A/N: So I literally left the vote up for an extra like three weeks to try and break the three-way tie that was going on. Did not happen. So, we're going with what AOBZ wanted in the first place.

Also, thank you so much for all the love and support. Here is a new chapter for you beautiful readers.

"Come on, Regina. We're gonna be late. We'll miss your appointment if we don't leave now."

"Don't rush me," Regina snapped. "They'll wait."

"They're already waiting," Emma said patiently. "We'll miss our appointment."

"So they'll give me the next one. I pay them after all."

Emma wasn't going to argue that technically the citizens of Storybrooke paid the doctors and the nurses at Storybrooke Hospital. The backlash that that comment was certain to provoke was definitely not worth it.

Regina had been in a foul mood for the last two days, and most of that anger had been directed at Emma. Henry had ducked out of the house to stay with his grandparents for a few days to escape his mother's wrath, the traitor. Emma had been left alone to brave Regina's rage. It hadn't been unmanageable. Emma was still alive after all, but she was definitely praying for Regina to start sleeping properly again soon, the woman tired and cranky now that she was going through a spell of insomnia. That fatigue had made the Mayor unbelievably short tempered, and Emma had employed many breathing exercises to keep her cool and not snap back.

Her body is going through changes you can't even begin to understand; her hormones are out of whack. Be patient with her. Your mother cried at every little thing when she was pregnant. Regina, well, she's not one to cry. She's one to get angry. Just give it time. It'll pass.

Emma truly hoped her dad was right (and that Regina would calm soon), because she wasn't sure how much more of Regina's ire she could tolerate. She could feel her own irritating mounting as Regina stood in front of the mirror fluffing her hair, so Emma took a deep breath and walked over, lightly tugging on the woman's arm to get her attention. Regina looked up at her, mildly annoyed at having been interrupted, waiting for Emma to speak.

"You look beautiful, Regina," Emma said sincerely. "There's nothing left to fix in your appearance."

"You're just saying that to get me out the door faster."

Emma took a deep, internal breath.

"No," she said calmly. "I mean it. You're the most beautiful woman I have ever laid eyes on, Regina. And you've only gotten more so now that you're pregnant."

Regina must have read something in her eyes, because she suddenly relaxed in Emma's grip, sighing softly.

"Fine. Let's go."

Emma followed Regina out the door, leading her to the car and helping her in.

"I'm not an invalid. I can get in on my own."

"I know. But I like helping you."

Regina didn't answer, instead closing the door to the car and putting on her seat belt. Emma got in silently, turning on the ignition and pulling out of the driveway. They sat in silence, Emma because she didn't want to say anything to set off another irritable remark, and Regina because she suddenly felt guilty. Emma had been trying so hard with her these past two days. She had been so patient, but Regina was just so angry. And so she had been lashing out at Emma, even though she didn't deserve it. She could feel Emma's tension in the car, and she knew why she was being so quiet, and Regina was flooded with guilt.

"I'm sorry," Regina finally said, looking out the window because she was unable to face the blonde. "I feel angry all of a sudden. I can't help it. I just… I feel an anger inside and I don't know why. It's been consuming me these last few days, and I'm lashing out at you because you're the only one around me who can tolerate me right now. Until I drive you away too."

Emma pulled over (the appointment be damned) because she couldn't not address that confession, especially the last bit, which had left Regina looking down at her hands and tears streaming down her cheeks. She put the vehicle in park, and when Regina looked over at her questioningly, she reached out and took the woman's hands in her own.

"First of all, thank you for opening up and telling me what you're feeling. Second of all, you are not going to drive me away. I meant it when I said I wasn't going anywhere; you can yell all you want at me. I'm not going anywhere. I'm gonna prove that to you. I'm done running. I'm in this Regina. I'm all in. I'll take all the anger, the tears, the sad times, the happy ones. The mood swings, the cravings, and everything else you throw at me. I'm gonna take it and I'm gonna be by your side.

"I'm sorry you're feeling so angry lately. I really wish I could do something for you to curb that anger. I have felt it, a lot, but it isn't making me any less determined to stick with you. This is just a bad little hurdle we're gonna get through together. And you talking to me like this, us talking to each other, communicating, it's only gonna make things easier between us."

Regina, who was openly weeping now, could say nothing in response. Emma leaned over the centre console, pulling the woman in a hug. It was and awkward position for Emma, but she didn't care. What mattered in the woman who was carrying her child needed to be comforted, and so Emma leaned over further, enduring the gear shift digging into her ribs as she held Regina close.

"You're okay, sweetheart. We're gonna get through this together."

Regina nodded, clinging to Emma as she fought to regain control of her emotions. Damn this pregnancy and her raging, uncontrollable hormones. When she finally calmed, Regina pulled away, sniffing and wiping under her eyes. Her fingers came up smudged, so she pulled down the visor and flipped over the mirror.

"I look atrocious."

"You don't. Come here," Emma said softly, cupping Regina's chin as she wiped away the smeared make up with the edge of her sleeve. "There. All better."

"My eyes are red. They'll know I've been crying."

Emma shifted to look at the buttons on her door, lowering the windows slightly.

"Nothing a little cool air can't fix. I'll drive a bit slower so they have time to recover. No one will know the difference. And if they do, tell them I was being a dick and everyone will be too busy hating on me to focus on the fact that your eyes are red."

Regina let out a soft chuckle. She looked at Emma for a long moment before smiling softly at her.

"Thank you."

That smile, so bright and genuine and for her, was worth everything Emma had endured these last two days. When Regina smiled at her like that… well, Emma was sure she'd put up with just about anything.

"You're welcome, gorgeous. Now, are we ready to look at a fuzzy screen and pretend like we know what the hell we're looking at?"

Regina smirked and looked ahead as Emma began driving again, shaking her head.

"They'll explain what we're seeing."

Emma reached over and took Regina's left hand, bringing it up to her lips.

"I can't wait to see our baby," she said, kissing the back of Regina's hand.

"Neither can I."

Emma pulled into the hospital parking lot, the women exiting the vehicle and walking to the imposing white building together. Emma led Regina with a hand at the small of her back, guiding them to the maternity floor and down to the ultrasound wing. She had Regina sit while she went to the secretary and informed her they had arrived (ten minutes late) for their appointment. The woman – Judy, according to her nametag – nodded and informed Emma that the doctor would be ready for them shortly.

Emma walked over to where Regina was seated, dropping down in the chair next to her and laying a possessive hand on her thigh. Regina looked down and then back up at Emma, one eyebrow raised.

"Sorry. Too much?"

"No. But if you hold my thigh down any firmer, the chair may sink into this floor."

Emma laughed softly and lightened her grip.

"Sorry. I'm feeling a little possessive. I don't want anyone getting the wrong idea, thinking the Mayor is available."

"I think the fact that I'm carrying your child makes the message quite clear. Besides, I highly doubt anyone would want me now that I'm withchild."

"I do," Emma argue vehemently.

"Well, you are the only one vying for the position."

"Good. Cause I wouldn't wanna have to fight anyone. I would though, and I'd totally win, but the Sheriff beating up the citizens she's supposed to protect probably isn't a very good reputation to have."

Before Regina could respond, Judy interrupted, asking the women to follow her into the ultrasound room. Emma got up first, holding out her hand (which Regina accepted). The women walked hand in hand to the room, Emma helping Regina up onto the ultrasound table and standing close.

"The technician will be here in a moment."

Emma looked down and smiled at Regina, who looked up at her nervously.

"Everything is going to be perfect."

"You can't know that."

"Have faith."

"Good morning, ladies! My name is Rebecca. I'll be your ultrasound technician for today," the woman explained as she took her seat.

"Lift your shirt, please," Rebecca said, looking down at the Mayor.

Regina did as she was asked, Emma immediately looking down at the expanse of skin on display. There was a small curve now that wasn't there before, and Emma couldn't help but think that Regina looked even sexier because of it.

"This is gonna be cold."

Regina's belly jumped the second the gel made contact with her skin. Emma reached out and grabbed her hand, her free one settling against the top of Regina's head. She took another step closer, her hips brushing Regina's shoulder as she smiled down at the woman looking up at her.

"Alright," the tech started, calling their attention over to her. "Let's see what we have here."

She placed the wand against Regina's stomach, guiding it over the gel as she searched. Regina did her best to ignore the discomfort of the pressure against her belly, squeezing Emma's hand every time the tech pressed against her full bladder.

"Ah. There we are."

The tech hovered over one area, swiping back and forth, pressing in different areas as she looked for the perfect angle.

"Right here," she said, reaching out and touching a round blob on the screen, "is your baby's head. You can see its body right here, and here are the arms, and the legs."

Emma stared, wide eyed, unable to tear her eyes away from the miniscule blob on the screen. She could perfectly see a head, body, and limbs. It looked like a gummy bear dancing on the screen, and Emma was powerless to look away at the knowledge that this wiggling thing was her child. Her baby. Only when she heard a familiar sniffle did she finally break from her trance, looking down at a now crying Regina. Before she could even react, the ultrasound tech handed Regina a tissue.

"Sorry."

"Don't apologise. Seeing your baby is a big deal and it's really emotional for most women. I cried at every ultrasound for my son," Rebecca said, smiling. "Now, let's take another look here."

The women stared at the screen, watching as the view of their baby shifted with each swipe of the wand.

"You can see the back of its head here, and its body there, and here's a leg. Here is the spine."

"There's only one, right?" Regina asked worriedly. "I'm correct in stating that there is only one baby? It's not twins?"

Emma grinned, while the tech nodded.

"Yes. I can only see one baby."

With that, Regina looked up at Emma and whacked her arm against her thigh.

"There is only one baby in there, Emma Swan. I told you I was not having twins."

Emma laughed loudly, reaching out to grab the limb that had just struck her. She brought it up and kissed the delicate hand softly.

"I figured, baby. I was just teasing you."

Regina glared, but quickly turned back to the screen when she felt the wand against her belly move.

"Can you tell what it is?" Emma asked.

"Don't tell us!" Regina cried, shaking her head. "I don't want to know."

"You don't?"

"No. Not at all. You do?"

Emma shrugged.

"Kinda. I've never been good at waiting. But if you really don't wanna know, I'll wait with you and find out when it's born."

"I truly don't want to know. I don't know if I'll ever become pregnant again. I want this baby to be a surprise."

"Okay," Emma agreed easily, stroking Regina's head. "We won't find out. Can you even tell right now?"

"No, it's way too early."

"Oh, okay."

Rebecca looked back at the screen and began speaking again.

"Well, from what I'm seeing, everything looks good. Everything I'm seeing looks normal for this stage in your pregnancy. You haven't experienced any cramping or bleeding?"

"No. Just fatigue, vomiting. And lately, I've just been really irritable."

"All normal. The fatigue and vomiting should lay off in the next three weeks, once you enter the second trimester. Now, would you like to know your approximate due date?"

Regina nodded eagerly.

"I'm going to put your due date at May 15th."

Regina looked up at Emma, grinning widely.

"May 15th."

"It's a good day."

"It is a good day," Regina agreed, looking back at the screen. "Will we be able to hear the heartbeat today?"

"You'll hear it at your next appointment, once you're at 12 weeks. For today, we'll just be taking a look at the baby."

Regina was a little disappointed, but she was too fascinated by what she was seeing on the screen to be upset. She was entranced, eyes following every movement that their child made, eagerly awaiting the moment that she would be able to feel it inside of her.

"I'm going to give you a requisition to get some blood work done. We send every expectant mother to test her levels, make sure everything is normal and that you're not at risk for things like Gestational Diabetes for example. Early detection is key so that we can manage it before it becomes a problem. But I don't anticipate anything out of the ordinary, okay?"

Regina nodded, though her heart skipped a beat at the thought that the blood work may come back indicating that there were problems with the baby.

"I'll just take some pictures here, so you can bring them home and look at your baby any time you like."

"Thank you."

Emma softly stroked Regina's head as they stared at the screen, both captivated by the tiny image squirming around. Neither one could look away, and when the tech told them to take one last good look, they both took in their fill, disappointed that the screen was turned off. That is until the tech handed over a little white envelope.

"Here are the pictures I promised earlier."

Regina's disappointment was quickly replaced with anticipation, clutching the pictures in her hand as the tech began wiping away the gel from her belly. Rebecca then lowered her shirt after she finished, stepping away so that Regina . Emma reached out and helped Regina down from the table, thanking the tech for all of her help.

"You're welcome, Sheriff."

Emma led Regina out of the hospital, helping her into the car before hopping in the driver's side.

"We're going to have to tell your parents right after the second appointment. There is no way that this will be kept quiet for any longer than that. People will wonder why I'm taking so many trips to the hospital, and it won't be long before one of the staff give it away."

Emma nodded.

"You nervous to tell them?"

"No. Not really. Your father has already been incredibly supportive-" Emma snorted, causing Regina to pause to let out a small laugh. "A little enthusiastic in his support, perhaps, but it's been nice. I hope that your mother is as receptive."

"Are you worried she won't be?"

"She'll be happy that you're expecting a child. Of that, I've no doubt. But I'm concerned she won't like the fact that I'm the one who is carrying your child."

Emma glanced over, reaching out to grab her hand.

"I can't look at you right now because I need to not crash and kill us, but please imagine I'm looking in your eyes when I say that I don't give a shit what she thinks about the fact that it's you. All that matters is what I think and what you think. And I would not pick anyone but you to raise my kids, Regina," Emma said vehemently, chancing a glance over at the woman currently staring directly at her. She squeezed Regina's fingers for emphasis. "And if my mom says anything about you being the mother of my unborn child, then you're going to leave and she and I are going to have a serious talk. Maybe it's hypocritical 'cause I didn't react well, but…"

"But that is between you and me. It is no one's business but our own."

Emma gave a small nod, though her feelings of guilt were still very present. She knew they would probably never disappear, but part of her thought that she deserved it. She wasn't sure if she could ever forgive herself for how she reacted.

Regina, sensing Emma's feelings, squeezed her hand in encouragement.

"Enough of that, Emma."

"I'll never be able to tell you how sorry I am."

"You already have, and I've accepted your apology. If you don't forgive yourself for this mistake, we'll never be able to move on from it."

Emma gave a deep sigh.

"Something else to tell the therapist," she said, only half joking.

"Is he helping?"

"It's only been a few sessions. But, he's giving me exercises to do and… he said they'd help."

"If you need any assistance…"

Emma pulled into the mansion driveway and parked the car, smiling over at Regina as she kissed the back of her hand.

"Thank you. Now let's go inside so we can work on what I have planned for Henry. Bring the envelope, we're gonna need it."

A/N: I'm basing this pregnancy off of my sister's in Canada. You may do things differently in your country regarding ultrasounds, hearing the heartbeat, doing blood work, etc, but this is based on our experience in the Canadian health care system.