Here is the final story in the Forgive Me series! Hope you like the conclusion of this saga. Sorry it took so long but work has to take precedence over fandom. No trigger warnings to speak of but keeping an M rating for some action scenes.
Chapter 1: Competition
April 19th 2015
Regina handed the reins to her little Prince. "Henry, you're going to do great." She smiled at him and squeezed his leg in comfort. "You've been practicing hard and Sirocco here knows what to do." Regina caressed the mare's neck.
Henry nodded, barely able to breathe. His stomach was twisted into a knot and his legs felt like cotton. "Were you nervous at your first competition?" Henry asked in-between clenched teeth.
Regina managed a soft smile. "Yes, baby, I was." She looked toward Jacob announcing the next rider. Her mother had used the competition as an opportunity to put her daughter in the spotlight. She hadn't been allowed to fail. And the young girl had known the consequences of failing her mother. She hadn't received encouraging words from her mother then but Jacob and Daniel's faith in her - combined with Rocinante's skills - had helped her win her first competition. "But I trusted my horse and once I was out there. It was only us… I forgot about everyone and everything else. I just enjoyed the moment." Regina squeezed her son's leg one more time. "I'm so proud of you, Henry."
Henry smiled at his mother one last time before his name was being called to enter the exercise paddock. Regina stepped back as her little Prince directed Sirocco toward the training jump. They took the obstacle easily, Sirocco's coat shining in the sunshine. She waved at Henry before joining David, Emma, and Neal near the paddock where the main competition was taking place.
"How is he doing?" Emma asked as soon as Regina reached them.
"Nervous. But he'll do great."
David wrapped his arm around his wife's waist. "Of course, he'll do fine. He's had the best trainer." Regina sank into David's embrace. The Prince placed a soft kiss on her temple. Regina closed her eyes, wishing the wave of dizziness away. She hadn't noticed that David was almost carrying her. "Are you ok?" David asked in concern.
Regina opened her eyes, the motion sending another wave of nausea. "I'm ok. Just tired."
"Why don't you sit down?" Neal offered, pointing toward an unoccupied bench. Regina was pale and looked like she was about to faint.
"I'm fine." Regina dismissed her family's concerns. "I just spent most of the morning helping Henry get Sirocco ready. I just need some water."
"I'll get some." Emma offered. Without waiting for an answer from the stubborn mayor, she walked toward one of the coolers Jacob had set up earlier.
Without asking for permission this time, David guided Regina toward the bench motioning for Neal to stay behind to give them some privacy. Since the Prince felt all of Regina's emotions through their shared hearts, he had been aware of Regina's dizzy spells for the past two weeks but had decided to let Regina tell him on her own accord. Since she hadn't been more forthcoming, he would try to coerce the truth out of her but Regina would never talk to him with Neal or Emma hovering over her.
Too weak to protest further, Regina sat down and placed her head in-between her legs, the position helping relieve some of the nausea. "Regina, what's wrong?" David was sitting next to her, rubbing her back.
Regina swallowed hard before sitting up straight and looking David in the eyes. "I'm two weeks late." Her voice was shaking and David could feel the fear mixed with the excitement. They had been trying for eight months, ever since Jonas had told them that Regina should be able to conceive. However, the doctor had also impressed upon the couple that the pregnancy would be high-risk and Regina needed to see him early and regularly in the pregnancy.
David grunted. "Why didn't you tell me?"
Regina bit her lower lip. "I don't know. I thought that telling you would make it less real."
"We need to get you to the hospital to see Jonas."
Regina shook her head vehemently. "No. It's Henry's day. I don't want to ruin it for him."
David sighed. "You're not going to ruin his day, Regina. But we need to make sure you're ok."
"Please…" She pleaded. "Please let's wait until tomorrow." She wanted to buy herself one more day, one more day to dream about having a little Prince or Princess of her own. She wasn't ready to hear that there was a problem with the pregnancy.
David closed his eyes. "Are you in any pain?"
Regina shook her head. David searched her eyes for a long time to ensure she was telling him the truth. Satisfied, David took her hand and laced his fingers with hers. "Have you taken a home pregnancy test?" Another shake of her head. "Alright, after the competition, we'll get one from the pharmacy before heading to Granny's." They had planned a small party for Henry and he knew Regina wouldn't want to miss it. "You are going to take that test to make sure and we're going to call Jonas and ask him if it's safe for you to wait for another day."
Regina looked at David. She could feel the concern and love. "And if he wants to see me immediately?"
"Then I'll drive you to the hospital." David felt Regina squeezed his hand. "Regina, you're not going through this alone. I'm right here with you." He pulled her into his embrace. Regina sank into the comfort David provided and closed her eyes.
"I'm scared." She finally admitted aloud.
David rubbed her back. "I know, sweetheart." David locked eyes with Emma standing next to Neal and holding a bottle of water. "Do you need some water?" He asked softly.
Regina nodded. "It would help."
"I'll be right back." As he was about to release Regina, she tightened her grip on him.
"No. I'll be ok. Let's just go back and watch Henry compete."
David looked at her. "Are you sure?"
Regina nodded. "I'm ok. Just morning sickness."
"In the middle of the afternoon?"
"David, they should be named all-day sickness. I'm ok. I promise. I was sick this morning when you left for the station and I spent the entire morning helping Henry get Sirocco ready. I'm just dehydrated. I'll be fine." She raised her eyebrows. "Please, let's just enjoy today."
David shook his head. He knew better than to argue when Regina had made up her mind. All he could do was to make sure she kept hydrated the rest of the afternoon and not overwork herself. "Fine. But another dizzy spell and we're going to the hospital." He warned. He wasn't about to take any chances with Regina's health, the memories of her last miscarriage still haunting him.
"Fine." Regina conceded, rolling her eyes. "Are you going to order me around for the next nine months?"
"If that means keeping you healthy, yes." David helped Regina stand up.
"I'm fine." Regina insisted more forcefully.
"You'll excuse me if I don't take your word for it." David countered, remembering how Regina had ignored the signs of her last miscarriage until it almost cost her her life.
Regina groaned but decided against one of her angry, sassy comebacks. Although she hated to be ordered around like a child - or worst still, like one of his possessions, she could feel the overwhelming concern through their bond. David was genuinely worried about her health. And to be honest, so was she.
She let the Prince guide her back near the paddock fence where the main competition was taking place. David uncapped the water bottle for her and Regina drank half of it slowly. It definitely helped settle her stomach and once she was done, she smiled at her family reassuringly. "I'm fine." She placed the cap back on. "I was just dehydrated."
Although neither Neal nor Emma believed the explanation, they both decided not to argue further. "It's warm for this early in the Spring." Neal simply commented, unwilling to start a confrontation with the stubborn and hot-tempered mayor.
"Our next competitor is Henry Mills, riding Sirocco," came Jacob's voice over the PA system.
The adults huddled together to get a better view of the competition field as Henry was entering the paddock slowly. He stopped Sirocco in front of the judges and waited for their instructions. The butterflies at the pit of his stomach hadn't diminished in the least despite his successful practice round with Sirocco. On the other hand, the mare was relaxed, just anxious to get to stretch her muscles.
Regina's stomach twisted in a knot when Henry motioned Sirocco to a slow gallop before taking his first obstacle. The mare cleared it effortlessly, her ears perked up and nostrils open wide. She was already eyeing the next jump, lengthening her strides into a full gallop.
Regina's experienced eyes caught Henry's small mistakes but all in all, her little Prince was handling his first competition like a champion. Thanks to Sirocco who was responding perfectly to Henry's intent rather than her rider's sometimes conflicting cues, they finished the course without dropping a single bar and in a time that may not win Henry a blue ribbon but should be enough to place him in the top ten riders.
Henry, Neal, Regina, and Emma cheered for Henry after he saluted the judges one last time. The family hurried toward the paddock's gate, ready to congratulate Henry on his successful run. "You did very well, baby." Regina smiled, grabbing the reins near Sirocco's mouth.
Henry dismounted quickly, hugging each of his family members. "She was great!" He exclaimed while rubbing his horse's neck.
Regina chuckled. To be honest, Sirocco had done much of the work. The Queen silently promised her mare carrots and apples in her feed tonight. However, the mere thought of food caused another wave of nausea. David was observing Regina like a hawk, ready to intervene if necessary. He hated the feeling of uselessness but he also knew that Regina's fight to deliver a healthy baby had only begun.
Regina hugged Henry once more. "And so were you, baby." After she let go of her son, she wiped her unshed tears. She attributed the outburst to her changing hormones but she wouldn't let Emma and Neal witness yet another moment of weakness. "Let's take of her. I'm sure she'll be much happier without the saddle on her."
The family headed toward the barn, ready to lend a hand to Henry as he took care of his mount. As they approached Sirocco's box, Sandshine popped his head over the door of his own stall and whinnied. Regina caressed the stallion forehead, suddenly realizing that she probably wouldn't be able to train him. She couldn't take the chance of being thrown off his back. Instinctively, she placed her hand on her abdomen. She was pregnant and her life was about to change. This time, she hoped it would be for the better.
EC
David parked the truck in front of Clark's pharmacy and killed the engine. He sat back in the seat and placed his hand in-between Regina's. She squeezed it as if her life depended on it. "I'm right here with you." Regina nodded. "We can take all the time you need."
Regina shook her head. "Henry's waiting for us." He, Emma, and Neal had directly headed toward Granny's to celebrate the boy's pink ribbon. David and Regina had excused themselves under the pretext of getting Henry two comic books for placing fifth place.
Aware that Regina was using Henry as an excuse to force herself out of the truck, David opened his door and slid out with Regina in tow. She squeezed his hand tighter as he locked the car and they walked toward the pharmacy. As they entered the small establishment, the couple was greeted by the young clerk Clark had hired after the Blaze epidemic since the dwarf was probably already at the diner for the small party.
"I think he'd like Iron Man." Regina commented, stopping at the front of the store where Clark kept the comic book stand.
"Agreed." David answered pleasantly, grabbing the latest release of the adventures of Henry's favorite hero. "But I think he already has the previous one."
Regina nodded. "Perhaps we should get him the new Superman." David didn't argue and grabbed the second comic book. "Or perhaps Hulk?" She countered as she selected one of the magazine with the image of a green man wrecking havoc in a lab.
David knew Regina was stalking but he would give her all the time she needed. "How about we get him all three?" He offered.
Regina cocked her head and pursed her lips. "Want to buy him the entire stand while you're at it?" She bit back.
David closed his eyes. Picking a fight wouldn't solve any of their problems. "Regina, I know what you're doing and it's not gonna work." He took the comic books from Regina's hands and placed them on the counter.
"That'd be all?" The man behind the counter asked nonchalantly.
"Yes./No." Regina and David answered at once. "We need something else." David continued both to Regina and the clerk's benefit. In response, the mayor sent daggers with her eyes in her husband's direction. The clerk swallowed hard. Even though he'd never had the displeasure of meeting the Queen personally, he had heard the tales and he had to admire David's bravery - or stupidity as might be the case. However, David didn't back down. He gently took Regina's hand and led her toward the back of the store where Clark kept the feminine hygiene items.
Regina followed him, her heart pounding in David's chest. The Prince stopped in front of the selection of pregnancy tests and wrapped his arms around his wife. "I know you're scared." He whispered to her. "I'm scared too, Regina. I don't want you to go through another miscarriage. And I wish that not taking the test would make the situation less real. But it doesn't. And I need to know that you're ok." He cupped her cheeks and traced her lips with the pad of his thumbs.
Regina placed her hands on his, tears escaping her eyes. "What if I lose our baby?" She asked softly.
David hugged her tightly in response. "I won't insult you and give you a hope speech, sweetheart. But I have a feeling that in a few months from now, you'll be holding our baby in your arms."
Regina felt the sincerity of his conviction through their bond. "You said no hope speech." She grumbled.
David chuckled and kissed Regina's forehead. "Sorry."
Regina leaned into him. "The blue box." She whispered.
David let go of his wife slowly and took the box with the brand she wanted off the shelf. Regina grabbed his free hand with both of her own, unwilling to look at the box that held the key to all her hopes. Without another word, David walked with Regina back to the counter, ready to check out. If the clerk was surprised by the purchase, he didn't comment on it. That was probably best for him.
After thanking him, David led Regina back to the truck. "Let's go to Granny's." He smiled at Regina softly.
"I want to wait until we go home." She pleaded. "I just want to spend some time with Henry."
David nodded. He didn't see any harm in waiting just a couple more hours and let Regina enjoy Henry's first competition's victory. "After the party." He confirmed while squeezing the paper bag.
EC
David was sitting on the toilet seat with Regina on his lap. She was shaking slightly, her eyes fixed on his watch as the minute hand was clocking down toward the inexorable truth. She took a shaky breath as the hand ticked one last time. David leaned his forehead against her cheek. "I'm right here with you." Regina swallowed and nodded quickly, biting on her lower lip to prevent herself from crying. After another minute, she looked directly at David, the unspoken request shining brightly in her eyes.
David reached for the stick they had left on the counter three minutes earlier. The plus sign was unmistakable and Regina cried out in both relief and fear. Relief to know that she was indeed pregnant and fear of what laid ahead. "I'm going to call Jonas." David said in a calm, soothing voice.
Regina nodded, her eyes fixed on the stick David was holding. "I need to know… I need to know that everything is ok with my baby." Now that the home test was done and she could no longer deny the reality of the situation, she needed to act. She needed to know that there was indeed a life growing inside of her. And that this life was safe.