I do NOT own the characters or OUAT.

By popular demand...

Chapter 1

It was nearly 3am when Regina walked into her small apartment. She was exhausted and it was a rough day at her tavern. Yup, it was slow all day. Just as she was about to close early at 10pm, everyone piled in after the college basketball game ended.

When she reached her bedroom she sighed when she found her youngest daughter, Lucy, sprawled across her bed fast asleep. After she showered she crawled into bed causing Lucy to snuggle into her, "I miss papa…"

Regina swallowed, "I know you do princessa. I miss him too," she said softly before kissing her head, "Get some rest baby."

"Okay mommy," she mumbled before falling back to sleep on Regina's chest.

Since her husband's death a year ago, things had been very rough for the Mills family. Money was tight and Regina was barely keeping her head above water. She had four kids; Ivy, Anna, Henry and Lucy. Her late husband Robin insisted that Ivy attend a private art school but since his passing, Regina could barely keep up with the tuition payments. Anna, Henry and Lucy attended public school. Robin's money was running out.

The brunette ran her fingers through her hair as she watched Lucy sleep, she tried to hold back the tears that formed in her eyes but she couldn't. What would she do without Robin? Would she be able to keep her family together? Would she ever find love again? Regina let her mind dwell on those questions until sleep took over her.

TWO WEEKS AGO

"Good morning, is Lily in her office?"

"Mrs. Swan, hi," a surprised Nova said, "Um she's in a meeting…"

"Oh okay. Well I have a little time on my hands so I decided to bring her lunch, I'll just place this on her desk," Emma shrugged before walking past her.

Nova gulped, "She's so going to fire me…"

Emma assumed her wife wasn't in her office since she was supposed to be in a meeting so she didn't bother knocking before entering her office. She gasped before dropping the bag of Chipotle in her hand. Her wife was bent over desk being taken from behind by her colleague Arthur. The blonde couldn't help but freeze.

Lily quickly pushed him away and attempted to pull down her skirt, "Emma! What are you doing here?"

Emma didn't speak, she simply stared at the man who struggled to pull up his pants before stumbling out of the office. The blonde fixed her glasses as she looked at her wife, "We've been married for 15 years…"

Lily scoffed and rolled her eyes, "Yes, 15 long and boring years. You got me knocked up at 16 Emma, we had a kid and you asked me to marry you a few years later. I was young and dumb, you were a safe choice."

Emma swallowed the lump in her throat, "Boring?"

"Yes, all you do is work. You're such a little nerd," she rolled her eyes again and scoffed, "What are you going to do? Huh? We both know that you won't leave me."

"I won't tolerate this Lily, I...I want a divorce," she said as her voice cracked. She couldn't believe Lily was having an affair. She's loved her since she was 16.

"You divorce me and I'll take all of your money," she smirked, "Sounds like a good deal."

"I've kept you in Gucci for years, if it's money you want then take it. I'll take our kids and leave you to whore around. Money doesn't matter to me, I'll only make more," Emma said.

"You're not taking my kids Emma," Lily stood.

"Watch me, they don't deserve this Lily. I love you, I thought you loved me—"

"Oh shut up Emma, all of that mushy boring bullshit. I do not love you, I do not want you. If you want the kids, fine. Just leave me your money and make sure that they come visit me every weekend. We don't have to divorce," she said.

Emma chuckled, "You don't want your friends to know that you're a cheater and broke without me...that's cute. I'll have my lawyer contact you," she said before leaving.

TODAY

"Hey! Stop fighting," Emma snapped at her children.

"Mom, can you tell Robyn that this room is mine?"

"No, I like this one. It has a perfect view of the city," she scoffed.

"Alright, enough. Devin, take the other room. I'll make it sweet for you," she sighed.

"Ugh! Fine! She always gets everything she wants," he scoffed before storming out of the room.

Emma gave her daughter and knowing look, she rolled her eyes, "What?"

"Robyn, I know that what happened to your mom and I has been hard on you but I need you to be...yourself. Be nice to Devin and don't act out. I'm sending you to this private school to help you…straighten up, got it?"

"Yeah yeah, got it," she flopped on the bed, "And the only reason I'm attending that school is because it's an all girls school."

"Yeah? Well keep it in your pants, no girls in our new condo," Emma teased before leaving out.

Robyn whined, "Ugh mom."

Yes, Robyn was different than most girls but so was Emma. That made them extremely close. Robyn couldn't believe what happened to her parents, she didn't know why they were getting a divorce but they were and there was no point in dwelling on the topic. She flopped on her new bed and FaceTimed her oldest brother, Peter.

"Yo," he answered.

"Hey, I miss you so much," she frowned.

"I'll see you this weekend. How's the new place?"

"Big," she chuckled, "Penthouse."

"Ooh. Sweet. How's ma been?"

"She's trying to act like she's not hurting but we all know that she is," Robyn rolled her eyes.

"That's Emma for you," he shook his head, "Dude, mom is fucked up for what she did. I'm going to give her a piece of my mind in a few hours."

"You'll be here in a few hours?!"

"No I'll be in StoryBrooke in a few hours," he chuckled, "I'll drive to Hyperion Heights tomorrow," he smiled.

She pouted, "Okay, there's a room for you."

"There better be. See ya," he said before hanging up.

Robyn sighed, everything was changing. Peter was in college and her parents were getting a divorce and to make things worse, she had to attend a new school which meant starting over.

•••

"Oh fuck!"

"Mm you feel so good"

"I love it, don't stop!"

Peter nearly gagged before banging on his mother's door, "Yo! Mom!"

Two minutes later, Lily snatched the door open, "Hi handsome, wasn't expecting you here so late?"

"Well I was bored so...I came tonight instead of tomorrow. Can we talk?"

"Now?"

"Yes, now. I can't believe what you're doing to mom!"

"Okay okay, fine. We'll talk. Give me two minutes, wait downstairs," she said before closing her bedroom door.

Peter shook his head as he made his way downstairs. When he reached the family room he looked at a few family pictures from when he was about 12, things were perfect then in his eyes. Peter was almost 20 years old, how did he not see the signs that his parents were falling out of love? Why couldn't he spare his siblings the heartbreak?

"I know you're upset with me," Lily said as she approached him a few minutes later.

"I'm very upset with you. What the hell are you doing?"

"What the hell I want. Peter you're not a baby anymore, I can be honest with you. Your mother is nothing but a workaholic," she scoffed.

"She works so hard for you, not for herself. All you've ever done was push and push her, now she's a millionaire and you decide to cheat?!"

"Okay first of all, she's a couple hundred thousandaire and secondly, she's convenient. This isn't 20 years ago when the cheerleader could date the geek and be satisfied. She's a big bore—"

"She's not! It's you! You're the bore, ma loves doing things with us, you never want to go. She plans family outings, we've been to New York and back without you—"

"Because I can't stand to be around her. Yes, she's still hot, I'll give her that but I'm bored Peter don't judge me on that," Lily stated.

"I don't. I blame you for breaking Devin and Robyn's heart, they don't know what to think, mom. It's your life, you're free to live it. I'm getting the rest of my stuff and leaving," he shrugged.

Lily frowned, "To go where? Where does she live now? Tell me."

"Oh no, you're not getting info out of me. If you want to know, call her," he said before going upstairs to his bedroom.

"Are you sure?"

Peter chuckled, "Ma, yes I'm sure. Go."

"Okay, I'll be back before midnight. I just need a few drinks," Emma stated as she put on her jacket.

"Have as many drinks as you want, I'll hold down the fort," he nodded.

"Okay, check on Devin please. He's been out of it lately. I'll call you if I need you," she said before leaving out.

Peter closed the door behind her before flopping on the couch, "Yo Dev!"

The 14 year old walked into the family room, "What?"

"Don't answer me 'what'. Come sit, let's talk," Peter stated.

Devin sat down next to his big brother, "What's up?"

"How are you dealing with all of these changes? You okay?"

The boy sighed and shrugged before looking away. He didn't want to talk about it, he didn't even know where to begin. He glanced at Peter, "I'm dealing."

"You can talk to me bro. I know you probably miss mom," he stated.

"She hurt mama...they were fighting so much then ma left for two days. She came back and told us to pack up. I don't understand, I thought they loved each other," he said looking down playing with his hands.

"Yeah ma is pretty hurt but we can help her feel better. This change will be good for you. I don't know much about love but I do know that ma will find it again," Peter replied.

"Why doesn't mom love her anymore?"

"I-...I'm not sure little bro. It's weird huh?"

"Really weird, we are supposed to be a family. Now, I feel like I lost a mom," Devin sighed.

"Don't feel like that bro. You can visit mom whenever you wa—"

"I don't want to see her," he said looking away.

Peter sighed and wrapped his arm around Devin's shoulder, "Dev...why not?"

"She made mama cry...she said she's pathetic and that she didn't make her happy...I've never seen mama cry ever...why would mom be so mean? Mama is never mean to any of us...I just don't like it I guess, it's not fair to mama," he teared up, "Because she was so mean, we moved, now I have to make new friends," he sniffled, "It's hard to make new friends."

Peter pulled his little brother closer and leaned his head onto his, "I know. I'll be here to help you Dev."

"Really?"

"Yes, I promise," he smiled, "Also, don't worry about ma, she's stronger than you think."

•••

"Welp, this is it," August smiled softly as they approached a bar.

"Gina's?"

"Yeah, I haven't been here in a while but she's got sports and drinks. Enough for us to have a good time," he chuckled before getting out of his car.

"Yeah," Emma nodded as she exited as well.

August could sense his best friend's nerves from a mile a way so he nudged her before leaning on the side of his truck, "Let's talk."

Emma stood next to him before leaning back on the truck herself, "About what?"

"I can tell that your mind is clouded. I'm treating you to drinks so you can relax. I know we haven't hung out in a long time, you haven't been to the Heights in years but you're here now and I want you to walk in there with an open mind," he explained.

"Okay, I can do that. I'm sorry, Okay?"

"Stop apologizing for stuff. She's got your mind all twisted," he chuckled before walking into Gina's with Emma following, "Alright," he rubbed his hands together, "I'll take that table right by the flat screen," he said before walking over to it and sitting down.

Emma sat across from him and turned towards the basketball game on tv, "Pre-Season for HHU?"

"Yeah, they've been doing really well. I'm excited for the season. Does Peter still ball?"

"Oh yeah, he's giving them hell in Camelot," she chuckled.

"That's good. Have you talked to your parents? How are they?"

Emma shook her head, "I haven't told them a thing."

"Em, oh gosh, they're going to freak out," he sighed.

"Exactly why I haven't told them anything. You know my mom, she'll lose her mind," the blonde stated.

"Yeah. You need a whole bottle at this point," he chuckled.

Emma chuckled, "Oh yeah, you have no idea. How does that work here?"

"I'll go get us something," he said before walking over to the bar.

A blonde woman approached him, "Names Tink, what can I get ya?"

"Two long islands, please," he smiled.

As August retrieved their drinks, Emma continued to watch the college basketball game that was playing. She was focused on Hyperion Heights University as they whooped National City University, until…

Regina entered her bar laughing with her friends, Mal, Cruella and Ursula. Her eyes was gorgeous, her hair had life and her smile made Emma's heart skip a beat. She was about to start drooling when August sat back down, "Two drinks," he smiled.

Emma snapped out of her thoughts, "Thanks Auggie," she took a sip, "Mm, this is good," she said before letting her eyes wander, "Auggie?"

"Yeah?"

"Who's that woman who just walked behind the bar?"

He looked over his shoulder, "Oh that's Gina."

"I thought the blonde was Gina," she raised an eyebrow.

"Nope, that's Tink. She helps out when Gina's not here. Why?"

"It's just…"

"She's hot," he nodded, "I know. I've spent many nights watching guys try and fail at asking her out. Her husband passed away a while back, she's probably not ready, ya know?"

Emma nodded, "I-I know the feeling. She's beautiful though."

"Oh yeah, definitely. She's pretty cool too, nice person," he nodded before sipping again, "Drink."

"I'm on it," she chuckled before downing her drink.

Regina sipped some water before walking over to Tink, "How are you looking on tips?"

"Pretty good," Tink nodded.

"Okay. Well, you can get out of here, I'll take it from here," she shrugged.

"Are you sure?"

"Yeah. Go," Regina smiled, "Enjoy your Saturday night."

"Thanks Gina," Tink smiled before preparing to leave.

Regina leaned on the bar and looked around. Were people actually enjoying themselves or did they come there because it was convenient? She was knocked out of her thoughts when Tamara, a regular, slid in front of her with her friend Ruby. She blinked, "Yes?"

"We need two more beers," Ruby said.

"And I need your number," Tamara said.

Regina gave her a smirk, "I'm flattered but no thank you. You've asked me everyday and the answer still remains no."

"You'll change your mind one day," she said before kissing Regina's hand.

"Hey Gina, who's that blonde? The one over there with the jean jacket and black glasses?"

"Um…" Regina let her eyes scan the tavern until they landed on Emma Swan, "I have never seen her before but I know the guy she's with, August."

"Mm, so she's fair game. She's hot," Ruby said.

Tamara watched both Regina and Ruby stare at Emma before scoffing, "Well let's find out who she is," she said before downing her drink.

"T, don't do anything stupid," Ruby warned.

"I'll go easy on her," she said before standing up.

"Tamara, you take your drunk ass over there and start shit in my place, I'm kicking your ass out," Regina stated.

"Yeah yeah," Tamara said before walking over to Emma and August's table, "Hey, a new face. I don't see many of those around here."

August looked up at her, "I'm a reg—"

"You haven't been here in two weeks, August. Who's your friend? Wanna play some pool?"

"I don't play," Emma said leaning back in her chair, "Sorry."

"Hm, well aren't you smug? Anyway, I'm sure you can figure it out, let's play," Tamara insisted.

"We were actually just leaving," August said.

"Oh come on. It's Saturday night, live a little," she said looking at Emma.

The blonde stood up and smoothed her ponytail back, "Does 20 bucks a ball sound good to you?"

"I thought you didn't play?"

"I don't but like you said I can figure it out," Emma gave a smug smirk before brushing past her and grabbing a pool stick. She honestly didn't know how to play but she knew physics and geometry, they'd get her by.

Tamara frowned and grabbed a stick, "Let's bump it up to 50 bucks a ball then."

"Sounds good to me," Emma shrugged.

Ruby gave Regina a look, "I think T has met her match," she chuckled.

Regina crossed her arms over her chest, "Hm, that's surely how it seems."

"I've got solids," Emma said as she knocked a solid yellow 5 ball into the pocket.

"Mm, maybe we should bump it back down to 20," Tamara said.

"We set the bet already," Emma said.

"I say we change it," she shrugged.

"Then I'm done," Emma tossed the stick on the table, "We agreed on 50 bucks."

Tamara took her stick and broke it in half on the table, holding the pointy end up to Emma, "You're not going anywhere, we started a game."

"Let's go, Aug," she shrugged, unamused.

"Yoo-hoo," Regina said giving her friends a nod.

Mal, Cruella and Ursula walked over to the pool table. Cruella cleared her throat, "I would hate to get my fur dirty darlings."

"No need," August said, "We were just leaving Cruella."

"Yeah, you all have a lovely night," Emma said before walking towards the door with August.

Ruby smirked at this perfect opportunity. She stood up as if she was headed to the bathroom before 'accidentally' tripping in front of Emma. When the blonde caught her in her arms she blushed, "Oh gosh, I'm such a klutz, thank you."

"No problem," Emma smiled softly, "Are you alright?"

"Yes, I'm fine," she stood up, "I'm Ruby."

"Emma," she nodded, "Nice to meet you Ruby, have a nice night," she said before leaving with August.

"She owes me money," Tamara stated clearly.

"Tamara, shut up will you," Ursula scoffed.

"You're done here, T," Mal explained, "You come back, you'll be removed every single time. Consider yourself banned. This is a no problem zone."

"You can't ban me. I'm a regular," Tamara said.

"Not anymore darling," Cruella chuckled, "Remove her."

Maleficent and Ursula grabbed Tamara, who struggled. She groaned, "Gina you're letting them do this?"

"I warned you, the city is already trying to shut me down. My bar, my rules," Regina shrugged. As she watched them throw out Tamara, she let her mind drift to Emma. Who was this fresh face? Why couldn't she get those green eyes out of her head? Would she return? Regina didn't know if Emma was good news or bad news but she did know that she had to do everything in her power to protect her tavern. This was Hyperion Heights after all.