Chapter 10
After their eventful day of shopping and making final decisions on the decorations after the help of Rumple and Belle at the party store, Snow and Regina head out back to Regina's house to sort out their findings.
Walking up to the door Regina is carrying Riley while Snow has offered to help get everything down.
As they enter the living room and bring everything in, Regina places Riley in her play pen while Snow begins to go through all their things they had bought.
"Did you want me to help you go through everything for the party next week?" Snow asks as she sees Regina trying to put everything in one place.
"Sure. If you want to. I could use the company anyway!" Regina says with a smile and a wink.
As they rummage about their belongings the doorbell rings and Regina goes to answer it.
"Emma! Tinker Bell! Hi! Come in!" Regina says with a surprised look on her face as Emma carries in a special gift.
"Hi Regina!" Emma says with a warm smile. "How was shopping?"
"It was fun! Your mother is quite the shopping buddy, Ms. Swan." Regina says sarcastically.
"So you've had the pleasure of experiencing it!" Emma says with a sarcastic smile.
Emma and Tinker Bell begin to glance around at the piles of shopping bags the center of the living room holds. Tinker Bell and Emma glance at a familiar and specific looking clothes bag. Emma leans into Tinker Bell and whispers to her, "Tink, is that what I think it is?" Emma says with a sound of no surprise.
"Don't tell me she didn't!" Tinker Bell whispered back.
Looking at each other with an unbelievable look on their faces Emma begins to say.
"Mom, did you already give Regina the dress after me, Tink and Belle specifically told you to wait!" Emma says in a stern tone.
With a look of guilt on her face Snow replies, "I'm sorry Emma! I just couldn't wait! This was the perfect opportunity!" Snow says with a shrug and a smile.
"Seriously!" Emma says with a disappointed look to her while Tinker Bell stands next to Emma arms folded and shaking her head.
"Now, Emma, Tink, don't be so hard on her, we all know Snow's history of secret keeping." Regina said with a wink toward Snow. "Besides, I just wanted to say thank you. To both of you. It's one of the best gifts anyone has ever given me." Regina said as she gave both Emma and Tinker Bell a gentle loving hug.
"You're welcome Regina," Emma said genuinely.
"It was nothing, Regina," Tinker Bell includes.
Emma then says to Regina, "Well, I kind of hinted that my mother would do something like this which is why I came by. I brought you this." Emma hands over the nicely arranged gift bag to Regina. "It's a gift to Riley. For her first birthday and I want her to use it on her big day." Emma said. "Go ahead open it!" Emma said with excitement.
With a surprised look on her face, Regina accepts the bag and realizes it's a little heavy than she expected.
"Emma, what is it? It's unusually heavy for a gift this small in size." Regina said holding the bag with both hands.
"Just open it." Emma said with a smile.
Regina's face brightens when she began to open the gift and pulled out a diamond tiara that sparkled intensely as Regina pulled it out.
"Emma! What is this!?" Regina said surprised.
"Well, it's my tiara. Actually, it's Snow's tiara from when she was a princess back in the Enchanted Forest. She had passed it on to me after we received our memories back as a form of identity to remind me where I came from and who I was. I wanted to give it to Riley and pass it on to her. To remind her where she comes from and who she is." Emma said with a smile.
"Emma!" Snow said with a look of honor and happiness.
"I hope you're not mad, mom." Emma said honestly.
"Of course I'm not mad! It's brilliant! I would have never thought of that! That is so sweet!" Snow said with tears welling up as she walks over to give her daughter a hug. "I am so proud of you!"
"Oh come on, mom. It was nothing." Emma says shrugging.
"Why didn't you tell me?" Snow said curiously.
"Seriously. Mom, you and secrets do not get along." Emma said with a smile.
Snow, Emma, and Tinker Bell turn toward Regina who is gazing and slowly running her fingers over the crown as tears are rolling down her cheeks.
"Regina. Are you okay?" Tinker Bell asks as she sits next to her.
"Oh Regina, I didn't mean to make you emotional." Emma said sympathetically as she goes over to hug Regina.
Regina wipes away her tears and shakes her head as she smiles and says,
"I just didn't think I would have any of this! After all those years of trying to find my happiness and losing so much along the way, and almost losing Henry, I'm just so grateful I have you all in my life! Thank you so much for everything you all have done up to this point. I just don't know how I can repay all of you after everything I have done to you!" Regina says with joy.
"Keeping your promise of being a better person is a form of your payment to us Regina. So far, you've done a great job of keeping that promise to us." Tinker Bell concluded.
After their sweet moment, Snow takes the tiara from Regina walks over to Riley's play pen and gently places it on her head.
"Beautiful!" Snow says with a wide smile on her face.
The women chuckle and giggle as they admire baby Riley who is giggling and playing happily with her toys.
"So what did you think of the dress?" Tinker Bell asked curiously.
"It's beautiful!" Regina said.
"Do those diamonds look familiar?" Emma said.
"Now that I see them up close, they do." Regina said studying the customized dress.
"We each took various diamonds off of our bridesmaid dresses and had them sewn on." Tinker Bell said as she grazes her hand over the design.
"It's perfect!" Regina said with a wide smile. "And the tiara will match perfectly!"
"Looks like you found what you needed!" Emma said as she glances back around the room moving about bags and merchandise.
"Let's see what we have to work with!" Snow said. "That way I can let the decorator know and have all of this to her by next week!"
The ladies help out and scan through all the decorations and party supplies.
"Riley sure is having fun isn't she? Has she started walking yet Regina?" Tinker Bell says as Riley lets out small chuckles and laughs.
"Robin and I have been trying, she seems to be getting the hang of it." Regina said as she was looking through all of the decorations.
"Mind if I try? I am her Godmother after all!" Tinker Bell said.
"Sure! Go ahead!" Regina happily permitted.
"I'll help you Tink!" Emma said with a smile.
Snow and Regina are left to section out and organized the decorations as they look on to Tinker Bell and Emma helping Riley to walk. Snow smiles and said, "You know Regina, I never got around to it but I just want to say thank you for allowing be to be a part of you and Robin's special moment the day Riley was born. I've gained so much love for her since that day you gave birth to her. That makes me love her even more. I appreciate you for allowing me to share the moment with you two." Snow said shooting a beaming smile at Regina who has a genuine look of satisfaction on her face.
"Oh Snow, if anything I should be thanking you. I was so scared that day, especially when Dr. Whale brought out the oxygen machine. I grew even more scared and to be honest Snow, I was on the verge of blacking out from the pain and stress and it wasn't until you and Robin walked back in the room is when I became more relaxed." Regina confessed.
"That was a scary moment, I'll agree with you on that part, but you handled it like a trooper!" Snow said proudly.
"If you say so Snow!" Regina said with a chuckle.
"You really did Regina! Other than me. I was a mess as soon as she first started crying." Snow remembers that day as they continue emptying out the bags.
"Oh yeah!" Regina giggled. "I ended up having to calm you down in the end!"
"Okay, Snow and Robin, I'm going to need you to help me coach her. Her stress level is very high at this moment and we need to keep her stabilized. Got it?" Dr. Whale addresses.
"Yes, Dr. Whale, we're good! Come on Regina! Get ready!" Snow says with joy.
"You can do this Regina!" Robin said as he grabbed a hold of her hand.
"Okay Regina! Push!" Dr. Whale said as Regina let out a shriek.
"Good job Regina! Keep pushing!" Dr. Whale coaches her on.
"You're doing great my love! She is almost here! Keep pushing!" Robin says with a smile as a tear rolls down his cheek.
Leaning back to rest, Regina catches her breath as Snow wipes Regina's face in a loving and gentle way.
"You're almost there Regina! Keep going!" Snow says cheering on her step-mother also with tears rolling down her cheek.
"I can't!" Regina lets out a soft shallow whisper as her heart machine goes off again.
"Regina! Stay with us! You're almost there! Just one more push! Come on! You can do this!" Dr. Whale encourages as he orders the nurses to prepare with blankets at hand. "I can see her head Regina! Come on! Just one more push!"
Robin grabs a hold of Regina's face and looks lovingly in her eyes as he says,
"Regina, look at me! You have come too far to not go through with this! You are going to do this! I know you can! You have proven your strength! I have faith in you!" After Robin's encouraging words, he places a kiss on her forehead. As soon as Robin's lips left her forehead, Regina gives one last push with a guttural scream until baby Riley comes out crying as Dr. Whale pulls her out.
"Good job Regina! She's out! You can relax now!" Dr. Whale said as he gently cleans up baby Riley who is crying signaling to Regina that her ordeal is officially over.
"She is so beautiful Regina!" Snow cries out as she lays Regina's head against her.
Regina begins to cry tears of joy as Dr. Whale asks Robin if he would like to cut the umbilical cord.
With tears in his eyes, Robin happily accepts as he nervously cuts away.
"Congratulations Regina! You did an amazing job!" Dr. Whale says proudly. "We are going to get her all cleaned up for you so you can hold your baby girl!"
Regina is all smiles and tears as Robin embraces her and professes how proud he is of her.
"Can I go let everyone know?" Snow asks as Robin and Regina agree.
Snow makes her way to the lobby with tears in her eyes, leaving Robin and Regina alone for their moment.
"I'm so proud of you my love!" Robin says to his beautiful wife as he places a passionate kiss on Regina's lips before placing a loving fatherly kiss on the forehead of his new daughter
Regina looks up lovingly at her husband, "I'm so glad you were here, Robin! I couldn't have done it without you! I love you!" Regina says with tears and a smile before looking down and admiring her new daughter and letting out a small chuckle.
"She's perfect!" Regina said proudly.
As Snow reaches the lobby she sees that David, Killian, Will and Emma are frantically pacing back and forth, while everyone else is sitting down fidgeting with anxious looks on their faces. She then announces,
"She's here and she's so beautiful!" Snow said with glee.
The entire lobby brightens up with smiles on their excited faces.
"How is she!?" Anna asks with delight.
"How did Regina do!?" Emma adds with elation
"Can we go see her!?" Henry asked with a wide smile.
"How much did she weigh!?" Elsa asked with cheer.
"Does she have Robin's eyes!?" Belle asked curiously.
"Can I go see my sissy!?" Roland asked with a smile.
"How is Robin doing!?" David asked.
"Calm down everyone! We can all go see her in a minute but first thing is first! Roland, Henry, let's go meet your new sister!" Snow said with joy as she continues, "Everyone else, I will come back for you shortly!"
As Snow leads Henry and Roland to Regina's room, Snow slowly opens the door when Henry and Roland see Regina holding baby Riley and Robin standing by proudly.
"These big brothers want to meet their sister." Snow says cheerfully.
"Hi, mom, Hi dad." Henry says quietly as a bright smile makes its way across his face.
"Henry!" Regina says with a glowing smile.
"Hi momma!" Roland said with a curious smile as he continues, "Can I see my sissy?"
Robin and Regina chuckle as Robin picks up Roland and introduces baby Riley to his sons.
"Henry, Roland, meet your new baby sister. Her name is Riley." Robin said with joy.
"Aww…she's so pretty." Henry says smiling as he gently grabs her hand.
"Hi Riley. I love you." Roland says as he places a gentle kiss on her head.
Robin and Regina let out a laugh as Snow leaves the family to their moment.
"Snow!? Where are you going?" Regina asked.
"I was going to wait in the lobby with everyone until you were ready." Snow said.
"Come over here. You are part of this!" Regina said with a smile.
"Oh Regina!" Snow said as tears began to well up.
"Yes Snow. Come over here with us. I'll go get everyone." Robin said.
As Snow approaches Regina, Robin steps in front of Snow and embraces her in a hug.
"Thank you, Snow! You have really been a blessing to us during this whole thing." Robin said with genuine sincerity.
"Robin, of course! Anything for you, Regina and your family! I'll always be here for you!" Snow says giving Robin one last hug before he goes and greets everyone.
Snow moves towards Regina and the boys where Regina and Snow share a special moment.
"Snow, thank you so much for everything! Thank you for keeping Robin calm and collected. I know he was worried about me. Thank you for your encouragement and confidence in me!" Regina begins to say as tears begin to well up. Snow reaches for a tissue and begins to wipe away Regina's tears as Regina lets out a soft giggle.
"Oh Regina, I'm always here for you! I love you!" Snow says with love.
"As a thank you for everything, I was wondering if it would be okay if I ask you something." Regina said curiously.
"Of course, Regina! You can ask me anything!" Snow said with joy.
"I want her middle name to be Snow. Only if that's okay with you." Regina said hoping to hear the answer she wanted.
Snow looks down and shakes her head as tears and small sobs begin to emerge from her.
"Regina!" Snow begins to cry. "Of course it is! I'm so honored!" Snow's emotions start to get the best of her as Regina looks on with a smile on her face. "Okay Snow, if you are going to go overboard with your emotions, I change my mind." Regina said in a loving and sarcastic tone as a laugh emerges from her.
"I'm sorry, Regina. I'm just so happy for you!" Snow reaches in to hug Regina as she looks down at Regina's daughter. Snow says in a soft voice, "Riley Snow Hood. I love it." Regina then adds, "It's perfect." Their moment is interrupted when the whole crew slowly walks in and bids their congratulations to the new family as each of them stand over Regina admiring the new princess.