The Road to Forever ~ The Sequel to Modern Fairytale

Count the Stars

"Mom, can I talk to you?" Henry asked sheepishly after the family returned from their eventful day at the farm. Robin was busy in the kitchen preparing dinner, insisting that Regina relax and spend time with the boys. Roland and Grace were seated on the couch playing video games together when the teenager approached his mother. She was seated on the leather recliner positioned off to the side, watching her children intently when her son stood and asked his question.

"Of course," she replied, standing from the chair and following him to his bedroom. She leaned against his desk as the boy closed the door and began pacing, clearly unsure how to start the conversation which she assumed meant it wouldn't be a pleasant one. Regina became tense, worrisome; the way her son moved was familiar. She'd moved that way many times before when she was anxious and uncertain; when she had bad news. She froze, immediately thinking the worst, "You're making me nervous, Henry."

"Wha--" he looked down and saw the way his hands were fidgeting, palms sweaty. He shook his head and stopped moving, still not able to meet his mother's eyes when he said, "I'm sorry."

"Henry, sit down. What's going on?" Her voice was harsh, but her heart was soft. She moved to the bed and gestured for him to sit beside her. He did so, still unable to meet her gaze. She took his hands in her own and closed her eyes, not wanting to see the look on his face when she asked, "Is Grace pregnant?"

"What?" Henry exclaimed, standing from the bed. She opened her eyes and looked up at him. He was shaking his head, his eyes wide with terror, "Geez, mom! No! Of course not! What made you--"

"Oh thank God," Regina exhaled with relief, "Just the way you were acting. I thought you were about to tell me I'd be a grandma in my thirties."

"No way. No freaking way," he waved his hands dismissively and sighed, "Well, I guess this makes asking if Grace can spend the night even more awkward than it was before."

Regina tilted her head slightly, narrowing her gaze as she watched him do the same. They were more similar than either of them ever cared to admit; he may resemble Daniel, but he was definitely his mother's son. She wasn't sure what to think of his request. Clearly he knew she was aware of his newfound sexual activity, but that didn't mean she had to allow it under her roof. Then again, if she didn't agree, they'd find other ways to be together that might lead to indecent exposure or unwise decisions: going to parties, getting drunk, forgetting condoms... She shook her head of her negative thoughts. She thought she was prepared for this, she always knew this day would come, but there was nothing else that came to mind when she responded, "Henry, you're fifteen."

The teenager huffed in frustration, "I knew you'd say that. I don't know why I bothered."

"I didn't say no," she stated sternly, getting his attention, "But I didn't say yes, either."

"So then what the heck?"

"Drop the attitude or you can forget it altogether," she said, annoyed with his teenage mood swings. He stopped, crossed his arms and took a deep breath, realizing that he needed to behave if he expected to get anywhere with his mother. She stood and their eyes met, Regina having to look up since Henry grew from the last time she confronted him. She put her hands on his shoulders and focused her brown eyes on his blue ones, "I'll talk to Robin."

"Why? You're my mom so why can't you just make the decision now?" He asked, his frustration growing again once he realized he wouldn't be leaving that room with a concrete answer.