A New Beginning

Chapter 2

I've been driving for over four hours and I really need to get out of this Jeep. I see a sign for a diner called Granny's so I pull up in front. I get out and stretch my body. It's a beautiful evening. I look at my watch it's just before 6pm. I walk into Granny's and hear a bell above the door chime. I stand there looking around. It's a nice little place with some booths and tables and a counter to sit at. I see they have a pastry case and I think I spy a bear claw. Oh I'm gettin one of those after I eat. I pick a table close to the back of the diner and sit facing the door. I look around again at the people and see what looks like a few couples here and there and a bunch of friends sitting at a big table at the front of the diner near the windows. I also see a very, very pretty brunette to my right in a booth with a cranky infant in a carrier next to her. A long legged, short skirt wearing waitress walks up to me and said " Hi ya. You new in town?" She has a bright smile on her face. I mumbled a bit  "Y Yes. I just got here, I'm moving here". She nods "Nice. I'm Ruby and here is a menu, can I get you something to drink?" "I'll have a coke, and I'm Emma by the way". "Nice to meet you, I'll be right back with your drink and to take your order". She says and walks away. I looked over the menu and decided to just get a burger and fries. She comes back writes down my order and says it'll be a few minutes and walks away. I continue to look around. Glancing at the hot brunette every now and then. She's really hot. Boy would I like to....  oh no no no. Not the time or the place. It's my first few minutes here, no need for everyone to know about my secret yet, and if I continue thinking about her, everyone will see the secret I have in my pants. So I take a sip of my soda and look out the windows, this really looks like a nice place. I get my food and dig right in. I look over and see the hot brunette trying to eat as well, but she's having a hard time with a fussy baby that she's trying to quite down. I eat my food in like 5 minutes and sit back in my chair happily. I keep looking over at the brunette with the baby. I feel bad. I don't think she's made a dent in her salad. After a few minutes I decide to get up and go over to her table. "Hi I'm sorry to bother you, my name is Emma, Emma Swan. I was sitting over there and I couldn't help but hear this fussy little one". It seems I've hit a nerve when she says a little loudly "well, I'm sorry to have disrupted your dinner Ms Swan, now if you don't mind I'd like to get back to mine. Thank you". I was a little shocked. "Oh no that's not it at all. I wanted to see if you wanted some help. I'm pretty good with kids and I see you've haven't been able to eat yet". She cuts me off "Absolutely not. I have no idea who you are and you think I'm going to hand over my son to you. Think again Ms Swan". "Oh no seriously I'm not trying anything funny. I just want to help. I just moved here. Here are my car keys, I have the Jeep outside. Here is my wallet with my license in it and all my money". That's when Ruby walks over and says "Lighten up Regina, she seems harmless, plus she gave you all her stuff. Where is she gonna go?"  It takes a minute but she nods and takes the baby out of the carrier, kisses him and hands him to me. I hold him close, bounce him and rub his back. He seems to like it. "His name is Henry, by the way". While bouncing him, I look around and see a jukebox, so I say "I'm just gonna grab a few dollars out of my wallet and go over to play a few songs. You'll be able to see me the whole time". She nods and I head over to play some music. Sometimes kids relax more when you sing to them. Something about the vibration from your chest they like. I look through the song list and find a few good slow ones. I think a little swaying will help. I start with "How world you feel" by Ed Sheeran, and as soon as it starts I hold Henry closer and continue to rub his back and start singing softly to him. Half way through the song I see his eyes drift shut as he snuggles into my neck. I look for another song to make sure he's sleeping and pick "Lady in red" by Chris DeBurg. Only because Regina is in a hot red dress. I also sing and dance with him to that one and he is out like a light. When the song ends I bring him back to his mother and gently put him back in the carrier. "Thank you Ms Swan". She says quietly. I nod. "No problem. I grew up with a bunch of kids so sometimes it's easy". She smiles. "I see you finished your dinner". I say with a little chuckle. "Yes I did, and thank you. Would you like to sit ?"  I nod and sit. "It was really no problem, he's a cutie". I say with a smile. "Thank you. He's 8 months now, and he's been fussing a lot lately". She says shrugging. "He could be teething". I say "Oh I didn't think of that, you may be right". We both smile at each other. "So, Ms Swan, you said you just moved here?"  "Yes I just got into town about an hour ago, I was hired to be the new sheriff, I start Monday". Regina smiles and laughs a bit. I'm confused. "I'm sorry, was that funny some how?"  "Oh no dear, I'm sorry. I guess I should introduce myself, I'm Mayor Regina Mills. I'm your new boss". At that we both have a laugh. "Well hello Madame mayor". I hold out my hand and she shakes it, and I feel an instant spark between us. Damn, why does she have to be my boss. I would have loved to have asked her out. Just my luck. We talk for a while longer while Henry sleeps. It's so easy talk to her. About an hour goes by and she says she needs to get Henry home. I nod and help her out to her car. "Well, thank you again Ms Swan" "Call me Emma, please". " Ok, thank you Emma for your help with Henry". "It was my pleasure". We stand and smile at each other for a moment, till she says "If you aren't doing anything tomorrow night, perhaps you would like to join Henry and I for dinner at my house, as a way to say welcome to Storybrooke". "No I have no plans at all and I'd love to see you again. For dinner. like you said. Just now". Smooth Swan, I think to myself. "Good. Here is my card. My cell number is on it. Text me, and I can give you my address. I hope you like lasagna". "I love it. I'll text you tonight". We nod and smile at each other and she gets in her car and leaves. Holy shit. I can't wait to see her again.