6

Half an hour later, Emma kind of had to pee. Her hand was still loosely intertwined with Regina's. She gently began to take her hand away, but to her surprise (and joy) Regina held on, gripping her tightly, before realising what she was doing and letting go quickly. Emma said nothing, climbing off the wall, but as she headed to the bathroom, a smile was plastered across her face.

Regina waited about five minutes, but Emma didn't return to the balcony. Regina swung her legs absently… Maybe it had gotten weird. She shouldn't have held on. She should stay there, pretend she hadn't noticed, let things settle down… Because when Emma held her hand, she hadn't just felt comfort. She had felt comfort, it had been… so wonderful… but she had felt something else too. It crept through her fingers and up her arm, into her chest and down her torso, into her abdomen and even lower, a kind of buzzing, coming to a peak between her legs, refusing to be ignored.

She jumped off the wall. This was ridiculous. Emma was a girl. A pregnant girl. She went inside to find the confusing blonde curled up on the couch.

"What?" she demanded. It came out meaner than she'd intended, she was too preoccupied. Emma jumped.

"I… None of your business," Emma said.

Regina stared at her, thinking hard. She hated not knowing, and she was brilliant at reading people. Even drunk, it had taken her seconds to figure out the pregnancy. Maybe it had been a lucky guess. Or maybe she had known the look on Emma's face. Regina studied Emma again, looking her up and down-

"You changed your pants," she observed, trying to soften her tone.

"Yeah, so? Leggings are comfy," Emma defended.

Regina plopped down on the couch beside her; Emma shrank away.

"Look, I'm not that bad," Regina said. "I know what you're going through."

"What?" Emma spat suddenly. "What the hell do you mean, you know?! You have NO IDEA what I am going through. None! So stop acting like some saviour and leave me alone, yeah?"

She jumped up from the couch and went to her room, slamming the door. After a moment, Regina followed her.

"Okay, Emma, I have no idea," she lied softly. "But… Please let me help you. I…" she trailed off. She had been going to say something about the hand holding, about how maybe they could be friends, but she couldn't find the words.

Emma groaned and opened the door.

"What, so now we braid each other's hair and share sob stories?" she asked icily. Regina rolled her eyes.

"You were fine ten minutes ago. Tell me why you freaked out."

Emma sat on the edge of her bed and looked at the floor. Regina stood awkwardly in the doorway, not sure if she was really welcome further into the room. Hell, she thought. She was paying for it. She took a step inside.

"Emma," she said softly. "Maybe I can help."

"Are you a doctor?" Emma asked angrily. "No, didn't think so."

Regina's eyes widened. "Why do you need a doctor? Is it something to do with the-"

"Don't even start!" Emma almost shouted.

"Don't you even think about getting rid of it," Regina said angrily. She regretted it immediately, and she knew Emma would call her out on her rash, idiotic statement.

"Right. So it's my body, your decision?" Emma asked, rage dripping from her words.

Regina swallowed her pride. "No, of course not," she said, protecting herself with a more distant, less friendly tone. "What I just said was stupid. Of course it's your decision, and I'll support you no matter what. I just…"

She couldn't say it. She couldn't tell her. She couldn't tell Emma that she, Regina, could not bear the idea of aborting a pregnancy because of the baby she had lost - God, it was more than a year ago now. Already becoming ancient history. She ran a hand over her stomach. Emma's anger clouded her vision; she didn't notice the brunette's movements.

"Yeah. It's my decision," Emma said furiously.

Regina tried to hide her pain, but it was pointless. Emma sighed.

"Look, Regina, I… I don't want to get rid of it. That's not why I want a doctor."

Regina was surprised. "Then, why..?"

"I…" Emma blushed. "I mean, maybe it's nothing…"

Something clicked in Regina's mind. It had even happened to her. And it totally explained the wardrobe change.

"Were you bleeding, like just a little?"

Emma gaped. "How did you know?"

Regina rolled her eyes. "I paid attention in science class. And you changed your pants."

"You should be like a spy or something, you notice everything, I swear."

Regina chuckled. "Hey, look. I'm sure it's nothing. Some light spotting in the first trimester is perfectly normal." Actually, Regina had learned that from a pregnancy book in the public library. "But you should see a doctor, to make sure everything's good, and to get prescribed the vitamins and stuff."

Emma made a face. "No insurance."

Regina thought for a moment. "We should… We should get some," she decided.

"What?" Emma was totally confused.

"I… I know a guy, I mean… We can get new IDs. More. I mean, with new names, totally legit. And then… I mean, if you… I… I'll stick with you, if you want. At least until the baby's born. Only if you want." Regina wanted to kick herself. She was never this useless with her words.

Emma just stared at her. "You would… You would do all that, for me?"

Honestly, Regina was asking herself the same question. But she knew she would. She would do anything… There was something about Emma, something about that baby, something about everything that happened that was so crazy and insane and impossible… Something that just felt right.

"We… I think we're where we're supposed to be," she said.

Emma took a deep breath. "Okay."

"Okay? You mean it? I can stay?"

Emma laughed out loud. "Regina, I'm the one that's staying. It's your money, your plan, your… Your everything."

"It should be our plan, Emma," Regina said softly.

Emma nodded. She thought, hard but quickly. "Does… Does this start have to be in the US? I mean, the guy you know, could he get us, say… British IDs?"

"Are you serious?"

Emma shrugged. "They speak English in London. And then we'd be much closer to Italy."

Regina grinned. "I think he can. I'll have to ask, but… I know he'll give me one last favour. We… We won't have much money left, though. I mean, I… I don't want my mother to know where we are. If I'm in the states she won't freak out. I'm sure she thinks I'm coming home. After a week or so, she'll send someone to get me. I guess I knew that would happen. But if… I mean, we could really get away." Her smile was gone, her eyes were glowing with fear and anticipation. "She'd never find us."

Before she'd really processed the action, Emma was holding Regina's hand again.

"What happened to you?" Emma whispered. Regina opened her mouth as if to answer, but at the last moment she pulled her hand away.

"I can't." It came out in a kind of croak.

"It's gonna be okay," Emma promised.

"I should be telling you that," Regina said with a sniff.

"You will," Emma said, a small smile creeping onto her mouth. "And I know what'll make you feel better."

"What?"

"Hot chocolate with cinnamon and the Tomb Raider movies."

Regina rolled her eyes, but she had to admit she loved the movies. She surprised Emma by bringing the entirety of her bedding into the main room and building a kind of blanket nest for them on the couch. Emma contributed her own bedding and ordered the hot chocolates. The movies were on the hotel's list; Emma played the first one and sipped her chocolate.

Regina eyed hers apprehensively.

"There are probably more calories in this than I'd normally eat in a day."

"Relax. There is no way you're gonna put on as much weight as I'm about to."

Regina laughed in spite of herself. "You are absurd," she told Emma. "And hot chocolate should not have cinnamon on it."

"Says who? The hot chocolate police? Go ahead and call them. When they show up, I'll stop drinking it like this."

Regina sighed. "I'm not going to get away without trying this, am I?"

"Nope," Emma said happily. "And that's just as well, because you're gonna love it."

Regina took a fingerful of whipped cream, sucking it off seductively. Emma pretended not to be affected.

"You need some with chocolate, too."

Regina groaned, but took a sip through the cinnamony cream. She didn't get rid of her satisfied smile quite fast enough.

"See!" Emma said triumphantly. "You like it."

"It is not the worst thing I have ever tasted," Regina conceded. She took another sip. It was unexpectedly delicious.

The two young women fell into a comfortable silence, curled up in their blankets watching Angelina Jolie run around like a ninja in booty shorts. With thigh holsters on both legs. And shower scenes.

"I forgot how good this was," Regina murmured, halfway through the movie.

"What, Tomb Raider?" Emma asked. "It's not that good."

Regina chuckled. "No. I mean, this. Curling up on a couch with blankets and chocolate. And with a friend. Just… It's so peaceful."

Emma mock-gasped. "Did you just call me your friend, Miss Mills?"

Regina laughed again. "I guess I did."

Emma rolled onto her back, her head landing in Regina's lap.

"Does that mean you're gonna braid my hair?" she asked, her eyes twinkling.

To Emma's surprise (Regina surprised her a lot), the brunette set about making a very blonde Tomb Raider braid.

"Now you just need the shorts, the holsters, and a tank top. And to get all sweaty," Regina said when she was finished.

Emma looked down at her flat stomach. "Better hurry up getting them. Not gonna have this much longer."

"You'll always be beautiful," Regina said without thinking. Emma had turned to face her; since the braiding, they were sitting incredibly close.

Emma didn't answer. She took Regina's hand and placed it on her stomach.

"D'ya think he's awake yet?"

Regina shook her head. "No. Too little. But he's a he now, huh?"

"I'm getting a male vibe," Emma confirmed. "But kid, if you're a girl, don't take it personal, yeah? I think she'd rather be he than it, anyway."

Regina smiled, resting her hand on "him".

"Well, little guy. Regina just called me beautiful. Don't tell her, but I think she's the most gorgeous thing I've ever seen."

Regina blushed. She still didn't move her hand. Emma was leaning against the back of the couch; Regina was on her left, turned slightly inwards, her left hand resting on Emma's stomach. Her right was precariously close to Emma's fingertips. With a shaky breath, she linked their hands together. Emma smiled, and put her other hand over Regina's on her stomach.

"Don't tell your Momma," Regina whispered to the baby, "but…" she trailed off, unable to say it. She hated herself for being so closed off, even now, even when she might be safe. But Emma didn't hate her.

"It's okay," Emma whispered. "You don't have to rush. You'd be no fun if you were simple."

Regina moved in closer, resting her head on Emma's shoulder. The movie was wasting electricity now, but neither of them wanted to move to turn it off. Emma leaned her head on Regina's.

They fell asleep that way, waking in the late evening to a bright blue screen and aching necks.

"We should go out," Regina said. "But I should call first…"

She jumped off the couch a little awkwardly and went to find her phone, calling her ex boyfriend's father to ask him an enormous favour. It wasn't actually as weird as it sounded. He was surprised to hear from her, but promised the passports would be with them by the end of the week. She texted him the pictures and names she wanted - Emma Smith and Regina Jones. She'd had to think too quickly, but she'd decided keeping the same first names was simplest.

"Right. We have four days. What do you want to see in New York?"

"You ever been to Coney Island?"

Regina made a face. "An amusement park? Really?"

Emma stuck her tongue out. "I've only ever looked at it. I never went on any of the rides. Come on. It's on my bucket list. And I know you'll love it."

"You know no such thing."

"Sure I do. You liked the hot chocolate, didn't you?"

Regina reluctantly admitted that this was true. "Fine. I suppose I could win a stuffed animal for the child."

"God, we need something to call him. Maybe something gender neutral, actually. I'm starting to feel unsure."

Regina laughed. "Okay… Uhm…"

"I know. Lucky. Because he is."

"You said he again. Why's he lucky?"

"Because we met you. Duh."

Regina gave Emma an impromptu hug. It became awkward rather quickly, but they both enjoyed the gesture.

"Okay, Lucky… I'll win Lucky a stuffed animal," Regina said.

"Not if I win him- I mean, not if I win Lucky one first."

Regina grinned. "Unlikely. I am the luck, after all."

They took a train to Coney Island, making fools of themselves for the whole journey. Regina thought fleetingly about how they must seem. Two normal, cheerful friends. Young, happy, safe… And maybe that's what they were. There was nothing normal about it, but she felt better than… than she could ever remember feeling.

In the end they both won things. Regina won first prize, which was a ridiculous green dolphin, about the length of her hand. It was cute, though. Emma won a "lesser" prize, which was a huge yellow bear. On the train, the bear and the dolphin had a very deep conversation, complete with a deep, gruff voice next to a cutesy squeaky one.

"Thank you," Regina said as they got off the train. "I had a lot of fun tonight."

"You make it sound like it was a date. And that I was paying," Emma joked. They both laughed, but their minds were on something else. Regina whipped her head around.

"Maybe it was a date," she said with a grin. She stepped backwards into the revolving door and pulled Emma into the section with her. They shuffled around together, stumbling, holding each other up. Breathless, they emerged in the lobby. They forced themselves to calm down as they walked past the desk to the elevators, keeping their heads down and their giggling mouths clamped shut. Regina was holding the bear on her hip. The dolphin was in the neck of Emma's shirt. She took it out and stroked it gently, then put it in Regina's purse, making sure its head was peeking out a little.

The elevator doors pinged open.

"Your carriage awaits, my Queen," Emma said, bowing ceremoniously.

They were in the elevator. Regina was sure Emma could hear her heartbeat. Emma stuffed her hands in her pockets, fidgeting, moving from foot to foot.

"Was it a date?" Regina blurted out.

Emma froze, then turned slowly to look at her. She stepped forward, closing the gap between them, her sweet breath on Regina's face as she murmured, "Only if you kiss-"

She didn't even need to finish the sentence before Regina's lips crashed into hers. There was a moment of tentative permission seeking before both mouths opened and their tongues collided in a delicious battle for dominance where they were both winners because neither of them could win. Regina pushed forwards, dropping the bear to use both hands to caress Emma's face, shoulders, hands, neck, arms, waist… They broke apart, gasping for air, as the elevator doors pinged open. Emma scooped up the bear, grabbed Regina with the other hand, and practically dragged her to their room. Regina fumbled in her purse for the key card but it was too much, too much waiting.

Emma pressed their lips together again, slower this time but just as desperate. She pushed Regina against the door, every possible inch of their bodies touching, moving together as they hummed with pleasure.

"What is this?" Regina asked when they broke apart to breathe again. Emma scooped the key card out of the bag and opened the door.

"The best thing that ever happened to me," she answered. Regina blushed, taking Emma's hand.

"I… Me too," she realised. There was a pause. "But… What about… Everything?"

"You mean Lucky? Well that's why Lucky's so lucky. Most kids only have one Mom. Lucky has two."

Regina pulled Emma into the tightest hug she'd ever given. Emma hugged back, her eyes prickling with tears. Because what she felt, what had made her say that, was love. She didn't know what kind, she didn't know what was going to happen, honestly she had no idea how any of this was going to work out. But she did know that right here, right now, was the most complicated, funny, adorable, beautiful person she had ever met, and she didn't want to waste another second pretending not to like her.

A/N: Thank you so much for reading and for the response to this story so far! I'm sorry my updates are so sporadic, but I'll do what I can to write as much as possible for all my stories. If you want regular updates about my writing, life, and OUAT, please follow me on twitter - reginakatic, again. I also love making friends and knowing what you think of my writing. Also, I want to celebrate today because no matter how bad they were, I just submitted two huge midterm projects and I can actually relax again (for like a day lol but still). I hope you approve of the move to London. I actually googled flying in the first trimester because I've heard some rumours that it's not good, but according to the internet, it doesn't increase the risk of miscarriage, it's just that miscarrying is much more likely in the first trimester so pregnant women are discouraged from travelling because it would be much harder away from home. And since I've brought up miscarriage, I must now confirm - Emma will not lose this baby. Lucky will be born and kept. I can't promise perfectly smooth sailing, but I can promise that. Have a wonderful week, my dear readers. And sorry for the huge note, I'm feeling chatty today... Goodnight! x