I don't own Once upon a Time or any of it's characters… yet. jk... sort of.

1.

It was nearing midnight and the young queen was sitting alone in her bedroom peering into the large mirror on her white marble vanity. She was looking over her features, taking note of the harsh marks and bruises left by the King earlier that night. The Queen was relieved Leopold left after he was finished with her, most nights Regina wasn't so lucky and had to lay beside or partly under the drunk man. Regina never slept on those nights. He snored and she didn't like him in her bed.

Regina quickly stood and walked over to her desk and pulled out one of the many spell books her secret mentor, Rumpelstiltskin, had given her to study. The nineteen year old queen sat on the chaise lounge in her room and went to reading. She hoped that a distraction would eventually fill her mind with something other than the images of the king on top of her, and allow for some sleep.

Regina had been married to the king for about a year now, and honestly didn't know if she could handle much more of this. Her life had turned into this never ending day which always consisted of the same event's, slightly altered, but always reflections of the same dull and annoying situations.

Regina hated it. She wanted freedom and a love that was stolen from her, but this was not going to happen. Her love was dead.

Her freedom, although not as lifeless as her lover, seemed just as beyond her grasp. She needed to grow stronger. She needed to channel her frustration into her magic, then she could have her life. Only then could Regina be in charge of her happiness and future, or so says her giddy little mentor.

As Regina thought of her less than ideal situation she read a spell that was slipping through her brain without leaving the slightest trace of meaning behind, until she heard a pop. It was a familiar sound and even though she wasn't expecting it, she couldn't say she was surprised. Rumple always knew when the perfect moment to piss Regina off presents itself, and he pounces at the chance each time.

"Ah, your Majesty" He giggled and stepped into her line of vision. "Hard at work with your studies i see"

Regina just closed the book and gave her mentor a look that let him know she was not impressed, nor was she going to carry on with him tonight

He smiled then continued. "It's late i know, but i have a gift for you and i couldn't wait another moment to give it to you." He paraded over to her vanity and messed with the various bottles and jewels making them clink against the surface.

Regina just sighed. Any "gift" from this little imp wasn't usually good news. "What do you have for me?" her voice was absent any interest whatsoever.

"Calm down your majesty i wouldn't want you to wake the palace with your excitement."

"All my "excitement" was spent on the King not an hour ago." Regina stood and returned the book to it's rightful hiding place.

"Oh that explains your glowing demeanor" the imp quipped.

He knew how much Regina hated spending time with the king. He also knew that good old Leo had been trying to place a son in Regina's belly for some time now. Unfortunately, the King could try and try and try, God knows he will, but he will not succeed. Rumple has helped Regina keep the royal seed from catching via a potion he has concocted.

"What i have for you, dearie, may provide a much needed distraction for you. If you chose to accept my gift, that is."

He was starting to earn Regina's attention. The young queen pushed her long curled ponytail off her shoulder so it flopped against her back. "What is it?"

"More like who is it"

"Who?"

"The fates"

"Fates?"

Rumple jumped in a little jig as he chanted. "The Fates. The Fates. Only the Fate's can tell the past, the present, and the future as well"

Regina rolled her eyes at his theatricality "What are you singing about?"

"I have acquired the Fates and i'm willing to share them with you."

"Share? You?" Regina laughed. She really didn't know what he was talking about.

"I will share the Fate's with you, but you will have to see to them."

"You're going to have to be more specific"

"How about i introduce you to the Fates, then it will become clear."

With a wave of his arm there was a swoosh of smoke and what appeared... Regina was not expecting in the slightest.

It was a crib. A wooden crib with gold trim.

As soon as Regina gained her bearings, she walked closer and peered into the foreign piece of furniture.

Regina's pulse quickened at the sight of not one, not two, but three infants fast asleep within their comfy looking bed. Regina's eyes widened and a smile flashed across her face before she quickly gained control of her facial muscles and furrowed her brows. The first thing that Regina thought upon seeing the three babies was how cute they were. They were all cuddling each other adorably and each had thick wisps of golden blonde hair on the tops of their heads that was beginning to curl. They were chubby and had milky skin that seemed as soft as clouds. The young girl that still lived deep within Regina wanted to hold and fuss over the babies. Kiss their little cheeks and toes.

It was humorous because once Regina was able to push that girl back into her place, the darker young queen still wanted to tell Rumple to fuck off so she could be alone with the babies, and hold and fuss over them. It was odd.

Once Regina was able to think clearly she realized that Rumple was essentially offering her these babies, or at least that's what she was gathering from his little flamboyant song and dance earlier.

"You want me to take these infants?" She asked in a cool tone she was proud of.

"Yes. Take them. They will be yours, and i will use them every now and then, and you will do the same."

Regina was so happy she could burst but she kept her cool.

"I'm sure the king will love this" Regina walked away from the crib and sat on the lounge."There's no way"

"Your clever, dearie. I'm sure if you can keep hidden the fact that you will not be having the King's children, you can keep your children from the King."

My children.

The phrase shook Regina's heart awake from the hibernation she had forced long ago.

"Come on Dearie, You know the spells. You have the magic."

"Why don't you keep them?" Regina mused.

"I lack the mother's touch" He said tilting his head as if remembering something.

Regina sat in quiet thought.

This was the change she had been praying for. The event that would push her off this endless spinning wheel she was living on. Regina would be a mother. A mother of her own children. Her's. Not the king's perpetually annoying daughter, or his forced inside her son's. These children would be her's alone to love, and to love her. She would have a family of her own choosing.

It would be hazardous and stressful trying to keep the babies a secret and if caught, claiming these children could end up getting the teenage queen killed. Still, Regina would rather die having known the love of her own children than live forever in this artificial household that was trying it's best to use her up.

Regina spoke with the strong tone that reflected the power she would need to succeed in this absurd but miraculous shot at a life she could be proud of.

"Fuck it, I'll take them"