AN:: I'm a terrible person and I don't update in a timely manner and you all deserve to hate me.

Sammichbatch is doing some exciting things, and I didn't want to bother her, so three of my family members proof read and asked me a lot of stupid questions, like "Is this really how you spend your free time?" and "What chapter is this? You're writing a whole book just because?"

So... I miss 'Sammy' but she's having a great holiday and I envy that a ton, but I hope she's enjoying herself.

Anyway. Thank you for reading, and I hope you are happy with the chapter, and I always appreciate your feedback. Merry Holidays! I hope you all have a wonderful New Years! Let's hope I can finish this story within 2016. I don't have much confidence, but hey - maybe I'll make a resolution to update more consistently?.

You are loved. So so loved. Even if you don't feel it where you are you have love that is reserved for you and only you in this universe. You're worth it.

Katherine and her mother and Henry were in the waiting room. Sean and Ashley were probably there by now. Ruby, too – but she pushed that thought from her mind as soon as it entered. Their sweet little circle of friends that cared so much about her and called at least once every few days and spoke with her and with Emma and Henry in turns; friends who came over with food and smiles and she realized a while ago that she's thankful for them.

Regina didn't have to be lying in the hospital bed to realize her life hadn't ever been so full.

But Emma was in the room. She didn't leave once unless she was asked. If Regina really thought about it, the fact worried her almost as much as it filled her with this wonderful sense of comfort.

There she was again, rubbing careful circles on the middle of her back – then lower. Regina held her breath and that's where Emma's hand started to press with the ball of her palm, massaging the pain away. Not away. It's not gone but the fact that the blonde knew where it was and how to read her makes it a little more bearable. Her eyes had been closed for what felt like years, but she couldn't focus on anything but that insane pressure, squeezing so hard on everything inside of her, like her organs and flesh were being twisted into oblivion.

"Do you want more ice?" Emma asked so gently, the purr of one of the machines almost drowned her out.

But Regina shook her head and let out her breath slowly. "Not just yet."

Damn it, there it was again. That same pressure squeezing down and in on itself and she didn't even know pain could be like this. Her legs curled up a little more as she whimpered and felt her face twist in agony. Regina had to press her head into the bar attached to her bed, gripping tightly with one hand and holding her belly with the other.

Emma kept echoing her breathing… or leading her. Regina couldn't be sure but she knew she appreciated it.

The blonde was the only one she could stand since all of this had started.

Henry was the first to retreat into the waiting room, though it was really for the best. The first two hours he'd come and go when she could stand to actually make eye contact with him – between contractions and this god awful hell she was feeling from her eyebrows down to her toes. She understood he shouldn't see her in so much distress. Even the most calm and collected eleven year olds can't understand that childbirth means enduring insane amounts of pain and knowing that was how it was supposed to go.

Her mother didn't even come in the room. She gave a horrid, ghostly wave from the doorway and whispered her love in the most unfamiliar of high-pitched tones before fleeing.

Everyone else was a blur. Coming and going and wishing her well in hushed voices. Except for Emma.

She was there and asking all the right questions, treating her to all the right nudges and words of encouragement. Regina wasn't sure if she'd give the Sheriff a raise or build an addition to the house after this, but her presence was invaluable. She had to chalk it up to her being the only one who'd done this before or the fact she'd already been so used to waiting on her for the past five months. But Regina was grateful.

And annoyed.

But mostly she was ready to have this damn baby.

The contraction subsided, and her shoulders relaxed.

Regina opened her eyes and caught Emma's calm gaze as the other woman lifted her hand to sweep back the hair that had fallen in her face. Her eyes went glassy all over again.

Emma leaned her chin on the bar, bending so they were right in each other's faces. "What's wrong?" Her voice was quiet and simple, not demanding an answer, but opening up the floor.

"I just feel like it's never going to end."

Her fingers were still smoothing back hair, but a knowing smirk planted itself on her mouth. "I know."

A few tears slipped from her eyes and Emma swept them away immediately. "How long did it take with Henry?"

"They told me nineteen hours. I think I started feeling stuff the day before, though, too."

Her lip curled under at the thought – she was on hour four and if it were to last fifteen more she didn't know if she would survive.

"You can still get drugs if you want? It's not too late."

Regina just shook her head.

"Okay."

One of the nurses came back in to check her, so Regina mustered up all the composure she had to twist her body on to her back without screaming at the young woman. She was only doing her job, but Regina couldn't help but thinking, I'm fat, and pregnant and hormonal, and they're going to stick their fingers WHERE and expect me to be happy about it? But she did it. And when the blanket was pulled back over and the nurse smiles, announcing she's at a five.

Emma got the cup of ice chips without being asked, and Regina dunked her hand in and chewed on mouthfuls at a time.

Two more contractions came and went before Regina grabbed on to Emma's hand and held it under her chin.

She put the cup down and raked her barely-there fingernails up and down Regina's back.

"I'm so happy you're here."

Emma didn't say anything, but that might have been for the best.

"Imagine my mother trying to help me through."

That made her laugh. "Yeah… except it would be you helping her not lose her shit and failing because you're in labor." She almost sounded like Regina, all throaty and smug. "Why's she so nervous out there?"

"I told you; she doesn't like seeing me in pain."

"Okay, but that doesn't answer, why?"

Regina sighed, happy for the momentary reprieve. "I'm not sure. I know it's been since I was small, though." She pointed to her lip. "My father was teaching me to ride my bike and I fell within the first ten minutes. My teeth split my lip open and she wailed all the way to the hospital and called my father a fool. I ended up with two stitches and never got on a bicycle again."

"You don't know how to ride a bike?"

She shook her head with a grin. "Teach me?"

There was something honestly lost in Emma's eyes for a moment before she smiled and muttered "Yeah," and moved away again. And Regina couldn't follow her and ask questions because her body was on high-alert, waiting for the next contraction and cautiously happy for the moment of relative peace.

It was only a few seconds though, then Emma was right back behind her with a hair tie and working as quickly as possible to make the pony tail so she could lay back down and relax.

"Who's all out there now?"

"Sean just took Alex home, but Ashley said she wanted to stay here for you. Katherine and your mom, and Ruby.. Henry's probably gone through his fourth chocolate pudding by now."

"Good Lord."

"Henry wants to stay, though. Until kiddo is here."

Regina just sighed and closed her eyes again. "…If you find a bed for him. He needs to get to sleep at some point. He can't be in the room, though."

"God, no."

She opened her mouth to speak again but there was more pain – a little heavier this time and she couldn't stamp down the high groan that she hummed out. Her legs came up a little higher as she pressed her chin down as far as it would go.

Emma didn't say anything as she wet a wash cloth and put it on Regina's neck delicately, but didn't touch her after that. Not during contractions, and Regina still thought it was amazing she knew exactly what to do or what not to do. Not for the first time in the past few months, it rang through Regina's mind; what would I do without Emma Swan?

It'd been a long eleven hours, and Henry had gone to sleep and woken up a few times. Cora was still sitting there like she had been the whole time – eyes wide and horrified, but somehow the only one to walk with Henry down to the cafeteria over and over again. He was sitting with cereal and Emma was sure it had to be her third coffee.

Katherine just got back to the hospital a half hour ago and Ashley was on her way back with Alex any moment.

The thought flashed in her mind – not in a million years would she see herself surrounded by so many people she knew at six in the morning unless she was in the fucking twilight zone.

Actually, she was surrounded by people she chose to be around, helping her best friend have a baby while her son was in the waiting room. If anything was closer to the twilight zone they would all be fairy tale characters living in modern times with horribly written dialogue.

"Hey." Emma bounded out into the waiting room, nodding and bouncing on her toes. "Regina's almost ready to push, so… just filling you guys in!" She gave the thumbs up and went quickly to kiss Henry's head.

He stood up and grabbed her hand. "When do you think he'll be here?"

"I don't know kid?" She grinned. "But it'll probably be before like eight. Give it a couple hours and you'll get to see him."

Cora's face twisted into some sort of agony. "It'll take two hours for… Regina-"

Emma rolled her eyes. "It takes a while sometimes. She could push for fifteen minutes or a few hours. It all depends on her body and the doctors."

She didn't wait for anyone else to interrupt before she went back and grabbed on to Regina's hand without a second thought.

And holy shit, was she a trooper. No drugs or anything other than deep breaths to help with the pain and she was still going strong. Sure she was groaning through most of it, but she stuck with her plan and didn't complain once. Emma smiled at the thought again. Regina was tough. And as much as she wished she could take some of the pain away she was glad Regina was hanging in there.

Somehow at the same time, she'd never looked so young. Her hair, now damp from exasperation s tucked behind her ear, she had no makeup on, and this constant look of determination on her face.

"Ready to do this?" She grinned.

Regina just nodded and looked at the young woman who'd been prepping everything and then looked back quickly. The nurse looked between Emma and Regina for the millionth time and went over counting to ten at least with every push, but for Regina to follow what her body was telling her.

"Don't work yourself too har-"

"Okay, can I push now?!"

Emma smiled at the young woman's face; probably not super familiar with having someone boss her around while she was delivering their baby. But she nodded anyway.

And Regina squeezed Emma's hand in two hard pumps before taking a deep breath, and they counted as she put her chin to her chest, holding her eyes shut tightly.

"One,

"Two,

"Three,

"Four,

"Five,

"Six,

"Seven,

"Eight,

"Nine,

"Ten…"

Regina growled out, low and pained and let her head fall back.

A few seconds later, they all watched as the Mayor sucked in another large breath and nodded, doing it all over again.

Regina swore if one more random member of the medical staff came up to her and told her to breathe, she was going to scream at them until they cried.

But honestly she didn't have the energy.

She did everything she was supposed to- followed her body, focused, and put the pain aside – instead envisioning her son swaddled it white with the little blue cap on being placed in her arms. The seemingly endless pain would all be worth it. It had to be.

But after two hours, she wasn't sure it would be as easy as the books illustrated. Two hours of back to back pushing and it didn't feel like she was making any progress at all. They tried turning him twice and that was more painful than the contractions, and still nothing changed.

Whale asked Emma out into the hall, but she didn't go until Regina nodded and let her head fall back for a moment.

God her head was spinning and pounding at the same time. Her whole body was heavy, but still shaking. Two hours but it felt like twelve years.

"Regina."

She opened her eyes and Emma was right there again. Only her hand didn't go to her knee like she expected. That was her job – she was holding her knee back and holding her hand, and counting. But her face was in this awful frown.

As soon as she shook her head, Regina knew.

"No… No, I don't want-"

"We don't have a choice. Kiddo's heart rate has been falling for the past fifteen minutes, and he's still not moving on his own – we have to do something."

"I can do it." She nodded.

Emma smoothed her hair back and smiled sadly. "You absolutely can. But you have to let them help you."

"Em-"

"They know what they're talking about, I promise. Pushing isn't safe anymore, for you or the baby, Regina. We have to get him out."

The tears and sobbing started right then.

She knew what was going to happen. The decision seemed like it was already made for her, but she still shook her head and lost her mind.

One of the machines started beeping, and whatever it was, it couldn't be good. Everyone was barking orders at her, but she was in too much pain. Everything that she'd endured physically didn't matter now, they were just going to cut her open, and she wouldn't be able to walk around and take care of her baby for the better part of a month. She couldn't get around and make Henry lunch like she planned. She'd have to lay in bed and heal, hopped up on pain medication and out of it. And she'd have a big ugly scar for the rest of her life.

"Regina!"

Emma was yelling at her, but she didn't notice until just then.

When she opened her eyes, they were putting a cap on her and sitting her up.

Shit, they were already prepping her for surgery.

Emma was in scrubs and a cap already.

"You have to breathe! Look at me – take deep breaths, Regina! Breathe with me."

She heard her own wheezing and gulped hard. She realized how tight her chest felt. God, they were all in a different room now. Three nurses and Whale all in masks and scrubs and those morbid looking full-body aprons and gloves.

"You have to calm her down right now or we're going to knock her out!" Whale warned.

But Emma's hands were on either side of her head, pulling their foreheads together as she lead the deep breathing exercises on the DVDs Regina bought.

Her head was a bit clearer, but Whale started to push her forward, placing a hand on her lower back.

"Okay, they're going to do the spinal now."

She imagined the giant needle and started shaking her head and crying all over again.

"No! Alright – don't freak out. Look at me!"

Regina opened her eyes. Emma smiled at her and ran her thumbs across her cheek bones. "Talk to me – tell me his name, Regina. What's his name?"

"Emmet." She spat out. Not thinking.

Emma's face dropped, and Regina nodded and grinned through her tears.

"You're naming your baby after me?"

Regina tried to laugh, but it came out in more tears.

Whales hand went just a bit lower and stayed firm. Emma gave her a look and this time she was prepared. It didn't compare to the pain in the rest of her body.

"I wanted to surprise you."

"Good fucking job, there. Why the hell would you name a baby after me, Regina? I don't even know how to make grilled cheese without ruining your kitchen."

She shook her head. "Because you're kind, and so generous, and loving, and I know the first child I got from you was perfect so… maybe the namesake would do well on this one."

The way Emma's eyes twinkled and watered was enough to take her out of the moment, and she was thankful. Her hand went up to wipe her tears away and Regina leaned into the touch and closed her eyes.

"Can you feel your toes?"

Regina looked down and tried to wiggle them. "I can't move them."

Slowly the pain started to filter away, and they laid her down on the table, having to pull her legs for her. Emma lead her breathing again and held her hand tightly as the large blue curtain was pulled up at her chest.

"You're doing great, mamma bear."

Regina smiled, but didn't open her eyes. She could still vaguely feel herself shaking behind her anxiety over the whole situation. This was not how childbirth was supposed to go. She had a plan and everything was supposed to go smoothly. Emergency C-section was not-

"We're going to start now, alright? You're going to feel some slight pressure and a bit of tugging, but nothing sharp."

"Alright." She tried to match his volume, but her voice came out hoarse and wavering.

Emma's hand squeezed hers, the other consistently sweeping hair back from her forehead in gentle motions. "What's his middle name?"

"I think.. Nathaniel. Or Nathan. I was going to ask you which you though sounded better before Mills."

"Nathaniel."

Regina nodded.

"Emmet Nathaniel Mills… you sure you want a little me running around?"

"Considering I've already raised one?"

Emma laughed. "How did you pick Henry's name out?"

"Henry was my father's name. I've always known that I would name a son after my father, if I'd had one."

"You never talk about him."

"I don't even talk about him with my mother."

"Why not?"

Regina rolled her head to the side. "There's a lot of pain there. He went very suddenly when I still needed him… and I'm not sure I've ever grieved properly." She gulped. "That, and I'm not one to indulge my emotions too often."

"Eh, I mean you talk about your feelings."

She shook her head. "Sure, I've rationalized them and spoken on my feelings since I've been pregnant, but… very seldom do I let them make the decisions for me. I think that's why I was with Graham for such a long time. It made sense without taking my own emotions into consideration."

Emma just nodded and kept her fingers going, carding through the hair just above her ear, and Regina closed her eyes to the feeling, allowing it to calm her and ease away the reality of the fact she was undergoing major surgery. But she could feel Emma's big ocean eyes on her the whole time.

"Stop staring at me."

She opened her eyes to Emma's soft, unassuming smile.

"Well, I'm not going to peek at what Whale's doing."

Regina nodded. "Probably turning me into Frankenstein's Monster."

Emma laughed. "You're making jokes while he's cutting you open?"

"How else am I to cope?"

"…. I guess."

Regina adjusted their hands carefully. "Is this where you pictured yourself?"

Emma frowned. "What do you mean?"

"Pushing thirty and being part of this little hodge-podge family of ours in small town Maine?"

"Exactly." Emma nodded, not missing a beat. "All that's missing is my jack-rustle terrier named Lunch Box and a… white picket fence."

"Pongo and my rod iron are close enough, I think." The smile didn't quite reach her eyes. "You've been here a whole year, if you wanted a dog, you could have gotten one by now."

"Oh, and have it live at your house this whole time?"

"Not on your life."

Emma laughed and Regina closed her eyes again. But the wheels turning in Emma's head could probably be heard from down the block or so.

"I have been here over a year, right?"

"Yes."

"So… that means you're another year older."

"Your skills of observation never cease to impress me."

Emma flicked her arm lightly. "Why didn't we celebrate your birthday?"

"I don't…" The table shook and Regina looked down for a moment, as though she would be able to see through the fabric separating her from her surgery.

Whale's voice came from the other side of the curtain. "You alright?"

"Am I, doctor? You tell me."

"Just a few more minutes."

Regina's head dropped back onto the table and she sucked in a large breath before closing her eyes and addressing the blonde. "I don't celebrate my birthday."

"Why not?"

She could see it in Emma's face now; this was more about keeping her mind off of what was happening than anything else. Just pressing for her to keep talking, and it had been working. But her focus had been pulled back to the horrible set of circumstances they were in now.

It wasn't until Emma's hand started through her hair again that Regina noticed her breathing getting a little faster, or the knot starting to form in her throat.

"You're fine. Everything's going to be okay."

Regina shook her head. "What if we waited too long?"

"Look at me."

She did, her eyes hit Emma's and she let her friend stroke the fallen tear away from her cheek slowly.

"Regina, I'm right here. And whatever happens I'm going to stay right here, and you're going to be fine. Your baby is going to be fine, and you're going to go home in a couple days and not stop kissing his face for a month straight. Henry's going to read him books, and you can do the DIY baby food and everything is going to be perfect."

"Okay, Regina."

They both turned their heads to the curtain again.

"You're going to feel a lot of pressure, but no pain."

The brunette gulped and squeezed Emma's hand. "I'm ready."

Whale asked what time it was in a whisper to one of the nurses before she felt anything, but when she felt the tugging and yanking and the table shook again. Of course she didn't read anything on caesarian sections – that wasn't the plan, so she didn't care to learn. But, dear god, did she wish she could turn back the clock and ask every question she could.

But suddenly, everyone was talking again, only in whispers but it sounded panicked. Tools started clinking together and making noise and two of the nurses took the baby right over to the table on the other side of the room without stopping over at all.

"Can I see him?" Regina tried to yell, but her words came out strangled and nervous. She shook at Emma's hand but didn't take her eyes off of the nurses backs. "Emma, he's not crying."

"Do you want me to look or stay-"

"Emma, stay right where you are!" Whale bellowed from the other side of the curtain.

"What's happening?" She yelled.

The nurse that was helping deliver before they were moving into the OR peeked around the corner and made very deliberate eye contact. "The cord was wrapped around his neck. We're clearing his airways right now-"

And there was the cry.

Everyone looked over, and one of the nurses turned around and gave a nod, her cheeks bubbling over her mask, showing her smile. "He's fine. Probably has a killer head ache."

Finally, Regina got a whole breath into her chest.

He was okay.

Emma grinned at her, tears in her eyes now, too. "I told you so."

"Cherish this moment – this one time I don't hate you for being right."

They smiled and stared at the table until they swaddled the baby up and handed him to Emma so Regina could keep him close and hold his hand as they closed her up.