the outside world. Maybe Regina has officially moved on in her life and she's not in the same place Emma is.

Maybe that's what it always was and always will be. Two people in the wrong place at the wrong time.

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