Warning: Slight mention of previous child abuse in this chapter.

As it turned out, November wasn't their month, nor was December. Mary Margaret didn't have another roof top wine drinking session, but it was still a sing nonetheless when she'd feel the tell tale cramps, only to follow with her period. She could tell David was getting upset too. It bothered her, she had started all of it and now both of their hopes were tied up in a child.

Christmas had passed and the New Year was quickly approaching. Every year, Leopold Blanchard threw a huge New Year's Eve party for his clients and colleagues. The only person Mary Margaret ever knew there was Regina and she typically dragged David along with her. It started the first New Years after he moved to Storybrooke. He showed up in a suit he borrowed from George and they snuck some vodka, hiding out on a balcony as they listened to the adults inside count down. That year was going to be no different, even if they had found out that she still wasn't pregnant. Leopold wouldn't let her live it down if she skipped it.

David pulled up to the loft promptly at 8, getting out of the car. Before he could even head for the door, it opened and Mary Margaret stepped out. It wasn't often she got so dressed up, he was used to seeing her in button up blouses or cotton shirts. That evening she was wearing a gold cocktail dress that fell at her knees. It was accented by a few hints of silver jewelry.

"You always clean up nice," he said.

She smiled. "Thank you, so do you." She fixed his tie. "At least these suits fit you, no more of George's hand me downs." He really did look dashing, it was all black barring the tie, which was silver. "We almost match."

"Cue the people thinking we're dating again." He paused. "Your father doesn't know, does he? About the baby?"

"No. Definitely not. I don't even know how I'll tell him when it happens." She let out a quick deep breath. "So don't want to think about that right now. Are you going to tell George?"

"And why would I?"

"Right, point. We better go. You know how Dad feels about me being late."

Getting into David's truck, they headed for the Blanchard mansion. Parking to where they could escape as soon as the ball dropped, they walked into the house. Guests were already floating around, waiters in their finest clothes walking around with trays of appetizers. Mary Margaret scanned the room and soon found her father.

There was no doubting that Leopold Blanchard had once been a handsome man. Even then, there was still an appeal to him. He dressed in only the finest suits (Mary Margaret hadn't seen him in anything but since Eva's death), spoke carefully, though clearly. He could charm the pants off of anyone, well anyone who didn't know him well.

"Let's just get this over with." Mary Margaret let out a deep breath and walked over to her father and plastered on a fake smile. "Daddy."

Leopold grinned, the one that never quite met his eyes. No, that smile was also something that disappeared with Eva. "Mary Margaret, sweetheart." He kissed her cheek, putting a hand on her shoulder. "You look lovely."

"Thank you."

He glanced over her to David and his smile faltered a bit, though he quickly caught himself. "David, still being a good sport and letting Mary Margaret drag you to these events, I see."

"She doesn't have to drag me sir," David said, shaking his hand. "Always a pleasure to escort your daughter."

"Of course, she's quite lovely. Mary Margaret, speaking of escorts, whatever happened to that doctor you were dating?"

Mary Margaret's smile stiffened and she could feel David doing all he could to not punch Leopold in the face. Her breakup with Victor had been so long ago and he insisted on bringing it up constantly.

"We broke up, Daddy," she reminded him, being patient as ever. "Remember?"

"Right, right. He was just what every father pictures for his little girl."

"And here I thought a father would wish for someone faithful," David mumbled under her breath, though not enough for Leopold to miss. He raised an eyebrow, then a fake smile appeared on his face.

"Well, David, be sure to say hello to George. He's around here somewhere." He spotted a client. "I must go, we'll chat later." He walked off, leaving the pair alone.

As a waiter walked by, David grabbed a beer off the tray and started sipping it. Of course George was there, it had been too long since he had seen him. He never could manage to quite get rid of him for good.

"I'm sorry," Mary Margaret said. "I had no clue he was coming, I thought he was in Boston."

"So did I, but you know good ol' George, full of surprises." David rolled his eyes. "It's fine, it'll all be fine. I'm a big boy, I can handle him."

Mary Margaret rubbed his back. "I know you can, but I'm here too."

He smiled down at her. "Thanks," he kissed her cheek. "I'm going to try to find some food that I can actually pronounce. Can I get you anything?"

"No, I'll be fine, thanks."

She watched him walk off and started looking around for the champagne. On her search, she came across Regina. Her appearance at the party hadn't been promised since Henry was born, but it was always a relief to see her. Much to her surprise, however, it seemed that Regina was on the arm of a rather tall blonde. She was wearing a gray pantsuit, her blonde hair curled. Doing a double take, Mary Margaret realized it was Mallory Page, the owner of the town's newspaper.

Regina had a new girlfriend?

She hadn't mentioned anything to their circle, but it made sense why she'd choose to go public with Mal at a party such as Leopold's for that very reason. She only talked with most of the people there out of obligation.

Once Mal had gone to talk with someone, Regina made her way over. She looked stunning as usual in her navy blue dress, her hair recently cut short, allowing it to show off her natural curl.

"So, you and Mallory Page," Mary Margaret smirked.

"You don't tell any of our friends, I keep my mouth shut about the baby making," Regina warned.

"Relax, I can keep a secret. How long has this been going on?"

"For about a month."

"Is it serious?"

"Please, Mary Margaret, this isn't high school." She paused for a moment. "But yes, it is."

Mary Margaret grinned. "I'm happy for you, you really deserve this." She squeezed her arm. "Does Henry know about her?"

"Not yet, but he will in time. Maleficent's daughter knows about me, but she's a little older. You know, the whole thing has gotten me thinking…have you and David talked about that?"

"About you dating?"

Regina rolled her eyes. "No, you two dating again. I mean, I know you're both so focused on getting pregnant but things will be different when the baby is here. I mean, how will custody work and all of that?"

Mary Margaret's mouth opened, then closed again. The truth was, she had been thinking so much about actually getting pregnant, her mind hadn't gone there. How was custody going to work? Would he stay with her to help with the baby waking up through the night? Would she go to his apartment?

Then there was the whole dating thing. After Whale, she had barely dated. A blind set up here or there, but nothing serious. She wasn't a nun, though. In time, she could meet someone new. Or David could. He could fall in love again, then a new person would be in their child's life.

In their life.

She didn't know how she felt about that. In her mind, they would've both just been focusing on their child. That wasn't realistic though, parents had to have a life outside of them.

"Talk to him," Regina said, softly. "I know it's an awkward conversation and judging from the glass of champagne in your hand, you're not pregnant yet. These are things you need to smooth out before it happens."

Mary Margaret nodded. "Thanks." She gnawed on her lip. "How many rounds of IUI did you do before you decided to adopt?"

"Twice. After that, I just knew it wasn't worth it."

"You didn't run any tests? See if there was anything wrong…"

Regina shrugged. "Maybe there is. Maybe I can't biologically carry a baby, it doesn't matter. But Mary Margaret, you had all those tests, remember? You're perfectly fine to get pregnant and you will."

Mary Margaret faintly smiled. "Thanks. I just really want this."

"I know you do and it'll happen."

David stared at the food on his plate, glad he grabbed a burger at Granny's before he arrived. He had never been one for fancy food. George had tried to force it on him in his teens, but it just wasn't his thing. He put a shrimp puff in his mouth, one of the few things he could stomach.

"Hello David."

The voice alone was one he would know anywhere. He could still hear it being shouted at him as a child, just as he could feel George's hand collide with his cheek.

You're a grown man, surrounded by a bunch of people. He can't hurt you.

Well, that was a lie. George Spencer could kill him on the spot and everyone in the room would come up with a cover story for him. Regina and Mary Margaret, try as they might, would not be enough. So, he took another swig of beer and turned around to face his step-father.

"George," he said curtly.

"You clean up well," George smirked. "Finally with that schoolteacher?"

"I'd hate to remind you that the "schoolteacher's" father is half the reason you can conduct your business," David said, finding himself fiercely protective of Mary Margaret.

George rolled his eyes. "It's a simple question, David."

"We're not dating. I come with her every year, you know this."

"There's a lot I don't know about you." There was an evil twinkle in his eye. "After all, you never allowed me to get acquainted with you."

It was true to an extent. When Ruth began dating George, David hadn't taken it well. He hid in his room whenever he'd come to dinner. He'd refuse to meet his eye when they spoke. He didn't want to give him a chance, but he had merely been a child, one who had lost his father. At the wedding, he promised his mother to put his best foot forward and try. The minute they returned from the honeymoon, George turned downright evil.

"How are things?" David asked, wanting to move along with the conversation. "Do you have a coven, I mean place in Boston?"

"Yes, but I still have business to conduct in Storybrooke. I hear you're the sheriff. Can't imagine how with that mouth of yours."

"I get by." David adjusted the hold on his beer.

"And how is Kathryn?"

David's jaw tightened. Had George really not heard? "I think you know?"

"Know what? That you, a mere former farmer's son somehow ended up with the likes of lawyer. Only to have her cheat on you and crush your heart?" George laughed. "Why no, David, I don't know of any of that."

"Alright, we did our dance, I'm done here now."

David started walking away, but George continued to run his mouth.

"To think of what your mother would think if she could see you now. She had such hopes for you and your brother. Well, at least you weren't stupid enough to be murdered in a gang fight."

His fist clenched tightly around the beer bottle and soon, it broke in his hands. The glass sunk into his skin as the liquid sunk to the floor. He didn't even glorify George's words with a response, instead he allowed one of the waiters to lead him off to get patched up. George could think he had won, but by dragging both his mother and brother into their fight, there was no way he could.

Mary Margaret stood out on the balcony a little before midnight, staring out into the night. It was freezing and she was regretting not bringing a shrug or something of the sort, but she had to get out of there. If she had to explain one more time that yes, being a teacher was really what she wanted to with her life, she was going to scream.

"You're going to catch death like that," David's voice carried from behind her. He walked closer and draped his jacket around her.

She hugged it closer to her and looked up at him. "And you won't?"

"I'm fine," he waved her off and handed over a glass of champagne, causing her to see the bandage on his hand.

"How's it feel?"

"Not too bad, Johana gave me some painkillers, she said they're foreign." He raised his eyebrow. "Whatever that means."

Mary Margaret laughed. "She's a character for sure." She chewed on her lip. "We need to talk about something."

"Can't we do it inside?"

"I don't want people to overhear. It's just…the baby."

He raised an eyebrow. "What?"

"What's going to happen if you start dating again?" She blurted out. "And where is it going to live? Are we…are we going to live together? And if we don't, how is custody going to work?"

David absorbed her sudden questioning, taking it all in. The truth was, he hadn't considered any of that. He had just thought of the type of parents they'd be, the challenges that would come with parenting as it was.

The truth was, though, their situation was unique. They weren't dating and they didn't live together.

And one day, Mary Margaret could find herself a husband.

The truth was, David wasn't sure if he had interest in dating. He hadn't been with anyone since Kathryn and didn't have his eyes on anyone. He didn't see that changing. To him, marriage was a lasting commitment. The weird thing was, he could never picture him and Kathryn growing old together. Even so, to him, marriage was supposed to be until death did them part. He thought it was just his desire to not thinking about growing old, period.

After her, he came to a realization. He had loved Kathryn, he really did. But he wasn't in love with her, he wasn't sure that he had ever been in love or if he ever would. He wanted a baby, a child, a family. But a wife? It'd take a special kind of person to fill that role.

Clearly, Mary Margaret was already considering her own dating life and he couldn't blame her. He wondered if he'd be able to handle seeing her dating someone. He had never been the biggest fan of any of her boyfriends, but at the same time, most of them hadn't been the best. After they had their baby, whoever she dated, would be apart of their child's life. It'd be unfair of either of them to suggest dating be off the table until the baby was 18. He didn't even want that, he wanted Mary Margaret to be happy.

"I think we should just agree if either of us meets someone, we'll talk about it," David said. "We'll let the other meet them before the baby does. And I think we should listen if the other has reasonable objections. I mean, like, legitimate ones, not just we don't want some random person in front of them."

Mary Margaret nodded. He had ran into his own step-father from hell at the party and clearly never wanted that for his own child. She didn't either. "That seems fair." She twisted the silver bangle on her wrist. "And the custody thing?"

David paused. Originally, he wanted whatever Mary Margaret did. He would never be a "weekend dad" by any means, but if she wanted the child to live at her loft, he'd accept that and just come by a lot. But the more he saw Thomas with Alexandra or Kenneth with Gideon and Baelfire. He didn't want to miss a single moment. Yet, with that situation…it was something he was risking.

"It's not selfish if you want us to live together," Mary Margaret said, softly, almost as if she could read his thoughts. "To not want to miss a thing, I'm not sure I would either."

David softly smiled. "Are you sure? I mean…how would it work."

"I…I don't know," Mary Margaret admitted with a slight laugh. "I mean, you could come stay with me, sleep in the room upstairs. The baby would be down in a bassinet or crib for the first year or two anyway. If you wanted." She didn't want to push anything on him, but she didn't want him to feel left out on a single moment.

"I think that's a good idea." David nodded. "We can split rent and food, all that. And if I'm ever too much trouble, you can kick me out."

Mary Margaret smiled. "David Nolan, you could never be too much trouble." She paused. "By the way, I thought about that. I um, I want to give the baby your last name."

"Are you sure? You don't want to hyphenate?"

"No. I think he or she should have your last name. It means champion, noble. I think that's a perfect surname for our baby."

The smile returned to his face once again. "Well, that sounds like a perfect plan."

Inside, he could hear the guests loudly counting down. This was it, the year was almost over. Hopefully by the next time, the next year, they'd be able to skip the party all together because they had an infant to tend to.

10. 9. 8.

Mary Margaret gazed up into his eyes. Hopefully by next year, they would be a family.

7. 6. 5.

They'd be closer than ever.

4. 3. 2.

All their dreams would come true.

1.

"Happy New Year, Mary Margaret," David whispered. From the balcony, they could hear muffled cheers of the drunken elite, but out there in the freezing cold, it was just them.

Mary Margaret smiled. "Happy New Year." She lifted the glass. "To new beginnings."

"I'll drink to that."

They clinked and sipped their champagne, smiling to each other.

It would be the year of new beginnings indeed.

As well as the year of true love.

This was too short for my liking, I just wanted them to have this conversation and show how their pasts have shaped them. Hopefully the next chapter will be longer. In it, Mary Margaret and David will discuss a new way to try for their baby and it could change their friendship as they know it.