Is It Too Late? - Swan Queen AU

Chapter 13

Henry and Regina were sitting at the kitchen bar, watching Emma flip the last grilled cheese onto a plate. "Okay, get ready for your tastebuds to explode," She smiled widely, "I wonder if your tastebuds remember, Regina."

"I don't think they could forget something so unhealthy." The woman shared the smile, and watched as Emma watched Henry take a bite. A surprised sound resonated from his mouth as his eyebrows rose.

"It's good!" His mouth was still full as he chewed the cheesy sandwich and that caused a disapproving look to come over his mother's features.

Emma let out a laugh and shook her head as she turned back around and began preparing dinner. It was still early enough that the grilled cheese would not spoil Henry's dinner. Regina watched the woman, and carefully snuck a sandwich in her hand. She inspected it and took a bite, but the moan that escaped her mouth was not something she had expected nor did either of her company. Emma turned on her with a satisfied look in her eyes, and both of their cheeks flushed red. Regina was embarrassed at the sound that left her mouth in front of either of the two, and she could only assume Emma was surprised at hearing the sound. "Sorry, it wasn't as bad as I had thought."

Henry raised one eyebrow and let out a chuckle which won him a soft elbow in his ribs from his mother. "Ooh, Emma, can I show mom my room?"

"Ah, of course! Go ahead, give her the grand tour of the upstairs, Little Prince." Emma bowed before the boy, drawing a giggle from his lips. A wink was shot to the boy's brown eyes and he pulled his mother off the bar stool and towards the staircase.

Together they walked up the stairs, Regina's heels clicking on the wooden stairs. She smiled at the look of the home, while a little on the undecorated side, it was incredibly homey. She would have to compliment Emma later. "Mom! Look! She even let me pick out posters and she put my Wii in here!" The smile on his face stole the mother's heart completely. "It's awesome!"

"Yes, it is, Henry. I love it. It looks great in here. Looks like you'll have to come over more often this summer." She grinned at the boy and the light in his eyes shone out at her, the surprise written all over his face.

"You mean, I can come visit Emma more?" The nod from his mother sent his arms to wrap tightly around her. "Thank you." she returned the hug, holding the boy close to her.

This was going to be Henry's safe haven, and she knew it. On nights that would inevitably come where Leopold lost his temper, she knew Henry would come to Emma. No longer would he feel the need to run to his room where he would sit trapped, but to someone willing to keep him safe. This was much more than Emma should have done for the boy, but Regina appreciated the gesture more than anything. Henry was playing on his bed with his Wii, and Regina returned to her seat down stairs near the woman.

She found a glass of red wine poured in front of her place and one more glass half empty sitting next to Emma. "Emma, thank you." Her eyes were glistening with unshed tears, and the blonde met the watery pools of brown.

"I thought he could use a place to come to when he needed to get away. I have another guest room... So, you will always have a bed here."

It took a minute for Regina to realize what Emma meant, but when she did, her heart fluttered at the familiar kindness she was receiving from the blonde. "Oh, Emma, thank you, but I hope it never comes to that. Nothing against you, of course, just I would rather my marriage not be that awful."

"Well, the offer always stands, Gina." Their gaze was pulled apart as Emma continued cooking, the smells from the food causing Regina's mouth to water, pulling her mind from the interaction they just had.

Lips wrapped around the edge of the wine glass, and Regina took a long sip of the red liquid. The taste of the alcohol causing her to close her eyes. If she were honest, Regina had a glass of wine every night to calm her nerves, so the glass was well welcomed. "So, you got the job. Congrats, first off. How are you liking it? I hear Graham didn't even have to repeat himself."