Emma Swan
"Are you almost ready beautiful?" Neal asked with his hand held out for me to take.
I lifted the bottom of my white dress and turned around to face my son's father. My heart pounded furiously but my head was already nodding. I watched with a giddy grin as his smile spread from ear to ear.
"You look absolutely stunning Em!"
My face felt like I slept with a hanger in my mouth because I couldn't suppress the permanent smile plastered across my face.
"Thank you," I shyly whispered as I peered down at my dress once more.
"Are you nervous?"
"Nope!" I laughed and walked toward my dear friend. "I am so excited. Neal," I sighed and allowed the words to run freely from my lips. "...she is my everything. I love that woman more than I ever thought possible. I'm so honored that she agreed to be mine. I can't wait to spend the rest of our lives together. I want to have more babies with her..." Neal started giggling like a little girl, "...and raise them to be little sassy geniuses just like Regina. I want to retire somewhere quiet, so our grandkids can run around and make a ton of noise! And I want to die, lying warm in her arms. There's no better feeling than being in Regina's arms. I feel like the world can't get to me when I'm safely wrapped up in her embrace. I love Regina Mills with everything I have."
Neal's cheeks blushed a deep crimson while I shift nervously between his feet. "Well then...let's do this!" He smiled brightly and offered his arm once again. I locked my arm around his as we both smiled lovingly at one another before he escorted me to the beach.
I stepped out into the warm evening sun. The sandy beach felt warm as it slipped between my toes. The sky was painted a beautiful combination of orange and pink that reflected off of the ocean water.
Henry was dressed in a white button-down shirt, that was rolled up to his elbows from the heat. He looked absolutely adorable with his khaki shorts and peach bow tie to complete his fashionable appearance. Not one of us wore shoes since we would be tracking through the thick sand.
I watched as my son walked to the edge of the shore line, the water just barely reaching his tiny toes. He securely held our rings in a small, red box with both of his hands. He smiled up at Belle's husband who was ordained to perform this ceremony.
Ruby and Belle walked down with their arms linked together in their matching peach bridesmaid dresses. They were simple yet elegant enough, but I truly admired the way the fabric flowed beautifully in the wind.
My heart stopped when I saw Zelena walking Regina down the aisle. Her white, lacy dress popped against her tan skin. The bottom was flowing with each step she took toward the shore. I swear she looked like an angel gliding through the air.
I quickly pulled Neal and rushed us toward my fiancé. I couldn't wait another minute. I needed to make her mine for once and for all. I'm not sure what Robert was reciting because all my attention was focused on Regina but then my future wife began to speak.
"I vow that I will never leave your side. I will be next to you with whatever life throws our way. I will love, honor and adore you in sickness and in health until death parts us," Regina vowed as her eyes twinkled in the evening sun and swelled up with tears.
"I vow to drive you crazy. To push your buttons and infuriate you," with that everyone started to laugh, "I will be an idiot, but only for you. I will never leave your side again. I will be there, every step of the way. I will love, honor and cherish you, in sickness and in health until death parts us," I declared with love inspiring tears to trickle down both our cheeks.
"You may now kiss the bride."
Regina and I both tossed our small bouquets carelessly behind us. Her warm delicate fingertips grazed my cheeks as she cupped my face, compelling my heart to pound for only her. I wrapped my arms around her waist and pressed my lips firmly against hers. We both broke out into a smile before we pushed forward to deepen the kiss. I lifted her up from the ground and heard an adorable squeal break from our lips.
I gently placed her back down to the sandy beach below us. She pulled away from our kiss and rested her forehead against mine. "God, I love you Emma Swan-Mills!"
"God, do I love the sound of that name, Regina Swan-Mills!"
My beautiful wife. Regina and I have been married for a little over a year now. We planned a small beach wedding since we don't have family. Regina still hasn't talked to her parents since the day she kicked her mother out of her life. So, Zelena, Belle and her husband, Ruby, Neal and Henry were the only ones that attended. Which was fine by me. Everyone who needed to be there, was.
Neal has been nothing but supportive and helpful in any way possible when it comes to Regina, Henry and I. He has been a great father to Henry from the moment he stepped into our son's life. Neal usually has Henry on the weekends or anytime he asks to see him during the week. We are all very flexible with sharing custody and it just seems to work for all of us.
Henry is about to turn eight in just a few short months, with our baby boy not so little anymore that propelled us to think about extending our family. Regina and I decided that we do want more children, so we have been going through the process of artificial insemination. Regina is the one who will carry our baby because she wants to experience the joys of pregnancy. Honestly, I'm ecstatic she volunteered because I am terrified of going through postpartum again.
I softly shut the door behind me because I know how angry Regina will be with me because I'm late. In my defense, we had an appointment with the doctor earlier, so I had to make up for time loss. I have so much paper work piling up on my desk and I refuse to let a child slip through the cracks.
"Hey guys, I'm home!" I call out as I take off my shoes and place them neatly by the door, not wanting to upset my wife any further. "Guys? Where are you?"
Nothing. I huff feeling a little annoyed that neither one is answering me and make my way through the house.
I stroll through our living room, through the kitchen and finally arrive in the family room. That's where I find Henry leaning into Regina's side. My wife is staring off into nothing but empty space. I frown, when I notice how oblivious she is to her surroundings.
"Regina, what's wrong?" I carefully question, placing one hand upon her shoulder and the other on her thigh. She doesn't even take the time to look at me, which causes a sharp pain to slice right through my heart.
"The doctor called," she mutters.
"Henry can you give your mom and I a minute please?" I ask turning my attention toward our son.
"It's okay Emma, he already knows."
"I found her crying earlier and she told me what happened," Henry shyly confesses knowing all too well this topic is not for his prying ears.
"Basically," Regina croaks out, her voice strained from her previous cries. "The doctor told me after looking over all my lab results, there's a very low chance that I would be able to carry a baby. He explained everything in detail, which we can discuss later," she motions toward Henry in which I nod, "but he said since this process is so expensive, and you already had a baby, we might be better off if you did it."
My heart feels like the organ was being ripped my chest. I know how much she wanted to carry a baby of her own. I know how badly she wanted to experience all those precious moments of carrying a child.
I rest my forehead against the side of her head and wrap my arms around her waist. My eyes flutter closed as I whisper into her ear. "I am so sorry, Regina."
"Mom really wanted this baby," Henry interjects, meeting my gaze with his eyes full of concern and his heart on his sleeve.
"Don't worry Henry we will still have a baby. Maybe not how your mom wanted, but we will still have one," I confirm with confidence.
Regina pulls away from touch just enough to read my eyes. Her brown eyes, glossy with tears and red from all the crying, shift frantically around my face in search of any doubt.
"What do you mean?" She whispers.
"I'll go through with the process," I explain a little further.
"What? You said you wouldn't because of postpartum."
"I know but that was before, when I thought you could do it. Now that I know you can't, I'll step up. I would do anything for you Gina," I pronounce as I lightly connect our lips. She doesn't kiss back though, she just stares into my eyes silently. Dumbfounded. "You should know by now, you're my world. I'll do anything to make you happy. I'll be okay this time around. I know I have your help and Henry's. If it happens again...we will both have the knowledge we need to nip it in the bud. Okay?" I ask ducking my head to see her enchanting brown eyes.
"I love you Em," she announces before she kisses me for real this time.
"Moms," Henry groans as he darts his head in the opposite direction. Our son is at that age where cooties and love are more disturbing than any monster.
"Sorry kid," I mumble as I pull away from my wife.
"I'm making a jar, every time you guys kiss in front of me, you owe me a dollar!"
"Think again little boy," Regina quips sternly.
"If it weren't for your mother's kissing, you wouldn't be here!" I tease.
"I thought if it weren't for you kissing my dad, I wouldn't be here?" Henry instantly sasses right back.
"Well if your mom and I didn't kiss, she wouldn't have taken you in when I couldn't take care of you!" Regina and Henry both laugh at my lame attempt to cover up my mistake but luckily, he nods in agreement.
"Fine, you win this round mom!"
"Go get ready for bed Henry, we will be up in a minute to tuck you in," Regina orders in her motherly tone.
"Okay..." he grumbles as he shuffles out of the room.
"Are you sure about this Em?" Regina asks once again, expressing her concern for the topic.
I cup her face with both hands, gazing deep into her chocolate brown orbs that I always seem to get lost in.
"I promise you, I am one hundred percent sure. I've never wanted something more in life because I know it will make us happy and keep our family growing." I place a small kiss to her lips to seal my vow. "Now come on, let's go tuck our son in."
After we put Henry to sleep, Regina and I were cuddling close in bed. We were lying face to face with our legs entangled. I was lightly dragging my nails all around her smooth back to help calm her over anxious nerves from earlier today.
"Regina, why didn't you call me right away after you got off the phone with the doctor?"
"He actually called me to come back to the office, so he could tell me in person. I didn't think he was going to give me news like that. Once I left I was so lost in my own thoughts, I just drove home and cried. I didn't even realize when Neal dropped Henry off. I just couldn't stop crying." Her voice cracks from the thick emotions crawling up her throat. "I wanted to carry a baby so desperately."
"I know Gina, but you should've called. I could've been there for you. Promise me you won't do this again. I need us to be open at all times."
"I know, I'm sorry Em, I really didn't mean to leave you out. I will make sure I include you next time."
"I just want to be there to help you and comfort you. I love you."
"I know," she murmurs as a few tears finally escape her swollen eyes. "I love you too."
We both fell silent and it wasn't long before I heard her breathing steady and her limbs relax against mine. I kiss her head and continue with my motions against her back. I want her to sleep well tonight and I know I need to keep her body content.
XXXXXXXXX
I am perched quietly at the edge of the bed, studying the way Regina's eyelids flutter while she sleeps. Despite yesterday's tragic news there's still a ghost of a smile gracing her flawless features. I swear this woman is more beautiful now than she was when I first met her, nine years ago.
I lean down and place a delicate kiss to those plump lips that are free from her usual lipstick. "Good morning," I whisper against her mouth inspiring her eyes to slowly pry open.
"Good morning," she repeats as her limbs stretch away the tiredness from yesterday.
I offer my wife a steaming hot cup of coffee, prompting her body to slide up in the bed. She rests her back against the headboard and happily accepts the morning caffeine. I smile to myself as I watch her take a small sip, relishing in the taste with her hair all in disarray from her sleep.
"So... I already called the doctor to make an appointment for today. I'm going to have all the necessary blood work and whatever else they need to do, to make sure my body is ready for insemination."
"Are you serious, Em?" She timidly inquires as she grips her coffee mug a little tighter.
"Of course, I am. Did you think I was lying to you last night? I told you, we are going to do this. Would you like to come or are you going to stay here?"
"Of course, I'm going to come with you. We are doing this together," she demands with pure joy radiating from her body. She leans forward to steal a short but sweet kiss.
"Good, get dressed. We leave in one hour."