Hello all, and welcome to the first day of Swan Queen week. For those of you who are unfamiliar with the concept, Swan Queen week happens twice a year and is a time where the fandom comes together to make contributions. These contributions are in the forms of fanfiction, artwork, gifsets, fanvids, etc. This installment, for 2017, is July 9-15.

Be sure to follow this story for updates, as each day I will be posting the story that coincides with the theme for that day.

Each chapter is an individual oneshot. These stories of mine do not coincide with each other and are not continuations of the previous chapter. They are individual oneshots, but still feel free to leave reviews! They are always appreciated.

Happy reading!

Swan Queen Week Day 1: Sharing Another Child

The Other Mother

Emma sat outside the hospital room. A cup of coffee, its grey steam floating upward, rested in her hands. She stared down at the brown liquid, patiently waiting to hear any news. It had been a few hours since she was kicked out of the room when the doctors decided that they needed to take drastic measures.

She was trying to stay calm and not panic. She had given up pacing an hour ago. She glanced up and down the hall—eyes attempting to burn through the door and see on the other side.

She couldn't believe this is where she ended up. Months ago she would have never even considered this all being a possibility. But, as luck would have it, everything changed in her life.

Emma sighed to herself and leaned back in the chair and sat the coffee on the table next to the seat. She stretched—her white tank top riding up and exposing creamy skin as she reached to the ceiling. She rested her hands behind her head as the memory from a few months back swam to the forefront of her mind.

8 months ago…

"Hey Regina, you here to get Henry?" Emma asked, confusion evident in her voice when she saw the Mayor standing in her doorway.

They had forgone a specific schedule and began letting Henry decide how he wanted to spend his time, unless they had something come up and needed to switch days. It wasn't unusual for them to stop over at each other's places and pick up the kid or inform each other that they needed to switch days.

"Actually, I need to speak with him…and you, Emma," Regina said with a soft smile.

Emma's eyebrows rose. "Okay, come on in." She stepped back, allowing the brunette to enter the room. "Henry, come down here!" she called from her spot in the doorway. She knew the kid would hear her in his room.

Regina moved toward the living room and took a seat on the loveseat, hands resting in her lap.

"Did something happen?" Emma asked, worry coating her voice.

Regina looked up and offered a bright smile, startling Emma. "Yes."

"O-okay. Not that I'm not happy to see you happy or anything but is everything okay?" Emma asked suspiciously as she took a seat across from the brunette. She gave her a once over, her eyes trailing across the brunette's features.

Her skin seemed to almost glow in the soft light of the room. Her chocolate eyes were sparkling in a way that made her stomach do flips, and she swallowed thickly in an attempt to push her sudden nervousness down.

She had started to acknowledge how she felt whenever Regina was around. They had gotten closer than before and she knew that she was falling for the brunette—an unrequited love.

Henry came down the stairs then. His eyes brightened when he saw his other mother and rounded the couch before sitting next to Emma.

"Hey, mom."

"Henry," Regina said with a bright smile that reached her eyes. "There is something very important that I need to tell you," she said before looking to Emma, "and you, dear."

Henry looked to his blonde mother, one eyebrow cocked in a gesture that was purely Regina.

"So, what is it? You're making me nervous," Emma said with a nervous chuckle.

"For the past few months I have been seeing a doctor—"

"Are you alright!?" Emma yelped, eyes wide.

Regina merely rolled her eyes. "Yes, dear. As I said, everything was fine." She shook her head. "As I was saying, I have been seeing a doctor for fertility treatments because I wanted to have a baby. Actually have that experience of being pregnant. I managed to reverse the curse on myself and began treatment but I didn't want to say anything until I was certain…" she trailed off.

Emma's eyes were wide. "Regina…are you pregnant?"

Regina simply nodded as a few happy tears leaked from her eyes.

"I'm going to be a big brother?" Henry asked in awe.

She nodded again.

Henry leapt from his seat and rushed to Regina's side, engulfing her in a tight hug. "This is awesome!" he exclaimed as he pulled back. "When did you find out?"

"Last month," Regina said with a laugh.

"And you just told us now?" Henry demanded.

"I wanted to wait and be sure that everything took and was okay with the baby. I just came from my check up, and so far everything looks good. So, you're going to be a big brother, Henry."

Henry couldn't stop smiling as he looked from his brunette mother to his other mother. "Ma, isn't this great!"

Emma seemed dumbfounded and remained silent.

Henry laughed before hugging Regina once more. "I'm going to start looking at baby names!" he said before dashing off upstairs to his computer.

"Are you alright, dear? You look as if I just told you the baby is yours."

"I…I don't know what to say, Regina." Emma smiled then. "I'm just…I'm really happy for you, you know?"

"Then why do you not seem to be?" Regina asked. Her voice was soft and Emma was aware of the sudden vulnerability the brunette was displaying to her.

"Regina, you can't go through this by yourself," Emma said seriously. "No one should have to. I'm excited and happy for you but I'm going to have to insist that I help out during the pregnancy, and after if you want."

"You want to co-parent this child with me?" Regina asked. Her eyes were wide with shock.

Emma rubbed the back of her neck nervously. "Yeah I mean…we have Henry. He already floats between us and I'm not saying this baby is going to because it is 100% yours I just…I want to be there for you and help you. Like, whenever you get a bad craving for ice cream or some weird food, I want you to be able to call me and say so. I'll go out and get it for you…and if you want to go to mommy birthing classes I can go with you. I just…I just don't want you to be alone through it like I was."

Regina was speechless when Emma finished her monologue. She sat like stone in her seat, unable to even form a sentence.

"If you don't want me to at all—"

Emma was cut off by a body mass softly slamming into her. She let out an 'oomph' as Regina's body made contact with her own. Toned arms wrapped around her torso and held on in a tight embrace.

Emma snapped out of her brief stupor and returned the hug, holding tight to Regina as well.

"To be perfectly honest, I was terrified about doing this by myself," Regina said softly next to Emma's ear.

The blonde resisted the urge to moan and simply nodded.

"Thank you, Emma," Regina said sincerely as she pulled back and looked into green orbs.

"What are best friends for."

Present…

Emma had been there through every painful pregnant moment. She went to all the doctor's appointments, birthing classes, and even read the books with Regina. She had gone shopping for baby clothes once they found out it was a little girl, painted the nursery in Regina's mansion, and bought all the necessities. She had gone out on many midnight runs for ice cream for Regina's cravings. She endured Regina's mood swings like a professional. She had been there through all the morning sickness spells, and toward the end of the pregnancy…she had temporarily moved into the mansion.

She figured she would still be living in the mansion for the first few months until Regina seemed okay to be on her own for the feedings, changings, etc.

The thought made her sad. She hadn't even met Regina's daughter yet…but it felt like it was her daughter to.

She rubbed her face in irritation—frustrated with herself that she had such intense feelings for the brunette.

Sure, she had always felt lust for Regina…but once they started to become something resembling friends—she fell hard. She had fallen for her long ago, but it still felt like she was falling more every day.

She looked down the hallway once more—worry ate at her stomach. No one had come through the doors yet.

Then they opened.

Emma was up in a second and rushed to Dr. Whale.

He put his hands up to stop the barrage of questions before they began. "She is fine, as is the baby." He smiled at the obvious relief on the Sheriff's face. "Regina and the baby are both recovering at the moment, but we are going to be moving Regina back to her original room. You can see her and the baby shortly."

"Thanks, Doc." Emma ran a hand through her hair.

"Ma! Is mom okay?" Henry asked, his voice panicked as he rushed up to the two adults.

Emma smiled. "She and your baby sister are fine, kid."

"I'll go fetch Regina," Dr. Whale said before departing.

"You scared me, Ma," Henry breathed out as they moved back down the hallway toward Regina's room.

"Why did I scare you?" Emma asked, not looking at her son. Instead, her eyes were focused on the double doors, waiting for Regina to emerge.

Henry smirked. He was aware that Emma was in love with Regina. After all, he was sixteen and had eyes. "You were crying while talking to Whale."

Emma's head whipped to look at him. "What?" She reached up and wiped her cheek, finding it slightly damp. Huh.

The double doors opened and Dr. Whale and a few nurses pushed Regina's bed down the hallway. Emma smiled when she saw Regina's sleeping form and looked to Whale, silently asking permission if they could follow them in. When he nodded, she and Henry headed inside.

When the nurses left, Emma went to Dr. Whale, who was double checking Regina's vitals.

"So, what ended up needing done?" Emma asked quietly.

"We needed to give her a C-section. The baby wasn't positioned correctly and it was causing too much strain on both of them. They did good though. Regina should be waking soon from the sedative. Once she wakes up I can bring the little one in for you all to meet."

"Thanks," Emma said sincerely, her eyes looking to Regina when she heard the brunette groan.

"I'm going to take my leave. I don't want to get yelled at for knocking her out," Dr. Whale said with a wink and a chuckle.

Emma grinned before turning to look at the slowly awakening brunette.

"Hey, sleeping beauty," Emma said softly as she pulled up a chair next to Regina's bed. Henry made his way over but stayed back, wanting to give his mom's a moment. He smirked before deciding to leave and get a candy bar.

"Ugh. Don't call me that," Regina groaned as her eyes fully opened, drawing a laugh from Emma.

"How are you feeling?"

"Sore," Regina replied immediately. Her eyes suddenly widened as she realized where she was. "Where is she, Emma?"

Emma smiled softly. "She's fine. Dr. Whale did the C-section and everything is fine. They're going to bring her in after you wake up more."

Regina visibly relaxed. "You haven't seen her yet?"

Emma shook her head before reaching out and taking Regina's hand. "Not yet."

Regina glanced down at their hands and she felt that familiar fluttering in her stomach. She looked up at Emma and smiled softly. "Thank you for being here."

"Anytime."

"Where's Henry?" Regina asked as she glanced around the room.

"I think he went to get food," Emma said with a chuckle.

A knock sounded from the door, drawing both women's eyes.

"Are you ready to meet your daughter, Regina?" Dr. Whale asked.

Regina carefully sat up in her bed with wide eyes. "Bring her to me."

Dr. Whale entered the room with a little bundle wrapped in a pink blanket. He walked over to the two women and gently placed the baby in Regina's arms. His eyes flickered to Emma, watching as her eyes were equally filled with wonder.

"I'll allow you three to get acquainted." With that, he left the room.

"Hi," Regina whispered. She took in her baby's soft features. The little tuffs of brown hair on her head and her tiny nose.

"She looks like a mini you," Emma said softly as she offered Regina a smile.

"She does," Regina replied, her voice catching in her throat.

"What're you going to name her?" Emma asked.

Regina looked to Emma and offered a shy smile. "Victoria."

Emma's eyes widened. "That…that was my suggestion. You mean you're choosing that name?"

Regina looked back at her baby. "You've been with me through this whole thing, Emma. I wanted her to have something from you…and where I come from…names are important." She didn't bother to look up, never seeing the look of love being directed her way.

"They brought her?" Henry asked as he re-entered the room. He came over to the bed, standing next to his blonde mother and looking down at his new baby sister. "She's so small."

Regina and Emma chuckled before Regina spoke, "did you want to hold her, Henry?" Henry nodded vigorously as Regina carefully placed the baby in his arms, "watch her head."

"Hey, sis," Henry whispered.

Emma smiled and looked over at Regina who was watching the interaction with tears in her eyes. She gave the brunette's hand a squeeze.

"Have you held her yet?" Henry asked Emma, not looking up from his sister.

"I have not," Emma chuckled.

Henry passed the baby to Emma and she carefully took her in her arms.

"Hey there," Emma whispered. She glanced up at Regina and felt her heart catch in her throat at the warmth radiating from the brunette. "This is your family."

2 months later…

"She is finally asleep," Emma said with an exhausted sigh. She walked over to the couch where Regina resided and sat down. "I don't know why she can't just go down without a fight."

"She's a baby, Emma," Regina said with a chuckle.

"She's adorable but sometimes she acts like a demon spawn."

"Are you calling me the devil, dear?" Regina asked with amusement.

"Absolutely, Your Majesty."

Regina scoffed but smirked a moment later. Her features suddenly turned serious as she looked to Emma. She could feel her heart racing in her chest, and her palms suddenly felt sweaty…

"Emma, can we talk?" Regina asked nervously.

Emma looked to her with concern. "You know I was just joking about the demon comment, right?"

"Yes, dear," Regina said with a laugh. "I mean…we need to talk about something...about us."

"O-okay," Emma replied as she sat up and faced Regina. "Is everything okay? Do you want me to move back to my house? I totally can, I didn't mean to overstay my welcome or anything I just wanted to help you with Victoria and I—" she was unable to finish her sentence as a pair of lips stopped her.

Emma closed her eyes, immediately overcoming the shock of the moment and giving in to Regina's soft lips. They kissed slowly, enjoying the feeling of each other and in no hurry to rush anything.

Regina was the first to pull back. She noticed Emma's eyes were a darker shade of green now, and that her breathing was slightly uneven. "I've been wanting to do that for years."

"Why hadn't you?" Emma asked breathlessly. She glanced at the nearly nonexistent space between them. They were still so close.

"I was afraid you didn't feel the same."

"Regina," Emma said with a laugh. "I offered to raise a baby with you."

Regina blushed. "Yes but I thought you were just being nice."

Emma smiled as she reached up and tucked a strand of hair behind Regina's ear. "Regina…I love you. I have for a long time, and I would have never offered to be this involved in your and Victoria's lives if I wasn't one hundred percent sure that I wanted to be here forever."

Regina felt like the wind was knocked from her in that moment. Her breath returned a second later and she smiled brightly before closing the distance once more and capturing Emma's lips in a searing kiss.

"I love you too," she whispered breathlessly against Emma's mouth, before resuming the kiss.

A sudden cry from the baby monitor broke both women apart.

"Do you want me?" Emma asked.

"Yes," Regina replied immediately.

Emma laughed. "I meant, do you want me to check on her?"

"That's what I said."

"Oh, okay miss smart ass," Emma teased as she stood and began to exit the living room. "Don't act like you don't want this!" she called as she headed up the stairs to Victoria's room.

Regina chuckled as she watched her go. She tilted her head back and sighed, a soft smile playing on her lips.

"Ah, Regina. You might want to come up here," Emma's voice said over the monitor.

Regina immediately panicked and magicked herself into Victoria's room. She gasped when she saw her baby's toys floating in the air.

Victoria was gurgling as she made her toys fly around the room and her two mother's heads.

"Oh, dear," Regina muttered.

"Why does she have magic this early?" Emma asked seriously.

"I have absolutely no idea. She isn't a product of True Love…" Regina trailed off.

"Maybe it's because her mom is a powerful witch."

"That could be it," Regina muttered, watching as Victoria began to float as well.

"Okay, that's enough little lady. Floating your toys is one thing," Emma chided.

Suddenly, a stuffed unicorn hit her in the head and a loud laugh resounded from Regina. "I don't believe she likes being told what to do—something she must have picked up on already from her other mother."

Emma picked up the unicorn and looked at Regina lovingly. "Other mother?" she asked softly.

Regina simply nodded before stepping close to Emma and kissing her softly. "Absolutely." She was about to kiss her again when another stuffed animal hit them in the heads.

This time it was a monkey.

"Okay, squirt," Emma said seriously as she walked over to Victoria. She carefully pulled the baby, from her floating position, into her arms. "You also need to stop throwing things. It isn't nice."

Another stuffed animal smacked into the back of Emma's head.

"Hey cut it out!"

Another toy.

"Why do you have so many toys?!"

Another.

"Okay seriously!"

Regina let out a loud laugh before walking over to the pair. "My precious girls." She leaned down and kissed Victoria on the forehead and then kissed Emma's cheek.

Another animal smacked the back of Emma's head.

"Why is it just me?!"