Shattered

Tender

Regina

I sighed as I sat in front of Eliza's house, pressing my forehead on my knuckles which gripped the steering wheel tightly. The engine hummed softly and I felt my nerves calm after this long day. I recalled Robin helping Alena out to the car after our emotional session, my heart constricting as I watched her body winced with every painful step. I sighed and twisted the key which was sitting in the ignition, tossing my things into my purse, barreling up the steps of the ornate mansion.

I went to raise my hand to knock on the door, my concern rising as I heard my baby's wails on the other side, making me regret leaving all of my children with an evil queen who was still getting use to the idea of mothering. Before my knuckles could make contact with the wood, the door opened and Eliza stood pleasantly on the other side, my daughter clutching the collar of her velvet dress to soothe herself to sleep. A white apron was tied around her waist to protect the valuable green fabric from all spills and spit up that comes with a baby and toddler.

"Look baby, it's mama." Eliza smiled, gently rocking her before kissing her head, causing my lips to turn up into a grin before carefully scooping her up into my arms. "She's still sick from her cold, but I gave her some medicine, and don't worry, I called Robin to make sure she can take it. She slept for a little while with me while Roland colored, now he's taking his nap and she's up and still feeling kinda bad." Eliza reported, gingerly rubbing the back of her head while I bounced her.

"Wow, thanks. You got the hang of this whole mom thing, so good timing with that." I remarked, getting a blushed smile from her before she exhale and let me inside. "Thanks, I mean there's more to mothering than cleaning up some spilled juice and rocking her to sleep." She said in a shaking tone, her hand moving shakily to her flat stomach, her eyes clearly full of fear, the same fear that I had felt knowing that I was responsible for the well being of another helpless person.

"You'll be great at it, and no matter how hard it is, it'll be worth it." I said walking over to the sofa where my son was tucked neatly under a soft quilt, a furry monkey positioned under his arm as he hummed softly.

"I just never imagined that I wouldn't have Daniel with me to do this, a partner whom I could share this part of our lives with." She admitted, leaning on the wall while looking at the small boy blankly.

I exhaled and knew that feeling all too well, the idea of delivering a baby without a partner was daunting enough, knowing how barbaric it can be, but raising one alone was terrifying.

"I know, when I was-."

"I forgot that I had that extra stuffed monkey, I made a copy of the one we gave him when we first met, to try and convince him that I wasn't bad, in the beginning, and he found it earlier. He insisted that he slept with it for his nap." She said with a yearning in her eyes, one I was guilty of falling prey to. The small boy was notorious for stealing hearts with his gentle gaze.

She didn't want to hear my story that attempted to empathize with her, and quite frankly, I could see why. "He's had a hard life, but you were in his life too, you remember him too, and I can tell you that forgetting his smile is a torturous challenge. I'm sure we can work something out so you can see him more frequently." I offered, making her eyes grow with excitement. "Would Henry come too?" She asked excitedly, making me chuckle and nod at her. "I think he's used to multiple mothers, another one would make him just ecstatic." I joked, making her smile and sit beside me, lifting Evelyn from my arms to allow me to gather Roland into my embrace.

"Eliza, I never got the chance to thank you for keeping Alena safe when you went to hell. You brought her back to me when I couldn't and I can't even begin to repay you for that." I said with a serious tone, making her blush and rock my baby softly.