A New Beginning

Chapter Thirty Four

The next beautiful morning, Cora's eyes fluttered open, as the soft songs of birds wafted through the window. She lay there for a moment, enjoying the peaceful melody, before slowly arising from bed. She made her way to the bathroom, the sunlight streaming through the window, casting a warm glow onto the floor. Freshening up, she felt a sense of optimism as the new day stretched out before her, full of possibilities, hope, and a chance for change.

Cora descended the stairs, the sound of TV noises growing louder with each step. When she entered the living room, her heart swelled with a mixture of pride and admiration as her eyes fell upon Regina. Regina sat on the sofa, the morning sun bathing her in a warm glow, making her look radiant and beautiful. Cora couldn't help but feel a surge of joy at the sight of her daughter, the woman she had once hurt but now longed to connect with.

Cora settled onto the sofa next to Regina, a nervous yet determined smile on her face. "Good morning, Regina," she said softly, her voice filled with a hint of apprehension but also a hint of warmth and care. The words felt foreign to her, but she was determined to make the effort to be a better person. "How did you sleep?" she asked, genuinely curious.

Regina glanced over at her mother, surprised by the unexpected greeting. She blinked a few times, unsure how to respond to the sudden change in Cora's demeanor. Hesitantly at first, she replied, "Morning. I slept fine, thank you. And yourself?"

Cora continued, a small but genuine smile tugging at the corners of her lips. "That's good to hear. I slept better as well," she admitted, her voice still cautious but laced with a touch of sincerity. "Would you like me to make us some tea?"

Regina chuckled softly, a hint of playfulness in her voice. "As long as you don't spike my drink or anything," she replied jokingly, appreciating the lightness of the moment. "But yes, tea would be nice. Thank you, Cora"

Cora stood up from the sofa and made her way to the kitchen. Regina watched her go, a mixture of suspicion and curiosity playing in her eyes. She leaned back against the cushions, her thoughts swirling with uncertainty and hope. Cora's actions and words seemed genuine, but Regina couldn't help but question her intentions. She watched as Cora prepared the tea, her mind still cautious and wary. Regina couldn't shake off her skepticism, wondering if Cora's change was genuine or a manipulation tactic

Meanwhile, Cora stood in the kitchen, her hands shaking slightly as she carried the tray of freshly brewed tea. She could see Regina watching her, and the memory of their past encounters made her heart ache. Cora took a deep breath, trying to remain calm and patient. She didn't expect everything to go back to normal overnight, but she was determined to show Regina that she was willing to change and earn back her daughter's trust.

Cora returned to the living room, setting the tray down on the coffee table in front of Regina and taking a seat beside her. She picked up a cup and held it out to Regina with a hint of hesitancy but sincere emotion in her eyes. "Here's your tea," she said softly, a gentle warmth and longing in her words. "I hope you enjoy it."

Regina accepted the offered tea, her fingers lightly grazing Cora's as she took the cup. She looked into Cora's eyes, searching for sincerity, and found something that surprised her: a hint of genuine care and sincerity. She couldn't help but feel a glimmer of hope at this new side of Cora, a flicker of possibility that maybe, just maybe, her mother had genuinely changed

Cora took a small sip of her tea, her tone soft and inquiring. "So, Regina," she began, her voice tinged with a hint of curiosity and hopefulness. "What are your plans for today?"