The King and Queen started making preparations for their daughter's arrival over the season. Even with her worries about The Blue Fairy, Regina couldn't help but feel incredibly hopeful about the future. Rumpelstiltskin assured her that her daughter was in no danger. As he had the gift of foresight, she knew that her fears had no real grounds.

She and Rumple had become more careful with their meet ups. Her teacher had kindly decided to ease her burden and reduce the frequency of her lessons. She needed her strength for the baby.

Besides physically preparing for her baby, Regina had also been looking into her heart for a deeper change. She knew that her wish for some happiness was coming true, but she was having a hard time dealing with the pain of having Leopold, not Daniel, being the father. She had no idea how she was going to do this alone.

She knew that her wish for some happiness was coming true, but she was having a hard time dealing with the pain of having Leopold, not Daniel, being the father. She had no idea how she was going to do this alone.

She was outside in the garden, tending to her beloved apple tree when she heard her father's voice. "You look even more beautiful, my child."

A smile spread across her face. She had missed both his calm presence and reassuring praise.

"Daddy." She quickly walked up to hug him. The two embraced for a minute before Regina pulled back. "I didn't know you were coming."

"The King thought it would be a nice surprise for you."

Her nose crinkled at the mere mention of her husband.

Henry was worried his daughter did not approve of the unannounced visit. "Is it a bad time?"

"No, of course not. I'm always happy to see you daddy." She couldn't help but smile whenever she used that dear of endearment. Though she was much too old to refer to her father that way, it gave her great pleasure saying it. "You know me. I don't like surprises."

Henry laughed. "Yes, you've always been like that. You got that from your mother."

She stiffened, remembering that her mother did indeed hate any deviation from her schedules.

Not wanting to start his visit on such a sour note, he changed the subject. "So do you have any idea when the baby will arrive?"

"It appears that she'll be here in the summer."

He raised his brows. "She?"

Regina gave him another smile. "The Blue Fairy is the patron for the King and she informed us that the baby will be a girl." She didn't feel the need to tell her father that she had wished for the child.

The old man was overjoyed at the news. "This is blessed news! I can't wait to see her when she is born." His enthusiasm over learning that she was having a daughter lifted her spirits. She wasn't sure if her father had secretly hoped for a grandson. "I'm glad you approve."

"Approve? I'm thrilled." He patted her hand. "I just want you to be happy."

"I know daddy. You always do."

They let that thought hang between them for a moment.

"How have you been feeling?"

"I'm well." She rubbed her small bump. "Just this week I felt some fluttering." She hadn't said a word to Leopold yet, but she felt comfortable admitting to the new development to her father.

"Already?"

She pulled his hand to her tiny belly. "See for yourself."

He patiently waited and then he felt some movement. His eyes lit up. "My, she's quite a lively one, isn't she?"

The two shared an easy laugh. He then looked at her commented. "The king must be elated at how strong his daughter already is."

Regina frowned. "I haven't shared this with him."

Concerned, Henry asked, "Do you think he'd be displeased?"

She didn't want her father to unnecessarily worry. "No, he is quite happy about the baby. I just chose not to share this with him."

"Why not? He's the father." He was speaking more from his experience, but he was confident that the man felt the same.

Regina shook her head. "She's my daughter." She found it impossible to explain to her father her protectiveness over the baby. "He has already has Snow." Those two were inseparable, he took his daughter with him as often as he could, leaving her alone in the grand palace. While that gave her a break now, she dreaded the thought that he would grow similarly attached to their daughter. Would he snatch her away on trips? Would she prefer his company? Just thinking about it made her sick.

Henry kept his voice low and calm. "You mustn't do this. It's not good for you or your child."

Regina was thrown off guard by her father's direct advice. He was always one who tiptoed around issues rather confront them. She assumed that years of living with her mother had worn him down and he simply gave up. Not wanting to repeat Cora's mistake, she remained silent, curious to see if he had more to say.

He closed his eyes as if he was gathering his thoughts before speaking."I'm not as naive as you think. I know that this is not the life you expected or even wanted. I know you don't love the king.

She gasped; she never heard him speak so openly with her.

"The unborn child is an innocent. Please.

He took her hands into his own and pleaded. "This is your chance to be happy. To have a fresh start with this baby. Please take it, my child."

His glassy eyes made her uncomfortable. This was a different side that what she was used to. "Of course daddy." Fighting back her own tears, she started walking back inside the palace. "Why don't we join the others for lunch?"

Henry nodded and followed his daughter.

Laying in her bed, Regina reflected on what her father had mentioned earlier.

He was absolutely right.

Growing up, Regina had always known that she had her father's unconditional approval. Whatever she tried or did, he loved and fawned over. The two had an incredibly close bond. Unfortunately her mother was a completely different story. The Queen had picked up on Cora's disdain for her father and felt that some of that leaked into her relationship with Regina. The Queen felt as Cora held it against her that she was Henry's child and it pained her.

Every flaw Regina had or displayed, Cora made sure to 'credit' Henry. Being sensitive, Regina cried or lashed out with words to her mother, which in turn caused Cora to be even more upset and disappointed. Her father hardly intervened as he probably didn't want to hurt either of them. All those wounds developed into a rift between mother and daughter.

She knew her mother loved her and wanted what was best for her, but that nagging feeling of not being the child Cora desired also cut Regina deeply. She had no idea what Cora wanted from her and the sting of failure brought Regina a lot of tearful nights. Neither seemed able to mend the chasm that came until Regina allowed her emotions and pain to rule for a moment and she pushed Cora through the looking glass. While Regina finally had some peace in her life, she was also lonely without Cora.

Reflecting on the past, Regina knew she would not make the same mistake as her mother. She would be better than her. With that promise, she resolved to keep peace with her husband and step-daughter. Not because they deserved it, but Regina's daughter deserved to feel love from her entire family.