The Nanny

Mother

Chapter 8: Mother

The blood pounded in Regina's ears as she stared at the woman who had given birth to her. Cora Mills had walked out of her life almost twenty-seven years ago but she hadn't aged a day it seemed, her face as smooth as a young woman's. Her brown hair held no signs of gray and was still has thick as when Regina had tried to brush it as a child. That had led to a lecture on how only her hairdresser was allowed to touch Cora's hair, not Regina. Just like then, Cora's brown eyes were full of judgment as she took in her daughter's grown form.

Emma's hand in hers was an anchor, keeping her grounded. Regina swallowed and found her voice. "Mother, what are you doing here?"

"I'm here with my daughter." Cora placed her hand on Zelena's arm. "Zelena, meet your sister, Regina."

Regina studied Zelena, who couldn't be that much younger than her. Not if she was already one of Robin's vice presidents. "But...But we appear to be the same age. We can't be sisters."

Cora sighed, rolling her eyes. "Really, Regina. I thought you were smarter than that."

"Don't," Emma replied, stepping between Regina and Cora. "You'll have to go through me to get to Regina."

"You always have someone else fight your battles for you, Regina?" Cora leaned past Emma, raising her eyebrow at her daughter.

Regina took a deep breath and tapped Emma's shoulder. "It's okay. I can handle her."

"You sure?" Emma asked, concerned.

"I'm sure." Regina stepped forward, arms crossed. "And you will answer my question, Mother. How exactly are Zelena and I sisters?"

Cora sighed. "Well, if we're going to be technical, you and Zelena are stepsisters. But I love her like she was my own, so you are sisters."

"It's going to be so much fun getting to know you, sis," Zelena said, smiling at Regina thought lacked any sincerity.

Regina didn't return it. "Even though I'm just the help?"

Zelena's smile faltered. "Well, maybe I was a bit hasty and judgmental..."

"A bit?" Emma countered, rolling her eyes. "That's an understatement."

"And we're not sisters. That woman stopped being my mother the day after my eighth birthday," Regina continued, glaring at Cora. "You two go be a family. I don't need either of you."

She pushed past Zelena and Cora, heading back inside. Emma was right on her heels and took her arm. "Come on. Let's go to the ladies' room first," she suggested.