Thank you! Thank you! Thank you for the reviews! I may be done posting chapters for today. Not sure if I will get Chapter 8 up tonight. We are going to see something new with Henry in this chapter. It's something I'm pretty excited about. I am not sure how it will develop...I guess we will have to wait and see...
Robin stood in the doorway and watched Regina nursing the baby for a few minutes before he came in. "How are you feeling?" He finally asked sitting next to her.
"Happy, sad, tired, incredibly weak, but so in love." She smiled at him.
"What should we name her?" He asked touching the baby's head while she snuggled further into her mother.
"I don't know. Maybe we should ask the boys." Regina suggested.
Regina lifted the baby and burped her. She then moved her to the other breast. Robin just watched this beautiful woman with such admiration. She had overcome so much. When the baby was done eating and had her diaper changed she was fast asleep in her mother's arms.
"Can I hold her?" Robin finally asked.
"Of course." Regina lay the baby in his arms.
"Hello my little love. You are so loved." The baby began to whimper knowing she had been moved from her mother. "I know you want your mommy back, but just know that daddy loves you too." He kissed her head and she calmed.
There was a soft knock on the door. "Can we come in?" It was Emma and the boys.
"Yes my loves." Regina smiled at her boys.
"The boys have come up with a name." Emma announced.
"What is it?" Robin asked.
"Sofia." Roland said proudly. "Sofia The First."
"You can't name her the whole title of a television show Roland." Henry pointed out.
"Why not?" Roland asked.
"Just because." Henry laughed. "But Sofia is a great name mom."
"I agree." Robin smiled.
"She is so beautiful." Henry smiled at her.
Roland hopped up on the bed and looked down at the baby. He gently touched her hand. "Henry, how are we going to protect her?" He asked.
Regina's head snapped up. Henry looked at his mom and smiled, "We will stay with her always and keep her safe like big brothers should. And when the new baby comes we will protect her too."
"We will always protect you Sofia." Roland promised and then kissed his new sister.
Emma ushered the boys out of the room and used her magic to supply Regina with a bassinet and all the baby supplies she would need through the night. She decided to stay a few nights to help with the boys.
"How do you feel about her?" Regina asked Robin once she got the baby settled.
"Sofia? I love her. And I love her mother." He kissed Regina passionately.
"Do you think you will feel differently about her once our baby gets here?"
"No Regina. Sofia is our daughter. I love her as my own. As far as I am concerned, she came into this world as a product of our love."
"Sofia Grace. What do you think?" Regina asked as she kissed him.
"Beautiful." And they drifted off to sleep in each other's arms.
As Marian stood outside the house staring she was startled by a noise. She turned to see Rumplestiltskin smiling at her. "Dark One!" She gasped.
"Yes and as I said earlier, this night and now morning is full of surprises." He giggled.
"I'm sorry Dark One. I'm sorry." Marian was pleading.
"What's done is done. You stole from me. And the price you will pay will be very very steep. No I'm sorry is going to work for you dearie. You are in too deep." He smiled.
"What is the price?" She asked looking down.
"You will soon find out. You may have cheated death however what lies in store for you may be much worse than death." And with that he was gone.
Once the Dark One was gone Marian smirked knowing she already had the upper hand.
When Emma went back to the window and looked out, she saw something move outside. She wasn't sure, but she could have sworn it was Rumple and Marian. She ran out the front door.
"Where are you going?" Snow jumped up.
"There is someone out there." Emma was on the porch with her gun pulled. Her father was right behind her.
"Where?" Charming asked.
"There." Emma pointed to the bushes on the right side of the mansion. There was no one there now, but she was almost certain who she had seen.
"There was someone here." David said pointing at the footprints on the ground.
"Yes. And I think I saw who it was." Emma said turning back to the house.
Once inside Emma checked on both boys and they were sleeping like angels. Robin had come out in to the hall to check on them as well. "She asked me to check on the boys." He smiled.
"Tell her, we will be here all day and we are spending the night. I have cast a stronger protection spell against all outside magic. We should be safe now. Last night was a very long stressful night. I will keep watch today to make sure nothing is amiss." Emma smiled.
"I can't thank you enough for bringing her back to me." Robin hugged her.
"You are welcome, but it was her strength that brought us back." Emma looked at him. "Robin, I think we need to talk later about this. I'll wake you guys for lunch in a couple hours."
"Emma, do I need to know everything he did to her?" Robin looked down. "As it is, my mind is running a million miles an hour with thoughts and visions that are tearing me apart."
"No. You don't. Just know that, Regina Mills or Her Majesty The Queen, is the strongest person I know. And after what I saw, I will always be on her side. I will always defend her. And I will always be there for her. She has walked through hell. I am surprised she was even able to get pregnant honestly. Take care of her Robin. Love her. She deserves every bit of happiness this world has to offer. And if you hurt her, you will answer to me." Emma smiled and patted his shoulder.
"I love her with all my heart Emma. I have no intention of hurting her. And I too will always be there for her. And I will spend my life protecting her and our children." He vowed.
"Good. Now get back in there. I don't want her to be alone for a while. I think I have an idea who did this. But we all need to discuss it after some much needed rest."
Sleep didn't come easily for most of the house, but when it did come it was peaceful. Regina made sure of that. As she lie in bed listening to the finally quiet house and everyones vows to stand beside her and protect her, she cast a little spell herself. A spell that gave everyone peace in light of this situation. She herself fell into a deep peaceful slumber dreaming of this new family that had come to be hers.
When she awoke she felt sore. Her body ached from what she assumed was laying in bed incredibly tense for hours. Robin was not in bed next to her, but she could hear voices downstairs. Sofia was still asleep since she had just eaten an hour ago. She went to take a shower and wash off the remnants of the exhausting night she had. As she washed her hands over her baby bump she was amazed at how quickly her body was changing. She felt the baby flutter at that moment in the shower. "Letting me know you're ok?" She smiled down at her tummy.
"Talking to yourself?" Robin asked from the other side of the sliding glass door.
"I'm talking to our daughter. I just felt her move." Regina smiled at him. "I think she was doing jumping jacks earlier."
He opened the door and looked at her. For a moment the insecurity of last nights horror flashed in her eyes. He immediately caught her face in his hands and held her gaze as she tried to look down. "I love you." He smiled at her. "I couldn't love you more than I do at this moment." He placed a soft kiss on her lips.
"Robin. I'm sorry I didn't tell you. It's just painful and I try to forget." Tears were forming in her eyes.
"Regina, I love you. And we all have a past that we would like to forget. Sometimes it comes back to haunt us. Like my dead wife for instance." They both laughed. "But you are my present and my future. You and our children are my everything."
"I love you Robin." She kissed him softly.
"I love you too, more than life itself." He rested his forehead against hers. "Your family is waiting for you downstairs." He let his hand rest on her baby bump. "She's getting big." He smiled.
"I know. I can't wait to hold her." Regina sighed.
"You are going to have your arms full with babies m'lady." He smiled.
Regina was dressed and ready to head downstairs when there was a soft knock on the door. "Come in." She called as she peeked down at Sofia sleeping in her bed.
The dooor slowly opened and Regina was surprised to see Granny come through the door. Regina rushed to the old woman and let the tears go that she had been holding back. As Granny wrapped her arms around Regina they sat on the edge of the bed. "Snow told me what happened. I'm sorry I wasn't here." Granny smoothed her hair back.
"It was awful." Regina sobbed.
"I know it must have been, but I've got you now." Granny rocked her back and forth.
"I tried not to let everyone see how damaged I was. I tried to keep them from seeing how hard last night was on me." Regina cried. "I was so scared." She whispered.
"You don't have to be strong for me. I'll be strong for both of us." Granny held her tight.
"You always have been." Regina replied. "I'm so sorry Granny."
"For what child?"
"For pushing you away. For continuing to push when we got here. I'm sorry."
"Regina, this old wolf heart holds so much love for you. I know what you see when you look at me, a time you would rather forget." Granny sighed. "Look at me."
Regina lifted her head and looked at the old woman.
"I hold nothing against you. I enjoy our banter, it keeps me on my toes. But if a day ever comes that you need me, I'll be here." Granny smiled at her.
"Thank you." Regina sighed leaving the old woman's embrace.
"Now do you feel better now that you've gotten that out?"
"Yes." Regina smiled.
"Good. You need to let that man downstairs know what you are feeling. He'll love you when you are strong and when you are feeling weak. God knows why..." Granny joked nudging her. Regina smiled at her. "Now, I really would like to meet Sofia."
Regina stood and lifted Sofia from her bed. She placed the baby in Granny's arms as the old woman spoke to the baby in a language Regina remembered from many years ago. She only caught bits and pieces of the conversation, but is was about love and magic. Granny told Sofia that she was a dream come true, and she truly was.
Granny gave Sofia a kiss on the cheek and handed her back to her mother.. "Pity, the kid looks just like you."
"Could be worse she could look like you!" Regina quipped back at her.
"There's my spunky Queen! Take care of yourself. I'll send that scandalous granddaughter of mine over with dinner later." Granny waved and left.
Regina was surprised to see Emma still there when she finally made it downstairs. "Ms. Swan?" Regina was confused as to why she was still there. "What's going on?" She could tell by Emma's expression something was wrong.
"Boys, why don't you guys go out back and play for just a bit. And then I thought maybe we could go fishing." Robin suggested. This suggestion was met by a lot of excitement as the boys went out the back door.
"How are you feeling?" Emma asked Regina.
"I'm ok. How are you feeling?" Regina was embarrassed.
"I'm good. You are an amazing woman. I am sorry for every bit of hell I have given you. You have clearly seen enough hell in your life." Emma hugged Regina.
Regina hugged her back for a moment before composing herself. "Ms. Swan, why do you have such a worried look on your face?"
"Because last night Rumple said..." She started, but was cut off.
"I don't trust anything he says!" Robin interrupted.
"We didn't know how to break the spell. He helped me do that. But he said who ever cast the spell to put you into infinite torment or whatever, wasn't evil...yet. That's why they were able to cast the spell. He said the baby has been protecting you from any dark magic, such as himself, but I think I know who did it." Emma was rambling and Regina was trying to process everything without caffeine.
"Who?" Robin asked.
"Marian." She answered and they all just looked at each other. "I went to the window last night and looked out and she was standing out there with Rumple."
"I have been sensing something off about Marian." Regina admitted. "I know Marian said the potion would kill me, and Rumple may have told her that, but I know Rumple. He would never actually kill me. He's thought it on many occassion, but to actually do it is something else. We have a long complicated history, but to some degree we do have a tiny bit of respect for each other. I know it sounds weird, but its true." Regina gave them a half smile.
"I don't trust him at all and until I feel differently, he is a threat." Robin said moving across the room to put his arm protectively around Regina. "And now, so is Marian."
"As a mother, to not be with your child every day is maddening. I think you at least need to take Roland to visit her." Regina looked up at him.
"No! No way. She's crossed the line and I will not have Roland put in harms way." He was using his angry voice Regina mused.
"I want you to be there. I want you to watch her interactions. I need to know if she's truly interested in him, or you." Regina whispered. "I know how it feels to miss your son so bad it's killing you. If you don't see that in her then get him and come home because something's not right"
Emma interrupted because she didn't want Regina venturing down a path of dark memories after last night. "Maybe you should consider it Robin. Regina may be right. I also don't think Rumple would kill Regina. I'll go with you and Roland in case we need to get out in hurry."
"I'll put a protection spell on you both. If she can't get near you or is thrown back when she tries, then we will know her intentions."
"We will do it this weekend, but right now I just want us to have a few days of peace. " Robin dismissed the idea for now.
Days went by without incident. Regina's baby bump was growing daily. She had grown out of all of her clothes. She, Robin and the boys took Sofia on her first outing, they went to Granny's for dinner because Regina insisted she was starving. Granny's was packed with all the usuals, Emma and Hook, The Charmings, a couple of dwarves and of course her friend Tink.
"Regina!" Snow exclaimed rushing to the Queen. "How are you?"
"I'm good." She replied as Snow wrapped her in a hug.
Snow let her eyes travel down to Regina's now protruding stomach, she looked confused.
"What's wrong?" Regina asked worried.
"You are huge. It's only been a couple of days since I last saw you. May I?" Snow asked for permission to touch her tummy.
"Sure." Regina felt awkward with everyone's eyes on her.
"Maybe my Robin isn't the father and she's been lying to him." Marian said as she appeared from the back. She had been renting an apartment from Granny since she and Robin has split.
"That is NOT what I meant!" Snow exclaimed instantly becoming defensive.
"What do you think Robin? Has your queen tricked you?" Marian laughed.
"I think you need to stop." Robin was calm.
"So now you are raising her bastard child?" Marian asked.
Regina's steely glare was on Marian. Had this occurred eight months ago, the woman would have been toast! There was an awkward moment of silence as the two women faced off. Regina could sense something in Marian, was it magic? No that couldn't be, could it? She felt for it again and there it was, dark magic. She didn't want Marian to know she could sense it so she said nothing. No words were spoken as Snow finally disrupted the challenge going on between them.
"Marian, we all have to find away to live together in this town."
"Your husband isn't going to bed with a another woman every night is he? So don't you dare try to calm me down!" Marian advanced toward Snow.
Regina put her hand up and stopped Marian's advance. Marian couldn't have taken another step if she wanted to. There was a flash of Evil Queen in her eyes as she spoke to Marian. "You and I have to find a way to make this work. But another word out of your mouth about any of my children and I will end you." From the icy tone of her voice, it was most definitely a threat.
"Very soon you will no longer be a problem, Your Majesty." Marian laughed.
Regina's eyes blazed into the woman and Marian stopped instantly. "Don't threaten me Marian. I don't take kindly to threats." It was Regina's turn to smile sweetly at the woman.
"Ok. Stop this." Emma stood up. "Marian, I'm sorry I brought you back here to this strange land. But Regina has done nothing to you. You need to get control over yourself. After all, you have been dead for years. Please don't make me open that portal and toss you back through it."
"Now look who is making threats." She turned her gaze back to Regina. "I suggest you let me go. And I'll leave you for today, but this is not over. That I promise you."
"Just so you know, there will be many of us protecting her at all times." Snow added.
Regina let the woman go and watched as she stormed out the door. Regina let out the breath she had been holding.
"Are you ok?" Robin asked. He had stayed silent because he knew Regina could handle herself.
"I'm fine." She turned to the boys and smiled. "I'm sorry you both had to see that." She held her arms out to them. They both hugged her tightly.
"We're ok mom. I'm not very happy with her threatening you." Henry stated. "But can I talk to you alone for a minute?" He asked.
"Sure of course. Let's step outside for a minute." She turned to Robin and he nodded heading toward a booth with Roland and Sofia.
They walked out the door together and she could tell Henry was angry. She could sense something in him that she had never sensed before. She put her hand on his shoulder and turned him toward her. "Henry, what's wrong?" And she felt it as her hand lay on his shoulder. Rage. It was boiling in her son's blood. "Henry don't." She said softly.
"Mom, when Marian threatened you I was so angry. I wanted to protect you." He looked down. "I wanted to kill her." He whispered.
"Oh Henry." She took her son into her arms. "Please don't feel that way. I felt that way for far too long. I can protect myself."
He finally pulled away from her and turned them so his back was to the diner. "When she was yelling at you and I was so angry, this happened." He held out his hand and a ball of fire appeared.
