CHAPTER TWO
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i. welcome to storybrooke !

storybrooke maine .

— WINNIFRED ROBIN HAD KINDNESS AND UNDERSTANDING SEWN INTO HER LIKE A SECOND SKIN, and when she spoke to her son about his best friend's instantaneous disappearance, this demeanour didn't change.

Winnie told Regina that she'd call back with any information, then went back to the small table, apologizing quietly to Jefferson, who shook his head and leaned forward in curiosity.

She spoke calmly, and softly, just as she always had.

"Christopher, do you know where Henry his?" Winnie asked, and by the look on the boy's face, she already knew the answer to that question.

"He... he's fine, I swear!" Christopher tried to cover for his best friend.

"Christopher, where is he?"

"You have to promise not to tell Ms Mills!" The boy cried out, gripping the table. "She'll go mad if she knew, I know she will, he asked me not to say anythin'."

Winnie glanced at Jefferson, whose jaw had unnoticeably clenched at the mention of Regina.

"You know I can't do that, darling... If it were you, I'd want Regina to tell me where you were." Winnie said softly, sitting in her chair properly, next to Christopher's.

The boy sighed and nodded.

"He's looking for his mum. His real one... she's in Boston." He mumbled, looking at his feet, clad in his brown boots.

"Oh, bother."

storybrooke maine .

—WINNIE'S RUSH OUT OF THE DOOR WAS SO HURRIED, she almost forgot to apologize to Jefferson and lock up.

Standing outside the bakery as she stuffed her keys back in her pocket, making sure Christopher had everything, Jefferson shook off her apology with a kind smile.

"Don't worry about it," he said as he unraveled his scarf from his neck and helped put it on Winnie. "Wouldn't want you getting a cold, now would we?"

The woman looked him over, noticing the long black coat he was sporting, and Christopher with his big brown sweater. Looking down a herself and her dungarees and red t-shirt, she supposed he was right. Winnie began to notice the chill on her arms as the wind blew her way.

"Thank you, Jefferson." She smiled sweetly, putting an arm over Christopher's shoulders. "We best get going, have a nice evening!"

As they walked away, Christopher looked up at Winnie.

"Mama, do you want my sweater? I'm sure it'd fit."

"No, honey, I'm okay."

storybrooke maine .

— THE MAYOR'S HOUSE WAS THE SAME AS THEY HAD LEFT IT EARLIER. Though now, there was a slight air of panic.

When Winnie knocked on the door, it was wrenched open by Regina herself. The dark brown haired woman looked like she was ready to fall apart, trying desperately to stitch up every seam and keep it bottled inside. But as soon as she laid eyes on her best friend, the mayor broke down in rushed cries.

Winnie grabbed her friend in a hug, a long lasting one. It was warm and nice and for a split second, Regina felt calm and safe.

It helped, even the slightest bit.

"Hello Graham." Winnie's son bounced on his toes and greeted the man standing further in the house.

He wore a leather jacket and shiny sheriff's badge, showing off his essential right or reason to be in the house.

"Good evening, Christopher."

storybrooke maine .

— IT DIDN'T TAKE LONG FOR THE YOUNG BRUNET BOY TO RETURN, with a blonde woman walking just next to him after they'd pulled up to the house in a bright yellow Volkswagen beetle.

Winnie liked the car. It was cute, and painted in the most magnificent shade of her favourite colour.

As they walked the path to the front door, Regina nearly ripped said object off it's hinges as she rushed to get out and hug her son.

"Henry?" Her voice shook with relief.

Winnie stood at the doorframe, looking out on the front walkway as Graham stepped up next to her, also just observing.

Regina gushed in worry, one question after the other, a few tears escaping down her cheeks.

Henry ripped himself away, and Winnie immediately recognized his flight response and took a few steps back, so as not to overwhelm him when he rushed inside.

"I found my real mom!" He yelled, rushing to head inside and up the stairs, but noticed the pear shaped woman standing near the steps and ran to her arms instead.

It seemed like her hugs were much needed around the house tonight, and she was happy to oblige.

"Welcome home, Henry." Winnie held him close as he seemed to seek out the warmth she provided. "Christopher is upstairs, love." She smiled kindly as they pulled away and Henry grinned, nodding and tripping over his own feet getting up the stairs.

Winnie heard Graham as he turned away from the door, claiming that he would go check on Henry. She watched as he hopped up the stairs quietly.

Regina followed him into the house, Henry's birth mother in tow.

"Winnie, would you care for some apple cider?" She asked, leading the women into the dining room to get the blonde 'something stronger'.

"No, thank you, Gina. I should probably take Christopher home." She smiled, clasping her hands behind her back and sparing a glance at Henry's mother, who looked slightly terrified at the thought of being alone with Regina.

Winnie smiled gently, trying to ease her conscious.

"My name is Winnie." She introduced, sticking out her hand for the woman to shake.

"Emma. Emma Swan." The blonde nodded.

"What an enchanting name." Winnie laughed sweetly. Emma knew this wasn't in mockery, Winnie truly meant what she said. "If you need any help with anything, I own the Honey Tree bakery in town- you can stop in any time we're open."

Emma smiled, "I'll remember that, thank you."

Winnie nodded and took a step forward, where Regina stood mixing a couple drinks, her hands shaking.

"Regina," Winnie started, putting a hand on her shoulder. "Henry's home now- and that's all that matters." She whispered, hugging her friend close.

"Thank you, Winnie." Regina nodded.

Winnie backed away, knowing there was much to discuss between the two, and nearly bumped into Graham on his way down the stairs.

"See you later, sheriff."

The man hummed a goodbye, as if he was occupied, but anyone that knew Graham would understand that's just how he is.

She then climbed the stairs, fiddling around with the scarf Jefferson had placed around her neck.

When Winnie stood in Henry's bedroom doorway, she observed for a moment as Henry lay down on his bed tiredly, her own son following quickly and laying next to him.

Their hands instantly joined together next to them, as tight as a roped knot.

"I didn't mean to tell them." Christopher spoke out into the darkness, keeping his eyes glued to the ceiling.

Henry sighed slightly, shifting so his head was against Christopher's shoulder.

"I know." He mumbled. "They would have known anyway." Henry assured.

Christopher, still a little unconvinced, nodded gently so as not to knock his chin against Henry.

Henry yawned, "You're the best friend I could ever ask for." He mumbled.

Winnie saw her son's face crumble in disappointment, and decided now was the time to intervene.

"Honey, I think it's about time we get home. You know how Loaf gets when we're away for too long." She spoke gently, a loving smile blessing her lips.

"Alright, Mama." Christopher called. Both boys sat up slightly, staring at each other for a moment longer. Before Henry laughed and tossed his arms over his best friend's shoulders in a hug.

Christopher returned it, wanting to melt into it as much as possible before he had to leave.

They held on for a few moments, until Winnie cleared her throat with a soft expression adorning her round face.

"I'm sure you boys will see each other tomorrow, but I think there's been a bit much excitement tonight and I'm sure Henry is exhausted." She tried, watching as Henry nodded in agreement and pulled away from the hug.

"You're right, Winnie. As usual." He yawned again.

Winnie chucked, "Me being right is hardly the usual."

Henry shrugged and gave his best friend one last smile, "See ya tomorrow."

Christopher offered a similar smile, though his was much more shy.

"Yeah, see you tomorrow." He muttered.

Then he grabbed Winnie's arm and they walked down the steps, calling out goodbyes as they went.

Standing just outside the door, Winnie made sure they had all their things, making sure her canvas bag was over her shoulder and the scarf was still wrapped snugly around her neck.

Behind them, the door of the Mayor's house opened and out stepped Emma, not wanting to overstay her welcome.

"Oh-" She paused as she almost bumped into Christopher. "Hey." She stated awkwardly.

Winnie greeted the taller woman kindly, pulling Christopher out of the way.

"Mama? Who's this?" The boy asked, bouncing on his toes and looking up at Emma.

"This is Henry's birth mother, darling." Winnie replied.

There was a solid second of silence, and Emma wanted to cringe and back away, thinking she were about to be shunned by the boy.

Without warning, Christopher leapt forward and wrapped his skinny little arms around her waist, as high as they could reach.

Both women were surprised, Emma more so than Winnie as Christopher nuzzled into her stomach. Emma simply placed a hand on the back of his neck, the best return of the hug she could muster.

Christopher pulled back with a large grin, and glimmering eyes.

"Thank you." He nodded curtly.

Emma looked up at Winnie, searching her eyes for some sort of explanation.

There was none.

"Uh... for what?" Emma asked.

Christopher laughed bubbly, shrugging, "For Henry." He stated.

Emma didn't say anything further, so Winnie took over the conversation.

"Are you leaving?" She pressed.

Emma sighed slightly, looking down at the ground as her blonde curls moved with her.

"I think it's what's best for everyone." Emma rolled her shoulders, as if it would relieve the stress she felt radiating from them.

"Perhaps." Winnie shrugged, even though she didn't fully agree with that statement. "In any case, you're always welcome to visit. Ask anyone in town where to find us and it won't be too hard. We're always here when you need us." She smiled, hugging an arm around Christopher's shoulders.

Emma took comfort in her words, feeling like maybe, for once, she could develop a true friend in her lonely life. With someone as sweet as Winnie, becoming friends wasn't an issue.

"Thanks, I'll keep that in mind." Emma offered a tired smile.

Christopher pulled on the strap of Winnie's dungarees, bringing her down to his level so he could whisper in her ear.

Winnie nodded, taking off and opening up her canvas backpack, pulling out a container with a large, chocolate cupcake.

"I take baked goods everywhere I go- you never know when you might need one. So uh..." Winnie put her bag back on and handed the container to Emma. "Something for the road, I guess." She offered shyly.

Emma decided to ignore the quirky oddness of carrying around baked goods everywhere, and focused instead on Winnie herself.

Emma looked, observed Winnie's face in every which way and just couldn't find a hint of malice or malevolent intent in the way her eyes shone. The way her hair was a little messy from the rush of getting one place to the next. The slight homely scarf wrapped around her neck and the odd pair of dungarees adorning her stout figure.

She had been nothing but kind and welcoming to Emma, and she had no reason to think Winnie would be against her in any way.

So she took the cupcake with a small smile, not letting on that it was, in fact, her birthday and this was probably the first cake she'd gotten that day that she didn't buy herself.

In any case, she was thankful that Winnie existed. Even if Emma wasn't going to stick around.

author's note

So not the best.
Are we surprised? No 😂
I'm really tired though, I'm sorry
Anyway this chapter came about because I don't wanna do homework but I wanna feel productive, you know?