Prompt? Lucy has a disability (maybe deafness?) and someone in school makes fun of her. Regina can tell something has happened because of her change in demeanor but Lucy doesn't say anything. Emma eventually finds out what happened in school and tells Regina. After comforting their daughter, Emma witnesses Regina being in full mama bear mode.
Emma leans in the doorway as she watches Regina say goodnight to Lucy. Normally, she says her goodnight and lets Regina have her moment but tonight, after such a long, awful day, her protective instincts are in overdrive.
They’ve known something’s been wrong for a while. They’ve both seen Lucy transform from a bright, happy girl to one who dragged her feet to go school. Emma had suspected bullying, having grown up in this world and known firsthand how cruel children can be.
Regina had immediately thought that it was her fault, that Lucy was being punished for her mother’s sins and Emma had feared the same - that their child was being taunted as the child of the former evil queen and dark one.
Neither had suspected the truth, not until Emma had sneakily staked out the school at lunch time and witnessed it for herself. Her heart had broken as she watched a group of kids mocking Lucy’s lisp and pretending to speak to her, causing her nothing but confusion and fear.
She’d subtly used her magic to stop it, not being able to watch her daughter be tormented for her disability a month longer, before poofing to Regina and tearfully explaining the truth. Her partner, too, had been horrified before marching down to the school and demanding to see the principal.
They rarely cause a fuss, both overly conscious of the whispers of the town but when it comes to their children, the fear of making a scene goes out the window.
Both of them had greeted Lucy with a hug and explained why they were there, both were there to hold and comfort her as she broke down and revealed that this had been going on for months -ever since a day when she had been having trouble with her hearing aid - but she hadn’t wanted to worry them.
Emma had sat outside, an arm around Lucy as she tried to make her little girl smile, to no avail. They could both hear Regina and the principal talking trough the thin door, as Regina demanded to know what would be done to prevent the bullying and raise awareness and tolerance for disabilities. The principal hadn’t had much to say but agreed to a meeting to work out what could be done better and promising to talk to the children involved.
The promises did little to soothe and Regina had come out looking furious, before softening her features for Lucy. Emma had watched as Regina wrapped their daughter in a hug before promising her that she would work to make things better. Only then, did Lucy finally smile.
The rest of the afternoon had run smoothly, with Lucy helping them to cook dinner, and the usual midweek routine of homework, dinner, baths and bed. It was only then that Lucy had withdrawn again, voicing her fear of going to school tomorrow and what might happen.
It’s in moments like this when Emma wishes there were easy answers. They’ve both done their best to offer reassurance, but truthfully neither know what will happen. They can only hope that the principal will be true to their word and the teachers might be more vigilant.
Regina sighs as she closes Lucy’s bedroom door behind her, melting into Emma’s embrace.
Emma holds her as she whispers, “I love you. I’m so glad you’re Henry and Lucy’s Mom.”
Regina sniffs, “Why? Emma, we can’t even protect them…I thought Lucy would suffer for being my daughter but for her deafness? It’s just so cruel. The school better step in though…”
“That’s why,” Emma tells her, “Because no matter what happens I know how fiercely you’ll protect them. We’ll talk to my Mom tomorrow, I know she has some sway with the school board so she can help.”
Regina nods, “I’ll protect them with all I have, just like you would and I will definitely take this further, school should be a safe place for everyone including Lucy.”
Emma nods back, knowing Regina means every word, “We will…Mama Bear.”
Regina rolls her eyes though smiles at the nickname before kissing Emma tenderly, “I’m just glad that through all this I have you by my side.”