Somewhere Down The Road

Chapter Twenty-three

The past week has been a struggle. Not only for herself, diving back into her workload, setting up her classroom for the new year while managing to cook, clean, and take care of Henry without any help but also, Henry has been having a hard time adjusting. His sleep schedule has been completely ruined with long afternoon naps from being outside all day and then the late nights as well. She's also certain that the reason behind his crabbiness is because he misses Cora so much.

So, life has been rough back home.

It also doesn't help that they both miss Emma severely.

On the bright side, Emma has a functioning cell phone now thanks to the new tower that was put in Storybrooke last year. She's been absolutely amazing with calling every night but Regina has made sure she is texting Emma throughout the day, so they are both making the effort this time.

"No color!" Henry stubbornly expresses his distaste this evening, sweeping his coloring book right off the table and onto the floor.

She breathes through her frustration, then calmly walks over and scoops the book back up. "Henry, that's not nice, we don't throw our stuff to the ground," she sternly reprimands him but he's snubbing her, refusing to even look at her.

"Mickey!"

"No, honey. Not tonight. I know you were watching a lot of television today by Nana's."

"Mickey," he demands, slamming his little fists onto the table.

"Hey," she scolds, "we don't hit things when we are feeling frustrated. Gentle." He snubs her again, lifting his chin defiantly and even crossing his tiny arms across his chest. "Mommy needs to cook dinner and I really need you to be a good boy right now."

His angry little eyes sweep toward her, black as coal from the irritation he feels toward her right now. She opens her mouth to warn him about being nice but it's the sound of her phone going off that stops her. She reaches across the counter to discover Emma FaceTiming. She swipes without a second thought, her heart swooping through the air like a kite on a breezy day.

Sunshine waves and emerald green eyes sparkle the moment Emma comes into view on her screen. And even though it's a relief to see her face, her chest aches from missing her so fiercely. She doesn't remember feeling this strongly when they were kids and she had to come back home but then again she hasn't spent an entire summer up in Michigan since she was eight.

"Emma."

"Hi-ya, babes-ut-oh...you look frustrated. What's wrong?"

Regina flips the phone to show off the reason but Henry's face has already morphed from a spiteful pout to a beaming grin.

"Emma!" Henry squeals, attempting to steal the phone away.

"Hey, my guy!" Regina hands over the phone without much of a fight because maybe this will keep him distracted while she checks on their dinner.  "Whatcha doin'?" Henry's answer doesn't come in words, just a sloppy kiss to the phone. "Awe, you stinker! Thanks for this kiss. I needed that. I miss you like crazy, bud!"

"Miss you," Henry repeats while Regina stirs the sauce in the pan, pondering if he understands what he is saying to her. Most importantly, who does he think Emma is, a friend? A family member?

"Almost dinner time, right?" Emma questions over the clatter of a busy restaurant kitchen behind her.

"I'm trying to finish it up here but somebody is very cranky today," Regina tosses over her shoulder.

"Awww, my little man, what's going on? Why you givin' momma a hard time?"

"Fishies!" Henry exclaims, not at all interested in their conversation.