Roni

Chapter Thirty Two

"Okay sweetie, that's it for tonight," Regina gently tells Ella as she starts to clean up the vault, knowing damn well this girl will fight her on the matter.

"Why? I finished all my homework like you asked."

"I know, but I'm sure your father would like to spend sometime with you before you go to bed this evening. Besides we accomplished a lot today. I'm so proud of you, you're really getting the hang of Elvish."

And she really means every word, because Ella really has picked up on that spell book so much faster than she expected. She is so unbelievably proud of this astounding thirteen year old little girl, she just blows Regina away.

"Thanks Regina!" Her smile is contagious and reminds Regina right away of a certain blonde who has stolen her heart like the thief she once was.

Nowadays, Emma has Ella during the week, except for Wednesday's, which belong to Hook and same with the weekends. So unfortunately, on those nights that Emma has her daughter, she doesn't sneak over to the mansion. Regina is the main reason why Emma hasn't told Ella about them, yet. Regina just doesn't want to ruin the bond they have formed together while practicing magic. Emma insists that Ella will be supportive, but Regina's still so uncertain.

"You're welcome, honey. Besides I have to get a move on if I don't want to be late. I'm meeting your brother tonight for dinner."

"Can't I come? It's a Friday night, I don't have school tomorrow," she whines, reminding Regina of Henry when he was her age, instantly melting the queen's heart. It takes every ounce of strength in her body to tell those innocent pleasing eyes, no.

"I'm sorry, not tonight. Maybe on another night when you are staying at your moms," she kindly suggests, trying to ease the blow.

"Yeah, I guess so." She simply shrugs, her voice fading off into an oblivion.

"How is everything going with that? Anything you would like to discuss about your parents divorce before I leave?"

"No, I'm fine."

As much as she tries, Regina can't stop her eyes from rolling, this girl sounds just like her mother, always putting up those damn walls.

"Ella," she grasps her small chin between her fingers and stares into those beautiful green eyes. "You can confide in me. I won't be a snitch like your grandmother." This earns herself a small giggle in return.

"I know I can trust you, I can feel the way you care for me." Regina's heart sinks in that moment because she feels like she's betraying this little girl even though she does care for her, a lot, more than she thought possible. "I just feel bad for my dad, when he looks at my mom you can see how much he loves her, but she looks at him like he's a friend."

"Sometimes that happens in love. You still love the other person, it's just a different kind of love, like the way you love a sibling or your child," she tries her best to explain, but she knows there's nothing she can say in this moment to actually take Ella's pain away.

"I know. I get it. My mom just seems so happy like I've never seen her this happy and I can't help but wonder, was she really that miserable with us as a family?"

"No, not at all sweetie. Don't think that way. She loves you both very much and right now she's doing the best she can to move on." Regina sits down on her bench next to the beautiful little girl, sulking. She wants to hug her, but she knows Ella's not too fond of that kind of physical contact. She just wishes there is a way she could help her get through this tough time in her life. "It will become easier as time goes on and you should be very grateful that you have two parents who are getting along with each other during this time."