Memories

Chapter 12

"MOM I'M GONNA BE LATE!" Henry bellowed throughout the mansion. Regina had been running behind this morning.

"I'm coming!" Regina shouted back, as she hopped out of her bedroom door while trying to put her other heel on. The Mayor rushed downstairs and into the kitchen only to be greeted by her impatient son and half-asleep ex-wife, who was sitting at the breakfast bar nursing a large mug of cocoa.

"Morning Sunshine..." Emma mumbled as Regina moved to fill her flask with the coffee that the blonde must have prepared for her.

"Good morning Miss Swan, I am shocked to see you up at this hour. You're usually still in dreamland whenever I check in on you in the morning..." Regina replied sarcastically, while also mentally slapping herself for letting it slip that she looks in on the blonde each morning. Emma smiled shyly behind her mug as she noticed the flustered look that began to creep onto Regina's face.

"Nice to know that you care Gina darling." Emma teased, before moving from her seat to retrieve two brown paper bags that sat idly on the counter next to the brunette. "Made you a kale salad for lunch, and a turkey on wheat for you." Emma smiled while handing the two brunettes their lunch bags.

"Are you feeling unwell Miss Swan?" Regina asked as she moved to check the Sheriff's temperature, which, to the brunette, felt completely normal.

"I'm A-Okay! Why do you ask?" Emma replied, forcing herself to move away from Regina's touch, a touch that the blonde woman had been craving since the two woke up tangled together in that motel room. Neither had spoken about it at the time, nor since it had happened, but it didn't stop Emma from thinking about and craving it, even though she knew it was wrong.

"You're cooking...Last time you made anything, it was to fix my relationship with Ruby. What are you up too?" Regina raised her perfectly shaped eyebrow at the blonde, who began to sweat under the stare of the Mayor.

"Nothing, I swear! You were running late this morning and I thought that it was about time that I helped you out a bit." Emma rambled as she held her hands up in defense, while Regina shook her head at her childish nature.

"I've got my eye on you Swan..." Regina joked, before looking down at her watch. She had been so distracted by Emma that she had completely forgotten that she was running late. "Shoot, Henry we need to leave, now!" Regina turned to face the boy, who was beaming from simply watching how his mothers' interacted with each other once again.

"I've been saying that for the last half hour Mom." Henry rolled his eyes as she jumped down from the counter to grab his things.

"Have a good day at school kid." Emma moved to kiss the boy's head and ruffle his hair.

"Have a good day doing...whatever it is you do all day." The boy replied, before hugging his blonde mother.

"Stay out of trouble Miss Swan, I should be home around 6 with takeout."

"Actually Mom, I was gonna ask if I could cook dinner tonight? Grandma has been giving me lessons and I want to do something nice for the two of you." Henry smiled innocently at both women.

"I don't see the problem in that. Here take this and get whatever ingredients you need, and your mother can bring dessert." Regina smiled while handing Henry some money. The brunette woman favored a home-cooked meal over takeout any day, and was happy to see Henry taking an interest in cooking.

"Sweet! I kinda want the finished product to be a surprise... So... can you maybe come in a little later – I'll only need till about 6:30?" Henry turned on the puppy dog pout as he saw Emma about to object.

"I'm sure that can be arranged, I'm due a visit to the station anyway...if I can find it that is." Emma half joked, amusing the two brunettes who quickly said their goodbyes once again before running out the door. Emma stood contently in the kitchen, nursing her cup of hot chocolate, as she looked at the space that occupied her family moments before. For the first time that she could remember, she was happy with her life, and had no desire to run.