New Beginnings

Chapter 26 The Birth of Katherine Grace

-March 2nd 8:30 pm-

Regina was watching the Golden Girls marathon and eating a bowl of cookies-n-cream ice cream with chocolate syrup drenched on top. Henry walked into his mothers' bedroom to check up on her.

"Hey, mom."

Regina laughed as Dorothy hit Rose on top of the head for saying something stupid. She realized Henry walked in then acknowledged him.

"Hi sweetheart, you decided to come to keep me company."

Henry sat down on the bed next to his mother and rested his head on her shoulder. Regina finished her ice cream and put the empty bowl on the nightstand.

"I bet you're ready to get out of that bed."

Regina rubbed her forty-week belly and exhaled, "Yes I am!"

Henry chuckled, and he asked, "Do you want to play UNO until Ma gets home?"

"Sounds like a plan."

Henry ran into his room, grabbed the cards, and ran back into the room jumping into the bed. Regina smiled as she got the cards out, shuffled them, and passed out seven. She flipped a card over, and it was a green five. Henry placed a green seven on top.

"Draw two," Regina smiled as she placed her card down.

Henry drew two cards, and Regina put down a green three. He put down a skip then reverse then a draw two. Regina picked out two cards and evilly grinned. Henry put down a green one.

"Are you ready for this?"

Regina asked then began her move, "Skip you back to me, reverse back to me, draw four, and I change it to red…UNO."

Henry drew four and put down a red skip, "Skip you, draw two, reverse back to me, draw two more, and UNO."

Regina finally drew four and smiled evilly, "Are you ready to be slaughtered? Draw two (yellow), skip you, reverse, reverse (blue), UNO, and UNO out."

She threw down her final card which was a blue eight. Henry laughed and shook his head. They heard a door close, and Henry ran out of the bedroom to meet his Ma who just walked in.

* * * * *NEW BEGINNINGS* * * * *

Emma walked in and took off her shoes. Henry ran down the stairs.

"Whoa, kid, take it easy! Is Mom alright?" Emma began to get worried.

Henry hugged Emma and said, "She's fine. We just finished a game of UNO."

They began to walk up the stairs, and Emma said, "Oh cool, who won?"

"Mom," Henry sighed, and they both laughed.

Emma and Henry walked into the bedroom to see Regina putting the UNO cards back into the box.

"Hello beautiful," Emma said and Regina looked up and smiled.

"I'm so happy your home. I'm going to need help with my bath, dear."

Henry turned and walked out the room, "And that is my cue to leave and go play my Xbox."

The women laughed, and Emma went into the bathroom to draw a bath. Regina heard the water pour, and she scooted herself to the edge of the bed. She pushed herself up and walked into the bathroom. Regina noticed Emma already got her a fuchsia and white polka dot maternity nightgown to change into. Emma saw her wife watching her get the towels and washcloths. Regina placed a hand on her back, and Emma quickly went to her wife's aide.

"Are you alright?"

Regina nodded, "I'm alright. My back is just sore."

Emma kissed her wife's cheek, "Well, this bath will help your back."

"You're coming in, too," Regina gave Emma a quick kiss to her eagerly waiting lips then she lifted her black nightgown over her head.

Emma smiled and shook her head, "You do know how to turn a moment from sweet to sexy in just one action."

After Regina was completely undressed, Emma helped her get into the tub. Regina lay back and enjoyed the lukewarm water while Emma got undressed to join her. Emma got into the tub, and Regina smiled.

"Guess what?"

Emma took Regina's hand in hers.

"What?"

Regina began to play with Emma's fingers.

Emma smiled, "We get to meet her tomorrow."

Regina smiled, "I can't wait. I'm ready to hold her in my arms."

"I am too," Emma placed a hand on her wife's very swollen belly.

Regina put her hand on top of Emma's and smiled, "Thank you."

"For what?"

Emma was confused about what her wife was thanking her for.

"For coming to Storybrooke, for being my friend, for marrying me, for loving me, and for Katherine Grace."

Emma giggled, "It took you and me for Katherine Grace. For everything else, you're welcome."

Emma and Regina finished their bath then Emma let out the water.

"Alright, let me get out, and then I'll help you."

Emma got out and quickly dried herself off. She reached out to help Regina stand. Regina stood and with Emma's help, got out of the tub with ease. They dried themselves off, and Emma helped Regina finish drying off. Emma changed into her pajamas and Regina put on her nightgown.

"Get in bed, and I'm going put the bag in the SUV."

Regina nodded, and Henry walked into the bedroom.

"Oh kiddo, can you help me?"

Henry nodded, "Sure, what do you want me to do?"

"Can you bring the bag to the SUV and I will put the car seat in?"

Henry grabbed the bag, and Emma picked up the car seat from the nursery. Regina sat on the bed and got under the covers. As she was getting comfortable, she felt a sharp pain in her stomach. She placed a hand on her stomach, and it felt tight. Regina looked at the alarm clock, and it was 10:30. She rubbed her stomach, and the tightness went away.

* * * * *NEW BEGINNINGS* * * * *

Henry and Emma made it outside to the SUV. Emma held down the button to open the back hatch. It opened up with a beep beep beep. Henry placed the bag in the back and closed it when he pushed the button. Emma placed the car seat in its base behind the front passenger seat and heard it click into place. Henry walked up to Emma, and they both admired the car seat.

"To think, tomorrow, she will be here."

Emma pulled Henry into an embrace, "I know. Are you excited?"

"Yes, I'm ready to meet her and hold her finally."

Emma smiled, "You're ready to be a big brother aren't you?"

Henry nodded, "I've been asking Mom for a baby brother or sister since I was six. I'm finally getting my wish."

"I hate to burst your bubble, but it is getting late. You have school tomorrow, and you have three tests to take."

Emma closed the door to the SUV, and they walked toward the house.

"What if I take my tests when I get to school then I'll be able to be with you at the hospital until Katherine is born?"

Emma giggled and wrapped her arm around him, "Nice try, kid."

* * * * *NEW BEGINNINGS* * * * *

Regina had to lie down to get comfortable then Henry walked into the room.

"Good night, mom," he leaned over and kissed her cheek.

She kissed him on the cheek and took his hand in hers, "Good night, sweetheart if we are not here when you wake up…"

Henry smiled, "I know. You will be at the hospital."

Emma walked in, and Henry hugged her, "Good night, Ma."

"Good night, kiddo," she kissed his cheek when he left to go to his room.

They heard his door close, and Emma climbed into bed. Regina and Emma exchanged a smile then Regina took her wife's hand in hers. They talked and laughed for what seemed like minutes, but it was hours.

"How are you feeling?" Emma asked as she intertwined her fingers with Regina's.

Regina inhaled then exhaled, "Tired and nervous."

Emma kissed Regina's hand then moved to get closer to her. She took her wife into an embrace and began scratching her back.

"Mmm…that feels so good."

"Hey," Regina turned to look at Emma and Emma said, "She's going to be here tomorrow."

"I know," Regina smiled, and tear grazed her cheek, "I can't wait."

Emma wiped the tear away with her thumb, "I can't wait to hold her in my arms."

Regina pulled her wife to her and planted a tender kiss to her lips, "I love you."

"I love you, too," Emma gave her one last kiss then closed her eyes.

During the night, Regina had made a noise that startled her. Emma noticed her wife was asleep then placed a hand on her wife's belly. It was tight. Emma looked at the alarm clock thinking it was only eleven; 2:00.

"And so it starts…"

* * * * *NEW BEGINNINGS* * * * *

-Somewhere in Dreamland-

Emma appeared in the same forestry place where she would meet Katherine at night for their talks. The place looked different.

"Emma!"

"Regina!"

They took each others' hands and looked around.

"Darling, this place is in ruin. What is going on?"

Emma's eyes widened, "Katherine!"

"Katherine, sweetheart!"

"Mom…Ma…I'm over here."

Regina and Emma followed their daughter's voice and found her lying on the ground in pain. They knelt next to her.

Emma took her in her arms, "What's happening here? Why does this place look like a war happened?"

"I'm not comfortable anymore. Everything feels so tight, and I can't move."

Regina took her daughter's hand in hers, "It's alright, sweetheart. It won't be long now until you will be with us."

"Just think, kiddo," Emma began, "today, you will be in Mommy and I's arms, and it will be my voice that you will hear after I cut you free from Mommy."

Katherine smiled then whimpered in pain. Emma held out her hand and touched Regina's belly. It was tight again. Emma looked at her wrist realizing she forgot to take off her watch; 2:30.

"Thirty minutes apart."

Regina realized what Emma was referring to and exhaled.

"Mom, I'm sorry…"

"Sorry for what, darling?"

Katherine couldn't hold back the tears anymore, "I'm sorry that I'm going to hurt you."

Emma kissed her daughter's forehead, and Regina cupped her daughter's cheek, "It's okay, sweetheart. It is all part of the process. I'm going to be fine. I have your Ma that will be there with your big brother, and I will be there too after he is finished with school."

Katherine smiled weakly then winced in pain. Emma checked her watch; 3:00.

"It's getting hard to keep talking to you both…"

Emma began to rock her, "It's alright. If you need to let me go, let me go."

Katherine pulled Emma into an embrace, "Ma no!"

"It's alright, baby girl. Just think, we could have our talks for real and not in our dreams anymore. You will be able to feel my hugs and kisses anytime you want."

"But Ma, I'm scared of the witch."

Regina pulled Katherine to her and took her into an embrace, "Listen to me, darling, your Ma and I won't let that witch do anything to you. If she happens to take you, summon us like you summon us to meet you every night and we will be there."

Katherine winced in pain again when Emma looked at her watch; 3:20. Twenty minutes…Emma and Regina exchanged glances at each other both knowing the contractions were getting closer together.

Emma took her daughter's hand in hers, "Hey, it's time for Ma to go back."

Katherine looked worryingly at her, "Don't leave me…ow!"

Emma looked at her watch; 3:45.

"You have Mommy with you, and I want to be there when Mommy wakes up. Something tells me that she will need me."

Emma kissed her daughter to her cheek, "I love you, Katherine Grace."

Katherine winced in pain as the women were in an embrace. Four o'clock…fifteen minutes now.

Katherine, through tears, sobbed, "I love you, too, Ma."

Emma disappeared, and Katherine began to cry.

-Regina and Emma's bedroom-

Emma woke up and noticed Regina still asleep. She placed her hand on her wife's belly, and it was tight again. Emma bit her lower lip when she realized how long she and Regina were with Katherine. It was now 4:15 and the contractions have gotten closer together. She grabbed her phone and began texting Snow.

Emma: Be on alert! Contractions started at 2:00 being only thirty minutes apart, but now they are fifteen minutes apart.

Emma got up and began getting herself ready for whenever Regina wakes up. Her phone dinged, and she went pick it up to read the message.

Snow: Your mom is still sleeping. It's dad. It's getting close. Just keep us posted. We are now on standby. :)

Emma: Thanks, dad. Will keep you posted.

Emma walked into the bathroom and began getting dressed.

-Somewhere in Dreamland-

Regina held Katherine as she winced in pain.

"Mom, I'm scared."

Regina kissed her daughter's forehead, "I know, darling, I am too, but we have Ma that will be there for both of us until you are placed in my arms."

"I don't want you to be in pain."

Regina giggled, "It's going to be alright. A lot of good things come with pain."

"Mom, I love you."

Regina smiled, "I love you, too, sweetheart."

Katherine whimpered, "I can't hold on much longer."

"It's alright," Regina turned Katherine to where they were looking into each other's eyes, "it's time."

Katherine nodded, and Regina kissed her daughter's forehead. Katherine turned into a golden orb and returned to Regina's belly. Regina placed a hand on her stomach and darkness took over.

* * * * *NEW BEGINNINGS* * * * *

Emma continued to track the contractions while sitting on the bed waiting for Regina to give her the green light. Every fifteen minutes Regina had a contraction. It was now five o'clock.

Regina opened her eyes to a shot of pain in her stomach, "Emma."

Emma turned to her wife, and Regina questioned, "What does labor feel like?"

"Why? How are you feeling?"

Regina took a deep breath and replied, "If I was holding top secret information and I'm being held at gunpoint, I'd talk."

Emma quickly said, "Showtime!"

"Emma, it hurts!" Regina winced in pain.

"Deep breaths, darling," Emma instructed while texting her parents.

Emma: Showtime! Get here now!

Snow: Grandma and Grandpa to the rescue!

Emma: OMG! LOL! How in the world are you so cheerful at this time?

Snow: It's a gift.

Emma: *eye roll*

Emma took Regina's hand in hers and kissed her wife on her forehead.

"Do you want to try to sit at the edge of the bed so it will be easier to get out?"

Regina nodded, and Emma helped her sit up. When Regina reached the edge of the bed, a contraction hit her worse than before.

Regina gasped and placed a hand on her belly, "I sure hope your mother gets here soon! If she doesn't, I'm going to fry her to a crisp!"

Emma giggled and instructed, "Babe, take deep breaths. Do as I do."

Emma and Regina took in a deep breath then released it. Emma touched her forehead to Regina's as they did some deep breathing together. Emma heard the door open then close along with hurried footsteps up the stairs.

"How are we doing?" Snow asked as she sat next to Regina on the bed.

Regina gave her mother-in-law the evil eye, "How am I doing? I am in pain because your granddaughter is about to make her grand entrance. If you don't mind, I would like to go to the hospital now before either you or Emma will have to deliver her right here!"

Emma took Regina's hands and helped her stand.

"Emma, I need to go to the bathroom."

Emma helped her to the bathroom and David walked in.

"How is she?"

Snow shook her head, "Don't you dare ask that question unless you want a fireball to your rear end."

David smiled, "That's our Regina."

"Emma, what the hell is that on the floor?"

"Your water just broke, dear."

"I'm going to kill you!"

Emma picked up Regina carrying her out the bathroom, out the bedroom, and down the stairs with David and Snow right behind her. David opened the door for his daughter, and she carried her wife to the SUV. Snow opened the passenger door, and Emma carefully placed Regina in the seat. Regina buckled herself in, closed her eyes, and took a deep breath in. She exhaled and opened her eyes.

Snow took Regina's hand in hers, "We'll see you soon. Good luck; we love you."

Regina smiled and turned to see Emma climb in then buckled herself in. She grabbed her red light and placed it on top of the hood of the vehicle.

Regina sighed, "Darling, is that necessary?"

Emma questioned, "Do you want to have the baby in the car?"

"No."

"Then it's necessary."

"Paul is waiting to escort you," David said and closed the door.

Emma pushed the button, and the car roared to life. She put the car in reverse and carefully backed out the driveway. When she was on the road, Emma flipped the light and the siren blared. She put the pedal to the metal, and the tires squealed as the vehicle took off into the night.

"Are you trying to kill the baby and us before she's even born?"

Emma decided to bite back, "Just because you are in labor and in pain doesn't mean you get to bite my freaking head off! I'm trying to get you to the hospital, so you don't have the baby in the car! I have no idea how to deliver a baby, so I want the professionals to do it!"

Regina started crying then Emma took her hand and kissed it, "Babe, I love you. I'm on your side, and I'm here to help you."

"I know you are. I'm sorry for being a bitch."

Emma laughed then realized people were watching the car speed by.

"Look, the people know it's time."

Regina looked out the window and noticed some smiles on their faces. It made her feel loved and wanted. She placed a hand on her aching belly and smiled.

Emma pointed, "There's Sergeant Paul," and she flashed him letting him know it's her.

The patrol car's lights flashed, and the siren blared as it took the lead. The two cars continued toward the hospital.

* * * * *NEW BEGINNINGS* * * * *

They arrived at the hospital to see a waiting party waiting at the Emergency Entrance. Emma temporarily parked the vehicle, got out, and opened the door for Regina. Emma was surprised to see Sarah pushing the wheelchair to get Regina.

Regina was the first to question, "Sarah, what are you doing here? I thought…"

"You think I was going to miss out on you delivering your precious little girl? Not a chance. You and Emma were there for me in my time of need, and now I'm going to be here until you bring her home."

Regina was in tears then Emma asked, "What room are you bringing her to?"

Sarah replied, "Room 303 in Labor and Delivery."

"I know where it is," Emma said then Regina quickly grabbed Emma's arm, "Darling, don't leave me."

Emma knelt in front of her wife who was now sitting in a wheelchair, "I'm going park the car, and I'll be right by your side before they finish hooking you up to all the monitors."

Sarah wheeled Regina inside, and Emma went to park the car.

* * * * *NEW BEGINNINGS* * * * *

Regina was lying in the hospital bed wearing a hospital gown getting poked by needles and getting hooked up to different monitors. Emma walked in with the bag, placed it on the sofa, and went to Regina's side.

"I told you I would be back before they were finished hooking you up."

Regina smiled, "You sure did."

Amy Fabin knocked on the door, "Well, this is it. Let's check you and see how you're progressing. Now, relax for me. I know it's hard because of the contractions, but take a deep breath and relax."

Regina spread her legs and did what the doctor told her.

Dr. Fabin said, "You are five and a half centimeters dilated, 100% effaced, and the baby's head is engaged in the birth canal. Madam Mayor, you are in active labor. This little one is right on schedule."

The doctor went to wash her hands, and Regina questioned, "Why does it feel like my spine is breaking into a million pieces then slowly reassembling itself back together again?"

Dr. Fabin replied, "You are explaining back labor. I want to wait until you are a solid six almost seven centimeters dilated before giving you the epidural. At the rate you are progressing, you won't have to wait too much longer for it. I will come to check on you within an hour."

The doctor left, and it was just Emma and Regina in the room. Emma pulled the chair next to Regina and took her hand in hers.

Regina smiled, and Emma said, "She's coming."

Regina nodded, "Yes, she is."

"We will officially be a family of four today."

Regina giggled, "Yes, we will be."

Emma leaned in and gave her wife a gentle kiss to her waiting lips, "I love you, Regina Katherine."

Regina smiled, "I love you, Emma Grace."

Regina winced in pain, and she squeezed Emma's hand. Emma rubbed her hand and closed her eyes trying to use their joined magic to help relax her.

"Emma, whatever you're doing, it feels nice."

Emma smiled, "Using our bonded magic, dear."

The sun was rising and an hour almost two hours have passed, and Dr. Fabin showed up.

"Let's check you and see far along we are."

Regina spread her legs and took a deep breath. Dr. Fabin checked her cervix.

"You are six and a half almost seven centimeters. Ready for that epidural?"

Regina nodded, "I am ready to be relieved from this torture."

The anesthesiologist opened the door, "Is someone ready to see me?"

"You better believe it," Regina said as Emma helped her sit at the edge of the bed.

Emma took Regina's hands in hers, and Regina rested her head on Emma's forehead.

The anesthesiologist instructed, "Alright, Madam Mayor, take a deep breath and slowly let it out."

Regina followed his instructions, and she shook due to the pain.

"You are going to feel a little pinch, and then that will be it."

Sure enough, she felt a pinch and the medicine going in.

"All done."

Emma and the anesthesiologist helped Regina lay back so the epidural could stay in. After she was situated, the anesthesiologist left, and Snow, David, and Henry walked in.

"Hey, kiddo," Emma smiled then Regina held out her hand, "Henry!"

He ran up to his mom and hugged her, "Grandma told me you threatened to fry her."

Regina giggled, "I did. Are you ready for your exams today?"

Henry nodded, "Yep and I'm ready for my little sister."

He unzipped his jacket and opened it up to sport his 'proud big brother' shirt. Emma and Regina laughed then Snow noticed the monitor for the contractions.

Her mouth dropped, "Regina, these contractions are through the roof! How are you not feeling any of this?"

Regina smiled evilly, "Thanks to the little life safer known as an epidural. Now, I don't have to be bitchy anymore."

The Swan-Mills/Charming family shared a laugh, and Snow checked the time.

"Henry, we need to tell your moms good-bye so we can get to school on time."

Henry hugged both of his mothers then they left. Regina and Emma were left alone again.

"You know something."

Regina turned to her wife, and Emma continued, "I miss our talks. You and me…talking for hours."

Regina smiled, "I miss them, too. We found something else to occupy our time instead of talking."

"And yet we wonder how we ended up pregnant."

They shared a laugh and Regina corrected, "That was you, dear. You wished on a star."

"No, I helped it along by wishing on a star. The rest came naturally through our magic."

"True."

Emma gazed into those brown eyes that she loved so much, "When did you first realize that you had feelings for me?

""Oh Emma, must we do this."

"We have loads of time to kill. So, humor me."

Regina giggled, "Alright, fair enough. It was when you took an electric chain saw to my apple tree that I realized you were just as evil as I was. It was when you said that you believed in me that I knew my feelings for you changed. I felt something when we were in Neverland…"

"When we were tied up to the tree?"

"Yes!"

Emma giggled, "That's funny."

"Now, it's your turn dear."

"Alright, when I first laid eyes on you, I thought how drop dead gorgeous you looked…"

Regina giggled then Emma continued, "I got to know you and got to see a side of you that no one else got to see. Every time I got close to you to where I could smell your perfume…it made my emotions go haywire. It wasn't until Neverland when we were tied up to that tree that I realized my feelings for you changed. I felt it then. When you were about to separate us when Pan's curse was about to hit, I thought I was going to lose you. I'm so thankful that we had our time in the Enchanted Forest and I'm so thankful that you chose me to be the one you would love with all your heart. Thank you for loving me. Thank you for marrying me. Last but not least, thank you for carrying Katherine Grace and soon to be delivering her. I love you so much."

"Damn it, Emma, I don't want to cry until I hear our Katherine Grace cry."

Emma giggled, and Regina joined in. Dr. Fabin walked in.

"The epidural is working very nice isn't it?"

Regina nodded, "Yes it is."

"Let's check our progress."

Regina spread her legs, took a deep breath, exhaled, and smiled at Emma.

"Wow! You are eight and a half centimeters dilated. Right now, our time is ten o'clock so in a good two hours I am betting money that you will be ready to deliver. I will check back at eleven. If you are not fully dilated then, I give another hour maybe an hour and a half."

The doctor washed her hands then left the room.

"Emma…"

Emma looked at her wife and Regina continued, "I am also thankful for the time we had in the Enchanted Forest. I am thankful you chose me to be the one that you would love with all your heart. Thank you, Emma, for loving me…for marrying me, and last but certainly not least, thank you for Katherine Grace. Without you, I wouldn't have been able to do this. I love you very much."

Emma leaned forward and gave Regina a long gentle kiss. There was a knock at the door, and Emma broke the kiss to see who it was. Henry ran into the room.

"Henry, why aren't you at school?" Regina questioned then Snow walked in explaining for him, "He asked his teachers if he could take his tests so he could be there for his baby sister's arrival. Of course, the teachers let him. He took three tests back to back. He finished all three in an hour. They told me he passed them with flying colors."

Emma high fived him, "Way to go, kid!"

Regina asked, "What about homework?"

"They didn't give him any due to his mom having a baby," Snow smiled then Henry's mothers smiled.

There was another knock at the door. David walked in, "Still no baby?"

Regina lifted her hands, "Still no baby."

David sighed, and everyone laughed. Two hours have passed, and the Swan-Mills/Charming family laughed, talked, and even played a round of UNO where Emma won. It was one o'clock in the afternoon, and Regina felt some pressure from down below.

"Emma…"

Emma looked at Regina, and the brunette asked, "How do you know if you need to push when you have an epidural?"

"From what I've heard and read, you will feel pressure down there."

Regina nodded, "That's exactly what I'm feeling at the moment."

There was a knock at the door, and it was Dr. Fabin.

"Sorry, I got tied up with an emergency surgery. Let's check you."

Regina spread her legs, took a deep breath, and exhaled.

"Fully dilated and I'm touching the head."

Regina and Emma shouted, "What!

"Dr. Fabin washed her hands, and Sarah walked in.

"Alright, who's all staying?"

Regina said, "Emma is staying."

"Mom, I want to stay…"

Emma was the one who objected, "Oh no, too much blood and it will look like a war took place in here. You don't need to see any of that."

Henry kissed his mothers then followed Snow and David out the room. Emma and Regina exchanged smiles.

"This is it," Emma said and Regina nodded, "This is it."

Dr. Fabin was suited up, and Sarah helped Regina get into position.

"Alright Regina, on your next contraction, I want you to push," Dr. Fabin instructed.

Regina nodded then she felt the pressure.

She started to push, and Sarah counted, "1…2…3…4…5…6…7…8…9…10, relax."

Regina exhaled and began some deep breathing. Emma took Regina's hand in hers then Regina felt pressure again.

She started to push, and Sarah counted, "1…2…3…4…5…6…7…8…9…10, relax."

Regina exhaled, and Emma kissed her forehead, "You're doing great, babe."

Dr. Fabin said, "You're doing beautifully, Regina. The head has crowned, and now we're in the home stretch. Whenever you're ready, give a big push."

She felt the pressure and Regina pushed. Sarah counted, "1…2…3…4…5…6…7…8…9…10, relax."

Regina exhaled, and Dr. Fabin said, "Just breathe for right now."

Regina, with Emma's coaching, did some deep breathing exercises. Dr. Fabin was moving the baby to the left then the right.

"Alright, Regina, one big push and she will be here."

Regina took a deep breath and pushed. The amount of energy passing through Regina and Katherine was making the lights in the room flicker then go haywire. A couple of them started shooting sparks.

"Babe, the lights slow down on the push."

Regina backed off then Dr. Fabin said, "And she's here!"

A faint baby cry was heard, and Regina relaxed to the point of tears. Emma kissed Regina's forehead.

They looked into each others' eyes, and through her tears, Emma said proudly, "She's here!"

Regina sobbed, "She's here!"

They shared a long gentle kiss, and Dr. Fabin said, "Emma, would you like to come cut the cord?"

Emma walked over, took the scissors, and cut where Dr. Fabin showed her.

Emma smiled at her daughter and said, "Hi sweetheart, it's Ma! I told you that it would be my voice that you will hear after I cut you free from Mommy."

Regina laughed while crying and Sarah took the baby to get her cleaned off. Dr. Fabin collected the afterbirth and began cleaning Regina up. The epidural wore off, and a nurse removed it from her back. Sarah brought a clean wailing baby to get weighed and measured.

"Tiny little thing…six pounds two ounces and nineteen inches long."

Emma smiled as she ran her fingers through her wife's hair, "I told you she wouldn't be a big baby."

Sarah put on a diaper, a white shirt, and a pink cap on the baby's head. She wrapped her in a pink footprint blanket and walked over to Regina.

Sarah smiled, "Here she is," and placed the wailing baby in Regina's arms.

Regina smiled, "Hello there, beautiful. It's Mommy. You're Ma, and I have been waiting for you for so long."

Emma kissed Katherine to her tiny forehead, "Hi my little princess; it's Ma. Your Mommy and I love you very much. I told you that you would be in our arms soon."

"Emma, look at her. She's beautiful," Regina admired then Emma rubbed her daughter's head, "She's perfect."

Regina and Emma looked at each other, smiled, and shared a long tender kiss. Katherine made a little noise causing the women the break the kiss.

Emma began talking to her baby girl, "Does someone want a kiss too?"

Regina giggled when Emma kissed the tiny baby, and she could have sworn Katherine had a small grin on her face. Regina kissed her daughter then Henry, Snow, and David walked in.

"Hey, kiddo, come see your little sister."

Henry walked over, and Regina asked, "Do you want to hold her?"

Henry smiled and nodded.

Emma instructed, "Sit on the sofa, and I will give her to you."

Henry followed instructions then Emma took Katherine from Regina.

"Alright, hold her with two hands," Emma said as she walked over to her son.

Henry nodded then Emma handed the baby over to her big brother. Henry smiled as he got to see his little sister.

"Well, hi. I'm your big brother. I have been talking to you for so long through Mommy's tummy. Now, we can talk for real. Don't worry; I will protect you when Ma and Mommy can't like when we're at school. I know you are very little now, but I'm talking about later."

Regina took Emma's hand in hers, and Emma looked at her wife who was smiling at her. To Emma and Regina, their life was perfect. Snow and David took their turns holding and talking to their granddaughter then Katherine began to cry. Sarah walked in.

"I know that cry. Someone is hungry, Mommy."

Emma took Katherine from David and brought her back to Regina.

Sarah began, "You had said that you wanted to try to nurse. So Emma and I will help you. Sit up and get comfortable."

Regina sat up, and Emma gave a crying baby to her. Regina followed Sarah's instructions, lowered her hospital gown, and exposed her left breast. She positioned Katherine to nurse.

Regina questioned, "How do you know if she…oh…never mind. There you go, sweetheart."

Sarah smiled, "You're fortunate that she latched on easily. Not a lot of women can experience this because it's either too painful; they begin to bleed when the baby nurses or the baby doesn't latch on well."

Regina smiled as she watched her daughter feed, "Someone was hungry."

Emma and Regina's stomach growled then Snow said, "Someone else is hungry."

The women laughed then Katherine finished. Emma took her and burped her as Regina adjusted herself. Snow, David, and Henry told them good-bye as Regina and Emma ate the cheeseburger that David brought them from Granny's. Sarah had taken Katherine to the nursery for Regina and Emma to eat then rest.

* * * * *NEW BEGINNINGS* * * * *

Katherine Grace was sound asleep in the nursery then someone dressed in black and green appeared to look into the nursery at the sleeping baby. It was the red-headed witch that threatened the little sleeping baby's mothers throughout the entire nine months she was inside her Mommy's womb. Katherine felt her dark presence and began to cry.