Chapter 10

Emma woke in the night alone. She saw Regina sat in the same spot she had occupied the previous night, looking into the night, thinking deep thoughts.

"Hey," Emma said, "was I keeping you up?"

Regina turned to her and smiled, "no, just lots on my mind I guess."

Emma joined her on the window seat and Regina pulled her into a comfortable embrace, both of them lounged to watch the stars in the sky.

"Do you want to talk about it?" Emma asked her tentatively.

Regina was silent for a few moments but Emma waited patiently for her to reply.

"I was just thinking about that night by the fire, before you were taken," she started.

"It was a pretty great evening," Emma confirmed.

"When you were taken from me, I thought about the look in your eyes when you told me you would marry me. It's what kept me going," she admitted.

Emma remained silent for a moment. "But now how do you feel? Has that…changed?"

Regina kissed her head, "not at all, for me at least. Have you changed your mind?"

"No way," Emma responded. "When I was…away, I thought about it too. It helped me focus on other things."

Emma could feel Regina's warmth, her smile as she thought about their future together.

"You were going to have to marry me anyway," Emma said matter-of-factly.

"And why is that?" Regina asked.

"You knocked me up."

Regina laughed and held onto Emma, wanting permission to put her hand on her still flat stomach. Emma could feel the desire and gently moved Regina's hand on top of her stomach then placed her hand on top of Regina's.

"Pretty magical, isn't it?" Emma said.

"Indeed it is. We should go back to bed. I think we all could use some more sleep," Regina replied.

They rose from the seat and climbed back into their bed and in minutes Emma was fast asleep. Regina lay awake a few minutes longer, thinking hundreds of thoughts until she was too tired to think any more then she too fell asleep holding onto Emma.

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Emma rolled over when the sun streamed through the window and felt the warmth. Regina had just come from the bathroom, toweling her hair off.

"Good morning angel," Regina greeted her.

"Goddess," Emma winked.

"I need to text David to see if Henry is up. I think he needed something for class over the weekend," Regina told her.

"I miss him," Emma admitted.

Regina smiled, "I know. Whenever you're ready, he's ready to come home."

Regina tapped a quick message to David and moments later her phone rang.

"That was quick," Regina answered.

Regina's expression became cross. "What do you mean is Henry with me? He's been with you since…"

"When did you last see him?" Regina asked and waited for a response.

"What happened?" she questioned.

Regina listened intently while Emma started to panic. Regina sensed her anxiety and put a calming hand on her arm, gently rubbing it.

"I'll find him. Goodbye," Regina said as she ended the call.

Emma was deathly pale. Regina zipped a text to Henry and with no response, she skimmed through the apps on her phone to locate him.

"Regina…" Emma said worried.

"He's at my office," Regina said. "Let's go get him. I need to flog him."

Regina tried to keep her tone calm and light but she was also worried. They both dressed quickly and got into the car to head into town. Neither of them said anything on the ride, but Regina took Emma's hand and held onto her firmly but gently as they made their way to the office.

When they walked upstairs and Regina opened the door, Henry was asleep on the couch.

"HENRY DANIEL MILLS!" Regina shouted.

Henry shot up from the couch and looked around.

"Mom? Emma? What are you doing here?" he asked.

"Are you serious? What do you mean what are we doing here? Why are you here?" Regina clipped at him angrily.

"I had to leave Grandma and Grandpa's house last night so I came here until morning then I was going to call you," he told them.

"It's morning. You didn't call," Regina said sternly.

Regina sat down on the couch beside him and put her hand on his knee as he sat up.

"We were just worried. After everything that's happened, you can imagine that we were pretty scared," she told him.

"I know. But I knew I was safe here," he told her.

"You are safe here, but you should have come home," Regina told him.

Emma watched guiltily from across the room.

Henry was trying to guard his words but knew he owed his mother an answer.

"I just thought this was best considering," he said diplomatically.

Emma looked at him sadly and walked over to pack his backpack.

"Let's go talk about this at home, ok?" Regina asked.

The ride home was quiet. Emma slid into the backseat and said nothing as they made their way to the house. Once inside, Regina guided him into the living room and sat beside him on the couch. Emma sat in the chair across the room and waited.

"Do you want to tell me what happened?" Regina asked him.

Henry looked at Emma and hesitated.

"I… Grandma and Grandpa were arguing. She was saying some pretty awful things and he was trying to reason with her," he started.

"What did they say that upset you?" Regina pressed on.

Henry sighed, "She was saying that Emma… that she was going to have a baby but she's not now. But, she was so mean. She said she told Emma she couldn't forgive her and then blamed you for all of it."

Regina put her arm around him. "It's ok," Regina tried to reassure him, "then what happened?"

"Then I yelled at her. I told her how wonderful you two are and that she doesn't understand. Lots happened, I don't know. I just couldn't listen to her talk about either of you that way. So I packed up my stuff and went to your office. I'm sorry I scared you. I really was going to call first thing when I woke up."

Emma spoke up quietly, "I'm sorry, Henry," she admitted, unable to look at him. She stood up and walked toward the door.

"I have been very selfish. I wish I could take it back but I was just too busy thinking about myself. I can't forgive myself for this. You should have come home but you didn't because I'm here. This is your home, Henry. I'm sorry," she finished as she walked toward the stairs.

"Emma…" Henry trying calling after her.

Regina patted him on the leg, "you ok?" she asked.

He nodded in response.

"Good, go shower. Then come downstairs and I'll make breakfast for everyone. We should talk some more. I have to go stop Emma."

"Stop her from what?" he asked.

"Well, my guess is that she wants to fix this so she thinks that she should leave. I'm guessing she's packing a bag to go stay at Granny's. I should stop her before she finishes," she said calmly.

"What? Why?" he asked confused.

"She loves you," she smiled. "Go, all three of us will have breakfast shortly."

He took the stairs two at a time to his room and as Regina followed up behind, she heard the water in his bathroom start.

Regina walked into the bedroom and saw the bag on the bed with the start of Emma's packing. She calmly took the clothes out and smoothed them out before putting them back in the drawers. Emma walked out of the bathroom with a toothbrush and saw Regina putting the bag back into the closet.

"What are you doing?" Emma asked.

"Putting things away," Regina replied.

"I need to go," Emma said.

"Why?" Regina asked, sitting down on the bed.

Emma was momentarily at a loss for words.

"Come sit down," Regina encouraged. Emma sat down beside her.

"First, you're not going anywhere. This is your home," Regina told her.

"This is your home and Henry's home. I can stay somewhere else," Emma told her.

"This is your home, too. Do you want to be somewhere else?" Regina asked.

"No," Emma told her.

"Do you need to be somewhere else?"

"No."

"Then I'm not sure what the issue is," Regina told her.

"I just thought that…" Emma started then paused to think.

"Now, that's settled. Second, you are not selfish. You went through a traumatic experience. Our son loves you and he wanted you to heal too. There's nothing wrong with taking care of yourself, with healing. You needed and deserved that time."

Emma tried to accept her encouragement.

"Third, you would break my heart if you left," Regina told her honestly.

"I love you, Regina. I'm sorry I'm not good at this. I feel like I mess things up all the time," Emma admitted.

"Nonsense. You haven't messed anything up. I love you, too Emma. You're still planning to marry me, yes?"

Emma nodded.

"Good. Henry's in the shower and I promised to make breakfast for all of us. There's some more talking we need to do I think. Are you ready to tell Henry about the baby?"

"Yes, I hope he's happy," Emma said.

Regina smiled, "me too. I suspect he will be. His love is boundless."

"He is pretty terrific, isn't he?" Emma smiled.

"Yes, now let's go downstairs and get all of you some pancakes," Regina told her, taking her hand to help her off the bed.

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Emma was a little nervous when she came downstairs but Henry was sitting on the counter watching Regina make pancakes as he had done since he was three years old.

"Hey Emma," Henry said when she walked in. "How are you feeling?"

"I'm fine, kid. Thanks for checking. You ok?" she inquired.

Henry smiled. "Yeah, I'm good. Glad to be home with you two."

Emma smiled back at him while Regina declared breakfast being ready.

They ate their breakfast with casual but awkward conversation and when they were finished, they all sat waiting for someone to begin.

"Um, Emma. Do you need some rest or something? I mean, I thought maybe the…procedure might make you tired. I could get you something maybe?" he tried.

"I'm good, kid. I…" she started then looked at Regina. Regina asked the question wordlessly and Emma nodded for her to take over as she held her tightly.

"Henry, we trust you implicitly. What we are about to tell you cannot leave this house. Do you understand?" Regina started.

He nodded.

"I'm serious, Henry. I'm not any closer to figuring out who took Emma from us and she could be in grave danger if anyone finds out about this," Regina confirmed.

"I understand, Mom. You can trust me," he told her.

Regina took a breath and looked at Emma again, seeing the consent in her eyes.

"Emma didn't terminate the baby yesterday," she told him. He looked at them confused.

"But I thought that's why Grandma was so mad?" he asked.

"I went yesterday with every intention to go through with it," Emma told him, gaining her confidence. "But, once we heard more from Dr. Anders, we decided not to go forward."

She didn't realize how awkward it was going to be to tell their son but she suddenly found herself without any words.

Henry waited. "Ok…"

"Emma is about ten or twelve weeks pregnant," Regina told him and she watched him do the mental math and his brow furrowed.

"Wait a minute…" Henry started.

"This is our baby, mine and Emma's," she confirmed for him.

"How did you do that?" he asked in shock.

"Um, kid. No offense, but I'm not sure any of us want to talk about the particulars of this baby's conception…" Emma told him.

"Ew. No. NO. Never, ever tell me any information about… about that," he burbled out causing Regina and Emma to laugh. "Ever," he finished.

"Let me try again. How is that possible?" Henry asked.

"Magic is the simple answer," Regina told him. "Not too uncommon but uncommon enough. We made this baby together."

Emma felt Regina's pride at saying those words aloud.

"Wow," he said, sitting back in his chair. "That's incredible. What kind of baby is it?"

"As far as we know, human, though I was hoping for Klingon," Emma said seriously making Regina roll her eyes and Henry laugh.

"A girl," Regina told him. "And the doctor says she's fine and healthy."

"How do you feel about this?" Regina asked him.

"Well, part of me is happy. The other part was pretty happy not thinking about the two of you having sex, but now I can't hold onto that illusion anymore. That part makes me not so happy," he told them.

"Did you think we were just playing checkers together, kid? Surely there was some indication-" Emma continued.

"OK!" Regina interrupted. "I'm trying to be all into these open conversations with our sixteen year old but I'm struggling now. Can we move on?"

"So, you're not telling anyone. Got it. What else should I know?" Henry asked.

Regina sighed. "I don't know. Ruby is coming over tomorrow and we need to rethink our strategy. I intend to find the person who took Emma and make him pay for what he's done," she said as her eyes darkened. Emma rubbed her forearm reassuringly.

"Until then, I need to know where both of you are at all times. I prefer you here with me until this is resolved. I will not let either of you be harmed," Regina pledged.

Emma tried to stifle a yawn. "Maybe I could use a nap," she admitted.

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The doorbell rang after breakfast on Sunday morning and Emma stood cautiously in the hallway as Regina looked through the peephole and opened door.

"Good morning Mills family!" Ruby cheerfully greeted them. "Swan family? Swills?"

Regina rolled her eyes, "Swan-Mills works very well. Really, Swills?"

"The alternative was the Man family," Ruby shrugged.

"Right," Regina sighed. "Well, come in please. I thought we would set up in the kitchen."

"So, what's the plan? Where's Henry?" Ruby asked.

"Henry better be writing his essay for English class. The first part of the plan is to make a plan," Regina told her. "I'm afraid I haven't gotten very far. Things have gotten more complicated." Regina looked at Emma and raised an eyebrow.

"Complicated, how exactly?" Ruby questioned.

"Can we trust you? That nothing we tell you leaves this house? That you tell no one, not a soul what we're about to tell you?" Regina asked threateningly.

"Of course," Ruby answered. "After all, I never told Emma you were hot for her when you told me not to say anything when you came back from Neverland. I can be trusted."

"You were hot for me then?" Emma asked with a smile.

"Can everyone here please focus?" Regina replied sternly. "For the record, I was 'hot for you' before then, I just didn't tell Ruby until after Neverland. But let's get back to the matter at hand."

Regina sighed and prepared to give the same speech she gave to Henry but Emma confidently stepped in.

"Regina knocked me up," Emma told her.

"Perhaps when we make a formal announcement, darling, you'll let me deliver the news?" Regina replied.

"Holy shit!" Ruby said.

"Language, wolf," Regina warned.

"Sorry," Ruby recovered, "I knew you were pregnant. Like were as in had been…"

"Snow?" Emma asked.

"Sorry, Ems," Ruby said. "I'm afraid a lot of people know. She's been a little…"

"Self-righteous?" Regina supplied.

"I was going to said asshole-y, but that works too," Ruby replied with a shrug.

"While I'm irritated that Snow would be so loose lipped with Emma's personal business, in this case it is a good thing," Regina told her. "When we ran into Snow at the doctor's office, the intention was to terminate, but Dr. Anders discovered that Emma was more pregnant than we thought and it was absolutely our baby. I asked her to destroy all evidence of that and we have gone forward letting everyone think that she went through with it."

Ruby nodded. "I think I'm following. You're worried that if the news about Emma being pregnant were out that it would put her in more danger. That whoever was after her before would double their efforts to come after her, maybe kill her."

"Exactly, unfortunately," Regina supplied. "Obviously we could have avoided this whole thing if Snow hadn't overheard that Emma was pregnant to begin with. But now we have to let things play out this way."

"Got it," Ruby said. "Is this why things are more complicated?"

"Not exactly," Regina began. Emma sat down to listen more closely. They hadn't really discussed much more given the excitement of the past couple of days. "Emma, if at any point we need to stop this conversation, you tell us to, ok?" Emma nodded.

"I thought that what happened to Emma was magical, that the connection I was hearing was forced through so I could see what she was going through, to punish me. Now I think the baby was reaching out to me for her. This is very strong blood magic and she was reaching to me with that magic for help."

"A girl baby?" Ruby asked and they both nodded.

"So, I now have doubts that this is the case. I think now that maybe that wasn't the intention. But what I think we need is more information about the attack," Regina finished.

Emma took a deep breath and Regina took her hand, "I know this is hard, my love, just share what you can so I can help you. I want to find him and destroy him."

"Well, it's sort of hard to say. Some of it is a blur and some of it… I don't want to talk about," Emma said with a blush. Regina rubbed her leg as if it to encourage her and console her at the same time. "The last thing I remember in the forest was pulling the dart out of my neck and seeing your face as I blacked out. When I woke up, I was cold, blindfolded and my wrists were bound." Regina could feel Emma's pulse begin to increase.

"Are you ok to go on?" she asked and Emma nodded.

"The ground was cold and a little damp. Not wet, but damp. I was underground," she supplied.

"How do you know that?" Ruby asked.

"I'm not sure," Emma told her. "But it reminded me of being in the basement, the cold, the smell, the wetness in the air."

"Mines?" Ruby asked.

"I don't think so. When the blindfold was off, I couldn't see who was attacking me, there was something making my vision too hazy. But when I was laying down, I could see the blocks on the wall and I felt them, they were intentionally put together. This wasn't a mine shaft, more like a basement to a house or something."

Regina sat back in her chair and furrowed her brow.

"What's wrong?" Emma asked.

"Some of this feels so non-magical, but other parts seem magical. I'm not sure which it is," Regina mused.

"Why does it have to be one or the other?" Ruby asked.

"Say more," Regina followed.

"First of all, when we found you in the forest I couldn't pick up any scent at all, remember? That's when we thought maybe there was some kind of magic in the air. So maybe we're trying to make this one or the other when whoever did this, did a little bit of both. If he wanted to torture Emma and was truly magical, he wouldn't have used his fists," she reasoned.

Emma stood up from the table pale and walked away. Regina moved to follow but Emma waved her off.

"Sorry, Regina," Ruby apologized. "I was thinking out loud and should have filtered more. She ok?"

"Yes, she'll be ok. I'll bring her a cup of tea and we'll take a break," Regina supplied as she stood up and put the kettle on leaving all of them to their thoughts.