Chapter36

Regina awoke to the alarm clock, and noticed she was alone. She looked over to Emma's side of the bed and saw a note on the pillow. Grabbing it she rubbed her eyes so that she could read it, 'Good morning gorgeous. Felix and I are going to get an early start today, I made coffee and I hope you have a great day. I can't wait to see you, I love you.' Regina took notice at how beautiful Emma's penmanship was as she smiled like a love sick teen.

Climbing out of the bed, she made her way to the bathroom for a shower. She started unbuttoning her silk pajama top as she walked into the large master bath. The brunette let the material fall to the floor. It wasn't typical of her to do that, but for whatever reason she didn't care at the moment.

She wiggled out of her bottoms and underwear letting them pool at her feet. As she passed the full length mirror she stopped abruptly and slowly turned her head toward her reflection. To her bewilderment, her belly was pooched out. Compared to last night, there was a substantial difference. Regina noticed that her breast looked larger and her nipples seemed to stick out more.

The queen cupped her breast in amazement and noticed how sore and dark colored her nipples they were. She sighed letting out a shaky breath.

She was dreaming right? She asked herself. She had often, throughout her life, thought about what it would be like to be pregnant and have a baby. The brunette even remembered regretting casting the barren spell after she had married Leopold; she had felt so alone in that castle, she would have done anything to feel loved. Her mother was probably laughing from her grave at her current predicament.

Regina continued with her original plan of showering and figured she would call Dr. Whale when she got out. She hoped he knew something and that everything was all right.

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Emma and Felix had arrived at the station a little after six and relieved Fredrick. They had stopped by Granny's for coffee and bear claws. The blonde noticed how surprised the boy had seemed when she bought the second bear claw and passed it to him.

At the station she made him sit in a chair near her desk to eat his breakfast. He had thanked her several times before they had made it into the building. She remembered what it was like not knowing where your next meal was going to come from. She had gone to sleep hungry more times than she could count. She sat down behind her desk and pulled out her own bear claw.

Ruby was the next to enter. She was carrying a bag from Granny's and a cup of coffee, "Morning Em."

Emma smiled, "Morning Ruby."

The blonde noticed the teen's demeanor change when he saw the waitress enter. His cheeks flushed and he sat up straight. He suddenly looked embarrassed or something similar. Emma smiled to herself.

Ruby sat down behind the other desk and started unpacking her bag. She pulled out a dozen doughnuts, and sat them on the edge of the desk. She then pulled out a styrofoam container. Opening it, Emma could see it was a big breakfast. There were eggs, bacon, sausage, pancakes, and what appeared to be potatoes.

"Wow Ruby, that's a lot of food", the blonde said as she watched the other woman stab a piece of sausage with her plastic fork and then placed it into her mouth. She chewed a few times, and then said, "Wolves have to eat a lot, and we have fast metabolisms."

Emma laughed letting her eyes fall back on the boy who looked confused at the waitress' comment. She asked, "You didn't know that Ruby was a werewolf?"

He swallowed the last bite of his food and shook his head, "I thought werewolves were all hairy and nasty looking."

Ruby smiled, "Nope, I only have hair when I change, and I like to think my wolf self is very attractive too." She winked at the teen.

The boy swallowed hard enough that the two women heard him and red crept up his neck making its way to his cheeks. Even the scar that ran from his forehead down diagonally across his face ending at the bottom half of his right cheek seemed to change colors.

Emma started to tease the boy about the blush, but then thought better of it, if she wanted this kid to trust her, making fun of him wasn't going to make it happen.

She turned to look at Ruby, "Who all is on the roster for accepting community service volunteers."

Felix snorted at the volunteer part, but Ruby replied to the question, "The convent, Granny, Belle, us here at the station and the mayor."

Emma took note as she wrote the information down on a piece of paper. Without saying anything she picked up the phone and dialed the convent, to ask what kind of work they would be in need of so that she could decide which of the children were more suited for which placement. She then called the rest of the places on the list except Regina. She already knew where she would place Felix.

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Henry had dressed and brushed his teeth as he looked at his reflection in the mirror. Grabbing his comb, he pulled it through his bed head to calm it down to at least look halfway presentable. He had one piece of hair that refused to go down, even after he put water on it. He gave up and exited the bathroom.

"Yes, I am certain that the baby has grown over night." He heard his mother's voice coming from down stairs.

He slowly walked down the stairs and listened, "I cannot put on any of my pants doctor." His mother said sounding annoyed.

When he reached the bottom of the stairs, he realized his mother was in the study, "It is impossible for me to come in at this moment, I have things I need to do. Can't you just tell me if everything is okay?" She asked.

Henry turned to the study doorway and saw his mother standing with her back to him, "No I am not feeling any pain, other than a head ache and tender breast."

He took a couple of steps closer, but then stopped. She said into the receiver, "I understand doctor, and as soon as I talk to Emma, I will let you know."

He watched her place the receiver down and he heard her sigh, "Mom? Are you okay?"

She straightened her back, but didn't turn around. Henry was starting to get worried until she said, "I'm not sure."

He could hear the unsteadiness in her voice, "Who was on the phone?" He asked.

"Dr. Whale. I was worried and gave him a call."

She slowly turned to face her son and he gasped at the swell in her belly. Henry saw the fear and sadness in his mother's eyes and he knew his reaction hadn't been the best so he said, "Wow, mom." He walked up to her and started to place his hand on her stomach, but then stopped and looked up at her, "May I?"

Her eyes were watering up and she nodded, "Of course."

Henry put his hand on her stomach, "It's probably too soon to feel the baby move, huh?"

He genuinely felt excited about being a big brother. He wanted this baby to seal his family together too. He was hoping that if his moms had a baby together that they would want to be together officially.

"I don't know, but I would think not", she said as she wiped her eye.

"This baby is going to be so lucky." He said smiling as he leaned his head down and placed his ear on his mother's stomach.

"How so?" She asked.

He smiled up at her, "Because they are going to have the best brother around, not to mention cutest."

His adoptive mother laughed making him feel glad that she seemed happier.

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The parents arrived with the kids around eight. After placing each kid with the appropriate place, she let out a breath of air. It was nearly lunch time, and the station was almost silent after the last kid left.

She stretched and yawned. A nap sounded lovely, but the thought was jolted out of her mind when Felix said, "So what about me?"

She looked over at him, "You have two locations my friend."

"What? How is that fair?" He asked dramatically standing up.

Emma shook her head, "You will be assisting me here at the station and the mayor if she needs it."

He huffed and sat back down, "So I have to eat, sleep and breathe you."

The sheriff leaned back in her chair with her feet on the desk and her arms behind her head, "That's right kid." She smiled, "On the upside, you will get to see the lovely deputy Lucas more." Ruby had run to Granny's to grab everyone some lunch.

His eyes snapped up to her, she could tell that he hadn't thought of that, trying to seem unaffected, "So what do you want me to do so I can get this over with."

"First thing you are going to do is clean those cells, from top to bottom", she said.

"Seriously? You want me to be the jail maid?" He said in a higher than manly pitch.

"What did you think I would have you do while you were here kid? Help catch bad guys?" Emma asked sarcastically.

The blonde's phone went off and she answered, "Sheriff Swan?"

"Busy day?" She heard her lover's voice ask.

Emma smiled, "Not now, looks like the worst past has been wrapped up. What's up?"

She could hear the hesitation in Regina's voice, "I was going to go to the hospital for another checkup and ultrasound around three o'clock and wanted to know if you could make?"

The sheriff knew having another checkup so soon wasn't necessary but she also knew how worried and upset the brunette had been, "Yeah, of course I'll be there. I wouldn't miss it for the world."

"Okay then I'll see you there. I love you", Regina said sounding relieved.

"Yep, I love you too." She said before hanging up the phone. Was the older woman really afraid she wouldn't be there? Emma tried to remember how crazy her hormones were when she was pregnant and she sighed. She wished she could do something to ease the brunettes mind, but until the hormones calmed down, there was nothing she could do.

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Regina slipped her phone back into her purse as she waited in the shoe department for Henry to pick out shoes for him and Felix. Her son needed a new pair of sneakers as well and it only made since to let him pick out both pair. She figured he was a better judge of what was cool for teenagers than she was, being that he was one.

She felt a weird fluttering in her stomach and decided she should sit down, and a dull aching in her back. What the hell was happening to her?

"Okay mom." Henry said with a smile, "These I chose for me", he held up a pair of blue and red sneakers, "And these are for Pan JR." He held up a pair of black Chucks.

"Henry, please don't call him that, his name is Felix." She said holding her head wishing the pain would go away.

"I was only kidding mom." He said putting the shoe into the cart.

She stood up slowly feeling a little light headed, but held onto the cart for stability. Looking over into the basket, she took a mental inventory of its contents, "Is this everything he will need, and please tell me you are choosing clothes for him with bias's set aside."

Henry rolled his eyes, "I may not like him, but I wouldn't let him dress funny since he is staying with us, and yes this is all he needs."

She knew her son had the biggest heart of anyone she had ever met, she knew whatever his issue with Felix was it would mend itself if given enough time. Another flutter happened in her stomach and this time she knew it was the baby moving. How was that even possible? She was feeling so stressed.

Regina was feeling like she couldn't breath and was gasping for air. Her body was feeling numb and before she could think more on it, everything went black.

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Henry saw his mother's face drain of all color, and before he knew what was going on, she was falling. He reached out as quickly as he could and caught her in his arms before she hit the floor, he struggled to hold her up, "Mom!" He called out, but she didn't respond.

He looked around the clothing store, and saw Belle, "Belle!" He yelled getting her attention.

She started running towards him when she realized who it was.

Once she was next to him she asked, "Henry, what happened?"

"I don't know. We were talking about the clothes in the cart and then she just passed out." He said panicked.

The Aussie could see the prominent swell in her midsection, and she gasped in surprise at just how fast the pregnancy was moving along, "Hold on let me call for help." Belle said pulling out her phone and walking away to speak.

Henry was still struggling to stay on his feet with his unconscious mother in his arms. He did know what had happened but he was very worried. He didn't want anything to happen to his mom or the baby. If the baby was hurting his mom, then he would have to be honest and say he would choose his mother, but he hoped it wouldn't come to that.

No sooner did Belle pull the cell from her ear, Henry's grandfather appeared. He walked over to Henry and took Regina in his arms, one went around her waist and the other under her knees and lifted her up, "Go with Belle and she will get you to the hospital, you can meet us there."

Henry nodded and watched his mother and Rumpelstiltskin disappear into a cloud of smoke. Belle rushed to his side, "You can call your other mother on the way."

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She had been watching the clock like a hawk after Regina had called her. She wanted to be there for her…Regina, but she also didn't want to let her down. It was only a little after one, so she still had some waiting to do.

Ruby had brought lunch for them over an hour ago. She couldn't help but laugh remembering before the waitress returned, Felix had been whining about cleaning the cells, but as soon as the wolf walks in, he is suddenly Mr. Clean.

She had expected her father in this morning, but he had called in. He had told Ruby that they had gotten baby Neal his vaccinations yesterday and then was up all night with a very sick infant. She was a little nervous about that part of parenting.

Her phone rang and she answered, "Sheriff Swan?"

"Emma, it's mom, she's in the hospital." Henry said.

"What? Why? What happened?" She asked loudly as she stood up so quickly it flipped her chair over causing a loud crash that echoed through the station.

"I don't know. She just passed out, and Gold teleported her to the hospital and Belle and I are on the way now." He said, and she could hear the worry in his voice.

"I'm on my way." She said before hanging up.

She grabbed her jacket off the back of her chair and headed for the door.

Felix jogged after her, "Where are you going?"

"Regina got taken to the hospital." She said still walking.

"I'm going with you", the boy said. She didn't have time to argue so she didn't say anything and allowed him to follow.

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Regina opened her eyes to bright white lights overhead. She had to blink a few to times to let her sensitive eyes adjust. For a very quick moment she thought she had died and suddenly seen the white light everyone keeps talking about, and then rolled her eyes at herself when she realized she was in fact very much alive.

"You gave a scare there dearie", Rumple said beside her.

She turned her head to look at him, "Where am I?"

"The hospital. You passed out while you and Henry were shopping." He explained as he shifted from one foot to the other.

"Did an ambulance bring me?" She asked.

The man laughed, "No, Dearie, I did."

She had more questions for the man, but suddenly she remembered the baby and panicked grabbing her stomach.

Gold reached out and put his hand over hers, "Calm down, the baby's fine."

She sighed and closed her eyes. Why was this happening to her? She was happy about being pregnant, but not like this, she literally felt like her emotions as well as her body were on a rollercoaster.

"Mom!" Henry called from the doorway causing her to open her eyes and look at him.

"I'm all right honey." She gave a small smiled.

Belle was close behind him and they both reached the bed. The Aussie went to her husband's side, "How are you feeling?" She asked.

Regina looked up into the other woman's kind eyes, "Better, I guess. I'm not really sure."

Rumple smiled at both of the women, "Well if all is well here, I really should be getting back to the shop. I hope you feel better Regina."

As he turned to leave, the mayor reached out and caught his arm. He turned and looked at her.

"Thank you." She smiled.

He smiled back but said nothing, then disappeared in the same purple smoke that Regina was known for.

Emma opened the door and walked through looking very worried and nervous. Felix was behind her with a similar expression. She walked up to the bed, "What happened?" She asked before leaning over and pulling the other woman close.

"I passed out when Henry and I were shopping for Felix." She whispered.

She didn't realize the boy was standing there before she spoke. His eyes went wide with surprise and then went sad. He slowly turned to walk out of the room.

"Wait, Felix where are you going?" She asked.

Emma rose up and looked in his direction. She was taken back by the sadness that was on his face.

The older teen looked down at the floor and said, "This is a family thing, I'll just wait out in the hall."

"You can stay if you want." Regina said trying to sound as inviting as she could.

"Nah, I'll just wait outside." He turned slowly and walked out with his head hanging down.

Regina felt sad for the boy and she didn't even know why exactly. Her eyes found Henry's. He looked back at her for a minute and then rolled his eyes, "Fine, I'll go see what is wrong with him."

She smiled at her son, realizing she had just shared her own little telepathic moment with their son, "Thank you."

Henry gave a thin lipped smile and headed out the door.

"What did the doctor say about the baby?" Emma asked.

"I haven't seen the doctor yet, but Rumple told me the baby was fine." She said.

"But you are all right?" Belle asked.

Regina nodded her head, "Yes I am now, thank you."

The librarian smiled, "Of course. I'm headed out, but if you need anything, please don't hesitate to call me."

The mayor smiled and nodded in agreement. The Aussie turned and walked out leaving Emma and Regina alone. Perfect timing it would seem because the doctor walked in pushing an ultrasound machine.

"Miss. Mill, Sheriff." The doctor greeted.

"Is the baby all right?" Regina blurted out.

He smiled, "Yes the baby is doing well. It appears it is growing faster than I thought." He said as he pushed her gown up.

Emma's eyes were in shock and her mouth gaped open when she saw her lovers belly, "Whoa, when did this happen?"

Regina was worried that the blonde was going to be freaked out, she said, "I woke up to it this morning."

The sheriff closed her mouth and reached over placing her hand on the queen's abdomen. The blonde's response almost made a sob escape Regina's throat. She had expected the younger woman to leave due to all of this abnormality. Hell she felt like she wanted to run.

As Emma removed her hand, Dr. Whale squeezed out some gel onto the brunette's stomach, and then pressed the wand against the skin there. He slowly moved the wand around.

Regina felt the blonde interlock their fingers together, and let out a silent breath of air.

"Before we get too far, are you two wanting to know the sex of the baby?" Dr. Whale asked.

"I thought I had to be at least fifteen weeks before you could tell the sex." The brunette said.

"That is correct, but Miss. Mills you are closer to about twenty weeks." He said.

For a brief moment, she thought she would pass out. She didn't know what to say. The baby would definitely be here soon if she was already halfway through her pregnancy.

Emma looked down at Regina and got her attention, "Do we want to know what we are having?"

The mayor swallowed the lump in her throat at the love she was feeling from the woman beside, and she was overwhelmed with interest the younger woman was taking in the baby, "Yes. One question, would you rather a girl or a boy?" She asked the sheriff.

Emma smiled and kissed her on the lips before she said, "As long as it and its mother are healthy, I don't care."

Regina let out a small sob, but smile, and then looked at the doctor, "All right, tell us."

The doctor looked back at the screen while moving the wand around, "You are having", He paused as he squinted his eyes, "A little boy."

Emma's smile was big, "Another boy, awesome."

Regina laughed. She felt so happy in this moment.

The doctor printed out two copies of the ultrasound, for both mothers and then told Regina, "Now, you are going to have to take it easy Miss. Mills. The baby is growing fast, but healthy, however, it can take its toll on your body very quickly. Your only saving grace is that you have magic that is protecting you and helping to feed the baby."

Emma looked up at him, "Can't I give him some of my magic so he doesn't constantly drain hers?"

"That may be possible, but I would speak to Blue about it first, she would know more about that than me." He said as he rolled up the cord to the machine and left the room.

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Henry saw Felix round the corner towards the waiting room. When the younger boy came around the corner he saw the older one sit down in a chair. He walked to the chair next to him and sat down, "What's up with you?"

Felix looked up, "What? You following me now?"

Henry rolled his eye, "Shut up. What upset you in the room back there?"

"I don't know what you're talking about", the older boy said looking down.

Henry shook his head and stood up irritated, "I'm trying to talk to you like a human and you keep putting up this front, I give up." He started to walk away when he heard the other teen ask so quietly he almost didn't hear him, "What was Miss. Mills talking about that you two where shopping for me when she passed out?"

Henry sighed, then turned toward him, "We were buying you new clothes for school. She wanted to do something nice for you."

He ran his hand through his shaggy long hair, "So it's because of me that she is here?"

Henry looked confused for a second, and then said, "No man, she passed out because the baby is growing too fast. It didn't have anything to do with you."

The boy looked up at the younger teen, "You don't blame me?"

"What? No. I may not like you that much, but I'm not going to blame you for something I know wasn't your fault." Henry said.

The relief was evident on the older boy's face. Henry could see that somewhere beneath the Pan bullshit, this kid was probably a really good person. He just hoped it wasn't buried too deep.

"Come on, let's go check on my mom", Henry said.

The older boy looked shocked but he quickly got to his feet and followed the darker haired boy. Henry was glad now that he had told the store clerk to hold the clothes until he came back for them later.

Both boys walked into Regina's room. Emma and her were holding hands and it looked like his mom had been crying, "What wrong?" He asked.

His adoptive mom answered, "Nothing sweetheart, these are happy tears."

Happy tears? He was never going to understand woman. They were more complicated than anything he could ever imagine.

Emma looked at him, "Do you want to know what the sex is?"

"You don't have a preference, do you?" His older mother asked.

He glanced over at Felix and then back to his mother's, "I will except either if they are healthy, but I really hope it is a boy."

Regina looked at him with curiosity, "Why do you hope it's a boy?"

Henry sighed, "No Offense, but I can't deal with another girl."