Reset

Regina nodded and attempted to smooth her wild hair down and Emma hid a smile by turned and walking Grace around the room, “she’s starting to fall back to sleep,” Emma said softly, “aren’t you, Sweetheart?”

“Were you.. exercising?” Regina asked with a tired frown as she indicated Emma’s clothing.

“Yeah,” Emma smiled, “my leg was a little sore so I was doing my morning exercises.”

“You’ve never done morning exercises before,” Regina tilted her head, “has your injury gotten worse?”

“It was just tight this morning,” Emma said casually before looking at Regina and smiling, “don’t worry so much.”

“I can’t help it,” Regina admitted, “it’s my default setting..”

Grace had started to drift off in Emma’s arms and Emma looked down at her and kissed her on the forehead, “I think she’s nearly off again..”

“You’re wonderful with her,” Regina said softly.

Emma blushed, “I’m so grateful to have her in my life,” she hesitated, “and you, of course.”

Regina smiled and nodded as Emma gently put Grace back into her bed and switched the monitor back on. They both quietly left the room and then closed the door behind them and stood in the hallway looking at each other, neither quite sure what to say.

“I can’t stop thinking about you,” Emma quietly admitted as she struggled to make eye contact with Regina.

“I.. feel the same way,” Regina disclosed hesitantly.

“I know you wanna take things slowly,” Emma said, “and so do I.. believe me,” she whispered as she looked around the darkened hallway, “but.. I..” she trailed off as she couldn’t find the words.

Regina nodded, “I know what you mean, I don’t want to rush into anything but I can’t stop thinking about you.. but then I can’t help but think that this is all so sudden..”

A knocking on the front door echoed through the house and they both looked at each other in confusion. With a wave of her hand Regina was dressed in a blue dress, tights and high heels with her hair and makeup perfectly done. Emma couldn’t help but give her a glare as the older woman walked down the stairs looking like she was fresh from the catwalk while Emma trailed behind her in her sweats and looking like a mess.

The knocking on the front door sounded again and Regina rolled her eyes as she swung the door open to reveal Mister Gold standing on the porch with a troubled look on his face.

“Regina,” he said by way of greeting and then seeing Emma behind her he simply smiled as she inclined his head, “Sheriff.”

Before either woman had a chance to think too much about what the scene looked like to him he spoke to Regina, “the lamp is missing.”

“Are you sure?” Regina asked him in surprise and he nodded.

“Lamp?” Emma asked.

“But he is at the hospital, I’d be informed immediately if he wasn’t there,” Regina told Gold with certainty.

“Who else would want the lamp?” Gold asked her with a heavy sigh.

“Who?” Emma tried again.

“Sidney Glass,” Regina told her before she summoned her phone to appear in her hand by magic and dialled a number as she walked into the house and out of the drafty doorway. Emma gestured for Gold to come in and asked, “why would Sidney want a lamp?”

“Because he’s the Genie, Dearie,” Gold told her as if it were obvious.

“Sidney Glass is the Genie of the lamp?” Emma asked him with confusion.

“Yes,” Gold nodded as Regina made a call to the hospital in the distance.

“Like, three wishes, Robin Williams, kinda Genie?” Emma continued.

“If you like, Dearie,” Gold smiled at her bewilderment.

“He’s still there, they just looked in on him,” Regina said as she returned to the group.

“Then he has an accomplice” Gold said with a shrug, “but the lamp and several other items have disappeared and he is technically a user of magic.”

Regina scoffed with laughter, “Sidney? Magic?”

“His magic may have been stored by the lamp but he can harness it if he wishes and he certainly has an understanding of the craft,” Gold said, “but if you say he is still in the facility..”

“I will drop by later this morning and check for myself,” Regina told him, “how is Belle?”

Gold softened as he nodded, “she is doing well, still a little shaken up but much better.”

“I’m going to increase visible patrols outside the shop,” Emma told him.

“Oh, I wouldn’t bother,” Gold told her with a crooked smile, “when you have access to magic,” he glanced at Regina meaningfully, “you will go to any lengths to protect those you love.”

Emma knew something was up but decided to remain silent as Gold turned and opened the front door, “let me know what you find out about Mister Glass, Regina,” he said as he left the house.

Chapter 81

Emma closed and locked the door behind Gold and looked at Regina, “what was that about?”

Regina shook her head in confusion, “no idea,” she attempted to blag and started to walk away.

“Oh come on,” Emma said, “why did he look at you like that when he said people with magic would go to any lengths to protect those they love?”