Chapter 9

"I think the baby's coming," Emma stated in an oddly detached voice before she glanced down. I followed her line of sight and saw liquid trickling down her leg.

Panic flooded me and I could only gape at Emma for a long moment. When I could think past my fear, I spun to the mirror and shouted, "Genie, get Granny. Now!"

"Yes, my Queen," came the immediate response.

I was already turning back to my Consort and immediately moved to her side. She reached out for me, wincing. "What's the matter? What's wrong? Is it the baby?" I asked, the words spilling out of me without giving her a chance to speak.

Emma chuckled softly and said, "Breathe, Regina. It's just a contraction."

The quiet laugh soothed some of my panic and I took a deep breath. "Alright, what do you need, my love?"

"Just help me to the bathroom. I would like to clean up before Granny gets here," she said, leaning into me.

I immediately wrapped my arm around her back, helping to support her weight as she waddled across the room. Before we made it to our destination, the door to our chambers flew open and Red and Granny sprinted into the room. "The baby is coming," I said, forgoing any other greeting.

"Alright," Granny grunted. "Red, help me get everything ready."

I didn't pay any attention to what the other women were doing as I helped Emma clean up. By the time we left the bathroom, they had a fire blazing in our bedroom and had spread towels across the bed. Once Emma was in the bed, I swept my hand down my body, changing out of my dress and into a pair of pants and a shirt and vest. Granny nodded her approval and turned to Emma.

"Alright, girl, I'm going to take a look and see where you are. Then we'll have a better idea of how long we'll have to wait," she said, moving to the foot of the bed.

Emma's jaw clenched and she grit out, "Give me a second."

I could feel her discomfort radiating down our bond along with that odd sensation from earlier and knew that she was having another contraction. I quickly sat on the bed next to her shoulder, wishing I could do more to help, but uncertain as to what she needed. After a minute, she relaxed and leaned back on the pillows.

Granny moved onto the bed between her legs and lifted the hem of her dress. I had come to trust the older woman in the months since she'd arrived and didn't question her as she reached between Emma's legs with one hand while she pressed against Emma's extended belly with the other. Emma grimaced but gave no other sign of discomfort while Granny finished her inspection.

After a moment, the older wolf sat back and stated, "You appear to be progressing well, but it looks like you've got a while. Try to rest as much as you can, but if you get restless, sometimes walking around can help move things along. I'll go get some food for you both; we could be in for a long night."

Emma nodded her understanding and I turned to Red. "Will you please go inform Lucas what is happening and tell him to cancel my schedule for the rest of today and tomorrow," I asked.

"Sure, do you need anything else?" she asked eagerly.

"No, thank you," I replied and she loped out of the room, followed by Granny.

I turned my attention back to Emma and brushed her hair off her face. "How are you doing, my love?"

She smiled, "I'm alright, Regina. Our baby is coming."

"Yes, it is," I replied, returning her smile.

Hours passed and as the contractions grew steadily more powerful, Emma bore the pain stoically. She never let out more than a grunt as her muscles clenched tightly. She slept when she could, and we paced ceaseless laps along the corridor outside our chambers. I never left her side, steadying her when she wanted to walk and rubbing her aching back through each contraction. Granny checked in on us periodically, but always left us to our privacy with the same words, "It's not time yet."

As midnight passed, I began to notice the toll her labor was beginning to take on Emma. Her eyes grew dull from exhaustion and I could feel her weariness from our bond. Not for the first time during her pregnancy, I wished that I could take her pain and discomfort to ease her burden. But there was little I could do. I began to feed soothing magic to her along the bond and it seemed to help, allowing Emma to sleep for a time. I held her in my arms while she slept and was relieved when she didn't even wake when a contraction rippled along the muscles in her back and abdomen.

When she woke again, Emma seemed to have more energy and had an easier time riding the contractions for a while. But as dawn broke outside the palace, I could feel her breaking down under the strain and my magic was doing little more than easing the sharper edges of her discomfort. Pained whimpers and groans spilled from her lips anytime a contraction hit as she could no longer hold them in. It was heartbreaking to watch my strong, valiant Consort crumbling under the ordeal of trying to bring my child into the world. Not knowing what else to do, I began sending silent prayers up to whatever god would listen that Emma's suffering end soon.

It was an hour after dawn when Granny finally announced it was time for Emma to push. I knelt next to her on the bed, taking her hand in an offer of support, while the older woman positioned herself between Emma's legs. Ruby hovered next to her grandmother, ready to help in any way necessary.

"You can do this, Emma. It's almost over," I murmured, kissing her temple.

"I just want it to be over, Regina," she whimpered weakly.

I fought down my worry over her tone and whispered, "I know. Soon, my love."

Granny looked up and met Emma's eyes, "Alright, girl. When the next contraction hits, go ahead and push. I can see the top of the baby's head, so just a few pushes and it should be over."

Emma nodded, shifting to put her weight on her elbows. A loud groan ripped from her throat as she squeezed my fingers painfully tight and pushed. When the contraction passed, Emma was panting and a light sweat had broken out along her skin.

"Good, you're doing good, Emma. Just keep pushing like that and you'll be able to hold your baby in no time," the older woman said.

Emma nodded, bearing down again as another contraction overwhelmed her. She cried out in pain, no longer able to contain her struggle. "You can do this, my love," I murmured as I sent more soothing magic into her.

A sob wracked her body as the contract passed and Emma slumped against the pillows. "I can't. It's too much, Regina," she muttered hoarsely between wrenching sobs.

I brushed away her tears and softly said, "Yes, you can, darling. You're doing so well."

"No, I can't. I'm not strong enough," she insisted.

The combination of Emma's distress, fear and sorrow with my own exhaustion, worries and helplessness overwhelmed me and my temper flared. "Lady Swan, you will stop this pathetic display and do what is necessary to bring my child into this world," I snapped icily.

Emma's eyes flew to mine in shock and her jaw clenched as she pushed herself back up, ripping her hand out of mine and she ground out, "Yes, your Majesty."

The only outward sign she gave while suffering through another contraction was the flaring of her nostrils. But I could feel her embrace her anger at me and use it to fuel her attempt to push our child into the world. I immediately felt guilty for snapping at her in that way, but I carefully hid my softening emotions from her, not wanting to take away her newfound strength. When the contraction passed, Emma relaxed only slightly, keeping her posture rigid under my glowering stare.

"That's good, Emma. Your baby's head is out, just one more push and you'll be done," Granny said carefully as she glanced between us.

Emma nodded briskly and clenched her eyes shut as she gave that final push. A moment later, the high, desperate cries of a newborn filled the air and I relaxed, smiling down at Emma. "I'm sorry, my love," I said, hoping she would forgive me.

She softened and let a small smile play on her lips. "It's alright, my Queen. I know why you did it," she said, relaxing back into the pillows.

I leaned over to give her a chaste kiss. "I love you, Emma," I said softly.

She grinned, "I love you too, Regina."

I let out a sigh of relief, knowing I'd been forgiven and turned to Granny who was watching us patiently, as she held our baby. She smiled and said, "You have a beautiful, healthy baby girl."

Tears pricked my eyes as I reached for our daughter, gently taking her in my arms. The tears spilled over when I looked down at her perfect red face for the first time. I placed a kiss to her forehead before I turned to Emma and held her out. Emma immediately took the baby, and supported her against her chest. "She's beautiful, just like you, Regina," Emma said, her voice thick with her own tears.

I chuckled and wiped my eyes. "I don't know, dear. I think she looks more like you," I said, leaning over her shoulder to peer down at our daughter.

Emma turned to look at me and kissed me before she said, "Not at all. She has your nose and eyes and your dark hair."

"If you say so, my love," I said, reaching out to stroke our daughter's soft cheek. She flailed, her hand crashing into my finger and immediately she wrapped her fist around my finger. My heart melted and fresh tears spilled down my cheeks.

Emma inhaled sharply and her eyes went wide. "Regina, take the baby," she demanded urgently.

I quickly scooped up our daughter and cradled her against my shoulder and fresh panic began building at the distress I could feel radiating from Emma. "What's wrong?" I asked desperately.

"It felt like another contraction," Emma said, looking confused.

"Oh, it's probably the afterbirth," Granny said mildly from where she and Red had been watching us with the child. Granny moved to check on Emma. After a moment she gasped and looked up to meet Emma's fearful eyes, "That's no afterbirth. Emma, you're about to have another baby."

"What!?" my Consort and I yelled at the same time.

The baby in my arms started to cry against at my outburst and I quickly rubbed soothing circles on her back while I jerked my head at Red. She quickly circled the bed and took the baby when I handed it to her.

"I'm sorry, Regina. Even with wolf hearing, it's sometimes impossible to pick up on the second heartbeat. Don't worry, it's usually easier with the second one," Granny said casually as she shifted to grab a fresh towel.

I immediately reached for Emma and locked my gaze on her. "You can do this, dear," I stated confidently.

She looked a little dazed as she nodded. Another contraction ripped through her and she grunted, "Oh, gods."

When Granny was ready, she said, "Alright, girl, you can push when you're ready."

Emma nodded and pushed with her next contraction. Granny was right, the second baby came more quickly, but Emma was so exhausted and worn from her long ordeal that she couldn't hold back the raw screams of agony as our second child came into the world.

"It's another healthy girl," Granny announced happily.

A wide grin split my features when I took her. This baby had blonde hair and already bore a strong resemblance to Emma. My Consort's hands were trembling with fatigue as she reached for our second daughter and I gently placed the infant on Emma's chest to save her the trouble of trying to support her. Red handed me our other daughter before she moved around the room, starting to clean up. Emma smiled up at me when I settled next to her on the bed. I couldn't help but return the smile, feeling completely elated in that first moment with my new family.

Later, after Emma had gotten cleaned up and Granny and Red had retreated to give us privacy, I lay on the freshly made bed with Emma, each of us holding one of our daughters. We were exhausted, but neither of us was willing to let go of the babies yet. I just couldn't help but be amazed by the sheer perfection of our daughters.

"We need to name them, Emma," I said softly, breaking the tranquility of the moment.

"I know," Emma replied, smiling down at the baby she claimed looked like me. "I think we should name her Caitlyn."

I blinked in surprise. That wasn't one of the names we had previously discussed. "Why?"

She turned her stunning green eyes on me and said, "I made Red hunt down a book with the meanings of names. Caitlyn means 'pure beauty'. And it's perfect, because she is just as beautiful as you."

I smiled. "Thank you, my love," I said affectionately before looking down at the daughter in Emma's arms. "Caitlyn, hmm? Alright, I can live with that."

Emma grinned and asked, "What do you want to name our other daughter?"

I smiled down at our blonde daughter. "I think because she looks so much like you, we should name her Gwenyth because it means happiness. And you, my love, gave me my happy ending."

Emma smiled brilliantly and said, "Just as you gave me mine, Regina."

I leaned in to kiss her before turning to the daughter in Emma's arms and said, "Hello, Caitlyn."

Chuckling, Emma kissed our blonde daughter and whispered, "Your mother's a sap, Gwenyth."

I lifted an eyebrow at my Consort, but couldn't stop my lip from twitching into a smile. "If I am, Lady Swan, it's entirely your fault."

She gave me a cheeky grin and said, "I know, my Queen. But I don't regret a minute of it." I held out for a moment longer before I laughed and claimed Emma's lips in another kiss.


A/N: This was a little shorter than I generally like, but it felt like a natural stopping place. I have never seen or experienced a baby being born, so please excuse any liberties I took in the process.

So, things are about to get interesting in this story when an old friend makes an appearance in the next chapter. We're finally about to get to the main plot of the story, so thank you all for sticking with me, and I hope you continue to enjoy this tale.

Please leave a note and let me know what you think. Do you like the babies' names? (For those of you who are fans of Henry, I apologize, he may show up later, but for the purposes of this story, please trust that I have a reason for giving Regina and Emma twin girls.)