This was submitted to me by littlereddove from a drabble post I reblogged: "Why did I marry you?"
Emma's second pregnancy had been as unplanned as her first. However, it was also different. This time around, she knew she would be raising the baby. She also knew, she wasn't alone. Not only did she have her parents and Henry by her side, she also had her husband and wife.
For Neal, the pregnancy was a roller coaster of emotions. He hadn't gotten to raise Henry until he was 11 years old. They had made up for what they could, but nothing could give him back those years. This baby was not a replacement, merely a chance to get all those little moments.
As for Regina, she was just excited to be a mother again. She was cautious with the emotions that she knew Emma and Neal would feel surrounding the birth of their second child. She had been able to take care of Henry since infancy. However, for her, it was going to be all new. Parenting a baby together was going to be far different than doing the same with a teenager.
When Emma was in prison, the months went by so slowly. Being a busy mother, wife and sheriff, her second pregnancy seemed to fly by. Before she knew it, they had set up a nursery (decorated in black and white, since they didn't know the sex of the baby) and car seats had been installed into each of their vehicles. Emma had declined a baby shower, but Snow and Belle seemed to be stopping by every day with a new outfit or toy. Henry had built a library for the little one, overflowing three bookshelves.
Emma's due date came and passed. Exactly one week after it, she finally began to feel the telltale contractions. Regina sat with her in the back as Neal zoomed to the hospital. By the time she was admitted, she was finding it hard to ignore the pain.
"You know, we still haven't picked a name," Regina said, trying to distract her.
Neal nodded. They had tossed some around and of course, their entire family had given their two cents, but they had nothing. "That's right."
"I can't even think of anything right now," Emma grunted. "One of you pick."
"Hmmm…how about Yaz?" Neal playfully suggested, wanting to lighten the mood.
Emma gave him a glare so hard, he was surprised to still be alive. "Why did I marry you?"
"Because you love me," he gave her his cunning smile.
"In all seriousness," Regina interrupted with a smirk. "How about Baelfire?"
"Um, no, we are not naming the baby after me."
"Why? You don't even go by that."
"He'll get made fun of. Plus, it could be a girl."
"I've just had this feeling that it's going to be a boy."
Emma rubbed her swollen stomach. "I don't care if it's a boy or a girl, I just want him or her out of me."
The labor seemed to last as long as the pregnancy did. Emma's dilation started to become so slow, that the doctor talked about sending her home. Just as they were ready to head back, Emma's water broke and things started going very fast. Neal and Regina were on either side, holding tightly to her hands. Both were silent, knowing she wasn't one for words of encouragement. Finally, the cries of their newborn baby could be heard.
"It's a girl," the doctor called out.
For once, there was something that even Regina was wrong about. Neal would vow to never let her live it down, but he was too much in awe of his daughter. After cutting the cord, he and Regina helped swaddle her in the blanket that Granny had knitted, handing her to Emma. She felt the tears gather in her eyes as she stared down at her daughter. She never got to hold Henry, she hadn't allowed herself. Her heart swelled with emotions as she stroked her cheek. There were no words she could say, she just adjusted the baby and smiled down at her with tears falling down her cheeks.
Neal held her as she delivered the afterbirth, falling in love with her just as he had Henry the first time he saw him. That was when he knew, it didn't matter, whether getting to meet them when they were minutes old or 11, he would always love them just the same. He passed her to Regina next and he can see her crying for the first time since Neverland. The baby has wormed her way into her heart. She's her daughter, no matter who's blood runs through her veins.
They knew people would want to come and visit as soon as they found out. They wanted Henry to meet his sister, for their parents to meet their newest grandchild. At the same time, they wanted to cherish their daughter before anyone else got to lay eyes on her.
"She looks just like Henry did," Regina whispered. "Except, he already had dark hair. She has blonde."
"Many babies are born with blonde hair," Emma tried to dismiss. "We don't know that hers will stick."
"I don't know," Neal murmured. "I think it might."
"I guess only time will tell." And hit her, she'd actually be around to see it.
"I…I think I have a name, if you two want to hear it," Regina said.
"Go for it."
"Sofia."
Emma grinned. "I love it."
Neal nodded. "It's sweet."
"Sofia Cassidy Swan-Mills," Emma whispered.
It was a name that meant wisdom, but it was also a name that represented them all.
Sofia had been born into a crazy family tree, that much was certain. She was also guaranteed to never lack for love.
As always, I do accept prompts! Whether it be on here or my Tumblrs: just-an-outlaw and justanoutlawfanfiction.
