She sees the curious stares as she pushes the stroller down Main Street. She can't blame them; a mother with a new baby is something they haven't seen for almost twenty years. Not that they're aware of that fact. Still, it must be giving them pause. She keeps her head high and pushes on, ignoring the eyes following her. None of them will come near her. She's as unapproachable here as she was as queen, she's made damn sure of that.

She supposes that she's even more alone in this world than in the other. She has no family, no friends, no-one to confide in. She has people to do her bidding; it comes with the territory, she's the Mayor. What she says pretty much goes. But she has no-one who wants to make her happy. She's taken the odd lover, of course, but she won't open her heart again. She's not even sure it's still there. Or, at least, not in the form it should be.

A tiny cry from the stroller pulls her attention down and she smiles at the little face she sees looking back up at her. Henry. She's had him for three weeks. Most of which she's spent absolutely terrified. For someone who has literally held a human heart in her hand on a number of occasions, it comes as a surprise how much terror and panic accompany the introduction of a child into her life. She's constantly on edge; listening for his cries, observing him for any signs of distress.

The moment he was placed in her arms, the realisation that this tiny person was completely and utterly reliant on her for his survival hit her harder than any blow ever could. She's been responsible for people before; first as queen, then as mayor. But neither came close to this all encompassing feeling of duty, of need. It's up to her to ensure that this boy grows up healthy and strong and good. The weight of expectation - her own, no-one else's - kept her awake for three nights straight. She knows better than anyone the price of failure in this particular role and she will not allow herself, or Henry, to pay it.

The impromptu stroll through Storybrooke had been brought about when she found herself speaking to Henry about the town budgets. Not speaking to adults, even the idiots she generally deals with, is unhealthy for anyone. So, after a while spent cursing the folding mechanism of the stroller, she bundled Henry up and they headed out into the street. It's only when she's outside Granny's that she realises this is where she's been headed the whole time.

The bell announces her arrival as she backs her way through the door with slightly less grace than she'd like. The door is barely closed when a voice cries out behind her.

"Oh my God! Lemme see!"

She knows who it is before she turns to be confronted with the Widow Lucas' granddaughter loping towards her. The girl has always had less decorum than most of the town's other inhabitants. More than once she's winked at Regina while serving her coffee in the morning. Regina tries to ignore her. It's quite difficult, considering her dress sense. Right at this moment, Ruby is leaning over Henry's stroller, giving Regina an excellent view of her posterior, which is encased in very tight denim shorts. It's not an entirely unpleasant sight. Years of horsemanship have given Regina an appreciation for a good seat.

"He is gorgeous!" She quickly looks up in time to meet Ruby's eyes as she turns her head away from the stroller. "Is he...yours, Madam Mayor?"

There's no judgement on the beautiful face looking up at her, just genuine curiosity. If she'd had her magic, Regina would've been able to make everyone believe that she'd carried the child herself. In this world, she doesn't have that option.

"Yes, the adoption came through just recently. I've had him for a little over three weeks."

"That's so exciting!" Ruby gushes. "A new baby in town. Granny!" It's not quite a shout, but it startles Regina and she immediately looks to see if Henry has been disturbed; he's fast asleep. She narrows her eyes at Ruby's back for good measure. "Granny come see..." She pauses and turns to Regina again. "What's his name?"

She swallows, trying to push away the memories of the man he was named after. "His name is Henry."

Ruby doesn't ask about the name. She beckons to her grandmother again. "Come see Henry."

The older woman makes her way over, followed by a number of other waitresses and Regina starts to feel panic set in. She doesn't want all of these people pawing at her son. Before she can move to stop them, Ruby is holding up her arm as a barrier.

"Don't crowd him! You'll wake him up."

Regina allows herself a smile as they all listen to Ruby without question. It's clear who the leader of this pack is. Granny is the exception, of course, and she bumps Ruby out of the way with her hip, leaning in to get a good look at the precious contents of the stroller. Ruby stumbles a little in her preposterous heels and Regina puts a hand out to steady her, earning a grateful smile. Granny hums her approval.

"He's a sturdy little fella, ain't he?" Standing up, she turns to pin Regina with her gaze. "Enjoy him while he can't answer back." She throws a pointed glance at Ruby. "Once they start talkin', it's all downhill."

She can't help the chuckle that escapes at Ruby's exaggerated pout in response. "I'll remember that, thank you."

The old woman offers her a nod and then shoos the remaining waitress who is hanging around and trying to look over Ruby's shoulder at the baby. Left alone again, Ruby offers Regina another wide smile. "You know, if you ever need a break…or have a date or whatever... I'd be happy to come over and watch him for you."

"Watch him?" The concept is foreign to her. She hasn't yet considered leaving Henry in someone else's care. Ruby shrugs.

"You know, babysit. So you can go out."

Out? She never goes out. Where would she go? The diner is pretty much the extent of the town's nightlife. (She doesn't count the Rabbit Hole because, really, it's no place for a Mayor.) The thought of leaving Henry alone with someone else makes her heart speed up in her chest. Life has taught her that loved ones are easily lost. She can't take that chance with Henry. She can't let him out of her sight. Not yet, at least. She supposes she'll have to once she goes back to work.

She allows herself to examine Ruby for a moment. Despite being a Snow White sympathiser in the other world, the girl has always been perfectly civil in this one. Friendlier than most, even. And there's really no denying how attractive she is. The beginning of an idea is circulating in Regina's head. Her life is sorely lacking in fun. Ruby seems like she could be fun. And wouldn't it just be the thing if she managed to get Snow White's best friend into her bed? The edges of her lips quirk at the thought. Her eyes drift down the length of Ruby's legs. It's not like it would be a hardship, either.

Before she has time to reconsider, she breaks out into a smile. "That's a very kind offer. And one I might just take you up on."

The surprise on Ruby's face is as clear as day, but it quickly gives way to a delighted smile. "Really? Great!"

A mewling sound drifts out of the stroller and Regina moves past Ruby to attend to the baby. He's fussing, clearing uncomfortable.

"Hey there, what's wrong, huh?" Sometimes when Regina hears herself speaking to Henry, it reminds her of the way she used to speak to Rocinante when he was skittish. She peels back his cover and lifts out the tiny, squirming body just as he starts to cry in earnest.

"Hey, hey now, none of that," she coos, cradling him against her shoulder, her lips pressing against his temple as she speaks. Her nearness calms him and he quiets down. "That's my good boy."

"Oh my God." The whisper reminds her that other people are in the room. She's so used to just being by herself with him that she forgot. She looks over to find Ruby with a hand pressed against her chest. "You're so sweet with him!"

Regina raises an eyebrow. "You sound surprised."

Of course, Ruby immediately tries to take back the implication of her her words. "I...well, I didn't mean that you aren't usually sweet, because you...well, maybe not sweet, but you're always pleasant and I didn't mean t-"

"Calm yourself, Miss Lucas, I know what you meant. I'm aware of my reputation around here."

"No, I really didn't mean anything by it. I mean, I know what people say about you, sure, but you've never been anything other than nice to me, so..." She trails off, probably realising that she's only digging deeper. "So...yeah, sorry."

Henry is settled again and Regina puts him back in the stroller, leaving the blanket off because it's warm inside the diner.

"Apology accepted. Now, are you going to give me your number." She has it, of course. She has everyone's number. As well as a great deal of other information about their little lives.

"My number?"

"For the babysitting."

"Oh! Sure!" Ruby fishes around in her apron and locates a pen. Her face takes on the coy look Regina has seen her adopt with customers she particularly favours. "Darn it, my order pad's in the kitchen." Hesitating only for a second, she reaches out and takes Regina's hand, turning it so that it's palm side up. She pauses with the pen poised over Regina's skin. "Do you mind?"

Regina almost laughs at the blatant flirting. There are hundreds of napkins lying around, not to mention take-out menus and any number of other pieces of paper. Ruby Lucas knows what she's doing alright. Well, that should make it all the easier. "Not at all. Go ahead."

Shooting a somewhat relieved grin at Regina, Ruby scribbles her cellphone number on her hand. Afterwards she blows on it, even though it's already dry. She looks up at Regina and flashes that smile of hers. The one that's a predator stalking its prey.

"I look forward to your call, Madam Mayor."

With a final glance into the stroller she walks away, hips swinging entirely for Regina's benefit. Regina does her the courtesy of watching.

Oh yes, she thinks, this will be interesting.