Is It Too Late? - Swan Queen AU

Chapter 10

Author's Note: 

I finished another chapter tonight, so I though I would go ahead and publish another. This one will start of with some Emma and Henry hang out time at Granny's, but it doesn't go the way Emma thought. Regina and Emma talk. 

TRIGGER WARNING: There is abuse in this chapter

Henry sat in the booth, legs kicked up, his feet not quite hanging over the edge. "So if you love her so much. Why'd you go off to the army?"

Emma wasn't surprised by the question. They had been hanging out with one another for about and hour now, and the conversation topics were becoming more and more personal. Henry was the sort of kid to not beat around the bushes - much like his mother. "Well, kid, there were some misunderstandings, and I had to do something for myself. I always wanted to go, my father was an Army man. The break up just gave me that last push to go. Don't get me wrong, I didn't want to leave, but I knew it was for the best. We both were so wrapped up in each other's lives we weren't doing things for ourselves anymore." The woman shrugged and leaned back, her position almost matching the boys. She was faced away from the door and he faced her, but typically it was the other way around.

When Emma walked into the diner, Henry had already been there, chomping on onion rings. "Your mother is going to kill me, Henry. You are picking up my eating habits." She called across the diner, going to inform Granny of the move.

"So, are you going to invite me over to your house?" How the boy was able to change subjects without second thought baffled Emma, but it was a trait he got from his father. Once he got the knowledge he was interested in, the topic was no longer important.

"Well, of course, but we would need to talk to your mom about that one." Emma looked at him, mug curled into her hand.

"Well..." he raised his eyebrows. "What made you love my mom? What was she like before my father..?" Henry asked, his gaze going around the diner, but Emma paid no attention.

"Wow, okay. Your mom. When I first noticed her, she was this perfect student, straight A's, always answered the teacher's questions, and could probably tutor the teacher if I'm being honest. Gina was... just - she drew my attention. I sat behind her one day when I was late to class, our sophomore year, and that's where it started. she introduced herself and of course I already knew who she was. I began sitting with her during every class we had together, and then at lunch she would join my table with Mary Margaret, David, and Ruby. She would join us when we would hang out - here usually - and I just found myself falling head over heels in love with her. Every aspect of your mother was something I loved. The way she would raise one eyebrow when she was asking a question she already knew the answer to or when I would say something absolutely stupid. She was so very passionate about things, and I loved that about her. She would debate until the other person was blue in the face, and would walk away with a smile. However, the moment I knew I loved her... we were driving down the road in David's old truck, and we were playing music over the radio. She and I were in the back and she stood up while going down the road, her face just lit up as the air pushed her hair back and the smile on her face, wow... simply breathtaking. I-I heard her giggle and she spread her arms out wide, just taking on the world. That's when I knew I loved her more than anything." Emma looked at Henry finally, her eyes had been locked on her hot chocolate.

"Wow..." he looked up, his eyes locking on something behind her and she furrowed her eyebrows, turning slowly. A dark head of hair paired with soft pink lips and brown eyes filled to the brim with a whirlwind of emotions.

"Oh, I-I uhh." Emma stuttered, Regina looking down at her from the few feet she stood away.

"Henry, it's time to go. We have a meeting to attend with Le-your father. You need to be dressed nicely..." her eyes didn't leave Emma's, the blonde's heart was beating wildly within her chest, matching the unnatural pace Regina's had been thumping at since she walked in to hear Emma talking about the two. Green anxious eyes bore into deep brown eyes swimming with resurfacing emotions - silently pleading the woman to say something to Emma specifically.