Chapter 10

It had been a little more than a year since Emma, Regina, and Robin had begun their relationship. They had had their ups and downs, as any relationship carries, but they had blossomed in a beautiful family. It was an adjustment for the citizens of Storybrooke. Of course, everyone had their doubts about the unconventionality of it all. Time, though, had proven that this was something true and lasting between them, more than just erotic fun. Henry and Roland were over the moon with the arrangements. Emma had developed her own special bond with Robin's son, taking in the feeling of caring for a boy that age and wondering if it would have been like that with Henry. Regina was still Mommy, of course, but she had become his Emma. Regina and Emma still had lunch together every day, and sometimes Robin would join them. Most of the time, he let them enjoy lunch during the week as their own special time between the two of them.

Regina had returned home from getting some groceries and called out to Emma and Robin for help unloading the car. When no one answered her, she went looking for them, only to find them digging in the back yard.

"What in the world are you two doing!?"

Emma looked up at her surprised as she set down the patio stone she held in her hands. Regina tried hard to hold herself together as she saw her lovers heated up with their tank tops clinging to them as they worked. Emma wiped her head with her forearm as she walked over to her.

"We're building a fire pit," she said enthusiastically.

"And you didn't think to tell me?"

"It was going to be a surprise. You're going to love it. We can just come out here and sit by the fire, roast marshmallows with the boys."

Regina looked over to Robin. "Just wait until it's finished, my love. You'll see."

Regina shook her head and laughed. "Fine, but can one of you come and help me put the groceries away?"

"Sure!" Emma followed her into the house and wrapped her arms around Regina from behind as she kissed her neck.

"Emma! You're all sweaty," she complained as she tried to hide her smile.

"You know you like it," she replied as she began to rifle through one of the bags. "What did you get?"

"Food."

Emma rolled her eyes. "Ha. Ha. Oo! You got my cereal! Thanks, babe."

"I thought that was for Henry!"

"Why can't it be for both of us?"

Regina rolled her eyes. "A year with me and you still eat like a child. Where did I go wrong?"

Emma smirked and put the box away in the pantry. Once the food had been put away, Regina started to prep for dinner while Emma helped Robin finish the fire pit. When the boys got home, they couldn't wait to build a fire with Robin. Emma and Regina had a hard time convincing them to wait until after dinner before starting it. Once dinner was over, Emma told them she was going to run to the store for a moment while they built a fire. Roland and Henry scoured the yard for kindling. By the time the fire was rolling, Emma returned to join them. Robin and Regina were snuggled up together while the boys tossed twigs into the fire.

"Mom! What did you get," Henry asked.

"Dessert! Henry, I need you and Roland to find some long sticks for us."

Knowing exactly what she was up to, Henry enthusiastically ran off to find them. "What's for dessert, Em?"

"S'mores."

Robin looked at her curiously. "What is that?"

"Delicious, heavenly goodness. You'll see."

Once they were all gathered around the fire, Emma instructed everyone to begin roasting their marshmallows. Once they were through, she helped Roland build is s'more as the others followed suit. Of course, Regina wasn't a fan of the stickiness, but she did admit to liking it's flavor. When everyone had decided for round two, Regina opted to snack on some graham crackers instead. After a while, Robin gathered up Roland and the women said goodnight to the boys. Emma snuggled up to Regina and sighed, lost in thought.

"Regina, can I ask you something?"

"Of course."

"Do you think you would ever want another kid?"

Regina looked at her surprised. She thought for a moment and then nodded. "I think I'd like that. Why, do you?"

"I never thought I would, but…I don't know…Being here with you, Robin, and the boys is just amazing. I love our family. I kind of want to see what it would be like to raise a baby together."

Regina nodded. "You deserve to know what the baby stages of caring for a child is like."

Emma hesitated before she responded. "Have you…ever thought of finding a cure for that potion?"

Regina frowned. "Of course I have. I don't want to talk about it. It's not possible and I've made peace with that."

"But, Regina, what if we could fix it? Would you want to have a baby?"

"Of course I want to have a baby," she snapped. "You don't think I haven't tried?"

Emma caressed her arm. "I'm sorry. I didn't mean to upset you. I just…wanted to help. I want to give you everything."

Regina softened a bit. "I'm sorry. I know you do. This is just something I can't have. But I have so much, Emma. I'm all right."

Emma placed a sweet kiss to her lips. The passion between them began to grow steadily before they decided to find Robin upstairs. Emma wanted nothing more after their conversation than to make love her. She wanted to make love to every inch of Regina to make up for what she'd lost. Regina was on her hands and knees above Emma as Robin moved in and out of her. Emma's mind was still centered on wishing she could help break the curse Regina had placed on herself. She caressed her lovingly, helping build her arousal, willing her to feel an intense sensation of love and care. When Regina found herself near completion, a wave crashed through her more intense than any she had ever felt. Robin held her hips to him as he emptied himself inside of her. Her body trembled before she collapsed on top of Emma. Emma held her tight and Robin curled up close to them. All three of them felt the intensity of the moment. As Regina let herself be lulled to sleep with Emma caressing her hair, she noted how restorative their loving had felt. She felt safe between the two of them. She felt complete.

Regina had run with the idea of having another baby. She was anxious to see how incredible Robin would look with a baby in his arms. She loved her family so much, and the idea of a baby that shared genetics with Henry, Robin, and Emma was incredible to her. Of course she wished she could have a biological tie to them, but she was grateful to be a part of them. Eventually, the prospect of having another child was all she could talk about. Emma was more than a little nervous about getting pregnant again. Her first pregnancy wasn't enjoyable in prison. While she appreciated the thought of being able to have a second chance at it, she wasn't sure how emotional it might be for her. Emma had told them she wanted to be sure they were ready before they started trying.

All three of them were buzzing with joy and anticipation. The day had finally come that they had all agreed to try making a baby. Emma was going to drop the boys off at her parent's house for the night and the three of them would have a romantic evening alone together. Their plans, however, had been interrupted when Regina had woken up ill that morning. Both Robin and Emma rushed to her side.

"Sweetheart, are you all right," Robin asked concerned.

Regina moved a cool damp cloth over her face. "I'm fine."

"I think you should stay in bed today," Emma said.

"Don't be ridiculous. I'm fine. I don't get sick. This is just…some fluke. I'll be fine once I have some water."

"I'll get some for you," Robin said just before running downstairs.

After she'd drank the water, she started to get up to begin her morning routine. However, she found herself feeling weak. "I think I need to just lie down for a few minutes."

Emma helped her over to the bed and tucked her in. "I'm going to call Dr. Whale," Robin told her.

"Don't you dare. I don't want that idiot anywhere near me. I'm fine. I'm just tired."

"Then stay in bed today and rest at least," Emma pleaded.

Regina rolled her eyes and started to get out of bed in protest. "That's it. I'm not doing this. I am just fine. I'm going to go to the office and-"

Robin lunged forward to catch her as Regina began to fall. "Regina! Are you all right?"

She sighed as she sat down. "I just got up too fast."

Emma rolled her eyes. "I'm going to get the boys ready. You two get dressed. We're going to see Dr. Whale."

"No. I'm not."

"Don't argue with me, Regina! You're going and that's final."

Regina resented the fact that her abilities to fight with Emma had grossly diminished over the years. While she did find herself grumbling the whole way there, Regina was secretly grateful they were going. She was never used to getting more than a cold, which she was always able to take care of easily. She prided herself on good health. Now, she was worried.

The three of them waited anxiously for Dr. Whale to come back into the room with some answers. After what felt like an eternity, he knocked at the door. Regina shot him a furious glare. "It's about damn time! What the hell took you so long?"

"I'm sorry, Regina. I just wanted to be thorough."

She rolled her eyes and sighed. "Well you'd better have an answer and a remedy so I can get the hell out of here."

"Oh I have an answer, but…there's no remedy."

The three of them instantly panicked. "What are you talking about!? What's wrong with her," Emma asked.

"Nothing is wrong with her."

Robin looked at him frustrated and confused. "What do you mean, nothing is wrong with her?"

"I mean, Regina is pregnant. Congratulations!"

The three of them stared at him dumbfounded. "You've made a mistake. That's not possible," Regina stated simply. "I can't get pregnant."

"Well, whatever problems you were having before must have been fixed, because you definitely are."

"Excuse me?"

Emma was the first to smile. "She's…she's really pregnant?"

Dr. Whale smiled back at her. "Yes, she really is."

"But…I don't understand how this works."

"Well, when you decided to-"

"Enough," Regina shouted. "We know how babies are made. We just don't know how I was suddenly able to conceive one. Are you absolutely certain?"

"Yes. I ran the tests myself."

Regina took a moment to let it all sink and and started crying. "Oh my God, I don't believe this."

Robin held her close as tears filled his eyes. "I love you. I love you so much."

Emma sat on the other side of her and wrapped her arms around them. "I told you we could fix it."

Regina wiped her eyes as she looked at Emma. "But how?"

"Magic."

Regina thought for a moment. "You mean…your magic?"

Emma nodded. "I…I think so. What other explanation could there be? Do you remember that night we were all together after we built the fire pit in the back yard? While we were…you know…I couldn't stop thinking about how much I wanted to just…fix everything. I kept thinking about how beautiful you would look pregnant and…I guess I focused so much that-"

"That you let out a surge of magic…I remember. That's what I felt. Everything was so intense."

Robin gazed at them both in awe. "I can't believe we did it. We actually made a baby."

Regina looked at him and smiled with tears flowing once more. She pulled them both to her and held them tight as she cried. "Thank you. Thank you both for giving this to me. I love you both more than I could ever say."

"I love you, Regina," Emma said as she kissed her cheek.

Both Emma and Robin placed a hand over Regina's stomach and smiled. Once they left the hospital, they went home and held each other, talking about plans and the baby for hours. They had decided to spend a quiet evening at home together before jointing the Charmings and their boys for lunch the next day. It was clear to everyone that they would tell Henry and Roland first about the baby. Then, they would break the news to Emma's parents and merry men. All of them had trouble sleeping that night. Their minds racing with the news and what their future held. It was no surprise that each of their dreams were filled with happiness and wonder.