The Regal Ships

Part 24: Broken Umbrella (MQ)

  
   It was a cold, windy, and rainy night.  Regina didn't know what to do anymore.  Robin had chosen his supposed-to-be dead wife over her.  Her heart was broken for the one-thousandth time.  She walked herself out of her mansion and brought her umbrella, it was an older one.  Black in color and a few tears and rusty screws.

   She had managed to walk so far that she was almost out of the town.  Then the rain started to pick up.  It was a torrential downpour.  The rain was sideways and piercing cold.  It felt like needles against your skin.  She didn't care anymore. 

   All of the sudden the wind picked up in another direction and flipped the umbrella inside out. She struggled to keep it in her hands from the wind. It's as if she was playing tug-of-war with nature. The wind slowed down to a steady gust and some bright headlights appeared. She was soaking wet, the hair stuck to her head, freezing cold, her coat did nothing. The umbrella was more like a rain catcher now, broken, but still "worked".

The car came to a stop next to her on the road, still pouring rain. "Regina?!" The man shouted, barely audible through the rain.

She turned to face the car in a shivering manner. "Jefferson?"

He got out his umbrella and opened it. He walked up to her. "What the hell are you doing out here?" He shouted while bracing her arm to get under the umbrella.

"I'd ask the same for you." She said sarcastically. He rolled his eyes and pulled her towards the car. He opened the passengers front door.

"Get in." He said and she hesitated, but caved. She had no fight left in her.

He closed the door and closed his umbrella and got into the car. He put on his seatbelt. "Now I'm going to ask you again. Why were you out here?"

"Enjoying the fine weather." She was building her walls again.

"Look I'm taking you to my house to dry off alright. You can tell me there what's going on." She rolled her eyes as they drove off.

...

   The rain was still heavy, but not as piercing.  Jefferson got out of his car and met Regina on the other side.  He held up his umbrella and walked her to the front door.  He took his food from the backseat.

   He got his key out and smiled at her.  She was shaking from the cold rain.  "Ladies first."  He stepped aside and she walked in.  He closed the door behind them.  He placed the food in the kitchen and walked back into the living space. 

   "Here take my coat."  He said to her, getting a heavy wool coat of the coat rack. 

   "No, no-"

   "Regina take it, you're shaking."  She snatched it and then he huffed.  He took the jacket and gently wrapped it around her.  "I'll make some tea."  He said.  Regina could barely keep herself from laughing.  Jefferson and tea.  Tea time with the Mad Hatter and the Evil Queen, how amusing. 

   "Papa?  Are you hom-". Grace asked and stopped once she saw Regina.  "Hi aren't you-"

   "Regina."  She said while shivering. 

   "Why are you all wet?" 

   "I was out in the rain."  She said plainly. 

   "I'll get you a towel."  She said and walked to the nearest bathroom. 

   "The tea will be ready in a minute." 
Jefferson said walking into the living space. 

   "I met your daughter.  She's very sweet, she is getting me a towel."  He smiled at that.