Somewhere Down The Road

Chapter Thirty-three

She hasn't let go of Henry for two days now. Emma keeps eyeing her like she might have a mental breakdown at any moment but she keeps promising her that she's fine. She just wants to be near her son after the last two months of court appearances, reschedules and all the bullshit in between.

She has her baby now and she never wants to let him go.

After she filed for sole custody, there was a lot of back and forth. Obviously, Daniel was pissed and fought her which meant someone appointed from the court had to speak with Henry alone to see how he felt toward Daniel. Sabine even testified against Daniel, stating he was unreliable, unpredictable, which wouldn't benefit Henry in the long run but most importantly, she has notes of all the times Daniel was mentally abusive. Apparently, he tried on more than one occasion to coerce Henry onto his side and pin him against Regina and Emma.

After a lot of back and forth and reschedules, it was no surprise when Daniel couldn't be bothered to show up to the last hearing which cemented the judge's decision to grant Regina sole custody. And she cried. She wept like a baby, clinging to Henry like a security blanket and so thankful that he wouldn't be left alone with Daniel. If Daniel asks to see Henry, Regina isn't obligated to bring Henry to him, however, she doesn't see that as a problem because there is no way Daniel will drive seven hours to visit with Henry.

Finally, they are at the end of September and Regina and Henry are officially all moved into Storybrooke. Cora sold her house in Chicago as well and lives up the road in the mansion. Kathryn wasn't pleased but they both promised lots of trips back and forth because not only is she Regina's best friend but she's also Henry's godmother. A damn good one too. She wishes Kathryn and Jim would move up here, that would be a dream actually.

If that could happen, she would have everything and everyone she needs right in one spot. She even found a job right away at the high school in the next town over, teaching science. Their little family is starting to fall perfectly into place.

"Babe," Emma gently begins, brushing the back of her knuckles against Regina's neck, "put him down."

Regina sighs, carefully placing Henry's feet on the ground. They are standing in the middle of Ruby and Belle's backyard with their nine-month-old baby girl crawling all around the five puppies that are attacking her chubby little face.

"I can't believe that little daredevil doesn't mind the nipping and licking," Emma laughs as Belle scoops up a puppy that won't stop kissing Scartlett's face.

"She's obsessed with these pups," Ruby giggles, carefully taking her daughter's hand and reminding her to be gentle.

Henry giggles, his head whipping from left to right as a puppy leaps up and down to lick his face. Regina has a sneaky suspicion that Emma dragged them along because she wanted to do more than just look at the new puppies Ruby and Belle had. She honestly doesn't understand how they do it but breeding puppies is something they are obsessed with.

"Now, what kind of breed is this again?" Regina investigates, kneeling down to pet the one that won't leave Henry alone.

"Vizsla," Belle informs her. "Very loyal and family friendly companions."

"And intelligent," Ruby adds on. "We've had Roxy for five years and she is the smartest dog I've ever had. She picked up all her tricks in like a day."

"She's the one that is never on the leash, right?" Emma chimes in, persuading Regina's suspicious eyes to slide toward her fiancé because this all sounds a little rehearsed.

"Yup," Ruby proudly confirms. "She never runs away, stays right by our feet."

"Emma," Regina drawls in a warning tone.