AN: Ok, here's the deal. I planned to take a break and finish this story before I publish any new chapters, however I realize its been a month or so since I last updated. I currently have 5 more chapters written on this and around 3 for Silver and Gold.

As is it I apologize for any mistakes when it comes to pregnancy and babies - I was never pregnant so all that I know is from what I hear, see on TV or research on Google.

Let me know what you think of this chapter. Hope you like it.

Most people hate waking up early in the morning, leaving the peaceful, warm bed behind, to face the day ahead. Regina was one of those people. She hated waking up for the better part of her life. In her dreams at least she could be free and have the life she always wanted.

But three months ago it all changed and Regina no longer dreaded her mornings. She loved waking up in Emma's arms, inhaling the blonde's scent, feeling her lover's body pressed against her own. On most mornings, this one included, she would wake up feeling sated, the previous night's activities a vivid memory in her mind. She no longer had to dream, her dreams suddenly became a reality. It's not what the teenage version of her dreamed of having, but somehow it was more. As a young, naïve, inexperienced woman the love she's dreamt of was nice but also less, less than what she had now. She was an adult now, she's gone through a lot in life, lost a lot, made many mistakes, and her partner was in a similar situation, two sides of the same coin, but Regina could no longer imagine her life without Emma.

As she laid in bed awake, wrapped in her lover's embrace, she thought of how far Emma and herself have come all these years. Who would have thought she would find true love again with the mother of her son, the daughter of her greatest enemy. Young Regina never imagined her life with a woman by her side, and even as the Evil Queen her flirtations with women remained just that. The thought never crossed her mind, that is until she met Emma. She was laughing now at the image of love and romance young Regina and even the Evil Queen, spurred on by memories and dreams long shattered, had. Somehow it always involved a small cottage, somewhere on a farm with horses, Regina taking care of their children while her lover was away working somewhere in the field, or on a farm. She now turns her nose in disgusts at the thought, she's come so far, and developed and grew up as an adult in the process. Now, if Emma comes home smelly and dirty she's sent to take a shower. She also takes great pride now in a clean house, with modern amenities, a lover that smells nice, that has soft hands, but strong arms. Somehow that became a thing that Regina wanted and liked. She wasn't a materialistic or superficial person, but one had to appreciate the finer things in life, that somehow with Emma were offered to her on a silver platter.

With Emma she had the perfect package. Soft yet strong, kind but also though when she had to be. Emma was perfect for Regina in so many ways, she could wear a dress and look like the fairytale princess she was or she could dress in ripped up jeans and sleeveless t-shirts and still look as if she came out of a fashion magazine showcasing those clothes. There was very little Emma could wear that she wouldn't look good into. In fact Emma looked great in everything but the Snow White approved clothes. The floral shirts and dresses are somewhere in the back closet and Regina thinks about donating them or burning them.

Then there was the way Emma looked, her curls made a comeback since she moved into the mansion, her ass was a sight to behold in those skin tight jeans and her cleavage was nothing to overlook and Regina found herself starring at it quite often. Then there were the arms. Oh those arms were out of this world. Regina would lie if she said Emma's arms didn't do things to her, well Emma in general, her arms in particular. Goodness she had it really bad for Emma. She was pretty sure the blonde didn't mind though. If there was one thing her lover craved most was unconditional love and Regina was pretty sure she had enough of it to shower Emma with. If there was one thing she had in common with young Regina it was her ability to love fiercely and now she had not one but three people to shower with love and spoil rotten and she only prayed that she wouldn't suffocate them.

The brunette reached across the nightstand to look at the clock. It was 7 am and they only had 3 hours until their appointment. She wondered if they could still sleep in or whether they should wake up and make their way to breakfast. It was perhaps best if she woke Emma up and they cuddled together in the warm bed for a little while. She slowly lifted Emma's hand that was wrapped around her middle and have it a kiss. Regina made a new habit of waking Emma up with kisses as this ensured her blonde lover will wake up peacefully and not startled. She turned around in Emma's arms, her blonde lover letting out a groan that made the brunette smile. When she faced Emma's face she went ahead and started to pepper the sleeping woman's face with kisses. After a few seconds she felt the blonde smile, as she woke up.

"Good morning."

"Mornin'" Emma mumbled still sleepy and she shifted on her back giving Regina the chance to get on top of her. She opened her eyes to look at the brunette who was now smiling down at her. She started to drink in her lover's naked form, last night's events playing in her mind. But all the reminiscence got interrupted as Regina leaned in to kiss her once again the kiss leaving no doubt where this was headed.

They managed to make it to breakfast with plenty of time to spare. Emma wanted to enjoy eating out with her girlfriend, be out in the open. As they were eating Emma started to look around the restaurant and felt a longing form in her chest. A longing to be free, out in the open with Regina, an ache to no longer be confined to stolen weekends. Maybe they should move out of the town. Could they move away? Would Regina want to move, would Henry? Does she really want to move? She started picking at her food as her thoughts took this path.

"What's on your mind?"

"Hmm?"

"You look deep in thought. I wonder what's on your mind."

"Just stuff."

Sometimes getting stuff out of Emma was like pulling teeth, but perhaps even that was easier at times. On top of it Regina had the constant battle of whether she should get Emma to talk about it or whether she should drop it, and this was never an easy decision. They needed to talk about trust and openness because this, what they were doing now, was in no way okay. Regina knew she was probably just as guilty of doing the same thing and really it was not okay. They were partners, sharing a life and if you couldn't trust your partner then who could you trust? They were both broken individuals that were slowly putting the pieces back together, they were healing together and perhaps being more open was a way for them to heal and move forward. Perhaps on this occasion she should push for an answer.

"What stuff?"

Emma lets out a sigh, unsure how to voice all of it, unsure of Regina's reaction to all of it.

"I was thinking about us being out in the open and that I would really like that and I don't want it confined to the weekends. Then I started to wonder if we should move out of Storybrooke."

And all right Regina had to admit this was a heavy conversation to have over breakfast, when one had an appointment in less than two hours. But she opened that can of worms and now had to deal with it whether she liked it or not.

"You could tell your parents."

"No."

"Do you really think they'll be more heartbroken because of you being with me or you moving out and them not being involved in the baby's life as grandparents?"

"I don't know. Everyone will hate it, they'll probably hate the baby too."

Regina frowns at Emma's answer because it never occurred to her anyone would hate their baby. Why would they?

"Why would people hate our baby?"

"Because she'll have magic, and she's your baby and mine and they'll fear her, and fear breeds anger and hatred."

They were all valid points which did not register with Regina at first but they sort of made sense when Emma voiced them. Perhaps they were in way over their heads, but then weren't most parents like that? Granted most parents, if any, didn't have their peculiar situation.

"You will still have to tell them about the baby. You'll start showing soon."

"Can't you mask it? With like magic?"

Surprisingly the request irritated the brunette. She was willing to accept many things but their child was not a dirty little secret, it was a miracle and she won't allow Emma to look at the baby as anything short of wonderful.

"Our baby is not a dirty little secret. She's our child, made by our true love for one another. While I don't object to us keeping the relationship a secret from your parents and the town I draw a line at this," her whisper was angry. She hasn't been angry at Emma in a long time but this really made her blood boil.

Emma realized she's said the wrong thing as soon as it was out of her own mouth. The fact that Regina reacted the way she had only confirmed Emma messed up. She didn't see the baby as a bad thing, or a dirty little secret as Regina put it. She really loved the baby and really wanted it. It was just her fear that was crippling her, making her unable to see right from wrong on this.

"I'm sorry, I didn't mean it like that."

Regina didn't say much but her attitude was saying a lot, she was not going to forgive this so easily. Once they made it back to their room Regina went straight to the bathroom to try to calm herself down. Emma sat on the bed felling sick to the stomach, it was quite obvious Regina was more angry than she let on in the restaurant.

"Do you need to use the bathroom?"

"No," and she really didn't. Maybe to puke her guts out because of nerves but no, that wouldn't be good. Regina went to grab her purse and Emma decided she's had enough. She went to hug Regina from behind, her head resting on Regina's shoulder.

"I'm really, really sorry. I promise you I love this baby and I couldn't be happier I have another child with you, or that you are the mother of my children. I couldn't ask for a better partner than you. It's just that, sometimes, I'm being an idiot and I mess stuff up."

Regina turns to face the blonde and wraps her arms around Emma's waist as Emma's hands go to wrap around her neck.

"Your parents are not monsters, Emma. They're annoying but they're not monsters. As bad as they are at many things they still want you to be happy."

"Yeah, as long as it doesn't interfere with their happiness, or what they think is best."

That was also true, Regina had to admit that. Snow and David had a way with things where it was mostly their way or the highway. They kept Henry away from Regina, acting as if she wasn't his mother, technically influencing Henry to not accept her as a mother for a very long time. Then there was Snow, hell bent on Emma choosing a guy when all Emma wanted was to find her son. Snow's attitude and the influence it had on Emma was the reason Regina gave up and went on her own in Neverland. Snow and David and their stupid ideas of reformed villain is what landed them in hot waters many times and led to Emma's spirit be broken. Snow and David's reaction to Emma being in love with a woman, to Regina of all people, was an unknown. Truth of the matter was neither Ruby or Dorothy stepped foot in Storybrooke since they got together.

"I will tell them about the baby when we will have dinner at their place so we can leave."

"You've thought about this?"

"Yes I have. In fact mom invited us for dinner tomorrow night. Perhaps we could tell them then."

"Us? This is not one of her setups?"

"She can't do it every time, I wouldn't show up at all."

Regina smiles, somehow she finds all this setup idea amusing. Also them telling Snow that Emma's pregnant will be quite nice. It will either make her go even more over the top to find someone for Emma or have her stop.

"Ready to go?"

"I'm nervous," Emma said as she laid her head on Regina's shoulder, seeking comfort in the woman's embrace. Regina goes to kiss her head, tightening her arms around Emma.

"This will be great. We will probably hear the baby's heartbeat."

"What if things are not fine?"

Regina pulls out the embrace so she can look Emma in the eye. She cradles the blonde's face in her hands her thumbs caressing her face.

"It will be fine," she says with a smile and leans in to kiss her girlfriend's lips.

Waiting to have their name called so they could go in for the examination was nerve wrecking. For Regina in a good way but Emma held her hand in a vice grip. If these were signs of things to come when the baby is born Regina feared for the health of her hand. Luckily they had magic so she could fix any broken bones she was sure she'll get in the not so distant future. Still, worth it in Regina's own book.

"Swan! Emma Swan?"

Emma got up and Regina rose up with her both heading towards the person who called their name. They're directed to a room and Emma is told to lie down. Regina sits next to her holding her hand, which Emma's extremely grateful for. She never had this the first time around and it makes a world of difference to have support even in these small moments.

The doctor goes through the routine checks asking them questions. It soon becomes apparent that they'll have to rely on the Storybrooke doctors and they were recommended to do that. It was better if a medical professional close by is involved in all of this and monitors the pregnancy's progress closely. They knew all this, they were just trying to postpone it as much as possible.

The doctor then explained to them what will happen during the appointment and how they'll be able to see the baby, and then, if possible, hear the baby's heartbeat. They went through the check-up routine without a hitch, both women exchanging loving glances throughout the procedure.

"And there it is. That's your baby." This is what they've been waiting for, this is why they made this long trip. Both women gasp, as they see the baby and they look at each other smiling teary smiles, Regina brings Emma's hand to her lips to kiss it.

"That's our baby."

"She's so tiny."

It didn't escape Regina the use of the pronoun. The doctor refrained from giving them the sex of the baby yet Emma was convinced it was a girl. Maybe it was just what Emma wanted.

The doctor turned on the sound and soon the room was filled with a very fast thumping noise and both mothers gasped in awe. Emma started to cry as Regina leaned in to kiss her forehead.

By the end of the appointment Emma was an emotional mess, unable to keep the tears at bay. The doctor gave them a picture of the ultrasound and a recording of the baby's heartbeat. As they got out of the clinic Emma jumped at Regina, wrapping her arms around the brunette and kissing her lips over and over again.

"We are having another baby together, Regina," Emma was so overwhelmed she could not contain her emotions. She wanted to cry and laugh all at the same time.

"Yes we are."

They head towards a taxi and Regina turns to Emma to ask whether she wants to go back to the hotel or if she wants to go somewhere else.

"Can we go to the mall? I want to buy a something to make a scrapbook for the baby."

Regina only nodded in reply as they got into a taxi and then told the driver where to take them. They drive in silence to the mall and as they get out Regina pulls Emma close to her, her hand automatically reaching to hold Emma's.

"You're feeling very artistic lately by the looks of it."

Emma rolls her eyes at her girlfriend.

"I was always artistic thank you very much. I just didn't have the support necessary to focus on it."

"I didn't mean it in a bad way," the brunette felt guilty for her comment, she didn't want Emma to feel bad about her hobby.

"I know you didn't, baby," the endearment fell from her lips without thinking about it. Regina crinkles her nose at it. She's not a fan that's for sure.

"You don't like being called that?"

"Umm, no, to be honest. Or Gina. Never call me that either. Since we are at it."

"So bossy," Emma says with a smile and it's Regina's turn to roll her eyes at the blonde, but it doesn't last long as the blonde pulls her closer and gives her a peck on the lips.

They walk through the mall for a while longer, doing more of a window shopping than actual shopping. Emma was clearly not in the mood to shop for clothes. Regina learned early on in their relationship that one had to get Emma into the mind set to buy clothes. If Regina had it her way she would spend hours shopping, but since she's been going out of Storybrooke with Emma she learned that she could only do shopping with minimal whining if Emma was in the right mindset for it. Since they didn't plan for any clothes shopping in advance, Emma was in no mood to enter any shop and was just happy to wonder around, or sit down and talk to Regina.

"You know what would be cool?"

"What?"

"It would be cool to go on a couple's spa retreat."

"You can't sit for too long in a hot bath, Emma."

"I'm just saying it would be nice. And it would be nice to go somewhere warm and sunny, where we can sunbathe and play in the ocean."

"Maybe after the baby comes."

"That's too far away."

"It will give us something to look forward too."

The rest of their weekend was amazing and they did end up in a spa, for a massage that helped relax their tense muscles. As the time to go home approached Emma became a nervous wreck. She knew they would go directly to Snow's for dinner and she dreaded the conversation she'll have with her mother.

"I can't help but notice you're referring to the baby as a she. Why is that?"

"Because she's a girl."

"And you know that how?"

"She's half you, half me, only X chromosomes, so a girl."

"Have you thought of names?"

"Yes, have you?"

"Some but I'll take out half my picks now since she's a girl. What did you have in mind, Emma?" Regina was curious. She was also thinking of letting Emma pick up their baby's name since she picked Henry's. Unless the name was completely unsuited or something that would either traumatize the baby or be outrageous like 'bus shelter number 53.' Why would someone even think of naming the baby like that, let alone go ahead and try to do it was beyond the brunette.

"I was thinking of a few but I like Sofia the most."

Regina loves the name on the spot. It's not something that crossed her mind, but somehow she sees then calling the baby that.

"I love it!"

"Really?"

"Yes, really."

"What did you think off?"

"Umm, nothing as good as you."

"Regina," Emma whines as she doesn't want Regina to agree with the name just because.

"I'm serious."

"Come on. Tell me."

"I don't have good name picking skills. Henry was lucky I guess, since the people he was named after had great names. My niece is not that lucky."

"Ugh, don't remind me. I'm still calling her after her middle name. Thank goodness your sister gave her one."

"Only because Henry insisted, and because you kept calling her Green Bean."

"It sounded better than broccoli."

"Emma!" Regina mocked exclaimed.

"I'm happy she named her Caroline. So much better. But you are right, you are terrible with names. Even that's a variation of your mother's name."

"And now you know why I like your pick. I really do like it, Emma."

"Yeah, Princess Sofia has a really nice ring to it doesn't it?"

Regina hums in acknowledgement, but keeps her attention on the road. Regina was driving again, Emma being more than happy to sit in the passenger seat as she was prone to get tired more often and fall asleep on long rides. Regina was a really good driver and so Emma had nothing to worry about. Emma shifted her attention from looking at Regina to looking at the road just in time to see a car cross the middle line and head on their side of the road. She cried out Regina's name just as her hands went to instinctively cover her midsection, Regina hitting the breaks before Emma even managed to call out her name. In just a few moments all they could hear was the sound of screeching tires followed by a loud bang and the sound of metal crunching on impact.