This started out as a one-shot, but I kind of like the idea of continuing it. We will see.
Disclaimer: I don't own OUAT or it's characters. Sadly.
Regina caught a flash of red and yellow out of the corner of her eye before she was jostled and a loud groan sounded on the couch next to her. Why had she thought giving Emma Swan a key to her house was a good idea? Since then, almost a month ago, she had gotten used to the frequent invasions. It was always the same. Emma came in, found her, and flopped down on the nearest surface available. This time though, the younger woman was quiet. Usually, Regina fought the urge to cast a silencing spell on the talkative blonde. So she waited, and continued to read her book.
"I'm pregnant."
The book fell to her lap. She was fairly certain she was gaping at the slumped over form next to her, but she couldn't seem to force her jaw to work.
"I beg your pardon?"
Emma looked over at her, her eyes red rimmed and glassy. She'd obviously been crying.
"I'm pregnant." Her voice cracked, and then she was sobbing uncontrollably. Regina sat dumbstruck. She knew how to comfort a child, not a grown woman. She inched closer, and tentatively pulled the shaking woman close to her, until Emma's head rested on her shoulder. She held on and waited quietly, until all that could be heard was soft sniffling.
Emma pulled back, wiping her nose on her sleeve. Regina grimaced and conjured a box of tissues, handing them over with a pointed look. Emma sheepishly accepted, offering a small smile. She still waited, knowing Emma needed time. She would talk when she was ready.
Emma sucked in a big breath, letting it out slowly. She turned so that she was facing Regina, one leg pulled under her, her back against the armrest.
"I'm sorry."
Regina scrunched her brow in confusion. "For what, dear?"
"For barging in on you with my problems, for crying all over you, for being totally irresponsible."
Regina thought her words over carefully, knowing Emma was in a fragile state at the moment.
"I must say that I am a bit surprised. Every time I mention the pirate, you seem to deny reciprocating his feelings. As for coming to me with this and the crying, we're...friends, correct? Aren't you supposed to be able to do those things with friends?
That earned her a genuine smile. "Yes, we're friends."
Regina returned the smile, then placed her book on the coffee table so she could reposition herself. She scooted back, mirroring Emma's position on the opposite side of the sofa.
"Does he know?"
Emma looked down, her hair falling into her face. "Yeah." She murmured quietly.
"How did he take it?"
Emma groaned again and held her head in her hands. "He was so excited, Regina. He started talking about names, and getting married, and buying a house, and buying baby things. And I started to panic, and I ran. Like I always do."
Regina still didn't understand. "Do you not want those things?"
Emma finally looked up, then gave a frustrated sigh. "Yes...no. Not with him." There it was.
"So all those times you denied the yearning doe-eyes...you were being serious?"
"He loves me, he really does. And that's nice, and great and all, but Regina..." She trailed off and looked around. "I don't love him, not like that. I thought I could, you know? I tried, I really did."
Regina didn't think she had ever seen the blonde look so defeated. "What do you want to do?"
Emma tilted her head in question.
"Do you want to keep the child, or-"
"Yes." Emma cut her off. "Absolutely. Just not with Killian. I mean, I don't think he'd be a bad dad, but I would just suffocate, you know?"
The brunette hummed in acknowledgement. There was a lull in the conversation, both women thinking to themselves.
"I don't want to do it on my own though...not again." The words were barely audible. Regina felt an ache in her chest. The blonde had went through this alone with their son because of her. She was sitting on her couch looking so vulnerable and distraught because of her. She leaned forward, her hand briefly touching Emma's knee.
"Emma, I am so sorry. You shouldn't have had to do this by yourself with Henry. But this time, you won't have to. I promise you that. You have so many people to see you through this. Henry, me, the two idiots, the pirate. Hell, probably even the whole town. You're important to all of us."
Emma looked at Regina wide-eyed. "I'm important to you?"
Regina scoffed and rolled her eyes. "Honestly, that's all you got out of that?" Emma just grinned. "Yes Miss Swan, mother of my child, you are important to me. Don't tell anyone, or I will be forced to destroy you if it's the last thing I do."
Emma laughed, her eyes showing some light. "That threat would hold more weight if I knew you weren't such a big softie." She laughed even harder when Regina threw a pillow at her. "Hey, no abusing the pregnant lady!"
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Sometime later, Regina found herself in the kitchen stirring pasta, while the blonde chopped vegetables behind her. After the fourth mumbled "damn", she turned around, wielding her wooden spoon.
"What seems to be the problem, Miss Swan?"
"The carrots keep trying to escape!"
Sure enough, carrot pieces littered her island. "Can you please refrain from making a mess?" She raised an eyebrow, then turned back to the stove. She was startled when she felt Emma behind her, her head hovering over her shoulder. "Whatcha doing?"
"Stirring."
Emma pressed closer, her hand automatically going to Regina's hip. It was suddenly much too hot, sandwiched between the boiling water and Emma Swan. She pulled away slowly, making her way to the refrigerator. She pulled open the door, the cool air relief for her flushed cheeks.
"Will Henry think I'm trying to replace him?"
Regina turned abruptly. "What?"
Emma had made her way to a stool, where she was swiveling back and forth. "It's basically the same situation isn't it? Like with my parents and Neal? They didn't get to raise me. I didn't get to raise him, except I kind of did with the memories you gave us, but still." She stopped swiveling and started playing with a stray carrot piece.
"I don't think that Henry would think that. Maybe two years ago, but not now. He knows we both love him and that we're both here for him."
"Really?" Emma gave her that same adorable grin she had in the vault. No, Emma was not adorable. What was happening to her?
"Really."
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"Oh my god Regina, this is so good." She watched in morbid fascination as Emma shoveled food into her mouth, moaned, chewed, swallowed, and repeated the process.
"Should I leave you alone with it?" Emma choked, reaching for her water. Regina chuckled.
"Ha, very funny...thank you, by the way. For listening, and not judging, and for dinner and everything."
Regina smiled. There was another ache in her chest. This time it was a pleasant one. "Of course. What are friends for?"
Emma laughed. "You're taking this friends thing seriously. Which I'm glad about. This is nice, just being able to talk and stuff. I used to be able to do that with Mary-Margaret. But it's kind of weird now."
Regina suddenly froze. Emma looked at her worriedly. "What's wrong?"
"Your mother."
"What about her?"
Regina gave an exasperated huff. "You're going to have to tell Snow. Which you know will earn you a Hook-is-your-true-love speech about how you'll live happily ever after and all of that nonsense."
Emma thumped her head against the table. "Crap, you're right."
"A majority of the time, yes."
The blonde looked up and rolled her eyes. "Can't you put some kind of enchantment on me that'll hide the baby bump? That way I can just hide it until it's time to pop the kid out."
Regina snorted. "Do you also want me to magic away the morning sickness, hormones, swelling, strange cravings-"
"That'd be great, actually. I had indigestion really bad with Henry. Can you fix that too?"
"No."
"Darn...will you go with me?"
"Go with you to do what?"
"To tell my parents...and Henry."
Regina just stared. "Why would you want me to do that?"
"Because if Henry takes it badly, you'll be there for him. And if my parents take it badly, you can make your scary face at them. And because I want you to. But you don't have to if you don't want to."
The older brunette was silent for a long minute. "Very well."
Emma let out a sigh of relief. "Thank you."
Regina smiled softly. "You're welcome. Are you finished? I'll take your plate."
Emma jumped up, grabbing both plates before Regina could react. "You cooked, I'll clean."
"I'll wash, you dry." Regina got up and followed Emma who had already walked out.
They stood side by side in companionable silence, Regina washing, Emma rinsing and drying. They were both struck by how easy it was. Regina hummed softly under her breath. Emma smiled, then flicked some water up at her. Regina froze. Blazing chocolate eyes met mischievous emerald ones.
"EMMA SWAN!"
"There's that scary face." Emma bolted out the door, Regina hot on her heels.
She found her leaning against the front door, her jacket hanging from her hands. Regina stopped in front of her, her hands resting on her hips, eyebrow arched.
Emma grinned impishly. "Thanks again Regina. I had a nice time."
Huffing and losing her menacing posture, Regina grinned back. "I did as well."
"Will you come over tomorrow? Maybe have dinner with us?"
"You are testing this newfound friendship. Dinner with your un-charming parents is pushing it."
"Yeah, but it'll be entertaining. 7:00?" Emma opened the door and stepped halfway through, waiting on Regina's answer.
"I suppose that'll do. Goodnight Emma."
"Night Regina." The door closed.
