Shared Pain

Chapter 24

Regina opened the door further, allowing the elderly couple in and they stared confused at Emma.

"Who's this?" Her mother asked and it didn't even sound condescending or angry, just genuinely curious.

"Emma, these are my parents, Cora and Henry. Mother, father, this is Emma a friend of mine," Regina said and briefly looked at Emma who smiled encouraging.

Cora held up her hand and plastered a smile across her lips. "Hello, dear, it's nice to meet one of Regina's friends," Cora said with a sincere tone.

Emma smiled. "Yes, I'm happy to meet you too."

Suddenly the door smashed open and Lola stormed in the hallway. "Mom, Henry ate more cookies than me and now they're gone!" She yelled, not having noticed the older couple yet.

Regina chuckled softly and lifted the five year old to carry her in her arms.

"Don't worry, I'll get some more," she said with a broad smile. Seeing Lola calmed her with her parents around and the girl nestled her in Regina's arms.

"Why don't we go inside," Regina suggested and walked to the living room where Eva and Henry were sitting as though they were royals.

Cora and Henry looked confused at the scene playing in front of them. "Regina, who are these children and why did they call you mom? And where's Robin?"

Regina sat down on a chair with Lola still in her arms and cleared her throat before she ran her hand through her hair.

"Robin and I got divorced. Two years ago," she confessed and held on tightly to Lola, who knew that Regina was tensed.

The older Henry and Cora shared a look before they glanced at Regina.

"Well.. why didn't you tell us?" Henry softly inquired.

"You know how things have been rocky between us. You judge my every move and so do Robin's parents, you were forcing us too much," Regina said, raising her voice and Emma grabbed her hand for support.

She hoped it wasn't too affectionate, but either way, she could feel Regina relax under her grasp and she squeezed the soft hand.

The tension in the air grew as neither parent knew what to say.

"Regina, you should have told us. Even though things weren't going so well between us lately, we're still your parents and we want what's best for you."

The brunette swallowed and looked away at the two children sitting on the couch. She figured they'd be bored, but they listened intently to what was going on.

The faint happy look they held upon their faces gave her enough courage to continue this conversation.

"Lately?" She softly asked. "For the past eighteen years you've been nothing but harsh on me. I've told you several times how the situation was."

Cora sighed and nodded as she glanced at her husband.

"Perhaps we were too harsh," she admitted. "But can you imagine what that poor girl went through. She found out you two had a relationship and then he was.." she glanced at the children who had no idea what they were talking about anymore.

"We made amends," Emma interfered.

"What?" Older Henry asked.

"Yes, what? What are you guys talking about?" Her son asked.

"You're Emma Swan?"

"Yes."

"The Emma Swan?"