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Chapter 1
It had been an hour since Zelena's time portal had spat them out from the past. What had been days there for the Saviour and Hook had been just minutes for the residents of Storybrooke, Maine.
Emma now sat in a booth with her family at Granny's Diner. Her mother was beside her, clutching baby Neal. Henry and David sat on the other side. Henry's storybook was open on the table between them all.
“See, that's me," Emma pointed at the page animatedly.
"Oh yeah, I remember that party," Snow smiled at the memory.
"I still have the scar where you hit me." David screwed his face up, his hand coming to rub the scar on his chin unconsciously.
Emma was about to continue her story when the bell above the door announcing new customers distracted her.
Roland barrelled towards Henry, followed by Regina, Robin's arm firmly around her waist. "Is that your storybook, Henry," the little boy asked, full of sugar from the ice cream he'd just finished.
"It is. Emma was just telling us about her trip to the past. About how she was at the ball when Snow White and Prince Charming met," Henry smiled at the boy, proud of his birth mother's addition to his book.
"Oh really, Miss Swan?" Regina's tone was mocking.
Snow turned the book to give the new arrivals a clear view. "Yes, she was known as Princess Leia."
Regina stepped out of Robin's arm, so many emotions crossed her face. Pain, desire, confusion, fear, guilt, finally settling on what could only be remorse as she looked down at her son. "You're Leia?" It was barely more than a whisper. "I, I have to go." Purple smoke surrounded the Mayor, and she was gone. Emma's pleas to wait went unheard.
Emma grabbed the storybook, scanning through the rest of the story as fast as she could before collapsing back into her seat with a sigh of relief. There was
nothing about her time with the Queen after being escorted from the ball. Neither Henry nor her parents ever needed to know, Emma could and would keep this secret for Regina.
"Emma, what's going on? What happened in the past that you're not telling us?" Snow wanted answers.
"She hurt you, didn't she?" Henry's small voice broke.
"No!" Emma affirmed vehemently.
"You never did tell me how you escaped, love." Hook spoke unhelpfully from the booth behind. Emma had almost forgotten he was even there.
"Emma," Snow prodded again, more gently this time.
The blonde took a deep breath, giving herself time to think. Emma knew she couldn't tell them the whole truth, but she'd have to provide them with something.
"Yes, I was captured by the Queen after you left the ball. She questioned me about you, me, who I was, and why I was there. I told her it was some grand plan of Rumpelstiltskin's, which probably wasn't my best idea. Thankfully, before she could do anything, a guard informed her of an issue in the dungeon. You, I'm guessing?" She looked at Hook for confirmation, he nodded, and she returned to her story.
"The Queen left, ordering the guard to dispose of me. Once we were a safe distance away, a throat punch and a kick to the groin," all three men winched at the thought. "I was free. I ran to the woods where I met up with you, and you know the rest from there."
Emma returned to her reclined position, relieved her family were satisfied with the story, not hounding her with questions.
Across town, the once formidable and stoic Mayor was falling apart in her mansion on Mifflin Street. It had been decades since the brief affair with Princess Leia. She'd hardly thought of it in the time since, but now, seeing it in the book, the memories were flooding back full force.
What had she done? They would never forgive her for this. How could they, when she herself could not?
Regina's heart was breaking. Sending that raven to Henry, advising him to stay away, had taken all she had left. Casting a protection spell around the house to stop anyone from getting in, then shutting off her phone, the broken former Queen gave in to her despair, smothering her sobs in her pillow, crying herself to sleep.
Memories of the past would haunt Emma's dreams that night as well. Not ones of guilt but of pleasure. The way the regal woman's hair smelt, the taste of her skin. Oh God, the way her inner muscles had squeezed Emma's fingers as they found just the right spot bringing the Queen to the edge. How the magic had snapped back into her body right as they crashed over the precipice into an orgasm so intense it left them both seeing stars, panting and boneless on the bed. It had been so good and surely would have continued had that guard not come in.
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Chapter 2
Emma had tried multiple times to contact Regina and explain, even going as far as adding notes to the official reports from the Sheriff's department when physical visits and phone calls failed. Still nothing, no response at all.
Regina had welcomed Henry back within a week. Standing on the front porch banging on the door, telling his adoptive mother he loved her, that he missed and needed her, had done the trick.
Emma had tried to get his help, but he refused to get in the middle. His brunette mother had been hurt and betrayed too many times before. Henry would not be the one to do that to her, not again.
The Sheriff welcomed the distraction when things got busy. With the breaking of another curse came the return of more memories leading to more drama.
Most were minor calls, petty disturbances, drunk and disorderly. Some were just new townspeople not knowing how modern technology worked. A few people had tried returning to their old ways, breaking and entering, robbery or theft. A few choice words from Prince Charming and his Sheriff daughter soon had them sorted out.
Regina had also been busy. The town had expanded with this new curse, and everything needed adding to the system, power and water supplies checked, making sure buildings were up to code. New residents needed help settling in. A few original residents had chosen to stay behind this time, so positions required replacements.
Soon enough, three weeks had passed with the Sheriff and Mayor not having crossed paths.
***
Emma didn't remember passing out in Granny's waiting for her breakfast order, just waking up in the hospital with a drip in her arm. Doctor Whale was standing at the end of the bed, writing on her chart.
"What happened? How did I get here?" Emma attempted to sit up.
"Easy Sheriff," Whale came to lift the bed for her. "Ruby Lucas bought you in. You fainted at Granny's."
"I did? Why?"
"Dehydration, hence the IV and low iron, all normal side effects with your condition, nothing to worry about," Whale spoke like she should understand what he was talking about.
"My condition, what condition?" Emma snapped
"You're pregnant, Miss Swan. Congratulations."
"Your tests are wrong. Do it again. I am not pregnant!" Angry as she was, Emma still whispered the last word in case anyone heard.
"I did the test myself, Sheriff, twice. You are pregnant." Doctor Whale replied adamantly.
"I need to get out of here. When can I leave?"
"Once the IV is in, I'll be back to take your blood pressure. If that has corrected itself, then someone can drive you home." The doctor spoke sternly before leaving.
Emma had to get away. She had to get proof herself. She couldn't call her parents; they'd ask too many questions she wasn't ready to deal with. Maybe Ruby was still in the waiting room and could take her home.
Two hours later, Emma was standing in front of Regina's vault; she had finally convinced Henry it was important enough to tell her where his other mother was. With a final deep breath, Emma descended the stairs.
Regina catching the reflection in the mirror, snarled, "What do I have to do to get you to leave me alone, Swan?"
"Tell me you don't regret it," Emma's voice was small.
"Excuse me?" Regina did turn now.
"Tell me it's not a mistake?" Neither woman noticed how Emma's hand had moved subconsciously to her belly.
"Of course, I regret it. Maybe not at the time, but now, yes, very much so." Regina painted the perfect picture of guilt at that moment. "I was forced into so many situations in my life I didn't want. I swore never to do the same to another woman. Now, not only did I find I have but to have done so to you. I'm sorry, Emma."
"You didn't force me, Regina." Emma tried to reassure her. "I wanted it too."
"That's just the potion talking. It was to make you compliant, more pliable to my will."
"The potion? Do you mean the one that wore off after you asked me where Snow White was the third time? Like I would rat my mother out even if I had known where she was." Emma gave a small chuckle. "Trust me, I wanted it, enjoyed it even."
"Nobody wants the Evil Queen," Regina sighed, disheartened.
"Not the Queen Regina, you. I don't see two different people. I just see you. We're the same, you know?" Emma changed tactics now. "Living in Storybrooke, I've got my parents and my son, and I love them, but they can't always understand me. They don't know what it's like to be rejected and misunderstood. Not the way I do. Not the way you do. Somehow that makes us; I don't know, unique, maybe even special. Don't let what happened in the past ruin our friendship."
"You thought we were friends?" Sarcasm dripping as Regina rolled her eyes.
"Crazy, right," Emma half chuckled, half exhaled. "I don't know. I thought maybe we could try?"
"For Henry's sake, I am willing to try."
This was the opening Emma had been waiting for, time to tell Regina why she really came here. "It's not just Henry now," she mumbled, looking down at her still flat belly.
"I'm sorry, what?" Shock registered on the brunette's voice.
"I um, we're pregnant." Emma hoped by using 'we', that Regina would understand. Judging by the look of hurt that flashed quickly across her face, that was not the case.
Regina straightened her posture, the mask of indifference she often wore as Mayor firmly in place. "Congratulations. I hope you and the pirate will be very happy together."
"No!" Emma answered, rushing forward to grab Regina's hand and bringing it to her belly. Emma was about to explain herself, but the gasp and wide-eyed expression of the other woman caused the words to die in her throat.
The moment Regina's hand landed on the flat surface of the blonde's stomach, she felt it, the combined spark of their magic, the small cluster of cells no bigger than a grain of rice that would one day grow to be their daughter. Now nestled safely in her mother's womb. "She's mine!" Regina exhaled barely more than a whisper.
"She?" Emma smiled, pressing her hand firmly against Regina's.
"Simple biology, Miss Swan, two women mean no Y chromosome."
"Oh, I thought you could sense her," Emma seemed disappointed.
Regina pressed her hand a little firmer, moving it down and slightly to the left. "She's there. Healthy, strong, growing quickly."
"What do you mean by quickly?" The blonde's smile had become a look of confusion.
"This is a geometric pregnancy," The Mayor stated as if it should explain it all.
"Please tell me that means we're having a mathematician?" Emma's look of confusion had deepened.
Regina couldn't help but laugh. "No, it means the pregnancy will be accelerated."
"How accelerated?" Emma enunciated the word, fear creeping into her voice.
"By a third, at least," Regina knew it was closer to half, maybe less, but she didn't want to panic the blonde any more than she already was.
Emma audibly gulped as her knees went weak. Regina guided her down onto a large trunk. "So, you're saying she'll be here in what, like five months?" Emma's heart was pounding as her hands again found purchase on her belly. "Breathe, Emma," Regina gently stroked the panicked woman's back. "Everything is going to be ok."
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Chapter 3
They had decided to tell Henry that weekend. Emma couldn't bring herself to inform her parents yet. Too afraid they would be angry or disappointed. The discarded child inside was filled with too many memories of rejection, of being unloved or sent away to trust the parents who had only recently returned.
Emma had come early to the house of Mifflin. She had bought breakfast for herself and her family. They were a family now, right? This baby would see to that. Emma patted her belly before ringing the doorbell.
Henry entered the kitchen; he was surprised to see his blonde mother. She never came into his other mother's home. "Hey Ma, what are you doing here?" He asked, curiosity getting the better of him.
"Hey, Kid. Let's talk." Emma smiled, following Regina into the dining room. Henry sat at the head of the table, looking intrigued. Regina sat to his right, her mayoral mask firmly in place. Emma sat opposite, playing with her hands nervously.
"So, who's our next villain? Madame Mim, Rothbart, McLeach?" The boy smiled eagerly, everything else forgotten.
"There's no new villain, dear. But what your mother has to tell you will change things." His brunette mother smiled at the now more nervous-looking blonde across the table.
Emma took a deep breath. "I'm just going to come straight out and say it, kid. I'm pregnant." She tensed, waiting for his reply, not expecting the following response.
"Oh Ma, you slept with Hook?" Disgust coloured the boy's face, disappointment in his voice.
"No," Emma replied flatly. Regina's heart lightened at the thought that nothing had happened between her children's other mother and the handless wonder.
"Eww, not Walsh! You're having a baby with a flying monkey?" Anger rose in the boy's voice.
"No again." Her anger rose to meet his. "Can I..."
"So what? You're saying you don't know who the baby's father is? Are you even keeping this one? Oh god, is that why Mom's here, you're giving this one
to her too? What, you wanted her to have a matching set?" Henry stood red-
faced and panting.
"Henry Daniel Mills!" Regina snapped, Mom mode fully engaged. "You will not speak to your mother that way. Sit down, and apologise, this instant."
"Fine," the boy grumbled, sitting back down. The clearing of his brunette mother's throat had him sitting up straight, looking at his blonde mother before saying, "I'm sorry, Ma."
"That's better. For your information, I am here because there is no father. I am biologically the other mother. Emma's child is mine." Regina spoke calmly, looking over to see if Emma was alright after their son's outburst. There was sadness in the other woman's eyes. It had been a low blow to bring up giving this baby away.
Henry's face screwed up in utter confusion, "but you're a girl!" He squeaked.
"Magic is stronger than biology, especially in the Enchanted Forrest," was all the response Regina would give.
"So, this happened when you went back to the past?" He looked directly at the blonde for confirmation.
"Yes." Hurt and fear of another outburst were still in Emma's voice.
"Then why didn't the Evil Queen get pregnant too?" It seemed a valid question to the boy.
The former Queen in question looked down at her hands, clearly uncomfortable about having the attention put back on her. She sighed before speaking, "much like water, magic takes the path of least resistance, and Emma was the simpler choice."
"I think she just called you easy, Ma." The boy chuckled, a joke at one mother's expense to hide the obvious pain of the other.
'Or admitted she is difficult,' Emma thought to herself, not game enough to say it out loud.
"Henry." Regina scolded him quickly
"So, you two are really having a child together?" Henry laughed, "Grams is going to kill you."
"Wouldn't be the first time she's tried, dear." The brunette smirked back at her now calm son.
Still sensing the discomfort coming from Emma, Henry stood and wrapped his arms around her in a tight hug, whispering, "congratulations, Ma. I am sorry for
what I said, and I am excited for the baby, honestly. I love you."
"I love you too, kid," Emma kissed his temple, reaching her other hand out to include her children's other mother in the bonding moment.
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Chapter 4
The morning sickness this time around was thankfully light. Emma had been nauseous but had rarely physically been sick. Mercifully, never at home, she knew it would be a dead giveaway to her mother. Having recently been through this a second time, it would all still be fresh in that pixie cut head of hers. Emma was still not ready to tell her parents yet. They had sworn Henry to secrecy. Even Doctor Whale kept his oath of doctor/patient confidentiality and did not reveal Emma's condition, which surprised both women.
Two things seemed to aggravate the Sheriff's nausea to the point of vomiting, seeing Regina's blatantly happy romance with the forest dweller or the overexposure to the rum and old leather smell that lingers around one Captain Hook.
Emma felt sorry about the latter. It wasn't technically cheating. She had already been pregnant when they had their first date, unbeknownst to anyone at the time. Nonetheless, the woman still felt guilt for it. Emma had thought she loved him. Was it just because her parents approved of him and the orphan in her desperately wanted that approval? Here she was, thirty, that same lost little girl still seeking the love and attention denied throughout childhood.
Emma sat in her office at the station. She was thinking about how to tell Killian about the pregnancy and wanting to break up when he appeared as if her thoughts had conjured him. Emma's stomach rolled. She knew she needed to quickly get out of her confined, stuffy office. "Hello there, Love. What do you say to some lunch and a walk after?"
The thought of food made Emma gag. She turned quickly to grab her jacket in an attempt to hide it. "I'm just heading out on patrol." She said, breathing through her mouth in hopes it would help.
"Come now, Swan. You have to eat. You've been avoiding me. Have I done something to upset you, lass?" Hooks face a mixture of hurt and concern. Emma's only concern at that moment was keeping her breakfast inside her stomach, "I have to go." She snapped, all but running out of the station.
Once safely inside the bug, Emma took a few deep breaths that instantly calmed her stomach. Her hand went to her belly, rubbing small circles, "I'm sorry, baby girl. I know you don't like that smell. Thank you for not making Mama sick."
Emma spent the next hour driving around the small town until she could no longer put off the grumbling in her stomach, making her way to Granny's for a late lunch. Much to her disappointment, who should be there but Captain Hook. He hopped off his stool and came over to wrap an arm around her. "Come to join me after all, hey Swan?"
The rum smell was more potent on him now. All Emma could think was that she couldn't do this and that she needed to get away. Without warning, white smoke enveloped her body, and then she was in Regina's office at town hall.
"Miss Swan, what is the meaning of this?" Regina was startled more than angry.
"I, I don't know?" Emma was confused. Seeing the fear on Emma's face made Regina's heart skip a beat. "Are you ok? Is the baby ok?" Her hand went protectively to Emma's stomach.
The blonde couldn't help but smile as she covered the hand with her own. "We're fine. Calm down."
"I think the baby bought me here to get me away from Hook," Emma said after a moment.
"What? Why did you need to get away from Guyliner?" Regina's voice rose as her defensiveness kicked in.
"Morning sickness; seems the baby isn't fond of the smell of rum," Emma gave a slight chuckle.
"Naturally, she's a princess and a bit more refined than that," Regina smirked back.
The pleasant moment was interrupted by a large rumble from Emma's stomach. A wave of the hand and a grilled cheese with a thin layer of hazelnut spread on top and 2 cherries appeared on Regina's desk. How did she always know just what Emma was craving? "You need to eat."
Emma smiled her delight, devouring the plate of food eagerly before speaking. "Thanks for lunch. I better get back to it. See you later, Madame Mayor."
"Enjoy the rest of your afternoon, Sheriff Swan."
Five times over the next two weeks, Emma would disappear from Hook and reappear in front of Regina wherever she may be.
Be that her office at Town Hall, the frozen food section at the Grocery Store or even her kitchen at home. That one led Regina to put a protection spell around her house to stop it from happening again.
Not surprisingly, blood magic doesn't work when it's your daughter, but Emma would never tell Regina about that one. Nope, no one needed to know about when she had poofed into the Mayor's ensuite bathroom while the brunette was showering. That was a special memory Emma would keep locked away, all for herself.
Things finally came to a head that Sunday night. Emma had gone to Granny's to collect her takeout order, not feeling up to being around people. Regina was there having dinner with Robin and Roland. The loving look on forest boy's face made Emma's stomach lurch.
When Hook walked in, it was all too much. The next thing Emma knew, she was standing next to Regina's booth, the white smoke of her magic clearing away.
"Oh no, you are not running from me this time Swan. You're going to tell me what's going on right now." Hook demanded, marching towards her. White smoke enveloped Emma again, and she appeared in the booth between Regina and the window. "What on Earth?" Robin snapped.
Regina could see the fear in Emma's eyes and how green she looked. Regina quickly grabbed Emma's hand, making it to the bathroom stall just in time. Regina held Emma's hair as the blonde hurled into the bowl, her body finally being pushed to its limit. They could hear Robin and Hook arguing outside, but it didn't matter.
"Emma, you need to tell me what's going on," Regina spoke softly, trying to be sympathetic.
"It's not me. It's the baby," Emma replied, her hands gesturing to where their baby lay still hidden from the world.
It was then that Emma's face lit up with a sudden realisation. "She's a Mommy girl."
"What are you talking about, Miss Swan?" Regina looked at her with a raised eyebrow.
"I get it now. The baby fears Hook and wants her scary former Queen Mommy to protect her."
Regina's hand was again firmly placed on Emma's abdomen as she smiled down at the child growing inside. "Did the smelly, old pirate scare you, my darling? It's alright, Mommy here, you're safe. I've got you." Regina looked into Emma's green eyes repeating the last line, "I've got you." Emma smiled back, her hand coming up to cover Regina's. Regina leaned forward, and Emma closed her eyes as their lips met in the softest kiss.
The sound of the doorknob had them jumping apart as Ruby rushed in. "There you are. Hook's refusing to leave until he sees you and Granny's about to get her crossbow, so can you get out here and handle this, Sheriff." The leggy young woman gestured wildly in her exasperation. Emma looked over at Regina. She had her Mayor's mask firmly back in place and spoke in a dismissive tone." Yes, Sheriff Swan, do your job." She winked at the blonde when Ruby wasn't looking, needing to show they were still ok.
Emma stood in the middle of the diner, Ruby by her side, Regina a pace behind, grateful for their support. "It's over, Killian. I'm sorry. I thought I loved you, but it's not going to work, and I don't want to see you anymore." Tears were forming in her eyes, but Emma held strong. "You don't mean that, love. Come, have a drink with me. We'll sort this out." He extended his hand, smiling what he thinks is a charming smile, not knowing how it caused Emma's stomach to roll.
Regina stepped forward to protest, but Granny beat her to it, crossbow in hand. "You heard the woman. She said her piece; now get out of my diner." A low growl emanated from Ruby as an added warning.
Regina spoke to Robin as Ruby quizzed Emma on the break-up. Granny came out with a freshly made, to-go bag for Emma. "Bacon, double cheeseburger and onion rings. I've put a little something extra in there, for … you know," the old woman's eyes drifted down before locking back with widening green ones. Granny merely tapped her nose, chuckling before returning to the kitchen.
The old wolf stopped at the door turning a knowing look on Regina. "Do see the Sheriff safely home, won't you, Madame Mayor."
Regina, understanding this was a command and not a request, escorted the Sheriff from the diner.
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Chapter 5
Regina awoke the following day to someone pounding on her front door. Thankfully Henry was a heavy sleeper, so she didn't need to worry about him waking.
Regina used her magic to get ready. Her hair and makeup done, dressed in her favourite blue dress, she hurried down the stairs as the knocking continued. The Mayor was shocked to find Emma Swan still clad in flannel pyjamas and what looked to be David's coat standing on her front porch. "Emma, what are you doing here? Is something wrong?"
Emma stepped inside, allowing Regina to close the door. "Look," Emma said as she opened her coat. Regina gasped at the sight. Where Emma's once flat stomach had been was now a clearly defined baby bump. Regina couldn't help herself. Emma's belly was like a magnet pulling her hands to it.
"How?" Regina looked up at Emma, her hands still caressing the evidence of their daughters' existence.
"I don't know. I went to bed just fine, and when I woke up today, I had this." Emma pointed at her stomach as she started pacing. "I don't understand what is going on? You said this pregnancy would be quicker, but it hasn't even been two months. How can I be this big already? I haven't even told my parents yet. I don't even know how far along I am now. It's too much, too quick." Tears were beginning to fall.
Regina wrapped the panicking woman in her arms, rubbing her back gently. "Breathe, Emma. It's alright. You're alright."
Emma was openly sobbing now, and Regina wished she'd moved them to the couch. It would've been more comfortable than standing in the foyer.
"We'll figure this out. Come on. I'll make breakfast while you call the hospital for an appointment. Then we'll find you some clothes to cover this little bump here," Regina's thumb, loving, stroked said bump before continuing. "Would you feel better if I came with you to tell your parents?"
"You do that?" Emma sniffed.
"Of course. I told you, you're not alone in this. I'm here, and this is my doing as much as yours, after all."
Emma smiled before pulling Regina in for another hug, whispering a "thank-you."
"That's alright, dear," Regina answered, gently rubbing the other woman's back. "Now, how does French toast sound?"
Emma's stomach answered for her with a loud growl.
The Mayor chuckled, "go call the hospital. I'll start on breakfast," shaking her head as she walked toward the kitchen.
Emma had just sat down when Henry walked into the kitchen. "Hey Ma, I didn't know... Whoa! When did that happen?" The boy froze in place, mouth agape as he stared, wide-eyed at his blonde mother's newly expanded stomach clearly on display, even in her oversized shirt.
Emma looked down, tenderly patting her swollen belly, "seems your sister likes to make an entrance."
"Guess she takes after Mom," Henry chuckled, still staring at the bump. Regina scrunched her nose up at the boy, giving him a warm smile and a good morning kiss to the temple.
Regina waited until Henry had left to get ready before asking Emma how her call to the hospital had gone. Emma nervously picked at her fingernails, "my appointment is at nine o'clock. Will, will you come with me?"
She looked so small. Regina couldn't help but reach out to her. "I'd like that very much. Remember, you are not alone, Emma. I'll be here whenever you need."
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Chapter 6
Emma paced the hospital waiting room, still wearing David's oversized jacket, despite Regina's magically made maternity wear.
"Sit down, Miss Swan. You're making me dizzy." Regina's frustration was growing the longer they waited. The blonde stopped pacing and looked down, mumbling "can't," before continuing her pacing. The brunette understood then. "Are you ashamed of her?"
"What?" Emma spun on her heel to face the other woman, arms protectively wrapped around the 'her' in question. "Never!" Emma was close to crying, damn hormones. "I just don't want anyone to tell my parents before I do."
The nurse, calling them in, interrupted whatever kindness Regina had been about to offer.
"Good morning ladies, I'm Doctor Abby Lockhart. How's Mama doing today?" The brunette doctor seemed polite. Emma was just glad it wasn't Whale. The man had delivered her little brother he was not getting the family package.
"It says here you're unsure how far along you are. Is that correct, Miss Swan?" Doctor Lockhart continued.
"Yes." Emma nodded.
"Well, let's check the progress of the little bean, shall we?"
Emma lay back, lifting her shirt. She turned to Regina, offering her hand to draw the other woman closer. A gentle thrumming soon filled the room. "Is that?" Regina whispered, afraid to speak over the noise. "That's her," Emma smiled, squeezing her hand tighter.
"From these measurements, I'd put you around nineteen weeks."
Emma's head was like a pinball, going first to Regina's face, then to the doctor, down to her stomach before finally settling on the screen displaying the picture of her daughter. "But she's ok, right? Is she healthy? Ten fingers, ten toes?" Emma was panicking. Regina squeezed her hand, pacing her free hand on the blonde's shoulder to calm her.
"Oh yes, she's perfectly healthy. See, her is her hand, her chest, and this, this is your daughter's face." Doctor Lockhart smiled as she moved the probe up to reveal the image of the child's face.
A small sob escaped the expectant mother, and tears were glistening in her eyes. The usually phlegmatic Mayor leaned in to kiss the blonde's temple. Her own eyes held tears of joy. "I'll print you both a copy. If there are no further questions, I'll take my leave. Good day ladies."
"She's perfect." The smile hadn't left Regina's face the entire walk to the car.
"Do you think Snow will go easy on us since it's a girl?" Emma was still staring at the photo.
"When is Snow ever easy?" Regina deadpanned.
The two women entered the loft greeted by a slightly dishevelled but still perky Snow White. "Regina, to what do we owe the pleasure?"
"Mum, Dad, I have something I need to tell you."
"We need to tell you," Regina corrected.
"Just let me put your brother down, and we're all ears," David slowly swayed his way towards the crib, trying not to wake the boy.
Emma waited for her parents to sit. She was too nervous for the words to come, instead allowing the ultrasound picture to say the words for her.
"Emma, is this what I think it is? Are you?" Snow was practically buzzing, filled with so much excitement. Emma slowly opened the coat revealing just how advanced the pregnancy was.
An audible gasp escaped Snow's lips as her eyes widened in complete shock.
"When? How? Who did this to you?" David muffled his fury for fear of waking the baby just a few feet away.
"So, I wasn't a hundred per cent honest about my trip to the past," Emma said, looking every bit like a naughty child caught with their hand in the cookie jar.
"The baby is mine," Regina stated, not one to beat around the bush.
"How dare you defile my daughter!" David stood quickly, knocking over his chair. Sleeping baby be damned, he had to defend his daughters' honour.
"Sit down, David." Snow was calm as she looked over at the crib where baby Neal was still asleep, unaware of the turmoil around him.
"She didn't defile me. It was a mutual decision between two consenting adults. Furthermore, it's over and done. We're excited about this new chapter, and you should be too." Emma affirmed, taking Regina's hand across the table to prove her point.
Regina, for her part, looked guilty. Her body caved in on itself, her eyes downcast. Despite everything Emma had told her, she still felt she had forced herself upon the younger woman and was still forcing her way into the blonde's life.
"We didn't plan this," Regina spoke softly, not looking up, "but she's here now. This baby is wanted, so very much." The brunette looked up then, giving Emma a small smile before continuing. "I might not have regretted it in the past, and had I known then who Emma was, things definitely would have been worse for her, but I will not apologise for my daughter's existence." Emma nodded her head and squeezed Regina's hand in affirmation.
"And you shouldn't have to," Snow replied, staring down at the ultrasound photo while Charming sat silently seething at the head of the table.
After a few tense moments of silence, Snow couldn't contain herself any longer. A squeal of pure joy emanated from the pixie-haired woman as she began talking a mile a minute. "A little girl, a granddaughter, it's wonderful. I'm so excited. Just think of all the dresses she'll need? She's going to be gorgeous, I can tell. We'll have to get Marco to make the crib, and Granny will want to make her a blanket. She made yours, you know?" Snow smiled at her daughter. "We'll have to go shopping. You will need maternity clothes. Those are lovely, by the way. Where did you get those?" Emma tried to answer, but Snow just continued off on another tangent. "You weren't showing last night. We had tea when you came home. I would've noticed. How did you get so big so fast?" Snow turned an accusing glare at Regina. "Did you do something? Something to speed up the pregnancy? Why would you do that? Won't it hurt the baby?" Anger had been replaced with fear now. David took his wife's hand, his steely stare demanding answers.
Emma jumped straight to Regina's defence. "It's a magical pregnancy, Mom. It's naturally expeditious. Regina has been nothing but supportive. She came with me to the doctor today, and to tell you because she knew how worried I was. You can see by the photo the baby is healthy and safe. Everything's fine. She's perfect." Emma's free hand went protectively to her swollen abdomen, smiling over at her children's other mother.
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Chapter 7
The sudden growth spurt had replaced the constant nauseous feeling with a new and intriguing variety of symptoms.
It seemed to Emma that the baby could now sense what was happening in the outside world. Just simple things, like the smell of David's aftershave, had a calming effect. The sound of Ruby's voice would lead to a craving for a choc chip grilled cheese sandwich with a side of French fries dipped in hot fudge. There were unpleasant reactions too. A trip past Mr Gold's shop would always have the woman's feet moving faster to the end of the block, and the sight of the blue fairy had Emma crossing the street to keep as much distance as possible. That one confused her, as the baby showed no such reaction to either Nova or Tink.
Worst of all, the sight of Regina and Robin together caused an aching discomfort, which no amount of belly rubs or tender words to the babe within could assuage. Emma fell back into old habits and ran from the situation in those times.
Today, however, Emma could not run without revealing the truth to all involved. She had agreed to go shopping with Snow and then to Granny's for lunch. It has been a peaceful bonding experience for mother and daughter.
Emma heard them before she saw them, but that was enough to trigger the uncomfortable feeling in her stomach. The Mayor and the former thief entered the diner laughing happily, Robin's arm firmly around the woman's waist.
Regina placed their takeout order. She had tried to come over and talk, but Robin refused to let her go, so she settled for a smile and a quick wave. Seeing them together, the way he manhandled the Mayor made Emma's discomfort grow until …
"Hiccup!"
It wasn't that the noise was particularly loud that had everyone staring. It was the fact that bubbles accompanied the sound. Sparkly bubbles. That sizzled when they popped, releasing lilac smoke.
Regina was there instantly, kneeling in front of the booth, hands going straight to the baby bump. "Emma, are you? Is the baby ok? What can I do?" The ordinarily unflappable Mayor's voice shook.
"I need to leave. I, I can't. I don't want to be here." Emma was trembling. Regina didn't even think, disappearing them both in her signature purple smoke, leaving behind a disconcerted Snow White and a furious Robin Hood.
Reappearing in Regina's vault, Emma took a seat, giving one last hiccup. "Are you sure that won't hurt the baby?"
Regina placed her hand on the blonde's baby bump, using magic to check on the child. "She seems fine now. Care to explain what that was?"
"I think someone wanted attention." I wasn't a lie per se. Their daughter did want someone's attention. It was clear to Emma that the baby wanted her mothers together and was determined to make them so.
Emma could not say that, though. Regina was happy with her pixie dust chosen soul mate. The blonde's family had stolen love once from the former Queen; Emma would not stand in the way this time, even if the guy was a smuck. If he was Regina's happy ending, then that was what she would get.
The next time Emma had the unfortunate chance to run into the happy couple, the baby had again made her presence known, giving her first kicks, thus distracting Regina from Robin entirely.
A third occurrence was the final straw for the former thief. Once more at Granny's, Emma had tried to ignore the persistence of her unborn child, going as far as to give her bump a gentle flick and telling the little girl within to leave her other mother alone. It hadn't worked. Of course not; this child was Regina's and had inherited her stubbornness.
Emma had felt the magic build, then suddenly nothing but pain. A blinding pain in her abdomen had her gasping for breath. A second soon after made her cry out. Regina leapt from the booth, putting her arm around the blonde and grabbing the hand that wasn't clutching the counter. "It hurts," whimpered the blonde.
"I'm taking you to the hospital." Regina raised her hand to magic them away, but Emma pulled it down.
"No. Just walk me to the car." The baby was just having a tantrum. She knew the pain would stop when they were away from Robin.
"You can't be serious, Miss Swan?"
"She just wants attention. I'll be fine once I'm outside." That's what the Sheriff hoped anyway.
Regina wasn't sure Emma knew what she was doing but helped her into her car anyway. "Now go back and enjoy your lunch. I'll call you later, I promise." With that, the Sheriff drove off.
The pain had been worse the first few hundred yards, but by the time Emma reached the Sheriff's station, the pains had died down. Emma took this opportunity to have a little chat with her unborn daughter about who was in charge.
Lifting her shirt and lovingly stroking the growing swell, the expectant woman spoke. "I'm sorry, baby girl. I know you want to be close to Mommy, but you must understand that Mommy is in love with that ignorant man who smells like a forest. Mama can't be the one to get in the way of that, ok; Mommy has to figure it out on her own. Both Mommy and I love you, and we will always be here for you, Sweetheart. So please just give Mama a break, huh?" Emma hoped the double kick to her palm was a sign that the baby had listened and agreed.
Later that day, Emma was taking a shortcut down an alley heading to the grocery store. Her sudden craving for double-stuffed Oreos and spicy nacho Doritos was too strong to be ignored. She didn't hear the person come up behind her. There was no warning as they grabbed her, forcing her against the brick wall. Emma put out her hands, trying to cushion the blow and protect her belly as best she could, not caring about the rest of her body. "Stay away from Regina!" The person shouted. It was Robin Hood.
He turned her around, slamming her back into the wall. Emma's head made contact with the brick hard enough to see stars and split the skin. His grip on her arms was like a vice leaving his finger marks bruised into them.
"She's mine!" he shouted, shoving Emma against the wall again. "Hasn't your family hurt her enough? Your mother got her first love killed. You stole the love of her son, and now you want to steal her happiness as well? I thought the Saviour was meant to bring back happy endings, not take them away?"
Robin jammed Emma's shoulders into the bricks a fourth time. "She told me this child is not hers, just another piece of the Evil Queen's past coming back to ruin her life. She doesn't want you or your mistake!" Robin spat the final word. His left hand was around the Sheriff's neck now. His right was open-palmed over her belly button, pushing in harder as he spoke. "I'm her soul mate, her happy ending. Do us all a favour, take your abomination and leave." The man gave a last violent thrust that forced the air from the blonde's lungs and left her weak at the knees.
Emma was no longer able to stand. She slumped to the ground. Robin had left as quickly as he came. Her head was spinning, and her back stung from being scratched against the wall. However, the painfully tight feeling in her abdomen alarmed the blonde most of all. Emma hadn't felt the baby move since the attack started. Her panic began to rise then everything went black.
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Chapter 8
Emma awoke in the hospital. She could hear the steady thrum of the baby's heart on one monitor and the beeping of her own on another. She had no idea how she had gotten there but was eternally grateful to whoever had done it.
The rushed clicking of heels preceded a muffled argument then Regina burst through the door. "Em-ma!" She exclaimed, relief flooding her voice.
Regina's left hand cupped Emma's cheek, her right hand sliding down to assess the baby. The blonde winced slightly at the touch. The brunette instinctively let her magic flow healing the bruise beneath.
"Regina, you shouldn't be here. You need to go back to Robin. He's your soul mate, your true love." Emma struggled to get the other woman off. "Don't throw your happy ending away because of some mistake you didn't even make."
It was a cheap shot, and she knew it, but Emma couldn't hang on anymore; the tears were beginning to show. Her heart was breaking. It wasn't just the baby that wanted them together anymore. Emma wanted it too.
Regina ignored the harsh words, pulling the mother of her children into a tight embrace. Emma will swear to her dying day that she heard the term "idiot" mumbled somewhere in there.
The magnetic pull of Emma's expanded midsection drew the other woman's hands to it again, pleased to feel the baby wriggle beneath.
Looking deep into green eyes, Regina spoke her truth. "My happy ending isn't a man." She moved her hand up to caress the blonde's face. "This child, Henry, and you are my family. That's my true love. I don't need a happy ending. I've got a happy beginning right here."
Emma had waited for the Mayor to finish her little speech before lunging forward, crashing their lips together. It took a bit to get over the shock, but soon the brunette deepened the kiss.
Regina waited till Emma was asleep to phone David. "Deputy Nolan."
"Regina?" David asked, wondering why she was calling him, not Henry or Snow.
"Mom," Henry's voice sounded so much younger then in his panic
"Emma and the baby?" Snow interrupted from the background.
"They're fine. She's sleeping at the moment. This is not a personal call Deputy. I need you to arrest Robin Hood. I'm sure any consequences will be overlooked, should you feel he is resisting."
"Wait, are you?"
"Yes, Charming, I'm giving you permission. Now, go and avenge our Sheriff." Regina snapped, hanging up the phone.
Re-entering the room, the Mayor turned off her phone, removed her heels and climbed into the bed, wrapping herself tightly around the sleeping woman.
Nuzzling her head into the blonde's neck had caused the sleeping woman to stir. "Shh, I'm here. You're safe." Regina whispered comfortingly.
"Mmm, love you, R’gina," Emma mumbled.
"I love you too, dear." Regina snuggled in closer, joining their hands on Emma's belly. She was surprised to hear it and was sure the blonde woman would remember nothing of it in the morning, but it felt so right to say it back at the moment.
When the Sheriff awoke, she was astonished to find that not only had Robin Hood been arrested, but charged, found guilty and banished for his crimes. It was amazing how fast the town's legal system had worked to condemn their beloved Saviour's attacker.
Unbeknownst at the time, Captain Hook had stolen a bean from his younger counterpart in the past. He had been preparing to set sail since his break-up with Emma. Two barrels of top-shelf rum and a sizeable bag of diamonds from the Dwarf's mine secured passage for Robin Hood, his son and the Merry Men aboard the Jolly Roger. They were gone at the Deputy's insistence before the Sheriff had left the hospital.
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Chapter 9
Emma did remember telling Regina she loved her. What she didn't know was what effects that declaration would have on her already accelerated pregnancy.
It took just six weeks to reach full term, six hectic, panic-filled weeks. That not only saw the Saviour move in with the Queen and their son, but the nursery completed, no magic needed. A baby shower thrown, with promised cradle and blanket both exceeding expectations. It had been such an enjoyable rollercoaster that the little family wouldn't change for the world.
Now the big day was here.
"Sixteen hours. Ooh, you are your mother's daughter," Emma grumbled, pacing the delivery room with her hands on her lower back, trying to ease the pain.
"What pigheaded and has to do it her way?" Regina smiled, coming up behind to help soothe the blonde's discomfort.
"You got the pigheaded part right." Another contraction cut the blonde off and had her taking a death grip on the older woman's offered hand.
A strangled groan, low and loud, parted the pained women's lips, and then a splashing sound had both women looking down at the now wet floor and Regina's ruined heels. "Finally," Emma said when the contraction ended. Her waters had broken, but it would still be another hour before the baby arrived.
An exhausted but enraptured Emma lay in the hospital bed, her newborn daughter bundled in her arms.
The replica baby blanket still needed the name added, both women keeping it a secret till the birth. The Mayor would take great pride in embroidering her daughter’s name when the family was safely home.
Regina sat on the bed beside them, looking down at the sleeping child, who was very much her double. The little girl's eyes were baby blue, but her brunette mother hoped they would turn emerald green like Emma's.
Henry was not game to climb into the bed as Emma had offered. As much as he wanted to be close to his adorable little sister, fear of jostling her awake stopped him. Cute as she was, he didn't want to hear her scream.
"Reina Swan-Mills," Snow said, tasting the name on her tongue.
"It's Spanish for Queen. Cool huh? I helped pick it out." Henry smiled proudly at his Grandmother, who gave a small gasp.
"So she always knows where she came from," Regina smiled, gently stroking the baby's cheek, not even looking up.
"Her middle name is Ruth," Emma shared a loving look with her mother.
"Your father will love that," said Snow White as she closed the door.
And that's all there is. There isn't any more.
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