New Chapter! Enjoy!
Regina stared at the calendar on the wall in her kitchen. There were little Xs marked off in the corner of each day and today was circled in a large circle. She was in her twenty – fifth week of pregnancy and today was a very important day. Today she and Robin were going to find out what they were having, a baby yes, but a boy or a girl. She wasn't sure what she wanted. She and Robin discussed it every now and then, which gender they would prefer, but Regina would tense every time Robin brought up having a daddy's girl. A part of her heart broke every single time, aching for the child she lost all those years ago. She had a gut feeling that child was the little girl Daniel too longed for as a daddy's girl. Sitting at the counter, she stirred her coffee absentmindedly as heavy footsteps approached the kitchen. A swish of the swinging doors to the kitchen garnered her attention. Her sweet adorable husband stood with his hands outstretched to the side, presenting his outfit.
"So, whadya think?" Regina chuckled out loud. She stared at her husband with a wide grin.
"I think you look…ridiculous." She laughed some more. Robin lightly laughed with her.
"Really?"
"Mmmhmm," she nodded her head, sliding off the bar stool. She walked towards her husband and peppered a few light kisses on his cheeks. Regina headed to the sink and dumped out her coffee. Robin followed close behind her.
"Why do I look ridiculous?"
"You're wearing a purple shirt! That says 'Here's to Daddy's Girl'.
"For good luck."
"You really want a girl?"
"Yeah!"
"You're going to keep her under lock and key until we die, aren't you?"
"Well, I must protect her honor."
"And what kind of life would that be for her, for us? Hmm? Hardly seems fair."
"We'll be all she ever needs."
"Right. Are the boys ready to head out?"
"Yep, all dressed, they should be down shortly."
"Good. We can drop them off at school and then head over for the appointment."
"They're going to be really sad they don't get to go."
"Tough luck," she whispered out, laying a hand on Robin's chest before standing on her tip toes to kiss his lips. Just then two boys burst through the kitchen door, skidding to a stop before their parents. Robin and Regina turned to look at their children. It was an intense stare off for a few moments before either party spoke.
"Mama?"
"Nope."
"But mo – om."
"No, Henry. You have to go to school."
"You don't even know what we were going to ask!" Regina hummed and gestured for Henry to ask his question. "Can you come by school and tell us what it is when you get done?" Regina smiled slightly, she had to give him credit. She ruffled his hair and he smoothed his hair back down.
"I'm sorry, Robin and I have to go to work after the appointment. You can find out when we all get home, tonight, okay?" Both boys let a sigh and turned to head out the kitchen. "Hey, are you guys going to eat something?"
"No, thanks," Henry mumbled out. Regina walked to the other side of the counter and opened each boys' lunch sacks and tossed in a banana. She picked up the sacks and she and Robin headed towards the front door. Robin guided his wife down the walkway with a hand on her back to her Mercedes. Her two – door Mercedes. Maybe they could blow off work and go car shopping instead. It shouldn't take too long and David let Robin have the entire morning off for the appointment. Robin helped Regina settle in the low seated car, shut the door and walked around to the driver's side. Regina turned around and handed the boys their lunch sacs.
"Here ya go, almost forgot these. I put a banana in there in case you guys get hungry on the way to school." Henry reluctantly took the sac out of his mother's hands, while Roland snatched the bag, practically ripped it open and immediately started peeling the banana. He chewed rather loudly and finished off the banana off as the family pulled up to Storybrooke Elementary School. Robin put the car in park, hopped out the car and leaned the driver's seat forward so Roland could climb out. Regina tried to turn around in her seat so she could Roland good bye before he exited, but her belly wouldn't exactly accommodate her. Robin looked up at his wife and chuckled.
"Hey Ro, why don't you go around to the other side and give Regina a hug good bye, hmm?" He nodded his head and partially ran, partially skipped around to the other side of the car. Regina opened the door and leaned over as much as she could while Roland stood on his toes to reach his arms around her neck. She could hear Henry's exasperate sigh in the back seat as slid across to exit out on Robin's side of the car. As she was finishing her hug with Roland, she craned her neck towards Henry.
"Henry, don't you want us to drop you off?"
"Uh, no, thanks. I'll walk." He hopped out the car and started towards the middle school, not even offering either parent a good bye. Roland ran off towards the building, Robin returned his seat to its proper position and climbed back in the car. Regina turned her body so she was seated forward again and shut her door. She stared hard through the windshield for a few moments before Robin reached out and grabbed her hand. She looked up at him and returned her gaze to the scene of children being escorted by parents to the building. She squeezed his hand a little tighter and Robin drove off towards the doctor's office. They weren't going to let a moody pre – teen ruin their excitement.
It was ten minutes from the school to the doctor's office and Regina could scarcely contain herself. Robin parked the car and quickly hurried to the other side to assist Regina in exiting the vehicle. They were both rather anxious because at their last appointment the baby wasn't in a good position to be able to tell the gender. They sat in the waiting room, updating paperwork and Regina nervously fiddling with her hair. Robin tried massaging her scalp, running his fingers through her shoulder length hair. He loved the length. He leaned forward to whisper in her ear.
"Have I told you I love that you've let your hair grow out?" Regina rolled her eyes and smacked his hands away.
"Hmm, let me think" she responded just as the door to the back exam rooms opened.
"Regina Mills?"
"Uh, Hood! It's Regina Mills – Hood." Robin called out as he stood and then offered his hands to Regina so she could pull herself out of the chair. They followed the nurse down the hallway. The nurse had Regina step into a small area and gave her a container to collect a urine sample. Regina took off her coat and handed everything to Robin to hold.
"Is this why you really brought me here? To hold all your stuff?" Regina smacked him in the chest.
"Careful or this will be the last appointment you're invited to." She slipped into the restroom and Robin and the nurse stood awkwardly outside the door. A few minutes passed and Robin felt a little anxious. He knocked on the door.
"Regina, love, are you alright in there?" A silent pause before he could hear the lock on the door click and the handle dip down. The door flung open to reveal a flushed Regina.
"Sorry, it's a little bit hard to hold the stupid container underneath you with a belly in the way."
"That's alright, if you please could you step on the scale so we can get your weight?" Regina bit down on her lip. She kept meaning to go for evening walks with Mary – Margaret to help control her weight gain. She was a little bit worried what the scale might reveal.
"Robin, could you wait over there, please?"
"Wha? Why?"
"Because I don't want you to see how much weight I've gained."
"Honestly woman? Really? You're carrying our child, you're supposed to gain weight! And you look absolutely wonderful."
"You say that, but I still don't want you to see, now go!" Regina said forcefully as she shoved Robin back towards the hallway. The nurse helped Regina onto the scale and took her weight, then helped her back down off the scale.
"Alright, if you'll follow me this way we'll get you into an exam room and after you've settled down, I'll take your blood pressure and pulse, okay?" Regina nodded her head and followed the nurse down the hall as requested.
Once they were in the room, the nurse handed Regina an examination gown and promised to return in a few minutes, giving her a chance to change. Robin helped Regina out of her remaining clothes in silence.
"So," he began, hoping to break the tension that settled over them. They were both worked up over finding out what they were going to have and the closer they got to seeing the doctor, the longer it seemed for time to move. A knock on the door interrupted them.
"Hey guys. How are you doing?"
"Fine, a little anxious."
"I understand. Well, why don't you have a seat and we'll get started, hm?" Regina nodded her head and Robin helped her onto the exam table. She reclined onto her back while the doctor washed up. The doctor poked around Regina's protruding stomach, taking a few measurements. She sat back down to review her chart and made a few faces that had Regina a little worried.
"Is uh, is everything okay?"
"Hmmm? Yeah, you're measuring kind of small, I was just checking your weight."
"My weight? I already feel like a whale!" The doctor chuckled.
"I know, I know, but I'd like you to put on at least five more pounds by the next time I see you, okay?" Regina nodded her head. Robin sat quietly in the corner. "Alright, do the parents have any other questions for me?" Robin stood up to stand beside his wife.
"Well, we were wondering, if you had the time, if we could try again to see the sex of the baby. It wasn't in a good position last time."
"Oh, that's right! I'll see if we can't get you in the back. I'll be right back." Robin squeezed Regina's leg as the doctor exited the exam room. After what seemed an eternity to the couple the doctor returned. "I'm sorry guys, the schedule is a bit packed." Robin and Regina sighed, looked dejected. "Why don't you check with the receptionist and see if she can get you scheduled for a separate ultrasound? Otherwise I'll see you next month, okay? You can go ahead and get dressed now." The doctor left the room and the expectant parents turned to look at each other. Robin watched Regina carefully, her face shifting from the look of almost bursting into tears to anger. He tried to pull her into a tight hug, but her rigid body language told him she was having none of that.
"Come on Gina, let's go." Regina turned her face to look at her husband, her jaw set.
"I am not leaving until we get to see our baby."
"I don't think we're going to be able to do that today, you heard her."
"But this isn't fair! We had to wait another month! Why couldn't your kid be more cooperative?!" Robin scoffed.
"My kid?"
"Yes, it clearly doesn't know how to follow orders."
"Regina, it's a fetus, it's kinda just hangin' out in there. And I think its stubborn behavior for not listening clearly comes from you." Regina rolled her eyes. Robin grasped her by the shoulders. "Hey love, I'm just as disappointed as you are. Why don't we do what the doctor suggested and just make an extra appointment with the ultrasound tech, okay?" She nodded her head. "Okay?" She nodded her head more fervently and this time allowed Robin to pull her into a tight embrace. He helped her out of the gown and handed her clothes. He waited patiently while she finished getting dressed and escorted her to the front of the building so they could make their appointment.
"Hi, Mrs. Hood? Mr. Hood." The cheery receptionist greeted the couple.
"It's Mills – Hood."
"Oh, right sorry, Mrs. Mills – Hood. Ready to set up your next appointment?" The couple nodded their heads.
"Alright, Dr. Campbell wants to see you in a month, how does Thursday April 9th sound?"
"That sounds so far away."
"I know, but does that work for you?"
"Yeah. Um, we were also wondering if we could just schedule an appointment with the ultrasound tech? The baby wasn't in a good position to find out the sex and Dr. Campbell wasn't able to squeeze us in today."
"Oh, um yeah sure, let me check the schedule, okay?" The couple nodded their heads in unison. Regina reached for Robin's hand while the receptionist checked the schedule. "Alright, looks like Miranda might have open appointments on Wednesday."
"Wednesday as in next Wednesday?"
"Uh – huh."
"She can't fit us in any sooner?"
"No, sorry. Do you want the appointment?" Regina let out a sigh, looking at her husband.
"We were so close."
"I know Gina, I know." Regina turned back to the receptionist.
"Yeah, we'll take it."
"Alright, Wednesday March 19th at 1 PM. Seeya then?" The receptionist handed Robin the appointment card and he followed his wife back outside. She walked briskly to the car and gave a forceful tug on the door handle, forgetting that Robin had the keys.
"Robin, open the door."
"Hey hey now, are you okay?"
"Does it look like I'm okay?! We were supposed to find out the sex of our baby today! I wanted to be able to buy gender specific clothes and decorations for the nursery."
"Well we've already got loads of clothes for the baby. And anyway it's just going to be lying around in onesies, spitting up and pooping and sleeping. It won't need cute clothes for a long time. And it won't be able to play with toys and it won't care about the decorations we have. It will only care that we love it and feed it and make sure it's clean. Now, no more tears." Regina nodded her head, opening her mouth to protest. Robin brought a finger to her lips. "Nope, not another word. Now, Dr. Campbell said you needed to gain more weight. Why don't we grab something to eat at Granny's before I drop you off at work, hmm?" Regina nodded her head and Robin helped her into the car and they drove off to Granny's.
It was around nine thirty in the morning when the Mills – Hood couple arrived at Granny's. Robin opened the door for his wife and once she stepped inside, all activity ceased. Robin quickly stepped inside behind his wife and bumped into her back.
"Regina, what's going on?"
"I'm not quite sure, let's ask the Swan, shall we?" Robin nodded his head and extended his arm, indicating Regina to lead the way.
"Uh, Robin, Regina! Fancy seeing you guys here."
"Indeed, what's going on here?"
"I asked you a question first."
"Don't try to redirect, it was all business a few moments before we walked in here, and now it's all silent, what's going on?"
"Oh, you might as well tell her Emma."
"Leroy, be quiet."
"Tell me what?"
"Just tell her what's going on, you know you can't keep secrets around her."
"Oh? Keeping secrets are we?"
"Oh, now Regina, you know Leroy, he likes to spread gossip. Nothing's going on here. Why don't we go sit down? Order up some breakfast? What are you eating nowadays? Pimento cheese and regular salted potato chips still?" Emma grabbed Regina by the arm and led her over to a booth. Emma sat down and motioned for Regina and Robin to sit. Robin stood patiently, waiting for Regina to take her seat.
"Oh Emma, I'm not sure I can fit into the booth."
"Relax, here, I'll pull the table closer to me and I'm sure you'll be able to fit." Regina rolled her eyes while Emma sat and pulled the table closer to her. Robin helped Regina sit down. Regina stood back up.
"Something wrong?"
"I was just thinking,"
"Thinking is a clear sign of life." Emma quipped. Regina cut her eyes at Emma.
"As I was saying, I was just thinking maybe I should sit on the end in case I need to get up and head to the restroom. Squishy is really into gymnastics nowadays." Emma's eyes went wide.
"Squishy? Not baby Emma or baby Rupert?"
"Baby Emma or baby Rupert? Emma what are you on? Should Robin take you to the hospital for a drug screen?"
"Uh, it's just, I thought you were finding out the gender of the baby today." Regina's face deepened into a scowl.
"Well, they couldn't do it today."
"Really?"
"Yeah, we came here to take Regina's mind off of it."
"Oh, well I think I'm changing my vote to girl." Emma blurted out before slapping a hand over her mouth.
"Your vote? To a girl? What are you on about Swan?" Regina eyed the woman.
"Uh, um, nothing." Regina stared hard at Emma. Emma was known for cracking under Regina's hard stares.
"Emma."
"Regina." She responded, not looking at the woman in eye.
"Emma, look at me." Emma sat for a moment before her gaze eventually drifted up to meet Regina's gaze. "Great, now that I've got your attention, what are you voting on?"
"Oh, relax sister, it's just a friendly pot on the gender of that thing you got growing." Leroy chimed in from his regular table top seat. Regina craned her head into his direction before approaching him.
"A pot?"
"Yeah, we've got a nice one going. Care to join?" Leroy asked as he took a bite of his bacon. Regina turned her head back in Emma's direction to see her motioning with her hands for Leroy to stop talking.
"Swan, you better explain everything right now," Regina glowered at Emma as she reapproached the table.
"Uh, well you see, we were discussing what we thought you were having after your first gender reveal appointment didn't go exactly as planned and then we thought it would be cool to see if we could guess the gender."
"For a small nominal fee? Making money off of my unborn child?"
"No, no one's making money."
"There is a pot, someone will receive money."
Emma let out a sigh, her eyes narrowing at Robin. She let out another huff and stood from the booth. She grabbed Robin by the arm and mumbled something in his ear.
"Uh, Regina, Emma here needs to speak to me in private. It's a work thing."
"Uh huh, sure it is. I'm going to order some food. And I'm not ordering for you and don't expect to eat off my plate. I will kill you."
"Yes ma'am. Hey Granny! A cheesey bacon cheeseburger and fries for me!" Regina's mouth popped open at Robin's nerve to usurp her punishing him. She stalked over to the counter where Granny was standing, writing on her scratch pad.
"Granny, if you even think of making that for him I swear – " Granny leaned onto the counter and stared at Regina. She wasn't afraid of Regina's empty threats.
"You swear what? You and I both know you're all bark, no bite. Do you want breakfast food or a cheeseburger as well?" Regina's mouth snapped back shut.
"Um, whatever is the quickest to prepare. I'm really hungry."
"Okay, how about a short stack and bacon?"
"And maybe a fried egg or two."
"Hard."
"Medium."
"Hard. Pregnant women can't eat raw eggs." Regina rolled her eyes.
"So, you really don't know what you're having?" Regina scoffed.
"Really? You too? Is everyone in on this?"
"Hey, it's a small town, we need some form of entertainment. Your mom's not here to periodically start trouble." Regina winced. It was true, both her parents passed within the past few years and it made Regina realize how alone she was when it came to family, except for her sister who lived in Kansas. Granny's face softened and she reached a hand forward, placing it on Regina's. "I'm sorry."
"Oh, it's alright. The first go 'round I had them to help me with Henry."
"Well girl, you know how much we all love you – a lot better than you mother. You know if you need anything at all, midnight cravings, babysitting for an hour or so while you take a nap – I'll get Ruby to do it." Granny finished out with a chuckle. "Now, let me get started on this food. I can hear your stomach rumbling. Did you feed that baby this morning? Am I going to have to start sending food?" Regina let out a small chuckle.
"No, Granny. I manage just fine. Thanks. I'm gonna sit down and wait for my short stack. And you don't have to bring all the food out at the same time. If my order gets finished before that traitor I have for a husband, please bring it to me."
"Of course. And just so you know, I wouldn't be too harsh on Emma. Her heart's in the right place."
"Really now?"
"Yes, just be patient." Regina nodded her head and headed back to the booth, which she found she could still fit in without having to move the table. She sat there for a few minutes before Emma and Robin eventually found themselves back at the table.
"Enjoy your little private chat about work stuff?" Both Emma and Robin sat down at the booth. Robin grasped Emma's hand.
"Yep. And I also talked to her about placing bets on our child."
"And what did you tell her?"
"I uh,"
"He told me it wasn't a nice thing to do. It's kinda too late to cancel it though, so just go with it, will ya?"
"I don't believe what you're trying to tell me, but Granny advised me to be patient with you, so I'm going to try."
"Well that's a surprise."
"Watch it, Ms. Swan." Emma held up her hands in defeat.
"Sorry, sorry." Granny approached the table carrying two plates, one with Regina's shortstack and the other with her eggs and bacon.
"Here ya go, eat up. Robin make sure she's eating – I could hear her stomach rumbling."
"Don't worry, we go to the store two times a week to keep enough food stocked." Regina scowled at Robin and pulled her plates closer to her so she could start eating. In between bites she attempted conversation.
"So, what's the pot looking like?"
"Seriously, you wanna know?"
"Well I kinda don't really have a choice in the matter, do I?"
"I suppose not. Out of nineteen people we – "
"Nineteen? Nineteen people are that interested in my uterus?" Regina asked incredulously.
"As I was saying, out of nineteen people eleven are voting boy, eight are voting girl."
"And what's the price per vote?" Emma looked down at her hands. "Emma. What. Is. The. Price." Emma mumbled. "I'm sorry, I don't think I heard you."
"I said $20."
"Twe - ?! Are you mad?"
"Hey Regina, remember how you were telling us Granny told you to be patient with Emma?"
"That, that's different!" She responded to her husband.
"I know right now you this seems weird, but will you trust me on this? Just let Emma have this, okay?"
"And how much are you getting from each vote?"
"Oh, um $5?"
"See, you are making a profit!"
"Hey, look at the time! Granny, is my order up?!" Granny tilted her head down to peer over her glasses. Emma had already eaten and came into the diner to collect money from Granny for Regina's gift. She pulled the lid off her pastry display and bagged two bear claws for Emma and poured her up a coffee.
"Yep, already to go!"
"Sorry Regina, I'd love to finish this conversation, but I gotta get back to Killian. We have so little time together." Emma slide out of the booth, practically sprinting to pick up her order from Granny and heading out the door, giving a tentative wave at the couple. Robin's face spread with a wide grin. Regina leaned forward.
"If you don't wipe that smirk off your face you'll be renting a room here at Granny's for the next few days." Robin immediately stopped smiling and sat back in the booth. He began shaking his head. "What?"
"Nothing, just wondering what I am going to do with you for the rest of our lives." Granny plopped Robin's order in front of him. Regina and Robin finished their meal in silence. Robin tossed a twenty dollar bill on the table and escorted his wife out the diner. They drove to the publishing company in silence, save for a peck on the lips and an I'll be back promptly at four o' clock in the afternoon, no earlier, no later from Robin. Regina exited the car and stalked off to her building. Robin shook his head – his wife was going to feel like a complete ass for her behavior today and he couldn't decide if he was supposed to be excited or be afraid for her reaction once she found out Emma's secret.
I know it's been a while since I've updated. I have to do research about this stuff and I need to be better about going to bed in a timely manner since I wake up so early for work. Please R & R!
