Reset

Henry got up from the bed and picked up his rucksack and started putting things into it, “Mom will be okay though, won’t she?”

“Yeah,” Emma smiled as she walked over to the window and started to look outside, “you know how strong your Mom is.”

Henry nodded and picked up another bag and started to fill it with clothes, “Emma?”

Emma turned to look at him, “yeah, Kid?”

“I’m glad you and Mom are together,” Henry said without looking up.

Emma smiled happily, “thanks, Henry, I’m glad too.”

Chapter 87

Mary Margaret seemed to instantly detect the closeness of Emma and Regina’s relationship when they turned up to drop Grace and Henry off and even gave Emma a double thumbs-up when no one was looking. Once the children were settled and and the protection spell had been cast Emma drove Regina back home and insisted on doing a security sweep of the house, garage, shed and garden. When she was satisfied that everything was clear she told Regina to stay in the house and text her every half an hour to say she was okay. Regina had reluctantly agreed and Emma knew that the brunette was entirely doing it for Emma’s benefit and was grateful that Regina made that concession for her.

Emma, Sean and David conducted thorough searches of Storybrooke and got the word out to everyone that Sidney was back and presumed dangerous. They spoke to his ex-colleagues at the newspaper and searched his old house and even went door to door to spread the word. Emma constantly checked her phone and would smile at the snarky messages that Regina sent her to reassure the Sheriff that she was still safe and well.

Not dead.

Still not dead.

Watching television infomercial, slightly brain dead but not dead.

Found pair of Henry’s socks, wish I was dead.

“You look happy,” David said sincerely as father and daughter walked out of the cannery building where they had just finished a search.

“Did Mary Margaret tell you?” Emma half-winced, not keen on having this conversation with her clearly more conservative father.

“I told her,” David said with a smile as he looked at the fishing boats that were moored up.

“You?!” Emma stopped in her tracks, “how did you know?”

“I suspected for a while but I knew when Regina used that spell to find you and rescue you,” David admitted, “well, that’s when I knew she had feelings for you. Afterwards I knew you felt the same way.”

Emma blushed and looked away from his gaze, “and..” she hesitated, “you’re okay with it? Mary Margaret told me that you made her promise not to meddle..”

David gently took Emma’s shoulder and spun her around to look at him, “I only did that because your mother is a terrible matchmaker and spends more time getting in the way than helping people get together,” he said seriously, “I want you to be happy, I want you to have what I have and whoever can give you that feeling has my vote.”

“Even if it’s the Evil Queen?” Emma winced.

David laughed, “even if it’s the Evil Queen,” he pulled her into a hug and kissed her hair softly, “I know you have trouble trusting people and letting them close, your mother and I are always here for you but know that if Regina is the one you choose then we both support that one hundred percent.”

Emma gave him a squeeze and they released each other, “thanks,” she said softly, “I know I’m a bit of a mess but I’m working on it.”

They continued walking along the docks towards the car, “as long as you know we’re here for you in whatever capacity you need us to be,” he smiled.

“Can I ask you something mega awkward?” Emma asked as she made an effort to not make eye contact with him.

“Er, sure?” David agreed with a slight hesitation.

“Women.. being with women,” Emma started, “was that like, a big thing in the Enchanted Forest or was it not really done? I’m just trying to figure out how much of a shock it will be to the town.. you know, if things do work out between Regina and me.. I don’t want them to have to get their pitchforks out again..”

David nodded, “the normal practice was a man and a woman but that’s not to say there were not women only or men only couples, they were not as common but they did happen. Your mother had a dalliance or two before we met,” Emma grinned at the wording he used, “the town won’t be scandalised and since Regina’s dramatic change I don’t think many people will even care about that aspect. But your mother and I will ensure that it’s not an issue, for either of you.”

Emma smiled gratefully, “thank you, David..”

He nodded stiffly, “I’m glad I could help, I thought for a minute you were going to ask me something else.”

Emma frowned.

“Your mother mentioned,” he blushed and started to look around at the sky for no reason, “that you.. well.. Regina.. would be.. your first woman, that you.. well, you know..”

“Okay, stop,” Emma put her hands up, “let’s not go there, shall we?”