She loves me she loves me not

CHAPTER 3

Emma enters the office earlier than usual and is greeted by a young boy sitting at Regina’s desk. She stops and furrows her brow. She scans the rest of the room, looking for an indicator to whom this child might belong. 

 

She rubs at her neck and walks closer, slowly. The boy lifts his head and looks at her curiously. 

 

“Hello,” he says and tilts his head to the side. Dark brown locks fall into his eyes. He blinks several times, before returning his gaze to the comic book in front of him. 

 

“Hey,” Emma smiles and places her bag on her chair. “Who are you?” 

 

“I’m Henry and you?” 

 

“I’m Emma. It’s nice to meet you, Henry.” 

 

The door of the kitchen opens and Regina walks out, a cup of coffee in her hand. She looks at Emma and for a split second there is this weird look. A look Emma can’t read. It’s not distaste. 

She stops at the desk, puts the cup down and runs a hand through Henry’s curly hair.

 

“Oh, is this your son?” Emma blurts out, surprised. 

 

Regina looks at her and arches an eyebrow. “That’s Henry, my son.” 

 

And another puzzle piece falls into place. Regina is a mother. 

 

Emma looks back at Henry and smiles again. She sees the resemblance. 

 

The entrance door opens and Ruby enters, followed by Graham. Ruby walks past them, playfully bumping into Emma and high fiving Henry. 

 

“Hey little Mills.” She grins at the boy. 

 

“Henry, there’s an apple in your lunch box. I think your dad is going to be late, you should eat something,” Regina says and looks at her watch. 

 

Henry sighs quietly and opens his bag, searching for his lunchbox. Emma instantly feels the disappointment radiate off the boy. 

 

“What comic are you reading?” She scoots over. 

 

Henry looks at her and back at his comic. “The new Spiderman.” He says in absolute excitement and smiles. And so they bond over comic books. 

 

Regina watches them silently and notices Henry's relaxed state and happiness over someone showing a genuine interest in him. She swallows as her eyes stop on Emma. And maybe she shouldn’t be so harsh to her anymore. Because in this moment, Emma shows a side that Regina hadn’t seen before. Of someone who’s picked up on a child’s sadness and immediately took action. 

 

An hour later a blond man enters their department. He seems stressed and annoyed. He walks over to Henry and takes his bag. “Come on, we have to get going,” he says.