SwanQueen Happily Ever After?

Getting Back to Normal

I tossed and turned all night. Every time I closed my eyes, I saw his face and every time I opened them I saw darkness. I eventually turned on my lamp and drifted off to sleep around 2am. However, when my alarm woke me at 6am, I felt like I had only gotten an hour of sleep. I got up and got dressed and headed to work.

I pulled into the station and got out, I unlocked the doors and went in and sat down. I laid my head down and closed my eyes for a second, just to relax.

"Emma, Emma wake up." I opened my eyes to see my dad standing beside me. "Sleepless night?" He asked. "Yeah, it was my first night alone, but it wasn't too bad." I lied, not wanting to worry him. He nodded his head and sat down at his desk, across from me.

Hours later my stomach growled letting me know it was lunch time. "Do you want to lock up and take a lunch break together?" My dad asked. A frown formed on my face, "I'm sorry, I already made plans with Regina." I then quickly offered, "we could all go to Granny's together?" He smiled, "that's alright, we've been together all morning and will be together after lunch and tonight at dinner. You go have lunch with your girlfriend and I'll go have lunch with your mom." I smiled at him and we both locked up and left.

*meet at granny's?* I texted Regina as soon as I got in my car.
R: I actually have a lot of paperwork, get us to-go lunches?
*Of course. Be there soon. I'll make sure to get you grilled cheese😉*
R: You're funny Swan...
I laughed at her text and headed to Granny's.

"Emma!" Ruby leaned across the counter to hug me. "I've missed you these past few days. Promise me we can get together soon, please?"

I gave her a genuine smile, I missed her too. She is my best friend but with everything that has happened I haven't gotten out much. She did come and see me at Regina's the day after Hook kidnapped me. "I promise we will hang out soon. How about rabbit hole tomorrow night?"

"That sounds amazing. Regina is more than welcome to come with you. Speaking of her, are you getting lunch for the both of you?" I shook my head yes. "Well then I already know what you want, I'll go put the order in." I sat down on a stool as she walked away.

After receiving our lunches, I headed to Regina's office. As soon as I opened her office door, she looked up and smiled at me then proceeded to take off her glasses. I sat the bag down on her desk and leaned over it to kiss her. I then pulled out her lunch "one container full of rabbit food and a root beer, because you need something that's a little bug unhealthy." She rolled her eyes, "I enjoy salads, thank you very much. And I guess a root beer won't hurt. Thank you."

We ate our lunches quietly. Then Regina spoke "how did being alone go last night?"

"I woke up a few times because of the loneliness, but it actually went better than expected." I lied because I knew she would worry or ask why I didn't call her. Truth is, I wanted to call her, but she deserved to sleep and I need to deal with my problems myself.

"Promise?" I nodded my head. "Alright then. Do you want to come over for dinner tonight?" "I am actually going to go over to my parents since I haven't seen them too much lately and my mom won't stop nagging me about coming by," I replied and her face fell. I leaned forward and kissed her pouty lips, "you're way too beautiful to pout. What's wrong?"

She smiled softly, "nothing, I just had gotten used to seeing you so often that now it feels weird. But I understand that I can't keep you all to myself." I grabbed her hand in mine and kissed it. "I was getting used to seeing you so much too. What about tomorrow night you and Henry come over for dinner and a movie?" "That sounds perfect." She put her free hand behind my neck and pulled me into a passionate kiss that lasted for a bit.

"As much as I enjoy kissing you, I have to head back. I'll see you tomorrow though." I kissed her one last time and then we said goodbye.
~~
"Mom, dad, I'm here," I said as I walked into their house. My mom came around the corner, holding Neal. "Oh I am so glad you came!" She hugged me, "will you hold him while I finish dinner?" Before I could answer she handed him to me. "Come into the kitchen and talk with me while I finish. Your dad should be out in a second, he was showering." I followed her into the kitchen, which was beautiful, the counters and island were white and the walls were a light blue color. She walked over to the stove to stir what was in the pot and I sat down on a stool at the island.

Whatever she was making smelt cheesy and delicious. "What are you making? It smells so good." She looked up at me and responded, "homemade macaroni and cheese, mashed potatoes, steak and green beans." My mouth was watering as she listed off the food. "That sounds delicious, I can't wait."

I felt a hand on my shoulder and kiss on the top of my head. I turned and smiled at my dad. "Would you like me to take Neal?" He asked and I told him that I didn't mind holding him, after all he was my brother.
~~
"Dinner was amazing mom, thank you," I said as I finished putting away the last dish we cleaned. "Well I am glad you enjoyed it. I enjoyed having you here and thank you for helping with the dishes." I know she was honest about enjoying having me here. She wanted to make up for the 28 years we didn't have together. "What if we had a weekly dinner?" I asked her and immediately saw her face light up. "Your father and I would love that, do you want to have it on Thursday nights since tonight is Thursday? Or change the day?" I giggled at how enthusiastic she was. "Thursday's sound great. I am going to go tell dad by and head out." I gave her a hug and she spoke into my ear "you're a wonderful daughter Emma and I am ever so grateful for you." I smiled and hugged her a little longer.
~~
On my way home I suddenly remembered that I had forgotten to tell Regina about going to the Rabbit Hole so I called her. "Emma? Is everything okay?"

I loved that this once so evil person cared so much about me. "Yes, everything is okay. I just left my parents and I remembered that I forgot to tell you, or rather ask you something." I could hear her breath on the other end, "well what is it dear?" I didn't know how to ask her if she wanted to go, she wasn't quite the person typically seen there but it was the only bar here. "Well Ruby wanted to hang out and go to the Rabbit Hole tomorrow. And well she said I could bring you too, so I was wondering if you wanted to have a girls night tomorrow to have a little fun after everything that has happened recently. I know it's not your kind of scene and all but.." She cut me off "Emma, sweetie, you're rambling on. I would love to go. I think it would be fun."

I sighed, I was glad she was agreed to go. I pulled up to my house and told her that I would pick her up tomorrow night.