Chapter Text
Emma was struck by just how lucky the Kid was. Forget about the sneering, fireball wielding Evil Queen persona, Regina had a nurturing side that did not quit. Despite insisting she was caring for the blonde solely for Henry's sake, she was unfailingly attentive. Emma did not have to bother asking for a fresh ice pack or aspirin because before she could vocalize the need, Regina was fetching the items.
For the first time in her life, Emma felt truly cared for. Yes, her mom and dad loved her, but they were lost on how to parent their grown offspring and instead put forth most of their effort into their new bundle of joy Neal. Despite their tumultuous past, snarky words and deflecting her motive, Regina was waiting on her hand and foot. Henry had been living the dream of sick kids everywhere, and now his blonde mother was getting a taste.
The blonde had been treated to a lunch of gourmet grilled cheese, because of course Regina refused to stock her fridge with something as crass as Kraft. The sandwich was full of melty, gooey Gouda and framed by buttery sourdough toast. Emma declared it far better than Granny's, and had devoured lunch with gusto.
Uncomfortable full, Emma had been brave enough to slip her head back onto the Queen's oh so inviting lap. Regina had scoffed but allowed the imposition, unconsciously tracing her fingers through the golden mane again. She was cradled by the softest pillows and had a thick, warm quilt draped over her supine frame. The nonstop pampering had made Emma bold. Perhaps she could push the limits just a bit more.
“Hey Regina, can you put on Netflix?” A stern frown settled on the Queen's visage.
“You are supposed to be resting. Or have you forgotten your attempt at concussing yourself this morning?” Her lecture was met by a pair of pleading green eyes.
“Aw, c'mon Regina... I've been the model patient all day. Can't we watch it for a little bit?” Emma whined.
“And what about your head? How will this Netflix help that?”
“My head is fine. And I promise to tell you if it even twinges.” In the end Regina's grumbling was no match for Emma's puppy dog eyes. She even managed to coax her way into a large bowl of popcorn, drizzled with real butter. No Orville Redenbacher in 108 Mifflin Street.
Emma was now settled upright on the couch, though still pressed against the Queen thigh to thigh. Regina looked on with resigned bemusement, as the blonde scrolled through the selections on the screen. Option after option was rejected until Emma gleefully exclaimed “Oh yeah! This one! You're going to love it.”
“Really? This is what you expect me to watch?” Regina questioned with an arched brow.
But the blonde could not be deterred. Grinning in wicked delight, she mashed to button and settled back into the brunette's side. It was a credit to their evolved relationship that Regina refrained from the snide remarks about being a child and made her displeasure known by an audible huff. And she mostly managed to cover her involuntary smile at Emma humming along to the opening number. Though she was grateful at the very least the blonde had steered away from those horrid Disney atrocities, and selected a Dreamworks film.
And The Road to El Dorado was one the Queen had never watched with her son. So though she feigned disinterest, Regina found herself getting engrossed in the story. After all, there was a majestic horse involved and a brainy brunette having to keep a blonde idiot in line. She found herself sniggering at the antics of Miguel and Tulio, as Emma shoveled her face with handfuls of popcorn.
That manipulative woman, Chel, was less than delightful. How Tulio could be so foolish as to become involved with her, was mind boggling. To see the deceitful affair revealed and drive a wedge between Miguel and Tulio's friendship set her teeth on edge. And while the relationship was repaired by the end of the film, the unsettled frown on Regina's face was not wiped away.