Waking Up [SwanQueen]

Chapter Eleven - Emma, Sunday 7:30am

"Regina?" Emma called out for the brunette before she could even open her eyes. Her body was drenched in sweat, yet she was shaking to warm her freezing body. "Regina?! Regina!"

Both Regina and Henry sprinted into the living room after hearing the panic in Emma's voice.

Regina knelt down next to Emma on the couch and didn't hesitate before reaching out to brush the loose hairs out of her face. "Shh, it's okay. We're both right here. What's wrong?"

"I remember something. I - I." She stuttered and desperately tried to get the words out, but her memories weren't making sense in her head anymore and she struggled to form a sentence. "I remember I was driving out of Storybrooke and saw a wolf in the road. I don't know how there was a wolf in the road. Maybe it was just a dream..." Her voice trailed off in disappointment for a moment but Regina and Henry kept their eyes glued on her, encouraging her to keep going. "But then I swerved my car to the side and spun out and crashed into a sign and I hit my head. That must be how I lost my memory! But why was I leaving? Where was I going?"

"Mom, it's okay. That's not what caused you to lose your memory."

"What- What do you mean it isn't how I lost my memory? I - I remember!" She yelled, still shaking and gasping for breath. Her lips trembled and Regina knew she was about to cry so she reached out and wrapped her arms around the blonde.

"Emma, dear. Just breathe. We will explain everything, you don't need to worry. But you do need to breathe. Can you do that for me?" Regina felt Emma nod a couple times before she nuzzled her head into Regina's shoulder. Regina rubbed her back gently and continued to talk. "The first day you came to Storybrooke after Henry found you in Boston, you were about to leave when the wolf appeared in the road and you crashed your car into the Storybrooke sign. That was five years ago."

"So I've been in two car accidents since I've arrived in Storybrooke? Maybe it's time for me to trade it my trusty ole' Bug after all." Emma sighed, half laughing and half disappointed.

"Ha! I knew you'd cave one day and realize that death trap on wheels for what it really is!" Regina smiled, proud that Emma finally admitted her car was a piece of junk. "But yes, you crashed twice. Except the first time, instead of me caring for your safety, I had you arrested for damaging town property."

Emma's head perked up. "You - you what? Why?"

Henry let out a small laugh, remembering how much his moms hated each other back in the day, or so they both claimed. "Mom, wait. Let me take it from here." His gaze shifted from Regina to Emma. "Let's just say that Mom wasn't your biggest fan when you first arrived here. She felt threatened by you and tried to drive you out of town many times."

"Henry! I did not feel threatened! I simply felt it was in your best interest if Emma stayed out of our lives. Of course, in typical Emma fashion, she didn't go without a fight." Her son glared at her and the look he gave her made her cave in. "Okay, fine. I felt threatened."

"I cut down your tree." Emma blurted, her eyes wide. "Your apple tree! Behind your office!"

"Yes you did, dear. And let me tell you, you are the one and only person who has ever destroyed something of mine and lived to tell the tale." Regina smirked.

"I remember that... I remembered!" Emma's cheekbones jutted out as the huge smile came across her face. She sat up straight and locked eyes with Regina. "You charged right up to me and I swear I thought you were going to either kill me or kiss -" she cut herself off and both women turned their heads in Henry's direction. He was sitting on the couch next to her with a huge grin plastered on his face, eager for this conversation to continue. "What are you smiling about, kid?"

"My mom is right. Nobody else would've lived if they did that to her. But she liked you. You were the first person to challenge her and she didn't actually want to hurt you. In fact, she's rather fond of you. Isn't that right, Mom?" She raised an eyebrow and Regina knew exactly what he was implying.

"Henry, what did we talk about?"

"Mom, mom likes you." He stated blankly in Emma's direction.

"Yeah, kid. We established that. Despite me being a little prickly sometimes, I'm a pretty easy person to get along with. What's your point?" Emma frowned and squinted her eyes in confusion.

Regina intercepted before Henry had a chance to speak. "Henry, go check on breakfast. I need to talk to Emma." Henry groaned and walked into the kitchen and Regina proceeded. "What he means is that you're very important to me, Emma. You gave me Henry and I'll never forget that. Although you don't remember yet, you were a big influence in raising him once you came to town. Once you get the rest of your memories back, we can have this discussion further. But this isn't the time for it. Now would you like some Belgian waffles and hot cocoa with cinnamon or do you want to sit here while they get cold?"

"You know my weaknesses way too well, your majesty." Emma laughed and lifted herself off the sofa and made her way into the kitchen, grinning about how certain she was that Regina was checking her out right now as she walked away.