This is one of my favorite chapters. You might be mad or sad or understanding. That's your decision and response. But I think we can agree that no matter what, this situation is complicated and there are a hundred different 'happy' endings. Thank you for sticking with me. I only have about two chapters left.

When Anna and Elsa were officially moved into Granny's and Hans was safely in jail under constant Emma-Charming vigilance, Regina made her way back to bed, baby Neil asleep in his mother's arms for the first time that night, and Henry curled up on the couch. She tried to fall asleep to the sound of her son's even breaths, but eventually she sat up in defeat. All she could think about was what she had to do.

She met Robin on a bench on the dock, too afraid of the memories on their bench in the forest, the once again spring air playing with her hair as the salt water coated her nose. His own uncut locks shifted with the wind and he seemed to cherish the smell of the sea. It only made her think about the second loss.

"The sky is getting darker your highness, it'd be best for the two of you to get below deck." A ship hand suggested.

She decided to go to bed early, being suspicious of the weather and worried about the child that was possibly inside her. She'd skipped a monthly bleeding and should've had another last week. The boat was bobbing normally when Leopold climbed in beside her.

But soon she was violently thrown from the bed by a tossing sea. Above her she could hear the orders of the crew calling out to one another and trying to preserve life. There was a frantic yell of 'man overboard' as water gushed through the cracks of the wooden boards. And in that moment the reality of death hit her with all the force of a charging horse. Crying, she buried her face in the blanket and wondered how it would happen. Drowning from all the water pouring in from overhead? A snapped neck from crashing into the wall or ceiling or bed? Such violent seasickness that she threw up blood and died of blood loss? Get lost at sea and died from dehydration/starvation?

And then an even worse possibility began. Violent, painful cramping far beyond that of a normal monthly cycle. Something similar to the contractions she'd heard other women describe.

She grabbed for Leopold's hand, as he was the only company around. But oh, how she wished Daniel or her mother or father was there.

"I-I think I'm going into labor. I might be pregnant. Or I'm just seasick. But- I'm scared. I'm so scared." Another ripe of pain ran through her and she verbally cried out.

In a moment of tenderness that she never forgot, he pulled her head into his lap, brushing the loose hair out of her face, and looked into her eyes. "You're going to be alright. No matter what happens, you are not going to die. We need you. Snow needs you." She also never forgot how he never stated that he, independent of his daughter, needed her.

And yet, in that moment she might've loved him. She was never sure though, because within a minute another wave of pain washed over her.

Hours later, the storm still howling, the doctor apologizing in defeat, a tiny form slipped from between her legs, awash in blood. The doctor moved to remove the tiny thing immediately, but Regina stopped him.

"Just let me," and too overcome for words she simply gestured.

He gently placed the babe in the palm of her hand, so miniscule that she had to squint to see the end of her skin and the beginning of her child.

Leopold wrapped the product of their marriage (she couldn't very well call it love) in his fanciest handkerchief and the next morning, in the midst of a calm sea, they watched the tiny white blur sink away to a watery grave.

She vomited throughout the following two days and everyone called it seasickness.

"Did you hear me Regina?"

She blinked and traced a line down the center of her stomach. "N-no, I'm sorry."

"I asked if you were okay."

I'll never be 'okay' again, she thought, all the painful memories of her life- including this one- sliding through her brain in a cruel kaleidoscope. "We have to talk."

He tried to smile. "I assumed that, since you asked to meet me privately."

"Robin please." She couldn't handle that right now. "Just listen and then everything can go back to normal."

His eyes squinted slightly, suspicious of what her 'normal' was. "Okay."

"You don't have to worry about me and the baby. I want you to go with your family and be happy."

The scene from the previous night swam before her eyes again. Elsa loved Anna enough that had Hans not been abusive, she would've let them stay together happily. Because he was, she rescued her sister, not because she wanted Anna to herself, but because she loved her sister enough to do the right thing for her. Robin was in a good relationship that did not require interrupting. And because she wanted what was best for not only him, but also Roland and- she grit her teeth- Marian, she would allow them to be a family. She would do what was best for other people, just as Elsa did. Because Elsa couldn't thaw her sister until she was sure that Hans was the less safe choice. She couldn't thaw Anna until she realized that she had to thaw Anna for Anna, not thaw Anna for Elsa. Her near-death experience made her realize that she couldn't let Anna stay frozen in what felt like death because Anna deserved life, not because Elsa wanted Anna back. Magic had to happen for other people, even though it was a personal decision/realization. Most of life's decisions, she'd discovered the hard way, had to be made for other people. And thus she let Robin go for Robin, so he didn't have to decide, so he could be happy without guilt or remorse.

"But Regina-"

"I've made my decision Robin. I'm doing this because I love you. All of you. Thank you for loving me and helping me be good. Thank you for this baby," she pressed her hand firmly to her stomach and felt a responsive kick that made her smile just a little through her tears. "And thank you for giving me a second chance. I will always love Daniel, and I will always love you, and now I have something else to love and be loved by." She rested both hands on her stomach. "As long as I have love I'll be okay. You have love too, with Marian and your son. Go be with them." She pressed a hand to his cheek. "Not all of us get second chances with first loves."

For five minutes they sat in silence, looking into each other's eyes and remembering what had been. Their Enchanted Forest annoyance that had somehow turned into flirtation. The sharing of a drink while searching Zelena's house. Their first kiss. Those stolen mini eternities outside his hotel room. Breaking the memory curse. Moving in together. Making love for the first time. Lesson Day. Roland calling her 'mummy.' Turning good. Missing one another. Finding out about the baby. This.

There was a question mark inevitably hanging in the space after 'this.' What was going to happen now? Would they really stay apart? What would happen with the baby?

"One more kiss." Robin whispered so low that the wind stole it off his lips and barely delivered it to her ear.

"Only one."

It was the most bittersweet kiss she'd ever tasted. The one before Daniel's death had been joyful, as neither had been aware of the impending doom. And of course she'd never really loved since then. But she felt her heart breaking inside her during this one, not falling apart though, as the baby's flutters kept the edges together. If only it didn't have to end.

But it did end. It ended with the voice of an angry Marian screaming, "Robin!"

It was sad to write this. But I also felt like it was the right thing to do, especially for Regina's good side and Robin's conscience. Of course Marian finding out changes everything, doesn't it? Please leave a review!