The next morning, Regina was rudely awaken by Emma's excessive screaming about how late she was for work. The brunette calmly and quietly made her way down the stairs to see if she could attempt to calm Emma down. Her eyes were met with Emma's as soon as she arrived at the bottom of the stairs. The blonde hastily made her way to Regina with raging fire in her eyes. The brunette placed her hands over her swollen abdomen in a protective manner, which seems to an uncontrollable response whenever she is near her wife. "What is the matter, dear?" The brunette asks shyly as Emma continued to hold her grip on Regina's arm. The brunette could smell the liquor on her angry wife's breathe, "Honey, maybe you shouldn't go to work today. We could stay at home and start on the nursery. Or we could cuddle on the couch and watch your favorite movies. I will cook your favorite tonight, would you like that?" Regina asked trying to find her wife somewhere in rage fumed eyes. The blonde released her tightened grip from her wife's arm and backed away from her feeling remorse. "Regina, I-I…." Tears began to form in Emma's eyes. Regina placed a gentle hand on her wife's face in forgiveness and reassurance, "It's okay, sweetheart, we will be okay." The brunette places a passionate kiss on the stunned blonde's lips and grabs her hand to lead her back up the stairs. Regina knew that some days were good and others were just downright terrifying, but she loved Emma. She truly did, but she was never in love with her. Not like with Maleficent. At times, Regina felt as though she deserved the abuse brought on because she trapped Emma into this situation and the constant pain she is putting her children through. All she ever wanted was to get away from her mother and be with Maleficent and her children, but evidently life had other plans. She prayed that only if her kids understood that they were better off here than with Cora, maybe things wouldn't be so bad. But what child wants to willing see their mother get beaten everyday and in their eyes for no reason at all? Regina lowered her head with a sigh as she continued up the stairs with her wife by her side.

The moment they made it to their master bedroom, Regina went into their bathroom to run Emma a nice bath. Regina sat by the porcelain tub and sighed as she thought of the life that she made it through before she met the blonde princess. The endless nights fighting off her abusive, drunk husband, tearing her apart inside and out. The constant shiver up her spine when he says her name in his angry slur. Her mother's horrific punishments shaping her into the Queen that her mother has always wanted her to be. She looks down to her wrist to see the evidence of her survival, whether it be a healthy outlet or not; it was how she got through the devastating processes. Emma barges into the bathroom interrupting the Evil Queen's thoughts, "What the hell are you doing, I have been calling you for 10 fucking minutes!" Emma shouts at Regina. "Sorry, honey, I was just running you a nice, hot bath. I wasn't trying to make you angry, I promise I wasn't." Regina pleads looking into those angry, green orbs. Emma pulls her wife closer to her in an embrace and places a gentle kiss on her luscious lips, "I know that I have been a complete bitch lately and I am so, so sorry baby, I am going to start going to Dr. Hopper and get some help because I don't want you to leave me and I want to be better for you and our child." Emma had a hint of suspicion in her voice. Regina felt a drop in her stomach at her wife's words.

A soft smile rose on the brunette's face in admiration. Gently the Evil Queen begins to undress the sheriff starting with her thin, white tank top revealing her pale, perky breasts. Making her way down to her grungy blue jeans and white lace panties until the princess was fully exposed. Regina could not help but bask in her wife's perfect beauty. Emma then undress the brunette until her natural form was unleashed and counted herself beyond lucky that she found such a prize possession. When they both entered the smoothing sensation of the oils and water of the porcelain tub, they were embraced in each other's arms. They let the aroma of lavender scent induce their minds and slowly caressed each other's intoxicating bodies. When Regina's hands fell on healing scars of the Savior's inner thighs, she could not help the tears that forms in her brown, doe eyes. "Oh, Emma." The Evil Queen whispered when she noticed her wife tense at the feel of her soft hands. The Savior then became violent as she wrapped one of her hands around Regina's throat, "How dare you judge me." Emma's voice became deep. Regina noticed the healing holes patterned on her wife's arms and tears were streaming down the brunette's eyes as she questioned why anyone would hurt the woman she loved. "Who did that to you, dear?" The brunette treaded lightly not wanting the situation to turn more drastic. "Why would anyone want to hurt you?" Regina continued showing how seeing her wife hurt made her heart break.

Emma released her grip and silently belittled herself for taking her frustrations out on her adoring wife again, but the brunette could tell her regret on her face. They continue to soak in their warm bath water, "I love you, Gina. And I promise I will be better for you." Emma kisses the top of the brunette's hair and holds her in a content silence. Emma did not want to reopen her bad habits and past experiences to wife. She wants Regina to feel safe and trust her again, but the blonde could not deal with hurting her wife anymore than she already has. The thought was too much to deal with at the moment, the blonde began to doze off into an unintentional slumber, letting the drug filled sensations that she had partaken in early that morning take control of her weary, shattered body. "You are nothing and you will never be anything! You are a mistake that is why your parents gave you up." Emma's foster father belittled her. "The only thing that you are good for is lying on your back.." He grabbed her by her neck and threw her on his bed. "The only thing that you will be good at is pleasing me." He began to rip off her clothes and kiss her neck where his hand print once appeared. "NO! PLEASE, NOT AGAIN! NO! NO! NO!" Emma started to fight him off. NO! NO! STOP IT!" Emma started to thrash into the bath water, hitting Regina in the process. "Emma, honey, it's me, Regina." The brunette began softly. "Emma, baby, wake up. You're safe now. Emma, sweetheart, please talk to me." Regina begged. Regina was too scared to try and shake her awake so she took some water into her hand and splashed it into Emma's face. The blonde's eye instantly flickered open. Regina covered herself and their unborn child in protection, " Emma, I'm sorry, you were having a nightmare. Please don't hurt me, I was just trying to help." Regina blurted out instantly. The brunette quivered in terror, "I'm sorry, honey, I wasn't trying to make you upset, I swear." Emma gathered herself, "Come here, baby, everything is fine." Regina hesitated but did as she was told. Emma placed her hand on her wife's very pregnant belly and sighed in excitement when she felt their daughter kick. "Times like this, I am the luckiest woman alive. I love you so much, Gina." Regina stayed silent because deep down she knew that one day she will have to explain to her wife that the child is not hers.

The pair continued to soak in silence as they both let their minds wonder. After Regina notices that Emma has passed out again in the bathtub, she sneaks out of the now cold water. Lily, peaks her head into the bathroom to check on her mother, "Mother? Are you alright? I heard a bit of commotion earlier I was worried-" Regina placed her index finger over her swollen lips and then pointed at Emma who was still passed out in the tub. Quietly, the brunette places a robe over her pregnant body and leads her daughter out of the bathroom. "Mother? What are you doing?" Lily asked quietly. "I am going to call your aunt Ruby, once I find my cell phone." Regina whispers. "You know she hides your cell phone from you, right?" Lily asked contemptuously. "Yeah, I know, sweetheart. It's just a matter of finding it before she gets up." The regal brunette continued to shuffle from dresser drawers and closet spaces to under the bed, she finally found her cell phone hidden in a box her wife keeps under the bed. "What's this?" Regina asked herself as she looked towards her daughter. Inside of the box, Regina finds a syringe and baggie of white contents that she wasn't sure exactly what it was but had a pretty good idea. The brunette glanced back at the master bathroom in disbelief. This must be why she kept passing out in the tub. She sighs in concern that her wife is on a vigorous path of destruction. "So, now she is doing drugs? Oh, my goodness, mother. We can't keep going on like this. I wish there were a way to bring momma back. She would not do this to us." Lily stated with worry. "I know, dear. Come with me, we are going to wake up Henry."

"Henry?" Regina whispers. "Henry, dear, wake up." The sorceress shakes awake her sleeping son. "Mom? What is going on? Are you okay?" He asks sleepily. Regina ran her hands through his soft, brown hair and let a single tear slip from her bruised eye. "Nothing, darling. I just love you so much and momma is going to make this all better ok?" He nods and drifts back to sleep. Lily picks up her brother and carries him behind their mother, "Where are we going anyway?" Regina stayed silent as she did not want to worry her daughter more than she already has. Regina was a nervous wreck as it was.

Quickly, Regina dials the number for her best friend, Ruby. She winces in pain from lifting the cell phone to her ear. The phone only rang three times before the red wolf answers in panic. "Regina! Are you okay?! What happened!?" Regina sighs nervously, "H-hey, Ruby. Umm, don't get upset, but I was just wondering if you would come and pick me and the kids up? Umm, you know how Emma kind of gets upset when I do something wrong? Well, umm, I kind of need to go check on the baby….at the umm, h-hospital." Regina stampered. "Hospital! Oh, Regina, what did she do to you?" Ruby sighs in sympathy, "I'm on my way, sweetheart." Regina smiles silently. Regina quietly finished getting her things together and making sure that she had everything she needed for the kids and peaks around the corner of the master bathroom to see if her wife was still passed out. To the brunette's convenience, the blonde was still out like a light.

Regina was brushing he horse, Rocinante, "There we go, Rossi. Who's a pretty horse?" The brunette continued to brush the brown mane while petting her snout. "You are my only friend. I will never let anything happen to you. Regina was finishing up grooming her horse when she heard a rustle outside of the stables. The curious, little girl went outside to investigate the noise. "Hello? Is anyone there?" The brunette exclaims. There was a pause before there was another rustle in the same bushes. Regina stalks her way towards the intruder when she spread apart the brushes to identify the cause of the noise, she found a slender, young brunette laying on ground unconscious. Regina went towards the younger girl, "Umm, hello? Are you okay?" Regina tried to shake her awake, but no response. Regina had to do something before her mother found out. Then she had an idea to sprinkle a little water in her face. Quickly, she ran back to the stables to fetch a bucket of water. Regina made her way back to the unconscious brunette and gently splashed some water on the other girl. The newly found stranger awakened suddenly in a panic. She looks around to gather her surroundings, "Oh my goodness, where am I? How did I get here?" The scared brunette asked Regina. "Umm, I'm not sure how you got here. Who are you?" Regina asked. "Oh, sorry, where are my manners? My name is Ruby, but my friends call me Red. Where am I?" Ruby asked. Regina looked around cautiously, afraid that her mother might appear. "You are at my manor, but my mother… I don't want you to get hurt. Come hide in my stables until we can find a safe place for you?" Regina stated worriedly. Ruby nodded in agreement, she was much to far away from home. The pair rushed back to the stables, "Wait..I didn't get your name." Ruby breathed heavily from running. "Regina. Regina Mills. The tired brunette smiled.

Regina made her way downstairs to the front porch to await for Ruby. A few minutes later, Ruby pulls up in her flaming red challenger in front of the Mills Mansion. Regina hurries as fast as her injured, pregnant body would let her to her best friend's car, before her wife notices her absence. While Regina was ushering her children into the car, Ruby glazes up and down at her best friends appearance. She notices a black eye, scrapes, cuts that have been deficiently bandaged and bruises poorly covered by make up. "Are you okay, Regina?" Ruby asks cautiously. Regina didn't want to make a big deal of everything and break down crying, especially not in front of her children. The Evil Queen gave her best friend a soft smile and looked away to try and change the subject. Ruby pulled off from in front of the Mansion and the two friends drove to the hospital in silence. Regina watched the houses flow by the window, letting a silent tear stream down her face. All Ruby wanted to do was to hold her best friend and take away all of her pain.

When they reached the hospital, Ruby helped her best friend out of the car and walked with her to be check into the hospital. As they sat in the waiting room together Ruby could not help the hurt that ran over her as she watched her best friend try to hide the pain that her abusive wife inforced. Regina tried not to look at Ruby because she knew as soon as she did, everything would come pouring out. And then she heard those four little words spoken ever so sincerely, "Regina, are you okay?" Ruby's voice spoke barely above a whisper. All the Evil Queen could do was sob uncontrollably as she grabbed for her best friend. "No, she is not, Ruby! Her wife beats the shit out of her constantly and she doesn't even use magic to protect herself or the baby! Maleficent would never do this to us!" Lily argued. "Yeah, momma Mal would protect us." Henry chimes in. "I know you guys, but we will get her back, I promise." Ruby reassures them. "But when!? We need her now! Our mother cannot take anymore of this. Between her condition, the stress of an abusive relationship and grandmothers' ridiculously cruel antics, she may not survive to next week!" Regina looked at her daughter, her brown eyes full of guilt when she mentioned Cora. "That's enough, Lily." Regina warned her angry daughter. "I miss your mother more than anything, but there is not much that we can do about it now. Believe me I have tried." That last statement was just above a whisper. "Well, not hard enough mother! You have always told us that their is always a way, all we have to do is believe." Tears were streaming down Lily's flushed cheeks as she witnessed her mother's battered form. Without saying another word, Lily grabbed Henry's hand and walked out the waiting room. Ruby turned to Regina, who had her palms covering her face. "Regina, what's really going on with you? I know that what you are going through now is a lot, but I have seen you go through worst and not shed a tear nor break. You can tell me anything, Regina, you know that. Why won't you talk to me?" Ruby asked solemnly. "Oh, Ruby, I just miss Maleficent so much. I don't know how much more of Emma's abuse that I can take. I'm afraid that she will hurt the baby, especially when she finds out that it isn't hers." Regina steadily bawled in her best friend's arms. "I just don't know what to do, Ruby. I'm scared that my wife is going to end up killing me or herself from her excessive drug and alcohol abuse and the-the." Regina could not finish her sentence. "Regina, what is it? What else is she doing?" Ruby asks. Regina lifted her wrists to show Ruby how she coped with her past and present life. She felt ashamed to judge her wife on the same thing that she understands. But Emma was out of control and Regina could not understand why. They have a good life together, a beautiful home, fulfilling careers, wonderful children. As far as Regina thought that Emma knew, there was statistically no reason for Emma to be as stressed out as she was. Not that Emma really communicates with her wife that often. "Emma is unhappy for some reason and I can't help her; no matter how much I want to or try." Regina looked pleadingly into the Red Wolf's eyes. "Mrs. Mills? The doctor will see you now."

The obstetrician had Regina on the table with Ruby holding her hand in anticipation. The doctor was preparing to take a sonogram of the baby, "I'm going to put gel on your lower abdomen and it may be bit cold." The doctor stated as he continued with the procedure. "Regina, I have been doing some researching with Belle and she says that there is a way to resurrect Maleficent, but we would need Rumple's help." Regina looked up at her best friend with such hope in her eyes, "There's a way?" The pregnant brunette asked barely audible with tears forming in her eyes and for the first time in months, a smile on her face.