Disclaimer in Chapter One
AN: I know you guys are on edge from the ending of the last chapter, so here's an early update. Again, all medical jargon was researched as best as I could. I noticed that the Opera browser on my Blackberry didn't show italicized text, so if that happens for any of you reading on mobile, there's going to be a few italicized flashbacks. Thank you all so much for reading, reviewing, alerting, and favouriting. It means so much to me. Without further ado, chapter 7!
Chapter Seven – Tears in Heaven
Regina was startled awake by the banging of the door. She gasped when she noticed Henry wasn't in the bed, and naturally, her mind wandered to the worst. Little did she know as she rushed down the stairs and flung open the door that her worst nightmare was about to come true.
"Regina, it's Henry," Mary Margaret huffed out of breath from clearly running all the way to her house. "You have to go to the hospital, Emma has him there."
Without a moment's hesitation, she grabbed her keys and pushed the other woman out of her way, not even allowing Mary Margaret to think about getting in the car with her as she sped off towards the hospital.
"Sheriff, you need to calm down," a nurse held a frantic Emma by the shoulders as the blonde tried to push her way into the hospital room where Dr. Whale and other attendants were tending to a still unconscious Henry.
"Calm down? How the hell am I supposed to calm down? My son's in there!" Emma spat.
"I know," the nurse said gently yet professionally. "We're going to do everything we can for him. Please, just take a seat."
Emma was about to yell again when Regina burst through the door. "Where is he? What happened?"
"Mayor Mills, we don't know as of yet, but we will keep you updated." The nurse repeated before making her way into Henry's room, shutting the door firmly behind her.
Regina just glanced at Emma emotionlessly before leaning against a wall, letting her weight collapse against it. Emma remained rooted in her spot, boring holes into the door as if her gaze could somehow open it. After long minutes of silence, she walked the few steps to stand in front of Regina.
"I thought you'd left," Regina said in a flat voice, too worried to sound cold.
"I did," Emma said quietly. "At least I was going to."
"You didn't get very far," the brunette said, looking up to take up Emma's position of staring at the door.
"I managed to clear my head, got my senses knocked into me." Emma answered sheepishly, kicking at the tile with her booted toe and stuffing her hands in her pockets.
As if a magnetic force were at play, both women stared up at each other, finally looking at one another since they both arrived at the hospital. Emma held her breath, waiting to see what Regina's verdict was. Her answer was given in the form of the brunette removing the blonde's hand from her jacket and weaving their fingers together. Her stare remained constant as she gave Emma's hand a reassured squeeze. "About damn time, Swan."
Emma barely had time to process before Regina had slumped her forehead against the sheriff's shoulder. She could hear the mayor's unsteady breathing as she attempted to refrain herself from crying. Just like that, the roles were reversed. Emma readily took the reins and immediately wrapped her arms around Regina. She didn't whisper words of encouragement or promise that Henry would be okay. Neither woman wanted the task of making a promise they had no control of keeping. She rubbed her back, keeping her jaw pressed against Regina's temple. Though they didn't say anything, they still had faith that their little boy was going to be okay. He just had to be.
The longest hour of Emma and Regina's life passed before Dr. Whale finally came out to brief them. He looked nervous as the two women stood to hear the news. "Henry's stable for now. He was awake very briefly before we put him under again to run some tests." He paused and looked around as if looking for someone to back him up. "There's a problem."
"What is it?" The mayor demanded.
"I think you should sit down." Dr. Whale said heavily.
"Why?" Emma questioned immediately. Regina and Emma remained standing as Dr. Whale looked uncomfortable. "Henry's body isn't responding to the treatment. It doesn't happen often in cases like his, but it does happen."
Regina clutched Emma's hand and all language escaped the usually smart-assed, quick with words mayor. Emma spoke up for the both of them. "So what does that mean? Is he gonna get a new treatment plan?"
Dr. Whale shook his head. "The cancer cells are reproducing too quickly, and when the body stops responding –"
"So what, that's it?!" Emma screeched, advancing on the doctor. "There's nothing you can do?!"
Regina remained paralyzed as the doctor retreated from the furious sheriff. He put his hands up in defense, ready for any attacks Emma might throw his way. "I'm sorry, but it's terminal."
"How long?" Regina croaked, breaking from her daze.
"If we're lucky, three months." Dr. Whale responded.
"Three months is lucky?!" Emma gasped.
"If we're not?" Regina said in her hoarse voice.
"His body is deteriorating rapidly. It seems since he didn't take with the chemo this time, it attacked all his good cells for nothing." The doctor explained, effectively stalling the answer he was afraid to give.
"Whale!" Emma yelled.
"One to three months," he spat out. "I'm so sorry Madame Mayor, Sheriff. You're welcome to see him as long as you'd like."
With that the good doctor turned and left, amazed he had gotten out relatively unscathed. Emma stood a few paces ahead of Regina, just as paralyzed. The words of Dr. Whale seeped into their brains and burned a memory into them they would never forget.
It's cancer . . .reproducing too quickly . . .terminal . . .one month . . .body stopped responding . . .terminal.
Emma forced herself to turn towards Regina. The act alone was enough to make her head spin, but when she saw Regina's glassy eyes and parted lips, she took the extra step towards her, immediately holding each other's forearms and pressing their foreheads together. They both wore the same expression.
Devastation.
The sound of Henry's heart monitor beeped rhythmically in his private hospital room. His mothers sat side by side on the couch they had pushed next to Henry's bed, only speaking to go for coffee and washroom breaks. It was mere hours ago that Dr. Whale had dropped the atomic bomb on the couple, and not long after that did they have to break the news to their son themselves. Both women ached when they saw their son attempt to stifle his fear and tears, but as soon as they both engulfed him in an intimate embrace, he released every emotion he had felt since Emma walked out of their house. They had talked to him about what was expected, and he listened like the brave little boy they knew he was. Sometimes they would catch him hiding his tears, and eventually the emotional turmoil had knocked him right out. And so they sat in a catatonic state waiting for their Henry to wake up.
Regina watched her son, her head tilted onto Emma's shoulder. She was the first to break the silence with an off script comment. "He looks so small."
Emma nodded and reached over for his hand, purple and green from the bruises he had received from the doctors poking and prodding him. Her heart weighed heavy just thinking about all the promises she had made to him that she had yet to fulfill. She was going to take him paintballing, behind Regina's back of course, and she was going to be the one who was cool with the first girl he would bring home, and she was going to give him the bug the day he turned sixteen, and she was supposed to propose as soon as he got better. The thought made her heart ache.
"I suck at promises." She whispered out loud.
"Hmm?"
"I broke all my promises to you, and I can't keep the ones I made to him." She sniffed back tears. "I told him that if he gets better he can give us away."
Regina lifted her head and put her palm over Emma's. "He won't be mad." She forced Emma to look at her for good measure. "And it's okay."
Emma nodded. She had to get over the past if she was going to savour the present. The oh so short present she was privileged to have with Henry, and Regina for the matter.
Regina could see the guilt forming in the blonde's green eyes and sat up straighter. She removed the clasp of her necklace and let her wedding band fall into her palm. Emma watched, curious as to what the brunette was going to do.
The mayor held her ring between her thumb and forefinger and held it up to Emma. "I have an offer for you, Ms. Swan."
Emma raised her eyebrows in surprise.
"If you swear to love me and be with me, and be with Henry, through everything, I'll allow you to marry me." Regina said absolutely serious.
The blonde watched shocked. This was as close to a wedding proposal as Regina was going to get, and Emma jumped on the opportunity. "I may make bad on my promises, but I do know a thing or two about swearing."
Regina rolled her eyes playfully. "So?"
Emma took the ring from Regina, who was smiling despite everything. "I swear to be everything you need and want and deserve and more. For you and our family. Will you marry me again?"
"Of course, Emma." Regina kissed her as Emma slid the ring back onto Regina's left hand. When they pulled back, Regina removed Emma's own band and did the same.
Movement interrupted the couple's moment, though they were thrilled at that. Henry moaned quietly and cracked his eyes open. He offered a small smile, albeit strained since it was difficult for him to breathe due to the swelling of his abdomen. "Miss anything?"
Regina kissed her son sweetly on the forehead. "Looks like you're getting your birthday wish."
Henry sat up and squinted when he noticed that his mothers were sporting their wedding rings again. He grinned. "I didn't wish for that."
Emma made a face. "Seriously?
He chuckled and nodded.
Before either woman could question what his wish was, a mass of balloons and stuffed animals came bounding in through the door followed by the people carrying it. Mary Margaret and David had come with flowers, a novel and an airwalker balloon. Ruby followed shortly after with a batch of Granny's cookies and a life sized stuffed animal of a wolf, its tongue sticking out and a wolf pup in between its paws.
"It's the dog you never had," Ruby said cheerfully, earning her a laugh and a thanks for Henry.
Within the hour, close friends of Henry, Regina and Emma had dropped in and out of Henry's room bearing gifts and well wishes. No one in the family had released the information of what they learned about Henry's status, and the hope that filled the room with each passing guest made them zip their lips.
Ava and Nicholas had come with some comics while Archie had brought a 'Get Well' balloon and spent the majority of his time talking with Henry who thoroughly enjoyed his company.
Emma had left to pick up dinner just as Archie was arriving and was still absent by the time the doctor left. Regina shut the door after him and sat in the chair beside Henry, who was on the brink of sleep. She stroked his hair away from his face and felt the burn from the fever he hadn't complained about. She wished it was her instead of Henry. She couldn't bear watching her son suffer and would give anything to trade places with him.
He slowly reached his hand up to hold the hand that was still stroking his face. "Mom?"
She leaned forward still. "I'm here. Get some rest, I'll be here when you wake."
She felt the attempt at a squeeze in her hand and kissed the back of Henry's, bringing their conjoined palms to rest against the side of her cheek.
"I want," he breathed deeply fighting sleep and pain. "I want to show you something."
"What is it, sweetie?"
His eyes closed fully, and Regina was sure he had fallen asleep. She heard him breathe out a single word. "Castle."
Regina's mouth parted slightly, and she smiled lovingly at her son. He wanted to share his and Emma's secret place with her. Her eyes flashed with determination as she mentally concocted a plan for Henry to get his wish. More than one of them if she was lucky.
Being Mayor had its privileges, as did being the Sheriff. Regina could bully anyone into anything she wanted, and Emma could flash her badge and threaten to get a warrant. They were the definition of a power couple. However, they didn't use their special privileges for themselves. On the contrary, they did it for their son.
After a week of Henry being cooped up in the hospital, Emma had cornered Dr. Whale demanding Henry to be released for a couple of hours, and he was quick to comply. The nurses helped a fatigued Henry into warmer clothes than the simple hospital gown, ignoring his questions of "where am I going?"
The sound of a wheelchair with one rusty wheel sounded just outside Henry's room and amplified when Emma pushed the chair into it. She wasn't in her usual jeans and a tank top. For some reason, she was wearing an eggshell white sundress, her hair done up in a ponytail with a fashionable braid wrapped around it. Although she looked elegant and put together, her gruff "get in" was all Emma.
Henry raised an eyebrow before positioning himself in the wheelchair. The innocent, eleven year old boy inside him was thrilled at being in one with his mind filling with pictures of racing in them. "Cool."
Emma smirked as she tucked a blanket around her son and wheeled him out of the hospital.
Henry stared out of the window of Emma's bug, trying to decipher where his blonde mother was taking him. When he saw the horizon of the lake with the clock tower standing proud in the background, he knew they could only be in one place.
"What are we doing here?" He asked confused, his voice hoarse and frail.
Emma just smiled before unbuckling her belt and withdrew the wheelchair from the trunk. She helped Henry into the chair, allowing him as much independence as he was able to do. Pushing him over the rocky terrain, she was careful to take the smoothest possible path as their secret castle slowly came into view.
"Mom?" Henry asked again.
Emma patted his shoulder before rounding the corner of the castle where Regina stood in a long, flowing, white beach dress, completely done up and looking as exquisite as always. Just behind her was the judge who married Henry's mothers over a decade ago.
Henry's eyes widened as much as they could when Regina glided over to them with a beautiful smile plastered on her face. He looked up at his brunette mother who stood beside him, mirroring the position of Emma as each took a hold of one of his chair handles. "What's going on?"
"I said you could give us away," Emma said simply, smiling softly at her boy.
Regina bent closer to his face and whispered, "Can I share your secret too?"
He grinned and nodded. She pecked his cheek and stood straighter. Sharing an affectionate look with Emma, the family made their way towards the judge. In a few short but purposeful steps, they reached the short, balding man.
He bent slightly, looking at Henry intently. "And who gives away these women?"
Henry sat straighter, holding his mothers' hands. He spoke clearly, his enthusiasm leaking through. "I do."
Both Emma and Regina placed a kiss on their son's face before stepping forward towards the judge, their fingers entwined together.
Twelve years ago when Regina and Emma had first got married, their ceremony and reception was the grandest wedding Storybrooke had ever seen in a while, thanks to Regina. They had acquired the biggest hall in town, inviting prestigious and respected delegates and politicians, the owner of the town, Mr. Gold, of course, and almost every person Regina remotely tolerated or Emma effectively convinced her to invite. Needless to say, it was the talk of the town for weeks with it being the wedding of the century and all.
But this wedding, the wedding involving only the couple, their son and an officiator was a thousand times more meaningful and memorable. There was no fancy tables, expensive dresses or over the top ice sculptures. There was no stress of worrying about flower arrangements, if Leroy had prematurely taken advantage of the open bar, or if the caterers were late. They just had simple dresses, old wedding rings, the background of a broken down castle playground, and their son beaming from ear to ear, looking his happiest in months. All that the couple was concerned about was whether the other would say "I do", and they had absolutely no doubt about that.
When it was Regina's turn respond and confirm her vows, she grinned, clasping Emma's hands tighter. They gazed at each other for a moment that lasted forever in their minds. She held the blonde's gaze and answered, "I do."
"By the power vested in me by the state of Maine, I now pronounce you joined in matrimony."
Regina pulled Emma in by the neck as they kissed, happily married again. Emma grinned when they parted, placing the softest of kisses on the mayor's lips before turning with her wife towards their son.
He clapped and smiled happily, the joy on his face bringing a youthful appearance to him. Scrunching up his face when his newly wed mothers cuddled against each other, he groaned playfully. "Don't be gross."
They chuckled as Emma took a hold of his wheelchair pushing gently with Regina looping her arm around Emma's.
Throughout the weeks, Emma and Regina had developed a system of keeping Henry company. Ruby graciously accepted to act as Sheriff unless absolutely necessary, while Regina still had her town to run, to her dismay. She would call as frequent as possible and never missed a lunch date with her wife and son. At precisely 6 every day, Regina would bring dinner for herself and Emma to eat, hoping to get Henry to do the same. His appetite dwindled significantly, and even if he was hungry, his swollen glands caused too much discomfort to eat anything except the soup the hospital provided for him. Both mothers saw how hard their son was struggling, but he would only convey any sense of pain to one mother at a time. He was smart enough to know that the other mother would help make things better.
As much as Regina hated to be away from Henry, she was happy that Emma was making up for the time she had lost with him the first time around. Yes, the days and nights were difficult and almost unbearable, especially since Henry insisted his mothers to go home and rest, but if Emma and Regina are anything, it's being stubborn. They had fashioned the couch in Henry's room into a makeshift bed where Regina would find herself lying on top of Emma, pressed against the couch. No matter how soft or lavish her queen sized bed at home was, nestling with Emma definitely felt far more comfortable.
After a particularly boring day in the office, Regina set aside files and stood to grab her coat. The weather was getting chilly rather early ever since the September month sprung about. She sighed, losing herself in thoughts as she gazed out the window, watching the breeze rustle the trees below.
Fall was Henry's favourite season. Regina mused that it was because it contained Halloween, but he insisted he loved the colours. She recalled the days when Emma would rake up a huge pile of leaves just for Henry to jump in over and over again. She even chanced a small smile when she remembered her six year old son stuffing his sweater and pants with leaves, pretending to be some Autumn snowman. It pained Regina to think that this could very well be his last Fall.
She inhaled sharply and turned towards her desk. Since Emma had moved back in, the secret photograph of their first family picture was fixed and brought back on display, but there were additional pictures under the new plastic desk covering of her marble desk. She stroked her fingers over the face of 1 year old Henry next to a giant teddy bear, courtesy of Graham, and moved them over to Henry's first day of school, clinging desperately to Regina's leg, him in Emma's lap in her ridiculous car as he pretended to drive, up until recent pictures of his latest birthday party where Emma and Regina had hugged him, looking the bit like a normal family, to being in the hospital, smiling despite everything, leaning safely against his mothers.
Regina closed her eyes and practised a routine breathing exercise to calm herself down. It barely worked. The heavy footfalls of boots snapped her eyes open where she saw Emma step in with a jingling box. Regina opened her mouth immediately, but Emma beat her to it. "He's fine. He's sleeping."
Regina exhaled and nodded as Emma made her way towards her wife. "I've been thinking."
"I appreciate the warning, Ms. Swan," Regina replied with a tilt of her lips.
"Mills-Swan, actually." Emma grinned and held up an ID. "License came in."
"Old habits," the brunette smirked and buttoned up her coat.
Emma shrugged and said meaningfully, catching the mayor's gaze, "I believe people can change."
Regina made her way over to the blonde and pecked her lips. "You're living proof of that."
Emma grinned, "Enough with making me lose my train of thought."
"Why, dear, that's not hard for you to do by yourself."
The blonde rolled her eyes. She stopped Regina when she went to exit her office. "So, it's been a month."
The women held each other's gaze. Everything unsaid was spilled forth in their eyes. The worry and the fear were nestled deep in the tresses of green and brown. "I'm aware."
"I don't know how long –" The blonde gulped and changed course. "I think we should bring Christmas early this year."
The mayor took a moment to consider it. "I'd have to agree with you on that one."
"You married me for my brains," Emma smirked.
Regina scoffed playfully before leading the way out.
Henry felt nauseated and had been for a while now. He was incredibly fatigued and every now and again his nose would spontaneously bleed. Bruises popped up on his skin from the simplest of touches, and there was a pain in his spleen that had been jabbing him for days, but he still found the energy to sit up and greet his mothers.
When his eyes opened, the room was transformed. Garland and tinsel hung around the room with bells and flashing LED lights woven through it. In the corner was a miniature two foot tree with artificial snow fluff gathered around it, a few presents waiting to be open under it. There was even mistletoe hanging under the door frame.
Henry found Regina off to one corner, humming Silent Night as she plated sugar cookies and poured milk. "Mom?"
She turned grinning, wearing a beige and red fitted Christmas sweater and made her way over to her son with her famous cookies. She kissed his forehead and offered him a cookie, which he gladly took, taking a small bite. "Merry Christmas, sweetie."
"It's September," Henry said nibbling the cookie.
"I know," she answered. "But we're going to have it now. You, me and your mom. Just like old times."
Henry grinned when he heard a jingling and a hearty, "Ho! Ho! Ho!"
He laughed for the first time in a long time when Emma walked into the room dressed in a cheap Santa costume. Her belly was clearly a pillow and she was without a beard. "I see mistletoe." She waggled her eyebrows at Regina. "Let's hope Mrs. Clause doesn't find out."
Regina rolled her eyes but smiled at Henry's laugh. Emma kept up her hearty laugh as she sat on the edge of Henry's bed. "Would you like to sit in Santa's lap?"
Henry eagerly crawled into Emma's lap, mindful of his breathing tubes and IVs. "What's your name little boy?"
"Henry Mills-Swan," he played along. Regina grinned and pulled out her camera, snapping candid shots of the two.
"Well Henry, I hear you've been a very, very good boy. You're at the very top of my nice list." Emma deepened her voice. "I'm sure I have lots of presents for you, but is there something special you want?"
Henry hesitated. His mothers watched as if hearing what he wanted so desperately. What surprised them, however, was what came out of his mouth in response. "You can't make me better, but I always wanted a sibling."
Regina froze with the camera to her face. She was not expecting that. Emma caught her eyes and shrugged, almost amused. She tilted Henry's head up when it had dropped down and grinned. "That doesn't seem like a bad idea at all," she motioned to Regina, still talking in her Santa voice. She dropped it to a whisper, "But there's never going to be a perfect little boy like you."
Henry hugged Emma before scooting back into bed. Emma stood and pushed an elf ear hat onto Regina's help. "Help Santa with the gifts."
"Santa's getting lazy," Regina smirked picking up two out of the three gifts. They sat back down on Henry's bed and laid them out for him.
He smiled up at his mothers, genuine happiness in his eyes. "If this is my last Christmas, I'm glad it's this one."
Emma turned away to regain her composure while Regina expertly steeled her expression. She grinned happily for her son and placed the first gift on his lap. "Open it."
Henry unwrapped the flat present to find a handmade quilt with his name embroidered on it. Emma grinned draping it over her son's lap. "It's like my baby blanket."
He smiled, rubbing the warm, soft, fabric against his cheek. Draping it back over his lap, he reached for the second gift, this one significantly better wrapped. His face lit up when he say the complete series of the Justice League on DVD. As much as he loved hanging out with Emma all day long, there was only so much they could do.
"Hey," Emma began. "Am I not fun enough? I mean, is Emma not fun enough?"
Regina made a playful condescending face that earned her a shove while Henry giggled. "You'll like it too."
A coughing fit interrupted their precious occasion, and Emma had to restrain Regina from alerting every single personnel in the building to attend to her son. As sudden as it came, it was quickly eased. He graciously took the water from Emma and nodded his head when asked of his well-being.
Regina still looked uneasy and placed a hand on her son's knobby knee. "There's one more."
Clearing his throat, Henry tore through the wrapping of this gift just as he did the others. His expression softened when he found a home movie titled Henry. He looked up at his mothers eagerly. "Can we watch it?"
"Lucky for you Santa brought her laptop." Emma said, digging into a satchel and produced the electronic. The family settled in with Henry in the middle, the laptop stationed in front of him as the screen switched to the feature.
"Regina, don't, I'm all gross," Emma refused to meet the camera's lens as she sat in the hospital bed, her forehead perspiring and her cheeks glowing. The camera zoomed in on the bundle in her arms.
"Happy birthday, sweetie." Regina voice cooed to the newborn, her finger reaching out to stroke his little face.
"Here, Madame Mayor, let me hold that for you." Graham's voice sounded off screen as the camera shift. Regina appeared in the shot, sitting on the edge of Emma's bed with an arm wrapped around her wife's shoulder as she brought her face down to kiss her baby boy.
Three-year old Henry stood in the pathway of the mayoral mansion covered in protective padding and a helmet.
"Wide!" He yelled, a flash of blue showing from his mouth.
"We're gonna ride soon, kid. Is that a mouth guard?" Emma's voice asked as she walked closer with the camera. "Spit it out, you don't need it."
The boy obeyed but looked up at his mother worriedly. "Mama?"
"I'll handle her, you go get on your bike, buddy," she said enthusiastically as he ran to his new tricycle.
Emma filmed as she proudly watched Henry ride on his own. He turned his head back to smile at his mother while at the same time turning the handle and riding over a curb.
"Oh sh-" Emma began before the screen flickered off then crackled to life again as it was filming from the counter. The brunette, the blonde and their son could be seen just to the right of the frame, gathered around the sink as Henry's bawling sounded loudly.
"Why did you take off his mouth guard?" Regina hissed.
"Who needs a mouth guard to ride a tricycle?" Emma said obviously.
Henry's face popped into view, his lip swollen and his mouth bloody. Regina gave Emma a pointed look. Emma looked sheepish and mumbled an apology.
Regina gave Emma the same exact look over Henry's shoulder, and the blonde responded with just a shrug. They clasped their hands behind their son's back as the movie kept playing.
The frame was blurry and shaky and was initially set on a window as very light snow began falling from the still dark sky. The sound of the camera being moved constantly shook the screen as a determined, six year old Henry briefly popped into view. Satisfied with the way he was holding it, he walked up the stairs and opened the door to his moms' room.
The mayor and the sheriff were sound asleep, Regina's head on Emma's chest. There was a few minutes of blurry image as Henry inevitably tried to climb on the bed while still holding the camera until he had some sense to lay it down, climb up and pick it back up. He dropped all his weight down on Emma's stomach as he sat, forcing the wind out of her.
She sat up suddenly, "Oooh."
Regina lifted her head up confused. "What is it?"
"Iiiiiiiii," Henry began, inhaling deeply getting ready to sing. "Wish you a merry Christmas, wish you a merry Christmas and a happy new yeeeaaarr! It's snowing! Presents time! Can we make a snowman?"
Emma groaned and effectively threw an arm around his middle, pulling him down into bed with them. The camera jarred as Regina removed it from his grasp. "Two more hours, sweetie, it's 4 in the morning."
Regina had placed the camera on the nightstand, too tired to be aware of its recording, and when it seemed as if everyone had gone back to sleep, Henry had continued into the second and third verse of the song, forcing his mothers up and out of bed prematurely.
The family laughed, and Regina leaned her head against Henry's. "You always had such a beautiful voice."
Emma scoffed teasingly. "At 4 in the morning? No thank you."
The DVD was filled with clips Regina had gotten Sidney to put together involving Henry and the family. The mayor, the sheriff and their son found themselves laughing and smiling as almost forgotten memories came back. There were scenes of Henry dressed as a questionable turkey for his school's Thanksgiving play. Much to Regina's disdain, it was the first and last time she had entrusted Emma to make their son's costume. Emma thought her multi-materialed turkey costume looked original, and Henry loved helping in the process. Needless to say, Emma was never allowed near the sewing machine again. There were older scenes of Henry's first soccer game where he scored his first goal, his birthday party at Granny's where Graham taught him how to throw darts, and even the time when Henry and Emma convinced Regina to go camping in their woods. That was an adventure Regina would not want to experience again, but she had to admit, making smores with her son and wife while Emma continuously attempted (and successfully on one occasion) to scare them was quite enjoyable. The family nestled closer together as the final clip played.
Henry, Emma and Regina were sitting in the living room with Henry holding the camera, much steadier this time around. The date showed that it was just a month before Regina would inevitably find out about Emma, but the interaction between the two women remained as passionate as ever.
"What's with the camera, kid?" Emma asked as she accepted a coffee mug from her wife who snuggled into her side.
"Found it. I want to interview you guys." His voice sounded as he shifted from sitting beside his mothers to sitting on the coffee table in front of them.
The arch of Regina's eyebrow had him moving almost instantly. Emma snickered into the brunette's hair. Regina straightened, aware she was being filmed. "Is this for school?"
"Nope." Henry zoomed in and out on his parents, clearly playing with the dials. "So, the audience wants to know. How did you two meet?"
Emma rolled her eyes as Regina raised her eyebrow again. "Come on, you never told me."
The couple looked at each other and smirked. Emma looked directly into the camera. "Regina Mills hated me when I became sheriff."
"That is far from the truth," Regina said sitting up.
"She used to ignore me in the council meetings," Emma continued.
"You used to stare at me all through them," Regina responded.
Henry laughed at his parents.
"Thank God for that fire," Emma said.
"You're happy I almost died?" The brunette questioned challengingly.
Emma pecked her wife's lips. "It gave you the perfect excuse to finally accept my date offers."
Regina couldn't stop the smiling forming on her face as they looked at each other.
Henry groaned. "Ew. Get a room."
Despite his desire to stay awake, Henry had fallen asleep halfway through the film, yet his mothers continued watching, smiling sadly at the inevitable, but thankful for all the glorious times they had with their son. As the final clip rolled and the couple saw their past selves look into one another's eyes, they magnetically leaned closer together, reassuring the other of their presence.
Although their Christmas festivities had been over for days now, Henry insisted on keeping the decorations up in his room. Not one to deny her son anything at this point, Regina happily complied.
She sat on the sofa late one night reading a novel. Emma had an emergency down at the station and was forced to go into work. As Regina flipped the pages of her book, she heard the usually rhythmic breathing of her son become laboured. She smiled when she saw Henry was awake, his thin, ghostly face illuminated by the bedside lamp. She set her book down and leaned towards her son, pushing his hair away from his forehead. "Hi, sweetie."
Henry remained quiet. Both he and his mothers knew that he was getting much too weak. His coughing fits had on a few occasions spat up pools of blood, and were it not for his breathing tubes, Regina was sure his lungs couldn't handle the task of inhaling since the pressure in his torso was becoming unbearable. He eyed his mom, holding her gaze before speaking softly and slowly. "Think . . . it'll hurt?"
"What will, dear?" Regina asked, gently massaging his temple.
"Dying." He forced out the word before another harsh cough overtook him.
Regina's hand stilled. She shook her head noiselessly. It was the first time Regina and Henry discussed the topic so openly. It was implied many times, but a part of Regina refused to accept the inevitable truth. She kissed her son's cheek keeping her mouth close to his ear so she could whisper. "When you go, all the pain goes away. It doesn't hurt anymore."
He nodded, satisfied with her answer. "Sometimes . . .I don't want . . .to sleep . . .'cause . . .I'm scared I . . won't wake up."
Regina bit her trembling lip and clutched Henry's hand. "When you were born, you were my precious baby angel. Having you was the greatest gift any mother could receive, and that goes for Mom too."
"I'll . . .be . . . an angel . . .for real," his eyes flickered to hers. "Watch . . .you . . .and . . .Mom."
"We'd love that very much." She allowed one tear to escape her eye, but she saw Henry attempt to lift his arm. He whispered hoarsely, "Don't . . .cry."
With that, Regina broke over her son's body, clutching his hospital gown in her fists. She cried out, "I love you, Henry. So much. If I could take it away, I would."
Henry shook his head, already falling back to sleep. "Love . . .you too."
"How about me?" Emma asked as she quietly made her way into the room. Seeing Henry's attempted grin, she leaned over and pecked his forehead. "I love you too."
She took a seat next to Regina who wiped her face clear with the back of her hand. Emma wrapped an arm around her and spoke to Henry. "At least you got your wish right?"
His laugh was strained. "I . . .didn't wish . . . for you . . .two. A . . .sibling."
"Really?" Emma asked dumbfounded.
"Didn't . . .need to wish . . for you . . .two. You . . .always . . .get back . . . together." Henry went off to sleep with a smile on his face.
Emma leaned her head against Regina's. Their fingers laced together, Regina playing with Emma's wedding band. They said nothing as they watched Henry that night. Instead, they just waited for the inevitable. For the past few days, they had played a cruel waiting game of watching their son wither away, and with each day that passed, the game grew harder and harder.
It was 5:36 in the morning the next day. The early risers of Storybrooke went about their usual business. Granny threw a wet dish towel at Ruby who refused to wake up before the old lady went downstairs to continue making fresh bread, Archie stepped outside, Pongo in tow as they traversed the quiet streets for his morning walk, while August sat in the middle of the forest by a wishing well, typewriter nearby but notebook and pencil in hand as he jotted down inspiration. On any other normal day, Emma would be pulling Regina back into bed, cursing that damn alarm clock as Regina conned her way out with several well placed kisses.
But this was not a normal day for the couple. At 5:36 in the morning, Emma awoke to the unfamiliar erratic beeping of Henry's heart monitor. Her sudden movements stirred the brunette beside her, and the noise quickly attracted Regina's attention. Emma acted fast, running out of the room and pulling in the nearest nurse demanding to know what was wrong.
His heart monitor beeped as quickly as the pounding of his mothers' hearts. The women were pushed to the side, holding one another, as nurses and Dr. Whale stepped in with a defibrillator.
"His heart's not pumping enough blood, he's shutting down." The doctor muttered.
Regina's heart dropped into the pit of her stomach. She would have advanced if Emma hadn't held her back, but that didn't stop the screech emanating from her voice. "Do something!"
They shocked Henry once, his back completely arching off the bed, but his status remained erratic. They shocked him again. Nothing. One more shock. He flat lined.
AN: I'm sorry. You can yell at me in a review.
