The Only Exception (Swan Queen)

Chapter 32

This is my confession. As dark as I am, I will always find enough light to adore you to pieces with all of my pieces. ~Johnny Nguyen.

Regina slowly dried off her hair, dragging her fingers through her soft natural curls. She sighed as she stared at herself in the mirror. Her natural curls had started to make a regular appearance since she had lost any will to straighten her hair a long while back, but it was growing on her.

She fixed herself up a little bit, making sure her eyes weren't noticeably red and blotchy from the tears that had been shed only moments prior. She was broken, but she'd be damned if she let it affect her anymore. Fool me twice.

She was heading down the stairs and jumped when the door suddenly flew open.

"Mom!" Henry yelled excitedly as he bounded through the house.

Regina couldn't help but laugh. "Henry, calm down. What's wro-" she trailed off as she reached the bottom of the stairs and saw Henry standing with Emma. Her eyes widened as she stared at the blonde standing in front of her.

She didn't leave. She went to get Henry. She almost felt relieved – almost.

"Have you made breakfast yet?" he asked, his eyes widening.

Regina quickly diverted her gaze away from the piercing blue eyes and looked at Henry. She cleared her throat awkwardly. "No, I haven't."

Henry smiled. "Good!" he squeaked, sprinting past her to go upstairs and wash up without another word.

She was going to scold him for running in the house, but instead found herself glued to the bottom step, staring at the blonde.

Emma cleared her throat. "The kid insisted we get some stuff and make pancakes for breakfast, like old times," she explained hesitantly as she held up a grocery bag. "I'm pretty sure my parents have already fed him but he was rather insistent." She chuckled.

"Okay," she whispered, walking towards the kitchen with the blonde following close behind her.

Emma set the stuff on the kitchen counter and stared at her. She raised an eyebrow. "Are you okay?" she asked gently as she took a small step towards her.

Regina looked up at her and frowned. "I thought you had left, Emma. I thought you had gone without saying goodbye again," she confessed, feeling the tears return to her eyes again.

Her blue eyes widened as she stepped forward and pulled her into a hug. Emma's arms wrapped around Regina's waist, holding her tight against her chest. "I'll never leave you without saying goodbye again. I know where that got you the last time," she whispered.

Regina couldn't help but rest her head on her shoulder and let out a soft sigh. "Then why'd you leave your perfume on my pillow with a note?" she asked hesitantly as she pulled out of the embrace.

Emma frowned. "You explained to me about the jacket and how it helped you, sort of. I was hoping you wouldn't find it until tonight." She shoved her hands in her back pockets and rocked nervously on her heels.

"You're leaving later. Aren't you?" She could put the pieces together easily from one look at the blonde's face.

Emma sighed, her gaze drifting towards the floor. "Yeah." she mumbled.

Regina couldn't understand how it was coming out as a surprise to me. Emma told her last night, if she didn't leave today then she would be leaving tomorrow morning. She supposed part of her was hoping for the later, hoping that she would have even a little bit more time with her.

"I got a call from Hank and he needs my help on our case. I have to go, Gina."

"I know, I completely understand Emma." She turned away from her and started pulling the various items from the bag on the counter. She felt a warm hand rest on her shoulder causing her to jump.

"You're upset, Regina. Talk to me," Emma whispered.

Talk to me.

Regina scowled, stepping away from the blonde's touch. "Why should I? You never spoke to me," she snapped, her tone laced with bitterness. Emma's face fell. "You cut me off and then upped and left. So please, explain to me why I should talk to you of all people," she hissed.

You're such a hypocrite, Emma Swan. Her words to her that day rang in her ears. Nothing had changed, clearly.

Emma frowned. "Because it hurts me to see you like this," she mumbled.

Regina stared at her but didn't speak. It seemed like a weak cop-out. She waited for her to continue.

"When Henry found me, he was terrified that you might be turning back into the Evil Queen, that you were letting darkness take over again and I feel completely responsible," she explained, her eyes never leaving hers for a second.

Her heart plummeted and her face dropped. "Do you think that?" she asked hesitantly. "Do you think I'm reverting back?" Her tone had completely shifted again from harsh and bitter to soft and hesitant.

Emma shook her head. "No, I don't. I hurt you and you have every right to do yell at me, snap at me or whatever else. But you have come so far. You're not reverting, Regina. You're just hurting and I'm responsible for that."

Regina sighed. "I could have done something to help if you had spoken to me, Em," she mumbled. "You never even gave me a chance."

"I know, and I can never apologise enough."

A soft thump at the bottom of the stairs caused them both to jump.

"You guys ready?" Henry yelled, appearing in the doorway with a wide smile plastered across his face.

Regina felt her heart clench from inside her chest. She hadn't seen Henry smile like that since before Emma left. He was only a boy and he needed his mother too. He spent long enough without her before everything else happened. It wasn't fair on him either.

"Yeah, kid," Emma said with a soft chuckle.

He hopped towards them happily. He may be nearly sixteen but seeing him like this makes Regina think of little eleven-year-old Henry. The same scruffy haired boy that was full of energy and mischievous excitement.

#

It was surprisingly easy for them to fit back into the old routine of making chocolate chip pancakes together. They moved around each other without a hitch.

The wide smile never wiped from Henry's face for even a moment. He looked so happy, like he didn't have a care in the world.

Regina admired the selection of treats that had been brought home along with the ingredients. She laughed. "I assume Henry chose everything?" she asked, holding up a bottle of chocolate syrup and some whipped cream.

Henry shrugged as he stared down at the pile of candy. "Well, if we all don't eat it now then I will later," he said with a smirk.

Emma shook her head. "I'll fight you for the caramel buttons," she threatened playfully.

Regina shook her head as she leaned over to whisper in her ear. "I think they're mine, Miss Swan," she husked causing the other woman to shudder. She leaned away and laughed as the blonde turned to face her.

"Split them?" she asked, raising an eyebrow.

She smirked. "We shall see, Emma. We shall see," she purred.