Chapter Seven

For the next eighteen years Mr. Gold and Regina lived together as husband and wife. They managed to let each other in and be happy. Sure they had their little spats, but this was the happiest either of them had ever been. They had even managed to tuck the guilt of their secrets away and forget about them. The only problem remaining was the nagging hole in Regina's heart. The hole that Rumpelstiltskin warned her about back in the Enchanted Forest. No matter how content Regina was, every now and then the pain in her heart would become palpable.

One night while they were lying in bed, Regina turned to Mr. Gold and asked, "Do you ever think about having another child"?

"I do" Mr. Gold replied "I just fear that I will disappoint a second child the way I disappointed Baelfire".

"This time you wouldn't have to do it alone" Regina replied reassuringly "We could start our own family" she continued

"Are you saying what I think you are"? Mr. Gold asked stunned

"Always the perceptive one" Regina smiled "I want to have a baby"

"The Evil Queen and The Dark One bringing a child into the world"? Mr. Gold asked jokingly

"We're not those people anymore" Regina replied while prodding Mr. Gold's shoulder

"Not on the outside dearie, but on the inside that is who we will always be" He replied disappointing Regina

"I don't believe that" Regina replied "I think a child could bring out the good in us"

"The love of a child is the most precious thing one can experience" Mr. Gold proclaimed

"I want that" Regina declared "I want a child"

"Well, my dear, I suggest we get started on making one" Mr. Gold replied friskily

Regina leaned in and began kissing him. Mr. Gold slid his hands down her back as they slowly began slithering down the bed. He got on top of her and tenderly kissed her neck as he removed her silky blue nightgown. Regina did her best to concentrate on removing Mr. Gold's pajamas as he playfully nibbled on her nipples. He started working his way up to her neck and lips as Regina wrapped her arms around his body letting him know that she wanted him inside of her. Mr. Gold slowly plunged his manhood into Regina causing her to gasp with pleasure. He kissed her hard as he thrusted slowly. They took their time, enjoying every sensation. As Regina grew closer to orgasm, she pulled Mr. Gold as close as she could and held on to him tightly as the waves of her climax washed over her. The pleasure of watching Regina experience her orgasm soon led to him achieving his own. They kissed each other good night one more time before drifting off to sleep, each dreaming of the prospect of a new family.

Over the next few months Regina and Mr. Gold made love almost every night trying to conceive a child. Regina didn't want to say it out loud, but the more time went on, she grew increasingly worried as to why she wasn't getting pregnant. She decided it was time to see Dr. Whale, so she made an appointment.

The morning of her appointment she was nervous. Regina had a sinking feeling that something was wrong. Dr. Whale ran a series of tests and told her that he'd call her as soon as he had the results.

Regina spent the next two days unable to focus on anything else. Finally, the call she had been waiting for arrived. It was Dr. Whale. Sadly, Regina's test results were nothing to celebrate.

"I'm sorry Madame Mayor, the tests were conclusive". "You can't have children" Dr. Whale said in a very somber voice

"I see, thank you for calling" Regina said holding back her tears.

As soon as she hung up the phone, Regina began sobbing uncontrollably. In one phone call all of her dreams were shattered. There would be no baby for Regina, no family for her and Mr. Gold.

She couldn't wait until Mr. Gold got home so she wiped her tears and drove to his shop.

"This is a lovely surprise" Mr. Gold said smiling "What brings my beautiful wife here in the middle of the day"? He asked

As soon as Regina looked into his eyes she began sobbing again. Mr. Gold quickly came from behind the counter and took Regina into his arms to console her.

"What's wrong"? He asked as he held her tight

Regina tried to regain her composure so she could answer her husband.

"I can't have children" she replied right before she started crying again

"What are you talking about"? Mr. Gold asked puzzled

"I got worried when I wasn't getting pregnant" she sniffled "So I went to see Dr. Whale"

"I never trusted that man" Mr. Gold interrupted "He's far too peculiar for my liking" he continued

"He ran some tests" Regina interjected "The tests say that I can't have children"

"I don't know why I'm surprised" Regina moaned "I should have known that I would never be completely happy"

"Yes you will" Mr. Gold proclaimed "You will have everything you want" he said as he took her tear stained face in his hands.

"I love you, Regina" he confessed "I love you and I will get you anything you desire".

Regina was in shock. In their eighteen years of marriage Mr. Gold had never once said the words. He never told her that he loved her. Regina was overjoyed. She loved Mr. Gold as well, she just never said it.

"I love you too" she said "Why has it taken us eighteen years to say this to each other"? She asked finally cracking a smile

"We're two stubborn old souls" Mr. Gold laughed "I mean it my love, you will have a baby" he said filled with conviction

"How"? Regina asked

"We'll adopt" he answered

"Won't that take years"? She asked discouraged

"Not for me" Mr. Gold replied confidently "I know how to cut through red tape"

Regina looked into his eyes and embraced him once again.

"Thank you" she whispered as she took comfort in his arms.

As Regina drove home Mr. Gold got on the phone and began the search for a child. He wouldn't rest until Regina was holding a baby in her arms.

Two weeks went by and one day when she least expected it, Mr. Gold called Regina at her office and said, "Be ready in twenty minutes, we're going to Boston".

"Boston"? Regina asked "What's in Boston"?

"Our son" he answered delightedly.