A Twist Of Fate

Chapter 13

The next morning Angie wakes me up and we do our normal morning routine of diaper change, breakfast, clean up, showers and get dressed. I have to meet principal Hogan at 10am and I decided to take my daughter with me. She's always a happy baby and I want to take her over to the town hall after to meet the daycare workers and see if there is anything I need to do before Angie goes there and if I need to bring anything special for her. It's only been about 7 years since I went to Storybrooke high but I knew exactly where to go. I wasn't that much of a trouble maker but I knew where the principals office was. He didn't mind at all that I brought my daughter with me. He even held her for a while as I filled out the application. He made a call and soon the director of security joined us. He seemed nice and told me what I would be doing. I won't have a gun and I was fine with that, but I would have a taser and since I've already had taser training I didn't need to do it again because my certification lasts for 5 years. Other than that he would meet me at 10 the next morning to start my first shift. We all shake hands and my daughter and I leave. We go over to the town hall. When I get in the parking lot I send Regina a text telling her I'm here to meet the daycare people. They were great and Angie absolutely loved them. As one of the workers took her to play and another worker took me aside to fill out some paperwork. Luckily Angelica has no food allergies and loves to eat anything and will sleep anytime. She may look like Zelena but she's all me. Poor kid. Just as I'm finishing up the paperwork Regina comes walking in and she looks as lovely as always. What?  Why did I just think that?  Anyway, she walks over to us and asks how things are going. Angie is still playing with one of the workers and we all look over and smile. Regina stands behind me. She puts her hand on my shoulder and rubs the area around it. This is the most human contact I've had since my wife died and I like and dislike it at the same time. I haven't had sex since before my wife died and I've been waking up like a teenager most days and this warm contact feels nice. Shit I need to stop thinking about this. It's Regina. "Ok Mrs Swan I think we are done here. You can spend some more time here or you are free to go. Angie is welcome here anytime during our open hours".  "Thank you so much. I really think my daughter will like it here".  "Well we hope so".  I get up and go get my daughter. Regina, Angie and I leave the daycare center together. "Emma I'm all done for the afternoon, would you like to join me for lunch? We can go to your house and I'll cook or we can go out and get something".  I think a bit. "If it's not to much trouble, I think my place would be better. Angelica is so ready for a nap and if she doesn't get it". Regina holds up her hand and says. "No need to explain any further. You take my beautiful niece home for a nap and I'll be over soon to make lunch. As long as that's ok with you of course".  "It's definitely ok. Thank you Regina".  We smile at each other and go our separate ways. Just as I suspected, Angie went right down for her nap with no trouble at all. Regina showed up about 30 minutes later with all the groceries she needed. While the baby slept and Regina did her thing in the kitchen I cleaned the house and put away the laundry. About an hour and a half later Angie woke up so I went to get her and change her diaper. When we got back downstairs Regina said that lunch was ready. So I met her in the kitchen and put Angie in her highchair.  "Crap Regina. Look at all this food. It's just lunch. I mean thank you, but you really didn't have to go through so much trouble for me".  "Emma it's no trouble at all. Last week when I was here and you asked me to get Angie's jar of food from the cabinet I noticed you didn't have much up there for you to eat. Then I looked in the refrigerator and freezer. You haven't been eating well at all have you?"  I feel like a little kid that did something wrong and I look down towards the floor. She puts her hand on mine. "Emma it's ok. You've been in a lost world for months now but you have become aware of that. I hope I don't make you feel pressured when I say that I really want to help with this. If it's ok with you I just want to forget all the years we lost. You need help. Please let me help you now. I hope that after these few weeks we've become friends again".  I'm starting to get a little emotional. Regina has always been there for me and I never even asked her to be. She lost her sister and I'm sure she needs someone, but she never asks for help. Ever. "Regina would you please excuse me?"  She nods and I leave the kitchen quickly. I walk into what used to be Zelena's office and sit on the couch.  I cry and cry. Regina comes in a few minutes later with Angie. She puts her on the floor with some for her toys then sits next to me. "Emma please tell me what's going on inside your head right now". I shake my head no. Regina wraps her arms around me. "It's ok Emma. I'm here for you".  I sit up a little. "Why Regina?  Zelena and I hurt you, why do you want to help me now?"   "Emma. Come on. Think back. You and I were always best friends. Right from the moment I met you we had a connection.  I've always wanted you to be apart of my life. So some stuff happened and you ended up with my sister, ok whatever. I just want to help you now. I think my sister would expect that from me and I expect that from myself".  I think a moment and nod. "What about you Regina, how have you been dealing with all of this? I'm sorry I've never asked you before. Is there someone you've been talking to?"   "It took me some time to realize that I needed to talk to someone, so I made an appointment with Dr. Hopper and I've been seeing him regularly since".  I nod at her words and look over at my daughter. "Is that something you think you'd be interested in?"   "I don't know. I have realized than I need to start living and I'm trying that now with getting a job and getting out of the house more. I don't know maybe Archie could help me out a little. It wouldn't hurt to give him a call I guess".  "Good. Now how about we go eat some lunch?" I smile and stand up. Regina gets the baby and we both walk into the kitchen. I eat the lunch that Regina has made for us and it's absolutely delicious. This cooking thing must run in the family. She made Italian panini sandwiches, tortellini pasta salad and for dessert apple turnovers. "Holy crap Regina all this is so delicious. Thank you so much". She chuckles a little as she's feeding Angie. She looks at me and smiles. "I'm glad you like it Emma. By the way you have a big glob of mayo on the side of your mouth". I take a napkin and clean off the wrong side of my mouth. "No Emma. The other side". Regina says and I try again but miss. "Oh here. Let me do it". Regina takes her thumb and wipes away the mayonnaise from my lip then she licks her thumb. As she does that she realizes what she just did and so do I. but nothing is said. Both of us thank the powers above that no one said anything. I continue eating and Regina continues feeding Angie. "So Emma. How did everything go today?"   "It was great actually. I start my new job tomorrow and as you saw Angie will be at the daycare in your office. And if you don't mind me asking, could you check on her if you have the time? I know I'm only leaving her for a few hours, but besides you taking her overnight she's never not been with me". Regina smiles at me. "Emma there is no need to worry. I left explicit instructions for them to contact you first and then me and I will absolutely be going to check on my niece personally. I have already told my secretary that a few times a day I will be going down to the daycare center to see my niece, so she has already started to plan my schedule accordingly".  "Wow. Regina. Thank you so much for everything you've done for us. You have know idea how much you are helping me right now".  "We are family Emma and no matter what I'll always be here".  We share a smile then continue on with lunch.