Thursday 5:00 pm
"Maleficent wants to have a baby."
"Really?" Archie's legs were crossed, and his glasses were perched on the tip of his nose. He had been shuffling through previous notes so he could begin their session. "She told you this?"
Regina nodded. "Well she didn't come to me, I asked. I had my suspensions, and was pretty sure she'd never tell me."
"And how do you feel about raising another child?"
She shrugged. "I told her I was open to the idea, and was something that had crossed my mind."
"That doesn't necessarily answer the question. Having an idea is different then acting on that idea."
"Did I ever think I'd have anymore children after Henry? No. Yet I already do," she chuckled. "But Lily is different. I didn't raise her. She's a woman, her own person, and though she still seeks guidance… it's not the same. I'm the happiest I've been, and that's with the way things are. I don't need another baby to be happy." Archie cut her off before she could finish.
"Having a child isn't a need, it's a want. You're happy and that is a wonderful thing," he smiled. "The thing you need to think about is, will another baby make you more happy or less?" Regina didn't answer, and her didn't want her to. "I'll let you ponder that. Let's transition…"
…
Friday
After her therapy session with Archie yesterday, Regina made an impulsive decision. She called her OBGYN and made an appointment. They conveniently had an appointment for twelve o'clock the next day. She gladly took the slot, and took an extended lunch break. Regina had overwhelming thoughts of having another baby on her mind, and felt that she needed to address them right away while the urge was strong. If they were going to try to conceive again, Regina wanted to know if she was out of the running for sure. That fateful potion she took all those years ago had been one of the biggest mistakes of her entire life. If she could take it back she wouldn't hesitate.
Regina sat in one of the chairs in front of Dr. Parks' desk as she waited for her results. She was keeping her expectations low, so she wouldn't hurt herself with disappointment. She wasn't expecting some kind of miracle where she was healed, but she was hoping there could be treatment. That the possibility of her being able to conceive was real. Her purse was clutched tightly to her chest as her knee bounced at an accelerated speed. Another fifteen minutes past before she heard Dr. Parks enter. Regina's head whipped around a little too quickly, but she was nervous. "Hello Regina," Dr. Parks greeted sweetly with a smile. Angela Parks had been a nurse in the old world. A nurse who worked for the royal family, and was very familiar with Regina. She had tended to a great many of her afflictions. They had history, and Regina trusted her. She was tall with long black hair. She looked to have asian genetics, but Regina wasn't a hundred percent sure. They were close in the fact that Parks knew a great deal of her secrets. Not close as in they kept one another up to date on what was going on in their lives.
"Hello," Regina responded.
"I have the results of the tests we ran," she informed her holding up a file as she circled her desk. Once she sat, the file opened and a pair of reading glasses slid halfway down her nose. She was about to relay the results to her, but stopped. Folding her hands she looked up at Regina with a gentle smile. "Regina…" she was going to ask if she was sure she wanted to know. To asked if this long term information was so important that she needed to hear it again.
Regina knew she was giving her a chance to back out, but this was something she needed. They didn't have this kind of medical technology in the Enchanted Forest. She's never truly known the damage she did to herself. She had to know whether it was good or bad. "It's ok, you can tell me," she assured her.
Dr. Parks nodded and proceeded to read. "It appears that your fallopian are intact, which is very good. However, the ultrasound showed that almost all of the lining of your uterus is covered in scar tissue." She removed her glasses and closed the file. "The scar tissue has clogged the opening where the fallopian tubes meet the uterus. Your eggs aren't able to pass through, and even if they were the remaining scar tissue is uninhabitable."
So that's what the poison did.
Reinga remained silent, taking a moment to process the information. "I know neither of us knew what to expect, but I can say that I'm not surprised."
Regina nodded. "I- is there any kind of treatment? Something that can undo what happened?"
Dr. Parks signed and repositioned herself in her seat. "There is, but surgery is the only option. We'd go in and removed as much of the scar tissue as possible. If enough, if not all, is removed the rate of conception goes up. There are risks of course. The surgery it's self is risky on your behalf, and it could fail. We may not be able to remove it all, or enough. We wouldn't know until we got in there. The other risk is if conception is successful there is no guarantee that the child will survive. The children that don't make it are the ones who don't make it to term. Miscarriage rates are high. The surgery granted conception, but once the fetus begins to develop, the surgery sometimes wasn't enough to help sustain."
"In your professional opinion what do you suggest I do?"
"If the success rate was higher, I might suggest it. I wouldn't want you to go through it all only to lose the baby in the end. I know you want to have the experience of carrying a child yourself, and I want that for you. I really do Regina, but… you are still gifted with the opportunity of having a child that is your own. I don't know how that magic works, but it's possible. It's already proven itself to be," she said referring to Lily. "If you want the surgery, that decision is fully in your hands. I can't stop you if you decided yes… And who knows? It could work… but are you willing to take the risk?"
"Thank you Angela, you've given me quite a lot to think about. Have a good day," she said trying to hide her pain and eagerness to leave. She was out the door before she could respond. Dr. Parks sat at her desk with a hand raised waving goodbye, and a sad smile of condolence. She understood Regina's longing for motherhood through personal pregnancy, but she would never understand why she continued to put herself through this pain.
Regina had gone back to work, and had even gone home afterwards. She tried to battle her emotions alone but they proved to be more than she could handle.
Regina tentatively knocked on Archie's door. It was after hours, but she saw that his car was still in the parking lot. She waited a few moments before he answered. He had his bag thrown over his shoulder and Pongo on his leash. "Regina," he greeted surprised. "We didn't have an appointment today did we?"
"No, no sorry. I know you're on your way home, but I was hoping we could talk."
"And this couldn't wait until our session Monday?" She shook her head. It was clear that she was upset, and he couldn't turn her away. "Of course, come in."
…
"Very good Lily," Mal applauded with a sigh of relief. Lily just completed her most successful landing to date. It had proved to be one of their biggest challenges. Landing was indeed challenging, so she understood why Lily got frustrated with herself. Lily'd had her fair share of failed landings in the past, but she was lucky that none of them led to serious injury. Mal took a step back allowing her daughter to transform back into her human form, and gave her a proud smile.
"I can't believe I did it," she smiled amazed at herself.
"It wasn't perfect," Mal made sure to point out. "But it is impressive progress."
Lily shook her head, but her smile remained. "She knew that was as good as a complement as she was going to get, but it was good enough. "Thanks Mom."
"I think that's a good stopping point, do you?"
Lily nodded. "Do you want a ride home?"
"No it's alright, you go ahead."
"Alright, night Mom."
"Goodnight sweetheart." Mal watched Lily disappear into the thick of the trees that led to the street. She thought she might take this opportunity to spread her wings and fly home. The town was pretty used to the presence of dragons now. They did stick to the forest to distance themselves, but if someone saw them flying over they weren't alarmed. Just as she was about to shift someone came up behind her.
"Well, well, well, do my eyes deceive me? Has my dear Maleficent procreated?" Maleficent's back stiffened at the long time familiar voice. She was hoping her ears were playing tricks on her, but she knew this moment was real. Very slowly, she turned around to face Satan's mistress herself. She kept her arms by her side, and her expression unchanged. Celine was smiling wickedly at her daughter with open arms. Mal stood still doing nothing to accept her reunion hug.
"Why the hell are you here, and how the hell did you find me?"
"Oh, come now. Can't a mother visit her daughter?" she asked pouting her lips and placing a hurt hand over her heart.
"Yes, but not you," she retorted dryly.
Celine ignored the comment and took a step closer. "You are a hard woman to find, you know that? We knew you had moved around quite a bit, but my goodness. The realms we've traveled to tracking you down…" She shook her head with an expression of disgust.
"We?" Mal inquired crossing her arms. "Is the dynamic duo here with you?"
"Yes, they're here somewhere," she laughed waving it off.
"Off engaging in one of their… sibling bonding sessions I presume? I'm surprised you weren't made a grandmother sooner."
"You never did like them did you? Always attacking them every chance you get."
"Are you trying to tell me you aren't aware of what they do behind your back?" Celine didn't answer. Of course she knew their dirty little secret, but her children weren't perfect. None of them were. Adelaide and Elijah were her babies, and the only two that never left home. They respected her, and followed the rules she set before them.
"Nothing happens without me knowing it."
Mal hummed with a smirk and shook her head. "Of course. Now why don't we skip to the part where you tell me what you want."
Celine cleared her throat and plastered a fake toothless smile across her face. "Yes, well, we're here to take you home." Mal couldn't help but laugh hysterically out of disbelief. Celine laughed with her shaking her head to tell her she was wrong. "Maleficent darling, it's quite amusing on my behalf the you think I'm joking. Your brother and sister and I have come all this way to retrieve you."
"To retrieve me?" She asked baffled. "Are you taking me home or bringing me to someone?" That was indeed the real question.
"You're needed back home."
"That doesn't tell me anything, and I don't have time for games." Mal turned around and started to walk away.
Celine acted quickly. "I didn't want to tell you, but… it's about your your brother Draco." Mal stopped dead in her tracks. "He's dying Maleficent." Mal's eyes narrowed not only in pain but suspicion. "He was injured a few months ago after having a run in with some hunters. We thought he would heal after a week or two, but we were wrong."
"We?" Mal questioned. "Draco left home long before I did with no intentions of returning."
"Yes, yes I am aware, but he did return when your father died." Mal didn't know her father was dead. "Please Maleficent. He's asked for you. The least I could do was bring you to him. I remember how close the two if you were. I thought it would be important to you." Maleficent turned around to she her mother staring at her with pleading eyes.
"I appreciate you thinking of me, but I can't leave. My life here is too important. Draco will understand."
"Darling please reconsider. It's not like you won't return."
"Tell him I'm sorry."
"Wait," she begged. "We've been traveling for weeks, and are in need of a rest. We plan on leaving in two days. Take that time to think this over. Deal?"
She took a moment to mull the proposition over, and decided to appease her. "Fine, but the three of you will keep your distance. I don't want you anywhere near me or my family."
Celine nodded understandingly. "Thank you." She gave Maleficent one more smile before disappearing in a cloud of purple smoke.
She reappeared in a different section of the woods where Adelaide and Elijah were awaiting her return. "Did she buy it?" Adelaide asked crossing her arms.
"Time will tell," her mother responded patting her shoulder as she passed. "But, she has put an unfortunate kink in the possibility."
"And what is that?" Elijah asked with a curious brow.
"A child."
Both Adelaide and Elijah couldn't keep form laughing at the absurd statement. "Maleficent," Adelaide started. "Our sister?"
"The one and only."
"Bloody hell, I honestly never thought I'd see the day."
"She's young," Celine informed them. "Still in the beginnings of her training. Maleficent may feel that she has an obligation to stay, and not abandon her young."
"Yes, but if she believes the story you told her she thinks she's returning. Technically she's not abandoning her."
"Let's hopes she has the same thought process."
"If there is a child that means she's found a mate."Elijah figured. "Her and her daughter aren't the only dragons in town."
Maleficent decided to walk home. She needed the time to process the unfortunate reunion of her family, and too calm down. The three of them only meant trouble. She felt her talons attempt to push their way out of fingers when her mother mentioned Draco. How dare she use him to manipulate her. Draco was dead. He had died two hundred years ago. Her mother's bluff was bullshit, and if she thought it was a believable excuse she was completely oblivious. Her oldest child was dead, and had no idea. She wasn't surprised, but it made her heart ache for her brother.
Mal had the upper hand in the situation, but Mal was afraid of what her mother's true intensions were. Maleficent didn't have the slightest idea of what she could possibly need from her, which made her even more fearful.
Before she new it she was standing at the front gate of the mansion. She hadn't been paying attention to where she was going, but her feet had lead her home. Once she walked through the front door she had to erase any evidence that something was wrong. Regina would know in an instant if something was off. Mal couldn't tell her about this, or not yet at least. She didn't want give Regina another thing to stress about, when she herself didn't even have all the details. Mal hoped to resolve this all on her own, and then get back to her life as if nothing ever happened. No one needed to know of her private affairs. Not even Regina knew she had living relatives. It was never something she talked about, or was ever really asked about. At that thought she could see Regina's point about her omitting the truth.
Her family was a beginning chapter in her book of life. They were insignificant to her story and to her. She hadn't wanted to associate with them then, nor does she now.
When Mal got home she found Regina in the kitchen cleaning whatever she could. It hadn't been used all day, but cleaning never failed to relax her. Mal could tell that dinner hadn't been made, and that Regina was cleaning to de-stress. While Regina scrubbed the counters, Mal went upstairs to change out of her clothes, and calm down a little. It didn't take her long, but she thought she might let Regina continue to clean for just a little while longer. Once thirty minutes passed Mal went back down stairs and into the kitchen. She leaned against the door frame wearing her silk, maroon robe. "Regina." Regina didn't look up from the dishwasher she was unloading. "Regina," she said again a little loader, but gently. Again she was ignored. Pushing off from the wall she approached Regina from behind. "Honey." Placing her hands on Regina's hips, she gently pulled her away from the dishwasher. "That's enough."
"I only have a few more glasses." Mal swiped two that were wine glasses, and poured them both a drink. Regina closed the dishwasher, and looked up at Mal who was offering her a glass. She gladly accepted and took a sip as she took in Mal's wardrobe. "What time is it?" she asked thinking she had cleaned longer than intended.
"Seven. I've had a very tiring day, and it appears you have too."
"I guess that's one way to put it," she muttered into her glass.
Mal wanted to ask her what was wrong, but was afraid Regina would then inquire about her day; and she didn't want to have to come up with lies. So instead she decided to let it be, unless it came up later on. Right now they both just needed a little bit of silence, and each other's company.
…
Later that night
Regina was in bed and settled waiting for Maleficent to join her. Mal was standing in front of the window surveilling the front yard, as well as the street, and houses across the way. She as looking for any suspicious movement. She may have told her mother to stay way, but she highly doubted she would. The three of them could be lurking anywhere, waiting for her to let her guard down. The fact that Lily was not in this house with her right now worried her immensely. Now that she had her own place there was no reason for her to stay over. It would be extremely suspicious if she asked her to come stay the night with no explanation.
While Regina had been in the shower she was able to discreetly cast a protection spell over the mansion. She even poofed over to Lily's and put one up. She'd never know. It was a risk putting up magic like that at the mansion, because Regina could easily sense it. Mal would take it down in the morning before Regina left for work, but that was as sneaky as she could be.
"Mal?" She turned around with her arms crossed, and an innocent expression. "Is everything alright?"
"Yes. I thought I saw something, but it was nothing," she lied closing the curtains. Once in bed she turned off the lamp on her side. Regina gave her a quick kiss before curling into her side. Mal put a protect arm around her, and remained flat on her back. She could hear that Regina had already fallen asleep, which was good. Sadly Mal would not be getting any sleep tonight. Her eyes stayed open, and she stared up at he ceiling with all her senses on high alert. She would hear if any door or window was opened in the house. She would smell if there was someone new in the house. She was ready for whatever may come. Right now everything was eerily silent. Mal could hear both Regina and Henry's hearts beating, which was more comforting then the quiet.
